WO2011095864A2

WO2011095864A2 - Protective cover for pair of spectacles

Info

Publication number: WO2011095864A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/000153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard S. Ellert
Original assignee: Ellert Richard S
Priority date: 2010-02-02
Filing date: 2011-02-01
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: WO2011095864A3; HK1145057A2

Abstract

A protective cover (10) for a pair of spectacles (12) comprises superimposed front and rear cover members (26, 28) defining a storage space (30) and a slot (32). A front frame (14) and lenses (16a, 16b) of the spectacles (12) can be accommodated by the storage space (30) through the slot (32) in a direction perpendicular to a line passing through both of the lenses (16a, 16b), i.e. in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the spectacles (12) namely a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover (10). The protective cover (10) makes the legs (24a, 24b) of the spectacles (12) or at least a major part of the legs (24a, 24b) remain outside the protective cover (10). Therefore, the protective cover (10) is compact and makes it easier for the lenses (16a, 16b) to be slid into the storage space (30).

Description

A Protective Cover for a Pair of Spectacles.

Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to a protective cover for a pair of spectacles and, more particularly, to a protective cover which encloses the lenses of the pair of spectacles without enclosing the legs of the pair of spectacles.

Background of the Invention.

Protective covers and cases for pairs of spectacles (sometimes referred to as "pairs of glasses" or "eyeglasses", for example) are known and come in many configurations. However, most share the common features that they enclose the whole of a pair of spectacles with the legs of the pair of spectacles folded to a closed position lying behind the front frame and lenses part of the spectacles and that they are formed from a fabric or cloth based substrate. As such, known covers or cases are bulky in size and therefore not of a convenient size to place in a pocket of clothing such as a shirt pocket, for example.

US4953695 discloses a protective cover for a pair of spectacles of the type which encloses only the frame front and lenses part of a pair of spectacles without necessarily enclosing the legs of the pair of spectacles. However, the cover is arranged such that front and rear cover members are joined along their major opposing edges whilst the minor opposing edges of said front and rear cover members define axially opposite open ends of the cover. In use, in order to enclose just the lenses part of the spectacles, the protective cover is slid onto a pair of spectacles by first introducing a free end of one of the legs of the spectacles into a first one of the axially opposite open ends and then sliding the protective cover as a sleeve over the spectacles until the cover encloses the frame front and lenses part with the legs of the spectacles extending freely out of respective ones of the axially opposite open ends. It is necessary that the protective cover taught by US4953695 is made of a very flexible material otherwise it would be difficult to slide the cover around the angular connecting members which hingedly connect the legs to the frame front of the spectacles. Furthermore, the cover taught by US4953695 requires a large degree of manual dexterity which may be troublesome to some users of the protective cover.

Objects of the Invention.

An object of the invention is to mitigate or obviate to some degree one or more problems associated with known protective covers for pairs of spectacles.

The above object is met by the combination of features of the main claim; the sub-claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

One skilled in the art will derive from the following description other objects of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing statement of object is not exhaustive and serves merely to illustrate some of the many objects of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention.

In general, the invention comprises a protective cover for a pair of spectacles which encloses the lenses of the pair of spectacles without enclosing the legs, i.e. temple members, of the pair of spectacles. The protective cover is slid directly over the lenses of the spectacles without requiring it to be firstly slid over a leg of the spectacles as in US4953695.

In a first main aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the protective cover comprising superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space configured for receiving a lenses part of a pair of spectacles into said storage space in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover, i.e. in a directional perpendicular to a line passing through the lenses of the spectacles, and with legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover or at least a major part of the legs remaining outside the protective cover. The front and rear cover members further define a slot through which the lenses part of a pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space, said slot being configured such that the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space through the slot in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the pair of spectacles and with the legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover. The slot is therefore configured to receive the pair of spectacles in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover.

An advantage of the protective cover according to this embodiment is that a user requires little by way of manual dexterity for sliding, placing or introducing the lenses part of the pair of spectacles into the storage space defined by the protective cover. The user can in one simple movement slide the lenses part of the spectacles into the protective cover. The user may do this with the legs of the spectacles extending outwardly away from the back surface of the frame front, i.e. with the legs extended towards an open use position, although in some embodiments for some types of spectacles the lenses part of the spectacles may be placed into the cover member with the legs folded in their closed position lying behind the frame front.

