Abstract:
The assembly for attaching a side shield to an eyewear temple includes a temple having an outer side and an inner side. A locking member is connected to the inner side of the temple. A side shield, having a complementary locking member to the locking member on the inner side of the temple is removably connected thereto. The side shield is attached to the inner side of the temple to avoid obstruction or distortion of the outer ornamental side of the eyewear temple by the side shield while still providing superior eyewear protection.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/824,153, filed on May 16, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to eyewear and, more particularly, to eyewear that is worn by a user for safety purposes. 
     Various environments are very dangerous due to the exposure of flying debris and other materials. For example, a tooling shop is constantly exposed to flying metallic debris, which presents a particularly dangerous condition for the eyes of the people present in the environment. Such flying metallic debris, caused from drilling and cutting of metal tooling, can easily fly into the eyes of a person in the environment causing serious injury. 
     To avoid contact with such debris, safety eyewear is typically employed. Such safety eyewear is available in many different forms. The safety eyewear used usually varies according to the level of protection needed. For example, face shields are often employed to completely protect the face of the user when there is a large volume of debris. Also, goggles may be used to protect the eyes only of the user when the volume and nature of the debris is significant. 
     In many instances, conventional eyeglass frames and impact-resistance lenses are more than adequate to protect the users eyes from light debris found in most work environments. However, such conventional eyeglass frames and lenses do not typically provide adequate protection on the sides of the frames in the regions of the temples. Thus, these safety glasses, using an eyeglass frame and lenses, are vulnerable to debris from the side. Therefore, there is a need to provide side shield protection for the eyewear. 
     To address the vulnerability of the aforesaid eyeglass frames and lenses to impact of debris from the side, shields are typically affixed to sides of the frames, such as to the temples of the eyewear, to provide additional protection from debris entering from the side of the eyewear. Such shields are typically referred to as “side shields” and can be affixed to the temples of the eyewear by various methods. Unlike goggles and full face shields, the eyeglass frame configuration of safety glasses can be made to appear similar to normal eyeglasses thus improving the aesthetic appearance of them which would make the user more likely to wear them thus improving overall safety. Most importantly, the side shields must be retained in place at all times to ensure that side protection is available at all times. 
     In the workplace, there is an increasing issue in that safety eyewear is becoming more fashion oriented and stylish. Part of this trend involves the inclusion temples and endpieces stylized with patterns, colors, stones, engravings, and the like on women&#39;s (and occasionally men&#39;s) frames. Therefore, there is a desire to avoid covering the ornamental temples and endpieces found in such fashion eyewear. However, despite the desire to provide more fashion oriented safety eyewear in the workplace, there is still a need to fully protect the person eyes, namely by the use of the aforementioned side shields. 
     Also, outside the workplace, there is often a need for side shields. For example, sunwear, such as sunglasses, can employ side shields to provide additional sun protection of the eyes. Therefore, side shields can be clear, tinted, protective, non-protective or otherwise. Therefore, there is a need for side shields in any type of eyewear. 
     All known prior art side shields wrap around the outside of the temples and endpieces, covering and distorting any design elements. Therefore, there is a need to keep the outer exposed surfaces of the stylish temples free of obstruction while still providing the needed side shield protection. 
     In view of the foregoing, the side shields must be easy to attach and secure in place while not blocking the ornamental stylish eyewear temples. Unlike permanent side shields, there is a need for the side shields to be removable so they can be used as normal eyewear outside of the workplace. Therefore, there is a need for side shields that are both attachable to the temples without obstructing or distorting their exposed surfaces while also being easily removable. 
     There are no known side shields that do not block the exposed ornamental surfaces of the temples of the eyewear. There have been attempts in the prior art to employ various clips and the like to retain them in place. However, all of these known prior art side shields are attached to the outer surface of the temple 
     For example, various prior art assemblies employ a wedge member to push against the temple into frictional communication with the channel of a side shield into which the temple resides. Or, prior art side shields use a locking post through a loop attached on the temple to make it less likely to detach from the temple during use. However, these side shield assemblies still require that the side shield itself be attached and positioned over the outer exposed surfaces of the eyewear temples. While these prior art side shields adequately prevent debris from hitting the eye from the side and can be removably affixed to the temple, they all require that the side shield cover the outer ornamental surfaces of the temples. As described above, this detracts from the overall style and fashion of the eyewear because the fanciful and ornamental features are covered up. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a side shield assembly that can be easily and quickly installed securely without the need for complicated clips and other structures. There is also a demand for a side shield assembly that does not detach or become loose from normal use. There is a further demand for a side shield assembly that does not obstruct the outer ornamental style features of the eyewear. There is particularly a demand for a side shield eyewear assembly that is aesthetically pleasing in appearance when installed. Still further, there is a demand for a side shield eyewear assembly that is removable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art eyewear side shield assemblies and methods of installing the same. In addition, the improved eyewear side shield assembly of the present invention and method of installation provides new advantages not found in currently known assemblies and methods and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available assemblies and methods. 
