DE20111913U1 - Temples - Google Patents

Description

Temples

Description Technical area

The invention relates to a spectacle temple according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such temples can be used for all types of glasses or frames, such as prescription glasses, sunglasses, sports sunglasses, ski goggles, diving goggles, safety goggles, etc.

State of the art

While the corrective lenses of glasses are individually adjusted and fitted to the wearer's visual defects, the frames that hold the lenses usually have a standardized size. This means that these frames are not individually adjusted to the wearer's head. This is especially true for filter glasses such as sunglasses.

It is very expensive to produce glasses frames that are adapted to the individual head shape of the respective wearer. For this reason, glasses frames are produced that are adapted to an idealized "standard" adult or child's head.

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As a result, the frames and especially the temples can be too tight or too loose on the wearer's head. If the fit is too tight, it can cause local pain, such as headaches, whereas if the fit is too loose, the glasses can easily come off the wearer's head and be damaged if dropped. This is particularly detrimental to protective glasses such as sunglasses, which are often used in active sports such as cycling or skiing. In addition, the frames can cause local abrasion of the skin if the lenses have different weights.

The current state of the art involves using loose cords that connect the two temples around the back of the wearer's head. Another possibility is to provide a tight elastic band that also connects the two temples around the back of the wearer's head.

The most common temples are those with a hook-shaped bend at the end near the ear. Due to the standardization of the frames, this bend 5 is often too close to the ear or too far away from it, so that here too the problems of the temple or the glasses being held too tightly or too loosely on the ear arise.

According to US-A-3 684 356, for example, rubber or rubber-like plastic shoes are used, which are pushed over the free ends of the stirrups.

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However, the adjustment of these shoes to the glasses is extremely unsatisfactory.

US-A-2 561 402 discloses relatively complex liquid chambers that are arranged at the transition between the free temple end and the head. This has the disadvantage that the liquid in the chambers represents an additional, undesirable weight to conventional glasses. This can also impair the wearing properties.

AU-A-5 265 62 discloses an elastic tubular holding element that can be pushed over the conventional hook-shaped temple area. Here, too, the disadvantages of US-A-3 684 356 are apparent.

Furthermore, EP 0 455 791 B1 describes a temple with a recessed receptacle, with at least one tubular holding element being arranged within this recessed receptacle. Here too, the holding elements are visually set apart from the rest of the body of the glasses or the temple body, so that the overall impression of the glasses is impaired, particularly with regard to a particularly fashionable design. Accordingly, the entire pair of glasses can no longer be considered "one-piece". In addition, the holding element can become dirty more easily if its material is not plastic with a "smooth" surface. Although the holding element is arranged within the recessed receptacle, since the holding element is arranged so that it can be removed, there is a risk of slipping when certain pressures are applied to the holding element, in particular when pressure is applied to the holding element.

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in the direction of the free end of the temple. In addition, the use of the holding element can reduce the contact surface of the temple on the head, which can make the pressure distribution even less favorable than without the holding element. Furthermore, the temple is not ideally adapted to the head due to the holding element, especially since the transitions between the holding element and the temple sections arranged next to the holder are abrupt.

Utility model 8 435 958 Ul discloses the use of elastic rubber chambers filled with air for the side bridges of glasses and not for the temples. This does not reduce problems of inadequate adjustment of spectacle frames with regard to the temple areas.

Description of the invention

The object of the present invention is to further develop a temple for glasses in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art are overcome. In particular, the object of the present invention is to enable temples to be optimally adapted to any head of a wearer of glasses in such a way that the temples fit optimally on the respective head, whereby a good fit of the glasses on the head is made possible in a flexible manner, particularly with standard frames.

In particular, the invention is intended to make it possible to adapt eyeglass temples to sports situations in which external pressure, for example in the event of a fall while skiing,

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driving or when the ball comes into contact with the glasses or the temples. The pressure should be evenly distributed and the loads on the glasses/head interface should be reduced or cushioned. 5

The object of the invention is achieved by a spectacle temple according to claim 1.

