Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention relates to eyeglass temples and covers for eyeglass temples. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    The prior art teaches disposable plastic sleeves that are used to cover and protect existing glasses from damage in particular situations. The cover can be used to protect glasses during shipping, during hair treatments, or while working in hazardous environments. The prior art does not teach covers that change the aesthetic appearance of the underlying glasses to a new more desired appearance. 
         [0009]    Kosakowski Des. 389,853 teaches an Eyeglass Sidebar Protector. The Protector is a sleeve that fits over the stem of a pair of eyeglasses. No clasp is taught. The patent is silent as to the materials. 
         [0010]    Lizzi U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,217 teach an Eyeglass Frame Protector Dispensing System and Method. The system includes coverings formed on sheets. No clasp is taught. The coverings are made of lightweight, flexibly formed plastic. 
         [0011]    Barfus-Shanks et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,158 teach a Protective Cover for Eyeglass Temple Pieces and Method. To begin, Barfus-Shanks et al. provides a survey of the prior art. A soft tubular member for protecting the eyeglass sidepiece is provided. An elastic member is provided on the distal end of the tubular member. The elastic member helps to secure the soft tubular member to the stem. The material more distal than the elastic member can be pulled back on the sleeve. No clasp is taught. The stem is a fully actuated stem before the tubular member is added. The tubular member is merely an additional protection. The material of the tubular member is not silicon. 
         [0012]    Ross U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,355 teaches a Comfortable Eyeglass Cover. The eyeglass cover is a hollow tube made of felt. An elastic member is included in the cover to help hold the cover on the eyeglass temple. No clasp is taught. The cover is an auxiliary cover. The material is not silicon. No holes are taught nor are they suggested because felt is inherently porous. 
         [0013]    Taber U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,409 teaches an Eyeglass Frame with Integral Channel to Receive Decorative Inserts. The frame also inserts to be slid into a channel in the temple of the eyeglass frame. The inserts change the appearance of the eye frame. No clip is taught. The insert does not slide over the temple. The insert is not silicone. 
         [0014]    Mendola U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,128 teaches an Eyeglass Frame Ornamentation. More specifically, Mendola teaches a clip that holds ornamentation on the frame. The clip is not integral to the frame. The clip works like a clam shell grasping the eye frame. The clasp does not have a pin to secure the ornament to the temple. The temple does not have hole to receive such a pin. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an eyeglass temple assembly that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and to provide an interchangeable cover for changing the appearance of eyeglasses. 
         [0016]    An object of the invention is to provide an eyeglass assembly that can have a customizable appearance. 
         [0017]    A further object of the invention is to provide an eyeglass assembly that has similar dimensions, for example, temple thickness as traditional, unchangeable eyeglasses. 
         [0018]    A further object of the invention is to provide an eyeglass assembly with a locking mechanism for an interchangeable cover that appears as closely as possible as non-customizable eye frame. 
         [0019]    A further object of the invention is to provide an eyeglass assembly that can receive customizable covers made of silicone plastic to complement a brand of watches with interchangeable silicone plastic watch bands. 
         [0020]    With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an eyeglass temple assembly. The eyeglass temple assembly is configured to receive, support, and fasten an eyeglass temple cover. The eyeglass temple includes an arm, a clasp, and a pin. 
         [0021]    The eyeglass temple assembly includes an arm, which may also be known as an eyeglass stem or an eyeglass temple. The arm is configured to be connected to an eyeglass rim. Typically, the arm is configured to connect to the eyeglass rim is done by attaching part of a hinge to an inner surface of the arm. Eyeglass rim is meant to mean the front piece of eyeglasses. In eyeglasses with a rim, eyeglass rim can include the plastic rim surrounding the lens. In rimless eyeglasses, the eyeglass rim may be the lens itself. The arm ends with an earpiece for resting on the top of a wearer&#39;s ear. The arm has an arm socket formed therein. The arm socket may be formed only into a partial depth of the arm. Alternatively, the arm socket may be made completely through the arm. 
         [0022]    The arm is configured, that is it has a size and shape that allow the eyeglass temple cover to be inserted over the arm. 
         [0023]    A pin disposed is removably insertable into the arm socket. The pin is configured to insert into an opening, also referred to as a socket, in the eyeglass temple cover when the eyeglass temple cover is installed. When the cover is installed, the socket in the cover and the socket in the arm are configured to overly each other. When the pin is inserted through the cover and the arm, the cover is held in place on the arm. 