     The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique eyewear side shield assembly and method of attaching such a side shield assembly to an eyewear temple. The side shield assembly of the present invention includes a temple having an outer side and an inner side. A first lock member is connected to the inner side of the temple. A side shield is attachable to the inner surface of the temple. The side shield includes a second lock member that is complementary to the first lock member that is present on the inner side of the temple. The shield member removably connects to the inner surface of the temple by interconnection of the first lock member on the temple with the second lock member on the side shield. When the side shield is installed, it is attached to the inner surface of the temple thereby leaving the outer exposed surfaces of temple free of a side shield so obstruction or distortion of the outer surface of the temple is avoided. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide an improved side shield assembly for eyewear. 
     Another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that can be quickly and easily installed without the need for special tools. 
     Still further, an object of the instant invention is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that attaches to the inner surface of the temple to avoid obstruction or distorting the style fashion features of the eyewear, such as the temples and endpieces. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that can be easily detached from the temple of eyewear but be held in place securely enough to not fall off or dislodge under normal conditions of use. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that is aesthetically pleasing in appearance when the side shield is installed. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide eyewear with a side shield assembly that meets ANSI and CSA safety Rx eyewear coverage and impact standards. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide eyewear with a side shield assembly that is tinted to provide additional sun protection for sunwear. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that can be rendered “permanent” through the use of a pin or wedge or other locking structure. 
     Another object is to provide an improved eyewear side shield assembly that does not interfere with the normal operation, use and folding, of the temples. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide full function of the eyewear, such as allowing spring hinges to work properly and fully. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 2  shows a left side elevation view with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed onto the eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 4  shows a partial bottom view with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 5  shows a partial left side perspective view of with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the process of being installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with a preferred embodiment of the present invention being installed onto the eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 7  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with a preferred embodiment of the present invention being installed onto the eyewear temple, where the base plate has ridden over flanges and into a locking seat; 
         FIG. 8  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed onto the eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 9  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with the side shield removed, exposing a base plate and a top plate of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows a partial top perspective view of an eyewear with the side shield removed, exposing a base plate and top plate of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows a partial rear perspective view of an eyewear with the side shield removed, exposing a base plate and top plate of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  shows an inner side of a preferred embodiment of the side shield in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  shows an outer side of a preferred embodiment of the side shield in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  shows a partial view on an inner surface of an eyewear with a further embodiment of the present invention installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 15  shows a partial left side perspective view of a further embodiment of the side shield of the present invention installed onto an eyewear temple; 
         FIG. 16  shows an inner side of a further embodiment of the side shield in accordance with the present invention that employs a spreading configuration; 
         FIG. 17  shows an outer side of a further embodiment of the side shield of  FIG. 16  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  shows a partial view of a right side inner surface of an eyewear with another embodiment of the present invention being installed onto the eyewear that employs a transverse ridge, where the complimentary locking members have not engaged; 
         FIG. 19  shows a partial view of a right side inner surface of an eyewear with another embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 18  being installed onto the eyewear, where the complimentary locking members have partially engaged; 
         FIG. 20  shows a partial view of a right side inner surface of an eyewear with another embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 18  being installed onto the eyewear, where the complimentary locking members have fully engaged; 
         FIG. 21  shows a partial view of a right side inner surface of an eyewear with yet another embodiment of the present invention being installed onto the eyewear using a longitudinal clip configuration, where the complimentary locking members have not engaged; 
         FIG. 22  shows a partial view of a right side inner surface of an eyewear with yet another embodiment of  FIG. 21  of the present invention being installed onto the eyewear, where the complimentary locking members have fully engaged; 
         FIG. 23A  shows a cross-section of a still another embodiment of the present invention that employs a base with double post configuration; 
         FIG. 23B  shows a top view of the base of  FIG. 23A ; and 
         FIG. 23C  shows a side shield being installed on the base of  FIG. 23A ; 
         FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the side shield of the present invention to enable a more permanent attachment to eyewear; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a wedge insert for use with the shield of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the side shield of  FIG. 24  with a shield key located in place to permanently secure the side shield the eyewear; and 
         FIGS. 27A to 27D  show the steps of installation of the side shield of  FIG. 24  and wedge insert to provide a permanent attachment to eyewear. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to eyewear  10  that includes a pair of temples  12  and a respective pair of side shields for attachment thereto. For ease of discussion and illustration, the description herein will relate to the attachment of a single side shield  112  to a single temple  12 . It should be understood that the other temple  12  that is not shown in all of the figures need not be discussed herein as it is structurally the same but only a mirror image thereof. 
