Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2002-07-02
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S057000, C351S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06412942
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention pertains to eyewear. More particularly, this invention relates to auxiliary frames for eyeglasses and eyeglass appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,103 to Meeker discloses eyeglasses and attachable pairs of one-piece lens rim covers. According to one embodiment, a magnetic strip is provided in a groove on an inside surface of the lens rim cover. A respective lens rim on the eyeglasses is partially or entirely manufactured of magnetizable material which facilitates attachment of the lens rim covers via the magnetic band onto the rim of the eyeglasses. However, the provision of a magnetic band within a groove on a lens rim cover is relatively bulky and complex, and detracts from the aesthetic look of each lens rim cover when applied onto eyeglasses. Such problem is particularly undesirable where the eyeglasses are styled with relatively thin, low-profile lens rims.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,880 to Chao discloses a spectacle, or eyeglass, frame including a primary frame and a secondary frame having one or more magnetizable members engaged in the eyeglass frame prior to magnetizing the members. The members, engaged into the frame by excavating the frame, are then electroplated and painted such that the magnetic members are embedded in the frame. After electroplating and painting, a magnetizing machine, such as an electromagnetic machine, is used to magnetize the members within the frame so as to prevent damaging the outer appearance of the frame. However, such technique requires the excavation of holes within an eyeglass frame . The eyeglass frame comprises a substrate material, wherein the magnets are then engaged within such excavated holes. Accordingly, the resulting eyeglass frame is relatively bulky and the discrete magnets disposed therein are not always sufficiently powerful enough to retain together a primary frame and an auxiliary frame on an eyeglass frame, particularly when such eyeglass frame is utilized during rigorous activities, such as during sporting events and while running.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,568,207, 5,737,054, 5,882,101, 5,877,838, 5,883,688, and 5,883,689, all to Chao, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,811 to Chao, et al. variously disclose auxiliary lenses, eyeglass appliances, and eyeglass frames utilizing discrete magnets and/or hook members, clips, or flaps for fixation onto eyeglasses. However, numerous problems are still encountered with such devices; namely, such devices render the eyeglass frames relatively cumbersome and aesthetically unpleasing when affixed onto eyeglasses. Furthermore, there still remain misalignment problems and difficulties in mating and demating such eyeglass frames from a pair of eyeglasses.
Accordingly, there exists a need for further improved methods and apparatus for attaching auxiliary frames to primary frames, such as when attaching eyeglass frames onto eyeglasses. Particularly, there exists a need for an apparatus and method that can more easily, firmly and elegantly attach auxiliary frames to primary frames so as to present an aesthetically pleasing eyeglass device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An auxiliary frame and a primary frame/auxiliary frame eyeglass device each include a heat treated magnetic alloy to impart magnetic properties capable of affixing together an auxiliary frame and a primary frame. According to one construction, the primary frame comprises eyeglasses, and the auxiliary frame comprises a sunglass attachment. According to one construction, the heat treated magnetic alloy comprises a spinodal decomposition alloy such as an iron-chromium-cobalt alloy that is first formed into a desired object shape, then heat treated to impart desired magnetic properties to the desired object shape.
According to one aspect, an eyeglass accessory frame includes an auxiliary frame. The auxiliary frame includes a heat-treated magnetic alloy. The heat-treated magnetic alloy of the auxiliary frame is configured to magnetically couple the auxiliary frame to a primary frame having magnetizable material.
According to another aspect, an eyeglass device includes a primary frame and an auxiliary frame. The primary frame includes magnetizable material. The auxiliary frame includes a spinodal decomposition alloy that is heat treated to magnetize at least a portion of the auxiliary frame. The magnetized portion of the auxiliary frame interacts with the magnetizable material of the primary frame to magnetically couple the auxiliary frame to the primary frame.
According to yet another aspect, an eyeglass device includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes magnetizable material. A second, complementary frame includes a heat-treated magnetic alloy. The magnetic alloy of the second frame interacts with the magnetizable material of the first frame to magnetically couple together the first frame and the second frame.
According to even another aspect, a method is provided for forming a magnetic eyeglass appliance. The method includes: forming an accessory frame at least in part from a spinodal decomposition alloy; and heat treating the formed accessory frame to magnetize the spinodal decomposition alloy.
According to yet even another aspect, a method is provided for forming a magnetic eyeglass appliance. The method includes: providing an auxiliary frame having a spinodal decomposition alloy; and heat treating the spinodal decomposition alloy to magnetize the spinodal decomposition alloy.
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McKenna James Archie
Smith Greg S.
Mai Huy
Ultimate Clip, Inc.
Wells St. John P.S.
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