Abstract:
An interchangeable eyeglass lens system ( 10 ) is provided wherein the interchangeable eyeglass lens system ( 10 ) includes a central support member ( 20 ) having a clip means ( 30 ) mounted thereon for attachment to a standard pair of eyeglasses ( 12 ). The central support member ( 20 ) has first and second lateral projections ( 22  and  24 ) projecting therefrom. Additionally, first and second lens retaining members ( 52  and  54 ) are movably mounted on first and second lateral projections ( 22  and  24 ) so that the first and second lens retaining members ( 52  and  54 ) may be positioned along the length of the central support member ( 20 ) so that the interchangeable eyeglass lens system ( 10 ) may be mounted on a pair of eyeglasses ( 12 ) of any lateral width.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention directs itself to eyeglass systems. In particular, the present invention directs itself to a device which allows for placement and removal of an auxiliary pair of glasses or optical lenses over standard eyeglasses. Still further, this invention relates to an auxiliary optical lens which may be simply removed and inserted over and in conjunction with standard eyeglasses. 
     In particular, the subject invention relates to a central support member having a pair of lens retaining members mounted thereon. The lens retaining members are adjustably positionable along the length of the central support member to allow the interchangeable eyeglass lens system to be mounted on a variety of eyeglasses having differing dimensions. 
     The subject invention directs itself to an interchangeable eyeglass lens system which may be used for a variety of purposes including aesthetic purposes where differing contours and tinted optical lenses are placed in coupled relation to standard eyeglasses. Still further, the subject invention directs itself to a safety device whereby the interchangeable eyeglass lens system includes a safety glass for plastic type composition which is mounted in detachable manner to standard eyeglasses. Additionally, the subject invention is directed to an interchangeable eyeglass lens system which permits differing optical lenses to be mounted thereto which have differing optical characteristics and may be interchanged therewith. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Additional clip-on optical filters for conventional eyeglasses are well-known in the art. In general, such prior art auxiliary clip-on sunglasses include a frame member and a spring-biased clip for attachment to a pair of eyeglasses. In many instances, the problems of such prior art clip-on sunglass accessories are that the frames for the clip-on lenses are sized so as to only fit on eyeglasses of a particular dimension. Thus, the auxiliary lens systems are not easily applied to a variety of eyeglasses. Further, such prior art systems also do not allow for the interchangeability of the auxiliary optical filters. In order to receive light filtering with different properties, the entire lens system, including the frame member, must be replaced, rather than just replacing the additional optical lens itself. 
     One such prior art lens system is shown in U.S. Pat. No 1,899,905. This reference is directed to a glare dimmer attachment. The glare dimmer attachment utilizes a strip of metal folded upon itself to receive and hold in place the auxiliary lens means. The metal strip does not include means for adjusting its lateral width to the lateral width of the pair of eyeglasses. Further, the auxiliary optical lens is held permanently in place with respect to the metal strip holder, thus not allowing for the interchangeability of other optical means. 
     Another such prior art optical accessory is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,707. This reference is directed to a pivoting optical accessory for use with a pair of spectacles. This system utilizes an elongated, resilient metallic bar to which is secured the optical elements by the use of permanent plastic rivets. The metallic bar is not laterally adjustable and the optical elements are held permanently to the metallic bar holding element. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,786 shows a prior art lens system having a filtering visor permanently affixed to the clip means. The pivotal visor does not include an adjustable frame member, nor is the filtering visor interchangeable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,295 shows a prior art auxiliary sunglasses system directed to a pair of clip-on eye protectors. This system includes a bridge member to which the lens means are affixed by permanent securing rivets. The bridge member is not adjustable along its lateral width, nor are the lens means interchangeable with other lens means. 
     Another prior art sunglasses system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,749. This reference is directed to a clip for mounting sunglass lenses on spectacles. This system includes a single-piece support element having a non-adjustable, constant length. Affixed to the support element is a lens carrying means to which the lenses are affixed by adhesives, screws, pins, or other permanent means. Thus, this system is not laterally adjustable to fit on any pair of eyeglasses, nor does it allow for the interchangeability of the lenses. 
     None of the prior art provides for a combination of elements forming an interchangeable eyeglass lens system which may be laterally adjusted for mounting on eyeglasses of any lateral dimension. Additionally, none of the prior art Patents provide for an eyeglass lens system having interchangeable optical elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for an interchangeable eyeglass lens system which is adjustable for mounting on a pair of eyeglasses of any lateral width. The interchangeable eyeglass lens system includes a central support member having first and second lens retaining members movably mounted thereon. An optical lens is removably received within a central support slot formed on the central support member and within first and second lens retaining slots formed on the first and second lens retaining members. 
