Display panel for detachably engaging the temple of eye wear

An accessory for releasably engaging a temple of eye wear to display a user selected indicia is disclosed. The accessory includes a substantially planar display panel having a display surface and a back surface. A riser is connected to the back surface to lie within a periphery of the back surface. The riser includes a contact surface and opposing edges. A first tab projects from the riser and lies within the periphery of the back surface, wherein a first retaining lip extends substantially perpendicular from the first tab. A second tab projects from the riser and lies within the periphery of the back surface, wherein a second retaining lip extends substantially perpendicular from the second tab, such that the contact surface extends between the first tab and the second tab. A resilient engaging arm engages the first tab, the second tab and the edges of the riser, wherein the resilient engaging arm, the edges of the riser, the first tab and the second tab are selected to dispose the contact surface above a bottom of the resilient engaging arm, as the resilient engaging arm engages the edges of the riser.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to accessories for eye wear, and more 
particularly, to a display panel having an attachment mechanism for 
releasably engaging a temple of eye wear for permitting the display of a 
user selected indicia. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The promotion of an affiliation or support of a given team, company or 
cause, often includes the display of an identifying indicia or insignia, 
label or motto. Traditionally, hats, shirts, buttons and stickers have 
been used to provide the association of a selected indicia with the 
individual. These devices are separate units which do not generally 
cooperate with existing items of the user. In fact, it is often difficult 
to incorporate these desired indicia with existing clothing or apparel. 
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a device 
for displaying a user selected indicia, wherein the device cooperates with 
eye wear for locating the indicia in a visible yet unobtrusive manner with 
respect to the eye wear. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention includes an accessory for releasably engaging the 
temple of eye wear to display a user selected indicia. The accessory may 
be used with prescription or non prescription eye wear, and includes a 
substantially planar display member having a display surface and an 
engaging surface. A spacing arm projects from the engaging surface to 
extend a given distance from the engaging surface. An engaging arm 
operably connected to the spacing arm projects from the spacing arm to 
overlie a portion of the engaging surface, wherein the spacing arm and the 
engaging arm are sized to operably retain a portion of the temple 
intermediate of the engaging surface and the engaging arm and exert a 
sufficient force upon the temple to operably locate the display member 
relative to the temple. 
In a preferred embodiment, the spacing arm and engaging arm are integral. 
In addition, the engaging arm may include serrations or grooves for 
contacting or locating the temple relative to the accessory. Further, the 
spacing arm may be oriented perpendicular to the engaging surface of the 
display member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 14, a first embodiment of the present invention 
is shown. Referring to FIGS. 5-15, a second embodiment of the above 
invention is shown. 
In each embodiment, the present invention includes a substantially planar 
display member 10, having a first planar receiving surface 12 and a second 
engaging surface 14. The planar receiving surface 12 is sized to receive a 
user selected indicia, such as labels, stickers or magnetic elements. 
Alternatively, the display member 10 may include permanently affixed 
indicia such as an enameled or painted on indicia. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 14, the first embodiment of the present 
invention includes a one piece mechanism 20 for cooperatively retaining 
the accessory to the temple of eye wear such as prescription glasses or 
sunglasses. A spacing arm 30 projects from the engaging surface 14 of the 
display member 10. The spacing arm 30 may have a variety of 
configurations, but preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the 
plane of the display member 10. An engaging arm 40 extends from the 
spacing arm 30 so as to overlie a portion of the engaging surface 14. The 
engaging arm 40 may be substantially parallel to the engaging surface 14, 
or may diverge or converge from the engaging surface as the arm extends 
from the spacing arm 30. The engaging arm 40 may include a plurality of 
recesses or grooves 44 sized to cooperatively engage the temple of the eye 
wear so as to retain the accessory in a predetermined orientation, 
including vertical positioning relative to the temple. The size and 
spacing of grooves 44 may define similar cross sections, or be configured 
so as to accommodate a variety of temple cross sections. Further, the 
engaging arm 40 of the first embodiment may include a thumb recess or a 
curved end 46 for assisting engagement with the temple. 
