METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING READING GLASSES TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
A clip is provided for releasably attaching a pair of reading eyeglasses to an electronic device. The clip is attachable to a rear surface of the electronic device. It includes an opening therein configured for receiving the bridge of the eyeglasses to stow the eyeglasses.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/816,381 filed on Apr. 26, 2013 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING READING GLASSES TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present application relates generally to smart phones and other portable electronic devices having displays and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for attaching reading glasses to such devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn accordance with one or more embodiments, a kit is provided for use with an electronic device, which has a first side with a display thereon and a second side opposite the first side. The kit includes at least one pair of reading glasses having a pair of lenses, a bridge connecting the lenses, and temples extending from the lenses. The kit further includes at least one clip affixable to the second side of the electronic device. The clip has an opening therein configured for receiving the bridge of the eyeglasses to releasably attach the eyeglasses to the electronic device to stow the eyeglasses when not in use.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a clip is provided for use with an electronic device to retain a pair of reading glasses. The electronic device has a first side with a display thereon and a second side opposite the first side. The reading glasses have a pair of lenses, a bridge connecting the lenses, and temples extending from the lenses. The clip is affixable to the second side of the electronic device. The clip comprises first and second resilient elements connected together. They have an opening therebetween configured for receiving the bridge of the eyeglasses to releasably attach the eyeglasses to the electronic device to stow the eyeglasses when not in use.
Smart phones, tablets, e-books, and other portable electronic devices having displays are widely used today. These devices present visual content to users that is often difficult to see, particularly for users having presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects). The present application is directed to a method and apparatus for attaching reading glasses to such portable electronic devices that users can remove and wear while using the devices, enabling the users to more clearly see the content displayed on the electronic devices.
The clip 12 can be constructed from a variety materials including, e.g., plastic, rubber, and metal. In one or more embodiments, the clip 12 is attached to the back of the smart phone 10 using an adhesive.
In other embodiments, the clip 12 is attached to the back of a smart phone case or is integrally constructed with the smart phone case through, e.g., a molding process used to construct the smart phone case.
A variety of other fasteners can be used instead of the clip 12 including, e.g., snap fasteners.
The clip and glasses can be sold as a kit to consumers. For instance, one kit may contain several clips and pairs of glasses. Consumers can attach the clip directly to the back of the smart phone or other device or to a case for such device. The clip can be provided with a peel-off adhesive to allow users to quickly and easily attach the clip to the device.
The reading glasses can be sold in a variety of magnifications.
A significant advantage of having reading glasses clipped to smart phones or other electronic devices is that the glasses would be readily available to users at generally any time since people tend to constantly have their devices with them. The reading glasses could be worn when using the device or used for reading anything else.
In addition, the presence of the clip on back of the electronic device reminds the device user to not forget to take glasses with them as many users often do.
Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. Additionally, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional components or joined together to form fewer components for performing the same functions.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.
Claims
1. A kit for use with an electronic device, the electronic device having a first side with a display thereon and a second side opposite the first side, the kit comprising:
- at least one pair of reading glasses having a pair of lenses, a bridge connecting the lenses, and temples extending from the lenses; and
- at least one clip affixable to the second side of the electronic device, the clip having an opening therein configured for receiving the bridge of the eyeglasses to releasably attach the eyeglasses to the electronic device to stow the eyeglasses when not in use.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one clip is affixable to the second side of the electronic device using an adhesive.
3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one clip includes a surface having an adhesive thereon covered by a peel-off backing, which can be removed by a user to affix the clip to the second side of the electronic device.
4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit includes a plurality of clips.
5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit includes a plurality of eyeglasses.
6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the second side of the electronic device is covered by a case, and the at least one clip is affixable to the case.
7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one clip comprises plastic, rubber, or metal.
8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the opening in the at least one clip is formed between two resilient elements.
9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the opening in the at least one clip is formed between a first element and a second element hinged to said first element.
10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the at least one clip can be moved between opened and closed positions.
11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the at least one clip further comprises a latch mechanism for releasably locking the clip in the closed position.
12. The kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one clip includes a plurality of different-sized openings for holding various sized bridges of eyeglasses.
13. A clip for use with an electronic device to retain a pair of reading glasses, the electronic device having a first side with a display thereon and a second side opposite the first side, the reading glasses having a pair of lenses, a bridge connecting the lenses, and temples extending from the lenses, wherein the clip is affixable to the second side of the electronic device, the clip comprising first and second resilient elements connected together and having an opening therebetween configured for receiving the bridge of the eyeglasses to releasably attach the eyeglasses to the electronic device to stow the eyeglasses when not in use.
14. The clip of claim 13, wherein the clip is affixable to the second side of the electronic device using an adhesive.
15. The clip of claim 13, wherein the clip includes a surface having an adhesive thereon covered by a peel-off backing, which can be removed by a user to affix the clip to the second side of the electronic device.
16. The clip of claim 13, wherein the second side of the electronic device is covered by a case, and the clip is affixable to the case.
17. The clip of claim 13, wherein the clip comprises plastic, rubber, or metal.
18. The clip of claim 13, wherein the second element is hinged to the first element such that the clip can be moved between opened and closed positions.
19. The clip of claim 18, further comprising a latch mechanism for releasably locking the clip in the closed position.
20. The clip of claim 13, wherein the clip includes a plurality of different-sized openings for holding various sized bridges of eyeglasses.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 28, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2014
Inventor: Kenneth A. Shwartz (Mattapoisett, MA)
Application Number: 14/263,425
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101);