WO2002033474A1

WO2002033474A1 - Improved spectacles, particularly of the type with a lightweight frame

Info

Publication number: WO2002033474A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo SpA
Current assignee: Safilo SpA
Priority date: 2000-10-17
Filing date: 2000-10-17
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2003-04-17
Also published as: AU2001212993A1

Abstract

Improved spectacles (1) comprise a frame (2), at least one lens (3), and fixing means and complementary fixing means for fixing the lens to at least one element (4) of the frame, in which the fixing means include a first appendage (5) which is fixed to the frame element (4) and can be housed in a through-hole (7) of the lens. The fixing means further comprise at least one second appendage (6), fixed to the frame element (4) and spaced from the first appendage (5), and the complementary fixing means comprise respective seats (11, 36, 37) for housing the appendages (5, 6), the seats being fixed together in order to restrain the appendages (5, 6) on the side of the lens (3) remote from the frame element (4).

Description

Improved spectacles, particularly of the type with a lightweight frame Technical field

The present invention relates to improved spectacles, particularly of the type with a lightweight frame, according to the preamble to the main claim. Background art

The invention is applicable, in particular but not exclusively, to the technical field defined by spectacles with so-called "rimless" frames, in which the spectacle lenses are fixed directly to frame elements such as the shoulders and the bridge without the interposition of lens- holding rims .

In this field, in order to make the frame as light as possible, there is a need to produce these frame elements with particularly small cross-sections. However, this conflicts with the further requirement at the same time to ensure effective coupling with the lenses and adequate durability of the frame. The problem upon which the present invention is based is that of providing improved spectacles, particularly with a lightweight frame, which are designed structurally and functionally to fulfil the requirements set out above with reference to the prior art mentioned. Within the scope of this problem, a first object of the invention is to provide spectacles in which screw means, which would adversely affect the overall aesthetic impact of the spectacles, are not required for fixing the lenses to the frame. A second object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which can be used effectively both on metal frames and on frames made of plastics material.

A third object of the invention is to provide spectacles in which the coupling between lens and frame can also be temporary, facilitating removal of the lens. Disclosure of the invention

This problem is solved and these objects are achieved by the present invention by means of spectacles formed in accordance with the appended claims . Brief description of the drawings The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof described by way of non- limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of spectacles formed in accordance with the present invention,

- Figure 2 is a partial section through the spectacles of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing a first element of the spectacles of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale and in the condition prior to assembly,

- Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing a second element of the spectacles of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale,

- Figure 5 shows a variant of the element of Figure 3 , - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a variant of a detail of Figure 1,

- Figure 7 is a partial plan view of a second embodiment of spectacles according to the present invention,

- Figures 8 and 9 are a plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, showing a first element of the spectacles of Figure 7 on an enlarged scale, - Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a second element of the spectacles of Figure 7,

- Figure 11 is a partial plan view of a third embodiment of spectacles according to the present invention, - Figure 12 is a front elevational view showing an element of the spectacles of Figure 11, on an enlarged scale. Best mode for carrying out the invention

With reference initially to Figures 1 to 6, improved spectacles formed in accordance with the present invention are generally indicated 1.

The spectacles 1 comprise a frame 2 on which lenses 3 are mounted.

The frame 2 is made of wire with a thin cross-section, preferably titanium wire, so as to provide the spectacles 1 with the desired lightweight characteristics.

Moreover, the frame 2 is of the "rimless" type and the lenses 3 are fixed directly to a frame element, generally indicated 4. In the drawings, the frame element 4 is represented by a shoulder of the frame but the following remarks are also applicable in exactly the same way to the fixing of the lens 3 to the bridge of the frame.

An arm 4a, defined on the frame element 4, extends close to a principal surface 3a of the lens 3, defined as the surface of the lens remote from the user's face in the conditions of use of the spectacles . The arm 4a extends along an axis X substantially parallel to the principal surface 3a.

The spectacles 1 have fixing means and complementary fixing means for fixing the lens 3 by connecting it to the frame element 4 in the manner described in detail below.

The fixing means comprise a first appendage 5 and a second appendage 6 which are fixed to the frame element 4 and can be housed with clearance in respective through-holes 7 and 8 opening in the lens 3.

The appendage 5 and 6 are cylindrical in shape and extend parallel to one another and in the same direction from the free end of the arm 4a.

