EYEGLASSES CASE
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/671,698, filed 15 May 2018.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a case for storing and protecting eyeglasses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt 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 INVENTIONBriefly 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.
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:
Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is directed to
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
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
Turning to
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 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, 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
- 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.
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 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, 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
- 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.
Type: Application
Filed: May 8, 2019
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2019
Inventor: Sean Holden Meunier (Longmeadow, MA)
Application Number: 16/406,558