GB2386433A

GB2386433A - Transparent plastics strip for protecting spectacle lenses

Info

Publication number: GB2386433A
Application number: GB0205745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-12
Filing date: 2002-03-12
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Also published as: GB0205745D0

Abstract

Equipment for protecting the lenses 1 of a pair of spectacles comprises a pair of elongated pegs 4, each having a transverse cross section with at least one rectilinear side, and each being releasably secured along the length of a side arm of the spectacles by securing means 7, the rectilinear side being in contact with the side arm, each peg having at its forward end a waisted stud 5 adapted to co-operate with an aperture 9 punched in an elongated transparent plastics strip 8 so that the transparent plastics strip is securely but releasably retained in front of the spectacle lenses. Grooves 6 are shown.

Description

1- 2386433

EQUIPMENT FOR PROTECTING SPECTACLE LENSES

This invention concerns equipment for protecting spectacle lenses against scratching and chipping and against splashing by foreign substances.

Many people find it necessary to wear spectacles at all times to enhance their eyesight, and yet engage in activities which are likely to cause damage to, or obscuring of r the spectacle lenses. This problem is experienced, for example, by those who need to wear spectacles on sites where construction or demolition work is being carried out, or while engaging in such activities as painting or plastering. The problem can also affect those who ride motorcycles, especially in muddy conditions, ride in open-topped cars or take part in certain sports while wearing spectacles.

Transparent plastics "tear-off' strips are known which can be secured in front of goggles or visors worn by motorcyclists or racing car drivers, and can be removed quickly and easily with one hand by the wearer as soon as they become damaged or obscured. However, no equipment is currently available which is adapted to protect the lenses of spectacles of the type which is commonly and universally worn.

Accordinglyr it is an object of this invention to provide equipment which is simple to manufacture and to use and which will protect the lenses of spectacles of a wide range of different sizes and designs.

The invention provides equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles r which equipment comprises a pair of elongated pegs r each having a transverse cross section with at least one rectilinear side, and each being releasably secured along the length of a side arm of the spectacles by securing

- means, the rectilinear side being in contact with the side arm, each peg having at its forward end a waisted stud adapted to co-operate with an aperture punched in an elongated transparent plastics strip so that the transparent plastics strip is securely but releasably retained in front of the spectacle lenses.

The securing means conveniently comprise O-rings of a flexible and resilient material which O-rings each encircle both a peg and a side arm of the spectacles thus binding the peg tightly to the side arm. The Orings are preferably made of a natural or synthetic rubber. Advantageously two such O-rings are used to bind each peg to a side arm.

Each O-ring may suitably be accommodated and retained in a groove of substantially semicircular cross section provided around the periphery of a transverse section of a peg. The transverse cross section of the pegs is not critical provided that it has at least one rectilinear side. The transverse cross section may be, for example, triangular or polygonal, but for simplicity and ease of construction the pegs are preferably square in transverse cross section.

The waisted stud at the forward end of each peg is adapted to co-operate with an elongated transparent plastics strip which is punched near each end of its longer dimension with a row comprising at least two apertures. This arrangement of apertures makes it possible to use a single design of a mass-

produced transparent plastics strip in conjunction with a very wide variety of different spectacle frames of varying width and geometry. Preferably the elongated transparent plastics strip is punched near each end of its longer dimension with a row comprising four apertures.

- 3 The following is a description of an embodiment of the

invention, by way of example only, and is illustrated by means of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagramatic plan view of one side of a pair of spectacles showing part of the equipment in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a transparent plastics strip for use in the invention.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a pair of spectacles showing the pegs in place but the transparent plastics strip removed.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a pair of spectacles with a peg in place but without securing means.

A conventional pair of spectacles comprises lenses 1, a connecting nose bridge 2 and side arms 3. A pair of elongated pegs 4 is provided, each peg having at its forward end a waisted stud 5. Each peg 4 is of square transverse cross section, and is provided along its length with two grooves 6 of semicircular cross section, each adapted to receive and retain a rubber O-ring 7.

In use a peg 4 is laid along each side arm 3 of the spectacles, and a first and a second O-ring are passed over the hooked end of the side arm, and over the rearward end of the peg, and are slid forward until each is located in one of the grooves 6. In this way, the peg is securely, but releasably, secured to the side arm.

- 4 When a peg has been secured to each side arm in this manner, a transparent plastics strip 8, or a plurality thereof, is located on the two forward-facing waisted studs 5. Each transparent plastics strip is provided near each end of its longer dimension with a row of four apertures 9, each of such diameter that the ends of the strip are firmly retained by the studs 5, but that the strip may easily be removed by a wearer of the spectacles using one hand to grasp a laterally extending tab 10 on the transparent strip.

In use a plurality of transparent strips, for example five, may initially be secured to the two waisted studs 5 of the pegs with the tabs 10 extending alternately to the left and to the right. A user is then able easily to remove a single strip with one hand without removing with it a second clean and undamaged strip.

When the spectacles are to be worn for activities in rural areas and there are difficulties in retrieving discarded transparent strips, it is desirable to make the transparent strips of a biodegradable plastics material.

Claims

[ - CLAIMS

1. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles, which equipment comprises a pair of elongated pegs, each having a transverse cross section with at least one rectilinear side, and each being releasably secured along the length of a side arm of the spectacles by securing means, the rectilinear side being in contact with the side arm, each peg having at its forward end a waisted stud adapted to co-operate with an aperture punched in an elongated transparent plastics strip so that the transparent plastics strip is securely but releasably retained in front of the spectacle lenses.

2. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to claim 1, wherein the securing means comprise O-rings of a flexible and resilient material which 0-

rings each encircle both a peg and a side arm of the spectacles thus binding the peg tightly to the side arm.

3. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to claim 2, wherein two such O-rings are used to bind each peg to a side arm.

4. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each O-ring is accommodated and retained in a groove of substantially semicircular cross section provided around the periphery of a transverse section of a peg.

5. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the pegs are square in transverse cross section.

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6 6. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to any one of claim 1 to 5, wherein the elongated transparent plastics strip is punched near each end of its longer dimension with a row comprising at least two apertures.

7. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles according to claim 6, wherein the elongated transparent plastics strip is punched near each end of its longer dimension with a row comprising four apertures.

8. Equipment for protecting the lenses of a pair of spectacles as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.