         [0024]    A clasp can be connected to the pin. The clasp overlaps the arm and is configured to overlap the eyeglass temple cover when the cover is inserted. The clasp can help to secure the cover by sandwiching at least a layer of the cover between the arm and the clasp. 
         [0025]    The eyeglass temple assembly can include a clasp hinge. The clasp hinge connects, and preferably interconnects, the arm and the clasp. The hinge allows the clasp and pin to be moved relative to the arm. By moving relative to the arm, the pin can be inserted into and retracted from the arm socket. Inserting the pin locks the cover on the arm and removing the pin unlocks the cover. 
         [0026]    A ball can be disposed on the pin. The ball is narrower (i.e. has a smaller diameter) than the arm socket. By being smaller, the ball fits within the arm socket. The shape of the ball tends to help the pin seat within the socket even if the socket is bent slightly out of perfect alignment. By being a ball mounted on a post, the cover tends to seat between the surface of the ball facing the clasp. The cover is then held between the ball and the clasp. 
         [0027]    The clasp can be placed on an exterior, lateral surface of the arm to decorate the eyeglasses. Each arm has an external, lateral surface: e.g. the left arm has a left external surface and the right arm has a right external surface. When the clasp overlaps the external lateral surface, the clasp can decorate the eye frame. The clasp can be ornamented, for example, with a brilliant. The clasp can also be ornamented with branding and/or a logo. 
         [0028]    The eyeglass temple assembly can be made of a thin sheet. The sheet can be made of metal or plastic. Because the arm will be covered with the cover, the arm can be narrower than the ultimate width when a cover is in place over the arm. Because the arm without a cover is narrower than a typical arm, the arm may be so narrow that it is uncomfortable when worn without a cover. 
         [0029]    The eyeglass temple assembly can be made so that the clasp is integral to the arm. This contrast auxiliary and after market clasps and protectors. A part of the clasp hinge can be formed integrally (i.e. not removable) on the arm. The part of the clasp can be welded, glued, forged, or otherwise adhered to the arm. 
         [0030]    In embodiments where the clasp is integral with the arm, the arm can be intended to be used only with a cover in place over the arm. To keep the overall width of the cover and arm within normal limits, the arm may be narrower than a prior-art arm. Accordingly, the arm can be eight tenths of a millimeter or narrower (&lt;0.8 mm). A most preferred width is seven tenths of a millimeter (0.7 mm). 
         [0031]    In accordance with a further object of the invention, a cover for changing an aesthetic of an eyeglass arm is provided. The cover is a plastic sleeve that has a passage with an opening formed therein, like a sock. The cover is slid over the arm of the eyeglass. The earpad of the arm is fed in the hole in the cover. The shape of the passage complements the shape of the eyeglass arm. The sleeve has a sleeve socket formed in the sleeve. The sleeve socket is configured and located on the sleeve to receive the pin of the arm. When the pin is inserted in the sleeve socket, the sleeve is secured on the eyeglass arm. 
         [0032]    The plastic sleeve can have a further sleeve socket located on an opposite side of the passage from the first sleeve socket. The pin on the arm can be inserted through both sleeve sockets. 
         [0033]    The plastic sleeve is formed of a flexible material that is pliable enough to be inserted on the arm. The cover can be made of silicone. The cover can be made of leather. 
         [0034]    The sleeve can include an air hole reaching the passage. The air hole should be located distally compared to the hole for inserting the arm. The air hole allows air caught in the passage to escape as the arm is inserted. The air hole allows air to enter the passage as the arm is removed from the cover. A plurality of holes can be included along the length of the passage. 
         [0035]    The plastic sleeve of the cover can have a notch formed therein. The notch abuts the opening in the sleeve. The notch is configured to receive at least part of a hinge disposed on the eyeglass arm. Eyeglass arms typically have at least a part of a hinge disposed on their inner surface. The hinge joins the arm to the front of the eye frame. The notch in the sleeve allows the sleeve to slide up the entire length of the arm so that the entire arm is covered. 
         [0036]    The plastic sleeve can be textured. For example, a bumpy or grip-improving texture can be imparted on the outer surface of the sleeve. The texture can be imparted by molding the sleeve. The texture can be included to impart a desired ornamental quality to the sleeve. 
