DESCRIPTION "A magnetic spectacles holder device"

[0001] Field of application

[0002] This invention concerns a magnetic spectacles holder device .

[0003] The magnetic spectacles holder device in question falls within the field of spectacles in general and more particularly within the eyewear accessories field and is advantageously intended for replacing the conventional support string for holding a pair of spectacles on a user, when not worn. [0004] State of the art

[0005] As known, people with poor short-sight, for example suffering from presbyopia, and who mainly use glasses for reading, need to continuously wear and take off their glasses when they have to repeatedly move their sight from a close up point to a far away point and vice versa. [0006] Traditionally, to always have the spectacles at hand, these individuals wear their glasses hanging on the neck by a support string having the two ends thereof attached to the ends of the spectacles temples . In this way, the spectacles need not be put away in a pocket, when they are not used, thus also preventing the risk of accidentally losing them. [0007] A similar need - despite less urgent- exists also

for those using sunglasses, when they move from outdoor and very lighted places to indoor or shadowy places . [0008] Recently, in replacement of the above support string, which sometimes may be irritating or cumbersome, and for someone aesthetically not very pleasant, spectacles holder pins of various types have been proposed, to pin on the chest, provided with an eyelet or a hook for hanging the spectacles thereon. [0009] As compared to the strings , even though these spectacles holder pins are aesthetically more pleasant and certainly less cumbersome, they are not as practical and functional. In fact, the spectacles hook up is not as immediate and easy, since the user must first find the hook or the eyelet without the aid of the spectacles and, before leaving them, he/she must first make sure that they are properly hung up .

[0010] A spectacles holder device is further known from patent US 6168273 which allows quickly hanging a pair of spectacles to the clothes worn by the user without the aid of mechanical means like eyelets or hooks. This device comprises a magnetic support to be applied to the clothes and a magnetic element to be separately attached to the spectacles frame. Operatively, the user can put away the spectacles by hanging them to his/her clothes, by simply moving the magnetic element in contact with the

above magnetic support .

[0011] Even though this device solves the problems mentioned above, nevertheless it cannot be used on any type of frames. In fact, if the frame has not been directly made with the magnetic element already incorporated therein, it is necessary to proceed sometimes in a quite difficult way - to attach the magnetic element to the frame. In this case it is necessary to intervene on the frame by obtaining a seat therein, inside which the magnetic element is seated. Alternatively, if the magnetic element is shaped as a thin plate, it is possible to wind it about a suitable portion of the frame (for example a temple or a portion of the front) thus avoiding any operations on the frame. However, this latter solution is not easy to actuate given the limited free space available on a frame. In fact, having to have a magnetic mass sufficient for supporting the weight of a pair of spectacles, it is necessary to use a very extended plate, which with difficulty may be completely wound on a portion of frame. [0012] From International application WO 2007/000792 it is known a magnetic device for holding glasses which comprises a magnetic support to be associated to clothing and a magnetic element to be fixed to the spectacles in correspondence of a hinge of a temple. The application of

the magnetic element to the glasses however is no simple matter since it calls for removal of the hinge screw. [0013] The magnetic spectacles holder device described in International application WO 2007/000792 is moreover provided with a safety string, with one end fixed to one of the temples by means of a slipknot and with the other end fixed to a ring provided on the magnetic support. This string has the function of securing the glasses if they are dropped due to detachment of the magnetic element from the magnetic support.

[0014] But the fixing of the string to the temple is not wholly secure because the slipknot can loosen with use and the string may slip free of the temple. [0015] Positioning of the string on the temple, moreover, is not stable since even the slightest loosening of the slipknot means that the string can move along the temples. In some cases this could be annoying for the user. [0016] Presentation of the invention [0017] In this situation, therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above by providing a magnetic spectacles holder device to be fixed to the user's clothing, which is suitable for all types of spectacles frame, practical and user-friendly, with no need to

disassemble any part of the frame.

[0018] Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic spectacles holder device, which allow to fix a safety string on the spectacles in stable and secure manner .

