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Spectacle support systemRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Head CoveringsSpectacle support system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070192933, Spectacle support system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus that reduces discomfort for wearers of conventional spectacles and devices that use spectacle-like fitment. [0002] Typically, a conventional spectacle frame rests on the nose, balances on the ears and anchors around the ears. Even if the perfect fitment is attained, prolonged wearing of spectacles leads to discomfort, as there is constant pressure on the nose, and to a lesser extent, pressure around the ears region. Discomfort due to nasal pressure can be particularly acute for wearer with heavy lens prescriptions or wearer of heavy optical devices that rely on spectacle frame type of fitment e.g. heavy goggles, some head-mount display and medical optical devices such as binocular loupe, which does not have additional support mechanism. The current common solutions are via the use of non-conventional spectacles with headband or other headwear support, or an unsightly headband support that can be used on conventional spectacles, which alleviate pressure around the ear area. Other solutions also include the use of special nose-guard, cheek-lifts, and even using adhesive tape to reduce pressures from the nasal and/or ear regions. For the average wearer of conventional spectacles, the above solutions are inconvenient, expensive or cosmetically undesirable. [0003] It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a highly adaptable spectacle support system, which utilises innovative support systems in conjunction with common headwear apparels or specially designed headwear that would at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Unlike other related inventions which also utilise a headwear as a kind of weight transfer support (see for example patents GB2337443, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,164, U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,048, EP1124152, WO9322946, US2004701), the present invention does not require specially adapted spectacle as are apparent from these prior arts: any conventional spectacle as already worn by a spectacle wearer could benefit from the present standalone invention which acts on the temple arms of the spectacle. Pressures around the nose and/or ears can be minimised by providing lifting action on the temple arms of the spectacle via the use of an extended and adjustable support system, which transfer some or all of the weight of the spectacle to the headwear. Note, unlike some prior acts, the weight transfer is subtly and accurately transferred to the headwear without necessarily altering the normal position of the spectacle frame as normally worn by a spectacle user with prescription lenses. [0004] Furthermore, sideway pressures from the temple arms of the spectacle can also be reduced or increased via the transfer of sideway pressures on to the supporting system. By using common headwear as part of the current spectacle supporting system, it serves to make the purpose of the current invention cosmetically much more desirable, and considerably more convenient and comfortable to use. In the case of one embodiment of this invention, which utilise magnetic elements, the support system, apart from the headwear, is almost completely inconspicuous, thus improving the product's cosmetic appeal. Using the present invention, wearer of conventional spectacles or other heavy spectacle-fitting device will experience a significant reduction in discomfort as contact pressures due to wearing the spectacle is reduced or entirely removed. The invention is also particularly useful to spectacle wearers that tend to have low nasal bridges, such as very young children or some people of non-Caucasian ancestry. The use of the current invention will also reduce or eliminate sores, or production of excess grease or perspirations in the contact skin regions. Spectacle wearer with facial abnormalities or sensitive skin conditions may also benefit from using the present invention. The user may also notice an additional beneficial effect of improved stability of the spectacle frame, which may confer some advantages in some sporting activities. There is further application in the fashion industry, as it is now possible to design very elaborate and hence potentially very heavy spectacle design, which can now be worn comfortably when combined with the use of the current invention. [0005] The generic form of the invention comprises:-- [0006] a) A form of headwear e.g. baseball cap, visor cap, hats, headband, helmet. [0007] b) One or more support rods, or strings. Each rod or string may be of fixed or of adjustable length. The upper part of the rod or string is attached to a), preferably to part of a) which protrudes beyond the circumference of the head e.g. the brim of a hat or cap. The attachment may be fitted permanently or detachably to a). The lower end of each rod or string has detachable means to attach to the temple arm of a spectacle. [0008] c) Means of securing the upper part of b) to a), with potential to adjust the vertical and/or lateral positions of the supporting rods or strings [0009] d) Detachable means of attaching the temple arms of the spectacle with the lower end of b). For example, in the case of using a support