Display Eyeglass Frame

This invention concerns a display device, useful as part of or in connection with eyeglasses and adaptable or suitable for advertising, disclosing, displaying, or promoting a message.

In the world of advertising specialties, various devices are known. One of the oldest is simply a cap such as a baseball cap, upon the front of which is displayed a team name or logo, product name or logo, and so forth. One add-on ad specialty device is a tag or sign which attaches to the back strap of an adjustable baseball cap by pushing the tag, which has a support member with a hole therein, onto the pin or button of the strap. Various messages may be placed thereon.

The ad specialty art is an old but fast-changing art, in which older products can be replaced by newer products that outdate or surpass the old in short order. Thus, the art is in constant need of new and innovative products.

In another world, that of trademark display, and in particular in the eyeglass sector, it is known that some prestige manufacturers have begun to place their logo on the lens itself.

The present invention provides a display eyeglass frame comprising a frame member adaptable for placement on or resident and integral with an upper front or a bow portion of an eyeglass frame or lens, said frame member suitable for containing or containing itself display indicia. A method of displaying the indicia with the display eyeglass frame is included.

The invention is useful for advertising, disclosing, displaying, or promoting a message.

The invention supplies a long-felt need in the art. It can be used to display indicia to promote a favorite sports team, political candidate, new or preferred consumer products, to carry a humorous message such as those seen on bumper stickers, and so forth. Alternatively, the user could make up his own message identifying himself at a reunion, celebrating a special occasion, or with any idea he might wish to express. The display may include ideas not only expressed in writing but also those expressed pictorially or photographically. The invention is an especially powerful marketing tool because of the natural attraction of the face and eyes of the user.

Numerous further advantages attend the invention.

The drawings form part of the specification hereof. In the drawings, the following is briefly noted:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display eyeglass frame of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of part of the frame of FIG. 1, taken along 2--2.

FIG. 3 is a side, cut-away view of part of the frame of FIG. 1, taken along 3--3.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of a display eyeglass frame of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side, cut-away view of part of the frame of FIG. 4, taken along 5--5.

The invention can be better understood by reference to the following detail, which may be taken in conjunction with the drawings. The same is not necessarily to be construed as limiting in nature.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, display eyeglass frame 100 has frame member 10, which is suitable for containing or contains itself display indicia 20. The frame member may be suitable for containing the indicia such as provided by having the member made of a suitable material which can be written on by the user, say, with a marking pen, or as provided by having the member include means for holding separable indicia such as through rails 11 (FIGS. 2 & 5) and/or slots 12 (FIG. 5), or in the alternative, as through spring-loaded clips, magnetic devices, glue, and so forth. A separable indicia placard 21 (FIGS. 1 & 2 and 4 & 5), which may be of virtually any suitable shape, may be attached to provide for the display indicia. The placard may be made with a pre-printed message and/or include an area in which the user may write, draw or display his own message.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 & 3, frame member 10 can be adapted for placement on portions of a pair of eyeglasses 5 such as on the upper part of lens 6, eyeglass upper front portion 7, or bow portion 8. To this end, the frame member may include means for attaching such as clips 13, or in the alternative, pins to be inserted in corresponding holes in the eyeglasses, magnetic devices, glue, and so forth. As well, the indicia may be attached with clips similar to those used for flip-up sunglasses. An attachable frame member may itself include display indicia.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 & 5, the frame member 10 can be made integral with the upper front 7 or bow 8 of the eyeglass frame.

The display eyeglass frame can be made of any suitable material(s). Accordingly, material(s) such as plastic, metal, wood, or paper, and so forth, may be employed. Known methods may be employed.

By showing the display eyeglass frame, which includes wearing the same, a method of use of the invention is practiced. Thereby, the message of the display indicia may be recognized, and this, again, can be most powerful as the message is displayed about the face of the user.

The present invention is thus provided. Numerous adaptations can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim scope of which is particularly pointed out as follows: