Abstract: A temple bar assembly for eyeglasses is provided having several adjustable members wherein all of the joints are formed by utilizing in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a temple bar assembly. The temple bar assembly includes at least one of the following adjustment points: temple length, inclination angle and/or hinge attachment all formed using IMA while further resulting in a temple bar that has increased adjustability and utility. Also, the materials selected may include either hard or soft plastics to form either component.

Abstract: A novel nose pad assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein the support and nose pad are formed as a fully articulating ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint provides excellent adjustability of the nose pads in a simple mechanical construction. In a unique method of forming the nose pad assembly the support structure (ball) is formed in a first molding step and an adjustable pad member is molded directly over the ball of the support structure in a second molding step. The present invention utilized in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a nose pad assembly while further resulting in a nose pad that has increased adjustability and utility. Alternately, the pad portion may be formed first and the support structure formed second. Also, the materials selected may include either hard or soft plastics to form either component.

Abstract: The safety eyewear includes a one-piece molded lens frame, and left and right temple bar assemblies. The one-piece lens frame includes a brow bar portion, a central bridge portion, a nose piece portion, and left and right lens frame eyewires that cooperate with the brow bar and bridge to define left and right lens openings. An over-molded elastomeric material is also used to provide soft bumpers in the inner side of the brow bar and a soft cushion on the inner surfaces of the nose piece. The creative and selective use of the over-molded material thus provides both decorative and aesthetic features while also providing functional cushioned areas.

Abstract: A frame assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein the overall width of the eyeglass frame is adjustable by utilizing a telescoping brow bar. The upper frame member or brow bar is formed to include either a pair of telescoping or indexed joints allowing the length of the brow bar to be adjusted thereby placing the hinge points and temple bars further apart from one another. The adjustable length of the brow bar provides excellent adjustability of the overall width of the eyeglass frame in simple mechanical construction. Further, in a unique method of forming the adjustable brow bar assembly a central portion may be formed in a first molding step and an adjustable hinge section is then molded directly over the central portion in a second molding step. The present invention utilizes in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such an adjustable brow bar assembly while further resulting in an eyeglass frame that has increased adjustability and utility.

Abstract: A novel hinge assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein a first structural member for the hinge structure is formed in a first molding step and a second structural member of the hinge structure is formed directly over a portion of the first structural member in a second molding step. The present invention utilizes in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a hinge assembly while further resulting in a hinge assembly that has increased adjustability and utility. Specifically, the overmolded components form a ball and socket type joint allowing a large degree of lateral rotation in one direction and a limited amount of freedom in a second direction. This hinge allows the temple portion of the eyeglasses to be folded against the brow bar and the inclination angle between the temples and the brow bar to be adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pair of protective eyewear that includes a frame having a brow portion with a top surface and a bottom portion with a bottom surface. The frame is configured and arranged to be secured against a wearer's face wherein the brow portion conforms to the wearer's forehead and the bottom portion conforms around the wearer's nose and cheekbones. A lens is interfittingly engaged with the frame. The frame and the lens define an interior portion of the eyewear and an exterior portion of the eyewear. The frame includes a number of vent structures, and each of the vent structures has a vent opening. The vent opening is in fluid connection between the interior portion and the exterior portion of the eyewear. The protective eyewear includes at least one vent accessory configured and arranged to releasably couple to at least one of the vent structures.

Abstract: An optical insert and kit for mounting the optical insert into a pair of protective eyewear and converting the optical insert into stand-alone pair of eyewear is disclosed. The optical insert has a frame with a left lens opening and a right lens opening. The left lens opening and the right lens opening are configured and arranged to receive a left lens and a right lens therein, respectively. A nose bridge support connects the left lens opening and the right lens opening of the frame together. The nose bridge support has a surface defining a central, vertically orientated, mounting slot therethrough. The central mounting slot is configured and arranged to cooperate with a prong of a mount to releasably couple the optical insert to the protective eyewear.

Abstract: A brow bar and lens assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein a flexible brow bar member is attached to a lens assembly only along a central region. By attaching the lens and brow bar in this manner, the brow bar is allowed to flex relative to the lens thereby providing additional means for adjusting the width of the eyeglasses and increasing the comfort for the wearer. Further, the lens construction may include channels along its top edge thereby creating voids that provide a space into which the two ends of the brow bar can travel when deflected relative to the central region.

Abstract: A novel frame construction for eyeglasses is provided wherein the upper frame member is formed to have greatly enhanced flexibility to increase the overall adjustability, comfort and fit of the eyeglasses. The upper frame member includes areas wherein the material is selectively weakened to create predetermined flex points periodically within the frame member. Additionally, the weakened areas may be filled and/or covered with a second material that is more flexible than the base material used to form the frame member. The enhanced flexibility allows the upper frame member to flex as the temple members of the eyeglasses are stretched outwardly providing a comfortable fit for a wide range of wearers. Further, the top edge of the eyeglass lens may include formations that provide clearance for the deflection of the top frame member.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a strap to a pair of eye wear, such as goggles, includes a body portion, a slot to secure an end of the strap, a detent supported on the body to rotatably secure the clip to the goggle, and an engagement member for removably attaching the clip to the goggle. In one embodiment, the engagement member is a pivotal fastener that is movable between a position where the clip is attached to the goggle body and a position where it is removed from the goggle.

Abstract: A face shield support includes an adjustable frame which fits over the head of a user during use and provides support for the face shield frame. In one embodiment, the frame includes a first, or frontal strap that extends from approximately above the ears of the user and across the forehead of the user, and a second or rear adjustable strap extending from approximately above the ears of the user and around the base of the user's head adjacent the occipital lobe. Connecting the rear and frontal straps are a pair of mounting members which secure the face shield frame to the support and which also pivotally connect the frontal and rear adjustable straps. An upper bridge may also be provided which extends over the top portion of a user's head and further secures the frontal and rear straps together. The frontal strap may optionally included an expanded frontal area for additional comfort.

Abstract: The disposable safety eyewear has a lens portion having a bridge portion and a nose support thereon. Left and right temple bars are connected to the lens portion by living hinges. The living hinges are operable between an open position and a folded position. Mating formations secure the living hinges in its respective folded position.