U.S. patent application number 12/323229 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for coupling device with breakaway and methods of using the same.
Invention is credited to Nancy Tedeschi.
Application Number | 20100045926 12/323229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41692115 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100045926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tedeschi; Nancy |
February 25, 2010 |
COUPLING DEVICE WITH BREAKAWAY AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
Abstract
A coupling device with a breakaway tab and methods of using the
same for operably coupling an ornament to a side arm of an
apparatus having ornamentation. The coupling device comprises an
elongated body having openings at each end. One opening has been
adapted to receive a screw of a side arm, the other to receive an
ornamental fastener. A breakaway tab or non-threaded portion of the
elongated stem is provided to manipulate the screw and coupling
device so the coupling device may be inserted between a head of the
screw and an inside surface of the side arm. After engaging the
side arm by the screw, the breakaway tab or non-threaded portion of
the elongated stem of the screw may be broken off at a breakaway
and discarded.
Inventors: |
Tedeschi; Nancy; (Rexford,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GFD PATENTS, LLC
P.O. BOX 752
CLIFTON PARK
NY
12065
US
|
Family ID: |
41692115 |
Appl. No.: |
12/323229 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12196227 |
Aug 21, 2008 |
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12323229 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 11/02 20130101;
F16B 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/52 |
International
Class: |
G02C 11/02 20060101
G02C011/02 |
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 27, wherein the
ornamental fastener comprises an eyelet, an eyelet opening, a
shank, a bend, a grip, and an end.
4. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 3, wherein a lock
operably coupled to the shank of the ornamental fastener restricts
a gap between the shank and the grip of the ornamental
fastener.
5. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shank
further comprises a lock, wherein the lock, the shank, and the grip
are coextensive and coplanar.
6. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 5, wherein a width of
the gap between the shank and the apex of the lock is from about
0.01 to 0.02 in.
7. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 3, wherein a head of
the screw is releasably coupled to a breakaway tab by a breakaway,
therebetween.
8 The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first
surface of each section of the elongated body of the coupling means
and a surface of the breakaway tab of the coupling means are
coextensive and coplanar.
9. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 27, wherein the
breakaway of the coupling means is between the breakaway tab of the
coupling means and the opening of the coupling means adapted to
receive the ornamental fastener.
10. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 9, wherein a width
of the breakaway is less than or equal to 0.010 in. +/-10%, and a
length of the breakaway is less than or equal to from about 0.005
in. to about 0.007 in. when the diameter of the opening in the
first section is from about 0.0675 in. to about 0.0825 in.
11. An ornamented eyeglass apparatus, comprising: an eyeglass
frame; a first side piece, comprising an inside surface, a coupling
device operably coupled to the inside surface, comprising: an
elongated body having first and second sections, wherein a first
surface of each section has an opening therein, wherein the opening
in the first surface of the first section has been adapted to
receive a screw for operably coupling the coupling device to the
inside surface of the first side piece and the opening in the first
surface of the second section has been adapted to receive an
ornamental fastener; a breakaway tab, releasably coupled to the
elongated body; and a breakaway, therebetween, wherein the
breakaway is not between an end of the first section of the
elongated body.
12. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
ornamental fastener comprises an eyelet, an eyelet opening, a
shank, a bend, a grip, and an end.
13. The ornamented eyeglass apparatus of claim 12, wherein a lock
operably coupled to the shank of the ornamental fastener restricts
a gap between the shank and the grip of the ornamental
fastener.
14-15. (canceled)
16. The method of claim 23, wherein the ornamental fastener
comprises a eyelet, a eyelet opening, a shank, a bend, a grip, and
a end.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the shank further comprises a
lock, wherein the lock, the shank, and the grip are coextensive and
coplanar.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein a width of a gap between the
shank and the apex of the lock is from about 0.01 to 0.02 in.
19. The method of claim 23, wherein the first surface of the
elongated body ad a surface of the breakaway tab are coextensive ad
coplanar.
20. The method of claim 23, wherein the breakaway is between the
breakaway tab ad the opening adapted to receive the ornamental
fastener.
21. The method of claim 23, wherein a head of the screw is
releasably coupled to a breakaway tab.
22. The method of claim 23, wherein a width of the breakaway is
less than or equal to 0.010 in. +/-10%, ad a length of the
breakaway is less than or equal to from about 0.005 in. to about
0.007 in. when the diameter of the opening in the first section is
from about 0.0675 in. to about 0.0825 in.
