阅读说明：本技术 将眼镜固定到用户或物体的系统 (System for fixing glasses to user or object ) 是由 杰伊斯玛·詹姆斯·厄尼卡 于 2018-05-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文公开的系统大体公开了一种用于将眼镜固定到用户或物体的系统。该系统包括具有第一镜腿和第二镜腿的眼镜框架,其中每个镜腿在铰接件处能枢转地连接至眼镜框架。该系统进一步公开了第一套筒和第二套筒,每个都具有外侧、内侧、前端、后端和插入室,插入室在套筒的外侧和内侧之间延伸,并且还延伸穿过套筒的前端和后端。每个套筒通过将镜腿穿过套筒的插入室定位而沿着镜腿的长度定位。该系统进一步公开了固定至所公开系统的第一套筒的外侧的第一磁化元件、以及固定至所公开系统的第二套筒的内侧的第二磁化元件。当眼镜的相应镜腿枢转到闭合的折叠位置时,各磁化元件被磁性地固定至彼此。(The system disclosed herein generally discloses a system for securing eyewear to a user or object. The system includes an eyeglass frame having a first temple arm and a second temple arm, wherein each temple arm is pivotably connected to the eyeglass frame at a hinge. The system further discloses a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each having an outer side, an inner side, a front end, a rear end, and an insertion chamber extending between the outer and inner sides of the sleeves and also extending through the front and rear ends of the sleeves. Each sleeve is positioned along the length of the temple by positioning the temple through the insertion compartment of the sleeve. The system further discloses a first magnetized element secured to an outside of a first sleeve of the disclosed system, and a second magnetized element secured to an inside of a second sleeve of the disclosed system. The magnetized elements are magnetically secured to each other when the respective temples of the eyeglasses are pivoted to the closed, folded position.)

1. A system for securing eyewear to a user or object, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a first temple arm and a second temple arm, each pivotally connected to the frame at a hinge;

a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each having an outer side, an inner side, a front end, a rear end, and an insertion compartment extending between the outer side and the inner side and extending through the front end and the rear end, wherein the first sleeve is positioned along a length of the first temple by positioning the first temple through the insertion compartment of the first sleeve, and wherein the second sleeve is positioned along a length of the second temple by positioning the second temple through the insertion compartment of the second sleeve;

a first magnetized element secured within the outer side of the first sleeve; and

a second magnetized element secured within the interior side of the second sleeve, wherein the second magnetized element is attracted to and secured to the first magnetized element when the first temple and the second temple are pivoted to a closed, folded position.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first magnetized elements secured within the outer side of the first sleeve, and a plurality of second magnetized elements secured within the inner side of the second sleeve.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third magnetized element fixed within the inner side of the first sleeve, and a fourth magnetized element fixed within the outer side of the second sleeve.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a pad attachment having an adhesive side and a magnetized side, wherein the adhesive side is temporarily attachable to an external object and the magnetized side is magnetically attracted to and secured to a fourth magnetized element.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetized element passes through the first sleeve from the front end to the rear end of the first sleeve, and the second magnetized element passes through the second sleeve from the front end to the rear end of the second sleeve.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second magnetized elements and the first and second sleeves further comprise a locking chamber and corresponding locking screws passing therethrough in an orientation perpendicular to the insertion chamber, wherein the locking screws engage the locking chamber until a leading end of the locking screws contact a surface of the first or second temple.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second magnetized elements further comprise an inner transverse slot and the first and second sleeves further comprise an outer transverse slot, and wherein the inner and outer transverse slots are aligned to receive the first or second temple.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the front ends of the first and second sleeves further comprise a male threaded section, an inner housing, and an internally threaded cap, wherein the inner housing directly engages the first or second temple, the sleeve is mounted around the inner housing, and the internally threaded cap engages the male threaded section of the sleeve.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a front collar and a rear collar, each having a locking chamber therethrough in an orientation perpendicular to the insertion chamber, and a corresponding locking screw, wherein the locking screw engages the locking chamber until a leading end of the locking screw contacts a surface of the first temple or the second temple.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves further comprise a second insertion compartment for receiving a magnetized element or temple.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second sleeves further comprise a third insertion compartment for receiving a magnetized element or temple.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves further comprise a hook at a rear end of the first and second sleeves, wherein the hook is engaged with a lanyard.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the lanyard is comprised of a magnetized end and a looped end, wherein the looped end engages the hook, and wherein the magnetized end further engages a magnetized end of a second lanyard.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the magnetized end of the lanyard is engageable with the fourth magnetized element.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are further secured to the first and second temples with hook and loop fasteners.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are further secured to the first and second temples with a buckle.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are further secured to the first and second temples by a tether strap.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are further secured to the first and second temples with an adhesive on an interior side of the first and second sleeves.

