2. Description of the Related Art To alleviate the need to carry multiple pairs of eyeglasses, various types of"clip-on" auxiliary lenses have been introduced. Primarily, this allows clip-on sunglasses to be attached to'a pair of primary prescription eyeglasses. The market success of the inventions within this art is often measured by such factors as security of attachment, aesthetic appearance, and comfort to the user.

One type of invention found in the prior art is shown in FIGs. 1-4B. The configuration consists of a set of primary eyeglasses 100 and a separate set of auxiliary lenses 200 containing a number of claws 210. The claws 210 are used to attach or clip the auxiliary lenses 200 to the frame 102 of the primary eyeglasses 100. FIG. 4 illustrates the arrangement of the primary 100 and auxiliary lenses 200 in a decoupled state (FIG. 4A) and a coupled state (FIG. 4B). This arrangement has a number of shortcomings. For one thing, the arrangement is cumbersome and unattractive. Furthermore, the attachment members can often cause scratching of the primary lenses 100 as the auxiliary lenses 200 are taken on and off. This is, especially problematic where the primary lenses 100 and/or the auxiliary lenses 200 are made of plastic which is more prone to scratching as opposed to harder surfaces such as those made from glass.

Yet another class of clip-on inventions (shown in FIGs. 5-9B) uses magnets as the primary means of attaching the auxiliary lenses 600 to the primary eyeglasses 500. Magnets 610 on the auxiliary lenses 600 line up with corresponding magnets 510 on the frames 502 of the primary eyeglasses 500 to form a surface area that is designed to hold the auxiliary lenses 600 in place.

FIG. 4 illustrates the arrangement of the primary 500 and auxiliary lenses 600 in a decoupled state (FIG. 8A) and a coupled state (FIG. 8B). FIG. 9 contains a view of the cross-sectional area of intersection of the magnets 610 on the auxiliary lenses 600 with the magnets 510 on the primary eyeglass frames 502.

However, there are several drawbacks associated with the various attachment implementations that use magnets. One drawback is that since magnets are heavy, the magnets required on both the auxiliary lenses 600 and the primary eyeglasses 500 tend to add a substantial amount of weight to the overall assembly. The additional weight results in discomfort to the user.

Another drawback is that magnets often cause drawbacks when placed near electronic equipment such as computers or floppy disks. In other words, inadvertently placing either the auxiliary or primary spectacles near such equipment can result in property damage as a result of the magnetic fields that are generated.

A more fundamental drawback with magnetic clip-on lenses 600 concerns the integrity of the attachment to the primary eyeglasses 500. Since most magnetic attachment implementation do not account for dynamic loads in all directions, jarring movements that occur during, for example, exercise will cause the auxiliary lenses 600 to become suddenly detached from the primary spectacles 500. Furthermore, regardless of how secure the attachment mechanism is at the time of manufacture, a number of factors can and often will cause the effectiveness of the magnets to degrade over time.

Additionally, both previous styles of clip-on lenses are separate, detachable pieces that must be attached or detached when going from indoors to outdoors, or vice versa. The person wearing the glasses must scramble to find the auxiliary lenses and reattach them. This process is clumsy and time consuming. Also, the chances of misplacing or losing the auxiliary lenses are increased.

Therefore a need exists to overcome the drawbacks and problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for an improved arrangement for attachment of an auxiliary or "clip-on"pair of lenses to a primary pair of eyeglasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, an eyeglass frame assembly for coupling clip-on auxiliary spectacles to primary spectacles, the primary spectacles having a pair of cavities formed on the inside surface of rear extensions and the clip-on spectacles having a pair of pads mounted to the outside surface of a pair of flexible legs, wherein the pads are capable of positively engaging the cavities by exerting outward springing forces, such that the pads mounted to the flexible legs must be flexed inwards before being fitted into the cavities. Alternatively, the cavities may be engaged by a pair of replaceable spring-activated pins. Multiple embodiments and configurations are shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 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 features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first type of conventional primary spectacles.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first type of conventional clip-on spectacles.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the clip-on spectacles shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 1 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 2 are decoupled with each other.

FIG. 4B is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 1 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 2 are coupled with each other.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a second type of conventional primary spectacles.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a second type of conventional clip-on spectacles.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the clip-on spectacles shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 5 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 6 are decoupled with each other.

FIG. 8B is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 5 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 6 are coupled with each other.

FIG. 9A is a top view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 5 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 6 are coupled with each other.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IA--IA, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 5 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 6 are coupled with each other.