rod, the lower end of the rod could be of a hook-shaped design that can be used to support the temple arm of the spectacles. In the case of a supporting string, a powerful mini magnet may be attached to its lower end, which can then act to lift the temple arm of the spectacle if it has magnetically attractive elements within it e.g. containing ferromagnetic materials in the temple arms of the spectacle frame. If the temple arms of the spectacle do not already have magnetically attractive material within it, then it is possible to put an attachment containing magnetically attractive materials through each temple arm. When the upper part of b) is adjusted and securely attached to a) as described in c) above, the invention will thus alleviate nasal and/or ear pressures by transferring the weight of the spectacle to the headwear. Note, lateral pressures due to the temple arms on the temple of the head may also be reduced or increased, since depending on the lateral orientation of the supporting rods or strings, they may also provide horizontal (lateral) as well as vertical tension within the supporting rod or string systems. Note lateral compression pressure is possible only with the solid supporting rods system. [0010] e) There can be variations in the invention. For example, as an alternative supporting mechanism to d), the invention can be used by means of supporting the nose bridge of the spectacle using the lower end of b). Also, transferable versions of the spectacle support systems are also proposed below, which allows it to be used on different headwear. Furthermore, it is also proposed that spectacles may be designed specially to Include magnetically attractive elements built within its frame (e.g. in part of the temple arms or nose bridge of the frame), such that it can be used with the magnetic supporting mechanism described in d) above, without the use of magnetic attractive attachments. [0011] The Invention and several variants will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0012] FIG. 1 shows a spectacle user wearing an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention consisting of a cap with a headwear-support rod attachment system, which allows height and lateral adjustments of the support rod. [0014] FIG. 3 shows a cap-support rod attachment system using a spring-loaded stopper. [0015] FIG. 4 as FIG. 1, except the support rod are replaced by a string-magnet support system and the spectacle wearer is not shown. [0016] FIG. 5 shows a transferable version of the spectacle support system, and its application demonstrated on a standard cap. [0017] FIG. 6 shows a different application of the spectacle support system, with the support rod acting on the nose bridge of the spectacle. [0018] FIG. 7A shows a tilted front-on view of a well-designed spectacle support system headwear, incorporating several design features mentioned in this application. [0019] FIG. 7B shows the underside view of the spectacle support system of FIG. 7A, with the support rods folded in the non-use position. [0020] FIG. 8A shows a tilted front-on view of a fully adjustable string-magnet spectacle support system headwear. [0021] FIG. 8B, shows the underside view of the same article as FIG. 8A, revealing the components of the length adjustable string system. [0022] In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts. [0023] FIG. 1 shows a spectacle wearer using an example of the present invention, which comprises a headwear with a brim 11, with two independent length adjustable support rods 12, each attached to the brim of the cap. The headwear-rod attachment method may be permanent (e.g. part of the rod is securely stitched in the brim of the headwear) or detachable (e.g. by means of using clips, hinges, pins, stoppers or cord locks, snap-on/off buttons, Hook and loop fastener or Velcro as is more commonly known, or some other suitable methods for the rod-headwear attachment). A novel method is described in FIG. 2 below. The lower end of the rod is shaped in a partial hook-shaped form 14, so as to enable each temple arm 15 of the spectacle, to rest stably on each support rod, thus reducing nasal pressure once the length of each rod is adjusted accordingly. The use of a lightly bent hook shape design rather than a fuller hook design is so that it only lightly secures the temple arm of the spectacle, thus allowing quick and easy engagement or disengagement of the support rods 12 with the spectacle. In fact, for most non-physically active situation, a simple L-shape tip design is sufficient, whereas in some other situations, a more secure attachment may be preferred e.g. a sideway U-shape tip for the temple arm to rest in. The tip should be covered by a soft resilient material (e.g. latex or rubber type material) for superior grip and safety. The positions of the attachments as shown are such that nasal pressure is most effectively minimised or eliminated totally, as most of the spectacle weight, via the non-skin contact region of the temple arms 15 are resting on the tips of the rod. It is also possible to reduce the pressures around the ear, if the attachment position (or additional attachment) is situated nearer to the ear, such that the support rod can support the temple arm nearer to the ear. Note the support rods may naturally have some flexibility to move about the vertical axis direction as indicated by the arrow 13, because of the flexibility of the brim and/or the support