Abstract:
Ornamental eyewear includes a jewelry article adapted for attachment as an extension of the temple arm on conventional eyeglasses. The jewelry extension grips the temple arm with a quick-release spring-biased clamp and in turn supports one or more elongated strands of jewelry-type decorations such as beads, charms and other adornment. A decorative boss abuts one side of the spring loaded clamp and extends beyond the jaws of the clamp to hide and provide visual balance to the attachment point.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,406 filed Jun., 16 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,213, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/688,037 filed Jul. 26, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,459, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/637,195, filed on Apr. 8, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,988. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is jewelry, more particularly jewelry which is adapted for wearing as attached adornments about the user&#39;s head. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Jewelry articles which are used for adornment are commonly attached on or about the head area of the person using the jewelry. Traditionally, earrings have been a popular jewelry article of this type and are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles. However, one factor which influences the design of earring-style jewelry is that the size and weight of the jewelry are somewhat limited by the fact that the jewelry is directly attached to the user&#39;s earlobe. Even when pierced-ear-style attachments are used, earrings which are either too heavy or large in size would both be uncomfortable and prone to being tugged on when contacting other objects. Another form of jewelry for use in the head area which has been used is known as “hair extensions.” Hair-extension jewelry usually consists of an elongated decoration, such as a string of beads or other charms, or may even include additional strands of the user&#39;s own hair. Usually, the wearer&#39;s hair is braided using a technique known as “corn-rowing” to form a tight, thin braid which is likewise called a “corn-row” braid. In order to attach the elongated decoration, the end of the corn row braid is fitted with an attachment point, and the elongated decoration is attached thereto. While hair extensions are a popular form of jewelry, they are somewhat limited in application, since the user is required to adopt a particular hair style and is required to perform a fairly time-consuming preparation. Further, the actual decorative part of the hair extension may extend well below the head and onto the user&#39;s shoulders, and thus may not achieve the sought-after result when a decoration for the user&#39;s head is desired. 
     Thus, the known forms of jewelry for use on or about the user&#39;s head are each associated with various limiting factors. Further, since jewelry design also includes a component of artistic expression, a need exists for new and imaginative ways utilizing jewelry which overcomes the limitations of prior forms for using such jewelry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A jewelry article according to the present invention is particularly adapted for use with an eyeglass frame. 
     The jewelry article includes a gripping member comprising a spring-biased clamp having jaws that may be opened against a force of the spring-biasing to receive the temple arm of the eyeglass frame and an attachment member extending downward from the spring-biased clamp. A decorative escutcheon is attached to the side of the spring-biased clamp to overlay the spring-bias clamp adjacent to the outside of the temple arm when the temple arm is received by the spring-biased clamp. At least one elongated decorative strand has a first end which is affixed to the attachment member of the spring-biased clamp and a second end which is free-hanging under gravity from the gripping where the gripping member and elongated decorative strand form a unitary jewelry article which is removably attached onto said single temple arm so as to depend therefrom as a single-sided extension of the eyeglass frame. 
     It is one object of the invention to provide secure support for relatively long decorative jewelry from an eyeglass frame. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide the decorative aspects of a hair extension without the need for the user to adopt a particular hairstyle or perform time-consuming preparation as is required for hair extensions. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an attractive yet quick means of attaching such jewelry items to eyeglass frames such as may be provided by the clamp and escutcheon. 
