Plastic Case For Glasses

Abstract

A plastic molded hard case for glasses formed from integral molded halves connected by a hinge part and contoured to form a rigid case, the halves having abutting perimetral edges and latch means to latch the halves together.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an improved molded plastic case for glasses. The construction is such as to provide an extremely lightwieght but hard, rigid case adapted to fully protect the glasses.

In a preferred form of the invention, the product is molded in one piece from polypropylene plastic so as to provide two halves or shells integrally connected by a part forming a hinge. The halves have peripheral edges which come into abutting relationship when the halves are closed to form a thin, light but rigid case adapted to fully protect a pair of glasses therein.

The two halves of the case are held closed by a latch formed by an integral extending latch member in the form of a book projection which goes through an opening spaced inwardly from the edge of the other half. The hook hooks over a latching edge on the opening which is on the inward side of the opening. The result is that bulging of the case causes the latch hook to hook more tightly or firmly.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved, hard or rigid case for glasses which is formed from very thin molded plastic material adapted to afford full protection of glasses contained therein.

A further object is to provide a case as described which is molded integrally into a single piece from polypropylene plastic to provide two similar halves or shells connected by an integral hinge part, with shells having peripheral edges which come into substantially watertight abutting relationship when the halves are closed.

A further object is to provide a latch in the form of a hook member which hooks through an opening in one of the halves and is arranged to hook more tightly and firmly when the halves are caused to bulge by glasses contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention with the case shown open;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view with the case closed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is made to the various figures of the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the case shown open. The case is molded in one piece from plastic, preferably polypropylene. An integral molded piece forms two halves or shells as designated at 10 and 12 which are similar but not identical. The two halves are connected by an integral web or piece of material 14 which forms a hinge. The two halves close together as illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the half or shell 10 is shown as the top with the half 12 as the bottom.

As may be observed, both halves are contoured to have rounded edges. The front edge of shell 10 is designated by 16, and the front edge of shell 12 is designated by 18. Shell 10 is slightly deeper and thus, the end walls 20 and 22 of shell 10 are slightly deeper as is the front wall 16. The two shells are contoured, and the shape is rounded where the end parts of the shells join the front edges.

Preferably, the material of the two shells may be molded to a thickness of 0.100 inches, being relatively thin. However, the material is hard and rigid, but very light. At end walls 20 and 22, there are formed short ribs 26 and 28 which fit into the inside of the end walls of shell 12 when the case is closed. When closed, the peripheral edges of the shells come into abutting relation; and the case is substantially watertight.

The interior of shell 10 is lined with a thin soft lining 30 of plastic material which may be a polyurethane. Shell 12 has a similar lining as designated at 32.

The case is provided with integral latch means to firmly hold the case closed. Shell 10 adjacent front edge 16 on the inside has a thickened part 36 having a rectangular opening 38 in it. Numeral 40 designates an integral member which is a latching hook which extends upward, that is, inwardly from shell 12 as shown. Hook member 40 has an extending hook 42. The top surface of shell 10 is formed to have a recess 46 of the shape shown in FIG. 2 having a flat bottom 48. The latching opening 38 is in this bottom surface as shown. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the case closed and latched. It will be observed that hook 42 has a flat bottom surface which hooks over the inner edge 50 of latching opening 38. FIG. 4 shows the case closed with glasses in position. In the event of any bulging outwardly of the case, either of the top or bottom shell, this tends to exert an inward pull on the latching member 40 to cause hook 42 to hook and thus latch even more tightly. In order to open the case, hook 42 need only be pushed away from latching edge 50. Then, resiliency in hinge 14 will cause the case to open by itself. The hook then passes through latching opening 38.

As may be understood, the case is very light, but it is hard and rigid. Thus, it is able to protect any type of glasses which may be fitted therein. Particularly, the case will protect glasses of the type with metal frames from being crushed or broken while in the case. Therefore, the case offers substantial advantages over presently available cases which are not rigid or hard and not able to protect the glasses, particularly of the type with metal frames and bows which are subject to being crushed and deformed. As explained, the latching means are formed integrally in the molding of the case, as is the hinge. Thus, production is easy and economical. Recess 46 for the latch hook causes the latch hook to be below the external surface of shell 10 so that there is no interference when the case is placed in the pocket of a garment.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand and appreciate the nature of the invention and the manner in which it achieves and realizes the objects as set forth in the foregoing.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, an eyeglass case comprising: molded and contoured half shells joined together by an integral part thereof forming a hinge, the half shells being formed of light, thin plastic and when closed forming a case of a size sufficient to hold a pair of glasses and being sufficiently rigid to prevent collapsing against the glasses; latch means to hold the half shells in closed position, the hinge being formed by a fold line in said integral part directly between edge portions of the half shells, said latch means comprising an integral latch member formed on the inside of one half shell and the other half shell and in each instance, having a latching edge adapted to have a latch member passing there through, said latch member being in the form of a hook and said opening in the other half shell having a latching edge adapted to be engaged by the hook upon inward movement with respect to the case whereby upon closing of the case, the latch is adapted to engage with increased security, the other said half shell having a recess formed in it with a generally flat bottom in which said opening is formed, the latching edge being provided by the opening in said flat bottom, said recess being of sufficient depth and the hook being of a limited length, whereby in latching position, it does not extend beyond the exterior surface of the other half shell.