Patent Publication Number: US-2011051073-A1

Title: Sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/237,127 filed Aug. 26, 2009 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses and more specifically relates to a sun shielding device for positioning behind a pair of prescription eyeglasses. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The use of sunglasses has become more prevalent over the years since sunglasses are not just a popular fashion accessory but there are various health benefits of wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses are recognized as useful for the protection of the eyes against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight which has been associated with the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Additionally, sunglasses reduce eye strain in bright conditions. In very bright conditions, the pupil cannot constrict small enough to reduce light to a comfortable level. This causes a person to squint. Muscle fatigue associated with squinting and constant constriction of the pupil can lead to headaches and eyestrain. Sunglasses further protect the wearer from flying debris and other hazards and reduce the amount of light that reaches the retina to more optimal levels for clear, comfortable vision. 
     Clear, comfortable vision and optimal protection in different environmental conditions is particularly important for people who engage a lot in outdoor activities. That is one of the reasons why sunglasses have gained increasing acceptance in outdoor sports. Outdoor sports demand strenuous activity and different environmental conditions may lead to visual problems. The basic purpose of sports sunglasses is to protect the eyes from the harmful glare of the sun which not only damages the eyes but also distracts from focusing on the sport and different terrains. When it comes to sports, sunglasses are essential for protecting eyes from injury as well as protecting the eyes from the sun and easing outdoor activities. 
     Since approximately 30% of adults are nearsighted they often have to purchase a pair of sunglasses or sports sunglasses with prescription lenses. With conventional sunglasses or sports sunglasses, a prescription can be made and corrective lenses mounted in the frame. 
     Unfortunately, prescription sunglasses or prescription sports sunglasses are costly and it is a hassle to replace them when they get lost. Prescription eyeglasses with front-mount clip-on sunglass lenses may be ineffective as currently manufactured since they often fail to protect the user&#39;s peripheral vision because the sunglass lenses may not extend beyond the prescription lenses and thus not provide extended peripheral coverage. Eyeglasses with front-mount clip-on sunglass lenses also have typically no additional means for fitting the sunglasses snugly to the users face so that they do not fall off when the user engages in sporting activities. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,284,853, 6,742,888, 5,321,443, and 4,729,650. This prior art is representative of sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a pair of sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses should be comfortable to wear, easy to use, allow the user to engage in sporting activities without risking loosing or having to readjust the pair of sunglasses, comprise a minimum of necessary parts and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable pair of sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses art, the present invention provides a novel sun shielding device. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a user with a novel easily adjustable sun shielding device which can be worn behind a pair of prescription eyeglasses and which protects the peripheral vision. The device may be adjusted and readjusted with a retaining cord to snugly and comfortably fit the user&#39;s face, thus assisting the user in effectively participating in athletic activities without risking loosing the sun shielding device. The sun shielding device is curved to protect the user&#39;s peripheral vision and snugly fits the users face so that extensive sun protection is provided. This innovative item is ideal for individuals with eyeglasses looking for an efficient way to protect their eyes from the sun while engaging in outdoor activities. 
     A sun shielding device for positioning behind a pair of eyeglasses is disclosed herein comprising: a frame comprising an inner tangential relationship with the pair of eyeglasses; at least one curved flex-bendable sun shielding lens to create peripheral sun protection for eyes; a first side fastener comprising a u-shaped loop having an aperture providing a retaining cord-engaging means; a second side fastener comprising a u-shaped loop having an aperture providing a retaining cord-engaging means; a sun shielding device center section; at least one tubular or flat retaining nylon cord comprising a first retaining cord end and a second retaining cord end which is elastically deformable to tightly fit to the head of a user; and a cord adjuster cord lock. 
     In the present invention, the frame receives the sun shielding lens and the sun shielding device center section, thereby forming a unit. The sun shielding device center section may rest on the nose pad arms of the pair of eyeglasses, thus allowing the sun shielding lens to rest between the nose pads and lenses of the pair of eyeglasses. The user may simply slide the sun shielding lens between each of the nose pads and the lenses of the pair of eyeglasses. The sun shielding device center section may also comprise an attacher for removably attaching the sun shielding device to the bridge of the pair of eyeglasses to additionally limit unwanted displacement of the sun shielding device. The frame may further comprise an integral first side fastener and an integral second side fastener which are located on opposing ends of the frame. The two retaining cord ends of the retaining cord are preferably connected to the two side fasteners. The retaining cord may be tightened or loosened with a cord adjuster cord lock so that the sun shielding device is tightened against or taken off a user&#39;s face, according to user preference. 