     These objects, together with other objects and advantages, will be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. The full scope of the invention is not limited to such descriptions, but is set forth in the claims below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a jewelry article according to the invention in use; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line  2 — 2  of FIG. I; 
     FIGS. 3 a - 3   e  are plan views showing a construction sequence for the jewelry article of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the jewelry article of FIG. 1 in an alternative orientation of use; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a jewelry article according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a jewelry article according to a third embodiment of the invention being used in a first operative configuration; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the jewelry article of FIG. 6 being used in a second operative configuration; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of the jewelry article of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the jewelry article of FIGS. 6-8; 
     FIGS. 10 a - 10   d  are detailed views of alternative attachment anchors which may be used as a part of the jewelry article according to the third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a jewelry article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of the jewelry article of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of a jewelry article according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the anchor of the embodiment of FIG. 12 from a front side normally exposed to view; 
     FIG. 15 is a figure similar to FIG. 14 from a rear side adjacent to the user&#39;s temple; and 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along lines  16 — 16  of FIG.  14 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an article of jewelry  10  according to the present invention is adapted for use in conjunction with an eyeglass frame  11  worn by the user. In that regard, the jewelry article  10  has the appearance of being an adjunct to, and an extension of, the eyeglass frame  11 , and for that reason is referred to as a “glass extension”. As with other jewelry forms, the jewelry article  10  is an artistic decoration which permits adornment of the user in a new and innovative manner. Eyeglasses are usually worn out of necessity, either for correction of visual acuity or for reduction of brightness and glare (i.e., sunglasses) and are normally regarded as being undesirable from an appearance standpoint. However, the jewelry article  10  now provides the wearer a new form of personal expression since the jewelry article  10  may be formed with a wide variety of jewelry styles and arrangements within the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the eyeglass frame  11  includes temple arms  12  extending from the front of the frame to the top, and possibly around behind the user&#39;s ear  13 , with the temple arms terminating in an open end  14 . The jewelry article  10  includes a gripping member  20  which is slidably receivable over the open end of the temple arm  12  to be positioned on the temple arm  12  forward of the user&#39;s ear  13 . Because the jewelry article  10  according to the invention is formed as a unitary jewelry item, the jewelry article  10  may be used individually on only one temple arm  12  as illustrated in this embodiment, or alternatively may be used in either matched or unmatched pairs on both temple arms  12 . Further, the unitary construction of the jewelry article  10  also permits attachment of multiple glass extensions  10  in an unbalanced fashion on the temple arms  12 . For example, two or three glass extensions  10  may be placed on one temple arm  12  while the other temple arm is left without any. Thus, the wearer is free to express either a symmetrical or asymmetrical appearance by altering the number and order of jewelry article  10  on the temple arms  12 . 
     Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gripping member  20  includes a main body  21  which cinches the ends of an elastic-cord material  22  to form an elastic loop  23  extending upwardly from the main body  21 . The gripping member  20  also includes a small loop  25  which is preferably formed of a malleable metal extending downwardly from the main body  21 . The loop  25  radially encircles an intermediate closed ring  26 , so that the loop  25  and the intermediate closed ring  26  together form an attachment member for securely attaching one or more elongated decorative strands  30  which form the visually attractive part of the jewelry article  10 . Alternatively, the attaching member may be formed as a second downwardly depending elastic loop, or without the ring  26  such that the terminal loop  36  is directly attached to loop  25 , although the preferred structure is the aforementioned combination of loop  25  and ring  26 . Gripping members  20  of this general type have been known to be used in pairs to form retaining necklaces for eyeglasses and are adaptable for use in this invention as described in detail below. For example, so called “eyeglass holders” suitable for use as the gripping members  20  in this invention are available from River Gems and Findings of Albuquerque, N.M. The intermediate closed ring  26  may be formed as a solid torus of metal or other suitable material, or may alternately be formed as a so-called “double ring,” where a metallic wire is wrapped twice around in a circle. In the preferred form, small jeweler&#39;s double-rings may be used, such as those available from Darice, Inc., of Strongsville, Ohio. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated decorative strands  30  may be formed in a wide variety of known jewelry styles. In the illustrated embodiment, two elongated decorative strands  30  are shown, each of which is formed as a combination of beads  31  and assorted charms  32  strung together by interlinked jewelry wire  33 . Alternatively, other suitable connectors can be used, including jewelry pins, thread, string, chain and bead cord. The jewelry wire  33  passes through hollow centers of the beads  31  and charms  32  along the length of the elongated decorative strands  30 . Links between adjacent sections of the jewelry wire  33  are formed by bending the ends of the jewelry wire to form interlocking loops  35 . Likewise, each elongated decorative strand  30  is preferably connected to the intermediate closed ring  26  by bending the topmost end of the jewelry wire radially around the intermediate closed ring  26  to form a terminal loop  36 . The other end of each elongated decorative strand  30  may, for example, be terminated with one of the charms  32 , also attached by forming a loop in the jewelry wire  33  around a corresponding loop (not shown) on the desired charm  32 . 
