U.S. patent application number 13/053555 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for eyewear with removable audio system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZEAL OPTICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Eleanor Wink Jackson, Michael T. Jackson.
Application Number | 20110170054 13/053555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38443627 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110170054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson; Michael T. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
Eyewear With Removable Audio System
Abstract
Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the
temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a
BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a
remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The
BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple
with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An
earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a
receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user's
ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the
earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from
a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth
transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates
over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in
both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the
user.
Inventors: |
Jackson; Michael T.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Jackson; Eleanor Wink; (Boulder,
CO) |
Assignee: |
ZEAL OPTICS, INC.
Boulder
CO
|
Family ID: |
38443627 |
Appl. No.: |
13/053555 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12766899 |
Apr 25, 2010 |
7931367 |
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13053555 |
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11625234 |
Jan 19, 2007 |
7784935 |
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12766899 |
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60760429 |
Jan 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 11/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/158 |
International
Class: |
G02C 11/00 20060101
G02C011/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user, said eyewear
comprising: a lens frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a
user, said lens frame including at least one lens for positioning
proximate the eyes of a user said lens frame having a right side
and a left side; a left temple attached to said left side of said
lens frame and sized to extend over the left ear of the user, said
left temple being formed to have a left cavity therein sized to
removably receive therein one of an audio system and a cover plate;
a right temple attached to said right side of said lens frame and
sized to extend over the right ear of the user, said right temple
being formed to have a right cavity therein sized to removably
receive therein one of an audio system and a cover plate; said
audio system for generating audible sound for the user, including:
battery means for generating electrical power; audio means
configured for producing audio signals convertible to audible
signals for said user, said audio means being connected to said
battery means to receive power therefrom; connector means connected
to said audio means to receive said audio signal therefrom and for
removable connection to audio transmitting means for supplying said
audio signals and said electrical power thereto; audio transmitting
means for removable connection to said connector means to receive
said audio signal, said audio transmitting means including: a
housing; a connector configured to couple with said connector means
that extends from said housing; a first arm pivotally connected to
said housing; at least a second arm pivotally connected to said
first arm; and, a speaker coupled to said second arm, said speaker
configured to convert said audio signals to said audible signals
proximate an ear of a user.
5. The eyewear of claim 4, wherein said connector means is
configured for removable connection to a battery charger for
supplying power to said battery means.
6. The eyewear of claim 4, wherein said connector is a male
connector and said connector means is an aperture configured to
couple with said male connector.
7. The eyewear of claim 4, further comprising at least one volume
control connected to said audio means and configured to allow a
user to adjust a volume of said audible signals
8. The eyewear of claim 4, wherein said audio means further
comprises an on-off switch connected to said audio means configured
to allow said user to turn said audio means on and off.
9. The eyewear of claim 4, wherein said connector is coupled to
said connector means in a substantially vertical orientation.
10. The eyewear of claim 4, wherein said audio system includes a
microphone connected to said audio system, said microphone
configured for receiving audible signals from a user and converting
said audible signals into outgoing audio signals.
11. Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user, said eyewear
comprising: a lens frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a
user, said lens frame including a at least one lens for positioning
proximate the eyes of a user said lens frame having a right side
and a left side; a first temple attached to one of said left side
and said right side of said lens frame and sized to extend over an
ear of the user, said first temple being formed to have a cavity
therein sized to removably receive therein one of an audio system
and a cover plate; a second temple attached to said lens frame and
sized to extend over the other ear; said audio system for
generating audible sound for the user, said audio system including:
battery means for generating electrical power; audio means
configured for producing audio signals convertible to audible
signals for said user, said audio means being connected to said
battery means to receive power therefrom; an aperture connected to
said audio means to receive said audio signals therefrom and for
removable connection to audio transmitting means for supplying said
audio signals and said electrical power thereto an earpiece for
removable connection to said aperture to receive said audio signal,
said earpiece including: a housing; a connector configured to
couple with said aperture that extends from said housing; a first
arm pivotally connected to said housing; and, a speaker configured
to convert said audio signals to said audible signals proximate an
ear of a user.
12. The eyewear of claim 11, wherein said earpiece further
comprises at least a second arm pivotally connected to said first
arm, said speaker being coupled to said second arm.
