A DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPECTACLES This invention relates to a device for retaining spectacles.

It is known to provide devices for retaining spectacles that can be worn by a user. For example, a chain can be used which will connect to each temple tip of the spectacle’s two temples and can then allow the spectacles to hang around the user’s neck, when the user is not wearing the spectacles. Other known devices include magnetic bars that can be attached to a user’s garment, with one bar placed inside the user’s garment and one placed outside. The user’s spectacles can then be held in place by using the bar as a location for hooking over one temple of the spectacles, when the spectacles are in their folded condition. The user stores their spectacles in this way, by hanging them over the bar when they are not needed.

There are a number of problems with magnetic spectacle storage devices, such as the fact that the magnets have been known to fall out, making the device unusable. Similarly, if the two parts of the device are allowed to come together quickly, the magnets can shatter on impact, which again renders the device unusable. The magnets are also more likely to fall out after such an event since the cured liquid adhesive will become brittle over time and is then prone to shatter when the device is impacted. It is also the case that it is relatively easy for the user’s spectacles to fall out of the retaining bar in a magnetic spectacle storage device, when the user is moving around, which is clearly undesirable, since this may lead to damage of the spectacles. There is also the problem of correctly balancing the number and power of the magnets used in the device, since if the magnets are not strong enough, the device can come apart in use, with the two parts separating. If the magnetism is too strong, the device can be more difficult to use, with the risk of damage to the user’s top and/or the user being unable to remove the device easily from their top due to the strength of the magnets being used in the device. Increased magnetic strength also requires the use of larger and/or more brittle magnets (more brittle due to increased neodymium percentage, which allows greater magnetic strength) which increases the weight of the device, thus creating more drag on the users garment, and/or increases the occurrence of the magnets shattering.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for retaining spectacles, the device comprising a magnet comprising a body with a pair of opposite faces, and a cradle for mounting the magnet and comprising a three-quarter diamond shaped retaining part for retaining the spectacles.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising two devices according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the two magnets, of which there is one magnet in each respective device, are provided with opposite polarity.

Owing to the invention, it is possible to provide a device for retaining spectacles that is easy to use, has much better protection for the magnets used in order to prevent them being damaged and/or falling out (and is lighter and drags less on clothing garments) and also is much better at retaining the spectacles in place, when in use. The cradle of the device holds the magnet in place in the device and mounts the magnet while allowing a face of the magnet to be exposed to provide a constant level of magnetic attraction to another magnet or metal surface. There is no requirement to use liquid adhesive in the device, which eliminates any problems of the liquid adhesive becoming brittle over time. In use, the retaining part of the cradle is below the magnet of the device, which acts as a barrier to any vertical movement of the spectacles, and reduces the incidence of the spectacles falling out.

The reactive design of the retaining part of the cradle allows an aperture to be formed fully open for easy insertion of the temple arm as a pair of spectacles is hooked into place. As the spectacles come to rest on the supporting part of the cradle, their weight wedges them into a lower V-shaped portion and draws the sides of the three-quarter diamond more closely together in a hinged movement (i.e. the weight of the spectacles increases the distance of the bottom of the retaining part from the magnet, thereby bringing closer together the sides of the three-quarter shaped diamond). The use of soft, viscous cradle material envelops and compresses against the spectacles at the points of contact. In addition to reducing vertical movement of the spectacles, this hinged wedge type hold eliminates the lateral sliding of spectacles found in straight, horizontal supporting designs and the pendulum swing induced by curved or looped supporting designs The three-quarter diamond shaped retaining part includes return arms which are the shorter upper arms angled back from the V-shaped portion to join with the upper magnet linking portion. These return arms are set at a mirror angle to the lower V-shaped portion arms, but extend for only half their length to provide the optimum balance between the benefits of the draw down feature and lateral stability, particularly the pendulum movement that would be more evident in a full diamond shape. As the return arm lengths are increased, the hinged wedging effect increases, but so does unwanted pendulum swing. As the arm lengths are decreased, pendulum swing decreases, but so does the beneficial wedging effect. The lower radius, at the base of the V-shaped portion, and the two radii joining the V-shaped portion to the return arms can be varied to brace and balance the weight and depth of the hinged movement against the flexibility and elasticity of the material used. Similarly, the return arms can be thickened and chamfered where they join the upper portion of the cradle (the portion linking the cradle to the magnet) to create additional stiffness, as required, to balance the load weight.

