Abstract:
An eyeglasses assembly comprising at least one magnetic hinge that holds a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinge allows the user to pivot the auxiliary eyeglass attachment into an “up” position when not in use. The magnetic hinge also disengages to allow the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to be removed from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinge holds the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user rotates the auxiliary attachment into the “up” position. The eyeglasses assembly additionally comprises magnets that secure the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to the eyeglasses when in the “down” position and in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPM  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to eyeglasses. More particularly, the present invention relates to an eyeglasses assembly comprising eyeglasses and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     Auxiliary eyeglass wear that permits ordinary eyeglasses to be used as sunglasses, reading glasses, or any other auxiliary type glasses is very popular. Usually, it provides the user with sunglasses without requiring the purchase of a second set of tinted prescription eyeglasses. Sometimes, it may provide the user with a second set of prescription lenses without requiring the purchase of a second eyeglass frame. By far the most common use is to provide tinted lenses that the user may raise or lower over conventional eyeglasses.  
         [0007]     Leblanc and Bloch (U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,188) disclose flip-up auxiliary eyeglass wear mounted on conventional eyeglasses on the top of the eyeglasses frame. Waldrop (U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,981) discloses a lens positioning means for the eyeglasses lenses. The Waldrop positioning means includes a cylindrical magnet within a sleeve of ferrous material. The ferrous material is secured in an opening on the top of the eyeglasses frame to attach the lenses to the rest of the eyeglasses. Using this invention, the wearer could position the eyeglasses lenses up or down, but could not add or position auxiliary eyeglass wear. Sadler (U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,537) uses two magnetic attachments between the inside of the auxiliary. eyeglass wear frame and the outside of the eyeglasses frame to attach the auxiliary eyeglass wear.  
         [0008]     Chao discloses several designs, including eyeglasses with magnetic attachments above the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,568,207 and RE 37,545E) or in the nosebridge (U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,054). Chao also discloses clamps above the legs or temple bars (U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,838) and projections inside legs or temple bars (U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,101). Chao also discloses hooks over legs or temple bars (U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,688). Chao also discloses studs that clamp the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame (U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,689) and studs that fit into the top of the temple bar extensions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,964). Masunaga (U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,700) discloses an invention that uses two additional points that attach the auxiliary eyeglass wear frame, one at each of the extremities of the nosebridge. Wong (U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,162) uses two nosebridge attachment points that a locator pin aligns in the center of the nosebridge and no other attachments. In addition, Chao discloses inventions that use two nosebridge retainers and one attachment point (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,012,811 and 6,092,896) and a flange over the primary eyeglass frame nosebridge (U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,747). Xiao (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,116,732 and 6,132,040) uses an interlockable magnetic shelter fame with extensions above the temple bar extensions and an interlocking clipping wire at the nosebridge. Zider (U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,141) discloses using magnetic male/female stepped surfaces for coupling at various points between the eyeglasses ftrae and the auxiliary eyeglasses frame. Zelman (U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,142) uses magnets attached to appendages on.the auxiliary eyeglasses frame mating with magnets mounted on. the temple bar extensions and clips that fit over each lens in the eyeglasses frame. Madison (U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,269) uses uniblock housings for the magnets. Chao (U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,948 B1) discloses using studs on the outer ends of the eyeglasses frame that engage hooks on the outer edges of the auxiliary eyeglasses frame. Mauch (U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,949 B1) uses lugs above extensions on the outside ofthe eyeglasses frame. Strube (U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,057 B1) discloses an auxiliary eyeglasses frame that attaches at two points on top of the nosebridge of the eyeglasses frame. In addition, Zelman (U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,858 B1) uses extensions that mount under the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame.  
         [0009]     Thus, the prior art provides for auxiliary eyeglass lenses, such as those used in sunglasses, that may be readily attached or removed from eyeglasses, or that may be flipped up and down while attached, but not both. Thus, there is desired auxiliary eyeglass wear that attaches to eyeglasses and allows the user to flip up the auxiliary eyeglass wear when not in use as well as readily remove the auxiliary eyeglass wear from the eyeglasses frame.  
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     One of the embodiments of the eyeglasses assembly comprises magnetic hinges that hold a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinges each comprise a magnet on the eyeglasses that fits between two corresponding auxiliary magnets on the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment. The magnetic hinges thus allow the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an “up” position when not in use. The magnetic hinges also disengage to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinges hold the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the “up” position. The. embodiment additionally comprises magnets that secure the auxliary eyeglass attachment to the eyeglasses when rotated into the “down” position and in use.  
