Spectacles Being Concurrently Used As Bracelets, Necklaces Or The Like

Abstract

An article capable of being used both as spectacles and as an accessory which may be worn as a bracelet, necklace or the like. The article is formed of a horseshoe-shaped band of resilient material having spectacle lenses mounted at a central portion thereof and spaced apart a distance commensurate with the spacing of human eyes. Due to the configuration and resiliency of the material of the band, the article may be worn about the head as spectacles, or about the arm or the neck as a bracelet or necklace. The article may be ornamentally embellished by mounting decorative pieces thereupon or by forming the upper and lower edges of the horseshoe band in a waved shape.

Description

The Conventional spectacles are, even when folded and not in use, relatively bulky and are extremely inconvenient to carry when spectacles are temporarily used at a visiting destination they must subsequently be stored in a carrying case or other receptacle. Particularly where women and children are involved, pockets cannot be utilized, so that the spectacles are put in handbags or carried separately them. Accordingly, there are many instances where they are left behind or lost after their use.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, the present invention provides an elastic plastic or metallic band bent into a portion horseshoe-shape with spectacle lenses are inlaid in its middle and spaced apart a distance equivalent to the intervals of eyes when the spectacles are used. The band may be resiliently stretched and placed about the head to be held on both ears when in use and when not used as spectacles, the band may be worn on the arm as a bracelet or it is adapted to be used as a necklace.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the manner in which the spectacles are used;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective showing the manner in which spectacles are according to the second embodiment used.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a resilient plastic or, optionally, a metallic band plate 1 is bent into a horseshoe-shape of greater than 180.degree. angular extent and less than 360.degree. and a pair of lens holes 2 are bored wherein centering around the front middle of the band plate adjusting to the interval of the eyes. A pair of lenses 3 are inlaid or appropriately mounted in a known manner in these lens holes 2.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a resilient plastic or, optionally, a metallic band plate 1 which is narrow in width, is bent into a generally horseshoe-shape and a pair of lens holes 2 with a specified width (about 12 m/m) are provided centering around its front middle portion adjusting to the interval of the eyes, with lenses 3 having inlaid in these holes 2. Further, holes 4 similar to the lens holes 2 are provided at the location adjacent the lens holes 2 on the band plate 1 and when occasion demands ornamental glasses 5 may be inlaid in these holes 4 or these holes may be decorated with other imitation jewels 6. The upper and lower edges of the band plate 1 may be decorated with various embellishments such as wave-shaped patterns 7.

The article according to this invention which is constituted as mentioned above serves as spectacles by placing the lenses 3 to the eyes and by encircling the head to compress the portion above both ears with both ends of the band plate 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. In case the device is not to be used as spectacles the band plate can be used as a bracelet by putting it on the arm or as a necklace by spreading the opening between its ends and putting it on the neck.

As mentioned above, the article according to this invention enables a double effect, in that, it is not bulky and may be used as an accessory such as a bracelet or necklace and that there will be no fear that it is left behind or lost.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article stretchable from a first condition having at least a partly ring-shaped configuration of greater than 180.degree. angular extent to a second condition having a U-shaped configuration suitable for use as spectacles and comprising a resilient elongated continuous band having a length sufficient to extend over the ears of a wearer and a width sufficient to mount spectacle lenses between the longitudinally extending edges of said band, said band having a pair of end portions each located at an opposite end of its length and spaced apart and interconnected by a middle portion, in the second condition said band being capable of fitting resiliently on the head of a wearer in the manner of spectacles with the end portions shaped to fit over the ears of the wearer and the middle portion sized to span the face of the wearer across the eyes, said band having at least a pair of holes in the middle portion thereof spaced apart in accordance with the spacing of the eyes of the wearer, and lenses fitted into each of said holes in said pair of holes, in the first condition said band being capable of resiliently fitting on the body of the wearer in the manner of an article of jewelry which at least partly encircles the portion of the body of the wearer on which it is worn by an angular extent greater than 180.degree. so that when not in use in the second condition as spectacles the article can be stored by being fitted on the person of the wearer and worn in the manner of a piece of jewelry.

2. An article, as set forth in claim 1, wherein additional holes are formed in said band in the middle portion and the end portions thereof, said additional holes being similar to said holes for said lenses, and ornamental members being fitted into said additional holes.

3. An article, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the upper and lower edges of said band extending in its elongated direction have a wave-shaped pattern.

4. An article stretchable from a first condition having at least a partly ring-shaped configuration of greater than 180.degree. angular extent and less than 360.degree. angular extent to a second condition having a U-shaped configuration suitable for use as spectacles and comprising a resilient elongated continuous band having a length sufficient to extend over the ears of a wearer and a width sufficient to mount spectacle lenses between the longitudinally extending edges of said band, said band having a pair of end portions each located at an opposite end of its length and spaced apart and interconnected by a middle portion, in the second condition said band being capable of fitting resiliently on the head of a wearer in the manner of spectacles with the end portions shaped to fit over the ears of the wearer and the middle portion sized to span the face of the wearer across the eyes, said band having at least a pair of holes in the middle portion thereof spaced apart in accordance with the spacing of the eyes of the wearer, and lenses fitted into each of said holes in said pair of holes, in the first condition said band being capable of resiliently fitting on the body of the wearer in the manner of an article of jewelry which partly encircles the portion of the body of the wearer on which it is worn by an angular extent greater than 180.degree. and less than 360.degree. so that when not in use in the second condition as spectacles the article can be stored by being fitted on the person of the wearer and worn in the manner of a piece of jewelry.

5. An article, as set forth in claim 4, wherein additional holes are formed in said band between the longitudinally extending edges thereof in the middle portion and the end portions thereof, said additional holes being similar in size and shape to said holes for said lenses, and ornamental members being fitted into said additional holes.

6. An article, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the upper and lower longitudinal edges of said band having a wave-shaped pattern.