HK1168659B - Eyeglass frame and temple - Google Patents

Description

Spectacle frame and temple

Technical Field

The invention relates to a spectacle frame comprising a frame and a holder, each for accommodating a lens, and comprising two connecting elements for attaching a temple, which connecting elements are arranged on the left and right sides of the frame, respectively, the temple having at least two tongues or tongues on the end of the temple side parallel to each other. More particularly, the invention relates to a corresponding temple.

Background

EP 0863424B 2 discloses an eyeglass frame, at least two springs of which form an engagement mechanism together with an engagement element at a connecting element of the frame, such that in the unfolding and folding movement of the temple an area of at least one spring facing an inner surface of the frame is supported in sliding contact by an abutment of the connecting element. This means that during unfolding and folding, the segments of the spring respectively slide over the abutment of the connecting element.

Furthermore, an embodiment of EP 0863424B 2 discloses a filigree glass (glass) made of flat metal sheet, the frame-side ends of the glass legs having three springs parallel to each other, with the specific effect that the springs are arranged in a plane of rotation relative to each other, so that the glass legs are subjected to a spring force that urges the glass legs to unfold and/or fold. In this way, the spectacle wearer only needs to exert a small force in order to unfold and fold the temple bar, respectively, since the temple bar can automatically move elastically inwards or outwards, respectively, in a specific rotational or an inclined position.

The spring force is generated by elastically stretching the tongue or the spring, respectively, during folding of the temple by an offset (offset) of at least one spring relative to at least one other spring. A section of the inner surface of the tongue or leaf, respectively a suitable sliding surface, close to the connecting element, slides without resistance on the active surface, which is located at the free end of the connecting element, the front side of which faces the temple.

The sliding can be easily performed without any problem in the process of folding the temples. However, during deployment this can be somewhat cumbersome, as deployment requires a relatively large spring force and is usually random and abrupt.

Unfortunately, when carrying the eyeglasses, for example, in a coat or shirt pocket, one or both of the temples may automatically open and pop open in the pocket, as the temples may catch in the pocket of the garment and become caught, thereby making subsequent removal difficult. Unfolding of the temples may occur suddenly when removed from the eyeglass case or pocket, with the risk of injury. This sudden expansion occurs in particular when there is a metallic connection between the spring and the respective abutment of the connecting element, for example due to the accumulation of sweat and sebum, which would be insufficient to keep the temple close to the frame against the spring action exerted by the spring.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a spectacle frame and corresponding temple thereof, in particular made of flat sheet metal, which prevents the temple from unfolding automatically, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned problems.

This object is achieved by a spectacle frame according to claim 1, 5 or 17 and a temple according to claims 21-32 having the following features.

An eyeglass frame according to the invention comprises a frame and temples arranged on the left and right side, respectively, which frame comprises two connecting elements arranged on the left and right side, respectively, the ends of the connecting elements on the frame side facing the temples when in the unfolded state, each temple being divided into tongues on the frame side, each outer tongue having a bent portion by means of which the temple is rotatably connected to the shoulder of the connecting element in such a way that at least one central tongue of the temple slides by means of a sliding surface on an active surface, which is located on the free end of the connecting element, at least one spring having a ridge or ridge which inhibits the continuous movement of the central spring.

The ridge forms a groove on the inner surface of the temple facing the wearer of the spectacles, the position of the ridge on the tongue being such that the tongue cooperates with the free end of the connecting element to prevent the temple from unfolding automatically from its folded position. Since the deployment is initially suppressed; the eyeglass wearer must exert a slightly increased force to overcome the engagement between the ridge and the connecting element to deploy the temple arms, which will occur in a controlled manner.

