Auxiliary Clip-on Spectacle

Abstract

A lens structure having a pair of lens parts and a connecting bridge, and a resilient wire structure specifically configured for conforming engagement about the bridge and hooked engagement over primary spectacles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known to those versed in the art, auxiliary clip-on spectacles are quite commonly employed, say as sunglasses, and for other purposes. Most commonly, such auxiliary clip-on spectacles are fabricated of two separate lens parts, a wire formation connecting the parts and providing spectacle engaging members, and a plurality of fasteners, such as rivets or the like. This conventional construction is subject to difficulties in assembly, requiring relatively difficult and time-consuming hole forming operations, alignment or registry of formed holes, and insertion and deforming of fasteners, it being conventional to employ four rivets. Further, the assembly and securement of the parts by the use of rivets and similar fasteners provides locations of concentrated stress, frequently resulting in breakage or other damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary clip-on spectacle construction which overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, being fabricated of a considerably less number of parts, eliminating the use of rivets and like fastener elements, permitting of substantial economies both in manufacture of parts and time in assembly, and resulting in an auxiliary clip-on spectacle of enhanced appearance and durability by the elimination of rivets and like fastener elements and localized stresses produced thereby.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary clip-on spectacle construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which permits the combination of an integral lens and bridge structure, while utilizing a selectively adjustable wire construction for engagement over the primary spectacles, which combination is extremely staunch and durable to resist damage throughout a long useful life, and which eliminates the need for riveting and other expensive manufacturing operations, while providing an auxiliary spectacle of enhanced neatness and attractive appearance.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an auxiliary clip-on spectacle constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view showing the instant auxiliary clip-on spectacle.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the auxiliary spectacles of FIGS. 2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, the auxiliary spectacle of the present invention is there illustrated as composed of three separate parts, a lens structure 10, a wire engagement structure 11, and a clip 12.

More specifically, the lens structure 10 may include a pair of side-by-side spaced lens parts 15, each adapted to cover a respective lens of a primary spectacle. Interconnecting the lens parts 15 is a bridge 16 extending between adjacent upper regions of the lens parts. In particular, the lens parts 15 and bridge 16 may be integrally formed of suitable transparent plastic, say by molding or formation from sheet material, the overall lens structure being of generally sheetlike form.

The lens parts 15 may be configured with suitable curvature, as desired, and the bridge of connection 16 may be generally flat or slightly forwardly convex, if desired. Further, the bridge 16 is, as seen in section in FIG. 3, of vertically elongate cross-sectional configuration. More specifically, the vertically elongate cross-sectional configuration of the bridge 16 may be generally rectangular, and provided with lower and upper bridge edges 17 and 18. The lower edge 17 of bridge 16 may be formed by a generally rectangular lower edge cutout 19 having side edge surfaces 20. That is, the downwardly opening lower edge cutout 19 of bridge 16 is defined within the downwardly facing lower edge 17, and generally parallel, laterally spaced inwardly facing side edges 20.

The wire structure 11 is fabricated of an integral length of resilient, deformable wire bent to define a straight, generally horizontally disposed midportion 22. Extending from opposite ends of the midportion 22, the wire structure 11 is formed with a pair of downwardly, forwardly and upwardly bent portions or bights 23. Upstanding from the forward end of each bight 23, as an integral extension thereof, is a generally vertical leg portion 24; and, a resilient snap or connection portion 25 extends obliquely rearwardly and downwardly from the upper end of each leg portion 24. Connected to each connection portion 25, say extending integrally from the rearward end thereof, is a generally hook-shaped engagement member 26.

In the assembled condition, as best seen in FIGS. 2--4, the wire midportion 22 extends horizontally and longitudinally along the rearward surface of the bridge 16, adjacent to and spaced above the lower cutout edge 17. The bights 23 each extend downwardly and forwardly closely about and embracing the lower bridge edge 17, respectively adjacent to vertical bridge edges 20. From this embracing engagement of each bight 23 with lower edge 17, adjacent to respective side edges 20, the leg portions 24 upstand vertically closely along the forward surface of the bridge 16. Each connection portion 25 extends rearwardly and downwardly over the adjacent portion of upper bridge edge 18, in resilient bearing engagement therewith, for location of the engagement or hooked members 26 generally on the rearside of respective lens parts 15.

From the foregoing description of wire structure 11, it will be readily appreciated that the wire structure may be quickly assembled with the lens structure 10 by mere downward engagement of bridge 16 into the bights 23, and forward swinging movement of the bridge for snap engagement of the upper bridge edge 18 beneath the connection portions 25 of the wire structure.

The clip 12 may be integrally fabricated, say by molding of resilient plastic material, and may include a generally flat, substantially rectangular face portion 30 having on its rear or inner surface a land or boss 31 which may be vertically coextensive with the face portion and terminate laterally short of the side edges of the face portion. Thus, the face portion 30 and rearward land 31 may combine to define of the lateral extremities of the face portion a pair of outstanding flanges 32. Projecting rearwardly from a lower laterally medial region of the face portion 20, the clip 12 is provided with a resilient, upwardly facing lower hook 33. Similarly, extending rearwardly from an upper, laterally medial region of the face portion 20, there is provided a downwardly facing resilient hook 34. The lower and upper resilient hooks 33 and 34 may be laterally coextensive with the land 31; and, the entire clip 12 may be integrally formed, as by molding, of suitable resilient plastic material.

In the assembled condition of FIGS. 2--4, the clip 12 is located forwardly of the bridge 16, with the rearward boss or land 31 interposed between the wire leg portions 24 and in facing engagement with the forward surface of the bridge. The lower hook 33 is snugly engaged about the lower edge 17 of bridge 16, being interposed between the wire bights 23 and extending upwardly to terminate on the rearward side of the bridge proximate to the wire midportion 22.

The downwardly facing upper hook 34 is engaged over the upper bridge edge 18, being interposed between the connection wire portions 25, and depending on the rear side of the bridge. In practice, the clip 12 may be resiliently deflected to effect snap engagement of its hooks 33 and 34 about respective lower and upper bridge edges 17 and 18. In this condition, it will be apparent that the lateral marginal portions 32 or flanges of the face portion 30 overlie respective wire leg portions 24, and positively retain the latter in their adjacent relation with the bridge 16, while permitting of flexure of the wire hook portions 26 as required for engagement over a spectacle front.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an auxiliary clip-on spectacle which is extremely simple in construction, adapted to effect substantial economies both in manufacture and assembly, which is staunch and durable for a long useful life, and otherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An auxiliary clip-on spectacle comprising a lens structure including a pair of side-by-side spaced lens parts, and a bridge connecting adjacent upper regions of said lens parts, said bridge having a generally vertically elongate cross-sectional configuration providing upper and lower edges; and an adjustably deformable resilient metal wire structure including a midportion extending along the rear surface of said bridge generally longitudinally thereof and in engagement therewith, a pair of bight portions each extending from a respective end of said midportion downwardly, forwardly and upwardly closely about the lower edge of said bridge, a leg portion upstanding from each bight portion along and in engagement with the forward surface of said bridge, a pair of engaging members each extending from a respective leg over said bridge onto the rear side of said lens structure for hooked engagement over a spectacle front, a resilient plastic clip including a face portion forwardly of said bridge overlying said leg portions, a lower hook extending from said face portion in hooked engagement about the lower edge of said bridge between said bight portions, and an upper hook extending from said face portion in hooked engagement about the upper edge of said bridge between said engaging members, whereby said wire structure is effectively maintained in position on said lens structure.

2. An auxiliary clip-on spectacle according to claim 1, said lower hook being dimensioned to substantially completely occupy the space between said midportion and said bight portions, to prevent shifting of said bight portions longitudinally of said bridge and prevent downward movement of said midportion.

3. An auxiliary clip-on spectacle according to claim 1, said engaging members each including a resilient portion extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the upper end of a respective leg on opposite sides of said upper hook and in resilient retaining engagement with the upper edge of said bridge, for retaining said legs closely adjacent to said bridge and held against longitudinal movement along said bridge.

4. An auxiliary clip-on spectacle according to claim 1, in combination with a land on said face portion in facing engagement with said bridge and substantially completely occupying the space between said leg portions, to effectively maintain the positions of said legs upon flexure of said engaging members in normal use.