23. A method for operably coupling an ornament to an inside surface
of a side arm of an apparatus having ornamentation, comprising:
providing a side arm having, an inside surface, providing a
coupling device comprising: an elongated body having first and
second sections, wherein a first surface of each section has an
opening therein, wherein the opening in the first surface of the
first section has been adapted to receive a screw for operably
coupling the coupling device to the inside surface of the side arm
and the opening in the first surface of the second section has been
adapted to receive an ornamental fastener; operably coupling the
coupling device to the inside surface of the side arm; suspending
the ornamental fastener from the opening in the first surface of
the second section; and suspending an ornament from the ornamental
fastener.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein operably coupling the coupling
device to the inside surface of the side arm comprises: providing a
screw selected from the group consisting of a screw having a head
and an elongated stem, wherein the elongated stem has a threaded
first portion adjacent to the head of the screw and a releasably
coupled non-threaded second portion extending from the threaded
first portion, and a breakaway therebetween, and a screw having a
head and an elongated stem, wherein the elongated stem has a
threaded first portion adjacent to the head of the screw without a
non-threaded second portion extending from the threaded first
portion, and wherein a breakaway tab is releasably coupled to the
head of the screw and a breakaway therebetween; inserting the
coupling device between a head of the screw and the inside surface
of the side arm; and rotating the screw.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein rotating the screw comprises:
aligning the non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem of
the screw with the opening in the first surface of the first
section of the elongated body of the coupling device and with the
inside surface of the side arm by manipulating the non-threaded
second portion of the elongated stem and the breakaway tab of the
coupling device so that the threaded first portion of the elongated
stem of the screw fastens the coupling device to the inside surface
of the side arm.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein rotating the screw comprises:
aligning the threaded first portion of the elongated stem of the
screw, without the non-threaded second portion extending from the
threaded first portion, with the opening in the first surface of
the first section of the coupling device and with the inside
surface of the side arm by manipulating the breakaway tab
releasably coupled to the head of the screw and the breakaway tab
releasably coupled to the elongated body of the coupling device so
that the threaded first portion of the elongated stem of the screw
fastens the coupling device to the inside surface of the side
arm.
27. An ornamented eyeglass apparatus, comprising: an eyeglass
frame; a first side piece, comprising an inside surface, wherein a
proximal end of the first side piece is operably coupled to a first
end of the eyeglass frame by a first hinge therebetween; a coupling
means for operably coupling an ornamental fastener to the inside
surface of the first side piece, comprising: an elongated body
having first and second sections, wherein a first surface of each
section has an opening therein, wherein the opening in the first
surface of the first section of the coupling means has been adapted
to receive a screw for operably coupling the coupling means to the
inside surface of the first side piece and the opening in the first
surface of the second section of the coupling means has been
adapted to receive the ornamental fastener; a breakaway tab,
releasably coupled to the elongated body; and a breakaway,
therebetween, wherein the breakaway is not between an end of the
first section of the elongated body; an ornamental fastener
suspended from the opening in the first surface of the second
section; and an ornament suspended from the ornamental fastener.
Description
[0001] The present patent application is a continuation-in-part
claiming priority from non-provisional application with Ser. No.
12/196,227 (filed Aug. 21, 2008 and titled "Coupling Device With
Breakaway and Methods of Using the Same").
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fasteners. More
specifically, the invention relates to coupling devices and their
uses in joints.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Eyeglasses are a necessary part of everyday attire for some
people, including full-time or part-time eyeglass wearers. And
although contact lenses are an option for some people, there are
those who cannot or will not tolerate contact lenses for a variety
of reasons. In addition, some people do not mind or actually like
to wear eyeglasses, i.e., particularly with attractive and stylish
eyeglass frames. Eyeglass frames come in a wide variety of styles,
but are typically not replaced more frequently than annually, for
example, due to expense as well as other factors, such as the time
needed and often difficult decision in picking out new frames.
[0004] Eyeglasses or not, most people do exhibit some degree of
vanity. Indeed, some people like to add style or decoration to any
aspect of their wardrobe. Moreover, some people particularly enjoy
adding jewelry or other decorative articles to enhance their "look"
in creative and classy ways, with respect to either their daily
attire, or for particular outings or special events.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a novel way for
people to decorate their attire, particularly those who wear
eyeglasses.
[0006] It is also desirable to provide a novel way to decorate an
eyeglass frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides an
ornamented eyeglass apparatus, comprising:an eyeglass frame; a
first side piece, wherein a proximal end of the first side piece is
operably coupled to a first end of the frame by a first hinge
therebetween; and an ornament suspended from the apparatus, wherein
the ornament is not directly suspended from either of the
sidepieces or from a screw in the first or second hinge.
[0008] A second aspect of the present invention provides an
ornamented eyeglass apparatus, comprising:an eyeglass frame; a
first side piece, comprising an inside surface; a coupling device
operably coupled to the inside surface, comprising: an elongated
body having first and second sections, wherein a first surface of
each section has an opening therein, wherein the opening in the
first surface of the first section has been adapted to receive a
screw for operably coupling the coupling device to the inside
surface of the first side piece and the opening in the first
surface of the second section has been adapted to receive an
ornamental fastener; a breakaway tab, releasably coupled to the
elongated body; and a breakaway, therebetween, wherein the
breakaway is not between the breakaway tab and an end of the first
section of the elongated body.
