HK40061954B - Support frame for the front part of eyeglasses temples - Google Patents

Description

Support frame for the front part of the temples

Technical Field

This invention relates to a support frame for the front portion of the temple of eyeglasses.

Background Technology

The support frame can be deployed in a variety of situations. One exemplary application area relates to hearing protectors. In particular, such hearing protectors are used in environments where it is necessary to protect a person's hearing, as well as their eyes or face. For example, this improves workplace safety, such as for forestry workers, construction sites, or other occupations where there are risks to a person's hearing and eyes. Additionally, eyeglasses with tinted lenses are used for sun protection.

The term "hearing protector" is used herein. "Hearing protector" should be understood in a very broad sense. "Hearing protector" also refers to devices designed for communication or solely for listening to music or performing other communications. In this regard, conventional headphones with ear pads and headbands are also considered "hearing protectors" within the meaning of this disclosure. The similarity in attributes between "hearing protector" and "headphones" is obvious, as modern hearing protection devices are often equipped with communication devices. In other words, hearing protectors typically include a speaker and may also include an interface to a microphone for communication with relevant personnel.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of this invention is to provide a support for the front portion of the temples of eyeglasses, so that the eyeglasses can be comfortably pivoted between a working position (i.e., in front of the wearer's eyes) and a storage position (i.e., when the eyeglasses are not positioned in front of the wearer's eyes and are particularly folded upwards), and in particular, accidental pivoting of the eyeglasses between the two positions is to be avoided.

This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

This invention relates to a support frame for the front portion of eyeglass temples, comprising lugs and spring arms. The front portion of the temple can be clamped into the lugs by means of a spring tab disposed on the front portion of the temple. By rotating the spring tab in the lugs, the front portion of the temple can pivot between a working position and a storage position. During the pivoting movement of the front portion of the temple, the spring arm moves against a spring force and secures the front portion of the temple in the storage position. The connection between the front portion of the temple and the support frame thus established is releasable, allowing for easy replacement of the eyeglasses. Furthermore, the same eyeglasses can be used for various applications. The front portion of the temple can pivot effortlessly against the spring force of the spring arm, and the spring arm secures the front portion of the temple in the storage position. Typically, the storage position is the folded position of the eyeglasses. Due to gravity, the eyeglasses attempt to leave this position. This is prevented by the spring arm.

Usefully, it is conceivable that, in the relaxed position, the spring arm lies in a base plane parallel to or the same as the plane defined by the lug, and that the spring arm moves away from said base plane during pivoting. In this way, the lug and spring arm provide a compact construction of the support frame. A slight departure of the spring arm from the base plane is sufficient to allow pivoting movement of the front portion of the temple. When pivoting from the working position to the storage position, the spring arm is preferably initially positioned in its base plane, although some offset and deviation from the base plane is possible even at this stage. As the front portion of the temple pivots, the spring arm pivots away from the base plane. After reaching the storage position, the spring arm pivots again in the direction toward the base plane or fully pivots back into the base plane. The spring arm then prevents the front portion of the temple from pivoting back from the storage position to the working position.

Specifically, this is achieved by placing fixing protrusions on the spring arm that extend from the spring arm in a non-parallel manner and secure the front portion of the temple in the storage position. These fixing protrusions act like hooks to prevent the front portion of the temple from accidentally leaving the storage position, thus reliably securing it in place.

In this manner, a temple is provided comprising a front portion of the temple and a support frame. The front portion of the temple has a spring tab that can be clamped into a lug of the support frame via the spring tab. The front portion of the temple also has a protrusion adjacent to the spring tab that abuts against a fixing protrusion during pivoting of the front portion of the temple, thereby moving the spring arm away from the base plane and holding the protrusion in a storage position by the fixing protrusion to secure the front portion of the temple in the storage position.

The present invention also relates to eyeglasses comprising at least one temple according to the invention.

