CA2228120A1 - Interchangeable nosepiece system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an interchangeable nosepiece system for an eyeglass frame. The nosepieces system can be used to adjust the orientation of a lens on a wearer's face such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer's actual straight ahead line of sight, The nosepieces are removably mounted onto eyewear and may be customized for the facial geometry of a particular wearer.

Description

OAKLY.'329A P~TE~T
INl'ERCHANG~:ABLl: NOS~;PIE:CE SYSTEM
B~rl~rvul~d of the Invention The present invention ~elates to a nl)sep;w~ system for eye~l~cses More particularIy, ~e present invention relatec to an i~ eable nos~iece system used 5 fol optimi~ng fit Euldlor adjusting the as wom o~ ;sn of the eye~ es in the veltical plane.
A u~de variety of i.n~)ro~ have been m~de ~n ~t years in tbe e~re~r field. For eY~nlrle, the unitary ~,),1;..1.;~1 lens was pop~ 7A~ by ~e Blades~
(OEk1eY, InC.) cyewear which iu~o-~.ated, smong o~he~s, the ter-hn~ y of United State~ Patont No. 4,859,048 to J.qnnard. Toroidal ~tary lens grh~r having a con~ h." ;~v~t~ 1 radiu!s l~rougholit was ~nl~u~luc~t l~uugh a v~iety of products in ~the M ~rame~ linc of ~y~ s~s, also ph~uced by Oakley, Inc. See, e.g., United Stal.es P~tent ~o. 4,867,550 to JaImard. VaIious other . l.~ovc~e"t~ in c.~
syst:ems are ~Xçn~rlifi~q~ in United State5 Patent Nos. 4,674,851, 4,130,915, 4,824,233, 4,867,550, 5,054,903, 5,137,342, 5,208,614 and 5,249,001, all ~ Ja~ard, et al, The f~,r~,&,oing des~s as well as û~ active sports e~c~l%~ses ûn ~e market gçn~plly u~ize ~ ~tary lens or dual le~ses formed firom a polymcr such as pol~bol,at~, which is mounted in a polymeric fir~sne. ~1~n~f~ ,ly, the prior artinrll~des eye~ ses in which gl~ss or polymeric lenses ~a~.re been molmbed ~n ~ames 20 fomled ftom ~i~ metal sec~ons such as metal wire.
One c~r~ rr~C~ objective in the fidd of high quality e~,..~, p~rticularly ~at ir,t*~?~el~l for use in hig~ speet action sports, is ...i..i..,i,~ toltion ,1l1,o.1.~ced by the ~ ,..~r. Distult;o~ may be illhu~luced by any of a var~ety Of ;~ 1eeS,SUCh ~5 poor c~r. ~lu~lion materials for ~he optical portion of the lens, and inferior polichir~
andl1Dr moldi~g teohniques for the lens. In ~d~litinn~ optical distortion can result filom the interaction of the lens w~ the fra~e, such as changes in the shape of ~e lens orbilal or poor or:~ nt;~1ion of ~e lens wi~ respect to the normal line of sigh~ Optical di~ ;o~ y be l~lu~ if ~e lens is oriented in an optimal position~1 re1~ n~llir ur~th the wearer's line of sight.

Eyeglass systems which use a polymeric or metal wire ~ame a~e sus~e~lible to ben~ing ant flex~ due to a ~r~r~ety of c~ n ~lent~l causes such as impact, sto.rage i~d~d and other ~l~t~ 5'1 forces, forces re~lltine ~om the ~cs~ml~l~ process of l:he e~ ..ca~, and exposure to s~ ht and heat. FlexLng of the lens or u~lcollholled de~liation of the orientr~it n of one lens with respect to the other or ~~vi~ respect to the e~ stems can ul~d~ bly change the optical r.hA,~- t - .~ic~ of dle ey~ ces, whe~her ~e lens is OG~ hon) or nonco,~
Eyeglass f~es may be ~l~qg~ so tbat when wom, ~e lens orient~ in a p~ tn~"~;n~ ~ t;n- ~hill with the weare~'s line of sight such that onen~tion ttPp-.n~nt op~cal distortion is ~ Ilo. .,~, di~ ,i~ ill facial ga~ ,hy and po~l~nnille of the f~ames on the wearer's nose may alter the o. ;I ~.IA~Qn of the lens re!stive to the line of si~ht ~om one wearer to the next w~en the fiames are achla~ly wom. Con3~ue~ y~ ~e lells may not corrcetl~ orient rela~dve to a ~articular wearer's line of sight, res~llt;~te in iDferior op~c~ ch~.v~ ictics for ~at utearer.
T'hus, ll~ere re~s a need for a ~lim~c;~m~lly stable support ~ku~,luL~ for eye~r,l~s lenses, ~h~hle for use w~th ~LI...,Li./e and !~ o~.oeL~ lenses iIl rugg7ed7 high ~ bilityr eyewear. There also ~.~ a neod for e~r~,~ that rnay be cl~tomi7p~ for pa~ticular ~r.~e.~ so ~at the lerls orien~ ~ ~n optim~ pOSit;c'n relati~lre ~he line of sig~t. Plcf~,~bly, ~e ~re..~ remains a~od~r..A.~-;c~lly suited for active sports such as hi~h ~peed bicyrcle racing, ski~lgr and the like, and weighs no more than ~ ~r~q;,~r to ?~ h lhG rOlegO~ objc~i~.,s~
S~ ~r of the lnven'don Then it7 ~ovidcd in accordance ~ith one aspect of the pre~ent i~ tion an eyeg]l~ss hav~ng an adjustable ~nsepi~ce The eyeglass cou~.~ss a le~ orbital, a ng~t orbi~31, and a bridge CO~ t~ ~ therebeh. ~ The medi~l s~de of the rig}~t orbital and the ~ledial side of the left orbi~l arc spaced later~lly apart below the bridge to pro-~de a nose ope~
A first op.~ng is provided ~n the leR orbital ~ t ~e nose o~Ll~i~ for receiving a le~ nose pad, and a second o~.,.ng is prov~ded in the right o~bital adj~~ t the nose opening for receiving ~ right nose pad.

A le~ nose pad having a main body, a nose contact sur~ace orl a first side of the body and a connector on the second side of the body is mounted on t~e eyeglass, the: cormector removably positioned in the first opening. A right nose pad having a ma~n body, a nose contact surface on a first side of the body 2uld a connector on a 5 second side of tbe body is pDsiti~ed with the co~ P~o~ removably positioned irl thc second open~ng.
In one ~Inlootlim~n~ the first and second op~rinn~ lly encircled by a po~tion of ~e orbital. In En ~ embo~irn~-nt the f~ and second openings are only partially ~cl~ed by a portion of the orbital.
In ac~r~l~ with another aspect of the present invelItion, there is provided a me1~od of c~t~t~i~tg the vertical G~ t~tion of an eyeglass in the as wom position. The method c4...p~1~es ~e steps of providing a~ e$eglas~ having at le~st one lens with an optical cç~terl-ne. The ~Gglasa is poslio~ d on the head of a wearer.
The angle bet~reen the optical c~t~lin~ of the lens and the wearer's theoreti~alslra1ght ahead normal line of sight is ~l~t~ , and the lens is adiua~d in ~e vertical plane up or down on ~e head of the wea~er to bring ~e optical centerline sl)bst:~nti~lly into parallel ~ the nor~ line of sight. A nose piece is 3cle~ from a ~r~duAI~ series of dif~erent sized nose pieces, w~ich will CO-J~a~ with the nose of the wearer to rehin the eyeglaâs in an as ~om ~r"~ ;ot~ such that the opticalc~ntA~Ijne is ~.,b~.. t;~lly parallel to the normal line of s~ght in the vertical plarlel The nose piece is installed o~ the eyegl---~s In accord~ce with a filr~er ~spect of the present inv~ , there is provided a bi~sed eyeglass frame. The ~ame comprises a first orbital ha~ing a ~rst nose pad, a ~:cond orbihl having a secorld nose pad and a bridge eolulecting the first andsecond orbitals. A first and second biased cQnl-~ctors are ~ r~ to ~e bridge form~ g the first and ecolld orbitals in a ~e~,t~l..ined orientation wi~ res~ect to each other. The f~rst and second orbitals are moveable from the ~redete,..,i..ed orientation to a second ori~nt~ion by pivotir~.g ~e eyeglass frame at ~e first and second cQ~nPctors, and when in the second orie.llation the eyeglass ~rarne is biased towards the predetermined u~ ,lation~

Preferably, first and second lenses are mounted in the first antl seoond orbi~ls.
In one embo~i r ~t~ the lenses exhibit bo~ wrap and rake in the as ~rorn orientation.
Preferably, the lenses exhibit no more than about 1/8 diopters prismatic d~5tortion and no more than about 1/8 diopters refi~liv~ power in the as worn o,;e ~t~ ~ore pre~fierably, the lerlses cxhibit no more ~an about 1/16 diopters prismatic distortion a~d refractive power in the as v~om olie.~ ;or~
er f~lu.~,s and advalltages of the present inven'don wiIl bec~c a~
frorn the ~lPtpiled ~ ~ ~)t;t~n of pre~,~d ~nbof~ follows, when e~n~ red toge~er wi~ the ~9~ 1 draw~ngs and cla~ms.
I3rief Description of ~e l;)rawin~s Figure 1 is a pr.,s~w~ v~ew of an eyeglass having a fr~me ~.~Gd in accor~slce with tlle present ~,~io~
~igure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the l~nes 2-2 ~n Figure 1.
Figure 3 i9 a cross~s~1;onRl view ~long ~e lines 3-3 in Pigure 1.
FigurG 4 is ~ cross se~lio~-Rl ~iew ll.. ougL t~e top f~asne por~on of an orbital of dle Gre~13s~ ted in Figure 1, Figure S is a cross 3e~iol al view ~rough the bridge portion of ~e eye n1~ in Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a pe~ e v~ew of an artir~ tP~l eyeglass frame in ac~rda~ce 20 w~ ~e present invention.
Figure 7 is an Pxploded top plan view of ~e eyeglass fi~ne of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a top plan ~iew of the ar1io~ t~ eyeglass frame of Figure 6 Figure 9 ~s a ~ront elevational view of the articu~t~l eyeglass f~ame of Figure 6.
Figure 10 i~ a front elevational s~hern~tiC view of an altemate c .-b~d;.. ~ Il of the present invention Figure 11 is a top plan vie~ of t~e embo~imY~It of Figure 10.
Figures 12A-12C P~e enlarged view of a biased cor~ t~r as in Pigure 10.
Figure 13 is a ~ont ¢le~ra~lonal view of an altemate L.--bo~,r-.t of the eyegl~ss frames in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of the embo~ime~t illu~aled in Pigure 13.

Figuue 15 is a ~ c~ve view of a lens blanik confor ~ ~ to a portion of ~he surl~ace of a sphere. showing a lc~s profile to be cut from ~e blank in accordance with a ~I,er~..cd ennbodiment ofthe present Lnvention Figure 16 is a pels,..e.,ti~c cuta ~ay ~iew of the hollo~ ered ~rall spherical S sha]~e, lens blal~k, and ler~ of Fi ~ re 15.
~igure 17 is a horL2ont~1 cross ~e!;~ view of a lens cor ~ cted in 2u~rd~llce ~vith a plef~,"~d ~nn~o~im~t ofthe present Lnven~on.
Figule 17A is a ~ertical cr~ss-sec~nn~l view of a lens col~kuet~d Ln a~x"~ ce w~th a ~f~."cd ernbo~ ofthe present inventiorL
Fi~re 18 ls a top plan vie~v of the lens of Figure 17 show~ng a high wrap in ~1~L;G~ to a wearer.
Figure~ 19A-19C are right side ele~ational views of lenses of vanous co~-lr~ ~ons and G-~ relative to a un~ler.
Figure 19A ill~ c the proSle of a ~ pc~l), cc nfi~lred and ori~ntçcl lens for 15 use ~n an eyeglass h~ring d~.~.u~ rake, in ~o~ ce with a ~ fL~d çInbo~ P .
of ~le present i~ tiOll.
~igure l9B i~ sh~l~s the proflle of a cen~ally oriented lens wi~ no rake.
Figure l9C illus~ates a lens eYhihiting do~..,..~.l ralce but which is not corliigulred and or~PntPd to minimi7t~ prismatic distortion for ~he straight ahead lme of 20 sight.
Figure 20 ~ .t .~ ;t ~lly ~ tes the projection of ~e lens hol~Atal profile fram a desired ~i:e,-t~tinn within an ~,y~ ame to ~he lens blank, in accor~&~ce wi~ a pLef~l~ ernbodirnerAt of the present ~n~rention.
Figure 20A sch ..~I;cally illuslral~s the proje-tion of the lens vertical profiie from a desired or;Pnt~l;Q~ within an e~ .~ frame to the lens blarLlc, in accor~ce w~t}l a ~e~ .,.hot1in~ 1 of ~e present invention.
Figure 21 is a pc.~cli~e view of an eyeglass e~ui~,pcd u~th interc~ e~ble no3~,l,;eces in accor~ ce with the present invention.
Figure 22 is a pels~e~ e view of a nos~pi~e pad configure~ in accordance wi~ ~e present invention.

