| US20170013097A1 | 2017-01-12 | |||
| US20130242416A1 | 2013-09-19 | |||
| US5204702A | 1993-04-20 |
| CLAIMS Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. An accessory for use with a phone having a display screen, the accessory comprising: a connector configured for engaging at least a portion of a body of a phone; said connector having a top portion and a bottom portion; a lens affixed to said top portion, said lens configured to be selectively moveable to an angle between a first orientation parallel to a screen of said phone and a second orientation perpendicular to said screen; and wherein said angle of said lens provides visual enhancement of information presented on said screen of said phone. 2. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising: said connector comprising a phone case; said bottom portion configured to receive said phone within an internal space; and said top portion hingedly affixed to said bottom portion and configured to enclose said phone within said internal space. 3. The accessory of claim 2, further comprising said lens comprising a prescription lens. 4. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising: said connector comprising a clip; said top portion and bottom portion of said connector joined at a hinge; and wherein said clip is configured for clasping an edge of said phone. 5. The accessory of claim 4, further comprising said lens comprising a prescription lens. 6. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising said lens being a convex lens. 7. The accessory of claim 6, further comprising said lens being spherical in strength. 8. The accessory of claim 7, further comprising said lens comprising a prescription lens throughout the entirety of the lens. 9. The accessory of claim 8, further comprising said lens having a power within a range of +1.00 to and including +5.00. 10. A method of enhancing viewing of a mobile phone device, the method comprising the steps: providing a connector configured for engaging the mobile phone device, said mobile phone device comprising a casing and a screen, said casing comprising a front face border, side edges, and a back face, and said connector comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a lens having a hinged connection to said top portion; engaging said connector with said mobile phone device such that said top portion is engaged with said front face border, said lens is in proximity with said screen, and said bottom portion is engaged with said back face; and adjusting viewability of said screen by moving said screen about said hinged connection of said top portion, wherein said screen is configured to be moved between zero degrees perpendicular to said screen and ninety degrees parallel to said screen. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein: said connector comprising a phone case; said bottom portion configured to receive said phone within an internal space; and said top portion hingedly affixed to said bottom portion and configured to enclose said phone within said internal space. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said lens comprises a prescription lens. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein: said connector comprising a clip; said top portion and bottom portion of said connector joined at a hinge; and wherein said clip is configured for clasping an edge of said phone. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a prescription lens. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said lens comprises a convex lens. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said lens comprises spherical strength. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said lens comprises a prescription lens throughout the entirety of the lens. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said lens comprises a lens having a power within a range of +1.00 to and including +5.00. 19. An accessory for use with a tablet computer having a display screen, the accessory comprising: a connector configured for engaging at least a portion of a body of a tablet computer; said connector having a top portion and a bottom portion; a lens affixed to said top portion, said lens configured to be selectively moveable to an angle between a first orientation parallel to a screen of said tablet computer and a second orientation perpendicular to said screen; and wherein said angle of said lens provides visual enhancement of information presented on said screen of said phone. 20. The accessory of claim 19, further comprising: said connector comprising a tablet computer case; said bottom portion configured to receive said tablet computer within an internal space; and said top portion hingedly affixed to said bottom portion and configured to enclose said tablet computer within said internal space. 21. An accessory system for use with an electronic device having a display screen, the accessory system comprising an accessory having: a frame configured to be coupled to the electronic device; and a lens movably coupled to the frame, wherein the lens is configured to pivot about an axis extending along or adjacent to an outer edge of the electronic device when the frame is coupled to the electronic device such that the lens is positionable at a various angles relative to the display screen so that a user can view the display screen through the lens. 22. The accessory system of claim 21 wherein the frame is configured to be clipped to said electronic device or to receive said electronic device therein. 23. The accessory system of claim 21 wherein the lens is configured to magnify, focus or vary the image of the screen when viewed through the lens by variable amounts depending upon the angle of the lens relative to the display screen to improve the visibility of the screen by the user. 24. The accessory system of claim 21 further comprising the electronic device, and wherein the frame is coupled to the electronic device. 25. The accessory system of claim 21 wherein the lens is generally rectangular in top view and has a longitudinal dimension, and wherein the lens is pivotable about an axis that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal dimension. 26. The accessory system of claim 21 wherein the lens is pivotable about the axis between a first position wherein the lens is generally parallel with the display screen to second position wherein the lens forms an angle of at least about 15 degrees with the display screen. |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/764,370, filed August 1, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/394,827, filed April 25, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a phone accessory and method for use thereof, and more specifically to an adjustable phone lens accessory.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Correcting vision is a common and ongoing problem. Existing products for correcting vision during normal day to day activities include glasses and contacts. Products such as the customizable eyeglass system and method of use described in U.S. Patent No. 9,817,247 and its continuation-in-part application Publication No. 2018/0039098, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, teach methods and systems for easily adjustable eyewear for everyday use. However, people tend to remove their glasses and contacts at night when they are sleeping. This causes issues when they receive a phone call or message or need to check their phone quickly for any other reason. The user would have to find their glasses or put in their contacts to be able to read their phone screen. What is needed is a device to allow for quick viewing of a phone screen for people who need vision correction.