According to the invention, the elongated temple body has, on its side facing the head of the spectacle wearer, at least over part of its extension, an elastic material which lies flat against the head of the spectacle wearer and which homogenizes the contact pressure that the temple exerts on the head. 15

The temple according to the invention with its adjustment and damping system can be easily integrated into the overall design of the glasses. Nevertheless, the temple is held on the head in a non-slip and thus non-displaceable manner, without the weight of the glasses or the temple increasing unnecessarily.

The elastic material can be made of silicone, rubber, a rubber-like material or foam.

However, it is particularly preferred if the elastic material encloses at least one cavity that is filled with a fluid. This makes it possible in particular for the volume of the elastic material to remain approximately constant when pressure is exerted on the elastic material at a specific point, i.e. locally.

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is practiced. Overall, this results in a large contact surface over which the pressure is evenly distributed.

The special design of the elongated temple body means that a chamber system with a gas is elastically coupled to the head of any wearer. This advantageously allows for flexible adjustment to the individual head shape of the wearer and enables shocks to the temple body and thus to the wearer's head to be cushioned. By providing an elastic edge area of the temple body on at least the side facing the wearer's head and by forming a corresponding cavity, in addition to the function of holding the lenses or glasses, a function of flexibly adjusting the temples to the wearer's head and a cushioning function in the event of impact can be implemented. In particular, the elasticity of the edge area of the temple body and the compressibility of the gas in the cavity are advantageously used.

If pressure is applied to the air chamber cushion integrated into the temple or the temple end, the air is distributed throughout the entire cavity area.

In particular, if the elastic edge area covers or encompasses the entire transition area between the temples and the head, it is guaranteed that the pressure is evenly distributed at all times at all points where the temples are in contact with the head. This is important for optimal fit.

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It is advantageous to adjust the headband to the head and to apply pressure due to impacts. Damping can be beneficial.

If the elastic edge area is designed to be flat in the longitudinal direction of the temple body, the damping system can be advantageously integrated in a form-fitting manner into an angular temple body with a square cross-section.

When the elastic edge area is designed as a wave in the longitudinal direction of the temple body, the elasticity can be increased by this shape of the edge area. The gas stored in the cavity can also be distributed better under pressure.

If the elastic edge area in the transverse direction of the temple body is convex towards the wearer, the temple is slightly pre-tensioned so that it is held firmly on the head when properly adjusted. By distributing the corresponding pressure over the entire elastic edge area, uncomfortable pressure on the wearer's head is advantageously avoided.

If the elastic edge area is provided with knobs or grooves on its outer surface, this can additionally advantageously enable the glasses to adhere to any head while at the same time providing cushioning.

In addition, according to an advantageous embodiment, the cavity can be rounded off so that in the case of a

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In the event of an impact load, the gas distributes the force favorably across the cavity. The mechanical and elastic properties of the cavity or its surroundings are thereby advantageously developed. The risk of the material tearing is significantly reduced.

If the cavity extends particularly longitudinally inside the temple body, which is particularly the case if the elastic edge region forms the entire temple/head transition area, then all mechanical stresses on the temple/head system can be dampened in a particularly advantageous manner.

If, for example, the cavity consists of at least two chambers connected to one another via a channel, then when pressure is applied to one chamber, the excess gas can escape via the channel into the other chamber or chambers. This makes it particularly clear that the cavity or chambers ensure that the pressure is always evenly distributed at the points where the adjacent elastic edge area is formed.

If the cavity is formed from at least two separate chambers, the gas can no longer escape into other areas. Damping is only achieved by the compression of the gas and by the elastic deformation of the elastic edge area adjacent to the chambers. The advantage is a more robust design of the temples, which in particular improves the

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The function of holding the glasses or lenses is given greater weight.

