HK1242426B - Glasses frame with closed position protecting lenses from impacts or friction - Google Patents

Description

Eyeglass frame with a closed position to protect lenses from impact or friction

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a spectacle frame with a closed position to protect lenses from collision or friction. In particular, the present invention relates to a new concept of spectacle frame that can provide excellent protection for lenses when the glasses are not worn and placed on a support in the closed position without inserting the lenses into a glasses case.

Background Art

As we all know, in daily use of glasses, whether they are sun visors or prescription glasses, they usually need to be taken off and put back in place according to usage conditions or environmental conditions.

When taking off a pair of glasses, they are usually placed on the first horizontal surface available, such as the top of a piece of furniture or a table, on a chair or on a bed. Consequently, few people have the time and energy to place them gently and correctly: either closed, that is, with the temples folded in contact with the resting surface; or open, with the lower edge of the frame and the end of the temples placed on top, or more stably, upside down, with the front frame and the upper edge of the temples; in any case in such a position that the lenses do not come into contact with the resting surface and therefore do not risk being damaged.

In fact, more often than not, due to haste, neglect or negligence, the glasses are placed carelessly and the lenses are often damaged due to collisions or friction with the surface on which they are placed or with surrounding objects.

Currently, the only reliable way to avoid any damage to the lenses is to immediately return the glasses to their case after taking them off. However, at least in the context of the fast pace of modern life, this type of operation is complicated and too time-consuming to be convenient, both because cases are not always readily available and because glasses often have to be taken off and put on repeatedly in succession, depending on the conditions of use; and it is easier to forgo this more complete protection, given that direct support on the first available surface is easier. US Pat. No. 6,257,720 discloses a spectacle frame comprising a hinge device placed on a crossbar connecting two frames. This hinge device allows the two frames and the temples articulated thereto to rotate relative to each other about an axis of rotation passing through the crossbar, so that after one of the two frames is rotated relative to the other, the two temples are on opposite sides of the glasses, thus providing protection for the lenses.

Although interesting in principle, the solution disclosed in this patent cannot be applied satisfactorily in practice. As is well known, in eyeglasses, since the connecting crossbar between two frames must be placed in contact with or slightly above the wearer's nose, this crossbar is located in the upper part of the front frame, substantially aligned with the upper curve of the frames. It is therefore obvious that by rotating one frame 180° relative to the other about the axis of rotation formed in this crossbar, the two frames and their associated temples will be completely misaligned once the rotation occurs.

The aim set out in the patent is thus not achieved, since, when the frame is in the inverted position, each temple only protects the inner portion of the lens closest to the hinge (as occurs in conventional spectacles), without, however, succeeding in protecting the distal end of the lens (as intended by the patent), i.e. the outer portion of the lens in the distal position relative to the hinge, since, during the 180° rotation, the frame containing the lens is completely inverted relative to the crossbar and thus occupies a completely misaligned position relative to the position occupied by the temple ends of another frame, thus failing to achieve the aim set out in the patent. As a result, the outer portion of the lens is not strictly protected from the temple ends in the inverted position, thus failing to achieve an improvement over the existing situation disclosed in the patent in question.

Furthermore, it must be noted that in the aforementioned 180°-rotated position of the two frames, the spectacles adopt a completely disassembled configuration, with the two frames being completely off-center relative to the axis of rotation about the crossbar of the spectacles, so that the ends of the associated temples occupy a substantially empty space. In other words, the volume of the spectacles in the plane where the two frames rest is essentially doubled, which has a significant negative impact both from the perspective of comfort when storing or handling the spectacles, and from an aesthetic point of view.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a spectacle frame that offers the same innovative properties as the frame disclosed in patent US Pat. No. 6,257,720 and that, for the reasons stated above, cannot be obtained with the solution disclosed in that patent. In particular, a frame is thus proposed that allows, in a very simple and straightforward manner, to avoid the risk of damage to the lenses when placing the spectacles in the closed position on a flat surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spectacle frame having such innovative properties, regardless of the material constituting the frame, in particular a frame of plastic and metal or a composite material, and regardless of the specific model of spectacles.