The preferably flexible nature of the cradle material also allows the spectacles to swing forward and away from the upper body of the user when the user leans forward. This action naturally constricts the aperture at a time of particular vulnerability and prevents the spectacles from sliding up and out of the cradle. The thin, circular cradle retaining portion profile is designed to be easily visible to the user (> 1.6mm) but thin enough to prevent strain on the closed hinge of the spectacles (< 2.0mm) as it folds over the material, and reduce incidents of nipping, where the hinge of the spectacles catches and tears at the material during removal.

Preferably, the cradle, or at least the retaining part of the cradle, is formed from a lightweight and flexible material with good tensile strength and a viscous (or tacky) surface texture to provide a good friction coefficient. The cradle is preferably manufactured from a flexible material with some rubber like properties such as flexible PVC, TPU, TPE, or an equivalent synthetic alternative that is non-toxic, UV stable, and resistant to detergents and other common household chemicals. This provides a suitable material for the linking part of the cradle that is actually used by the end user to retain their spectacles.

The device can further comprise a casing enclosing at least part of the magnet and connected to the cradle. Ideally, the casing is formed from a rigid material. The casing is preferably manufactured from a lightweight, tough, durable, and rigid material such as a plastics material. The casing is then able to best protect and retain the magnet therein. A rigid casing is prevented from peeling away from the magnet. A rigid case is easier for a user to handle and provides a secure case that protects the components within. The internal magnet is protected from collision damage, as is the part of the flexible cradle that is inside the casing. The casing can be formed as two or more parts that are fitted or joined together or as a single component that is over-moulded onto the magnet.

Advantageously, the cradle further comprises a linking part connected to the retaining part, the linking part mounting the magnet, where the linking part of the cradle comprises a shaped part that surrounds the magnet in a snap-fit type embodiment and the retaining part of the cradle comprises a loop of material that extends off the linking part of the cradle. The cradle is preferably formed as a single component, with two connected parts, the linking part and the retaining part. The linking part is in contact with the magnet and preferably encircles the magnet, thereby providing additional protection for the magnet in the event of any accidental dropping of the device. The retaining part preferably extends off the linking part and is provided for the user to hook their spectacles into the retaining part when the user wishes to use the device to temporarily store their spectacles.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of components of a device,

Figure 2 is a front view of the device assembled from the components of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a front view of the device in use retaining spectacles,

Figure 4 is cross-section through part of the device,

Figure 5 is a perspective of a second embodiment of a magnet for use in the device,

Figure 6 is a cross-section through part of the device, using the second embodiment of the magnet,

Figure 7 is a perspective from the side of two devices,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of components of a further embodiment of the device,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of components of a yet further embodiment of the device,

Figure 10 is a cross-section through a further embodiment of the device, Figure 11 is a perspective exploded view of components of a yet further embodiment of the device, and

Figure 12 is a perspective and side view of a further embodiment of a magnet for use in the device.

