Abstract:
An eyeglass frame including a center portion configured to hold two lenses, a temple member connected to the center portion with a hinge, and a tab connected to the temple member configured to fit underneath the lip of a bottle cap and remove the bottle cap.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/126,253, filed on Feb. 27, 2015 by inventor Mark Schomann, entitled “Handy Shades.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to wearable bottle openers, and more specifically to eyeglass frames with a built-in bottle opener. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bottle openers were developed to open a variety of bottles, including those with caps that are crimped to seal in the contents, whether it be beer, soda, or other liquids. Openers are available in many different designs, including hand held, wall mounted, vending machine mounted, as well as other styles. 
         [0004]    Hand held bottle openers are useful because they may be carried by a person and used when the need arises, like at a party or outdoors. However, hand held bottle openers may be inconvenient because they can be bulky or otherwise difficult to carry, especially when a user lacks pockets, and the user must remember to carry one with them. Many people carrying sunglasses with them, for example, to parties or other outdoor events with bottles, and may have trouble finding a place to carry both sunglasses and a hand held bottle opener. Wearable bottle openers have been developed to address these inconveniences. Different types and styles of wearable bottle openers exist, including a few bottle openers that are incorporated into belt buckles, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,185,772 and 7,237,292, and bottle openers that are incorporated into footwear, including U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,349. 
         [0005]    Belt buckle bottle openers may be difficult to use, as they twist, or rotate the belt, with the opener detail being positioned at belt level, and they are generally conspicuous, which may be undesirable to a user. Bottle openers incorporated into footwear require a user to remove the footwear in order to use and may expose a bottle to the underside of the footwear. This may be inconvenient and unsanitary. Accordingly, there is a need for a wearable bottle opener that is inconspicuous and easy to use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A pair of sunglasses with a built-in bottle opener that is inconspicuous and easy to use. The bottle opener may be incorporated into one or more temples of the sunglasses. According to certain embodiments, the bottle opener includes a tab that may retract into a temple of the sunglasses such that it may be substantially hidden. According to certain embodiments, the sunglasses include a brace that extends from the back of the frame of the sunglasses at the point of attachment between the frame and the temple. A bottle cap may be removed from a bottle by folding the temple toward the frame in a conventional sunglass storage configuration, positioning the tab underneath the bottle cap, resting the top of the bottle cap against the brace, and applying a prying force. 
         [0007]    According to certain embodiments, an eyeglass frame including a center portion configured to hold two lenses, a temple member connected to the center portion with a hinge, and a tab connected to the temple member configured to fit underneath the lip of a bottle cap and remove the bottle cap. 
         [0008]    In any of the embodiments, the tab may include a protruding portion protruding from a side of the temple member, the protruding portion including an extension that extends toward an end of the temple member connected to the center portion such that a gap is formed between the extension and the side of the temple member. 
         [0009]    In any of the embodiments, the tab may be rigidly connected to the temple member. In any of the embodiments, the tab may be connected to the temple member by the hinge and is configured to extend through the temple member when in use. 
         [0010]    In any of the embodiments, the center portion may include a brace extending from the back of the center portion and configured to contact the top of the bottle cap while the tab fits underneath the lip of the bottle cap. 
         [0011]    In any of the embodiments, the center portion and the temple member may be formed of plastic and the tab and the brace may be formed of metal. 
         [0012]    In any of the embodiments, an eyeglass frame may further include a brace connected to the temple member, the brace configured to contact the top of the bottle cap while the tab fits underneath the lip of the bottle cap. 
         [0013]    In any of the embodiments, the temple member may include a slot into which the tab recesses when not in use. In any of the embodiments, the temple member may include a spring configured to retract the tab into the recess when not in use. In any of the embodiments, the tab may include a spring configured to retract the tab into the recess when not in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a first side view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a second side view according to certain embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view showing the bottle opener extended according to certain embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the bottle opener retracted according to certain embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view showing a temple folded according to certain embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a front view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a rear view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a first side view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a second side view according to certain embodiments; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a top view showing the bottle opener fixed to a temple according to certain embodiments; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view showing a temple folded according to certain embodiments; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    In the following description of the disclosure and embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments and examples can be practiced and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0032]    In addition, it is also to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used in the following description are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It is further to be understood that the terms “includes, “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or units, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0033]    Embodiments of eyeglasses with bottle opening features integrated into the frame are described herein. According to certain embodiments, the bottle opening features may be inconspicuously integrated into the frame, and the bottle opening functionality of the sunglasses may be easy to use. The described embodiments allow a user to always have a bottle opener handy whenever they have their eyeglasses. A user does not have to carry around a bulky bottle opener and does not have to worry about remembering to carry a bottle opener. 
