Abstract:
A pair of eyeglasses is accessorized with a different appearance by the purchase of only a single pair of eyeglasses. This is accomplished by having removable and interchangeable sleeves for fitting over the temples of a pair of eyeglasses. Opposite sides of each of the sleeves are of different color, ornamentation or other decoration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pair of glasses having two temples, with removable sleeves covering the temples. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With today&#39;s ever-changing fashion trends, it is important to have a variety of differently decorated fashion accessories. Therefore, individuals often have multiples of a single item with each of the items being different in shape and/or appearance. This leads to ever-increasing costs for individuals chasing changing fads and trends. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to accessorize a pair of eyeglasses with a different appearance by the purchase of only a single pair of eyeglasses. This is accomplished by having removable and interchangeable sleeves for fitting over the temples of a pair of eyeglasses. Opposite sides of each of the sleeves are of different color, ornamentation or other decoration. 
     For example, opposite sides of the sleeves may be of two disparate colors. The wearer would have a choice of reversing the sleeves between the two temples and thereby changing the appearance of the pair of eyeglasses. The sleeves are of flexible, soft plastic so that the sleeves may be slid onto the temples and adapt to a curvature of the temples. The temples are usually made of metal or rigid plastic. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a single pair of eyeglasses having multiple appearances. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a single pair of eyeglasses having multiple appearances, with sleeves being slidable on the temples of the eyeglasses for removal and positioning on an opposite temple. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a single pair of eyeglasses having multiple appearances, with sleeves being slidable on the temples of the eyeglasses for removal, positioning on an opposite temple and the sleeves having different colors on opposite sides. 
     It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a single pair of eyeglasses having multiple appearances, with sleeves being slidable on the temples of the eyeglasses for removal, positioning on an opposite temple, the sleeves having different colors on opposite sides and the sleeves being slidable until coming into abutment with a portion of the temple so as to provide a seamless appearance. 
     These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the invention disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses embodying the concepts of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the repositioning of the sleeves of the temples from the position shown in  FIG. 1  so as to reverse the exterior color on the sides of the opposite temples. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating the removal of a sleeve from one temple of the pair of eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary temple, for use with the eyeglasses of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     By the present invention, a pair of eyeglasses  10 , whether being prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, reading glasses or any other type of eyepieces, is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As is typical of a pair of eyeglasses, the eyeglasses include a frame having two lens portions  12  interconnected by a bridge  14 . At the opposite ends of the lens portions are temples  16 ,  18 . The temples  16 ,  18  are pivotally mounted by hinges on the frame for opening and closing. 
     By the present invention, each of the temples  16 ,  18  include a lens cover or sleeve  20 ,  22 , respectively. Each of the sleeves  20 ,  22  only partially covers the temples  16 ,  18 . A rigid block portion  24  is located at the end of both of the temples, at the end opposite to the free end. The temples are pivotally mounted by hinges  26 . 
     The exterior dimensions of the block portions  24  are approximately 10 mm by 3 mm. The temples  16 ,  18  have an exterior dimension at the block portions  24  of approximately 6 mm by 2 mm. 
     As shown in the figures, the exterior dimensions of the sleeves  20 ,  22  are the same as those of the block portions  24  (approximately 10 mm by 3 mm) when the sleeves are stretched to friction fit on the temples. The sleeves thereby engage with the block portions and form a smooth, continuous surface with the exterior surfaces of the block portions. 
     Each of the sleeves  20 ,  22  includes an interior portion or side and an exterior portion or side. The interior portion and the exterior portion are of different colors, for example, such as black and red. The color of the exterior portion of one sleeve matches the color of the exterior portion of a second sleeve. Conversely, the interior portion of the one sleeve matches the color of the interior portion of the second sleeve. It is also possible, and contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention, that the interior portion and the exterior portion of the sleeves could be of different ornamentation so as to differentiate the interior portion from the exterior portion. 
     This is important because as can be seen between  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the exterior portions  28  and the interior portions  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , are reversed in  FIG. 2 . This is accomplished by the removal of the sleeves from the frames and moving the sleeve positioned on the right temple onto the left temple. The sleeve positioned on the left temple is moved to the right temple. By this arrangement, it is possible to change the exterior surface appearance of a single pair of glasses from a first appearance to a second appearance. 
     As shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve  22 , for example, has been removed from temple  18  by sliding the sleeve along the length of the temple  18  away from block portion  24 . The temple  18 , as well as the temple  16 , may be made of metal or a rigid plastic. In contrast, the sleeves  20 ,  22  are made of a soft plastic or a softer material than that of the temples  16 ,  18 . This allows the sleeves to move along the length of the temples  16 ,  18  and adapt to the orientation of the temples. The temples may include an inward curvature towards each other as well as a downward curvature at the free ends of the temples  16 ,  18 . 
     Each of the sleeves,  20 ,  22 , is hollow in cross-section (except at one terminal portion) as shown in  FIG. 6 . Once the sleeves are slid along the temples until engaging with the solid block portions  24 , the flexible nature of the temples allow for the expansion of the interior of the temples from the position shown in  FIG. 6 . The sleeves are held in contact with the temples with a frictional grip on the temples by the expansion of the sleeves as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     By the present invention, the ornamentation of the pair of glasses on an exterior surface of the temples may be modified. This is accomplished by reversing a pair of sleeves frictionally fit on the temples by switching the location of the sleeves on the respective temples. The interior surfaces of the sleeves are moved to be located on the exterior surfaces of the temples, thereby maintaining a changed, but uniform appearance on the exterior surfaces of the temples. A uniform change in appearance may be altered by a mere reversal of sleeves located on the temples. 
     The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.