Advantageously, the tongue is formed by a resilient tongue or spring, respectively, allowing a ridge to be formed therein by stamping or bending. The ridge extends perpendicular to the length direction of the tongue, and the ridge can be superposed on the tongue; i.e. a separate part of the ridge is provided on the inner surface of the tongue.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved by a spectacle frame comprising a frame for carrying lenses and two connecting elements arranged on the left and right side of the frame respectively for attaching a temple, the temple comprising an inner face facing a spectacle wearer and an outer face facing away from the spectacle wearer, the material of the temple in a direction perpendicular to its plane of extension having a small thickness, the temple comprising at its frame-side extremity at least two springs arranged parallel to each other, which springs cooperate with the engaging elements at the connecting elements to form engaging means, such that during unfolding and folding movements of the temple a section of the inner face of one spring is supported in sliding contact by an abutment of the connecting element, which section comprises at least one means inhibiting the section from sliding automatically on the abutment. The invention is characterized in that: the mechanism is located on the inner surface of the frame, while the outer surface of the frame has a continuous plane of extension.

Since the spectacle frame according to the invention comprises an inner face and an outer face, the outer face having substantially a continuous plane of extension which is considerable with respect to the actual thickness of the material, in this embodiment of the invention the mechanism does not affect the appearance of the outer face of the spectacle frame. The outer surface still has a continuous smooth surface. The invention is therefore particularly advantageous for temples made of flat metal sheets, such as spring steel. Other applications of the material are possible according to the invention.

The mechanism according to the present invention suppresses the section of the at least one spring from sliding on the abutting portion by an increase in sliding resistance without applying an external force, thereby suppressing the temple from being suddenly spread. According to the invention, the resistance is selected such that: the counter force of the segment sliding freely over the abutment is at least sufficient to require the application of manual force to the temple to unfold or fold the temple respectively.

According to the invention, a specific kind, specific embodiments and number of mechanisms are provided on the temple, according to the inherent elastic forces for folding and unfolding the temple, on the one hand, and according to the material and the weight of the temple itself, on the other hand.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism provides for an increase in the friction between the abutment and the segment.

Thus, a suitable coating may be provided on the segments to increase the friction between the segments and the abutment. For this purpose, the surface of the segment facing the spectacle frame can be roughened by a machining process with respect to the other inner surface of the temple. Alternatively, a coating composed of rubber or similar material may be applied to the segment regions.

The object is furthermore achieved by a spectacle frame comprising a frame for carrying lenses and two connecting elements arranged on the left and right side of the frame respectively for mounting a temple, the temple comprising an inner face facing a spectacle wearer and an outer face facing away from the spectacle wearer, the temple having a frame-side extremity comprising at least two tongues arranged parallel to each other, which tongues cooperate with an engaging element at the connecting element to form an engaging mechanism, such that during unfolding and folding movements of the temple a section of the inner face of one tongue is supported in sliding contact by an abutment of the connecting element, which section comprises at least one groove inhibiting automatic sliding of the section on the abutment.

According to the invention, said means are formed at least as a groove which opens on the inner surface of the spring or tongue, respectively, facing the spectacle wearer.

The recess may be provided as a small annular well and a cup-shaped well. Preferably, the abutment of the connecting element has a small nose-like extension or another smaller protrusion, which is approximately shaped to fit the well. The well-shaped groove of the inner surface of the spring is then located close to the free end of the spring, so that when the frame is to be folded up, the extension and the groove cooperate precisely to lock the temple bar in this position with respect to the frame. The extension and "well" may be integrally formed as a smooth locking mechanism that, although easily manually releasable, is sufficient to resist the spring force.

Preferably, a row of equally spaced grooves opening towards the lens wearer has proved to be particularly advantageous.

It will be appreciated that the rows of grooves pass over the extensions in sequence during the folding and unfolding movements. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the grooves are formed in the form of a groove extending substantially perpendicularly to the leaf spring extending in the length direction.

The groove thus extends from both edges of the spring leaf in the direction of the free rear end of the temple towards the apex, wherein the groove can be formed as an arch or a circle or as two straight lines extending towards the apex.

In particular when the spectacle frame is made of flat sheet metal, the temple is also made of sheet metal, in addition to the frame and the connecting element, so that the material of the temple in a plane perpendicular to its extension has a small thickness, such a recess can be manufactured by a simple method without interfering with the outer surface of the temple.