     Referring now to the attached drawing figures, the invention includes essentially two elements (side shield  112  mounted on the temple  12 ) for an embodiment that is removable as well as an optional third element if it is desired to make the side shield permanent. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-8 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown at  100 . A first locking member  102  is attached to the inner side (i.e. surface) of the temple  12 . For example, this first locking member  102  can include a hold down assembly, consisting of a base plate  106  and top plate  108 , that is attached to, or integral to the temple  12 . The first locking member  102  may or may not have the additional feature, such as a threaded hole  110 , and the like, for permanently attaching the side shield  112  to the temple using, for example, a rivet. 
     The side shield  112  includes its own locking member  114 , or second locking member, that is complementary to the first locking member  102  on the inner surface of the temple  12 . The configuration of the locking member  114  on the side shield  112  depends on the configuration of the locking member  102  on the inner surface of the temple  12 . This interconnection allows for the side shield  112  to be removably affixed to the inner surface of the temple  12  and temporarily lock it in place.  FIGS. 6-8  shows the interlocking arrangement of the locking member  102  on the temple  12  with the complementary locking member  114  on the side shield  112 . The locking member  102  on the temple  12  is seen in  FIGS. 9-11  where a base plate  106  secures the top plate  108  in place. 
     The side shield  112  structure can be seen in detail in  FIGS. 12-13 . The side shield  112  includes one or more guard members such as a lower guard member  116  and an upper guard member  118 , that are configured to close off the space between a wearer&#39;s face and the eyewear  10 , to prevent flying debris and liquids from injuring the wearer&#39;s eyes. The second locking member  114  includes a receiving groove  120  and locking seat  122  to receive the base plate  106  and top plate  108 . The side shield  112  includes spring-biased flanges  124 , described further below. 
     It should be understood that this configuration is just one example of what can be provided by the present invention. For example, the shape and configuration of the side shield can be modified to suit the eyewear at hand. Further, the side shield may be clear, tinted, painted or otherwise decorated. It may or may not meet required ANSI standards for protection from debris. For example, a tinted side shield need not be configured for protection from flying debris if it is solely for further side protection from sun or if it is for fashion only. 
     The interlocking of the side shield  112  on to the base plate  106  and secured by the top plate  108  can be seen in  FIGS. 6-8 . The base plate  106  slides into the receiving groove  120  on the side shield  112  so that the top plate  108  moves into communication with the locking seat  122  on the side shield  112 . The top plate  108  rides over the spring-biased flanges  124  of the side shield  112  because the flanges  124  are deflected downwardly to permit the top plate  108  to clear over the flanges  124  to land in locking seat  122 . Essentially, the side shield  112  will click into place. It can be removed by depressing on the flanges  124  so that the top plate  108  can clear out of the locking seat  122  so the side shield  112  can be slid out of communication with the base plate  106  and top plate  108 . 
     To install the eyewear side shield assembly of the present invention, the side shield  112  is placed into communication with the inner surface of the temple  12  and then the locking member  102  on the temple  12  is engaged with the locking member  114  on the side shield  112 . The side shield  112  is routed over the locking member  102  on the inner surface of the temple  12  so that the spring-biased flanges  122  forming the groove  120  of the side shield  112  engage with the post that spans between a base plate  106  and top plate  108  of the locking member  102  attached to the inner surface of the temple  12 . When fully installed, the engagement of the two locking members  102 ,  114  secures the side shields  112  in place on the eyewear  10 . 
