EMBEDDED RIGID FRAME PORTIONS FOR FLEXIBLE EYEWEAR

1 . A lens retainer for an eyewear, the lens retainer comprising:

a rigid frame portion having a body including:

a first surface; and

a second surface spaced apart from the first surface to define a thickness of the body, the second surface being adapted to provide a groove for retaining a lens,

wherein the rigid frame portion is at least partially contained within a flexible material to at least embed the thickness and the first surface of the body in the flexible material.

2 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is exposed and devoid of the flexible material to define a rigid groove for retaining the lens.

3 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is coated with a layer of flexible material to provide a hidden rigid groove for retaining the lens.

4 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is partially embedded within the flexible material.

5 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material includes one or more of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber or thermoplastic rubber (TRP), and soft plastic.

6 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the rigid frame portion is made of a rigid or a semi-flexible material including one or more of metal, plastic, wood, and acetate.

7 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is overmolded onto the rigid frame portion.

8 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is preformed as a flexible frame with a receptacle to receive the rigid frame portion therein.

9 . The lens retainer of claim 8 , wherein the receptacle in the preformed flexible frame includes a shape and size complementary to a shape and size of the rigid frame portion.

10 . The lens retainer of claim 8 , wherein the rigid frame portion is mechanically inserted within the receptacle and adhered thereto by one or more of friction force, adhesives, or fasteners.

11 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein each of the first surface and the second surface includes an inverted V-shaped cross sectional profile.

12 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the first surface includes a ribbon-like cross-sectional profile having a wide top surface to provide a large contact area for engaging with the flexible material.

13 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the body includes one or more projections extending from the first surface, the one or more projections being configured to be embedded within the flexible material.

14 . The lens retainer of claim 1 , wherein the rigid frame portion at least partially contained within the flexible material is preformed as a solid component having a predefined portion to be machined to form the second surface.

15 . An eyewear comprising an eyewear frame including at least one lens retainer of claim 1 .

16 . The eyewear of claim 15 comprising:

a pair of lens retainers including the at least one lens retainer and connected to one another via a bridge portion; and

an arm connected to each of the pair of lens retainers via a respective hinge assembly, wherein the arm comprising a rigid member embedded within a flexible material.

17 . The eyewear of claim 16 , wherein the bridge portion is a flexible bridge portion.

18 . The eyewear of claim 16 , wherein the bridge portion includes a rigid member embedded within the flexible material.

19 . The eyewear of claim 15 further comprising a temple member connected to the rigid frame portion on one end and to the respective arm on the other end via a hinge assembly.

20 . The eyewear of claim 19 , wherein the temple member includes a rigid member embedded within the flexible material.