Etching and laser ablation have proven advantageous for the recess to be located on the inner side of the temple arm, so that the outwardly facing surface of the temple arm, i.e. the surface of the temple arm facing away from the spectacle wearer, is not obstructed in the region of the machining section. The latter still presents a continuous, smooth metal surface after material processing. The material machining process may form a groove in the inner surface of the spring and temple respectively, which inner surface is shown to be of a small depth, although the thickness of the spring material is small, which is sufficient to inhibit sliding of the spring over the abutment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the mechanism maintains the spring in a tilted position relative to the frame if no external forces are applied to the temple and its spring. In short, the mechanism may lock the temple arms in this relative position unless manually operated.

The connecting element of the spectacle frame according to the invention can have a vertical groove, the end of the temple on the side of the spectacle frame being divided into three tongues parallel to one another, the central tongue comprising means for inhibiting free sliding. When the temple is unfolded, the free end of the central spring abuts the face of the connecting element facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer, while the two outer springs initially abut in the direction of their free ends the face of the connecting element facing the face of the spectacle wearer, which then respectively pass over the vertical recess of the connecting element and finally abut the face of the connecting element facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer.

By forming such an engagement mechanism as shown in EP 0863424, the spring blades are mounted to the rim of the frame facing each other, so that they form a spring action that promotes folding and unfolding of the temples. The connecting element has, at its front extremity facing the temple, an abutment formed as a front indentation over which a section of the central spring slides, which section comprises means for inhibiting sliding during folding and unfolding, which section comprises at least one groove, respectively.

However, the mechanism is not limited to being provided on the center spring. Alternatively, the mechanism can also be provided on a section of one or both of the outer leaves and pass over the vertical groove during folding and unfolding, the edges of the groove acting as respective abutments.

Further, international applications WO2005/111700 and WO2005/111698 disclose an engagement mechanism, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for use in such temples.

The invention also relates to a temple having the above-mentioned features and to a movement pattern associated therewith.

Drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a, 1b illustrate a prior art temple comprising three spring blades and its engagement mechanism;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are partial views of a temple according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a partial view of a temple bar according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b is a partial view of a temple bar according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a temple bar according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the temple bar;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a temple bar according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

figures 7a, 7b show by way of example a temple comprising three leaves and an engagement mechanism comprising a single vertical groove; and

figures 8a, 8b show by way of example another temple comprising three leaves and its engagement mechanism comprising a fourth embodiment of the mechanism for inhibiting free sliding.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a and 1B each show a temple 1 known from the prior art, for example from EP 0863424B 2, which can be made from a flat metal sheet, the temple 1 being hinged to a connecting element 2 of a spectacle frame or a spectacle frame, respectively, which is not shown in detail here (see the spectacle frame 23 in fig. 7a to 8B).

The temple 1 has in each case three tongues or tongues at its temple-side end, i.e. the end adjoining the connecting element 2, which tongues are two outer tongues 3, 4 and a central tongue 5 surrounded by the two outer tongues.

The connecting element 2 has vertically aligned recesses 6 lying one above the other, through which recesses 6 the free ends 7 of the respective outer leaf 3, 4 adjacent to their bent over portions 8 pass. In this way a simple coupling mechanism is formed.

Fig. 1a shows the temple 1 in the unfolded state, the free end 9 of the central spring 5 abutting the surface of the connecting element 2 facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer, while the two outer springs 3, 4 first abut the surface of the connecting element 2 facing the face of the spectacle wearer, and then the two outer springs 3, 4 respectively pass over the vertical recess 6 of the connecting element 2 and finally abut the surface of the connecting element 2 facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer. The vertical recess 6 forms a shoulder for guiding the two outer leaves 3, 4.

During the folding process shown in fig. 1b, the bent part 8 of the outer leaf passes over the recess 6 of the connecting element 2, while the center leaf 5 forms an abutment 10 supported by the front end of the connecting element 2. The central leaf is thus spread (spread) relative to the outer leaves 3, 4, thereby creating a spring action that may facilitate the unfolding and folding movements of the temple 1.