     Thus, the interchangeable eyeglass lens system may be laterally adjusted to fit on a pair of eyeglasses of any lateral width. Additionally, the lens means may include a plurality of lenses having different optical characteristics and may be interchanged for use with the interchangeable eyeglass lens system. 
     Additionally, the interchangeable eyeglass lens system includes a clip means for removable attachment of the eyeglass lens system to a pair of eyeglasses. 
     It is a principal objective of the subject interchangeable eyeglass lens system to provide additional optical protection which may be mounted on a pair of eyeglasses of any lateral width. 
     It is a further objective of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system to provide for a plurality of optical elements having different optical characteristics which may be interchanged with one another. 
     It is a further objective of the subject invention to provide an interchangeable eyeglass lens system which may be removably mounted on a pair of eyeglasses. 
     It is a further objective of the subject invention concept to provide an interchangeable eyeglass lens system having an arcuate optical optical lens means providing for additional protection from external environmental hazards. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system mounted on a pair of eyeglasses and worn by a wearer; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system mounted on a pair of eyeglasses; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system removed from a pair of eyeglasses; 
     FIG. 4 shows the optical lens being removably attached to the central support member of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the lens retaining members being variably positioned along the lateral projections of the central support member of the interchangeable eyeglass lens system; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second lens retaining member movably mounted upon the second lateral projection of the central support member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown interchangeable eyeglass lens system  10  adapted to be mounted on a pair of eyeglasses  12  and worn by a user  14  for purposes of added optical protection, aesthetic enhancement, or providing variations in the color of light passing therethrough which can be varied at the option of the user. Interchangeable eyeglass lens system  10  is particularly adapted, as will be seen in following paragraphs, to permit user or wearer  14  to change covering lenses in a simple, efficient and minimum time consuming manner. 
     Eyeglasses  12  may be of standard construction including a pair of eyeglass lenses  16  secured within eyeglass frames  18  having an eyeglass bridge  20  and possibly nose pads  22 . Eyeglasses  12  include temple members  24  for fitting engagement with the wearer  14  in the normal fashion. Eyeglass lenses  16  may be formed of a transparent material and may be a prescription lens, safety glass, or otherwise formed of any transparent composition. 
     Interchangeable eyeglass lens system  10  includes central support member  26  extending in generally lateral direction  28 , as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. 
     Central support member  26  includes first and second lateral projection members  30  extending generally in lateral direction  28  and may be formed in one-piece formation with central support member  26 . The combined central support member  26  and lateral projection members  30  may be formed of a plastic-like material or some like composition not important to the inventive concept as herein described with the exception that such composition is adaptable to accepting the force loadings applied thereto. 
     A pair of first and second lens retaining members  36  age are adapted to be slidably displaceable on lateral projection members  30 . In this manner, first and second lens retaining members  36  slidingly engage and are releasably coupled to lateral projection members  30  in a manner which allows displacement therebetween. The displacement of first and second lens retaining members  36  further allows for adaptation of interchangeable eyeglass system  10  to a variety of sizes of optical lens  34  which cover eyeglass lenses  16  during use. optical lens  34  may be generally formed in one-piece formation and include a plastic-like or glass-like composition not important to the inventive concept as herein described with the exception that such be transparent to light passing therethrough and further is adapted to provide for differing optical lenses  34  of varied tints. 
     Optical lens  34  is generally contoured to be of a similar shape to the combined contour of central support member  26  and lateral projection members  30 . 
     Central support member  26  may include central support slot  38 , shown in FIG. 5, which is adapted to receive central portion  40  of optical lens  34 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, central portion  40  includes a recess section wherein optical lens  34  may be removably inserted within central support member slot  38 . In this manner, added stabilization is provided for optical lens  34  when mounted to central support member  26 . 
     Additionally, each of first and second lens retaining members  36  include lens retaining lugs for insert of optical lens  34  therein. Optical lens retaining lugs  42  are clearly seen in FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 . Optical lens  34  includes recesses  44  which are inserted within lens retaining lugs  42 . Lens retaining lugs  42  as can be seen are formed in one-piece formation with each of the first and second lens retaining members at opposing end portions thereof. 
     With the receipt of optical lens  34  within central support slot  38  and mounted on opposing lateral ends thereof to lens retaining lugs  42 , there is provided a stabilized optical lens  34  which may be maintained in fixed position with respect to eyeglasses  12  during normal use by wearer  14 . 
     Introduction of central portion  40  into central support slot  38  provides stabilization in lateral direction  28  while introduction of optical lens recesses  44  of first and second lens retaining members  36  within lens retaining lugs  42  provides stabilization of optical lens  34  in a direction substantially normal to lateral direction  28 . 
