US20110303560A1

US20110303560A1 - Combination Cell Phone and Eyeglass Dedicated Case

Info

Publication number: US20110303560A1
Application number: US13/215,181
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton Friedman; Rivka T. Friedman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2011-08-22
Publication date: 2011-12-15

Abstract

A trim, compact combination case dedicated to storing a cell phone (or PDA or other small electronic device) and an accessible pair of eyeglasses is disclosed. The combination cell phone and eyeglass case includes only a phone housing compartment and an adjacent eyeglass housing compartment, which are configured to hold the cell phone and eyeglasses side by side. An optional eyeglass-housing cap and an optional swivel belt clip are also disclosed. The compact design allows the combination case to be easily carried in a bag, purse, briefcase or pocket. The combination case advantageously positions the eyeglasses oriented and located for quick retrieval when needed to view the phone screen or buttons.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/713,965, filed on Feb. 26, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cases and carriers, and more particularly, to a compact, streamlined case dedicated to storing a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone or cell phone, and conveniently situated eyeglasses.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The cell phone has become a ubiquitous personal accessory. It fulfills the need not only for communication, but also performs an ever-increasing number of functions that make life more efficient and enjoyable. New cell phone applications, with ever expanding functionality, are being rapidly developed, thus adding to the dominance of the cell phone in modern electronic life.
Cell phones themselves continue to become smaller and thus more convenient to carry. Yet the miniaturization of cell phones requires their display screens to be small, even if they are designed to occupy the entire front of the cell phone. Entire documents or spreadsheets may be read from this small screen. For some people the text, icons and images of the screen, as well as the buttons on the device, may be difficult to see clearly. Especially as the population ages, presbyopia, the loss of the ability to clearly see close objects, increases. Thus, many cell phone users need to locate their reading glasses to see the screen. Often there is pressure to retrieve the glasses quickly, such as to determine the identity of the caller while the phone is ringing.
Currently many cell phone users store their cell phones and eyeglasses in separate cases within a bag, purse or briefcase. Significant inconvenience and annoyance may ensue as they rummage through their bag attempting to quickly locate each separate case, attempt to hurriedly open both cases, and then attempt to disengage both the cell phone and the eyeglasses from their individual cases.
Other cell phone users opt to use a multipurpose bag with numerous compartments to store the cell phone with other small electronic devices or personal items. Such multi-purpose bags are disclosed in several patents and patent applications, such U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,635 issued to Repke, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,467,695 and 7,503,440 to Gormick, U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,518 to Chao, U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,029 to Motson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0194267 to Lam, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0029754. While some of the various general compartments are suitable for holding a cell phone and eyeglasses, the generic compartments do not lend themselves to quick and easy access. Many multi-purpose bags are also encumbered with shoulder straps, flaps with closures, zippers, snaps or other encumbrances that restrict or interfere with quick retrieval of the phone and glasses. Nor are the multi-purpose bags simple and uncomplicated to construct. None provide a dedicated, streamlined case allowing a user to quickly access the eyeglasses and phone, allowing a user to conveniently store the compact case, and allowing a manufacturer to reduce materials cost.
Additionally available are eyeglass cases or phone cases that include compartments suitable for storing other personal items of various types. Such cases are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0173268 to Lam, U.S. Design Pat. No. D548,959 to McClain, U.S. Design Pat. No. D379,262 to Siegel, U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,823 to Moles, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0113306 to Paci, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0010575 by Sanka. While these disclose the concurrent storage of eyeglasses or phones with other items from mirrors to calculators, none of these successfully present a dedicated, compact storage for a pair of glasses and a phone, while allowing quick and easy access to both.
Patents for a wide variety of bags and cases are available in this crowded field of art. Each bag is designed to meet a particular need. For example, the mail bag of U.S. Pat. No. 746,013 to Burton presents a mail bag with many transverse pockets (each designed to hold the mail of a single individual) that can be folded onto themselves and rolled into a bag. While this bag and others in this crowded field are satisfactory for their intended purpose, they not satisfactory for storing a cell phone alongside eyeglasses in a very compact dedicated case that is easy to stow away within a crowded purse or briefcase.
