Patent Publication Number: US-RE37530-E

Title: Method and kit for attaching side shields to eyeglass temples

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method for mounting safety shields onto eyeglass temples and a kit for carrying out that method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional safety spectacles include side safety shields which are removably affixed. However, the case often arises where the employers do not want the employees removing the safety shields. 
     In the situations where the employer prefers that the shields be permanently affixed, the primary methods of attachment have been rivets, screws, lock-nuts or adhesives. In the prior art systems, the use of screws have required that holes be drilled in the temples of the glasses which has various drawbacks. Cutting a hole through the temple weakens the temples and often the temples break during drilling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,679 discloses a pair of safety spectacles having removable side shields. Flanges of the side shield are snapped over the temple of the glasses. This is disadvantageous, as repeated placement and removal of the shields weakens the shield&#39;s flanges, and eventually the flanges will snap and the entire side shield must be replaced. Moreover, an employee can easily remove the shields, even if the employer requires the shields to be worn. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,490 discloses side shields which are permanently fastened to a pair of eyeglasses without the use of screws or adhesives. However, the attachment means are formed integrally with the side shields. Thus, not only is removal difficult, but once the shields are removed, they are not designed to be used again. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,754 teaches separate means for removably attaching the shields to temples of a pair of glasses. The attachment means comprise a support member having hooks for engaging a lens frame and a pair of sidewardly extending support arms which contact the top and bottom surfaces of the hinge between the temples and lens frame. The attachment means must be connected to the eyeglass frame and temples by a screw. Thus, simple installation is not possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention makes it possible to secure side shields to the temples of a pair of glasses in such a manner that the shields cannot easily be removed and without the need to drill holes in the temple. In one preferred embodiment, the side shields are attached to the temples by a screw which fits into a bore formed in a member attached to the temple. With this embodiment, the side shields are “permanently” fastened to the temple in the sense that the screw must be removed in order to remove the side shields. 
     The method according to one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a temple of an eyeglass frame which has a member attached thereto, the member having a threaded bore formed therein. In accordance with the method, the side shield is attached to the temple by: 
     (a) placing the temple in a channel formed in part of the side shield; and thereafter 
     (b) attaching the temple to the channel with a screw which is inserted into the threaded bore. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the side shield is initially placed in its operative position before the screw in inserted into the opening to fasten the side shield in the operative position. 
     The kid according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: 
     (a) a side shield having a longitudinally extending channel into which a longitudinally extending eyeglass temple may be inserted, said channel having an open lateral end through which said temple may be inserted and a supporting lateral wall against which said temple may be supported and an opening through which a screw may be passed to extend into said channel; and 
     (b) a member affixed to the temple and having a threaded bore formed therein for receiving a screw passed through said channel. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the side shield is initially placed in its operative position before the screw is inserted into a fastener that is placed into the transverse open end of the channel in the side shield to prevent the temple from freely moving within the channel of the side shield in the operative position. 
     The method according to a second embodiment of the invention utilizes a side shield having an elongated channel with a side wall, said method comprising the steps of: 
     (a) placing said temple in said channel adjacent said side wall; and thereafter 
     (b) securing said temple against said side wall using a lock washer arrangement. 