     With the connections as described above, note that the elongated decorative strands  30  are securely affixed onto the intermediate closed ring  26 . While some types of releasable jewelry clasps are known, such clasps are usually small and frail, and would thus be prone to failure given the weight and tugging forces that the elongated decorative strands  30  may be subjected to. Furthermore, releasability between the elongated decorative strands  30  and the gripping member  20  is not required in this invention, since the entire combination of the gripping member  20  and the securely attached elongated decorative strands  30  forms a unitary jewelry item which is designed to be changed only as a unit, e.g., by being slid on and off of the temple arm  12  of the eyeglass frame  11 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 a - 3   e,  the preferred construction of the jewelry article  10  can now be described. As mentioned above, a preferred form for the gripping member  20  is a prefabricated eyeglass holder, which is manufactured with a closed eye-loop depending from the main body. This closed eye-loop may be pried open with a small jeweler&#39;s pliers to present an open loop as shown in FIG. 3 a . Then the intermediate closed ring  26  (such as the above mentioned commercially available “double ring” as illustrated) is placed over the open loop as shown in FIG. 3 b,  and the loop may then be bent back to the closed position as shown in FIG. 3 c.  In a similar manner, the topmost link of each elongated decorative strand  30  is first opened and placed over the intermediate closed ring  26  as shown in FIG. 3 d,  and then closed to complete the attachment as shown in FIG. 3 e.  Referring to FIG. 4, people who wear eyeglasses sometimes desire to move the eyeglasses from the operative position directly in front of their eyes, to a holding position where the front of the eyeglass frame  11  rests atop the wearer&#39;s head. This is a common expedient, particularly when sunglasses or “reading-only” eyeglasses are used. This popular use of eyeglasses is not only readily accommodated, but in fact the jewelry article  10  according to the present invention continues to provide an adorning quality even though the eyeglass frame  11  has been moved to a non-operative position. In particular, since the joint between the gripping member  20  and the elongated decorative strands  30  is free to swivel, the elongated decorative strands  30  will still be drawn under gravity to an approximately vertical orientation. The elongated decorative strands  30  will also still be approximately in the same general area of the wearer&#39;s head, and thus continue to provide the desired accentuating effect. 
     Referring to FIG. 5 in another preferred form of the invention, a coupling member  40  attaches to the gripping member  20  using one or more intermediate rings  26 . The coupling member  40  may be formed with three or more apexes  41   a - 41   c,  as in the triangular shape shown. The coupling member  40  itself is preferably decorated, as by engraving of a pattern or image, or by painting or other accentuating through the use of color although it is shown as a simple shape for simplicity. Such decorative coupling members  40  have been known and used in the art for other jewelry purposes. Each apex  41   a - 41   c  of the coupling member  40  includes a hole for use as an attachment point. The hole in apex  41  a of the coupling member  40  attaches to the intermediate ring  26  for connection to the gripping member  20 , while the holes in the other apexes  41   b  and  41   c  each connect to a single decorative strand  30 . 
     The embodiment of FIG. 5 further contemplates that the decorative strands  30  may terminate in a releasable clasp.  45 , such as the illustrated “lobster-claw” clasp, as it is known in the art. Of course, any other type of releasable jewelry clasp may be used as well. By terminating with the releasable clasp  45 , the jewelry article  10  in this embodiment is supportive of conventional jewelry accessories  46   a - 46   d,  which might have been used, for example, in conjunction with the previously-known hair extensions. One factor which has contributed to the popularity of hair extensions has been the ability to collect many different strands, charms, and other jewelry attachments to permit the wearer to personalize their appearance and to vary their appearance from time to time. Consequently, many people have already acquired a collection of such personalized hair-extension type accessories  46   a - 46   d,  and these can now be used with the jewelry article  10  by attachment to the releasable clasp  45 . For example, if a person had previously used traditional hair extensions, but no longer does so because of a change in hair style, or because of the painstaking and time-consuming preparation required, the same hair-extension accessories  46   a - 46   d  can now be used without regard to hair style and with negligible preparation. In fact, drawn-back or short hair styles all but preclude the use of traditional hair extensions, but go particularly well with glass extensions  10  since the jewelry is all the more visible. Thus, the invention provides an alternative use of hair-extension type accessories  46   a - 46   d  which may otherwise be seldom used or obsolete. 