[0019] Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic spectacles holder device, which is easy and cheap to manufacture . [0020] Brief description of the drawings [0021] The technical features of the invention, according to the above objects, can be clearly found in the contents of the claims below and the advantages of the same will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, made with reference to the annexed drawings, which show a purely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof , wherein :

[0022] - Figure 1 shows a view of the magnetic spectacles holder device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated with the supporting means on a user's clothing and the holding means attached to an eyewear frame, linked together by a safety string; [0023] - Figure 2 shows a detail relative to holding means, in particular to a clamp which can be applied to a frame, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0024] - Figure 3 shows a blow up view of a detail relative to holding means, in particular to a clamp which can be applied to a frame, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; [0025] - Figure 4 shows a blow up view of the clamp illustrated in Figure 2 ;

[0026] - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the clamp illustrated in Figure 2 in assembled state; [0027] - Figure 6 shows a cutway view of the clamp illustrated in Figure 5 along the line VI - VI indicated therein;

[0028] - Figure 7 shows a side view of a clamp applied to a part of a spectacles frame, according to a particular embodiment of the invention; [0029] - Figure 8 shows a view of the magnetic spectacles holder device according to a particularly preferred embodiment, illustrated with holding means attached to a spectacles frame and connected to the supporting means by a safety string; [0030] - Figures 9 and 10 show a detail of the device illustrated in Figure 8, regarding quick-release coupling device for a safety string, illustrated respectively in a hooked-up and unhooked condition; and [0031] - Figure 11 shows a side view of the quick-release coupling device illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

[0032] Detailed description

[0033] With reference to the attached drawings, the magnetic spectacles holder device according to this invention is indicated overall with the number 1. [0034] The magnetic spectacles holder device 1 is intended to replace the traditional string for holding a pair of spectacles on the user when he/she does not need to use them. [0035] As may be seen from Figure 1, the device 1 comprises supporting means 10, to be attached to clothing L, preferably on the user's chest, and holding means 20 to be mechanically connected to a pair of glasses A. Holding means 20 is fixed to supporting means 10 through reciprocal magnetic interaction, in order to keeping the eyewear A attached to an article of clothing.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 1, the supporting means 10 comprise a magnetic element 11 and a fixing element 12, made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material and in any case sensitive to a magnetic field, separately associable with each other due to reciprocal magnetic interaction. Magnetic element 11 must be of such a mass as to generate a magnetic field capable of safely bearing the weight of a pair of glasses and it may be made of a natural magnet or an alloy of ferromagnetic materials, such as for

example iron, cobalt, nickel or niobium, while fixing element 12 is preferably in a ferrous material or one sensitive to a magnetic field such as steel . [0037] Operatively, supporting means 10 are fixed to the clothing L of the user, interposing an edge of garment L between magnetic element 11 and fixing element 12. In this way, due to reciprocal magnetic interaction, the two elements 11 and 12 maintain themselves in close contact with the clothing L, which can keep them preventing them from falling, as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0038] Preferably, magnetic element 11 and fixing element 12 are in sheet form or in any case are substantially flat so that the magnetic interaction surface is broad, facilitating their contact with clothing. [0039] In order that supporting means 10 can interact efficaciously with holding means 20, the magnetic element

11 must be placed over edge L of the garment, so that the magnetic field faces the exterior, while fixing element

12 must be placed under the edge L, facing the interior. [0040] Advantageously, magnetic element 11 need not necessarily be placed on the outer surface, but may also be covered by another garment and rendered invisible, since it can carry out its function even beneath a garment . [0041] According to the invention, as may be seen in

Figures 1 and 8, the holding means 20 comprise at least one clamp 21, made at least in part of material that is magnetic or ferromagnetic or sensitive to a magnetic field, in such a way as to connect magnetically with magnetic element 11. Clamp 21 is separably associable with a portion of glasses A (preferably, but not necessarily o portion of a temple S) by a vicelike action. [0042] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in particular in Figures 2 to 7, clamp 21 comprises a U- shaped body 22, provided with two arms of which a first one (22') is thicker and the second one (22") thinner. Operatively, the U-shaped body is intended to embrace a portion of glasses A with the two arms 22' and 22". [0043] More in detail, the first arm 22', i.e the thicker, is made at least partly of material that is magnetic or ferromagnetic or sensitive to a magnetic field, in order to connect magnetically with the magnetic element 11 of supporting means 10. [0044] The first arm 22' is thicker than the second arm 22" since it must have a mass such as to generate a magnetic interaction with supporting means 10 that is sufficient to bear the weight of a pair of glasses. To this end the clamp 21 is preferably mounted on glasses A in such a way that the first arm 22' faces the exterior

