Adjustable eyewear restraints, systems, and methods

Abstract

An adjustable eyewear restraint comprises a first strap having a first adjustment end and a first eyewear coupling end, and a second strap having a second adjustment end and a second eyewear coupling end. The straps are slidably and frictionally engageable to one another to allow adjustment of a length of the restraint by moving adjustment ends of the straps relative to each other. The straps can be slidably interwoven to each other about opening(s) of respective adjustment ends. The opening(s) slidably receive an opposing strap. A strap has a loop, coupleable to eyewear, that comprises first and second edges attached together to form an attachment portion substantially in-line with the first edge. A frictional element is frictionally and slidably coupleable to an earpiece to retain the loop and allow adjustment of a length of an eyewear retainer. Associated systems and methods are provided.

1 . An adjustable eyewear restraint, comprising:
 a first strap comprising a first adjustment end and a first eyewear coupling end, said first eyewear coupling end being coupleable to a first eyewear frame portion; and   a second strap comprising a second adjustment end and a second eyewear coupling end, said second eyewear coupling end being coupleable to a second eyewear frame portion;   said first strap and said second strap being slidably engageable to one another to allow adjustment of a length of the restraint by moving at least one of the first adjustment end and the second adjustment end relative to the other one.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjustment end of the first strap includes a first opening slidably frictionally engageable to the second strap, and wherein the second adjustment end of the second strap includes a second opening and a third opening, each of the second and third openings slidably frictionally engageable to the first strap. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 2 , wherein each opening is sized and shaped to provide sufficient frictional force, between the opening and the respective strap slidably engageable there through, to retain the straps to each other about a wearer's head. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 3 , wherein each opening has a cross sectional area smaller than a cross section area of the respective strap slidably engageable through the respective opening. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein each adjustment end comprises a pull tab positioned on the same side of the retainer when the straps are slidably engaged to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein each strap comprises at least one of neoprene, neogreen, lycra, thermocline, silicone rubber, polyesters, polyamides, polypropylenes, cotton, silk, wool, leather, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the straps are slidably engaged to each other such that a length of the retainer is shortened when the adjustment ends are pulled away from each other, and such that a length of the retainer is lengthened when the adjustment ends are pulled toward each other. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the straps are slidably interwoven to each other about respective adjustment ends to form a substantially planar retainer configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap comprises a first male attachment and a first plurality of female attachments, and wherein the second strap comprises a second male attachment and a second plurality of female attachments, wherein the first plurality of female attachments are selectively interlockable to the second male attachment, and the second plurality of second female attachments are selectively interlockable to the first male attachment component. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable eyewear restraint of  claim 1 , wherein each strap comprises a first edge and an opposing second edge attached together, proximate respective eyewear coupling ends, to form a loop that receives a respective earpiece, wherein the edges are attached to form an attachment portion substantially in-line with the first edge. 
     
     
         11 . An eyewear restraint system, comprising:
 a strap having an eyewear coupling end slidably coupleable to an earpiece, the eyewear coupling end having a loop sized and shaped to allow a portion of the earpiece to pass through the loop; and   a frictional element coupleable to the earpiece and positionable adjacent the loop of the strap, said frictional element having a size and shape sufficient to frictionally engage the earpiece and retain the earpiece through the loop.   
     
     
         12 . The eyewear restraint system of  claim 11 , wherein the frictional element has a perimeter body portion that defines a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of an aperture of the loop. 
     
     
         13 . The eyewear restraint system of  claim 11 , wherein the frictional element comprises an O-ring comprised of a compliant material. 
     
     
         14 . The eyewear restraint system of  claim 11 , wherein the frictional element comprises a compliant material and has an aperture sized and shaped to receive the earpiece such that the frictional element is frictionally and slidably coupleable to the earpiece for adjustment of the eyewear coupling end. 
     
     
         15 . The eyewear restraint system of  claim 11 , wherein the frictional element comprises an earpiece retainer having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned through the loop and having an opening sized and shaped to removably attach the earpiece retainer to the earpiece, and the second end positioned at least partially within the loop and having an enlarged interfacing portion that frictionally couples the earpiece retainer within the loop. 
     
     
         16 . The eyewear restraint system of  claim 11 , wherein the frictional element comprises a panel attached to the strap adjacent the loop, the friction panel having at least one opening configured to retain the earpiece. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable eyewear restraint system, comprising:
 a pair of eyewear having a first earpiece and a second earpiece;   a first adjustable eyewear restraint comprising a pair of straps, each strap having a loop slidably coupled to a respective earpiece of the pair of eyewear, the pair of straps slidably and frictionally engaged to one another to allow adjustment of a length of the first adjustable eyewear restraint by moving at least one of the straps relative to the other strap; and   a second adjustable eyewear restraint comprising a pair of frictional elements, each frictional element slidably and frictionally coupled to a respective earpiece to allow adjustment of a length of the first adjustable eyewear restraint by moving at least one of the frictional elements relative to the respective earpiece.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable eyewear restraint system of  claim 17 , wherein each strap has at least one opening slidably and frictionally engaged to the other strap, and wherein the at least one opening is sized and shaped to provide sufficient frictional force, between the opening and the respective strap slidably engaged there through, to retain the straps to each other and to retain the eyewear to a wearer. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable eyewear restraint system of  claim 17 , wherein each strap comprises an adjustment end having the at least one opening, wherein a length of the first adjustable eyewear restraint is shortened when the adjustment ends of the straps are pulled away from each other, and wherein a length of the first adjustable eyewear restraint is lengthened when the adjustment ends of the straps are pulled toward each other. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable eyewear restraint system of  claim 17 , wherein the straps are comprised of a positively buoyant material having a selected volume and density sufficient to impart positive buoyancy on the pair of eyewear when the straps and eyewear are in fresh or salt water. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable eyewear restraint system of  claim 20 , wherein each strap comprises an inner planar surface facing the pair of eyewear and an outer planar surface positioned opposite the inner planar surface, and wherein each strap comprises a pull tab positioned adjacent the outer planar surface of a respective straps such that the pull tabs are graspable proximate the outer planar surface of each strap. 
     
     
         22 - 30 . (canceled)