Eyeglasses Holding Apparatus

Abstract

An eyeglasses holding apparatus for use in holding a pair of eyeglasses of a type having a bridge intermediate a pair of lens portions and a pair of temples extending rearwardly from respective lens portions includes a toy figure having a head member and a body member operatively coupled to the head member. A first flange is coupled to a front of the head member having a configuration complementary to the bridge of the pair of eyeglasses so as to support the pair of eyeglasses on the head member. A leg assembly is operatively coupled to the body member and configured to support the toy figure in an upright configuration. Further, the body member may include an interior space selectively accessible for holding a folded pair of eyeglasses.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to eyeglasses holders and, more particularly, to an eyeglass holder apparatus in the form of a stuffed animal and which may support a pair of eyeglasses in either a folded up or folded out configuration.

Parents and children desire that a child's eyeglasses be carefully secured at night when they are removed from the child's head. Too often they are placed haphazardly on a night stand, bookshelf, desk, or sometimes the floor near the child's bed. Obviously, there is increased risk of loss or breakage of the eyeglasses if not properly and consistently stowed away every single night. It is also well known that many children find enhanced feelings of comfort, safety, and companionship from a favored stuffed animal or teddy bear.

Various devices and proposals have been made for holding a pair of eyeglasses. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing products and proposals do not combine the emotional benefits of a favored teddy bear with a framework capable of stowing a pair of glasses exteriorly in a fully extended configuration but also interiorly in a folded up configuration.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have an eyeglasses holding device in the form of a stuffed animal and which includes support features for holding the glasses on the stuffed animal's head when the animal is seated upright. Further, it would be desirable to have an eyeglasses holder having one or more flanges positioned on the head member of the stuffed animal that are configured to securely support the eyeglasses. In addition, it would be desirable to have an eyeglasses holder having an interior compartment to store a folded pair of eyeglasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An eyeglasses holding apparatus according to the present invention for use in holding a pair of eyeglasses of a type having a bridge intermediate a pair of lens portions and a pair of temples extending rearwardly from respective lens portions includes a toy figure having a head member and a body member operatively coupled to the head member. A first flange is coupled to a front of the head member having a configuration complementary to the bridge of the pair of eyeglasses so as to support the pair of eyeglasses on the head member. A second and third flange may also be situated on the head member to support the temples of the eyeglasses. A leg assembly is operatively coupled to the body member and configured to support the toy figure in an upright configuration. Further, the body member may include an interior space selectively accessible for holding a folded pair of eyeglasses.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an eyeglasses holding apparatus that provides a toy figure that brings comfort, security, and companionship to a child and that supports or holds at least one pair of eyeglasses.

Another object of this invention is to provide an eyeglasses holding apparatus, as aforesaid, in which a pair of eyeglasses are supported on the head of a teddy bear that may be situated upright on a child's nightstand.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an eyeglasses holding apparatus, as aforesaid, that may store a folded pair of eyeglasses in an interior space of a stuffed animal.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an eyeglasses holding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated supporting a pair of eyeglasses;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 1 illustrated with a strap securing eyeglasses to the head portion;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 1 in use with third support flanges;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated with a cover in a closed configuration;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 4a illustrated with the cover in an open configuration;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated with a cover in a closed configuration;

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 5a illustrated with the cover in an open configuration;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated with a cover in a closed configuration;

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 6a illustrated with the cover in an open configuration;

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated with a channel in a contracted configuration;

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 7a illustrated with the channel in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 8a is a front view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 7b;

FIG. 8b is a sectional view taken along line 8b-8b of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9a is a side view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9b is a sectional view taken along line 9b-9b of FIG. 9a;

FIG. 10a is a side view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10b is a sectional view taken along line 10b-10b of FIG. 10a;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13a is a front view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in FIG. 12;

FIG. 13b is a sectional view taken along line 13b-13b of FIG. 13a;

FIG. 14a is a perspective view of the eyeglasses holding apparatus as in 17b including a lock assembly;

FIG. 14b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 14a; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the electronics in use with some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An eyeglasses holding apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings. The eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 includes a toy FIG. 20 having a head member 22, a body member 30, and a leg assembly 50, the leg assembly 50 support the head and body members in an upright configuration to hold one and, in some embodiments, two pair of eyeglasses 12.

The eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 is for use in supporting or holding at least one pair of eyeglasses 12 of the type having a pair of lens portions 16 connected by a bridge 14 and having respective temples 18 (also known as arms) extending rearwardly from the lens portions 16. It is the temples 18 that partially surround a wearer's ears when worn.

The so-called toy FIG. 20 of the present invention may be configured in a manner indicative of a teddy bear although it is understood that other animal or doll forms are also contemplated within the scope of the invention disclosed and recited herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the toy FIG. 20 includes a head member 22 and also includes a body member 30 operatively coupled to the head member 22. The leg assembly 50 may include a pair of leg portions 52 pivotally coupled to a lower end of the body member 30 and configured to provide a stable support in order that the toy FIG. 20 is maintained in an upright configuration, if desired. Indeed, it is intended that the toy FIG. 20 be in an upright configuration when supporting a pair of eyeglasses 12 as will be discussed more fully below.

A first flange 26 is coupled to a front side 24 of the head member 22 and extends away/forwardly from the front side 24 (FIG. 1). The first flange 26 may include a generally triangular shape or some other shape that is indicative of the toy figure's nose. A triangular configuration is preferred as this shape is complementary to the nose pieces on a pair of eyeglasses 12 so as to support the eyeglasses 12 resting thereon with stability. A triangular first flange 26 may be identified by a child user as being the toy figure's nose. In addition, the first flange 26 is tilted slightly upwardly as it extends away from the front side 24 of the head member 22. The tilted configuration decreases the risk that the bridge 14 of the eyeglasses 12 supported by the first flange 26 will slide forward and fall from the toy FIG. 20. The eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 may include an auxiliary strap 74 having an elongate and arcuate configuration selectively coupled to the head member 22 (FIG. 2). The strap 74 has opposed ends configured to secure the temples 18 of the pair of eyeglasses 12 to the head member 22 when the bridge 14 of the eyeglasses 12 is supported on the first flange 26.

When the eyeglasses 12 are rested upon the first flange 26 and the temples 18 are opened to extend rearwardly along the sides of the head member 22, the toy FIG. 20 may appear to be “wearing” the glasses. This is especially the case in some embodiments that include structures indicate of eyes, ears, and the like.

In one embodiment, the eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 may include a second flange 28 and a third flange 29, each being coupled to a respective opposed side of the head member 22. (FIG. 1) In one embodiment, the second flange 28 and third flange 29 include a configuration indicative of ears (FIG. 1). When the eyeglasses 12 are positioned to rest upon the first flange 26 and the temples 18 are in an unfolded use configuration, the temples 18 may be supported upon the second flanges 28, respectively.

In another embodiment, each third flange 29 includes a generally J-shaped configuration (FIG. 3). When the eyeglasses 12 are positioned to rest upon the first flange 26 and the temples 18 are in an unfolded use configuration, the temples 18 may be substantially captured by the third flanges 29, respectively.

In one embodiment, the body member 30 defines an interior space 32. In addition, the body member 30 includes a cover 34 that is pivotally movable between an open configuration that allows access into the interior space 32 of the body member 30 and a closed configuration preventing access to the interior space 32. The apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a fastening assembly that determines if the cover 34 is able to move between open and closed configurations.

In one embodiment, the fastening assembly includes a gear knob 36, a threaded rod, and a receiving member 40 (FIGS. 4a and 4b). More particularly, a gear knob 36 is positioned on an exterior surface of the cover 34 and rotatably coupled thereto. A threaded rod may be operatively connected to the gear knob 36 and extends through the cover 34 into the interior space 32. The receiving member 40 includes an internally threaded configuration to selectively receive the threaded rod, whereby to cooperatively move the cover 34 between open and closed configurations when the gear knob 36 is rotated in either direction.

In another embodiment, the cover 34 is coupled to the body member 30 in a manner that defines an imaginary horizontal axis such that the cover 34 opens and closes along the horizontal axis, such as with a hinge. Specifically, the cover 34 may tip forward to the open configuration (FIG. 5b) and tip backward to the closed configuration (FIG. 5a).

In still another embodiment, the cover 34 is coupled to the body member 30 in a manner that defines an imaginary vertical axis such that the cover 34 opens and closes along the vertical axis, such as with a hinge. Specifically, the cover 34 may swing laterally outwardly to the open configuration (FIG. 6b) and swing laterally inwardly to the closed configuration (FIG. 5a).

