This disclosure relates to the field of rigid, portable devices for the carrying and protecting of eyewear, such as sunglasses, eyeglasses, eye shields and equivalents, as well as small electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones, sound devices and equivalents.
Disclosed herein is a carrying device for small devices having a frame and a lens. The carrying device comprises a rigid rear portion, wherein the rear portion comprises a lanyard attachment portion. The device further comprises a rigid right side portion extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion, wherein the right side portion is operatively configured to engage a frame portion of a pair of the small device, a rigid right front portion extending substantially orthogonal to the right side portion and substantially parallel to the rear portion, and a left side portion extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion and substantially parallel to the right side portion. In one form, the left side portion is operatively configured to engage a frame portion of the small device. A left front portion is also disclosed, extending substantially orthogonal to the left side portion and substantially parallel to the rear portion. One portion of the apparatus may include a bottom retainer extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion laterally positioned between the right side portion and the rear side portion. In general, the carrying device is operatively configured to engage the frame of the small device, and not contact the lens of the devices. The carrying device may be specifically configured to carry eyewear, such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, or equivalents.
In one form, the carrying device is arranged wherein the surfaces of the carrying device comprise a scratch-resistant material and are operatively configured to engage the eyeglasses or other small device.
The apparatus may be produced using a method comprising the steps of providing a substantially planar panel, heating the panel and folding it to form the particular components disclosed.
The method described above may also include the step of providing a scratch-resistant material on the surfaces of the carrying device, which is operatively configured to directly engage (contact) the small device.
While many prior art devices capable of carrying and/or protecting eyewear and small electronic devices are found on the market, a device that allows a user to protect such equipment quickly, readily insert and remove said equipment from said rigid case and avoid contacting the lens of the equipment has not been found.
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The carrying device 20 is generally comprised of a single piece of material, such as a flat panel of plastic, although a tubular embodiment, as shown in
To further maintain the eyewear 36 within the carrying device 20, a bottom retainer 52 is disclosed, which may be formed initially as a portion of the rear portion 30 and then bent along the fold or bend 54, as shown in
In the embodiments shown in
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In use, the carrying device 20 may be carried in a user's pockets, such as a shirt pocket, or may be affixed to a user's clothing. Additionally, a lanyard attachment portion or eyelet 56 may be utilized, which may attach to a piece of string, rope, or other lanyard that would generally be affixed around a user's neck for easy carrying of the apparatus. In this way, the edge 38 would always be in a vertically uppermost position, such that the eyewear 36 would not fall out as may tend to happen if the carrying device 20 were inverted while the eyewear 36 was placed therein. Additionally, as the interior portion of the carrying device 20 may be tapered as previously described, there may be a slight frictional engagement to further maintain the eyewear 36 in place within the carrying device 20. In other forms, a pocket clip, magnet pair, or a similar connecting device could be utilized to attach the carrying device 20 to a user's clothing, pocket, belt or equivalent.
In one form, a deformable cushion portion 58 may be utilized to further retain the eyewear 36 within the carrying device 20. This cushion 58 may be comprised of a small volume of foam rubber or similar material which would deform inward as the eyewear is pressed past it, and reform back to its extended shape to from a barrier to accidental removal of the eyewear 36 from the carrying device 20.
While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.
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Homeliving, “Genuine Leather Eyeglass/Cell Phone Case,” HomelivingStyle.com. |