GB2412749A

GB2412749A - Combination spectacles with magnetically attached sunglasses

Info

Publication number: GB2412749A
Application number: GB0424471A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee-Tsung Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-05
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-05
Also published as: GB0424471D0; GB2412749B

Abstract

Three-piece combination spectacles include a pair of spectacles (10), a fastener (20) which has a transverse clamping groove (21) to receive a first bridge. A central positioning groove (24) is in the top of the fastener and a pair of circular recesses (22) receive a pair of first circular magnets (23) therein. A pair of sunglasses (30) has a pair of coloured lenses connected by a second bridge (32) which has a projecting plate (33) that engages in the positioning groove of the fastener and a pair of second circular magnets (34) that engage with the first circular magnets. Other combination spectacles are provided in which the fasteners can be a pair of U-shaped fastener (50) attached to L-shaped plates between the spectacles and a pair of temples or can be an elongate fastener (90) with slots (91) in the ends for receiving projections (74) on the spectacles bridge (71).

Description

24 1 2749

COMBINATION SPECTACLES

Field of the Invention

s The present invention relates to optical articles and more particularly to combination spectacles.

Background to the Invention

to Spectacles are helpful to those people who have eyesight problems. A person with either short or long sight requires spectacles of suitable focus to improve their eyesight problems, to protect their eyes against strong light or from ultraviolet rays and even to beautify their faces. Some people wear sunglasses when going outdoors on a sunny day to protect their eyes from the strong sunlight.

Yet it is impossible for a person with short sight to wear sunglasses unless the sunglasses have lenses of suitable focus ho distance as that of his spectacles which is indispensable for him except when he goes to bed. That is why attachable sunglasses are available in the market to cope with shortsighted people when they go outdoors in the sunshine. However, the structure of the spectacles has to coincide with that of the sunglasses. If not, a person with short sight has to buy a new pair of spectacles having a structure such that sunglasses can be attached thereto.

Typical prior art sunglasses have included a pair of magnets disposed on two sides of the bridge and projecting outwardly such that the structure of the spectacles has to have corresponding magnets engageable with the magnets of the sunglasses.

Another type of prior art sunglasses has included a pair of magnets disposed in the outer circumferences of the rims in to addition to a hook at the bridge. As a result, the spectacles for people with short sight must have corresponding devices to enable the sunglasses to be readily attached to them. Of course, the above two types of prior art sunglasses have the same disadvantage that they cannot be attached to an ordinary pair of spectacles.

