Eyeglass frames with hooks for holding cigarettes and other objects

Abstract

Hooks are affixed to the temples or upper rims of eyeglass frames in parallel fashion with openings facing upright in order to hold a cigarette or other lightweight object. Hooks may be threaded into holes in eyeglass frames, affixed with adhesive, crimped onto the frame, or the hooks may be similarly affixed to a pair of small clamps to be removably clamped onto the sunglass frame. This invention allows the eyeglass wearer to store a cigarette, pencil, or other lightweight object(s) on the eyeglasses while they are being worn.

Claims

1. An improved frame for eyeglasses comprising a pair of hooks, eyelets, or similar apparatus attached in parallel alignment a short enough distance apart for said hooks to hold a cigarette, writing utensil, or other lightweight object when both hooks are used in conjunction: (a) A frame as in claim 1 wherein a pair of hooks is attached to the temple portion of an eyeglasses frame; (b) A frame as in claim 1 wherein a pair of hooks is attached above one or both lens(es); (c) A frame as in claim 1 wherein multiple pairs of hooks is attached to one or both temples of the frame; (d) A frame as in claim 1 wherein said hooks are constructed as part of the eyeglasses frame and formed of the same material; (e) A frame as in claim 1 wherein said hooks are screwed into holes in the eyeglass frame; (f) A frame as in claim 1 wherein said hooks are attached with solder or adhesive; (g) A frame as in claim 1 wherein said hooks of claim 1 wherein said hooks are attached by crimping.

2. A clamp assembly for removably improving eyeglass frames and other accessories as in claim 1 comprising a clamp including two levers linked at the middle areas thereof with first ends working together to form clamping jaws and second, opposite, ends thereof formed as opening grips for separating clamping jaws, said clamp also including a spring means for loading the clamping jaws toward one another, one or more hooks, eyelets or similar apparatus attached to one of the levers of said clamp that can function as in claim 1 to hold cigarette(s), writing utensil(s), or other lightweight object(s) when the two clamp assemblies in the pair are attached and used in conjunction: (a) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said clamp is made of metallic material; (b) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said clamp is are made of wood; (c) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said clamp is made of plastic or similar synthetic material; (d) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said hook is constructed as part of the clamp and formed of the same material; (e) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said hook(s) are screwed into holes in the clamps; (f) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said hook(s) are attached to said clamps with solder or adhesive; (g) A clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said hook(s) are attached to said clamps by crimping.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates how screw hooks are cut so that the threaded element of the hook is the same length as the width of the temple portion of the eyewear frame, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The figure also illustrates how holes are drilled in the eyeglass frame, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates how the screw hooks are threaded into holes drilled in the eyewear frame to produce two parallel hooks with openings facing upright in order to hold a cylindrical object, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates how a hand-rolled cigarette can be inserted into the hooks and stored according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates how the shoulder portion (encircled) of a screw hook is straightened in one embodiment of the present invention, to allow for multiple pairs of hooks to be inserted on the same temple of the eyewear frame, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates how screw hooks modified in the fashion pictured in FIG. 4 are cut so that the threads are as long as the frame temples are wide, and holes are drilled for each hook in the distal portions of each temple and the tops of the rims, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates how modified screw hooks are threaded into holes drilled in the distal portions of each temple so that one pair of hook faces upright and one pair faces downward on each temple. Two more pairs of hooks are threaded into the top of each rim until the threads are hidden and the hook openings are facing upright, according to one embodiment of the present invention that can hold six objects.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates how a total of six hand-rolled cigarettes can be inserted into pairs of hooks on the frame temples and over the rims, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates how screw hooks modified as in FIG. 1 are threaded into holes in clamp assemblies, including but not limited to miniature wooden clothespins measuring approximately 1.25 inches in length, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates how two clamp assemblies, including but not limited to miniature wooden clothespins, modified with screw hooks as in FIG. 8, are clamped to the temple of a pair of eyeglasses according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates how a hand-rolled cigarette can be inserted into the hooks affixed to two clamp assemblies when clamped to the temple of a pair of eyeglasses according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Various preferred embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various preferred embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present inventions.