Figure 1 shows the principal components (not to scale) that are used to make a first embodiment of the device for retaining spectacles. The device comprises a magnet 14 comprising a body 15 with a pair of opposite faces 16. The body 15 includes a reduced portion 18 having a smaller circumference relative to the remainder of the body 15, here in the form of a chamfered edge 18. The device further comprises a cradle 20 for mounting the magnet 14. In this embodiment, the cradle 20 comprises a linking part 22 and a three-quarter diamond shaped retaining part 24 connected to the linking part 22. The linking part 22 is for connecting to the magnet 14 and the retaining part 24 is for retaining the spectacles 12 and includes a V-shaped portion 24a and return arms 24b. A casing 26 is also provided, for enclosing at least part of the magnet 14 and the linking part 22 of the cradle 20. The cradle 20 is formed from a flexible material and the casing 26 is formed from a rigid material. In this embodiment of the device, the casing 26 is formed of two parts 26a and 26b which can be snap-fitted together. The linking part 22 of the cradle 20 comprises a circular shaped part 22 that in use surrounds the disc shaped magnet 14 and may be formed of other shapes to surround magnets of different shapes. The retaining part 24 of the cradle 20 comprises a loop of material 24 that extends off the linking part 22 of the cradle 20 to form a three-quarter diamond shape. The faces 16 of the magnet 14 are flat. When the device is assembled, the casing 26 wraps around the magnet 14 and is open at the face 16a of the magnet 14 which is provided with the chamfer, with the face 16a of the magnet 14 recessed slightly. To assemble the device from the components, the retaining part 24 of the cradle 20 is wrapped around the magnet 14 and the two parts 26a and 26b of the casing are pushed together to snap-fit around the magnet 14.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the device 10 once it has been assembled from the components of Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows the device 10 in use with spectacles 12 being retained by the device 10. The device 10 is a magnetic device 10 for safely storing spectacles 12 or sunglasses (or other items such as pens) about a person in a manner that keeps them readily available for use. The device 10 will preferably be sold and used in pairs. Each device pair will use magnets 14 of axially opposed polarity, with one device 10 with a magnet 14 magnetised north/south on the flat faces 16a, and the other with a magnet 14 magnetised south/north on the flat faces 16a. Selling in pairs will allow for increased sales appeal by using contrasting colours for use with differently coloured clothing. The colour or finish of the cradle 20 can also be matched or contrasted with the casing 26. If the devices 10 are sold and used in a pair, the first device 10 is placed on the front (outside) of a clothing garment, and the second device 10 is placed in the corresponding location on the back (inside). The two device magnets 14 will automatically centre on each other and lock together and this is a particularly useful feature as magnet to metal will not ‘centre and lock’ properly, i.e. the magnet may only attach at an edge when attached to ferrous metal and be more easily dislodged. One temple of the user’s spectacles 12 can then be fed through the cradle 20 so the spectacles 12 come to rest on the hinge or end piece. Because the device 10 is magnetic, there is no damage to clothing, as might be the case with similar devices using pins or the like. Each magnet 14 is slightly recessed within the casing 26. This prevents direct collision with each magnet 14 when the two devices 10 are brought together.

The magnets 14 are preferably N42 neodymium disc magnets with a 14.5mm diameter x 3mm thickness with a 1mm chamfered edge on one side of the magnet 14 and having a volume of approximately 450mm ³ of N42 neodymium alloy, although differently shaped magnets, for example square magnets of similar depth and volume, may be used and the volume may be increased for devices specifically adapted for use on thicker materials where the air gap between the magnets is increased and drag on the garment is less evident. The magnets 14 have manufacturing tolerances of +/- 0.1mm or less and can be provided with a standard NiCuNi (Nickel Copper Nickel) or epoxy coating or an alternative coating, to meet specific market demand.

The cradle 20 has an overall design shape of a basic rhombic shape in the form of a narrow three-quarter (¾) diamond with a cylindrical cross-section, 1.8mm in diameter, and a circle (or other loop shaped to match the magnet), with a square 1 8mm cross-section, to secure the cradle 20 around the magnet 14. The cradle aperture dimensions are approximately 15mm by 8mm and maintain a bottom angle of 35 degrees and return angles of 145 degrees, which are the preferred angles, although other angles can be used, with a small radial curve of approximately 2.4mm at the base of the 35 degree angle and 3.0mm radii curves at the 145 degree return angles, to increase the tear resistance of the material and balance the flexibility of the design shape and material with the projected carrying load to control the amount of hinged movement exhibited. The return arms 24b are angled back on both sides to meet the casing and create additional pivot points to allow the lower ‘V’ shape 24a to perform in a hinged fashion under the weight of the spectacles 12 and close laterally to form around the hinge or end piece of the spectacles 12, and increase grip.

