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US4401209A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Spectacle case

Assignee: RODS AND CONES Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1981-09-21
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Granted: 1983-08-30
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Expires: 2001-09-21
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention is related to an improved spectacle case which is capable of securely retaining a spectacle within it. Utilization of this improved spectacle case assures that the spectacle will not move within the case, even if the case is jostled. The spectacle case is capable of retaining a spectacle within it in such a fashion that the exterior surfaces of the lenses never come in contact with the case. The unique design of the case also prevents the temples of the spectacle from coming in contact with the interior surface of the lenses. The unique configuration of the spectacle case gives it vastly improved strength over presently used spectacle cases.

Inventors

  • 👤 Andrea Salmond
  • 👤 Patricia St. John
  • 👤 Randall A. Luebke
  • 👤 Jeffrey B. Van Tassel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 03:59
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 258 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to securely hold a spectacle within it to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a rectangular sheet member that is bent into five longitudinal sections with the fifth section partially overlapping the first section; b. the first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the frame front of a spectacle to be housed within said improved spectacle case; c. the second section extending essentially perpendicular to said first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position; d. the third section extending essentially perpendicular to said second section and generally parallel to said base, and being convexly curved in the direction away from said base; e. the fourth section extending from said third section and parallel to said second section, but not extending to said base and leaving a gap therebetween; and f. the fifth section extending inwardly from said fourth section and parallel to said flat base, thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the improved spectacle case into a chamber and a gap area; g. wherein the partial separation wall produces a large chamber which is intended to receive the frame fronts, lenses, bridge, nose supports, and most of both temples of the spectacle, and a gap area which is intended to receive the tips of both temples and a portion of each temple of the spectacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 258 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to securely hold a spectacle within it to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a rectangular sheet member that is bent into five longitudinal sections with the fifth section partially overlapping the first section; b. the first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the frame front of a spectacle to be housed within said improved spectacle case; c. the second section extending essentially perpendicular to said first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position; d. the third section extending essentially perpendicular to said second section and generally parallel to said base, and being convexly curved in the direction away from said base; e. the fourth section extending from said third section and parallel to said second section, but not extending to said base and leaving a gap therebetween; and f. the fifth section extending inwardly from said fourth section and parallel to said flat base, thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the improved spectacle case into a chamber and a gap area; g. wherein the partial separation wall produces a large chamber which is intended to receive the frame fronts, lenses, bridge, nose supports, and most of both temples of the spectacle, and a gap area which is intended to receive the tips of both temples and a portion of each temple of the spectacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein the rectangular sheet member is of uniform thickness throughout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 which is formed as an extrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein the rectangular sheet member is made of Butyrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein the first section forms a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the lens of a spectacle with frame fronts to be housed within said improved spectacle case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein the convexly curved third section is comprised of two separate equal arcs which join at the mid line of the third section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 which is fitted with an opaque cover that encircles the five longitudinal sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein an adhesive strip is attached to the exterior surface of said flat base, to permit removable attachment of the spectacle case to a supporting surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 39 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 8 wherein an adhesive strip is attached to said opaque cover in the region which encircles the flat base, to permit removable attachment of the spectacle case to a supporting surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein said gap between the partial separation wall and the flat base is approximately three thirty-seconds of an inch in thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 which is made of resilient material so that upon insertion of a spectacle therein, said partial separation wall deflects away from said base so as to frictionally retain the temples therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 329 words