Figure 23 is a p~ c~ view of a n~sepiece Inounted on ~ eyegl~s orbital in accord~nce with a first em~o~limP.nt of the present inverltion.
Figure 23A is a cross-sectional view along the lines 23A-23A in Figure 23.
~ igure 24 is a ~ e.,~ive view o~ a nosepiece l.,uu.lted on an eyeglass orbi~al S in accor~ance wi~ other embo~ Y)r~ll of the present invention.
Figure 24A is a cross-sectionAl view along the i~nes 24A-24A in Flgure 24.
Figure 25 is a ~ re view of a nose~iece mounted on an eyeglass in accordance with anotber ~n~oAim~nt of the present inve~tion.
Figure 25A is a cross-se~io~ v~ew along ~e li~es 25A-25A in Figure 25.
Figures 26~-26E are ~;luss 30u~ n~1 views of nnsC~ mou~ted in various Go~fig-lrations onto a s~b~rn~t;r~l1y illu;~llated portion of ~n eyeglass orbital, Figures 27A-27D are front elevatior~al vie~vs of ~arious ad~1itiQn~
configurations of a~s confi~l~red to recei~,re a nn3~ pieoe of the p~esent invention.
Figure 28 is a cross-s~tional view of a nnsPpiÇÇe mounted onto an e~,l~s 15 orbital in accordance wi~ ano~her P,.~bod;~,t of ~e present inventiorL
Figure 29 is a cross s~ctiol1~1 view of another ~bodiment of nosepiece of ~e present invention mounted onto an eyeglass orbital.
Figure 30 illu~ s the profile of a ~ulLJye,ly configured and orie~ted lens and eyewear frame.
Figure 31 is a C.1~J93 sectinn~l v~ew of ul ~lt~ern~t~ nosepiece of the present invention mounted onto an ey- p;ece orbital.
Figure 32 is a cross-section~l view of a nosepiece of the present invention mounted onto an eyepiece orbit~l.
Dcta~led Description ofthe ~lcf~ ed Embo~ c Referring to Figure l, there is ~ losed one embod~ment of an eyeglass d ~n aGcor~ vith one aspect of ~e present invention. T~e eyeglass 10 generally comprises ~ ~ame 12 which, in the illu~h~ted embo~iim~nt~ ~u~olb a pair of lenses 14 and 16. Although the present invention ~ill be described ~n~ r.,Ç~r~
to a Idual lens system, it is to be understood ~at the methods and prinrirl~s l'li~cll~P~
herein are read~ly applicable to the production o~ frames for u~itary lens ~.,gla~s~
systems and ~rotcetive goggle systems as well.

Thc frarne 12 generall)r comprises a firist orbital 18 and a second orbital 20 for ~uJppolling the first lens 14 and second lens 16. Al~ough rlle present invention will be disclosed in tl~e context of a pair of or~itals ~8 and 20 which s~round the res~ive lenses, the principles of the present invention also apply to eyeglass systems S in w~lich the frame only partially surrounds the lens or lenses, or cont~ct~ only one edge or a portion of cne edge of the lens or each leDs ~s well.
In the illus~ated embo~ nt the orbitals 18 and 20 are co~ e~ by a bridge po~on 22.
The cy-,gl~;, 10 is also provided w~ a pair of gene~lly ~ ~dly ..~1....1i.,e ea,i,h~s 24 an.d 26 for ret~ini~e the eyeglass on the head of the wearer. Lrl addition, an open region 28 is adapted to receive ~e nose of ~e wearer, as LS l~nclers~Qod in ~e art. Nose region 28 may optionally be provided witll a no~ eeo~ either Cr~nl~et~to the lens orbitals 18 and 20, or the bridge 22, or directly to the lens(s) .1~,~
upon the particular embodiment. ~Iternatively, ~he u~s~ ce may be formed by a~ iately sculptiIlg the medial ed~es of ~e orbitals and lo~rer edge of the bridge, as i;n ~e illu~dt~,d embodimP~lt In acc~.d~c~ with the present inven~on, at least ~e orbi~ls 18 and 20, and opdlon~lly t~e bridge 22, as well as other co~or.~ of the eyeglass system, are manufact~red ~om a high :~U~,t~GI integrity m~ter~al and preferably tt~rough a casting prociess to O~tillli~ ~ln~;tul~l stability in at least ~e optical support po~tion of ~e final product. I~e orbitals 18 and 20 can be ~ ~t~ly formed and assembled later ~nth a ~ tely mAnl~r..et.~-ed bridge 22, or the orbitals 18, 20 and bndge 22 can be irlt~ y molded or ca~t as urill be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of the ~ sllre herei~L Casting the eyeglass col~pol,e.,~s dir~cdy into ~e final corlfi~ tion ~ fli~closed herein desirably ~ the need to bend metal parts as is done in ~e prior art m~t~o~i~ of ma~ and adjus~ng metal eyeglass ~ames.
F~rn~ 24 and 26 may also be fosme~ through the casting techniques disclosed herein However, it hss been dvte"~ ed by the present inventor ~at the e~t~ s 24 and 26 are preferably cons~ucted in a manner ~at pe~r~its at least medial and lateral direction flexlbility, to ~nh~nce ~e comfort for the wearer and ~ce~ nodate a varie~ of head widths. Flexibility ofthe reau~dly e .~ .g ends of'e~.~t~ 24 and 26 in the desired medial and lateral direc~ions can be accomrlished either through ~e usc of flexible cons~uction materials for the earstem as is know in the art, or through the use of relatively rigid e~te~l~s in combina~on wi~ a spring, re,silient hinge materials, compressible materials or other tecluliques which can be devised to impart some flexibility and even a medial bias. Preferably, e~te,lls 24 and 26 are c.,nl-~ct~l dir~tly or indirectly to the orbitals 18 and 20 through ~e use of hinges~ However, nnnhinged flex~ble o~ inflP~yible wnn~io~C may also be used as desired, RPf~nn~ to Figure 2, there is ~lin~ losed a cro~3~t~0ll through the orbital 20 of the ern~ n~ t ill~lided in Figure 1~ In this embo~ t the orbital 20 is pro~det withL a~L a~nul~r seat 30 for l~;v~g the lens 16. ~Le ann~r seat 30 ~ one ~rnl~.l;~ ~ fosmLed by the sidewall of a chan~el e~ radially u~l~ly ir~to thLe orbital 20 for ~urro~ e thLe edge anLd a portion of thLe front arLd rear surface of the lens 16. In ~L embodiment ~a~ a radially olll..~dly ext~ çh~nn~l for 1~ r~ lg tke lells, access to the channel for in~lling the lens c~n be provided by bifulcat~Lllg each orbital along a~,;>~"1~l, verticsl orotker~ Le orbital seetioll~
can be recombined followinLg inser~olL of the lens. AltemLatively~ the seat 30, as illustrated, is formed by the sar~ace of an annular shelf for receiving the Iens from the firo~t or rear side of ~e glasses.
The lens may be letai,ied in the ~ame in any cf a variety of ~ . For example, ~n the i11u~ hd embodiment, a lens ret~io~ u~,.re 32 such as a lens ret,~ Ql. ring 34 is pro~ided for ~t~ he lens 16 in he seat 30. The lens re~ntion ~ 34 can be secured in ~s;ljon ~n any of a ~ariety of ways, such as ~elding, braz~ng, sold~ine, adhesives, other m~t~lir bo~ing techrliques, snap-fit, thff!aded en~e~m~lt, screws, or othen~se as will be undorstood to those of skill in the art.
As an ~It~ te to a lens let~ .I;o~ ring 34, the lens retention structure 32 can be one or more projections e~t~ e from the orbital 20 in the dh~clion of the optical wne of ~e lens, projeetions on the lens ~ çng~ g the orbital, or any of a ~arie~y of other ~t~u.,tu,, D which urill be readily al)p~e.. l to one of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. In one embo~im~ nt the lens retentiorl structnre 32 is parm~nerltly installed at the point of manufacture Altenlatively~ the lens retention structnre is pro~ided with a snap interfit, screws or o~ner ~eleasable ret~ntio~ feature to pernnit rcmoval by the ~rearer such as to pennit the wearer to exchange lenses. The len~ also simply be press fit into a lens groo~e and retained by the resulting 5 h~ rence fit The lens can seat directly against tlne metal seat 30 and lens retçnti~ n structure 32. Altematively, a spacer such as a resilient gasket or sllhtt~ ly nonresilient pad C~l be posit~o~ed in ~ .~n ~he lens a~d ~e seat 30 and/or ret ~hnn struchlre 32, to pro~ide a "fl~ g" lens ~ S;Ol~ system.
Preferably the ~ame and optioDally the e~r.~ nc ~re ~ r~ ~t~.et t~ough an ~uves~ I ~ng techrlique. One benefit of ~n~v~ casting is ~at a high deg~ee of l~onhol can be achieved over the design, both :~hu~tulolly and ~hPtl'e~lly In one ~nbo~lim~t of the pre~ent invention, the s-~ es of ~e lenses or optical wnes lie on the surface of a solid ~ ch;c shape having a curve of subs~unh~lly cQn~ t radiuc along what is the hori~ l m~rirli~n of the eyegl~ec~cThlls, for eY~ple, refe~ing to Pigure 3, the front surf~ce of one embodiment of the eyeglass frame confu~ s ~enerally to a curve 30 such as a base 4 curve. T~e lens slot pre~erably col,fo~ generally to a cur~e 32 such a~ a base 6, and the conca~,~, surface of lhe eyeglasses ~nfo....c generally to a cun~e 34 of base 8. Other base curves can be readily used if desired, such as to ~cQI.~m~ t~ eit~ re3c.il,1ion (corrective) len:ies or no~cor,~L;~c le~cos, In a typical dual lens inve hutll~ cast ~ -P~ Qn~lly stable eyeglass in accordance with the present invention, the overall arc leng~ of the eyegl~ses roughly from hinge to hinge is within the range of from about S-ln inches to about 8.0 inches. The m~Yjm-m~ vertical height of ~e glasses through e2ch of the right and le~
optical zones is typically within the range of from about 3/4 inch to about 2-1/2 inches. The ho,,zul,tal arc leng~ of each right and le~ lens in a dual lens system is typically with~n the range of &om about 1-1/2 inches to about 3 inches, The nanowest vertical ~im~ncion of the eyeglass at ~e bridge is generally ~ about 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch and about 314 incll or greater depending llpon materials and desi~n variables.

Refe~g to the fi~a~ n~-y cross-section shown in Figure 4, in a cast tihni~l eml?odim~nt~ the cross-sectional r~im~9ncintlC through a portion o~ the orbital are as follows. The ~dest top to bottom ~im~r~ior~ dl is from about 1116 inch to about 3/4 inch. The widest front to b~k ~lim~n~;~n d2 is from about 1/8 inch to about 1/2 ~nch.
l'he: firont to back ~imPncio~ d3 at seat 30 is fro~ about l/32 inch to abont 1n ir~ch.
The: top to bottom flinl~n.~jon d4 at seat 30 is from about 1/32 inch to about 1/2 inch.
In ~n~l, no portion of the orbital will have a cross-~ectir~n~l area that is less tl~l the area ach~ ,d by the low end of the ~inl~rQi~nQ recited above. The bridge 22 g~n~ has an even larger cross s~ ionol area than the top or bottom se4tinn~
of l;he orbitsl, although it may take a sheet-like fo~m with a relatively thin front-to-back ~ r ~ n. Thlls, ref~. ;n~ to Figure 5, in one emho~;m~nt of the ~nvention, ~e bridge 22 has a height d5 of a~ least about 1/8 inch and a dep~ d6 of at least about 1/8 inch, l~e cross-~ctinn~l area at the n~o~ t portion of the bridge is gen~llyno less t~ &ppro~;...~t~ly 0.002 square inchec. F~ef~,Gbly, ~e cross ~ct;nn~l area 15 ~hrou~h the ce~ter of ~e bridge will be at least about 0.015 square inches ~ a sculpted em~o~l;...P ~ d as much as about 0.06 or more square inches in highly sculpted eml~odim~ns.s Wbere the cross-section ~rough a ~ of the orbital is nonc~ lar, as in ~igure 4, the length to ~ ter r~o can be ~1~di~d for coll,par;son by c~c~ tin~ the cross-section~l arca and then co~ g that area to a circular coDfiguration. The di~ t~, of ~e circle having the same area as the orbital see" .e"t is then used in ~ tling the le~ to ~ nn~tPr r~dio.
Cas~ng in accordance with the present inveation pe~its relatively larger cross-sectional areas (sm~ller length to ~i~metrr (l:d) ratios) ~an the prior art w~re frame glasses, thereby e~h~n~;n~ stability. l;d ratios rnay be conveniently reported ~s an average over a desirable le~g~. This may be usefill, for example, where the ~i~m~t~r or cros~ s~cli~ area ch~r~es ~i~ ;r~ tly along the Ch~ llft~ arc of the orblital.
~or example, I:d r~tios may conveniently be ~t~ ...;..~ d us~ng a ~ n~t~r b~ed upon a l/2 inch ru~ning average along ~e orbital, one inch average or even l/4 inch average or smaller, int~ e that the ~.~... t~. used in the l:d r&tio is the avera~e m~tçr along the specified length. 'rhe l:d ratio can then be e~.essed using any hypothe~cal sta~dard length, such as one inch to conveniently co~ e l d r2Ltios from one product to another.
Altematively, cast eyeu~ear frames in accordal.ce with the present invention canS be ch~ct."L~d bythe minimllm cross-sectional ~ lF~ m T~is maybeconvenient, for example, whe~e irregular cross-sectional configuratio~s are involved. ~or e~r~rnrl~
the orbital cross sec~on may have a generally "c" or "u" configl~~Ltion, due to the groove for lece;v~ng the lens. The minim~l cross-sectinn~ e~cios~ rnay be ~o~l ei~Ler of the legs of the u confi~ on, or through the bottom of the u c~nfi~ration.
In peneral, the ~m~llçst cross-~PrtinnAI rllm5n9iOn~ through ~he orbital ~ull be no less thal about 0.020 inches average over a ~ nr~ of no less than about 1/2 inch.
Preferably, the l.li~u,l, 1/2 inch n~ning aver~ge w~ll be no less ~n about 0.030inches, a~d, in some embo~jm~nt~, th~ minimllrn cross-sect1on~ imPn~ n will be as m~:h as 0.075 inches or greater over a 1/2 inch length PoItions of the eyegl~s orbital will often be greatly in excess of the r.,~ ~ r.~ m~ orl~
parlicularly in the region of the lateral and medial portions of the orbita~. Byc~resJ~g ~e minim~lm aoss-sectional c~impn~inn as an average ~--~ n.m. ova a 1/2lIlC}I leng~, it is cont~nrl~tPd ~at ~e cross-s_ctional dim~nei~n at any specific point could neck down to a smaller cross-s~ctinn~ nç~ os~ than stated, al~ough only for a rolatively short ~ nr~ along the orbital, so ~at the average cross-sect;n~
~imPllcion over a 1t2 inch length will Still meet the recited minimllmc Relatively smaller cross-sectionsl dim~n~ion~ l~ro~ poItions of the eyeglass frame can be ~tilized with relatively higher rigidity cons~,l,Lion m~trri~lc as will be appreciated in view of the disclosure herem, or with glass lenses. In polyme~c lens a~at~ S~ greater reliaslce will be placed upon the frame for irnparting s'auotural stability. That generally means thicker orbital seeJ..~ will be desirable.
In a dual lens system, the shbility of one lens wi~ respect to the other is sbro,~gly influenced by the design and material of the ~ridge portion 22. In an embodiment that is in~estmPnt cast from a high tit~nil~m content material, the cross-section through the Ih;.. n~i~ portion of the bridge will generally be no less than about 1/32 inch.