By providing spherical chambers, the mechanical and elastic properties of the adjustment and damping system are improved. A spherical design of the chambers is more resilient to pressure and impact than, for example, a cuboid design of the chambers.

If the at least two chambers are arranged in the longitudinal direction inside the temple body, which is particularly the case when the elastic edge area forms the entire temple/head transition area, the temple or the damping and adjustment system can be coupled to the wearer's head in a particularly advantageous manner. The forces or pressures can then be distributed particularly advantageously in the longitudinal direction of the temple along the elastic edge area.

If the cross-sectional area of the temple body in the area of the elastic edge area is larger than in the remaining area of the temple body in the longitudinal direction, this ensures that only the elastic edge area of the temple rests with its surface on the wearer's head or touches it or can rest on or touch it.

0 To save material, it may be advantageous to extend the elastic edge region starting from the distal second end only along to about 3/4 of the length

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of the elongated temple body in the direction of the first end. A corresponding alignment at the area associated with the ear or at a conventional curved "hook area" may also be possible.

Material can also be saved by having the elastic edge area only cover about 3/4 of the area of the side of the elongated temple body facing the wearer's head.

The possibility of optimizing the position of the elastic edge area on the temple body is essential to the invention. It is obvious that this determines the positioning of the cavity or the cavities or chambers. The larger the area of the elastic edge area, the better forces, especially impact forces, can be distributed.

The elastic edge area can be provided in particular if it comprises elastomers in whole or in part. In this context, however, all materials can be used which can form a hollow or chamber cushion that rests on the head of the wearer of the glasses. The term "cushion" refers again to the dampening function of the temple according to the invention.

The rest of the temple body can be made inelastic or elastic. This means that the entire temple can be made flexible and therefore insensitive to mechanical stress.

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However, this elasticity of the rest of the temple body serves to make the temple flexible and therefore unbreakable, for example if the glasses fall down. The elastic edge area and the rest of the temple body can have different elastomers due to their different tasks, i.e. adjustment and damping function on the one hand and the function of holding the lens on the other.

The expansion value α of the material of the elastic edge region can advantageously be larger than that of the rest of the temple body, particularly due to the damping function.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the elastic material, in particular of the elastic edge region, can have a coefficient of sliding friction that increases with increasing moisture in the material. This makes it particularly advantageous to ensure that the glasses adhere to the head even when the wearer sweats.

A continuous transition of the elastic edge area to the rest of the temple body in material and/or shape ensures optimal integration of the elastic edge area into the temple body. This enables a "one-piece" design of the temple, which in terms of mechanical strength as well as optimal integration of the cushion or buffer area, i.e. the elastic edge area.

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lends the entire design of the glasses or the temples.

It is particularly advantageous if air is used as the gas to fill the hollow space or chambers. Air is present everywhere and is harmless. This also allows the temples or glasses to be made buoyant.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the gas in the cavity can be kept under a certain pressure without the application of external mechanical force - i.e. without impact stress. This allows the damping effect to be further influenced and adapted to the specific use of the glasses. These pressures can in particular be in a range of approx. 800 to approx. 1500 mbar.

The present invention provides spectacles that have a 0 lens and possibly a lens or glass

attached frame and at least one temple according to the invention, can be advantageously improved for applications in particular in the sports sector according to the task.
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Short description of the drawing

The invention is described below without limiting the general inventive concept by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, to which reference is made with regard to the disclosure of all further details not explained in detail in the text.

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The following are shown:

Fig. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of the temple according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a representation of the pressure distribution according to the embodiment of the eyeglass temple according to the invention,
10

Fig.3a a representation of the gas-filled cavity completely enclosed by an elastic temple body edge area before the temple is placed on the head of a spectacle wearer, 15

Fig.3b a representation of the gas-filled cavity completely enclosed by an elastic temple body edge region after the temple has been placed on the head of a spectacle wearer, 20

Fig.3c shows the possibilities how the gas in the chamber cushion can escape into other chambers when pressure is exerted on the cushion.