As shown in FIG. 18, the present invention may include a first engaging arm 
40a projecting from one side of the spacing arm 30 and a second engaging 
arm 40b projecting from an opposite side of the spacing arm such that the 
first and second arms 40a and 40b are spaced at unequal distances from the 
engaging surface 14. One or both of the engaging arms 40a, 40b may include 
the grooves 44 for seating a portion of the temple. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the display surface 12 may 
include a means such as cooperating pins and recesses, or hook and loop 
fasteners for engaging a detachable indicia bearing member to the engaging 
surface 14, spacing and engaging arms 30, 40. 
In the first embodiment, the spacing arm 30 and the engaging arm 40 are 
integrally formed with each other as well as the display member 10. As 
shown in FIGS. 5-15, the spacing arm 30 and engaging arm 40 may be formed 
of separate components such that the engaging arm releasably engages the 
spacing arm to retain the temple between the engaging arm and engaging 
surface 14. As in the first embodiment, the engaging arm 40 of the second 
embodiment may include grooves or indentations 44 for accommodating thin 
temples or a variety of temples. The engaging arm 40 may be releasably 
connected to the spacing arm 30 by a variety of mechanisms such as 
corresponding detents and projections, bias tongues with catches, friction 
fit or engaging biased tabs which connect the engaging arm 40 to the 
spacing arm 30 and may assist in engaging or disengaging the temple. 
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the engaging arm 40 may be spaced from the 
engaging surface 14 by a sufficient distance to accommodate relatively 
thick temples. An engaging arm 40' may be connected to the engaging arm 40 
to reduce the distance between the engaging surface 14 and the engaging 
arm, thereby accommodating different sized temples, and especially 
relatively thin temples. 
In these embodiments, the temple of the eye wear is cooperatively engaged 
between the engaging surface 14 of the display member 10 and the engaging 
arm 40 so as to retain the display member in a predetermined orientation 
with respect to the temple. In addition, upon locating the temple 
intermediate of the engaging surface 14 and the engaging arm 40, the 
temple may be positioned adjacent to, or contacting the spacing arm 30 to 
vertically locate the display member 10 relative to the temple. 
Referring to FIG. 10, the engaging arm 40 is constructed to include a 
bottom half 46 and a top half 48, wherein the top half is integrally 
formed with the spacing arm 30 and the bottom half releasably engages the 
spacing arm to retain a portion of the temple intermediate of the top half 
and the bottom half. 
The present invention may be formed of any suitable plastics material, such 
as thermosetting or thermoplastic, or metal or any desired material. 
Preferably the material exhibits sufficient resiliency to retain the 
temple between the engaging arm 40 and the engaging surface 14. 
Alternative Embodiments 
Referring to FIGS. 20-27, alternative embodiments of the present invention 
are disclosed. 
In particular, the engaging surface may include a pair of opposing tabs 
200, 202 projecting from the engaging surface. Preferably, each tab 200, 
202 forms a substantially L-shaped elevational cross section. The tab 
includes an upwardly projecting leg and a retaining lip extending from the 
leg. The retaining lip of a tab extends away from the remaining tab. 
Further, as shown in the figures, the tab defines an arcuate or radiused 
curvature in a top plan view. That is, the tab 200, 202 preferably defines 
a curvilinear path between the retaining lip and the engaging surface. 
An engaging arm 220 in the form of an elastomeric member is stretched 
between the tabs to capture a portion of the temple between the 
elastomeric member and the engaging surface. The elastomeric member is 
disposed between the retaining lip and engaging surface as it passes about 
a tab 200, 202. The elastomeric member functions as a resilient engaging 
arm 220 to provide a retaining bias for securing the display panel 
relative to the temple. 
Further, contemplated is a resilient engaging arm 220 in the form of an 
elastomeric member may include a sock or sleeve 222 for directly 
contacting the temple. The sock or sleeve 222 may be formed of a 
resiliently compressive material such as neoprene or padded fabric. 
