Sunshade for head connecting to an eyewear retainer

Abstract

A new Invention of soft material for protecting the user's face, ears, neck, and shoulders from the sun. Temporarily or permanently attaching soft material to an eyewear retainer, starting from retainer's connection members at each end, and providing shade all the way around user's head. Some types of work and sports are difficult to perform while wearing a “brimmed” hat, such as operating a crane and shooting a basketball. Also, most of a person's body heat is ventilated through the top of the head. When a sport or work is very strenuous, the user of this new invention will be able to ventilate better from the top of their head. When eyewear is not being used, the new material provides protective storage by wrapping around lenses and temple bars. Additionally, the newly added material to the retainer makes space for speciality advertising. This invention makes life more safe.

Description

Sunshade for the head connecting to an eyewear retainer. A soft-sun protection material for protecting the face, ears, neck and shoulders. This new sunshade material connects to and is suspended from any type of eyewear retainer. Temporarily attaching to or a new permanent part of any kind of eyewear retainer. The user will fold the temple stems when eyewear is not being used. And then the newly added sun protection material may be wrapped around the lenses and folded temple stems, providing a protective storage.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patents Documents

Patent#	Class	Date and name
2,519,561	(2/206)	June 1950. Gillman et al.
3,233,249	(2/14)	February 1966. Baratelli et al.
3,383,707	(2/12)	May 1968. McNeill
3,705,760	(351/44)	December 1972. Langendorfer et al.
4,621,378	(2/9)	November 1986. Hatchman
4,674,851	(351/47)	June 1987. Jannard
4,786,159	(351/132)	November 1988. Piazza, Sr. et al.
4,824,233	(351/47)	April 1989. Jannard
4,859,048	(351/159)	June 1989. Jannard
4,867,550	(351/47)	September 1989. Jannard
4,951,322	(2/439)	June 1990. Lin
5,012,527	(2/9)	May 1991. Michel
5,182,586	(351/47)	January 1993. Bennato
5,220,689	(2/12)	June 1993. Miller
6,478,145	(206/5)	Nov. 12, 2002. Mitchell
6,349,422	(2/431)	Feb. 26, 2002. Schleger, et al.
6,092,897	(351,157)	Jul. 25, 2000. Smerdon, Jr.
5,151,778	(351,156)	Sep. 29, 1992. Conley
5,092,667		Mar. 3, 1992. Bagley
4,541,696		Sep. 17, 1985. Winger
5,032,019	(248/902)	Jul. 16, 1991. Burchett
4,606,453		June 1986. Burns
5,014,846		May 1991. Walker
5,052,550		October 1991. Pfenning
4,953,695	(206/5)	September 1990. Tallman
5,102,216		April 1992. Mitchell
D336,098		June 1993. Evans
5,299,682		April 1994. Tatar
5,366,072		November 1994. Goldenberg
5,593,024		January 1997. Seiler
5,687,837		November 1997. Seiler
5,735,393		April 1998. Shiue et al.
5,816,464		October 1998. Seiler
5,878,443		March 1999. Seiler
6,038,706		March 2000. Seiler
6,131,209		October 2000. Thayer et al.
5,669,074	(2/172)	Sep. 23, 1997. Newman, Jr.
6,478,145 B2		Nov. 12, 2002. Mitchell, Troy E.

Non-Patent Searches Using Google

First search results for. “sunshade for neck”

• • Sprigs Sunshade
  • Haloheadband.com
  • Cool Flapp—neck shade for baseball caps
  • Coolibar.com—windom UV hat drape
    Second search results for. “sunshade for ears and neck that attaches to sunglasses.”
  • Beck Safety—Kask neck shade zenith
  • Glacier Glove universal sunshade
  • Ergodyne chill-its 6670 ct evap hard hat neck shade.
  • Pro-shade 3 in 1 sport visor. Changes in seconds. Visor/case/lanyard.
    Third search results for. “Sunshade for ears and neck that attaches to eyewear retainer”.