Another bag is presented by Blackman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,401 for an Article Holder and Carrier. This holder and carrier has an assortment of pockets for holding a variety of articles of varying sizes and shapes, which can be folded into a carrier. Though this holder and carrier may fit the need of a student to carry pencils, glue, scissors, paper, and other schools supplies, it is not suitable for containing eyeglasses with a cell phone. Its numerous pockets and structures involved with its self-folding and carrying abilities cause the Blackman holder to be bulky and to take time to open to retrieve items. When receiving an incoming phone call, it may be difficult to extract both a cell phone and a pair of glasses stored within the Blackman bag before the call ends or is routed to voice mail.
Accordingly, though a diverse array of cases are available that can potentially hold a cell phone and a pair of eyeglasses, the available cases do not meet the need for a compact, streamlined case dedicated to storing a mobile phone and conveniently located eyeglasses, while providing quick and easy retrieval of both items and providing for a reduction in manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a trim, compact combination case dedicated to storing only a cell phone and a readily accessible pair of eyeglasses. The combination cell phone and eyeglass case includes a phone housing compartment and an adjacent eyeglass housing compartment. Both the phone-housing top opening and the eyeglass-housing top opening are preferably oriented in the same direction. The combination case advantageously positions both the phone and the eyeglasses oriented and located for quick retrieval when needed to view the phone screen or controls.
Construction methods are presented for preferably forming the combination dedicated case from a single piece of material. Optional construction methods are also presented. An optional eyeglass-housing cap and an optional swivel belt clip are also disclosed.
The compact design of the combination dedicated case provides benefits for users, manufacturers and/or retailers. The lightweight, streamlined design, without cumbersome latches, zippers, straps, etc., is economic of space, allowing the combination case to be easily carried in (and retrieved from) bags, purses, briefcases, and pockets. The straightforward combination dedicated case allows quick retrieval of either, or both, the phone and eyeglasses. Also, the trim, compact design reduces materials required for manufacturing, minimizes costs to transport from manufacturer to retailer, and decreases shelf space required for display.
An object of the present invention is to provide a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case that conveniently holds a cell phone and a pair of eyeglasses in a manner in which they are easy to quickly extract for use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case that is trim and compact.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case that allows a user to keep eyeglasses handy and readily available, when needed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case whose minimalistic design reduces manufacturing materials.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case that can be easily inserted into a case, bag, purse, briefcase or pocket.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the fifth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cut view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the fifth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cut view taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 4 illustrating an optional lining depicted with the fourth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cut view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 3, showing the third embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view showing the sixth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view showing the seventh embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the eighth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the ninth preferred embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view showing the ninth preferred embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the material of the unconstructed ninth preferred embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the ninth preferred embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case, shown generally as reference number 10. The combination case 10 has a trim, streamlined design focused on holding a pair of eyeglasses in a readily accessible position for quick retrieval so they are close at hand when needed to provide a better view of the phone screen and/or controls. The combination case 10 includes only a phone housing compartment 20 dedicated to securing a cell phone 25 and an adjoined separate eyeglass housing compartment 30 dedicated to securing a pair of eyeglasses 15, such as reading glasses or prescription glasses.