The combination of a spectacle and a spectacle case wherein the spectacle case is of an improved construction to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, said combination comprising: a. the improved spectacle case comprising a rectangular sheet member that is bent into five longitudinal sections with the fifth section partially overlapping the first section, the first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the rim of a spectacle to be housed within the spectacle case, the second section extending essentially perpendicular to the first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position, the third section extending essentially perpendicular to the second section and generally parallel to the base and being convexly curved in the direction away from said base, the fourth section extending from the third section and parallel to the second section but not extending to the base and leaving a gap therebetween, and the fifth section extending inwardly from the fourth section and parallel to the flat base thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the spectacle case into two chambers; and b. the spectacle being inserted in the spectacle case such that the rims, lenses, bridge, nose supports, and most of both temples of the spectacle lie within the large chamber, and the tips of both temples and a part of both temples lie within the smaller gap between the partial separation wall and the base; c. whereby the folded spectacle is positioned in said spectacle case such that only the outer rims of the spectacle touch said third section thereby protecting the exterior surface of the lenses, and the temples of the folded spectacle fit snugly within said gap first to securely hold the spectacle in place and second so that said partial separation wall prevents the temples from touching the interior surface of the lenses thereby protecting them.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 329 words
The combination of a spectacle and a spectacle case wherein the spectacle case is of an improved construction to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, said combination comprising: a. the improved spectacle case comprising a rectangular sheet member that is bent into five longitudinal sections with the fifth section partially overlapping the first section, the first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the rim of a spectacle to be housed within the spectacle case, the second section extending essentially perpendicular to the first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position, the third section extending essentially perpendicular to the second section and generally parallel to the base and being convexly curved in the direction away from said base, the fourth section extending from the third section and parallel to the second section but not extending to the base and leaving a gap therebetween, and the fifth section extending inwardly from the fourth section and parallel to the flat base thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the spectacle case into two chambers; and b. the spectacle being inserted in the spectacle case such that the rims, lenses, bridge, nose supports, and most of both temples of the spectacle lie within the large chamber, and the tips of both temples and a part of both temples lie within the smaller gap between the partial separation wall and the base; c. whereby the folded spectacle is positioned in said spectacle case such that only the outer rims of the spectacle touch said third section thereby protecting the exterior surface of the lenses, and the temples of the folded spectacle fit snugly within said gap first to securely hold the spectacle in place and second so that said partial separation wall prevents the temples from touching the interior surface of the lenses thereby protecting them.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 1 wherein the rectangular sheet member is made of Polycarbonate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 222 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to hold a folded spectacle in a fully protected condition, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a rectangular sheet member that is bent into the shape of a house containing a first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the frame front of a spectacle to be housed within the spectacle case, a second section extending essentially perpendicular to the first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position within the spectacle case, a third section extending essentially perpendicular to the second section and generally parallel to the base and being convexly curved in the direction away from the base, a fourth section extending from the third section and parallel to the second section but not extending to the base and leaving a gap therebetween, and a fifth section extending inwardly from the fourth section and parallel to the flat base thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the spectacle case into a chamber and a gap area; b. wherein the design in the shape of a house provides the spectacle case with an inherent strength to fully protect the spectacle within if the spectacle case is dropped, stepped on, or sat upon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 222 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to hold a folded spectacle in a fully protected condition, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a rectangular sheet member that is bent into the shape of a house containing a first section forming a flat base which is wider than the vertical height of the frame front of a spectacle to be housed within the spectacle case, a second section extending essentially perpendicular to the first section and having a height slightly less than the thickness of the spectacle when in its folded position within the spectacle case, a third section extending essentially perpendicular to the second section and generally parallel to the base and being convexly curved in the direction away from the base, a fourth section extending from the third section and parallel to the second section but not extending to the base and leaving a gap therebetween, and a fifth section extending inwardly from the fourth section and parallel to the flat base thereby forming a partial separation wall which partially separates the interior of the spectacle case into a chamber and a gap area; b. wherein the design in the shape of a house provides the spectacle case with an inherent strength to fully protect the spectacle within if the spectacle case is dropped, stepped on, or sat upon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said spectacle case is made of Butyrate which further adds to the strength of the spectacle case to protect the spectacle within if the spectacle case is dropped, stepped on or sat upon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 41 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said spectacle case is made of Polycarbonate which further adds to the strength of the spectacle case to protect the spectacle within if the spectacle case is dropped, stepped on or sat upon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 340 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to securely