FIG. 10 is a top view of primary spectacles according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of clip-on spectacles according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the clip-on spectacles shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 10 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11 are decoupled with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 10 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11 are coupled with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a top view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 10 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11 are coupled with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IB--IB, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 10 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11 are coupled with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view, illustrating a state wherein an open cavity on the primary spectacles of FIG. 10 and a pad on the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11 are not engaged with each other.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a top view, illustrating an outward spring action of the flexible leg pairs of FIG. 14 of the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 11, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of primary spectacles according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view of clip-on spectacles according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the clip-on spectacles shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20A is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 17 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18 are decoupled with each other according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20B is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 17 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18 are coupled with each other according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20C is a side view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 17 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18 are coupled with each other and in a"flip-up"position according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention FIG. 20D is a top view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 17 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18 are coupled with each other according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20E is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IC--IC, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 17 and the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18 are coupled with each other according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a three view drawing of a preferred embodiment of a spring-activated pin of the clip-on spectacles of FIG. 18.

FIGs. 22,23, and 24 are front views of primary spectacles and auxiliary lenses according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIGs. 25A and 25B are front views of auxiliary spectacles containing half lenses according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a front view of primary spectacles according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a front view of auxiliary lenses according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a front view of auxiliary spectacles according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a top view, illustrating a bridge piece of the clip-on spectacles of FIGs. 11 and 18 on the outside of the primary spectacles, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a top view, illustrating a bridge piece of the clip-on spectacles of FIGs. 11 and 18 on the inside of the primary spectacles, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a front view of primary spectacles according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a front view, illustrating a state wherein the primary spectacles of FIG. 31 and the clip-on spectacles using the bride piece of FIG. 30 are being mated according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It is important to note, that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and visa versa with no loss of generality.

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, overcomes drawbacks and problems with the prior art by coupling a pair of auxiliary lenses to a set of primary eyeglasses by using more secure mounting mechanism. A preferred embodiment and several alternate embodiments displaying slight variations of the present invention are now described.

Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown a topside view of a pair of primary spectacles 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The spectacles include a primary lens frame 1008, which contains a pair of primary lenses 1004. The primary lens frame 1000 also includes a primary nose bridge 1006. Mounted to each side of the primary lens frame 1008 is a primary frame extension 1012. Each primary frame extension 1012 includes a first end that connects a rear extension to the outside of the primary lens frame 1008. The rear extensions are positioned such that they are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the primary lens frame 1008. There is an open cavity 1010 formed on the inside surface of each rear extension, such that the opening of the cavity 1010 faces inward towards the opening of the opposite cavity. The primary spectacles also include a pair of arms 1002 that are connected to a second end of the primary frame extensions 1012 by hinges 1014 which allow the arms 1002 to pivot. When the arms 1002 are in an open position, they extend backwards to engage a user's ears.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a topside view and a frontal view respectively of clip-on auxiliary spectacles 1100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The clip-on auxiliary spectacles 1100 include an auxiliary lens frame 1108 which includes an auxiliary nose bridge 1106 and a pair of auxiliary lenses 1104 contained within the lens frame 1108. The clip-on spectacles 1100 also include a pair of flexible legs (frame extensions) 1112 which are attached to the outer ends of the auxiliary lens frame 1108. Furthermore, apad 1110, typicallynon-metallic, is mounted to the outside surface of each flexible leg 1112. The pads 1110 are preferably made of such impact absorbing materials such as rubber, silicon, or plastic.

FIGs. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B illustrate how the clip-on auxiliary spectacles 1100 can be coupled to the primary spectacles 1000. Outward springing forces that are exerted through the flexible legs 1112 mounted on the auxiliary spectacles achieve a secure coupling. The outward springing forces cause the pads 1110 on the outside of the flexible legs 1112 to engage the open cavities 1010 that are on the inside of the primary frame extensions 1012 of the primary spectacles.

The outward springing forces are created by making the distance between the pads 1110 mounted to the flexible legs 1112 greater than the distance between the cavities 1010. Thus, the pads 1110 mounted to the flexible legs 1112 must be flexed inwards before being fitted into the cavities 1010 on the primary spectacles 1000 as shown in step 1602 of FIGs. 16A and 16B. Also shown in FIG.

16B are optional spring-loaded hinges 1614 on the auxiliary frame extensions 1112 which enhance the outward springing forces by exerting an additional outward bias on each of the pads 1110.

