Abstract:
A wearable, rigid eyeglass device is provided having a conformable perimeter in combination with an absorbent element for retaining aromatic fluids.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 469,348, filed on Feb. 18, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to include eyeglass nose pads or cushions and the like and, more particularly, to a wearable, rigid eyeglass device having a conformable perimeter in combination with an absorbent element for retaining aromatic fluids. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, it is a fairly common occurrence for people to fall asleep while traveling as a passenger in a boat, train, plane or other method of transportation. While sleeping in such an environment can never be as enjoyable as sleeping in a bed, there are some steps that may be taken to make the process more relatively relaxing. Perhaps the most important environmental element to be controlled is that of light levels. In the related art, many wear the dark eye masks that are held in place with an elastic strap. While these undoubtedly work, they are also very obvious, and may attract the attention of those wishing to take advantage of someone, especially if traveling by train or bus, where security may be less stringent. Another alternative is to wear sunglasses, but sunglasses are not effective at blocking ambient, extraneous light that may enter around the perimeter of the frame system. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     The following patents disclose a method and system for conformably fitting eyeglass frames. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,666 issued in the name of Cress 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,645 issued in the name of Gish 
     The following patents describe the design and function of a pair of cushions for eyeglass earpieces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,861 issued in the name of McCulley 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,114 issued in the name of Bidgood 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,356 issued in the name of Bates 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 384,968 issued in the name of Scroy 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,247 issued in the name of Huang discloses sports eyeglasses with a buffer and shock-absorbing function. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,178 issued in the name of Leonardi, et al. describes sports eyeglasses with soft, resilient connector pads. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,744 issued in the name of Bononi discloses an eyeglass frame with an elastic cushion. 
     Consequently, a need exists for a means by which travelers sleeping as a passenger on varying modes of transportation can be afforded the luxury of sleeping in the dark without attracting attention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide for improved relaxation sunglasses. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide sunglasses having absorbent element for retaining aromatic fluids. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of sunglasses are provided with enhanced light blocking capabilities as well as padding system to allow a wearer to sleep while traveling as a passenger. It allows the wearer to sleep in relative comfort and darkness without the obviousness or attention attracting caused by conventional black sleep masks. Upon initial observation, the invention looks like a regular pair of stylish, extremely dark, sunglasses with dark side shields. The entire periphery of the lens area and the side shield area are covered with a soft cloth covered, breathable padding. This padding serves three purposes. First, it provides comfort for the user by alleviating any pressure points the frame may cause. Secondly and most important, the padding provides a means to block out any extraneous light that may enter from around the lens area. Finally, the padding provides a means to store a pleasing scent that will further aid the sleeping process by the use of aroma-therapy techniques. 
     The use of the present invention allows for passengers in just about any mode of transportation to sleep in daylight hours in comfort without attracting attention. It allows people to sleep in high light levels while not attracting attention like conventional sleep masks. The side shields molded into glasses form an integral part of frame, allowing the glasses to still fold at hinge point. And finally, padding located around entire perimeter of frame is a breathable design keeps wearer cool, provides comfort for the user, keeps out all extraneous light, and allows the padding to be impregnated with pleasing scent. 
    
    
     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 a perspective view of a relaxation sunglasses having absorbent element for retaining aromatic fluids according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded reverse perspective view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross sectional view taken along line IV—IV of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 a pair of glasses  10  are provided according to the present invention having an otherwise conventional frame  12  of any conventional design. In that the intended function of the present glasses  12  is for relaxation and not necessarily for improved vision during periods of heightened sunlight or glare, the frame  12  thereby supports a pair of lenses  14  having enhanced light blocking capabilities. Alternately, improved light blocking are anticipated by the use of side shields  15  of construction similar to that of the lenses  14 . Also supported along the inner surface periphery of the frame  12  is a padding system  16  to allow a wearer to sleep while traveling as a passenger. It allows the wearer to sleep in relative comfort and darkness without the obviousness or attention attracting caused by conventional black sleep masks. 
     The entire periphery of the lens area and the side shield area are covered by the padding system  16 . This padding serves three purposes. First, it provides comfort for the user by alleviating any pressure points the frame may cause. Secondly and most important, the padding provides a means to block out any extraneous light that may enter from around the lense area. Finally, the padding provides a means to store a pleasing scent that will further aid the sleeping process by the use of aroma therapy techniques. 
     Details of the padding system are best shown in conjunction with FIG.  4 . In its preferred enablement the padding system is comprised of a soft breathable cloth  40  affixed along one point of its radial periphery to the inner periphery of the frame  12 . The cloth  40  loosely covers a breathable padding  42  that provides an absorbent retention means for holding and evaporative releasing of aromatic oils of the type commonly utilized in aroma therapy. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     By impregnating the padding with oils of a pleasing scent, the present invention allows for passengers in just about any mode of transportation to sleep in daylight hours in comfort without attracting attention while obtaining many of the benefits of aroma therapy. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.