Abstract:
The eyeglass caddy or carrying device disclosed herein is designed as a rigid, substantially tubular apparatus which engages the frames of a pair of eyeglasses to house and protect the eyewear. The eyeglasses are held in place by frictional contact with the case and gravitational forces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     This disclosure relates to the field of rigid, portable devices for the carrying and protecting of eyewear, such as sunglasses, eyeglasses, eye shields and equivalents, as well as small electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones, sound devices and equivalents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Disclosed herein is a carrying device for small devices having a frame and a lens. The carrying device comprises a rigid rear portion, wherein the rear portion comprises a lanyard attachment portion. The device further comprises a rigid right side portion extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion, wherein the right side portion is operatively configured to engage a frame portion of a pair of the small device, a rigid right front portion extending substantially orthogonal to the right side portion and substantially parallel to the rear portion, and a left side portion extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion and substantially parallel to the right side portion. In one form, the left side portion is operatively configured to engage a frame portion of the small device. A left front portion is also disclosed, extending substantially orthogonal to the left side portion and substantially parallel to the rear portion. One portion of the apparatus may include a bottom retainer extending substantially orthogonal to the rear portion laterally positioned between the right side portion and the rear side portion. In general, the carrying device is operatively configured to engage the frame of the small device, and not contact the lens of the devices. The carrying device may be specifically configured to carry eyewear, such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, or equivalents. 
     In one form, the carrying device is arranged wherein the surfaces of the carrying device comprise a scratch-resistant material and are operatively configured to engage the eyeglasses or other small device. 
     The apparatus may be produced using a method comprising the steps of providing a substantially planar panel, heating the panel and folding it to form the particular components disclosed. 
     The method described above may also include the step of providing a scratch-resistant material on the surfaces of the carrying device, which is operatively configured to directly engage (contact) the small device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While many prior art devices capable of carrying and/or protecting eyewear and small electronic devices are found on the market, a device that allows a user to protect such equipment quickly, readily insert and remove said equipment from said rigid case and avoid contacting the lens of the equipment has not been found. 
     Looking to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the carrying device  20  is shown. Before beginning a detailed description, an axis system  10  is shown, comprising a vertical or longitudinal axis  12 , a lateral axis  14 , and in  FIG. 2 , a transverse axis  16 . This axis system is intended to be descriptive of particular orientations and is not intended to be limiting. For ease of understanding, the description henceforth will describe a particular arrangement of the carrying device  20  used to carry eyewear  36 , although one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to understand that the same device can be used to carry other devices having a frame (body) and a lens which may take the form of an electronic display screen often found on the front of mobile phones, or on the back of small point and shoot style cameras. 
     The carrying device  20  is generally comprised of a single piece of material, such as a flat panel of plastic, although a tubular embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , could be extruded, cast, or molded. Returning to  FIG. 1 , the carrying device  20  is defined by a top  22  and a bottom  24 , which is vertically opposite the top  22 . Additionally, a right side  26  and left side  28  are defined for ease of description and are not intended as limiting orientations. The carrying device  20  comprises a rear portion  30 , which in operation would generally engage the earpiece portion  32  of the frame  34  of the eyewear  36 . As can be seen, the upper edge  38  of the carrying device  20  is open to allow vertical insertion of the eyewear  6  in direction  40 . Removal of the eyewear  36  is accomplished in the opposing direction. The carrying device  20  also comprises a right fold or bend  42  connecting the rear portion  30  to a right front portion  44 . Similarly, a left fold or bend  46  connects the rear portion  30  to a left front portion  48 . In one form, the enclosure defined by the rear portion  30 , right front portion  44 , and left front portion  48  tapers from a widest portion near the top  22  to a narrower portion near the bottom  24  so as to frictionally engage the eyewear  36  when inserted. Of particular interest, when inserted, the eyewear  36  contacts the carrying device  20  at the frame portion  34 , such that the lens portions  50  will not come in contact with any portion of the carrying device  20 . 
     To further maintain the eyewear  36  within the carrying device  20 , a bottom retainer  52  is disclosed, which may be formed initially as a portion of the rear portion  30  and then bent along the fold or bend  54 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Furthermore, a gap may be provided between the bottom retainer  52  and all surfaces of both of the left side portion  28  and the right side portion  26  such that each of the left side portion  28 , right side portion  26 , and the bottom retainer  52  are separately attached to the rigid rear portion as clearly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the left side  28  comprises an inward edge  54  that is substantially parallel to an inward edge  56  of the right side  26  with a gap there between. This embodiment provides excellent protection of the eyewear  36  and a visually pleasing design. 
     Looking to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment is shown wherein similar components utilize the same numbering system with a 1 prefix. For example, the rear portion of  FIG. 1  is designated  30  whereas the rear portion of  FIG. 5  is designated  130 . Thus, it can be seen how the edge  156  of the right front portion  144  is substantially linear and substantially parallel to the edge  154  of the left front portion  148 . This embodiment operates in the same way with a unique edge design. 
     Looking to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment is shown wherein similar components utilize the same numbering system as previously utilized with a 2 prefix. In this embodiment, the rear portion  230 , right front portion  244 , and left front portion  248  are seamless in that the previously described edges  54  and  56  are not present. Obviously, this embodiment would not normally be made of a flat portion of material bent into the shapes previously described in reference to FIGS.  1 - 5 ; instead, this embodiment may be extruded or otherwise produced from a tubular portion of material. 
     In use, the carrying device  20  may be carried in a user&#39;s pockets, such as a shirt pocket, or may be affixed to a user&#39;s clothing. Additionally, a lanyard attachment portion or eyelet  56  may be utilized, which may attach to a piece of string, rope, or other lanyard that would generally be affixed around a user&#39;s neck for easy carrying of the apparatus. In this way, the edge  38  would always be in a vertically uppermost position, such that the eyewear  36  would not fall out as may tend to happen if the carrying device  20  were inverted while the eyewear  36  was placed therein. Additionally, as the interior portion of the carrying device  20  may be tapered as previously described, there may be a slight frictional engagement to further maintain the eyewear  36  in place within the carrying device  20 . In other forms, a pocket clip, magnet pair, or a similar connecting device could be utilized to attach the carrying device  20  to a user&#39;s clothing, pocket, belt or equivalent. 
     In one form, a deformable cushion portion  58  may be utilized to further retain the eyewear  36  within the carrying device  20 . This cushion  58  may be comprised of a small volume of foam rubber or similar material which would deform inward as the eyewear is pressed past it, and reform back to its extended shape to from a barrier to accidental removal of the eyewear  36  from the carrying device  20 . 
     While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.