Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Floating or underwater type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-29
2003-02-04
Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Floating or underwater type
C351S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06513925
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to eye wear in general. More specifically to sunglasses, safety glasses and clear lens glasses that fit tightly and float in water.
BACKGROUND ART
Previously, many types of sunglasses or devices to hold sunglasses have been developed in endeavoring to provide an effective means to prevent loss in the water. Prior art has employed adding a material to the glasses having a specific gravity of less than one when combined with the eyeglasses allowing them to float. In most cases, material has been added to the frame along the brow either permanently or in a removable manner to accommodate these desired characteristics. Others have simply employed devices that attach to conventional glasses, either to the ends of the temples or completely encase the glasses with a floatable material.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
6,059,408
Bonacci
May 9, 2000
5,495,303
Kolentsi
Feb. 27, 1996
5,488,441
Pomatti
Jan. 30, 1996
5,319,396
Cesarczyk
Jun. 7, 1994
4,934,807
Boll'e et al.
Jun. 19, 1990
Des.362,011
Kolentsi
Sep. 5, 1995
Des.336,098
Evans
Jun. 1, 1993
Des.299,034
Seahoyer
Dec. 20, 1988
U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,408 is my previous invention to which the improvements are directed. The improvements include the omission of the frame float pads adjacent to the hinges that connect the frame to the temples and an entirely different approach to the attachment of the float pads to the temples is used. Instead of simply attaching the float pads on the temples inside surface, the temples include a pair of openings in which molded float pads, that incorporate a molded reverse image of the temple openings, are forced into conformance due to the resilience of the float pads. The attachment is much like a grommet connection in that the pads exterior rests on the temples outside surface and the pads interior substantiality covers the temples inside surface. Further the temples are configured to include a flat portion with an edge that protrudes above and protectively encompasses the flat portion which includes the resilient floating material. The volume of closed cell pad material is equivalent to, or even in excess of, my previous patent therefore the buoyancy characteristics are either the same or slightly improved.
Kolentsi in U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,303 teaches eyeglasses that float due to the addition of a foam member added into a flange integrally formed into the top transverse frame member. The frame forms the front face of the eyeglasses and is curved rearwardly following the curvature of a wearer's face. A single transparent or translucent convex lens is secured to the frame by being located in a slot present in the underside of the frame. A flange is formed on the interior side of the frame and a foam cushion/floatation strip is imbedded into the flange for attachment and to prevent natural loss of attaching adhesive on hot days. The buoyancy of the foam member is greater than the weight of the eyewear permitting the glasses to float.
U.S. Patent issued to Pomatti, U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,441 discloses an eyeglass frame arrangement that has a semi-rigid lens retaining support and a semi-flexible bridge and temples. A retaining strap engages the back of the users head and close cell padding surrounds the lenses such that the eyes of the user are protected from the elements. In another embodiment the eye pads are integrated with the lens support and are attached to the temple bows.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,396 issued to Cesarczyk is for eyeglasses and goggles that have a shield member attached to the frame, with the shield having tapered ends. A plastic foam member is configured to fit into a groove in the shield. During use this plastic member is held in place snugly against a wearers face on the brow to prevent perspiration from falling into ones eyes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,807 issued to Boll'e et al. teaches sunglasses having a detachable absorber strip. The sunglasses utilized have a replaceable convex optically clear pane that is curved both horizontally and vertically. An absorber strip, utilizing a sponge material, is removably attached to the frame of the glasses and the glasses include interchangeable temple members for fit and comfort.
U.S. Pat. No. De. 362,011 of Kolentsi discloses the design of floating eyeglasses having the same appearance as the subsequent U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,303 issued to the same inventor at a later date.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 336,098 of Evans is for the ornamental design of an eyeglass holder that is made of a material that floats in water with sufficient buoyancy to permit eyeglasses attached thereunto to also float.
Seaboyer in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 299,034 teaches the ornamental design of sunglasses formed with a single wrap around lens and apparently an adjustable head band with a elongated portion that circumvents the wearers head.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Eye wear of any type used for outdoor activities, particularly sun glasses that are worn in sports that include speed and accelerated movements, obviously become venerable to breakage and loss. This fact is particularly evident in water sports using engine powered equipment such as jet skis and power boats pulling water skiers where a fall easily leads to loosing ones glasses in the water due to the impact when falling. It is therefore a primary object of the invention to have eye protection that allows detection and subsequent recovery when an inevitable loss occurs. The invention utilizes float pads attached through the temples of a pair of wrap around polycarbonate glasses. The location and volume of the closed cell foam sponge pads not only permits the glasses to float but always in the same direction, which is with the lenses down and the temples prominently protruding in a upward position above the water. The glasses are balanced to right themselves when entering the water from any orientation which allows the wearer to look for a obvious pair of temples elevated in an upward direction.
An improvement over the inventors prior art is in order as his previous invention, described in the above section, has been notably popular permitting changes to be incorporated to ameliorate its usefulness, product life and production simplicity. As previously noted, the improvements in the preferred embodiment include the omission of the frame float pads in front of the hinges and replacement of the mass by larger pads on the temples. The second embodiment however incorporates the original frame float pads and becomes somewhat of a super floater. In either case a different approach to the attachment of the float pads to the temples is utilized. The temples now include a pair of openings in which molded float pads, are forced into conformance through the openings using the resilience of the float pads. The pads now incorporate a molded reverse image of the temple openings, and the attachment is like a grommet connection in that the pads exterior rests on the temples outside surface and the pads interior substantiality covers the temples inside surface. It may be clearly seen that no adhesive is necessary in the preferred embodiment which simplifies the installation, eliminates the adhesive that may be susceptible to deterioration and affords an almost permanent closure.
Further the temples are configured to include a flat portion with an edge that protrudes above and protectively encompasses the flat portion which includes the resilient floating material. The volume of closed cell pad material is equivalent to, or even in excess of, my previous invention, according to the embodiment, therefore the buoyancy characteristics are either the same or slightly improved.
An important object of the invention related to the ease of locating the glasses when lost in the water, in that the float pads may be made with a highly visible color which easily distinguished from the hue of the water. Further the temple float pads
Anderson Gordon K.
Dang Hung Xuan
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