[0009] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method
for operably coupling an ornament to an inside surface of a side
arm of an apparatus having ornamentation, comprising: providing a
side arm having an inside surface; providing a coupling device
comprising: an elongated body having first and second sections,
wherein a first surface of each section has an opening therein,
wherein the opening in the first surface of the first section has
been adapted to receive a screw for operably coupling the coupling
device to the inside surface of the side arm and the opening in the
first surface of the second section has been adapted to receive an
ornamental fastener; a breakaway tab, releasably coupled to the
elongated body; and a breakaway, therebetween, wherein the
breakaway is not between the breakaway tab and an end of the first
section of the elongated body; providing a screw having a head, and
either an elongated stem having a threaded first portion adjacent
to the head of the screw and a releasably coupled non-threaded
second portion extending from the threaded first portion, and a
breakaway therebetween, or an elongated stem having a threaded
first portion adjacent to the head of the screw without a
non-threaded second portion extending from the threaded first
portion, a breakaway tab releasably coupled to the head of the
screw and a breakaway therebetween; and inserting the coupling
device between a head of the screw and the inside surface of the
side arm and rotating the screw, by aligning either the
non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem with the opening
in the first surface of the first section of the coupling device
and with the inside surface of the side arm or the threaded first
portion of the elongated stem without the non-threaded second
portion extending from the threaded first portion by manipulating
either the non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem and
the breakaway tab of the coupling device or breakaway tab
releasably coupled to the head of the screw and the breakaway tab
releasably coupled to the elongated body so that the threaded first
portion of the elongated stem fastens the coupling device to the
inside surface of the side arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of the coupling device, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
coupling device, taken along the line 2-2, depicted in FIG. 1, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
coupling device, depicted in FIG. 2, and an exploded longitudinal
cross-sectional view of the coupling device, depicted in FIG. 5, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view
of the ornamental fastener 80 depicted in FIG. 3, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a side elevation view of an apparatus having
ornamentation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 6A-6C depict a flow diagram of a method for inserting
a coupling device in an eyeglass hinge, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an
elongated body, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 depicts an inside side cross-sectional view of an
apparatus having ornamentation, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 depicts an expanded view of the ornamental assembly
illustrated in FIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of the apparatus having
ornamentation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 depicts a side elevation view of the apparatus
having ornamentation, taken along the line 11-11, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention; and
[0022] FIGS. 12A-12C depict a flow sheet of a method for operably
coupling an ornament to an inside surface of a side arm of an
apparatus having ornamentation, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIGS. 1-5 depict a coupling device 10, comprising: an
elongated body 14 having first and second sections 12, 13. A first
surface 50 of each section 12,13 has an opening 30, 25 therein. The
opening 30 in the first surface 50 of the first section 12 has been
adapted to receive a screw 70 and the opening 25 in the first
surface 50 of the second section 13 has been adapted to receive an
ornamental fastener 80. The coupling device 10, comprises a
breakaway tab 37 releasably coupled to the elongated body 14 and a
breakaway 35, therebetween, wherein the breakaway 35 is not between
the breakaway tab 37 and an end A of the first section 12 of the
elongated body 14.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of the coupling device 10. In
one embodiment, a length L.sub.1, between ends A and B of the
elongated body 14 may be from about 0.225 in. to about 0.275 in.
The openings 30 and 25 extend completely through both the first
surface 50 and the surface facing away from the first surface
50.
[0025] In one embodiment, the centers of the opening 30, 25 may lie
on a longitudinal axis 31 of the coupling device 10. A length from
about 0.112 in. to about 0.138 in. may separate the centers of the
opening 30, 25 along the longitudinal axis 31 of the coupling
device 10.
[0026] Point E on the perimeter of opening 30, and point F on the
perimeter of opening 25 define the nearest adjacent points along
adjacent portions of the perimeter around each opening 30 and 25.
In one embodiment, points E and F are separated by a length L.sub.4
that is from about 0.035 in. to about 0.045 in.
[0027] In one embodiment, the opening 30 may be oval and have a
diameter from about 0.0675 in. to about 0.0825 in.
[0028] In one embodiment, the opening 25 may be elliptical and have
a width of from about 0.020 in. .+-.10% and a length from about
0.066.+-.10%.
[0029] In one embodiment, the first and second sections 12 and 13
of the elongated body 14 of the coupling device 10 are lobes of a
planar figure eight that are co-planar with the first surface 50.
The points 1, 2 define a diameter of the first end 12 and the
points 3, 4 define a diameter of the second end 13 of the elongated
body 14 of the coupling device 10. The first end 12 tapers from
points 1,2 to points 6 and 7 of a mid-section 5 between the first
and second sections 12 and 13, and the second end 13 tapers from
point 3, 4 to points 6 and 7 of the mid-section 5 between the first
and second sections 12 and 13, so that the elongated body 14 has
the shape of a planar figure eight. Hereinafter "taper" is defined
as a gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object
to the points 6 and 7 of a mid-section 5 between the first and
second sections 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the width L.sub.4,
between the points E and F of the midsection 5, is narrower than
the diameters of either of the first and second sections 12 and
13.
[0030] In one embodiment, the diameter of the first and second
sections 12, 13 may be from about 0.10 in. to about 0.13 in.
