DE202011103166U1 - glasses hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

A spectacle hinge which is provided with a front part that carries two spectacle lenses and two ear hooks, each ear hook being articulated to a lateral portion of this front part by means of such a hinge, the hinge comprising: - at least one first hinge element which is provided with the following is: at least two parallel narrow legs which are separated by a groove and have aligned first through bores; At least one longitudinal cavity which extends from an access opening formed between the legs at the level of the end of the groove; At least one spring housed in the longitudinal cavity and compressed between the bottom of the latter and a slide inserted at least partially in this longitudinal cavity; - and at least one second joint element, which with the first joint element for the snap movement of the joint elements against the action of the spring between at least one closed position, in which the ear hook on ...

Description

field of use

The present invention relates to a spectacle hinge according to the preamble of the independent claim.

The eyeglass hinge in question is intended to be used advantageously in the manufacture of eyeglass frames of any kind, to provide the earloop with a movable between an open and a closed position connection with the front part of the glasses.

The spectacle hinge according to the invention can be used for spectacles with a frame made of both metal and plastics such as nylon or acetate and for spectacles of any kind and preferably for sports and sunglasses.

The hinge according to the invention therefore falls into the industrial sector of eyewear production, d. H. the manufacture of spectacles and of accessories and components of spectacles.

State of the art

In the sector of eyewear production hinges have long been known for articulating the earhook to the front part of the frame.

Traditionally, each hinge consists of two hinged joint elements, of which a first joint element is attached to an earloop of the spectacles and a second joint element is attached to the front part of the spectacles and more precisely at the level of its lateral ends in that section, in the jargon of the sector below the term "cheek" is known.

Functionally, the above hinges allow the earhooks to rotate between a closed position in which they are folded onto the front of the goggles and an open position in which they occupy a position substantially perpendicular to the front of the earpiece Allow users.

According to a completely conventional and for example in the patents WO 02/054135 and IT BL2004U00009 described first known embodiment of a hinge, the first hinge member is mounted overhanging on the inner surface of the earhook, usually in the plastic from which the earhook is embedded or welded to a metal core of the earhook, and protrudes accordingly the second hinge member inside of the side End of the front part of the rack out. Therefore, the axis of rotation between the two hinge elements proves to be perpendicular and offset from the axis of extension of the earhook.

Usually, the two hinge elements are made as follows: the first as a negative element fixed to the earhook and provided with a longitudinal milling which defines a fork with two parallel legs provided with first transverse bores and the second as a positive element, fixed to the front part of the frame and provided with a projecting head provided with a second transverse bore and intended to fit in the fork between the two legs in order to secure the connection between the two articulation elements by means of an axially inserted in their holes To allow screw.

As is known, when the ear hook is folded according to the embodiment of the hinge described above, the stop is usually realized by engaging the shaped profile of the head piece of the positive element on the bottom of the milling of the negative element.

Otherwise, the possibility is provided to realize the stop when folding the earhook by the cooperation of a portion of the legs on a portion of the positive member, which is usually located next to the projecting head.

The stop during folding can prevent the earhooks from hitting against the lenses when they are folded in and scratching them, or at least over time rubbing off the surface coatings provided thereon, such as, for example, the antireflective coatings.

The stop when unfolding the earhook, however, is realized directly by hitting the earhook on the front of the glasses.

This latter circumstance advantageously makes it possible to maintain a substantial continuity between the surface of the earhook and the front part of the frame, without the ugly gaps between the two components remaining visible.

In the technical field of the reference sector of eyewear production, the need is particularly great to produce eyewear with economical manufacturing processes and consequently with simple and rapid method for the assembly of the hinges.

In particular, in this sector, the need is particularly great to change the position of the stop when folding the earhook depending on the type of frame on which the hinge is to be mounted.

Namely, more or less strongly curved front parts are known, which, with their lateral ends, guide the second joint element and consequently the ear hooks more or less outwards. In order to arrange the latter folded in the closed state near the lenses, without, however, that they come into contact with it, it is as said necessary to regulate the angle of the closing stopper. This adjustment is usually done by changing the inclination of the milling in the negative member to set different positions or different bends for the angular position in which the head piece of the positive member strikes this milling.

It is also known from patent PD2004-A-000319 the opposite possibility described above to modify the profile of the head of the hinge by complex mechanical operations to change the position of the impact on the bottom of the milling of the negative member.

The hitherto described embodiment of the hinge of known type has the advantage that it can be realized inexpensively, but in practice it has not proved to be free from disadvantages.

Because the bolt that connects the two hinge elements often loosens over time, and as a result, the earhook gradually loosens and thus has too much freedom of movement on its way from the unfolded to the collapsed state without having that minimal friction which made it possible to maintain an appreciable liquid of the adjustment.

To address this disadvantage, it is known to use a plastic bushing in the bore of the head piece of the positive joint member to compensate for the play which inevitably arises in the use of the glasses, and so as to guarantee a liquid adjustment movement of the ear hooks. Also known is the opposite procedure, which is to provide the central part of the bolt, which is intended to be mated with the bore in the head piece of the positive joint element, with a plastic coating with high lubricity.

According to a second known embodiment of a spring hinge, which is referred to in the jargon as "flex hinge" and for example in the patents US 7,572,005 . US 7,581,289 . FR 2912516 and IT TV2005U0006 is described, the two hinge elements are hinged together so that they offer essentially two other functions compared to the simpler and conventional hinges, namely a collapsing of the ear hook with snap effect and an additional way when unfolding the earhook. In particular, this latter feature allows the user to spread the free ends of the earhook and so put the glasses more comfortable.

