Retainers

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to wearable safety equipment and, more particularly, to an apparatus that may provide ear and eye protection.

#2. Description of Related Art

#Various aspects of a eyeglass retainer and ear protection device, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIGS. 1-13 depict various embodiments of safety equipment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

#The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In general, the device 100 includes a left strap 104 and a substantially identical right strap. The relative lengths of the right and left straps can be controlled by placement of the ball 102. There are a variety of different adjustable balls 102 that are contemplated. For example, the ball 102 may include a spring-biased portion that presses inwardly on the straps so that the ball 102 is held in place. A user can depress such a portion, thereby biasing the portion away from the straps so that the ball 102 may be slid up and down on the straps. In that way, the length of the left and right straps may be adjusted. One of ordinary skill will recognize that other sizing mechanisms, such as clips, and sliders, may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

#The left strap 104 includes an end portion 120 that is configured to accept the arm portion of various eyewear. Such eyewear can include sunglasses, goggles, safety eyewear and conventional eyewear. For example, the end portion 120 may include a cavity 118 that fits around the tip of the arm of a pair of glasses. This cavity 118 may be sized to provide a snug fit around the tip which is simply pushed into the cavity 118 by a user. The end of the portion 120 where cavity 118 is may also be constructed from an elastic material so as to accept a variety of sizes of glasses and still provide a snug fit.