Glasses headband cover method, apparatus, and system

A cover for a pair of glasses comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion sized to generally be able to enclose the lens portion of a pair of glasses; a first stem portion, the first stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' first stem; a second stem portion, the second stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' second stem; an opening located generally in the main body portion and configured to allow entry and exit of the glasses with respect to the cover. A method of using an eyeglass cover and glasses as a headband, the method comprising: inserting glasses into an eyeglass cover; placing the glasses and eyeglass cover on a user's head, generally above the forehead, with the stems of the glasses over the user's ears, such that the cover and glasses look and act as a headband.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a cover for eyeglasses and/or sunglasses and more particularly to a cover for eyeglasses and/or sun glasses, which can be worn as a headband and may be used as a compact, non-bulky carrying case when glasses need to be stored.

BACKGROUND

As long as there have been eyeglasses or sunglasses (the term glasses will refer to both eyeglasses and sunglasses), there has been a problem of what to do with the glasses when not using them. Some people simply prop the glasses on top of their head, however these glasses are often not secure, and can get dirty or smudged. Some people have glasses' cords connected to the stems of their glasses, and hang the glasses around their neck. However, these cords are often not stylish, and the glasses can be in a person's way when swinging about his or her neck. Some people store their glasses in hard cases, but these cases may be bulky and may not fit in many of the compartments or places that people choose to store their glasses in.

Thus there is a need for a device that can hold glasses that will overcome the above listed and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY

The disclosed invention relates to a cover for a pair of glasses comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion sized to generally be able to enclose the lens portion of a pair of glasses; a first stem portion, the first stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' first stem; a second stem portion, the second stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' second stem; an opening located generally in the main body portion and configured to allow entry and exit of the glasses with respect to the cover.

The invention also relates to a method of using an eyeglass cover and glasses as a headband, the method comprising: inserting glasses into an eyeglass cover; placing the glasses and eyeglass cover on a user's head, generally above the forehead, with the stems of the glasses over the user's ears, such that the cover and glasses look and act as a headband.

In addition, the invention relates to an eyeglass cover system, the system comprising: a pair of glasses; a sleeve, the sleeve comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion sized to generally be able to enclose the lens portion of the glasses; a first stem portion, the first stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' first stem; a second stem portion, the second stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' second stem; an opening located generally in the main body portion and configured to allow entry and exit of the glasses with respect to the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the disclosed cover10. The invention comprises a sleeve14made out of fabric such as, but not limited to: nylon, wool, spandex, cotton, blends of materials. The sleeve14has a main body portion18and two stem portions22,26. There is a single flap30on the main body portion. The flap30allows access to the interior of the sleeve14. Alternatively, instead of a flap, there may be an opening that can be closed with a zipper, an opening closeable with Velcro, a slot with buttons, snaps, etc. The material may have a design, such as but not limited to decorative designs that head bands may have. Various designs that may be on the material include but are not limited to a tiger stripe pattern, stripes, patterns of geometric shapes, images of sports mascots, images of famous characters, or popular words or phrases printed on the material. The opening30allows a user to place a pair of glasses in the sleeve, with the lenses in the main body18, and the glasses' stems going into each of the stem portions22,26. In one embodiment, the cover may have an inner lining that is configured to protect the glasses from scratches or other damage.

FIG. 2shows the glasses34inside the cover10. Now a user38can place the glasses34(located inside the cover10) on top of her head, but instead of appearing as glasses on top of the head (which women often do in order to hold their hair back from their face), the glasses inside the sleeve14appear to be a decorative headband. Now referring toFIG. 7, the main body portion18may have a height HBthat is generally the same height dimensions of the of the lens portion of the glasses HL, or HBmay be just slightly larger than HL. The stem portions22,26may have a height dimension HSPthat is generally equal to the height dimension of the stems HSof the glasses.

Another embodiment of the cover42is shown inFIG. 8. The main body portion18may have a height HBthat is generally the same height dimensions as the lens portion of the glasses HL, or HBmay be just slightly larger than HL. However, in this embodiment, the stem portions22,26may have a height dimension HSPthat is generally equal to HB. Thus, the embodiment inFIG. 8will look more like a typical headband that has a generally constant width along its length.

FIG. 3shows one embodiment of the cover.FIG. 4shows the cover with a pair of sunglasses inside of the cover.FIG. 5is another view of the cover, with a detailed view of the flap.FIG. 6shows the cover and glasses being worn in a headband style.

FIG. 9shows a side view of the cover10with a pair of glasses34inside the cover. In this embodiment, the stem portions22,26generally cover the entire stem50of the glasses34.

FIG. 10shows another embodiment of the cover46which has stem portions54,58(58not visible in this view) that do not completely cover the stems50. In this embodiment, the distal ends62of the stem portions54,58has an opening66for the distal ends of the stems50to protrude from.

FIG. 11shows another embodiment of the cover70. In this embodiment the stem portions74,78of the cover70are very short such that nearly the entire length of the stems50extend from an opening82in each of the stem portions74,78.

FIG. 12shows a method of using the cover. At act200, the user inserts his or her glasses into the over, with the stems inside the stem portion of the cover. Depending on the embodiment of the cover used, the stems of the glasses may be completely enclosed in the cover, or partially extend from the cover, or mostly extend from the cover. At act204, the user places the glasses on his or her head generally above the forehead, with the stems of the glasses over the ears, such that the cover and glasses look and act as a headband.

FIG. 13shows one embodiment of the acts that may make up act200from above. At act212one inserts the left stem of the glasses into the left stem portion of the cover. At act216one slides the lens portion of the glasses into the opening of the cover. At act220one inserts the right stem portion of the glasses into the cover. At act224one closes the opening so that the glasses are generally inside the cover.

FIGS. 14 through 19shows the steps fromFIG. 13.FIG. 14shows a pair of glasses.FIG. 15shows a user putting the left stem of the glasses into the left stem portion of the cover.FIG. 16shows one sliding the lens portion of the glasses into the opening of the cover.FIG. 17shows a user inserting the right stem portion of the glasses into the right stem portion of the cover.FIG. 18shows the user closing the opening so that the glasses are generally inside the cover.FIG. 19shows the glasses fully inserted into the cover.

This invention has the advantages of looking more stylish than simply wearing your sunglasses (or glasses) on top of your head; it protects the lenses of the glasses from scratches, and allows for quick removal of the glasses from the sleeve when the user needs to put on the glasses. The invention may lift the user's hair for a more stylish look. Prevents the user's hair from being snagged in the glasses. Protects glasses from hair products which could damage the glasses. The invention can act as a carrying case for the glasses. The cover is washable. The invention can be worn on the ankle or wrist as a wristlet.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.