     The kit according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: 
     (a) a side shield having a longitudinally extending channel into which a longitudinally extending eyeglass temple may be inserted, said channel having an open lateral end through which said temple may be inserted and a supporting lateral wall against which said temple may be supported and an opening through which a screw may be passed to extend into said channel; and 
     (b) a lock washer capable of being placed into said channel with opposite ends of said lock washer extending through respective openings formed in said top and bottom walls, said lock washer having a threaded bore formed therein; and 
     (c) a screw adapted to be screwed into said threaded bore of said lock washer so that, when a temple is located in said channel, and said lock washer is inserted into said openings formed in said top and bottom walls, an end of said screw will press said temple against said lateral side wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings several forms which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of glasses having safety shields mounted thereto using a first embodiment of a kit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed partially exploded perspective view showing the manner in which the right side of the safety shield is secured to the right temple of the eyeglass frame of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2A is a detailed partially exploded perspective view showing a modification of the embodiment depicted in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view showing the manner in which the left side of the safety shield is secured to the left temple of the eyeglass frame of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3, wherein the screw has been inserted into its operative position. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 showing a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed partially exploded perspective view showing the manner in which the left side of the safety shield is secured to the left temple of the eyeglass frame in a second alternative of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 8 showing the manner in which the left side of the safety shield is secured to the left temple of the eyeglass frame of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed partial perspective view showing the manner in which the left side of the safety shield is secured to the left temple of the eyeglass frame which prevents the side shield from being moved longitudinally along the eyeglass temple. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 8 showing the manner in which the left side of the safety shield is secured to the left temple of the eyeglass frame of FIG. 6 in a modification of the second alternative of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1, a pair of eyeglasses  10  which have been made into safety glasses by the addition of side shields  12  coupled to the temples  14  of the eyeglass frames  16  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     The kit includes specially adapted temples  14  (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) which include a member  18 , containing a threaded bore  20 , which is either integrally formed on, or otherwise affixed to, the temple  14  of the eyeglass frame  16 , a pair of side shields  12 , a pair of connecting screws  22  for fastening the side shields  12  to the temples  14 , and a pair of washers  24  (preferably made of plastic) for placement between the screws  22  and an opening  28  formed in the top of the side shields  12 . The member  18  extends outwardly from the temples  14  so that the bore  20  does not weaken the temples. In the preferred embodiment, the side shields  12  wrap around the side and a portion of the top of the eyeglasses  10 . 
     A longitudinally extending channel  26  is formed in each side shield  12  as best shown in FIG.  3 . The channels  26  extend along a longitudinal axis and are adapted to closely receive a respective temple  14  of the eyeglass frame  16 . Before the screw  22  is inserted into an opening  28  formed in the side shield  12 , the temple  14  sits loosely within the channel adjacent a lateral side wall  27 . See FIGS. 2 and 3. In the preferred embodiment, the channel  26  is formed integrally with the side shield  12 . If desired, however, the channel  26  may be formed separately and connected to the side shield  12  by any appropriate means. 
     Four detents  30  (FIG. 6) are formed in the open lateral end  32  of the channel  26  to temporarily hold the temple  14  within the channel  26  before the side shield  12  is “permanently” attached to the temple  14  by insertion of the screw  22  into the opening  28  and the bore  20 . Since the space between detents  30  is preferably smaller than the height of the temple  14  the temple is preferably inserted into the channel  26  in a position perpendicular to that illustrated in FIG.  3  and is then rotated into the position illustrated. Before the side shield  12  is “permanently” attached to the temple  14 , it is placed in its operative position illustrated in FIG.  3 . In this position, the front of eye shield  12  should be aligned with the front of the frame  16 . Since the temple  14  fits loosely within the channel  26 , the side shield  12  can easily be moved longitudinally along the temple  14  into the operative position. In the preferred embodiment, a lip  34  (FIG. 3) is formed on the front edge of the side shields  12  to partially cover the front of the eyeglass frame  16 . Once the side shield  12  has been moved into the operative position, it is permanently fastened to the temple  14  by inserting the screw  22  into the opening  28  and the member  18 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the member  18  having a threaded bore  20  formed therein is preferably integrally formed on the temple  14 . Alternatively, it can be otherwise affixed to the temples  14 . For example, the member  18  having a threaded bore  20  formed therein may be removable from the temple  14  as shown in FIG.  2 A. By providing for a member  18  with a threaded bore  20  formed therein, it is not necessary to form any slots or holes in the temple  14  itself which would structurally weaken the temple  14 . Additionally, there will be no unsightly hole in the temple  14  if the side shields  12  are removed since the member  18  is located on the inside of the temple  14  adjacent the wearer&#39;s head and is not seen when the glasses are worn. 
