U.S. patent application number 10/664785 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for swivel mounted commodity case.
Invention is credited to Folmer, Gary Lee.
Application Number | 20040056055 10/664785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31998114 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040056055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Folmer, Gary Lee |
March 25, 2004 |
Swivel mounted commodity case
Abstract
A swivel mounted commodity case for holding eyeglasses that
includes a durable tubular-shaped elongated case having an interior
surface extending from a first end to an opposed closed second end
wherein the interior surface forms a holding chamber for receiving
the eyeglasses. A top is added that is hingedly attached to the
first end of the case. The top is adapted to selectively move
between an open position wherein the opening to the chamber is
freely exposed and a closed position wherein the top covers the
first end of the case. A rotatable clip is provided which is used
for attaching the case to a user's clothing. The clip includes a
clip member having a clasp for attaching to the user's clothing and
includes a slot receptacle; and, an annular hub for attachment to a
side of the case. The hub is disposed for engaging the slot
receptacle in order to attach the case to the clip member, whereby
the case is rotatably mounted to the user's clothing.
Inventors: |
Folmer, Gary Lee; (Redding,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J. RONALD RICHEBOURG
232 TALQUIN COVE
DESTIN
FL
32541
US
|
Family ID: |
31998114 |
Appl. No.: |
10/664785 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60412438 |
Sep 19, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/199 ; 206/6;
224/269; 224/679 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20130101;
A45F 2200/0541 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101;
A45F 2005/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/199 ;
224/679; 224/269; 206/006 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A swivel mounted commodity case for holding eyeglasses
comprising: a. a durable tubular-shaped elongated case having an
interior surface extending from a first end to an opposed closed
second end wherein said interior surface forming a holding chamber
for receiving said eyeglasses; b. a top being hingedly attached to
said first end of said case, said top being selectively moved
between an open position wherein the opening to said chamber is
freely exposed and a closed position wherein said top covers said
first end of said case; c. a rotatable clip adapted for attaching
said case to a user's clothing, said clip including: 1) a clip
member having a clasp for attaching to said user's clothing and
including a slot receptacle; and, 2) an annular hub for attachment
to a side of said case, said hub being disposed for engaging said
slot receptacle in order to attach said case to said clip member,
whereby said case is rotatably mounted to said user's clothing.
2. A case as in claim 1 wherein said case is formed of
aluminum.
3. A case as in claim 1 wherein said case is formed of a rigid
polymer material.
4. A case as in claim 1 wherein said top is attached to said case
with a spring-biased hinge.
5. A case as in claim 1 wherein said slot receptacle of said clip
member includes a spring-loaded pawl disposed for engaging said
annular hub when inserted into said slot receptacle.
6. A case as in claim 5 wherein said clip member includes a release
lever, which when depressed releases said spring-loaded pawl
thereby releasing said annular hub for removal of said case from
clip member.
7. A case as in claim 1 wherein said clip member includes a
spring-loaded clasp for attaching said clip member to said user's
clothing.
8. A swivel mounted commodity case for holding eyeglasses
comprising: a. a durable tubular-shaped elongated case having an
interior surface extending from a first end to an opposed closed
second end wherein said interior surface forming a holding chamber
for receiving said eyeglasses; b. a top being hingedly attached to
said first end of said case, said top being selectively moved
between an open position wherein the opening to said chamber is
freely exposed and a closed position wherein said top covers said
first end of said case; c. a rotatable clip adapted for attaching
said case to a user's clothing, said clip including: 1) a clip
member having a clasp for attaching to said user's clothing and
including a slot receptacle having a spring-loaded pawl; 2) an
annular hub for attachment to a side of said case, said hub being
disposed for engaging said spring-loaded pawl in slot receptacle in
order to attach said case to said clip member, whereby said case is
rotatably mounted to said user's clothing; 3) a release lever for
displacing said spring-loaded pawl in order to release said annular
hub, thereby releasing said case from said clip member; and, 4) a
spring loaded clasp for attaching said clip member to said user's
clothing.