Furthermore, in this manner, a hearing protector including eyeglasses is provided, comprising at least one ear protector and a headpiece, and the eyeglasses comprising two temples for attaching the eyeglasses to the hearing protector, the attachment of the eyeglasses to the hearing protector being achieved by attaching the temples to the headpiece. The attachment of the eyeglasses to the headpiece of the hearing protector is the basis of a particularly simple design solution. The fixing point of the eyeglasses on the hearing protector is preferably removed far from the ear protector that can be attached to the headpiece, so that the eyeglasses and ear protector can move independently, and particularly do not interfere with each other during their movement. There is no need to provide a support bracket for the ear protector for the hearing protector, the support bracket itself providing the possibility of attaching the eyeglasses to the hearing protector. Instead, since the interface between the eyeglasses and the hearing protector is allocated to the basic design element of the hearing protector (i.e., the headpiece), the hearing protector can be provided with a variety of different support brackets. Therefore, ultimately, the basic concept of the invention is based on the structural design of the headpiece and the eyeglasses. On this basis, the hearing protector has a high degree of design variability. It should be noted that, in addition to the aforementioned types of hearing protectors (i.e., those without communication devices, those with communication devices, or simple headphones), a variety of different eyeglasses can also be used. For example, eyeglasses may only have mechanical protection functions; they may be open at the edges to provide good rear ventilation. They may be closed at the edges to prevent any harmful substances (e.g., chemicals) from entering from the outside. Eyeglasses can provide sun protection. Eyeglasses can also be vision aids; that is, they can have what are called optical glasses. Eyeglasses can also be shaped so that they can also be called goggles. In this case, they may be full-face goggles or half-face goggles. All of the above-mentioned features of eyeglasses can be combined, partially or entirely.

Usefully, it is conceivable that the headpiece includes at least one pivot, on which at least one ear protector is pivotally supported, and on which the temple support is fixed. The pivot provided for the ear protector ensures easy wearing of the hearing protector and provides a variable and therefore secure contact between the hearing protector and the wearer's ear. According to this embodiment, the pivot is given a dual function. It serves not only to secure the ear protector but also to secure the eyeglasses. In this way, a particularly simple and practical design is provided.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the at least one pivot includes a socket at its end, and the temple support is secured to the at least one pivot via a mating member fitted into the socket. The mating member on the eyeglasses is fitted into the socket of the pivot, thereby ensuring secure support of the eyeglasses on the headpiece. The mating member is positioned on the clip-like end of the temple, which lockingly and/or frictionally surrounds the headpiece.

Advantageously, the mating component is the journal.

Of particular use is the fact that at least one temple is formed by at least three parts: a portion of the headpiece, which serves as a support frame, is hingedly connected to the middle portion, and a front portion is slidably supported within the middle portion. The middle and front portions together form the front portion of the temple. In this way, the glasses are not only pivotally attached to the headpiece, but the length of the temple is also adjustable. This allows for variations in the fit of the glasses, for example, to select different settings for different working conditions. Furthermore, this method ensures that hearing protectors are suitable for any wearer. A hinge can also be provided between the front and middle portions, allowing slidability between the headpiece and the middle portions.

In this respect, it is advantageous that the front section can have at least two latching positions in the middle section. The latching positions ensure that the length of the temples will not change accidentally.

Furthermore, the hearing protector according to the invention can be configured such that the at least one ear protector is supported on the at least one pivot via a forked support bracket. The forked support bracket is pivotally connected to the headpiece via the pivot, to which the eyeglasses are also attached. The actual ear protector can be easily installed in the support bracket.

Of particular use here is the fact that the earmuffs are supported on a support bracket via two journals. This support of the earmuffs on the support bracket via the journals ensures that the earmuffs can pivot within the support bracket.

The present invention also relates to eyeglasses for use with hearing protectors according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a headpiece for use with a hearing protector according to the invention.

Attached Figure Description

The invention will now be explained by way of example based on particularly preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a portion of a hearing protector including temples according to the present invention, with the front portion of the temples positioned in the working position.

