Abstract:
A collapsible holder for protecting an article or articles contained therein, and in particular sunglasses, wherein at least four relatively rigid members are pivotally connected together, a separable closure and side pivoting tabs are provided so that the at least four relatively rigid members may be formed into a rigid rectangular shape, with one side arc-ed for extra support and more efficient use of space, for holding the sunglasses when not in use and folded into a compact relationship with the four relatively rigid members in a superimposed parallel relationship when the sunglasses are in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/634,979, filed Mar. 9, 2012. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to protective cases, in particular to a collapsible holder for protecting articles contained therein while being used as a holder and the retention thereof when not being used as a holder. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     There are many instances where a holder is made available for use in protecting an article of articles contained therein but raises a question as to its retention when the article or articles are removed therefrom. Eyeglasses are worn constantly on the face, yet sunglasses—because they are in constant transition and are more transitory in use, pose a greater risk for breakage during transport, and thus, present a bulky storage problem when the sunglasses are in use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,788 presents a partial solution with a collapsible case, yet its design does not efficiently address common sunglasses shapes that are more curved in nature. Its triangular and rectangular shape thus poses a space problem for more curvy and larger sunglasses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a collapsible holder for a breakable device, such as eyeglasses and more particularly sunglasses that provides a rigid protective holder for the breakable device when the device is not in use and a compact readily storable product when the breakable device is in use. While the collapsible holder is described herein as providing protection for sunglasses, it is understood that the collapsible holder can be used for holding other breakable articles or any article that must be protected while not in use or being transported from one location to another location and which holder can then be folded into a compact readily storable product. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible holder for a breakable device, which for convenience sake will hereafter be referred to as sunglasses, comprises at least four relatively rigid members where two have a generally rectangular shape and the others a more half circle shape. Separable holding means are provided for holding the four main relatively rigid members in a spaced apart relationship when the four members have been pivoted to form an open ended rectangular shape in transverse cross section with the inner generally planar surfaces thereof in a facing relationship to form a cavity for containing the sunglasses when not in use. The end piece is longer than the rest and on its sides not joined to the other rigid members, are protruding tabs that fit into locating notches in the pivoting material hinges. This results in this relatively rigid member having a curved arc structure in the assembled case phase. Two side flaps connected to the second of the rectangular pieces pivot on similar hinges and fold over to overlap the longer arc piece. 
     In one embodiment of the inventions the four relatively rigid members, plus the two side rigid side tabs, are encased in two protective and continuous sheets where the members are adhered in between. Where there is space between the rigid members forms hinges that are of the two inner and outer sheets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan cross sectional view of an embodiment of a collapsible holder of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the assembly of an embodiment of a collapsible holder of the invention 
         FIG. 3  is a view in cross section of a collapsible holder. 
         FIG. 4  is a view in cross section of an embodiment of a collapsible holder in compact mode. 
         FIG. 5  is a view in isometric perspective of an embodiment of a collapsible holder in assembled mode. 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of one embodiment of how one rigid member locks into place. 
         FIG. 7  is a isometric view of an embodiment of a collapsible holder of the invention prior to final assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a collapsible holder in compact mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is a glasses case  10  used to hold and protect a pair of glasses of all types. One feature of the present case  10  is that it is selectively collapsible between a fully functional arrangement, as shown in  FIG. 5  wherein it can hold and protect a pair of glasses, and a collapsible arrangement, as shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein itself can be folded flat for easy storage. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , glasses case  10 , according to an embodiment of the invention includes a front panel  12 , a rear panel  14 , a top panel  16 , two side locking tabs  18   a ,  18   b , and two side locking slots  20   a ,  20   b  and a bottom panel  22 . Top panel  16  further includes a tab  24  and a slot  26 , while front panel  12  includes two side tabs  28   a , and  28   b , and a center tab  30 . Embedded or attached on the surface of front panel  12  are attaching mechanisms  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c  and  13   d . Applicant contemplates these mechanisms to be magnets, hook and loop fasteners, or mechanical snaps. They will attach to corresponding pieces on side tabs  18   a  and  18   b.    
