Abstract:
The present invention provides eyeglasses ( 1 ) having left and right lenses ( 3 ) that are rimless at least in a lower half thereof wherein at least one lens-extending portion ( 5  to  5 F) formed as a member separate from the left and right lenses ( 3 ) is attached to the eyeglasses so as to extend outward directly from each of the left and right lenses. The lens-extending portion ( 5  to  5 F) is used for various purposes such as ornamentation, ventilation, flow control, and the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to eyeglasses having an extending portion extending outward directly from a lens. This extending portion is used for various purposes such as ornamentation, ventilation, flow control, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For eyeglasses having an extending portion extending outward directly from a lens, the following techniques are known: 
         [0003]    (1) JP H10-307281A: Treating a partial region of lens faces to form a rough face, and painting that region, thereby obtaining an ornamental portion; 
         [0004]    (2) JP 2000-318395A: Fixing a magnet to a back side of eyeglass lenses, and placing a magnet to a front side and attaching an ornamental member to the magnet on the front side; and 
         [0005]    (3) Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3108070: Fixing a plurality of ornamental pieces in a row near eyeglass lenses. 
         [0006]    According to Document (1), the design cannot be changed because the main body lenses and the extending portion are made of the same material. According to Document (2), the extending portion extends in the front-rear direction of the lenses, not outward from a side of the lenses. According to Document (3), the ornamental pieces are linked in a row, and, thus, each ornamental piece is very small and cannot be used for purposes other than ornamentation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to allow a relatively large extending portion formed as a member separate from main body lenses to be detachably attached to the main body lenses at a position where the field of view is not affected much, and use the extending portion for various purposes. 
         [0008]    In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is directed to eyeglasses having left and right lenses that are rimless at least in a lower half thereof wherein at least one multi-purpose lens-extending portion formed as a member separate from the left and right lenses is attached to the eyeglasses so as to extend outward directly from the left or right lens. The left and right lenses may be integrally formed. 
         [0009]    It is preferable that the at least one lens-extending portion is provided at each of a position on a left side of the left lens and below an end piece, and a position on a right side of the right lens and below an end piece. 
         [0010]    The lens-extending portion may have an ornament such as a text character or a pattern. 
         [0011]    The lens-extending portion may be provided with a through-hole for ventilation. The ventilation hole may be parallel to a thickness direction of the lens-extending portion, or may be inclined with respect to that direction. The lens-extending portion may be provided with the ventilation hole together with one of a protrusion and a raised portion for facilitating control of flow toward the ventilation hole. 
         [0012]    According to the present invention, a relatively large lens-extending portion formed as a separate member can be attached to a position where the field of view of a wearer is not obstructed. Thus, it is possible to use the extending portion for ornamentation, ventilation, flow control, and the like. The lens-extending portion is formed as a member separate from the lenses, and, thus, it can be replaced or changed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of eyeglasses that have lens-extending portions according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2( a )  shows a perspective view of a method for attaching a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 1, and  FIG. 2( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 2( a ) . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3( a )  shows a perspective view of another method for attaching the lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 1, and  FIG. 3( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 3( a ) . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4( a )  is a perspective view showing a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 2, and  FIG. 4( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 4( a ) . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5( a )  is a perspective view showing a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 3, and  FIG. 5( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 5( a ) . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6( a )  is a perspective view showing a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 4, and  FIG. 6( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 6( a ) . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7( a )  is a perspective view showing a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 5, and  FIG. 7( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7( a ) . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8( a )  is a perspective view showing a lens-extending portion according to Embodiment 6, and  FIG. 8( b )  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 8( a ) . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
       [0022]    In  FIGS. 1 to 4 ( b ), eyeglasses  1  of this embodiment include a frame  2  and lenses  3 . The frame  2  includes a bridge  21 , end pieces  22 , temples  23 , and temple tips  24 . 
         [0023]    The frame  2  and the lenses  3  are made of a synthetic resin. The frame  2  and the lenses  3  may be integrally formed with a synthetic resin, but the lenses  3  are preferably formed with a synthetic resin as separate members that are fitted into the frame  2  for good aesthetics. The left and right lenses  3  may be integrally formed. There is no particular limitation on the synthetic resin, and examples thereof include polycarbonate-based resin, polyolefin-based resin, polyester-based resin, polystyrene-based resin, acrylic-based resin, and the like. 