Description of a preferred embodiment Fig. 1 shows a representation of an embodiment of the spectacle temple according to the invention.

The reference symbol (1) designates the entire temple (1) for attachment to a pair of glasses (2). The reference symbol (3) refers to the head (3) of the wearer of the glasses. The temple (1) is designed as an elongated

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Temple body (4) is formed. This temple body (4) has a first end (5) of the temple for attaching the temple (1) to the glasses (2). The second end (6) of the temple (1) is arranged distally to the first end (5) and engages the head (3) of the wearer. The elongated temple body (4) in particular has a side (7) facing the head (3) of the wearer. The cavity (10) extends longitudinally inside the temple body (4). The edge region (8) of the temple body (4) completely comprises a gas-filled cavity (10), starting from the distal second end (6) and up to about 3/4 of the length of the elongated temple body in the direction of the first end (5). However, the elastic edge region (8) can also alternatively extend only along the entire transition or contact surface between the temple and the head. In addition, the cavity (10) completely surrounded by the elastic edge region (8) is formed from six spherical chambers (11) which are connected to one another via a channel (12). The cross-sectional area of the temple body (4) in the area of the elastic edge region (8) is larger than in the remaining temple body area (9) in the longitudinal direction. The transition (13) of the elastic edge region (8) to the remaining temple body (9) is continuous in terms of material and/or shape. This means that the cross-sectional area of the temple body (4) decreases starting from a maximum in the area of the elastic edge region (8), here for example from its longitudinal center, to the remaining temple body area (9) in the longitudinal direction. When the areas (8) and (9) meet, the transition is found.

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transition (13) which is positively connected here. By reducing the cross-sectional area of the temple body (4) starting from the maximum value in the direction of both ends (5) and (6), the radii of the spherical chambers (11) are reduced accordingly. According to this embodiment, the elongated temple body (4) is determined in particular by the side facing the wearer's head and the side facing away from the head. The temple body (4) is thus designed more as a surface parallel to the surface of the wearer's head.

This means that in the case of glasses according to the invention, air chamber cushions consisting of spherical chambers connected to a channel and with a radius corresponding to the design of the entire temple body (9) are placed on the wearer's head. In this way, the glasses are held on the head and a corresponding shock absorption system is provided, for example during sporting activities.

Fig. 2 shows a representation of the pressure distribution according to the embodiment of the temple (1) according to the invention in the event of an impact against the head at the location of a temple (1) of the glasses (2) according to the invention. The horizontal arrows (A) pointing from right to left represent the forces acting on the temple during the said impact. The vertical double arrow (B) illustrates how these forces are evenly distributed by compression of the cavity gas and elastic deformation of the elastic temple body edge region (8).

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Fig.3a shows a representation of the gas-filled cavity completely enclosed by an elastic temple body edge area (8) before the temple is placed on the head (3) of a spectacle wearer. The figure shows a horizontal section in the longitudinal direction. Spherical chambers (11) can be seen, which are connected to one another via short channels (12).

Fig. 3b shows the same horizontal longitudinal section of the gas-filled cavity (10) completely enclosed by an elastic spectacle temple body edge region (8) as in Fig. 3a, but now after the temple has been placed on the head (3) of a spectacle wearer. The elastic deformation on the side (7) of the elastic edge region (8) facing the wearer's head (3) and the compression of the cavity gas is shown here.

Fig.3c shows a horizontal view of the possibilities of how the gas in the chamber cushion can escape into other chambers (11) when pressure is exerted on the cushion. The escape or pressure equalization takes place via the channels (12) shown here. The cushion is formed entirely from the elastic edge area of the temple body (8), which completely encloses the hollow space.