     Each of the above-described panels, as described in greater detail below, is preferably made using a rigid or semi-rigid sheet material, such as ABS or polypropylene, cardboard, or even some sheet metals. According to this embodiment, the panels are cut to a predetermined shape and bonded between two opposing layers (a front layer  25 , and a rear layer  27 ) of an appropriate flexible and durable laminate material, such as vinyl plastic, polyurethane, leather, or microfiber. Since one layer is deemed the interior layer, contacting the glasses in assembled mode, this layer will be of a material that protects and does not scratch lenses. An exemplary panel arrangement is shown in  FIG. 1  (as dashed lines since they are located within front layer  25  and rear layer  27 ). The panels are spaced a consistent and predetermined distance from each other, thereby defining a hinge gap  28 . Hinge gap  28  allows front layer  25  and rear layer  27  to contact each other during the laminating process so that a flexible bond is created. As is well known in this art, this flexible characteristic can be used to create a “living” hinge so that two adjacent panels can easily flex about the adjoining hinge gap  28  located between them. Note that hinge gaps  28  are located throughout the arrangement between any two adjacent panels. Depending on the thickness of the semi-rigid material, the hinge gap will accommodate so that there is easy movement of the panels. Alternatively, the device may be made of a rigid plastic with “living hinges” of thinner material, allowing the device to be manufactured as a single extruded piece. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , to convert the glasses case  10  from the flat orientation and the assembled orientation, front panel  12  and rear panel  14  are pivoted so that they reside parallel to each other. The left side of front panel  12  is then curved rearwardly towards rear panel  14  so that side tab  28   a  can be inserted into side locking slot  20   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Side locking tab  18   a  is then pivoted forward. The interior rigid structure inside tab  18   a  could be metal, or a fastener attached or formed on the surface. If tab  18   a  is metal, and  13   a  and  13   b  are both magnets, then tab  18   a  easily adheres onto the magnets, keeping the tab pivoted inward and secure. If there are hook fasteners present on tab  18 ,  13   a  and  13   b  are the corresponding loop fasteners, thus also keeping the tabs secure onto front panel  12 . This step is repeated with the right side of front panel  12 , side tab  28   b , side locking slot  20   b , and side locking tab  18   b . Thus side tabs  18   a  and  18   b  can thus overlap front panel  12  and stay securely fastened. The front panel  12  is now forced to take on a curved shape. The resilient nature inherent in the front panel  12  (it wants to be straight and flat) helps hold the desired assembled structure, as shown in  FIG. 7  and defines a cavity located between the front and rear panels into which glasses may be inserted, held and protected. Top panel  16  is pivotally attached to rear panel  14  between an open and closed position. The open position exposes the cavity. The closed position covers the cavity. In closed position, top tab  24  overlaps hook/loop or magnet attachment  29  so that the top panel  16  stays closed. During closure tab  30  fits into notch  26  so that the top panel  16  does not collapse inward into the cavity. 
       FIG. 5  shows the fully assembled embodiment where the side flaps  18   a  and  18   b  are pivoted inward and overlapping front panel  12 . Top panel  16  overlaps the edges of front panel  12  and tab  30  protrudes through notch  26  to prevent movement. 
     During disassembly, pivoting side tabs  18   a  and  18   b  outwards releases tabs  28   a  and  28   b  shown in  FIG. 7 . Front panel  12  then resorts back to its original flat shape because of the semi rigid panel inside that basically acts as a spring. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  which are sectional views of the collapsible holder in unassembled phases, in  FIG. 3 , the front layer  25  and the rear layer  27  are seen to laminate and encase the semi rigid panels  24 ,  16 ,  14 ,  22 , and  12 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , all panels lie parallel to each other in a collapsed state. Hinge gap  28  must allow for neighboring panels to bend 180 degrees relative to each other. Top  24  adheres onto front panel  12  to keep case secure. 
     In  FIG. 8 , an isometric view of the collapsed state of  FIG. 4 , side tabs  18   a  and  18   b  adhere to Front panel  12  because of the fasteners existing to keep side tabs  18   a  and  18   b  attached to front panel  12  in assembled state. Since in one preferred embodiment, side panel  18   a  and  18   b  are made of a sheet metal material, they would attach securely to Front panel  12  in the case that  13   a - d  are magnets, to keep the case more strongly adhered in the compact state. Applicant contemplates using other fasteners in place of magnets, such as hook and loop fasteners or snaps.