Abstract:
Eyewear mountable thereto an existing baseball style cap is herein disclosed, comprising a similar appearance and utilization as a standard pair of sunglasses and a separate baseball cap; however, a modified earpiece is routed upward and fastened to the lower edge of the baseball cap with a free-turning assembly on each side of the cap. In use, the eyewear pivots around and down to the underside of the bill for use and pivots back to the top of the bill for storage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Nov. 20, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatuses intended for use in painting chalk lines, and in particular, to an apparatus and guiding mechanism for the simultaneous painting of parallel dotted lines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sunglasses are ubiquitous in modern society. Their use as a fashion accessory and their effectiveness at providing shade for the eyes in situations of excessively bright lighting lend a wide appeal to such products. Modern accoutrements such as ultraviolet radiation (UV) protective features and polarized lenses have only served to increase popularity. 
     A presiding problem with glasses in general and sunglasses in particular is their relatively fragile nature. The thin frames are prone to bending or breaking when placed in unnatural or stressful positions. This makes the storage of such items difficult, especially while out of the house. Sunglasses in particular are often removed and replaced repeatedly over the course of a day as lighting conditions change with the weather, moving indoors and outdoors, etc. For many persons, carrying a suitable protective case for the glasses is annoying at best, but simpler remedies such as placing the glasses on one&#39;s head or in a pocket often lead to accidently dropping, crushing, or bending the frames or simply losing the glasses. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide hats with capabilities for securely retaining sunglasses or providing eye shading capabilities. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,420, issued in the name of Chang, describes an apparatus for affixing sunshades to a baseball-style cap. The Chang apparatus includes a pair of shaded lenses with integral clips and hinges which secure to the brim of the hat. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,396, issued in the name of Vibert, describes a ball cap with attached sunglasses. The Vibert apparatus includes a baseball-style cap with integrally attached rotating sunglasses. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,554, issued in the name of Yan, describes a cap with a versatile sunglasses retainer. The Yan apparatus includes a securing means integrally located on the outside of a baseball-style cap which allows a user to securely place a pair of sunglasses on top of the cap during periods of disuse in a conventional manner. 
     While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such apparatuses do not allow a user to utilize the apparatus with existing baseball caps. Also, many such apparatuses do not provide a full range of pivotal motion for sunglasses. Additionally, many such apparatuses do not provide the user with the option of utilizing the sunglasses in a standard manner without the use of a baseball cap. Furthermore, many such apparatuses are not adaptable to forms of headwear other than baseball caps. Accordingly, there exists a need for a hat-mounted sunglass system without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide a hat-mounted sunglasses system which is retrofittable to existing hats, which provide security to sunglasses during period of use and disuse, and which allows a user the flexibility to utilize the glasses in the normal manner without the use of a hat. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a clip portion, eyewear, and a protuberant. The apparatus is removably attachable and rotatable to conventional hats, caps, or the like. 
     Another object of the present invention is to position the eyewear on a user&#39;s face in a manner similar to conventional eyewear with a temple portion parallel to the temple region and a bridge portion resting on the bridge of the user&#39;s nose. The clip portion is utilized in order to secure the eyewear to a hat. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to rotate in a circular motion about an axis created from a protuberant, enabling the apparatus to be positioned in a stored position on top of a hat. In use, while the clip portion is secured to a ball cap and the cap is removed from the user, the eyewear may be rotated around the back of the cap and upward to a stored position resting upon a brim portion of the hat. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise eyewear similar to conventional eyeglasses. The eyewear comprises common features such as a frame portion, a pair of temple portions, a bridge portion, a pair of lenses, and a pair of hinges. The lenses provide protection to a user from harmful lighting in the manner of conventional sunglasses. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to further comprise the frame portion of a pair of standard temple portions which provide an attachment means for the apparatus to a hat. The temple portions are positioned above the ears of a user. An inside portion of each temple portion comprises an aperture which provides an attachment means to the clip portion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to position the apertures along an inside portion of the temple portion at an intermediate location and comprising an appropriate depth for accepting the protuberant. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the clip portions of an outside clip element, an inside clip element, and a protuberant which provide an attachment means between a hat and the eyewear. In a preferred embodiment, the clip portion comprises a conventional removably attachable “R”-shaped cinching device. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the protuberant of appropriate dimensions to securely engage the apertures, thereby providing a desired attachment position for the clip portion to the temple portion and also to the hat. The protuberant allows for the apparatus to fully rotate about the imaginary axis of the aperture and protuberant to a stored position. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the apparatus that provides a unique means of locating the clip portions on an existing hat, engaging the protuberants with the apertures of the eyewear, and selectively rotating the eyewear between a comfortable worn position whence the lenses provide protection from harmful lighting and a stored position with the eyewear securely located atop the hat. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of hat-mounted eyewear  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of hat-mounted eyewear  10  depicting transition therefrom a utilized thereto a stored position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of hat-mounted eyewear  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of a clip portion  20  and temple portion  35 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of hat-mounted eyewear  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of hat-mounted eyewear  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 10 
                 hat-mounted eyewear 
               
