Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-27
2003-11-11
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06644804
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sunglasses attached to eyeglasses using repelling magnetic force. In the prior art, it is known to use magnetic force to releasably affix sunglasses to eyeglasses. Various ways of accomplishing this feat are proposed in the prior art including fastening means located outboard of each eyeglass rim, and fastening means operating at the location of the bridge of the eyeglasses and sunglasses. In the case of magnetic fastening means located outboard of the eyeglass rims, several different methods are proposed including those permitting magnetic fastening along a horizontal plane, from above or below, along a vertical plane, from in front, from behind, or laterally. In the case of magnetic fastening means operating at the location of the bridge of the sunglasses and eyeglasses, fastening means operating from in front as well as from behind are well known.
The following prior art is known to Applicant:
5,642,177
to Nishioka
6,170,949
to Mauch
5,936,700
to Masunaga
6,231,179
to Lee
5,975,691
to Ku
6,305,656
to Wemyss
6,012,811
to Chao et al.
6,331,057
to Strube
6,109,747
to Chao
6,343,858
to Zelman
6,116,730
to Kwok
6,352,342
to Huang
6,116,732
to Xiao
6,354,703
to Sadler
6,120,144
to Park
6,364,478
to Jagasia
6,132,040
to Xiao
6,367,926
to Chao et al.
6,139,141
to Zider
6,375,321
to Lee et al.
6,149,269
to Madison
6,382,787
to Xie
6,164,774
to Cate
6,402,318
to Xiao
6,170,948
to Chao
RE37,545
to Chao.
The present invention distinguishes from the teachings of these patents as contemplating the use of the repelling force of adjacent like poles of separate magnets to releasably fasten sunglasses to eyeglasses. Each of the above-listed patents relies upon the attractive force of adjacent magnets with opposite poles facing one another to releasably fasten sunglasses to eyeglasses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sunglasses attached to eyeglasses using repelling magnetic force. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:
(1) In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to sunglasses designed to be removably attached to existing eyeglasses. The existing eyeglasses may have eyeglass rims to which are attached, on the outboard sides, frame pieces or temples that curve around from the plane of the eyeglass lenses to a direction approximately 90° rotated therefrom, facing rearwardly, and to which are pivotably attached ear pieces designed with distal ends placeable over the ears of the user to affix the eyeglasses to the head of the user. On the inboard side of the eyeglass rims, a bridge interconnects them and nose pieces may be provided to cushion the nose when the eyeglasses are supported thereon.
(2) The sunglasses usable in accordance with the teachings of the present invention have a bridge to which is attached, to either side, sunglass rims which carry sunglass lenses that can be permanently tinted or can, if desired, be of the “PHOTOGRAY” type which darkens upon exposure to light, and lightens when the ambient light intensity diminishes.
(3) The present invention contemplates magnetic attachment means designed to releasably attach the sunglasses to the eyeglasses. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the attachment means consists of a rearwardly facing arm on the sunglasses to which a magnet is affixed, at each location, and magnets affixed on the eyeglasses in alignment with the magnets on the sunglasses.
(4) At each side of the eyeglasses, just outboard of the eyeglass rims, L-shaped brackets are provided that have C-shaped cross-sections. The magnets are arranged, on each side of the eyeglasses and sunglasses, respectively, so that when the sunglasses are placed into adjacency with the eyeglasses, like poles of the adjacent magnets face one another to create a repelling force therebetween. The repelling force forces the magnets carried on the sunglasses rearwardly away from the magnets carried on the eyeglass frames, and into a recess formed by the C-shaped cross-section of the L-shaped brackets. The repelling force between the magnet pairs retains the magnets carried by the sunglasses within the recesses in the L-shaped brackets to maintain the sunglasses mounted on the eyeglasses. The sunglasses are easily removed by moving them and their magnets toward the eyeglasses magnets and then upwardly.
(5) If desired, lateral stoppers may be provided within the C-shaped cross-sectional channel of the L-shaped brackets to preclude lateral movement of the sunglasses with respect to the eyeglasses.
(6) If desired, the present invention is equally usable in conjunction with eyeglasses and sunglasses in which the lenses are of the rimless support type in which fasteners are inserted through the lenses themselves to attach a bridge between the lenses and to attach temples and earpieces outboard of the lenses.
Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide sunglasses attached to eyeglasses using repelling magnetic force.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which an L-shaped bracket is employed to retain the sunglasses in position under the repelling force of adjacent magnets.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a bracket having a C-shaped cross-section designed to retain the sunglasses in vertical orientation with respect to the eyeglasses.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such an invention in which lateral stoppers are provided to maintain lateral alignment between the eyeglasses and sunglasses.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5642177 (1997-06-01), Nishioka
patent: 5936700 (1999-08-01), Masunaga
patent: 5975691 (1999-11-01), Ku
patent: 6012811 (2000-01-01), Chao et al.
patent: 6109747 (2000-08-01), Chao
patent: 6116730 (2000-09-01), Kwok
patent: 6116732 (2000-09-01), Xiao
patent: 6120144 (2000-09-01), Park
patent: 6132040 (2000-10-01), Xiao
patent: 6139141 (2000-10-01), Zider
patent: 6149269 (2000-11-01), Madison
patent: 6164774 (2000-12-01), Cate
patent: 6170948 (2001-01-01), Chao
patent: 6170949 (2001-01-01), Mauch
patent: 6231179 (2001-05-01), Lee
patent: 6305656 (2001-10-01), Wemyss
patent: 6331057 (2001-12-01), Strube
patent: RE37545 (2002-02-01), Chao
patent: 6343858 (2002-02-01), Zelman
patent: 6352342 (2002-03-01), Huang
patent: 6354703 (2002-03-01), Sadler
patent: 6364478 (2002-04-01), Jagasia
patent: 6367926 (2002-04-01), Chao et al.
patent: 6375321 (2002-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6382787 (2002-05-01), Xie
patent: 6402318 (2002-06-01), Xiao
Mai Huy
Spiegel H. Jay
LandOfFree
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