     The primary purpose of the opening  28  and the member  18  is to act as a receiving means for the screw  22  as the screw  22  is inserted into the threaded bore  20 . The screw  22  operates to fasten the temple  14  and the side shield  12  elements together. Particularly, as the screw  22  is moved through the washer  24  and the opening  28  it is screwed into the threaded bore  20 , and finally rests within the threaded bore  20  as shown in FIG. 4 between the temple  14  and the side edges  36 ,  38  (see FIG. 4) of the side shield  12  with the result that the temple  14  will become securely tightened into the channel  26 . This captures the temple  14  within the channel  26  and makes it impossible to slide the channel  26  relative to the temple  14 . The connection is not fully permanent since the screw  22  can be removed from the opening  28 , at least with the aid of a tool such as a screwdriver. 
     To assist in the insertion process, the member  18  comprising the threaded bore  20  is located in a position directly beneath the opening  28  formed in the side shield  12 . 
     Most people wearing eyeglass frames do not carry screwdrivers which are necessary to insert and remove the screw  22  from the opening  28  affixed to the temple  14 . As an alternative to the first embodiment, it is often desirable to provide an easier means for inserting or removing a screw  22  from the opening  28  to fasten or take off the side shields  12 . 
     In an alternative embodiment a thumbscrew  40  is used in lieu of a screw  22  to enable the user to more easily fasten or take off the side shields  12  from the eyeglass frames  16  with a thumb and index finger. 
     A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6,  7 , a and  9  (the complete side shield  12  and its associated channel  26  are not illustrated). In this embodiment it is possible to fasten the side shields  12  to either a standard temple (or a specially adapted temple) of an eyeglass frame  44 . The kit of this embodiment includes a pair of side shields  12 , a pair of thumbscrews  40  for coupling the side shields  12  to the temples  14 , and a pair of lock washers  42  which are adapted to fit into openings  32 ,  33  formed in the bottom and top walls of the channel  26  respectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown herein, the lock washer  42 , the thumbscrew  40  and the openings  32 ,  33  cooperate to form a lock washer arrangement which attaches the side shield  12  to the temple and which prevents longitudinal movement of the temple  44  relative to the side shield  12 . See FIG. 6,  7  and  8 . 
     Before the thumbscrew  40  is inserted into the lock washer  42 , the temple  14  preferably sits loosely, but closely fitted, within the channel  26 . Since the space between detents  30  is smaller than the height of the temple  14  (as best shown in FIG.  6 ), the temple is preferably inserted into the channel  26  in a position perpendicular to that illustrated in FIG.  6  and is then rotated into the position illustrated. Before the side shield  12  is “permanently” attached to the temple  14 , it is placed in its operative position illustrated in FIG.  6 . In this position, the front of the eye shield  12  should be aligned with the front of the frame  16 . Since the temple  14  fits loosely within the channel  26 , the side shield  12  can easily be moved longitudinally along the temple  14  into the operative position. 
     Once the side shield  12  has been moved into the operative position, it is permanently fastened to the temple  14  by inserting the lock washer  42  into the openings  32 ,  33  in the bottom and top walls and then inserting the thumbscrew  40  into the lock washer  42  as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The thumbscrew  40  is inserted perpendicular to the fastener  42  (FIG.  7 ). 
     The thumbscrew  40  and the opening  41  in the lock washer  42  are preferably threaded. The thumbscrew  40  operates to fasten the temple  14  and the side shield  12  elements together. Particularly, as the thumbscrew  40  is secured into the lock washer  42  it pushes the lock washer  42  against the edge of openings  32  and  33  and forces the temple  14  against the lateral side wall  27  of the channel  26 . This captures the temple  14  within the channel  26  and makes it impossible to slide the channel  26  relative to the temple  14 . Of course, the connection is not fully permanent since the thumbscrew  40  can be removed from the lock washer  42  with a thumb and index finger or other tool such as pliers or a wrench. 
     To assist in the insertion process, the lock washer  42  is preferably thin and rounded at the edges so as to allow it to fit between the temple  14  and the openings  32 ,  33  (See FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 ). 
     In a modification to the second embodiment, it may be aesthetically desirable to utilize a screw  46  as a means for fastening the washer  42  to the side shields  12 . In this modification shown in FIG. 9, a screw  46  enables one to fasten or take off the side shields  12  from the eyeglass frames  16  with a screwdriver or other tool. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.