A further advantage provided by the protective cover is that it is not bulky in that it does not enclose the legs of the spectacles and thus can easily fit into a pocket of clothing whilst protecting the lenses of the spectacles from damage caused by other objects that may be found in the pocket.

Preferably, the protective cover is configured such that only the frame front and lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable in the storage space. It will be understood that for spectacles of the type not having a frame front as such, but where the angular connecting members hingedly connect the legs of the spectacles directly to the lenses that the protective cover may be configured to enclose only the lenses part of the spectacles. In fact, the protective cover may be configured to enclose only the lenses part of the spectacles no matter what are the means by which the legs are hingedly mounted with respect to the frame front and/or lenses.

The slot for receiving a pair of spectacles may be formed between major edges of the front and rear cover members such that the pair of spectacles is introduced to the cover in a direction perpendicular to a line through the centres of both of the lenses, i.e. in what might be considered as a widthwise direction of the pair of spectacles. Preferable, the slot extends around a periphery of the protective cover such that end portions terminating the slot accommodate, in use, respective portions, i.e. the angular mounting members, of the frame of the pair of spectacles to which the legs are respectively hingedly mounted.

This configuration allows the widthwise introduction of the spectacles to the protective cover without the angular mounting members being interrupted by side portions of the cover member.

The rear cover member may define recesses adjacent end portions terminating the slot, the recesses affording folding of the legs of the pair of spectacles towards a closed position lying behind the frame front after the spectacles have been introduced to the protective cover.

Preferably, the protective cover includes a memory shape member whereby, when the protective cover is shaped to conform to a frame front and lenses part of a pair of spectacles, the memory shape member retains the conformed shape. The memory shape member may comprise a metal strip. The memory shape member may be embedded in an appropriate part of the protective cover such as a bridging member connecting the front and rear cover members.

The front and rear cover members may be formed of a flexible material, but are preferably formed of a semi-rigid material.

Use of a semi-rigid material is beneficial in that it provides better cover protection for the lenses and makes manual manipulation of the protective cover easier than is the case for a flexible material. The semi-rigid material may comprise a plastics or a polymer material.

Preferably, the protective cover is formed as a one piece molded unit.

In one embodiment, the slot may be formed between respective top edges of the front and rear cover members. In another embodiment, the slot may be formed between respective bottom edges of the front and rear cover members. In yet another embodiment, the protective cover has a first slot and a second slot where the first and second slots are positioned on opposing sides of the protective cover. In this latter embodiment, the bridging member may comprise two or more bridging members arranged between the minor side edges of the front and rear cover members.

The bridging member or members connecting the front and rear cover members may be more rigid than either of said front and rear cover members. Preferably, a retention member is positioned within the storage space to reduce accidental dislodgement of the pair of spectacles away from the protective cover.

In a second main aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a protective cover for a pair of spectacles, said method comprising molding a protective cover according to the first main aspect of the invention as a one piece unit from a moldable material.

The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all the features essential for defining the invention; the invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed features.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

The foregoing and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments which are provided by way of example only in connection with the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the invention and a pair of spectacles about to be introduced into the protective cover;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the protective cover of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles still in an open use position;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the protective cover of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles folded to a closed use position;

Figure 4 is a side view of the protective cover of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles folded to a closed use position;

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the protective cover of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles of different configuration to that of figures 1 to 4 having been partially placed within the protective cover;

Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the protective cover of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles of yet a different configuration to that of figures 1 to 4 having been partially placed within the protective cover; Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a protective cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a rear view of a protective cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a protective cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a protective cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is a front perspective view of a protective cover according to another embodiment of the invention and a pair of spectacles about to be introduced into the protective cover;

Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the protective cover of figure 11 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles still in an open use position;

Figure 13 is a rear view of the protective cover of figure 1 1 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles folded to a closed use position; and

Figure 14 is a side view of the protective cover of figure 11 with a pair of spectacles having been placed within the protective cover but with the legs of the spectacles folded to a closed use position.

Description of Preferred Embodiments.

The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect.

In general, the invention comprises a protective cover for a pair of spectacles which encloses the lenses of the pair of spectacles without enclosing the legs of the pair of spectacles. The protective cover is slid directly over the lenses of the spectacles without requiring it to be firstly slid over a leg of the spectacles as in US4953695.