The object is achieved by a spectacle frame comprising the following components: a front frame, two temples (4, 5), the temples (4, 5) being connected to the front frame by hinges, the hinges allowing the temples (4, 5) to rotate from a working position substantially perpendicular to the front frame (for wearing spectacles) to an initial position substantially parallel to the front frame (for storing spectacles), the front frame comprising two frames (2, 3) for supporting lenses and a possible crossbar (1) connecting the frames and in which at least a hinge device (C) is provided, the hinge device (C) being intended to allow the frames (2, 3) to rotate relative to each other by at least 180° about a rotation axis (X-X), characterised in that the rotation axis (X-X) is substantially located in a plane containing the two centres of the frames (2, 3) and being perpendicular to the frames, and the temples (4, 5) being directly hinged to the frames (2, 3). Further preferred features of such a frame are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the framework according to the invention will in any case be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

1A is a front view of an eyeglass frame according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the temples are folded onto the front frame;

FIG1B is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG1A with the temples in an open position and one portion of the frame rotated 90° relative to another portion;

FIG1C is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG1B , wherein the portion is further rotated up to 180° from the initial position;

FIG1D is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG1C , wherein the temples are in a closed position;

2A to 2D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 1A to 1D , showing a second variant of the first embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

3A to 3D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 1A to 1D , showing a third variant of the first embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

4A to 4D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 1A to 1D , showing a fourth variant of the first embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

5A is a front view of an eyeglass frame according to a first variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the temples are in a standard open position;

FIG5B is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG5A , wherein one portion of the frame is rotated 90° relative to another portion;

FIG5C is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG5B , wherein the portion is further rotated up to 180° from the initial position;

FIG5D is a schematic diagram of the frame of FIG5C , wherein the temples are in a closed position;

6A to 6D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a second variant of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

7A to 7D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a third variation of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

8A to 8D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a fourth variation of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

9A to 9D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a fifth variation of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

10A to 10D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a sixth variation of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

11A to 11D are schematic views similar to those of FIG. 5A to 5D , showing a seventh variation of the second embodiment of the spectacle frame of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the figures, the spectacle frame according to the invention, in its working position, looks like any other currently used frame on the market and is not limited to a specific design of the frames or temples. Thus, such a frame comprises all the conventional components of a pair of traditional spectacles and in particular comprises a front frame comprising two rims 2, 3 connected in the middle by a crossbar 1, with hinges for two temples 4 and 5, respectively, inserted on the outside or at the end of said frames.

According to the concept of the general solution of the present invention, in order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and thus achieve the desired goal of fully protecting both sides of the lenses when either of the two frames is rotated 180° relative to the other, the mutual pivoting means C of the frames are not formed in the crossbar 1, but in an area that is asymmetrical and eccentric relative to the crossbar 1, thus also affecting at least a portion of one of the frames 2, 3. More precisely, in order for the spectacle frame of the present invention to offer optimal performance in terms of lens protection, the position of the pivoting means C must be such that the relative mutual rotation axis X-X passes as close as possible to the center of the frames 2 and 3, or in other words, this axis is located in a plane that passes through the centers of the frames 2 and 3 and is perpendicular to the frames.

When the frames do not have a perfectly circular shape, the points below the "centers" of frames 2, 3 are the central positions of the frames, equidistant from the upper and lower poles of the frames. Indeed, by locating the axis of rotation X-X in the center of the front frame, the mutual 180° rotation of frame 3 no longer involves any vertical misalignment relative to frame 2, and allows the lenses disposed therein to enjoy perfect protection via temples 4 and 5. At the same time, due to the alignment of the two frames in the horizontal plane (which, in the case of use, is substantially vertical when referring to the standard horizontal position of the frames), this situation also allows the spectacles to maintain a highly compact layout in an inverted position, and also allows the front of the spectacles to adopt an oppositely arched layout relative to the horizontal (an elongated S-shape), when the arcs of the two frames and lenses face opposite sides.

In a first embodiment, four variants of different shapes are shown in Figures 1 to 4 and are particularly suitable for frames made of plastic material. It can be noted that the frame according to the invention is characterized by a separation surface T, which can be flat or curved and which divides the frame into two parts, separating the frame 2 and the temple 5 from the frame 3 and the temple 4. A pivot device C is correspondingly provided, which is basically composed of a pin and a support seat, which facilitates the connection and mutual rotation of the two parts of the frame.

