Description of the Related Art Auxiliary eyeglass wear that permits ordinary eyeglasses to be used as sunglasses, reading glasses, or any other auxiliary type glasses is very popular. Usually, it provides the user with sunglasses without requiring the purchase of a second set of tinted prescription eyeglasses. Sometimes, it may provide the user with a second set of prescription lenses without requiring the purchase of a second eyeglass frame. By far the most common use is to provide tinted lenses that the user may raise or lower over conventional eyeglasses.

Leblanc and Bloch (U. S. Patent No. 3,531, 188) disclose flip-up auxiliary eyeglass wear mounted on conventional eyeglasses on the top of the eyeglasses frame. Waldrop (U. S.

Patent No. 4,196, 981) discloses a lens positioning means for the eyeglasses lenses. The Waldrop positioning means includes a cylindrical magnet within a sleeve of ferrous material.

The ferrous material is secured in an opening on the top of the eyeglasses frame to attach the lenses to the rest of the eyeglasses. Using this invention, the wearer could position the eyeglasses lenses up or down, but could not add or position auxiliary eyeglass wear. Sadler (U. S. Patent No. 5,416, 537) uses two magnetic attachments. between the inside of the auxiliary eyeglass wear frame and the outside of the eyeglasses frame to attach the auxiliary eyeglass wear.

Chao discloses several designs, including eyeglasses with magnetic attachments above the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame (U. S. Patent Nos. 5,568, 207 and RE 37, 545E) or in the nosebridge (U. S. Patent No. 5,737, 054). Chao also discloses clamps above the legs or temple bars (U. S. Patent No. 5,877, 838) and projections inside legs or temple bars (U. S. Patent No. 5,882, 101). Chao also discloses hooks over legs or temple bars (IJ. S. Patent No. 5,883, 688). Chao also discloses studs that clamp the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame (U. S. Patent No. 5,883, 689) and studs that fit into the top of the temple bar extensions (U. S. Patent No. 5,929, 964). Masunaga (U. S. Patent No. 5,936, 700) discloses an invention that uses two additional points that attach the auxiliary eyeglass wear

frame, one at each of the extremities of the nosebridge. Wong (U. S. Patent No. 5, 940, 162) uses two nosebridge attachment points that a locator pin aligns in the center of the nosebridge and no other attachments. In addition, Chao discloses inventions that use two nosebridge retainers and one attachment point (U. S. Patent Nos. 6,012, 811 and 6,092, 896) and a flange over the primary eyeglass frame nosebridge (U. S. Patent No. 6,109, 747). Xiao (IJ. S. Patent Nos. 6,116, 732 and 6,132, 040) uses an interlockable magnetic shelter frame with extensions above the temple bar extensions and an interlocking clipping wire at the nosebridge. Zider (U. S. Patent No. 6,139, 141) discloses using magnetic male/female stepped surfaces for coupling at various points between the eyeglasses frame and the auxiliary eyeglasses frame.

Zelman (U. S. Patent No. 6,139, 142) uses magnets attached to appendages on the auxiliary eyeglasses frame mating with magnets mounted on the temple bar extensions and clips that fit over each lens in the eyeglasses frame. Madison (U. S. Patent No. 6,149, 269) uses uniblock housings for the magnets. Chao (U. S. Patent No. 6,170, 948 B1) discloses using studs on the outer ends of the eyeglasses frame that engage hooks on the outer edges of the auxiliary eyeglasses frame. Mauch (U. S. Patent No. 6,170, 949 B1) uses lugs above extensions on the outside of the eyeglasses frame. Strube (U. S. Patent No. 6,331, 057 B1) discloses an auxiliary eyeglasses frame that attaches at two points on top of the nosebridge of the eyeglasses frame. In addition, Zehnan (U. S. Patent No. 6,343, 858 B1) uses extensions that mount under the temple bar extensions of the eyeglasses frame.

Thus, the prior art provides for auxiliary eyeglass lenses, such as those used in sunglasses, that may be readily attached or removed from eyeglasses, or that may be flipped up and down while attached, but not both. Thus, there is desired auxiliary eyeglass wear that attaches to eyeglasses and allows the user to flip up the auxiliary eyeglass wear when not in use as well as readily remove the auxiliary eyeglass wear from the eyeglasses frame.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS One of the embodiments of the eyeglasses assembly comprises magnetic hinges that hold a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinges each comprise a magnet on the eyeglasses that fits between two corresponding auxiliary magnets on the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment. The magnetic hinges thus allow the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an"up"position when not in use. The magnetic hinges also disengage to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinges hold the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the"up"position.

The embodiment additionally comprises magnets that secure the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to the eyeglasses when rotated into the"down"position and in use.

Another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly comprises a magnetic hinge that holds a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinge comprises a magnet on the eyeglasses comprising a first portion and a second portion and an auxiliary magnet on the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment. The magnet first portion biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the"down"position. The magnet second portion biases <BR> <BR> the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the"up"position. "The magnetic hinge thus allows the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an"up"position when not in use. The magnetic hinge also disengages to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinge holds the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the"up"position.

