Abstract:
A multi-cavity ease for holding items such as eyeglasses. The multi-cavity case includes a container that has a first housing member, a second housing member, and a central panel member. Each of the members is movably interconnected by a plurality of elongate connecting members that are alternately coupled to adjacent edges of each of the members of the container such that the container is manipulable between different positions. Each of the housing members has a cavity for holding items. Opposite sides of each of the members of the container are alternately accessible when in the different positions such that each cavity is selectively accessible in one configuration, or partially covered by the connecting members for the purpose of holding items when in a different configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cases and more particularly pertains to a new multi-cavity case for holding items such as eyeglasses. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of cases is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,950 describes an eyeglass case with glasses-engaging bump. Another type of case is U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,383 which details an eyeglass case with a hinged cover. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is capable of carrying a plurality of items, including eyeglasses and other flat items such as money. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by the incorporation of a dual housing design with a center panel, all being uniquely coupled to allow access to all sides of each member while selectively accessing or securing the items contained therein. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-cavity case that would not only hold two pairs of glasses, but also could be used to produce an act of prestidigitation due to the nature of the interconnecting design. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a container that has a first housing member, a second housing member, and a central panel member. Each of the members is movably interconnected by a plurality of elongate connecting members that are alternately coupled to adjacent edges of each of the members of the container such that the container is manipulable between different positions. Each of the housing members has a cavity for holding items. Opposite sides of each of the members of the container are alternately accessible when in the different positions such that each cavity is selectively accessible in one configuration, or partially covered by the connecting members for the purpose of holding items when in a different configuration. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic first side perspective view of a new multi-cavity case according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic second side perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the present invention taken from sectional lines  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic top side view of the present invention in the closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the present invention in the closed position. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic end view of the present invention in the closed position. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic expanded view of the present invention to help depict the connection members. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the present invention in the first open position. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the present invention in the second open position. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the present invention in the third open position. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the present invention in the fourth open position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 11 thereof, a new multi-cavity case embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11, the multi-cavity case  10  generally comprises a container  12  that has a first housing member  13 , a second housing member  14 , and a central panel member  15 . Each of the members is movably interconnected such that the container  12  is manipulable between different positions. 
     Each of the housing members  13 ,  14  has a cavity  16  for holding items  17 . Each of the housing members  13 ,  14  has a base wall  18  and a peripheral wall  19  that is attached to and extends away from the base wall  18  to define the cavity  16 . The peripheral wall  19  of each of the housing members  13 ,  14  has an outside edge  20 , an inside edge  21 , and a pair of end edges  22  defining an opening  23  into the cavity  16 . 
     The panel member  15  has a first side  24 , a second side  25 , an inner edge  26 , and an outer edge  27 . 
     A plurality of elongate connecting members  28  movably interconnects each of the members of the container  12 . The plurality of connecting members  28  each has a first end  29  and a second end  30  for attaching to the members of the container  12  and an unattached medial portion  31  extending therebetween. The plurality of connecting members  28  comprises a first pair  32 , a second pair  33 , a third pair  34 , and a fourth pair  35  of connecting members  28 . 
     Opposite sides of each of the members of the container  12  are alternately accessible when in the different positions. 
     The panel member  15  has dimensions generally equal to an outer perimeter of the peripheral wall  19  of each of the housing members  13 ,  14 . The panel member  15  is positioned between and adjacent to the opening  23  of the cavities  16  such that the panel member  15  serves as a partition between the cavities  16  of the housing members  13 ,  14  when positioned between top edges  36  of the peripheral walls  19  of each of the housing members  13 ,  14  and the container  12  is in a closed position  37 . 
     The panel member  15  being positioned between each of the housing members  13 ,  14  characterizes the closed position  37  and the housing members  13 ,  14  are diametrically opposed. 
