Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-15
2001-07-03
Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254232
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to apparatus for removably mounting so-called “clip-on” sunglasses on eyeglasses and more particularly to a spring clip for mounting sunglass lenses which has a simple design, being made of a small number of inexpensively fabricated and easily assembled parts, which function reliably together for a long useful life.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,497 issued Apr. 20, 1971 to Conrad Leblanc entitled “Auxiliary Eye Protection Assembly” describes a commercially successful configuration for sunglass lenses adapted to removably clip onto spectacles. This structure has the advantage of permitting mounting of the sunglasses without removal of the spectacles. The LeBlanc assembly also allows the sunglass lenses to be pivoted between one of two stable positions, an operative position, wherein the lenses intersect the line of sight (parallel to and in front of the eyeglass lenses) and an inoperative position, wherein the lenses are remote from the line of sight (perpendicular to and above the eyeglass lenses). However, Leblanc's assembly required several precision parts and a custom double coil spring member.
On Nov. 17, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,749 entitled “Clip for Mounting Sunglass Lenses on Spectacles” issued to Robert Shelton. The Shelton device, like the LeBlanc assembly, is designed to removably mount onto spectacles without the necessity of removing the spectacles from the head and, in addition, is capable of being pivoted relative to the spectacles between operative and inoperative positions. However, the Shelton clip consists of parts of simpler construction than the LeBlanc assembly. In particular, it utilizes a single simple elongated “C” shaped spring to retain the parts together and to provide the necessary biasing forces.
The Shelton clip includes a support and sunglass lens carrying means movably mounted relative to the support. Spectacle clamping means are also movably mounted relative to the support. The spring defines a recess into which the support, the lens carrying means and the clamping means are all received. The spring holds the support, carrying means and clamping means together. At the same time, the spring provides the force to bias the clamping means towards the clamping position and to bias the lens carrying means toward either an operative or inoperative position.
Although of extremely clever design, the Shelton clip has proved commercially impractical because it is very difficult to assemble. This is largely due to the fact that all of the parts are held together by the spring, which must be spread apart and held as the parts are assembled.
Also of note with respect to sunglasses of this type is U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,786 issued to William Penrod on Mar. 2, 1993, entitled “Attachable Pivotal Visor” and U.S. Design Pat. No. 350,359, issued to Sidney Friedman on Sep. 6, 1994, entitled “Clip For Clip-on Sunglasses.”
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art clips by simplifying the structure of the components and making the components more easy to assemble using a single conventional fastener.
It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a spring clip for mounting sunglasses which is composed of a small number of easily assembled parts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring clip for mounting sunglasses in which the parts are held together by a single conventional fastener, in the form of a screw or pin.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring clip for mounting sunglasses in which the parts function reliably together.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a spring clip is provided for mounting sunglass lenses. The clip includes a base, a lens and frame mounted to the base, for carrying the lens. The base has first and second fixed clamping arms. First and second parts are provided. Each of the parts is provided with a clamping arm which is associated with one of the fixed clamping arms. The parts are mounted on the base for relative rotational movement about a common axis. The parts rotate between a position wherein the arms are proximate to each other and a position wherein the arms are remote from each other. Spring means are operably connected to the parts for urging the parts toward the proximate position.
Each of the parts includes a substantially radially extending handle member. Moving the handle members toward each other causes the parts to rotate toward the remote position, against the urging of the spring means.
Each of the parts has a substantially disk-shaped central portion. The parts rotate in parallel planes about a common axis perpendicular to the base.
One of the parts has a central opening. The other of the parts has a post adapted to be received within the opening.
The base has an opening adapted to be aligned with the post. The axis of the post is the common axis.
The spring means is substantially “U” shaped. The spring means has first and second arms. Each of the spring means arms is associated with a different one of the handle members.
The frame includes bistable lens mounting means which are movably mounted on the base. The lens mounting means are movable relative to the base between operative and inoperative positions. The spring urges the lens mounting means toward each of the positions. The lens mounting means is pivotally mounted on the base.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a spring clip for mounting sunglass lenses is provided. The clip includes a base, a lens and a frame mounted on the base for carrying the lens. The base has a substantially planar surface. The frame includes bistable lens mounting means, mounted on the base, for movement between operable and inoperable positions. The mounting means includes an elongated element having first and second surfaces. Spring means are mounted on the base, in a plane substantially parallel to the base surface. The spring means includes an arm which cooperates with the elongated element surfaces to bias the lens mounting means toward each of its positions.
The spring means preferably has a substantially “U” shaped body with first and second arms.
The clip further comprises a first part mounted on the base. The first part has a post. The spring means is received around at least a portion of the post.
A second part is mounted on the base. The second part is situated between the base surface and the first part.
Each of the parts has a handle member. The spring means is operably interposed between the handles.
Each of the parts also includes a clamping arm. The base includes first and second fixed clamping arms. Each of the fixed clamping arms is associated with the clamping arm of a different one of the parts.
Each of the parts is mounted for movement relative to the base, between a position wherein the clamping arms are proximate each other and a position wherein the arms are remote from each other. The spring means urges the parts toward the proximate position.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 350359 (1994-09-01), Friedman
patent: 3575497 (1971-04-01), LeBlanc
patent: 5164749 (1992-11-01), Shelton
patent: 5258786 (1993-11-01), Penrod
patent: 5953096 (1999-09-01), Friedman
Dang Hung Xuan
Epstein Robert L.
James Harold
James & Franklin LLP
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