Abstract:
There is disclosed an improved optical accessory of the sun shade type for use with a pair of prescription spectacles. The accessory includes releasable securing structure which releasably cooperates with a bridge assembly of the spectacles to inhibit movement of the accessory relative thereto and further includes structure which permits pivoting of the accessory&#39;s sun shades.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Optical accessories for use in combination with spectacles exist for a wide variety of reasons. Sunglass type accessories, for instance, generally permit optimum use of the spectacles under varying lighting conditions. Other optical accessories provide, for example, eye shielding and vision correcting functions. 
     A number of factors are considered important in constructing such accessories. In this regard, it is desirable to have the optical elements of the accessory positioned in correct superposed relationship to the optical members of spectacles for proper usage and convenience. In many instances, it is highly desirable to avoid unnecessary movement of the accessory relative to the spectacle frame assembly. Moreover, facilitating quick, easy and reliable mounting and demounting of the accessory are of practical importance. Significantly, it is desirable to have these mounting arrangements as aesthetic as possible. Unaesthetic mounting arrangements, of course, detract appreciably from the commercial appeal of such accessories. Furthermore, in the highly competitive spectacle accessory field, need exists to provide the foregoing features as simply, economically and efficiently as possible. 
     One particular kind of optical accessory is the flip-type. It allows the user to selectively flip the shades up or down relative to the spectacle lenses. Flip-type accessories are popular for a wide variety of reasons including, of course, versatility insofar as one can quickly and easily choose whether sun shading functions are desired or not. 
     Mounting arrangements for releasably attaching optical accessories to spectacle frames are significant components of the accessories as well as, of course, the manner by which the shades are pivoted. In this latter regard it is highly desirable to obtain the pivoting motion without disrupting the stability of the accessory. The following are exemplary of prior art optical accessories and their releasable mounting arrangements: 3,413,057; 3,555,563; 3,741,634, and 4,176,921. 
     Known optical accessories exhibit a number of deficiencies in connection with the foregoing enumerated factors. For example, most accessories must have specially constructed frames to be attached to. Hence, such accessories are not compatible with many kinds of existing prescription glass frames. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved optical accessory for use in combination with spectacles. 
     In this regard, the optical accessory is for use with spectacles of the type having a pair of optical elements and means for bridging and holding the optical elements in spaced apart relationship. Such means has surfaces intermediate the optical elements which are cooperable in a releasable way with the accessory. The accessory includes a pair of optical members such as sun shades and means for connecting the optical members in spaced apart relationship so that each is adapted to be in superposed relation with a respective one of the optical elements of the spectacles. An arrangement is provided for releasably attaching the accessory to the cooperable surfaces of the spectacles in such a way as to secure the accessory in a correct position and permit ease in flipping the sun shades. 
     The accessory comprises means for yieldably biasing the accessory to a spectacle frame opening so as to provide a releasable connection therewith. Such connection prevents substantial movement of the accessory in all directions in a plane defined by the opening and limits movement in directions generally transverse to the plane, when the accessory is attached. 
     The means for connecting the optical members is pivotably attached to the yieldable biasing means. In one position the connecting means is releasably secured, whereby the sun shades are in juxtaposed relationship to the optical elements and in a second position have been pivoted so that they do not obstruct the spectacle&#39;s optical elements. The pivoting can be accomplished without disrupting the accessory&#39;s stability. 
     Among the other objects of the invention are therefore the provision of an improved optical accessory for use in combination with spectacles wherein the accessory is easily attached and detached therefrom; the provision of an improved optical accessory which is easily and accurately positioned and securely mounted to inhibit undesired relative movement of the accessory with respect to the spectacles; the provision of an optical accessory having an improved mounting arrangement which permits pivoting of the accessory&#39;s optical members without disrupting the stability of the accessory in the mounted condition. 
     Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by the reference numerals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved optical accessory of the present invention shown in combination with a pair of spectacles; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view better showing structure of the accessory; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the accessory and the spectacles with the former in a pivoted upward position; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 4--4 appearing in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmented rear view better showing the stable releasable cooperation between the accessory and the spectacles. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings for showing the improved optical accessory 10 of the present invention. It is contemplated for use with a pair of spectacles 12, such as of the type shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the optical accessory 10 can be of the sun shade type. 