In the additional way of unfolding, the earlobes are displaced beyond the deployed position in which the glasses are normally worn out, overcoming a counterforce exerted by an elastically compliant spring device that is adapted to place the earhooks in the normal position to reset unfolded position.

Functionally, the earhooks are thus moved beyond the aforementioned unfolded position for an extra distance, and then released after putting the goggles on the user's head, exerting slight pressure on his temples.

Usually, this type of hinge is preferably used for prescription eyeglasses rather than sports eyewear, as these latter require that the earloops remain firmly attached to the user's head by exerting greater pressure on the temples than the spring hinges would normally guarantee ,

In detail, the above-mentioned spring hinge is also formed of two hinge elements, which are interconnected by a bolt. The first joint element, d. H. the positive element comprises a box-shaped body in which one or more longitudinal cavities are formed, in which a spring-loaded carriage is displaceably housed, which is responsible for the additional way when opening and thus for the elasticity of the hinge. The sprung carriage has a head portion provided with a transverse bore and intended to be rotatable with the second joint element, i. H. the negative element, which in turn is attached to the front part of the glasses and provided with a milling, which is bounded by two parallel legs, which are provided with aligned holes and between them the portion of the head piece for the rotatable connection of the two joints Take the help of a bolt inserted into the through holes of the legs and the head piece.

The two positive and negative hinge elements protrude beyond the inner surface of the earhook or over the lateral inner end of the front of the frame. Therefore proves the Rotary axis between the two joint elements as a right angle and offset from the axis of extension of the earhook.

The stop when folding is, as it is for example in the patent IT TV2005U0006 is realized in a conventional manner by the cooperation of the appropriately shaped head piece of the positive member with the milling of the negative member in accordance with a predetermined angle of rotation between the joints. Otherwise, the stop when folding by the engagement of a protruding part of the box-shaped body can be realized on a corresponding part of the negative element, as for example in the patent US 7,752,005 is described.

The stop for the additional Aufklappweg, however, is defined by the maximum travel of the carriage in the longitudinal cavity.

When the earhooks are in the open position, their ends usually abut (or are in the vicinity of) an opposite end of the side portion of the front piece. In the further additional path, the two ends of the earhook and the front part abut each other, while the spring-loaded carriage protrudes with its maximum portion from the cavity. As the axis of rotation of the two joints displaces outwardly on the additional path, the ends of the earhook and the front part can remain in constant contact in the open position and on the additional path without creating unsightly gaps between the earhook and the front part.

Although the above-mentioned type of spring hinge overcomes the problems of the conventional hinge in connection with the loosening of the screw and the play of the earhook, but is rather expensive to manufacture, proves to be disturbing and suitable in view of the aesthetics of the frame, as I said, for optimal use in prescription glasses and not in sports glasses.

To the spring hinges also another embodiment is counted, as for example in the patents EP 1495356 . EP 992831 . IT TV97U000034 and US 6,814,438 described which has a resilient so-called ball (or slider) device and differs from the flex hinges of the type described above mainly in that the axis of rotation between the two joints remains stationary, since no movable carriage is provided.

The above-mentioned elastic device is normally mounted in the thickness of the earhook so that the rotation axis between the two hinge elements is crossed by the extension axis of the earhook. To that end, and more specifically, the first negative hinge member is formed inside the body of the earhook, usually in a widened end portion thereof, while the second positive hinge member is secured to the corresponding side portion of the front portion of the frame.

The first negative hinge member is provided with a longitudinal receiver extending substantially parallel to the earloop and housing a spring held by a slider or ball in the receiver urged by the spring on a cam profile of a projecting headpiece of the invention Slide positive element.

The slider can slide directly on the profile of the neck, as for example in the patent US 6,814,438 is specified, or it can slide by means of a ball, as for example in the patent EP 6075 is specified. On the other hand, it may just as well be a ball interposed between the spring and the cam profile of the header of the positive member, as shown for example in the patent EP 992831 is specified.

The above-mentioned hinge is structurally simpler than the previously described flex hinge, since it has a smaller number of components and has no movable slide, namely, since the axis of rotation of the two joints always remains stationary.

However, this third type of hinge has many disadvantages. A disadvantage is that the earloop and the front part of the frame do not perfectly connect to each other in order to meet the requirement to give the earhook the opportunity to cover an additional path when unfolding.

The stop positions are generally realized by the stable positions defined by engaging the slider on the cam profile.

Therefore, if you want to regulate a stop position in the phase of producing the hinges, for example, to provide the hinges for differently designed racks, you have to modify the profile of the cam through quite complicated to be executed edits.

The elastic device with slide (or ball) and spring does not provide the possibility to realize a stop when folding, which is located outside of the elastic device, since it in view of the fact that the latter is advantageously carried out usually coaxial with the earhook, for aesthetic reasons would not be possible to provide an externally placed on the joints and independent of the elastic device mechanical stop.

At the present time, moreover, the above-mentioned elastic ball-and-spring mechanism is used with the possibility of extra travel when unfolding correction eyeglasses, that is, types of eyeglasses that normally need to be used for long periods of time and where the light exerted by the earhooks thanks to the elastic mechanism uniform pressure allows the user to enjoy the maximum comfort.