The phone housing compartment 20 conveniently protects a cell phone 25, yet allows for easy access. The adjacent positioning of the eyeglass housing compartment 30 keeps the eyeglasses 15 protected, yet handy and easy to reach, if they are needed by the user. Although the phone housing compartment is particularly designed for use with a cell phone 25, it is also suitable for use with other portable consumer electronic devices. Therefore, throughout this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated by context, the term “phone” (and grammatical equivalents) includes any portable consumer electronic device, such as, for example, mobile phones, PDA's, music players, iPods©, smart phones, handheld electronic language translators, tablet computers, and the like.
Nine exemplary embodiments are presented, a first embodiment, (FIG. 1), a second embodiment (FIG. 2), a third embodiment (FIG. 3, FIG. 8), a fourth embodiment (FIG. 4, FIG. 7), a fifth embodiment (FIG. 5, FIG. 6), a sixth embodiment (FIG. 9), a seventh embodiment (FIG. 10), an eighth embodiment (FIG. 11), and a preferred ninth embodiment (FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15).
Referring now to FIG. 1, the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case is illustrated in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the combination dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment comprises a phone housing compartment 20 and adjacent eyeglass housing compartment 30, permanently joined by a joining mechanism 11. In the first embodiment the longitudinal eyeglass-housing axis 60 (running from the center of the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 to the center bottom of the eyeglass housing compartment 30) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal phone-housing axis 50 (running from the center of phone-housing top opening edge 23 to the center bottom of the phone housing compartment 20).
The phone housing compartment 20 is sized and configured to accommodate the phone 25, allowing the phone 25 to be easily inserted into, and removed from, the phone housing compartment 20. The phone housing compartment 20 also provides protection to the phone when the phone 25 is installed within the phone housing compartment 20.
The phone housing compartment 20 of the first through eight embodiments comprises a phone-housing bottom wall 21, phone-housing front wall 26, phone-housing back wall 28, and two opposing phone-housing side walls 27 (FIG. 6, FIG. 7), 29 joined to form a pouch-like phone receptacle.
The tops of the phone-housing front wall 26, phone-housing back wall 28, and said two opposing phone- housing side walls 27, 29 define a phone-housing top opening edge 23 (FIG. 3) sized and configured to receive the phone into the phone housing compartment 30. In the first embodiment of FIG. 1, an upper back extension 22 is disposed above the phone-housing back wall 28 and above the phone-housing top opening edge 23 and extends upwardly to provide an additional measure of support to the back of the encased phone 25. Upper back extension 22 may be formed integrally with phone-housing back wall 28 or may be formed separately and permanently attached.
The slim eyeglass housing compartment 30 is sized and configured to accommodate a pair of eyeglasses 15, allowing the eyeglasses 15 to be easily inserted into, and removed from, the eyeglass housing compartment 30. The eyeglass housing compartment 30 provides protection to the eyeglasses 15 when the eyeglasses 15 are installed within the eyeglass housing compartment 30.
The eyeglass housing compartment 30 of the first through eight embodiments comprises an eyeglass-housing bottom wall 31, eyeglass-housing front wall 36, eyeglass-housing back wall 38, and two opposing eyeglass- housing side walls 37, 39 joined to form a pouch-like eyeglass receptacle.
The tops of the eyeglass-housing front wall 36, eyeglass-housing back wall 38, and two opposing eyeglass- housing side walls 37, 39 define an eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 sized and configured to receive the eyeglasses 15 into the eyeglass housing compartment 30. In the first embodiment the eyeglass housing compartment 30 and the phone housing compartment 20 are similarly oriented so that eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 open upwardly. The eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 may be of similar height (as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4); or the eyeglass housing compartment 30 may extend upward somewhat, with the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 at a higher level than the phone-housing top opening edge 23 (as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2); or the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 may be at a lower level (not shown) than the phone-housing top opening edge 23.
The eyeglass housing compartment 30 and the phone housing compartment 20 of the first through eighth embodiments are preferably formed of a molded or hardened leather to give structure to the dedicated case and to form the walls of the compartments. The method used to mold the leather are well known in the art; they include, for example, soaking the leather to increase pliability, placing a mold within the compartment, and allowing the leather to dry, either by air drying or heated drying methods.
