Optical apparatus for viewing objects at an angle to the direct line of vision

Claim 2

Optical apparatus for enabling a person wearing such apparatus to view objects at an angle to their direct line of vision while their gaze is fixed in a substantially direct line of vision comprising an eye frame positionable over the eyes of a person wearing such apparatus, said eye frame having eye openings therein, nose receiving means on said eye frame for positioning said eye frame over the bridge of the nose of a person wearing such apparatus, prism housing means mounted on said frame over eye openings for removably housing optical prisms therein, prism access openings in said prism housing means for removably inserting optical prisms into said prism housing means, lockable cover means for opening and closing said openings and for securing an optical prism in said prism housing means and a prism located in said prism housing means.

Claim 3

The optical apparatus of claim 1 where said prism housing means comprises housing having interior dimensions substantially the same as the exterior dimensions of optical prisms inserted in said housings, an objective opening being provided in one wall of said housing whereby an object viewed through said objective opening is diverted by said prism to the direct line of vision of a person wearing such apparatus, said prism access opening being positioned in another wall of said housing and lying in a first plane parallel to one wall of an optical prism inserted in said housing, a slot opening in said housing lying in a second plane parallel to said first plane, said slot opening in said housing extending in slots for receiving said lockable cover means, said slots for receiving said lockable cover means projecting beyond the edges of said prism access openings, said lockable cover means being insertable in said slot opening and said slots for receiving said lockable cover means, said lockable cover means further being securable in said slot openings by detent means in said lockable cover means.

Claim 4

The optical apparatus of claim 2 where said slot opening and the upper edge of said prism access opening are separated by a rib, said detent means being positioned on the upper edge of said lockable cover means and comprises a member that extends downward from the lockable over said rib in a resilient lipped flange, the edge of said lipped flange projecting inwardly toward the wall of said lockable cover means to releasably engage said rib.

Claim 5

The optical apparatus of claim 3 where said eye frame comprises a planar surface having a recessed area conforming to the outline of the bridge of a person's nose wearing said apparatus.

Claim 6

The optical apparatus of claim 4 further comprising ear securing arms foldably secured to said eye frame by hinges.

Claim 7

The optical apparatus of claim 5 where said ear securing arms have clips thereon for mounting said apparatus over a pair of glasses, said clips securing said arms to the arms of said glasses.