This application is based on provisional patent application No. 4 filed on 13/1/2006 with application number 60/758,562.
Drawings
FIG. 1a is a front view of a pair of eyeglass frames and detached lenses, both of which include magnets in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1b is a front view of a lens with embedded magnets or magnetic material;
FIG. 1c is a side view of a lens without magnets or magnetic material;
FIG. 1d is a front view of a lens with a magnet or magnetic material secured to the lens such that the magnet or magnetic material extends from the edge of the lens;
fig. 2 is a front view of the frame of fig. 1 with lenses mounted to the frame;
figures 3a and 3b are cross-sectional views of the eyeglass frame of figures 1 and 2 at a magnetic mounting point;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a "blade" frame with magnetic lenses;
fig. 5 a-5 c are front views of an alternative embodiment in which magnets extend from the top and nose areas of the lenses and fit within recesses with magnetic material at the horizontal arm and nose piece of the frame;
FIG. 5d is a cross-sectional view of a T-shaped magnetic mount according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown extended from a lens and received in a corresponding recess in a frame;
FIG. 6a is an isometric view of a pair of eyeglass frames in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6b is an isometric view of a lens according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view of the frame and lenses of the embodiment of FIG. 6 a;
FIG. 7 is a partial front view of a spectacle frame with magnets glued in the hem, in accordance with all illustrated embodiments;
fig. 8 a-8 d are cross-sectional views of magnets embedded in grooves in the rims of the lenses of the frames according to various embodiments of the present invention;
FIGS. 9a to 9d are side views of magnets or magnetic materials fixed to different lenses;
fig. 10 a-10 b are front views of embodiments of the blade frame of the present invention;
fig. 11a is a front view of a half-rimmed frame embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11b is a side view of a portion of a partial hem according to the further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 a;
FIG. 11c is a front view of a lens according to yet another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 a;
FIG. 11d is a side view of a lens according to yet another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 c;
FIG. 11e is a front view of a lens and partial rim according to yet another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 a;
12 a-12 c' illustrate a three-piece mounting embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the magnetic covered lock closure of the present invention;
figures 14a to 14c are front and side views of an embodiment of the invention with a sliding pin;
fig. 15a to 15h are front and side/cross sectional views of different shaped magnets usable with different mounting methods;
FIG. 16a is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention having a goggle-type frame and two shield-type lenses;
FIG. 16b is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention having a goggle-type frame and two shield-type lenses;
FIG. 16c is a front view of a pair of lenses that may be combined with the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 a;
FIG. 17a is a front view of a lens with a wire wrapped around the edge of the lens;
FIG. 17b is a front view of a lens with a wire wrapped around the edge of the lens and a magnet or magnetic material embedded in the lens;
FIG. 17c is an isometric view of a wire partially inserted into a groove in the edge of a lens; and
figure 17d is a top view of the lens shown in figure 17 b.
Detailed Description
The term "lens" herein should be understood to include ophthalmic lenses of various shapes and sizes, as well as one or more shield-type lenses. The term "frame" is understood herein to include blade frames, goggle frames, conventional frames, and any other form of eyeglass frame. By "piano lenses" herein is meant lenses and shields that are not made to the prescription of the wearer. By "prescription lens" herein is meant a lens and a protective eye shield that are made to the prescription of the wearer. "plano lenses" and "prescription lenses" are used interchangeably throughout the description herein. The terms "magnet", "magnetic element", "magnetized material" and "magnetic material" herein refer to a magnet or a material that is magnetic or capable of attracting a magnet. The terms "magnet", "magnetic element", "magnetised material" and "magnetic material" are used interchangeably herein. The "magnetic element" herein is a component in the eyeglass assembly, being a magnet or made of magnetically attractive material. By "eyeglass assembly" herein is meant a pair of eyeglasses, including a frame and at least one lens, assembled together.