Same results as the first and second search.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Because people are concerned with UV protection, many forms of sunshade for the face, ears, neck, and shoulders have been developed and sold. Also, eyewear is becoming increasingly expensive. A user of eyewear needs the convenience of storing their eyewear in a hands and scratch free environment. However, all of the different types of sunshade available today for protecting the face, ears, neck, and shoulders, rely on a hat or banding or structure pressed onto or circumferencing the head. This does not allow for adequate ventilation of the scalp and is dangerous. Because most of the body heat ventilates through the top of the head.

More and more people are enjoying the outdoors and exercising in the sun. Also, there are many more outdoor workers exposed to the sun. All use many forms of protection against the sun's UV rays. Towels and shirts wrapped around the head with ball caps and full brim hats are examples. Also, bandanas and handkerchiefs are tied on top of the head. These protect the face, ears, and neck when standing or bent over doing activities. Shielding portions of face, ears and neck not protected by a hat. Some people wrap shirts or towels around cheeks and nose covering a majority of the head from the sun.

Prior inventions cover the head and protect face, ears, and neck from the sun and other elements. The disadvantage with many of these is that you must cover the top of the head or circumference the entire head with a band or tension bar. With existing invention's material or hat or band covering or encircling scalp or head, where most of the body's heat is released, a person can not properly ventilate during work or exercise. Also, heated and covered scalp may cause danger with fogging of eyewear during strenuous activity.

Our new sunshade attaching to eyewear retainer will allow for UV protection of face, ears and neck while allowing for the scalp and or top of head to ventilate body heat. The body's “radiator” will work better with our new addition to the world's sunshade products. This new sunshade will be attached to the entire length of the eyewear retainer. With the new sunshade material consisting of various, but not limited to, embodiments, hanging from temple to temple around the entire retainer and back of head.

In one of the embodiments, the material may cross the nose from temple to temple covering the face. In another embodiment it will be a lower profile, covering only ears and back of the neck. Also, when the user needs to remove eyewear, our new addition will provide a protective wrap for hands and scratch free storage.

With outdoor activities that require a mixture of wearing and not wearing eyewear, retainers are desirable. With our new invention the user will be able to retain eyewear, protect face, ears, neck, and shoulders from the elements. And when removing eyewear and folding of the temple bars, the user will have the ability to wrap up eyewear in the newly added sunshade material attached to the retainer.

There are situations during outdoor activity where one has to store eyewear. There are many kinds of storage and even combinations of retainer and storage. The combination of retainer and storage is advantageous in the field. Being away from vehicles or even backpacks where eyewear containers are often kept. Our new invention is more convenient, efficient, and safer for the user. Our new invention and various possible embodiments provide safer scalp ventilation. And will also give the user UV sun protection from the elements for their face, ears, and neck. The new invention will temporarily or permanently attach to eyewear retainers. And is a handy lens cleaner, and provides convenient hands and scratch free storage.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increase in skin cancer rates. One of the causes of this increase in skin cancers is exposure to the sun's UV rays. Many more people are enjoying outdoor activities because of an awareness of the benefits of health through fitness. Also, many trades and workers are continually outside in the sun. And people are being exposed to the sun for longer periods of time.

Many people wear a variety of hats and eyewear to protect the top of the head and eyes from the sun. Others will use their shirts or bandanas or towels to further protect face, ears, and neck from the sun.

Realizing how much the cheeks, ears and neck are exposed to the sun, people have used their imagination for sun protection solutions. As well as making products and patented inventions for UV sun protection over the years.

The disadvantage with some of these solutions is that the top of the head will be covered. 90 percent of the body's heat is vented from the top of the head. Allowing proper ventilation of the scalp during strenuous exercise is safer.

Especially with existing UV protection options, whereby eyewear could have lenses fog over from body heat and sweat. Causing vision to be impaired. For example, riding a bike on a steep dirt trail with eyewear fogging over because of improper scalp (top of head ventilation.)

With all of these things in mind, our new and improved sunshade, and all of its possible embodiments, will provide protection from UV sun rays, improved top of head ventilation, and the availability of safe storage.

