Abstract:
The present invention, in one embodiment to eyeglasses coupled with a light source, a screwdriver, or a writing instrument. The eyeglasses have a front frame portion and arms extending therefrom and a light source, screwdriver, or writing instrument positioned on or in the arm or arms.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to eyeglasses, particularly eyeglasses having light sources, screwdrivers, and writing instruments associated therewith. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional eyeglasses are provided with arms that extend from a front frame portion where the lenses are located. The arms extend over the ears of the wearer, while the front frame portion rests on the bridge of the user&#39;s nose. 
     Light sources, such as those operated by a portable light source such as a battery, come in varying sizes and shapes. 
     Writing instruments such as pens, pencils, highlighters, magic markers, to list but a few on a non-exhaustive list, come in varying shapes and sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in one embodiment to eyeglasses coupled with a light source, screwdriver, or a writing instrument. The eyeglasses have a front frame portion and arms extending therefrom and a light source screwdriver, or writing instrument positioned on the arms, such as at an end of the arm. In a further embodiment, the light source, screwdrivers or writing instrument is positioned within the arm. For instance, the light source or screwdriver may be positioned in a compartment located on the arm. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an unassembled state. 
     FIG. 1A is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the arm shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C, are, respectively, perspective, end plan, and perspective views of the FIG. 5 embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 show a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Eyeglasses  10  are shown in an open, ready to wear state in FIG.  1 . The glasses have a front frame portion  12  having lens retaining members  14  joined by bridge  16 . At the outer ends of the front frame portion, arms  18  (only one of which is shown) are attached thereto at hinges  20 . The arms may be joined to the hinges by any known means, such as by screw  21  that joins together a pronged hinge portion  22  and an extension  23  that extends from the arm  18 . The pronged portions and the extension are each provided with an opening for receiving the screw, which joins the pronged portion to the extension. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the arm includes the temple tip portion. That is, the portion of the temple piece or arm that sheathes the end of the arm that extends over the ears. The temple tip portion may extend to the midportion of the arm and beyond, that is it may approach the hinge. The temple tip provides a location in which various items can be stored. The temple tip can be made of plastic, metal, rubbers, and other materials. 
     The distal end  24  of the arm  18  is provided with a light source  25 , which could be a penlight, a laser pointer, or a light emitting diode. A switch, such as a pressure-activated switch or a slidable switch is provided on of the sides of the arms. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the light source unit, including the power source, is positioned within the arm. In FIG. 1A, the light source, such as small power-source containing unit, such as a flashlight, is affixed to the distal end  24  end of the arm  18 . The light sources can be activated by any of the conventional activation means known in the art. A non-exhaustive list include pressure activated switches, sliding switches, and rotational switches wherein a component of the light source is rotated to activate (or deactivate) the power supply to the source. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the light source  25 ′ is positioned on a side of the arm  18  in a recess  17 . See FIG.  2 A. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source is positioned near the middle of the arm. Light source is facing backward, away from the front face of the lens. It should be understood that the direction is a matter of choice and the light source could face the front face of the lens (FIG.  4 ), or it could face up or down. The light source is secured to the arm by any known securing means, such as by screws or bolts or adhesives. 
     Yet a further alternative embodiment is shown in FIG.  3 . Here, the light source  25  is positioned at the proximal end  26  of the arm  18  and faces forward, towards the front face of the lens. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, an end of the arm is provided with an opening into a cavity in the arm, the cavity being shaped to receive an object. As shown in FIG. 5, the cavity runs in the length direction of the arm and is shaped to receive a pen. The pen  30  is removable from and insertable into cavity  34  via the opening  32  in the arm  18 . As shown, the opening is provided in the distal end  24 , although the opening could be located elsewhere, such as on the proximal end. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B show a embodiment including features in addition to the FIG. 5 embodiment. Arm  18  is provided with a groove extending from the end where the opening is located to a point somewhere on the side of the arm. The groove is dimensioned to receive a neck portion  38  attached at one end to the pen  30  and to a bead  40  at the other end. This facilitates the removal and insertion of the pen, simply by sliding the bead in the desired direction. For example, FIG. 5C shows the pen being moved out of the cavity. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment for maintaining a pen with the arm of an eyeglass pair. Here, a pouch is provided on one of the sides of the arm . The pouch  42  is provided with an opening  44  into a pocket  46  into which the pen or a screw driver  50  can be stored, or out of which the pen can be removed. FIG. 6 shows the opening facing rearward. FIG. 7 shows the opening facing forward. The screw driver can be provided with drivers on both ends, such as a flat heads or screw heads. Optionally, a cap  52  may be provided over the second end or both of the screw driver. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show yet another embodiment of the present invention. Here, a screw driver is associated with the arm. As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end  24  of the arm  18  is provided with an opening  32  into a cavity  34  in the arm, the cavity being shaped to receive an object, which in this case is screw driver  50  that is affixed to plug end  52  As shown in FIG. 5, the cavity runs in the length direction of the arm and is shaped to receive the screw driver. The screw driver  50  is removable from and insertable into cavity  34  via the opening  32  in the arm  18 . As shown, the opening is provided in the distal end  24 , although the opening could be located elsewhere, such as on the proximal end. 
     In the FIG. 9 embodiment, the screw driver  50  is mounted on the distal end of the arm. The plug end has an open side which fits over the screw driver. 
     FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in which a pair of folding eyeglasses in a sandwich configuration, where on one arm  18  a pen is provided as previously disclosed. On the other arm  18 ′, a light source is provided, as previously disclosed. 
     Various arrangements for making folding eyeglasses are set forth in the applicant&#39;s copending U.S. patent application filed under express mail label no. EL 902246505 U.S. on Aug. 16, 2001. Further, it should be understood that one or both of the arms can be provided with any of the components previously described, and other components that would be apparent to the skilled artisan. 
     FIG. 11 shows a pair of glasses where the arms fold in the conventional manner, that is, where the glasses fold across the back side of the lenses. This arrangement can also be provided with any of the components previously described, among others that will be apparent to the skilled artisan. Here, the arms are shown with a light source on arm  18  and a screw driver on arm  18 ′.