Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-08-07
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S121000, C002S449000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270216
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to eyeglass frames and attachments thereto such as shields. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shield for attaching to a temple piece of eyeglass frames to protect the eyes of the user. The shield is rigidly attached in a clamping fashion by a fastener. The present invention also relates to a fastener for use with eyeglass frames and their attachments wherein the fastener has a frangible portion capable of being broken off from a main portion after applying a predetermined force to the frangible portion in order to form a security screw that is not easily removed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often desired to apply safety shields to eyeglasses in order to protect the user from debris that can contact the eye from the top or sides of the eyeglasses. Typically, these shields are either too loosely connected to provide adequate protection in all circumstances or are rigidly applied to the temple pieces in a relatively elaborate manner in an eyeglass factory, requiring specialized equipment. Often it is desired to retrofit eyeglasses with rigid safety shields in the field, away from specialized equipment and eyeglass factories. Although attempts have been made in the past to provide safety shields to eyeglasses without specialized equipment and away from eyeglass factories, the resulting safety shield is generally too loosely attached to the eyeglasses, the connection is not sufficiently durable, or the temple must be especially manufactured or subject to damage in order to receive the shield.
Additionally, safety directors charged with ensuring that employees wear eyeglasses with safety shields are presented with the problem of equipping non-conforming employees with permanent eyeglass safety shields in a quick, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Previous safety shields can not be attached permanently to eyeglasses in a quick, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
Examples of these prior eyeglass frames are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,798,815 to Hirschman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,304 to Baker; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,679 to Bennett.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide improved eyeglass frames with rigidly attached shields that can be easily attached to existing eyeglasses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide improved shield for attachment to a temple piece of eyeglasses.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shield which is easy to install.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a shield that is rigidly and permanently connected to the temple piece while not destroying the eyeglasses or the temple pieces.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener for attaching the shield wherein the fastener can be applied with ordinary tools but that provides a substantially permanent, rigid connection between the shield and the eyeglass.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a shield for an eyeglass frame, comprising: a main member for protecting an eye of the user of the shield; a first shoulder extending from the main member, the first shoulder having a first hole having a first axis and extending completely through the first shoulder; a second shoulder spaced from the first shoulder and extending from the main member, the second shoulder having a second hole being coaxial with the first hole and extending completely through the second shoulder; and an elongated passageway positioned between the first and second shoulders and extending along a second axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and which is spaced from the first axis.
The foregoing objects are also attained by providing An eyeglass frame assembly, comprising: a first temple piece; a first shield coupled to the first temple piece, the first shield having a main member for protecting an eye of the user of the first shield, a first shoulder extending from the main member, the first shoulder having a first hole having a first axis and extending completely through the first shoulder, a second shoulder spaced from the first shoulder and extending from the main member, the second shoulder having a second hole being coaxial with the first hole and extending completely through the second shoulder, and an elongated passageway positioned between the first and second shoulders and extending along a second axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and which is spaced from the first axis; and a fastener extending through both the first and second holes and coupling the first and second shoulders together, the first temple piece being positioned within the passageway and between the first and second shoulders.
The objects are still further achieved by providing an eyeglass frame assembly, comprising: an eyeglass frame; an supplemental element for coupling to the eyeglass frame; and a fastener secured to the supplement element for coupling the supplemental element to the eyeglass frame, the fastener having a body, an inner head, and an outer head, the outer head being capable of separation from the body and the inner head upon the application of a predetermined force to the outer head.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1138012 (1915-05-01), Perkins
patent: 2688272 (1954-09-01), Bailey
patent: 3052159 (1962-09-01), Gross et al.
patent: 3052161 (1962-09-01), Berend
patent: 3165754 (1965-01-01), Rodgers, Jr. et al.
patent: 3505679 (1970-04-01), Bennett
patent: 3721490 (1973-03-01), Prince
patent: 4105304 (1978-08-01), Baker
patent: 4785481 (1988-11-01), Palmer, III et al.
patent: 5033837 (1991-07-01), Leonardi
patent: 5080476 (1992-01-01), Monin
patent: 5347325 (1994-09-01), Lei
patent: 5543864 (1996-08-01), Hirschman et al.
patent: 5548351 (1996-08-01), Hirschman et al.
patent: 5608469 (1997-03-01), Bollé
patent: 5668619 (1997-09-01), Bollé
patent: 5798815 (1998-08-01), Hirschman et al.
Titmus Corporation, T-LOC Brochure, Oct., 1999.
Mai Huy
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
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