According to the present invention, however, it is also possible that the cavity (10) or the chambers (11) or the cushion are partially surrounded by the elastic temple body edge region (8) and a remaining

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the edge region of the temple body associated with the rest of the temple body (9), which does not necessarily have to be elastic, is enclosed and thus formed.
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In this context, for example, the horizontal cross section shown in Fig. 3b could represent a rigid, inelastic edge region (9) of the temple body on the side (14) facing away from the wearer's head (3), which according to the invention is assigned to the rest of the temple body (9). This means that according to the invention it is also sufficient if an elastic edge region (8) is only present on the side (7) facing the wearer's head.

The description of the embodiment does not represent a restriction of the scope of protection according to the invention. Deviating from this embodiment, the shape of the entire temple body and the cushion can in particular deviate from the shape shown in the figures. Special adaptations of the temple according to the invention to the design of the entire pair of glasses are possible and covered by this invention.

Claims (27)

1. Temple ( 1 ) which is hinged to the lens rings of a spectacle frame or, in the case of spectacles without lens rings, directly to a spectacle lens, and which holds a pair of spectacles ( 2 ) on the head ( 3 ) of a spectacle wearer, with
an elongated temple body ( 4 ) which extends from the temple area to the respective ear,
characterized in that the elongated temple body ( 4 ) has, on its side (7) facing the head ( 3 ) of the spectacle wearer, at least over part of its extension, an elastic material which lies flat against the head of the spectacle wearer and which homogenizes the contact pressure which the temple exerts on the head. 2. Temple according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic material consists of silicone, rubber, a rubber-like material or a foam. 3. Temple according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic material encloses at least one cavity which is filled with a fluid. 4. Temple according to claim 3, characterized in that the cavity ( 10 ) has at least two chambers ( 11 ) which are connected to one another via channels ( 12 ). 5. Temple according to claim 3, characterized in that several cavities with fluid-separated chambers are provided. 6. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cavities ( 10 ) or chambers are rounded in at least one direction. 7. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the hollow space or spaces ( 10 ) or chambers have their greater extent in the longitudinal direction of the temple body ( 4 ). 8. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the elastic material together with the fluid-filled cavity or cavities forms cushions. 9. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the elastic material encloses the hollow space or spaces. 10. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the elastic material together with the outer wall of the temple body forms the hollow space or spaces. 11. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the fluid is a gas and in particular air. 12. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) extends over the entire temple/head contact surface. 13. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is flat in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the temple body ( 4 ). 14. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is wave-shaped in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the temple body ( 4 ). 15. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is convex towards the side of the spectacle wearer in the transverse direction of the temple body ( 4 ). 16. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is provided on the outside completely or partially with knobs, ribs, grooves or a comparable surface structure. 17. Temple according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the temple body ( 9 ) in the region of the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is larger than in the remaining temple body region ( 9 ) in the longitudinal direction. 18. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is arranged starting from the distal (ear-side) end ( 6 ) along and up to about 3/4 of the length of the elongated temple body ( 4 ) in the direction of the first end. 19. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) covers up to approximately 3/4 of the area of the side (7) of the elongated temple body ( 4 ) facing the head ( 3 ) of the wearer. 20. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) comprises completely or partially elastomers. 21. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the elastic edge region ( 8 ) and the remaining temple body ( 9 ) comprise different elastomers. 22. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the expansion value α of the material of the elastic edge region ( 8 ) is greater than that of the remaining temple body ( 9 ). 23. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the elastic material has a coefficient of sliding friction which increases with increasing moisture content of the material. 24. Temple according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the transition ( 13 ) of the elastic edge region ( 8 ) to the remaining temple body ( 9 ) is continuous in material and/or shape. 25. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 24, characterized in that the fluid consists of air. 26. Temple according to one of claims 3 to 25, characterized in that the cavity gas in the normal state is under a pressure of approximately 800 mbar to approximately 1500 mbar. 27. Spectacles with at least one temple according to one of claims 1 to 26.