Fig. 1 (fig. 1a to 1d) shows an embodiment of the present invention. A pair of eyeglass frames 1 comprises at least one magnet or magnetically attractive material element 7 embedded within the frame 1. Each side of the frame 1 in fig. 1a includes a section of rim 2 and rim 3, which support the lenses 5. Each of the rims 2 and 3 includes a recess 6 for mounting a lens 5. The recess 6 may extend to the nose pad 4. Magnets or magnetically attractive material 7 are embedded in the recesses 6 of the rims 2, 3 of the frame 1. Preferably, there is at least one magnet or magnetically attractive material 7 on each side of the recess 6 in the frame 1 (for mounting the lenses 5). Magnets or magnetic material 8 with opposing attractive forces are mounted at the respective ends of the lenses 5 to pull the magnets 8 of the lenses 5 toward the magnets 7 of the frame 1 by the attractive forces between the magnets of opposite polarity when the lenses 5 are adjacent the frame 1. The magnets 7 are preferably embedded in the recesses 6 of the frame 1 and in the corresponding side edges 9 of each lens 5. This form of magnet, as shown in figure 2, allows the lens to be fully seated and to be held in place by magnetic force.
Figure 1b shows a lens with embedded magnets or magnetic material 8. The lens 5 has an anterior surface 10, a posterior surface 11 and side edges 9. Fig. 1c shows the lens 5 with the back surface 11 facing down, the side 9 facing the reader and the front surface 10 pointing towards the top of the paper. The lens 5 shown in fig. 1c is similar to the lens shown in fig. 1b, but no magnets or magnetic material is embedded in the lens 5 shown in fig. 1 c. In the lens shown in fig. 1b, the magnet or magnetic material 8 fixed to the lens 5 is flush with the side 9 of the lens 5. The magnet or magnetic material 8 may be flush with the front surface 10 or the back surface 11 of the lens 5. It is not necessary that the magnets or magnetic material 8 be flush or not flush with the side edges 9 or the front 10 or rear 11 surfaces. The lenses can be covered by magnets or magnetic material provided that, when assembled, the magnets or magnetic material on the lenses are sufficiently close to the corresponding magnets or magnetic material on the frame so that the magnets or magnetic material on the frame and the lenses attract one another.
Figure 1d shows another lens according to the invention. Magnets or magnetic material 8 protrude from the side edges 9 of the lens 5.
Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of an assembled eyeglass frame assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Magnets or magnetic material 7 are embedded in the frame 1. The lens 5 also has embedded therein a magnet or magnetic material 8. The attractive force between the magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame and the magnets or magnetic material 8 of the lenses secures the lenses 5 to the frame 1.
Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional view showing the contact point between the lens 5 and the frame 1. The frame 1 includes a first section 2 of rim and a second section 3 of rim. The first 2 and second 3 sections of rims have recesses 6 for mounting lenses 5. The shape of the recess 6 corresponds to the contour of the side edge of the lens. The recess 6 is typically U-shaped for receiving the end of the lens 5. The nose pads 4 may also have recesses thereon and comprise magnetic material. Magnets or magnetic material 8 are affixed to the outside of the lenses 5 and are positioned adjacent to the magnets 7 of the frame 1. Fig. 3a shows the front of the spectacles with the front surface 10 of the lens facing the reader. In the sectional view, the position of the side edge 9 of the lens 5 can also be seen.
Fig. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the eyewear shown in fig. 3a, but with the first and second magnets 8 embedded within the lenses 5. The magnetic lenses 5 are mounted to the frame 1 in a concealed manner (snuggly) to prevent accidental removal of the frame 1 during ordinary use.
In another embodiment of the invention, magnets or magnetically attractive material may be embedded within the lens to be flush with the sides of the lens. The lens may fit within a recess similar to that shown in figures 1 to 3 (figures 1a to 3b) but without the lower rim portion.
Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. Lenses 5 with magnets or magnetic material can be mounted to a "paddle" frame 12. The "blade" frame 12 is a conventional wing frame design designed without a rim for the lower curved surface of the lenses 5. In other words, the "blade" frame looks like a pair of lenses extending over a pair of wings. Only the upper and nose portions of the lenses 5 engage the frame 12. The contact points of the frame 12 with the lenses 5 include: a first section of recess in the lateral bridge 47 of the frame 12 and a second section of recess in the side wall adjacent the nosepiece 4.
Fig. 5a shows a further embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 4, a "blade" style frame 12 allows the lenses 5 to fit within the recesses 6 in the upper rim portion 2 of the frame 12 and also fit within the recesses 6 in the side walls adjacent the nose pads 4. The lens 5 comprises a protrusion 13, the protrusion 13 protruding from a side edge of the lens 5. The magnet or magnetic material may include the protrusion 13, or the magnet or magnetic material may be mounted on the protrusion 13.
