Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spectacles holder and in particular a holder which can be worn by a user and used to safely hold the spectacles when they are not being worn.

Background to the Invention

As is well known to a spectacle wearer, a recurring problem is what to do with the spectacles when they are not being worn, but still need to be kept about the person. For example, reading glasses are not worn all the time but only when the user needs to look at something at close distance. A further example is those persons who wear spectacles primarily for driving, or also wearers of sunglasses which may be required for only short periods of time.

If the spectacles are simply put down, then they can easily get scratched, broken or forgotten, giving the user the high cost of replacement.

One means of addressing the problem is to attach a piece of string to the end of each spectacle arm and wear the spectacles around the neck.

Where a pocket is available on a user's apparel then the spectacles can be put in there. Firstly however, this option is not always available and secondly there is a risk of the spectacles being scratched by items already in the pocket. Glasses cases can be used to overcome these problems, but are bulky to carry.

The present invention therefore seeks to address the above problems and provide a holder for spectacles which provides a secure means of retaining the spectacles when they are not in use. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a spectacle holder comprising a ring to receive an arm of a pair of spectacles;

an attachment means to releasably secure the ring to a user's clothes, with the axis of the ring's orientation substantially parallel to a wearer's body.

The holder provides a simple and efficient means of safely retaining spectacles when not in use.

Preferably, the holder is formed of a plastics material to give a lightweight article.

Alternatively the holder is formed of metal to give a more sturdy article.

Optionally, the inner surface of the ring is covered or coated with a soft material such as cloth, leather or a plastics material to minimise any damage to spectacles.

Conveniently the outer surface of the ring is covered or coated with a soft material.

The ring is conveniently square or rectangular in cross-section to increase the grip of the ring on an arm of spectacles.

The holder preferably includes a stabiliser section located between the ring and the attachment means said section extending perpendicularly to the axis of the ring and acting to stabilise the holder against a user when worn. Particularly preferably, the stabiliser section has a plate like form.

Optionally, the attachment means comprises a pin, insertable through clothing to engage a gripper means and so retain the holder in position. Further optionally, the attachment means includes a magnet, magnetically engaging a retention agent on the opposite side of a wearer's clothes.

The holder optionally includes a further attachment means to provide additional support. This is useful for example when the spectacles are heavier than usual or the material of the clothes to which the holder is being attached is unlikely to be sufficiently robust to support the weight.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing which show by way of example only, three embodiments of a spectacles holder. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a circular ring-type holder; Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a holder; and Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a holder.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A holder as herein illustrated assists the wearer by providing a means of safely retaining spectacles about the wearer when the spectacles are not being worn for their primary use. The spectacles are retained in a manner which minimises the risks of the spectacles being lost or damaged. Moreover, a holder can be removed from one item of clothing and placed onto another item. The wearer therefore always has the spectacles about their person.

To achieve this aim, and referring initially to Figure 1, a holder, generally referenced 10, includes a ring-shaped element through which an arm of a pair of spectacles can be passed so that the ring then supports the weight of the spectacles. As the spectacles are normally intended to be inserted into the holder in a closed position, with the arms folded against the lenses, the spectacles cannot fall out of the holders even if the wearer leans forward. The ring-shaped element is attached to the wearer's clothing by a suitable attachment means incorporated into the holder.

Specifically therefore, the holder 10 comprises a ring element 11 to retain the spectacles. The ring element 11 in Figure 1 comprises a straight bar 12 which rests in use against the wearer. Extending outwardly from the ends of the bar 12 is a retaining section 13, having an arced configuration.

Extending from the side of the bar 12, and in the plane of the ring element 11, away from the retaining section 13 is a pin 14 which is suitable to pass through the wearer's clothing, without causing permanent damage thereto. A gripper 15 of conventional type, having an aperture 16 to receive the pin 14 passes about and grips the pin 14. When being worn therefore, the pin 14, having been pushed through the clothing material, is held by the gripper 15 with the material trapped between the gripper 15 and the bar 12. The holder 10 is then ready for use.

Turning to a second embodiment of a holder 20 illustrated in Figure 2, the holder 20 includes a ring element 21 and also an attachment means (not illustrated). The ring element 21 is angular and straight sided, having two short sides 22,23 and one long side 24. The straight edges of the ring 21 assist in retaining the spectacles in position as there is a reduced tendency for the spectacle arm to slide out of the ring 21.

Additionally in contrast to the first embodiment, the ring element 21 is attached to a flat plate 25 having a length of around 2" (5cm) which can be made of the same material as the ring element 21 or can be of a different material. The extension of the plate 25 above and below the plane of the ring element 21 assists primarily in reducing any tendency of the ring element 21 to tilt in relation to the wearer. In the event of the wearer moving, the plate 25 engages the material of the wearer's clothes and the resulting frictional or physical interaction therebetween hinders movement of the holder 20. The risk therefore of the spectacles dropping out from the holder 20 is reduced.

A third embodiment of holder 30 shown in Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 2 in respect of the ring element 21 and the plate 25. In addition however, the holder 30 includes a planar head section 31, depending upwardly from and coplanar with the plate 25. The head section 31 has a flat surface 32, which surface 32 faces in an outwards direction from the user. The flat surface 32 in addition to providing stabilisation to the holder in the same manner as the plate 25 and also providing balance to the holder can be used to display distinctive decoration such as a logo, picture or design. The shape of the head section 31 is chosen to suit the particular holder and its intended use.

It will be recognised that a number of different fastenings can be used to secure the holder to the user. For example, a holder can include a magnet or a magnetically attractive region on the surface opposite that of the ring. Said magnet or region then engages a corresponding retainer having a magnetically attractive region or magnet placed behind the clothing. The magnetic attraction causes the retainer and the holder to be held together with the clothing therebetween.

In addition to the above, other means of attachment known as the art can be used. Moreover and in particular where heavier spectacles may be carried, a further fastening means, as described above, can be included to provide additional support. The further fastening means additionally prevents rotation of the holder about the axis of the fastening means and also spreads the weight of the spectacles across a larger portion of the fabric of the clothes to which the holder is attached.

It is envisaged that the holder can be made of a material suitable for the particular characteristics desired. For example, the holder or elements thereof can be formed of a metal such as brass, steel, silver or gold, or have a metal coating. Alternatively, for example where a particularly lightweight article is desired, a plastics material can be used.

In order to minimise scratching to the glasses, the inner surface of the ring element can be covered or coated with a soft material, such as a plastic cloth, leather or the like. Additionally or alternatively the outer surface of the ring element can also be so covered. Such additional coverings or coatings can also increase the frictional engagement of the holder with the spectacles and so reduce the risk of the spectacles falling out of the holder.

The colour of the article can be chosen to suit the user's requirements on wearing the holder.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.