Unlike the prior art described above, the surface T cuts off the front of the glasses in an asymmetrical and eccentric position relative to the crossbar 1, thus also affecting at least a portion of one of the frames 2, 3 (frame 3 in the figure) so as to allow the mutual pivoting device C of the two frames 2, 3 to be installed corresponding to the above-mentioned center position of the frames.

Thanks to this rotation opportunity, when the user wishes to take off the glasses and place them on a flat surface or in another location, he/she can hold the frame with one hand and the other frame with the other hand, rotating one relative to the other around the axis X-X by 180°, as he/she takes the glasses off the head.

By doing so, the spectacle frame occupies a final position clearly visible in Figures 1C, 2C, 3C and 4C, whereby, when the two temples 4 and 5 of the spectacles are closed by their common rotational movement, they will overlap on the lenses on opposite sides of the front frame body and be perfectly centered on them; in other words, more precisely, temple 4 will overlap and protect the rear surface of frame 3 and the front surface of frame 2, while temple 5 will overlap and protect the rear surface of frame 2 and the front surface of frame 3.

This position is defined as a "safe" position; in practice, regardless of the surface on which the user rests the glasses, or even if the glasses are dropped, the lenses remain protected and maintained at a distance from the surface by the temples 4 and 5. This is because the frames 2 and 3, aligned and held in a 180° inverted position, always completely overlap the lenses. Practical tests have shown that closing the glasses in this safe position prevents any damage to the lenses, even in the event of an accidental drop. In fact, since an impact in any drop position affects only the frame and not the lenses, the inherent elasticity of the frame material is sufficient to absorb the impact energy released to the lenses in a peripheral and distributed manner, thus preventing any damage.

The practical tests described above also revealed that the positioning of the glasses is significantly different and advantageous compared to conventional glasses. In glasses with conventionally folding temples, the positioning is essentially horizontal, meaning the glasses rest on one side of the temple and the other side of the lens. In contrast, in glasses using the frame according to the present invention, the glasses tend to assume an intermediate position between horizontal and vertical during positioning, as positioning occurs at the edge of the frame and behind the lowest temple. Consequently, the glasses have two semi-vertical positioning positions that are stable, balanced, completely similar, and symmetrical, characterized by a reduced volume in the positioning plane. This semi-vertical positioning significantly makes it easier for the user to grip the glasses correctly, as it increases the free gripping surface. Furthermore, it significantly reduces the risk of damage, even if objects are accidentally placed or dropped on the glasses, as this position facilitates lateral sliding. Figures 1A to 1D illustrate a first variant of the first embodiment of the spectacle frame according to the present invention, in which the separation surface T comprises a plane corresponding to the lateral end of the crossbar 1, which connects to the frame 3; thus, in this case, the separation surface also affects a portion of the frame. Such a plane is preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the front frame of the spectacles. Thus, as can be clearly seen in Figures 1C and 1D, after completing the 180° rotation of the two parts of the spectacles, the two frames 2 and 3 remain in the same alignment with respect to their vertical direction in the standard use position, so that the temples 4 and 5 protect the two sides of the lenses arranged in the frames 2 and 3 in an optimal and centered manner.

However, the flat configuration of the separating surface T is not limiting, and the invention therefore extends to frames having a surface with any curved shape, the only limitation being that this surface has a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the axis of rotation X-X, at least limited to portions extending equally on either side of this axis, allowing the two parts of the eyeglasses to be matched even in a position rotated through 180° without interfering with each other. Preferably, such a surface is substantially perpendicular to the front frame of the eyeglasses.

In the second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the separating surface T has a cylindrical shape, for example, with a circular cross-section. In the third variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the separating surface T has a mixed-section cylindrical shape, being straight near the axis of rotation X-X and circular in areas further away from this axis. It will be noted that in this embodiment, the separating surface T has different extensions on either side of this axis, more specifically, a greater extension in the upper area. In the fourth variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 4A to 4D, the separating surface T is again a flat surface, and the frame has a crossbar 1 at an upper position. In this case, the frame 3 has a shape discontinuity in an inverted position relative to the other parts of the glasses; however, here, too, the two frames 2 and 3 remain perfectly aligned with respect to the vertical.