13. The eyewear of claim 11, wherein said aperture is configured
for removable connection to a battery charger for supplying power
to said battery means.
14. The eyewear of claim 11, wherein said connector is coupled to
said aperture in a substantially vertical orientation.
15. The eyewear of claim 11, further comprising an on-off switch
connected to said audio means configured to allow said user to turn
said audio means on and off
16. The eyewear of claim 11, wherein said audio system includes a
microphone connected to said audio system, said microphone
configured for receiving audible signals from said user and
converting said audible signals into outgoing audio signals.
17. The eyewear of claim 11, wherein said audio system further
comprises at least one volume control connected to said audio means
and configured to allow a user to adjust a volume of said audible
signals.
18. Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user, said eyewear
comprising: a lens frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a
user, said lens frame including at least one lens for positioning
proximate the eyes of a user said lens frame having a right side
and a left side; a left temple attached to said left side of said
lens frame and sized to extend over the left ear of the user, said
left temple being formed to have a left cavity therein sized to
removably receive therein one of an audio system and a cover plate;
a right temple attached to said right side of said lens frame and
sized to extend over the right ear of the user, said right temple
being formed to have a right cavity therein sized to removably
receive therein one of an audio system and a cover plate; said
audio system for generating audible sound for the user, including:
battery means for generating electrical power; audio means
configured for producing audio signals convertible to audible
signals for said user, said audio means being connected to said
battery means to receive power therefrom; connector means connected
to said audio means to receive said audio signal therefrom and for
connection to audio transmitting means for supplying said audio
signals and said electrical power thereto; audio transmitting means
for connection to said connector means to receive said audio
signal, said audio transmitting means including: a first arm; at
least a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm; and, a
speaker coupled to said second arm, said speaker configured to
convert said audio signals to said audible signals proximate an ear
of a user.
19. The eyewear of claims 18, wherein said connector means is
configured for removable connection to said audio transmitting
means.
20. The eyewear of claim 19, wherein said audio transmitting means
includes: a housing, said first arm being pivotally connected to
said housing; and, a connector that extends from said housing, said
connector being configured to couple with said connector means.
21. The eyewear of claim 19, wherein said connector means is
configured for removable connection to a battery charger for
supplying power to said battery means.
22. The eyewear of claim 20, wherein said connector is a male
connector and said connector means is an aperture configured to
couple with said male connector.
23. The eyewear of claim 18, further comprising at least one volume
control connected to said audio means and configured to allow a
user to adjust a volume of said audible signals
24. The eyewear of claim 18, wherein said audio means further
comprises an on-off switch connected to said audio means configured
to allow said user to turn said audio means on and off.
25. The eyewear of claim 20, wherein said connector is coupled to
said connector means in a substantially vertically orientation.
26. The eyewear of claim 18, wherein said audio system includes a
microphone connected to said audio system, said microphone
configured for receiving audible signals from a user and converting
said audible signals into outgoing audio signals.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/760,429 filed on Jan. 20,
2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to eyewear with audio devices in the
temples or stems and more particularly to eyewear with temples or
stems configured to removably receive an audio system.
[0004] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0005] Eyewear configured to include audio devices are known. For
example, U.S. Patent Application 2005/0159182 (Lai) discloses
eyewear with a wireless communication device in the temples. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,769,767 (Swab, et al) discloses eyewear with a
transceiver in the temples which may connect to a remote device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,365 (Swab, et al) also disclosed a wireless or
BlueTooth system in the temples of eyewear. U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,726
(Miller et al.) disclosed a temple structure to place an ear piece
proximate the ear canal of the user. The ear piece is connected to
a wireless transmitter to obtain aural or audible
communications.
[0006] Eyewear with sound systems are commercially available
including the NU Dare Shadow MP3 Sunglass and the THUMP 2.TM.
eyeglass from Oakley.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user has a lens
frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a user. The lens frame
includes at least one lens for positioning proximate the eyes of a
user. A first temple is attached to the left side of the lens frame
and sized to extend over an ear of the user. The first temple is
formed to have a first cavity therein sized to removably receive
therein one of an audio system and a cover plate.
[0008] A second temple is attached to the lens frame and sized to
extend over the other ear of the user. Preferably the right temple
is formed to have a right cavity therein sized to removably receive
therein one of an audio system and a cover plate.
