SPECTACLE HOLDER

Abstract: This invention provides a spectacle holder for containment of a pair of spectacles, the holder being attachable to any convenient surface, wherein the holder comprises: (a) a body (10) having a substantially flat surface (11) for attachment of the holder to the convenient surface; (b) an upper (as viewed in use) clasp (12) adapted to encircle or partially encircle one arm of a pair of spectacles; and (c) at least one lower (as viewed in use) side support (13A, 13B) adapted to maintain the abovementioned arm in position, wherein the pair of spectacles may be contained by means of insertion of the abovementioned arm through the clasp (12) and through the support or supports and removed as required.

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION: Spectacle Holder FIELD OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to a spectacle holder for containment of a pair of spectacles, the holder being attachable to any convenient surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: It can be very inconvenient and potentially expensive to store a pair of spectacles temporarily at the office, in a factory or while travelling in vehicle. The expense arises because the spectacles may fall to the ground or floor and may be trampled or because the curved outer surface of the lenses may tip over onto grit, scratching the surface. It is an object of this invention to reduce the chance of the damage mentioned above occurring. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention provides a spectacle holder for containment of a pair of spectacles, the holder being attachable to any convenient surface, wherein the holder comprises: (a) a body having a substantially flat surface for attachment of the holder to the convenient surface; (b) an upper (as viewed in use) clasp adapted to encircle or partially encircle one arm of a pair of spectacles; and (c) at least one lower (as viewed in use) side support adapted to maintain the abovementioned arm in position, wherein the pair of spectacles may be contained by means of insertion of the abovementioned arm through the clasp and through the support or supports and removed as required. BRIEF DESCRIFriON OF THE DRAWINGS: One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: * • Figure 1 shows perspective (Figure IA). plan (Figure IB) and side views (Figure 1C-1E) of the invention (10) comprising a substantially flat surface lorming the back portion of the invention (11), a clasp (12) complementary side supports (13A) (13B), a gap between the complementary side supports (14) and an interior hollow portion (15). An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: * Figure 2 shows perspective (Figure 2A), plan (Figure 2B) and side views (Figures 2C- 2E) of the invention (20) comprising a substantially flat surface forming the back portion of the invention (21), a clasp (22), complementary side supports (23A) (23B), a gap between the complementary side supports (24) and an interior hollow portion (25). An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: * Figure 3 shows perspective (Figure 3A), plan (Figure 3B) and side views (Figures 3C- 3E) of the invention (30) comprising a substantially flat surface forming the back portion of the invention (31). a clasp (32), complementary side supports (33 A) (33B). a gap between the complementary side supports (34) and an interior hollow portion (35). An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: * Figure 4 shows perspective (Figure 4A), plan (Figure 4B) and side views (Figures 4C- 4E) of the invention (40) comprising a substantially flat surface forming the back portion of the invention (41), a clasp (42), complementary side supports (43 A) (43 B), a gap between the complementary side supports (44) and an interior hollow portion (45). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: Preferably, the substantially flat surface is rectangular in surface area, the plane of which is roughly tangential to the back portion of the spectacle holder. Preferably, the upper clasp ("clasp") is a cylindrical tube-like portion, or partial cylindrical tube-like portion, which is located at one end of the spectacle holder. Conveniently, the clasp as a partial cylindrical tube-like portion in one embodiment of the invention, enables ease of insertion and removal of the spectacles from the holder. Preferably, the clasp, when the spectacle holder is in use, is located between the spectacle body and one arm of the pair of spectacles. Conveniently, the spectacle body and the spectacle arm forma pincer arrangement which assists in securing the spectacles in the spectacle holder. Preferably, the clasp is adapted so as to join at least one side support located at the non-clasp end of the spectacle holder. Preferably, two arc-like side supports point towards each other to form an incomplete cylindrical structure in line with the clasp. Preferably the clasp is adapted to join the two arc-like supports such that a hollow portion is left between the clasp and the side supports. Conveniently, the two side supports assist in securing the spectacles within the holder by limiting movement of the spectacles within the holder. Preferably, the gap between the two side supports opens into the side hollow portion, which hollow portion is located centrally on the upper side (as viewed in use) of the spectacle holder. Conveniently, this hollow portion aids the positioning and securing ol the spectacles within the holder device. Conveniently, the hollow portion in conjunction with the gap between the two side supports, allows ease of removal of stored spectacles by insertion of the user's fingers into the non-clasp end of the holder and movement up through the hollow, thereby dislodging the spectacles. In alternative embodiments, the general cylindrical tube-like structure of the spectacle holder is substituted for a rectangular tube-like structure or a combination of cylindrical and rectangular cylindrical elements. In general, the clasp and side supports form an incomplete tube-like arrangement enabling a pair of spectacles to be safely held by the device such that the folded spectacle arms are secured centrally within the tube-like structure , the spectacle body rests int ch interior hollow portion; the gap between the complementary side support, and in at least one embodiment, the gap in the clasp structure, allowing ease of insertion and removal of the spectacles from the holder.