[0031] The breakaway 35 may releasably couple the elongated body 14
to the breakaway tab 37. Hereinafter, a "breakaway" is defined as a
releasable coupling between the breakaway tab 37 and a distal end B
of the elongated body 14. Hereinafter, "distal end of the elongated
body 14" is defined as the further point along the elongated body
14 in reference to the opening 30 of the first end 12 of the
elongated body 14.
[0032] For embodiments of the coupling device 10, the breakaway is
advantageously not between the breakaway tab 37 and a proximal end
A of the elongated body 14. Hereinafter, "proximal end of the
elongated body 14" is defined as the nearer point along the
elongated body 14 in reference to the opening 30 of the first end
12 of the elongated body 14.
[0033] Hereinafter "releasably coupling" or "releasable couple" is
defined as forming or braking or cleaving or severing a mechanical
and physical coupling between the distal end B of the elongated
body 14 and the point C of the breakaway tab 37.
[0034] Hereinafter, "operably coupled" or "operable coupling" is
defined as physically and mechanically attaching or joining,
wherein the pieces attached or joined are free to rotate, pivot, or
slide.
[0035] The coupling device 10, which includes the elongated body
14, the breakaway tab 37, and the breakaway 35, may be made of
stainless steel, brass, nickel/sliver, carbon steel, titanium, or
other appropriate metals or metal alloys.
[0036] In one embodiment, a width L.sub.2 of the breakaway tab 37
may be from about 0.225 in. to about 0.275 in. and a length L.sub.3
of the breakaway tab 37, between points C and D, may be from about
0.45 in. to about 0.55 in.
[0037] In one embodiment, a width of the breakaway 35 is less than
or equal to 0.010 in. .+-.10%, and a length of the breakaway 35 is
less than or equal to from about 0.005 in. to about 0.007 in. when
the diameter of the opening 30 is from about 0.0675 in. to about
0.0825 in.
[0038] FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
coupling device 10, taken along the line 2-2, depicted in FIG. 1,
further comprising a screw 70 and a hinge 66, the hinge 66,
comprising first and second straps 60, 61, pivotably coupled to a
cylinder 62. The cylinder 62 has a hollow threaded channel 64
therein. The screw 70, comprises: a breakaway tab 74 and a
breakaway 75 therebetween. The screw 70 may have a threaded first
portion 76 and a non-threaded second portion 74 with a breakaway
75, therebetween. Alternatively, the screw 70 may have a threaded
first portion 76 without the non-threaded second portion 74. In
this embodiment, the screw head 77 of the screw 70 may be
releasably coupled to a breakaway tab 72 with a breakaway 71
therebetween. The screw 70 has been disclosed in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A,
2B, 3A, and 3B, and associated text, therein, of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/187,254, dated Aug. 6, 2008 and disclosed
by Nancy Tedeschi, the inventor of the present application, and is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0039] In one embodiment, the coupling device 10 may advantageously
be installed between a first surface 78 of a screw head 77 and a
first surface 65 of the hinge 66, and a second end 13 having an
opening 25, such as a slit in it to hang specialized ornaments
from. The coupling device 10 may advantageously be installed by
inserting the non-threaded second portion 74 of the screw 70 in the
direction of the arrow 73 into the opening 30, and further into the
hollow threaded channel 64 of the hinge 66.
[0040] The non-threaded second portion 74 of the screw 70 has been
inserted into the hollow threaded channel 64 in the hinge 66 so
that the threaded first portion 76 of the screw 70 catches at least
one of the threads 63 of the hollow threaded channel 64 of the
hinge 66. The screw 70 is tightened into the hollow threaded
channel 64 by rotating the non-threaded second portion 74 clockwise
so that the first surface 78 of the screw head 77 becomes coplanar
with the first surface 50 of the first end 12 of the elongated body
14.
[0041] Alternatively, in the embodiment in which the screw 70 may
have a threaded first portion 76 without the non-threaded second
portion 74, and the breakaway tab 72 releasably coupled to the
screw head 77, the screw 70 may be tightened into the hollow
threaded channel 64 by rotating the breakaway tab 72 and the
threaded first portion 76 clockwise so that the first surface 78 of
the screw head 77 becomes coplanar with the first surface 50 of the
first end 12 of the elongated body 14. Hereinafter "releasably
coupling" or "releasably coupled" is defined as forming or braking
or cleaving or severing a mechanical and physical coupling between
end C of the breakaway tab 37 and the distal end B of the elongated
body 14.
[0042] Having the breakaway tab 37 releasably coupled to the distal
end B of the elongated body 14 with the breakaway 35 therebetween,
or releasable coupled to the screw head 77, advantageously enables
installation of the elongated body 14, for example, the double
washer, by inserting the screw 70 through the opening 30 and
threading the threaded first portion 76 of the screw 70 into the
hollow threaded channel 64 so that the first surface 78 of the
screw head 77 becomes coplanar with the first surface 50 of the
first end 12 of the elongated body 14 without obstruction or
interference from any irregularities in the surface 40 of the
breakaway tab 37 or non-planarity with the first surface 50 of the
elongated body 14 because the breakaway tab 37 is not releasably
coupled to the proximal end A of the elongated body 14. Likewise,
the subsequent breaking off of the breakaway tab 37 from the
breakaway 35 is not obstructed or interfered with by installing the
elongated body 14 by making the first surface 78 of the screw head
77 flush with and tightened against the first surface 50 of the
elongated body because the breakaway tab 37 is not releasably
coupled to the proximal end A of the elongated body 14
[0043] The elongated body 14, for example, the double washer, may
be in varying sizes and shapes. The breakaway tab 37 may be
attached to the double washer by a breakaway 35 and after
installation of the double washer may be broken off at the
breakaway 35.
