Patent Document

FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to sunglasses with detachable charms or other decorative accessories. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Eyeglasses are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes, normally for vision correction or eye protection. Glasses are typically supported by pads on the bridge of the nose and by temples placed over the ears. Sunglasses are glasses with lenses that are colored, polarized, or darkened. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an eyeglasses frame includes a frame front comprising end pieces, and temples coupled to the end pieces. At least one temple defines a slot for receiving a decorative or functional accessory. The accessory has a hook fastener that is inserted into the slot to removably attach the accessory to the temple. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    In the drawings: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an eyeglasses frame in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the eyeglasses frame of  FIG. 1  with detachable charms in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hook fastener for the charm of  FIG. 2  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the insertion of the hook fastener of  FIG. 3  into the slot of a temple of  FIG. 1  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses frame of  FIG. 1  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses frame of  FIG. 1  in one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    Use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an eyeglasses  100  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Eyeglasses  100  includes a frame  102  having rims  104 , a bridge  106  between the rims, and end pieces  108  (only one is visible and labeled) at the opposite far ends of the rims. Frame  102  further includes temples  110  coupled fixedly or rotatably to end pieces  108 . 
         [0013]    Each temple  110  defines a slot  112  extending through the temple. Slot  112  may be a rectangular slot. Slot  112  is flanked on one side by a temple exterior sidewall  114  and on the other side by a temple interior sidewall  116 . The width of temple exterior sidewall  114  may be thinner or thicker than the width of temple interior sidewall  116  so slot  112  is horizontally offset toward the exterior or the interior of temple  110 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of eyeglasses  100  with detachable accessories  202  and  204  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Accessory  202  may be a charm including a decorative object  206  for eyeglasses  100 , and a hook fastener  208  fixed to the decorative item. Decorative object  206  may be a piece of jewelry, a plush toy, an accessory, a logo, or other decorative objects. Hook fastener  208  is inserted into slot  112  to detachably but rigidly secures ornament  202  to eyeglasses  100 . Alternatively accessory  202  may be a flashlight, a Bluetooth device, a heads up display device, a laser pointer, a golf marker, a battery, an ear piece for cellular phone, or a neck strap attached by hook fastener  208  to eyeglasses  100 . Accessory  204  may have similar construction as accessory  202 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of hook fastener  208 , shown without decorative object  206  ( FIG. 2 ), in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Hook fastener  208  is generally shaped like a “U” and includes a hook exterior plate  306  facing away from eyeglasses  100 , a hook interior plate  308  facing into the eyeglasses, and a mid section  310  joining the hook exterior and interior plates. Hook exterior plate  306  and hook interior plate  308  are typically of same length. 
         [0016]    Hook exterior plate  306  includes an optional mount  312  that protrudes outward. Mount  312  defines an opening  314  for receiving an eyelet or post to secure hook fastener  208  to decorative object  206  ( FIG. 2 ). Instead of mount  312 , hook fastener  208  can be fixed to decorative object  206  by other methods including bonding and welding. 
         [0017]    In one or more embodiments, hook exterior plate  306  has a “V” or “U” shaped kinked end  316  that curves toward hook interior plate  308  and then away from the hook interior plate. Kinked end  316  is spring-loaded to rest against hook interior plate  308  Kinked end  316  typically has a blunt and rounded edge. In one or more other embodiments, the arrangement is reversed so hook interior plate  308  has kinked end  316  that is spring-loaded against hook exterior plate  306 . 
         [0018]    Hook interior plate  308  has an end  318  for inserting into slot  112  ( FIG. 1 ). Hook exterior plate  308  defines an opening (not fully visible) so a tool (die) can plastically deform a hollow shank of an eyelet or post to secure hook exterior plate  306  to decorative object  206  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0019]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the insertion of hook fastener  208  into slot  112  of temple  110  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 4 , when hook fastener  208  is inserted into slot  112 , kinked end  316  of hook exterior plate  306  and end  318  of hook interior plate  308  abut a leading edge of temple exterior sidewall  114 . As hook fastener  208  is further inserted into slot  112 , the slope of kinked end  316  allows the leading edge of temple exterior sidewall  114  to push against hook exterior plate  306  and hook interior plate  308  so that hook fastener  208  can slide into slot  112 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , as kinked end  316  is spring-loaded, it snaps back down against hook interior plate  308  when the kinked end slides past temple exterior sidewall  114  after hook fastener  208  is fully inserted into slot  112 . This snapback produces an audible sound (e.g., a “pop” or a “click”) that indicates to the user that hook fastener  208  is secured. The width of hook interior plate  308  substantially matches the width of slot  112  to reduce relative movements between charm  202  and eyeglasses  100 . Similarly, the length and the width of the space between mid section  310  and the point where kinked end  316  rests against hook interior plate  308  substantially matches the height and the thickness of temple exterior sidewall  114  to reduce relative movements between charm  202  and eyeglasses  100 . 
         [0021]    Once fully inserted, the shape of kinked end  316  prevents hook fastener  208  becoming unintentionally detached from temple  110 . Specifically, an intentional manual force is needed to push kinked end  316  and end  318  against temple exterior sidewall  114  to release hook fastener  208  from temple  110 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of eyeglasses  100  in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In such one or more embodiments, each temple  110  includes a proximate portion  602  near end piece  108 , a distal portion  604  away from the end piece, and a mid portion  606  coupled between the proximate and the distal portions. Mid portion  606  may have a body with the same or different height and width as the adjoining ends of proximate portion  602  and distal portion  604  to produce a continuous or varying profile for temple  110 . The body may be substantially rectangular with two short sidewalls  608  and  610  and two long sidewalls  612  and  614  that define slot  112 . Exterior sidewall  612  corresponds to the temple exterior sidewall  114  ( FIG. 1 ), and interior sidewall  614  corresponds to temple interior sidewall  116  ( FIG. 1 ). The width of exterior sidewall  612  may be thinner or thicker than the width of interior sidewall  614  so slot  112  is horizontally offset toward an exterior or interior surface of temple  110 . 
         [0023]    Tabs  616  and  618  extend from short sidewall  608 . Tab  616  has a threaded screw hole  620 . Tabs  616  and  618  are received in slots  622  and  624  (shown in phantom) in proximate portion  602 . Proximate portion  602  defines a screw hole  626  in communication with slot  622 . A screw  628  passes through screw hole  626  and engages threaded screw hole  620  to secure proximate portion  602  to mid portion  606 . 
         [0024]    Similarly tabs  636  and  638  extend from short sidewall  610 . Tab  636  has a threaded screw hole  640 . Tabs  636  and  638  are received in slots  642  and  644  in distal portion  604 . Distal portion  604  defines a screw hole  646  in communication with slot  642 . A screw  648  passes through screw hole  646  and engages threaded screw hole  640  to secure distal portion  604  to mid portion  606 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of eyeglasses  100  in one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure. In such one or more other embodiments, each temple  110  includes a temple body  702  and a cover plate  704 . Temple body  702  defines a cutout  706  from an exterior surface of the temple body into the temple body, and screw holes  708  in the cutout. Cover plate  704  includes two ridges  709  with threaded screw holes  710 . Screws  712  pass through screw holes  708  and engage threaded screw holes  710  to secure cover plate  704  to temple body  702 . Cover plate  704  corresponds to exterior temple sidewall  114  ( FIG. 1 ). Together cover plate  704  with ridges  709  and cutout  706  define slot  112  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0026]    Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention. Instead of being distinct pieces that are assembled, proximate portion  602 , distal portion  604 , and mid portion  606  may be injection molded together as an integral piece. Numerous embodiments are encompassed by the following claims.

Technology Category: 3