hold a spectacle within it to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a horizontal base; b. a first vertical wall integrally formed with said horizontal base and curvidly extending therefrom; c. a first arced upper surface integrally formed with said first vertical wall and extending from the uppermost portion of said first vertical wall to the central and uppermost plane of said spectacle case; d. a second arced upper surface integrally formed with said first arced upper surface and extending from said uppermost plane of said spectacle case to the plane parallel with the uppermost portion of said first vertical wall; e. a second vertical wall integrally formed with said second arced upper surface and extending downwardly to a height above said base, thereby leaving a gap; f. an inwardly extending portion integrally formed with said second vertical wall and curvidly extending from the lowermost portion of said second vertical wall toward the center of said spectacle case for a distance less than one half the width of the spectacle case and parallel to said base, thereby forming a gap between the inwardly extending portion and said horizontal base; and g. said horizontal base, said first vertical wall, said first upper arced surface, said second upper arced surface, said second vertical wall and said inwardly extending portion all extending laterally for an equal distance to form a one piece spectacle case; h. whereby a folded spectacle may be inserted into said spectacle case such that only the outer rims of the spectacle touch said first and said second arced upper surfaces thereby protecting the exterior surface of the lenses, and the temples of the folded spectacle fit snugly within said gap area between said inwardly extending portion and said horizontal base to first hold the spectacle in place and secondly whereby said inwardly extending portion prevents the temples from touching the interior surface of the lenses in said spectacle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 340 words
An improved spectacle case which is adapted to securely hold a spectacle within it to protect the spectacle from damage by either internal or external forces, wherein the improved spectacle case comprises: a. a horizontal base; b. a first vertical wall integrally formed with said horizontal base and curvidly extending therefrom; c. a first arced upper surface integrally formed with said first vertical wall and extending from the uppermost portion of said first vertical wall to the central and uppermost plane of said spectacle case; d. a second arced upper surface integrally formed with said first arced upper surface and extending from said uppermost plane of said spectacle case to the plane parallel with the uppermost portion of said first vertical wall; e. a second vertical wall integrally formed with said second arced upper surface and extending downwardly to a height above said base, thereby leaving a gap; f. an inwardly extending portion integrally formed with said second vertical wall and curvidly extending from the lowermost portion of said second vertical wall toward the center of said spectacle case for a distance less than one half the width of the spectacle case and parallel to said base, thereby forming a gap between the inwardly extending portion and said horizontal base; and g. said horizontal base, said first vertical wall, said first upper arced surface, said second upper arced surface, said second vertical wall and said inwardly extending portion all extending laterally for an equal distance to form a one piece spectacle case; h. whereby a folded spectacle may be inserted into said spectacle case such that only the outer rims of the spectacle touch said first and said second arced upper surfaces thereby protecting the exterior surface of the lenses, and the temples of the folded spectacle fit snugly within said gap area between said inwardly extending portion and said horizontal base to first hold the spectacle in place and secondly whereby said inwardly extending portion prevents the temples from touching the interior surface of the lenses in said spectacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 40 words
The improved spectacle case a defined in claim 17 wherein the horizontal base, the first vertical wall, the first arced upper surface, the second arced upper surface, the second vertical wall and the inwardly extending portion are of uniform thickness.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 which is made of Butyrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 48 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 wherein said improved spectacle case is fitted with an opaque cover which encircles the horizontal base, the first vertical wall, the first arced upper surface, the second arced upper surface, the second vertical wall and the inwardly extending portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 35 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 wherein an adhesive strip is attached to the exterior surface of said horizontal base, to permit removable attachment of the spectacle case to a supporting surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 39 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 20 wherein an adhesive strip is attached to said opaque cover in the region which encircles said horizontal base, to permit removable attachment of the spectacle case to a supporting surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 30 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 wherein said gap between the inwardly extending portion and the horizontal base is approximately three thirty-seconds of an inch in thickness.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 41 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 which is made of resilient material so that upon insertion of a spectacle therein, said inwardly extending portion deflects away from said horizontal base so as to frictionally retain the temples therebetween.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 14 words
The improved spectacle case as defined in claim 17 which is made of Polycarbonate.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2966985A Cited
US3225922A Cited
US3280969A Cited
US3851762A Cited
US4267923A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-08-29 1987-02-28 1987-08-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-08-29 1991-02-28 1991-08-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-08-29 1995-02-28 1995-08-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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