     To remove the side shield  112 , the interconnection of the two locking members  102 ,  114  must be manipulated by hand (with or without the assistance of a tool) to release the interconnection. When the interconnection of side shield  112  and temple  12  is released, the side shield  112  can be completely removed from the temple  12  thereby leaving the eyewear  10  free of a side shield  112 , which is suitable for use outside the workplace, for example. 
     The locking configuration of  FIGS. 1-13  is just one embodiment of the present invention. Any type of interconnection between the side shield  112  and the inner surface of the temple  12  is considered. For example, the locking member on the temple  12  includes a base plate  106  with a top plate  108  as in  FIGS. 1-13 . The top plate  108  may be of any configuration, such as a circle, oval, rectangle, square, H-shape, and the like. The locking member  102  on the temple  12  can be separate hardware, such as metal or plastic, or can be incorporated or integrally formed (such as insert molded) with the temple  12  itself and can be of any material, such as plastic and metal. 
     The base plate  106  of the locking member  102  on the inner surface of the temple  12  can be any configuration, such as a rectangle, spring hinge, threaded tube, and the like. This base plate  106  of the locking member  102  attached to the inner surface of the temple  12  can be attached to the temple  12  in many different ways, such as metal to metal (solder, weld, screw and the like); metal to metal core wire (solder, weld, screw and the like); plastic to plastic (plastic weld); any configuration using screws. Any of the configurations may be integrally formed with the temple  12  itself be it metal, plastic or otherwise. 
     Alternative embodiments, described further below, are possible for attaching the side shield to the eyewear. For the locking member on the side shield, it can be of any releasable configuration. For example, it can be a click-in or push-in systems on the side shield as in the form of relieved click tabs (previously shown in  FIGS. 1-13 ), spreading click configuration (as will be described further below and shown in  FIGS. 14-17  and  23 A- 23 C), compression slide in configuration (as will be described further below and shown in  FIGS. 18-22 ), and the like. 
     For example, the attached figures show some of the embodiments of the complementary locking structures that are envisioned. It should be understood that these are just examples and any other interconnection is considered within the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that the portions of the side shields that extend beyond the temples to provide the protection could be of any configuration. As seen in the attached figures, typical shield shapes can be employed and location in any position, such as on the side and top of the eyewear. 
     As can be understood, the configuration may be modified to suit the application at hand.  FIGS. 14-17  show different views of a further embodiment  200  of the side shield  212  where the shape and configuration of the side shield  212  has been modified. The base plate  206  slides into the receiving groove  220  on the side shield  212  so that the top plate  208  moves into communication with the locking seat  222  on the side shield  212 . The spring-biased flanges  224  and shoulders  226  of the side shield  212  flex outwardly as the top plate  208  is pressed through them to sit in the locking seat  222 . Essentially, the side shield  212  will click into place. It can be removed by pulling on the side shield  212  so that the top plate  208  forces the shoulders  226  outwardly and thereby can clear out of the locking seat  222  so the side shield  212  can be slid out of communication with the base plate  206  and top plate  208 . 
     For example,  FIGS. 18-20  show an embodiment  300  of a locking system that includes a top plate  308  in an H-shaped configuration that releasably receives a side shield  312  with a locking transverse ridge  326 . The base plate  306  slides into the groove  320  for alignment while the locking ridge  326  snaps under the top plate  308  to provide the releasable connection. 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  show yet another embodiment  400  of how the side shield  412  can be releasably secured to the temple&#39;s  12  inner surface. A spring-biased, longitudinally oriented clip  408  mounted to the base plate  406  has a detent  409  that releasably engages with a lock notch  422  formed by a ridge  424  within groove  420  on the side shield  412  while the base plate  406  is received in the groove  420 . The side shield  412  can be released by simply pulling against the forces of the spring-biased clip  408  engagement of the detent  409  into the lock notch  422 . 
     Still further,  FIGS. 23A ,  23 B and  23 C show yet another embodiment  500  where base bushings or posts  506  are provided to receive a side shield with a laterally expanding spring-clip  524  expanding configuration. The expanding spring-clip  514  of the side shield of  FIG. 23C  is slide between the top plate  508  and the temple  12  so that the posts  506  are releasably captured by the arms  526  of the expanding spring-clip  524  of side shield. It is possible that the temple  12 , base posts  506  and top plate  508  are integrally formed. Or, it is possible that the top plate  508 , base posts  506  and a bottom plate  505  are integrally formed and then, in turn, secured to the inner surface of the temple  12 . 
