Patent ID: 12256820

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIGS.1-9, a preferred example of embodiment of a eyewear case according to the present invention comprises a lid10(FIG.1) formed by a central body11extending with its greatest dimension in a longitudinal direction and provided with two opposite sides12extending in the vertical direction.

Each side12comprises in particular:at least one first pin12adesigned to form an axis of rotation for the lid;at least two further locating pins12b, which form a preferred example of embodiment of engagement means for a shaped spring13, the function of which will become clear below.

The case according to the invention furthermore comprises a container20(FIG.3) comprising a central body21extending with its greatest dimension in the longitudinal direction and joined to two opposite sides22extending in the vertical direction.

As shown inFIG.3, each side22comprises a respective opening23configured to house a cam element30. The opening23is in particular shaped to allow insertion of the cam element30in the side22and subsequent locking thereof both in the axial direction and in rotation of the cam element30with respect to the side22; as will emerge more clearly below, preferably, the opening23defines respective seats23a,23bin the side of the container, designed to form respective stops24a,24a,24b;25a,25bfor correct and stable housing of the cam element30.

Although shown with an opening23for each side22, so as to favour more balanced relative movements of lid and container, it is envisaged that the latter may have only one opening or recess on only one of the two sides. Preferably, it is also possible to envisage end-of-travel means (not shown) which are designed to limit the opening of the lid; an example of these end-of-travel means may be defined by a further pin present in the side12of the lid and designed to cooperate with a corresponding stop defined by the container20.

The preferred cam element30shown has a substantially circular shape and has:an annular edge provided with projecting teeth31a,31bshaped for insertion and engagement of the cam30inside the opening23in the side22of the container20;recesses32cextending towards the inside of the body of the cam30and with oppositely directed openings; each recess defines a respective finger33dwhich is elastically deformable inwards (towards the axis of rotation) so as to facilitate insertion inside the opening23of the container and an opposite elastic reaction for stable positioning against the inner wall thereof, in particular an abutting arrangement (FIG.9) against the respective stop24a,24bof the seat23a,23bin order to ensure stable relative engagement once insertion has been performed.

As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the teeth31a,31bare arranged opposite each other along a first diameter of the cam element and the fingers33dare arranged opposite each other along a second diameter of the cam30. In the central position (FIG.8,9) the cam has a hole34suitable for coupling with the rotation pin12aof the lid10and a suitably shaped (raised) arm35, which is eccentric with respect to the rotation pin and is designed to interact with a spring13during opening of the lid, in order to cause deformation thereof, increasing the load thereof and therefore generating a recall reaction of said spring into the initial position for closing the lid.

As shown inFIG.8, the spring13is a preferred example of a spring element designed to be mounted on the side12of the lid10and to cooperate with the respective cam30integrally joined with the side22of the container20so as to push the lid towards the closed position.

In greater detail, the spring element13comprises a first part13afixed to the side12of the lid, for example by means of respective shaped engagement features13bfor engaging over a respective pin of the further pins12b, and a deformable arm13cdesigned to be arranged in operative engagement on the cam arm35.

For assembly of the container, in a first assembly position, the cam element30may be axially inserted inside the respective opening23of the container20, by coupling the rotation pin12aof the lid10together with the hole34in the cam, without stressing the latter.

By rotating the cam with a suitable tool, the teeth31aand31bare engaged inside the respective shaped seats23aand23buntil they engage with the respective stops25a,25b, thereby axially constraining the cam30with respect to the container20, and the elastic locking teeth33dare forced to snap-engage with the respective anti-rotation stops24a,24b, resulting in locking of the relative rotation of the cam with respect to the container20, beyond the stops24aand24b.

The arrangement of the spring13in operative coupling with the cam30causes the spring13, once the cam30has been positioned, to be prestressed (with the arm13celastically deformed) in a stable closing position.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one mechanical stop (not shown) of the container20is also provided in order to prevent excessive prestressing of the spring13and/or accidental rotation of the spring with respect to the container during rotation of the lid for opening or closing the case.

Advantageously, during opening of the case, the relative rotation between lid and cam will result in a deformation of the spring which will impart thereto first the prestress and then the working load and the consequent recall force which will push the lid again into the closed position.

In detail, the simultaneous engagement of the elastic teeth33dwith the stops24aand24bas well as of the elements36aand36bwith the stops25aand25bconstrains in both directions the relative rotation of the cam and container. As shown inFIGS.5,6and7, once the case has been assembled, the container20and the lid10are coupled together along the respective opposite sides so that the lid may rotate, during opening/closing of the case, with respect to the container about a longitudinal axis of rotation, between a closed position (FIG.7) and a fully open position (FIG.5) in which the eyeglasses may be inserted/removed inside/from the containing volume of the case, in particular in a direction of insertion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X and parallel to the lateral flanks of the case.

As shown inFIGS.5and6, opening of the lid10is performed by rotation thereof about the pin12a, for example in an anti-clockwise direction, relative to the container20.

During the opening rotation of the lid10, the cam arm35, resting on one end of the spring13, causes compressive deformation thereof which forces the arm13cof the spring13to be deformed towards the fixed arm13aof the said spring.

By deforming in this direction, the spring load will be increased, producing a reaction which will push the lid towards the closed position.

During closing rotation, if the lid is left free in the totally or partially open position, there will be a reaction of the spring which will tend to return into the rest position, therefore pushing against the shaped arm35and generating a force which will cause the lid to close.

Once closing has been completed, the prestress imparted to the spring during assembly of the components will maintain a residual force which will tend to keep the case closed.

According to the invention the possibility is provided of using forms and dimensions of the eccentric cam in order to produce different recall forces in the different relative angular positions of the container and lid.

The shape of the spring and the dimensions (thickness and height) of the spring may also be different.

By modifying the rigidity and prestressing of the spring it is possible to vary the degree of resistance to opening and the force which recalls the lid into the closed position.

Alternative embodiments may not have the two pins for engagement with the spring element13, which could be replaced, for example, by different engagement structures, such as a single pin or a locating seat for a spring, also with a different form, without substantially modifying its function.

It is therefore clear how the volume of the cam and the rotation pins and the extension of the spring in its working positions may be essentially contained within a thin disc which has its axis parallel to the axis of rotation and may therefore be easily contained within the sides of the case; in addition to this, the correct positioning of the rotation axis according to the invention is able to provide an eyeglasses case with a compact volume of the container/lid assembly both in the open position and in the closed position and with an improved working volume compared to the prior art.

The positioning, on the sides, of the lid operating device also allows the case to be opened/closed with one hand and the moving parts to be covered so as to ensure greater safety for the end user.

Although described in connection with a number of embodiments and a number of preferred examples of implementation of the invention, it is understood that the scope of protection of the present patent is determined solely by the claims below.