     A kit is also described herein including a frame, a sun shielding lens, a retaining cord having a cord adjuster cord lock. The kit may include a set of user instructions. 
     In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of using a sun shielding device is also disclosed herein preferably comprising the steps of: sliding a sun shielding device behind a pair of eyeglasses such that the sun shielding device center section may rest on top of nose pads (or preferably on the nose pad arms) of the pair of eyeglasses and a sun shielding lens may rest between the nose pads and the lenses of the pair of eyeglasses; adjusting a cord adjuster to tighten a retaining cord so that the sun shielding device is tightened against a user&#39;s face or adjusting the cord adjuster to loosen the retaining cord so that the sun shielding device is removable from the user&#39;s face. Further, additionally securing may be achieved by mounting the sun shielding device to the pair of eyeglasses by attaching the sun shielding device to the bridge of the pair of eyeglasses with an attacher situated on the sun shielding device center section. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a sun shielding device. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device in an ‘in-use condition’ according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view illustrating the sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device in an ‘in-use condition’ according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device attached to a pair of eyeglasses according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to sunglasses which can be worn in combination with prescription eyeglasses and more particularly as a sun shielding device for positioning behind a pair of prescription eyeglasses as used to improve the sun protection for users with prescription eyeglasses. The sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device provides a user with an effective means to simultaneously use prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses without risking loosing the sunglasses while engaging in various rigorous activities. Now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a perspective view illustrating sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  in an in-use condition  190  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate user  180  wearing sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  in combination with a pair of eyeglasses  170 . Sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  preferably comprises at least one sun shielding device  110  preferably comprising frame  120 , sun shielding lens  130 , first side fastener  122 , second side fastener  124 , sun shielding device center section  140 , retaining cord  150  (comprising first retaining cord end  152  and second retaining cord end  154 ) and cord adjuster  160 . In certain embodiments retaining cord  150  may be epoxied to sun shielding lens  130 . It should be appreciated that other fastening means other than epoxy may be used, such as other adhesives, mechanical fastening means, magnets or other suitable alternatives. 
     Frame  120  may be affixed to at least one sun shielding lens  130  and sun shielding device center section  140  to create sun shielding device  110 . User  180  may slide sun shielding device  110  behind pair of eyeglasses  170  of user  180  such that sun shielding device center section  140  may rest on nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) of pair of eyeglasses  170  and sun shielding lens  130  may rests between nose pads  172  and lenses  174  of pair of eyeglasses  170 . In certain embodiments, frame  120 , sun shielding lens  130  and sun shielding device center section  140  may comprise one single piece. In other embodiments frame  120 , sun shielding lens  130  and sun shielding device center section  140  may comprise multiple pieces/components. Retaining cord  150  may be attached to frame  120  and may be tightened or loosened with cord adjuster  160  such that sun shielding device  110  is tightened against or taken off user&#39;s  180  face to create in-use-condition  190  as shown in the present figures. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  showing a perspective view illustrating a sun shielding device  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As described previously, sun shielding device  110  preferable comprises frame  120 . Frame  120  of the present embodiment may be constructed of a semi rigid, flexible and lightweight material and may be curved to conform substantially to the general curvature of user&#39;s  180  face in the eye region and to snugly fit adjacent user&#39;s  180  face. Frame  120  may comprise an inner tangential relationship with pair of eyeglasses  170 . The upper edge portion of sun shielding lens  130  and sun shielding device center section  140  may be affixed to frame  120 , thereby forming sun shielding device  110  which may fit behind pair of eyeglasses  170 . In certain embodiments, frame  120 , sun shielding lens  130  and sun shielding device center section  140  may comprise one single piece. It should be appreciated that the present invention fits adjacent the face of a user  180  such that glare and UV-rays are greatly reduced over that of typical sunglasses presently available. The close proximity provides enhanced protection from the sun. 