The mechanism for coupling clip-on auxiliary spectacles to primary spectacles according to the present invention has a number of advantages over the prior art. To begin with, the outward springing forces ensure that the pads will stay firmly engaged with the cavities on the primary spectacles. Since the pads are contained within the cavities when the clip-on spectacles are coupled to the primary spectacles, the clip-on spectacles can withstand jarring forces from all possible directions. FIG. 15 shows a closer view of how the pad 1110 inserts into the cavity 1010 on the primary spectacles. Such jarring forces, which can occur during exercise, often cause other types of clip-on spectacles to disengage from the primary spectacles. Also, the lightweight of the pads 1110 avoids the discomfort that results from heavier assemblies that use magnets.

Furthermore, the use of pads also prevents scratching of the primary spectacles, which often occurs during repeated engaging and disengaging of other types of clip-ons.

An alternative embodiment is depicted in FIGs. 17-21. Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a topside view of a pair of primary spectacles 1700 similar to those described above. The spectacles include a primary lens frame 1008, which contains a pair of primary lenses 1004. The primary lens frame 1008 also includes a primary nose bridge 1006. Mounted to each side of the primary lens frame 1008 is a primary frame extension 1012. Each primary frame extension 1012 includes a first end that connects a rear extension to the outside of the primary lens frame 1008.

The rear extensions are positioned such that they are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the primary lens frame 1008. There is an open cavity 1702 formed on the inside surface of each rear extension, such that the opening of the cavity 1702 faces inward towards the opening of the opposite cavity. The primary spectacles also include a pair of arms 1002 that are connected to a second end of the primary frame extensions 1012 by hinges 1014 which allow the arms 1002 to pivot. When the arms 1002 are in an open position, they extend backwards to engage a user's ears.

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show a topside view and a frontal view respectively of clip-on auxiliary spectacles 1800 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The clip-on auxiliary spectacles 1800 include an auxiliary lens frame 1108 which includes an auxiliary nose bridge 1106 and a pair of auxiliary lenses 1104 contained within the lens frame 1108. The clip-on spectacles 1800 also include a pair of extension legs 1804 which are attached to the outer ends of the auxiliary lens frame 1108. Furthermore, a replaceable spring-activated pin assembly 1802 is mounted to the outside surface of each leg 1804.

FIGs. 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and 20E illustrate how the clip-on auxiliary spectacles can be coupled to the primary spectacles. Outward springing forces that are exerted through the replaceable spring-activated pins 1802 mounted on the auxiliary spectacles achieve a secure coupling. The outward springing forces cause the spring-activated pins 1802 (shown in detail in FIG. 21) on the outside of the legs 1804 to engage the open cavities 1702 that are on the inside of the primary frame extensions 1012 of the primary spectacles. This arrangement has the additional advantage, as shown in FIG. 20C, of pivotally mounting the auxiliary spectacles 1800, thus allowing the user to flip the auxiliary spectacles up above the primary spectacles when the auxiliary lenses 1100 are not in use. The extension legs 1804 of the auxiliary spectacles must be long enough to ensure that the auxiliary lenses 1104 do not get scratched during the flipping procedure. This allows the user, for instance, if the auxiliary lenses are sunglasses, to walk from

outdoors to indoors without having to remove the auxiliary lenses. Also, it allows for a pair of stronger lenses, such as reading glasses, to be available to the user when necessary.

The cross-sectional area of FIG. 20D illustrates how the spring-activated pin 1802 of the auxiliary spectacles fits into the open cavity 1702 located on the primary frame extensions 1012 of the primary spectacles. Although the embodiment described here teaches that the location of the open cavities 1702 is on the inside of the frame, it should be obvious to one skilled in the art that this is not a limitation of the present invention and many other positions are within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The positioning of the open cavities 1702 could also be on the outside, top, or bottom of the primary frame extensions 1012 or any convenient location on the primary lens frame 1008, on the condition that the placement of the spring-activated pins 1802 be designed to have a corresponding location.

FIG. 21 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the replaceable spring-activated pin assembly 1802. An open cavity 2102 is mounted on the end of each leg 1804 of the auxiliary frame 1108.