The eyeglass housing compartment 30 and the phone housing compartment 20 of the first through eighth embodiments are permanently joined together by a joining mechanism 11. Best seen in the cut views of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, the eyeglass-housing side wall 39 and the phone-housing side wall 27 are secured by any of a variety of permanently joining mechanisms, as are known in the art. For example, the joining mechanism 11 may be a single row of sewn thread (FIG. 6), an adhesive (FIG. 7), a double row of sewn thread (FIG. 8), or the like. The thread used may be any of a wide variety of filaments, fibers, strands, string, twine, yarn, lines or the like, but is preferably a heavy duty thread for durability. Additionally, a combination of two or more joining mechanisms 11 may be utilized.
In the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 further comprises a removable eyeglass-housing cap 13 forming a top lid configured to secure the eyeglasses 15 within the eyeglass housing compartment 30. The eyeglass-housing cap 13 is preferably slidingly engaged with the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33. The eyeglass-housing cap 13 may be configured to be slightly smaller than the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 to allow convenient engagement, or vice versa (best seen in FIG. 5).
To avoid loss or misplacement, the eyeglass-housing cap 13 is preferably attached to a portion of the eyeglass housing compartment. The eyeglass-housing cap 13 may be retained by any of numerous cap-retaining aids, as are known in the art. The cap-retaining aid 14 may be, for example, a hinge (as shown in FIG. 1), a tether, a strap (as shown in FIG. 5), or a section of material joining the cap 13 to the eyeglass housing compartment.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The second embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, with the omission of the upper back extension 22 disposed above the phone-housing back wall 28. Thus the second exemplary embodiment is more compact than the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The third embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates a more rounded or contoured eyeglass housing compartment 30 and a more rounded or contoured phone housing compartment 20. Additionally, the third embodiment illustrates the omission of the upper back extension 22 and the omission of the eyeglass-housing cap 13. The very streamlined third embodiment is configured with tight-fitting compartments 20, 30 for the phone and eyeglasses, respectively.
As seen in FIG. 8, the third embodiment illustrates a joining mechanism 11 comprising two rows of sewn thread providing a more rigid attachment with less flexibility between the eyeglass housing compartment 30 and the phone housing compartment 20 than with a single row of sewn thread, as in FIG. 6.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 illustrate a fourth exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The fourth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates the omission of the upper back extension 22, the omission of the eyeglass-housing cap 13, the addition of lining 14 (FIG. 7), the addition of an optional case attachment 17 (FIG. 7), and the joining mechanism 11 embodied as adhesive.
The case attachment 17, such as a belt loop, a swivel belt clip, or a wrist loop or strap, is either permanently attached to the back of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 or removably attachable to the back of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10. The case attachment 17 allows the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 to be conveniently attached to another article, such as, for example, a belt, purse edge, keychain or user's wrist. Thus the optional case attachment 17 may allow the user to locate the combination dedicated case 10 in a convenient, easily retrievable position.
An optional lining 14 may be provided in the interior of either or both of the phone housing compartment 20 and/or the eyeglass housing compartment 30. The lining 14 a of the eyeglass housing compartment 30 will protect the eyeglass lenses from scratching. The lining 14 b of the phone housing compartment 20 will protect the phone screen from damage. Lining 14 may be any soft, scratch-free, natural or manmade fabric or material, such as, for example, flannel, velour, brushed cotton, flocking, knit fabric or the like. The lining 14 may coordinate or contrast with the outside materials of the combination dedicated case 10, as may be based on aesthetic and marketability considerations.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a fifth exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The fifth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates an optional cap fastening mechanism 18, 19 and the cap-retaining aid 14 embodied in a strap. FIG. 6 illustrates joining mechanism 11 as a single row of sewn thread.
FIG. 9 illustrates a sixth exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates an alternate positioning of the two compartments 20, 30. As in the first five embodiments the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 are oriented in a similar direction; also, the phone-housing axis 50 is generally parallel to the eyeglass-housing axis 60. However, the eyeglass housing compartment 30 is positioned in a generally central front area of the phone housing compartment 20, with the eyeglass-housing back wall 38 joined in a central area of the phone-housing front wall 26.