     It is also possible to make the interconnection of the side shield to the temple  12  “permanent”. This can be accomplished in many ways by further modifying the assembly of the present invention. For example, a shim, screw, bushing can be attached and routed between or among the side shield and the temple and/or the locking members to prevent the side shield from being separated from the temple. 
       FIGS. 24-26  and  27 A-D illustrate such a configuration for a substantially permanent attachment of the side shield to the temple of eyewear. Turning first to  FIG. 24 , an alternative embodiment  500  of the side shield  502  is shown to include spring-biased flanges  504 . These flanges  504  are similar to the flanges  124  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. As discussed above, the flanges  504  deflect outwardly so that the inner surface  506  thereof can releasably embrace a plate  108  or other member on the temple  12 . Thus, to remove the shield  500  from the temple  12 , the flanges  504  are depressed so the free ends  504   a  of the flanges  504  can clear past the plate  108 . 
     The alternative embodiment  500  of  FIGS. 24-26  and  27 A-D provides a structure that prevents the flanges  504  from outwardly deflecting thereby making is very difficult if not impossible for the shield  502  to be removed from the temple  12 . This is accomplished by providing transverse grooves or notches  508  on the spring-biased flanges  504 , as can be seen in  FIG. 24  and an installation tool  510  with a shield key  512  with a tooth  514  on each flange  504 , as seen in  FIG. 25 , that is lodged between the outer surfaces of flanges  504  and the inner surface of the temple  12 . The notches  508 , for example, could be 0.60 mm in depth with a complementary teeth  514  of a similar size. In  FIG. 26 , such a shield key  512  is wedged into the void  516  between the spring-biased flanges  504  and the temple  12 . A reverse teeth  514  are provided on the surface of the shield key  512  to permit installation into the void  516  while making removal very difficult if not impossible. With the shield key  512  in place, a spring-biased flanges  504  cannot flex outwardly to enable removal from the temple  12 . 
     The installation of the wedge  512  requires locating it in the void  516  between the flanges  504  and the inner surface of the temple  12 . Since it is small, it is provided as a detachable member connected to a handle  518 , collectively referred to as an installation tool  510 , which is shown in  FIG. 25 . The handle  518  is large enough in size that it can be easily gripped by a user with shield key  512  in place. The steps for installation thereof is shown in  FIGS. 27A-D . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 27A , the side shield  502  is installed on the temple  12 , as in  FIG. 3 , for example and then the temple  12  is then hinged close to reveal an opening  516 , as shown by the arrows. A close up of the opening  516  from the side is shown in  FIG. 27B . The opening space  516  to receive the shield key  512  is shown by the arrows. In  FIG. 27C , the handle  518  of tool  510  is gripped and the wedge key  512  on the end thereof is inserted into the opening  516  with the reverse cut teeth  514  facing inwardly toward the grooves  508  on the outer surface of the side shield  502 . Inserting the shield wedge  512  fully into the opening  516  will cause it to snap into place when the teeth ride over into their respective grooves  508 . At this point, it cannot be removed thereby being locked in place and taking up the space between the outer surface of the side shield  502  and the inner surface of the temple  12 . In  FIG. 27D , the handle  518  is broken off by rocking it back and forth to break off the shield key  512  at break off areas, as can be seen in  FIG. 25 , leaving the shield key  512  between the flanges  504  and the temple. The broken off handle  518  can then be discarded. 
     It should be understood that the configuration of the interconnection of the shield key  512  to the outer surface of the side shield  502  be modified in many different ways to secure it in place to prevent outward deflection of the flanges  508  to make the attachment of the side shield  502  substantially permanent. The teeth  514  and grooves  508  configuration can be modified, as needed. For example, the grooves  508  can be formed with a sloped draft angle (and the tooth with a complementary configuration) to provide improved locking or there may be only one groove and one tooth. Also, while the handle  518  and shield key  512  are preferably plastic, they can be made of any material. 
     Still further, it is possible to include one or more small tabs to the side shield, which overlaps the outside of the temple along the top and/or bottom, to provide additional strength for the side shield (not shown). These optional tabs provide more side impact support on narrower temples that employ narrower attachment systems. 
     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.