Patent Publication Number: US-2013235330-A1

Title: Eyewear with interchangeable attachment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to eyewear and more particularly to an interchangeable eyeglass attachment used in conjunction with conventional eyeglasses in order to adjustably retain the eyeglasses on the head of the wearer. The attachment includes a clip assembly and an adjustable strap, which help mount the eyeglasses to the head of the wearer. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Millions of people wear eyeglasses everyday. From reading glasses, to glasses used while viewing a computer screen, to fashionable sunglasses, it&#39;s common for wearer&#39;s to have multiple pairs of eyeglasses at any given time for use in a variety of different circumstances. These circumstances include but are not limited to the wearing of safety eyeglasses, or prescription eyeglasses worn during sports, during high exertion activities or physically demanding work environments. However, wearing eyeglass in their conventional form in many of these circumstances s jeopardizes the safety and security of the wearer. Conventional eyeglasses include temple side supports, which minimally secure the glasses behind a wearer&#39;s ears. Activities that involve physical exertion or movement of the head cause these eyeglasses to move making it difficult to see, easy to fall off and possibly break. For a construction worker, surgeon or truck driver, the ability to see cannot be compromised or life threatening safety concerns are presented. However, it is not always necessary for these workers to wear glasses that are highly secured, and the flexibility to alternate between conventional use and additional security and safety is ideal. The present invention contemplates this disadvantage with conventional eyewear and the safety and security of eyeglass use, by providing an interchangeable attachment that may adjustably secures to the head of the wearer or be worn by conventional means about the wearer&#39;s ears. 
     In addition, safety concerns regarding talking on the telephone while driving have become scrutinized and are the topic of much legislation. Most states now require hands-free cell phone use, meaning the use of a headset or earpiece while driving and for other purposes. For conventional eyeglass wearers this is another gadget that needs to adapt within the general vicinity of the wearer&#39;s ears. As we all know, earpieces are flimsy and difficult to maintain within the ear. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by incorporating an earpiece holder within the eyeglass attachment. 
     While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter. 
     It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable eyeglass attachment used in conjunction with conventional eyeglasses in order to adjustably retain the eyeglasses on the head of the wearer. 
     It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable eyeglass attachment that provides users with the flexibility to wear eyeglasses in a conventional means about their ears, or in a more permanent means adjustably secured about their head. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient means of interchanging between uses, using an improved clip assembly of the eyeglass attachment. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an eyeglass attachment having an integrally coupled earpiece holder allowing for safe hands-free cell phone use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, eyewear is disclosed including a pair of eyeglasses having at least one lens having an outer peripheral edge for positioning at least partially in front of a wearer&#39;s eyes. The eyeglasses include a frame for securing the eyeglasses against the wearer&#39;s face, and the frame includes a nose bridge coupled thereto for positioning against the bridge of the wearer&#39;s nose. The frame includes two spaced-apart side ear-stems pivotally connected to the outer peripheral edges of the lens and they extend along the temples of the wearer. The ear-stems include a distal end having a fixed substantially oval catch having a curved hinge that gradually tapers downwardly to an end tip. 
     The eyewear includes a pair of removable tips each removably connected to the corresponding distal end of the ear-stem for conventionally wearing the eyeglasses about the ears of the wearer. The tips include a hollow cavity member having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch having an abutment surface bordering the notch. The notch receives the corresponding catch of the ear-stem such that the end tip is engaged by the abutment surface. 
     The eyewear includes an interchangeable attachment means that is removably connected to the distal ends of the ear-stems for non-conventionally wearing the eyeglasses about the head of the wearer. The attachment means includes a pair of clip assemblies each including a fastener, a removably strap tip, and a pin having an outwardly facing end. The removable strap tip includes a hollow cavity member having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch having an abutment surface bordering the notch for connecting to the catch of the associated ear-stem. The notch of the strap tip receives the corresponding catch of the ear-stem such that the end tip is engaged by the abutment surface of the strap tip. The removable strap tip includes a circular flange having an aperture and the fastener includes an opening and a substantially circular flange having a centrally positioned aperture. When the aperture of the strap tip and the aperture of the fastener are vertically aligned, they are coupled together about the pin. 