FIG. 10 illustrates a seventh exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The seventh embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates a second alternate positioning of the two compartments 20, 30. As in the first six embodiments the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 are oriented in a similar direction; also, the phone-housing axis 50 is generally parallel to the eyeglass-housing axis 60. However, the eyeglass housing compartment 30 is positioned off-center of the phone housing compartment 20, with the eyeglass-housing back wall 38 joined to a side area of the phone-housing front wall 26.
FIG. 11 illustrates an eighth exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The eighth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is functionally similar to the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the first embodiment, but illustrates a third exemplary alternate positioning of the two compartments 20, 30 and illustrates that longitudinal phone-housing axis 50 and longitudinal eyeglass-housing axis 60 need not be parallel. As in the first seven embodiments the eyeglass-housing top opening 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 are oriented in a similar direction, but the phone-housing axis 50 is generally diagonal to the eyeglass-housing axis 60. The eyeglass-housing back wall 38 is joined diagonally to the phone-housing front wall 26. Other placements and positions of the eyeglass housing compartment 30 in relation to the phone housing compartment 20 are also within the scope of the invention. Other exemplary placements include the following: reverse positioning (such as the eyeglass housing compartment 30 attached in a generally central back area of the phone housing compartment 20, not shown); bottom positioning (such as the eyeglass housing compartment 30 permanently joined to the bottom wall 21 of the phone housing compartment 20 with the phone-housing axis 50 and the eyeglass-housing axis 60 substantially perpendicular, not shown); and various positions in which the eyeglass-housing top opening 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 are not oriented in the same direction (not shown).
FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate the preferred ninth exemplary embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention. The eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 and the phone-housing top opening edge 23 are oriented in the same direction; the phone-housing axis 50 is parallel to the eyeglass-housing axis 60. The ninth embodiment of the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 demonstrates a simplified structure and means of construction.
In contrast to the first through eighth embodiments, the phone housing compartment 20 and the eyeglass housing compartment 30 of the ninth embodiment are formed of a single sheet of flexible material. The single sheet of flexible material is preferably formed of one piece, but may optionally be formed of multiple pieces joined together (such as patchwork leather or fabric).
The single sheet is folded upon itself upon a fold line 61 extending across a mid-section of the flexible sheet. The fold line 61 bisects the rectangular single sheet into two substantially equal halves, forming the front halves and the opposing rear halves of the compartments. Preferably the flexible material used is natural leather or manmade leather (herein referred to as “leatherette”), but the material may optionally be synthetic material (such as neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or the like) or a thick fabric (such as canvas, corduroy, velvet, denim, or the like).
FIG. 14 illustrates the single rectangular sheet of material from which the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 is formed. (Though shown for clarity of understanding as cut to size before stitching, in manufacturing multiple cases 10 from a larger piece of material, some or all of the stitching may be performed before cutting.)
To construct the case, the material is folded substantially in half along fold area 61. The folded material is then stitched with stitching 63 along the opposing outer edges 62 and stitched with stitching 65 along an interior compartment-dividing line parallel to the outer edges 62. Stitching 65 creates two compartments, the phone housing compartment 20 and the eyeglass housing compartment 30. The two compartments 20, 30 created are of unequal proportions, as the compartment 20 for receiving the wider phone is broader than the compartment 30 for receiving the narrower eyeglasses. Therefore, the interior compartment-dividing line of stitching 65 may be offset from one of the opposing ends 62 approximately fifteen to thirty percent of the distance between the opposing ends 62.
The stitching 63 and stitching 65 join the back half of the flexible material to the front half of the flexible material with stitches of thread. The thread used may be any of a wide variety of filaments, fibers, strands, string, twine, yarn, lines or the like, but is preferably a nylon thread, polyester continuous filament thread, or a polyester/cotton or polyester/polyester corespun thread. The thread is sufficiently strong to provide a serviceable product.
In this preferred ninth embodiment, the eyeglass housing compartment 30 and phone housing compartment 20 are closed tubular pouches separated only by stitching 65. By rotating the case 10 horizontally 180°, the eyeglass housing compartment 30 may be positioned either on the right or left of phone housing compartment 20. A front may be designated by designs, patterns or logos, such as may be created by printing, embroidery, stamping, coloring or the like.