and, in any case, in such a way that, when the temples of the glasses A are folded, the first arm 22' is outermost and therefore associable with the magnetic element 11. [0045] Clamp 21 moreover comprises a jaw 23, associated in a mobile manner with an arm 22' of U-shaped body 22 within the U. Operatively, jaw 23 can be pressed in closure on the portion of glasses A whic is embraced by the U-shaped body 22 through pressing means 24 (which will be described in detail below) in order to lock the U-shaped body on the portion of glasses A.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in particular in Figures 4 and 5, the jaw 23 consists of a lamina from which three perpendicular fins 26, 27 and 28 extend. These three fins 26, 27 and 28 slide in as many guiding seats 81, 82 and 83 provided in the first arm 22' of U-shaped body 21. The fins and the seats are shaped in such a way as to keep jaw 23 parallel to first arm 22', guiding backwards and forwards the translation movements of the jaw. [0047] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 6 and 7, the pressing means comprise at least one threaded element 24 (e.g. a sprig or headless screw) inserted in the first arm 22' through an appropriate threaded through-hole 25. Operatively, the threaded element 24 can be screwed against jaw 23 to

press it stably in abutment against a portion of the frame of glasses A already abutting with the second arm 22" of the U-shaped body. [0048] According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the attached Figures, the pressing means may comprise at least one elastic element interposed between the jaw 23 and the first arm 22' . This elastic element is arranged in such a way as to automatically press the jaw towards the second arm of the U-shaped body .

[0049] Preferably, the magnetic spectacles holder device 1 comprises a safety string 50 intended to be fixed at one end (51) to the supporting means 10 and at the other end (52) to the holding means 20. The string 51 has the function of keeping glasses A attached to the holding means in the case of accidental detachment of holding means 20 from supporting means 10.

[0050] Advantageously, the string 50 may be of the elastic type, for example in polymeric material, and in particular made in spiral form in at least one part. In this way, the string is shorter when not under tension, thus reducing the possibility of entanglement. [0051] Preferably, string 50 is made in a material insensitive to a magnetic field in order to avoid its being attracted by magnetic element 11 of supporting

means 10 .

[0052] To this end, the clamp 21 comprises attaching means

30 for the other end 52 of string 50.

[0053] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 e 6, the attaching means 30 comprise a through-hole 31 made on one of the arms of the U-shaped body, and preferably on the first arm 22' inasmuch as it faces the exterior of glasses A. [0054] Preferably, the through-hole 31 is obtained on the free head of the arm 22', in such a position as to avoid involving the internal part of U-shaped body 22. [0055] Advantageously, in order to avoid impeding insertion of string 50 in the abovementioned through-hole 31, on fin 28 of the lamina that forms jaw 23 there is a notch 29.

[0056] According to alternative embodiments, illustrated for example in Figure 3 or Figure 7, the attaching means 30 may comprise a ring 32 projecting on the first arm 22' of the U-shaped body (see Figure 8) or on the jaw 23 (see Figure 3) .

[0057] Preferably, the attaching means 30 for string 50 comprise a quick-release coupling device 40 for the second end 52 of string 50 with regard to clamp 21. [0058] More in detail, quick-release coupling device 40 comprises a first element 41 intended to be stably fixed

to clamp 21, and a second element 42 intended to be stably connected to the second end 52 of string 50. Operatively, the two abovementioned elements 51 and 52 can be snap- fastened together. [0059] The first element 41 defines a housing seat 43 in which the second element 42 is intended to be inserted through an aperture 44.

[0060] The second element 42 is provided with a deformable portion 45 which is capable to pass from a retracted state, in which it is free to enter and exit from said housing seat 43 through the aperture 44, to an extended state, in which said deformable portion 45 - if inserted in the housing seat 43 - is retained within the latter by a undercut 46 with regard to the aperture 44. [0061] Advantageously, the deformable portion 45 is shaped with regard to the aperture 44 and housing seat 43 to permit reciprocally free rotation of the two elements 41 and 42 of the quick-release coupling device 40. In this way also the string 50 is free to rotate on its own axis from its second end 52, thus avoiding bothersome tangling.