[0019] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0020] The invention consists of attaching at least two hooks approximately 1.5 and 3 inches apart to the temple portion of an eyeglass frame in order to insert and store one or more cigarettes; writing utensils; and other lightweight objects on the eyeglasses while being worn.

[0021] Construction of one embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1-3) begins with two ⅝ in. screw hooks and a pair of eyeglasses that has temples of at least 0.25 in. in height. Two holes are drilled into the center of the distal side of the temple approximately 1.5 in. to 3 in. apart as illustrated in FIG. 1. The threaded portion of the screw hook is cut until it is the same length as the width of the temple portion of the eyeglass frame (see FIG. 1). Then, each screw hook is threaded into the hole until the threads are hidden and the hook is facing upright when the eyewear is worn (FIG. 2). If the threaded portion of the hook extends through the eyeglass frame, it can be ground down with a rotary tool until flush. A cigarette, pencil, or lightweight, cylindrical object can then be inserted through both hooks and stored on the eyeglasses while worn as seen in FIG. 3. Other lightweight objects, such as keys or jewelry, can be hung from one or both hook(s).

[0022] Construction of another embodiment of the invention (seen in FIG. 4-7) begins with twelve ⅝ in. screw hooks and a pair of eyeglasses that has temples of at least 0.25 in. in height. At least eight of these hooks must be bent at the shoulder, so that the neck of the hook will be perpendicular to the frame temples until it curves into the hook shape (see FIG. 4). All of the hooks may be bent in this manner for aesthetic reasons, or this step may be omitted in embodiments with eyeglass temples measuring approximately 0.75 inches in height or greater. The threaded portion of each screw hook is cut until it is the same length as the width of the temple portion of the eyeglass frame (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment four holes are drilled into the distal side of each temple located approximately equidistant from the top edge and the center line and equidistant from the bottom edge and the center line approximately 1.5 in. to 3 in. apart as illustrated in FIG. 5. Two holes are also drilled into the rim above each lens as well, approximately 1.5 in. to 3 in. apart. Then, each screw hook is threaded into a hole until the threads are hidden and the hook is facing upright when the eyewear is worn (FIG. 6). If the threaded portion of the hook extends through the eyeglass frame, it can be ground down with a rotary tool. Up to six cigarettes, pencils, or other lightweight objects then can be inserted through each pair of hooks in this embodiment of the present invention as seen in FIG. 7. Other lightweight objects, such as a key or piece of jewelry, can be hung from one or both hook(s).

[0023] Other embodiments include, but are not limited to, eyeglasses with two hooks on one temple and no additional hooks, two hooks on each temple without hooks over the rims around the lenses, three pairs of hooks on each temple with or without additional hooks over the rims, or hooks over the rims without hooks on the temples. Other embodiments employ eyelets or apparatus of diverse shapes that can function to removably hold cylindrical objects in a manner similar to hooks.

[0024] Construction of another embodiment (seen in FIG. 8-10) begins with two miniature clothespins, alligator clips, or similar self-contained clipping or clamping device measuring approximately 1.25 in. in length. ⅝ in. screw hooks, cut to an appropriate length as described above, are then screwed into miniature clothespins, soldered to miniature alligator clips, or otherwise affixed to or fabricated as part of similar small, lightweight clamping devices. Two of these miniature clothespins, miniature alligator clips, or similar devices can then be clipped onto eyeglass temples, hat brims, hat bands, other accessories, other articles of clothing, and other thin objects in order to hold a cigarette, pencil, or other lightweight object. Other lightweight objects, such as a key or piece of jewelry, can be hung from one hook, affixed as part of a pair or in isolation.

[0025] In another variation of this invention, hooks made of a flexible metal can be crimped onto eyeglass frame temples made of metal or other materials in a manner similar to that described above. The preferred embodiment features stainless steel hooks, but other variations can include hooks or eyelets of other materials. Another variation includes hooks with larger-sized openings to hold cigars or similar-sized objects. Another variation includes hooks with two different-sized openings in order to hold cone-shaped cigarettes or other conical objects of similar size.