Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-05-01
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S048000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224207
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a clip-on sunglass assembly and particularly to a flip-up sunglass clip. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a flip-up sunglass clip wherein the application of the flip-up sunglass clip to the spectacles is readily controlled by the consumer and easily mountable to a variety of spectacles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most known types of clip-on sunglasses include a pivotable or “flip-up” feature however, those available often times require the user to remove his ordinary spectacles in order to attach the auxiliary or clip-on sunglasses thereto. This is usually accomplished by slipping the top portion of the spectacle frame between one or more pairs of fixed resilient clamping prongs or fingers which form part of the assembly and comprises the flip-up sunglasses. Having to remove ones spectacles to attach the auxiliary sunglasses can be of great inconvenience especially when driving an automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,497 issued to LaBlanc illustrates one known type of “flip-up” sunglasses. This configuration for sunglass lenses is adapted to removably clip onto the spectacles in a manner which permits the lenses to be moved between one of two stable positions, an operative position where the sunglasses are positioned within a line of sight and an inoperative position wherein those lenses are in a remote position from the line of sight. In order to position the “flip-up” sunglasses on a users spectacles, the clamping arms are pivoted with respect to one another so as to permit the grasping of the spectacles therebetween. The clamping members are fixedly positioned with respect to one another and an upper region of the clamping mechanism and include a torsion spring which exerts a rotational force against an upper limit of the clamping members in order to clamp the spectacles of the user therebetween. This continued torsional force acting on the clamping mechanisms can often become warn and consequently not provide the requisite torsional force in order to maintain the sunglasses in a fixed position with respect to the spectacles. Furthermore, continued manipulation of the torsional spring and particularly over extension of such a torsional spring can prematurely lessen the life of the flip-up sunglass clip.
In an effort to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, a clip for mounting sunglass lenses to spectacles is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,749 issued to Shelton. Therein, the torsional spring is replaced with a “c” shaped spring which retains the members of the clamping mechanism together and provides the requisite torsional force to the clamping members in order to clamp the sunglass structure to the spectacles of the user. However, again, continued manipulation of the sunglass clip over time will eventually where the “c” shaped spring thus resulting in an inadequate force being applied to the spectacles in order to maintain their position with respect thereto. Additionally, the “c” shaped spring may be easily damaged due to misuse by children should the biasing mechanism be overextended.
Clearly, there is a need in the art for a clip-on sunglass mechanism which may be easily and reliably manipulated by the consumer yet one which resists over flexing and destruction due to misuse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings associated with the prior art devices.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a clip-on sunglass attachment which is readily and reliably manipulated by the consumer using a single hand.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a clip-on sunglass attachment which requires no pre-preparation by the consumer prior to applying the clip-on sunglasses to existing spectacles.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a clip-on sunglass attachment wherein the clip-on sunglasses may be readily positioned on a users spectacles by merely compressing and releasing the attachment.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a clip-on sunglass attachment wherein the mechanism for attaching the sunglass attachment to the spectacles clamps the spectacles utilizing direct pressure rather than pivotal clamping-type pressure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sunglass attachment which can withstand some misuse by the consumer. Particularly, one which is not readily damaged due to over extension of the clamping mechanism.
The foregoing advantages as well as others are achieved by providing a clip-on sunglass assembly for positioning clip-on lenses with respect to spectacles worn by the consumer including a central body, a first pair of clamping arms extending from the central body with the first pair of clamping arms including a central region and arm extensions, a second pair of clamping arms extending from the central body, the second pair of clamping arms also including a central region and arm extensions in an opposed position with respect to the first pair of clamping arms, a support rail for supporting the lenses mounted on the central body and a spring for biasing the central regions of the first and second pair of clamping arms in a first direction and the arm extensions of the first and second clamping arms in a second direction for securing the clip-on sun glass assembly with respect to the spectacles.
In an embodiment of the clip-on sunglass assembly in accordance with the present invention, the support rail is received in a recess formed in the central body such that the spring contacts the support rail for maintaining the lenses in one of an operative and inoperative position with respect to the spectacles. Further, the clip-on sunglass assembly includes a central bore formed in the central body intersecting the recess for receiving the spring. In order to accomplish this, the second pair of clamping arms are movable with respect to the central body. Particularly, the central region and the arm extensions of the second clamping arm are separated by transition links extending substantially perpendicular to the central region and the central body includes guide recesses for receiving the transition links of the second clamping arm for guiding the movement of the second clamping arm with respect to the first clamping arm. Further, the first clamping arm is formed as an integral part of the central body.
These, as well as additional advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in light of the several figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3147488 (1964-09-01), Maxson
patent: 3531188 (1970-09-01), LeBlanc et al.
patent: 3575497 (1971-04-01), LeBlanc
patent: 3876295 (1975-04-01), Loughner
patent: 4163607 (1979-08-01), Nannini
patent: 5100224 (1992-03-01), Terrasi
patent: 5164749 (1992-11-01), Shelton
patent: 5696571 (1997-12-01), Spencer et al.
patent: 5793463 (1998-08-01), Hirschman et al.
Mai Huy
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Studebaker Donald R.
Yorktowne Optical Company, Inc.
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