Frames such as those r~isr,lo~ in U.S. Patem No. 4,611,371 to Fujino et aL., which purports to include one particular cast metal eyegl~s pa~t, would if it could even bc made ac des~ribed, likely e~ibit undesirabl~ high flexibility. The c ct part le~:.ds no stability to ~e orbitals, which appear to use wire having about a 10:1 length S to di~m~ter ratio, and a cross-sectional area on the order of about 0.8 rnml. In gener~, in an embodi",e.lt of tlle preseslt invention of the type illustrated in ~igure 1, the portio~c of the orbitals abo~e and below the lenses will have a le~lgth to ~ r ratio ove~ any one inch leng~ of no higher ~han about 7:1 and preferably no higher than about 5:1.
Any of a variety of m~t~ Q can be utilized to ~uduce a ~lim~nQion~lly stable eyewear system. However, p,u~ E an eyeglass hav~ng sllfficient r~ inn~l stability using certain m~tr~ri~l.c and tr~rlmiTlPs introduoe., t~ACC;~ c weight in the finiched pr~-lu,t, oxceisive m~n~ ct~ring cost, or other ~es~rable Cll'C~lmCt9mOe.
Thus, the selectinn of a particular technique or material can be optimi7~d in acc:or~ ce with the r~ .en~s of ~e product and m~ "t"~c~, in view of ~e disclûsure herein.
For e~ -y-le, a variet~ of steel alloys, such as chrome molyb~ m, chrom~um nickel moly~ , nickel mol~l,de ~ and chrome v~n~ l.rn steel alloys can be form~ t~d to exhibit good ~l~u.;tu,~l properties. Copper, ~ ll and silver based alloys c~ also be wed. Preferably, ho~1vever, lighnveight, high 5trength m~t~ $ such as titanium a titAni~ based alloy or tit~nillm based metal matrix c~ml,osile sllch as TI6AL4V, available from Timet Corp" are utilized in constructing the eyeglass orbltals of ~e present ~nven~on, Altemate titanium al~ûys, such as c~r,....L,~;ially pure G~ade 1 or Grade 2, Ti3A12.~, BT6 alloy, or Ti4A12V, can be used, 2~ The l"ef~.~ed alloy or metal eYhibik relatively hiBh strength and ~;rrl PSS and reli~tively low weight. Certain copper, al~ ... and silve.r alloys, depending upon temper tre~t...r~t, have m~rl ~nical properties of ult~te stren~th, Initl~l yiel1i point and modulus of el~;c~ty similar to Li~r~ . but differ more si~ific~nr~y in the strength t~ weight ratio, ln general, any InVl~ Cnt castable or moldabIe metal or metal cor.r~
material is a c~nt~ te for use in connection with the present invention. Op~imi7.ine a particular metal or metal co~ e matenal can be done through routine c~ r.~e~,tiol~ by one of ordinaly skill ~n ~e art in view of ~e disclosure co~ ed herein. In addition to metal choice and tlimen~inn-~ choice, phy~ica~ p~u~cllies of the finich~d cast ey~,.,.~r can be mo~lified by post ~nve,~ue..~ ~tin@ procedures, such as S ~ pc~, co~.. ~,A t;~ n, or others known m the aIt, Dep~in~ upon the co~l~u~tiû~l m~teri~l and the required physical cl~l~ t ;q~ç5 of the fi..i.~,Pd p~oduct, any of a ~anety of cons~uction technique~ can be l~lized to produce ~ ncinn~lly stable ~,~.~. For eY~ ~r ~e, m~ ific~tioltc ofE techniques, c~s~ng and forging mPtho~s can be used. Injection molding and press-a~d~ mYtho~s lmown for metal parts in ~ndus~ies other ~ ~e C~ du~ can be adapted for use in ~e present invention. See~ for P~n~rle.
U.S. Patent No. 5,441,695 to (~Jl~ n entitled "Process for ~e ~ f~el~ c by ~inlr~ring of a Tit~nillrn Part and a Deco,~i~re Article Made Us~ng a Process of ~is Type," issued August 15, l995, and United States Patent No. 5,064,463 to Ciomek,en$itled "FeedctnrL a~d Process for Metal Injection MQ1 ll issued November 12, 1991, the ~lisrlQs~re of e~h of w~ich is hereby incul~,u,al~d in its e.,lir,_ly by e~.e~e herein. With re~pect to c~sting ~.1~ni~s, metal framed e~ ~ can be produced l~~li7lne sand ~q~ingc, ~e ...~ t mold ~ , dye c~ "c OI' ;~
ca~t~ng techniques.
One ~,~f~ ,d me~od for m~mlfn~ he ~ nciQr~l~y stable c~c.. ~ or c~,...~ co~ron~ntc in accG,~ce wi~ the present invention is inv6,1~ casting.In,c ,~..P- \~ c~ting of d; . ~ ly stable metal cyci~.~ co,~ûno~,~ casl be acc~ h~ tili7in~ a ce~c mold. The mold is formed by pouring a slurry o~
a material such as ~ lcno~n mold formine fe~act~ m~teri~l ~ound an orbital or cye~lass patte~n, which is ~ t~inP~ in position within a flask as is understood in the inv~h..~ .~ castin~ a~.
Follow~ng a pre~imin~ry drying, the mold is ba~ed in an oven to melt the patt~ , thereby leaving an cmpty mold c~vity. The hl~,D~ Cht mold is the.~l~r firecl at a t~ ~r~ ich is ~ ,;ate for the metal to be used, and, while still hot, molten metal is poured into ~e mold and allowed to solidify. The mold is ll.e./~a~. broken away ~rom ~e c~ing to produce the cast orbital, earstem, bridge or eye~lass. The c~st co..lponent rs~ay the~aller be subject to post-casting oper~tiQrC
SUICh as s~nAinP polishing, ~nn(lin~, sand blPctine~ or otherw~se as desired to p~oduce the fini.~h~l product.
The present inve~tor has detennined that through ~e design fl~ihilily av,3ilable with ~n.~c,sl~ cast metal parts, eyeglass frames can be conal~ d which ~lslintslin a rela~iveIy high Aim~ncio~l stability, yet with the minirn~1 amount of m~Lterlal and weight n~c~ss~ to achieve that stabIlity. This is due to the o~o.lu~ y to make compIex curves, hollows and other surface contours which can be purely ~hPtir~, or can allow excess non~ .;tu~l material to be e!imin~t~rl, In ~A-liti~ e eyogla~s can be ~ci~ in a man~e~ that ~ml~ Po-~cly optimizes the aerod~c E)r~ .Les ofthe fi~iChP~ eyegl~s, and allows ccn~derable ~-~ct~ ic design flextbility, S~p angles and other stress po~nts can be minimi~1 or r~ ~, and an overall h~ic a~,pear~ce can be ~ n;~.~d In ~ ition to the con~ 1;o~l metals and metal alloys ~~iecllcee~ above, some objectives of the pre ent invention can be acl~ d thro~lgh the use of metal matrix cornposites, metal-poly~er blends and potentially purely polymeric co.upoc;l;ons~ich exhibit suffici~nt shuct~al irlt~g,i~ to A~cG...rlish ~e de~ired st~h re~llts.
Ref~ to Figures 6 t~ugh 9, there is ~lisrlosec~ an articulated ~y~glsss 20 frame in ac~o~dance with ano~er aspect of the present invention. ~lthough ~e ernbodi~c~lt discucsed herein is a seveII-piece sg~tem, the inventi~re conce~t~ ca~
re~iily be incul~laLed into eyeglass systerns which have fewer or more Gu~ ul~
as 'Mll be ~ppa~,~t to those of skill ~n the art in ~riew of ~e ~ olosl~e herein. For rle, a five-piece system is disclosed in Figures 10-14, infra. In addition, all of the ~im~-n~i~ns ~i~c~lc~ed in conl.rot;on u~ith previous embo~... ,~nt~ also apply to ~e arhc~ t~d embo~im~r-t~ with exceptions that urill be ~ l to ~ose of skill in the art.
Refe~ing to Figure 6, there is disclosed an cyeglass 40 which comprises a f;rst orbltal 42 and a second orbi~l 44. First orbital 42 and second orbital 44 are corLnected to each other by way of a bridge 46.

