Auxiliary eyewear attachment methods and apparatus and universal adapter

• US 6,450,637 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Martin Zelman
• Original Assignee: Gary Martin Zelman
• Inventors: Zelman, Gary Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US09/694,091
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 351/47, 351/57
• US Class Current: 351/47
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 1/04 Bridge or browbar secured to or integral with partial rims, e.g. with partially-flexible rim for holding lens
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 1/06 Bridge or browbar secured to or integral with closed rigid rims for the lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/02 Magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 9/00 Attaching auxiliary optical parts auxiliary optical parts per se G02C7/08 - G02C7/16

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mounting auxiliary eyeglasses on conventional eyeglasses in which magnets are attached to appendages on the auxiliary eyeglasses mating with magnets mounted on the temple extensions of conventional eyeglasses. The magnets on the auxiliary eyeglasses are mounted in sockets formed on the appendages of the auxiliary eyeglasses such that their maximum magnetic force is oriented vertically or parallel to the plane of the conventional eyeglass frame. The appendages on the auxiliary eyeglass frame fit beneath the temple extensions on the conventional eyeglasses frame to hold the auxiliary frames in place solely by the magnetic attractive force. The orientation of the magnets is such that the maximum magnetic force resists any downward movement of the auxiliary eyeglasses on the conventional eyeglasses when installed. In a modification of the embodiment, the magnets mounted on the conventional eyeglasses are recessed in sockets formed on the temple extensions while the magnets mounted on the appendages extend out of the sockets. The extended magnets fit into the recesses in the conventional eyeglass sockets automatically aligning and securing the auxiliary eyeglasses on the conventional eyeglasses. Another embodiment is comprised of a universal adapter in which a magnet is mounted in a cylindrical socket and has a tongue with a hole for mounting on conventional eyeglasses with existing hardware.

Claims

1. Apparatus for attaching auxiliary eyeglasses to conventional eyeglasses comprising;

a plurality of magnets mounted on said conventional eyeglasses;

each of said plurality of magnets being mounted in a universal adapter constructed to be mounted on said conventional eyeglasses with existing hardware, said universal adapter comprising;

a socket for mounting a magnet;

a tongue extending from said socket;

said tongue having a mounting hole for receiving a mounting screw for attaching said universal adapter to frames of said conventional eyeglasses;

a plurality of magnets mounted on said auxiliary eyeglasses for mating with said plurality of magnets on said conventional eyeglasses;

said plurality of magnets on said conventional eyeglasses and said mounting plurality of magnets on said auxiliary eyeglasses being oriented such that the maximum magnetic attractive force between said magnets is oriented vertically parallel to lenses in said conventional eyeglasses;

whereby said plurality of magnets on said auxiliary glasses mate with said plurality of magnets attached to said conventional eyeglasses by said universal adapter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said tongue is integrally formed on said socket for receiving said magnet.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said tongue is integrally formed on said socker for mounting with said screw to an existing mounting hole for attaching temples to said conventional eyeglasses.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said tongue is integrally formed on said socket for mounting with said screw to existing holes in a flange for clamping a lens in said conventional eyeglass frame.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said tongue is welded to said socket for receiving said magnet.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 in which said tab is welded on said socket for mounting with said screw to an existing mounting hole for attaching temples to said conventional eyeglass frame.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which each of said plurality magnets in said socket form a recess;

each of said plurality magnets on said auxiliary eyeglasses are extended;

whereby said extended magnets fit into said recess and mate with a respective magnet in said universal adapter.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which each of said magnets in said socket extend beyond an end of said socket;

each of said plurality of magnets on said auxiliary eyeglasses are mounted to form a recess;

whereby said extended magnets fit into said recess and mate with a respective magnet on said auxiliary eyeglasses.