Eyewear supported by a wearer's concha of an ear
Patent 6176576 Issued on January 23, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date: 
June 7, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
June 7, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 327762 filed on 06/07/1999US Classes:351/123, With head or ear engaging attachments351/111, Temples351/158CombinedExaminersPrimary: Dang, Hung XuanAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassG02C 005/20AbstractEyewear with earpieces supported from a wearer's ear with optional audio apparatus for use by the wearer, having a front frame browpiece portion including a front transparent panel that may be tinted and/or may be designed to correct vision impairments, being supported on a wearer's head by a nose bridge and by at least one earpiece or earplug that is received into the concha of the wearer's ear and/or into the ear canal. The earpiece or earplug is attached to a rear end of its respective temple of the eyewear and the respective temple for the earpiece or earplug is not supported over the wearer's ear. Preferably both temples are only supported by their respective rear earpiece or earplug. The earpieces of some embodiments sealingly and protectively plug the ear canal of the wearer. The eyewear may include an optional microphone, whether as a boom-mounted microphone or an ear microphone, and may include audio earpieces for reproducing sound from an audio signal source. Various earpiece attachments are provided for attaching the earpieces and earplugs to the temples of the eyewear. The temples may have length adjustments and may have spread adjustments to adjust for various-sized wearers' heads. The temples preferably exert an inward pressure on the earpieces and earplugs so as to retain the eyewear on the wearer's head during physical activity. An overglasses embodiment is provided that can be worn over standard eyeglasses. | |
