Description of Related Art: Multifocal lenses, such as bifocal and trifocal lenses, generally include an area or segment for relatively long-distance viewing and one or more other segments for shorter-distance viewing. For example, a common bifocal lens includes a major lens area for normal viewing and a second, magnifying area for viewing closer items such as printed text or smaller items.

As shown in Figure 1 (Prior Art), the normal position for the top of a bifocal or trifocal segment is at the level of the lower limbus (which often corresponds to the position of the lower eyelid). While the normal position may be sufficient for many everyday uses, the normal position of a multifocal segment can be a distraction when the wearer is engaged in outdoor activities, such as fishing or hunting. In particular, because of wider range of long-distance viewing angles is generally desirable for most outdoor activities, a multifocal segment in the normal position is often too high and creates unnecessary interference. For many outdoor activities, the multifocal segment for shorter-distance viewing is used much less frequently and only for limited tasks.

Moreover, during recreational outdoor activities, the wearer may be reclining or leaning backward. In this posture, there is a need for long-distance viewing at relatively low sight angles, without interference from a multifocal segment. For example, a fisherman may be leaning backward while fishing. A multifocal segment at the normal position would limit the range of sight angles available from this posture. Also, sunglasses are often desirable for outdoor activities.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a multifocal segment positioned to facilitate a greater range of sight angles for longer-distance viewing, especially for users participating in outdoor activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The following summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the apparatuses, methods, systems, processes, and the like, or to delineate the scope of such elements. This Summary provides a conceptual introduction in a simplified form as a prelude to the more-detailed description that follows.

Certain illustrative example apparatuses, methods, systems, processes, and the like, are described herein in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. These examples represent but a few of the various ways in which the principles supporting the apparatuses, methods, systems, processes, and the like, may be employed and thus are intended to include equivalents. Other advantaged and novel features may become apparent from the detailed description which follows, when considered in conjunction with the drawing figures.

The example apparatuses, methods, and systems described herein provide a wider range of sight angles for the wearer of a pair of glasses with lenses having one or more multifocal segments. In one aspect, the present invention provides a pair of glasses for use by a wearer, the wearer having an eye with a lower limbus, and the lower limbus having a center at a vertical level. The glasses may include a frame and two lenses held by the frame, each of the two lenses including a bifocal segment, the bifocal segment defined in part by an upper boundary known as a bifocal top, wherein the bifocal top is positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the center of the lower limbus. The glasses may include a bifocal top that is generally flat. The bifocal top may be progressive.

The glasses may also include a trifocal segment having a trifocal top, wherein the trifocal top is positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the center of the lower limbus. The trifocal top may be generally flat.

The two lenses may be adapted to filter at least some light. The lenses may be polarized.

The bifocal top may be positioned vertically such that the glasses provide a range of sight angles that is generally wider than glasses having a standard bifocal segment positioned at or near the lower limbus.

For when the wearer lies back in a generally reclined posture, the bifocal top may be positioned vertically such that the glasses provide a horizontal field of view generally unobstructed by the bifocal segment.

In another aspect, the prevent invention provides a multifocal lens that may include a first segment and a bifocal segment defined in part by an upper boundary known as a bifocal top, wherein the bifocal top is positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the expected level of the center of the lower limbus of a typical wearer. The bifocal top may be generally flat. The bifocal top may be progressive.

The multifocal lens may further include a trifocal segment defined in part by an upper boundary known as a trifocal top, wherein the trifocal top may be positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the expected level of the center of the lower limbus of a typical wearer.

The lens may be adapted to filter at least some light. The lens may be polarized.

The bifocal top may be positioned vertically such that the glasses provide a range of sight angles that may be generally wider than glasses having a standard bifocal segment positioned at or near the lower limbus.

For use when the wearer lies back in a generally reclined posture, the bifocal top may be positioned vertically such that the glasses provide a horizontal field of view generally unobstructed by the bifocal segment.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an optical apparatus for use by a wearer whose head may be in a generally reclined posture, wherein the apparatus may include a frame and two lenses held by the frame, each of the two lenses including a first segment and a bifocal segment, the bifocal segment defined in part by an upper boundary known as a bifocal top, wherein the bifocal top may be positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the expected level of the lower limbus of a typical wearer whose head may be in a generally vertical posture, such that the reclining wearer enjoys a horizontal field of view generally unobstructed by the bifocal segment.

The bifocal top may be generally flat. The bifocal top may be progressive.

The optical apparatus may further include a trifocal segment defined in part by an upper boundary known as a trifocal top, wherein the trifocal top may be

positioned vertically at least about five millimeters below the expected level of the center of the lower limbus of a typical wearer.

The lens may be adapted to filter at least some light. The lens may be polarized.

The bifocal top may be positioned vertically to provide a range of sight angles that may be generally wider than glasses having a standard bifocal segment positioned at or near the lower limbus.

These and other objects are accomplished by the invention disclosed, and will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which : Figure 1 illustrates a bifocal segment positioned according to the prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates a lens having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a sunglass lens having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates another type of lens, having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates yet another type of lens, having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side-view illustration of the eye of a vertically-oriented wearer and a lens having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side-view illustration of the eye of a reclining wearer and a lens having a bifocal segment positioned according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example apparatuses, methods, systems, processes, and the like, are now described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to facilitate a thorough understanding of the apparatuses, methods, systems, processes, and the like. It may be evident, however, that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to simplify the description.

