US20190350327A1

US20190350327A1 - Eyeglasses case

Info

Publication number: US20190350327A1
Application number: US16/406,558
Authority: US
Inventors: Sean Holden Meunier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2019-05-08
Publication date: 2019-11-21

Abstract

An eyeglasses case including a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well designed to receive eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion. Case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/671,698, filed 15 May 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a case for storing and protecting eyeglasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well-known that eyeglasses, when not in use, can be difficult and inconvenient to store and protect from damage. In many instances, people take off their glasses and simply lay the glasses down on the nearest table, etc. In this situation, the glasses can be tipped over onto the lenses, nocked onto the floor, and even pushed under something and lost temporarily or even permanently. In any case the lenses of the glasses can be scratched, or even broken.
To alleviate these problems a variety of glasses cases have been developed or suggested. In each instance the temples of the glasses must be folded against the front of the frames. Thus, each time the glasses are placed in the prior art glasses case the temples must be folded into the stored position. As understood by anyone who wears glasses, this continual folding and opening can result in wear on the hinges, the loosening and potential loss of screws that hold the hinges together, and even over-bending of the temples when opening them for use of the glasses. Further, in many of the prior art glasses cases there is either no room or very limited room for storage of accessories, such as cleaning materials, etc. and only one set of eyeglasses can be stored
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved eyeglasses case.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved eyeglasses case that holds the eyeglasses in an open or unfolded position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved eyeglasses case that can store more than one set of eyeglasses and provides sufficient room for storing accessories and cleaning materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment an eyeglasses case is disclosed including a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well designed to receive eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion. Case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention an eyeglasses case includes a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or more eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion, the inside lining includes a soft pliable material. The hard bottom body portion is hingedly attached to the hard cover or top body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation. Case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.
To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the present invention an eyeglasses case includes a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or more eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion, the inside lining including a soft pliable material. The hard bottom body portion is hingedly attached to the hard cover or top body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A soft plastic upstanding wall is affixed with relation to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity defining a smaller central well within the outer well or chamber and a cover or lid is hingedly affixed to the upstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The upstanding wall and cover or lid form an inner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation. Case closing apparatus includes at least one zipper extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective top view of an eyeglasses case according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 in a closed orientation;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 in an open orientation;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 with the inner storage compartment lid in an open orientation;

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of an eyeglasses case according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 with the upper portion in an open orientation, carrying eyeglasses with the temples in the extended position;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 with the lid or cover of the central well in an open orientation;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a partially open orientation;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a partially open orientation; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a closed orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates an eyeglasses case generally designated 10. Eyeglasses case 10 includes a hard bottom body portion 12 defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity 14 and a hard cover or top body portion 16. Top body portion 16 is hinged along a rear edge to bottom body portion 12 by a tension hinge 18. Tension hinge 18, in this example, is case closing apparatus that allows top body portion 16 to move or “snap” between an open orientation, illustrated in FIG. 3, and a closed orientation, illustrated in FIG. 2, in a clamshell-like movement. In the closed orientation top body portion 16 is held tightly against the upper edges of hard bottom body portion 12 to define an inner or completely enclosed chamber. Hard bottom body portion 12 and hard top body portion 16 can be fabricated from any convenient stiff, rigid material, such as any of the hard plastics, lighter metals, or the like.
An inside lining 20 is fabricated from a soft pliable material, such as velvet or the like. As understood in the art, velvet material is a woven tufted fabric with s short dense pile that can be made from either synthetic or natural fibers. While velvet material or fabric is preferred for its softness, any material with a similar softness could be utilized. Lining 20 includes a lower portion 22 that is nested within hard bottom body portion 12 and fits snuggly against all of the contours. Lining 20 further includes an upper portion 24 that mates with and fits snuggly against all of the contours of top body portion 16. Also, upper portion 24 is attached to lower portion 22 along the rear edge and parallel to tension hinge 18 so as to cover tension hinge 18 and allow upper portion 24 to move with top body portion 16. Lining 20 is attached to bottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 at various strategic areas or points to retain it tightly against the body portions. In this preferred embodiment, lining 20 is affixed within bottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 by inserting the edges of lining 20 into grooves formed along the edges of bottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16. Alternatively, lining 20 may be attached to bottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 by any convenient adhesive or other attaching means, such as Velcro or the like. Lower portion 22 of lining 20, in combination with hard bottom body portion 12 defines a well or chamber 25 designed to receive one or more eyeglasses with the temples in the extended orientation, as will be explained in more detail below.
A central well or inner chamber 30 is formed by an upstanding wall 32 positioned within bottom body portion 12 and spaced from the inner walls of bottom body portion 12. Upstanding wall 32 extends in a generally rectangular direction parallel to the inner walls of bottom body portion 12 and extends upwardly from the bottom inner surface of bottom body portion 12 approximately the same height as the walls of bottom body portion 12. In this preferred embodiment, upstanding wall 32 is formed of a soft plastic, such as polyurethane foam or the like, but any similar or comparable material might be used. Upstanding wall 32 can be affixed to the surface of inside lining 20 by some convenient adhesive or other and, thus, bottom body portion 12, attaching means, such as Velcro or the like.
The main purpose of upstanding wall 32 is to define a central well or inner chamber that can be used to store various accessories and cleaning materials. To this end a cover or lid 34 is provided that fits snuggly into the upper end of the opening defined by upstanding wall 32. An elastic band 36 is affixed to upper edges of upstanding wall 32 so as to engage cover or lid 34 along the forward edge and retain cover or lid 34 in the opening defined by upstanding wall 32. One or more indents or depressions are formed in the upper edge of upstanding wall 32 and provides finger holds for the grasping and opening of cover or lid 34 to allow access to the central well or inner chamber. As illustrated in FIG. 4, elastic band 36 stretches to allow lid 34 to be rotated upwardly so as to again access to inner chamber 30 and materials stored therein.
Optional protective foam inserts 40 and 42 are provided for additional protection of eyeglasses stored within well or chamber 25. Inserts 40 and 42 may be formed of some convenient soft material, such as polyurethane or the like. Inserts 40 and 42 are situated between hard bottom body portion 12 and lining 20. Various optional pockets and other storage devices or elements may be added to eyeglasses case 10 both internally and externally. For example, soft elastic pockets 44 are affixed to the surface of upper portion 24 of lining 20 by some convenient adhesive or other attaching means, such as Velcro or the like. Also, a soft elastic outside pocket 46 may be attached to the outer surface of bottom body portion 12.
In the operation and use of eyeglasses case 10, top body portion 16 is moved to the open orientation, illustrated in FIG. 3. One or more eyeglasses with the temples in the extended position are deposited within well or chamber 25 (see FIG. 6). For example, a first set of eyeglasses can be situated with the frames and lenses directed toward the front of well or chamber 25 and the temples extending along each side of upstanding wall 32 toward the rear of well or chamber 25. Elastic bands 50 are provided in well or chamber 25 on each side of upstanding wall 32 approximately midway between the front and back walls and extending from the outer wall of well or chamber 25 to the outer surface of upstanding wall 32. When eyeglasses are positioned in well or chamber 25 as described above, the temples are inserted under elastic bands 50 to hold the eyeglasses from moving within well or chamber 25. In the event it is desired to store a second set of eyeglasses in eyeglasses case 10, the frames and lenses are directed toward the rear of well or chamber 25 with the temples extending along each side of upstanding wall 32, beneath elastic bands 50, toward the front of well or chamber 25.
Turning to FIGS. 5 through 10, another embodiment or example, designated 10′, of an eyeglasses case in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. All of the components and materials of eyeglasses case 10′ are (or can be) similar to like components and materials of eyeglasses case 10 in the above description. However, in this embodiment the case closing apparatus includes a pair of zippers, designate 18 a and 18 b, that extend from adjacent either side of a back hinge or coupling material between the top body portion and the bottom body portion to a point at which they meet in the front of eyeglasses case 10′. As can be seen, for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, zippers 18 a and 18 b allow the top body portion to swing into an open orientation when moved to the rear of glasses case 10′ and hold the top body portion firmly connected along the edges to the bottom body portion when moved around the edge to the position illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 6 additionally shows eyeglasses with the temples in the extended position carried therein. It will of course be understood that the pair of zippers could be replaced by a single zipper but is has been found that two zippers are preferred for their convenience in operation and positive closure of eyeglasses case 10′. Zippers 18 a and 18 b may be attached, for example to the hard bottom body portion 12 and the hard cover or top body portion by gluing the material portion of the zippers to the edges of the two body portions. Alternatively, the zippers might be incorporated into an outside covering affixed to the hard body portions to provide an attractive appearance. Other case closing apparatus might be devised but as stated above, a zipper or zippers are preferred and the two zippers illustrated provide the most convenient and positive case closing apparatus.
In all examples, the case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion, whether directly or through some additional material (e.g. cloth, etc.) so that in the closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against the upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an inner or completely enclosed chamber. Also, the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion can be attached for movement between an open orientation and a closed orientation by one or both of a hinge attached between portions along a rear edge and a portion of the inside lining.
Thus, an eyeglasses case is disclosed that is capable of holding (temporarily storing) one or more sets of eyeglasses with the temples in an open or unfolded orientation. As understood by people that wear eyeglasses, in many instances at least two sets of eyeglasses (e.g. reading and distance) may be required. In the present novel eyeglasses case one or more sets of eyeglasses are stored and protected from any scratching or other damage and are instantly ready for use. By not requiring the folding of the temples each time the eyeglasses are stored, wear is minimized and the eyeglasses are retained in a wearable orientation. Besides substantially reducing the wear on the hinges of the eyeglasses, the potential for over-extending the temples when opening or unfolding the temples is greatly reduced. Many other advantages will occur to those skilled in the art, at least one of which is that hinge-less eyeglasses can be used. One big advantage of such eyeglasses is that they have fewer components that can break and are therefore lighter.
Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. An eyeglasses case comprising:

a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or more eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation;

a hard cover or top body portion;

an inside lining affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion; and

case closing apparatus affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

2. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein a smaller central well is defined within the outer well or chamber by a soft plastic upstanding wall affixed relative to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity.

3. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 2 further including a cover or lid hingedly affixed to the upstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the upstanding wall and cover or lid forming an inner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation.

4. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 further including the hard bottom body portion being hingedly attached to the hard cover or top body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation.

5. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inside lining includes a lower portion affixed to the hard bottom body portion and an upper portion affixed to the hard cover or top body portion, the lower portion being affixed to the upper portion along a rear edge to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation.

6. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the case closing apparatus includes at least one zipper extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion.

7. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 6 wherein the case closing apparatus includes two zippers, one zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion of the case to a point at the front of the case and a second zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion of the case to the point at the front of the case.

8. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inside lining includes a soft pliable material.

9. An eyeglasses case comprising:

a hard cover or top body portion;

an inside lining affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion, the inside lining including a soft pliable material;

the hard bottom body portion being hingedly attached to the hard cover or top body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation; and

10. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 9 wherein the case closing apparatus includes at least one zipper extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion.

11. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 10 wherein the case closing apparatus includes two zippers, one zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion of the case to a point at the front of the case and a second zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion of the case to the point at the front of the case.

12. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 11 wherein a smaller central well is defined within the outer well or chamber by a soft plastic upstanding wall affixed relative to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity.

13. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 12 further including a cover or lid hingedly affixed to the upstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the upstanding wall and cover or lid forming an inner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation.

14. An eyeglasses case comprising:

a hard cover or top body portion;

a soft plastic upstanding wall affixed with relation to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity defining a smaller central well within the outer well or chamber, and a cover or lid hingedly affixed to the upstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the upstanding wall and cover or lid forming an inner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation; and

case closing apparatus including at least one zipper extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

15. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 14 wherein the case closing apparatus includes two zippers, one zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion of the case to a point at the front of the case and a second zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent another side of the hinged rear portion of the case to the point at the front of the case.