The cradle 20 is located below the casing 26 which forms a natural barrier to any vertical movement of the spectacles 12 and, due to the flexible nature of the cradle 20 that naturally bends in use to maintain the spectacles 12 in an upright position, this barrier increases in effect (i.e. the aperture constricts) as the user leans forward. The material that is used for the cradle 20 is similar to rubber, as used in 'O' rings, or silicone, but ideally with greater tensile strength and surface viscosity, such as flexible PVC, TPU, or TPE. The flexible three-quarter diamond shaped design is important in safely retaining the spectacles 12 due to the “wedging” that occurs when a hinge or end piece settles down into the cradle 20. It is possible to increase the aperture size, whilst maintaining the optimum 35 degrees bottom angle and 145 degrees return angles, for spectacles with oversized temples. The aperture dimensions and 35 degree and 145 degree angles in the three-quarter diamond shaped cradle 24 provides the optimum balance between aperture size and lateral grip (or “wedging” - in which shore hardness, elasticity and surface viscosity or texture, and the radii of the curves smoothing the angles, also play a role).

The preferred properties of the cradle 20 are a shore hardness circa 65A/70A, an elasticity circa < 25%, good tensile strength, a viscous or tacky surface texture (to increase lateral grip on the spectacles’ end piece or hinge), high durability, non-toxic, UV stable, resistant to detergents and other common household products and available in wide spectrum of colours to match (or contrast with) the casing 26. The cradle 20 may also be formed with the casing 26 (from the same material or from a different material) as part of a two shot injection moulding process.

The casing 26 joins the cradle 20 to the magnet 14 and provides aesthetic appeal. Preferably, the casing 26 is made from rigid, or semi-rigid, material such as PP PE, or LDPE, depending on the final construction choice. The preferable properties of the casing 26 are that the casing 26 is lightweight, rigid, tough, and hard wearing, has good tensile, torsional, and compressive strength and, is impact resistant, is non-toxic, is UV stable, is resistant to detergents and other common household products and is available in wide spectrum of colours to match the cradle 20. Some degree of elasticity will also be preferable in a snap-fit embodiment of the device 10 to allow the parts to flex without damage whilst being forced into their fitted position.

The preferred design of the device 10 has a dome shaped casing 26. Such a design is both aesthetically appealing and uses the minimum required material, except for the formation of the dome, which also increases strength. However, other design shapes can be used such as shaped to mimic specific objects such as a ball, car, flower, animal, etc. Decorative stickers or screen printing can also be applied to the exterior of the casing 26 to provide decorative and branding options.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the magnet 14 and the casing 26, when device has been assembled from the components of Figure 1. As can be seen in this Figure, the magnet 14 is held by the two-part casing 26, with the chamfered edge 18 matching an opposite chamfer on the inside of the casing 26. The face 16a of the magnet 14 (which is the face 16 of the magnet 14 with the chamfer 18) is open to the exterior of the device 10, but slightly recessed from the edge of the casing 26. When two devices 10 are used together, then the two open faces 16a will have opposite polarity, resulting in a magnetic attraction between the two exposed faces 16a. In use the two exposed faces 16a will be separated by the thickness of the user’s clothing.