[0044] FIG. 3 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
coupling device 10, depicted in FIG. 2, and an exploded
longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling device 10,
depicted in FIG. 5, after the releasably coupled breakaway tab 37,
72 has been broken off at the breakaway 35, 71 and an ornamental
fastener 80 has been operably coupled to the second end 13 of the
elongated body 14. The ornamental fastener 80 comprises an eyelet
190, an eyelet opening 83, a shank 87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip
88, and an end 81. Hereinafter, an "eyelet" is defined as a metal
ring or grommet, or short metallic tube, the ends of which can be
bent outward and over to fasten it in place; used to line an eyelet
hole. An eyelet opening is defined as a hole made for an
eyelet.
[0045] The end 81 of the ornamental fastener 80 has been inserted
into the opening 25 of the second end 13 of the elongated body 14,
so that the lock 82 spans the gap 89 between the shank 87 and the
grip 88, so that the lock 82 may block removal of the ornamental
fastener 80 from the opening 25 of the second end 13 of the
elongated body
[0046] The eyelet opening 83 of the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80
may be operably coupled to the ornament 85 using eyelet 86 of the
ornament 85. The eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 may be operably
coupled to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80, for example, by
threading one end of a string through the eyelet opening 83 and
tied to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80 and the other end
threaded through the eyelet opening 183 of the eyelet 86 of the
ornament 85, and tied to the eyelet 86 of the of the ornament
85.
[0047] The eyelet 86 may be a split ring washer that operably
couples the eyelet 190 to an eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 by
inserting the eyelet 190 into the slot of the split ring washer and
then mechanically forcing the slot to close.
[0048] The ornament 85 may be an extended ornamental chain 185
comprising decorative members such as pearls, cut glass,
semi-precious stones, shells, black obsidian, onyx,
mother-of-pearl, or diamonds.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view
of the ornamental fastener 80 depicted in FIG. 3. The ornamental
fastener 80 comprises an eyelet 190, an eyelet opening 83, a shank
87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip 88, and an end 81. The lock 82
spans the gap 89 between the shank 87 and the grip 88, so that the
lock 82 may block removal of the ornamental fastener 80 from the
opening 25 of the second end 13 of the elongated body 14 when the
end 81 of the ornamental fastener 80 has been inserted into the
opening 25 of the second end 13 of the elongated body 14.
[0050] In one embodiment, a length L.sub.5 between an apex G of the
bend 84 and the end 81 of the ornamental fastener may be from about
0.24 in. to about 0.30 in. In another embodiment, the length
L.sub.5 between the tip of the bend 84 and the end 81 of the
ornamental fastener may be from about 0.42 in. to about 0.53 in. In
one embodiment, a length L.sub.6 between an apex H of the lock 82
and the apex G of the bend 84 may be from about 0.13 in to about
0.17 in. Alternatively, the length L.sub.6 between an apex H of the
lock 82 and the apex G of the bend 84 may be from about 0.24 in. to
about 0.31 in.
[0051] In one embodiment, a width L.sub.7 of the shank 87 of the
ornamental fastener 80 may be from about 0.027 in. to about 0.33
in.
[0052] In one embodiment, a width of the gap 89 between the shank
87 and the grip 88 may be from about 0.045 in to about 0.055
in.
[0053] In one embodiment, a width of the gap 89 between the shank
87 and the apex H of the lock 82 may be from about 0.01 to 0.02
in.
[0054] In one embodiment, a diameter of the eyelet opening 83 may
be from about 0.045 in. to about 0.055 in.
[0055] In one embodiment, a diameter of the eyelet 190 may be from
about 0.095 in. to about 0.115 in.
[0056] In one embodiment, a length L.sub.8 from the apex G of the
bend 84 to the end 81 of the eyelet 190 is from about 0.36 in. to
about 0.44 in. Alternatively, the length L.sub.8 from the apex G of
the bend 84 to the end 81 of the eyelet 190 is from about 0.56 in.
to about 0.69 in.
[0057] FIG. 5 depicts a side elevation view of an ornamented
eyeglass apparatus 155, comprising: an eyeglass frame 90, first and
second side pieces 95, 96, and an ornamental assembly 276. The
ornamental assembly 276 comprises the coupling device 10, after the
releasably coupled breakaway tab 37, 72 has been broken off at the
breakaway 35, 71. An ornamental fastener 80 has been operably
coupled to the second end 13 of the elongated body 14. The
ornamental fastener 80, also depicted in FIG. 3, and described in
associated text, comprises an eyelet 190, an eyelet opening 83, a
shank 87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip 88, and an end 81.