Possibly due to the fact that the temple 1 is made of a material, such as spring steel, which has an extension plane comprising an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 12, the thickness of the material of the temple 1 and the spring blades 3, 4, 5 is very small in relation to the extension plane, as shown in fig. 1a and 1 b.

When folding and unfolding the temple 1, the section 13 forms a sliding surface during the movement of the central spring 5 over the abutment 10, which is preferably formed as a notch facing the temple, in front of the connecting element 2, so that a sliding contact is established between the abutment 10 and the central spring 5.

In some cases, during sliding contact, the friction between the active faces of the section 13 and the abutment 10 is not sufficient for self-fixing of the temple 1, in particular in the folded position, and counteracts the inherent spring action of the temple 1, which is self-adjusted by the relative extension of the outer leaves 3, 4 with respect to the central leaf 5 (fig. 7b and 8 b). There is therefore a risk that: the temple 1 will automatically pop open when mishandled.

In order to prevent this, the present invention discloses a mechanism with which the self-sliding movement of the center spring 5 is sufficiently hindered.

The mechanism according to the invention is arranged on a section 13 of the inner surface 11 of the center spring 5, which moves on the abutment 10 during rotation of the temple 1.

Fig. 2a and 2b show a first embodiment of the mechanism. The center leaf 5 has a curved section 14. In the length direction, the central spring 5 comprises a ridge or ridge 15 between the curved section 14 and the free end 9, which ridge 15 forms a recess 16 on the inner surface 11 of the temple facing the spectacle wearer, which recess 16 cooperates with the abutment 10 of the connecting element in the folded state, as shown in fig. 7 b. The grooves 16 and ridges 15, respectively, may be formed by compression molding.

Fig. 3a shows a second embodiment, in which there is a well-like recess 17 on the inner surface 11 of the center leaf 5. This recess 17 can for example cooperate with a not shown suitable nose provided in front of the free end of the abutment 10 to form a smoothly moving snap fit connection. Such grooves 17 can be arranged in succession on the section 13 of the center spring 5 moving over the abutment 10, as shown in fig. 3b, wherein the grooves 17 arranged in a row each engage in turn with a projection.

By way of example, fig. 4 and 5 show a preferred fourth embodiment of a temple 1 according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the section 13 of the inner surface 11 of the center leaf 5 comprises a row of grooves formed as grooves 18, which are arranged parallel to each other and at equal distances apart.

A groove 18 is preferably formed in the surface of section 13 by laser ablation or etching, which groove 18 has a shallow depth such that the outer surface 12 of center leaf 5 remains a continuous surface, as shown, for example, in the side view of center leaf 5 in fig. 5. When the thickness of the material of the temple 1 is about 1mm, a preferred depth of the groove 18 is exemplified to be about 0.25 mm.

The channel 18 may extend substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the temple 1. Preferably, the groove-like recesses 18 are formed as two lines extending towards the apex 19, aligned in a direction towards the rear end of the temple 1, which is the end remote from the frame and the connecting element 2.

During folding and unfolding of the temple, the segment 13 comprising the channel 18 moves on the active face of the front abutment 10, so that the corresponding friction force preventing the automatic release of the temple 1 (i.e. when no external force is applied manually by the wearer of the eyeglasses) increases. As shown in particular in fig. 8 b.

In another embodiment of the invention, the depth and configuration of the aforementioned mechanism for inhibiting free sliding may be selected as: so that the abutment 10 can actually snap into these mechanisms, so that the temple 1 can be maintained in a predetermined inclined position with respect to the frame of the spectacle frame.

Fig. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. The mechanism for inhibiting free sliding of the center spring 5 is realized by a coating 20 with increased friction, which may be formed as a thin rubber coating applied on its inner surface.

Fig. 7a and 7b basically show the principle of action of latching into a single groove extending perpendicular to the central spring, for example in embodiments comprising a ridge but with a different engagement mechanism connecting the temple 1.

The outer blades 3, 4 of the temple 1 have pins 21 with free ends opposite each other, which cooperate with eyelets 22 provided on the connecting element 2 to form articulated coupling shafts. Which extends from the frame and the rim 23 towards the temple 1, respectively.

The abutment 10 of the connecting element 2 for the center spring 5 is formed as a strut extending from the connecting element 2 towards the temple 1, so that the outer springs 3, 4 can pass over this abutment 10 when rotating. The free ends 24 of the abutment portions in the folded condition cooperate with corresponding vertical grooves 25 in the inner surface 11 of the central leaf 5 to form a snap-lock connection which allows easy manual release but does not automatically produce the spring action provided by the leaves 3, 4, 5.

Fig. 8a and 8b show another coupling mechanism, in which the connecting element 2 comprises a pin 26 cooperating with a respective eyelet 27 at the free end of the outer leaves 3, 4 to form a pivot joint. In this embodiment, the abutment also extends towards the temple 1, the outer spring 3, 4 passing over the abutment 10.

The section 13 of the central spring 5 comprises a row of defined grooves 18, which grooves 18 cooperate with the front end 24 of the abutment 10 in a manner that increases the friction force, so as to inhibit the free sliding generated by the elastic force of the springs 3, 4, 5, which would lead to an unexpected sudden spreading of the temple 1.

It is clear that the aforesaid means according to the invention can be easily made, in particular the means for preventing random sliding introduced on the inner surface 11, which do not affect the profile that is very important for spectacles, since they do not modify or deform the outer surface 12 of the temple 1 and its central spring 5.

Claims (36)

1. Spectacle frame comprising a temple (1) and a frame (23) on the left and right, respectively, of the spectacle frame, which frame comprises a connecting element (2) on the left and right, respectively, of which the temple-side end faces the temple (1) in the extended state, each temple (1) being divided on the frame side into three mutually parallel tongues (3, 4, 5), which connecting element (2) has a vertical recess (6), wherein, when the temple (1) is extended, the central tongue adjoins the surface of the connecting element (2) facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer by means of its free end, while the two outer tongues (3, 4) first adjoin the surface of the connecting element (2) facing the face of the spectacle wearer in the direction of their free end, and then the bent portions (8) of the outer tongues (3, 4) cross the vertical recess (6) of the connecting element (2) and finally with the surface of the connecting element (2) facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer -face abutment, so that the central leaf (5) of the temple (1), having a sliding surface (13), slides during rotation along an active face (10, 24) at the free end of the connecting element (2), characterized in that the central leaf (5) has a protuberance (15) that inhibits the continuous sliding of the central leaf (5), so that said protuberance (15) cooperates with said active face (10, 24) to lock the temple (1) in the folded condition, while being easily released manually.

2. Spectacle frame as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the protuberance (15) is arranged vertically on the central spring (5).

3. Spectacle frame as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the protuberance (15) is integrally formed with the central spring (5).

4. Spectacle frame as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the protuberance (15) is superimposed on the central spring (5).

5. Spectacle frame comprising a frame (23) for accommodating lenses and two connecting elements (2) for mounting a temple (1), which connecting elements are arranged on the left and right side of the frame (23) respectively, the temple (1) comprising an inner face (11) facing the spectacle wearer and an outer face (12) facing away from the spectacle wearer, the temple (1) having a small material thickness perpendicular to its plane of extension, the temple (1) comprising at its frame-side extremity at least two tongues parallel to each other, which tongues cooperate with engagement elements (8, 21, 22, 26, 27) at the connecting elements (2) to form an engagement mechanism, such that during unfolding and folding movements of the temple (1) a section (13) of the inner face (11) of one tongue is supported by sliding contact by abutments (10, 24) of the connecting element (2), the segment (13) comprises at least one mechanism (15, 17, 18, 20, 25) for inhibiting the segment (13) from sliding automatically on an abutment (10, 24), characterized in that said mechanism (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) is located on an inner face (11) of said temple (1), an outer face (12) of said temple (1) has a continuous plane of extension, said mechanism (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) locking the temple (1) in the folded condition while being easily released manually.

