GB2116741A

GB2116741A - Eyeshades

Info

Publication number: GB2116741A
Application number: GB08206024A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Huls; Christina Huls
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-09-23
Filing date: 1982-03-02
Publication date: 1983-09-28
Also published as: AU7558181A; FR2519435A1; DE3147383A1

Abstract

An eyeshade comprises a flexible for sheet material having generally parallel upper and lower surfaces. The sheet has a first concave curved elongated inner edge (18) and having an elongated outer edge (20) which is spaced from the inner edge and is substantially parallel thereto. The sheet material has end portions (22 - 24) which have openings (30) for receiving eyeglass frame members so that the sheet material may be mounted on eyeglass frame members with the concave curved inner edge (18) adjacent a forehead of a wearer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Eyeshades This invention relates to eyeshades.

Eyeshades or visors are traditionally mounted on bands which encircle the head. The visors or eyeshades have a fixed, substantially rigid and non-planar form.

Eyeshades and visors of the prior art are difficult to pack and are difficult to carry unless mounted on the head and, if bent, may be destroyed.

U.S.A. Patent 3,237,204 shows a disposable sun visor constructed of cardboard or some other inexpensive material. The visor slips over eyeglasses or sunglasses by means of slotted holes. It may also be used in conjunction with a strap that goes around the head.

According to the present invention there is provided an eyeshade apparatus comprising a flexible sheet material having generally parallel upper and lower surfaces and having a first concave curved elongated inner edge and having an elongated outer edge spaced from the inner edge and substantially coextensive therewith, the sheet material having end portions at longitudinal extremities thereof, the end portions having means for receiving eyeglass frame members, whereby the sheet material is mounted on eyeglass frame members with the concave curved inner edge adjacent a forehead of a wearer. The end portions may be of reduced dimension. Openings which are elongated in directions substantially parallel to the inner edge.The openings may be placed over temples of eyeglass frames and slid forward so that the main body of the eyeshade extends over and outward beyond the lenses of the eyeglasses. The inner edge rests against a forehead of a user. The end portions may be slid slightly backward along the temples to ensure the smooth, even fit of the inner edge along the forehead. In that position, the eyeshade becomes curved, with greater curvatures in the reduced dimension end portions.

Preferably, the eyeshade outer edge is curved in a curve similar to the inner edge, and the outer edge and inner edge are substantially parallel. A distance between the inner edge and the outer edge is substantially a uniform first dimension, and the end portions have a smaller dimension. In a preferred embodiment, the outer edge curves inwardly in compound curves to the end portions. Preferably, the second dimension of the end portion is approximately two thirds of the first dimension.

In a preferred embodiment of the eyeshade, the end portions receive temple portions of eyeglasses.

The temple portions are received in openings through the end portions. Preferably, the openings in the end portions are elongated, with directions of elongation generally parallel to adjacent inner edge portions of the eyeshade. The elongated openings tend to align with vertical dimensions of temple portions of eyeglasses thereby curvilinearly deforming the eyeshade with an apex over a central portion of the eyeglasses and lowest portion of the eyeshade adjacent the temples. Narrower dimensions of the end portions provide relatively greater curvature in the end portions than in the central portions of the eyeshade.

The eyeshade of the present invention is made from a soft, flexible, foam rubber and slips on most sunglasses and eyeglasses. The eyeshade may be carried in a pocket when not in use and may be folded and sat upon or otherwise crushed without damage. In use, the eyeshade cuts the harsh glare of the sun and improves vision while allowing for an overall facial tan. The eyeshade helps to relieve headaches and crows feet due to squinting. The eyeshade of the present invention is particularly useful for sports, for beachwear, tennis, golf, boat ing, skiing, jogging, attending stadium events, and all outdoor recreation. The eyeshade is also suitable for cutting indoor glare while working under harsh, flourescent lighting conditions.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa plan view of the eyeshade apparatus of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view of the eyeshade in use, Figure 3 is an edge view of the eyeshade shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the eyeshade is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The eyeshade is made of a thin, bendable and resilient material 12, which is preferably soft, foam rubber or a synthetic, soft, polymeric, foamed material. The eyeshade has a flat upper surface 14 and a flat lower surface 16, which is generally parallel to the upper surface. A curved inner edge 18 is configured generally to rest against the forehead of a user. An outer edge 20 may have a similar curvature. End portions 22 and 24 have a transverse dimension which is less than a similar transverse dimension of a main body of the eyeshade.

In a preferred form of the invention, the end portions have a semi-circular outer edge which extends outward from the curved inner edge in a smooth, continuous curve 26. The end portions are joined to the main body by a compound curve 28 which connects with the outer edge. Openings 30 are formed through the end portions. In a preferred embodiment, the openings are centered in the end portions and extend longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of an adjacent portion of inner edge 18.

The visors are placed over temples or side pieces of eyeglass frames by inserting the ends of the earpieces into respective openings 30, particularly the ear pieces are inserted into the openings 30 from the lower side 16 of the eyeshade. The eyeshade is then moved forward on the temples of the eyeglass frames until the eyeshade rests over the top of the lenses and extends outward. The eyeglasses are then placed on the head of the wearer, and the inner edge 18 lies smoothly against the forehead of the user. It may be necessary to slide the end portions 22 and 24 along the respective temples of the eyeglass frames to adjust the curvature 18 to the forehead of the particular user. The end portions 22 and 24 preferably are positioned slightly rearward away from the lenses of the eyeglasses to form the desired curvature with the main body portion touching the eyeglass frames above the lenses and forming a smooth curvature generally low over the eyeglasses.

The lens portion of the eyeglasses may be approximately centered beneath the eyeshade between the inner and outer edges.

Experience has indicated that an eyeshade having a transverse dimension of about 3.75 cms (1-1/2 inches) and longitudinal dimensions of about 17.5 cms (7 inches) between the openings and about 22.5 cms (9 inches along a mean line of curvature and a thickness of about 0.32 cms (1/8 inch) is highly desirable. If the material has one finished side and one less finished side, it is desirable that the less finished side should be positioned downward.

Claims

1. An eyeshade apparatus comprising a flexible sheet material having generally parallel upper and lower surfaces and having a first concave curved elongated inner edge and having an elongated outer edge spaced from the inner edge and substantially coextensive therewith, the sheet material having end portions at longitudinal extremities thereof, the end portions having means for receiving eyeglass frame members, whereby the sheet material is mounted on eyeglass frame members with the concave curved inner edge adjacent a forehead of a wearer.

2. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end portions have curved inner edges in continuation of the curved inner edge of the eyeshade sheet material.

3. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the outer edge is curved in a curve similar to the inner edge, whereby the outer edge and inner edge are substantially parallel.

4. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a distance between the inner edge and the outer edge is substantially a uniform first dimension and wherein the end portions have a smaller dimension.

5. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer edge curves inwardly in compound curves to the end portions.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4wherein the second dimension is approximately two thirds of the first dimension.

7. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eyeglass frame portion receiving means and the end portions comprise means for receiving temple portions of eyeglasses.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for receiving the temple portions comprise openings in the end portions.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the openings in the end portions are elongated openings.

10. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elongated openings have directions of elongation generally parallel to adjacent inner edge portions of the eyeshade.

11. An eyeshade apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elongated openings tend to align with vertical dimensions of temple portions of eyeglasses thereby curvilinearly deforming the eyeshade with an apex over a central portion of the eyeglasses and lowest portions of the eyeshade adjacent the temples.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein narrower dimensions of the end portions provide relatively greater curvature in the end portions than in the central portions of the eyeshade.

13. An eyeshade apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.