Referring to figures 1 to 4, shown is a protective cover 10 for a pair of spectacles 12. The pair of spectacles 12 is shown for illustrative reasons and is of a conventional form, although the present invention is not limited to use with only conventional forms of pairs of spectacles. The pair of spectacles has a frame front 14 to which right and left lenses 16a,b are mounted and a nose bridge 18 with left and right nose pads 20a,b located generally centrally widthwise of the pair of spectacles as indicated by line A-A in figure 1. The nose bridge 18 joins left and right portions 14a,b of the frame front 14. Left and right angular mounting members 22a,b are provided for hingedly mounting respective left and right legs or temple members 24a,b of the spectacles such that said legs 24a,b can occupy an open use position as shown in figure 1 or be folded behind the frame front 14 to occupy a closed use position as shown in figure 3. In the following description, references to spectacles, eyeglasses, pair of classes, glasses, or sunglasses, etc. are to be taken as references to a pair of spectacles.

The protective cover 10 comprises superimposed front and rear cover members 26, 28 defining therebetween a storage space 30 and a slot 32 through which the frame front and/or lenses part of a pair of spectacles 12 is receivable into the storage space 32 such that the storage space encloses at least the lenses 16a,b of the spectacles 12 without enclosing the legs 24a,b. The slot 32 is configured such that the frame front and lenses part or just the lenses part of the pair of spectacles 26 is receivable into the storage space 30 through the slot in a direction X indicated in figure 1 perpendicular to the line A-A indicated in figure 1 passing through the centres of the lenses 16a,b of the pair of spectacles 12 and with the legs 24a,b of the pair of spectacles 12 remaining outside the protective cover 10 or at least major parts of the legs 24a,b remaining outside the protective cover 10 as can be clearly seen in figures 1 to 4. An advantage of the protective cover 10 according to this embodiment is that a user requires little by way of manual dexterity for sliding, placing or introducing the lenses part of the pair of spectacles 12 into the storage space 30 of the protective cover 10. The user can, in one simple movement, slide the lenses part of the spectacles 12 into the protective cover 10 in the direction X indicated in figure 1. The user may do this with the legs 24a,b of the spectacles extending outwardly away from a back surface of the frame front as shown for illustrative purposes in figure 1, i.e. with the legs 24a,b extended towards their open use position. However, in some embodiments for some types of spectacles, the lenses part of the spectacles may be placed into the cover member 10 with the legs folded in their closed position lying behind the frame front but such that the legs still remain outside the protective cover according to the invention. This possibility is envisaged as being particularly applicable to spectacles of the type having a wrap around configuration as is commonly found in sunglasses having curved lenses. It will be understood that the references to lenses throughout the description and claims is a reference to the eyeglass parts of a pair of spectacles and does not limit the invention to use with pairs of spectacles where the lenses necessarily have a light focusing function or where such lenses are formed from glass. The term lens is used in a generic sense to refer to those parts of a pair of spectacles that a user looks through in normal use.

A further advantage provided by the protective cover 10 of this and other embodiments of the invention is that it is not bulky in that it does not enclose the legs 24a,b of the spectacles 12 and thus can easily fit into a pocket of clothing whilst protecting the lenses 16a,b from damage caused by other objects that may be found in the pocket.

As can be seen in figures 1 to 4, only the frame front 14 and lenses 16a,b part of the pair of spectacles 12 is receivable in the storage space 30 of the protective cover 10. It will be understood that for spectacles of the type not having a frame front as such, but where the angular connecting members 22a,b hingedly connect the legs 24a,b of the spectacles 12 directly to the lenses 16a,b that the protective cover 10 may be configured to enclose only the lenses part of the spectacles. In fact, the protective cover 10 may be configured to enclose only the lenses part of the spectacles no matter what are the means by which the legs are hingedly mounted to the frame front and/or lenses.

The slot 32 is formed between major or longitudinal top edges 26', 28' of the front and rear cover members 26, 28 to enable the pair of spectacles 12 to be introduced into the cover 10 in the direction X perpendicular to the line A-A through both of the lenses. The slot 32 extends around a periphery of the protective cover 10 such that it extends across the width of the cover 10 with end portions 32a,b terminating the slot 32 accommodating, in use, respective portions, i.e. the angled mounting members 22a,b, of the frame of the pair of spectacles when the pair of spectacles has been placed in the storage space 30 as shown in figure 3. This configuration allows the widthwise introduction of the spectacles to the protective cover without the angular mounting members being interrupted or snagged by side edge portions of the cover member 10.