Therefore, such a hinge with elastic ball-spring mechanism has hitherto been considered incompatible with sports or sunglasses, where normally no additional way is provided when unfolding and on the other hand require a mechanical opening stop to the elasticity of the frame and the earhook the task to assign a greater pressure on the temples.

Another disadvantage of the above-mentioned ball and spring hinge type is that when the earhook of the frame needs to be disassembled, the spring and slider are pushed out of their seat with great force, which can also be dangerous and include the possibility that they are lost.

Furthermore, the assembly of the ball-and-spring mechanism proves to be complicated even at the stage of manufacture, which requires a slight compression bias of the spring prior to insertion of the bolt for the connection of the two hinge elements.

In order to overcome this last drawback hinges have been developed with ball and spring mechanism in which the slide is made of several parts, namely a first, more inwardly located part against which the spring strikes and which is fixed by engagement means, so that it remains in the interior of the receptacle of the negative element, and a further outward part, which receives at one of its end the thrust of the spring by means of the first part of the slider and slides with its second end on the profile of the cam.

This hinge, which is described in Italian patent no. IT 1306702 has the disadvantage of complex manufacture of the spring mechanism, which requires the manufacture of numerous components, and further at least partially retains the disadvantage of having a component which is loose after removal of the earhook, namely the second part of the slider, which can consequently be lost.

Furthermore, this last-mentioned hinge retains the above-mentioned disadvantages of the ball-and-spring hinges, and in particular with respect to the difficulties of regulation in the production phase of the stop positions, in order to mount the hinge on several racks.

Namely, the technical and functional properties of the hinges must be advantageously combined with a manufacturing process and in particular with a quick and economical process of assembling the hinges.

Finally, the above-described ball-and-spring mechanism hinges have the disadvantage that they wear the ball or slide of which they are made due to the friction on the cam profile of the projecting head of the positive joint element rather quickly.

Due to the presence of small vibrations due to the lack of mechanical stops in the opening and closing end positions or due to the presence of numerous components that can move freely in part, in particular the slider or the ball wears on contact with the cam profile and must be replaced by a new one Part to be replaced. For this reason, the above-described last embodiment of the ball-and-spring hinge envisages the realization of a slide of a plurality of parts, a more inward part mounted in the longitudinal cavity to retain the spring and a more outward one Part that is released after disassembly of the earhook to be replaced in case of wear.

From the document US3644023 In addition, a hinge is known which comprises two hinge elements, of which a first negative element is fastened to the inside of the ear hook and a second positive element is fastened to the front part of the frame.

The first negative joint element has two narrow legs with coaxial cross bores.

Correspondingly, the second positive articulation element has a protruding head piece which is provided with a transverse bore aligned with those of the narrow legs of the negative element.

The hinge elements are connected by a bolt to a hinge, which in the holes the narrow leg and engages in the protruding head piece.

Further, the first hinge member is provided with a longitudinal receptacle which extends substantially parallel to the earloop and accommodates a spring held by a ball in the receptacle which peeks out between the two narrow legs and is resiliently urged by the spring to slide a cam profile, which is provided on the projecting head of the positive member.

The cam profile is shaped to define two preferred positions of the earloop relative to the front part, specifically a closed position in which the earloop is folded onto the front part and an open position in which the earloop is substantially perpendicular to the extension of the front part ,

Further, this hinge is provided with an opening stop consisting of two corresponding stepped projections, of which a first protrudes from the first hinge element and the second protrudes from the second hinge element.

In particular, these projections are designed so that they abut each other when the earloop reaches the open position.

This hinge has some drawbacks, such as the fact that the projections are small in size, namely, because they must not protrude from the earhook or the advantage, so as not to affect the appearance of the frame.

Further, the projections are in the vicinity of the hinge axis of the hinge elements and are therefore exposed to great forces by the mutual contact when the user spreads the ear hook in particular for placing the glasses.

Therefore, the projections tend to easily wear or flatten, allowing excessive opening of the earhook relative to the front.

When the projections are worn or one of them is flattened, the hinge proves to be unstable in the open position of the earhook, and in use of the eyeglasses, the earhook tends to make frequent slight vibrations around its open position.

During these vibrations, the ball slides on the cam profile and wears out in a short time.

Another disadvantage of this hinge is that the ball, when the two hinge elements are separated, for example, to replace the worn ball, is forcibly thrown from the spring, there is a risk that the ball and the spring are lost, or even that the technician is injured.

From the document WO 2009/122377 a spectacle hinge is known, which is provided with two hinge elements, a positive and a negative element, which are articulated to each other and one of which is attached to an ear hook and the other on the front part of the glasses. The projecting header of the positive member is interposed between the two legs of the negative member to allow the connection between the two hinge members by means of a screw inserted axially in their aligned bores.

A leaf spring is attached to one end of the negative member and is elastically compressed at its other end against the shaped edge profile of the header of the positive member.

Functionally, the relative rotation of the two hinges causes the second end of the spring to slide on the profile of the header of the positive member, resulting in the snap of the two hinges, and thus the earloop, between two stable open and closed angular positions.

Although the above-mentioned snap hinge has improved functionalities for sports or sunglasses, in particular since it does not provide any additional way of unfolding, it is not free from disadvantages.

A first drawback is that this hinge is complicated to manufacture and difficult to assemble because it requires the forced insertion of the spring which is compressed against corresponding surfaces of the two hinge elements which are adapted to receive the ends of the spring and hold the stop Maintain spring on the hinge during normal use.

A second disadvantage is that the spring remains visible and has a negative effect on the overall appearance of the glasses.

Presentation of the invention

In view of this, the basic object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art by using Eyeglass hinge provides that is structurally simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spectacle hinge which uses a resilient means for the snap-on transition from the deployed position of the earloop to the retracted position of the earloop, and vice versa.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spectacle hinge which allows for the separation of the two articulating elements, and thus, for example, the earloop from the front part, without there being any loose elements other than the screw which could be lost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spectacle hinge which makes it possible to easily regulate the position of the rotational stops of the two joints during the manufacturing process in order to enable the hinge to be mounted in a variety of ways on frames of different shape.

These and other objects are all met by the opening / closing elastic snap-action eyeglass hinge which is the subject of the present invention as set out in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical features of the invention according to the above-mentioned objects will become clear from the content of the claims below and the advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are purely exemplary and not restrictive Embodiments of her represent and in which:

1 a perspective axonometric view of a first embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in the open position represents;

2 a side view of the hinge of 1 represents;

3 a side sectional view of the hinge of 2 along a median plane that only concerns a first hinge element of the hinge;

4 an exploded view of the hinge of 1 represents;

5 a side view of the hinge of 1 in the closed position represents;

6 a side sectional view of the hinge of 5 along a median plane involving only the first hinge element of the hinge;

7 a perspective axonometric view of the hinge of 1 which is mounted on a spectacle frame only partially shown;

8th a side sectional view of the hinge of 7 and the partially illustrated spectacle frame represents;

9 a perspective axonometric view of a second embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in the open position represents;

10 a side view of the hinge of 9 represents;

11 a side sectional view of the hinge of 10 along a median plane that only concerns a first hinge element of the hinge;

12 an exploded view of the hinge of 9 represents;

13 a side view of the hinge of 9 in the closed position represents;

14 a side sectional view of the hinge of 13 along a median plane involving only the first hinge element of the hinge;

15 a perspective axonometric view of the hinge of 9 which is mounted on a spectacle frame only partially shown;

16 a side sectional view of the hinge of 15 and the partially illustrated spectacle frame represents;

17 a perspective axonometric view of a third embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in the open position represents;

18 a perspective axonometric view of a second hinge element of in 17 illustrated third embodiment of the hinge;

19 a side sectional view of the hinge of 17 along a median plane that only concerns a first hinge element of the hinge;

20 a side view of the hinge of 17 in the closed position represents;

21 a side view of the hinge of 17 in the closed position, in which the abutment surfaces have been modified to a different closing angle than that of 20 to realize;

22 a side view of the second hinge element of in 21 illustrated third embodiment of the hinge, in which the course of the abutment surfaces of the in 20 shown second hinge member is indicated by a dashed line;

23 a perspective axonometric view of the hinge of 17 which is mounted on a spectacle frame only partially shown;

24 a side sectional view of the hinge of 17 and partly in the 23 illustrated spectacle frame represents;

25 a perspective axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in the open position represents;

26 a side view of the hinge of 25 represents;

27 a side sectional view of the hinge of 26 along a median plane that only concerns a first hinge element of the hinge;

28 an exploded view of the hinge of 25 represents;

29 a side view of the hinge of 25 in the closed position represents;

30 a side sectional view of the hinge of 29 along a median plane involving only the first hinge element of the hinge;

31 a perspective axonometric view of a fifth embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in the open position represents;

32 a top view of the hinge of 31 represents;

33 a side sectional view of the hinge of 31 along the in 32 shown line AA, which relates only to the first hinge element of the hinge.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the spectacle hinge according to the invention is in its entirety 1 designated.

The hinge according to the invention 1 is used for the production of frames for spectacles of any kind and preferably, as will be shown below, of sports or sunglasses.

The above hinge 1 is suitable to the earhook in a known manner 2 and the front part 3 a spectacle frame, the parts shown in the accompanying figures in total with 100 be referred to each other to steer.

As will be described in more detail below, the hinge provides, in particular, a snap, which allows the definition of two stable equilibrium positions, that is, the unfolded and the folded position of the earhook.

In detail, the frame 100 be made of a metallic material, a plastic such as nylon or acetate or other suitable materials for this purpose and it consists in per se completely conventional manner of the front part 3 , which carries a pair of lenses (not shown), which are connected in the middle part of the frame by a nose clip, which is connected in a known manner directly to the lenses or two bezels for supporting the lenses, and a pair of earhook 2 which extend along a generatrix Z with a linear or a slightly curved course, insofar as they have an inner bow facing the other earloop. The earhook 2 are by means of hinges 1 and more precisely at the level of the ends of its lateral sections to the front part 3 hinged.

In detail, the earhooks 2 a first end, that with the hinge 1 and a second free end intended to rest on the user's ear and usually extend beyond the ear to provide a stable grip of the glasses on the face.

The hinge according to the invention 1 includes a first hinge element 4 made of a metallic material, usually steel, with two narrow legs 5 is provided extending from a first metal body 6 extend parallel to each other and through a groove 7 are separated. In the two narrow thighs 5 are respective first through holes 8th provided, which are aligned along a rotation axis X with each other.

Starting from the end face 9 of the first main body 6 from the narrow thighs 5 at the end of the groove 7 is limited, is in the main body 6 of the first joint element 4 a longitudinal cavity 10 formed along a longitudinal axis Y of an access opening 11 at the height of the end face 9 the groove is provided, up to a floor 12 extends.

Inside the longitudinal cavity 10 is a spring 13 and in particular accommodated a coil spring with an axis of expansion coinciding with the longitudinal axis Y of the expansion axis which extends between the bottom 12 of the longitudinal cavity 10 and a slider 14 is compressed.

The latter is at least partially in the longitudinal cavity 10 used.

The hinge 1 In a conventional manner, it also consists of a second hinge element 15 also made of a metallic material and rotatable with the first hinge element 4 is connected to the relative rotation of the two hinge elements 4 . 15 with snap effect overcoming the action of the spring 13 between a closed position A, in which the earhook 2 on the front part 3 the glasses is folded, and to allow an open position B, in which the earhook 2 from the front part 3 the glasses extends away.

In detail, the second joint element 15 with a second metal body 16 provided, which via a first joint element 4 opposite front surface 17 from which he deals with a protruding header 18 to the first joint element 4 extends. The latter fits in between the narrow thighs 5 of the first joint element 4 and is with a second through hole 19 provided with the first through holes 8th the narrow thigh 5 is aligned along the above-mentioned axis of rotation X, to coaxially a hinge pin 20 suitable, the two joint elements 4 . 15 to be provided with a movable between the intended closing and opening positions A and B connection.

The hinge pin 20 advantageously consists of a bolt, which has at least over the end of the threaded shaft, by screwing into a first bore with mating thread of the two narrow legs 5 intervene.

The protruding head piece 18 is with a cam edge profile 21 provided on which the slider 14 during the relative rotation of the two joint elements 4 . 15 slides between the open and closed positions A and B under contact.

According to the idea underlying the present invention, the slider is 14 as a single body with at least a first section 22 at least partially out of the access opening 11 protrudes and an outer surface 23 that is on the cam profile 21 of the protruding header 18 of the second hinge element 15 can glide, and at least a second section 24 executed as a single body with the first section 22 is executed and at least one elastically yielding rib 25 includes, extending to the longitudinal cavity 10 extends and with first anchoring means 26 provided in a holding relationship in second anchoring means 27 can engage in the first joint element 4 inside its longitudinal cavity 10 are provided.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in the attached figures, the first anchoring means 26 with a hook profile or with one of the free end of the ribs 25 externally protruding tooth executed while the second anchoring means 27 are designed with a stepped shoulder which is annular in the inner surface of the longitudinal cavity 10 is trained.

For this purpose, the latter is preferably with a preferably cylindrical first section in the vicinity of the access opening 11 made with a diameter smaller than the diameter of a subsequent second portion, with which it realizes the above-mentioned stepped shoulder. Because the ribs 25 preferably tapering towards its free end, advantageously a third section is provided with a smaller diameter than the second diameter, in which the spring 13 Recording finds.

The slider 14 advantageously has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular outer surface 23 and with, for example, four elastically yielding ribs 25 , which are preferably arranged on a circumference spaced from each other, to the mutual holding engagement with the annular shoulder or between the first and the second anchoring means 26 and 27 better to distribute.

Thanks to the above-described design, the hinge according to the invention 1 the user and the optician in particular in connection with the requirement of replacement or removal of an earhook be treated exactly as a conventional hinge would be treated, which is not elastic (no flex hinge) and has the three basic components, so the earhook 2 at which the first joint element 4 attached, the front part 3 to which the second hinge element 15 is attached, and the bolt 20 , namely, after loosening the earhook 2 from the front part 3 no further components are released.

According to an important feature of the present invention, the two narrow legs 5 of the first joint element 4 with edge profiles 28 (which is essentially through a front part 28 ' , an upper part 28 '' and a lower part 28 ''' are defined, which connect via rounding to each other), which at the reasonably shaped front surface 17 of the second hinge element 15 strike and a closing stop for the hinge elements 4 . 15 define, which corresponds to the above-mentioned closed position, which is defined by a first bend of the two above-mentioned components to each other.

Advantageously, the projecting head piece protrudes 18 in the middle of the front surface 17 of the second hinge element 15 and separates two stop surfaces on its sides 17 ' . 17 '' on which the marginal profiles are intended 28 the two narrow thighs 5 attacks.

By simply milling the arrangement in the sense of alignment and depth of the above front surface 17 of the second hinge element 15 or according to the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the arrangement of the abovementioned abutment surfaces 17 ' . 17 '' modified, you can easily the closing stop angle of the first joint element 4 in relation to the second hinge element 15 and consequently the closing angle of the earhook 2 on the front part 3 regulate the glasses, which makes it possible in particular, easily in the production phase, the purpose of the hinge according to the invention 1 to change depending on the shape of the front part.

As has already been explained above, the frames can be a more or less arched front part 3 have and need the earhook 2 can be folded so that they are folded close to the lenses, but not against them.

The first joint element 4 and the second hinge element 15 are with a first base 29 and a second lower part 30 provided by means of which they are intended to be fixed rigidly mounted on a first and a second component of the frame of the glasses, which are in particular the earhook 2 or the front part 3 is.

