Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Temples
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-05-15
Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Temples
C351S153000, C016S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231181
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to eyeglasses having removable temple pieces. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to substantially invisible, quick-connect attachment structures for connecting and removing eyeglass temple pieces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A need presently exists for eyeglasses having temple pieces which are quickly and easily removable and reconnectable. Such eyeglass systems will preferably allow the user to quickly and conveniently (a) interchange temple pieces of different fashion, look, and/or style, (b) exchange fashion wear temple pieces with more durable sports-type or safety-type temple pieces (with secure side shields, if desired), and (c) attach temple pieces of different size and/or shape for growing children or for different users. Moreover, the releasable attachment mechanism will preferably be both very secure but easily releasable by simple finger operation.
Although certain types of removable temple structures have been suggested heretofore, these prior systems have not met the needs mentioned above and have typically had numerous other significant shortcomings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,511, for example, discloses a rather complicated, two-part temple piece requiring the installation of a visible intermediate “connector” of significant size. U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,581 discloses temple pieces having visible hook structures on the ends thereof which must be attached to permanent, visible T-shaped hinges molded onto the sides of the lens frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,637 discloses a three-piece attachment system consisting of a visible “female member” molded onto the side of the lens frame, a visible intermediate “male member” which snaps into the female member, and an outer ear piece which is attached by a hinge pin to the outer end of the “male member.” U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,792 discloses a two-piece temple structure consisting of a visible forward segment permanently attached to the side of the lens frame and a rearward ear piece which is hinged to the forward segment by means of a spring arm visibly extending along the top of the ear piece. U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,728 discloses a two-piece temple structure consisting of a visible front piece hinged to the side of the lens frame and an ear piece which locks on to the front piece by means of a visible locking structure.
Thus, the prior systems suggested heretofore typically include visible connecting structures and/or visible intermediate connecting pieces which (a) significantly and undesirably affect the look and operation of the eyeglass system, (b) allow only the rearward ear portion of the temple piece to be truly interchangeable, (c) do not provide both easy installation and secure attachment, and/or (d) do not allow simple finger operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the needs and alleviates the problems discussed hereinabove. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for releasably attaching a one-piece temple directly to a lense frame, the one-piece temple having a forward end and the lense frame having a hinge and hinge pin provided thereon. The apparatus comprises: (a) grasping means, at the forward end of the one-piece temple, for releasably, pivotably, and directly grasping the hinge pin such that the forward end of the one-piece temple is positioned directly adjacent to the lense frame and the grasping means is substantially hidden from outside view and (b) finger-operatable actuating means for actuating the grasping means to selectively release and pivotably grasp the hinge pin.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for releasably attaching a temple to a lense frame comprising: an insert structure pivotably attached to the lense frame; a cavity provided in the forward end of the temple for receiving the insert structure; and holding means for releasably retaining the insert structure in the cavity. When the insert structure is retained in the cavity, the forward end of the temple is positioned directly adjacent the lense frame such that the insert structure is substantially hidden from outside view.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for releasably attaching a one-piece temple directly to a lense frame comprising: a slot provided in a side of the lense frame and a hinged connector provided at the forward end of the one-piece temple. The hinge connector is releasably snappable into the slot.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
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Brown Dennis D.
Dang Hung Xuan
Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens
QR Spex, Inc.
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