Patent ID: 9541771
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: G02C

Claim:
1. A foldable eyeglasses and storage case assembly, comprising: a pair of foldable eyeglasses comprising a pair of lenses, a frame surrounding the pair of lenses and generally defining a plane of the eyeglasses, the frame having opposite outer edges, and a pair of temples extending from respective outer edges of the frame, wherein the pair of eyeglasses is in an unfolded configuration when the pair of eyeglasses is being worn by a user; and a collapsible storage case for holding the pair of foldable eyeglasses in a fully folded condition, the case comprising a bottom portion for holding the folded pair of eyeglasses and a top cover configured for movement between an open condition for removal or insertion of the pair of eyeglasses and a closed condition holding the pair of eyeglasses in the fully folded condition; each temple of the pair of eyeglasses having a first portion and a second portion, and a first pivot connection between the first and second portions defining a first pivot axis; a second pivot connection between the first portion of each temple of the pair of temples and the respective outer edge of the frame defining a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis; wherein the first pivot axis is parallel to and spaced from the plane of the eyeglasses for folding the respective second portions of the pair of temples from the unfolded configuration substantially perpendicular to the plane of the eyeglasses and aligned with the respective first portions toward the frame into a first folded configuration in which the second portions are substantially parallel to the plane of the frame and the first portions of the temples remain unfolded and transverse to the folded second portions; and each second pivot axis extends outwardly from the respective outer edge of the frame for folding the first portions of the pair of temples vertically from the first folded configuration toward the frame into a second, fully folded configuration in which the first and second portions of the respective temples are substantially co-planar with the plane of the frame; each second pivot connection includes a tension spring which is configured to bias the respective first portion of the temple from the second, fully folded condition to the first folded configuration in which the first portions of the temples are unfolded; and a third pivot connection between the bottom portion of the collapsible storage case and the lid defining a third pivot axis for rotation of the top cover between the open and closed condition, and a latch for releasably securing the case in the closed condition with the pair of eyeglasses in the second fully folded condition with the folded temples facing outwards towards the top cover; whereby the tension springs at the second pivot connections are configured to bias the temples outwards to bear against the top cover of the case when in the closed condition with the temples in the fully folded condition and to bias the top cover of the case outwards into an open position when the latch is released.