[0004] Heretofore there has not been available an acceptable system or method for an adjustable phone lens accessory with the advantages and features of the present invention. SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention in one case generally provides an accessory for use with a phone. The accessory connects to the phone, either by enveloping the phone with a case-like element or clipping to the side of the phone with a clip. A hinged lens covers at least a portion of the screen and pivotally connects to the connection portion. This lens can be tilted up from the screen to increase the effective prescription of the lens, enlarging the text and images on the screen of the phone, or can be tilted back down towards the screen to reduce the effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
[0007] Fig. l is a three-dimensional isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention having a case-like connection element shown in a closed orientation.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in an open orientation.
[0009] Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in an open orientation in combination with a typical phone element to be received by the connection element.
[0010] Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof.
[0011] Fig. 5 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a left side elevational view thereof.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a right side elevational view thereof. [0014] Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0015] Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention having a clip-like connection element shown in combination with a typical phone element.
[0016] Fig. 10 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof showing the clip element clipped to the phone element in a first orientation.
[0017] Fig. 11 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof showing the clip element clipped to the phone element in a second orientation.
[0018] Fig. 12 is a top plan view thereof.
[0019] Fig. 13 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0020] Fig. 14 is a left side elevational view thereof.
[0021] Fig. 15 is a right side elevational view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction and Environment
[0022] Certain detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[0023] Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words,“inwardly” and“outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
II. First Embodiment Adjustable Phone Lens Accessory 2
[0024] As shown in Figs. 1 - 8, a first embodiment adjustable phone lens accessory 2 includes a frame or phone case type connection element with a top portion 6 and a bottom portion 4 which connect by a hinged element 10 extending along or defining a pivot axis allowing the top portion 6 to pivot up and away from the bottom portion 4. The top portion 6 also includes a generally clear, transparent or translucent plastic or glass lens 8 for magnifying and/or focusing a phone’s 14 screen 16 stored within the accessory 2, and which can cover all or at least a portion of the screen 16.
[0025] The accessory 2 can be fully or partially opened as shown in Fig. 2 and a phone, tablet, or other electronic device or other item to be viewed 14 with a dynamic display screen 16 can be inserted as shown in Fig. 3. After the phone 14 is inserted into the space 12 within bottom portion 4, the top portion 6 can be moved to adjust the focus of the screen 16 of the phone 14. Adjusting angle A shown in Fig. 2 adjusts the focus; in one case, the higher the tilt, the larger the images and text shown on the screen 16 of the phone 14. This allows for quick viewing of the contents of the phone’s 14 screen 16, such as when the user isn’t wearing their vision correcting devices.
III. Second Embodiment Adjustable Phone Lens Accessory 52
[0026] Figs. 9 - 15 show a clip or frame or second phone lens accessory 52 embodiment which covers all or at least a portion of the screen 16 of a phone, tablet, or other electronic device or item to be viewed 14 with an adjustable lens 58. This embodiment generally features a clip or other attachment element having a top portion 56 and bottom portion 54 joined by a spring hinge 62 or other suitable element allowing the top and bottom portions 56, 54 to be pressed to open the clip and then automatically retract, allowing the clip to clamp about the edge 64 of the phone 14. The lens 58 is attached to the top portion 56 of the clip with a hinge element 60. This allows the clip accessory 52 to function similarly to the previous embodiment, where the further the lens 58 is lifted up along variable angle B of Fig. 11, the greater the effect of enlargement of text or other information on the phone’s 14 screen 16.
[0027] For either embodiment, the lens 8, 58 may be a convex lens where the lens power is spherical in strength. The power of the prescription focus or
magnification being applied by the lens 8, 58 may be consistent throughout the entirety of the lens 8, 58. Such power ranges that can be used here range from +1.00 through +5.00. The lens 8, 58 of either embodiment is able to magnify, focus or vary the image of the phone’s 14 screen 16 at any angle, whether perpendicular, vertical, or any angle in between such as at least about 15 degrees in one case, or at least about 45 degrees in another case. The lens 8, 58 can pivot about a longitudinal or lateral edge of the frame or electronic device 14.
[0028] A tablet computer could also be used with an embodiment of the present invention and would function similarly to how the phone described above when interacting with either phone lens accessory 2, 52.
[0029] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.