Figure 1 illustrates a lens 10 that includes a bifocal segment 12 located in a typical position found in the prior art. Bifocal segment 12 includes a bifocal top 14, which is typically flat. Although a bifocal may be referred to herein, to describe the example embodiments, the position of the top 14 may apply to any of a variety of multifocal segments. The vertical position of top 14 is normally located at the level of the center of the lower limbus 16 of the eye 18. Within this description, references to vertical and horizontal positions refer the normal, upright orientation of a wearer of eyeglasses; i. e., the mouth is below the eyes.

Figures 2,6, and 7 illustrate a particular embodiment of the present invention in which the bifocal segment 12 is positioned lower than the lower limbus 16. As shown, the bifocal top 14 may be located more than about five millimeters below the level of the center of lower limbus 16. In one embodiment, the top 14 may be located at least about six millimeters below the lower limbus 16.

In another embodiment, the top 14 may be located at least about eight millimeters below the lower limbus 16. Figure 2 also shows part of a frame 19, to illustrate that a pair of lenses 10 may be set in an eyeglass frame 19 to make a pair of glasses.

In another particular embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3, the lens 10 may be a sunglass lens, and therefore is intended to filter out at least some light. In one embodiment, the lens 10 may be polarized, although polarization is not necessary. With sunglass lens according to the present invention, the position of the bifocal top 14 may be located just slightly below the lower limbus 16 or, alternatively, it may be located as low as desired for a particular intended use. For example, without limitation, the top 14 in one sunglass embodiment may be

located about one millimeter or more below the lower limbus 16. In another sunglass embodiment, the top 14 may be located at least about five millimeters below the lower limbus 16. In other sunglass embodiments, the top 14 may be located as discussed above in connection with Figure 2. Of course, a pair of lenses 10 may be set in a frame to form a pair of sunglasses.

Although Figures 2 and 3 have been discussed in connection with a bifocal segment 12 that includes a flat top 14, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, without limitation, progressive (sometimes also referred to as"transitional") multifocal segments may also be used, and the top portion of these progressive multifocal segments would be positioned as described above in connection with top 14.

Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention wherein the bifocal segment 12 spans the entire bottom portion of the lens 10. The lens may also include a trifocal segment having a trifocal top 20, as shown by the dashed line. As discussed above in connection with bifocal segment 12, this trifocal segment may be a flat top or a progressive segment, and the trifocal top 20 may be positioned at the levels discussed above with respect to Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the bifocal segment 12 has one edge located at the edge of the lens 10, but does not span the entire lens 10. Also illustrated in Figure 5 is a trifocal segment having a trifocal top 20.

Figures 4 and 5 are meant to illustrate that various bifocal or trifocal segments (or indeed any number of other segments) may be used with the present invention, and that their horizontal position on the lens, and horizontal size, is not limited. For example, the horizontal position may vary from a position unaligned with any lens edge, to a position aligned on one lens edge or the other, or to a position that spans the width of the entire lens.

Also, it should be understood that the lens 10 may be a corrective lens, although it need not be corrective. For example, and without limitation, the lens 10 may be simply a sunglass filter having no corrective ability. The terms bifocal segment, trifocal segment, and multifocal segment are meant to indicate that part of a lens that focuses light differently than other parts of the lens. Without limitation, such segments may be magnifying segments. The lenses, including the

multifocal segments, may be made of any suitable material, including, without limitation, glass, plastic, acrylic, and polycarbonate, among others.

With the present invention, the multifocal segment or segments are located lower than in the prior art. For example, a lower bifocal segment 12 may provide an advantage during activities such as, without limitation, hunting, fishing, watching field sports, and other indoor and outdoor activities where long distance viewing is desirable at many different sight angles, and a bifocal segment 12 in the normal position can be distracting. By lowering the bifocal segment 12, the wearer of the lens 10 may tie knots, read maps and depth charts, look at gauges, read sports programs, read manuals and in general focus on near items through the bifocal segment 12, but yet have a wide range of sight angles 30 (as shown in Figure 6) that do not pass through the bifocal segment 12. For wearers who are generally reclined or leaning backward, as described herein, the lowered bifocal segment 12 provides a horizontal field of view around a horizontal plane (H) that is generally unobstructed by the bifocal segment 12, as shown in Figure 7. Also, incorporating sunglass lenses is desirable in outdoor applications.

In should be understood that the present invention is not limited to lenses alone, and also encompasses eyeglasses (including frames) having multifocal segments, as described herein. Of course, in a pair of eyeglasses, the horizontal position of the multifocal segment in each lens may be located as appropriate for the particular application.

To the extent that the term"includes"is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term"comprising"as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Further still, to the extent that the term"or"is employed in the claims (for example, A or B) it is intended to mean"A or B or both. "When the author<BR> intends to indicate"only A or B but not both, "the author will employ the phrase<BR> "A or B but not both. "Thus, use of the term"or"herein is the inclusive use, not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A DICTIONARY OF MODERN LEGAL USAGE 624 (2d ed. 1995).

The described embodiments of the invention are intended to be merely exemplary. It is not possible, of course, to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods,

and apparatuses employed in the field of corrective lenses. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.