[0009] The audio system for generating audible sound for the user
includes battery means for generating electrical power. The audio
means is a circuit configured for producing audio signals
convertible to audible signals. The audio means is connected to the
battery means to receive power therefrom.
[0010] The audio system also includes connector means connected to
receive the audio signals from the audio system. Audio transmitting
means preferably in the form of an earphone is removably connected
to the connector means to receive audio signals from the audio
system. Upon removal of the earphone, a battery charger may be
connected to the connector for removable connection to a battery
charger for supplying power and recharge the battery means.
[0011] In preferred arrangements, the audio system includes a
microphone for receiving audible signals from a user and converting
the audible signals into outgoing audio signal for transmission to
a remote device. The remote device may also transmit to the audio
system.
[0012] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] To further clarify the above and other advantages and
features of the present invention, a more particular description of
the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is
appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a simplified depiction of eyewear with an audio
system configured to receive audio signals from a remote
transmitting device of the instant invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of eyewear of the instant
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of eyewear of the instant
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a left temple of eyewear of the
instant invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a right temple of eyewear of the
instant invention along with an audio system and a cover plate;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective side view looking from inside
outwardly of a left temple of the eyewear of the instant
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is top perspective view of the left temple of FIG.
6;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a front perspective of the left temple of FIG.
6;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective side view looking inwardly of a left
temple of the temple of FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the cavity in the left
temple of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the left temple of
FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 12 is the inside view of an audio system configured for
positioning in the cavity in the left temple of FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the outside surface of an
audio system configured for positioning in the cavity in the left
temple of FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of an audio system
configured for positioning in the cavity in the right temple of
FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of an audio system
positioned in the left temple of FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a perspective of the left
temple of FIG. 6 with a cover plate installed;
[0030] FIG. 17 is an enlarged image of an ear phone for use with
the left temple of FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a plug or
connector for use with an ear phone of FIG. 6 or a charger for use
with the instant invention;
[0032] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an alternate
plug or connector for use with an ear phone of FIG. 6 or a charger
for use with the instant invention; and
[0033] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a receptacle
for use with an audio system of the instant invention configured to
receive the plug or connector of FIG. 18 or 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, eyewear 10 includes a front
frame, nose frame or glass frame 12 configured to position 14
lenses and 16 proximate the eyes of an user in a traditional
manner. The lenses 14 and 16 may be standard clear lenses, sunglass
lenses or the like. The glass frame 12 is supported by a left
temple 18 and a right temple 20. The temples 18 and 20 may also be
referred to as "ears" and "stems." The left temple 18 and the right
temple 20 are secured to the glass frame 12 by hinges 22 and 24 so
the user may fold the left temple 18 and right temple 20 inwardly
26 and 28 when the eyewear 10 is not in use.
[0035] A pocket or cavity 30 (better seen in FIGS. 6, 8 and 10) is
formed in at least one temple such as the left temple 18. The
pocket or cavity 30 is sized to removably receive and retain audio
means for use in an audio system. The audio means is any suitable
device capable of producing or configured to produce audio signals
that can be converted to audible signals for the user. Thus, the
audio means may be a radio (AM/FM), a two-way radio, a telephone,
the audio signal from a CD player or a DVD player, an electronic
digital sound device like an MP3 player and a cell phone. It may
also be a wireless device such as a BlueTooth device 32 or 32A
(e.g., see FIGS. 4, 5 and 12-14) connected to receive audio signals
wirelessly from and, for some devices such as a cell phone, to
transmit audio signals to a remote source such as a cell phone 34
(FIG. 1) or other suitable device that generates audio signals.
[0036] It should be understood that the audio means is part of an
audio system that may include an ear piece 36 to convert audio
signals received electrically or electronically from the audio
means such as the BlueTooth device 32 and convert them in audible
signals or sound for the user to hear through a small speaker 38
positioned proximate and preferably directly over the ear canal of
the user's ear 40. The speaker is any suitable device configured to
convert electronic or electrical signals to audible sound.