Preferably, the sleeve 222 has a sufficient thickness to retain a display 
panel relative to a relatively thin temples. That is, the sleeve 222 
compresses to substantially receive a diameter of the temple. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 22, 22b, 27a and 27b, it is contemplated a 
resilient clip 300 may extend from the back side of the display member. A 
spacer 302 may be disposed upon a portion of the clip 300 to retain the 
temple between the spacer and the engaging surface. 
In a further embodiment as shown in FIGS. 23 and 23a, a preloaded resilient 
engaging arm 310 having a pivot end 312 and a catch end 314 may be 
hingedly or fixedly attached to the engaging surface at the pivot end of 
the arm. The catch end 314 of the arm extends from the pivot end 312 a 
sufficient distance to dispose a portion of the temple therebetween the 
ends of the arm. The catch end 314 releasably engages a corresponding hook 
316 connected to the engaging surface to secure the display member to the 
temple. The engaging arm 310 thus extends from the hinged or fixed point 
over the temple to engage the hook/catch. 
Further, referring to FIG. 24, it is contemplated the tabs may be in the 
form of a boss 240 which is frictionally retained or bonded to the 
engaging surface. A pair of bosses or a configuration of bosses may be 
used to dictate the configuration of the elastomeric engaging arm. The 
location of these bosses 240 may be used to enhance the retention offered 
by the engaging arm 220 or alternatively locate the sleeves at a desired 
location with respect to the display member and the particular temple. 
That is, the bosses define the path of the elastomeric member and 
depending upon the length of the path defined by the bosses set the 
tension in the elastomeric member and hence the retaining force. 
Further, it is contemplated that depending upon the thickness of the temple 
to be employed, the thickness of the spacer or sock may be varied in 
either the opposed tab 200, 202 configuration or the resilient clip 300 
embodiment. The present design thus provides a wide range of adaptability 
to accommodate temples of various cross sectional areas and 
configurations. 
In an alternative configuration shown in FIG. 28, the present invention may 
employ a riser 400, wherein the spaced apart tabs 402, 404 extend upwardly 
from the riser. The riser 400 defines a central contact area 410. The 
contact area 410 of the riser 400 is spaced from the adjacent surface of 
the engaging surface by the thickness of the riser. Therefore, as the 
resilient engaging arm 420 extends around the tabs and along the edge of 
the riser 400, the resilient engaging arm must be stressed or elongated to 
dispose a temple between the contact surface of the riser and the raised 
engaging arm. That is, the first and second tabs 402, 404 are connected to 
a riser 400. The contact surface 410 is disposed intermediate of the first 
and second tabs 402, 404 so that the plane of the contact surface is above 
the bottom of the resilient engaging arm 420. That is, the temple contacts 
the contact surface 410 of the riser 400 and is retained between the riser 
and the engaging arm as the engaging arm extends about the tabs. The 
contact surface 410 may included a textured or serrated surface. 
In an alternative embodiment (as shown in FIG. 31), the riser 400 may 
include a recess 447 in which a grip pad 448 may be inserted. The grip pad 
448 may be frinctionally retained or preferably, adhesively retained, 
within the recess 447. As shown in FIGS. 31a and 31b, the grip pad 448 may 
include a textured surface 448 (FIG. 31a) or a serrated surface 449 (FIG. 
31b). However, other types of surfaces may be employed, depending upon an 
individual's preferences. The grip pad 448 is preferably a slightly larger 
thickness than the recess 447 such that the surface of the grip pad 448 
exceeds the depth of the recess 447. 
Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the display surface 440 is formed with or 
cooperates with a separate component to form a peripheral flange 442. 
Adjacent to, or as a part of the flange 442, a locating pin 444 is 
disposed to orient the indicia relative to the display member. It is 
understood a plurality of locating pins 444 may be employed. A collar 446 
is selected to have a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the 
flange 442. The collar 446 includes recesses 445 for frictionally engaging 
the pins 444 to dispose a portion of the indicia intermediate the display 
surface and the collar. 
It is understood that the present invention may be employed with any 
combination of the feature disclosed, or their equivalents. While a 
preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described with 
particularity, it will be appreciated that various changes and 
modifications may suggest themselves to one having ordinary skill in the 
art upon being apprised of the present invention. It is intended to 
encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope and 
spirit of the appended claims.