         [0034]    Although reference is made to eyeglasses, it is to be understood that the term eyeglasses is used for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Embodiments may include sunglasses, prescription glasses to correct for vision, reading glasses, ski goggles, safety glasses or goggles, stylistic eyeglasses, and other types of eyewear. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1-9  illustrate embodiments of eyeglasses with integrated bottle openers that include retractable tabs. According to certain embodiments, eyeglasses  100  may include frame  102 , first temple  106 , second temple  108 , tab  110 , brace  112 , and hinges  114 .  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of an embodiment of eyeglasses  100  illustrating eyeglasses  100  in the bottle opening mode. Temple  106  is folded inwardly against frame  102 . Tab  110  is extended outwardly from temple  106 . A user positions tab  110  underneath the lip of a bottle cap with the top of the bottle cap resting against brace  112 . With respect to the view illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a clockwise motion of eyeglasses  100  pries the bottle cap off of the bottle. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments, frame  102  includes lenses  104 . Lenses  104  may be prescription lenses, shaded lenses, lenses with UV protection, any combination of these, or any other type of lenses. Lenses  104  may be removable or may be permanently affixed in frame  102 . Attached to frame  102  are temples  106  and  108  that extend in a rearward direction from the back of frame  102  to rest on top of a wearer&#39;s ears in the manner of conventional eyeglasses. Temples  106  and  108  are attached to frame  102  with hinge  114  and hinge  116  (as shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 ) that enable hinges  106  and  108  to be folded against frame  102  when not worn by a user. 
         [0037]    As described above, tab  110  and brace  112  may be the components of eyeglasses  100  that apply the prying force to a bottle cap during opening of a bottle. According to certain embodiments, tab  110  and brace  112  are built into one side of eyeglasses  100 . According to other embodiments, one or both of tab  110  and brace  112  are built into both side of eyeglasses  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , brace  112  is affixed to the back of frame  102  on the right side of frame  102 . According to certain embodiments, brace  112  is affixed to both the left and right side of frame  102  for a uniform look even where tab  110  is included only on one side. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , brace  112  is affixed to both the left and right sides of frame  102 . Brace  112  projects in a rearward direction from the back of frame  112 . According to certain embodiments, frame  112  includes a portion that projects from the back of frame  102 , and brace  112  is affixed to this projection. For example, brace  112  may be configured as a sleeve to slide over the projection. According to certain embodiments, brace  112  is rigidly affixed to frame  102 . For example, brace  112  may be screwed into frame  102 , glued to frame  102 , sintered onto frame  102 , or welded onto frame  102 . Brace  112  may be configured to provide a smooth transition from frame  102  to temple  106  such that the outside, inside, top and bottom surfaces of frame  102 , brace  112 , and temple  106  are substantially continuous (i.e., there are no steps, gaps, or other discontinuities at the joints) when temple  106  is folded outwardly in the wearing position. 
         [0038]    Temple  106  and tab  110  are attached to frame  102  with hinge  116 . Temple  106  and tab  110  may rotate about hinge  116  independently of each other. Temple  106  includes a cutout in the end that attaches to hinge  116 . The cutout accommodates tab  110 , allowing tab  110  to extend and retract through the cutout. The cutout may be a notch or hole. By notch, it is meant that the cutout has three sides with the fourth side being the end of temple  106 . By hole, it is meant a cutout whose perimeter is formed of temple  106 . For example, the hole may be substantially rectangular with each side of the rectangle comprising temple  106 . According to certain embodiments, the cutout in temple  106  is large enough to provide clearance between tab  110  and the cutout. 