The open cavity 2102 is designed to house a spring 2110 and barrel 2108 assembly. The spring 2110 is inserted into the open cavity 2102 first, followed by a barrel 2108. The barrel 2108 is secured into the open cavity 2102 by a screw 2104 which is inserted through the top portion ofthe open cavity 2102, through a slot 2106 located in the center of the barrel 2108, and threaded into the bottom portion of the open cavity 2102. The barrel is allowed to move longitudinally within the open cavity 2102 located on the auxiliary frame 1108, the distance allowed by the length of the slot 2106, to engage the open cavities 1702 positioned on the primary frame 1008. The auxiliary spectacles 1800 are held securely in place by the force of the springs 2110 inside the spring- activated pin assemblies 1802. The feature of having a screw 2104 as the fastening mechanism allows for easy replacement of the pin assembly 1802 when the part becomes worn (as will tend to happen with multiple insertions and extractions).

The remaining figures illustrate different embodiments to the auxiliary eyeglass-mounting system of the present invention. In FIG. 22, the primary spectacles 1700 include open cavity mounting boxes 1702 located on the top of primary lens frame 1008. The auxiliary spectacles 1800 comprise separate auxiliary lenses 1104, each lens being encased in its own lens frame 1108.

The auxiliary lenses 1104 are not connected by a nose bridge, but comprise two spring-activated pin assemblies 1802 located at the top of each frame. Each auxiliary lens 1104 is mounted

individually to the primary lens frame 1008 by inserting the spring-activated pins 1802 into the open cavity mounting boxes 1702. The auxiliary lenses 1104 can move ("flip up") independently of each other.

Referring to FIG. 23, the location of the open cavity mounting boxes 1702, in this instance, is on the top of the primary lens frame 1008. Spring-activated pins 1802 located on the top of the an auxiliary frame 1108 are inserted into the mounting boxes 1702 to fasten the auxiliary spectacles 1800 to the primary spectacles 1700. Again, using this mounting scheme, the auxiliary spectacles 1800 may be"flipped"out of the path of vision when not in use.

In FIG. 24, the open cavity mounting boxes 1702 and the spring-activated pin assemblies 1802 are located on the nose bridge 1006 of the primary spectacles and the nose bridge 1106 of the auxiliary spectacles, respectively.

FIGs. 25A and 25B illustrate auxiliary spectacles 1800 comprising half lenses, designed to mount on the primary spectacles 1700 of FIG. 24. Like the auxiliary spectacles of FIG. 24, the spring-activated pin assemblies 1802 are located on the nose bridge 1106. FIG. 25 demonstrates auxiliary spectacles 1800 having lower-half lenses 2502, and FIG. 25A shows auxiliary spectacles 1800 having upper-half lenses 2504.

FIGs. 26,27, and 28 illustrate an alternative embodiment of spectacles that have half lenses. In this case, FIG. 26 shows open cavity mounting boxes 1702 located on the primary lens frame 1008, midway down the primary lenses 1004. The auxiliary spectacles may either be separate lenses 1104 having spring-activated pins 1802 located on each side, as shown in FIG. 27, or the lenses 1104 may be connected by a frame 1108 having a nose bridge 1106 as shown in FIG.

28.

In one embodiment, the half-lenses of FIGs. 25-28 are sunglasses and in another embodiment, the lenses may have an optical magnification such as reading glasses or glasses used for distance viewing such as required for driving.

FIGs. 29 and 30 illustrate different embodiments of nose bridges. In FIG. 29, the nose bridge 1106 of the auxiliary spectacles rests in front of and parallel to the nose bridge 1006 of the

primary spectacles. In FIG. 30, the nose bridge 3006 of the auxiliary spectacles rests above the nose bridge 1006 of the primary spectacles and extends rearward and downward to clip behind the nose bridge 1006.

FIGs. 31 and 32 demonstrate an alternative embodiment wherein the open-cavity mounting boxes 1702 on the primary spectacles 1700 open upwards. The corresponding pins 1802 on the auxiliary spectacles are designed to face downwards for mating, and the nose bridge 3006 of FIG. 30 is used to secure the auxiliary spectacles in place by locking underneath the nose bridge 1006 of the primary spectacles 1700.

It is important to note that the cavities can be formed as part of the primary frame such as a hole and in other embodiments as separately mounted boxes, rectangles or other geometric shapes that are formed to conform with the corresponding the spring-activated pins and/or pads.

In addition, through these embodiments described herein, the cavities and/or the open cavity mounting boxes are shown as part of the primary frames and the pads and/or spring- activated pin assemblies part of the auxiliary frame. In another embodiment the cavities and/or open cavity mounting boxes are formed on part of the auxiliary lenses and the spring-activated pin assemblies as part of the primary frames.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes can be made to this specific embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: