Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6547388?oq=inventor%3A%22Arthur+R.+Hair%22
Timestamp: 2018-04-22 13:18:48
Document Index: 491498784

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 13', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'art.\n22', 'art\n31']

US6547388B1 - Enclosed releasable and adjustable eyeglass restraining and securing device and method - Google Patents
Enclosed releasable and adjustable eyeglass restraining and securing device and method Download PDF
US6547388B1
US6547388B1 US10096793 US9679302A US6547388B1 US 6547388 B1 US6547388 B1 US 6547388B1 US 10096793 US10096793 US 10096793 US 9679302 A US9679302 A US 9679302A US 6547388 B1 US6547388 B1 US 6547388B1
US10096793
A device for restraining eyeglasses around neck and for securing eyeglasses to head includes an arrangement configured to retract a strap part into a hollow portion of a temple leg. The strap coils around itself or retracts by another arrangement. The retracting arrangement is controlled by a button or slide to retract the strap and to stop retracting the strap. Two independently retractable strap parts are provided, each connecting to a different temple leg of eyeglasses or sunglasses. The two independently retractable strap parts are connectable to each other in a rearward section of the strap parts.
The present invention relates to a device for restraining eyeglasses around the neck and securing eyeglasses to the head.
The problem of lost or misplaced eyeglasses or sunglasses is familiar to anyone who has worn any type of eyewear. Restraining straps are a common solution to the problem and exist in several different variations. The most common examples of a retention strap is a string, strap, or chain affixed to the frontward portion of the temple legs. This type of strap is useful in that the user can remove the eyewear from the head, lower the eyewear in front of the face, and rest the eyewear on the chest. The strap in this example loops over the neck and holds the glasses around the neck. Variations of this traditional strap include adjustable length straps. A variable length strap can be used to position the eyewear when not in use to be higher or lower on the chest, including close around the neck. Additionally, when used with a strap appropriate for use against the head, a variable length restraining strap can be used to secure eyewear on the head while the user is wearing the glasses. Length adjustment devices in use for variable length restraining straps include a hook-and-loop fastener to fasten the pieces together either directly from two strap parts or where one or both ends of the strap route around a pin and double back on itself or themselves. Several other devices are in use for adjusting the restraining strap length, including buckles and a notched strap, a loop of strap pulled through a constricting device, and both ends of the strap pulled through a constricting device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a restraining strap system for eyewear that addresses the problems noted above, while providing an easy to use and aesthetically pleasing eyewear accessory. According to one example embodiment of the present invention, the device for restraining eyeglasses includes two temple legs, each of the temple legs connecting to an end piece of a central frame member; a strap that connects to both temple legs and is able to be separated into two strap parts; an arrangement for adjusting the length of a strap part or the lengths of both strap parts; and a connector for the two rearward ends of the strap parts. Alternative embodiments provide various connection arrangements for the strap parts, various length adjustment arrangements, and additional accessories including stop mechanisms and hold/release mechanisms.
FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a set of eyeglasses with a restraining strap according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a set of eyewear with two temple legs 11 connected at a frontward side to the end pieces of a central frame member 12. Temple legs 11 each include a length adjustor 14 for adjusting a length of a strap part 13. Each strap part 13 is connected to the length adjustor 14 and extends rearwardly from the length adjustor 14. Each strap part 13 is equipped with a connector 15 on the rearmost part of each strap part 13 for connecting to the other strap part 13. Length adjustor 14 may be completely enclosed within temple leg 11, and a portion of strap part 13 may be enclosed within temple leg 11. Alternatively, length adjustors 14 may be mounted on both ends of central frame member 12 and may be completely enclosed within central frame member 12.
FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of the present invention, and specifically, an example embodiment of the switch configured to activate and deactivate the hold/release mechanism. FIG. 3 illustrates the inward side temple leg 31 connecting to central frame member 32. Also illustrated on the inward side of temple leg 31 is slide 34 in slide channel 33. Slide 34 activates and deactivates the hold/release mechanism for a strap part. Sliding slide 34 to the top of slide channel 31 locks the hold/release mechanism so that the strap part is not retracted automatically by the length adjustor. Similarly, sliding slide 34 to the bottom of slide channel 31 releases the hold/release mechanism so that the strap part is retracted automatically by the length adjustor. Alternatively, the positions of the lock and release positions for slide 34 in slide channel 31 may be reversed. Slide 34 may be equipped with an automatic return mechanism that provides that, absent pressure from a user, slide 34 returns to a position in which hold/release mechanism is locked, and therefore the strap part length is set. Application of pressure to slide 34 may release the hold/release mechanism and thereby induce increasing tension into the strap part as increasing pressure was applied to slide 34. Alternatively, slide 34 may remain in any position along slide channel 31 after being placed there, and therefore slide 34 may be positioned to cause the hold/release mechanism to be locked, creating no tensile force in the strap part, or slide 34 may be positioned to cause the hold/release mechanism to be released, creating a degree of tension proportional to the position of slide 34 in slide channel 31 up to a maximum tensile force. As noted above, slide 34 may also provide three modes of operation. First, slide 34 may have a position for retracting the strap part. Second, slide 34 may have a position for holding the strap part in the set position. Third, slide 34 may have a position for extending the strap part. These three positions may be fully selectable by the operator, or may have a default position controlled by a spring (e.g. may return to “hold” position absent an input from the operator).
1. A device for restraining eyeglasses, the eyeglasses having a central frame member, comprising:
a first rigid temple leg connectable to a first end of the central frame member;
a second rigid temple leg connectable to a second end of the central frame member;
a first strap part having a forward end connected to the first temple leg;
a second strap part having a forward end connected to the second temple leg;
an adjustment device configured to adjust a length of at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part; and
a connection device configured to releasably connect a rearward end of the first strap part and a rearward end of the second strap part;
wherein the adjustment device is contained within at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part is at least partially formed from elastic material.
at least one coil arrangement including a central spool and at least one spring, wherein at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part is configured to wind around the central spool, the at least one coil arrangement being driven by the at least one spring.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one coil arrangement includes a first coil arrangement and a second coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the first temple leg and being configured to wind the first strap part, the second coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the second temple leg and being configured to wind the second strap part.
a first coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned within a hollow portion of the first temple leg, the first coil arrangement being configured to wind the first strap part, the first strap part extending through the hollow portion of the first temple leg between the first coil arrangement and the rearward portion of the first temple leg; and
a second coil arrangement, the second coil arrangement being positioned within a hollow portion of the second temple leg, the second coil arrangement being configured to wind the second strap part, the second strap part extending through the hollow portion of the second temple leg between the second coil arrangement and the rearward portion of the second temple leg.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection device includes at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a clip mechanism, a magnetic connector, a buckle, a slide connector, a clasp mechanism, and a tongue-and-groove connector.
a first temple leg connectable to a first end of the central frame member;
a second temple leg connectable to a second end of the central frame member;
wherein the adjustment device is contained within at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg;
wherein at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part extends through a hollow portion of at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg between the adjustment device and a rearward portion of at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg;
wherein the adjustment device includes a first coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned within a hollow portion of the first temple leg, the first coil arrangement being configured to wind the first strap part, the first strap part extending through the hollow portion of the first temple leg between the first coil arrangement and the rearward portion of the first temple leg;
wherein the adjustment device includes a second coil arrangement, the second coil arrangement being positioned within a hollow portion of the second temple leg, the second coil arrangement being configured to wind the second strap part, the second strap part extending through the hollow portion of the second temple leg between the second coil arrangement and the rearward portion of the second temple leg;
wherein the first coil arrangement includes a first hold/release mechanism configured to activate and deactivate the first coil arrangement; and
wherein the second coil arrangement includes a second hold/release mechanism configured to activate and deactivate the second coil arrangement.
the first hold/release mechanism is positioned on a frontward side of the first temple leg; and
the second hold/release mechanism is positioned on a frontward side of the second temple leg.
the first hold/release mechanism includes at least one of a push button device and a slide-lock mechanism; and
the second hold/release mechanism includes at least one of a push button device and a slide-lock mechanism.