The end portions 32a,b of the slot 32 extend down the end side edges 26", 28" of the front and rear cover members 26, 28 of the cover 10 parallel to the direction X and may extend the full depth of said end side edges 26", 28". In such a case, a bottom bridging member 34 of the cover 10 which connects the front and rear cover members 26, 28 provides support to the front and rear cover members in their superimposed spaced apart configuration. However, it is preferred that the end portions 32a,b of the slot 32 extend only partially down the depth of said end side edges 26", 28" in order to provide side bridging members 36, 38 to support the front and rear cover members 26, 28 in their superimposed spaced apart configuration. The side bridging members 36, 38 may be provided in addition or as an alternative to the bottom bridging member 34 to support the front and rear cover members 26, 28 in their superimposed spaced apart configuration. As shown in dashed outline in figure 1, the protective cover 10 may include a memory shape member 40 whereby, when the protective cover 10 is shaped to conform to a frame front and lenses part of a pair of spectacles 12 placed in the storage space 30, the memory shape member 40 retains the conformed shape. The memory shape member 40 may comprise a metal strip or be formed of any suitable material such as silicon or rubber that retains a conformed shape. The memory shape member 40 may be embedded in any appropriate part of the protective cover 10 such as the bottom bridging member 34, although in figure 1 it is shown as being positioned at the junction of the front cover member 26 and the bottom bridging member 34.

The front and rear cover members 26, 28 may be formed of a flexible material, but are preferably formed of a semi-rigid material. By semi-rigid material, what is meant is a material that has a degree of flexibility such that the protective cover formed therefrom can conform to a shape of a pair of spectacles received in the storage space and yet still provide a degree of protection to the pair of spectacles from external pressure exerted on the protective cover. More particularly, the material is sufficiently semi-rigid to withstand shocks resulting from dropping of the protective cover, for example. Use of a semi-rigid material is beneficial in that it provides better cover protection for the lenses and makes manual manipulation of the protective cover 10 easier than is the case for a flexible material. The semi-rigid material preferably comprises a polymer material, although any suitable plastics material or elastic material may be used. The rigidity of the material of the protective cover should be such as to allow the cover to conform to the shape of the frame front and lenses part of the pair of spectacles and such that the nose pads are readily accommodated within the cover storage space 30 without snagging or being placed under pressure from the rear cover member 28.

It is envisaged that the protective cover 10 will comprise a one piece molded unit of semi-rigid polymer or plastics material, although construction of the cover is not limited to this. Suitable materials include styrene-butidiene-styrene (SBS), styrene- ethylene-butidiene-styrene (SEBS), thermoplastic copolyester elastome (TPEE), thermoplastic vulcanized (TPV), polyolefin elastomer (POE) or thermoplastic urethane (TPU). These materials exhibit elastic properties, thermoplastic characteristics and are environmentally friendly. They exhibit good shock absorbency whilst being sufficient flexible (semi-rigid) to bend to the shape of a pair of spectacles placed in a storage space of a protective cover formed from one of such materials. It will be understood that the above list of materials is provided by way of example and does not constitute an exhaustive list of possible materials.

No matter the manner of manufacture used to form the protective cover 10, the bottom bridging member 34 and/or side bridging members 36, 38 connecting the front and rear cover members 26, 28 may be made more rigid than either of said front and rear cover members. This may be achieved through use of increased thickness of material than that used for the front and/or rear cover members particularly where the protective cover comprises a one piece molded unit, but use of different materials is also contemplated to achieve the desired rigidity characteristics of the constituent parts of the protective cover. As shown in figure 3, the rear cover member 28 may be of slightly reduced width and or height compared to the front cover member 26. The reduced width may be such as to facilitate easier folding of the legs of the pair of spectacles towards a closed use position once the spectacles are placed into the protective cover. The external surfaces of the front and/or rear cover members may be configured or treated to provide a surface for a printable medium whereby advertising or decorative printable material may be applied to said external surfaces. Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the protective cover 10 of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles 12 of different configuration to that of figures 1 to 4 shown as having been partially placed within the protective cover 10 to illustrate that the protective cover of the invention is not limited to a specific configuration of a pair of spectacles. This is also illustrated by figure 6 which is another front perspective view of the protective cover 10 of figure 1 with a pair of spectacles 12 of yet a different configuration to that of figures 1 to 4. In figure 6, it can be seen that the legs and angular mounting members of the pair of spectacles are of greater depth that the spectacles shown in figures 1 to 4.