The first orbital 42 supports a first lens 48, and the second orbital 44 ;~U~
a !:econd lerls 50. Fi~st orbital 42 may be lih~a.,t~,l;~d as having a medial section 52 and a lateral section 54. Similarly, second orbital 44 may be ch~aet~.i~d as ha~ring a medial section 56 and a lateral sec~n 58.
A first linlc 60 is co.l.~t~ to the lateral section 54 of first orbital 42. A
second link 62 ~s cf~nnPcted to the lateral section S8 of second orbital 44. In the illustrated emboc~ e first link 60 ar~d second link 62 extend generally ~e~ om the first and secolit orbit~ls 42 and 44, A ~rst earstem 64 ~s cc ...f ~P1 to first link 60 and a second ~t~"l 66 is oo,n~lscted to sesorld link 62. As illustrated, first and second IAI~ C 64 and 66 e~:end generally r~,.~dly l~om t}le first and second links 60 and 62, In oIle emhO~ of the i..~ on, each of thc bridge 46, the f~rs;t and second orbitals 42 a~d 44, the first and second links 60 and 62, and the first and second c~",s 64 and 66 are ~l?r formed. Each of ~ese c~ .o~ is ~en 1~ conn~cted together to p.oduce the eyeglass system ill.,~ ted in Figure 6 All~ alilv~ly, ~e bridge 46 can be formed inte~rally with one or the o~e~ or bo~ o~
orbital 42 and 44. As a filrther ~ItçrnRtive, the Se~ qte bridge 46 carl be ~ n~ted suc,h that first orbieal 42 arld second orbital 44 are pivotably or ngidly c~r...r~t~ d di~illy to~e~er.
Pirst link 60 and second linlc 62 may in an ~Iten~e embotlim~rnt be ~leleted such ~at first ea~stem 64 and second earstem 66 connect directly to first orbital 42 ancl second orbital 44"~ea~ ly~ Additional lir~l~ec may also be i~ .d, and pivotably or rigidly co~n~t~ into place.
~e~erring to ~igure 7, ~e individual parts o~ a seven-co~pollent system ~e illu:~al~d, The bridge 46 is provided ~th a first bridge connector 68 and a second bridge col~.,tl,l 70. As used herein, connector refe~s to one or more parts of aple.~lç ~ y two or more co,~ll,onent connr~,t;nn system. For eY~mple, in ~e illu~tLd emboL",~l, first bridge cO~ ;tu~ 68 comprises a re~ .lly e...~ in~
flange 72 hav~ng an a~,h~e 74 extending th~ ough. The flange 72 is ~ rt~d to fit ~w~thin a recess 76 in ~e medtal section 52 of ~e first orbital 42. An &~ re 82 ex~:nds ~ough the recess 76 to ~orm a first me~al COllnPclur 78. rne apell~ue 74 is positioned to co~Y;~IIy align with ~e a~ G 82 when flange 72 is positioned w:ithin recess 76. A pln, screw, or other sl~ tu.e may then be placed through a~e.~u~c 741 and ay~.~ulc 82 to pivotably link the bridge 46 ~ith the first orbital 42.
Alternatively, the first a~d second bridge cnnnP.lur~ 68, 70 may be located on the orbitals 42, 44 .~;tiv~ly. ln this ern~o~im~nt~ the bridge 46 would have cc,mpl;..~ ec,lu~ uclu ~ such as ~ Lliles as will be understood by those of skill ~n the art Similarly, the c~ .o~e.lt~ of aIly of ~e other disclosed co~ s m~y be rc~ ed a~ will be unde~lood by tho~e of s~ill ~n the art.
As ~rill be u~ ood by those of skill in ~e art in view of the llicclos~lre 10 herein, the fur~going coû~r~tioT- b~t~en first bridge co~nP~ 68 and first medial Col ~P~lr 78 is only one PY~nrle of a wide vane~ of potential cn~ ;tor ~tru~
For example, turo or more g~ y parallel flan~es sllch as flaIlge 72 may be provided on the bridge 46. ~lt~nRtively, a ~l~u~ similar to nange 72 can ~e providet on ~he first orbi~l 42, to coop ~cle wi~ w~ple~ ~t~r surface s~uctures on bridge 46 such as an apert~re or one or more cu le-~P~t~y ffanges such as 72.~ nt~.~lncLin~ hinge-type structures, sna~-fit structures, screws, thermal bor~
adhesives, a~d ~ny of a variet~r of ot~er tech~iques can be u~lized to secure the co~or~ll~ together. II~ e., the plefe..~ embo~ 1 of ~e ~nvention utilizes colmrl~.m~r~t~ry ~ es ~ c~u,es which can be conn~ .A such as by a pin to 20 l,lod~lcc at least some range of pivotal motion b~h.~n the bridge 46 and ~e orb~tal 42. All of ~e cO~ .t;~ n~ in the articulated eyegl~ss frames disclosed herein c~n be made such ~at they can be di~;u~ d by the user; such ~ to pennit the user to cu~t~"..;~ the produ.,t wi~ chat~g~able component parts.
Bridge 46 is pro~ided with a similar second bridge cu~ne.,lur 70, for pivotably conn~!;.,g to a c~rlçrnellt~ry surface structure in the form of second medial cc,l.~,eoto~ ~0 on the medial section 56 of second orbital 44. Preferably, ~e compleme~l~ surface ~llu~ ,es utilized to cor~ el ~e conrlector b~ ,.,., the bridge 46 and first orbital 42 will be sirnilar to that lltilized to connect the bridge 46 to d~e second orbital 44.
The lateral section 54 of first orbital 42 is pro~ided with a first lateral cormector 84. First lateral cos~neclo. 84 coope~ s with a front segment col~cctor 86 015iink 60. In thGi~ at~d embodiment, the front se~ent c~ nnPct~ r 86 comprises a flange 88 having a transverse ayG~lule 90 ~t~ lg the,~ oll~h. The first lateral connector 84 on first orbital 42 comprises an aperhlre 91 adapted to be co~Yi~lly aligned urith the ap~ 90 when tbe l;rst link 60 is mounted to the first o~bital 42.
S As has been ~ )ss~d, a pin or otha structure (not illus~ated) is lh~ e~ positio~d ~rough a~o~lu.es 90 and 91, to coMect the first link 60 to the first orbital 42.lhe first link 60 is fi~ provlded w~th a rear c~n~ r 9~ such as an ~,e,lw~ 93 which rnay h~ ~L a recess (not ~ ) as will be lmdçrstood by those of skill ~n ~e art. The first ears~em 64 ~s provided with an e~ c~ ;t~)r 94 which, in the ili~ r1~r!A embo~ , Cu~y~l;~S an ~ ,Lure 95 adapted to be co~Y~ y aligned with ~e ~e.l~ 93 in the inot~lled position A pin m~y then be ut~ized to hold ~e ~Qml~Qr~ together.
The c~ on~ e col~nect;ons ~l~ ~ the second orbital 44, second link 62 aDd seco~d ear~tem 66 are preferably m~rror ~mages of the de~el;~tion abo~e, and will not be fur~er det~ilPd hcrein.
Pl~r~.~ly, ~e first eyeglass orbital 42 and second orbital 44 are consL~u.,t~
m a ~ lly dimPn~ion~lly stab~e m~tPri~l In the pl~fi_..ed e~horli~Pnt, ~e first orbital 42 a~d second orbital 44 co ce a metal, such as ~ " or a t;hqnium co..~ in~ alloy. lhe titanium or lit~ium alloy orbit~ 42 and 44 are preferably fo;rmed tl~oug}~ 1 cast~ng operation as has been ~iscl~ssed herein.
In one embod;m~t of the invention each of the bridge 46, first orb~tal 42, s~ond orbital 44, first link 60, second link 62, and f~ earstem 64 arld second e~rstç~ 66 aIe all is~ .I cast from a ~ ,., or lil~un~ alloy. However ~y one or more of the roregoing co~ollent~ can optionally be cons~ucted from more conventior ~l materials such a~ metal w~re or plas~dc.
One advantage of in~ ,nt cast ~ ~ ;, " co~ or~ellts ~s the ability to minimi7~ torsional disto~ion ~hrough the eyeglass system. The eyeglass sy~n of the present invention m~in~inC a sU~h~ y c~ nt ~ io~ in the hori7nnt~1 plar~e, tho~ghout its various ranges of motion. This feature is facilitated by the relative ri~idity of the metal co.~ e.lb, and also th,ou~ the use of the generally planar flange-type cormectors, or o~er cor ne~tors wh;ch permit pivoting, where desired, but ini~i7~ rotation of one co~ o~ ,.t with respect to the o~er about a horizontal axis.
In a ~ embodiment, or othe~ metal embodiment, whether or not inv~ Pnt cast, the components in accordance with t~e present irlvention are generally S more r~g~d t~ prior art polymeric eyeglass frame co~ .ol.f.,.l~. Some degree of flexibility i~ generally required in an eyeglass frarne, particul~rly in the ho.i~
plane, to ~r~l.. ndate ~F~c~lt head ~idths and also to provide ret~nt;nn on ~e head of the wearer w~th an optimurn comfort level. Por lhis ~ ose~ some or all of thevalrious CC""'GC~ in the c~ l&ss system preferably provide some r~e of motion 1~ bct-~eell altjaoent Gulll~n~ . For e~nrl~- each of the firs~ ant second orbitals 42 is pivotable th~ou~l~ a range ~hich does not exceed about ~ 15~ wi~ respect to the bridge 46. Prefcrably, the eyeglass orbitals 42 and 44 are pivotable lLuu~,h a range of no more ~an abollt i 10~, ~ore preferably, each of ~e eyeglass orbitals 42 and 44 are l~ivotab e throu~h a range of no more than about 5~ wi~ respect to the bridge 15 46. Embo~ --nt~ can also readily be co,~llueted ~aving ~ pivotable range of ~ or 1~ or less.
The range of motion can be limited Ln any of a vanety of ways, such as by ~e contour on an a~ -l surface 47 adapted to contact an uwu~h~ ~hl~tmPnt surface 4SI when the first britge co~r~tor 68 is co~ çcte~ to ~e first medial cc!~neelur 78.
B~ adjusting the spacing ~h.~ the first al~utl.,el,l 47 and second ~b.~ ~L 49, alone or as v~ell as the contour of the complementary ~L~es, the r~ge of pivotal motiûn between bridge 46 and orbital 42 can be controlled. Similar ~l~uetu~al COnfigUlatiOnS
can be utili~d dlroughout each of the various co~n~l;nn.~ in the eyeglas~ system.
Wi~in a particular rar~ge of motion for a particular co~ ;lion, it may be rlPsir~71e to ~ ~r~n the pivotable motion, or to resiliently bi~ the joint to a particular iC ~IPl;osl or in a particular direction. This may be ~cGQ~ ic~çd for eY.~rnple, by placing a spring or resilient pad in-~.,h._. n the opposing surfaces 47 and 49, or each of ~e other sirnilarly opposing joint surfaces throughout the eyeglass frame, such as at the connection of the earstem. The resilient pad may extend throughout only aportion or all of the complernentary alJ~ e,lt su~ccs 47 or 49. In one embodi.~,~.. t, ~1_ resilient pad is in ~e form of an O-ring which i~ positioned around the flange 72 such that it lies in the plane which extonds through ~e space bctwcen surfaces 47 and 49 in thè ~ce~mbl~ co~figuration.
By adjusting the du~ull~cter andlor thickness of the damper pad, together wi~
the relahve co~plesalon in the mounted configuration, any of a wide variet~y of biasirlg forces and ranges of motion can be achieved. Silicûne, polyu,e~ e, and any of 8 vanety of othe~ çl~sto~ or resilient materials can be used. Springs, springw~re, or resilient metal s~ips can also be used to bias joints to~.~ds the predr~rmin~d orierlt~tio2l~
The earstem is preferably foldable tû a collapsed configuration such as for storage of the e~c~ s 40 as is known in the art In g~ e primary fold~
of the e~.u c~n be ~omrliched at the earstem cQnnÇ~r 94 or at the first lateral c4l~n~c~,l 84 on orbital 42. In one embûl1im~nt of the inventiûn~ folding of ~e e~l~rll can be ~Q ,~ h~rl l~ougl~ pi~oting at both the first lateral c~-r...P~tol 84 ancl ~_ ~t~ e~to~ 94. Preferably, however, the first lateral coNie~,lul 84 provides 15 only a r~ lim~ted range of motion, and the ~liU~y folding of the earstem 64 is a~ ch~d at the earstem cul~e~iLur 94. Thus, earstem conn~1or 94 ~l~fel~bly permits the earstem 64 to be pi~otably rotated wi~ respect to first link 60 thrO~out a range of at least about 90~~ The pivo~ble cu..~ !ion bel~..,c~ the first orbital 42 and first link 62 is preferably l~mited to no more than about i 5~. More preferably, t~e range of motion ~eh.~n the first orbital 42 and first link 60 is lirnibd to no more than about i 2.5~.
A 3~/lte ~os~i~ can additionally be added to ~e eye~lass 40.
Altematively, the lower surface of ~e br.idge 46 can be configured to cooperate wi~
the medial edges of first orbib~l 42 and second orbital 44 so that the orbitals or ~e 2~ orbiitals and the bridge rest on the nose of the wearer wi~out ~e need for additional n~S~piPre C~ r~
Each of the first aDd second orbitals 42 and 44 are illusk~l~cl as r~ "letely surrounding the re;~l/c~e first and second lenses 48 and 50. Alte~natively, the first and second orbitals 42 and 44 can be con~gured to su~ und only a portion of ~e first and second lenses 48 and 50 w~thout d~ani"g from the spirit of ~e present invention.
llle lens 48 may be re~il.Ld within ~e orbital 42 in any of a variety of ma~mers that rnay be app,..~liate for the co~struction rn~t~riAI oî the lens 48 and orbital 42. For example, in an embod~ t having a polyc~l,onate le21s and an inve~ t cast titanium orbital, the lens is preferably advanced into an annular seat in the orbital in a manner similar to that ~esr~ibed in Gonn~Gtjorl with Figures 2 and 4. One or more retPnt;or~ structures, such as an annular sr~ap-fit ring may then be press-fit into the orbital to reta~ the lens irl position. See Figure 2, ~It~ vely~ the lerls may be s2~dwiched bel..~,e,l a ~ont ~nd a rear co..~ of the eyeglass orbital, w~ich are confiDn~red to u~mhi~ to produce the finic~l~ orbital. G~s~;ets or other p~d~1;n~
~ cS may also be i~r~,l,olAI~A to provite a spacer ~h.~ he mut~l~l of the lelns 48 and the rnaterial of the orbital 42. Le~s ret~nt;on structures rnay be held place by friction fit, screws, welds, adhesives or any of a va~iety of' ways depend upon de~red ~QCPmbly a~d durability c~ ;rc Figure 8 ill~ s a top plan ~iew of the artio~ ted eyeglass frame 40 of FibJure 6. Figure 9 illu~ t~s a fiont elevational ~ew of the ar~culated ~r~lass. frame 40 of ~igure 6.
E~Cfi~ to Figures 10-14, there is ~1icclo5ed a fi~r~er embodim~nt of the controllably pivotable articulated ey~gl~ s of the present L~vention. Referring to Figure 10, an ar*c~ tec~ eyeglass orbital systern 100 is provided with a first c:rbital 102 and a second orbital 104. Pirst orbital 102 is confi~ured to receive a first lens 106, and second orbital 104 is configured to receive a se~ond lens 108. Pr~Ç~ably, each of ~e first and ~cond orbitals 102, 104 is pro~ided with a radislly inwardly facing ch~nnel or other structures as has been ~ s~ for re~;v~g the les~e~i~iv~
lens.
In the illu~t~ e~borlim~nt, each of ~e first orbital 102 and second orbital 104 completely surrounds the lens 106, 108, les~ ly. However, as di~c~ssed i_~, orbitals i~ g ~1imerricnal stabili~,r to the lens can a~so be readily configured to surround less tha~ the e~re eyeglass lens.
First orbital 102 and second orbitsl 104 are eo~Fc;l~ by way of a bridge 110.
Preferably, the bridge 110 perrnits some degree of conh~ollable pi~oting of thc first orbital I02 with respect to second orbital 104, ~i w~ll be ~1icc~lsce~ w~thout requi,ing the act~al eyeglass co!l,pone~lls to flex.

First orbital 102 is filrther provided ~rith a first pivotable c~ Aur 112.
Second orbital 104 is additionally provided with a second pivotable cQnrlectQr 114.
Pivotable connecto-s 112 ~nd 114 are ad~pted to piYotably receive an earstem 113, 115 (see Fig. 14) as wlll be ll~dçrstood ~rl the art.
Ill general, pivotable eu~nP~lo, 112 comprises one or two or rnore generally h~r;"J~ ly ep~nrline or inrli..rtl flanges 117, 119 for ly~ adjae~nt one or more col~esponding flanges 121 on t~e earstem 113. In the illu~ embo~ e~t, e~rstem flange 121 is p~sjtion~ h.~A orbital flanges 117, 119 and a pin 123 ig po~itinn~l ~ithin an ~C~lulc eYtPr~lj"~ ly lh_~ uu~h~ Pin 123 can cu~np~;~ any of a variety of suitable fillcrum ~I~uc~ules~ such as l~ or un~readed sha~s.
A.ll~ atir~ly, co~r~rlr .~.~."S.. y projections ~nd Ic~sses o~ other piv~table ahu~,luiCi c be used.
P~ef~l)r, the fillcrum is spaced apart fi~om the end of ~e e~h,.l" as ~llus~ated to limit the range of motion. Thus folw~r~l~ost edge of ~e ape~ture a~ten~lin~ thr~gh flange 121 is l)~fe.ably spaced ,~dly from the r~w~l end 125 of t~e ~ ste~T 113. The tlisPnce between the fo,~d end 125 and a~e,lu.., in flange 121 is preferably 2t least about 1/16", more preferably more than about 1/8", alld optimally at least about 1/4" or lt2", to provide an adequate ~top~ lg surface 127 fc~r c~l~t~r~ the front or side ofthe o~bital 102 thereby limit,ir~ lateral motion ofthe earstem 113. Any of a variety of d~.lpe.~i may be l~os;~ n~,d l~ct~.~,c.~l ~e stop 127 and the con~ ding contact ~urface, such as polyurethane or silicone pads, g~rbP~c, O-rings, or the like to ~mr~n the l~teral l~it of travel of the ear~tem 113. In one ernbo~ , the dampEr (not i~ h~ ei~lo~ably ~ r~d to the e~ ~.ll 113 ar~d/or eo~ ondi"g stop surface on ~e orbital 102. A selectif~n of dampers ranging from approx~mately 1/64" to appro~imstPly l/4'1 ~ick or larger in 1/16", 1/32", 1/8"
or other regular h~ c~ may be pro~ided, hav~ng the same or ~lifferi~ du~ol~
I~y selecting the thirl~n~55 of the damper, and .~lol-~nu~g it at the stop curface 127 or c~rnrl~..e"t~ surface on the orbital, 'he user may thus C~StOIni7~ ~e m~K;..~
lateral separation between the ~a.~ d ends of earstems 113, 115, as will be ~~ Lto those of skill in the aIt in view of the disclosure herein.