To reduce incidence of damage due to shattering, the magnets 14 are preferably recessed 0.1mm to 0.2mm from the surface of the device 10. This will protect the magnets 14 from direct impact if the device pairs are allowed to come together suddenly due to magnet force. It will also have the effect of increasing the strength of the chamfered retaining wall by increasing the thickness by a corresponding measurement. Preferably, the device 10 does not use liquid adhesive to hold the magnet 14 in place. Once cured, liquid adhesive can become brittle and prone to shattering, especially when magnetic force causes a sudden attachment to the opposing magnet 14. It is desirable, therefore, to eliminate liquid adhesive from the process. This can be achieved by retaining the magnet along a groove or a stepped or chamfered edge.

Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the magnet 14 for use in the device 10, where the configuration of the magnet 14 has been changed. In this option the magnet 14 is in the form of a ring magnet 14 with an internal chamfered edge 18. The face 16a of the magnet 14 is in the form of a ring, with the chamfer 18 on the internal edge of the ring. This option allows for magnet retention by over-moulding (as shown), permanently joined parts (e.g. sonic welding, screw threading, press or snap-fit), or by using a stud or screw. Over-moulding allows the casing 26 to be formed as a single component, as shown in Figure 6. Although both embodiments of the magnet 14 show a circular magnet 14, the magnet 14 could also be square or rectangular with an external or internal chamfered edge 18.

The device 10 has a number of advantages in that the device 10 uses a chamfered magnet 14 which can be retained without the use of any adhesive. The device 10 preferably uses a soft cradle, instead of metal or wire. The device 10 uses a three-quarter diamond shaped cradle which, because it is soft and shaped to form around the spectacles 12 at the point of contact, provides lateral grip on the spectacles 12 and reduces vertical and lateral movement, making the hold safer. The device 10 uses a plastic casing 26 (to hold the magnet 14 and join it to the cradle 20) which is more readily customisable than existing metal and metal compound constructions. The magnet 14 is recessed to reduce the incidence of impact damage. The design of the device 10 is reversible.

If over-moulding is used as the most effective construction method, post-production magnetisation can be used to provide the necessary magnetism to the component. Post-production magnetisation is required because neodymium magnets begin to lose their magnetic properties at temperatures above 80°C, well below the temperature required for injection moulding. In use, the device 10 uses only two magnets 14 (when used in a pair) and no superfluous heavy metals, the design of the device 10 also allows for the use of larger (stronger) magnets whilst achieving less overall weight.

Figure 7 shows two of the devices 10 together, as they would be used by the end user who wishes to use the devices 10 to retain their spectacles 12 in position. The two devices 10 are intended to be used so that one of the two devices 10 is inside the user’s clothing and the other of the two devices 10 is outside the user’s clothing. Since the two magnets 14 contained within the respective devices 10 have an opposite polarity with respect to their open face 16a, then the two devices 10 are magnetically attracted to each other in the configuration shown. This will keep the devices 10 in position, once they have been located by the user.

Figures 8 and 9 show two further embodiments of the device 10. Each of these two embodiments of the device 10 are provided with the components of the magnet 14, the cradle 20 and the casing 26. Flowever, when compared to the previous embodiments, the cradle 20 comprises the retaining part 24 (for retaining the user’s spectacles) without there being a linking part present. The cradle 20 still connects to the casing 26 of the device 10 and once the devices of Figure 8 and 9 are assembled they will look and function in the same way as the previous embodiments. The cradle 20 connects to the casing 26 and does not engage with the magnet 14.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the cradle 20 comprises a retaining part 24 and a joining part 28. The casing 26 is provided with a slot 30 that receives the joining part 28 of the cradle 20 and the cradle 20 is connected to the casing 26 via the joining part 28, which locates in the slot 30. The joining part 28 comprises a semi-circular part that connects to the two ends of the retaining part 24 of the cradle 20. In the Figure 9 embodiment of the device 10, the casing 26 is provided with two holes 32 and the cradle 20 comprises the retaining part 24 and a joining part 28 that comprises two balls, one on each end of the retaining part 24. Each ball locates in a hole 32 in the casing 26. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the magnet 14. The magnet 14 comprises a body 15 with a pair of opposite faces 16 with the body 15 including a reduced portion 18 having a smaller circumference relative to the remainder of the body 15. Here the reduced portion 18 is in the form of a groove 18 that runs around the circular magnet 14 at a central location. The casing 26 of the device 10 has a corresponding ring of material that connects with the groove 18 and retains the magnet 14 in place within the device 10. The faces 16 of the magnet 14 are the same circumference as the remainder of the body 15 of the magnet 14 and do not have a chamfer or step.

