Eyeglass container with holder for elongated object

Abstract

The present invention provides embodiments of eyeglass cases in combination with structure for retaining an elongated object, such as a writing instrument.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An eyeglass container with a holder for elongated object comprised of a body having sidewalls defining a hollow portion in which eyeglasses can be stored and a cap that engages with the opening, the body further comprising structure for holding an elongated object, the structure comprising at least one clamp that is mounted on the body.  
     
     
         2 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the structure for holding an elongated object is further comprised of a recess provided in the body that is spaced apart from the clamp.  
     
     
         3 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The eyeglass container of  claim 2  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is ring shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The eyeglass container of  claim 2  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the cap is joined to the body by a hinge.  
     
     
         8 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the cap is provided with a skirt having a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the cap, and wherein when the cap is joined to the body, the skirt is frictionally engaged with an inner side of the sidewall at the opening of the body.  
     
     
         9 . The eyeglass container of  claim 8  wherein the cap is joined to the body by a hinge.  
     
     
         10 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the body is provided with a plurality of clamps.  
     
     
         11 . The eyeglass container of  claim 10  wherein the clamps are U-shaped.  
     
     
         12 . The eyeglass container of  claim 10  wherein the clamps are ring shaped.  
     
     
         13 . The eyeglass container of  claim 1  wherein the elongated object is selected from the group consisting of: writing instruments, light sources, a thermometer, a thermometer case, a container, a screwdriver, and a screwdriver kit.  
     
     
         14 . An eyeglass container with a holder for elongated object comprised of a body having sidewalls defining a hollow portion in which eyeglasses can be stored and a cap that engages with the opening, the body further comprising structure for holding an elongated object, the structure comprising at least one clamp that is mounted on the body and a recess provided in the body that is spaced apart from the clamp.  
     
     
         15 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the clamp is ring shaped.  
     
     
         17 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the cap is joined to the body by a hinge.  
     
     
         18 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the cap is provided with a skirt having a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the cap, and wherein when the cap is joined to the body, the skirt is frictionally engaged with an inner side of the sidewall at the opening of the body.  
     
     
         19 . The eyeglass container of  claim 18  wherein a hinge joins the cap to the body.  
     
     
         20 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the recess is positioned in a region of the body that has a width dimension greater than a width dimension where the clamp is positioned.  
     
     
         21 . The eyeglass container of  claim 14  wherein the elongated object is selected from the group consisting of: writing instruments, light source, thermometer, a container, a screwdriver, and a screwdriver kit.  
     
     
         22 . An eyeglass container with a holder for elongated object comprised of a body including clamshell portions joined at a hinge, the clamshell portions having sidewalls defining a hollow portion in which eyeglasses can be stored, wherein one of the clamshell portions is provided with structure for retaining an elongated object, wherein the structure is at least one clamp that is mounted on the clamshell portion.  
     
     
         23 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the structure for holding an elongated object is further comprised of a recess provided in the clamshell portion that is spaced apart from the clamp.  
     
     
         24 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         25 . The eyeglass container of  claim 23  wherein the clamp is U-shaped.  
     
     
         26 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the clamp is ring shaped.  
     
     
         27 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the body is provided with a plurality of clamps.  
     
     
         28 . The eyeglass container of  claim 27  wherein the clamps are U-shaped.  
     
     
         29 . The eyeglass container of  claim 27  wherein the clamps are ring shaped.  
     
     
         30 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the clamps are elongated.  
     
     
         31 . The eyeglass container of  claim 22  wherein the elongated object is selected from the group consisting of: writing instruments, light sources, a thermometer, a thermometer case, a container, a screwdriver, and a screwdriver kit.