In yet another embodiment, the interior space 32 may be accessed through a channel 42 defined by a front wall of the body member as illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b. More particularly, the channel 42 connects an area outside the interior space 32 with the interior space 32 itself. Preferably, the head member 22 is constructed of a resilient material such that the channel 42 and the entry and exit apertures thereto may be selectively expanded—such as when inserting a pair of eyeglasses 12 therethrough—and then resilient to return to an unbiased configuration. The diameter of the channel 42 is effectively expanded when stretched larger and then reduced when stretching pressure is removed. In any case, the channel 42 presents a size large enough to receive a pair of eyeglasses therethrough into the interior space 32 (FIG. 8a). It is understood that the interior space 32 itself is sized large enough to retain a pair of eyeglasses 12 therein (FIG. 8b).

In one embodiment, the eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 includes a lock assembly 44 operatively coupled to the channel 42 such that operation of the lock assembly 44 is required in order to obtain access to the channel 42. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand how to regulate access to a channel 42 using a lock assembly 44, such as a combination lock as shown in FIG. 14. In other embodiments (not shown), a lock assembly 44 may be used in combination with the cover 34 to regulate operation between the open and closed configurations in a manner substantially similar to that described previously. In still another embodiment, the lock assembly 44 may be controlled by the processor 62 under programming control, the processor 62 to be described later.

In one embodiment, the eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 includes a motor 54 operatively coupled to each leg of the leg assembly 50 (FIGS. 9a and 9b). Similarly, the eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 may include a motor 56 operatively to each arm member 58 that may extend from opposing sides of the body member 30. It is understood that some forms of the toy FIG. 20 may not include arm members. Respective motors may cause pivotal movement of respective arms or legs of the toy FIG. 20 according to predetermined movement patterns or upon a user input (such as pressing one or more input buttons). Alternatively, the motors may be under operational control by a processor 62 and programming or circuitry as described below.

The eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 may include a battery 60, a processor 62 electrically connected to the battery 60, and a memory 64 in data communication with the processor 62. Preferably, the memory 64 may include data structures configured to store sound or other data and programming instructions to be executed by the processor 62, whereby to actuate other electronic components. These electronics may be positioned in an electronics box 72 situated in the interior space 32 of the body member 30 or in another selected location in the toy FIG. 20.

In one embodiment, the eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 includes a speaker 66 in data communication with the processor 62. Preferably, there is programming in the memory 64 that when executed by the processor 62 causes the processor 62 to actuate the speaker 66 to play predetermined sound data. For instance, there may be sound data associated with various messages or music relevant to children users of the toy FIG. 20 that are prompted in various predetermined circumstances.

With further regard to the motors described above, the motors 54 connected to the leg assembly 50 may also be electrically connected to the processor 62. Then, there may be programming in memory 64 that when executed by the processor 62 causes the processor 62 to energize the leg motors 54 to move the leg portions 52. Similarly, the motors 56 connected to the arm members 58 may also be electrically connected to the processor 62. Then, there may be programming in memory 64 that when executed by the processor 62 causes the processor 62 to energize the arm motors 56 to move the arm members 58.

In one embodiment, a universal serial bus (“USB”) port 68 may be positioned in the back of the body member 30 or in another desired location, the USB port 68 being in data communication with the processor 62. Data received through the USB port 68, such as from a flash drive, memory stick, portable hard drive, or the like, may be directed by the processor 62 to designated data structures in memory 64 for use according to programming. Inclusion of the USB port 68 enables the toy FIG. 20 to be customized by a user.

The eyeglasses holding apparatus 10 may include one or more light emitting diodes (“LED”) 70 positioned on the head member 22. For instance, a pair of LEDs 70 may be situated on the head member 22 so as to be indicative of eyes of the toy FIG. 20 (FIG. 11). The LEDs 70 may be in electrical communication with the processor 62 and be energized according to programming or simultaneously with activation of other electronic components.