Although preferably the first hinge element 4 , ie the negative element, on the earhook 2 is attached, and the second hinge element 15 , ie the positive element, on the front part 3 is attached, of course, there is the possibility of mechanical assignments of the two joints 4 . 15 in terms of the two above-mentioned components of the frame 2 . 3 to invert.

In detail, the above-mentioned parts are made 29 and 30 according to the in the 1 to 8th illustrated first embodiment of approaches in the form of an anchor or more generally an undercut, which at the bottom of the respective first and second hinge element 4 . 15 are attached (preferably two per joint element provided). The above anchor-shaped approaches are during a proposed molding phase in the polymer material of the earhook 2 or the front part 3 embedded in the frame, which makes it possible to achieve stable adhesion of the two hinge elements 4 and 15 to realize on the frame of the glasses. The injected into the mold polymer material, such as nylon, practically surrounds the anchor-shaped projections and extends to the bottom of the metal body 6 and 16 the respective joint elements 4 . 15 ,

According to another embodiment of the hinge according to the invention 1 that in the example of the 9 to 21 is shown, the joint element, which is intended to the ear hook 2 to be fastened, ie preferably the first negative joint element 4 For example, by welding with a metal core 31 which in turn is intended, together with the lower part of the first joint element 4 embedded in a matrix of polymeric material such as acetate to mechanically strengthen the plastic component. For this purpose are on the metal core 31 gearing 32 provided, which are adapted to improve the adhesion with the plastic. In this case forms the bottom of the body 6 the lower part of the first joint.

The expansion axis Y of the longitudinal cavity 10 is with the expansion axes of the spring 13 and the slider 14 centers and crosses the axis of rotation X of the joint elements 4 . 15 outside the axis of production of the earhook 2 ,

More specifically, the generating axis of the earhook Z does not cross the rotational axis X of the two joint members 4 . 15 because these survive beyond the components of the frame and more precisely the first one 4 over the inner surface of the earhook 2 and the second 15 over the inner surface of the lateral portion of the front part 3 ,

This feature allows the realization of the opening stop of the hinge 1 as with the conventional hinges other than the flex hinges, ie by striking the first end 50 of the earhook 2 against the side end 51 of the front part 3 along the line of the generating Z of the earhook 2 ,

Under these conditions, one has a great deal of latitude in choosing the extent of the surface of the end 50 of the earhook 2 to strike against the side end 51 of the front part 3 , providing an effective opening stop of the earhook 2 in relation to the front part 3 can be realized.

In addition, since the earhook 2 when unfolding from the front part 3 does not deflect beyond the open position, falls the elasticity of the frame itself and the earhook the task of exerting greater pressure on the temples of the user who wears the frame.

Thus, when carrying the frame, the elastic response of the frame itself, which presses against the temples of the user, holds the earloops 2 stable in the unfolded position, with its first end 50 to the side end 51 of the front part 3 strikes.

When using glasses, which the hinges 1 Therefore, they remain stable in the open position and thus the slider remains 14 immovable and does not slide on the cam profile 21 of the protruding header 18 ,

In this way, the repeated sliding of the slider on the cam profile is prevented, which, however, occurs in the conventional hinges and causes the wear of the slider.

Thanks to the advantageous feature that the joint elements 4 . 15 can survive over the components of the frame, the opening stop of the hinge 1 by striking the earhook 2 on the front part 3 be realized, reflecting the stability of the open position of the earhook 2 opposite the front part 3 favored.

This stability has the advantage of reducing the wear of the slider 14 to favor.

Thanks to this advantageous feature that the joint elements 4 . 15 beyond the components of the frame, it is also possible that the axis of rotation X outside the longitudinal extent of the earhook 2 and consequently the entire cross section of the first end 50 of the earhook 2 can be determined at the lateral end 51 of the front part 3 to strike.

In this way, the attack proves when unfolding the earhook 2 as stable and resistant.

In particular, the cam edge profile 21 on which the slider 14 slips under contact, advantageously with a first and a second engaging portion 60 . 61 formed, which stable angular positions of the two joint elements 4 . 15 are substantially at the level or better only in the vicinity of the two closing and opening positions A and B are provided, which are defined by the two respective mechanical stops and that when closing due to the striking of the edge profiles 28 the two thighs 5 of the first joint element 4 at the two stop surfaces 17 ' . 17 '' of the second hinge element 15 and the other when opening due to the engagement between the end of the side portion of the front part and the first end of the earhook.

The two stable angular positions between the two hinge elements 4 . 15 are formed by the cam edge profile 21 is shaped so that the two corresponding engaging portions 60 . 61 the profile closer to the axis of rotation X of the joints 4 . 15 than the sections adjacent to it and, for example, with protruding noses 62 are executed.

Thus, when the hinge travels a predetermined angle as it rotates between the two stable angular positions, in correspondence with the protruding nose 62 the elastic return of the spring 13 and the subsequent snap of the hinge in the open or closed position in which, that is, the two hinge elements 4 . 15 in the stable angular positions.

The above intervention sections 60 . 61 the cam edge profile 21 that come through the meeting with the slider 14 from the spring 13 can be pressed against them, define the above stable angular positions can be substantially flat, as in the examples of the 1 to 24 is shown, or an inside curvature 33 have, in correspondence with the above-mentioned stable angular positions can accommodate a matching outer curvature on the outer surface 23 of the slider 14 is formed, as it is in the example of the 25 to 30 is shown.

