Convertible Eyeglass Retainer/Jewelry Article

• US 20070006612A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patricia Ignatowski
• Original Assignee: Patricia Ignatowski
• Inventors: Ignatowski, Patricia
• Granted Patent: US 7,322,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 63/3.100
• 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 are a necklace, a bracelet and a decorative eyeglass extension;

wherein the first strand forms the necklace, the second strand forms the eyeglass extension and the third strand forms the bracelet;

wherein the first strand is longer than the second strand and wherein the second strand is shorter than the third strand;

wherein the first strand further includes an accessory coupling member at its first end and further including an accessory connected to the accessory coupling member;

further including a combination coupler having an optical coupler at one end and a coupling member at an opposite end and wherein the optical couplers of the combination coupler and the second strand are mounted to the same temple arm and wherein the second end of the second strand is connected to the strand coupling member of the combination coupler and the second end of the third strand is connected to the accessory coupling member at the first end of the first strand.

2. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the accessory is connected to the strand coupling member at the first end of the third strand.

3. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the strand coupling members are bayonet connections including a pin clip and a spherical member defining a socket sized to receive the pin clip.

4. The convertible article of claim 1, further including an accessory coupling member connected to the first end of each of the first and second strands.

5. The convertible article of claim 4, further including an accessory having a complimentary accessory coupling member detachably engagable with the accessory coupling member of one of the first and second strands.

6. The convertible article of claim 5, wherein the accessory is an eyeglass extension.

7. The convertible article of claim 5, wherein the accessory is a decorative charm.

8. The convertible article of claim 5, wherein the accessory coupling members form a bayonet connection including a pin clip and a spherical member defining a socket sized to receive the pin clip.

9. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein each strand is formed by a plurality of linked decorative elements.

10. The convertible article of claim 9, wherein the decorative elements include beads and bars.

11. The convertible article of claim 1, further including a decorative hair clip attachable to the strand coupling members of one of the first, second and third strands.

12. The convertible article of claim 11, wherein the hair clip has opposing jaws and a decorative escutcheon mounted to one of the jaws.

13. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the optical couplers are selected from the group of couplers consisting of spring clamps and loop fasteners.

14. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the jewelry items include a necklace and a double-stranded glass extension.

18. The convertible article of claim 1, wherein the jewelry items include a necklace and two decorative eyeglass extensions.

19. The convertible article of claim 18, wherein the first and second strands form the eyeglass extensions and wherein the third strand forms the necklace.

15. 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 second strand.

16. The convertible article of claim 15, wherein the third strand is longer than the first strand and the first strand is shorter than the second strand.

17. The convertible article of claim 15, 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.