In addition to or as an ~ItPrnat~ to the damper, an adjus~able limit may be provided to permit continuous adjustment of the lateral limit of motioII of each ear stem 113 and 115. ~n one embodiment, the adjuslable limit comp~iSes a ~readed screw rotatably positionPA u~thin a threaded bore ext~ g through the lateral zone S of the orbital 102. The screw is aligned such that a lateral end comes into contact wilh stop surface 127 ~hen the earstem 113 is advanced to its most lateral position.
~dj~ nt of the screw in the lateral direction thus limits the lateral range of motion of the ~w~d end of earstem 113 as will be a~ya.~ent to ~ose of slcill ~n the art~
The screw may be ~ .v;dcd with an el-~o~n~ tip for GOnt~rting surface 127, or 10 surface 127 rnay be provided with a lc~sed el~ ;c pad for co~ into contact with the lateral end of ~e screw. Alternatively, t~e adj.. ~h.. l screw may extend laterally tbrough ~e fo,w~d end 125 of the ea~stem 113 ~n the medial direction for c~ tl t;,~ ~e cnmrle ..~ ~t~ ~ surface on the lateral side of ~e orbital 102.
Ad~a~cillg the screw ~n the medial direction in this ~nbof1im~nt will limit ~e lateral raDge of motion of the ~ea~ l end of earstem 1 13.
First orbit~l 102 is movably cor~ d to the bridge 110 by way of a bridge conn~,tor 116. Preferably, a second bridge ~.~I~P~lor l 18 is also provided, to P.nh~n~.e corllrol over the axis of flexibilit~ of the eyeglass orbitals. In gen~l the first orbital 102 is pivotable about an axis 129 (see Fig. 13) -x~çr~ P ~rough bridge col-l-r~ r 116 a~d bridge c~nnPctor 118. The axis may be ~arallel to the ~eol~cal vertical in the s~;-wom u~ n~ or may be inrlined laterally in the d~,~."~ l direction w~
re~,~ect to ~he vertical ~n ~e as worn ~ tion.
Referring to Figure 12, there is illustrated an enlarged exploded view of one embo-lim~nt of bridge el~UJrctnl 116. ~n general, bridge co~-~, 16, ei~er by itself or in combination ~vith at least one ~ ition~l bridge co~nec-tnr 118 operate to provide an ~is of rotation of the first orbital 102 u~th respect to tbe bridge 110. ~ridge co.l~,ulo~ 116 thus provides a lirnited movc;lllent of ~e first orbital 102 with respect to the bridge 110 substasltially without any flexibility on the part of the first orbital 10,' or bridge 110. Thus, the use of a bridge cor~eetor 116 as described herein is particularly desir~ble in ~e case of eyeglass c~ u~ b made from rigid materials.

In the illustrated e~nboAim~nt. bridge conn~ r 116 comprises a bore 124 ~~vhich extends through an overlaying portion of the bridge 110 and the adjacentpore~ion of the orbital 102, 'rhe bore 124 is further pro~ided ~ith a co~ltel~o~e 126 e~tF~ e in Op,uGS;~e directions from the interface b~ ,., the bridge 110 and thefirst orbital 102. The di~meter of the euullle~bore is greater than the ~ m~t~r of the bore 1~4, to provide a first and second annular shoulder 138, 140 at each end of the cul,ut~.bu,c; 126, as u~ll be ~ cce~
~e bore 124 corltir~-~e~ mto the fi;rst orbital 102 beyond the end of the COU~t~;.bOl~, 126, and into a snap-fi~ ~r threaded portion 128. The opp~;le end of the cu.~ .l,ore 126 is prûvided with a radially inwardly eYt~n~ine wall to provide a stop 130 (on the o~po~ side of shuulder 140) for reason~ which u~ill be a~ ll. When a_sembled, a pin s~ch as a partiaIly or fillly tl~eadod screw 132 extends through ~e bore 124 and ene~ges the thread 128. A conventirtn~l head 136 or other stop s~ructuIe t,~s the stop 130 on bridge 110, to retain it against separation from ~e firs~ orbital 1~ 102., Due to the space surrounding the ~i~eaded shaft 132 in ~e a~ea of ~e co~tc,bûle 126, and a ~.,o~.able fit ~t~ the shaft and el~ ce to bore 124, if the head 136 is dra~ only loosely aga~nst the stop 130, he bridge 110 is ~e....;l~P~1 a conl~ollable degree of motion ur~th respect to the first orbital 102. The depth of the threaded bore 128 can be coordinated with the length of the threaded sh~ 132 andother components so that ~e threaded shaft 132 bottoms out or is otherwise prevented ~om ti~ht~nine the bridge 110 too securely against ~e first orbital 102 to perrnit srlotion.
Preferably, atubul~r sleeve 134 is p~sition~d within the co~ ,.l,ul~i 126~ The sleeve 134 has a central apc,l~ e~ e ~Lc~clh~u~gh, for col!r~ lly receivin~
~e threaded shaft 132. Sleeve 134 preferably comprises a relatively resilient material, sucb as silicone, poly~re~ane, or any of a variety of rnaterials v,rhich will be appu.,..~
to tllose of skill in the art m view of the di~losl~re herein. Provision of ~e resilient sleeve 134 provides a bia~ing force to reset the position of ~e first orbital 102 into a plc~ct.,.. ined oriçJ~t~t;o~ nth respeot to the bridge 110. The first orbital 102 may thus, be bent slightly wi~ ~espect to the bridge 110 by flexing at the bridge connPctnr 116, but such flexing callses a comps~ssion of the resiliellt sleeve 134, The bridge ~o~ lor 116 is thus biased, such ~at it seeks to return to its original, predetenr~ined orierltation. Providing both a first bridge G.,.~eclur 116 and second bridge connector 118, a5 illu~llalGd, permits fle~ g of the first orbital 102 with respect to the bridge 110 along apredetermined axis, throughout a,~.e~t~ .. ;. ~ range of flex, and permits e system to retum to its pre~et~min~A o,icr,ta~;on due to the biasing force imparted by t~e bridge co~ r,~tor. Simila* co~n~tors may ~lso be con~ ,t~d at brldge col~c.,tor 120 and bridge c~ r,~t~r 122.
In the illushal~d e~nhoA;i.,~l the threaded ~ 132 comrr1C~ a Ill-.,aded scre~ ha~ a ~ rnpt~r of sbout 0.073 iDches. The c1Ds~ .ic sleeve 134 co~ ,ri~es a silicone gasl~et ha~ring an outside di~meter of about 0.156 inches, and an inside tli~m~.t~r of about 1/16 of an inch. The axial length of the sleeve 134 along the axis of Ib~o~dGd sha~ 132 is on the order of about 1/4 of ~ inch. Any of a wide variety of bridge cor~ rs 116 can be lTtili7~ s w~ll be ~~ t to ~ose of ordina~ skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. In een~l, ~e bridge c~ r~tor 116 pref~,.ably relies upon col~.b;.~.on of a resilient material to provide a retum bias to reset the orie~ t;hl. of the 81'tir~ t~ eyeglass frame into a predet~rrnined orie~lt~tlon fo.llovving flexing.
In the illustrated e~nbo~ t) ea~h of the ILr~ded sh~s 132 ~ in a generally ho~ lt~l or lateral .l;.~,~tiol~, The o~ ;f n ofthe ~readed sha~ 132 carl be nto~jfied such that it exte~ds in a generally vertic~ direction with respect to a front ele~vational view of ~e articulated e~egl~ss orbital system 100, or any of a w~de va:riety of angular oAPnt~tior-c IL~,lc~lw~n.
Referring to the ~ bod~,~,lt illu~let in ~igure 13 and 14, the orbital 102 is bifurcated into a first con~ l 138 and a second cv.. l~,.o.. t 140. In dlis emLboA~ nt, first colnpor.-~-.l 138 and second COI1II~V11e~1~ 140 are articul~ted or pivotably c~Q~ r~ted to one another such as through c~ln~tols 116 and 118 as previously described. Thus, the first orbital co...ronr .~ 138 swlull"ds less ~an ~e ent~re l,e.;~,h~"~ of a lens, and the rem~in~ Of t}~e lens is ~u~ ded b~r the second CG~ .o,.C.. l 140. In e~s~nce, ~e bndge pivot point has been moved f~om the position of previous embo~im~nts on the Inedial side of the lens to a position betwecn the medial and late~al edges of the Icns.
For the pu~pose of ret~ini~ a lens, the first orbital coll~ponent 138 is provided ~Nith a radially in~vardly e~t~ ine cha~nel 142 as is known firom prior ernbo-1imP.n~s, Ch~nnel 142 is prefer~bly rlimeno;on~ti to closely fit ~e lens (not illu~ted) torr~inirni7e motion thereof, as ~eII as to retain the lens in its as mounted geomeay, lrhe lens may be seated directly in the channel 142, or ~ uulldcd by a gasket or other rn~tPri~] between ~e material of the orbital 138 ~nd ~e lens as has been .~ cllss~d In the articulated ~mhor~imPnt of Figure~ 13 ~d 14, the second orbital co~ or~ 140 is pro~rided w~th a lens receiving channel 144. The firoIlt to back width of the o~l~nnel 144 is greater ths~ the w~d~ of the channel 142, to ~ccQ~nodate f~ward and b~ckward motion of the medial edge of the lens therein. Thus, as the orbital c~ 138 pivots about CQI~ O~S 116 and 118 with respect to the orbital co..~l~on-...t 140, the Inedi~l edge of the lens (not i~ ) must advance ~n afi~.. ~ or .~,.~d di~,~lon w~thin ~e lens channel 144. The front tû re~ ndth of the lens channel 144 i~ ~us s~lect~ based upon tbe range of motion of orbital component 138 with respe-ct to û~bital con,~v-,~.lt 140. In general, the front to back ~dth of the channel 144 will be at least about 0.75 mm, and preferably wi~ e r~ge of from about 1 mm to about 3 rnm wide, ~lte---A~ , the lells rece;~i,.g ch~nnpl 144 may be clirnin~t~rl In this embo~liment. s~ t clearance is provided ba~ ,~ the medial edge of the lens and tble orbital to pelmit ~,o~,~ent of the len~ as described.
In the illuskal~d embo~im~t, ~e medial orbital co~ .o~ent 140 is integrally fonned w~'h the bridge 110. The medial con~l~onri~ of orbital 140 may altematively be ~ cly formed, and coml~led to a cen~al bridge co.. ,~ t, The medial col~pone~t of ~e orbital 140 in ~e illustrated e~nbo~ i5 thus also integrally forrned with the nosepiece. In ~is embo~ime~lt, the nGs~iece is formed as a scl~lpt~
portion of the bridge 110 and orbitals as ;llu~t~dted. Generally, the bridge 110 snd medial portion 140 will extend rcarwardly to provide a nose cGr,~cting surface a~ nt the nose opening ~; illustrated. Although the articulated eyeglass orbital of Figures 13 and 14 has been described above in teî~ns of a single lens, ~he ~yeglass is preferably symmetncal on either side o~the bndge 110 and the description therefore applies equally to the opposite lens.
In addition, all though the foregoin~ cmbo~imP~t~ h~ve been described in terms of dual lens eyeglass systems, unitary lens eyeglass systems can also readily S ineGl~GIatt technology of the present invention. For eY~mple, an upper frame for re~ining a unitary le~s, and/or ~e earstems for pivotably c~nnPcti-~e to the upper fr~ne can be foImed from a ~ul~ t;~lly rii~n~on~lly stable m~t~ iS~QSe~
herein. In one unitary lens embo~ , an arcuate unitary upper frame is pro~ided ur~th an upwardly e,. ~ slot o~ the lower surface thereof for recei~ing a unitary lerLe. rhe upper f~ame is pronded w~th p;votdble co~nf~c-to.s at its lateral edgee for pi~otable recei~ a first and seco~d earstem, The pivot points t~~~ the orbit~ls and the bridge, and optionally at ~e ea.~ ,.s are preferably biased in the direction of a y,eA. t~ .~,.in~A oliertRtinn ~c,fe.~bly, the bridge pivots are provided with a ~h~oll,g~ biasing force than t}le ~tst~!m ~ge,s to di~ .,lially seek to ~ LLLI~ e optical o~ie~A~;o~ before o~ii;tl~ the fit.
Ri~Ci~e may be ~r~,ompli.ch~d in any of a variety of ways, depon.li~e upon the s~cture of the jo~n,ts. For o~RrnLrl~ ion to the use of c~ p~ ,;,ible pads or otb,er m~ter~als a~ ~iscussed above, ela~tic bands or stnps which exert a pulling force may be used, Elastic bands or rings c~n be looped around re*~ntinn pegs or ape.l~ s on cnmrlern~nt~ sides of the jo~nt as w~ll be ap~a~,e.lt from the ~ closl~re herein.
Alternati-re sousces of biasing force such _s coil spri~s, leaf springs, spring ~ue, strips or ~e like can be built into the various hinges and joints of the present ~nvention in a manner that will be ~ ..t to those of skill in the a~t in view of any ~5 particular l~nge desi~n.
Preferably, the e~stem will be freely laterally pivotable throughout a first range of motion ~om the folded position to a partially laterally sep&at~d position. The earstems are preferably further laterally pivotable from the partially sephlaled position to a fully ~ ,d position aga~nst a medially directed bias.
Thus, the rearward tips of the earstems rn~y be freely laterally separable to a lateral separation distance within the range of from about 2 inches to ~bout 4 inches and pre~erably no more than about 3 inches or 3 l/2 ~nches. ~hcr lateral separation, up to a separation of as much as 6 inches or 7 inches, is ~rcamp~j~h~ by ov~.~;G...ing the medially directed bias. Since the bias is i~ led by a spring or compressiblematerial at the hinge, the earstem may be substantially inflexible such as in the case of a cast titanium part. In t~is manner, the earstems, without flexing, can ~ec~ ..od~te a wide range of head widths.
The ~ t~,.li~ed orientation to~ards which the eyeglass ~a~es are p.ref~,ably biased is one in ~1vhich the optical ch~- t~ l;r~ of the eyegl~ccPs are o~ ,d, In e~ ral, as ~ c-u~ed in c~nn~tinn with Figures 15-20, the lens is 10 p~eferably m~int~in~d in a p~el~ ed rdationship to the theoretical "stralght a}lead" line of sight of the we~rer.
Figure 15 is a ~ .ecti~re v~ew of a lens blank 222, a convex oueside surface 236 of u~hich generally conru~ to a portion of ~e sur~ace of a thre~ime~ional geo",~,~ic shape 224. It w~ll be ~d~Dlood by those of skill in this art ~at lenses in ac~ordance with the present inven~do~ may conro.l.. to ~y of a variety of g~ t~;c shapes.
l?referably, the outside surface of the lens will conform to a shape having a smooth, Cl~r~ 5 sur~ace having a cr~r..~ o~ t~l radius (sphere or cylinder) or p~gless,~e cun~e (ellipse, toroid or o~oid) or other aspheric shape in either the l,c~"~ur,l~l or vertical planes. The geometric shape 224 of the l"~r~.,cd embo~im~ntc he~ein described, kuu~ , generally appr- ~im~te~ a sphere.
The sphere 224 illll~r~t~ in Figures 15 and 16 is an im~g;n~ry three-~imPn~i~n~l solid walled s~ a portion of the wall of whic~ is s~ bk from which to cut ~ lens 220. As is known in the art, precision lens cutting is oftenaccomr1i~h~1 by producing a lens blank 222 from which a lens 220 is ultim~t~-ly cut However, it should be clea~ to those of skill in the art from the illush~ations of Figures 1~ and 16, that the use of a separate lens blank is optional, and the lens 220 may be molded directly into its final shape and configuration if des~red.
~t can also be see~ from Figures 15 and 16 that the lens 220 and/or the lens blank 222 carl be positioned at 2~ny of a ~rariety of locations along the sphere 224 For the purpose of the present invention, the optical ce~terline 232 Op.,~al~S as a iefe~G"ce line for o~ier~ n of the lens 220 with respect to the ~phere 224. In ~e illustrated embo~imP~lt~ ~h~reill bo~ the outside surface and ~e inside surface conform to aportion of a sphere, the optical centerhne is defined as the line 232 which joins the t:wo centers C1 and C2. The ~nalogous reference line for ~e purpose of nonspherical S lens gco ue~y rnay be formed in a manne~ t than c~nn~ tion of the two geou~et~ic centers of the spheres, as will be a~ to one of skill in ~e art.
The lens 220 is ll~tim~t~ly folmed in such a manner that it retains the geometryof a portion of ~e wall of the sphere as illu~l~at~d ~n Pigure 16. The lo~at1on of the lens 220 o~ the sphere 224 is s~ tPr3 sucll ~at when ~e lens 220 is ol;e.nc~ in ~e eyeglass ~ame, the nonnal line of sight 230 o~ the ~Ivearer through the lens ~nll be .,,.~;..t~ d generally in parallel to the optical centP~linP 232 o~ the geom~1.ic co~ftgu~ation from ~Yhich the lens 220 was obtained In the i~ s~tinn of Figures 15 2nd 16, ~e lens 220 is a right lens which h~ a 5;e~ CA ~I de,gree of wrap, as well as so~e degree of do~ rake (i..~i~l~ by the as-wom normal line of sigh~ crossing the ~phere 224 below ~e optical ce~te.lu~e 230). A lens having a dirrc;re.lt shape, or a lesser degree of wrap may overlap the optical centerline 232 of the im~in~ry sphere 224 fr~m which the lens was formed. However, ~hether the optical cent~rlinç of the im~in~ry sphere 224 crosses through ~e lens 220 or not is ~u~ ~t, so long as the line of sight 230 ~n ~e lens 220 is m~; t~ d generally in parallel ~n ~e as-worn o:Iic"~ion with the optical c~lltPrlin~ 232.
Similarly, if the lens is to have no rake or upward rake in the as-wom o.~ic~taLion, the nonnal line of sight (and ~e ellt~re lens) wo~ld cross the sphere 224 at or above the central ho~;,n~.~s.l meridi~n which c~r~ s the optical centerline. The spa~ nre and position of tbe ultim~t~ nosmal line of sight 230 relative to the optical centerline 232 therefore indicates the degree of wrap (by horizontal ~ n~ e) and ra~e (by vertical ~ t~nl~e). However, regardless of the ~i~t~nces involved, the lens will exhibit minim~l optical distortion as long as the normal line of sight 230 is o~fset from but m~int~in~d subst~nti~lly parallel to ~e optical centerline 232 plef~,ably in both ~he horizontal and vertical planes.
For purposes of the present invention, "subs~antially parallel" shall mean that the pr~selected line of sight 230 w~en the lens 220 is o.icr".,~ in the as-worn position generally does not deviate within ~e hor;z~ l or vertical plane by more th~n about + 15'' from pa~lel to the optical centerline 232. Preferably7 the normal line of si~ht 230 should not deviate by more than about + 10~ from the optical centerline 232,more preferably the normal line of sight 230 deviates by no more than about + 5~ a~d most preferably no more ~an about i 2~ from parallel to ~e optical centerline 232 Optimally, the line of sight 230 is parallel to the optical centerline in the as-~vorn ori~nt~l iQr~
~ations from parallel in ~e hor~zontal plane generally have a greater ~egative impact on the op~cs than vanatiosls from p~allel in the vertical plsne.Accordingly, the solid angle ~t~._~ ~e line of sight 230 and optical c~ .* 232 in the vertical plane may cxceed the ranges set for~h abo~re, for some CYG~.~, as long as ~e ~ CQ~ OI~'-I of the angle of deviation is ~ ~n ~e above-mentioned ranges of deviatio~ from the parallel orie~Ption- ~lef~ably~ the line of sight 230 deviates in the lrer~cal plane ~o more thaD about i 10~ and, more preferably, no more ~an abollt + 3~ from ~e optical ce~t~ l;n, in ~e as-wom u,;e.,la~ion.
Figure 16 is a ~ .~ v~ew of the lens 220, lens blank 222, and geometric sha~e 224 of Fi~re 15. This view shows that the ~.ef~ed ~o.~ ~.;c shape 224 is holk~w with walls of varying ~ L I,- ,S, as revealed by a ho~i~"l~l cross-section 234 at the optical centerline of the ~,.,o...Ph;c shape 224.
The bapered ~ls of ~he pL~rL~l~d g~Q~r~iC shape 224 result ~om two hori;zontally offset spheres, lc~l~d~l~d by their center points C1 and C2 and radii R1 and R2. An outer surface 236 of the pl~r~ d len~ blank 222 cu~fo~ s to one sphere (of radius R1) while sn inner sur~ace 238 of the lens blsstk 222 cQnfs",..s to the other sphere (of radius R2). By adj~ting ~e p~a"let~ which describe the two sphe~es, the laature of' the taper of ~e lens blank 222 rnay also be adjllsted.
In particular, ~e ~ etG,D for the two sphcres to which the len~ blank outer surfi~ce 236 and inner surface 238 conform is preferably chosen to produce ~ninim~l or zero refractive power, or ~or.l"eso.iytion lensc~. Wh re CT Icy.esc~ a chosencenter tl~ir~s (maximum thi~nt~ oî the wall of ~e hollow gCol~Pt~;c shape 224), n is an index of refraction of the lens blank material, R1 is set by design choice for the .;,~ re of the outer surface 236, R2 may be ~, .. ;,.cd accol~ling to the followin~ equation~