[0058] In one embodiment, the ornamented eyeglass apparatus 155
comprises an eyeglass frame 90. The eyeglass frame 90 comprises
first and second side pieces 95, 96, wherein a proximal end 91 of
the first side piece 95 is operably coupled to a first end 92 of
the frame 90 by a first hinge 66 therebetween. An ornament 85 may
be suspended from the apparatus 155, wherein the ornament 85 is not
directly suspended from either of the sidepieces 95, 96 or from a
screw 70 in the first hinge 66.
[0059] In one embodiment, the ornamented eyeglass apparatus 155
comprises a coupling device 10 operably coupled to the hinge 66,
comprising: an elongated body 14 having first and second sections
12,13, wherein a first surface 50 of each section 12, 13 has an
opening 30, 25 therein, wherein the opening 30 in the first surface
50 of the first section 12 has been adapted to receive a screw 70
for operably coupling the coupling device 10 to the hinge 66 and
the opening 25 in the first surface 50 of the second section 13 has
been adapted to receive an ornamental fastener 80. The coupling
device 10 comprises a breakaway tab 37, releasably coupled to the
elongated body 14; and a breakaway 35, therebetween. In this
embodiment, the breakaway 35 is not between the breakaway tab 37
and an end A of the first section 12 of the elongated body 14.
[0060] FIGS. 6A-6C depict a flow diagram of a method 100 for
inserting a coupling device 10, as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, and
described in associated text, herein, in a hinge 66 of an eyeglass
frame 90.
[0061] A step 105 provides an eyeglass hinge 66 from which the
screw 70 has been removed from a hollow threaded channel 64.
[0062] A step 110 of the method 100 provides a coupling device 10
comprising: an elongated body 14 having first and second sections
12, 13. A first surface 50 of each section 12,13 has an opening 30,
25 therein. The opening 30 in the first surface 50 of the first
section 12 has been adapted to receive a screw 70 for operably
coupling the coupling device 10 to the hinge 66. The opening 25 in
the first surface 50 of the second section 13 has been adapted to
receive an ornamental fastener 80. The step 110 provides the
coupling device 10, further comprising a breakaway tab 37,
releasably coupled to the elongated body 14; and a breakaway 35,
therebetween, wherein the breakaway 35 is not between the breakaway
tab 37 and an end A of the first section 12 of the elongated body
14.
[0063] A step 115 of the method 100 provides a screw 70 having a
head 77, and either an elongated stem 79 having a threaded first
portion 76 adjacent to the head 77 of the screw 70 and a releasably
coupled non-threaded second portion 74 extending from the threaded
first portion 76, and a breakaway 75 therebetween, or an elongated
stem 79 having a threaded first portion 76 adjacent to the head 77
of the screw 70 without a non-threaded second portion 74 extending
from the threaded first portion 76, a breakaway tab 72 releasably
coupled to the head 77 of the screw 70 and a breakaway 71
therebetween.
[0064] A step 120 of the method 100 provides inserting the coupling
device 10 between a head 77 of the screw 70 and a first surface 65
of the hinge 66 and rotating the screw 70, by aligning either the
non-threaded second portion 74 of the elongated stem 79 with the
opening 30 in the first surface 50 of the first section 12 of the
coupling device 10 and with the hollow threaded channel 64 of the
hinge 66 or the threaded first portion 76 of the elongated stem 79
without the non-threaded second portion 74 extending from the
threaded first portion 76 by manipulating either the non-threaded
second portion 74 of the elongated stem 79 and the breakaway tab 37
of the coupling device 10 or breakaway tab 72 releasably coupled to
the head 77 of the screw 70 and the breakaway tab 37 releasably
coupled to the elongated body 14 so that the threaded first portion
76 of the elongated stem 79 engages the threads 63 of the hollow
threaded channel 64 of the hinge 66.
[0065] FIG. 7 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
elongated body 14 of the coupling device 10, depicted in FIG. 1,
and described in associated text, herein, after the breakaway 37
has been removed. The elongated body 14 of the coupling device 10
comprises: first and second sections 12, 13. A first surface 50 of
each section 12, 13 has an opening 30, 25 therein. The opening 30
in the first surface 50 of the first section 12 has been adapted to
receive a screw 70, as depicted in FIG. 2 and described in
associated text, and the opening 25 in the first surface 50 of the
second section 13 has been adapted to receive an ornamental
fastener 80, as depicted in FIG. 3 and described in associated
text.
[0066] FIG. 8 depicts an inside side cross-sectional view of an
ornamented eyeglass apparatus 160, comprising: a side arm 165, a
front portion 163, and a hinge 161, therebetween. The hinge 161
comprises a hinge fastener 162. The hinge fastener 162 may be a
screw.
[0067] The ornamented eyeglass apparatus 160 may be an eyeglass
frame having ornamentation. When the ornamented eyeglass apparatus
160 is an eyeglass frame having ornamentation, a front portion 163
of the ornamented eyeglass apparatus 160 may comprise a lens
encompassing portion 164.