         [0037]    Ornaments can be disposed in the cover. Ornaments can be molded into the cover as well. 
         [0038]    In accordance with the objects of the invention, an eyeglass temple assembly with a changeable appearance is provided. The assembly combines the arm and cover that were described previously. 
         [0039]    The eyeglass temple assembly (i.e. the arm and the cover) can be intended always to be used together. In such a case, the cover is not an aftermarket accessory. The cover completes the arm. The arm can include and integrally formed clip hinge. The arm can be made narrower than a normal arm so that the assembly including the cover can have a width equaling a customary eyeglass. 
         [0040]    The arm and cover can be aftermarket or auxiliary covers that can be added to ordinary glasses. In such cases, a clip can be added to the arm. The cover is slid onto the arm and then secured by the clip. 
         [0041]    Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0042]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an eyeglass temple assembly and a cover for the eyeglass temple assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
         [0043]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic right side view of a cover according to the invention for covering a right eyeglass temple. 
           [0045]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the cover shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  is top side view of an eyeglass temple assembly according to the invention without a cover being installed; the left temple is in a folded position with a clasp in an open position; the right temple is in an unfolded position with the clasp in a closed position. 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  is a top side view of the eyeglass temple assembly shown in  FIG. 3  with the left clasp partially closed. 
           [0048]      FIG. 5  is a top side view of the eyeglass temple assembly shown in  FIGS. 3-4  with the left clasp fully closed. 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  is top side view of the eyeglass temple shown in  FIGS. 3-5  with a right cover installed and locked with the clasp and the left cover installed with the clasp unlocked. 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of the right temple shown in  FIG. 6  with the cover installed and the clasp closed. 
           [0051]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the right temple shown in  FIG. 7  with the cover installed and the clasp closed. 
           [0052]      FIG. 9  is a front side view of the cover shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 10  is a left side sectional view of the right temple shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 11  is a right side view of a right arm of the eyeglass temple assemble shown in  FIGS. 3-5  without a cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0055]    Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIGS. 1-2  and  9 - 10  thereof, there is seen an eyeglass temple cover  20 . The eyeglass temple cover  20  is in the form of a sleeve  32  with a distal opening  35 . The opening  35  allows an arm  2  to be inserted in the sleeve  32 . The sleeve  32  is shaped to complement the shape of the arm  2 . The sleeve  32  is slightly larger than the arm  2 . 
         [0056]    The eyeglass temple cover  20  has a top  29 , a bottom  30 , an inner surface  27  and an outer surface  28 . A cover earpad  26  is formed as the bottom  30  curves downward. A sleeve socket  23  is formed in the outer surface  28  for receiving a pin  14 . A further sleeve socket  34  is formed in the inner surface  27 . The sleeve sockets  23  and  34  are aligned so a pin  14  can be inserted through both. A sleeve ornament  33  is added to the outer surface  28 . In the embodiment shown, the sleeve ornament  33  is a brand name; other ornaments are possible. 
         [0057]    A texture  24  is added to the outer surface  28 . The texture  24  changes the appearance of the eyeglass temple cover  20 . The texture  24  also helps a wearer grip the eyeglass temple cover  20  when installing or removing the eyeglass temple cover  20  from an arm  2 . 
         [0058]    A notch  21  is formed in the inner surface  27 . The notch  21  complements the size and shape of a stem hinge part  36  that is disposed on the arm  2 . 
         [0059]    Three holes  22  are formed in the sleeve  32  and reach the passage  31 . The holes are formed in the sleeve proximally (i.e. rear) relative to the opening  35 . The holes  22  allow air to escape the passage  31  when the arm  2  is being inserted or removed in the passage  31 . 
         [0060]    The eyeglass temple cover  20  is made of a soft plastic material. The eyeglass temple cover  20  is made of a material including a silicone gel. 
