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: 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: A face shield assembly including a frame and a removable protective element supported by the frame is disclosed herein. The protective element is removably supported in an opening of the frame by a channel, without the use of fasteners. Because the face shield lacks fasteners, it is easy to remove and replace, even with the use of gloves. In one embodiment, the frame is molded as a single, unitary member and includes an upper detent, a lower detent and a channel formed between a lip and the frame that receives an edge of the protective element in order to hold the protective element within the frame. In another embodiment, the frame is pivotally supported on a support structure such that the frame can be moved between an upper (out of use) and a lower (in use) position, and may further include an adjustable mounting member so that the frame can be selectively spaced relative to the user's head.

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 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: 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 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 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 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.