[0037] The audio system also may include a microphone 42, 42A, 42B
and 42C (FIGS. 4, 5, 12-14) along with up volume control 44, 44A,
44B and 44C as well as a down volume control and on-off switch 46,
46A, 46B and 46C. That is, the down volume control 46A, 46B and 46C
is configured to lower the volume when pressed and when held for a
period (e.g., 1-2 seconds), it will turn off the audio means, which
is here the BlueTooth device 32. The audio means, such as BlueTooth
device 32 or 32A, is battery powered typically by one or more small
rechargeable batteries which are included with and changeable in
the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A. The BlueTooth device 32 or 32A may
also be configured with a sensor positioned internally which
measures the time from the last audio signal generated by or
through the microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C as well as the last
audio signal received from the remote source 34. After a
pre-selected period (e.g., 15 seconds up to 1 minute), the sensor
automatically turns off the BlueTooth device 32 to conserve battery
power. In some units, a small warning beep may be generated as an
audio signal and converted to an audio signal by the earphone 38 to
warn the user that the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A will be turning
off again in a pre-selected time of, for example, 5 seconds, so the
user can do something to avoid automatic turn off. A light emitting
diode (LED) 43 and 43C is shown positioned to emit light when the
BlueTooth device 32 or 32A is on so the user can detect the on
condition when removing the eyewear 10 and placing them on a nearby
adjoining surface (e.g., table).
[0038] It may be noted that the microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C
(FIGS. 4, 5, 12-14) is located forwardly of the ear 40 proximate
the upper jaw area to facilitate the transmission of sound from the
mouth to the microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C. Notably the up volume
control 44, 44A, 44B and 44C as well as a down volume control and
on-off switch 46, 46A, 46B and 46C are also conveniently positioned
between the ear 40 of the user and the hinge 22 or 24 to again be
convenient for the user to access and operate.
[0039] The BlueTooth device 32 illustrated has an aperture 48, 48A,
48B and 48C configured to receive a connector 50 of the earpiece
36. The connector 50 (FIG. 17) is a conductor with a length 54
sized to position the connector 50 snugly in the aperture 48, 48A,
48B and 48C with the shoulder 54 substantially abutting the lower
exterior surface 56 of the left temple 18 or the lower exterior
surface 20 of the right temple 20. The connector 50 has a shoulder
60 with separate conductors 61, 62 and 64. The tip is a positive
electrical connection 66 that is arranged with a separate
conductor, such as conductor 62, to effect an electrical connection
for purposes of supply electrical power to the Blue Tooth device 32
or 32A. The tip 62 extends rearward another separate leg or ground
68. The insulators are sized to lead to a very snug fit into an
aperture 48, 48A, 48B and 48C and in turn retain the earpiece 36 in
connection with the temples 18 or 20.
[0040] The apertures 48, 48A, 48B and 48C are also configured to
snugly receive a connector 70, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The
connector 70 is connected by a two wire conductor 72 to a
transformer 74 which is configured to provide power, e.g., from a
115 volt source, reduced to a desired voltage, such as 6 volts to
appropriately charge the internal rechargeable battery (not shown).
The connector 70 is also configured to provide a positive and a
ground connection.
[0041] The earpiece 36 shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 17 has the
connector 50 that extends from a housing 76 to which a first arm 78
is pivotally connected to rotate 80 about axis 82 on a first axel
83. The first arm 78 is pivotally connected to rotate 84 on axel 85
about axis 86 with the second arm 88. A two wire connection is
effected from the housing 76 to and through the first arm 78 and
the second arm 88 through their respective axels 83 and 85 all in a
conventional manner to connect the earphone or speaker 38 so that
audio signals can be converted to audible signals.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20, a representative
connector 160 is shown in cross section which can be used as
connector 50 or 70. Similarly, receptacle 162 is shown sized to
receive the connector 160. The receptacle 162 may be used as one of
the apertures 48, 48A, 48B and 48C. The connectors 50 and 70 may be
constructed in alternate ways so that connector 50 can effect a
connection for audio signals and connector 70 can be used to
connect a charger to the BlueTooth device and its included battery.
The configurations shown in FIGS. 18. and 19 are preferred as the
same connector 160 or connector 164 may be used for both the audio
connection 50 and the batter charger connection 70.
[0043] As seen in FIG. 18, the connector 160 has a base 166 into
which a finger 168 is mounted. The base 166 maybe affixed to the
finger 168, typically by use of conventional potting techniques.