Figure 2 shows a portion of a hearing protector including temples according to the present invention, with the front portion of the temples positioned in a storage position.

Figure 3 shows a support bracket for the front portion of the temples of the glasses, which is attached to the support bracket of the hearing protector.

Figure 4 shows a portion of the front part of the temple.

Figure 5 shows a portion of the front part of the temple.

Figure 6 shows the support frame for the front part of the temple.

Figure 7 shows a front view of the hearing protector according to the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a perspective side view of the hearing protector according to the present invention.

Figure 9 shows a perspective side view of the hearing protector according to the present invention, with the glasses separated from the headpiece on one side.

Figure 10 shows details of the fastening device that allows the temples to be attached to the headpiece.

Figure 11 shows details of the fixing device to which the temples can be attached.

Figure 12 shows the details of the hearing protector; the three-part structure of the temples is distinguishable.

Figure 13 shows a person wearing a hearing protector.

In the following description of the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

Detailed Implementation

Figure 1 shows a portion of a hearing protector 10 including temples according to the invention, with the front portion 112 of the temples positioned in a working position. Figure 2 shows a portion of a hearing protector 10 including temples according to the invention, with the front portion 112 of the temples positioned in a storage position. Figure 3 shows a support frame for the front portion 112 of the temples attached to a support bracket of the hearing protector 10. Figure 4 shows a portion of the front portion 112 of the temples. Figure 5 shows a portion of the front portion 112 of the temples. Figure 6 shows a support frame for the front portion 112 of the temples. The front portion 112 of the temples includes a middle portion 36 and a front portion 34. The front portion 34 is connected to the eyeglasses 124. A spring tab 118 is arranged on the middle portion 36. Furthermore, a protrusion 122 is disposed adjacent to the spring tab 118. The support frame 110 (also referred to herein as headpiece portion 32) includes a lug 114 and a spring arm 116. A fixing protrusion 120 is arranged on the spring arm 116, and in this embodiment, the fixing protrusion 120 extends perpendicular to the spring arm 116. In FIG. 6, the fixing protrusion 120 protrudes from the plane of the paper in the direction toward the observer. Based on FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the assembly of the temples 20, 22 can be shown. For this purpose, the spring tab 118 of the front portion 112 of the temple is pressed into the lug 114 of the support frame 110, specifically pressed into the plane of the paper from the direction of the observer. Once the front portion 112 of the temple and the support frame 110 are interlocked, the front portion 112 of the temple can pivot in the support frame 110. When it involves rotating to the left from the working position shown here using the example of FIG. 1, the protrusion 122 contacts the fixing protrusion 120, thereby the spring arm moves against the spring force, that is, in the illustration according to FIG. 1, the spring arm moves toward the observer, and in the illustration of FIG. 6, the spring arm moves away from the observer. Once the protrusion 122 has completely passed the fixed protrusion 120, the spring arm 116 can move back using spring force. This state is achieved in Figure 2. Now, the spring arm 116 with the fixed protrusion 120 creates an obstruction to the protrusion 122. Gravity is usually insufficient for the protrusion 122, and therefore does not allow the spring arm to spring back to the extent that the glasses 12 accidentally returns to the storage position. This usually only succeeds when the wearer of the glasses 12 takes action and actively pivots the glasses 12 from the storage position to the working position.