R2-RI -CTt CT (1) Cl'/n rep~eçent~ the separation of the ~herica1 centers C1 and C2. For eY~mple, where a base 6 lens is de~ired as a matter of design choice, the center thic~ness is chos~n to be 3 mm, and ~e index of refim~tinn of the ~ r.,.~cd m~t~ri (polycarbonate) is 1.586, R2 may be det~rminPd as follows:

R2 = ~6~ -3 + 1 586 =87.225mm (2) For this example, the radius R1 of the outer ~ ace 236 is equal to 88.333 mm, the rad,ius R2 of the inner surface 23~ is equal to 87.225 mm, and the spherical centers C1 and C2 are s~ted by 1.892 mm. These p~amete,rs describc the c~dlUl~ of the lens blank 222 of a ~crcll~;d rlpc~nt~red sp~,~ri~l embo~imPnt.
In the case of the prefelled embodiment, the optical centerline 232 is ~at line which passes through both center points C1 alld C~ of the offset spheres. This h ~l,pe~s to pass LL.UU~11 the thickest portion of the pl.;r~.red geom~t~ical shape 224 walls at arl optical center 240, though this may not be true for ~Iternati~re nonspherical embo~ The optical center l~ne 232 happens to pa~s through surface 236 of the illus~ated lerls blank 222, altllough this is not neces~r~. The optical center 240 does not happen to lie on ~e lens 220, although it may for larger lenses or lenses int~n~
to e,xhibit less wrap in ~e as-worn or;~ ;on.
Figure 17 illustrates a ho~ut~l cross-section of a lens 220, showirlg in ph~o~O~ the ~,O~:IlCt~;C shape 224 to which the outer surface 236 and inner surface 238 cor,~,~l. The lens blank 222 is omitted from this drawing. In accordance with the present invention, the optical centerl~ne 232 ~ssoci~t~d with the chosen Glientation is aligned to be generally parallel to bllt o~fset ~rom the straight ahead nonnal line of sight 230 of the wearer as the leIls 220 is to be mollnt~d in an eyeglass frasne.

Figure 17A illustratcs a vertical cross-section of the lens 220, also shovnng inphantom the geometric shape 224 to which the outer surface 236 and inner surface238 conf~nn. Unlilce the ho.i6o,l1~1 vie~ of Figure 17, the projcction of the optical centerline 232 onto a vertical plas~e (i.e., the vertical co~ on~nt of the optical S centerline 232) appears to pass through the vertical profile of the preferred lens 220.
In any case, the vertical component of the optical centerline 232 ~coGi~ted wi~ the chosen taper is also aligned to be generally parallel wlth the nomlal line of sight 230 of th,e w.-~rer in ~e as wo~ oricJltatinn Thus, in ~u;ldhiQI- to providing optically correct lenses for dual lens ~
w~ a high degree of wrap, the present inven~ion may provide optically ccllcc~d lense:s for C,~ ' char~rt~ri7ed by a degree of ralce, The terms "rake" and "optically col~c~l" are fur~er defined below.
In gene~, "rake" will be ulld~,,atl~Od to describe the condition of a lens, in the as-wom ori~t~tion, for which the no~nal line of sight 230 (see Figure 17A) strikes a ~ertical t~ngent to the lens 220 at a ~o~ ,e.~dicular arlgle. For optically cu~.~c~d eye~ear in accordance wi~ the p~ ..bd embo~;mçnt ho~ever, the nomlal line of sighl to a raked lcn~ is ge~erally parallel to and ~ertically off~et from ~e optical ce~t~lin~. rherefore, ~e degree of rake in a c~ ;tl~ oriented lens may be mea~ured by the distance which the normal line of sight is vertically t1i~pl~ced from the optical centerline.
For a centrally oriented lens, as shown in Figure 19~, the wearer's line of sight coincides with the optical c~nt~linP~ thus displaying no vertica~ pl~~P~n~lt While such a lens m~y be optically cu~cct~d (as defined below) in the as-wom orier-htiQ~) the lens does not have rake, unlike the ~efe..~ o~lim~nt of the present invention.
Figure l9C shows a lens ories-t~ticn which is downwardly tilted or raked, but for which the optical centerline and the noriIIal line of si~ht are highl~ divergent such that no r~ p~pntl~ could ~ in~fully be measured. While such a lens may have downward rake in a conventioIl~l sense, ad~antageollsly ~,o-r,dil-g do~nward protection for the eye and conforming to the wearer's ~ace, it is not optic~lly CO~I e~kd.

~ n co~trdst, the normal line of sight through a r~ed lens, made ~n accordance ~vith the p~efeLIGd embo~im~nt, is characterized by a finite venical disp~ar~ t ~om the optical centerl~ne, preferably a dowllward displ~ce,..~.l.t for do~ ward rake.
Whe~e the optical centerline diverges from the normal l~ne of sight within the S acceptable angul_r r~nges set forth above, this di~l,lAc~ nt should be measured at or near the lens surface. The ~ e~ t may range from about any nonzero ~ p~ e~rnt to about 8.0 inches. Lsnses of lower base curvature may require a greal~er di~ in order to achieve good rake. The vertical rli~pl~ce~rlt for a lens of base 6 cu~a~ule~ ku....~lv., should be ~ct~v~n about 0.1 inch ant about 2.0 inchcs. More preferably, the verdcal t~ rP-rn~nt is ~el~.e~n about 0.1 inch and abou.t 1.0 inch, particularly ~v~c~ about 0.25 inch and about 0.7~ inch, and most prcr~,,ably about 0.5 inch~
"Op~cally correct," as that term has been used in ~e present description, refersto a lens ~vhich ~ipmnn~trates relatively lo~r distortion as measured by one or more of the fûllowirlg values in the as-worn or~e~lt~tior pri~natic distortion, le~~Lli~e po~er and ~ rn~t~ aked lenses in awù~lce wi~ the p-~r~ d embodiment d~monct~ate at least as low as 1/4 diopt-"~ or 3116 diopters and typically less than about 1/8 diopters pricm~tio distortion, preferably less ~an about 1116 diopters, and more plef"ably less than ~bout 1/32 diuyt~i5. Refracti-~e powa and ~sti~m~ti~m for lenses in accordance with ~e present invention are also p~eferably low. Each of ref~a~tive power and ~ ti~n are also at least as low as 1/4 dio~t~.s or 3/16 diopters and preferably less than about 1/~ diopters, more preferably less than about 1/16 diopters and most pr~ bly less than about 1/32 diopters.
It urill be l-n~rrstood by the skilled artisan tha~ 'he advantages in minimi~ineopti~ al distor~on apply to both the horizontal Emd ~e vertical ~i~T)pn~inrl~ Particular advantage is derived by applyulg ~e principles taught herein to both vertical and hori;~ontal ~i",~ r.~ s of ~e lens, e~blin~ the combinatioII of lateral and lower ~e,if)~.~l protection ofthe eyes (through wrap and r~ke) with excellçnt optical quality over the wearer's full angulsr range of vision.
Furthermore, although the pl;~lci~,al embo.l;.. el,ts described herein are of constant radius in both the horizon~al and vertical cross-~ection, a variety of lens configurations in both planes are possi~ole in conjunction wi~ the present invention.
Thus, for example, eithe~ the outer or the iMer or both s~faces of the lens of the present invention may generally conform to a spherical shape as show,n in Figures 15 uld 16. Alternatively either the outer or the inner or both surfaces of the lens may cc~r,ru,.,. to a nght circular cyl~nder, a ~usto-coz~ical, an elliptic cylinder, an ellipsoid, an ellipsoid of revolution, other sphere or an~ of a number of other three rlim~jona sha~es. ~eg~dless of t~e particular vertical or horizontal cun~ature of one surface, ho,wever, the ot~er surface should be chosen such as to minimi7~ one or more of power, pris~ and ~i~n~t~ of the lens ~n the l~luullt~ and as-wom orient~ti(ln Figures 18-20A will aid in describing a met~od of choosing a location on the lens blank 222 ~om ~hich to cut ~e right lens 220, h ac~o~ce with a ~lef~led embodil.,ent of the present invention. ~t will be l~nr~ od that a simila~ methodwould be used to construct the left lens for the tual lens eyewear of the preferred o~im~t, As a first step, a de~irod general Cu~valu~e of the lens ~nner or outer surface 238, 236 may be chosen. For the pref~ d lens 220, this choice dete~ es the base value of ~e lens blank 222. As noted elsewhere herein, a number of other ,,u,v~t~s ma,~ be utilized in conjunction wi~ the present inve~tion. A choice of lens thi~n~ss may also be presele~ted ~n particular, the minimllm thiclrnes~ may be s~.leGted such thal: ~e lens w~ll withct~n~ a pre~l~ted impact force, A desired lens shape ma~ also be chosen. For example, Figures 1 and 9 illu~itrate examples of a front eleYational shapes for the lens 220. The particular shape cho~en is generally not relevant to the oriented de~ ~~ ed lens optics ~i~rlosed herein.
A desired as~wom ori~,.,l~tion for the lens should also be chosen, relative to the nonn~l line of sight 230 o~ t~e wearer 226. As nlP~tinn~d above, E"~f~,.. edo~ ;nn~ may provide ~i~nifi~nt lateral wrap Por lateral protection and inte..,~tion of ~ hc.~l light~ and for aesthetic reasons, aDd also some degree of dovmward rake.
E;or example, the emhodimPnt illustrated in Figures 15-20 u~es a canted lens 220 to achieve wrap. ~Itr.r,n~tively, ~rap may be achieved tbrough use of a higher b~se lens and a more convçnti~n~l (noncanted) ori~P~t~tion. Figures 18 and 19 illus~ate more plainly ho~v the orientations may be related to the line of si~ht 230 of the wearer.