         [0039]    Tab  110  moves through the cutout in temple  106 . Tab  110  may have a rectangular cross section that is sized for a certain predetermined clearance between tab  110  and the cutout in temple  106 . According to certain embodiments, the size of the cross section may be constant throughout the portion of tab  110  that is configured to move through the cutout in temple  106 .  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate embodiments with tab  110  fully rotated outwardly from frame  102  through the cutout in temple  106 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate tab  110  fully rotated inwardly toward frame  102 .  FIG. 8  illustrates that tab  110  may be rotated inwardly toward frame  102  such that tab  110  is retracted into temple  106 . According to certain embodiments, the cutout in temple  106  is sized such that when tab  110  is retracted into temple  106 , the cutout is filled in by the end of tab  110 . For example, the end of tab  110  may have a rectangular shape that matches the shape of the cutout in temple  106  with a certain amount of clearance. This could enable tab  110  to be inconspicuous or substantially hidden when retracted. In certain embodiments, the end of tab  110  is flush with the outer side of temple  106  when tab  110  is retracted into temple  106 , also enabling tab  110  to be inconspicuous or substantially hidden when retracted. According to certain embodiments, the cutout in temple  106  is a hole and the side of the hole nearest the hinge attachment point serves as a stop for tab  110 . This help to limit the travel of tab  110  so that it does not extend from temple  106  beyond the point necessary to engage with a bottle cap. 
         [0040]    According to certain embodiments, the profile of the side surface of tab  110  opposite the side that engages a bottle cap is shaped such that a predetermined clearance is maintained between the corresponding cutout wall in temple  106  and that side of tab  110 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 6 , the side surface of tab  110  that faces in a rearward direction (away from the front of eyeglasses  100 ) has a curved configuration that may be designed to maintain a constant clearance with the corresponding wall of the cutout in temple  106 . 
         [0041]    According to certain embodiments, eyeglasses  100  are configured such that when tab  110  is fully rotated inwardly, the end of tab  110  furthest from the hinge attachment point is flush with the outer side surface of temple  106  when temple  106  is in its extended position (e.g., when worn by a wearer). According to certain embodiments, eyeglasses  100  are configured so that when temple  106  is fully folded into frame  102 , tab  110  is full extended from temple  106 . According to certain embodiments, when temple  106  is fully folded into frame  102  and tab  110  is fully rotated inwardly toward frame  102 , tab  110  is fully extended from temple  106 . 
         [0042]    Tab  110  is configured to extend from temple  106  such that the lip of a bottle cap (the portion extending outward from the bottle) may fit between tab  110  and the side of temple  106 . According to certain embodiments, when tab  110  is engaged with a bottle cap prior to prying the bottle cap from a bottle, a clearance is maintained between the top corner of the bottle cap and the temple  106 . While in certain other embodiments, the top corner of the bottle cap and temple  106  come into contact. 
         [0043]    According to certain embodiments, hinge  116  is rigidly attached to the rear of frame  102 . According to certain embodiments, hinge  116  is rigidly attached to a portion of frame  102  that projects in a rearward direction. According to certain embodiments, hinge  116  is rigidly attached to brace  112 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a front view of eyeglasses  102 , according to one embodiment, showing tab  110  rotated outwardly from frame  102  and extended past temple  106 .  FIG. 3  is a rear view of this same configuration.  FIG. 4  is a right side view of this embodiment showing tab  110 .  FIG. 5  is a left side view of this embodiment showing no tab  110 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are bottom and top views, respectively, of one embodiment in which tab  110  is on the left side of eyeglasses  100 . In these views, tab  110  is rotated outwardly from frame  102 , extending beyond temple  106 .  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of one embodiment in which tab  110  is on the left side of eyeglasses  100  and the eyeglasses are in the bottle opening mode. In this view, tab  110  is fully rotated inwardly toward frame  102  and temple  106  is folded toward frame  102 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 10-17  illustrate embodiments of eyeglasses with integrated bottle openers that are fixed to the temple. According to certain embodiments, eyeglasses  1000  may include frame  1002 , first temple  1006 , second temple  1008 , tab  1010 , brace  1012 , and hinge  1014 .  FIG. 17  is a bottom view of an embodiment of eyeglasses  1000  illustrating eyeglasses  1000  in the bottle opening mode. Temple  1006  is folded inwardly against frame  1002 . Tab  1010  is projects outwardly from temple  1006 . A user positions tab  1010  underneath the lip of a bottle cap with the top of the bottle cap resting against brace  1012 . With respect to the view illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a clockwise motion of eyeglasses  1000  pries the bottle cap off of the bottle. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , according to certain embodiments, frame  1002  includes lenses  1004 . Lenses  1004  may be prescription lenses, shaded lenses, lenses with UV protection, any combination of these, or any other type of lenses. Lenses  1004  may be removable or may be permanently affixed in frame  1002 . Attached to frame  1002  are temples  1006  and  1008  that extend in a rearward direction from the back of frame  1002  to rest on top of a wearer&#39;s ears in the manner of conventional eyeglasses. Temples  1006  and  1008  are attached to frame  1002  with hinge  1014  and hinge  1016  (shown in  FIGS. 15-17 ) that enable hinges  1006  and  1008  to be folded toward frame  1002  when not worn by a user. 