Figure 7 shows a front view of a hearing protector 10. The hearing protector 10 includes a headpiece 18. A support bracket 38 is hinged to the headpiece 18. A pivot 24 providing the hinge extends substantially along the viewer's line of sight in Figure 1. Ear protectors 14, 16 are hinged to the support bracket 38. This hinge is provided by a journal 40 and corresponding sockets on the ear protectors 14, 16. The journals and sockets are not visible in the figure because they are concealed by the support bracket 38 or the ear protectors 14, 16. Ear protector 14 is an ear protector equipped with a communication device. The ear protector 14 includes a speaker, and a microphone 42 is connected to it. The communication device can operate via a radio communication interface (e.g., a Bluetooth interface). Another ear protector 16 is a passive ear protector, i.e., it is only for ear protection and does not contain any communication device. The other ear protector 16 may also be similar to the first ear protector 14, i.e., it is also equipped with a communication device. In another variation, one of the earplugs (e.g., the first earplug 14) is equipped with the described communication device, while the other earplug (e.g., earplug 16) allows music listening, for example, via digital radio functionality. This digital radio functionality does not necessarily need to be integrated into earplug 16, but can be provided via the digital radio functionality of a mobile phone (especially a smartphone), making it sufficient to provide means for receiving (and possibly also transmitting) and for sound reproduction in earplug 16. Furthermore, eyeglasses 12 are attached to headpiece 18. Among other components, these eyeglasses 12 include a clear lens 44 and temples 20, 22 attached to the lens 44. Clip-on retainers 46, 48 are provided at the ends of the temples 20, 22. These retainers 46, 48 partially cover headpiece 18.

Figure 8 shows a perspective side view of the hearing protector 10. Here, the multi-part design of the temples 20, 22 can be seen. Each temple 20, 22 includes a headpiece portion 32, i.e., a support frame 110 for the front portion 112 of the temple. Retainers 46, 48 are disposed at the ends of each headpiece portion 32, via which the temples 20, 22 are connected to the headpiece 18. Each headpiece portion 32 is connected to a middle portion 36 via a joint axis 50. These joint axes 50 allow the glasses 12 to pivot upwards, i.e., pivot in the direction toward the headpiece 18. The middle portion 36 slidably accommodates the front portion 34. The middle position is shown. The front portion 34 can be further pulled out from the middle portion 36, or the front portion 34 can be further pushed into the middle portion 36. In this way, the overall length of the temples 20, 22 is changed. Figure 2 also shows in some detail where the pivot 24 is located relative to the retainers 46, 48 of the temples 20, 22, via which the support bracket 38 is connected to the headpiece 18. In particular, the pivot 24 connects the clip-like protrusions of the retainers 46, 48. The active ear protector 14 includes a control element 52 on its outer surface for controlling communication.

Figure 9 shows a perspective side view of the hearing protector 10, with the glasses 12 separated from the headpiece 18 on one side. Since the retainer 48 is separated from its attachment portion, the pivot 24, through which the bracket 38 is connected to the support bracket 18, can now be seen in more detail. This pivot 24 includes pins 54 that pass through one end of the headpiece 18 and the bracket 38, respectively. Each pin 54 has a recess 26 at its end (see Figure 5). When the retainers 46, 48 are engaged with the headpiece 18 in this area, the journals 28, 30 (see Figure 4) are received by the recesses 26, thus securely holding the retainers 46, 48 to the headpiece 18.

Figure 10 shows details of the fastening device by which the temples 20, 22 can be attached to the headpiece 18. The retainer 46, formed as a clip-like end of the temple 20, includes a central portion located rearward in the line of sight and two ends protruding towards the observer in the line of sight. Journals 28, 30 are arranged on the ends, extending substantially in the plane of the paper in Figure 4. These journals 28, 30 are held in sockets 26 (see Figure 5).

Figure 11 shows details of the fixing device to which the temples 20, 22 can be attached. Here, a pin 54 serving as a pivot 24 can be seen on the side of the end, and this pin 54 is indicated by two concentric circles. Here, the inner circle marks the outer periphery of the socket 26 for one of the journals 28, 30 (see Figure 4).

Figure 12 shows details of the hearing protector 10, with the three-part structure of the temples 20 and 22 visible. In this regard, the temples include a headpiece portion 32 with a retainer 48, a middle portion 36, and a front portion 34. The middle portion 36 has three markings indicating the latching position of the front portion 34 within the middle portion 36.

Figure 13 shows a person wearing a hearing protector 10.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the accompanying drawings, and in the claims may be important for carrying out the invention in individual ways and in any combination.