The e~ewear tt~si~r may also choose a degree of r~ke, or ~rertical tilt, ~c willbe understood from Figures 19A~-19C, sch~ tically illustrating various vertical as-worn orit.l~lions of a lens, relative to the head of the wcarer 226. Figure 19A
illu~ tes the pref~lred orient~tioJ- of the lens 220 relative to the head of ~e wearer 2:26, and relative in particular to the straight ahead normal line of sight 230. A
dow"~.~d ~ake, as illustrated in Figure l9A, is desirable for a variety of reasons, inc~ in~ improved cnnfornlity to cnmmo~ head ~ omy. As will be appa~e.ll to those of skill in the art irl ~iew of the ~i~clos-~re hereill, a le~s 220 ha~ing a n~ h~nir~l center point which falls below the honzont~l plane i~.h~o~ g the optical ce~ LI~e 232 (see Figure 16) ~nll pe~nit the lens to be uric-l~ed Wi~l a do~.~.w~d rake as illustrated in ~igure 19 and yet plesv.~,~, a generally patallel rel~ti~ n~hip ,.l the optical centerline and the straight ahead Iine of sight. Since ~e on of the lens 220 to the opticsl centerline 232 ~n the irn~jn~ry sphe~e should be the same ~s the nri~t~tion ~ en the lens 220 and a parallel to ~e normal lineof sight 230 in the as ~vom or;~ tiOn any lens cut frûm this sphere below ~e optic~l ce;nterline 232 carl be luou~ d with a co~ ,Q..~ing degree of downward rake and achieve the optical correction of the present invention.
Accordingly, the desired deg~ee of rake may be chosen by S~v~ ~g a vertical co~or~, -t of the disrlA~e~rt between the norrnal l~ne of sight 230 and the optical centerlme 232, ~ illus~ated ~n Figure l9A. Ei~er way, ~e greater the r~ P~ntJ
the greater the do~"~.~d rake. ~n general, the vertical di~pl~cempnt in accorda"ce with the pre~cnt ~vention will be greater than zero. Generally it ~Ivill be from about 0.1 inches to about 2 ~Ilches depending upon base curvature. Preferably, ~ertical ~i~pl~eer~ t will be ~om about 0.1 inches to about one inch, or about 0.2 inches or greater. More preferably, it urill be from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches and in one embo~ t it was about 0.5 inches.
Alternat~vely, a general profile may be chosen which fixes an G~ ;Qn of the normal l~ne of sight relative to the cun~ature of the lens (not accountin~g for the thi~ ~ness of the lens). For instance, both Figure 19A provides lefer~ce points of a top edge Z~2 and a bottom edge 2~4 relative to the normal line of sight 230. This rel~tion~hip may then be uti~ized to detelmine the po~ition on a lens blank from which to out the lens.
~ eferring now to Figure 20, a mapping of the horizontal orientation of ~e lens 22() onto the lens blank 222 is illustrated. The normal l~ne of sight 230, with respect to which the chosen ~ lion is ~e&.~d, is n~ t~-llrd ~ ";~l~y parallel to and offset from the optieaI ce~lt~rli~ 232. The hori70nt~1 co...ponent of ~he ~j~pl"~ern~nt ur~ll generally be within the range of from about 0.1 inche~ to about 8 inches for lower base cur~ratures. A~ tinn~l details relati~g to le~s o,;e~tS~;nn can be found inCO ~ ~ljn~ application Serial No. 08/745,162, filed November 7, 1996 entitled D~.t~ Nonco.,e~,L~v LeDs For Eyewear, the ~;sclo~! ~e of which is incoIporated in its entirety herein by i~,f,l.,..~.
Ref~ring now to Figure 20a, a mapping of the vertical ~~r;~ ;on of the lens 22al onto the lens blank 222 is ill~t~l, ~e normal l~n~ of ~ight 2~0, w~th respect to which ~e chosen ori~t~ n is ...ea~d, is ~.,Y;..I,.i..cd ~ks~ ly parallel to and vertically offset f~om the opdcal ee.lte.linc 232. ~ ~-r3 when arranged in such an o~ r, the lens 220 will exhibit ~ninim~l OptiCII distor~on relative to the line of sight 230. Ideally, the ~e 250 is shaped so ~t when cor.~,lly worn, the op~cal centerline 232 is . . ;..I~;..od suk~ lly par~llel to the nûrmal line of sight 230.
However, va~ious factors may alter ~e onentation of the optical centerline 232 relative to the weare~'s line of sight 230 when the eyegl~ccçe are actually worn. For tc~, be~use eyeg1Rsses rest on the wearer's nose, ~e particular nose shape affects the olie~ n of ~e lens- relative to the l~ne of sight 230. For noses of d;~rc,-L shapes and s~zes, the line of sight 230 may not always co..c~ , align with the optical c~ t~,.lil.e 232 when the eyeglssses are wom. ~ tion~lly~ different ~.~c.s may prefer to position the eyegl9c~c on various points o~ the nose, causing ~e lells to orient ~ifr~r~,ntl~ for each ~earer. Hence, al~ough the frame may beecl to minilni~e optical distortion when the eyegl~cses are cu~l~clly wom by a person with a particular nose shape, di~rc,lc~s in facial ge~ y and p.cfc.ences in the gtyle of wearing the eyegl~cp-c often result in vertic~ spl~oe~ent ûf the lens, ca~sing the optical cer~terline 232 to lose a parallel alig~unent with the line of sight 230 when ~e eye~ cPc are actually wom.

To corur.el 5~ for such di~ferences, noseFi~ceC may be interchangeably mounted on eye~J~sPs in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.Tlle nosepieces are used to minimj7~ optical di~tortion by customizing the vertical orient~tio~ of the eyegl~ses on a par~icular wearer's face to optimize ~liEnmentbetween the optical centerline 232 and the line of ight 230. In ~ ttion, the interchangeable nose pads of the present invention allow the weare~ to optimize ccmfort and allow for color coorrlin~tion and o~er design ~ rL~
Re~,..~ to Figure 21, noSb~;cGes 270 are mounted on the no9e region 214 of ~e eyegl~cses 216. The nose region 274 in~ s the bridge 280 and the medial portions 282 of ~e orbitals 284. In the illu~ A embo~im~r~t~ ~e nosepieces 270 mount onto the eyeglacses 2~6 through a~wl~cs 286 that extend into the medial portions 282 of the orbitals 284.
Although descr~bed and i~ Cttat~d herein as be~llg mounted dircctly onto ~e medial portionc 282 of the orbitals 284, it will be appreciated that the nosepieces 270 m~ly be mounted to any ~fl u~tu~c which will positiofn the nn~fff~f;~c~f.5 somewhere in the nose region 274 of ~e eyegl~cfcefff 276. rn general, the medLal portion 282 of the orbital will be elongated slightly in a ref~fN~l di-wlidn to p~ovide a fl~nge orprojection ha~ a moun~ng surface ~ereon for the nosfCl~ifeee 270. In faddition, the two sff ~fff~ale nose pieces 270 a~ be joined together, such f~S by a flexible curved cQnnect~fr ~vhich is shaped to have a dow~ f~f~ coff~f~vil~ ~n the mounted orifentation.
Thus, the a~ffff ~Lu~ff~f~ff 286 cf~n serve ss mounting a~ tures for a ur~tary nnse~iece having a generfally upside down "IJ" or "V" rf~onfifgu~ation With .f~re.ence to Figure 22, there is ill-lsfxated a single nosepiece 270. The nosepiece 270 includes a generally glo~nl~f,~ shaped body 290 having a nose cofnt~ctinfffJ pad 292 and an anchor 294. A nose oontact surface 296 is positioned on a IFIrst side of the pad 292. A c~.nl.frcffff~fJf~ 304 extends between the pad 292 and the an,chor 294. The si~ of the faruhor 294 may be t~aried in relation to the size of the pafd 292.
The nose pad 292 f~ d aIIr.,hor 294 f~e ~ffff,~ff-lated by fan annular recess 300, cof,~ff~ fonding to COI nPctor 304, to fo~n a first locking surface 302 on ~e no e padf 292 and an opposing second lockinff~f surface 305 on the anchor 294. '1 his -3f~f ~nfiguration, in comhin~t;nn wi~ ~e re~ilient nose~ ce material, permits the nosepiece to ~e removably mo~mted in an aperture, as will be apparent to those of skill il2 the art. Althoug~ thG nosepiPc~ 270 is illusttated with a central aperture 310 Plct~ ,g axially tl~ ethlv~lgh, the nosepiece 270 can be a solid member without ~ . Lu.e 310, i~ desired.
The nose contact surface 296 of the pad 292 is configured to rest against t~e wesrer's nose when ~e e~ 276 are ~;vom. In Figure 22, the nose contact surface 296 is illu~ated as being .u~ded so ~at the thi~sss of the pad 292 tapers ~om the edges of the ~o~lece apert~e 310 radially outwardly to the pc.;~-h~.A~ of the body 290. However, the nose co~tact surface 296 collld also be flat or could be ccl~lou.~d to subst~nt~ y co,lrv~ to the shape of a nose. The nose wntact surface 25~6 may be smooth or it may be teA~ or ridged to provide friction and reduce the li~,elihood of the pad 292 sliding on the wearer's nose when the eyee1~e~ 276 are worn.
Figure 22 i~ s the pad 292 having a ge~er~ circular profile, ~Iowever, it will be a~l"c,oi~t~d ~at ~e profile of the pad 292 could have any of a wide variety of geometric shapes. For in~nre, the pad 292 may have a rect~n~ular, oval, elliptical or other profile.
Any of a wide variety of materials known to those skilled in the art, such as rubber or plastic, may be used to m~n-lf~rtllre the pad 270. Preferably, the pad 290 col~iprises a resilient material that w~ll rest co~ lably on the nose of the ~rearer, such ~3 polyurethane, silicone, latex, Krayton or others known in the art~
The f7im~r;ons of eY~rnrl~y pads are as follows. The m~llu,n cross sectianal r~ e~sio~ of the pad 292 ranges from about 1/8" to about 1". The w~dthof the pad in a non-circular embodiment is generally uithin ~e range of from about 1/8" to about 1/2". Pad thi~Lo~ss may range from about O.Ol" to about 1/2". lt ~vill be appreciated that these di~ ,o~ are merely exempl~y and ~at a wide variety o~
~i~e~siQn~ may be 1~h'1i~ For example, a g~aduated series of pad thir1~necsPs can be provided, for c1~tnmi~ g ~e vertical orientation of ~e eyee1~es The ~u~
pad 292 may have a thiCl~nAss in the area of about 1/64", and a se~ies of pads having increasing dlicl nP~ses in intervals of every 1/64", or every 1/32" or even every 1/8"