     As illustrated, the spectacles 12 can be of the prescription glasses type and include prescription lenses 14 which are secured to a frame assembly 16. Other optical elements could, of course, be used instead. In particular, the frame assembly 16 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is a conventional wire-framed type and includes a pair of lens frames 18. These lens frames 18 are spaced apart and connected by a central bridging assembly 20. Attached as by temple hinges and lugs, generally indicated at 22, to outward lateral sides of the lens frames 18 are conventional temple pieces 24 which have ear tips 25 engageable with the ears of a wearer. Attached to inward lateral sides of the lens frame 18 is a pair of conventional opposing nose pads 26. 
     Reference is again made to the central bridging assembly 20 which in the present embodiment includes a central opening 28, in part, defined by a brow bar and nose bridge 30 and 32; respectively, which are generally horizontally extending and spaced apart from each other, such as best shown in FIG. 5. Also defining the central opening 28 are generally vertically slanting portions 34 of the lens frames 18 which converge from the brow bar to the nose bridge 30, 32; respectively. The brow bar 30, nose bridge 32 and the slanting portions 34 define accessory cooperating structure or assembly 36. The brow bar 30 is arranged to extend forwardly in bridging relationship, from one lens frame 18 to the other. In this connection, see FIGS. 1 and 3. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-5 for showing the optical accessory 10. Included in the optical accessory 10 is a pair of spaced apart and adjacent sun shade type optical elements 38 made of any suitable material. The optical elements 38 are held in a horizontally spaced apart orientation by a connecting bar 40. The connecting bar 40 is an elongated and resilient metallic piece which through plastic rivets is secured to the optical elements 38. 
     Releasable attaching and pivoting means 42 is integrally formed with the connecting bar 40. Essentially, the releasable attaching and pivoting means 42 serves to not only releasably and stably secure the accessory 10 to the spectacles 12, but permits the pivoting of the optical elements 38 to either the vertical shading position (FIG. 1) or horizontal non-shading position (FIG. 4). 
     In this embodiment, the releasable attaching and pivoting means 42 includes a resiliently deformable unitary wire-like clasping member 44. The clasping member 44 is provided with a generally V-shaped configuration having converging portions 46 which merge together and form a rearwardly extending nose bar engaging member or tongue 46a. The tongue 46a is configured to have a snap-fit cooperation with the bottom of the nose bar 32, much as in the manner indicated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The clasping member 44 has its end portions pivotally supported by pivot assemblier 48. In the normal mode of operation, the clasping member 44 is in the restraining position when it is in engagement with the accessory cooperating structure 36 shown best in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. The clasping member 44 is made of a flexible and resilient metal. The converging portions 46 are sized and configured to tightly engage the slant portions 34 when the accessory 10 is attached to the noted cooperating structure 36 (FIG. 5). As a consequence of such engagement, the accessory 10 is inhibited from lateral movement. The present invention also contemplates that the converging portions 46 can in response to contact with slant portions 34 bow resiliently inwardly slightly, thereby creating a reaction force which tends to exert pressure outwardly against the slant portions. The nose bar tongue 46a is constructed to have a snap-fit with the bottom of the nose bar 32. In this regard, the nose bar tongue 46a resiliently deforms upon engaging the nose bar 32 for creating the snap-fit connection. The clasping member 44 has hook-like portions 50 which rest upon the top surface of the brow bar 30 when the accessory 10 is latched to the spectacles 12. As a result of the above, movement of the accessory 10 in a vertical direction is limited. Due to the foregoing structural arrangement, the accessory 10 is stably mounted in such a manner as to inhibit its horizontal, vertical and rotational movement in a plane defined by the opening 28. In this fashion the optical accessory 10 is securely positioned with respect to the spectacles 12. 
     Suspended from the connecting bar 40 is a generally V-shaped finger engageable tab portion 52. This tab portion 52 allows a user to flip the accessory between shading and non-shading positions. The tab portion 52, in the illustrated embodiment, has a tongue 52a which has a releasable frictional engagement with the bottom of the nose bar tongue 46a. This allows the sun shades 38 to be releasably retained in their overlying relationship with respect to the lenses 14. In another preferred embodiment, the tab 52 need not have such a tongue. 
     For flipping or pivoting the optical elements 38 to the horizontal or raised positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tab 52 is lifted, thereby overcoming its engagement with the nose bar tongue 46a. Movement of the accessory 10 to the horizontal position is limited when the connecting bar 40 with its recesses 54 rest on the hook portions 50. 
     Because of the restraining effects brought about by the releasable attaching means, the noted flipping action of the optical accessory 10 can be achieved without disrupting the stability of the accessory 10. 
     Since certain changes may be made in the above-described accessory without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.