Prescription lens insert for eyewear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12504650-B2
Application number	US-202218555572-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2022
Priority date	Apr 15, 2021
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

A prescription lens insert and methods of use are described, in which flexing a frame of a prescription lens insert, such that left and right rims of the frame are displaced mediolaterally, aligns respective larger ends of two keyhole apertures of the frame with left and right mushroom-shaped connector pegs protruding rearward from a pair of protective glasses. The prescription lens insert is then placed over the left and right connector pegs, such that distal heads of the connector pegs pass through the two keyhole apertures of the frame and the keyhole apertures are disposed adjacent shaft portions of the connector pegs. The frame of the prescription lens insert is then unflexed to align respective smaller ends of the two keyhole apertures with the left and right connector pegs, such that the distal heads prevent removal of the unflexed frame.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A prescription lens insert for eyewear, the prescription lens insert comprising:
a frame including a left rim and a right rim, each configured to hold a respective lens; a bridge coupling the left rim to the right rim, the bridge configured to flex elastically, such that medial edges of the rims are transitionable toward and away from each other; and a respective connection tab extending from the medial edge of each of the rims, each connection tab comprising an aperture, each aperture including a first end portion having a first dimension and a second end portion having a second dimension smaller than the first dimension; wherein an axis extending between the first end portion and the second end portion has a non-vertical orientation.

2 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , further comprising a left resilient bumper coupled to a lateral edge of the left rim, and a right resilient bumper coupled to a lateral edge of the right rim.

3 . The prescription lens insert of claim 2 , wherein the left resilient bumper and the right resilient bumper each comprise an elastomer overmolded onto the frame.

4 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the aperture is disposed on a lateral side of the second end portion.

5 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the non-vertical orientation is generally mediolateral.

6 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the left rim is closer to the right rim at an upper edge than at a lower edge.

7 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the bridge is an elongate member having a long axis oriented mediolaterally between the left and right rims when unflexed.

8 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is keyhole-shaped.

9 . The prescription lens insert of claim 1 , wherein the frame and the connection tabs are formed as a single piece.

10 . A method for adding prescription lenses to nonprescription protective eyewear, the method comprising:
removing a nose pad from a pair of protective glasses to expose left and right connector pegs, each of the connector pegs extending rearward from a posterior side of the protective glasses and including a shaft portion and a distal head having a larger outer dimension than the shaft portion; flexing a frame of a prescription lens insert, such that left and right rims of the frame are displaced mediolaterally to align respective larger ends of two apertures with the left and right connector pegs; disposing the prescription lens insert over the left and right connector pegs, such that the distal heads of the connector pegs pass through the two apertures of the frame and the apertures are disposed adjacent the shaft portions of the connector pegs; unflexing the frame of the prescription lens insert to align respective smaller ends of the two apertures with the left and right connector pegs, such that the distal heads prevent removal of the unflexed frame; and installing the nose pad to cover the left and right connector pegs.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein disposing the prescription lens insert over the left and right connector pegs further comprises flexing lateral ends of the frame rearward as the lateral ends come into contact with a lens of the protective glasses.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein elastomeric bumpers are disposed on lateral ends of the frame of the prescription lens insert.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein disposing the prescription lens insert over the left and right connector pegs comprises disposing the prescription lens insert over the left and right connector pegs simultaneously.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein for each of the connector pegs the shaft portion is longer than the distal head.

15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the distal heads of the connector pegs and the larger ends of the apertures have corresponding shapes.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the corresponding shapes are circular.

17 . A method for adding prescription lenses to nonprescription protective eyewear, the method comprising:
flexing a bridge portion of a frame of a prescription lens insert, such that left and right rims of the frame are displaced mediolaterally to align respective larger ends of two keyhole apertures of the frame with left and right mushroom-shaped connector pegs protruding rearward from a pair of protective glasses; disposing the prescription lens insert over the left and right connector pegs, such that distal heads of the connector pegs pass through the two keyhole apertures of the frame and the keyhole apertures are disposed adjacent shaft portions of the connector pegs; and unflexing the frame of the prescription lens insert to align respective smaller ends of the two keyhole apertures with the left and right connector pegs, such that the distal heads prevent removal of the unflexed frame.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the keyhole apertures are disposed in tabs extending mediolaterally from medial edges of the rims, and the keyhole apertures are each oriented such that the larger end of the keyhole is outboard of the smaller end of the keyhole.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein flexing the bridge portion comprises flexing the bridge portion to bring medial edges of the rims closer together.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
installing a nose pad of the protective glasses onto the left and right connector pegs to secure the prescription lens insert to a frame of the protective glasses.

Assignees

• 100% Speedlab Llc

Inventors

• Boinnard Ludovic Francis
• Blanchard Marc Guy
• Tan Dennis C
• Oman Jamie
• Young Michael D

Classifications

• G02C2200/32

  Oblong hole · CPC title

• G02C2200/06

  Locking elements · CPC title

• G02C9/04 Primary

  by fitting over or clamping on · CPC title

• G02C7/086 Primary

  Auxiliary lenses located directly on a main spectacle lens or in the immediate vicinity of main spectacles · CPC title