List of reference numerals

10. Hearing protector

12. Eyeglasses

14. Ear protectors

16. Ear protectors

18 Headpiece

20. Temples

22 Temples

24 Pivot

26 Socket

28 journals

30 journals

32. Headpiece Section

34. Front section

36. Middle section

38 Support bracket

40 journals

42 Microphones

44 Lenses

46 Holder

48 Holder

50 Joint axis

52 Control elements

54 Sales

110 Support frame

112 Front part of the temple

114 Protruding ears

116 Spring Arm

118 Spring tab

120 Fixed protrusion

122 Protrusion

124 Eyeglasses

Claims (14)

1. A support frame (110) for the front portion (112) of a pair of glasses temples, -Including lugs (114) and spring arms (116), -The front portion (112) of the temple can be clamped into the lug (114) by means of a spring tab (118) provided on the front portion (112) of the temple. -In this configuration, by rotating the spring tab (118) within the lug (114), the front portion (112) of the temple can pivot between a working position and a storage position, and - wherein the spring arm (116) moves against the spring force during the pivoting movement of the front portion (112) of the temple, and the spring arm (116) fixes the front portion (112) of the temple in the storage position, and a fixing protrusion (120) is provided on the spring arm (116), the fixing protrusion (120) extending away from the spring arm (116) in a non-parallel manner and fixing the front portion (112) of the temple in the storage position. 2. The support frame (110) for the front portion (112) of the temple according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the relaxed position, the spring arm (116) is located in a base plane parallel to or the same as the plane defined by the lug (114), and wherein the spring arm (116) leaves the base plane during the pivoting movement. 3. A temple (20, 22) comprising a front portion (112) of the temple and a support frame (110) for the front portion (112) according to claim 2, wherein the front portion (112) of the temple is provided with a spring tab (118) that can be clamped into the lug (114) of the support frame (110) via the spring tab (118), and wherein the front portion (112) of the temple is provided with a protrusion (122) adjacent to the spring tab (118), the protrusion (122) abutting against the fixing protrusion (120) during pivoting of the front portion (112) of the temple, thereby moving the spring arm (116) out of the base plane and holding the protrusion (122) in the storage position by the fixing protrusion (120) to fix the front portion (112) of the temple in the storage position. 4. Eyeglasses (12), comprising at least one temple (20, 22) as claimed in claim 3. 5. A hearing protector (10), comprising eyeglasses (12), -The hearing protector (10) includes at least one ear protector (14, 16) and a headpiece (18), and -The eyeglasses (12) include two temples (20, 22) for attaching the eyeglasses (12) to the hearing protector (10). Its features The attachment of the eyeglasses (12) to the hearing protector (10) is achieved by attaching the support frame of the temples (20, 22) to the headpiece (18), the temples being those according to claim 3. 6. The hearing protector according to claim 5, characterized in that the headpiece (18) includes at least one pivot (24), the at least one ear protector (14, 16) is pivotally supported on the at least one pivot (24), and wherein the support frame of the temples (20, 22) is attached to the at least one pivot (24). 7. The hearing protector according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one pivot (24) has a socket (26) at its end, and wherein the temples (20, 22) are attached to the at least one pivot (24) via a mating member fitted into the socket (26). 8. The hearing protector according to claim 7, wherein the mating component is a journal (28, 30). 9. The hearing protector according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least one temple (20, 22) is formed of at least three parts, namely: a head part (32) configured as the support frame (110) is hingedly connected to the middle part (36), and a front part (34) is slidably supported in the middle part (36). 10. The hearing protector according to claim 9, wherein the front portion (34) is capable of taking at least two latching positions in the middle portion (36). 11. The hearing protector according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the at least one ear protector (14, 16) is supported on the at least one pivot (24) via a fork-shaped support bracket (38). 12. The hearing protector according to claim 11, wherein the ear protector (14, 16) is supported on the support bracket (38) via two journals (40). 13. Eyeglasses (12) for use with the hearing protector (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8. 14. A headpiece (18) for use with a hearing protector (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8.