Kitchenware and appliance retailer Alessi unveiled a new glasses design that merges together style and function, all with the power of magnets, according to gadget site Gizmodo. Whether it's making new products for glasses wearers, inventors find all sorts of reasons to buy magnets to fuel their imagination and help consumers in the process.
The magnetic elements of a compass inspired the namesake of the Kompas Collection, made up of 15 optical glasses and eight sunglasses styles. The glasses are made from titanium and handmade acetate. With the high powered magnets incorporated in the design of the glasses, wearers can put on their glasses one-handed and without taking their sight off the road.
"The extra-thin embedded magnets do not only create a floating hinge based on magnetic attraction, they also allow you to unfold the frame one-handed with just one simple gesture, using the magnetic orientation the same way a compass needle always points North," Studio Gooris said on its website.
The glasses were designed by Belgian industrial designer Frederic Gooris, founder of Studio Gooris. In addition to working with Alessi, Gooris has also designed for Target, Levis and JCPenn​ey. Studio Gooris said its designs must not only be accessible but also affordable. The company said its creations should be able to "click" with the user and the Kompas collection certainly does that, literally, as the parts of the glasses snap in place using magnets.
Magnetic design makes glasses more functional
The magnetic design eliminates the need to have screws to hold the rim and the temples of the eyeglasses. What makes the glasses more functional are the metal pad arms and PVC nose pads to allow anyone with different face shapes to wear the glasses.
Buyers also have the benefit of not having to spend money on lost spare parts, such as screws because they don't need or have to tighten them.
"This magnetic hinge delivers long-term durability: the temples of the frame will never become loose over time as the magnet system replaces the reliance on screws to hold the rim and the temples together," according to Studio Gooris.
Another way magnets are helping glasses wearers is through an innovative eyeglass holder. The product offered by online retailer Nifty-Nifty allows consumers to wear the holder on a blouse or shirt using the product's built-in magnet to keep track of eyeglasses. Wendy Miller, co-owner of Nifty-Nifty.com, said the advantage of the Specs-In-A-Sec Magnetic Eyeglass Holder is helps people quickly find their glasses.