However, the base 166 may be affixed to the finger 168 by glue,
screws, or any other suitable means to effect a firm physical
association. The finger 168 is made of a suitable conductive metal
(e.g., various iron alloys) with three grooves 170, 171, 172 formed
in the finger 168 to extend around the circumference of the finger
168. Each groove 170-172 has an insulator 174, 175, and 176
positioned therein which may be a thin film Mylar or even paper to
insulate conductive rings 178, 179, and 180. The conductive rings
178-180 may be made from a suitable commercially available
composition of carbon or graphite and resin. The conductive rings
178-180 are each connected to conductors (wires) 182, 183, and 184
for further connection. A separate conductor 186 is affixed to the
finger 168 itself.
[0044] In use, the connector 160 is used to attach the ear piece 36
to the Blue Tooth device 32, 32A by inserting it into the
receptacle 162. The receptacle 162 has a tubular and preferably
cylindrical opening 190 sized in diameter 192 slightly larger than
the diameter 194 of the finger 168 and sized in length so that the
base 166 abuts the exterior surface 196 at the same time that the
tip 198 contacts the inside recess 200 of the cylindrical opening
190. That is, the finger 168 has a front section 202 that is
tapered outwardly at a suitable angle 204 from the axis 206 to mate
or register with a suitable or comparable surface 208 at an angle
210 comparable to angle 204 relative to axis 212 so that when the
connector 160 is inserted in the cylindrical opening 190, the axis
206 is coaxial and in general alignment with axis 212. When
inserted, it can be seen that the conductive rings 178-180 align
with corresponding conductive rings 214, 215, and 216. Conductive
rings 214, 215, and 216 may be mounted to be electrically insulated
as needed so that electrical signals may pass between conductive
rings 178-180 and conductive rings 214-216 respectively. That is,
the conductive rings 178-180 are in electrical contact with
conductive rings 214-216 when the finger 168 is fully inserted into
cylindrical opening 190
[0045] As can be seen, the front section 202 of the finger 168
connects to the font portion 220 of the cylindrical opening 190 to
effect an electrical connection by conductor 222 to the battery
(not shown); and the middle ring 215 connects by conductor 224 to
the battery. Thus a positive and negative connection is effected so
that the battery may be charged through the transformer 74,
conductor 72 and connector 70 which has a finger and base
comparable to finger 168 and base 164. Thus conductors 183 and 186
are extended into conductor 172 for connection to the transformer
74. It should also be noted that the finger 168 has an opening and,
preferably, a cylindrical opening formed by drilling into the
finger to provide a passage way for conductors 182, 183, 184, and
186.
[0046] The cylindrical opening 190 has an o-ring 226 or similar
compressible ring that could be made out of Teflon or nylon or
other suitable material that is elastically deformable to compress
as the front section 202 of the finger 168 is urged into the
opening 190. The o-ring 226 abuts the shoulder 228 of the finger
168 to snugly hold the finger 168 in place after it is inserted
into the opening 190.
[0047] The connector 160 may be used with the earphone 36 by
connecting conductors 182 and 184 to the speaker 38. Of course the
conductors 182 and 184 are connected to conductive rings 174 and
176 for further connection to rings 214 and 216 which connect to
circuits in the Blue Tooth Unit 32 and 32A to receive audio signals
and transmit them to the speaker 38.
[0048] FIG. 19 depicts an alternate connector 164 which has a base
230 and a finger 232. The front section 234 is comparable in shape
and size to that of front section 202 of connector 160. The finger
232 has an opening bored into it to allow conductors 236, 237, and
238 to extend through into the base 230. The conductors 236, 237,
and 238 are each connected (as by soldering) to a section of the
finger 232 such as the front section 234, the forward section 240,
middle section 242, and rear section 244. The forward section 240
is insulated from the front section 234 by insulator 246.
Similarly, the forward section 240 is insulated from the middle
section 242 by insulator 248; and the middle section 242 is
insulted from the rear section 244 by insulator 250. The conductive
rings 214-216 in the opening 190 are repositioned to conduct the
forward section 240, the middle section 242, and the rear section
244. Thus the front section 234 and the middle section 242 can be
used to communicate electricity to the battery of the Blue Tooth
unit 32 and 32 A. The forward section 240 and the rear section 244
can be used to communicate audio signals to the speaker 38. It can
also be seen that the finger 232 is sized and shaped comparable to
finger 168 so that finger 232 mechanically registers with the
opening 190.