     As clearly seen in FIG. 6, each of lens retaining members  36  includes a lateral projection member channel extending in lateral direction  28 . Channel members  46  may be formed in a rectangular cross-sectional contour for insert of a respective lateral projection member  30 . Lens retaining members  36  include bottom wall  48  which includes a plurality of openings  50  formed therethrough and in open communication with channel  46 . Each of lateral projection members  30  includes a pair of positioning protrusions  52  which are insertable within openings  50  to maintain positional location of lateral projection members  30  with respect to each of first and lens retaining members  36 . Protrusions  52  may be formed in a semi-circular contour and are of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of openings  50 . In this manner, lateral projection members  30  may be slidably inserted within lateral projection member channels  46  and displaced to a positional location where positioning protrusions  52  are aligned with openings  50 . When lateral projection members  30  are slidably inserted into channel  46  and alignment is made, protrusions  52  extend into openings  50  by a small amount which releasably lockingly engages lateral projection members  30  to each of first and second lens retaining members  36 . Through use of a plurality of openings  50  and a plurality of protrusions  52 , adjustment of the overall length of the combined lateral projection members  30  and the first and second lens retaining members  36  may be attained. This adjustment in lateral direction  28  allows for a plurality of sizes for interchangeable eyeglass system  10  in accommodation with specific optical lenses  34 . 
     Thus, first and second lens retaining members  36  include lens retaining lugs  42  formed on opposing ends thereof as is clearly seen in FIG.  5 . Each of the lens retaining members  36  includes channel  46  formed therein with channels  46  receiving the first and second lateral projection members  30  of central support member  26 . First and second lens retaining members  36  are positionable with respect to first and second lateral projection members  30  to adjust interchangeable eyeglass lens system  10  in lateral direction  28  for accommodation of different sizes of eyeglasses  12 . 
     In general, optical lens  34  includes optical lens central portion  54  and opposing optical lens side portions  56  formed in one piece formation. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 4, optical lens  34  includes the centrally frontally facing portion  54  combined with optical lens side portions  56  in an overall arcuate contour. In this manner, wearer  14  may be provided with additional protection from external environmental hazards. Still further, optical lens  34  may be formed of a thin plastic material which is flexible in nature to allow insertion into differing sizes of interchangeable eyeglass system  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, clip mechanism  32  includes first and second clamping mechanisms  58  for positioning central support member  26  on eyeglasses  12  and in particular with respective eyeglass lenses  16 . Each of clamping mechanisms  58  includes clamp lug members  60  and  62 . Clamp lug members  60  and  62  are displaceable each with respect to the other. Clamp lug members  62  are fixedly coupled to central support member  26  and extend downwardly therefrom, as is clearly shown in FIG.  4 . Clamp lug members  62  bear against an inner face of optical lens  34  subsequent to optical lens  34  being inserted within central support slot  38 . 
     Clamp lug members  60  are adapted to be biased and pivotally mounted to central support member  26  by spring member  64 . In this manner, clamp lug members  62  may be pivotally displaced with respect to clamp lug members  60  while being mounted on central support member  26 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 3, each of clamp lug members  60  is joined in one piece formation to a corresponding clamp lug member  60  through a laterally directed rod  66 . Spring member  64  is mounted on laterally directed rod member  66  and maintains a biasing force against clamp lug members  60  to force them into alignment and corresponding relation with clamp lug member  62 . 
     By insertion of eyeglasses  12  and particularly eyeglass lenses  16  between clamp lug members  60  and  62 , interchangeable eyeglass system  10  is removably coupled to eyeglasses  12 . 
     Central support member  26  further includes appendage  68  which is formed generally in one-piece formation with the overall body of central support member  26 . Displaceable bar  70  is fixedly coupled to laterally directed rod  66  in order that rotation of displaceable bar  70  causes a corresponding rotation of clamp lug members  60 . In this manner, wearer  14  merely grasps displaceable bar  70  and appendage  68  between the fingers and by applying force can displace clamp lug member  60  from clamp lug member  62  to allow simple removal of interchangeable eyeglass lens system  10  from eyeglasses  12 . 
     Thus, clip mechanism  32  is seen to include a mechanism for releasably grasping first and second eyeglass lenses  16 . 
     Both of clamp lug members  60  and  62  are coupled to central support member  26 , however, clamp lug member  60  is rotatable with respect thereto. Each of clamp lug members  60  and  62  are biased into contacting relationship each with respect to the other as has previously been described through the spring bias force applied by spring member  64 . 
     Although this invention has been described in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications other than those discussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, functionally equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.