         [0061]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the eyeglass temple cover  20  is one hundred thirty millimeters (130 mm). The height of the eyeglass temple cover  20  at the cover earpiece  26  is three and eighty-six hundredths millimeters (3.86 mm). The depth of the notch  21  is one and twenty-four hundredths millimeters (1.24 mm) deep. The notch  21  is one and ninety-nine hundredths millimeters (1.99 mm) tall. The height of the cover  20  at the distal end is seven and four hundredths millimeters (7.04 mm) tall. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 3-5  show an embodiment of the eyeglass temple assembly according to the invention. The eyeglass temple assembly includes eyeglasses  1  that have an eyeglass rim  3 . The eyeglass rim  3  connects to the arm  2  (which is also known as a temple or a stem) by a hinge. The hinge includes a hinge part disposed on the eyeglass rim  3  and a hinge part  4  disposed on an inner surface of the arm  2 . In the preferred embodiment, the hinge part  4  is soldered on the arm  2 . A screw  5  interconnects the hinge parts. The arm  2  swivels about the screw  5  relative to the eyeglass rim  3  from an unfolded position shown in the right arm  2  compared to the folded position of the left arm  2 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the arm  2  has an earpiece  6  that rests upon a wearer&#39;s ear. 
         [0063]    The arm  2  is made of metal. The arm  2  can be manufactured by stamping it from a sheet. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the passage  31  in the eyeglass temple cover  20  is approximately the same size but slightly larger than the arm  2 . In the preferred embodiment, the passage  31  is two to three millimeters (2-3 mm) larger in each dimension except length than the arm  2 . 
         [0065]    A clasp  10  is included in the eyeglass temple assembly for attaching a cover. The clasp  10  moves relative to the arm  2  to open and close.  FIG. 3  shows the left clasp  10  in an open position.  FIG. 4  shows the left clasp  10  in a partially open position.  FIG. 5  shows the left clasp  10  in a closed position. The clasp  10  includes a clasp arm  12  that connects to the hinge. A plate  13  connects to the clasp arm  12 . The plate  13  overlaps the outer later surface  8  of the arm  2 . As described below, the plate  13  sandwiches the eyeglass temple cover  20  when the cover is installed and the clasp is in the closed position; see the right arm in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0066]    The clasp  10  includes a pin  14 . The pin  14  extends inward from the plate  13 . The pin  14  is used (as described below) to fasten an eyeglass temple cover  20  onto the arm  2 . The pin  14  inserts into the arm socket  7 . In the preferred embodiment shown, the pin  14  extends through the arm socket  7 . A clasp ornament  15  is disposed on the plate  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the clasp ornament  15  identifies the manufacturer&#39;s brand. In other embodiments, the clasp ornament  15  is a brilliant. 
         [0067]    A ball  16  is provided on the end of the pin  14 . The ball helps the pin  14  to be inserted in the arm socket  7  even when the pin  14  has been bent off center. The ball  16  also prevents damage to the eyeglass temple cover  20  that could be made by the pin  14  if the pin  14  were uncovered. 
         [0068]    The arm  2  is thinner than a typical eyeglass arm. By being thinner, an eyeglass temple cover  20  can be placed over the arm  2  and the width of the cover equals a customary width of an eyeglass stem. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 6-8  show the eyeglass temple assembly with a respective eyeglass temple cover  20  installed over each of the arms  2 . To install the eyeglass temple cover  20 , the clasp  10  is opened as is shown in the left clasp  10  in  FIG. 3 . Next, the arm  2  is inserted within the passage  31  of the sleeve  32  by inserting the arm  2  into the opening  35 . The arm  2  is fully inserted when the stem hinge part  4  seats in the notch  21  in the inner surface  27  of the eyeglass temple cover  20  and when the arm socket  7  is aligned with the sleeve sockets  23  and  34 . Next, the clasp  10  is closed by moving the clasp  10  relative to the arm  2 . As the clasp  10  is moved, the pin  14  and ball  16  seat within arm socket  7  and sleeve sockets  23  and  34 . In this way, the pin  14  and ball  16  hold the eyeglass temple cover  20  on the arm  2 . 
         [0070]    A preferred embodiment of a system of interchangeable eyeglass temple covers  20  includes eyeglasses  1  with the eyeglass temple assembly according to the invention. A plurality of eyeglass temple covers  20  is included in the system. The eyeglass temple covers  20  are different from each other. The eyeglass temple covers  20  are distinguished from each other by color and/or texture. The wearer interchanges eyeglass temple covers  20  to change and customize the appearance of the eyeglass temple covers  20  the eyeglasses  1 .

Technology Category: 3