         [0011]     Another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly comprises a magnetic hinge that holds a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinge comprises a magnet on the eyeglasses comprising a frst portion and a second portion and an auxiliary magnet on the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment The magnet first portion biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the “down” position. The magnet second portion biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the “up” position.” The magnetic hinge thus allows.the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an “up” position when not in use. The magnetic hinge also disengages to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinge holds the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the “up” position.  
         [0012]     Another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly comprises a magnetic hinge that holds a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinge comprises a magnet on the eyeglasses, a first auxiliary magnet on the auxilary eyeglasses attachment, and a second auxiliary magnet engaged with the first auxiliary magnet The magnet attacts the first auxiliary magnet to bias the au xiliary eyeglasses attachment into the “down” position. The magnet attracts the second auxiliary magnet to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the “up” position.” The magnetic hinge thus allows the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an “up” position when not in use. The magnetic hinge also disengages to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinge holds the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the “up” position.  
         [0013]     Thus, the e 6 mbodiments comprise a combination of features and advantages that enable them to overcome various problems of prior devices. The various chaacteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     For a more detailed-description of the embodiments, reference will now be made to the following accompanying drawings:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an eyeglasses assembly with eyeglasses disengaged from an auxiliary eyeglasses attachment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1C  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment disengaged from the eyeglasses.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment disengaged from the eyeglasses.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     The present invention relates to an eyeglasses assembly with a removable auxiliary eyeglasses attachment and is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. The drawings and the description below disclose in detail specific embodiments of the present invention with the understanding that this disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention. This disclosure does not limit the invention to that illustrated and described in the disclosure. Further, the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the desired results.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 1A-1C  show an eyeglasses assembly  10  comprising eyeglasses  12  and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14 . In addition to the eyeglasses frame  16 , the eyeglasses  12  also comprise a left temple bar  18  and a right temple bar  20 , both of which are hinged to the frame  16 . As a reference direction for the magnetic fluxes, the line that the eyeglasses  12  and the auxiliary attachment  14  lie in  FIG. 1A  is North-South (“N/S”). In addition, the line along which the filly unfolded temple bars  18 ,  20  lie is East-West (“E/W”).  
         [0026]     The eyeglasses  12  further comprise a left temple extension  22 , a left lens frame  24 , a left lens  26 , a nosebridge  28 , a right lens frae  30 , a right lens  32 , and a right temple extension  34 . In addition, the eyeglasses  12  comprise a first magnet  36  engaged with the top of the frame  24 . When magnetized, the first magnet  36  has a N/S magnetic flux. In addition, the eyeglasses  12  comprise a second magnet  38  engaged with the top of the frame  30 . When magnetized, the second magnet  38  has a N/S magnetic flux. A third magnet  40 , which when magnetized has an E/W magnetic flux, engages the nosebridge  30 .  
         [0027]     The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  comprises an auxiliary frame  42 . The auxiliary frame  42  comprises a left auxiliary lens frame  44 , an auxiliary nosebridge  46 , and a right auxiliary lens frame  48 . In addition, the auxiliary frame  42  comprises a first auxiliary magnet  50  engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge  46 . When magnetized, the auxiliary magnet  50  has an E/W magnetic flux. The auxiliary frame  42  also comprises left auxiliary lens  45  and right auxiliary lens  49 . A second auxiliary magnet  52  and a third auxiliary magnet  54 , both of which when magnetized have a N/S flux, engage the left auxiliary lens frame  44 . A fourth auxiliary magnet  56  and a fifth auxiliary magnet  58 , both of which when magnetized have a N/S flux, engage the right auxiliary lens frame  48 . The magnets  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  may engage the respective frames  16 ,  42  by any suitable means. By way of example only, metal sleeves may fix the magnetic means on the top of the frames  16 ,  42 . Altematively, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  may only comprise two lenses with the magnets engaged with the lenses. In addition, the auxiliary frame  48  and the auxiliary nosebridge  46  need not be included.  
         [0028]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  pivotally engages the eyeglasses  12  by fitting the first magnet  36  between the auxiliary magnets  52  and  54 . Likewise, the second magnet  38  fits between the auxiliary magnets  58  and  56 . When engaged, the magnets  36 ,  52 , and  54  attract and operate as a left magnetic hinge  60 . In addition, when engaged, the magnets  38 ,  56 , and  58  attract and operate as a right magnetic hinge  62 .  FIG. 1C  shows the eyeglasses assembly  10  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  in the operative, or “down”, position. In the “down” position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  provides the user with an auxiliary set of lenses to the lenses of the eyeglasses  12 . In addition, the third magnet  40  and first auxiliary magnet  50  attract and operate as a magnetic clasp  64 . The magnetic hinge  60 , the magnetic hinge  62 , and the magnetic clasp  64  all maintain the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  engaged with the eyeglasses  12 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  into the inoperative, or “up” position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  away from the eyeglasses  12 , disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  in the “up” position, or any combination thereof. The magnetic forces of the magnetic hinges  60  and  62  are sufficient to hold the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  in any hinged position between the “down” and. “up” positions. When the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  is down as illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the hinges  60 ,  62  and the magnetic clasp  64  keep the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  in position. As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , when the magnetic means  40  and  50  are unclasped, the hinges  60  and  62  keep the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  attached to the eyeglasses frame  12 .  
