AU2006100210A4 - Detachable visor - Google Patents

Description

DETACHABLE VISOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to sun visors in particular but not limited to a detachable visor adapted to be attached to the frame of spectacles typically sunglasses.

BACKGROUND ART Countries such as Australia have a high incidence of sunlight. It has a population which suffers a high rate of skin cancer caused by sun exposure. Furthermore, populations of countries with abundant sunshine also engage in a lot of outdoor activity or sports including water sports. Some of the conditions as a result of sun exposure include skin cancer, pterygia, as well as premature aging of the skin due to exposure to the sun.

Those most affected by such activity include boat owners, tennis players, golfers, fisherman, beachgoers, bushwalkers, runners, joggers, walkers, gardeners, pool cleaners, painting contractors, window cleaners, commercial gardeners and builders to provide a non-exhausted list. Prior art devices to counter sun exposure include the wearing of sun visors, hats, baseball caps, sunglasses and the use of sunscreen.

In the case of sun visors, such devices do not have a universal or general fitting for comfort and stability. Sun visors which comprise a visor with elastic or a clipped on strap retainer are prone to sliding down the forehead and can obscure vision. Sun visors may also cause discomfort to the head above the ears due to the elasticised sidebands. The wearing of eye glasses or spectacles in conjunction with the visor can cause further discomfort and frustration due to slippage during strong windy or stormy weather conditions.

Hats do not have a "general size" and must be purchased according to the size of the wearers head. Hats usually cover the entire head and as a result inhibit air circulation around the scalp. This can cause excessive perspiration and discomfort. Hats are also easily blown off the head in windy conditions.

Baseball caps can cause chafing of the skin on the head around the rim. Baseball caps cover the entire head and also inhibit air circulation of the scalp thereby causing excessive perspiration.

Sunglasses, while providing the eyes with protection from glare and ultra-violet rays do not protect the nose and face from the sun.

The use of sunscreen is a vital agent in the protection from skin cancer and sun damage, however, it must be noted that while sunscreen protects the skin it does not actually protect the eyes or improve the vision of the wearer from glare and ultra-violet radiation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate or alleviate some of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in a detachable visor adapted for attachment to a spectacle frame, typically sunglasses, including in combination a shield member, the shield member having one or more opposing pairs of clips adapted to removably attach the shield member to the spectacle frame thereby providing shade to the eyes and face of the wearer.

Preferably the shield member is cut from a translucent or tinted plastic planar sheet material.

In one version, the shield member can be completely covered in different fabrics as a fashion accessory.

Preferably the one or more opposing pairs of clips are spring operated clips adapted to grip opposite arms of the spectacle frame.

Preferably, the clips include angular adjustment means to allow the angle of the shield to be varied by the wearer.

Preferably the shield member is wider than the frame wherein when clipped to the frame, the visor assumes an arcuate or arched profile.

Preferably when the visor is removed or unclipped from the spectacle frame, the visor returns to its initial flat configuration thereby occupying a minimal space for storage and carrying.

Preferably the shield member and the clips are interchangeable allowing for changes in fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention to be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows a pair of detachable visors according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows visors of Figure 1 attached to spectacles and Figure 3 shows the visor of Figure 2 as worn by the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a pair of detachable visors 10, 12 according to the invention. The visors are shown having opposing pairs of spring loaded clips 14, 16, 18,19.

An alternate design of the visor 12a has extended lugs with elastic clips for attachment to opposing arms of a spectacle frame.

The visor can also be covered with a patterned fabric and be interchangeable with the clips to function as a fashion accessory.

Figure 2 shows the visors 10, 12 of Figure 1 on separate pairs of spectacles 20, 22 or eye glasses. The visors are clipped on the arms of the spectacles by means of the spring loaded clips 14, 16, 18, 19 and are adapted to shade the eyes and upper face region of the wearer. As previously described, the clips can have angular adjustment means for example, a graduated detent mechanism to allow variation of the angle of the visor to the sunglasses and wearer's face. As the visors are also wider than the width of the spectacle frames, the shield member assumes an arcuate or arched profile when in the clipped portion on the spectacle frames.

The visors preferably also have a fabric lining or cushion 10b, 12b, along the internal edge adapted to provide a comfortable contact surface with the forehead of the wearer.

Figure 3 shows the position of the visor 10 on a pair of spectacles 20 as worn by a wearer. In this case, the wearer is represented by a mannequin 30 for a wig or hat in order to show the position of the visor in providing shade 30a to the eyes and face of the wearer.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (9)

1. A detachable visor adapted for attachment to a spectacle frame, typically sunglasses, including in combination a shield member, the shield member having one or more opposing pairs of clips adapted to removably attach the shield member to the spectacle frame thereby providing shade to the eyes and face of the wearer.

2. A detachable visor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield member is fabricated from a translucent or tinted plastic planar sheet material.

3. A detachable visor as claimed in claim or claim 2, wherein, the one or more opposing pairs of clips are spring operated clips adapted to grip the arms of the spectacle frame.

4. A detachable visor as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the clips include angular adjustment means to allow the angle of the shield to be varied.

A detachable visor as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein, the shield member is wider than the frame whereby when clipped to the frame, the shield member assumes an arcuate or arched profile.

6. A detachable visor as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein, when the visor is removed or unclipped from the spectacle frame, the visor returns to its initial planar configuration thereby occupying a minimal space for storage and carrying.

7. A detachable visor as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein, the shield member and the clips are interchangeable. 7

8. A detachable visor as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein, the shield member is covered in fabric.

9. A detachable visor as claimed in any of the above claims wherein an inner edge of the visor has a fabric lining or cushion for contact with the forehead of the wearer. A detachable visor as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.