MODULAR SPECTACLES
FIG5 is a top perspective view of an illustration of the modular spectacles in a disassembled state, according to an example embodiment
FIG5 is a top perspective view of an illustration of the modular spectacles 100 in a disassembled state, according to an example embodiment. The modular spectacles 100 may be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools is disclosed. The modular spectacles 100 comprise a pair of lenses 110, 112, and the frame assembly 105 is composed of three frame elements: a front frame element 520, a middle frame element 530 and a rear frame element 540. The middle frame element 530 includes a pair of rims 502, 504 defining orifices for accepting the pair of lenses and a slot (535, 537) on each side of the middle frame element. The pair of rims 502, 504 may include a grooved or stepped cradle or inner surface (not shown) to hold the lenses 110, 112 in place. The slots 535, 537 may be rectangular, oval, circular, square, keyhole shaped, hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, star shaped, or the like. FIG5 shows that front frame element 520 has a full pair of rims 512, 514 defining substantially complete circles or ellipses. In one embodiment, the front frame element further comprises a portion that is coextensive with at least a portion of the pair of rims 502, 504 of the middle frame element 530. That is, in one embodiment, the front frame element 520 includes a pair of rims that each define a portion of a circle or ellipse, i.e., an in complete circle or ellipse. FIG5 shows that rear frame element 540 has a full pair of rims defining substantially complete circles or ellipses. In one embodiment, the rear frame element further comprises a portion that is coextensive with at least a portion of the pair of rims 502, 504 of the middle frame element 530. That is, in one embodiment, the rear frame element 540 includes a pair of rims that each define a portion of a circle or ellipse, i.e., an in complete circle or ellipse.
perspective view
117
temple
502
rims
547
aligns with slots
527
slots slot
100
modular spectacles
540
112
right lens
535
slot slots
115
temples temple
530
middle frame element
525
slots slot
537
aligns with slots
512
rims
520
front frame element
545
slots slot
['1. Modular spectacles that are assembled and disassembled without the use of tools, comprising: a) a pair of lenses; b) a middle frame element including a pair of rims defining orifices for accepting the pair of lenses and a slot on each side of the middle frame element; c) a front frame element having a slot on each side of the front frame element, such that when the slots of the front frame element are aligned with the slots of the middle frame element, portions of the front frame element extend over a portion of the orifices defined by the pair of rims; d) a rear frame element having a length that is substantially coextensive with the length of the middle frame element, and a slot on each side of the rear frame element, such that when the slots of the rear frame element are aligned with the slots of the middle frame element, portions of the rear frame element extend over a portion of the orifices defined by the pair of rims; and e) a pair of temples with compressible ends that fit securely within the slots in the front, rear and middle frame elements, such that when said compressible ends are compressed, inserted into said slots, and released, said compressible ends expand and are secured within said slots; f) wherein the pair of lenses are placed within the pair of rims, the middle frame element is placed between the front and rear frame elements such that the slots of the middle frame element align with the slots of the front and rear frame elements, and the compressible ends of the pair of temples are inserted into the slots of the front, rear and middle frame elements and released, such that the front, rear and middle frame elements are secured  together, and the pair of lenses are held securely in place by the front, rear and middle frame elements.', '3. Modular spectacles as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the pair of lenses comprise a) a left lens and a right lens; b) the middle frame element includes a left rim defining a left orifice for the left lens, a right rim defining a right orifice for the right lens, a bridge connecting the left and right rims, c) portions of the front frame element extend over a portion of the left and right orifices defined by the pair of rims; d) portions of the rear frame element extend over a portion of the left and right orifices defined by the pair of rims; and e) the pair of temples comprise a left temple and a right temple, f) wherein the left and right lenses are placed within the left and right rims, respectively, of the middle frame element, the middle frame element is placed between the front and rear frame elements such that the slots of the middle frame element align with the slots of the front and rear frame elements, the compressible ends of the left temple are inserted into left side slots of the front, rear and middle frame elements and released, and the compressible ends of the right temple are inserted into right side slots of the front, rear and middle frame elements and released, such that the front, rear and middle frame elements are  secured together, and the left and right lenses are held securely in place by the front, rear and middle frame elements.']