         [0030]     The lenses of both the eyeglasses  12  and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses  12  may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  14  may include non-prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limited to, magnifying or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade  35  or stronger.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 2A-2C  show an eyeglasses assembly  210  comprising eyeglasses  212  and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214 . In addition to the eyeglasses frame  216 , the eyeglasses  212  also comprisesa left temple bar  218  and a right temple bar  220 , both of which are hinged to the frame  216 . The eyeglasses  212  further comprise a left temple extension  222 , a left lens frame  224 , a left lens  226 , a nosebridge  228 , a right lens frame  230 , a right lens  232 , and a right temple extension (not shown). In addition, the eyeglasses  212  comprise a magnet  236  engaged with the top of the frame  224  that has a first portion  238  and a second portion  240 .  
         [0032]     The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  comprises a left auxiliary lens  245 , an auxiliary nosebridge  246 , and a right auxiliary lens  249 . In addition, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  comprises an auxiliary magnet  250  engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge  246 .  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  engages the eyeglasses  212  by the magnet  236  and auxiliary magnet  250  attracting each other. When engaged, the magnet  236  and the auxiliary magnet  250  attract and operate as a magnetic hinge  260 . The shape of the magnet  236  and the auxiliary magnet  250  and the orientation of their magnetic fields allow the magnetic hinge  260  to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  in either the “down” or the “up” position. Thus, the fisst portion  238  on the magnet  236  biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  in the “down” position and a second portion  240  biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  in the “up” position.  FIG. 2C  shows the eyeglasses assembly  210  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  in the operative, or “down”, position. In the down position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  provides the user with an auxiliary set of lens to the lenses of the eyeglasses  212 .  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  into the inoperative, or “up” position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  away from the eyeglasses  212 , disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  in the “up” position, or any combination thereof.  
         [0035]     The lenses of both the eyeglasses  212  and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses  212  may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  214  may include non-prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limted to, magnifiing or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade 35 or stronger.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show an eyeglasses assembly  310  comprising eyeglasses  312  and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314 . In addition to the eyeglasses frame  316 , the eyeglasses  312  also comprise a left temple bar  318  and a right temple bar  320 , both of which are hinged to the frame  316 . The eyeglasses  312  fliter comprise a left temple extension  322 , a left lens fiame  324 , a left lens  326 , a nosebridge  328 , a right lens frame  330 , a right lens  332 , and a right temple extension (not shown). In addition, the eyeglasses  312  comprise a magnet  336  engaged with the top of the frame  324 .  
         [0037]     The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  comprises a left auxiliary lens  345 , an auxiliary nosebridge  346 , and a right auxiliary lens  349 . In addition, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  comprises a first auxiliary magnet  350  engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge  346  and a second auxiliary magnet  352  engaged with the first auxiliary magnet  350 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  engages the eyeglasses  312  by the magnet  336  and auxiliary magnets  350 ,  352  attracting each other. When, engaged, the magnet  336  and the auxiliary magnets  350 ,  352  operate as a magnetic hinge  360 .  FIG. 3C  shows the eyeglasses assembly  310  with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314 . in the operative, or “down”, position. The position of the magnet  336  and the auxiliary magnet  350  and the orientations of the magnetic fields allow the magnet  336  to attract the auxiliary magnet  350  when the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  is in the “down” position. Thus, the magnet  336  and the auxiliary magnet  350  attract each other to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  in the “down” position. In the “down” position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  provides the user with an auxiliary set of lens to the lenses of the eyeglasses  312 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  into the inoperative, or “up” position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  away from the eyeglasses  312 , disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  in the up position, or any combination thereof. The position of the magnet  336  and the auxiliary magnet  352  and the orientations of the magnetic fields allow the magnet  336  to attract the second auxiliary magnet  352  when the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  is in the “up” position. Thus, the magnet  336  and the.second auxiliary magnet  352  attract each other to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in the “up” position.  
         [0040]     The lenses of both the eyeglasses  312  and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses  312  may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment  314  may include non-prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limited to, magnifying or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade 35 or stronger.  
         [0041]     While embodiments have been shown and described, one skilled in the art may make modification without departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention The embodiments as described are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of the invention Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.