rods are naturally flexible. [0024] In general, the support rod can be made of most solid materials as desired. The lower end of the support rod may also be malleable to further enhance fitment with different temple arm types of different spectacle frames. The length adjustment feature of the support rod can be achieved via the usual means such as a two-piece telescopic arrangement. [0025] The following paragraphs before the description for FIG. 2 describes some additional design features not shown in FIG. 1. Another arrangement is to construct the support rod 12 with a resistive stretchable and/or bendable section that allows the support rod to be readily stretched or compressed and/or bent to the desired length and orientation respectively, and allows it to remain stably in that position even when it is supporting the weight or against the lateral pressure exerted by the temple arm of the spectacle. A rather less stable example of this type of section can be observed in the common plastic drinking straws with a bendable and stretchable `concertina` section. The adjustment mechanism can be achieved via many methods: the `concertina` type section of the support rod may be situated Immediately below the brim, so that the support rods can be simply adjusted to lie under the brim as required. Some of these features are described in another embodiment as revealed in a later figure. Alternatively, the attachment of the support rods with the brim may be via the use of resistive hinges or swivel attachments, which allows it to freely fold underneath the brim of the hat. For perfect fitment with the shape of the brim when the support rods are folded, the latter may be designed to shape conformably to the curve of the brim. [0026] Note, the support rods 12 could be made without any length adjustment feature; it is quite possible to gain sufficient comfort and fitment requirements by simply adjusting the headwear itself. A particular suitable material for constructing the support rods 12 of fixed length is to utilise a common hat strengthening material called `brim reed` which is very strong, light, flexible and malleable. For example, the support rods shown in FIG. 1 can be simply constructed by first attaching a long single piece of brim reed securely stitched on the underside of the hat's brim, followed by bending the two ends of the brim reed to form the hanging section of the support rods 12, and with the hook-shape ends 14 created by further bending of the ends of the brim reed. Typically, the support rod of fixed length would be of the region of between two to four centimetres in length, depending on the preference of the wearer e.g. a short support rod implied that the wearer is wearing the headwear, such that its brim is very close to the frame of the spectacle, and vice versa. Hence, for embodiment of the present invention with fixed support rod length, it is desirable to add a further pair of support rods of a different length to the first pair, so as to offer a wider option to a typical user. Any unused supporting rods could be held neatly, by folding it just beneath the brim and securely tied to the brim by a clip or hook also situated on the underneath side of the brim. [0027] For cosmetic and design appeals, the support rod may be clear or transparent, or in any colour or patterns that one prefers. When the supporting rod is not being used, it may also be hidden away by adjusting it to lie on the underside of the brim of the hat. [0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a novel example of how a support rod 12 of fixed or adjustable length can be attached to the headwear. The brim 11 of the headwear has embedded within it, a circularly shaped rubber inserts 16 with thorough cuts made within it (hereafter this insert will be referred to as a compressed holder). The support rod is then simply inserted through the cuts and its position remains fixed within it due to the compression of the rubber or similar materials that offer natural compression tension. In FIG. 2, the cuts made in the compressed holder 16, are made in the shape of a cross. The compressed holder design allows free vertical adjustment of the support rod, as well as limited lateral adjustments depending on the desired size and shape of the compressed holder and its cuts. If desired, a stopper may also be inserted through the upper part of the rod, on the upper side of the brim to completely secure the support rod from slipping downward. An example of a stopper being used is shown in FIG. 3. [0029] FIG. 3 shows a spring cord lock or similar spring-loaded stopper 17, is used to adjust and fix the support rod to the brim 11 of the headwear. For clarity, only one-rod support system is shown. The stopper 17 is securely attached to the brim 11, with the support rod 12 passing through the case of the stopper and so that the vertical position of the support rod can vary easily by depressing the spring-loaded button part of the stopper. The stopper 17 may be used in conjunction with the compressed holder as discussed earlier for maximum stability, or use on Its own as shown in FIG. 3, which allows for vertical adjustment only. Continue reading about Spectacle support system... Full patent description for Spectacle support system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Spectacle support system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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