     The attachment means includes an adjustable strap integrally coupled between the clip assemblies for securely mounting the eyeglasses to the head of the wearer. The strap includes a pair of elongated members each having a substantially flexible elongated rectangular portion having an inwardly facing side, a securing end and a free end. The inwardly facing side contains hook and loop fastener integrally affixed thereto. When securing end threads through the opening of the fastener of the clip assembly a rivet easily secures it to oneself. 
     The attachment means further includes an earpiece holder integrally coupled to the outwardly facing end of the pin and includes a substantially circular bulb having a substantially circular aperture and a channel extending to the associated aperture. 
     In accordance with an additional eyewear embodiment, a pair of eyeglasses including at least one lens having an outer peripheral edge is contemplated. The eyeglasses include a frame having a nose bridge and two spaced-apart side ear-stems pivotally connected to the outer peripheral edges of the lens. The ear-stems include a distal end having a fixed catch. 
     The eyewear includes a pair of removable tips each removably connected to the corresponding distal end of the ear-stem and includes a hollow cavity member having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch having an abutment surface bordering the notch. 
     The eyewear further includes an interchangeable attachment means having an adjustable strap means integrally coupled between a pair of clip assemblies each including a removable means for connecting with the fixed catch of the ear-stems. The fastening means connects to the adjustable strap. The pin pivots the removable means and fastening means about an axis. The attachment means includes an earpiece holding means for securing a wire of an earpiece to the attachment means. 
     The catch of the eyewear is substantially oval and has a curved hinge that gradually tapers downwardly to an end tip. 
     The notches of the removable tips of the eyewear receive the corresponding catches of the ear-stems such that the end tips are engaged by the abutment surfaces. 
     The removable means of the eyewear further includes a removable strap tip having a hollow cavity member having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch having an abutment surface bordering the notch for connecting to the catch of the associated ear-stem. When the notch of the strap tip receives the corresponding catch of the ear-stem the end tip is securely engaged by the abutment surface of the strap tip. 
     The removable strap tip of the eyewear includes a circular flange having an aperture and the fastener includes an opening and a substantially circular flange having a centrally positioned aperture. When the aperture of the strap tip and the aperture of the fastener are vertically aligned, the pin couples them together. 
     The adjustable strap means of the eyewear includes a pair of elongated members each including a substantially flexible elongated rectangular portion having an inwardly facing side, a securing end and a free end. The inwardly facing side contains hook and loop fastener integrally affixed thereto. 
     The securing ends of the elongated members of the adjustable straps of the eyewear thread through the openings of the fastener of the clip assembly and secure to the securing ends by a rivet. 
     The earpiece holding means of the eyewear is integrally coupled to the outwardly facing end of the pin and includes a substantially circular bulb having a substantially circular aperture and a channel extending to the associated aperture. 
     In accordance with an additional embodiment, an interchangeable eyewear attachment is presented for use with eyeglasses having a pair of ear-stems. The attachment includes an adjustable strap means integrally coupled between a pair of clip assemblies each including a removable means for connecting with the ear-stems. The attachment further includes a fastening means for connecting to the adjustable strap, and a pin for pivoting the removable means and fastening means about an axis. The pin includes an earpiece holding means for securing a wire of an earpiece to the attachment means. 