It is thus obvious that, depending on the shape of the spectacle frame and, in particular, the shape of the crossbar 1, the rims 2 and 3, the temples 4 and 5, the shape of the surface T separating the two parts of the spectacles can have any position and shape in order to obtain a central position of the axis X-X for inverting one part of the spectacles relative to the other, and sufficient space for inserting the pivot means C.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, in a fourth variant of the first embodiment, in which the separating surface of the two parts of the eyeglass is positioned eccentrically relative to the centerline of the crossbar 1 for mounting the pivot device C, greater space is available vertically than horizontally. This allows for mounting the pivot device C, which also includes a positioning device comprising, in a known manner, a micro-movable cylinder positioned perpendicular to the pivot pin and pressed against the polyhedral portion of the pin by a spring mechanism. Thus, depending on the number of facets of the polyhedral portion of the pin, the pivot device C can be given any number of rest positions, allowing the cylinder to reach a stable equilibrium position.

During the manufacture and use tests of the frame according to the invention, it was determined that the swivel pin preferably has a stop position every 90°, in order to provide additional stops between the aforementioned working and safety positions, thereby facilitating the user's rapid deduction of the correct method for safely closing the frame according to the invention. To achieve this result, it is apparently sufficient for the polyhedral portion of the pin to have a square cross-section.

Another characteristic of the first embodiment according to the invention is that the rotating pin also has associated locking means to avoid that the pin falls out of its seat, and any elastic means are feasible, which is used to keep the two frames 2, 3 pressed against each other when they enter the standard use position of the glasses when the user releases them after rotating the two frames relative to each other.

In a second embodiment, particularly suitable for metal spectacles, the spectacle frame with a safe closed position according to the invention comprises: a front frame comprising a supporting frame 6 and two frames 2, 3 fixed thereto, and two temples 4 and 5, which are directly hinged to the outside or end sections of the two frames 2 and 3 by means of corresponding hinges.

According to a unique feature of the present invention, at least one of the two frames 2 and 3 (frame 3 in the figures) is free to rotate relative to the support frame 6, and thus relative to the other frame (frame 2 in the figures), about a pivot device C formed in the support frame 6 for this purpose. As shown in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 and 10, the pivot device C can be two aligned and opposed pivot devices on either side of frame 3, or, as shown in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 and 11, a single pivot device located inside frame 3. In short, thanks to the pivot device C, frames 2 and 3 can be rotated relative to each other about axis X-X, which passes through the frames and lies essentially in a plane including the centers of frames 2 and 3 and perpendicular to them. Because temples 4 and 5 are directly hinged to frames 2 and 3, the relative rotation of the frames also means the rotation of the temples.

Thanks to the opportunity of rotation, when the user wishes to take off the glasses and place them on a resting surface or in another position, at the moment he/she takes them off the head, he/she can repeat the operation described in the first embodiment of the frame according to the invention and obtain the same positive effect.

In the preceding description, the term "support frame" 6 preferably refers to a low-thickness, highly durable element capable of forming the load-bearing component of the frame, such as an element composed of metal, carbon fiber, or a composite material, which ensures the desired robustness and stability over time. The support frame 6 has no preferred or required layout and can therefore extend above or below the frames 2 and 3 in any desired shape, and can be reduced to a single crossbar connecting the frames, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 . However, the scope of the present invention is in no way limited to the use of such materials, so the support frame 6 can also be made of plastic materials commonly used in the field of eyewear, possibly reinforced with a metal core, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the preceding description, the term "frame" 2, 3 is understood to mean an element having a generally circular or quadrilateral shape, or even an irregular shape, which, as described above, facilitates stable fixation to the support frame 6 in a fixed or rotational manner, facilitates stable inclusion in prescription glasses or sun visors, and facilitates accommodating the hinges supporting the temples 4, 5. Any desired material can be used for the frames 2, 3, whether plastic, metal, or a composite material. The scope of protection of the present invention also includes the case where the frames 2, 3 are composed of the same prescription lens or sun visor, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11 . In this case, the lens performs the same function as described above with respect to the frames 2, 3 of the spectacle frame, namely, being able to be fixed to the support frame 6 and being able to directly accommodate the pivot device C and the hinges supporting the temples 4, 5 in its body.

