Eyeglass earstem with enhanced performance

Abstract

An enhanced performance earstem for eyeglasses is provided that can incorporate one or more flex zones or points along the length of the earstem. In some embodiments, the earstem can comprise an elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end and at least a first segment and a second segment on the body having a first flex zone or point disposed at least partially therebetween. A center of the first flex zone or point can be within a given range from the anterior end. Further, some embodiments can provide differential flexibility along the length of the earstem. For example, the body of the earstem can have plurality of relatively flexible zones, and each flexible zone can be separated from an adjacent flexible zone by a relatively rigid zone. In this regard, the relatively flexible zones can have different stiffnesses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enhanced performance earstem for eyeglasses, comprising:
 an elongate body, having an anterior end and a posterior end; and   at least a first segment and a second segment on the body, separated by a flex zone or point;   wherein a center of the flex zone or point is within the range of from about 20 mm to about 70 mm from the anterior end of the elongate body.   
     
     
         2 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are separated at the flex zone or point by a first gap, and wherein deflection of the earstem at the flex zone or point changes a width of the first gap. 
     
     
         3 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 2 , wherein deflection of the earstem is operative to reduce the first gap such that the first segment and the second segment contact each other to prevent further deflection of the earstem. 
     
     
         4 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 3 , wherein the earstem is operative to deflect at the flex zone or point until the first segment contacts the second segment. 
     
     
         5 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 4 , wherein the first gap separates the first segment and the second segment such that the first segment and the second segment do not touch when the earstem is in an undeflected position. 
     
     
         6 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body deflects relative to at least a portion of one of the first and second segments. 
     
     
         7 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 6 , wherein one of the first and second segments comprises a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate body for allowing deflection of the elongate body relative to the respective one of the first and second segments. 
     
     
         8 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 7 , wherein the recess comprises a contact surface configured to at least partially abut the elongate body for constraining deflection of the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , further comprising another flex zone or point, the other flex zone or point being disposed between about 30 mm to about 70 mm from the anterior end. 
     
     
         10 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 9 , wherein the other flex zone or point comprises the posterior end of the elongate body of the earstem. 
     
     
         11 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are disposed externally along the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are formed separately from and coupled to the elongate body of the earstem. 
     
     
         13 . An enhanced performance earstem as in  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are generally rigid relative to the elongate body. 
     
     
         14 . An earstem having differential flexibility, comprising:
 a flexible, elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end, the body having a plurality of relatively flexible zones, each flexible zone separated from an adjacent flexible zone by a relatively rigid zone;   wherein the relatively flexible zones have different stiffnesses.   
     
     
         15 . An earstem as in  claim 14 , wherein the stiffness of a first relatively flexible zone is greater than the stiffness of a second relatively flexible zone to provide progressive deflection of the earstem upon exertion of bending stress on the earstem. 
     
     
         16 . An earstem as in  claim 15 , wherein the first relatively flexible zone is disposed anteriorly relative to the second relatively flexible zone. 
     
     
         17 . An earstem as in  claim 14 , wherein the first relatively flexible zone finishes deflecting before the second relatively flexible zone finishes deflecting. 
     
     
         18 . An earstem as in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one segment attached to the elongate body, the segment configured to constrain deflection of the elongate body along at least a portion of the elongate body to form the relatively rigid zone. 
     
     
         19 . An earstem for providing an adjustable and personalized fit for an eyeglass, the earstem comprising:
 an elongate body defining an anterior end being attachable to the eyeglass and a posterior end extending rearwardly from the eyeglass; and   at least a first segment disposed along the earstem, the first segment comprising a contact surface, the contact surface being positioned adjacent to the elongate body such that deflection of the elongate body causes relative movement between the contact surface and the elongate body, the contact surface being configured to constrain deflection of the elongate body upon contact between the contact surface and the elongate body, the contact surface permitting relative movement between the first segment and the elongate body within a given range.   
     
     
         20 . An eyeglass for providing enhanced retention on the head of a wearer, the eyeglass comprising:
 a frame for supporting at least one lens in the wearer's field of view;   a pair of earstems attached to the frame for supporting the frame on the head of the wearer, each earstem comprising at least first and second flex zones or points whereat the earstems can bend, the first flex zone or point providing a first degree of deflection, the second flex zone or point providing a second degree of deflection;   wherein the first degree of deflection is different from the second degree of deflection such that the earstems provide progressive bending along a longitudinal axis of the earstems for providing a secure and conforming fit over a range of head sizes.   
     
     
         21 . An eyeglass as in  claim 20 , wherein the first degree of deflection defines a stiffness of the first flex zone or point and the second degree of deflection defines a stiffness of the second flex zone or point. 
     
     
         22 . An eyeglass as in  claim 20 , wherein the first degree of deflection defines a maximum deflection of the earstem about the first flex zone or point and the second degree of deflection defines a maximum deflection of the earstem about the second flex zone or point. 
     
     
         23 . An eyeglass as in  claim 22 , wherein the earstems comprise a plurality of segments being interconnected at the first and second flex zones or points, the maximum deflection of the earstem at a given flex zone or point being limited by physical contact of adjacent segments at the given flex zone or point during deflection of the earstem at the given flex zone or point. 
     
     
         24 . An eyeglass as in  claim 20 , wherein the earstems each comprise a plurality of rigid segments with at least one segment extending generally between the first flex zone or point and the second flex zone or point of each earstem. 
     
     
         25 . An eyeglass as in  claim 24 , wherein the rigid segments are removably attachable to the earstems. 
     
     
         26 . An eyeglass as in  claim 25 , wherein the rigid segments comprise contact surfaces that are disposed adjacent to each other at the first and second flex zones or points, each earstem being configured such that deflection of the earstem is limited upon abutment of the contact surfaces of the adjacent segments.