Abstract:
The present invention discloses a unique and novel display device for attaching an auxiliary lens assembly to a primary lens assembly. A display mount is disclosed that allows auxiliary eyewear to be displayed along with the primary eyewear to which it combines. The primary lens assembly can be supported in a conventional manner in an existing display rack. The auxiliary eyewear display mount is attachable to the bridge portion of the primary lens assembly with a hand-operated clamp. An arm extends from the clamp to an auxiliary cradle that supports the auxiliary lens assembly.

Description:
RELATED ART 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/520,886, which was filed on Nov. 18, 2003. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to eyewear, and in particular, to a design for an auxiliary eyewear display mount. More specifically, the present invention discloses a display mount that allows auxiliary eyewear to be displayed along with the primary eyewear it is designed to combine with. The primary lens assembly can be supported in a conventional manner in an existing display rack. The auxiliary eyewear display mount is attachable to the bridge portion of the primary lens assembly with a hand-operated clamp. An arm extends from the clamp to an auxiliary cradle that supports the auxiliary lens assembly. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The eyewear market provides numerous options for people who rely on eyewear in their daily lives. The multitude of different requirements that individuals have, has created a large market of auxiliary lens systems of eyewear. In these systems, a primary lens assembly is augmented by an auxiliary lens assembly. The combinations provide numerous options for satisfying individual requirements for visual assistance and protection. 
   An example of the utility of combining a primary lens assembly with an auxiliary lens assembly is when the primary lenses are corrective lenses and the auxiliary lenses are light transmission reducing lenses, for example, a polarizing, absorbing, refracting, photochromatic, or reflecting lenses, or any combination thereof (i.e., sunglasses). Another example is when the primary lenses are corrective lenses and the auxiliary lenses are impact resistant safety lenses. 
   The recent surge in popularity of these devices has created a need for a means to display the devices for retail selection and purchase. Presently, there are no devices available for conveniently displaying to the prospective buyer, both the primary and auxiliary lens assemblies, in a manner that allows the prospective buyer to see how the primary and auxiliary lens assemblies together, and that utilizes existing displays. 
   Presently, numerous display systems permit display and accessibility to a single lens assembly. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D478,227 S to Peyker discloses an ornamental design for a display case for eyewear. U.S. Pat. No. D426,998 to Kidd, discloses another ornamental design for a display case for eyewear. The principal disadvantage of these designs is that they only support a primary lens assembly, and are not capable of displaying an auxiliary lens assembly, or a primary and auxiliary lens assembly combination. 
   U.S. Pat. No. Des. 371,458 discloses an eyewear support for a display tray. While this support is limited to working in conjunction with tray display system, it also is limited to supporting a singular primary lens assembly. 
   Auxiliary eyewear systems such as those described above can only support a primary lens assembly to the exclusion of the auxiliary lens assembly. Most of the various prior art designs cannot support an auxiliary lens assembly in a portal for a primary lens assembly, because the auxiliary lens assemblies lack the pivotally attached legs for going over the ears of the wearer that are commonly used to attach the primary lens assembly in the display device. Another disadvantage of the various prior art designs is that they cannot display a primary and auxiliary lens assembly combination. 
   It can thus be seen that there is a need to develop a design for a device capable of displaying both primary lens assemblies and auxiliary lens assemblies, which allows close comparison of the matching features of the primary lens assemblies and auxiliary lens assemblies, and which can be used in combination with the existing display devices of retail eyewear outlets. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device capable of displaying both primary lens assemblies and auxiliary lens assemblies. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a display device for auxiliary lens assemblies that can be used in combination with existing retail outlet display systems that otherwise support only primary lens assemblies. Another advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to use and allows immediate removal of both the auxiliary lens assembly or the primary lens assembly. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is that it is simple and aesthetically attractive. Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. As referred to hereinabove, the “present invention” refers to one or more embodiments of the present invention which may or may not be claimed, and such references are not intended to limit the language of the claims, or to be used to construe the claims in a limiting manner. 
   The present invention discloses an eyewear display mount capable of attaching to a primary lens assembly and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly such that the complementary assemblies may be displayed in combination. A primary lens assembly is capable of retaining a pair of primary lenses. An auxiliary lens assembly is capable of retaining a pair of auxiliary lenses. The auxiliary lens assembly may be removably attached to the primary lens assembly. In this manner, the person wearing the eyewear system has two lenses combining to alter the transmission of light to each eye. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a unique auxiliary eyewear display mount which is removably attachable to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly. The display mount comprises a bridge clamp that is removably attachable to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly. An arm extends outward from the bridge clamp. A cradle is attached to the arm for supporting an auxiliary lens assembly. 
   In a more preferred embodiment, the bridge clamp has a base attached to the arm. A pivot pin is attached to the base, and a lever is pivotally attached to the base by the pivot pin. A spring member is located on the pivot pin to urge the lever against the base, and thus secure the display mount to the primary lens assembly. In another preferred embodiment, an extension is formed on the base to further secure the display mount to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the cradle has an inner flange, an outer flange, and a relief between the inner and outer flanges. In a still more preferred embodiment, the arm is integral to the base. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements. 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, disclosing an eyewear display mount attached to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly, with an auxiliary lens assembly supported in the cradle of the display mount. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention disclosed in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a primary lens assembly and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a primary lens assembly and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a primary lens assembly and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a primary lens assembly and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly, with the device and lens assemblies sectioned as indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
   The terms “right” and “left” as used herein are referenced from the perspective of a person wearing the primary and auxiliary lens assemblies. The references are intended to aide in the description of the device, and are not intended to be limiting, since the preferred embodiments of the device are generally symmetric. 
     FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, an eyewear display mount  100  is attached to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly  200 . An auxiliary lens assembly  300  is supported on display mount  100 . 
     FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of display mount  100 . In the embodiment shown in this view, display mount  100  has a bridge clamp  110 . Bridge clap  110  is attached to an arm  130 . Arm  130  is attached to a cradle  140 . 
     FIG. 3  is a side view of the same embodiment of display mount  100  shown if  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bridge clamp  110  has a base  112  attached to arm  130 . In a preferred embodiment, base  112  has a first sidewall  114  and a substantially parallel second sidewall  116 . In a preferred embodiment, base  112  has an extension  118  extending between sidewall  114  and sidewall  116 , and outward from base  112 . 
   A pivot pin  120  is attached to base  112  between sidewall  114  and sidewall  116 . A lever  122  is pivotally attached to base  112  by pivot pin  120 . In a preferred embodiment, lever  122  has an upper portion  124  and a lower portion  126 . In a still more preferred embodiment, lever  122  has an offset  128  that provides a radial distance from pivot pin  120  about which upper portion  124  and lower portion  126  pivot. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , a spring member  129  is located on pivot pin  120  to urge lever  122  against base  112 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, cradle  140  has an inner flange  142  and a substantially parallel outer flange  144 . A relief  146  is formed between inner flange  142  and outer flange  144 . 
     FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , illustrate the bridge clamp  110  of display mount  100  attached to the bridge portion of a primary lens assembly  200 , and an auxiliary lens assembly  300  supported in cradle  140  of display mount  100 . 
     FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of display mount  100 , shown attached to a primary lens assembly  200  and supporting an auxiliary lens assembly  300 , with display device  100  and lens assemblies  200  and  300  sectioned as indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
   OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, a typical primary lens assembly  200  and a typical auxiliary lens assembly  200  are illustrated as displayed together by use of display mount  100 . Bridge clamp  110  of display mount  100  can be securely clamped onto the middle bridge portion of a primary lens assembly  200 . Arm  130  extends from bridge clamp  110 . The opposite end of arm  130  is attached to cradle  140 . Auxiliary lens assembly  300  can be placed into cradle  140 . 
   Display mount  100  is attached to primary lens assembly  200  by applying sufficient finger pressure to upper portion  124  of lever  122  to overcome the compressive force of spring member  129 . This provides an opening between lower portion  126  of lever  122 , and base  112  of bridge clamp  110 . Opened bridge clamp  110  is placed over the middle bridge portion of primary lens assembly  200  and released. When released, spring member  129  closes bridge clamp  110  securely on the middle bridge portion of primary lens assembly  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  4  through  7 . 
   Auxiliary lens assembly  300  is located on display mount  100  by simply placing it in cradle  140  as also shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  4  through  7 . In a preferred embodiment, inner flange  142  and outer flange  144  are spaced sufficiently apart to form a relief  146 . Relief  146  is capable of receiving auxiliary lens assembly  300  between the left and right lenses, or lens frames, and/or the middle bridge portion. The multiple receiving means allows display mount  100  to work with numerous auxiliary lens assemblies  300  of various designs and sizes. In another preferred embodiment, cradle  140  is made of a compressible material, such as a foam rubber. In this embodiment, the compressibility of the material provides additional compressive forces to further secure auxiliary lens assembly  300  in cradle  140 . 
   In this manner, auxiliary lens assembly  300  can be displayed in visible and comparable combination with primary lens assembly  200 . Primary lens assembly  200  may in turn be mounted in many of the existing eyewear display devices utilized for retail sales. Use of the present invention thus allows a potential purchaser to view the compatibility of primary lens assembly  200  with auxiliary lens assembly  300 , and to contemplate the advantages of the eyewear system. This also permits the potential purchaser to easily and quickly disassemble the display, without the need for instructions, assistance, or tools. 
   In a preferred embodiment best viewed in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , bridge clamp  110  is comprised of base  112  pivotally attached to lever  122  by pivot pin  120 . Spring member  129  urges lever  122  into contact with base  112 , providing the necessary clamping force to secure display mount  100  to primary lens assembly  200 . 
   In a preferred embodiment best viewed in  FIG. 7 , lever  122  includes features to enhance the engagement of bridge clamp  110  with the bridge portion of primary lens assembly  200 . As shown, pivot  120  is attached to an offset  128 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , offset  128  has a first side and a second side attached outside and adjacent to each of first and second sidewalls  114  and  116  respectively. This positioning allows spring member  129  to coil around pivot pin  120 . Use of offset  128  further improves the release feature of display device  100  by lifting lower portion  126  upwards relative to the bridge member of primary lens assembly  200  when finger pressure is applied to upper portion  124  of lever  122 . 
   The distance between offset  128  and lower portion  126  provides an allocation of space for the bridge member of primary lens assembly  200 . It further provides opposing and generally perpendicular surfaces to enhance engagement with the bridge member of primary lens assembly  200 . In another preferred embodiment, base  112  includes extension  118 , which provides an opposing and generally perpendicular surface to sidewalls  114  and  116  in a configuration that further secures display mount  100  on primary lens assembly  200 . 
   In an alternative embodiment not shown, lever  122  contains no offset, and the allocation of space for the bridge member of primary lens assembly  200  is provided by a comparable slot in base  112 . In another embodiment not shown, lever  122  contains no offset, and offset  128  is instead provided on base  112 . In another alternative embodiment, lever  122  and/or base  112  are made of a compressible material that eliminates the need for allocation of space for the bridge member of primary lens assembly  200 . 
   It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. One skilled in the art will specifically recognize that alternative arrangements of the disclosed components can achieve an equivalent function and result without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As an example, offset  128  and lower portion  126  can be integrally formed and curved, in a hook style appearance.