[0068] In FIG. 8, the elongated body 14 of the ornamental assembly
176 may advantageously be installed against a first surface 166 of
the side arm 165 of the apparatus having ornamentation 160, by
inserting a screw 170 in the direction of the arrow 173 into the
opening 30 of the elongated body 30, depicted in FIG. 7, and
described in associated text. In one embodiment, the surface 50 of
the elongated body 14 may be parallel to the surface 166 of the
sidearm 165 of the ornamented eyeglass apparatus 160.
[0069] In FIG. 8, the ornamental fastener 80 has been operably
coupled to the second end 13 of the elongated body 14. The
ornamental fastener 80 comprises an eyelet 190, an eyelet opening
83, a shank 87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip 88, and an end 81, as
depicted in FIGS. 3-4, and described in text herein. FIG. 3 depicts
operably coupling the ornamental fastener 80 and the end 13 of the
elongated body 14 by inserting the end 81 of the ornamental
fastener 80 into the opening 25 of the second end 13 of the
elongated body 14, so that the lock 82 spans the gap 89 between the
shank 87 and the grip 88, so that the lock 82 may block removal of
the ornamental fastener 80 from the opening 25 of the second end 13
of the elongated body 14.
[0070] The eyelet 190 of the fastener 80 may be operably coupled to
the eyelet 86 of the ornament 85, depicted in FIGS. 3, 5, and
described in text herein. The eyelet opening 83 of the eyelet 190
of the fastener 80 may be operably coupled to the ornament 85 using
eyelet 86 of the ornament 85. The eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 may
be operably coupled to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80, for
example, by threading one end of a string through the eyelet
opening 83 and tied to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80 and the
other end threaded through the eyelet opening 183 of the eyelet 86
of the ornament 85, and tied to the eyelet 86 of the of the
ornament 85.
[0071] The eyelet 86 may be a split ring washer that operably
couples the eyelet 190 to an eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 by
inserting the eyelet 190 into the slot of the split ring washer and
then mechanically forcing the slot to close.
[0072] The ornament 85 may be an extended ornamental chain 185
comprising decorative members such as pearls, cut glass,
semi-precious stones, shells, black obsidian, onyx,
mother-of-pearl, or diamonds.
[0073] In one embodiment, the surface 50 of the elongated body 14
is parallel to the surface 166 of the sidearm 165 of the ornamented
eyeglass apparatus 160, and the second end 13 of the elongated body
14 has an opening 25, such as a slit from which the ornament 85 may
be hung.
[0074] It is an object of the present invention to avoid having the
ornament 85 become a distraction or annoyance because the movement
caused by a person moving his or her head becomes visible because
the moving ornament 85 is in a person's field of vision. Hanging
the ornament 85 from the elongated body 14 affixed to the sidearm
165, depicted in FIG. 8, instead of from the hinge 66 depicted in
FIGS. 3, 5, may move the ornament 85 out of the person's field of
vision.
[0075] FIG. 9 depicts an expanded view of the ornamental assembly
176 defined within the elliptical hashed line 9 illustrated in FIG.
8. The ornamental assembly 176 comprises the coupling device 10,
after the releasably coupled breakaway tab 37, 72 has been broken
off at the breakaway 35, 71. An ornamental fastener 80 has been
operably coupled to the second end 13 of the elongated body 14. The
ornamental fastener 80, also depicted in FIG. 3, and described in
associated text, comprises an eyelet 190, an eyelet opening 83, a
shank 87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip 88, and an end 81.
[0076] In FIG. 9, the ornamental fastener 80 may be operably
coupled to the second end 13 of the elongated body 14 by inserting
the end 81 of the ornamental fastener 80 in the direction of the
arrow 285 into the opening 25 of the second end 13 of the elongated
body 14, so that the lock 82 spans the gap 89 between the shank 87
and the grip 88, so that the lock 82 may block removal of the
ornamental fastener 80 from the opening 25 of the second end 13 of
the elongated body 14.
[0077] The ornamental fastener 80 comprises an eyelet 190, an
eyelet opening 83, a shank 87, a lock 82, a bend 84, a grip 88, and
an end 81, as depicted in FIGS. 3-4, and described in text herein.
FIG. 3 depicts operably coupling the ornamental fastener 80 and the
end 13 of the elongated body 14 by inserting the end 81 of the
ornamental fastener 80 into the opening 25 of the second end 13 of
the elongated body 14, so that the lock 82 spans the gap 89 between
the shank 87 and the grip 88, so that the lock 82 may block removal
of the ornamental fastener 80 from the opening 25 of the second end
13 of the elongated body 14.
[0078] The eyelet 190 of the fastener 80 may be operably coupled to
the eyelet 86 of the ornament 85, depicted in FIGS. 3, 5, and
described in text herein. The eyelet opening 83 of the eyelet 190
of the fastener 80 may be operably coupled to the ornament 85 using
eyelet 86 of the ornament 85. The eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 may
be operably coupled to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80, for
example, by threading one end of a string through the eyelet
opening 83 and tied to the eyelet 190 of the fastener 80 and the
other end threaded through the eyelet opening 183 of the eyelet 86
of the ornament 85, and tied to the eyelet 86 of the of the
ornament 85.