     Still referring to FIG. 5, when fitted with the releasable clasp  45 , the strands  30  are preferably formed with a length shorter than the ultimately desired length, since the attachment of further devices  46   a - 46   d  is expected to add some length. Typically, the strands  30  in this form of the invention may be from two to eight inches in length from the attachment member to the releasable clasp  45 . Also, when multiple strands  30  are used, the releasable clasps  45  may be offset from one another by forming the strands  30  with different lengths. The difference in length may be only a small amount, as illustrated, so that the clasps  45  do not interfere with each other, or may be a greater difference in length to provide a greater contrasting appearance between the strands. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an alternative jewelry article  10 a according to another novel embodiment is readily convertible between two different operative configurations. The alternative jewelry article  10   a  includes three different gripping members  20   a - 20   c  which are arranged to permit the glass extension to be used in both a first operative configuration as a single-sided glass extension, and in a second operative configuration as a combined double-sided glass extension and eyeglass holder. In the first operative configuration (FIG.  6 ), the jewelry article  10   a  is attached to a single temple arm  12  of the wearer&#39;s eyeglass frame  11  by the third gripping member  20   c , and includes two or more decorative strands  30  which drape to one side of the wearer&#39;s head. Thus, in the FIG. 6 configuration, the jewelry article  10   a  has an appearance much the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and provides all of the previously described advantages of the basic glass-extension invention. However, the modified jewelry article  10   a  also includes first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b,  respectively, which are each disposed along one of the strands  30 . When the jewelry article  10   a  is worn as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  are relatively unobtrusive, being somewhat obscured by other attachments, as will be described in detail later. 
     Referring primarily to FIG. 7 and 8, the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  permit the jewelry article  10   a  to be converted to the second operative configuration, in which the jewelry article  10   a  has separate utility as an eyeglass retainer, as well as continuing to provide a decorative glass extension appearance. In this configuration, the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  are each attached to opposite temple arms  12  on the wearer&#39;s eyeglass frame  11 , and the previously attached third gripping member  20   c  is detached and left loose. The aforementioned two strands  30  remain connected at the junction where they attach to the third gripping member  20   c,  and thus in effect form a continuous strand, or necklace portion  50  extending behind the wearer&#39;s neck  51 . The necklace portion  50  formed by the strands  30  permits the jewelry article  10   a  to function as a conventional eyeglass retainer if the eyeglass frame  11  is removed from the operative position (FIGS. 7 and 8) and draped down the user&#39;s chest in the conventional manner (not shown). 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-9. the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  attach to the strands  30  at points towards the end of each respective strand  30 , but far enough back from the ends of the strands  30  so as to leave a terminal end  55  on each strand  30 . Thus, the terminal end  55  of each strand  30  extends beyond the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b,  respectively. In the first operative configuration of FIG. 6, the terminal ends  55  fall under gravity to appear as straightline extensions of the upper portions of the respective strand  30 . Decorative charms, beads, or other adornment, shown generally as jewelry attachments  58 , are preferably attached to each strand  30  at the attachment point for the respective first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b,  and serve to both provide a decorative effect and to make the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  less readily noticeable. Then, when the jewelry article  10   a  is worn in the configuration of FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminal ends  55  pivot around the attachment points for the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  to hang approximately vertically, and combine with the necklace portion  50  to appear as glass extensions extending from both temple arms  12 . Thus, the jewelry article  10   a  is convertible from a single-sided glass extension which is decorative only, to a double-sided glass extension which is both decorative and functional (e.g., as an eyeglass retainer). 
     Referring primarily to FIGS. 6,  8  and  9 , note that the attachment points for the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  are preferably offset from one another. This arrangement serves to distribute the jewelry attachments  58  which accompany the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  and therefore provide a generally improved appearance when the jewelry article  10   a  is worn in the FIG. 6 configuration. Consequently, the third gripping member  20   c  will lie offset slightly from the exact back of the wearer&#39;s neck  51  when worn in the configuration of FIGS. 7 and 8. The offset of the third gripping member  20   c  in the latter configuration has no significant detrimental effect, but is merely a consequence of the unequal lengths of the strands  30  between the third gripping member  20   c  and the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b.  Even though some degree of offset is preferred, the invention fully contemplates that the amount of offset may be varied more or less from that which is shown, and may even be eliminated to position the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  at symmetrical positions along the strands  30  with respect to the third gripping member  20   c.    