     In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, a method of wearing the eyewear is presented such that a wearer may alternate between conventional wear about a wearer&#39;s ears and non-conventional wear about a wearer&#39;s head. The eyewear has integrated earpiece capabilities. The method includes releasing the removable tips from the ear-stems by depressing the end tips of the catches within the hollow cavity members and pulling the hollow cavity members away from the ear-stems in a substantially parallel direction. Next a wearer connects the removable strap tips of the attachment means to each of the corresponding catches of the ear-stems by extending the catch within the hollow cavity member parallel to the extension of the ear-stems. After which, a wearer installs at least one earpiece wire within the earpiece holder by depressing the wire of the earpiece through the channel until the wire is secured within the circular aperture. Next, the wearer releases the removable strap tips from the ear-stem by depressing the tips of the catches within the hollow cavity members and pulling the hollow cavity members away from the ear-stems in a substantially parallel direction. Lastly, the wearer re-connects the removable tips to the catches of the ear-stems by extending the catches within the hollow cavity members parallel to the extensions of the ear-stems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention related to eyewear having interchangeable eyeglass attachment as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of conventional eyeglasses adapted for use with the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of the present invention having side ear-stems having removable end tips; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the side ear-stem showing the actuation of removal of the removable tip from the ear-stems of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the side ear-stem wherein the removable tip is detached from the ear-stem of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top elevational view of the adjustable strap, clip assemblies and earpiece holder of the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is an isometric exploded view of the clip assembly of the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of  FIG. 3A  connecting with the catch at the distal end of the ear-stem; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric exploded view of the clip assembly of the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of  FIG. 3A  showing the pivot and pivot axis of the assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric exploded view of the pin of the clip assembly of the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of  FIG. 3A  shown integrally coupled to the earpiece holder; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric exploded view of the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of  FIG. 3A  showing the earpiece holder retaining a wire of an earpiece; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a person wearing eyeglasses having the interchangeable eyeglass attachment of  FIG. 3A  secured about their head. 
     
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an eyeglass attachment  10  used in conjunction with a variety of different pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses in order to adjustable retain the eyeglasses on the head of the wearer. In its broadest context, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the attachment means  10  includes an adjustable strap  70  and a pair of clip assemblies  60  having at least one earpiece holder, which help mount the eyeglasses  12  to the head  11  of the wearer. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment,  FIG. 1  illustrates eyeglasses  12  including at least one lens  14 , having an outer peripheral edge  14 A, for positioning at least partially in front of a wearer&#39;s eyes  16 , and a frame  18  for securing the eyeglasses against the wearer&#39;s face  20 . The frame  18  of the illustrated embodiment includes a nose bridge  22  coupled to the frame  18  for positioning on the bridge of the wearer&#39;s nose  24 , and two spaced-apart side ear-stems  26  connected to the outer peripheral edges  14 B of the lens  14  by a pivotal hinged mount  28 . The ear-stems  26  extend along the temples  25  of the wearer. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the ear-stems  26  include a distal end  26 A having a fixed catch  32 . 
     The eyeglasses  12  as disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and alternate eyeglasses and eyewear, including but not limited to sunglasses, monolithic lenses, bifocals, and frameless glasses are contemplated for use with the present attachment  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the eyeglasses  12  include a pair of removable tips  34  removably connected to the distal ends  26 A of the ear-stems  26 . The removable tips  34  complete the distal ends  26 A of the ear-stems  26  while in conventional use, such that the eyeglasses  12  can be worn normally about the ears  15  of the wearer. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a user can remove the tips  34  and interchange them with the adjustable strap  50  of the attachment  10  as desired and discussed in further detail infra. The removable tips  34  include a hollow cavity member  36  having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch  38 . The distal ends  26 A of the ear-stems  26  include the catch  32  adapted to be received within the notch  38  of the removable tip  34  when the catch  32  is extended within the hollow cavity member  36  generally parallel to the extension of the ear-stems  26  as illustrated by arrow  37 . The catch  32  is substantially oval shaped and includes a curved hinge  32 A that gradually tapers downwardly  32 B to an end tip  42 . Once received within the notch  38 , the catch  32  is substantially prevented from moving and thus the ear-stem  26  is substantially fixed within the removable tip  34 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the hollow cavity member  36  provides an abutment surface  44  bordering the notch  38  that is engaged by the end tip  42  of the catch  32 . To release the removable tip  34  from the ear-stem  26 , a user gently depresses the end tip  42  of the catch  32  within the hollow cavity member  36  and gently pulls the hollow cavity member  36  away from the ear-stem  26  in a substantially parallel direction as depicted by arrow  37 . 