19. A system for securing eyewear to a user or object, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a first temple arm and a second temple arm, each pivotally connected to the frame at a hinge;

a first wire and a second wire, each having a magnetic core, a front end, and a back end, wherein the first wire is positioned along a length of the first temple by wrapping the first wire around the length of the first temple, and wherein the second wire is positioned along a length of the second temple by wrapping the second wire around the length of the second temple; and is

Wherein the second magnetized wire is attracted to and fixed to the first magnetized wire when the first and second temples are pivoted to a closed folded position.

20. A system for securing eyewear to a user or object, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a first temple arm and a second temple arm, each pivotally connected to the frame at a hinge;

a first clip and a second clip, each having a magnetized side and two flexible prongs, wherein the first clip is positioned along a length of the first temple by positioning the flexible prongs around the first temple, and wherein the second clip is positioned along a length of the second temple by positioning the flexible prongs around the second temple;

wherein the magnetized side of the first clip is attracted to and secured to the magnetized side of the second clip when the first and second temples are pivoted to a closed, folded position.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for magnetically securing individual eyeglass temples to one another and to a user or external object.

Background

Spectacles, such as presbyopic glasses or sunglasses, usually consist of a frame with two corresponding lenses located on opposite sides of the bridge of the nose. The frame further includes two temples and a lens extending from the frame. Each of the temples is pivotally connected to the frame by a hinge that allows each temple to pivot between an open position in which each temple is positioned vertically with respect to the frame and a folded position in which each temple is positioned parallel with respect to the frame. When the temple arms are pivoted in the open position, the temple arms and nose bridge support the frame and lens on the user's head.

Typically, the user will continuously and temporarily remove their eyeglasses and pivot the temples to the closed, folded position. Temporary removal of the glasses from the user's head is generally accompanied by several drawbacks, including: loss of the glasses when the user cannot recall the location where the glasses were temporarily placed; uncomfortable bouncing on the user's chest when the glasses are folded over the user's collar of clothing or when the glasses are hung around the user's neck by a lanyard or similar device; or damage to the glasses when they are placed in the user's pocket or when they fall off the user's neckline.

It is therefore desirable to be able to integrate a device to the temples of the spectacles, which device fixes the temples to each other and preferably to other objects. Several prior art designs involve the use of temples, unsecured magnetic elements that revolve around the axis of the temples of the glasses, or modifications that enable permanent attachment of the equipment to the temples through the manufacture of the temples of the glasses. However, these prior art designs are cumbersome to install, substantially change the appearance of the eyeglasses, involve changes to manufacturing specifications, or are only compatible with a very limited variety of temple sizes and designs.

For example, U.S. patent No. 6,848,787 to Dietz discloses a clasp for holding eyeglasses on clothing material by magnetic means. However, the magnetic clasp disclosed by Dietz is only compatible with a particular wire temple design and temple diameter, and in some embodiments, the temple needs to be modified to accommodate the clasp. In addition, the magnetized side of the clasp disclosed by Dietz is not fixed to the outside or inside of the temple, thereby allowing the magnetized side to rotate freely about the axis of the temple.

U.S. patent No. 7,172,283 to Asta discloses a magnet attached to a pair of hinged loops that may be secured to the temples of eyeglasses, which allows a user to secure the eyeglasses to an article of clothing worn by the user. However, the device disclosed in Asta has a bulky appearance that is not consistent with the aesthetic appearance of the temple to which the device is secured. Further, like Dietz, the magnets disclosed by Asta are not fixed to the outside or inside of the temple, so that the magnets are free to rotate about the axis of the temple.

Accordingly, in view of these shortcomings, there is a need in the art for an improved system for securing eyeglasses to users and other objects when the eyeglasses are not in use.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention, but rather to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The system disclosed herein generally discloses a system for securing eyewear to a user or object. The system includes an eyeglass frame having a first temple arm and a second temple arm, wherein each temple arm is pivotably connected to the eyeglass frame at a hinge.

The system further discloses a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each having an outer side, an inner side, a front end, a rear end, and an insertion chamber extending between the outer and inner sides of the sleeves and also extending through the front and rear ends of the sleeves. Each sleeve is positioned along the length of the temple by positioning the temple through the insertion compartment of the sleeve.