Another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly comprises a magnetic hinge that holds a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment onto eyeglasses. The magnetic hinge comprises a magnet on the eyeglasses, a first auxiliary magnet on the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment, and a second auxiliary magnet engaged with the first auxiliary magnet. The magnet attracts the first auxiliary magnet to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment into the "down"position. The magnet attracts the second auxiliary magnet to bias the auxiliary <BR> <BR> eyeglasses attachment into the"up"position. "The magnetic hinge thus allows the user to rotate the auxiliary eyeglass attachment to an"up"position when not in use. The magnetic hinge also disengages to permit the user to remove the auxiliary eyeglass attachment from the eyeglasses when desired. Moreover, the magnetic hinge holds the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in place after the user has rotated the auxiliary attachment into the"up"position.

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.

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 perspective view of an eyeglasses assembly with eyeglasses disengaged from an auxiliary eyeglasses attachment.

FIGURE 1B is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 1C is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment disengaged from the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 2B is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of FIGURE 2A with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 2C is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of FIGURE 2A with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment disengaged from the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 3B is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of FIGURE 3A with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

FIGURE 3C is a side elevation view of the eyeglasses assembly of the embodiment of FIGURE 3A with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment engaged with the eyeglasses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to an eyeglasses assembly with a removable auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 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 an exemplification of the principles of the invention. This disclosure does not limit the invention to that illustrated and described in the disclosure. Further, the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the desired results.

FIGURES IA-LC show an eyeglasses assembly 10 comprising eyeglasses 12 and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14. In addition to the eyeglasses frame 16, the eyeglasses 12 also comprise a left temple bar 18 and a right temple bar 20, both of which are hinged to the frame 16. As a reference direction for the magnetic fluxes, the line that the eyeglasses 12 and the auxiliary attachment 14 lie in FIGURE 1A is North-South ("N/S"). In addition, the line along which the fully unfolded temple bars 18, 20 lie is East-West ("E/W").

The eyeglasses 12 further comprise a left temple extension 22, a left lens frame 24, a left lens 26, a nosebridge 28, a right lens frame 30, a right lens 32, and a right temple extension 34. In addition, the eyeglasses 12 comprise a first magnet 36 engaged with the top of the frame 24. When magnetized, the first magnet 36 has a N/S magnetic flux. In addition, the eyeglasses 12 comprise a second magnet 38 engaged with the top of the frame 30. When magnetized, the second magnet 38 has a N/S magnetic flux. A third magnet 40, which when magnetized has an E/W magnetic flux, engages the nosebridge 30.

The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 comprises an auxiliary frame 42. The auxiliary frame 42 comprises a left auxiliary lens frame 44, an auxiliary nosebridge 46, and a right auxiliary lens frame 48. In addition, the auxiliary frame 42 comprises a first auxiliary magnet 50 engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge 46. When magnetized, the auxiliary magnet 50 has an E/W magnetic flux. The auxiliary frame 42 also comprises left auxiliary lens 45 and right auxiliary lens 49. A second auxiliary magnet 52 and a third auxiliary magnet 54, both of which when magnetized have a N/S flux, engage the left auxiliary lens frame 44. A fourth auxiliary magnet 56 and a fifth auxiliary magnet 58, both of which when magnetized have a N/S flux, engage the right auxiliary lens frame 48. The magnets 36,38, 40,50, 52,54, 56, and 58 may engage the respective frames 16,42 by any suitable means.

By way of example only, metal sleeves may fix the magnetic means on the top of the frames 16,42. Alternatively, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 may only comprise two lenses with the magnets engaged with the lenses. In addition, the auxiliary frame 48 and the auxiliary nosebridge 46 need not be included.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1B, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 pivotally engages the eyeglasses 12 by fitting the first magnet 36 between the auxiliary magnets 52 and 54. Likewise, the second magnet 38 fits between the auxiliary magnets 58 and 56.

When engaged, the magnets 36,52, and 54 attract and operate as a left magnetic hinge 60. In addition, when engaged, the magnets 38,56, and 58 attract and operate as a right magnetic hinge 62. FIGURE 1C shows the eyeglasses assembly 10 with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 in the operative, or"down", position. In the"down"position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 provides the user with an auxiliary set of lenses to the lenses of the eyeglasses 12. In addition, the third magnet 40 and first auxiliary magnet 50 attract and operate as a magnetic clasp 64. The magnetic hinge 60, the magnetic hinge 62, and the magnetic clasp 64 all maintain the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 engaged with the eyeglasses 12.

As shown in FIGURE 1B, the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 into the inoperative, or"up"position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 away from the eyeglasses 12, disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 in the"up"position, or any combination thereof. The magnetic forces of the magnetic hinges 60 and 62 are sufficient to hold the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 in any hinged position between the "down"and"up"positions. When the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 is down as illustrated in FIGURE 1C, the hinges 60,62 and the magnetic clasp 64 keep the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 in position. As illustrated in FIGURE 1B, when the magnetic means 40 and 50 are unclasped, the hinges 60 and 62 keep the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 attached to the eyeglasses frame 12.

The lenses of both the eyeglasses 12 and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses 12 may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 14 may include non-prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limited to, magnifying or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade 35 or stronger.

FIGURES 2A-2C show an eyeglasses assembly 210 comprising eyeglasses 212 and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214. In addition to the eyeglasses frame 216, the eyeglasses 212 also comprise a left temple bar 218 and a right temple bar 220, both of which are hinged to the frame 216. The eyeglasses 212 further comprise a left temple extension 222, a left lens frame 224, a left lens 226, a nosebridge 228, a right lens frame 230, a right lens 232, and a right temple extension (not shown). In addition, the eyeglasses 212 comprise a magnet 236 engaged with the top of the frame 224 that has a first portion 238 and a second portion 240.

The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 comprises a left auxiliary lens 245, an auxiliary nosebridge 246, and a right auxiliary lens 249. In addition, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 comprises an auxiliary magnet 250 engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge 246.

As shown in FIGURE 2B, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 engages the eyeglasses 212 by the magnet 236 and auxiliary magnet 250 attracting each other. When engaged, the magnet 236 and the auxiliary magnet 250 attract and operate as a magnetic hinge 260. The shape of the magnet 236 and the auxiliary magnet 250 and the orientation of their magnetic fields allow the magnetic hinge 260 to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses

attachment 214 in either the"down"or the"up"position. Thus, the first portion 238 on the magnet 236 biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 in the"down"position and a second portion 240 biases the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 in the"up"position.

FIGURE 2C shows the eyeglasses assembly 210 with the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 in the operative, or"down", position. In the down position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 provides the user with an auxiliary set of lens to the lenses of the eyeglasses 212.

As shown in FIGURE 2B, the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 into the inoperative, or"up"position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 away from the eyeglasses 212, disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 in the "up"position, or any combination thereof.

The lenses of both the eyeglasses 212 and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses 212 may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 214 may include non- prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limited to, magnifying or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade 35 or stronger.

FIGURES 3A-3C show an eyeglasses assembly 310 comprising eyeglasses 312 and a removable, auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314. In addition to the eyeglasses frame 316, the eyeglasses 312 also comprise a left temple bar 318 and a right temple bar 320, both of which are hinged to the frame 316. The eyeglasses 312 further comprise a left temple extension 322, a left lens frame 324, a left lens 326, a nosebridge 328, a right lens frame 330, a right lens 332, and a right temple extension (not shown). In addition, the eyeglasses 312 comprise a magnet 336 engaged with the top of the frame 324.

The auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 comprises a left auxiliary lens 345, an auxiliary nosebridge 346, and a right auxiliary lens 349. In addition, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 comprises a first auxiliary magnet 350 engaged with the auxiliary nosebridge 346 and a second auxiliary magnet 352 engaged with the first auxiliary magnet 350.

As shown in FIGURE 3B, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 engages the eyeglasses 312 by the magnet 336 and auxiliary magnets 350,352 attracting each other.

When engaged, the magnet 336 and the auxiliary magnets 350,352 operate as a magnetic hinge 360. FIGURE 3C shows the eyeglasses assembly 310 with the auxiliary eyeglasses

attachment 314 in the operative, or"down", position. The position of the magnet 336 and the auxiliary magnet 350 and the orientations of the magnetic fields allow the magnet 336 to attract the auxiliary magnet 350 when the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 is in the "down"position. Thus, the magnet 336 and the auxiliary magnet 350 attract each other to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 in the"down"position. In the"down"position, the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 provides the user with an auxiliary set of lens to the lenses of the eyeglasses 312.

As shown in FIGURE 3B, the user may choose to place the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 into the inoperative, or"up"position. The user may either rotate the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 away from the eyeglasses 312, disengage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 and then re-engage the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 in the up position, or any combination thereof. The position of the magnet 336 and the auxiliary magnet 352 and the orientations of the magnetic fields allow the magnet 336 to attract the second auxiliary magnet 352 when the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 is in the"up" position. Thus, the magnet 336 and the second auxiliary magnet 352 attract each other to bias the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment in the"up"position.

The lenses of both the eyeglasses 312 and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 may be of any desired type. By way of non-limiting example only, the eyeglasses 312 may include prescription lenses and the auxiliary eyeglasses attachment 314 may include non- prescription, sun-shading lenses. The lenses may also include, but are not limited to, magnifying or reading lenses, light-filtering lenses, or non-prescription lenses. The magnets may be of any suitable type, including neodymium rare earth magnets or magnets of grade 35 or stronger.

While embodiments have been shown and described, one skilled in the art may make modification 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.