# US 11,897,215 B2 · Overmolded electronic eyewear device frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,215 B2 - Document ID: US11897215B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/091,001 - Filed: 2022-12-29 - Published: 2023-05-11 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-27 - Assignees: Snap Inc. - Applicants: Stephen Steger - Inventors: Stephen Steger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897215B2 ## CPC - B29D 12/02: Spectacle frames (constructional form G02C) - B29C 33/44: with means for, or specially constructed to facilitate, the removal of articles, e.g. of undercut articles - B29C 45/14065: {Positioning or centering articles in the mould} - B29C 45/14073: {using means being retractable during injection} - B29C 45/14639: {for obtaining an insulating effect, e.g. for electrical components} - B29C 45/14819: {the inserts being completely encapsulated} - G02C 11/10: {Electronic devices other than hearing aids} - B29C 45/03: Injection moulding apparatus (transfer moulding B29C45/02) - B29L 2012/005: {Spectacle frames} - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A process of overmolding a frame of a portable eyewear electronic device and a frame produced by the process is presented. A frame that includes a first material and includes a releasably mountable feature is attached to the mold in a desired position and does not contact other areas of the mold. The mold is filled with a second material to at least partially encase the frame insert. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process comprising: providing an electronic eyewear device frame insert composed of a first material; providing a mold for the electronic eyewear device frame insert, wherein the electronic eyewear device frame insert comprises a camera mount opening configured for releasable attachment to the mold which does not interfere with overmolding of areas of the electronic eyewear device frame insert not comprising the camera mount opening to allow overmolding of other areas of the electronic eyewear device frame insert; inserting the electronic eyewear device frame insert into the mold and releasably attaching the camera mount opening of the electronic eyewear device frame insert to the mold and not contacting other areas of the mold; filling the mold with a second material to cover the electronic eyewear device frame insert with a desired coating thickness, wherein the releasable attachment of the camera mount opening to the mold prevents overmolding of the camera mount opening; and removing from the mold an electronic eyewear device having the electronic eyewear device frame insert partially encased by the second material to form an overmolded electronic eyewear device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising assembling one or more parts to the electronic eyewear device frame insert prior to inserting the electronic eyewear device frame insert into the mold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2, wherein the one or more parts include a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) or antenna. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2, wherein the one or more parts includes a decorative feature. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the first material has a Shore Hardness that is substantially identical to the second material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the second material is different from the first material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6, wherein the second material has a lower Shore Hardness than the first material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A process according to claim 7, wherein the first material has a Shore D Hardness of between about 80 to about 85 and the second material has a Shore A hardness of between about 60 to about 70. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7, wherein the second material is a rubber material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a thermoplastic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the first material is transparent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the first material is a metal or metal composite. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the electronic eyewear device frame insert further comprises an eye lens rim configured for releasable attachment to the mold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the eye lens rim comprises a groove. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the second material is opaque or translucent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the mold is a horizontal injection molding machine. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An overmolded electronic eyewear device produced by the process of claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The overmolded electronic eyewear device of claim 17, wherein the overmolded electronic eyewear device comprises one or more parts at least partially encased by the second material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The overmolded electronic eyewear device of claim 17, wherein the second material has a lower Shore Hardness than the first material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The overmolded electronic eyewear device of claim 19, wherein the first material has a Shore D Hardness of between about 80 to about 85 and the second material has a Shore A hardness of between about 60 to about 70.