The present invention has as its object the provision of three-piece combination spectacles that can be engaged with any type of sunglasses so as to enable a person with short sight to do save the money that would be required to buy new spectacles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide three-piece combination spectacles in which the bridge has a fastener to engage with an attachable pair of sunglasses at the front thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having a pair of lenses surrounded by rims which are connected on their inner peripheries by a first s bridge and which are provided on their outer peripheries with a pair of temples; a pillow-shaped fastener made of plastic having a transverse elastic clamping groove in its rear, the groove including a narrow opening and a wide interior, the fastener being clamped on the to front of the bridge, a pair of spaced circular recesses being formed in the front of the fastener for receiving a pair of first circular magnets respectively and a positioning groove being formed centrally formed in the top of the fastener; a pair of sunglasses having a pair of coloured lenses connected at their inner peripheries by a second bridge which has a central projection plate projecting rearwardly from the inner side thereof and engaged with the positioning groove of the fastener and a pair of spaced second circular magnets projecting rearwardly and engaged with said first circular magnets.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided three-piece combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having a pair of lenses surrounded by rims, a first bridge connecting the inner peripheries of the rims, a pair of L-shaped plates, each having one end connected to an outer periphery of one of said rims and each including a vertical screw hole and having a free end to which a temple is pivotally connected; a pair of U-shaped fasteners each having a vertical through hole aligned with one of the screw holes of the L-shaped plates and secured by a pair of screws and a circular recess in its front side in which is received a first circular magnet; a pair of sunglasses having coloured lenses surrounded by rims which are connected at their inner peripheries by a second to bridge and their outer peripheries of which are connected to a pair of rectangular plates each of which has a second circular magnet engaged with the respective first circular magnet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided three-piece combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having rimless lenses connected on their front surfaces adjacent their inner peripheries by a first bridge, a pair of L-shaped temples connected to the outer peripheries of the lenses and a supporting rod at the inner periphery of each of said so lenses for supporting a pair of nose pads, said bridge having a pair of spaced projection rods extending from adjacent the two ends thereof and each engaged with a through hole of one of said lenses and a pair of spaced vertical rods projecting downwardly from the underside thereof; an elongate fastener having a slot in each end engaged with the vertical rods of the bridge and a pair of first spaced rectangular magnets disposed on the front and adjacent the two ends thereof; a pair sunglasses having a pair of colored lenses connected at their inner peripheries by a second bridge which has a pair of second spaced rectangular magnets formed on its inner surface and engaged with the first rectangular magnets of the fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the three-piece combination spectacles according to the present invention, 15Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled spectacles of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of the spectacles of Figure 1, goFigure 4 is a sectional side view showing the fastener of the spectacles of Figure 1, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the three-piece combination spectacles of the present invention, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembled spectacles of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a sectional side view showing the fastener of the spectacles of Figure 5, Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative fastener of the second embodiment, Figure 9 is a sectional side view showing the alternative fastener of Figure 8, Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a third Is embodiment of the three-piece combination spectacles, Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the details of the fastener of the spectacles of Figure 10, JO Figure 12 is a plan view of the assembled spectacles of Figure Figure 13 is a front view of the spectacles of Figure 10, Figure 14 is a sectional view showing the fastener of the spectacles of Figure 10, Figure 15 is a perspective view showing an alternative fastener of the third embodiment, Figure 16 is a plan view showing another alternative fastener of the third embodiment, and Figure 17 is a plan view showing a further alternative fastener to of the third embodiment.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

With reference to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the three-piece combination spectacles of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a pair of spectacles (10), a fastener (20) and a pair of sunglasses (30).

The spectacles (10) comprise a pair of lenses (11) surrounded go by a pair of rims (13), that are connected at their upper inner circumferences by a bridge (12), and a pair of temples (14) respectively connected to the rear sides of the outer circumferences of the rims (13).

The fastener (20) is of an arcuate pillow-like shape and made of plastic. It has an elastic transverse clamping groove (21) in its rear that includes a narrow entrance and a wide base so as to be able to firmly clamp the bridge (12) of the spectacles (10). Two spaced circular recesses (22) are formed in the front side of the fastener (20) for deeply retaining a pair of circular magnets (23) respectively and a positioning groove (24) is centrally formed in the top of the fastener (20).

The sunglasses (30) comprise a pair of coloured lenses (31) to connected by a bridge (32), a centrally located projection plate (33) projecting inwardly from the inner side of the bridge (32) and engageable with the positioning groove (24) of the fastener (20).

Two corresponding magnets (34) are disposed at spaced positions on the back of the bridge (32) and are respectively engaged with the magnets (23) of the fastener (20) under opposite attractions (as shown in Figure 4). The magnets (34) enter the recesses (22) to ensure secure engagement of the magnets (23) and (34) and thus securing mounting of the sunglasses (30).

The fastener (20) is provided to enable the spectacles (10) to be attached to any type of sunglasses in a manner that is more convenient than the conventional two-piece structure and enables the user to buy a specific pair of spectacles for use with specific sunglasses. As the magnets (23) are deeply embedded into the recesses (22), this enables the corresponding magnets (34) to be inserted into the recesses (22) so as to sustain a vertical and lateral component of force such that the projection plate (33) can bear the weight of the sunglasses (30). Therefore, this method of attachment is very stable. The design of this fastener (20) also provides great convenience to the producers who just have to prepare different sized spectacles (10) and sunglasses (30) to cope with the different requirements of the users. In addition, the elastic clamping groove (21) can be moved to the top or underside to of the fastener (20) and clamps from the top or underside of the bridge (12).