Figure 11 shows a yet further embodiment of the device 10. In this embodiment, multiple magnets 14 are used in the construction of the device 10, with the magnets 14 being permanently joined by very high bond adhesive pads 34. In this embodiment, the cradle 20 is present, but there is no casing 26 required. Two coloured laminating films 36 are also used to provide additional impact and scratch resistance to the magnets 14 and to hold the fragments together (for increased user safety) if damage should occur. This embodiment allows for the cradle 20 and magnets 14 to be manufactured separately and brought together elsewhere for post-production assembly. In this embodiment, each device 10 is built from eight components: a) (1x) Cradle 20 b) (1x) 12mm 0 x 1mm N42 Neodymium Magnet 14b c) (2x) 15mm 03M 468MP Adhesive Pad 34 d) (2x) 15mm 0 x 1mm N42 Neodymium Magnet 14a e) (2x) 15mm 0 Coloured Laminating Film 36

Different coloured lamination can be applied to the two 15mm 0 magnets 14a to make the design reversible (for example with one exposed side black and the other side white). The magnets 14 are loaded so their poles align (N/S, N/S, N/S). 3M 486MP adhesive pads 34 are used and these pads 34 create an exceptionally high and lasting bond between coated magnets 14. This bond far exceeds the attractive force of the magnets 14 and eliminates incidences of magnets 14 becoming detached. The device 10 has a plurality of magnets 14, where each magnet 14 is connected to a face 16 of an adjacent magnet 14 by an adhesive pad 34. The device 10 has three magnets 14a and 14b, which are arranged with a central magnet 14b that has a smaller circumference than two outer magnets 14a. The central magnet 14b has a smaller circumference than the two external magnets 14a. The central hole in the cradle 20 is the same circumference as the circumference of the smaller central magnet 14b. The effect of this arrangement is that the lip of the cradle 20 that surrounds the central magnet 14b is held between the two larger external magnets 14a, three magnets 14 are held in place by their own attractive magnetic force and this hold becomes permanently fixed _T once they are adhered to the very high bond adhesive pads 34.

In a further embodiment, the construction method allows for the cradle 20 to be directly moulded onto the magnet 14. Therefore, only four components are required to form the device 10 as follows: a) (1x) N42 Neodymium magnet 14, 3mm - 4mm thick with a volume of circa 450mm ³ , to provide > 2 Kg / < 2.2 Kg at 0.0 mm distance (when used in pairs) b) (1x) Cradle 20 (over-moulded) c) (2x) 15mm 0 Coloured Laminating Film 36

Neodymium loses its magnetic properties when exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in the over-moulding process, and therefore magnetic induction must take place after the over-moulding process is complete to create magnetisation. Therefore, this process dictates that neodymium magnet shaping, cradle over-moulding, magnet lamination, and final magnetic induction all take place in the same facility, or are located nearby, to keep shipping costs low and to maintain the necessary quality levels. To achieve a strong and permanent bond between the cradle 20 and the magnet 14, it may be necessary to introduce a groove in the outer circumference of the magnet 14. For example, if the device 10 is manufactured using a 15mm 0 x 3mm neodymium disc magnet 14, it may be necessary to remove a 1mm square or triangular portion from the outer edge of the magnet 14 to create a drum or reel shape profile in the magnet 14, as shown in Figure 12. This magnet 14 is similar to that shown in Figure 10.