     Referring now to FIG. 9, the set of jewelry attachments  58  may include any combination of fixed and removable decorative attachments, including charms, mounted stones or gems and other extending strands, such as removable jewelry attachment  58   a  illustrated. Fixed attachments may be made using any known expedient, including double rings  60  extending through chain links or any other convenient attachment point. Note that the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  are illustrated as being cinched, double-elastic loops, where an attachment ring  60   a  may even be used as an attachment point by encircling one of the elastic loops which is ultimately used to grip the temple arm  12  in the second operative configuration of FIGS. 7 and 8. A releasable clasp (not shown) may also be provided at these points for the attachment of other hair-extension type jewelry as described above in relation to FIG.  5 . 
     In general terms, the necklace portion  50  of the jewelry article  10   a  includes an attachment anchor  70  which serves to provide an attachment point for the third gripping member  20   c  and thus to separate the two strands  30 . In FIG. 9, the attachment anchor  70  is shown as using a decorative coupling bead  71  which fixedly links into the chain which forms the strands  30 . Of course, any equivalent attachment may be used without necessarily using the decorative coupling bead  71 . For example, FIGS. 10 a - 10   d  illustrate several alternative preferred forms for the attachment anchor  70 . In FIG. 10 a,  a triangular shaped decorative coupling member  40 , similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 5, may be used as the attachment anchor  70 . In that case, both strands  30  may be fixedly attached onto two different comers of the coupling member  40 , and the third gripping member may likewise be fixedly attached onto the third corner. 
     The invention also contemplates that the third gripping member  20   c  may be releasably attached to the jewelry article  10   a,  as shown in FIGS. 10 b - 10   d,  in which case the third gripping member  20   c  can be removed when not needed, e.g. in the second, or eyeglass retainer configuration (FIGS.  7  and  8 ). The releasable attachment may be formed either as a releasable clasp  45  fixed onto the strands  30  which engages a fixed loop  67  on the third gripping member  20   c  (FIG. 10 b ), or as a releasable clasp  45  fixed onto the third gripping member  20   c  which engages a fixed loop  68  connecting the strands  30  (FIG. 10 c ). In these cases, the attachment anchor  70  is the portion which is fixedly attached to and forms a part of the necklace portion  50 , e.g., the clasp  45  and ring  60  of FIG. 10 b,  but only the ring  60  of FIG. 10 c.    
     In FIG. 10 d,  another form of releasable attachment for the third gripping member  20   c  is shown. In this case, the attachment anchor  70  is formed by two stopping members  72   a  and  72   b  which are connected together by an intermediate strand  74 . A smaller diameter releasable jewelry clasp  45   a,  when attached around the intermediate strand  74 , is held captive between the two stopping members  72   a  and  72   b,  illustrated as larger diameter beads in FIG. 10 d.  The attachment anchor  70 , (intermediate strand  74  and beads  72   a  and  72   b ) are attached in-line between the strands  30  to complete formation of the necklace portion  50 . The jewelry clasp  45   a  may be, for example, a circular clasp with a spring loaded semicircular arm  75  which is retractable to expose an open segment. Clasps of this type are generally known for attaching jewelry of various kinds. The clasp  45   a  is fixed onto the third gripping member  20   c.  When attached over the intermediate strand  74 , the clasp  45   a,  and thus the attached third gripping member  20   c,  are free to slide laterally along the intermediate strand  74 , but are held captive between the beads  72   a  and  72   b.  It should be understood that in addition to the illustrated beads  72   a  and  72   b,  other types of stopping members may be used, provided that the clasp  45   a  is not able to pass over them. This permits the user a wide variety of decorative pieces to be used as the stopping members  72   a  and  72   b.  The attachment of FIG. 10 d  is therefore particularly advantageous in that when the jewelry article  10   a  is used in the configuration of FIG. 7 and 8, the third gripping member  20   c  may be removed completely, and even though the attachment anchor  70  remains as a part of the necklace portion  50 , it has a wholly decorative appearance without fixedly attached clasps or rings. Further, the length of the intermediate strand  74  may be varied from a short length (under an inch) to provide fairly precise positioning of the strands  30 , to longer lengths of several inches, which permit the strands  30  to be repositioned by sliding the clasp  45   a  along the intermediate strand  74  to provide different effective lengths and offsets for the strands  30 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 10 a - 10   d,  it should further be appreciated that the combination of the third gripping member  20   c,  the attachment anchor  70 , and the depending decorative strands  30  are sufficient within themselves to define a glass extension. In other words, even though these elements have been described in the