[0062] Preferably, the quick-release coupling device 40 is made of a material insensitive to a magnetic field in order to avoid its being attracted by the magnetic element 11 of supporting means 10 and thus obstructing

association of the clamp 21 with the magnetic element 11. [0063] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, the two elements 41 e 42 are made with metallic wire (insensitive to a magnetic field, such as stainless steel for example) suitably curved and worked .

[0064] In greater detail, the first element 41 (intended to be stably connected to the clamp 21) consists of a length of wire which is centrally curved to form a substantially circular coil 61, in correspondence with which it is superimposed on itself at an angle of about 180°. One end piece of the wire is then curved to form appendage 62 projecting radially from coil 61. The other end piece of the wire (separated from the first one by coil 61) is curved to form a kind of ogive 63 set on plane p substantially orthogonal on respect of position plane g of coil 61. The ogive 63 is provided at the apex with a ring 64 which is complanar thereto. The second end piece of the wire terminates in hook 65 which, as may be seen in Figure 11, is separably fixed to appendage 62. The element 41 thus shaped is connected to the clamp 21, placing the ring 64 stably in correspondence to through- hole 31 (as illustrated in Figure 9) or in correspondence to eyelet 32, after having inserted the hook 65. Functionally, ogive 63 defines the housing seat 43, while

the coil 61 defines the aperture 44 of the element 41. [0065] Operatively, an action of compression exerted in correspondence to the appendage 62 and in correspondence to the base of ogive 63 opposite it (as indicated by arrows A-A in Figure 12) results in elastically enlarging coil 61, thanks to the segment of wire superimposed on itself at an angle of around 180°.

[0066] The second element 42 (intended to be stably connected to the second end 52 of string 50) defines a figure of axial symmetry as seen in Figure 11. The second element 42 is defined by a length of wire centrally curved to form an ogive 74 corresponding substantially to the ogive 63 of the first element 41. At the base of the ogive the wire is bent inwards at right angles, forming two indented portions 77 and 78. The two end pieces of the length of wire are therefore shaped to form two arcs 71 and 72 that terminate each in a ring 73. In correspondence to the apexes of the two arcs 71 and 72 the wire is further shaped in such a way as to define two grip portions 75 and 76.

[0067] Functionally, the ogive 74 defines the deformable portion 45 of the second element 42, while the two indented portions 77 and 78 define the undercut 46 of the second element 42. The second end piece 52 of string 50 is inserted into the two rings 73 in such a way as to

lock together the two arcs 71 and 72, favouring their elastic behaviour.

[0068] Exerting a compression action in correspondence to the abovementioned grip portions 75 and 76 (as indicated by arrows B-B in Figure 11) the ogive body 74 is elastically deformed thus reducing its size, passing from the extended to the compressed state to permit its insertion into the coil 61. Advantageously, the insertion operation can be facilitated if as well as deforming the body of ogive 74 of second element 42 the coil 61 of first element 41 is also deformed.

[0069] As illustrated in Figure 10, once the ogive 74 of second element 41 is inserted into coil 61 of the second element 42 with the portions 77 and 78 that operate as undercut in grip on coil 61, any force of traction tending to separate the two elements 41 and 42 (e.g. the weight of glasses left dangling) induces coil 61 to deform, reducing its radius, and therefore to retain more firmly the ogive body 74 of the second element 42. [0070] The magnetic spectacles holder device 1 according to the invention brings a series of advantages, already referred to in part.

[0071] A first advantage is that clamp 21 can be applied to any glasses frame, easily, practically and above all stably, without the need to disassemble any part of the

frame itself.

[0072] A second advantage is that the safety string can be stably and securely connected to the glasses in correspondence to the clamp 21. [0073] A third advantage is given by the possibility of rapid hook-up and unhooking of the string to/from the clamp .

[0074] The invention thus conceived thus achieves the intended purposes . [0075] Of course, in the practical embodiment thereof, it may take embodiments and configurations differing from that illustrated above without departing from the present scope of protection.

[0076] Moreover, all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent ones and the sizes, shapes and materials used may be whatever according to the requirements .