               
                   
                   
                 13 
                 user 
               
               
                   
                   
                 15 
                 hat 
               
               
                   
                   
                 17 
                 brim portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 20 
                 clip portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 22 
                 outside clip element 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 
                 inside clip element 
               
               
                   
                   
                 26 
                 aperture 
               
               
                   
                   
                 29 
                 eyewear 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30 
                 frame portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 35 
                 temple portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 36 
                 protuberant 
               
               
                   
                   
                 37 
                 bridge portion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 40 
                 lens 
               
               
                   
                   
                 50 
                 spring hinge 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes hat-mounted eyewear (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a user  13  with a facial accessory thereto protect said users  13  eyes from ultraviolet radiation. Said apparatus  10  comprises a clip portion  20 , eyewear  29 , and a protuberant  36 . Said apparatus  10  is removably attachable and rotatable to conventional hats, caps, or the like. The materials required to produce said apparatus  10  are readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 2 , a side view of the apparatus  10  depicting transition therefrom a utilized thereto a stored position, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. In use, the apparatus  10  is positioned on the users  13  face similar to conventional eyewear  29 , eyeglasses, or the like therewith a temple portion  35  parallel to the temple region thereabove the ears thereon the users  13  face and a bridge portion  37  resting thereupon the bridge of the users  13  nose. Said apparatus  10  is also secured to a hat  15  therewith an integral clip portion  20  (also see  FIG. 4 ), thereby prohibiting the eyewear  29  from accidentally descending from the user&#39;s face and also eliminating unwanted pressure thereon the user&#39;s  13  ears or temple region. 
     Said apparatus  10  further rotates in a circular motion about an axis created from a protuberant  36  (see  FIG. 3 ), thereby enabling said apparatus  10  to be positioned in a stored position. In use, while the clip portion  20  is secured to the hat  15  and said hat  15  is removed from the user  13  the eyewear  29  may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to a stored position resting thereupon a brim portion  17  of the hat  15 . When needed the eyewear  29  are rotated in a clockwise direction for utilization. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises eyewear  29  similar to conventional eyeglasses as abovementioned. Said eyewear  29  is depicted here comprising a standard rectangular shape for illustration purposes only; it is known that other styles of eyewear may be utilized without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . Said eyewear  29  comprises a frame portion  30 , a pair of temple portions  35 , a bridge portion  37 , a pair of lenses  40 , and a pair of hinges  50 . The eyewear  29  is preferably manufactured from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, or the like in a variety of colors and patterns. 
     The conventional frame portion  30  sustains a pair of lenses  40  that which protect the user  13  from harmful lighting. Each lens  40  comprises a concave shape and is installed therewithin the frame portion  30 . Each lens  40  is also preferably fabricated from a tinted plastic or glass. Therebetween said lens  40  is a bridge portion  37  which provides a position for the user  13  to position the eyewear  29  thereon the bridge of their nose further aligning each lens  40  thereto the user&#39;s  13  eyes. Said bridge portion  37  is preferably a molded in an integral fashion therewith the frame portion  30 . The frame portion  30  is positioned subjacent to a brim portion  17  of an existing hat  15 . 
