Decorative magnetic attachments to enhance eyewear

Decorative elements magnetically attachable to, removable from and/or interchangeable with eyewear frames comprise decorative element mounting means having a recess for receiving a magnet and cooperating with a recess on the eyewear frame which receives the mounting means. The two recesses are generally opposed in direction such that the recess on the mounting means and the magnet therein are both received internally by the recess on the eyewear frame with the magnet being sufficiently close to the internal metal or wire reinforcement of the frame to be attracted thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The functional aspects of eyewear, optical correction and/or protection, frequently are accompanied by aspects esthetics as indicated by the many variations in eyewear styles. The present invention provides means to vary the appearance or decoration of a given eyewear frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Means are provided for removably and interchangeably attaching decorative elements or embellishments to eyewear frames. The means comprise facing opposed mating recesses, at least one recess in the eyewear frame at the location or locations at which the decorative embellishment is desired and a recess in a removable mount for the decorative element. The frame recess is adapted to receive at least part of the removable mount with the recess in the mount facing inwardly of the frame recess. The recess in the mount is adapted to receive a magnet which is attracted to the metal or wire member of the eyewear frame. Any surface of the removable mount not facing inwardly of the eyewear frame is adapted to receive decorative elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawing, an eyewear frame temple100is provided with at least one outwardly facing frame recess105formed therein. A removable mount102has a recess107provided in the back surface108thereof adapted to receive a magnet101affixed therein. The relative dimensions of frame recess105and of mount102are that the frame recess is large enough to receive therein at least the back108of mount102with mount recess107and magnet101therein facing oppositely and received inwardly of frame recess105.

The front surface110of mount102is adapted to receive or incorporate a decorative element112which, when mount102is inserted (mounted) into frame recess105, faces outwardly of the frame and forms an esthetically visible portion of the appearance of the frame. By removal of one mount102from frame100and replacement of another mount102having different decorative element112, the visual appearance of frame temple100may be altered.

Eyewear frame temple100typically has an imbedded metal or wire reinforcement member103which, preferably of ferrous material, is magnetically attracted by magnet101. As frame recess105allows magnet101to come close to metal member103, the magnetic attraction is sufficient to hold mount102in place until manually removed, whereby mount102with decorative element112may be exchanged for a different decorative element and accordingly different appearance.