Referring to Figures 5 to 7 of the drawings, a second embodiment of the present invention and comprises a pair of spectacles (40), a pair of Ushaped fasteners (50) and a pair of sunglasses (60).

The spectacles (40) include a pair of lenses (41) surrounded by rims (43), which are connected at their inner circumferences by go a bridge (44), and a pair of temples (42) respectively pivoted to one end of one of a pair of L-shaped plates. Each L-shaped plate has its transverse portion connected to an outer circumference of one of the rims (43) and includes a vertical screw hole (421). The other ends of the L-shaped plates are pivotally connected to a pair of temples (42).

Each of the U-shaped fasteners (50) has a vertical aligned through hole (51) engaged with the vertical through holes (421) so that the fasteners (50) can be secured in position by screws (52).

There is a recess in the front of each fastener (50) for receiving a first magnet (53) therein.

The sunglasses (60) include a pair of colored lenses (61) surrounded by a pair of rims (63) and connected by a bridge (62) to at their inner circumferences. Rectangular plates (64) project outwardly from the outer circumferences of the rims (63) provide mountings for a pair of second magnets (641) in their inner sides.

The second magnets (641) are respectively engaged with the first magnets (53) when the sunglasses (60) are attached to the spectacles (40) by the opposite attraction of the magnets (53) and (641). This embodiment has the advantage that the fasteners (50) will not break off and, if the fasteners (50) and the magnets (53) and (641) become oxidized, they can be changed.

do Figures 8 and 9 show a pair of alternative fasteners (50') for the second embodiment. The fasteners (50') are principally an enlarged version of the fasteners (50) and have the same structural elements such as the elastic clamping groove (51'), the recess (52') and the magnet (53'). This modification aims to strengthen the stability of the attachment of the sunglasses (60) to the spectacles (40).

Referring to Figures 10 to 14 of the drawings, a third embodiment of the three-piece combination spectacles of the s present invention is shown which comprises a pair of spectacles (70) composed of a pair of rimless lenses (72) connected by a bridge (71) which has a pair of internally threaded spaced horizontal projections formed on the inner sides of the two ends thereof and engaged into a through hole (not shown) adjacent the To inner periphery of each of the lenses (72) and secured by a pair of screws (76). A pair of spaced vertical rods (74) project downwardly from the underside of the bridge (71), and a pair of L-shaped temples (73) are connected to the front side near the outer periphery of the lenses (72). A pair of nose pads (75) are mounted on supporting rods (74) extending from the inner peripheries of the lenses (72) and an elongate fastener (90) having a slot (91) in each end is engaged with the vertical rods (74). A pair of spaced rectangular magnets (92) are disposed in the front of the fastener (90) adjacent the two ends thereof. A pair To of sunglasses (80) has a pair of colored lenses (82) connected by a bridge (81) on the inner side of which there is a pair of corresponding rectangular magnets (83) respectively engaged with the rectangular magnets (92) by opposite attractions. Due to the large size of the fastener (90) and the rectangular magnets (92), the attachment of the sunglasses (80) to the spectacles (70) is very reliable.