     The frame portion  30  also comprises a pair of standard temple portions  35 , thereby providing an attachment means for the apparatus to the hat  15 . Said temple portions  35  are similar thereto conventional eyeglasses and is located perpendicular to the frame portion  30  thereon each distal end portion. Said temple portion  35  bends slightly upward thereto align with the lower edge portion of the hat  15 . Said temple portions  35  are preferably positioned thereabove the ears of a user  13 . An inside portion of each temple portion  35  comprises an aperture  26 , thereby providing the apparatus  10  with an attachment means thereto the clip portion  20  and further to the hat  15 . Said apertures  26  are positioned therealong an inside portion of the temple portion  35  as abovementioned at an intermediate location and comprise an appropriate depth thereto accept a protuberant  36  as described herein below. Said temple portion  35  also comprises a hinging means, thereby enabling said temple portion  35  to collapse inwardly into a storable state (also see  FIG. 6 ). The temple portions  35  are preferably fabricated from a similar material as the frame portion  30  and are an appropriate length to enable placement above the ears of the user  13  and secure to a hat  15 . 
     The apparatus  10  also comprises a pair of clip portions  20 , thereby providing an attachment means to an existing hat  15  (also see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Said clip portions  20  comprises an outside clip element  22 , an inside clip element  24 , and a protuberant  36 . Said clip portions  30  are comprised of appropriate dimensions to enable said clip portion  20  to be slightly offset from the user&#39;s  13  head, thereby prohibiting extension beyond the ears of the user  13 . Said clip portions  20  engage an aperture  26  located thereon the temple portion  35  via an interference fitting means of an integral protuberant  36 . Said protuberant  36  engages a desired abovementioned aperture  26 , thereby providing the user  13  a desired attachment position for the clip portion  20  to the temple portion  35  and also to the hat  15 . The protuberant  36  also allows for the apparatus  10  to fully rotate about the imaginary axis of the aperture  26  and protuberant  36  to a stored position thereon the brim portion  17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a partially exploded perspective view of a clip portion  20  and temple portion  35  and  FIG. 5 , a rear view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The clip portion  20  comprises an outside clip element  22 , an inside clip element  24 , and the protuberant  36 . Said clip portion  20  is preferably a conventional removably attachable “R”-shaped cinching device utilized to secure the hat  15  therebetween the clip elements  22 ,  24 . The inside clip element  24  comprises a curved rectangular shape which slightly comes in contact with the inside clip element  22  which also comprises the protuberant  36 . Said protuberant  36  is located thereon a lower portion of the inside clip element  24  and comprises appropriate dimensions thereto engage an aperture  26 . Said inside clip element  24  comprises a member which bends inwardly toward an inside portion of the outside clip element  22  and provides a securing means to the hat  15 . In use, the inside clip element  24  is positioned adjacently to an inner portion of the temple portion  35  therewith the protuberant  36  aligned with the aperture  26 . The outside clip element  22  is an integral part of the inside clip element  24  which comprise a slight gap therebetween, thereby enabling for the hat  15  to be slidably inserted among each element  22 ,  24 . Said outside clip  22  comprises a rectangular shape which slightly comes in contact with the inside clip element  22 . The outside clip element  22  is positioned thereon a concealed inside portion of the hat  15 . The clip portion  20  is preferably fabricated from a material such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a conventional hinging means, thereby enabling each temple portion  35  to be folded inwardly toward a rear portion of the frame portion  30 . Said hinging means comprises a pair of conventional spring hinges  50  which are located therebetween the temple portion  35  and the frame portion  30 . Said spring hinges  50  are fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: nickel, stainless steel, or the like. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; engaging the clip portion  20  therewith the aperture  26  thereon the inner portion of the temple portion  35 ; positioning the apparatus  10  thereon the face of a user  13  therewith the bridge portion  37  resting thereon the bridge of said user&#39;s  13  nose and the temple portion  35  parallel to said users temple; slidably engaging the existing hat  15  among the outside clip element  22  and inside clip element  24 , thereby clinching the hat  15  therebetween the clip portion  20 ; rotating the apparatus  10  to a stored position thereon the brim portion  17  of the hat  15  as necessary, thereby removing the hat  15  from the user  13  and allowing the protuberant  36  to rotate counterclockwise therein the aperture  26  until the resting position is reached and positioning the hat  15  thereon the user  13 ; removing the hat  15  and rotating the apparatus  10  to the installed position as necessary; disengaging the hat  15  from the clip portion  20  as necessary; storing the apparatus  10 , thereby folding the temple portions  35  inwardly enabling each spring hinge  50  to rotate; utilizing said apparatus  10  to protect the user&#39;s  13  vision; and, enjoying the convenient usages of said apparatus  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. application: