Title of Invention

"EYEGLASSES"

Abstract

An eyeglasses clasp for maintaining eyeglasses on a cloth material. The clasp comprises magnetic means (106. 108) engaged with the eyeglasses Lemple bars (100, 102) and aligned with the eyeglasses frame body (104) midpoint when the temple bars are closet!. The magnets are in attractive magnetic communication when the lemple bars are in closed position. The clasp is used by pivoting one of the temple bars into the closed position. The frame body and closed temple bar are then positioned on one side of a clothing material. The second temple bar is the pivoted into the closed position such that it is on the other side of the clothing material. With the lemple bars closed, the magnets are in attractive magnetic communication and impart a gripping force on the article of clothing. The gripping force substantially prevents relative movement between the temple bars and the clothing r material

Full Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improved eyeglasses. More particularly, it relates to an eyeglasses clasp for mamtaining the eyeglasses in a pocket or on another portion of a clothing material when the eyeglasses are not in use. Description of the Related Art Typical eyeglasses consist of a frame body that houses two lenses on either side of a nose piece. Attached to the frame body are two temple bars that extend from two ends of the frame body. The temple bars pivot between an open position perpendicular with the frame body and a closed position parallel with the frame body. The temple bars and nose piece support the frame on the head of the wearer. Individuals often remove then eyeglasses temporarily. They may put them down and not recall where, they may hang them around their neck where they bounce against their chest, or they may put them in a pocket and have them fall out and/or get damaged. To solve this problem, the prior art teaches using mechanical clasps to clip eyeglasses to a garment worn by the user. These are cumbersome and, like all mechanical clasps, may come loose. Some mechanical clasps also depend on die availability of a shirt pocket, a cap visor, belt, holder, straps, or die like. In addition, clips may work well initially, but fatigue can cause metal clips to weaken and lose their ability to hold eyeglasses securely. Moreover, clips can break, thereby causing the eyeglasses to come loose, fall and break, or be lost. U.S. Patent No. 6,017,120 to McCormick teaches a mechanical clip attached to the hinged end of the temple bars. Eyeglasses using such mechanical clips may not be securely held in place when inverted, such as when a person bends over at the waist. Another problem with such clips arises when a person in a sitting position bends forward, and the eyeglasses are pushed upward while clasped inside a shirt pocket. In that situation, die clip may be pushed up from the bottom of the pocket, thereby disengaging the clip and causing the eyeglasses to fall from the pocket. The use of magnets on eyeglass frames for various purposes is also well known in the ait. For example, a number of eyeglass frames have magnets that magnetize the wearer for health benefits. Other eyeglass frames use magnets to hold eyeglass frame sections together, thereby facilitating disassembly and reassembly in a new configuration, with auxiliary frames, lenses, or the iike. U.S. Patent No. 6,168,273 Bl 1 to Dupraz et al. teaches the use of magnets on eyeglass frames to temporarily affix the eyeglasses on a support article having magnetic means. Because the magnets in Dupraz et al are attached to the temple bar near the hinges, however, its teaching cannot be used as a magnetic clasp, nor was it intended as such. SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp comprises magnets engaged with the temple bars of eyeglasses. The magnets are located approximately the same distance away from the eyeglass frame body on each temple bar such that they align with the frame body midpoint when in the closed position. The magnets are in attractive magnetic communication at least when the temple bars are in the closed position. The magnets include a hollow space extending through the magnets that is large enough to slide the magnets onto the temple bars. The clasp is typically used by pivoting one of the temple bars into the closed position. The fi-ame body and closed temple bar are then positioned on one side of a clothing material, such as, by way non-limiting example only, a shirt pocket or sleeve. The second temple bar is then pivoted into the closed position such that it is on the other side of the clothing material. The magnets are then in attractive magnetic communication and impart a giippmg force on the clothing material. The gripping force substantially prevents relative movement between the temple bars and the clothing material. The magnetic clasp thereby eliminates the disadvantages of a mechanical clip while introducing the advantage of a strong, versatile clasp that can be easily opened and closed anywhere the magnets are capable of being in strong enough attractive magnetic communication through the clothing material. hi another embodiment of the eyeglasses, magnets engage a specialized configuration of the temple bars themselves. In another embodiment, the magnets on the temple bars each comprise two "half magnets on either side of the temple bar. The magnets engage the temple bars by being in attractive magnetic communication with each other. The "half magnets may also engage the temple bars with the use of an adhesive and be held in place by shrink-wrap tubing. The half magnets may also engage the temple bars by the use of a screw. In another embodiment, one of the magnets is rectangular and is positioned on top of the temple bar. The location of one of the magnets on top of the temple bar reduces impact wear on the magnets when they are pivoted to the closed position. The embodiments of the eyeglasses clasp may be in the form of complete eyeglasses, temple bars with magnetic means attached thereto, or a kit comprising a magnetic means and a means of attaching the magnetic means to temple bars, with or without temple bars or other eyeglass components. Thus, the embodiments comprise a combination of features and advantages that enable them to overcome various problems of prior devices. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. The present invention relates to eyeglasses comprising a frame body having a midpoint; a first temple bar pivotally engaged to a first end of the frame body, a second temple bar pivotally engaged to a second end of the frame body, a first magnetic means engaged with the first temple bar at a distance from the frame body first end such that the first magnetic means aligns with the frame body midpoint when the first temple bar is pivoted closed, a second magnetic means engaged with the second temple bar at a distance from the frame body second end such that the second magnetic means aligns with the frame body midpoint when the second temple bar is pivoted closed, wherein the second magnetic means is in attractive magnetic communication with the first magnetic means at least when the temple bars are pivoted closed, and characterized in that the first and second magnetic means remain in attractive magnetic communication when the temple bars are closed but separated by clothing material, the attractive magnetic communication imparting a gripping force on the clothing material sufficient enough to substantially prevent relative movement between the temple bars and the clothing material and said magnetic means include a hollow passage extending through the magnetic means for engaging the temple bars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more detailed description of the embodiments, reference will now be made to the following accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1A is a bottom view of eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglass clasp with temple bars pivoted in the open position as when the eyeglasses are worn; FIGURE IB is a perspective view of the eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglass clasp with one of the temple bars pivoted into the closed position; FIGURE 1C is a side view of the eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglass clasp with one of the temple bars pivoted into the closed position; FIGURE 1D is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglass clasp with the temple bars pivoted into the closed position; FIGURE 2A is a side view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp showing an eyeglasses temple bar with the magnet held in a semi-loop in the temple bar; FIGURE 2B is a bottom view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 2 A with the magnet held in a semi-loop in the temple bar; FIGURE 2C is a rear view of eyeglasses temple bars pivoted in the closed position and mcoiporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 2Awith the magnet held in a loop in the temple bar; FIGURE 2D is a bottom view of the eyeglasses temple bars pivoted in the closed position and mcoiporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 2A with, the magnet held in a loop in the temple bar; FIGURE 3A is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating an eyeglass clasp constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp with the magnet in shrink-wrap tubing; FIGURE 3B is a bottom view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 3A with the magnet in shrink-wrap tubing; FIGURE 3C is a top view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 3 A with the magnet affixed to the temple bar with a small screw; FIGURE 3D is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 3 A with the magnet affixed to tire temple bar with a small screw; FIGURE 4A is a perspective view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating another embodiment of an eyeglasses clasp with a rectangular magnet; FIGURE 4B is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 4A with a rectangular magnet; FIGURE 4C is a top view of an eyeglass frame temple bar incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIGURE 4A with a rectangular magnet; FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating the eyeglasses clasp with the temple bars pivoted in the closed position; and FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating the eyeglasses clasp with the temple bars pivoted in the closed position depicting use of the clasp with clothing material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TEE EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to an eyeglasses clasp and is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. The drawings and the description below disclose in detail specific embodiments of the present invention with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described in the disclosure. Further, it is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results. The present invention combines the idea of using magnets on eyeglasses with the idea of using clips on eyeglasses for temporary storage of the eyeglass frames when the eyeglasses are not in use. The result is an extremely strong and versatile eyeglasses clasp that may be used to temporarily store eyeglasses anywhere the temple bars of the eyeglass frame may be closed on opposite sides of clothing or any other material through which the magnetic flux may operate. The clasp is not bulky, has no mechanical clip that may fail, and has no separate holder to attract the magnet. The eyeglasses frame may be placed either inside or outside the clothing material. In wet weather, the clasp may be engaged so that the eyeglasses frame is protected inside the clothing material, with only a temple bar exposed externally. The temple bar may also be placed inside the ciothing material and magnetically clasped into place with the builder .eyeglasses frame outside the pocket with the other temple bar". Referring initially to FIGURES 1A-1D, there is shown an embodiment of the eyeglasses ciasp 104. A right temple bar 100 and a left temple bar 102 are pivotally attached to an eyeglasses frame body 114 by any suitable means. Typically, the temple bars 102, 103 are pivotally attached by spring action hinges well known in the ait. The temple bars 100, 102 pivot between an open position perpendicular to the eyeglasses frame body 114 and a closed position parallel to the frame body 114. When in the open position, the temple bars form a squared "U" shape as illustrated in. FIGURE IA. In addition, the temple bar 100 includes an earpiece 120 and the temple bar 102 includes an earpiece 122. The frame body 114 also includes a nose piece 112 and has a midpoint 110 A first magnetic means 106 engages the temple bar 100 and a second magnetic means 10S engages the temple bar 102 such that the polarity of the magnetic means 106, 108 directed outside the 'U" in FIGURE IA is ihe same. The magnetic means 106, 108 are equidistant on the temple bars 100. 102 such that they align with the eyeglasses frame body midpoint 110 when the temple bars 100 102 are in the closed position. Thus, as illustrated in FIGURE ID, when temple bars 100, 102 are pivoted closed, the magnetic means 106, 108 are in-attractive magnetic communication created by the opposite poles of the magnetic means 106, 108. FIGURE ID shows left Temple" bar 102 folded en the inside of right temple bar 100. The South pole side 116 of the magnetic means 106 thus faces and aligns with the North pole side 118 of the magnetic means 108, thereby holding the temple bars securely in the closed position. The means for attaching the magnetic means 106, 108 to the temple bars 100, 102 may depend on the material from which the temple bars are made. It should be appreciated that any suitable method may be used for engaging the magnetic means with the temple bars. Such attachment means for various temple bar materials include, by way of non-limiting example, grooved means, adhesive means, shrink-wrap tubing, hinged clips, metal clamps, threaded. | hardware, and the like, and/or a combination thereof. As shown in FIGURES 1A-1D, the magnetic' means 106, 108 have a hollow space extending through the magnetic means that is large enough to fit over the temple bars 100, 102. The hollow magnetic means are typically installed by removing the earpieces 120, 122, sliding the hollow magnetic means onto the temple bars 100, 102, and then replacing the earpieces 120, 122. In addition, the magnetic means 106, 108 may be protected from corrosion by a number of means, including by way of non-limiting example, coatings of zinc, nickel, copper, gold, different colored epoxy, aluminum chr ornate, and/or different types of paint. The eyeglasses clasp 104 is not limited to a complete set of eyeglasses, but may also comprise temple bars with magnetic means attached thereto, or a kit comprising a magnetic means and a means of attaching the magnetic means to temple bars, with or without temple bars or other-eyeglass components therein. Referring now to FIGURES 2A-2D, there is shown the temple bars 204, 210, and 216 of other embodiments of the eyeglasses clasp 104. FIGURES 2A and 2B show the magnetic means 200 engaged with the temple bar- 204 by a semi-loop 202 in the temple bar 204. In FIGURES 2C and 2D, a first magnet 206 engages full loop 208 in the temple bar 210, and a second magnet 212 engages foil loop 214 of the temple bar 216. The polarity of magnets 206, 212 are opposite when the magnets 206, 212 touch as shown in FIGURE 2D. Thus, the magnets 206, 212 are attracted to each other by the magnetic attraction created by their opposite poles. The semi-loop 202 of the temple bar 204 and the full loop 208 of the temple bars 210, 216 are located such that they align with the midpoint 110 of nose piece 112 as shown in FIGURE ID. The size of the semi-loop 202 and the fall loops 20S, 214 may be selected to accommodate the diameter of magnets 200, 206, and 212 respec tively, which may be held in place by adhesive means, or by other means well known m "he art. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the means for engaging the magnetic means may require modification of existing eyeglass frame temple bars to accommodate attachment of a magnet. Accordingly, when sold as a kit, the eyeglasses clasp 104 may comprise two magnets, modified temple bars, and a means of attaching the magnets to the temple bars. Referring now to FIGURES 3A-3E, there is shown, another embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp 312. In FIGURE 3 A, a first magnet 300 and a second, magnet 302 engage the temple bar 308 of the frame body 326. A third magnet 304 and a fourth magnet 306 engage the temple bar 310. Magnets 300, 302 engage the left temple bar 308 such that; the North pole side 314 of the magnei: 300 faces and aligns with the South pole side 316 of the magnet 302. Similarly, the magnets 304, 306 engage the right temple bar 310 such that the North pole side 318 of the magnet 306 faces and aligns with the South pole side 320 of the magnet 304. As in FIGURE 1, magnets 300, 302, 304, and 306 are positioned equidistantly on the temple bars 308, 310 such that they align with the midpoint 322 of the nose piece 324 of the eyeglasses frame body 326. In FIGURES 3B and 3C, the magnets 300, 302 engage the temple bar 308 with shrink-wrap tubing 328. However, in FIGURES 3D and 3E, the magnets 304, 306 engage the temple bar 310 with a screw 330. As described above, tt should be appreciated that various engagement means suitable for the material fi-om which temple bars 308 and 310 is made may be used. As illustrated in FIGURES 3A-3E, the temple bars 308, 310 do not have to be modified for there to be magnetic attraction between the magnetic means, regardless of which temple bar is closed first. Thus, this embodiment may comprise two temple bars with magnetic means, or, when sold as a kit, this embodiment may comprise four magnets and a means of attaching pahs of the magnets to existing temple bars. Referring now to FIGURES 4A-4C, there is shown a temple bar 402 of another embodiment of the eyeglasses frame clasp 104. Clasp 104 comprises a rectangular magnet 400 attached to the temple bar 402 and magnetic means 106 on the temple bar 100 shown in Figure 1. Magnet 400 aligns with the eyeglasses frame body midpoint 110 when the temple bar 402 is pivoted into the closed position. The polarity of the magnet 400 is such that the magnet 400 is attracted to the magnetic means 106 on the temple bar 100 in FIGURE 1 when both temple bars i. 00, 402 are pivoted in the closed position. The magnet 400 is rectangular and located on the top of "he temple bar 402 to protect the magnet 400 from coming into striking contact with magnetic means 106 when the temple bars, 100, 402 are pivoted into the closed position. By not corning into striking contact, the magnetic means 106 and the magnet 400 are not as susceptible to being damaged or disengaged from the temple bars 100, 402. It should be appreciated that the magnetic means 106 and magnet 400 may engage either temple bar and still be within the scope of the invention. Referring now to FIGURE 5, the left temple bar 500 and the right temple bar 502 of the eyeglasses clasp 104 are pivoted into the closed position. The left temple bar 500 is positioned outside a clothing material 504. The right temple bar 502 is positioned inside the clotliing material 504, Thus, the clothing material 504 is located between the temple bars 500, 502. 'During use, the wearer pivots one of the temple bars 500,-502 into the closed position. The wearer then positions die eyeglasses frame body 114 and the closed temple bar on one side of the clothing material 504. The wearer then pivots the other temple bar into the closed position such that it is on the other side of the clothing material 504. The South pole side 506 of the magnetic means 508 faces and aligns with the North pole side 510 of magnetic means 512. Although on either side of the clothing material 504, the magnetic means 508, 512 are in attractive magnetic communication with each other. The attractive magnetic communication is strong enough to impart a gripping force on the clotliing material 504, thereby holding the eyeglasses 514 securely clasped to clothing material 504. The gripping force substantially prevents relative movement between the temple bars 500, 502 and the clotliing material 504 while the temple bars 500, 502 are in the closed position. The magnetic means 50S. 512 are strong enough to keep the eyeglasses 514 in place even when the eyeglasses 514 are jarred. The magnetic means 508, 512 are also able to maintain, this strength because the magnetic flux is not diminished by repeated use. It should be appreciated that either temple bar 500, 502 may be pivoted into the closed position before the other and still be within the scope of the invention. Referring now to FIGURE 6, there is shown how the eyeglass frame clasp 104 clasps eyeglasses 60S to a clothing material 612 by magnetically clasping to any portion of the clotliing material 612. In FIGURE 6, opposite pole magnetic attracting forces emanate from the magnetic means 600., 602 attached to the temple bars 604, 606, respectively. Clasping is achieved by folding the temple bar 606 and sliding the temple bar 606 and the frame body 614 into a pocket, lapel, neck collar, or the like. The wearer then folds the temple bar 604 outside the garment 610, thereby placing the temple bars 604, 606 in attractive magnetic communication through the clothing material 612. Alternatively, clasping may be achieved by sliding either of the temple bars 604, 606 into a pocket, lapel, neck collar, or the like, and folding the frame body 614 and the other temple bar outside of the garment 610. In addition, clasping may be achieved by folding the temple bar 604 and sliding the temple bar 604 and the frame body 614 into the garment 610. The wearer then folds the temple bar 606 outside the garment 610. It should be appreciated that either temple bar 604, 606 may be pivoted into the closed position before the other and still be within the scope of the invention. The present invention eliminates difficulties associated with using a support article by. m effect, using die eyeglasses themselves as a means for clasping onto any material through which the magnets may remain in attractive magnetic communication. For example, a separate support article incorporated in clothing would be cumbersome in washers and dryers, difficult to iron, and alter the appearance of the garment whereas the present invention has none of these disadvantages. In addition, unlike mechanical clips that attach to clothing described in the prior art, the present invention is not limited by the requirement that such clips attach to the edge of material. Instead, the clasp of the present invention attaches anywhere through material so that only a hinged edge of the frame body is at the edge of the material. Thus, for example, the present invention permits eyeglasses to be clasped more deeply in a pocket, whereas prior art clips require a greater portion of the eyeglasses to protrude outside the pocket. The clasp, once engaged at the center of the frame body, keeps the frame body from flopping end-over-end as could happen if the clasp were off-center. Moreover, the eyeglasses, held in a balanced mode, stay attached regardless of the position in which the clothing material edge is placed. Example 1. The 4-magnet embodiment in FIGURES 3A-3E wherein the magnets 300, 302, 304, 306 are MGO grade 35 Neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) disks .25" diameter and .1" thick. The shrink-wrap tubing has an OD of .350" before shrinking, a wall thickness of .020", and is parallel to the temple bars 308, 310. The magnets 300, 302, 304, 306 exhibit a field of 4 kG and require a load of 400 gm for un-clasping. Example 2. The 4-magnet embodiment in FIGURES 3A-3E wherein the magnets 300, 302, 304. 306 are MGO grade 35 Neodymium disks .25" diameter and .1" thick. The shrink-wrap tubing has an OD of .350" before shrinking, a wall thickness of .010", and is perpendicular to the temple bars 308, 310. The magnets exhibit a field of 6 kG and require a load of 600 gm for un-clasping. While specific embodiments have been shown and described, modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention. The embodiments as described are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. WE CLAIM: 1 Eyeglasses comprising: a frame body having a midpoint; a first temple bar (100) pivotally engaged to a first end of the frame body (114); a second temple bar (102) pivotally engaged to a second end of the frame body (114); a first magnetic means (106) engaged with the first temple bar (100) at a distance from the frame body (114) first end such that the first magnetic means (106) aligns with the frame body midpoint when the first temple bar is pivoted closed; a second magnetic means (108) engaged with the second temple bar (102) at a distance from the frame body second end such that the second magnetic means aligns with the frame body midpoint when the second temple bar is pivoted closed; wherein the second magnetic means (108) is in attractive magnetic communication with the first magnetic means (106) at least when the temple bars (100, 102)are pivoted closed; and characterized in that the first and second magnetic means remain in attractive magnetic communication when the temple bars are closed but separated by clothing material, the attractive magnetic communication imparting a gripping force on the clothing material sufficient enough to substantially prevent relative movement between the temple bars and the clothing material and said magnetic means include a hollow passage extending through the magnetic means for engaging the temple bars (100, 102). 2. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first magnetic means comprises a first magnet (300); and the second magnetic means comprises a second magnet (302). 3. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first magnetic means comprises a first half magnet engaged with a first side of the first temple bar and a second half magnet engaged with a second side of the first temple bar in attractive magnetic communication with the first half magnet; and the second magnetic means comprises a third half magnet engaged with a first side of the second temple bar and a fourth half magnet engaged with a second side of the second temple bar and a fourth half magnet engaged with a second side of the second temple bar in attractive magnetic communication with the third half magnet. 4. The eyeglass claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic meaas engage the temple bars with a screw. 5. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic means engage the temple bars in circular frames. 6. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 5, wherein the circular frames are loops. 7. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 5, wherein the circular frames are semi-loops. 8. The eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic means engage the temple bars with shrink-wrap tubing. 9. The eyeglasses substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

1379-delnp-2004-abstract.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-assignment.pdf

1379-DELNP-2004-Claims.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-complete specification (granted).pdf

1379-DELNP-2004-Correspondence-Others.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-description (complete).pdf

1379-delnp-2004-drawings.pdf

1379-DELNP-2004-Form-1.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-form-19.pdf

1379-DELNP-2004-Form-2.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-form-3.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-form-5.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-form-6.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-gpa.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-pct-210.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-pct-304.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-pct-308.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-pct-332.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-pct-408.pdf

1379-delnp-2004-petition-137.pdf

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