         [0048]    As described above, tab  1010  and brace  1012  may be the components of eyeglasses  1000  that apply the prying force to a bottle cap during opening of a bottle. According to certain embodiments, tab  1010  and brace  1012  are built into one side of eyeglasses  1000 . According to other embodiments, one or both of tab  1010  and brace  1012  are built into both side of eyeglasses  100 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , brace  1012  is affixed to the back of frame  1002  on the right side of frame  1002 . According to certain embodiments, brace  1012  is affixed to both the left and right side of frame  1002  for a uniform look even where tab  1010  is included only on one side. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 10-17 , brace  1012  is affixed to both the left and right sides of frame  1002 . Brace  1012  projects in a rearward direction from the back of frame  1012 . According to certain embodiments, frame  1012  includes a portion that projects from the back of frame  1002 , and brace  1012  is affixed to this projecting portion. For example, brace  1012  may be configured as a sleeve to slide over the projecting portion. According to certain embodiments, brace  1012  is rigidly affixed to frame  1002 . For example, brace  1012  may be screwed into frame  1002 , glued to frame  1002 , sintered onto frame  1002 , or welded onto frame  1002 . Brace  112  may be configured to provide a smooth transition from frame  1002  to temple  1006  such that the outside, inside, top and bottom surfaces of frame  1002 , brace  1012 , and temple  1006  are substantially continuous (i.e., there are no substantial steps, gaps, or other discontinuities at the mating joints) when temple  1006  is folded outwardly in the wearing position. 
         [0049]    Temple  1006  is attached to frame  1002  with hinge  1016 . Hinge  1016  may be affixed directly to frame  1002  or it may be affixed to brace  1012 . Tab  1010  is rigidly attached to temple  1006 . According to certain embodiments, tab  1010  is a separate piece from temple  1006  and is rigidly attached to temple  1006 , for example, by gluing, sintering, pinning, welding, or screwing. According to certain embodiments, tab  1010  is pinned or otherwise attached to temple  1006  such that tab  1010  may rotate relative to temple  1006 . 
         [0050]    Tab  1010  is configured to extend from temple  1006  such that the lip of a bottle cap (the portion extending outwardly from the bottle) may fit between tab  1010  and the side of temple  1006 . According to certain embodiments, when tab  1010  is engaged with a bottle cap prior to prying the bottle cap from a bottle, a clearance is maintained between the top corner of the bottle cap and the temple  1006 , whereas in certain other embodiments, the top corner of the bottle cap and temple  1006  come into contact. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is a front view of eyeglasses  102 , according to one embodiment, showing tab  1010  extending beyond the side of temple  106 .  FIG. 12  is a rear view of this same configuration.  FIG. 13  is a right side view of this embodiment showing tab  1010 .  FIG. 14  is a left side view of this embodiment showing no tab  1010 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are bottom and top views, respectively, of one embodiment in which tab  1010  is on the left side of eyeglasses  1000 .  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of one embodiment, in which tab  110  is on the left side of eyeglasses  1000 , showing eyeglasses  1000  in the bottle opening mode. In this view, temple  1006  is folded toward frame  1002 . 
         [0053]    Described herein are embodiments of eyeglasses with bottle opening features integrated into the frame. According to certain embodiments, the bottle opening features may be inconspicuously integrated into the frame and the bottle opening functionality of the eyeglasses may be easy to use. The described embodiments allow a user to always have a bottle opener handy whenever they have their eyeglasses. 
         [0054]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0055]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0056]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.