Preferably, the stable open position is shortly after reaching the opening stop due to the abutment of the end 51 the lateral section of the front section 3 and the first end 50 of the earhook 2 provided to each other to ensure that the earhook 2 always in attack against the front part 3 is pressed without ever admitting that between the two above-mentioned components an ugly gap remains defined, and without the earhook 2 ever have leeway when in the unfolded position.

More importantly, the abovementioned abutment is therefore defined so as to avoid the formation of an additional path when unfolding, ie an additional path provided beyond the stable open position, and this in order to prevent the return of the earhook 2 in the stable position an ugly gap between the first end 50 of the earhook 2 and the end 51 the lateral section of the front section 3 forms.

In the sports or sunglasses, for the hinge of the invention 1 is advantageously determined, moreover, the additional way is not a useful feature, but rather thanks to the above-mentioned striking when unfolding between the earhook 2 and the front part 3 Due to the elastic reaction force that arises as a result of the deformation of the frame as a whole, a considerable holding force can be exerted on the temples of the user. This elastic deformation can be easily obtained by opening the earhook 2 is forced, ie by the second ends are spread so that the first ends 50 on the front part 3 attacks.

Similarly, the stable closed position is reached only after the lock when folding by striking the edge profiles 28 the two narrow thighs 5 of the first joint element 4 at the two stop surfaces 17 ' . 17 '' is done on the second hinge element 15 on the two sides of the projecting header 18 are formed.

So the snap takes place when folding the earhook 2 in a position in which they are kept pressed frontally against the lenses.

The arrangement of the closing and opening stops, as indicated above, ie slightly before the stable positions, which is the connection between the slider 14 and the cam edge profile 21 of the protruding header 18 owe, advantageously causes a lower wear of the slider 14 compared to the other devices with ball (or slider) and spring, which, because they have end positions that have no mechanical stop and the mere connection of the slider (or the ball) with the cam edge profile 21 owe the protruding head, are less stable and therefore lead to vibrations that the slider 14 wear out in a short time.

The off-axis arrangement of the joint elements 4 . 15 opposite to the earloop allows easy determination of the end position when unfolding and has, as mentioned above, a beneficial effect on the elastic mechanism, which consists in that the slider 14 from wear.

Furthermore, the one body formed and without the intermediary of other components is in direct contact with the spring and the cam edge profile 21 located slider 14 is not exposed to vibration during normal use and is therefore subject to very limited wear over time.

The presence of mechanical stops, the misalignment of the hinge elements and the earloop, and the slider formed as a single body are three features which are advantageous for limiting the wear of the slider 14 contribute.

Of course, the hinge can 1 in its practical embodiment, assume shapes and configurations other than those described above without departing from the scope hereof.

In the scope of the present patent application, it falls, for example, if, as in the embodiment of the attached 31 to 33 is shown, provides that the hinge 1 is of the type with five hinge points, ie via a first hinge element 4 has, with three narrow thighs 5 is provided, starting from the first metal body 6 extend parallel to each other and through two grooves 7 are separated from each other. From the end surfaces 9 the latter go two parallel longitudinal cavities 10 each of which has its own access opening 11 , a floor 12 and inside a corresponding spring 13 that is between your own ground 12 and the associated slider 14 is compressed.

The second joint element 15 is in turn with a second metal body 16 with two protruding headers 18 provided, each between two adjacent narrow legs 5 of first joint element 4 insert. A bolt 20 is inserted in holes which are aligned transversely in the three narrow legs and in the two head pieces are formed to provide the two hinge elements with a movable connection between the closed and open positions A and B.

Each projecting header 18 is with a cam edge profile 21 provided on the under contact the associated slide 14 slides, which as described above is designed as a single body with two sections.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide that the five hinge hinge described above is a first hinge member 4 which is provided with only one elastic mechanism, ie with only one longitudinal cavity 10 , only one spring 13 and only one associated slider 14 , In this way, only one of the two cam edge profiles works 21 the protruding headers 18 of the second hinge element 15 under contact with the single slider 14 together, as previously described.

The realized according to the teachings of the present invention hinge 1 In the course of time there are no signs of the formation of play between the joints, as the possible play always advantageously results from the thrust of the spring 13 is balanced against the slide, which engages the profile of the cam and the two joints stable forces in the stable position beyond the mechanical stop.

Such freedom of movement between the joints 4 . 15 allows a bolt 20 for the sole purpose of using the joints 4 . 15 to articulate with one another without being given tasks of clamping the joints, which aim to ensure the fluid movement of the earhook or to balance the play between the joints.

This allows in particular a more stable engagement in the holes by being provided that it in both holes of the legs 5 of the first joint member is screwed or provided to be provided with a shaft having an eccentric portion suitable between the legs 5 intervene to prevent the escape or loosening of the screw.

The present invention further relates to a frame 100 , the two earhooks 2 Includes, with hinges 1 with elastic snap effect when opening / closing on a front part 3 hinged, as has been described in detail here.

Advantageously, the first end 50 the earhook 2 at the end 51 the lateral section of the front section 3 along the line of the generating Z of the earhook 2 strike and so an opening stop between the hinge elements 4 and 15 of the hinge 1 realize.