Whilst the protective cover of the present invention could be manufactured such that the terminating end portions of the slot 32 have just sufficient depth to accommodate the leg mounting members of a specified pair of spectacles such as a branded pair of spectacles, it will be understood that the depth of the terminating end portions of the slot may be selected to provide what might be considered a universal protective cover which can accommodate many different configurations of spectacles.

Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a protective cover 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. Like numerals are used to denote like or similar parts between the various embodiments described herein. The protective cover 10 of this embodiment has a very similar configuration to that of figures 1 to 7, but where the bottom bridging member 34 as illustrated by the dashed line in figure 7 has a shape which conforms to at least part of bottom edges of the lenses of a pair of spectacles. This provides an advantage of providing a bottom bridging member 34 which is of varying thickness over its length widthwise or logitudinally of the protective cover 10 and such that it possesses a greater degree of rigidity that either of the front or rear cover members 26, 28. It is particularly advantageous in that it results in the ends 34a,b of the bottom bridging member 34 providing support in both longitudinal and vertical directions to hold the front and rear cover members 26, 28 in their superimposed spaced apart configuration. Figure 8 is a rear view of a protective cover 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. The protective cover of this embodiment has a very similar

configuration to that of figures 1 to 7, but where the rear cover member has recesses or indents 36a,b adjacent to or within end portions 32a,b terminating the slot 32, the recesses or indents 36a,b affording easier insertion of the lenses part of the spectacles into the protective cover and facilitating easier folding of the legs of the pair of spectacles towards a closed position lying behind the frame front after the spectacles have been introduced to the protective cover. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a protective cover 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the slot 32 is located along a bottom part of the protective cover 10 whereby a pair of spectacles can be introduced to the protective cover 10 in an upwards direction with respect thereto. This provides a useful feature that a user may hold a pair of spectacles and push the protective cover 10 down over the frame front and/or lenses part of the spectacles with the legs of the spectacles remaining outside the protective cover 10.

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a protective cover 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the protective cover 10 has first and second slots 32a,b where the first and second slots 32a,b are positioned on opposing longitudinal sides of the protective cover 10. In this latter embodiment, the bridging member may comprise two or more side bridging members 36 arranged between the minor side edges of the front and rear cover members 26,28. This embodiment enables the spectacles to be introduced to the protective cover 10 either upwardly or downwardly with respect thereto.

Figures 11 to 14 show a further embodiment of the protective cover 10 of the invention. This embodiment is generally similar to that of figures 1 to 4 save for the fact that the rear cover member 28 has substantially less width and has substantially less height than the front cover member 28. The rear cover member 28 has about 80% of the width and height of the front cover member 26. As such, the slot 32 sits behind a peripheral edge portion of the front cover member 26 extending around almost all of three sides of said front cover member 26. The reduced width of the rear cover member 28 is beneficial in that the slot 32 can accommodate a large range of different types and/or sizes of pairs of spectacles. More particularly, the slot 32 in this embodiment can accommodate a much larger range of spectacles with different types of temple piece connecting members, i.e. angular connecting members for hingedly connecting legs to spectacle front frames than is possible with some of the other embodiments of the protective cover.

This embodiment of the protective cover 10 includes a retention member 50 positioned within the storage space to reduce accidental dislodgement of the pair of spectacles 12 away from the protective cover 10. The retention member is located on an inside surface of the front cover member 26 and preferably comprises a molded button shaped member which extends outwardly from the inside surface of the front cover member 26 towards the inside surface of the rear cover member 28. In this embodiment, the button shape retention member 40 is positioned so as to engage a nose bridge part of the pair of spectacles 12 inserted into the storage space 30 of the protective cover 10. However, the retention member 40 could have any shape and be located at any position within the protective cover 10 where it engages a part of the pair of spectacles 12 to prevent said spectacles 12 being accidentally dislodged from the protective cover 10. The material of the retention member 40 may be such that it provides a non-slip function in its contact with a part of the pair of spectacles.

