IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,976,456
Granted Patent B2
US 8,976,456 · App. 13/066,034 · Granted Mar 10, 2015

Detachable lens for variable focus spectacles

Inventors: Stephen Kurtin (Sherman Oaks, CA); Steven Hecker (Mar Vista, CA)
G02B3/14G02C7/085G02C7/086
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,976,456
App. No.
13/066,034
Granted
Mar 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, the lens including a plurality of magnets in a groove on its rear surface for holding the lens to the spectacles. An interlocking boss keeps the lens from sliding off the spectacles, and a locating tab provides a means for assuring that the lens is installed on the correct side of the spectacles and with the proper orientation.

Claims (30)

1. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, each pair of said spectacles being comprised of two lens units, wherein each lens unit includes a magnetizable rim that has a front face, including a central opening with a predetermined size and shape in said front face, and each lens unit accepts an associated detachable lens, each of said detachable lenses being unconnected to the other, and each said detachable lens comprising:

a lens having front and rear faces;

a plurality of magnets embedded in said rear face; and

a boss on and a part of said rear face of said lens, said boss having a size and shape enabling it to fit within and laterally interlock with said rim at the perimeter of said central opening.

2. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnets are embedded in a groove in the rear face of said detachable lens.

3. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 2 wherein said magnets are retained in said groove by an adhesive.

4. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 1 wherein the two detachable lenses associated with the two lens units of each pair of said spectacles are unconnected parts, and further including a locating tab protruding from the periphery of each said detachable lens.

5. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnets are rare earth magnets.

6. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 5 wherein said magnets are of the type chosen from the group of neodymium iron boron and samarium cobalt magnets.

7. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 1 wherein the optical power of said lens units are adjustable between a first predetermined optical power and a second predetermined optical power, and the optical power of said detachable lens is substantially equal to the optical power of the distance prescription of an eye of a specific person minus said first predetermined optical power.

8. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 7 wherein said magnets are embedded in a groove in the rear face of said lens.

9. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 8 wherein said magnets are retained in said groove by an adhesive.

10. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 7 wherein the two detachable lenses associated with the two lens units of each pair of said spectacles are unconnected parts, and further including a locating tab protruding from the periphery of each said detachable lens.

11. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnets space said detachable lens from said rim so as to provide an air leak.

12. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, each pair of said spectacles being comprised of two lens units, wherein each lens unit includes a magnetizable rim that has a front face, including a central opening with a predetermined size and shape in said front face, and each lens unit accepts an associated detachable lens, each of said detachable lenses being unconnected to the other, and each said detachable lens comprising:

a lens having front and rear faces;

a plurality of magnets embedded in said rear face;

a boss on and a part of said rear face of said lens, said boss having a size and shape enabling it to fit within and laterally interlock with said rim at the perimeter of said central opening; and

angular position indicating means in the form of a tab protruding from the periphery of said lens.

13. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, each pair of said spectacles being comprised of two lens units, wherein each lens unit includes a magnetizable rim that has a front face, including a central opening with a predetermined size and shape in said front face, and each lens unit accepts an associated detachable lens, each of said detachable lenses being unconnected to the other, and each said detachable lens comprising:

a lens having front and rear faces;

a plurality of magnets embedded in said rear face; and

a transparent boss on and a part of said rear face of said lens, said boss having a size and shape enabling it to fit within and laterally interlock with said rim at the perimeter of said central opening.

14. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 13 wherein said magnets are embedded in a groove in the rear face of said detachable lens.

15. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 14 wherein said magnets are retained in said groove by an adhesive.

16. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 13 wherein the two detachable lenses associated with the two lens units of each pair of said spectacles are unconnected parts, and further including a locating tab protruding from the periphery of each said detachable lens.

17. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical power of said lens units are adjustable between a first predetermined optical power and a second predetermined optical power, and the optical power of said detachable lens is substantially equal to the optical power of the distance prescription of an eye of a specific person minus said first predetermined optical power.

18. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 17 wherein said magnets are embedded in a groove in the rear face of said lens.

19. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 18 wherein said magnets are retained in said groove by an adhesive.

20. A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles as recited in claim 17 wherein the two detachable lenses associated with the two lens units of each pair of said spectacles are unconnected parts, and further including a locating tab protruding from the periphery of each said detachable lens.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF EXCLUSIVE LICENSE RIGHTS /LICENSE AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2014
From: INSOLVENCY SERVICES GROUP, INC., SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS ASSIGNEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS OF ZOOM FOCUS EYEWEAR, LLC DBA SUPERFOCUS, LLC
To: SUPERFOCUS HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 034182/0859 →
EXCLUSIVE LICENSE RIGHTS Recorded Oct 23, 2014
From: ZOOM FOCUS EYEWEAR, LLC DBA SUPERFOCUS, LLC
To: INSOLVENCY SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 034037/0489 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2011
From: KURTIN, STEPHEN; HECKER, STEVEN
To: LANE RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 026172/0643 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12802992 · Jun 17, 2010
Division 11903334 · Sep 21, 2007
Provisional Application 60850742 · Oct 10, 2006
Related Publication 20110181831A1 · Jul 28, 2011