         [0024]    In the drawings, the eyeglass lenses  3  are rimless, and one straight attachment portion  4  is provided at each of a position on a left side of the left lens and below the end piece  22 , and a position on a right side of the right lens and below the end piece  22 . The attachment portions  4  are respectively provided with lens-extending portions  5 . The lens-extending portions  5  extend outward by a distance of preferably about 10 to 30 mm, and more preferably about 15 to 20 mm. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2( a )  is a perspective view showing a method for attaching each lens-extending portion  5 . A lens-projecting portion  41  is provided with a plurality of elongated slits  42  (two elongated slits in  FIG. 2( a ) ) from the outside toward the lens  3 . Middle portions of the slits  42  respectively have wide portions  43  where the slit width partially becomes large. The lens-extending portion  5  has a structure in which two wall plates  51  and  52  are joined to each other at their end  53  on the outer side. Protrusions  54  having a shape complementary to the shape of the slits  42  are formed between the wall plates  51  and  52 . Middle portions of the protrusions  54  respectively have bulged portions  55 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2( b ) , if the lens-extending portion  5  is fitted onto the lens-projecting portion  41  in the manner of placing a cover thereover from the outside, the protrusions  54  of the lens-extending portion  5  are fitted into the slits  42  of the lens-projecting portion  41 , and the bulged portions  55  are fitted to the wide portions  43 , so that the lens-extending portion  5  is tightly joined to the lens-projecting portion  41 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3( a )  shows a perspective view of another attachment method. A lens-projecting portion  41 A is provided with a plurality of through-holes  42 A (two through-holes in  FIG. 3( a ) ). A lens-extending portion  5 A has a structure in which one wall  52 A is supported by an end  53 A on the outer side. Protrusions  54 A having a shape complementary to the shape of the through-holes  42 A are formed on the wall of the lens-extending portion  5 A. Ends of the protrusions  54 A are respectively provided with stoppers  55 A. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3( b ) , if the lens-extending portion  5 A is fitted onto the lens-projecting portion  41 A in the manner of placing a cover thereover from the outside, the protrusions  54 A of the lens-extending portion  5 A are fitted into the through-holes  42 A of the lens-projecting portion  41 A so that the lens-extending portion  5 A is tightly joined to the lens-projecting portion  41 A. 
         [0029]    In addition to the description above, joining by welding or joining using an adhesive are also possible. 
         [0030]    The lens-extending portions  5  and  5 A attached in this manner to the lenses  3  are used for various purposes. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0031]    In the case of conventional eyeglasses, ornamenting lenses may obstruct the field of view, and, thus, it is not actively performed except for special cases. 
         [0032]    In Embodiment 2 in  FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b ) , a lens-extending portion  5 B is provided with three protrusions  56 B each in the shape of an elongated hemisphere for ornamental purposes. Ornaments provided on the lens-extending portion  5 B are unlikely to obstruct the field of view, and, thus, it is possible to arrange various patterns or text characters over a considerably wide area. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0033]    In the case of conventional eyeglasses, especially eyeglasses in which lower edge portions of lenses are curved toward the face of a wearer or side edge portions of the lenses are curved rearward, the amount of air held between the lenses and the face of the wearer is relatively small. Thus, when eyeglasses having such a design are worn during active sports such as skiing or cycling sports, moist air cannot be sufficiently circulated, and thus the eyeglass surfaces on the inner side tend to mist up. 
         [0034]    In Embodiment 3 in  FIGS. 5( a ) and 5( b ) , protrusion portions  56 C each in the shape of an elongated hemisphere as in Embodiment 2 are provided with ventilation holes  57 C parallel to a thickness direction of the lens. With the ventilation holes  57 C, air circulation is facilitated, and, thus, misting up of the eyeglass surfaces on the inner side is reduced. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0035]    In Embodiment 4 in  FIGS. 6( a ) and 6( b ) , ventilation holes  57 D of the same type as in Embodiment 3 are inclined toward the inner side of the lens. With such an inclination, air flow can be actively controlled. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0036]    In Embodiment 5 in  FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b ) , an end of a lens-extending plate stands upright to the front side at a portion thereof adjacent to perpendicular ventilation holes  57 E. This upright portion  58 E forms a wall and facilitates control of air flow toward the ventilation holes  57 E. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0037]    In Embodiment 6 in  FIGS. 8( a ) and 8( b ) , a front wall of a lens-extending plate  5 F is raised at portions thereof adjacent to perpendicular ventilation holes  57 F. These raised portions  59 F form walls and facilitate control of air flow toward the ventilation holes  57 F. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  Eyeglasses 
               2  Frame 
               21  Bridge 
               22  End piece 
               23  Temple 
               24  Temple tip 
               3  Left and right lenses 
               4  Attachment portion 
               41 ,  41 A Lens-projecting portion 
               42  Slit 
               42 A Through-hole 
               43  Wide portion 
               5  to  5 F Lens-extending portion 
               51 ,  52  Wall plate 
               52 A Wall 
               53  End on outer side 
               53 A End on outer side 
               54  Protrusion 
               54 A Protrusion 
               55  Bulged portion 
               56 B Protrusion (ornament) 
               56 C Protrusion portion 
               57 C,  57 D,  57 E,  57 F Through-hole (ventilation hole) 
               58 E Upright portion 
               59 F Raised portion