If the preferred leather material is used, no hem or seam is required along the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 or the phone-housing top opening edge 23; however a finished edge may be included, if aesthetically preferable or if required for durability. If the top edges 23, 33 are finished with a hem, the hem may be turned to the inside or to the outside of the compartments 20, 30.
The material used to form the case 10 is generally sufficiently flexible to allow both the phone and the eyeglasses to be inserted into their respective compartments 20, 30. However, if greater expansion is desired (such as when a somewhat heavier weight leather is chosen for usage), leather molding techniques, as are known in the art, can be used to slightly expand the deeper recesses of one or both compartments 20, 30.
Thus the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention is very economical to manufacture due to the ease of construction and the minimal materials required. Additionally, the sleek, compact form factor facilitates storage of the case 10 within a crowded purse or briefcase.
The combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention has been shown in numerous and varied exemplary embodiments having an eyeglass housing compartment 30 and an adjacent phone housing compartment 20 to form the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 and functioning to hold the juxtaposed cell phone and eyeglasses. The features and variations described and their equivalents can be utilized together or separately in a wide variety of combinations in designing and manufacturing the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10. For example, variations may include aesthetic ornamentation (such as embellishments, coloring, embroidery, stamping, printing); the inclusion, omission, and type of any case attachment 17 (FIG. 7); and/or the inclusion, omission, and type of lining 14 (FIG. 7). Other examples in the first eight embodiments include variations for functional and/or aesthetic reasons may include one or more of the following: the phone-housing axis 50 in relation to the eyeglass-housing axis 60; the height of the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 in relation to the phone-housing top opening edge 23; the orientation of the eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33 in relation to the phone-housing top opening edge 23; in the type of permanent joining mechanism 11 used; the inclusion or omission of a top lid 13; the type of cap-retaining aid 14; the angularity or curvature of the eyeglass housing compartment 30; the angularity or curvature of the phone housing compartment 20; the inclusion, omission, or height of upper back extension 22; and/or the particular wall of the eyeglass housing compartment 30 that is permanently joined to the particular wall of the phone housing compartment 20. To secure or latch the cap 13 onto the top of eyeglass-housing top opening edge 33, a cap fastening mechanism 18, 19 may optionally be included. The cap fastening mechanism 18, 19 may be any latch or fastening mechanism, as is known in the art. The cap fastening mechanism 18, 19 may be a magnetic closure, corresponding snaps, a quick release latch, complementary hook and loop fasteners or the like.
The spacing between the eyeglass housing compartment and the phone housing compartment may vary slightly, as illustrated by the close spacing of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 and the slightly larger spacing of FIG. 6.
The combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 may be formed of any natural or manmade material that is suitable for cases, luggage, purses or other bags, such as, for example, natural leather, leatherette, neoprene, nylon, cotton, polyester, canvas, and any of a variety of plastics, including a semi-rigid molded plastic. Or the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 may be formed of a combination of materials, either for functional or for aesthetic reasons. The walls of the eyeglass housing compartment and of the phone housing compartment may be formed integrally or one or more may be formed separately and permanently joined using conventional case-making and luggage-making techniques, as are known in the art.
The trim, minimalistic design provides advantages to the manufacturer, distributor and retailer, as well as ecologic advantages. The compact size minimizes materials used for manufacture, transportation costs and shelf display space. Also, the streamlined design allows the user to easily insert the case 10 into a bag, purse, briefcase or the like that is already in his or her possession.
To use the combination cell phone and eyeglass dedicated case 10 of the present invention, the user stores his or her phone 25 (or other handheld consumer device) within the phone housing compartment 20 and stores a pair of eyeglasses 15 in the eyeglass housing compartment 30. Although the user may answer the phone or perform other tasks at times without removing the eyeglasses, when needed the eyeglasses are readily available and quick and easy to extract.
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A case for eyeglasses and a phone, comprising:

