NZ556725A - Reading lens - Google Patents

Abstract

A monocular optical reading lens and protective outer casing apparatus, comprising; a combined plastic lens and frame component which is attached to the inside of a protective casing by way of two stub axles which protrude from opposing sides of the lens frame and which slot into two corresponding axle guide holes contained within the casing; and a protective outer casing for housing the lens out of which the lens is rotated for use and returned to when not in use. A flexible bump catch mechanism may be provided for securing the lens into place within the casing.

Description

556725 *10056123296* Patent Form No. 5 - Complete Specification Numbers: 553346 Priority Date: 22nd February 2007 (a) Reading Lens I, Carrick Michael Courtney, hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described and by the following statement: TITLE Reading Lens BACKGROUND Field of the Invention: The present invention pertains to a monocular optical lens apparatus for use as an emergency reading device to assist the user in reading a wide range of written or similar materials when the user does not have access to binocular reading glasses, and/or the size of the written or other material requires vision assistance. Such situations include: reading restaurant menus, reading street maps, and many other similar situations. The invention has been designed to allow it to be carried or attached at all times with or to other items such as key rings, handbags, wallets, and to be easily brought into use when needed.

Prior Art: The use of a monocular magnification lens apparatus for reading and other applications is evident in prior art. Examples include: magnifying glass with handle; and magnification lens attached to a key chain; jewellers loupe. The sizes of such lenses range from the large and non-portable, to the small and portable. Some have incorporated a protective lens cover or casing from which the lens is removed when required for use, and returned when not in use.

There has been no monocular (ens apparatus which consists of an optical lens and supporting frame combined into a single component, and which also contains stub axles which protrude from each side of the frame of the lens component and connect to an outer one-piece protective casing via axle holes contained within the casing into which the lens component stub axles are positioned. 1 NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF *1.Z. 3 t JUL 2008 received 556725 Nor has there been a monocular lens apparatus which consists of a magnification lens and supporting frame combined into a single component, and which also contains stub axles which protrude from each side of the frame of the lens component and connect to an outer one-piece protective casing via axle holes contained within the casing into which the lens component stub axles are positioned.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The key objective of the invention is to provide a portable, convenient, easy to use optical reading lens, contained within a durable protective outer casing, out of which the lens is rotated, when required for emergency reading purposes such as when other forms of vision assistance are not available.

Other objectives of the present invention include: • To provide a new optical reading lens and protective casing apparatus which may be carried by a user for use in a variety of situations or scenarios such as, but not restricted to: Key rings; handbags; glove boxes of vehicles; and many other applications. The invention has some of the advantages of other similar reading aids, and many novel features that result in a new optical reading lens apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone, or in any combination thereof.

• To provide a new monocular optical reading lens apparatus which may be easily and effectively manufactured, assembled, and marketed • To provide a new monocular optical reading lens apparatus which is durable and reliable • To provide a new optical reading lens apparatus which is fully recyclable after its useful life cycle • To provide a new monocular optical reading lens apparatus that when the lens is not in actual use it can be safely retracted and stored in a protective casing without risk of damage, in a wide variety of scenarios such as, but not restricted to, key ring, handbag, wallet, vehicle glove box.

• To provide a new monocular optical reading lens apparatus which provides in the apparatus and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 2 NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z. 3 1 JUL 2008 received 556725 These, together with other objectives of the invention, along with the various features of novelty with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specified objectives attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of two parts: A monocular optical reading lens and frame component; and a protective outer casing within which the lens is attached and secured, and out of which the lens is rotated when required for use.

The functionality of the two parts operating together provides for an easy to use, light and portable reading lens device that enables a user to continuously and unobtrusively carry it with him or her in most circumstances (such as on a key ring or hand bag), to be deployed when the users reading glasses are not readily available or reading assistance is otherwise needed.

Features of the Lens Component The monocular optical reading lens component may be manufactured from a moulded plastic material so that the lens and surrounding frame can be combined into a one-piece structure. Also contained on the lens component are two small stub axles which protrude from the frame of the lens component at one end (one on each side of the lens component), which are inserted into circular axle guide holes contained within the outer protective casing, during assembly; for rotating the lens component in and out of the casing. This enables the lens to be quickly and easily brought into service for reading purposes, and returned just as quickly and easily into the casing when no longer needed.

The lens component also contains a flexible bump catch for securing the lens component, when not in use, inside the outer protective casing. The bump catch is released by pressing a tiny lever that protrudes out of the protective casing at the key ring connection end of the casing thus releasing the lens from the casing and enabling it to be rotated 180 degrees into position, for reading use.

Another feature, contained within the lens component, consists of a slightly raised circular section positioned around the base of each stub axle which creates the effect of a spacer or bearing, which facilitates the lens rotation action out of, and back into, the casing. 3 NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z. 3 1 JUL 2008 RECEIVED 556725 The lens can be specified across a range of optical settings which enable the reading of documents by a wide range of individuals with different focal lengths by simply adjusting the distance of the lens to the reading object.

The lens can also be specified to magnification settings.

The lens can only be rotated to a maximum of 180 degrees out of the casing and is prevented from rotating beyond 180 degrees by a small knurl positioned on one comer of the lens component.