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A spectacle holder for containment of a pair of spectacles, the holder being attachable to any convenient surface, wherein the holder comprises: (a) a body having a substantially flat surface for attachment of the holder to the convenient surface; (b) an upper (as viewed in use) clasp adapted to encircle or partially encircle one arm of a pair of spectacles; and (c) at least one lower (as viewed in use) side support adapted to maintain the abovementioned arm in position, wherein the pair of spectacles may be contained by means of insertion of the abovementioned arm through the clasp and through the support or supports and removed as required. 2. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially flat surface is rectangular in surface area, and forms the back portion of the spectacle holder. 3. A holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper clasp is a cylindrical tube-like portion, or partial cylindrical tube-like portion, which is located at one end of the spectacle holder. 4. A holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the clasp is a partial cylindrical tube-like portion enabling ease of insertion and removal of the spectacles from the holder. 5. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 4, wherein the clasp, when the spectacle holder is in use, is located between the spectacle body and one arm of the pair of spectacles. 6. A holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein in use the spectacle body and the spectacle arm form a pincer arrangement which assists in securing the spectacles in the spectacle holder. 7. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. wherein the clasp is adapted so as to join at least one side support located at the non-clasp end of the spectacle holder. 8. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 7, wherein two arc-like side supports point towards each other to form an incomplete cylindrical structure in line with the clasp. 9. A holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clasp is adapted to join the two arc-like side supports such that a hollow portion is left between the clasp and the side supports. 10. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the two side supports assist in securing the spectacles within the holder by limiting movement of the spectacles within the holder. 11. A holder as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gap between the two side supports opens into the s aid hollow portion, which hollow portion is located centrally on the upper side (as viewed in use) of the spectacle holder. 12. A holder as claimed in claim 9 or claim 11, wherein the hollow portion aids the positioning and securing of the spectacles within the holder device. 13. A holder as claimed in claim 9, 11 or claim 12, wherein the hollow portion in conjunction with the gap between the two side supports, allows ease of removal of stored spectacles by insertion of the user's fingers into the non-clasp end of the holder and movement up through the hollow, thereby dislodging the spectacles. 14. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the general cylindrical tube like structure of the spectacle holder is substituted for a rectangular tube-like structure or a combination of cylindrical and rectangular cylindrical elements. 15. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clasp and side supports form an incomplete tube-like arrangement enabling a pair of spectacles to be safety held by the device such that the folded spectacle arms are secured centrally within the tube-like structure, the spectacle body rests in the interior hollow portion; the gap between the complementary side supports, and in at least one embodiment, the gap in the clasp structure, allowing case of insertion and removal of the spectacles from the holder.

Inventors: O'KEEFFE MICHAEL, O'KEEFFE, MICHAEL
Applicants: KEEFFE MICHAEL O, O'KEEFFE, MICHAEL
Application year: 1997
Main classification: F16M13
IPC codes: A47G29, B60R7, F16M13