Fig. 5b shows the same embodiment of the invention as fig. 5a, with the lens placed in fig. 5 b. The magnets 7 in the frame 12 are located in the recesses of the upper rim portion 2 and nose piece 4 of the frame 12. The lens 5 is placed in the frame 12 such that the magnetic forces of the magnets or magnetic material 7 embedded in the frame and the magnets or magnetic material 8 embedded in the lens attract each other. The lens 5 is inserted upwardly into the upper rim portion 2 of the frame 12, within the recess for the mounting protrusion. Once the protrusion 13 is pulled into place by the magnets 7 in the nose area, the protrusion 13 is pulled up into place by the second magnet (which fits into the recess 6 in the upper rim portion 2 of the frame 12) creating a slight mechanical stop that prevents the lens 5 from sliding out of the channel 6.
As shown in fig. 5c, the lens 5 is placed in the recess 6 of the upper rim portion 2 of the frame 12 and slid in the direction of the nosepiece 4. Once in this position, the opposing magnets located in the lens 5 and the frame 12 create a magnetic force that secures the lens 5 to the frame 12. In addition, the magnets in the lenses 5 lock into the recesses 6, preventing the lenses 5 from falling out of the "blade" style frame 12.
Fig. 5d shows another embodiment of the present invention. The lens 5 can include a magnet located in the lens 5 near the portion of the nosepiece 4 to which the frame is attached, and a mechanical "T" attachment 14 at the top end. The frame 12 has magnets 7 disposed in its upper rim portion 2 and nose piece 4.
Fig. 6a to 6c show another embodiment of the present invention. The frame 1 includes a full rim 21 surrounding the lenses 5. In this embodiment, the lens 5 must be inserted into the frame from the front 15 or the back, unlike the manner in which the lens slides into the frame 1 from the side in the embodiment shown in fig. 1-3 (fig. 1 a-3 b). In this embodiment of the invention, the frame 1 does not have a channel-recess, but instead has a stepped inner surface 22, as shown in fig. 6c, which stepped inner surface 22 provides a mechanical stop for the lens 5 when the lens 5 is inserted. This step can be a raised back wall so that the lens can only be removed from the front of the frame. Alternatively, the step 23 can be a front wall so that the lens 5 can only be removed from the rear of the frame. In this embodiment, the lens 5 has magnets 8 embedded near the sides 9, and the lens 5 is inserted into the frame 1 (with the front or rear wall raised) and positioned so that the magnets 8 in the lens 5 are aligned with the magnets 7 in the frame 1. The lens 5 is inserted into the frame from the front or back, respectively, and the lens 5 is held in place by the magnetic force of the magnets of the frame 1 and lens 5.
Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the previously described embodiments, the magnet 7 may be fixed to the spectacle frame 1. A magnet or magnetic material 8 is also secured to the lens 5. The magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame 1 are embedded in the recesses such that the magnets or magnetic material 7 are flush with the surface of the frame 1. Thus, the lens 5 is flush with and mounted to the frame 1, and the magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame 1 and the lens 5 are attracted to each other.
Alternatively, the recess in the frame need not extend the entire length of the crossbar. Magnets, shown in fig. 1d, protrude outward from the edge of the lens and can fit within one or more recesses in the frame rails. In this embodiment, magnets or magnetic material corresponding to those protruding from the edges of the lenses are secured in recesses in the frame rails where the recesses are shaped to fit the contours of the lens protrusions. The lens protrusions are then fitted into these recesses of the frame rails.
Fig. 8 a-8 d illustrate the distribution of magnets within the recess of the frame. The recess may be of any shape. The square recess 26 and the triangular recess 16 are shown. In fig. 8a, rectangular magnets 7 are positioned within a square recess 26 of the frame 1 such that a magnet is secured to each side of the recess. In fig. 8b, the rectangular magnet 7 is located at the top of the square recess 26. Rectangular magnets need not be used. Fig. 8c shows the attachment of one or more triangular magnets 18 to a frame having a triangular recess 16. Fig. 8d shows a triangular magnet 18 and a triangular recess 16, the triangular magnet 18 not being fixed on the entire surface of the triangular recess 16.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many methods can be used to form the recesses in the rims to accommodate lenses of various shapes. Various methods may also be used to attach the magnets to these various forms of rims. The embodiments are not limited to the combination of magnet placement and hemming recesses. For example, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the frame rails can include protruding magnets or can include protrusions to which magnets or magnetic material are affixed and the lenses can include recesses with magnets or magnetic material.