Features of the Protective Casing Component The protective casing can be manufactured from a plastic or similar material which enables the casing to be produced in a durable form; in a wide range of colours; and with a variety of surface textures.

The designs of the protective casing, and the lens component, enable efficient manufacture and assembly.

The design of the casing enables it to stretch or flex without damage, such as during assembly/insertion of the lens component. More specifically: - The outer casing can be flexed open at one end during assembly allowing the stub axles of the lens component to be inserted into the axle guide holes of the outer casing without damage to the casing - The spring effect of the casing structure creates a light friction against the stub axle bearings of the lens component which, when assembled together has the effect of dampening the rotational movement of the lens in and out of the casing - The design of the protective outer casing, and the materials used in its manufacture, results in a strong and durable casing. 4 NZ Patent Application; 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z. 3 1 JUL 2008 received 556725 THE DRAWINGS Referring to Drawings The drawings show six perspectives (Figures 1 to 6) of the reading lens apparatus: Figure 1 shows the lens apparatus in a fully closed state; Figure 2 shows the lens apparatus in a half-closed state; Figure 3 shows the lens apparatus in a fully open state; Figure 4 shows the outer casing; Figure 5 shows a cutaway view of the iens component positioned within the casing; and a view of the bump catch mechanism; Figure 6 shows a cutaway view of the bump catch mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Drawings In the illustrations, the optical reading lens apparatus generally includes: - A moulded outer protective casing - A monocular optical reading lens and frame, combined together into a single component that is secured within the outer protective casing - A bump catch mechanism for securing the lens within the casing The outer protective casing 1 is a one-piece, thin, rectangular case with a largely hollow centre 2 to allow the insertion and positioning of the lens component 4 which is then able to be secured and rotated within the outer casing via two opposing stub axles 5 which are moulded or otherwise affixed onto the frame of the lens component. The two stub axles are slotted into two corresponding circular axle guide holes 3 in the outer casing.

The effect of the two stub axles 5 protruding from the lens frame 4 and slotting into the two axle guide holes 3 of the casing is to allow the lens component to be rotated out of the casing 1 when needed. The axle action is facilitated by a slightly raised circular zone around each stub axle which acts as a bearing 6 All of the lens features noted in this description are contained within the lens component 4, including the optical lens itself 7.

The lens component 4 when not in use is housed inside the protective casing 1. The lens component is held in place within the casing by a flexible bump catch 9, which is located on one corner of the lens component itself. The male bump 12 of the catch locks into a female cavity 8 located inside the protective casing. The tip 13 of the bump catch protrudes slightly from the outer casing when the lens is in its fully closed state within the outer NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z.

I 0 OCT 2008 RECEIVED 556725 casing. The purpose of the bump catch is to prevent the lens from accidentally rotating out of the casing when not in use. To rotate the lens out of the protective casing for reading purposes, the tip of the bump catch 13 is pressed towards the stub axles' end of the lens component, releasing the male bump from the female bump cavity of the casing. The lens is then rotated 180 degrees out of the casing with finger or thumb such that the lens is fully extended 7.

The lens is then held in its fully open state most likely by the user's index finger exerting light pressure onto the knurls 10.

When the lens is fully open and held into place by the user's finger, it may then be used for its purpose as a reading aid, for example, for reading maps or menus etc.

The outer protective casing may also include a square or rectangular section 11 on one (or both) of its two main surface facings which may be slightly recessed, or simply flush with the surface of the casing, for the purposes of inserting trade names, branding, logos and other such applications. The purpose of the recess(es), if in place, is to reduce wear on the said insertions.

The reading lens apparatus includes an aperture 14 positioned at one end of the outer casing that may be used to attach the apparatus to a range of devices such as lanyards, belt clips, key rings etc.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has therein been disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is by way of example, and that variations are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following clauses which subject matter I claim as my invention. 6 NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z.

OCT 2008 RECEIVED 556725

Claims (7)

I CLAIM:

1. A monocular optical reading lens and protective outer casing apparatus, comprising; a combined plastic lens and frame component which is attached to the inside of a protective casing by way of two stub axles which protrude from opposing sides of the lens frame and which slot into two corresponding axle guide holes contained within the casing; and, a protective outer casing for housing the lens out of which the lens is rotated for use and returned to when not in use.

2. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 except that wherein the lens is a magnification lens.

3. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a slightly raised circular bearing, which is located at the base of each stub axle at the points where the axles join the frame, which facilitates rotation of the lens in and out of the protective casing

4. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a flexible bump catch mechanism for securing the lens into place within the casing, consisting of a male catch on the lens frame, and a female bump cavity contained within the casing for receiving and securing the male catch in place within the casing.

5. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including square, rectangular or otherwise, sections positioned on the two flat surfaces of the casing, which are either recessed into, or flush with the casing surfaces, for affixing labels or branding.

6. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an aperture positioned at one end of the outer casing that may be used to attach the apparatus to a range of devices such as lanyards, belt clips, key rings etc.

7. The reading lens and casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which when interacting together in assembly, through the insertion of the lens component stub axles into the guide holes of the protective casing, snap together in a single economical and efficient movement, resulting in the completed apparatus. Signed: Carrick Michael Courtney (applicant) 7 NZ Patent Application: 553346 - Carrick Michael Courtney intellectual property office of n.z. 31 JUL 2008 RECEIVED