9. A case as in claim 8 wherein said case is formed of
aluminum.
10. A case as in claim 8 wherein said case is formed of a rigid
polymer material.
11. A case as in claim 8 wherein said top is attached to said case
with a spring-biased hinge.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of Provisional Application No.
60/412438, filed Sep. 19, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
optic accessories and in particular to a swivel-mounted case for
holding and dispensing an optical device, such as a pair of
eyeglasses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the field of optical devices, cases are often provided
for the protection of the devices, such as a pair of eyeglasses. In
particular, cases are provided for storing eye glasses when they
are not in use. In the prior art, glass cases are generally
provided in a shape and form for sheathing a pair of glasses such
that a compact storage arrangement using a lightweight material is
embodied. Such cases are not durable and are subject to inadvertent
damage by crushing, bending, or other damaging effects due to
accident. Misplacement of glass cases is also a common problem.
[0004] There are however, hard-bodied eyeglass cases available. An
example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,873, entitled EYEGLASS
CONTAINER WITH LID, which issued on Mar. 9, 1999, to Stewart F.
Clark. The container disclosed in this patent is basically a rigid
tubular container with an open first end and a lid that covers the
open first end. The second end is typically closed. A lid is
attached to the body of the container by means of a hinge.
[0005] Another drawback with the prior-art cases is that those that
can attach to clothing such as a pocket for, example, have
stationary clips that often get in the way or become snagged when
detaching or re-attaching the case to the particular pocket.
Moreover, the clip can also cause other pocketed utensils such as
pens, business cards and the like to become inadvertently dislodged
from a user's pocket.
[0006] An example of the clip-type eyeglass holder is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,003 B1, entitled EYEGLASS CLIP DEVICE, which
issued Apr. 3, 2001, to Li-Li Chan and Kuang Fu. Basically this
holder includes an elastic clip for holding a pair of eyeglasses to
a belt or other item of clothing. Another example of the clip-type
eyeglass holder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,414 B2, which
issued on Mar. 18, 2003 to Barbara Newler. A third example is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,812, entitled EYEGLASS HOLDER,
which issued on Sep. 28, 1999, to January L.Moennig. None of these
clip-type eyeglass holders offer any protection for the eyeglasses
against scratching or breaking.
[0007] The purchase of eyeglasses, such as sunglasses and
prescription glasses, can be an expensive investment often costing
several hundred dollars. To obtain long lasting and functional use
of a pair of eyeglasses, it is important that the glasses be
properly cared for and protected. Many modern eyeglasses are formed
from thin, aesthetically appealing frames that can be relatively
fragile. Furthermore, proper care of eyeglasses requires that the
lenses be protected when not in use so as to avoid scratching of
the lenses.
[0008] What is clearly needed is a durable commodity case that can
be securely mounted to a user's belt wherein its contents can be
securely removed and replaced with ease of movement, and wherein
removal of the contents does not interfere with other carried items
or clothing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] As will be amplified in greater detail hereinbelow, the
present invention solves the prior art problems by providing a
swivel mounted commodity case for holding eyeglasses that includes
a durable tubular-shaped elongated case having an interior surface
extending from a first end to an opposed closed second end wherein
the interior surface forms a holding chamber for receiving the
eyeglasses. A top is added that is hingedly attached to the first
end of the case. The top is adapted to selectively move between an
open position wherein the opening to the chamber is freely exposed
and a closed position wherein the top covers the first end of the
case. A rotatable clip is provided which is used for attaching the
case to a user's clothing. The clip includes a clip member having a
clasp for attaching to the user's clothing and includes a slot
receptacle; and, an annular hub for attachment to a side of the
case. The hub is disposed for engaging the slot receptacle in order
to attach the case to the clip member, whereby the case is
rotatably mounted to the user's clothing.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved eyeglass case for holding and protecting
eyeglasses, which is handy for access by the user.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved eyeglass case that is rigid and easily mounted to an
article of the user's clothes.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved optical commodity case that when attached to a user's
clothing can swivel with movement of the user, while at the same
time protecting a fragile pair of eyeglasses.
[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an improved optical commodity case that is easy to open and can
hold a variety of different types of eyeglasses.
[0014] Still other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein is shown and
described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by
way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out
the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments, and its several details are
capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not
as restrictive, and what is intended to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims. The present invention
will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the following
description and attached drawings, wherein like characters indicate
like parts, and which drawings form a part of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a commodity case with a
rotatable clip according to an embodiment of the present
invention
[0016] FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the case as shown in FIG. 1
with a rotatable clip attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a commodity case with a
rotatable belt clip according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Case 100 is adapted as a durable case for storing optics
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Optics
(not shown) are stored in the case 100, which includes a handle and
non-handle bearing glasses or spectacles. The case 100 is
preferably manufactured in a durable and lightweight material, such
as aluminum. Other equivalent durable materials, such as some types
of polymers, may also be used in the manufacture of the case
100.
[0018] The case 100 has an openable top 101 and a main case body
103. The top 100 is connected to the body 103 by means of a hinge
102 in the illustrated example. In a preferred embodiment, the top
101 is biased closed with a spring mechanism (not shown). The
spring mechanism also connects to the hinge 102 so that when
opening the top 101 spring tension is present, and the spring
tension favors closing past a certain angle of the top 101 and
opening at a greater angle of the top 101.
[0019] The case 100 is of a length and major width dimension to
comfortable accommodate a pair of glasses in the folded position.
The case 100 has a rotatable clip 108 affixed to one outside wall
thereof. The clip 108 is preferably positioned at substantial
center of the major width of the case and somewhat above the center
of the length dimension of the case 100. The clip 108 comprises a
base portion 105 springedly attached to a spring loaded clasp 105
for the purpose of enabling the case 100 to be clipped onto a
user's belt, for example. The spring mechanism (not shown) can be
any known in the prior art of manufacture of spring tension clasps.
The clip 108 is preferably mounted on the sidewall of the case 100
using a glue pad 107 and an annular hub 106. The clip 108 is
rotatably mounted to the hub 106 so that it may freely rotate about
the hub in the direction of the arrows and in the reverse direction
as well.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the case shown in FIG. 1. In
this example, the clip 108 is illustrated as being mounted to the
case 100 using the pad 107 and the hub 106. The hub 106 may be a
fixed hub or a spinning hub. The clasp 105 is shown attached to the
clip body 104 (spring not shown). The hub 106 is inserted into a
slot receptacle of the clip 108 and is held in place by means of a
spring-loaded pawl. The hub 106 is released from the pawl by a
release lever, also under spring tension. When placed in position,
preferably on a user's belt, the case 100 of the present invention
is freely rotatable and can be easily rotated to a position most
convenient to the user for removing and replacing the contents
thereof, such as eyeglasses stored in the case. The feature of
rotatability with respect to the case 100 enables the least amount
of manual work to remove and replace the eyeglasses stored therein.
Similarly, removing and replacing eyeglasses from the case 100 in
this embodiment does not interfere with the user's clothing or
other utensils the user may be carrying. Keeping the case 100
clipped to a user's belt while working, or while engaged in normal
activities enables a more secure storage setting wherein a user is
less likely to misplace or lose the case 100.
[0021] The apparatus of the present invention provides a consumer
market that is non-existent in the prior art. People who are on the
go and who are highly mobile, such as in the professions of sales,
construction and many other professions benefit from always having
their glasses in convenient reach and from exerting the least
amount of time and effort when retrieving their glasses or other
commodities from their rotatably mounted cases.
[0022] Although the invention has been described with reference to
a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the
disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the
invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon
reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore
contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such
modifications of embodiments that fall within the true scope of the
invention.
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