As shown in fig. 9 a-9 d, the magnet may be secured to the prescription or plano lens. In fig. 9a, the lens 5 and magnet 8 have the same thickness, but the magnet or magnetically attractive material affixed to the lens may be thinner or thicker than the lens. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9b, the magnet or magnetically attractive material may be a thin sheet adapted to fit within a shallow recess in the side of the lens.
The magnet 8 may be press fit to the lens 5 with the notched surface, such as the lens 5 in fig. 9 c. The cut surface of the lens 5 is covered by a magnet that presses against the lens 5, which correspondingly forms a surface for mounting the lens 5 to the frame. If desired, magnets having a similar shape can be attached to a frame shaped similarly to the lenses.
The magnets can be located on any side of the frame or recess and can be of any suitable shape. The magnet 8 may be mounted to a lens having an arcuate surface, such as the lens 5 in fig. 9 a. The magnet may also be mounted to a lens with a socket 19 so that the magnet protrudes from an arcuate surface, such as the lens 5 in fig. 9 b. In both examples, the magnet is mounted to a generally arcuate portion of the lens, not the cutout portion. Preferably, the first magnet is mounted to the upper surface of the frame and the second magnet is mounted adjacent to the inner surface of the nose piece. More than one magnet may be mounted to the lens or frame.
Fig. 10a shows a front view of a further embodiment of the invention. The lenses 5 are secured to the frame 1. The magnets or magnetic material 8 of the lenses attract the magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame. The magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame are recessed into the channel of the frame 1 so that the magnets or magnetic material are flush with the surface of the frame 1 and the top of the lenses 5.
Fig. 10b shows a front view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. The lens 5 is fixed to the lens 1. The magnets or magnetic material 8 of the lenses attract the magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame. The magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame are recessed into the channel of the frame 1 so that the magnets are flush with the surface of the frame 1 and the top of the lenses 5. The receptacles 46 on the lenses 5 are received in similarly shaped recesses in the frame 1 and assist in securing the lenses 5 to the frame 1.
Another form of eyeglass frame, as shown in fig. 11a to 11e, has the beneficial structure of mounting the magnetic lenses 5 to a frame with a magnetic surface, such as a half-rimmed frame 27. As shown in fig. 11a, the frame 27 has a typical metal rim 28 with a generally curved surface corresponding to the lower half of the lens 5. Only the lower half of the lens 5 and a portion of the side of the lens 5 is enclosed by the frame 27. The remainder of the lens 5 (the upper generally arcuate surface) is not rimmed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present embodiment is not limited to the lower portion of the lens being covered by the frame, and other portions of the lens (e.g., the upper portion of the lens) may be covered by the frame.
As shown in fig. 11b and 11c, to secure the lenses 5 in the semi-rimmed frames 27, the magnets 7 are embedded in the side 29 of the rim 28 at the corners facing the lenses 5. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that similarly, the lens 5 may be mounted to the half-rimmed rim by embedding magnets in the portion of the rimmed rim 28 surrounding the bottom surface of the lens 5 and securing corresponding magnets 8 to the bottom of the lens 5. As shown in fig. 11c, magnets or magnetic material 8 are attached to the side edge 9 of the lens 5 to match the corresponding bevel on the frame, as shown in fig. 11b (square groove, generally V-shaped groove, or round wire). This provides a close fit between the magnetic lens 5 and the magnets or magnetic material 7 on the frame 27. Fig. 11b also shows that the typical configuration of the metal wire or molded wire on the frame 27 is a square groove, a generally V-shaped groove, or a round wire. Fig. 11e is a front view of the lens and the half-rimmed frame of fig. 11a disassembled.
