Convertible eyeglass retainer/jewelry article

• US 7,322,214 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patricia M. Ignatowski
• Original Assignee: Patricia M. Ignatowski
• Inventors: Ignatowski, Patricia M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US11/531,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20070006612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 63/38
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/001 Jewels transformable into other jewels, e.g. finger rings transformable into ear-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/003 Jewellery holding or retaining articles, e.g. eyeglasses
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/002 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of a single strap passing around the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0541 Eyeglasses or spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/006 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head or neck not in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/04 Arrangements for supporting by hand, e.g. lorgnette, Arrangements for supporting by articles by walking-sticks A45B3/00

Abstract

An article convertible from an eyeglass retainer to multiple independent jewelry articles has three strands that can be linked together to form a single continuous strand with optical couplers at each end for mounting to the temple arms of conventional eyeglasses. The strands can be uncoupled to form various jewelry items, such as a necklace, bracelet and dangling glass extensions. The strands are made of a plurality of decorative jewelry elements, such as beads, bars charms and other adornments linked together end to end. Bayonet type connections between the strands and decorative accessories coupled thereto make for quick and easy conversion from eyeglass retainer to jewelry items.

Claims

1. A convertible eyeglass retainer and jewelry article, comprising:

a first elongated decorative strand having opposite first and second ends, the first end having an optical coupler for attachment to a temple arm of a pair of eyeglasses and the second end having a strand coupling member;

a second elongated decorative strand having opposite first and second ends, the first end having an optical coupler for attachment to an opposite temple arm of the eyeglasses and the second end having a strand coupling member; and

a third elongated decorative strand having opposite first and second ends each having a strand coupling member linkable to the strand coupling members of one of the first and second strands;

wherein the article forms an eyeglass retainer when the strand coupling members of the third strand are each linked to one strand coupling member of either of the first and second strands;

wherein the strand coupling members of the third strand are detachable from the strand coupling members of the first and second strands so as to form at least two jewelry items;

wherein the jewelry items include a necklace and a double-stranded glass extension;

wherein the necklace is formed by the second strand and the doubled-stranded glass extension is formed by connecting the first end of the first strand to the first end of the third strand.

2. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the third strand is longer than the first strand and the first strand is shorter than the second strand.

3. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first strand includes an accessory coupling member detachably linkable to the first end of the second strand for forming the double-stranded glass extension.