[0079] The eyelet 86 may be a split ring washer that operably
couples the eyelet 190 to an eyelet 86 of the ornament 85 by
inserting the eyelet 190 into the slot of the split ring washer and
then mechanically forcing the slot to close.
[0080] The ornament 85 may be an extended ornamental chain 185
comprising decorative members such as pearls, cut glass,
semi-precious stones, shells, black obsidian, onyx,
mother-of-pearl, or diamonds.
[0081] FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of the ornamented eyeglass
apparatus 160, taken along the line 10-10, illustrated in FIG. 8,
comprising a side arm 165, a front portion 163, and a hinge 161,
therebetween. The hinge 161 comprises a hinge fastener 162. The
hinge fastener 162 may be a screw.
[0082] FIGS. 8 and 10 depict the elongated body 14 of the
ornamental assembly 176 may advantageously be installed against a
first surface 166 of the side arm 165 of the apparatus having
ornamentation 160, by inserting a screw 170 in the direction of the
arrow 173 into the opening 30 of the elongated body 30, depicted in
FIG. 7, and described in associated text. A label 175 may be
affixed to the outside face 178 of the side arm 165 by inserting a
screw 170 having a length sufficiently long to extend beyond the
width of the side arm 165 so that a portion of the screw 170
extends into and holds the label 175 against the outer face of the
side arm 165. The label 175 may be made of polished steel, plastic
or ornamental stone.
[0083] FIG. 11 depicts a side elevation view of the ornamented
eyeglass apparatus 160, taken along the line 11-11, illustrated in
FIG. 10, comprising: a side arm 165, a front portion 163, and a
hinge 161, therebetween. The hinge 161 comprises a hinge fastener
162. The hinge fastener 162 may be a screw. The label 175 may be
affixed to the outside face 178 of the side arm 165 by inserting a
screw 170 into the inside surface 166 of the side arm 165 having a
length sufficiently long to extend beyond the width of the side arm
165 so that a portion of the screw 170 extends into and holds the
label 175 against the outer face of the side arm 165, without
penetrating the surface 180 of the label 175.
[0084] FIGS. 12A-12C depict a method 900 for operably coupling an
ornament 85 to an inside surface 166 of a side arm 165 of an
ornamented eyeglass apparatus 160, as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, and
7-11, and described in associated text, herein.
[0085] A step 905 provides a side arm 165 of the ornamented
eyeglass apparatus 160 having an inside surface 166.
[0086] A step 910 of the method 100 provides a coupling device 10
comprising: an elongated body 14 having first and second sections
12,13. A first surface 50 of each section 12,13 has an opening 30,
25 therein. The opening 30 in the first surface 50 of the first
section 12 has been adapted to receive a screw 70 for operably
coupling the coupling device 10 to the inside surface 166 of the
side arm 165. The opening 25 in the first surface 50 of the second
section 13 has been adapted to receive an ornamental fastener 80.
The step 910 provides the coupling device 10, further comprising a
breakaway tab 37, releasably coupled to the elongated body 14; and
a breakaway 35, therebetween, wherein the breakaway 35 is not
between the breakaway tab 37 and an end A of the first section 12
of the elongated body 14.
[0087] A step 915 of the method 900 provides a screw 70 having a
head 77, and either an elongated stem 79 having a threaded first
portion 76 adjacent to the head 77 of the screw 70 and a releasably
coupled non-threaded second portion 74 extending from the threaded
first portion 76, and a breakaway 75 therebetween, or an elongated
stem 79 having a threaded first portion 76 adjacent to the head 77
of the screw 70 without a non-threaded second portion 74 extending
from the threaded first portion 76, a breakaway tab 72 releasably
coupled to the head 77 of the screw 70 and a breakaway 71
therebetween.
[0088] A step 920 of the method 900 provides inserting the coupling
device 10 between a head 77 of the screw 70 and the inside surface
165 of the side arm 166 and rotating the screw 70, by aligning
either the non-threaded second portion 74 of the elongated stem 79
with the opening 30 in the first surface 50 of the first section 12
of the coupling device 10 and with the inside surface 165 of the
side arm 166 or the threaded first portion 76 of the elongated stem
79 without the non-threaded second portion 74 extending from the
threaded first portion 76 by manipulating either the non-threaded
second portion 74 of the elongated stem 79 and the breakaway tab 37
of the coupling device 10 or breakaway tab 72 releasably coupled to
the head 77 of the screw 70 and the breakaway tab 37 releasably
coupled to the elongated body 14 so that the threaded first portion
76 of the elongated stem 79 fastens the coupling device 10 to the
inside surface 165 of the side arm 166.
[0089] The description of the embodiments of the present invention
is given above for the understanding of the present invention. It
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of various
modifications, rearrangements and substitutions as will now become
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the
following claims cover all such modifications and changes as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *