GB2159975A - Sun shields - Google Patents

Abstract

A personal sun shield, such as sunglasses, as decorative matter applied to the front so as to give a three dimensional effect when viewed against the reduced transparency of the sun-shielding material. The decorative matter may be defined by a hologram on a thin plastics film (4) applied to the front surfaces of lenses (3) of sun glasses. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sun shields This invention relates to transparent sun shields of the kind (hereinafter referred to as the kind defined) intended to be worn or held by persons in front of the eyes including sun glasses in the form of spectacles, sun glasses adapted to be clipped on to existing spectacles, visors and the like, and which incorporate transparent viewing material which is tinted or coated or otherwise formed so as to present (permanently or only in use when exposed to sunlight) an appearance which is darkened or otherwise of reduced transparency to a nearby observer yet which permits relatively clear vision for the user.

In the design of sun glasses, particularly sun glasses intended for use in holiday resorts, there is often the requirement that the appearance should be attractive, fashionable even entertaining or amusing and, with this in mind, it is common to utilise different shapes and decorative configurations for lenses and frames of such glasses. However, the viewing areas of the lenses have hitherto normally been of a plain, undecorated nature and, the object of the present invention is to provide a sun shield wherein the transparent viewing material may be of improved decorative appearance.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a sun shield of the kind defined wherein said transparent viewing material has applied to the front or a forward part thereof decorative matter which when viewed by a nearby observer against the said reduced transparency of said material is arranged to present an apparent three dimensional display whilst permitting said clear vision therethrough by the user.

With this arrangement an improved decorative appearance can be obtained in a particularly appealing manner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the said decorative matter is defined by a hologram. Holograms are available which comprise thin, flexible films which are generally transparent but which produce a three dimensional image when strongly illuminated against a dark or reflective background. Such a film may be applied to or incorporated in the said transparent viewing material of the sun shield of the invention. In this respect it will be appreciated that the sun shield is primarily intended for use in a context in which the necessary strong illumination (i.e. bright sunlight) and dark or reflective background (i.e. the lightscreening aspect of the transparent material) are inherently present. It follows therefore that a good, clearly noticeable three dimensional image will tend to be produced in the normal circumstances of use of the sun shield.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic sectional view of one form of sun shield according to the invention.

The sun shield constitutes a pair of sun glasses having a frame 1 with arms 2 and two lenses 3.

The lenses 3 are formed from any suitable transparent material such as glass or plastics which is tinted or coated in conventional manner to act as a screen for sunlight.

The front of each lens is covered with a thin plastics film 4 bearing a hologram. The film is generally transparent and permits clear vision therethrough from behind the lenses i.e. for the wearer of the glasses.

From the front, however, as seen by a nearby observer, the holograms present three dimensional images when strongly illuminated against a dark or reflective background, as occurs when the glasses are worn in strong sunlight.

The holograms may present any suitable image as desired. Thus, for example, images representing eyes may be used.

It will be appreciated that the three dimensi nal images give a most appealing and interesting effect.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

1. A sun shield of the kind defined wherein said transparent viewing material has applied to the front or a forward part thereof decorative matter which when viewed by a nearby observer against the said reduced transparency of said material is arranged to present an apparent three dimensional display whilst permitting said clear vision therethrough by the user.

2. A sun shield according to claim 1, wherein said decorative matter is defined by a hologram.

3. A sun shield according to claim 2, wherein said hologram is provided on a thin plastics film which is applied to the said transparent viewing material.

4. A sun shield according to claim 3 in the form of a pair of sunglasses having a frame with arms and two lenses, each said lens having said plastics film applied thereto.

5. A sun shield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sun shields This invention relates to transparent sun shields of the kind (hereinafter referred to as the kind defined) intended to be worn or held by persons in front of the eyes including sun glasses in the form of spectacles, sun glasses adapted to be clipped on to existing spectacles, visors and the like, and which incorporate transparent viewing material which is tinted or coated or otherwise formed so as to present (permanently or only in use when exposed to sunlight) an appearance which is darkened or otherwise of reduced transparency to a nearby observer yet which permits relatively clear vision for the user. In the design of sun glasses, particularly sun glasses intended for use in holiday resorts, there is often the requirement that the appearance should be attractive, fashionable even entertaining or amusing and, with this in mind, it is common to utilise different shapes and decorative configurations for lenses and frames of such glasses. However, the viewing areas of the lenses have hitherto normally been of a plain, undecorated nature and, the object of the present invention is to provide a sun shield wherein the transparent viewing material may be of improved decorative appearance. According to the invention therefore there is provided a sun shield of the kind defined wherein said transparent viewing material has applied to the front or a forward part thereof decorative matter which when viewed by a nearby observer against the said reduced transparency of said material is arranged to present an apparent three dimensional display whilst permitting said clear vision therethrough by the user. With this arrangement an improved decorative appearance can be obtained in a particularly appealing manner. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the said decorative matter is defined by a hologram. Holograms are available which comprise thin, flexible films which are generally transparent but which produce a three dimensional image when strongly illuminated against a dark or reflective background. Such a film may be applied to or incorporated in the said transparent viewing material of the sun shield of the invention. In this respect it will be appreciated that the sun shield is primarily intended for use in a context in which the necessary strong illumination (i.e. bright sunlight) and dark or reflective background (i.e. the lightscreening aspect of the transparent material) are inherently present. It follows therefore that a good, clearly noticeable three dimensional image will tend to be produced in the normal circumstances of use of the sun shield. The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic sectional view of one form of sun shield according to the invention. The sun shield constitutes a pair of sun glasses having a frame 1 with arms 2 and two lenses 3. The lenses 3 are formed from any suitable transparent material such as glass or plastics which is tinted or coated in conventional manner to act as a screen for sunlight. The front of each lens is covered with a thin plastics film 4 bearing a hologram. The film is generally transparent and permits clear vision therethrough from behind the lenses i.e. for the wearer of the glasses. From the front, however, as seen by a nearby observer, the holograms present three dimensional images when strongly illuminated against a dark or reflective background, as occurs when the glasses are worn in strong sunlight. The holograms may present any suitable image as desired. Thus, for example, images representing eyes may be used. It will be appreciated that the three dimensi nal images give a most appealing and interesting effect. It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only. CLAIMS

1. A sun shield of the kind defined wherein said transparent viewing material has applied to the front or a forward part thereof decorative matter which when viewed by a nearby observer against the said reduced transparency of said material is arranged to present an apparent three dimensional display whilst permitting said clear vision therethrough by the user.

2. A sun shield according to claim 1, wherein said decorative matter is defined by a hologram.

3. A sun shield according to claim 2, wherein said hologram is provided on a thin plastics film which is applied to the said transparent viewing material.

4. A sun shield according to claim 3 in the form of a pair of sunglasses having a frame with arms and two lenses, each said lens having said plastics film applied thereto.

5. A sun shield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.