In use, the toy FIG. 20 may be configured to sit in an upright configuration. Specifically, the leg assembly 50 may be pivotally adjusted to be in a 90 degree angle relative to the body member 30 so that the toy FIG. 20 essentially “sits up.” For instance, a child may sit the toy FIG. 20 upright on a nightstand prior to removing his eyeglasses before going to sleep. With temples 18 extended, a pair of eyeglasses 12 may then be supported by the toy FIG. 20 by supporting the bridge 14 upon the first flange 26 on the front of the head member 22 (FIG. 1). The temples 18 may be supported upon the second flanges 28 or captured by the third flanges 29, as the case may be. In some embodiments, the eyeglasses 12 may be folded and inserted into the interior space 32 of the body member 30 as described above.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An eyeglasses holding apparatus for use in holding a pair of eyeglasses having a bridge intermediate a pair of lens portions and a pair of temples extending rearwardly from respective lens portions, said eyeglasses holding apparatus, comprising:

a toy figure having a head member and a body member operatively coupled to said head member;

a first flange coupled to a front of said head member having a configuration complementary to the bridge of the pair of eyeglasses so as to support the pair of eyeglasses on said head member;

a leg assembly operatively coupled to said body member and configured to support said toy figure in an upright configuration.

2. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a second flange and a third flange coupled to opposed sides of said head member, respectively, and configured to support the temples of the pair of eyeglasses on said head member, respectively.

3. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said first flange extends forwardly away from said front side of said head member and is tilted upwardly such that the bridge of the eyeglasses does not slide forwardly.

4. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said second flange and said third flange extend outwardly away from respective sides of said head member and are configured to support said temples of the eyeglasses, respectively.

5. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said second flange and said third flange each include a generally J-shaped configuration suitable to selectively capture the temples of the eyeglasses thereunder, respectively.

6. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said body member defines an interior space;

said body member includes a cover that is pivotally movable between an open configuration allowing access to said interior space and a closed configuration preventing access to said interior space; and

a fastening assembly selectively coupling said cover to a rear portion of said body member, said fastening assembly configured to selectively allow said cover to move between said open and said closed configurations, respectively.

7. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said fastening assembly includes:

a gear knob rotatably positioned on an exterior surface of said cover;

a threaded rod extending rearwardly from said gear knob through said cover into said interior space;

a threaded receiving member positioned in said interior space and configured to selectively receive said threaded rod, said threaded rod and said threaded receiving member being configured to cooperatively move said cover between said open and closed configurations when said gear knob is rotated.

8. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said cover is coupled to said body member so as to define an imaginary horizontal axis such that said cover selectively pivots about said horizontal axis when moving between said open and closed configurations.

9. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said cover is coupled to said body member so as to define an imaginary vertical axis such that said cover selectively pivots about said vertical axis when moving between said open and closed configurations.

10. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said toy figure is a teddy bear; and

said leg assembly is a pair of leg portions, each leg portion being pivotally coupled to a lower end of said body member.

11. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said body member defines an interior space;

said body member defines a channel connecting an area outside said interior space with said interior space.

12. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said body member is constructed of a resilient material such that a diameter of said channel is selectively expandable.

13. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said diameter of said channel is large enough to receive the pair of eyeglass therethrough into said interior space.

14. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a lock assembly operatively coupled to said channel, said lock assembly preventing access to said channel until said lock assembly is in an unlocked configuration.

15. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising a lock assembly operatively coupled to said cover, said lock assembly preventing said cover from moving to said open configuration until said lock assembly is in an unlocked configuration.

16. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising:

a battery positioned in said interior space;

a processor positioned in said interior space in electrical communication with said battery; and

a memory configured to store in data communication with said processor, said memory including data and programming instructions.

17. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:

a speaker in data communication with said processor;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said speaker to output audio data stored in said memory.

18. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:

a motor operatively connecting said leg assembly to said body member and in data communication with said processor; and

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said motor to move said leg assembly.

19. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:

a motor operatively connecting an arm member to said body member, said motor being electrically connected to said processor; and

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said motor to move said arm member.

20. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port in data communication with said processor and said memory so as to enable a user to upload data to said memory.

21. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:

at least one light emitting diode (LED) positioned on said head member and in electrical communication with said processor; and

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to energize said LED.

22. The eyeglasses holding apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a strap having an elongate and arcuate configuration selectively coupled to said head member, said strap having opposed ends configured to secure the temples of the pair of eyeglasses against said head member when the bridge of the eyeglasses is supported on said first flange.