Abstract:
A rear-viewing mirror assembly for a pair of glasses having an arm, the mirror assembly includes a housing forming an inner area and configured to secure to the arm; a locking mechanism disposed within the inner area of the housing; an elongated rod extending partially outside the housing and engaged with the locking mechanism; and a mirror rigidly attached to the elongated rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to glasses and goggles. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Glasses and goggles are well known in the art and are effective means to allow a person to view in a forward fashion.  FIG. 1  depicts an oblique view of a conventional pair of glasses  101  having a frame  107  integrally joined between two arms  103 ,  105 . As commonly known, the lenses of the glasses allow the user to see in a frontward fashion, but not in a rearward fashion. 
     Although great strides have been made in the area of glasses and goggles, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a conventional pair of glasses; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a pair of glasses in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the glasses of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are top cross-sectional views of the mirror assembly in the extended and retracted positions; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of an extended and retracted position of the mirrors of the mirror assembly of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are top views of a mirror assembly in the extended and retracted positions in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; 
         FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  are top views of mirrors in accordance with an alternative embodiments of the present application; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a pair of glasses in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are respective oblique and front views of snow googles in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional eyewear. Specifically, the system and method of the present application provides rapid and effective means to see in both the front and rear views, thus providing visual notice to the user of a person or object approaching in the rear. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 2 and 3  depict respective front and top views of a pair of glasses/goggles  201  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that the pair of glasses/goggles  201  overcomes one of more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with the conventional eyewear. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, glasses/goggles  201  includes a lens frame  207  integrally attached to two arms  301 ,  303 . A first mirror assembly  203  is integrally secured to arm  301 , and likewise a second mirror assembly  205  is integrally secured to arm  303 . It will be appreciated that the features of mirror assemblies  203 ,  205  provide means for the user to view in a rearward fashion. 
     For the sake of simplicity, only mirror assembly  205  is discussed in detail. However, it should be understood that assembly  203  is substantially identical in form and function. 
     Assembly  205  includes a housing  309  forming an interior cavity and configured to carry a spring  401  and stop  403  therein (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). The spring in turn is secured to an elongated rod  307  that secures to a mirror  305 . During use, the mirror is moved in direction D 31  in-and-out of the house via a locking device  311  that slidingly engages with a track  313  extending through the thickness of the housing. Such features are better shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in directions D 41 , D 43 . 
     One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present invention is the ability to hide the mirror  307  within the cavity formed by the housing. In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , one method to achieve this feature is to use a spring loaded pivot joint  501  that allows the mirror body to extend when being pushed into the cavity, as depicted with arrow D 53  and pivot while being pushed out, as shown with arrow D 51 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in the drawings, an alternative embodiment is shown. As depicted, assembly  601  includes a body  603  that utilizes a locking system  605  with an elongated track  607  that extends through the thickness of body  603  and engages with a locking  611 , which in turn is attached to member  307  and mirror  305 . A plurality of stops  607  are positioned along track  607  and are configured to allow selective adjustment of the locking device  611  along the track  607 . This feature allows adjustment of the mirror  305 , as shown with arrows D 61 , D 63  relative to the glasses/goggles for selective viewing access. 
     In  FIGS. 7-9 , it is also contemplated having different types of mirrored surfaces. For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates mirror  305  having a relatively flat reflective surface  703  secured to body  701 , while  FIG. 8  illustrates a mirror  801  with an inwardly facing reflective surface  805  secured to body  803 , and  FIG. 9  illustrates a mirror  901  with an outwardly facing reflective surface  905  secured to a body  903 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , it is also contemplated having a plurality of attachment devices utilized to detachably secure the mirror assemblies to the arms. For example, glasses/goggles  1001  include a first clip  1003  and a second clip  1005  configured to engage with the mirror assemblies and the arms. This feature allows the features discussed herein to be used on existing types of glasses/goggles, thus allowing a retrofit feature. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12  in the drawings, respective oblique and front views of a pair of googles  1101  are shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. It should be appreciated that goggles  1101  are substantially similar in form and function to one or more of the embodiments discussed above. Specifically, googles  1101  includes a frame  1103  with lens  1105  carried therein. Like the embodiments discussed above, googles  1101  is configured to include an assemblies  1106  and  1107  configured to allow the user to view in the rear, similar to assemblies  203  and  205 . 
     In one contemplated embodiment, the assembly could be placed on the frame  1103  and/or strap  1109  secured to the frame. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.