The system further discloses a first magnetized element secured to an outside of a first sleeve of the disclosed system, and a second magnetized element secured to an inside of a second sleeve of the disclosed system. The magnetized elements are magnetically secured to each other when the respective temples of the eyeglasses are pivoted to the closed, folded position.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the subject invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals indicate similar parts, illustrate generally, by way of example, and not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in this document.

Fig. 1A shows the outside of the sleeve of the system disclosed herein.

FIG. 1B illustrates the sleeve shown in FIG. 1A secured to a temple of an eyeglass.

Fig. 2A illustrates the system disclosed herein with one temple in an open position and a second temple in a closed, folded position.

Fig. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system in which a plurality of magnets are encapsulated within the sleeve material.

Fig. 3A shows the disclosed system with both temples in a closed, folded position.

Fig. 3B shows the eyeglasses secured to the user's clothing in a closed, folded position.

Fig. 3C shows the eyeglasses in a closed, folded position secured to an external object.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system having a lock chamber.

Fig. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the locking chamber and locking screw element of the sleeve shown in fig. 4A.

Fig. 4C shows an alternative embodiment of the sleeve shown in fig. 4A.

Fig. 5A shows an alternative embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system having internal magnetized elements running through the entire length of the sleeve.

Fig. 5B shows an alternative embodiment of the sleeve shown in fig. 5A, wherein the sleeve is further comprised of a transverse slot for attachment to the temple without removing the temple tip.

Fig. 5C shows the sleeve shown in fig. 5A and 5B further including a threaded forward end compatible with the threaded cap to further secure the sleeve to the temple.

Fig. 6A shows a cartridge of the disclosed system with one insertion chamber.

Fig. 6B shows a cartridge of the disclosed system with two insertion chambers.

Fig. 6C shows a sleeve of the disclosed system with three insertion chambers.

Fig. 6D shows the sleeve of the disclosed system with an expanded flexible front end.

Fig. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system in which a magnetized semi-rigid wire is wrapped around the length of the temple.

FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system in which a semi-rigid clip has magnetized sides and two flexible tines.

FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system in which each end of the sleeve and the hook-and-loop fastener engage one another.

Fig. 7D illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system, wherein the sleeve is secured to the temple with a tether.

Fig. 7E illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system, wherein the sleeve further comprises a buckle.

FIG. 7F illustrates an embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system wherein the sleeve is comprised of an adhesive tape that secures the magnets to the temples on the interior surface thereof.

Fig. 7G illustrates an embodiment wherein the sleeve is compressed over the exterior of the temple.

Fig. 8A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system further including a hook for engaging a lanyard or similar device.

Fig. 8B shows the lanyard in a non-stretched position for attachment to the sleeve shown in fig. 8A.

Fig. 8C shows the lanyard in a stretched position for attachment to the sleeve shown in fig. 8A.

Detailed Description

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matter disclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments (also referred to herein as "examples") are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined or other embodiments may be utilized and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

As shown in fig. 1A, in one embodiment, the system discloses a sleeve 1 having a front end 3, a rear end 5, an outer side 7, and an inner side 8 (not shown). The sleeve 1 further comprises an insertion chamber 10 extending from the front end 3 to the rear end 5 of the sleeve 1. As shown in fig. 1B, the sleeve 1 extends over a portion of the eyeglass temple 12 having a temple tip 14.

Preferably, the sleeve 1 is colored or tinted with any color, pattern, texture or surface treatment that is similar to the color, pattern, texture or surface treatment of the temples of the eyeglasses, or alternatively matches the user preferences. Alternatively, the outer side 7 of the sleeve 1 further comprises a trademark, icon, symbol or other similar identifying mark. Since the temple 12 may be composed of any kind of material suitable for eyeglasses, including but not limited to polycarbonate, metal, cellulose acetate or wood, or of various shapes and styles, it is preferred that the sleeve 1 be made of a resilient or flexible material, including but not limited to rubber-based or silicone-based compounds. Preferably, the sleeve 1 is composed of a textured material on the interior 8 side of the sleeve that helps to hold the sleeve to the user's head. In one embodiment, the textured material may be in the form of a plurality of raised nodules or a lining.

As further shown in fig. 1A, the sleeve 1 is positioned on the temple by inserting the temple tip 14 into the insertion chamber 10 at the front end 3 of the sleeve 1. The sleeve 1 is slid along the length of the temple until the insertion housing 10 fits snugly around the temple of the eyeglasses at the front end 3 and the rear end 5 of the sleeve 1.