The thus conceived hinge and the frame which it comprises, therefore fulfill the tasks set and are in particular able to prevent backlash between the joint elements, and can be assembled at the same time with a very hassle-free and cost-effective method.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 02/054135 [0008]
• IT 200400009 [0008]
• US 7572005 [0022]
• US 7581289 [0022]
• FR 2912516 [0022]
• IT 20050006 [0022, 0028]
• US 7752005 [0028]
• EP 1495356 [0032]
• EP 992831 [0032, 0035]
• IT 97000034 [0032]
• US 6814438 [0032, 0035]
• EP 6075 [0035]
• IT 1306702 [0046]
• US 3644023 [0051]
• WO 2009/122377 [0065]

Claims (13)

A goggle hinge provided with a front part carrying two lenses and two earhooks, each earhook being articulated by means of such a hinge to a lateral portion of said front part, said hinge comprising: - at least one first articulating element provided with the following is: - at least two mutually parallel narrow legs, which are separated by a groove and having aligned first through-holes; - at least one longitudinal cavity extending from an access opening formed between the legs at the level of the end of the groove; - at least one spring housed in the longitudinal cavity and compressed between the bottom of the latter and a slide at least partially inserted in this longitudinal cavity; - And at least a second hinge element, which is folded against the action of the spring between at least one closed position, in which the earhook is folded onto the front part of the glasses, and an open position in which the earloop from the front part with the first joint element for the snap movement of the joint elements the glasses extends away, is rotatably connected; said second hinge member being provided with: at least one projecting header interposed between the two narrow legs of the first hinge member and having a second through hole aligned with the first through holes of the narrow legs to coaxially receive a hinge pin adapted to to provide the hinge elements with a movable between the closed and open positions connection; and which is provided with a cam profile on which slides the slide under the relative rotation of the hinge elements between the open and closed positions under contact; characterized in that the slider is provided as a single body with: a first portion at least partially protruding from the access opening and provided with an outer surface adapted to slide on the cam profile of the projecting head of the second hinge member; And a second portion formed as a single body with the first portion and including at least one resilient rib extending toward the longitudinal cavity and provided with first anchoring means engageable in a retaining relationship with second anchoring means are formed in the first joint member within the longitudinal cavity. A spectacle hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first joint member and the second joint member are provided with a first lower part and a second lower part, with the aid of which they are fixed rigidly projecting on a first and a second component of the frame of the glasses, where it is In particular, an ear hook or a front part is. The eyeglass hinge of claim 2, wherein the first hinge member is adapted to be secured to the inner surface of the earhook, the second member being adapted to be secured laterally to the front member; wherein the expansion axis (Y) of the longitudinal cavity is centered with the extension axes of the spring and the slider and crosses the axis of rotation of the hinge elements outside the extension axis of the earhook. The eyeglass hinge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projecting header of the second hinge member extends from a front surface of the latter opposite the first hinge member; and in which the legs of the first hinge element are provided with edge profiles, at least one of which is adapted to cooperate with the front surface of the second hinge element and, by abutting against this, to define a closing stop for the hinge elements. The eyeglass hinge of claim 4, wherein the front surface of the second hinge member is comprised of at least two abutment surfaces separated from each other by the protruding head and aligned with a slope and a depth suitable for controlling the abutment angle position upon closing of the first hinge member with respect to define second hinge element. The eyeglass hinge of claim 5, wherein the at least two abutment surfaces are realized by a milling whose depth and / or angling is adjustable to define the angular position of the closing abutment of the first articulating element with respect to the second articulating element. The eyeglass hinge of claim 1, wherein the first hinge member is attached to an earhook at the level of its first end; wherein the second hinge member is attached to a front part at the level of the end of a its lateral portion; and wherein the first end of the earhook is adapted to abut the earhook at the end of the lateral portion of the front part along the line of the generatrix, thus realizing an opening stop between the hinges of that hinge. The eyeglass hinge of claim 1, wherein the cam edge profile of the projecting head portion of the second hinge member on which the slider slides under contact is formed with first and second engagement portions which correspond to stable angular positions which are taken by the two hinge members with a snap action. The eyeglass hinge of claim 8, wherein the stable angular positions between the two hinge elements are substantially planar and are limited by portions farther from the axis of rotation. The eyeglass hinge according to claim 8, wherein the stable angular positions between the two hinge members are each provided with an inner concavity capable of accommodating, in correspondence with the above-mentioned stable angular positions, a matching outer convexity formed on the outer surface of the slider. Eyeglass hinge according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the stable opening angle position is provided after reaching the opening stop, whereby the earhook is held in abutment against the front part. Eyeglass hinge according to claims 4 and 8, wherein the stable closing angle position is provided after reaching the closing stop, whereby the earhook is kept folded stable in front of the eyeglass lenses. The eyeglass hinge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first hinge member is provided with: - Three mutually parallel narrow legs, which are separated by two grooves and having aligned first through-holes; - two longitudinal cavities each extending from an associated access opening, each formed between a pair of adjacent narrow legs at the level of the end of the groove; - At least one spring, which is housed in at least one longitudinal cavity and is compressed between the bottom of the latter and at least one slide; and wherein the at least second hinge element is provided with: At least two projecting headers each interposed between a pair of the adjacent narrow legs and having a second through bore aligned with the first through holes of the narrow legs for coaxially receiving the hinge pin adapted to engage the hinge elements with one between the closing legs; and opening positions to provide movable connection; wherein at least one of these head pieces is provided with a cam profile on which slides the at least one slide during the relative rotation of the hinge elements between the open and closed positions under contact.

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