a single rectangular sheet of flexible material folded in half and seamed on both opposing outer edges and seamed along an interior compartment-dividing line parallel to said opposing outer edges, thereby creating only two adjacent compartments, wherein said two adjacent compartments comprise a larger phone housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said phone and a smaller eyeglass housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said eyeglasses.

2. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior compartment-dividing line is offset from one of said opposing outer edges between 15 and 30 percent of the distance between said opposing outer edges, whereby said phone housing compartment is larger than said phone housing compartment.

3. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 2, wherein said flexible material comprises natural leather.

4. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 2, wherein said flexible material comprises leatherette.

5. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 2, wherein said single rectangular sheet is seamed with nylon thread.

6. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 2, wherein said single rectangular sheet is seamed with polyester continuous filament thread.

7. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 2, wherein said single rectangular sheet is seamed with a corespun thread.

8. A case for eyeglasses and a phone, comprising:

a phone housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said phone, wherein said phone housing compartment comprises a phone-housing bottom wall, phone-housing front wall, phone-housing back wall, and two opposing phone-housing side walls, with the tops of said phone-housing front wall, said phone-housing back wall, and said two opposing phone-housing side walls defining a phone-housing top opening sized and configured to receive said phone into said phone housing compartment;

an eyeglass housing compartment disposed adjacent to said phone housing compartment, said eyeglass housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said eyeglasses, wherein said eyeglass housing compartment comprises an eyeglass-housing bottom wall, eyeglass-housing front wall, eyeglass-housing back wall, and two opposing eyeglass-housing side walls, with the tops of said eyeglass-housing front wall, said eyeglass-housing back wall, and said two opposing eyeglass-housing side walls defining an eyeglass-housing top opening sized and configured to receive said eyeglasses into said eyeglass housing compartment; and

a joining mechanism configured to permanently attach one of said two opposing phone-housing side walls to one of said two opposing eyeglass-housing side walls.

9. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

an eyeglass-housing cap configured to restrain said eyeglasses within said eyeglass housing compartment; and

a cap fastening mechanism to removably secure said eyeglass-housing cap to said eyeglass housing compartment.

10. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 8, wherein said cap fastening mechanism comprises a magnetic closure.

11. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 8, further comprising a case attachment affixed to said phone-housing back wall, wherein said case attachment is configured to allow said case for said eyeglasses and said phone to be attached to another article.

12. The case for eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 8, wherein said joining mechanism comprises thread used for sewing one of said two opposing phone-housing side walls to one of said two opposing eyeglass-housing side walls.

13. A dedicated, hand-held case for containing eyeglasses and a phone, comprising a single flexible sheet of leather folded in half and sewn with thread along both opposing outer edges and sewn along an interior compartment-dividing line that is parallel to said opposing edges to form only two compartments, wherein said two compartments comprise a larger phone housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said phone and a smaller eyeglass housing compartment sized and configured to accommodate said eyeglasses, wherein said interior compartment-dividing line is offset from one of said opposing outer edges between 15 and 30 percent of the distance between said opposing outer edges to create said larger phone housing compartment and said smaller eyeglass housing compartment.

14. The dedicated, hand-held case for containing eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 13, wherein said thread comprises nylon thread.

15. The dedicated, hand-held case for containing eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 13, wherein said thread comprises polyester continuous filament thread.

16. The dedicated, hand-held case for containing eyeglasses and a phone, as recited in claim 13, wherein said thread comprises a corespun thread.