Fig. 12a to 12 c' show another embodiment of the invention, wherein another magnetic mounting involves a three-piece mounting, also known as a rimless mounting. Three-piece mounting relates to a frame structure without rims or wires. The three-piece mount includes three components: a bridging rod 32, a temple or endpiece 31, and a lens 5. Typical rimless installations include: two lenses 5, the two lenses 5 being connected together by a bridging rod 32 connected to the inner edge of the lenses 5; and a temple or endpiece 31 attached to the outside edge of the lens 5. The magnets in the three-piece mounting device couple the three components to each other. The bridging rod 32 is attached to the inner corner and/or edge of the lens 5 and the temple or end piece 31 is attached to the outer corner or edge of the lens 5.
In the three-piece mounted embodiment shown in fig. 12 a-12 b, the lenses 5 have magnets 8 affixed thereto, the magnets 8 being mounted within the area defined by the first and second recesses 30 of each lens 5, the recesses 30 being located at the inner and outer corners on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens 5. As shown in fig. 12a and 12b, the magnet 8 is placed directly between the first recess and the second recess, towards the inner and outer layers of the lens, thereby attracting the magnetic surface 7 of the frame piece.
Figure 12b shows a preferred method of mounting the lens 5 to the bridging rod 32 with the magnet 33 secured to the bridging rod, the magnet 33 being located within the slot 48 of the bridging rod 32, away from the side of the bridging rod 32. The notches 48 will be in good proximity to the inner corners of the lens 5 when the opposite polarity magnets 8 at the inner corners of the lens are pulled toward the bridging rod magnets 33 by the magnetic force of the bridging rod magnets 33. When the magnets are close to each other, the attractive force between the magnets increases, thereby preventing the three-piece mounting from loosening.
In another embodiment of a three-piece mounting, the lens 5 is surrounded by metal along its sides, with at least one magnet being provided only at the bridging rod 32. In this embodiment, the temple bars do not have to have magnetic elements mounted thereon. In another embodiment, the bridging rod 32 may be metal and the lens 5 is fitted with at least one magnet.
As shown in fig. 12c, at a first end of each temple or end piece and bridge bar 32, proximate an outer corner or side of the respective lens 5, the temple or end piece and bridge bar 32 includes a magnet or magnetic material 33. Magnets attached to the temple or endpieces 31 or bridge rod 32 extend towards the outer corners of the lens 5 for attracting corresponding magnets embedded within the lens 5. This action is similar to that between the bridging bar magnets and the magnets at the inner corners of the lens 5. This can also be achieved by using a different arrangement in the reverse direction, with magnets or protrusions behind the lens 5.
As shown in fig. 12b, the magnets or magnetic material 33 on the temple endpieces 31 may be located at the base of the endpieces 31, towards the end of the notch 48 furthest from the lens 5. The magnet 8 of the lens 5 is mounted in the recess towards the most distal end of the endpiece. After insertion of the lens into the endpiece, the magnets 8 and 33 pull on each other, thereby securing the lens 5 within the endpiece 31. A preferred configuration is that which can be disposed at the attachment site 32 and the lens site 30. In other words, the magnet 33 is located at an upper or lower portion of the recess, towards the first end closest to the lens 5.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a magnet overcast lock closure, as shown in fig. 13. In this method of attachment, magnets 35 are secured to rims 36 of the frames 34 at the extreme corners on the opposite side of the brow bar. Specifically, the magnets are mounted in a position where the frames 34 are normally locked, i.e., a rimlock position. This position is also the position where the temple 37 is attached to the rim 36. In the present invention, a magnet is used as a locking member instead of a screw. Conventional rimlock is the same as the present invention, wherein the upper and lower portions of the frame are separated at the temple corners. In the traditional binding locking, a screw is used for connecting the upper part and the lower part. Magnets 35 are applied to the ends of the frame 34 at the points where the upper and lower portions of the frame join. In a magnetic rimlock, there is no need to use screws to lock the frame 34 in this position because the magnetic force can connect the two ends of the frame together. With the magnets 35 attached to the ends of the frame, this magnetic rimlock method is suitable for any suitably shaped frame, including but not limited to round or V-shaped wire. In this embodiment, no magnets need to be embedded on the lens. The lenses can fit within the rimmed recesses of the frames 34, securely holding the lenses in place when the rimmed locking device is closed and magnetically locked. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rimlock device can be used not only on the temple or endpiece of the frame, but also on the bridge portion of the frame.