     First ends  29  of the first pair  32  of the connecting members  28  are attached to the outside edge  20  of the peripheral wall  19  of the first housing member  13 . Second ends  30  of the first pair  32  are attached to the inner edge  26  of the panel member  15 . Each of the connecting members  28  of the first pair  32  is crossed with respect to each other. Each of the medial portions  31  overly the cavity  16  of the first housing member  13  when the container  12  is in a first open position  38 . 
     First ends  29  of the second pair  33  of the connecting members  28  are attached to the inside edge  21  of the peripheral wall  19  of the first housing member  13 . Second ends  30  of the second pair  33  are attached to the outer edge  27  of the panel member  15 . Each of the connecting members  28  of the second pair  33  is oriented in a parallel, spaced manner and each of the medial portions  31  overlies the first side  24  of the panel member  15  when the container  12  is in the first open position  38 . 
     The first open position  38  is characterized by the panel member  15  and the second housing member  14  remaining together while the outside edge  20  of the peripheral wall  19  of the first housing member  13  is pivoted away from the outer edge  27  of the panel member  15  until both members  13 ,  15  are sharing generally the same plane, and the medial portions  31  of the first pair  32  of the connecting members  28  overlies the cavity  16  of the first housing member  13  such that items  17  in the cavity  16  of the first housing member  13  are generally held in place by the first pair  32  of the connecting members  28 . 
     The first housing member  13  and the panel member  15  are manipulable such that the medial portions  31  of each of the connecting members  28  of the first and second pairs  32 ,  33  can be re-oriented to overlie the opposite member when the container  12  is in a second open position  39 . 
     The second open position  39  is characterized by the panel member  15  and the second housing member  14  remaining together while the inside edge  21  of the peripheral wall  19  of the first housing member  13  is pivoted away from the inner edge  26  of the panel member  15  until both members  13 ,  15  are sharing generally the same plane, and medial portions  31  of the second pair  33  of the connecting members  28  overlies the cavity  16  of the first housing member  13  such that items  17  in the cavity  16  of the first housing member  13  are generally accessible. 
     First ends  29  of the third pair  34  of the connecting members  28  are attached to the outer edge  27  of the panel member  15 . Second ends  30  of the third pair  34  are attached to the inside edge  21  of the second housing member  14 . Each of the connecting members  28  of the third pair  34  is crossed with respect to each other. Each of the medial portions  31  overlies the second side  25  of the panel member  15  when the container  12  is in a third open position  40 . 
     First ends  29  of the fourth pair  35  of the connecting members  28  are attached to the inner edge  26  of the panel member  15 . Second ends  30  of the fourth pair  35  are attached to the outside edge  20  of the second housing member  14 . Each of the connecting members  28  of the third pair  34  is oriented in a parallel, spaced manner and each of the medial portions  31  overlies the cavity  16  of the second housing member  14  when the container  12  is in the third open position  40 . 
     The third open position  40  is characterized by the panel member  15  and the first housing member  13  remaining together while the outside edge  20  of the peripheral wall  19  of the second housing member  14  is pivoted away from the outer edge  27  of the panel member  15  until both members  14 ,  15  are sharing generally the same plane, and the medial portions  31  of the fourth pair  35  of the connecting members  28  overlies the cavity  16  of the second housing member  14  such that items  17  in the cavity  16  of the second housing member  14  are generally accessible. 
     The second housing member  14  and the panel member  15  are manipulable such that the medial portions  31  of each of the connecting members  28  of the third and fourth pairs  34 ,  35  can be re-oriented to overlie the opposite member when in a fourth open position  41 . 
     The fourth open position  41  is characterized by the panel member  15  and the first housing member  13  remaining together while the inside edge  21  of the peripheral wall  19  of the second housing member  14  is pivoted away from the inner edge  26  of the panel member  15  until both members  14 ,  15  are sharing generally the same plane, and the medial portions  31  of the third pair  34  of the connecting members  28  overlies the cavity  16  of the second housing member  14  such that items  17  in the cavity  16  of the second housing member  14  are generally held in place by the third pair  34  of the connecting members  28 . 
     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 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. 
     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.