14. A device for restraining eyeglasses, the eyeglasses including a first rigid temple leg, a second rigid temple leg, and a central frame member, comprising:
a first strap part having a forward end connectable to at least one of the central frame member and the first temple leg;
a second strap part having a forward end connectable to at least one of the central frame member and the second temple leg;
a connection device configured to releasably connect a rearward end of the first strap part and a rearward end of the second strap part,
wherein the adjustment device is contained within at least one of the first temple leg, the second temple leg, and the central frame member.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part is at least partially formed from elastic material.
18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one coil arrangement includes a first coil arrangement and a second coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the first temple leg and being configured to wind the first strap part, the second coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the second temple leg and being configured to wind the second strap part.
22. The device according to claim 14, wherein the connection device includes at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a clip mechanism, a magnetic connector, a buckle, a slide connector, a clasp mechanism, and a tongue-and-groove connector.
a first coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned within the hollow portion of the first end of the central frame member, the first coil arrangement being configured to wind the first strap part, the first strap part extending through the hollow portion of the first end of the central frame member; and
a second coil arrangement, the second coil arrangement being positioned within the hollow portion of the second end of the central frame member, the second coil arrangement being configured to wind the second strap part, the second strap part extending through the hollow portion of the second end of the central frame member.
27. A device for restraining eyeglasses, the eyeglasses including a first temple leg, a second temple leg, and a central frame member, comprising:
wherein the adjustment device is contained within at least one of the first temple leg, the second temple leg, and the central frame member;
30. An eyeglass frame, comprising:
a central frame member;
a first rigid temple leg connected to a first end of the central frame member;
a second rigid temple leg connected to a second end of the central frame member;
a connection device configured to releasably connect a rearward end of the first strap part and a rearward end of the second strap part
31. The frame according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part is at least partially formed from elastic material.
36. The frame according to claim 35, wherein the at least one coil arrangement includes a first coil arrangement and a second coil arrangement, the first coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the first temple leg and being configured to wind the first strap part, the second coil arrangement being positioned on a forward portion of the second temple leg and being configured to wind the second strap part.
the adjustment device is contained within at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg; and
at least one of the first strap part and the second strap part extends through a hollow portion of at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg between the adjustment device and a rearward portion of at least one of the first temple leg and the second temple leg.
38. The frame according to claim 37, wherein the adjustment device includes:
39. The frame according to claim 30, wherein the connection device includes a third strap part, a first end of the third strap part being connectable to the rearward end of the first strap part, and a second end of the third strap part being connectable to the rearward end of the second strap part.
a first temple leg connected to a first end of the central frame member;
a second temple leg connected to a second end of the central frame member;
43. The frame according to claim 42, wherein:
44. The frame according to claim 43, wherein:
45. The frame according to claim 43, wherein the connection device includes at least one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a clip mechanism, a magnetic connector, a buckle, a slide connector, a clasp mechanism, and a tongue-and-groove connector.
US10096793 2002-03-13 2002-03-13 Enclosed releasable and adjustable eyeglass restraining and securing device and method Expired - Fee Related US6547388B1 (en)
US10096793 US6547388B1 (en) 2002-03-13 2002-03-13 Enclosed releasable and adjustable eyeglass restraining and securing device and method
US6547388B1 true US6547388B1 (en) 2003-04-15
ID=22259099
US10096793 Expired - Fee Related US6547388B1 (en) 2002-03-13 2002-03-13 Enclosed releasable and adjustable eyeglass restraining and securing device and method
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