Spectacle frames

Details Spectacle frames Spectacle frames

2000-02-24

2001-01-09

Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)

Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting

Spectacles and eyeglasses

With antiglare or shading

C351S057000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06170949

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to spectacle frames, and in particular relates to spectacle frame assemblies having a primary spectacle frame and a detachable auxiliary spectacle frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To enable the use of sunglass lenses with spectacles having prescription lenses, various forms of “clip-on” detachable auxiliary spectacle frames have been proposed which allow the auxiliary frame housing sunglass lenses to be clipped onto the frame front of the primary spectacle frame housing the prescription lenses via various forms of clips. The success of the various forms of clips varies in terms of security of attachment, non-intrusive appearance and ease of attachment/detachment.
Replacement of the clip type attachment means with cooperating magnetic attachments on both the primary and auxiliary spectacle frames has also been proposed. The security of attachment of currently available spectacle frame assemblies of this type is quite poor, however, with the auxiliary spectacle frame typically being free to rattle, vibrate or flicker and possibly disengage with any jarring movements of the wearer, such as during various forms of exercise. Rattling, vibrating or flickering of the auxiliary spectacle frame can be uncomfortable and possibly harmful to the human eye by causing optical distortion as well as rapid variations in light levels if light is able to pass around the tinted lenses of the auxiliary spectacle frames when displaced.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed herein a spectacle frame assembly comprising:
a primary spectacle frame having a primary frame front, a pair of temples pivotally coupled to respective laterally outer ends of said primary frame front and a pair of primary frame lugs secured to said primary frame front adjacent respective said primary frame front laterally outer ends, and
an auxiliary spectacle frame having a pair of auxiliary frame lugs disposed at respective laterally outer ends thereof, each said auxiliary frame lug being engageable with a corresponding said primary frame lug with said auxiliary frame lug disposed on top of said corresponding primary frame lug for securing said auxiliary spectacle frame to said primary spectacle frame,
wherein, for each pair of corresponding primary and auxiliary frame lugs, one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs is provided with a magnetic member receivable in an open cavity provided in the other one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs, said open cavity having a peripheral wall for engaging a peripheral wall of said magnetic member, said other one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs being formed at least partially of a ferrous material.
Typically said primary spectacle frame front is provided with a pair of primary frame arms toward respective said laterally outer ends thereof, said temples being pivotally coupled to respective said primary frame arms and said primary frame lugs being secured to respective said primary frame arms.
Typically, said auxiliary spectacle frame is provided with a pair of auxiliary frame arms toward respective said opposing laterally outer ends thereof, said auxiliary frame lugs being secured to respective said auxiliary frame arms.
Typically said primary frame lugs are disposed rearwardly of said primary frame arms, said auxiliary frame arms being adapted to extend over said primary frame arms to enable engagement of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs.
Typically, each of said primary frame lugs is provided with a said magnetic member and each of said auxiliary frame lugs is provided with a said open cavity.
Typically each said primary frame lug comprises a ring secured to the respective said primary frame arm and a said magnetic member secured in said ring such that said magnetic member peripheral wall protrudes above said ring.
Typically each of said auxiliary frame lugs comprises a hollow cylinder secured to the respective said auxiliary frame arm, said open cavity being defined by the hollow of said hollow cylinder.
Preferably said open cavity of each said auxiliary frame lug is open at a lower end only for receiving said magnetic member, an upper end of said cavity being closed by a wall of ferrous material for engaging an upper surface of said magnetic member.
Alternatively said open cavity of each said auxiliary frame lug is open at both upper and lower ends thereof.
Preferably each said auxiliary frame lug is made substantially entirely of ferrous material.
Preferably a lower surface of each said primary frame lug is substantially flush with a lower surface of the respective said primary frame arm. It is also preferred that an upper surface of each said primary frame lug is substantially flush with an upper surface of the respective said primary frame arm.
Alternatively, each of said auxiliary frame lugs is provided with a said magnetic member and each of said primary frame lugs is provided with a said open cavity.
Typically said primary frame front includes a pair of primary frame rims for receiving a pair of primary lenses and a primary frame bridge secured to and separating said primary frame rims, said primary frame arms being secured to laterally outer portions of each of said primary frame rims.
Alternatively said primary frame front includes a pair of primary lenses and an auxiliary frame bridge secured to and separating said primary lenses, said primary frame arms being secured to laterally outer portions of each of said primary lenses.
Typically said auxiliary spectacle frame includes a pair of auxiliary frame rims for receiving a pair of auxiliary lenses and an auxiliary frame bridge secured to and separating said auxiliary frame rims, said auxiliary frame arms being secured to laterally outer portions of each of said auxiliary frame rims.
Alternatively said auxiliary spectacle frame includes a pair of auxiliary lenses and an auxiliary frame bridge secured to and separating said auxiliary lenses, said auxiliary frame arms being secured to laterally outer portions of each of said auxiliary lenses.
Preferably said auxiliary frame bridge extends over and engages said primary frame bridge.
There is further disclosed herein a spectacle frame assembly comprising:
a primary spectacle frame having a pair of primary frame rims for receiving a pair of primary lenses, a primary frame bridge separating said primary frame rims, a primary frame arm secured to laterally outer portions of each of said primary frame rims, a temple pivotally coupled to each said primary frame arm and a primary frame lug secured to each of said primary frame arms, and
an auxiliary spectacle frame having a pair of auxiliary frame rims for receiving a pair of auxiliary lenses, an auxiliary frame bridge separating said auxiliary frame rims, an auxiliary frame arm secured to laterally outer portions of each of said auxiliary frame rims and an auxiliary frame lug secured to each of said auxiliary frame arms, said auxiliary frame lugs each being engageable with a corresponding said primary frame lug with said auxiliary frame lug disposed on top of said primary frame lug so as to secure said auxiliary spectacle frame to said primary spectacle frame,
wherein, for each pair of corresponding primary and auxiliary frame lugs, one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs is provided with a magnetic member receivable in an open cavity provided in the other one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs, said open cavity having a peripheral wall for engaging a peripheral wall of said magnetic member, said other one of said primary and auxiliary frame lugs being formed at least partially of a ferrous material.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5568207 (1996-10-01), Chas
patent: 5696571 (1997-12-01), Spencer et al.
patent: 5786880 (1998-07-01), Chao
patent: 5882101 (1999-03-01), Chao
patent: 5940162 (1999-08-01), Wong
Derwent abstract accession No. 98-560068/48, class P81, FR 2762406 A (Ira Lerner Inc) Oct. 23, 1998.
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