Figure 16 shows an alternative fastener (90') of the third embodiment. This fastener (90') has a pair of spaced recesses (91') formed in the top thereof and pressed into engagement with a pair of short vertical rods (74') on the underside of the bridge (71). The sizes and the positions of the rectangular magnets (92) remain unchanged.

to Figure 17 shows another alternative fastener (90") for the third embodiment. This fastener (90") has a pair of spaced oblique through holes (93) formed in the body of the fastener (90") and respectively engaged with a pair of internally threaded recesses (77) under the bridge (71) and secured in position by a pair of screws (94). The sizes and the positions of the rectangular magnets (92) also remain unchanged.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having

a pair of lenses surrounded by s rims which are connected on their inner peripheries by a first bridge and which are provided on their outer peripheries with a pair of temples; a pillow-shaped fastener made of plastic having a transverse elastic clamping groove in its rear, the groove including a narrow to opening and a wide interior, the fastener being clamped on the front of the bridge, a pair of spaced circular recesses being formed in the front of the fastener for receiving a pair of first circular magnets respectively and a positioning groove being formed centrally formed in the top of the fastener; a pair of sunglasses having a pair of coloured lenses connected at their inner peripheries by a second bridge which has a central projection plate projecting rearwardly from the inner side thereof and engaged with the positioning groove of the fastener and a pair of spaced second circular magnets projecting do rearwardly and engaged with said first circular magnets.
2. Combination spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

2. Three-piece combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having a pair of lenses surrounded by rims, a first bridge connecting the inner peripheries of the rims, a pair of L-shaped plates, each having one end connected to an outer periphery of one of said rims and each including a vertical screw hole and having a free end to which a temple is pivotally connected; a pair of U-shaped fasteners each having a vertical through hole aligned with one of the screw holes of the L-shaped plates and secured by a pair of screws and a circular recess in its front side in which is received a first circular magnet; a pair of sunglasses having coloured lenses surrounded by rims which are connected at their inner peripheries by a second to bridge and their outer peripheries of which are connected to a pair of rectangular plates each of which has a second circular magnet engaged with the respective first circular magnet;
3. Three-piece combination spectacles as claimed in claim 2, in which the U-shaped fasteners are of identical structure.

4. Three-piece combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having rimless lenses connected on their front surfaces adjacent their inner peripheries by a first bridge, a do pair of L-shaped temples connected to the outer peripheries of the lenses and a supporting rod at the inner periphery of each of said lenses for supporting a pair of nose pads, said bridge having a pair of spaced projection rods extending from adjacent the two ends thereof and each engaged with a through hole of one of said lenses and a pair of spaced vertical rods projecting downwardly from the underside thereof; an elongate fastener having a slot in each end engaged with the vertical rods of the bridge and a pair of first spaced rectangular magnets disposed on the front and adjacent the two ends thereof; a pair sunglasses having a pair of colored lenses connected at their inner peripheries by a second bridge which has a pair of second spaced rectangular magnets formed on its inner surface and engaged with the first rectangular magnets of the fastener.

5. Three-piece combination spectacles as claimed in Claim 4, having an alternative fastener having a pair of spaced recesses formed in its top and engaged with a pair of short vertical rods from the underside of said first bridge and a pair of first spaced rectangular magnets disposed in the front thereof.

6. Three-piece combination spectacles as claimed in Claim 4, having another alternative fastener having a pair of spaced oblique through holes formed therein for engagement with a pair do of screw holes of said first bridge and secured thereto by a pair of screws, and a pair of first spaced rectangular magnets formed in the front thereof.

7. Combination spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. Combination spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

9. Combination spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 10 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Combination spectacles comprising: a pair of spectacles having a pair of lenses surrounded by rims which are connected on their inner peripheries by a first bridge and which are provided on their outer peripheries with a pair of temples; a plastic fastener comprising a body having a transverse To elastic clamping groove, the groove including a narrow opening and a wider interior, the fastener being clamped on the front of the first bridge, a pair of spaced circular recesses being formed in the front of the fastener for receiving a pair of first circular magnets and a positioning groove being formed centrally in the top of the fastener; and a pair of sunglasses having a pair of coloured lenses connected at their inner peripheries by a second bridge which has a central projection extending rearwardly from the inner side thereof and engaged with the positioning groove of the fastener So and a pair of spaced second circular magnets projecting rearwardly and engaged with said first circular magnets.