are provided. The thit.l n~ n~ccg~ t~ optimize comfort, style, or the vertical as wom orient~tio~ of the lenses can then be selected for a given urearer and mounted in the apertures 2X6.
Fm1~orlim~ntc of the nosepiece 270 intp.n~ed for through-hole mounting can be S configll~ed in any of a variety af manners, as v,rill be ~plp~Lnt to those of skill in dle ~t. Preferably, a first locking surface 302 and second locking surface 305 are provided to enable a secure fit be~-.~n the nosepiece 270 and the ~sso~iRtP~ eyeglass co~ -o.. -.1 However, there is no rcq~ e~ll that the fiIst locking surface 302 and second locking surface 30~ be fo~ned ~ annular rece~s 300. I~t~re.~.,ce can be provided by i~,.easil,g the ~ e.~d di~ t~r of ~e connector 304 so that it is larger than lhe ~ rn~r of the a~e.lt~ 286. The locking s ~rr~es can be deleted and the tosepiec~ 270 reta~ned uit~ the mounting ~p~ by f~ictioII fit. Any of a ~uiety of barbed or ratchet like s~uctures can aIso be used for ret~ini-lg ~e nos~,piece 270 in either a blind hold or a through hole.
12eferri~ to Figures 23 and 23A, the nos~piece 270 of Figure 22 is illu~ lcd as mounted in an al,e.lt--., 286 oYt~n~in~ through a portion o~ orbital 284. ~e n~se,piece 270 is positioned such ~at ~n annular surface on ~e orbital 284 which~ULI~ dS the aper~ure 286 is position~ wi~in annular recess 300. In ~is manner, the first locking sulface 302 and seco~d loclcing surface 305 abut opl,o~i~g sides of tile orbital 284 to resist movement of the nosepiece 270 in ei~er axial direction from 286.
Figures 24 and 24A illustrate arlother çlnboc~impnt of the invention in which an opening 312 extends laterally ~om the a~e.lul~ 2~6 to the edge ofthe orbital 284 so ~at the ~ c 286 is not completely en~lnse~ b~ e orbital 284. The opening 31.2 is preferably targe enollgh such thst the noscp;cce 270 may be inserted into the aperture 286 transversely through the opening 312. The opening 312 is also preferably srnaller across t~an ~e di~m~ter of ~he aperture 286 so that the wall of aperture 286 will partially ~rrap around the nosepiece car~n~ct~r 304 to removably sec;ure the nosepiece 270 within ~e ~.,.lu,~ 286.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 24l the opening 312 forms a gap so that the co~lector 304 is visible through the opening 312 when the nosepiece 270 is nrlounted. As illustrated in ~igllre 25 and 25A~, the nosepiece may also be provided ~ith a tab or plu~ 314. The plug 314 extends ~om the nose pad 292 to the ancbor 294 across recess 300 a~d is ~haped t~ fit within the openin~ 312 and fill the gap created by the opening 312. 'rhe plug 314 provides a smooth ap?cara~lce to t~e orbital 284 and also serves ro prevent rotation of the nosepiece 270 within the aperture 286.
rhe nosepiece 270 may be configured to mate with the eyeglass in a -variety of different mas~ners, some of which are show~ igures 26A-26E, which illustrate cross-sectio~l vie~s of various no~ieccs 2~0 mounted within the ~pC.lulc 286 or other ~t~.k.,.r~-~l structure. With Icf~.ee to Figure 26A, a 0 ~4C~ ~ scat 315 is provided around the edges of the apc.lu,c 286 in the surface of the orbital 284 for r~,ce;v~ the pad 292. ~ similar seat could also b~ provided for the anchor 294.
Re~erring to Fi~ure 26B, the clo~ scctional area of the aperture 286 could also in~rease ,as the ape,tu~ 286 extends ~rough the orbital 284 away *om ~e no~e pad292, The walls of the al,~.h.lc 286 sre thus ~ngled relative to one ano~er to provide one or more inrlin~ rlos.,~;~ce locking surfaces. ~ mo~ifiç~ anchor 294 preferably su~ nti~lly corlforms to the shape of the aperblre 286. Thus, in one embo~imert~the anchor 294 is a ge!llerlly fmsto-conical or wedge shaped seotion having an annular or at least one inclin~d locl~ing surface 308 for providing an hlte,.r~lcnce fit vnth the surface of aperture 286. In the illus~ d e~nbo~im~nt, the end surface 307 of the ar~chor 294 lies flush with the surface of the orbital 2~4, thereby providing a smoo~ app~d~lce to ~e orbital 284. Alt~tively, ~e surface 307 could extend outward beyond the surface of ~e orbital 284.
Refe~ing to Figure 26C, the aperture 286 may also extend only partially ~hrough the orbital 284 to define a blind hole or pocket 316 that may talce on a widc variety of shapes. The anchor 294 has a shape that substs~ntially con~c.r.,ls to the sha~e of the pocket 316 so that the anchor 294 may be removably inserted into the poclcet 316. Preferabl~, a snug fit b~ ,c., the anchor 294 and the pocket 316 retains t~e nosepiece 270 within the aperture 286. The anchor can have a similar shape as that described in connection ~th Figure 26B.

RefeîTirlg now to Figule 26D, ~he nnsepi~ce 270 n~ay als~ mount onto the o:rbital 284 using any of a varie~ of connectors. A sna~ conn~ctnr 317 is alt~c~ed to the eyepiece contact surface 318 of the pad 292. The ~y.,.lu,e 286 has a size as~d shape that compler~ts the s~ze ant shape ofthe snap connector 317. The nosepiece2'70 is ~ to the eyegl~cseE by snapping the snap conn~ctor 317 into the ape.Lu,~286. A press-fit ~et~ e.l the snap conn~ct~-r 317 and t~e aperture 286 retains ~e nosepiece 270 in place. Any of a wide variety of co~ y msIe/female co...r.o~ t pairs can be used as ~ill be ~p~,..l ~om the ~ rln~l~e herein.
~f~ e to Figure 26~, a saew 320 can ~ i~ly be used to removably attach the n~sepie~e 270 to the orbital 284. The screw 320 can be self tapping and self drilling or in~ d in a predrilled ~crew hole in orbital 284. Ad~kesives mayaltematively be used to retain the ~q~:~ce 270 in place.
As i~ slldt~d in Figures 27A-27D, the al~c~L~e 286 may have any of a w~de variety of profiles, ~,uch as for ex~mple, round, oval, r~ and elliptical.
Apertures hav~ng oblong or non~.. P1.;r~1 shapes rn~y be used to prevent the connector 304 ~om rotat~ within the a~ 286 and In~int~qin ~e correct ~liigr~mPnt of the pad 292 relative to ~e eyeel~ssçs 276. It w~ll be appreciated ~at the apertures can be closed, or an u~r~ing 312 could be used w~ a~ es of any shape.
R~fell~g to Figure 28, two or more al,~lules 286 may also be used to mount a single nosepiece 270 to ~e G~ eef.s 276. Such a configuration a~sists in providing a particular ~ nmRnt of ~e pad 292 relative to the orbital 284. Each n~lsepiece 270 has a nwnber of c~n~ertors 304 c0l~2;~,-0n~ine to ~e number of apertures 286 per nosepiece. Each conn~ctor 304 is configured to be inserted into a cor.ei,yor~ling ~perture 286 so that the nos~pi~s~ 270 must be C~ IIy aLigned prior to insertion. This arrangement m~int~in~ the correct ~li~mPnt by ~c~ ting rotation of the ~osepiec~ 270 rel~tive to the eyegl~ss~s 270.
Refe~ing to Fi~gure 29, there is i~ t~d an alternative ernho~ nt of the present invention. A mount 322 extends outward from the surface of the orbital. The mount 322 could have any of B wide variety of sh~pes. A pocket 324 is fonned in the nosepiece 270, having a shape that complements the shaFe of the mount 322. The nosepiece is resiliently stretched over the mount 322 to reta~n the no5e~;ec~ 270 on the orbital 284. To assist in retention, the molmt 322 preferably has a base portion 326 which has a smaller cross sec~io~l area than an end portion 328 so ~hat a nosepiece 270 which has a co~nrlernentary pocket 324 can only be mounted or removed by resilient deforrn~tion.
One effect of different si~d and shaped nos, yicces 270 is to change the orientation of the optical centerline 232 of the lenses relative to the wearOE's li~le of sight 230 when the eyeglasces 276 are worll Figure 30 sch~m~tir~l1y illustr~tes an as WOM C51;t ~t~ Q~ which the optical c~ c 232 is subst~ltiP~ly parallel to the s1raight ahead line of sight 230 itl 'he vertical plane. Howeve~ icc~tsse~l when ~e eyeglasses 276 are actually wonl, the position of the eyeg!~c~s on the wearer's ~ose, or the s~ape of the wearer's nose, may cause the optical c~tt~.rlin~ 232 to rotate away from its parallel ~lignm~nt with the l~ne of sight 230, tl-vu~;l, a range of ~cal rotation 320.
The vertical Onent~tiQ~ of the optical centerline 232 may be cG.,ect~,d by ~djU~Li-lg ~e VerhCal position of the eyeglasses 272 on thc wearer's nose by ~ ~e ~..ately sized and shaped nnSRpieces 270. Hence, for a particular weaA-er, the thickness of ~e pad 292 may be selected to o~ e the vertical nrie.~tRtion of theop~ical c~ rlin~ 232 The particular l~c..~l,iece 270 that is used varies depeA,.lil~g on how the orient~tiQn of ~he le-lses relstive to the line of sight needs to be adjusted. For in~rlr.e, certain wesrers ma~ mount the eyeel~es 276 low on the rAose so that the optical centerline rotates downward from the line of sight. In this case, a thicker pad 292 may be used to raise the vertical position of the lens so that tLe optical centerline is oorrectly aligned with the line of sight. For thin or lower set noses, thicker pads 292 may also be used to raise position of the optical centerline to the co~;rectorie~t~hon. ~ particular pad size or shape may also be selec~d to optimize the coulru~ of the eyegla~ses on the wearer.
The position of the coMector 304 on the pad 292 ~ay also be used ei~er sep,3~at~1y or in combiMtion with pad thickness to adjust the position of ~e lenses relative to the line of sight, For inct~n~.e, ,~r~ .. l.g to Figure 31, the cnnnector 304 may located A~earer the top edge of the pad 292. In this case, the pad 292 mounts ~1-lower on the orbital 284 to thereby increase the vertical~icpl~ rnent ofthe eyeglasses provided by the pad 292. Referring to Figure 32, the connector may alternatively be located llearer the boKom edge of the pad 292 In this case, the pad 292 will molmt higher on the orbital 284, ~hich reduces the upward vertical displ~cement pro~ided S by the pads 292.
Pec~ce the nosepieces 270 are removable, the same set of eyeeJ~c~s may be optically collect~d for lliLfercllt wearers by in~ no~ep;eces 270 that are p~rticularly suited to ~e wearer's nose and style of wearing t~e eyeglasses. Hence, ey~l~s having the same frame style may be cllctorni7~d to ~mprove the optics fora particular wearer by using the nosepieces 270 of ~e present invention. The interchangeable nosepieces 270 may also be used to optimi~ the comfort of the eyeglasses by using noseFie~es 270 ~at are particul~rly st~ted for the wearel's nose shape.
~hough the roregoing invention has been described in terms of certain prc~ ed embo~ tc~ other embodimPnts ~nll become a~cl~t to those of ordinary 5k;11 in the art iII vieW of ~e disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not int~nf~d to be lin~ted by the recitation of pr~r~ d ~bo~im~nts, but is intell~ed to be defined solely by r~,c,,,cc to the follow~ng claims.

Claims (22)

1. An eyeglass with an adjustable nosepiece, comprising:
a left orbital, a right orbital, and a bridge connected therebetween, the medial side of the right orbital and the medial side of the left orbital spaced laterally apart below the bridge to provide a nose opening, a first opening in the left orbital adjacent the nose opening for receiving a left nose pad;
a second opening in the right orbital adjacent the nose opening for receiving a right nose pad;
a left nose pad having a main body, a nose contact surface on a first side of the body and a connector on the second side of the body, said connector removably positioned in the first opening, and a right nose pad having a main body, a nose contact surface on a first side of the body ant a connector on a second side of the body, said connector removably positioned in the second opening.

2. An eyeglass with an adjustable nosepiece as in Claim 1, wherein the first and second opening are fully encircled by a portion of the orbital

3. An eyeglass with adjustable nosepiece as in Claim 1, wherein the first and second opening are only partially enclosed by a portion of the orbital.

4. An eyeglass with adjustable nosepiece as in Claim 1, having at least two openings on the left orbital and at least two openings on the right orbital for receiving the left and right nosepieces.

5. An eyeglass with adjustable nosepiece as in Claim 1, wherein the right nose pad has an orbital abutment surface opposite said nose contact surface and wherein the connector extends outwardly from said abutment surface.

6. A method of adjusting the vertical orientation of an eyeglass in the as worn position, comprising the steps of:
providing an eyeglass having at least one lens with an optical centerline, positioning the eyeglass on the head of a wearer;
determining the angle between the optical centerline of the lens and the wearer's theoretical straight ahead normal line of sight;

adjusting the lens in the vertical plane up or down on the head of the wearer to bring the optical centerline substantially into parallel with the normal line of sight;
selecting a nosepiece dimensioned to cooperate with the nose of the wearer to retain the eyeglass in an as worn orientation such that the optical centerline is substantially parallel to the normal line of sight in the verticalplane; and installing the selected nosepiece on the eyeglass.

7. An oriented, biased eyeglass frame, comprising a left, orbital and a right orbital for supporting a left lens and a right lens, respectively;
a left nose pad on the left orbital and a right nose pad on the right orbital;
a bridge connected to the right and left orbitals;
a left earstem connected to the left orbital and a right earstem connected to the right orbital;
at least one biased left connector between the left orbital and the bridge;
and at least one biased right connector between the right orbital and the bridge;
wherein the right and left connectors permit limited movement of the right orbital with respect to the left orbital upon application of an external force; and the left and right connectors return the left and right orbital to a predetermined orientation upon removal of the external force.

8. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 7, further comprising a second left connector and a second right connector.

9. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 8, wherein the second connectors are are biased toward the predetermined orientation.

10. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 7, wherein , each of the right and left orbitals comprises metal.

11. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 10, wherein each of the right and left orbitals is injection molded.

12. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 10, wherein each of the right and left orbitals is cast.

13. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 10, wherein the metal comprises titanium.

14. An eyeglass frame, comprising:
a first orbital having a first nose pad;
a second orbital having a second nose pad;
a bridge connecting the first and second orbitals; and first and second biased connectors attached to the bridge for maintaining the first and second orbitals in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other;
wherein the first and second orbitals are moveable from the predetermined orientation to a second orientation by pivoting the eyeglass frame at the first and second connectors, and when in the second orientation the eyeglass frame is biased toward the predetermined orientation.

15. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 14, further comprising a first lens in the first orbital and a second lens in the second orbital.

16. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 15, wherein the first orbital only partially surrounds the first lens.

17. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 15, wherein the first lens has an optical centerline, which, in the predetermined orientation, is substantially parallel to a wearer's predetermined reference line of sight when the eyeglass frame is mounted on the wearer's head.

18. As eyeglass frame as in Claim 17, wherein the reference line of sight is the wearer's straight-ahead normal line of sight.

19. An eyeglass frame as in Claim 15, wherein said first and second lenses exhibit both wrap and rake in the as-worn orientation; and said lenses exhibit no more than about 1/8 diopters prismatic distortion and no more than about 1/8 diopters refractive power in the as-worn orientation.

20. An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein said lenses exhibit no more than about 1/16 diopters prismatic distortion and no more than about 1/16 diopters refractive power in the as-worn orientation.

21. An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein each lens is characterized by an optical centerline, and the lens is oriented by the frame such that the optical centerline is substantially parallel to the wearer's normal line of sight in the as-worn position.

22, An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein the optical centerline deviates from absolutely parallel to the wearer's theoretical normal line of sight by no more than about 3° in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.23. An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein the optical centerline is spaced more than about 0.1 inch from the wearer's theoretical normal line of sight in the vertical plane.
24. An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein the optical centerline is spaced at least about 0.5 inch from the wearer's theoretical normal line of sight in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.
25. An eyeglass according to Claim 19, wherein the optical centerline is vertically displaced between about 0.25 inch and about 0.75 inch from the wearer's normal line of sight.