[0049] Turning now to FIGS. 7-11, the left temple 18 is shown in
perspective from a number of views. The left temple 18 has the
cavity 30 formed in it sized to snugly receive the BlueTooth device
32 or to receive a cover plate (FIG. 5). The cavity 30 is formed
with apertures 92 and 94 extending through the lower surface 56 to
receive the up and down on/off buttons. An optional aperture 96 is
formed or formable to register with a microphone of the BlueTooth
device 32 or 32A. A slot or aperture 98 is also formed to register
with a suitable receptacle or aperture 48, 48A, 48B and 48C so the
earpiece 36 may be connected to the BlueTooth device 32. At
opposite ends of the cavity 30 are slots 100 and 102. The slots 100
and 102 are sized to frictionally engage ears or tabs 106 and 108
of the cover plate 90 as well as the tabs 110, 112, 114, and 116 of
the audio means such as BlueTooth device 32 or 32A.
[0050] At the front end 104 of the left earpiece 18 is a separate
cavity 118 sized to register with a suitable tab 119 of the glass
frame 12 to form the left hinge 22 with hinge pin 23. At the rear
end 120 is an ear portion 122 shaped to engage the ears of the user
when the eyewear 10 is positioned about the head with the glass
frame positioning the lenses 14 and 16 proximate the eyes of the
user.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, it can be seen that the audio
means, such as BlueTooth device 32 or 32A, is sized to fit flush
with the internal surface 124 of the left temple 128. That is, the
BlueTooth device 32 has a width 126, a height 128 and a thickness
130 selected to be comparable to the width 132, the height 134, and
depth 136 of the cavity 30 so as to effect a snug fit and a smooth
inner surface. That is, the internal surface 124 of the left temple
18 is flush and smooth with the internal surface 38 of the
BlueTooth device 32, as best seen in FIG. 16. With a snug and flush
fit between the surface 138 and the surface 124, the user's hair is
less likely to snag. Further, there will be no edges to press
against the user to create an uncomfortable fit over time when the
eyewear 10 is worn.
[0052] Of course, the cover plate 90 is similarly sized in height
140 and width 142 to effect a flush and snug fit in the cavity 30.
If the user does not wish to use an audio means, it can be removed
and the cavity 30 covered by the cover plate 90 thereby removing
the weight of the BlueTooth device 30 or 32A, which some users may
find preferable.
[0053] It should be noted that the relationship of the BlueTooth
device 30 or 32A has been discussed in connection with the cavity
30 in the left temple 18. The right temple 20 is in effect a mirror
image of the left temple 18. The right temple 20 thus has a similar
cavity 144 which is sized virtually identical but as a mirror image
of cavity 30. The cavity 144 in the right temple 20 can be formed
with holes 150, 148 comparable to holes 92 and 94 of the left
temple 18, and hole 146 comparable to hole 96, but positioned so
that the same BlueTooth device 32 or 32A may fit in the cavity 144
of the right temple 20 in the same manner as it fits in the cavity
30 of the left temple 18.
[0054] In alternate embodiments, it should be understood that the
apertures 92, 94, and 96 formed in the bottom exterior surface 56
of the left temple 18 or apertures 146, 148, and 150 formed in the
exterior surface 58 of the right temple 20 may be formed in the
upper surface 152 of the left temple 18 and the upper surface 154
respectively. That is, some users may find it more convenient or
preferable to have operating buttons on the upper surfaces 152 and
154.
[0055] In use, it can be seen that the eyewear 10 can be used with
a cover plate 90 in place over the cavity 30 in the left temple 18
and over the cavity 144 in the right temple 20. The user also may
place an audio means such as the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A in one
of the two cavities 30 and 144 based on his or her preference. The
user may also place audio means in both the cavities 144 and 30
when the audio means are connected wirelessly to a common source to
receive a left channel and a right channel of a stereo signal.
Alternately, the user may have two separate BlueTooth devices 32
positioned one in each temple 18 and 20 so the user in effect may
have two cell phones or two separate devices for generating audible
signals (sound) for the user. Of course the user may convert
between any one of the above mentioned configurations quickly as
desired by simply snapping in and out as convenient.
[0056] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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