6. Eyeglass frame as per claim 5 that is distinguished by the fact that the mechanism (15, 17, 18, 20, 25) causes the friction between the abutment (10, 24) and the segment (13) to increase.

7. Eyeglass frame as per claim 6 that is distinguished by the fact that said segments (13) have a friction-increasing coating (20).

8. Spectacle frame as in claim 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that said means (15, 17, 18, 20, 25) maintain the temple (1) in a tilted position with respect to the frame (23) in the absence of external forces exerted on the temple (1).

9. Eyeglass frame as per claim 8 that is distinguished by the fact that the means are formed on the inner surface (11), the means being formed as at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) that opens towards the wearer of the eyeglass.

10. Eyeglass frame as per claim 9 that is distinguished by the fact that said abutment (10, 24) has an extension that cooperates with a groove (16, 17, 18, 25) when the eyeglass frame is fully folded.

11. Eyeglass frame as per claim 10 that is distinguished by the fact that the mechanism is formed as a row of grooves (17, 18) spaced apart from each other.

12. Eyeglass frame as per claim 11 that is distinguished by the fact that the groove (17, 18) extends essentially perpendicular to the length of the spring (3, 4, 5).

13. Spectacle frame as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the recess (17, 18) extends from both edges of the spring (3, 4, 5) towards an apex (19) in the direction of the free rear end of the temple (1).

14. Eyeglass frame as per claim 13 that is distinguished by the fact that the groove (17, 18) on the inner face (11) is formed by drilling, milling, etching or laser ablation.

15. Spectacle frame according to claim 14, characterised in that the connecting element (2) has a vertical recess (6), the end of the temple-side of the temple (1) being divided into three tongues (3, 4, 5) parallel to one another, the central tongue (5) comprising means (15, 17, 18, 20, 25), wherein the central tongue, when the temple (1) is unfolded, adjoins the surface of the connecting element (2) facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer by its free end, while the two outer tongues (3, 4) first adjoin the surface of the connecting element (2) facing the face of the spectacle wearer in the direction of their free end, and then the outer tongues (3, 4) pass over the vertical recess (6) of the connecting element (2) and finally adjoin the surface of the connecting element (2) facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer.

16. Spectacle frame as in claim 15, characterised in that said springs (3, 4, 5) form a spring action that promotes the folding and unfolding of the temple (1), the mechanism (15, 17, 18, 20, 25) of the central spring (5) preventing the automatic folding and unfolding of the temple (1) caused by this spring action.

17. Spectacle frame comprising a frame (23) for accommodating lenses and two connecting elements (2) for mounting a temple (1) which are arranged on the left and right side of the frame (23) respectively, the temple comprising an inner face (11) facing the spectacle wearer and an outer face (12) facing away from the spectacle wearer, the temple comprising at its end on the frame side at least two tongues parallel to each other which cooperate with engagement elements (8, 21, 22, 26, 27) at the connecting elements (2) to form an engagement mechanism such that during unfolding and folding movements of the temple (1) a segment (13) of the inner face (11) of one tongue is supported in sliding contact by an abutment (10, 24) of the connecting element (2), characterized in that the segment (13) comprises at least one groove (16) which inhibits the segment (13) from sliding automatically on the abutment (10, 24), 17, 18, 25), said groove (16, 17, 18, 25) locking the temple (1) in the folded condition while being easily released manually.

18. Eyeglass frame as per claim 17 that is distinguished by the fact that said at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) extends substantially perpendicularly to the length of the spring (3, 4, 5).

19. Spectacle frame according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) extends from both edges of the spring (3, 4, 5) in the direction of the free rear end of the temple (1) towards the apex (19).

20. Spectacle frame as in any one of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that said leaves (3, 4, 5) create a spring action that promotes the folding and unfolding of the temple (1), said at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) preventing the automatic folding and unfolding of the temple (1) caused by this spring action.