PRIOR ART

Prior art shows various inventions with one of the above functions or a combination. U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,422 by Schleger, et al. relates to a facial shield for protection from damaging radiation from the sun. Schleger's invention is preferably made of a harder material to also protect from the wind and from flying objects. It can be an entire head piece or attached to existing eyewear. Its primary function is to protect the face from the sun's UV radiation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,453 by Burns in a combination visor and storage. Providing a minimum of UV protection while doubling as a folding case.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,728,012 to Downey discloses a string-like retainer which passes through openings in the eyewear stems and is longitudinally adjustable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,604 to Fuller shows a headband that serves as a retainer attaching at tubular elements formed as an integral part of the retainer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,696 to Winger er al. is a retainer made of knit material and functioning similarly to Fuller. U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,002 to Meistrell comprises a long stretchable band having holes for insertion of the eyewear stems for attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,556 to Perry III is a headband retainer similar to Winger but having an improved end design. U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,094 to Lyons is similar to several prior art designs but includes the improvement of an adjustment ring for elimination of slack in the attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,145 to Mitchell shows the combination of features and capabilities making it more unique than the patents mentioned above. It comprises a protective case having a connection member detachably attached at each end of eyewear temple bars or stems.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,309 to Baratelli and U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,846 to Walker a combination of retainer and storage is also utilized.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,074 to Newman, Jr is sunshade that goes around the circumference of a baseball hat. This is the closest embodiment of our new invention. It is a shade for the face, ears, and neck attached to an elastic ringlet that is put over a baseball cap. This patent captures the essence of our new embodiment. The advantage of our new idea is that the shade will be attached to any kind of eyewear retainer. Attached temporarily or permanently to retainer. And not counting on a hat for the support of the shade, the user will have ventilation of the top of head. And the ability to remove eyewear, fold and wrap shade around frames and lenses for safe storage.

Other known prior art include, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,052,550; 5,092,667; 5,102,216; 5,151,778; D336,098; 5,299,682; 5,366,072; 5,593,024; 5,687,837; 5,735,393; 5,816,464; 5,878,443; 6,092,897; 6,038,706; and 6,131,209.

However, none of these patents provide facial, ears, and neck sun protection from damaging UV sun rays while allowing for top of head body heat ventilation. And the ability to wrap and safely store eyewear.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several eyewear accessory and sunshade patents and items in the market today provide one or a combination of the requirements of an active outdoor person. They will most likely be wearing eyewear and often use a retainer for their eyewear.

Our new invention will add to the eyewear retainer by offering shade for face, ears, and neck. Also, providing a wrap for hands free safe storage when eyewear is not being used. Therefore the prior art mentioned above has several disadvantages compared to our new invention and all of its various embodiments.

Previous inventions retain and store the user's eyewear. Other inventions may only be a case for storing eyewear. Other inventions protect from the sun with a visor and have storage. Also, previous inventions provide shade by relying on a hat to suspend the sunshade material. One past invention also has a rigid face shield type sun protection. Another creative way to protect from the sun's UV rays is to cover the top of the head with a bandana or shirt, draping bandana or shirt material over shoulders and wrapping around the face.

Disadvantages of previous inventions and creative solutions are that users need several items 1 for retaining eyewear, sun protection, cleaning, and storage. Also, many solutions require covering the top of the head where 90 percent of the body's heat ventilates. This may cause fogging of eyewear during exercise and work. This fogging of eyewear may result in danger during a steep hike or while working in hazardous conditions.

No one item and the prior art provides face, ear, neck, and shoulder sun protection while providing maximum scalp ventilation. And also enabling the user to retain, clean and store their eyewear.

This new invention will attach temporarily or permanently to an eyewear retainer. This added material attaches along the entire length of the eyewear retainer. The material will hang down from the retainer in a variety of shapes, sizes, attachment and gathering points. Protecting the user's face, ears, neck, and shoulders from the sun. Also, the new sunshade material will be used to clean and safely store the user's eyewear.

This additional material may also be used as an area to display and market a logo! For example, sports teams, company names, family reunions, etcetera.

Comparing our new invention to prior art, items in the marketplace, and creative solutions emphasizes the new advantages of safety, money savings, and convenience. Consumers interested in eyewear accessories, whether wearing a hat or not, will have several new advantages with our new addition to the market. These new objects and advantages are:

Providing the user with one item, of many different kinds of embodiments, that will be a more convenient and safer eyewear retainer, sun protector, cleaner, and storage. And will allow room for speciality advertising.

This new invention is attached temporarily to or permanently part of an eyewear retainer. Protecting the user's face, ears, neck, and shoulders from the sun's UV rays. In one of the embodiments, the retainer is adjustable along the top edge of the material that will be drawn tight, forming a cavity to wrap the folded eyewear for safe storage. And the additional material will be a lens cloth for cleaning before having the ability to wrap for storage. The material extends downward from the entire circumference of the eyewear retainer, draping over the ears, neck and shoulders, and face. This newly extended material covering the face, ears, and neck to shoulders allows ample room for speciality advertising. This hanging material will be safe and absorbent for cleaning and storage of lenses. With a one item purchase covering several eyewear and sun protection needs, the consumer will save money.

When bent over playing or working the new invention and its endless variety of embodiments, will shade from the sun. Whether wearing a hat or not the user will have protection from the sun. Protecting the areas of the head such as face, ears, cheeks, nose, neck and shoulders.

This new invention is great for sports like basketball. A visor or brim on a hat obstructs arm movement in front and over the head when setting up for shooting. With our new invention and the various embodiments a user will get sun protection over several areas of the head and neck! Providing sun protection without a hat with a brim which obstructs the shooting of the ball.

Also, without the user's top of head being covered by a hat or material, the body will be able to lower its temperature by maximum ventilation of the scalp.

The new invention will lower the temperature of a user's head and body with maximum ventilation. An increase in body heat decreases the ability of thinking and decision making. Our invention therefore increases safety. Safety first!

SUMMARY

With a one item purchase of this new invention, the user will receive all the benefits mentioned above. Additional sun protection on face, ears, neck, and shoulders, while retaining eyewear. And also safe cleaning and storage. Concluding with the additional benefit of added room on the newly added material to eyewear retainer, for speciality advertising!

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Closely related figures in the drawings have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

FIG. 1A to 1C show the side, back, and front perspectives of the new invention.

FIG. 2A to 2E show the step by step process for storage transformation.

FIG. 2A shows the original working positions of new sunshade added to and suspended from an eyewear retainer

FIG. 2B Adjustable retainer is held with cord stop. Ear and neck protection material creates a cupped area or cavity for safe storage of eyewear. Other embodiments do not need an adjustable retainer to safely wrap and store eyewear.

FIG. 2C Folding of eyewear's temple bars does not affect the newly added material that creates a cavity for storage.

FIG. 2D; Up, over, and tucking the tail, the user will wrap the eyewear lenses for protection.

FIG. 2E With or without an adjustable retainer, the user's eyewear will be wrapped and enveloped in the newly added sunshade material. Protecting the lenses and frames from dirt and scratches. Allowing the user to quickly and safely put eyewear into nail bags, backpack, or pocket.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a plan view of the new invention. This is the preferred, but not limited to, embodiment and its details. Remembering that the added sun protection material attached to the user's eyewear retainer allows room for speciality advertising!

FIGS. 4A to 4C Shows a front, side, and back perspective of a person wearing the sports model.

FIG. 4A is a picture of the front of a user wearing the sport model.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the same. Showing the added sun protecting material to eyewear retainer for speciality advertising.

FIG. 4C is the back perspective.

This model is excellent for active sports such as basketball, where the brim of a hat obstructs shooting of the ball.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the GULF model. This version extends farther at the front of the temple for more sun protection of the side of face, ears, neck, and shoulders. An excellent variation for working at carpentry, concrete, or gardening.

FIG. 6A is a front and 6B is a side perspective of a user wearing the SONORAN model. Adding further sun protection for the front cheeks and nose while still providing maximum scalp ventilation. With much of the face shielded from the sun this model is effective for activities that are in highly reflective areas. For example, sun exposure around the surfaces of concrete and water.

FIG. 7 is a cold weather version. This variation has insulated material for protecting ears and neck from cold weather while providing protection from the sun's UV rays.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective of the sun protecting material alone. This version has the ability to attach to existing eyewear retainers. Providing protection from the sun and with the ability to clean and store eyewear safely.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

• • 8. Temple bars or stems of eyewear.
  • 10. Ports or holder ends for temple bars. Or lasso type of attachment mechanism for option of securing sunshade to any point along the temple bars, parts 8. The ends that hold retainer may be any of the various types that already exist in the marketplace.
  • 12. Any type of eyewear retainer that will be the permanent or temporary attachment point for the new sunshade material that goes the entire length of the top edge and protects the neck and ears. The new sunshade material will go around the retainer creating a pocket and sewn to allow the retainer to remain adjustable.
  • 13. Top edge of sunshade material that will envelope the entire length of any kind of eyewear retainer. Either temporarily or permanently attached to eyewear retainer, while still allowing adjustable retainers to function.
  • 14. Cord stop has a spring loaded lock. This is only an example of what can be any other type of existing adjuster for an eyewear retainer.
  • 15. The tail and bottom edge of sunshade material. When the eyewear is not being used and the temple bars are folded, this tail will be the first thing tucked in and around the lenses and temple bars for storage protection. And after all material is tucked and folded in and around eyewear, holding and or pressing 14 and pulling 12, a protecting storage pocket or pouch is created.
  • 18. Ear protection
  • 20. Back of neck and base of scalp protection.
  • 22. Extended sides for added neck and cheek protection on the GULF model, FIG. 5.
  • 24. Increased cheek protection on the SONORAN model, FIG. 6.
  • 26. Flaps of material go across the nose and cheeks. Attaching to the opposite side. Protecting the front of the face from the sun. Concrete finishers specifically requested this for reflective surface protection.
  • 30. Material extends toward the back of head level with the horizontal part of the temple bar. Ear hook of the temple bar follows its own port or pocket, part reference 34. This pocket for each end of the temple stems will allow for any shape stem end. And allowing for reference 30, the sunscreen material continues around the back of head horizontally, uninterrupted by curved stem ends.
  • 32. Location of logo or speciality advertising.
  • 34. Sewn in a fold or cup or pocket in this area allows material to remain close to the scalp as it follows around the ear area. Or in another embodiment it may have a slit where the temple bar end simply passes through and out of the inside of the material.
  • 38. Safety/sunglasses or prescription glasses. Eyewear.
  • 40. Insulated for cold protection while protecting from sun.
  • 42. Any various ways of attaching the new sun shade material to existing eyewear retainers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All of these figures shown are only examples, and not limited to these embodiments alone. This new invention shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 has the ability to temporarily attach or permanently attach to the circumference of any kind of eyewear retainer.

Also, the new invention may be made in any and varied shapes from minimum to maximum sun protection. Instantly creating a system of “all in one” sunscreen, retainer, and storage for the user's eyewear. Saving money and time!.

FIG. 2 specifically, is a step by step process, going from sun screening the head and neck while retaining eyewear is transformed into a capacity for safe storage. When temple bars are folded, parts 8 and 10 on each side of eyewear will cross each other. While holding and or 14 depressed and pulling 12 partially tight to create a cavity and tucking in the hanging sunscreen material starting with the tail that is reference 15. Users may store eyewear in the cavity created and complete storage by pulling tight.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a new invention in one of any number of embodiments. And also included is an elevation drawing of another option of attachment points. (the retainer may be attached to the eyewear in any number of ways that are already existing in the marketplace) The temple port 10 and or pocket 34 is shown curving downward or may be a slit or an opening sewn into material part 30, allowing the temple bar end freedom, while sunscreen material and retainer continue horizontally around the back of the head to the opposing port or attachment point. When eyewear is not being used and temple bars are folded, part 15, the tail of the material, will be tucked in and wrapped around the lenses and folded temple bars. With drawstring or retainer part 12 drawn tight, eyewear will have a lens protecting storage. Enabling the user to put eyewear in their pocket, backpack, or nail bags in the case of a carpenter.

FIG. 4 is the preferred, but not limited to, embodiment of the new invention. The material 18 sweeps from the temple bar before and over the ear in a clean horizontal arc to material 20 as new and hanging sun protection from any and all types of eyewear retainers. Either detachably attached or permanently attached to an eyewear retainer. FIG. 4 is the sport model and is excellent for activities where the brim or any kind of hat obstructs-movement. Such as basketball and other active sports or work activities. Some people do not like hats and will benefit with our new invention. Sunscreening face, ears, neck, and shoulders. And also in other embodiments, nose, front of the cheeks and front of the neck.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show alternative embodiments that have been built for and designed by outdoor workers. FIG. 5 is excellent for complete shade when bent over working. In a bent over and working position with part 22 side flaps extending beyond shoulders, the entire face and neck is shaded.

FIG. 6 includes additional material, parts 24 and 26 giving cheeks, nose and front of neck and face more sun protection from reflective glare from ground or water surfaces and or direct sunlight. This Sonoran model is great for protecting the user from sun reflecting surfaces such as working on or around the surface of concrete or water.

FIG. 7 is a cold weather model. It provides insulation of the ears and neck while protecting from the sun.

FIG. 8 is the base or true core of the unobviousness of the new invention. It is the sun protection material only. Preferring to have it permanently attached or part of a variety of eyewear retainers, the invention may be offered in its most basic form. The basic form in FIG. 8 is a sun screening material detachably attached to any type of eyewear retainer already available in the marketplace. Part 42 may be any type of snap, velcro, or button allowing the sun protecting material to be attached to existing types of eyewear retainers.

ADVANTAGES FROM DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The new invention has obvious advantages over the prior art. For example, the FIG. 4

• • sports-model adds the ability-to-shield ears and neck from the sun while providing maximum head ventilation. And the ability to wrap up and over lenses of eyewear for safe storage. This model was developed per the request of a crane operator on the job. They often did not wear a hat in the cab of the crane because a visor would hinder the view of looking up. However, they wanted sun protection for their ears and neck. Also, when playing basketball outside in the sun, a visor on a hat gets in the way of shooting the ball. With this new invention, the user will get sun protection on some of the most vulnerable parts of the body, ears and neck while retaining eyewear. And when eyewear is not being used, a way of safely storing and protecting lenses and frames.
    Other models in FIG. 5,6, 7 give the user increased protection from the sun, even in cold weather. These are only examples of and not limited to any other forms of sun protection and storage that may be temporarily or permanently part of an eyewear retainer.
    Although the description above contains many specificities these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the new invention. Merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the new invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sunshade and eyewear retainer and storage combination, comprising; a fabric body substantially rectangular or triangular in shape protecting the users ears, cheeks, neck, face, shoulders, and other areas depending on various shapes of material. Temporarily or permanently attached to any kind or type of new or existing eyewear retainer.

A sunshade fabric body attached to an adjustable or non-adjustable eyewear retainer. Allowing the user to safely store eyewear by folding eyewear and then wrapping lenses and frames with fabric body. Using the newly added sunshade material attached to the user's eyewear retainer to keep eyewear safely tucked safely away from danger.

2. A variation of the hanging sun shading fabric temporarily or permanently attached to existing eyewear retainers. Consisting of but not limited to 5 models.

A. The Sport model, the described embodiment in these claims, its fabric shape specifically covers the ears and back of the neck from the sun's rays.

B. The Gulf model has added material or fabric further protecting the shoulders, necks, and face.

C. The Sonoran model adds even more material for the front of the face. Protecting the nose, cheeks, and front neck from reflecting sun. With the ability to be detachably attached around and over the nose.

D. The cold weather material consists of the fabric attached to the eyewear retainer being insulated. Protecting the user from both the cold and the sun.

E. The last model is temporarily attached to any type or kind of existing eyewear. Using any type of velcro, snap, button, or attaching device at several points along the temple bars of the user's eyewear.