     Frame  120  comprises first side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124  which are preferably integral and located on opposing ends of frame  120 . First side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124  each preferably comprise a u-shaped loop having an aperture providing a retaining cord-engaging means. First side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124  used within the present invention each preferably comprise suitable durable material. First side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124  may be comprised of various retaining cord  150  securing means of various shapes such as loops, hooks, staples, etc. First side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124  each are of sufficient size to receive first retaining cord end  152  and second retaining cord end  154  which may be attached to first side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124 . 
     Sun shielding lens  130  may include sun shielding device center section  140  and may be affixed to frame  120 . In other embodiments frame  120 , sun shielding device center section  140 , and sun shielding lens  130  may comprise one piece. Sun shielding lens  130  may be curved to provide eye protection from sunlight peripherally at the side edges of sun shielding lens  130 . In a preferred embodiment, sun shielding lens  130  in horizontal cross section preferably defines an arc. Sun shielding lens  130  may be flex-bendable to snugly fit user&#39;s  180  face and to provide eye protection from sunlight at the top and bottom edge of sun shielding lens  130 . Further, the flex-bendable characteristic provides for durable cost-effective use when playing vigorous sports, especially upon impact. Sun shielding lens  130  is preferably made of a tinted, thin, lightweight, flexible plastic material. However, sun shielding lens  130  may be comprised of other suitable materials, such as shatterproof glass, etc. 
     Sun shielding lens(es)  130  comprise sun shielding device center section  140  which may be situated in the center of sun shielding lens  130  and which may be adapted to rest on nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) of pair of eyeglasses  170 . Sun shielding device center section  140  forms an integral nosepiece of sun shielding lens  130  and is of sufficient size to fit behind a bridge and on top of nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) of pair of eyeglasses  170 . Sun shielding device center section  140  may form a nose opening area of sun shielding lens  130  thereby providing a means for resting sun shielding device  110  on top of arms of nose pads  172  of pair of eyeglasses  170  and allowing sun shielding lens  130  to rest between nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) and lenses  174  of pair of eyeglasses  170 . User may simply slide sun shielding device  110  on top and behind nose pads  172  of pair of eyeglasses  170 . Alternatively, sun shielding device  110  may be positioned on user&#39;s  180  nose without attaching sun shielding device  110  to pair of eyeglasses  170 . Sun shielding lens  130  is smoothly rounded thereby eliminating sharp edges or corners and providing comfort and safety to user  180 . 
     In certain embodiments sun shielding device center section  140  may further comprise attacher  300  to enable removable attachment of sun shielding device  110  to bridge  176  of pair of eyeglasses  170  and to additionally limit unwanted displacement of sun shielding device  110 . Attacher  300  preferably comprises a clip. The clamping force of the clip will substantially insure that sun shielding device  110  will remain in position. The clip further allows user  180  to detach sun shielding device  110  from pair of eyeglasses  170  at any time. However, attacher  300  may comprise various attaching means such as hooks, etc. 
     Retaining cord  150  in this particular embodiment preferably comprises an elastic nylon cord comprising a tubular profile having an outer circumference (or an elastic cord with a rubber core and a stretchable fabric/nylon covering). However, retaining cord  150  may comprise other flexible material such as rubber, leather, etc and may comprise a flat instead of a tubular shape. In the preferred embodiment, retaining cord  150  has a diameter such that it may be easily passed through first side fastener  122  and second side fastener  124 . Retaining cord  150  securely retains sun shielding device  110  and yet is very light and comfortable. However, retaining cord  150  may be shortened or lengthened according to user  180  size and preference. Retaining cord  150  preferably comprises first retaining cord end  152  and a second retaining cord end  154  wherein first retaining cord end  152  is passed through first side fastener  122  and tied to first side fastener  122  preferably with a knot and second retaining cord end  154  is passed through second side fastener  124  and tied to second side fastener  124  with a knot thereby securing retaining cord  150  to frame  120 . Retaining cord  150  may be elastically deformable to tightly fit head of user  180  when in use. Retaining cord  150  may also be used to hang the sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  about user&#39;s  180  neck when not in use. 