21. Temple (1) comprising an inner face (11) facing a spectacle wearer and an outer face (12) facing away from the face of the spectacle wearer, the temple (1) having a small material thickness perpendicular to its plane of extension, the temple being at its extremity rotatably mounted to a connecting element (2) of a frame (23) of a spectacle frame, the extremity of the temple (1) comprising at least two springs parallel to each other cooperating with engagement elements (8, 21, 22, 26, 27) at the connecting element (2) to form an engagement mechanism, such that during unfolding and folding movements of the temple (1) a segment (13) of the inner face (11) of one spring is supported in sliding contact by an abutment (10, 24) of the connecting element (2), the segment (13) comprising at least one mechanism (15) inhibiting automatic sliding of the segment (13) on the abutment (10, 24), 16, 17, 18, 20, 25), characterized in that said means (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) are located on the inner face (11) of the temple (1), the outer face (12) of the temple (1) having a continuous plane of extension, said means (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) locking the temple (1) in the folded condition while being easily released manually.

22. Temple according to claim 21, wherein the mechanism (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) causes an increase in the friction between the abutment (10, 24) and the segment (13).

23. Temple according to claim 22, wherein said section (13) has a friction increasing coating (20).

24. Temple according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein said mechanism (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25) maintains the temple (1) in an inclined position with respect to the frame (23) when no external forces are applied to the temple (1).

25. Temple according to claim 24, wherein the means are formed as at least one recess (16, 17, 18, 25) on the inner surface (11) open to the wearer of the spectacles.

26. Temple according to claim 25, wherein the recess (16, 17, 18, 25) is provided on the inner surface (11), the recess (16, 17, 18, 25) cooperating with an extension of the abutment (10, 24) if the temple (1) is fully folded.

27. Temple according to claim 26, wherein said means are formed as a row of grooves (17, 18, 25) spaced from each other.

28. Temple according to claim 27, wherein said groove (17, 18, 25) extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the spring (3, 4, 5).

29. Temple according to claim 28, wherein the groove (18) extends from both edges of the spring (3, 4, 5) in the direction of the free rear end of the temple (1) towards the apex (19).

30. Temple according to claim 29, wherein the recesses (16, 17, 18, 25) on the inner surface (11) are formed by drilling, milling, etching or laser ablation.

31. Temple according to claim 30, wherein the temple-side extremity comprises three springs (3, 4, 5) arranged parallel to each other, the central spring (5) comprising means (15, 17, 18, 20, 25).

32. Temple (1) comprising an inner face (11) facing a spectacle wearer and an outer face (12) facing away from the spectacle wearer, wherein the extremity of the temple is rotatably mounted to a connecting element (2) of a frame (23) of a spectacle frame, the extremity of the temple (1) comprising at least two springs parallel to each other, which springs cooperate with engagement elements (8, 21, 22, 26, 27) at the connecting element (2) to form an engagement mechanism such that, in an unfolding and folding movement of the temple (1), a section (13) of the inner face (11) of one spring is supported in sliding contact by an abutment (10, 24) of the connecting element (2), characterized in that the section (13) has at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) that inhibits automatic sliding of the section (13) over the abutment (10, 24), said groove (16, 17, 18, 25) locks the temple (1) in the folded state while being easily released manually.

33. Temple according to claim 32, wherein said at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the spring (3, 4, 5).

34. Temple according to claim 33, wherein at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) extends from both edges of the spring (3, 4, 5) in the direction of the free rear end of the temple (1) towards the apex (19).

35. Temple according to any of claims 32-34, wherein said spring blades (3, 4, 5) form a spring action that promotes folding and unfolding of the temple (1), said at least one groove (16, 17, 18, 25) preventing automatic folding and unfolding of the temple (1) caused by the spring action.

36. Spectacle frame as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the center spring (5) further comprises a bent section (14), which bent section (14) abuts against the free end (10, 24) when the temple (1) is unfolded, the bent section (14) and the bulge (15) being arranged relative to each other such that the distance between the bent section (14) and the bulge (15) limits the entire folding movement of the temple (1).