The width of the protective cover between the exterior surfaces of the front and rear cover members is less than 20mm and is preferably about 16mm. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments of the invention are not exclusive of each other but may share many common features as appropriate. For example, all may be formed from a semi-rigid material as a one piece molded unit, all may include a shape memory member, for example, and all may include a retention member as shown in figure 13.

In another aspect the invention comprises a method of manufacturing a protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the method comprising molding a protective cover according to any of the foregoing embodiments as a one piece unit from a moldable material.

In general, the invention provides a protective cover for a pair of spectacles comprising superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space and a slot through which a frame front and lenses part or just a lenses part of a pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space. The slot is configured such that the frame front and lenses part or just the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space through the slot in a direction perpendicular to a line passing through both of the lenses of the pair of spectacles, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the spectacles, namely a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover. The cover is arranged such that the legs of the pair of spectacles remain outside the protective cover or at least a major part of the legs remain outside the protective cover to thereby provide a compact protective cover for the lenses of the spectacles. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It can be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the illustrative embodiments described above.

Modifications and variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the protective cover comprising: superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space configured for receiving a lenses part of a pair of spectacles into said storage space in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover and with legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover, wherein the protective cover is formed as a one piece molded unit.

2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the front and rear cover members further define a slot through which the lenses part of a pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space, said slot being configured such that the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space through the slot in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the pair of spectacles and with the legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover.

3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is configured such that only the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable in the storage space.

4. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the slot extends around a periphery of the protective cover such that end portions terminating the slot accommodate, in use, respective portions of the frame of the pair of spectacles to which the legs are respectively hingedly mounted.

5. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the rear cover member defines recesses adjacent end portions terminating the slot, the recesses affording folding of the legs of the pair of spectacles towards a closed position.

6. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the protective cover includes a memory shape member whereby, when the protective cover is shaped to conform to a lenses part of a pair of spectacles, the memory shape member retains the conformed shape.

7. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the front and rear cover members are formed of a flexible material.

8. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the front and rear cover members are formed of a semi-rigid material.

9. The protective cover of claim 7 wherein the semi-rigid material comprises a polymer material.

10. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the slot is formed between respective top edges of the front and rear cover members.

11. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the slot is formed between respective bottom edges of the front and rear cover members.

12. The protective cover of claim 2 wherein the slot comprises a first slot and the protective cover has a second slot which is configured in like manner to the first slot but which is positioned at an opposing side of the protective cover to that of a position of the first slot.

13. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein a member connecting the front and rear cover members is more rigid than either of said front and rear cover members.

14. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein a retention member is positioned within the storage space to reduce accidental dislodgement of the pair of spectacles away from the protective cover.

15. A protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the protective cover comprising: superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space configured for receiving a lenses part of a pair of spectacles into said storage space in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover and with legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover, wherein the protective cover includes a memory shape member whereby, when the protective cover is shaped to conform to a lenses part of a pair of spectacles, the memory shape member retains the conformed shape.

16. A protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the protective cover comprising: superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space configured for receiving a lenses part of a pair of spectacles into said storage space in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover and with legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover, wherein the front and rear cover members further define a slot through which the lenses part of a pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space, said slot being configured such that the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space through the slot in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the pair of spectacles and with the legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover and wherein the slot is formed between respective bottom edges of the front and rear cover members.

17. A protective cover for a pair of spectacles, the protective cover comprising: superimposed front and rear cover members defining therebetween a storage space configured for receiving a lenses part of a pair of spectacles into said storage space in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the protective cover and with legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover, wherein the front and rear cover members further define a slot through which the lenses part of a pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space, said slot being configured such that the lenses part of the pair of spectacles is receivable into the storage space through the slot in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the pair of spectacles and with the legs of the pair of spectacles remaining outside the protective cover and wherein the slot comprises a first slot and the protective cover has a second slot which is configured in like manner to the first slot but which is positioned at an opposing side of the protective cover to that of a position of the first slot

18. A method of manufacturing a protective cover for a pair of spectacles, said method comprising molding a protective cover according to any of claims 1 to 17 as a one piece unit from a moldable material.