     Sun shielding device  110  may be tightened to user&#39;s  180  eye region and head by adjusting retaining cord  150  with cord adjuster  160 . Cord adjuster  160  may comprise cord adjuster cord lock wherein the cord adjuster cord lock is used to tighten or loosen retaining cord  150 . Cord adjuster cord lock may preferably be made of plastic, be lightweight, small, and preferably comprise a cord lock model with a main body which is cylindrically shaped, including a hole in the side through which the retaining cord  150  may be passed, and a button which can be squeezed to release the retaining cord  150 . However, cord adjuster  160  may comprise virtually any type of cord lock and may be comprised of other suitable materials, such as wood, rubber, etc. Retaining cord  150  may be folded and threaded through the hole of cord adjuster  160 . Tightening or loosening retaining cord  150  is accomplished by squeezing the button of cord adjuster  160  and sliding cord adjuster  160  up and down retaining cord  150 . By releasing the button of cord adjuster  160 , cord adjuster  160  locks itself in place. User  180  may alternatively tighten or loosen retaining cord  150 , thereby tighten sun shielding device  110  against user&#39;s  180  face or remove sun shielding device  110  from user&#39;s  180  face. On tightening retaining cord  150  a snugly and tight fit of sun shielding device  110  will then be achieved and user  180  will be able to engage in (sports) activities without fear of loosing sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100 . The present invention provides that sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  may be exclusively held in place via retaining cord  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrating sun shielding device  110  attached to a pair of eyeglasses  170  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Frame  120  and sun shielding lens  130  within this particular embodiment comprise an inner tangential relationship with pair of eyeglasses  170 . Sun shielding device center section  140  may rest on top of nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) of pair of eyeglasses  170  and sun shielding lens  130  may rest between nose pads  172  and lenses  174  of pair of eyeglasses  170  thereby creating a connection between eyeglasses  170  and sun shielding device  110 . Sun shielding lens  130  is curved to protect user&#39;s  180  peripheral vision and to conform the curvature of user&#39;s  180  face. Sun shielding lens  130  and frame  120  in horizontal cross section define an arch thereby allowing sun shielding lens  130  to be placed behind pair of eyeglasses  170  and to snugly fit user&#39;s  180  face. Since pair of eyeglasses  170  generates a substantially straight line and sun shielding device  110  is curved, pair of eyeglasses  170  and sun shielding device  110  only touch/connect at the sun shielding device center section  140  and nose pads  172  within the particular embodiment of  FIG. 4 . The  FIG. 4  embodiment demonstrates where there may be more points of contact. Sun shielding lens  130  and frame  120  preferably extend from sun shielding device center section  140  inwardly towards user&#39;s  180  face and away from pair of eyeglasses  170  and lenses  174  at such a favorable angle thereby snugly fitting user&#39;s  180  face and preventing sun shielding device  110  and sun shielding lens  130  from interfering with pair of eyeglasses  170  and lenses  174 . Sun shielding lens  130  preferably comprises a slightly smaller width than pair of eyeglasses  170  to easily fit behind pair of eyeglasses  170 . As previously mentioned, sun shielding device  110  may be attached to pair of eyeglasses  170  by sliding sun shielding lens  130  between nose pads  172  and lenses  174  of pair of eyeglasses  170 , or by attaching sun shielding device  110  with attacher  300  placed at sun shielding device center section,  140  or sun shielding device  110  may not be attached to pair of eyeglasses  170  at all. 
     Sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  may be sold as kit  1000  comprising the following parts: at least one frame  120 , at least one sun shielding lens  130 , at least one retaining cord  150  optionally having at least one cord adjuster  160 , and at least one set of user instructions. Sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing flowchart  550  illustrating a method of use  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use  500  is disclosed herein comprising the following steps: step one  501  sliding sun shielding device  110  behind pair of eyeglasses  170  so that sun shielding device center section  140  may rest on top of nose pads  172  (or preferably nose pad arms) of pair of eyeglasses  170  and sun shielding lens  130  may rest between nose pads  172  and lenses  174  of pair of eyeglasses  170 ; step two  502  adjusting cord adjuster  160  to tighten retaining cord  150  so that sun shielding device  110  is tightened against user&#39;s  180  face; and step three  503  optionally adjusting cord adjuster  160  to loosen retaining cord  150  so that sun shielding device  110  is removed from user&#39;s  180  face. 
     The method of using the sunglasses for existing eyeglasses device  100  may further include step four  504 , attaching sun shielding device  110  to bridge  176  of pair of eyeglasses  170  with attacher  300  situated at sun shielding device center section  140 . 
     It should be noted that steps three  503  and four  504  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.