     The catch  32  provides for removal and interchangeability from the removable tip  34  to the removably strap tip of the adjustable strap  50 , such that a wearer has the flexibility to wear the eyeglasses  12  secured semi-permanently about their ears  15  when utilizing the removable tips  34  or more permanently about their head  11  when utilizing the adjustable strap  50 . 
     The attachment  10  is best shown in  FIG. 3A  and includes a pair of clip assemblies  60  having earpiece holders  90  and an adjustable strap  50  connected therebetween for securely mounting the eyeglasses  12  to the head  11  of the wearer. The adjustable strap  50  includes a pair of elongated members  52  adapted to adjustably attach to one another by a hook and loop fastener  53 . Each member  52  includes a substantially elongated rectangular portion of flexible fabric having an inwardly facing side  54 , a securing end  56  and a free end  58 . The inwardly facing sides  54  contain hook and loop fastener  53  integrally affixed thereto. The securing ends  56  each thread through an opening  62  within the fastener  76  of one of the clip assemblies  60 , and are secured unto oneself near the securing end  56  by a rivet  64 . 
     Each clip assembly  60  has three members including the fastener  76 , a removably strap tip  70 , and a pin  82 . The removable strap tip  70  connects the adjustable strap  50  to the catch  32  of the associated ear-stem  26 . The removable strap tip  70  is integrated within each clip assembly  60  and is substantially similar in configuration to the removable tips  34 . The removable strap tip  70  includes a hollow cavity member  72  having a substantially rectangular downwardly facing notch  74 . The catch  32  of the distal ends  26 A of the ear-stems  26  receive the notch  74  of the removable strap tip  70  when the catch  32  is extended within the hollow cavity member  72  generally parallel to the extension of the ear-stems  26  as illustrated by arrow  71  in  FIG. 3B . Once received within the notch  74 , the catch  32  is substantially prevented from moving and thus the ear-stem  26  is substantially fixed within the removable strap tip  70 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the hollow cavity member  72  of the strap tip  70  provides an abutment surface  75  bordering the notch  74  that is engaged by the end tip  42  of the catch  32 . To release the removable strap tip  70  from the ear-stem  26 , a user gently depresses the tip  34  of the catch  32  within the hollow cavity member  72  and gently pulls the hollow cavity member  72  away from the ear-stem  26  in a substantially parallel direction opposite the direction of arrow  71 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the clip assembly  60  includes a pivot  66  or hinge providing a pivot axis  68 . Each pivot  66  includes the removable strap tip  70  providing part of the hinge and including a circular flange  80  having an aperture  82 . The fastener  76  provides the other part of the hinge and includes a substantially circular flange  84  having a centrally positioned aperture  86  and the flange extending outwardly to the opening  62 . The aperture  82  of the strap tip  70  and the aperture  86  of the fastener  76  are vertically aligned and coupled together by the pin  88 . The adjustable strap  50  pivots about the axis  68  to achieve optimum mounting and comfort about a wearer&#39;s head. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pin  88  is preferably made of a flexible plastic material and includes an outwardly facing end  88 A having an earpiece holder  90 . The earpiece holder  90  is a substantially circular bulb having a substantially circular aperture  92  and a channel  94  extending to the associated aperture  92 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a wearer depresses the wire  100  of an earpiece  102  through the channel  94  until the wire is secured within circular aperture  92 . The earpiece holder  90  provides the eyeglass wearer with the ability to listen to music or talk on the telephone in a hands free manner without interference with their eyeglasses. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented eyewear having an interchangeable eyeglass attachment. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.