As shown in fig. 2A, in one embodiment, the system discloses eyeglasses having two respective temples 18, 20. Each temple 18, 20 further includes a sleeve 22, 24 positioned along the length of each temple. The sleeves 22, 24 further include magnets 26, 28, respectively, disposed within the sleeves. The magnets 26 are positioned outside of the sleeve 22 and the magnets 28 are positioned inside of the sleeve 24.

As shown in fig. 2B, the magnets are embedded within the inside or outside of the sleeve. As further shown in fig. 2B, the sleeve of the system discloses an alternative embodiment in which a plurality of magnets are placed within the wall of the sleeve.

The magnets 26, 28 are preferably composed of iron, steel or alloy materials, each of which has the property of generating its own external magnetic field. The magnetic field generated by the magnets 26, 28 is preferably strong enough to attract the magnets toward each other when the magnets are positioned less than one inch from each other. Preferably, the magnetic field strength should not impede or prevent a user from using a nominal amount of force to separate the magnets 26, 28 after the magnets 26, 28 are in contact with each other. The magnet may also contain some therapeutic effect to the user, such as increased blood flow, pain relief, muscle relaxation.

As further shown in fig. 2A, when the temples 18, 20 are folded at the hinges 32, 34 as shown in the direction along lines 29, 30, the magnets 26, 28 attract each other. Preferably, the sleeves 22, 24 are positioned at the same location on the respective temples 18, 20 such that the magnets 26, 28 come into contact with each other when the temples 18, 20 are folded at the hinges 32, 34 to a final folded position. In an alternative embodiment, each of the sleeves 22, 24 contains magnetic elements on its inner and outer sides such that the magnets will attract and secure their respective temples regardless of which temple is folded first into the closed position.

In fig. 3A, the system discloses the magnets 26, 28 fixed to each other and the temples 18, 20 fixed in the final folded position. Once the magnets 26, 28 secure the temples 18, 20 in this folded position, the eyeglasses 16 may be secured to a variety of objects. For example, as shown in fig. 3B, the eyeglasses 16 may be secured to the neckline of the user's clothing.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 3C, the outside of the sleeve 24 further includes a second external magnet 36. In this embodiment, when the temples 18, 20 are secured in the folded position, the eyeglasses 16 may be secured to an object (e.g., table 38) that is attracted to the magnetic field 40 generated by the second external magnet 36. In an alternative embodiment, the system further comprises a magnetic pad attachment 39. The system discloses a cushion attachment 39 that includes an adhesive surface that can engage an object such as, for example, table 38 shown in fig. 3C. The pad attachment 39 further includes a magnetic surface that can engage a compatible magnetic material such as, for example, the second external magnet 38.

Fig. 4A shows an alternative embodiment of the disclosed sleeve 1 of the system, the sleeve 1 consisting of a magnet 2 enclosed by a flexible casing 6, the flexible casing 6 having a front end 3, a rear end 5, an outer side 7 and an inner side 8 (not shown). In this embodiment, the insertion chamber 10 is formed throughout the interior length of the sleeve 1 and extends from the front end 3 to the rear end 5 of the sleeve.

As further shown in fig. 4B, in this embodiment, the system discloses a sleeve further comprising a locking chamber 11 that receives a corresponding locking screw 13. Preferably, the locking chamber 11 and the locking screw are correspondingly screwed as a male-female pair. In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4B, the locking screw 13 is screwed into the locking chamber 11 until the leading end of the locking screw contacts the surface of the temple extending through the insertion chamber 10. The locking screw 13 is preferably tightened against the surface of the temple arm until the sleeve 1 is firmly tightened against the temple arm.

Fig. 4C shows another embodiment of the locking chamber 11 and locking screw 13, where the locking chamber and screw are directly incorporated in the rear and front collars and the magnetic element is arranged and fixed attached to or between one of the collars.

Fig. 5A-5C disclose an alternative embodiment of a sleeve of the disclosed system. As shown in fig. 5A, in one embodiment, the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion 42. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5A, the outer sleeve portion has a cylindrical shape that preferably engages a round wire or metal temple. However, the outer sleeve portion may be any length or shape so as to seamlessly engage with a particular temple design. Preferably, the outer sleeve shown in FIG. 5A is composed of a hard or rigid material. As further shown in fig. 5A, this embodiment of the disclosed system further comprises an inner magnetic section 44, which inner magnetic section 44 engages the outer sleeve section 42 by sliding the inner magnetic section into the outer sleeve section in the direction of arrows 46, 47 until the entire length of the inner magnetic section is enclosed by the outer sleeve section. The inner magnetic part 44 further comprises a chamber 49 for receiving the temple arm and a fixing strip 45 for further fixing the temple arm to the outer sleeve.

Fig. 5B further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the disclosed system. In this embodiment, the outer sleeve section 42 further comprises an outer transverse slot 51 and the inner magnetic section 44 further comprises an inner transverse slot 53. When the internal magnetic portion engages the outer sleeve portion by sliding the internal magnetic portion into the outer sleeve portion in the direction of arrow 55, the outer and inner transverse slots will align, allowing the user to snap the sleeve into a preferred position along the length of the temple without inserting the sleeve through the end of the temple, which typically requires removing the temple tip.

FIG. 5C shows an alternative embodiment of the outer sleeve shown in FIG. 5A further including a male threaded section 57 at the rearward or forward end of the outer sleeve. As further shown in fig. 5C, this embodiment further includes: an inner housing 58, preferably composed of a flexible silicon-based material; and an internally threaded cap 59 that engages the threaded end of the sleeve to further secure the sleeve to the temple. In this embodiment, the inner housing 58 is directly engaged with the temple arm and the outer sleeve and cap are mounted on the inner housing with their respective slots aligned through the temple arm and the cap is secured to the male threaded section of the outer sleeve to secure the inner housing in the temple arm.

In fig. 6A to 6C, the system discloses an alternative embodiment in which a plurality of insert chambers are provided on the sleeve. Fig. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve similar to that shown in fig. 1A and 2B, wherein the sleeve contains a single insertion chamber for receiving an eyeglass temple. As shown in fig. 6B, in another embodiment, the sleeve includes two separate chambers: a first chamber for receiving temples; and a second chamber for receiving magnetized elements for securing respective temples of the eyeglasses to each other and to other objects in accordance with the invention disclosed herein. In yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 6C, the sleeve includes three separate chambers: an intermediate chamber for receiving a temple; and an inner chamber and an outer chamber for receiving the magnetized element. Fig. 6D further illustrates the sleeves disclosed herein with an expanded front end, demonstrating the flexibility of the sleeve and the suitability for various temple designs. In addition to the magnetic elements, these chambers may also be fitted with small chips with Global Positioning System (GPS) capability to monitor the whereabouts of the eyeglass user, or with wireless bluetooth capability for communicating with the user's smartphone or music library.

Fig. 7A through 7G illustrate several alternative embodiments for securing the magnetic elements of the systems disclosed herein to the temples of a user's eyeglasses. Figure 7A illustrates an embodiment in which a magnetized semi-rigid wire is wrapped around the length of the temple. Fig. 7B shows an embodiment in which a semi-rigid clip with magnetized sides and two flexible prongs is used to engage temples of various sizes and dimensions. FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment wherein the ends of the sleeve and the hook-and-loop fastener engage one another, thereby securing the sleeve to the temple. Figure 7D illustrates an embodiment wherein a tether strap is used to secure the sleeve to the temple. Figure 7E illustrates an embodiment wherein the sleeve further includes a buckle or similar attachment mechanism that secures the ends of the sleeve to each other and to the length of the eyeglass temple. FIG. 7F illustrates an embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system wherein the sleeve is comprised of an adhesive tape that secures the magnets to the temples on the interior surface thereof. FIG. 7G illustrates an embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system in which the sleeve is first mounted on the temple and then the magnetic element is mounted on the sleeve. The flexible material of the sleeve compresses against the magnetic element, thereby securing the magnet to the temple.

Fig. 8A discloses another embodiment of the sleeve of the disclosed system, wherein the sleeve further comprises a hook 61 attached to the rear end of the sleeve. The hook is shaped to allow a lanyard or similar device to be attached to the hook and around the user's head to further secure the eyeglasses to the user. Fig. 8B discloses another embodiment of the system disclosed herein, wherein there is further provided an extendable lanyard 62 having a magnet end 63, a retention securing system 64, and a loop 65 for engaging the hook 61 shown in fig. 8A. In this embodiment, the first and second extendable lanyards are attached to first and second sleeves on the first and second temples. The user may then engage the respective magnetic ends of the first and second lanyards to further secure the eyeglasses to the user's head. As shown in fig. 8C, when the lanyard 62 is not in the extended position, the length of the lanyard is short enough so that the magnet end of the lanyard can engage the magnetic element outside of the sleeve.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions, material types, and configurations described herein are intended to illustrate the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. In addition, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-english equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein". In addition, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the limitations of the following claims are not written in the form of "means plus function" nor are they to be construed in accordance with 35U.S. C.112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly state that the phrase "means" is used without a statement that there is no function of another structure.