The shape and structure of the aforementioned pivot means C may even vary greatly, depending on the materials used to construct the support frame 6 and the frames 2, 3. Preferably, said pivot means C comprise a locking device for the rotating frames 3 and a preferred stop point for the rotation, in a manner completely analogous to that described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

From the above description it is clear how the frame of the present invention fully achieves the intended goal of providing complete protection to both sides of the lenses of a pair of spectacles when the relative frames are in an inverted 180° position, regardless of the material and shape of the frames.

It should be understood that the invention cannot be considered as limited to the specific arrangement shown above, which merely constitutes an exemplary embodiment, but that different variants are possible within the scope of a person skilled in the art, in particular with reference to the layout of the pivot device C, which may adopt any structure suitable for the purpose stated, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. An eyeglass frame comprising: a front frame and two temples (4, 5); the two temples (4, 5) being hinged to the front frame, the hinges allowing the temples (4, 5) to rotate from a working position for wearing eyeglasses substantially perpendicular to the front frame to an initial position for storing eyeglasses substantially parallel to the front frame; the front frame including two frames (2, 3) for supporting lenses and a possible crossbeam (1) connecting the frames, and wherein at least one pivot device (C) is provided for causing the frames (2, 3) to rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis (X-X) by at least 180°, characterized in that: the pivot device is located in an asymmetrical and eccentric region relative to the crossbeam (1), the rotation axis (X-X) being substantially located in a plane containing the two centers of the frames (2, 3) and the plane being perpendicular to the frames, and the temples (4, 5) being directly hinged to the frames (2, 3). 2. The eyeglass frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the front frame is cut according to the surface (T) through the frame in an area that is asymmetrical and eccentric relative to the beam (1), and the frame is divided into two parts, wherein each part includes at least a portion of one of the frames (2, 3). 3. The eyeglass frame according to claim 2, wherein the surface (T) dividing the frame into two parts is substantially perpendicular to the front frame of the eyeglasses and has a planar or curved shape. 4. The eyeglass frame according to claim 3, wherein the surface (T) separating the frame into two parts extends through the axis of rotation (X-X) and has a symmetrical shape relative to the axis of rotation that limits the equal extensions on both sides of the axis. 5. The eyeglass frame according to claim 1, wherein the front frame comprises a support frame (6) and two eyeglass frames (2, 3) fixed to the support frame, characterized in that at least one of the eyeglass frames (2, 3) is fixed to the support frame (6) by one or more pivot devices (C). 6. The eyeglass frame according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device (C) comprises two pivot devices (C) that cooperate with two opposing and aligned portions of at least one of the frames (2, 3). 7. The eyeglass frame according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device (C) comprises a single pivot device (C) that internally engages with at least one of the frames (2, 3). 8. The eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the support frame (6) extends over the eyeglass frame (2, 3). 9. The eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the support frame (6) extends below the frame (2, 3). 10. The eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the supporting frame (6) includes a crossbeam connecting the eyeglass frames (2, 3). 11. The eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a positioning device for determining, in a first working position, a stable stop position of the relative rotation of the frames (2, 3), wherein the frames (2, 3) are aligned in a normal use position, and in a second initial position, the frames (2, 3) and the temples (4, 5) hinged thereto are rotated 180° about the axis (X-X) relative to the working position. 12. The eyeglass frame according to claim 11, wherein the positioning device further includes a third stopping position at an intermediate position between the first working position and the second initial position. 13. The eyeglass frame according to claim 12, wherein the positioning device includes a movable cylinder disposed in a direction perpendicular to the rotating pin and abutting against the polyhedral portion of the rotating pin by a spring device. 14. The eyeglass frame of claim 13, wherein the pivot device includes the rotating pin placed in respective seats formed in the frame, and an associated resilient pin locking device to keep the two frames (2, 3) in contact with each other.