Fig. 14a to 14c show yet another embodiment of the magnetic mounting method of the present invention, in which magnets are used in combination with non-magnetic pins 38. As shown in fig. 14a, a non-magnetic pin 38 may be mounted to the generally arcuate surface of the upper portion of the lens. As shown in fig. 14c, the pin 38 fits into the frame 1 with a notch 39 or channel. The lens 5 has a magnet 8 on its inner surface, the magnet 8 being adjacent the brow bar for engaging with a magnet embedded in the frame 1. As shown in fig. 14c, the lens 5 is secured to the frame 1 by a slide pin 38 that moves into a slot 39 in the frame 1 to secure the lens 5. The pin 38 can be a generally T-shaped pin that locks into place when the lens 5 is positioned on the frame 1.
The magnets or magnetically attractive material described in the above mounting methods may be any suitable magnetic material known in the art, may have any profile, and may be shaped in any manner. The magnets are generally of a lighter weight to avoid burdening the user with an excessively heavy frame. As shown in fig. 15 a-15 h, the magnets may be any shape including, but not limited to, trapezoidal (fig. 15a), rectangular (fig. 15b), circular (fig. 15c), crescent (fig. 15d), square (fig. 15e), V-shaped (fig. 15f), and triangular (fig. 15 g).
In all of the above embodiments, the magnets or magnetically attractive material can be embedded in the lens and frame, glued into the lens or frame, pressed into or interference fit with the lens and frame, or assembled to the lens and frame in any other suitable manner.
Further, as shown in fig. 15h, the magnets may fit into the grooves or recesses to engage the opposing magnetic surfaces. The magnet may also be used as a surface to which a constraining substance, such as glue, is applied to secure the magnet to the lens or frame.
Figure 16a shows an embodiment of the invention used in eyewear. The magnet or magnetic material member 8 is secured within a shield type lens 40, the shield type lens 40 being adapted to fit into a goggle type frame 41. Magnets or magnetic materials 7 of opposite polarities are fixed to the goggle type frame 41. The magnets or magnetic material 7 of opposite polarity are arranged so that when the lenses 40 are mounted to the frame 41, the magnets or magnetic material 8 of the shield-type lenses align with the magnets or magnetic material 7 of the frame 41. The attractive interaction between the magnets or between the magnets and the magnetic material couples the lens to the frame. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that securing the magnets 7 in the channels or recesses 6 of the frame 41 helps secure the lenses to the frame 41. The groove or recess 6 is sized to securely receive the lens to secure the lens in place, as shown in figure 16 b. Figure 16b shows a cross-sectional view of an eyewear platform with a double layer lens in the frame.
Fig. 16a shows the magnets or magnetic material 8 being attached to the sides of the shield-type lenses 40. one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the magnets or magnetic material can be attached to any portion of the shield-type lenses 40 so long as the attachment location of the magnets or magnetic material in the lenses corresponds to the attachment location of the magnets or magnetic material in the frame. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that other forms of lenses besides a visor type lens may be secured in a goggle type frame by using magnets in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 16c shows another embodiment of this type of lens. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that one lens (any form of lens) can be permanently mounted to a frame with or without the use of magnets, and that another lens (any form of lens) can be removably mounted to the same frame with the use of magnets in accordance with the present invention. It may be desirable to use a combination of shield-type lenses and conventional-shape lenses in a goggle-type frame.
Fig. 17a shows a further embodiment of the invention. The lens 5 is surrounded by a frame 42 located on the side edge 9 of the lens 5. The wire 42 can be used as a magnetic material to attach at least one magnet to the frame without the magnet being provided on the lens, thereby providing attachment of the lens to the frame. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 17b and 17d, the frame 42 may also be wrapped over the top of the magnetic element to secure the magnetic element 8 within the lens 5. Fig. 17b is another embodiment of the present invention. The wire 42 surrounds the lens 5. Magnets or magnetic material 8 are embedded within the lens 5. Magnets or magnetic materials of opposite polarity are secured to the frame to which the lenses are to be mounted. The opposite polarity magnets or magnetic material of the frame are arranged so that when the lenses are loaded into the frame, the magnets or magnetic material 8 of the lenses align with the magnets in the frame. The attractive forces between the magnets or between the magnets and the magnetic material couple the lens to the frame. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the wire 42 may also be embedded in a groove in the lens, as shown in fig. 17 c. It will also be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wire can also be embedded in the frame to help enhance the magnetic attraction when securing the lens to the frame.
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the object, spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims.