Eyeshield with Swinging Lens

Abstract

At least certain embodiments describe an apparatus comprising a flip-to-wear eye shield designed for compact storage and ease of use, the eye shield dispensed in a compact, easy-to-assemble configuration, the eye shield including a protective lens and a frame coupled with the protective lens by one or more hinges, the one or more hinges configured to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame from a first substantially flat position to a second position assembled and ready for use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a flip-to-wear eye shield designed for compact storage and ease of use, the eye shield dispensed in a compact, easy-to-assemble configuration, the eye shield including:   a protective lens; and   a frame coupled with the protective lens by one or more hinges, the one or more hinges configured to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame from a first substantially flat position for compact storage to a second position ready for use.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield in the first substantially flat position is compact to store and transport and easily dispensed. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protective lens is to protect a user's eyes and is configured to cover the user's eyes and temple area. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protective lens is to prevent one or more of particles, infectious fluids, chemicals, blood-born pathogens, light or other harmful rays and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) from striking the user's eyes. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield is designed for comfort and convenience of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protective lens comprises a substantially transparent and flexible member having an upper edge extending along the user's forehead from opposite first and second side edges, the transparent and flexible member including a pair of notches located on each side. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an elongated, flexible, spring-like shaft bowed along the frame's length between two opposite frame ends and biased toward a first un-sprung condition. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the protective lens is to be secured on the user's face with the frame extending along the user's forehead allowing the two opposite frame ends to contour with the user's head and to urge apart the two opposite frame ends from the first un-sprung condition to a second sprung condition, the two opposite frame ends grabbing each side of the user's head. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield is disposable and designed for a single use. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 retrieving from a dispenser a flip-to-wear eye shield designed for compact storage and ease of use, the eye shield dispensed in a compact, easy-to-assemble configuration, the eye shield including a protective lens and a frame suitable for coupling with the protective lens, wherein the frame is coupled with the protective lens by way of one or more hinges configured to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame;   readying the flip-to-wear eye shield for use by pivoting the lens with respect to the frame using the one or more hinges from a first substantially flat position for compact storage to a second position ready for use; and   applying the flip-to-wear eye shield to a user's face for wearing and use   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield in the first substantially flat position is compact to store and transport, and easily dispensed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the protective lens is designed for comfort and convenience of the user and to prevent one or more of particles, infectious fluids, chemicals, blood-born pathogens, light or other harmful rays and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) from striking the user's eyes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield is disposable and designed for a single use. 
     
     
         14 . A flip-to-wear eye shield comprising:
 a lens suitable for coupling with a frame comprising a substantially transparent and flexible member having an upper edge for extending along a user's forehead from opposite first and second side edges between the user's temples and a lower edge for extending across the user's face, and a pair of notches located on each side edge, each notch located between the upper edge and the lower edge of the lens;   a frame suitable for coupling with the lens to secure the lens on the face of the user, the frame comprising an elongated, flexible, and spring-like shaft generally bowed along the frame's length between two opposite frame ends and biased toward a first un-sprung condition, wherein the frame's length contours to the user's forehead and temple area with a pair of opposite bends curving inward in the temple area and the pair of opposite bends forming connective mechanisms to be engaged with the notches of the lens; and   one or more hinges coupled with the lens and the frame, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to pivot on the frame, wherein the lens is secured on the frame by the one or more hinges and the lens can be pushed down between the two opposite frame ends, pivoting on the hinge around the frame from a first substantially flat position for compact storage to be locked into a second position with the notches on the side edges of the lens catching the pair of opposite bends on the frame in the second position ready for use wherein the lens is capable of being secured on the user's face with the frame extending along the user's forehead with the two opposite frame ends resting behind the user's ears and urged apart from the first un-sprung condition to a second sprung condition against opposite sides of the user's head, and wherein the eye covering portion extends downwardly over the user's eyes.   
     
     
         15 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 14 , wherein the frame has a grip area to assist the user to grab the frame for easy application and removal of glasses. 
     
     
         16 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 14 , wherein the two opposite frame ends contour with the user's head to grab each side of the user's head in the second sprung condition. 
     
     
         17 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 14 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield is adapted to be preassembled in the first substantially flat position for compact storage with the lens flat against the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 14 , wherein the lens comprises a sheet of plastic material having a notch located on a lower edge to overlay a bridge of the user's nose. 
     
     
         19 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 18 , wherein the lens substantially overlays the user's facial cheeks and temples. 
     
     
         20 . The flip-to-wear eye shield of  claim 14 , wherein the flip-to-wear eye shield is disposable and designed for a single use.