context of a convertible jewelry article  10   a  as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, the same elements may be used alone to form a single-sided glass extension, as in the other embodiments described herein. For example, other embodiments of glass extensions according to the invention may be formed using a gripping member (e.g., gripping member  20   c ) and an attachment anchor  70  coupled to two or more decorative strands  30 , without necessarily including the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  since these elements alone define a glass extension. If the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  are not used, and the attachment anchor  70  is fixedly attached onto the gripping member  20   c,  then these embodiments would be similar to the other embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 and may be used in the same manner and with the same variation (e.g., terminating in a releasable clasp  45  as in the embodiment of FIG.  5 ). However, when the attachment anchor  70  is releasably attached to the gripping member  20   c  as in FIGS. 10 b - 10   d,  then the glass extension: formed has the further advantages of both interchangeability and the ability to combine multiple attachment anchors onto a single gripping member  20   c.  Thus, the attachment anchors  70 , with their attached strands  30 , may be readily exchanged between gripping members  20   c,  or alternatively combined onto a single gripping member  20   c  to create a glass extension with a greater number of strands, and therefore a fuller and more dense appearance, and this may be accomplished:without necessarily including the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b.  In addition, due to the releasable nature of the connection between the third gripping member  20   c  and the attachment anchor  70 , other jewelry attachments, such as shown at  46   a - 46   d,    58 , or  58   a  are also usable with a single sided glass extension based on the third gripping member  20   c  and releasable attachment anchor  70  of FIGS. 10 b - 10   d.    
     Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment of the glass extension is shown as jewelry article  10   b,  and may be formed in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 and  10   a - 10   d,  but with the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b  disposed at the ends of the strands  30 . The jewelry article  10   b  also includes the third gripping member  20   c  which is attached and used in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 and  10   a - 10   d,  although it is not visible in the views of FIGS. 11 and 12. Since the jewelry article  10   b  does not have the terminal ends  55  as in the previous embodiment, additional decorative strands  80   a - 80   c  are attached at spaced locations extending down from the first and second gripping members  20   a  and  20   b.  These decorative strands  80   a - 80   c,  in effect, take the place of the terminal ends  55  of the previous embodiment, to provide a glass extension appearance when used in both the first operative configuration as a single-sided glass extension (not shown), and in the second operative configuration as a combined double-sided glass extension and eyeglass holder (FIG.  11 ). 
     Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, in yet another embodiment of the invention, the gripping member  20   c  is attached to the temple arm  12  behind a decorative escutcheon  80  positioned adjacent to the temple of the user when the glass frame  11  is in the operative position so that the escutcheon overlies the gripping member  20   c.    
     Referring to FIG. 16, the gripping member,  20   c  may thus be a spring-biased clamp having jaws  82  pivoting about a pivot  84  to be urged to a closed position about the temple arm  12  by action of torsion spring  86 . The insides of the jaws  82  contacting the temple arm  12  may be lined with a resilient material  88  so as to prevent damage or scratching of the temple arm  12 . The jaws  82  may be released as shown by jaw  82  in phantom in FIG. 16 by a pressing of jaw wings  90  extending away from the pivot  84  on the opposite side of the jaws  82  themselves. 
     Referring now to FIG. 16, one jaw wing  90  closest to the escutcheon  80  may include an aperture  92  through which a ring  26  is inserted in a manner analogous to the embodiments previously described. A locking clasp  45  may connect to ring  26  to be followed by one or more additional rings  26  in an interlinking chain configuration to be finally connected to the jewelry strand  30 , the latter which may be subject to the many variations previously described. As seen in FIG. 14, the escutcheon  80  serves to provide an attractive visual focus for the point of attachment between the jewelry item  10   c  and the temple arm  12  and hides the mechanism of the gripping member  20   c  having a greater bulk than the elastic loop  23  previously described. Nevertheless, it will be apparent that the gripping member  20   c  may be readily released or attached to the temple arm  12 . 
     When the gripping member  20   c  is attached to the temple arm  12 , the escutcheon  80  extends above and below the temple arm  12  and thus is generally centered along the temple arm  12  providing improved visual balance while substantially covering the gripping member  20   c  from view.