Granted Patent B2

US 12,372,814 · App. 17/628,764 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Inventors: Mathieu Meynen (Charenton-le-Pont, FR); Marc Reignault (Charenton-le-Pont, FR)

Assignee: Essilor International

G02C9/04G02C1/10G02C2200/02

Abstract

Claims (70)

1. An optical article for use with an eyewear apparatus, the optical article comprising:

a single optical member having opposing first and second lens surfaces;

a magnet coupled to the optical member and configured to be coupled to a frame of the eyewear apparatus; and

a mounting bracket coupled to the optical member and configured to be coupled to the frame of the eyewear apparatus,

wherein the eyewear apparatus has one or more lenses coupled to the frame, each of the one or more lenses distinct from the optical member,

wherein the optical member includes:

a first portion having a lens including the first and second lens surfaces; and

a second portion extending from a first side surface of the first portion to a second side surface of the second portion, the first and second side surfaces positioned between the first and second lens surfaces and the first side surface forming, on a frame facing side, a ledge with a third surface connecting the first side surface to the second side surface, the ledge extending along a perimeter of the optical member such that the ledge cooperates with the frame to orient the optical member within the frame, and a depth of the ledge is selected such that the first lens surface is located at a position proximate to a surface of a lens of the eyewear apparatus without contacting the surface of the lens,

wherein the second portion being coupled to the magnet and coupled to or includes the mounting bracket, and

wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the second side surface and the magnet is coupled to the third surface.

2. The optical article of claim 1 , further comprising:

a support structure coupled to the optical member; and

wherein:

the optical member is coupled to the magnet via the support structure; and

the mounting bracket is coupled to or unitary with the support structure.

3. The optical article of claim 2 , wherein:

the optical member includes a channel formed via a side surface of the optical member, the side surface positioned between the first and second lens surfaces; and

at least a portion of the support structure is positioned within the channel.

4. The optical article of claim 2 , wherein:

a size, a shape, or both of the support structure is based on one or more characteristics of the frame of the eyewear apparatus.

5. The optical article of claim 1 , wherein:

the optical member comprises:

a first portion comprising a lens including the first and second lens surfaces; and

a second portion extending from a side surface of the first portion, the side surface positioned between the first and second lens surfaces; and

the second portion is coupled to the magnet and coupled to or includes the mounting bracket.

6. The optical article of claim 1 , wherein:

the optical member comprises a prescription lens; and

the optical member is configured to be coupled to a user facing side of the frame using the magnet and the mounting bracket.

7. The optical article of claim 1 , wherein, to couple the optical member to the frame:

the magnet is configured to be positioned in a first cavity of the frame; and

at least a portion of the mounting bracket is configured to be positioned within a second cavity of the frame.

8. The eyewear apparatus configured to couple to the optical member of claim 1 .

9. The eyewear apparatus of claim 8 , comprising:

the frame having a first side and a second side, the second side is a user facing side, wherein the frame comprises:

a nose pad comprising a cavity configured to receive the mounting bracket of the optical member; and

a second magnet coupled to the second side and configured to be coupled with the magnet of the optical member.

10. The eyewear apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more lenses coupled to the frame, each of the one or more lenses distinct from the optical member; and

wherein the eyewear apparatus is an apparatus select from the group consisting of glasses, spectacles, sunglasses, safety glasses, or goggles.

11. A method of forming one or more optical devices, the method comprising:

forming a single optical member having opposing first and second lens surfaces;

coupling a magnet to optical member, the magnet configured to be coupled to a frame of an eyewear apparatus; and

providing a mounting bracket coupled to the optical member, the mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the frame of the eyewear apparatus,

wherein the eyewear apparatus has one or more lenses coupled to the frame, each of the one or more lenses distinct from the optical member,

wherein the optical member includes:

a first portion having a lens including the first and second lens surfaces; and

a second portion extending from a first side surface of the first portion to a second side surface of the second portion, the first and second side surfaces positioned between the first and second lens surfaces and the first side surface forming, on a frame facing side, a ledge with a third surface connecting the first side surface to the second side surface, the ledge extending along a perimeter of the optical member such that the ledge cooperates with the frame to orient the optical member within the frame, and a depth of the ledge is selected such that the first lens surface is located at a position proximate to a surface of a lens of the eyewear apparatus without contacting the surface of the lens,

wherein the second portion being coupled to the magnet and coupled to or includes the mounting bracket, and

wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the second side surface and the magnet is coupled to the third surface.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

forming the optical member comprises:

receiving a wafer; and

forming the optical member from the wafer, and

providing the mounting bracket comprises:

forming the mounting bracket from the wafer; or

coupling a support structure including the mounting bracket to the optical member.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

forming a channel in a side surface of the optical member, the side surface positioned between the first and second lens surfaces; and

positioning at least a portion of a support structure within the channel; and

wherein the optical member is coupled to each of the magnet and the mounting bracket via the support structure.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

forming the optical member further comprises:

forming a first portion comprising a lens including the first and second lens surfaces; and

forming a second portion extending from a side surface of the first portion, the side surface positioned between the first and second lens surfaces; and

wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed using a milling machine.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

forming the frame of the eyewear apparatus, the frame having a first side and a second side, the second side being a user facing side; and

wherein forming the frame comprises:

coupling the magnet to the second side; and

forming a cavity in a nose pad of the frame, the cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting bracket of the optical member.

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (18)