Abstract:
The invention provides eyeglasses with interchangeable and joinable ear engaging members in place of traditional temple arms and tethers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to eyeglasses and eyeglass tethers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Traditional eyeglasses have two lenses, a nose bridge, and two temple arms, and may also have a frame that surrounds all or a portion of the lenses. Eyeglass tethers may be joined to the distal ends of the temple arms, if desired, so that the eyeglasses can be worn around the neck when the glasses are not in use, or for safety purposes. However, typical eyeglass tethers may not be suitable for other styles of glasses that do not have temple arms, for example, those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,557,345; D396,052; and D377,037, which describe weighted tethers that extend over the ears, rather than temple arms.  
         [0003]     A need therefore exists for eyeglasses that combine the style and versatility of weighted tethers and the ability to wear the eyeglasses around the neck, if desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In one aspect, the invention provides eyeglasses having two lenses joined by a nose bridge at their inner rims, and ear engaging members. The proximal ends of the ear engaging members are joined to the outer rims of the lenses and are of a sufficient length and weight so as to engage each ear and dangle below it, thereby to secure the glasses on the nose of the wearer. The distal ends of the ear engaging members each have a detachable joining member that joins the distal ends of the ear engaging members. When the two detachable joining members are joined, it provides a tether for the eyeglasses such that they may be worn around the neck when not in use. In an embodiment, the detachable joining member comprises a magnet. In another embodiment, the detachable joining member comprises Velcro, a snap, a button, a hook, a zipper, a plurality thereof, or a combination thereof, for example.  
         [0005]     In an embodiment, the eyeglasses of the invention do not have a frame, such that the ear engaging members are attached directly or indirectly to the lenses. In another embodiment, the eyeglasses have a frame that is attached to at least a portion of the inner or outer rim of the first and/or second lens. The ear engaging members may be adapted for use for a multiplicity of framed and frameless eyeglass styles, including corrective eyeglasses, protective eyeglasses (e.g., sunglasses or goggles), and reading glasses.  
         [0006]     In an embodiment, the ear engaging member is detachable from the lens or the frame. The lenses and/or frame may be any suitable size or any desired shape, such as, for example, substantially oval, rectangular, square, or round.  
         [0007]     In an embodiment, the ear engaging members provide a counterweight to the eyeglasses to stabilize the eyeglasses when engaged with the ears. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  provides an illustration of a frameless embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members are not joined.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1B  provides an illustration of a frameless embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members are joined.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2A  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention comprising a frame in which the ear engaging members are not joined.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2B  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention comprising a frame in which the ear engaging members are joined.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3A  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members comprise a clasp and eye.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3B  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members comprise a hook and eye.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3C  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members comprise a button and button hole.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3D  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the invention in which the ear engaging members comprise a male and female snap. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     Referring to an embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1A , the invention provides eyeglasses  1  having two lenses  2 , 3  joined by a nose bridge  4  at their inner rims  5 , 6  and ear engaging members  7 ,  8 . The proximal ends  9 , 10  of the ear engaging members  7 , 8  are joined to the outer rims  11 , 12  of the lenses at connecting members  13 , 14  and are of a sufficient length and weight so as to engage each ear and dangle below it, thereby to secure the eyeglasses  1  on the nose of the wearer. The distal ends  15 , 16  of the ear engaging members  7 , 8  have a detachable joining member  17 , 18  that joins the distal ends  15 , 16  of the ear engaging members  7 , 8  when desired. Referring now to  FIG. 1B , when the two detachable joining members  17 , 18  are joined, it provides a tether for the eyeglasses  1  such that they may be worn around the neck when not in use.  
         [0018]     Referring to an embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2A , the invention provides eyeglasses  10  having two lenses  20 , 30 , a frame  35  comprising a nose bridge  40 , and ear engaging members  70 ,  80 . The proximal ends  90 , 100  of the ear engaging members  70 , 80  are joined to the outer rims  110 , 120  of the frame at connecting members  130 , 140  and are of a sufficient length and weight so as to engage each ear and dangle below it, thereby to secure the eyeglasses  10  on the nose of the wearer. The distal ends  150 , 160  of the ear engaging members  70 , 80  have a detachable joining member  170 , 180  that joins the distal ends  150 , 160  of the ear engaging members  70 , 80  when desired. Referring now to  FIG. 2B , when the two detachable joining members  170 , 180  are joined, it provides a tether for the eyeglasses  10  such that they may be worn around the neck when not in use.  
         [0019]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in an embodiment, the detachable joining members  17 , 18  comprise a magnet. Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3D , in other embodiments, the detachable joining members  17 , 18  comprise Velcro, a clasp, a snap, a button, a hook, a zipper, a plurality thereof, or a combination thereof.  
         [0020]     The ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  may be made of any material of a suitable weight, such as metal, glass, plastic, fabric, leather, cord, and/or ceramic. In an embodiment, the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  are made of joined beads. In another embodiment, the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  are made of chain. In an embodiment, the weight of the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  may be from about 2 ounces to about 7 ounces, preferably about 5 ounces. The length of the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  may be from about 8 inches to about 10 inches in length, preferably about 9 inches in length for example. In an embodiment, the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  are of a sufficient length such that they can be joined while the glasses are being worn.  
         [0021]     In an embodiment, the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  are detachable from the lens  2 , 3  or the frame  35 . Any suitable connecting member  13 , 14 , 130 , 140  can be used to connect the ear engaging members  7 , 8 , 70 , 80  to the lenses  2 , 3 , 20 , 30  or frame  35 . For example, the connecting members  13 ,  14 ,  130 ,  140  may comprise Velcro, a magnet, a clasp, a snap, a button, a hook, a zipper, a plurality thereof, or a combination thereof, for example.  
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0022]     The contents of all cited references (including literature references, patents, patent applications, and websites) that maybe cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of eyeglass and jewelry manufacture, which are well known in the art.  
       EQUIVALENTS  
       [0023]     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced herein.