In this first preferred embodiment, the appendages 5 and 6 correspond to the end regions of a "C" -shaped element 9 which is also made of wire and may be fixed alternatively, either transversely astride the free end of the arm 4a (Figures 1 and 2) or parallel to and bearing on the arm 4a (Figure 6) .

In the first case, the appendages 5 and 6 extend from the frame element 4 in a manner such that the plane they define is substantially perpendicular to the axis X along which the arm 4a extends, thus also constituting effective means for preventing rotation of the lens 3 about the arm 4a.

In the second case, the "C" -shaped element 9 and the frame element 4 are arranged relative to one another in a manner such that the central portion of the "C" -shaped element 9 is parallel to and superimposed on the arm 4a. The plane defined by the appendages 5 and 6 is thus parallel to the axis X. The above-mentioned complementary fixing means comprise respective bush-like elements 10 of longitudinal axis Y each defining a coaxial seat 11 which is open at a first end 12 of the bush-like element 10.

The bush-like elements 10 can house the appendages 5, 6 axially in the respective seats 11 and are also advantageously of a size such as to be housed in turn in the through-holes 7 and 8 of the lens 3 and to take up the clearance between these holes and the appendages 5 and 6.

When the appendages 5, 6 are housed in a coupled condition in the seats 11, the respective first ends 12 of the bush-like elements 10 are substantially flush with the principal surface 3a of the lens 3.

According to a principal characteristic of the invention, the bush-like elements 10 are advantageously fixed together by means of a bridge portion 13 extending in the region of their ends remote from the first ends 12.

Moreover, the bush-like elements 10 are preferably made of plastics material and the respective seats 11 have cross- sections of a diameter slightly less than that of the appendages 5, 6 so that the appendages are fitted in the respective seats with interference.

With reference to the above-mentioned coupled condition, respective mutually facing curved surfaces 5a, 6a, and 11a are defined on the appendages 5, 6 and in the seats 11. Anchoring means provided for restraining the appendages 5 and 6 in the respective seats 11 comprise projections 14 formed on the curved surfaces 5a, 6a of the appendages 5, 6.

The projections 14 advantageously extend helically on the curved surfaces 5a and 6a so as to define a screw thread of the appendages 5 and 6, the purpose of which will become clearer from the following description.

The fitting of the lens 3 on the frame element 4 involves a first step in which the bush-like elements 10 are inserted in the through-holes 7, 8 of the lens 3 from the side remote from the principal surface 3a until the bridge portion 13 abuts the lens 3. The bush-like elements 10 extend longitudinally to a considerable extent (see Figure 3) so as to project from the principal surface 3a, even with fairly thick lenses. The portions of the bush-like elements 10 which project from the lens 3 are then cut off so that the respective first ends 12 are flush with the principal surface 3a.

The appendages 5,6 of the frame element 4 are then introduced axially into the seats 11 from the first ends 12 until the arm 4a abuts the principal surface 3a of the lens 3. Owing to the interference fit between the appendages 5, 6 and the respective seats 11, the curved surfaces 11a are expanded against the lens 3, thus simultaneously restraining the bush-like elements in the holes 7 and 8 and the appendages 5, 6 in the respective seats 11. The restraint of the appendages 5, 6 in the seats 11 is also further ensured by the anchoring action performed by the projections 14 on the curved surface 11a which undergoes plastic deformation and is also incised and scratched.

According to a principal characteristic of the invention, the firmness of the fixing of the lens 3 to the frame element 4 is advantageously increased by the provision of the bridge portion 13 which, by firmly connecting the bush-like elements 10, constitutes an effective restraint both against movement of the lens 3 away from the arm 4a and against pivoting of the lens 3 about the arm 4a.

In both cases, the forces exerted on the lens (or on the arm 4a) are in fact translated into stresses tending to pull the appendages 5, 6 out of the respective seats 11.

However, these stresses are effectively withstood by the bridge portion 13.

Figure 5 shows bush-like elements 20 formed in accordance with a variant of the bush-like elements 10 of the previous example. Each bush-like element 20 has, at its end remote from the first end 22, a head 21 of polygonal cross-section which can be engaged by an external spanner. It should be noted that both the bush-like elements 20 and the bush-like elements 10 may be axially open at the end remote from the respective first end 22, 12 so that, with thin lenses, the appendages 5 and 6 can project from the bush-like elements 10 (Figures 1 and 2) . The bush-like elements 20 can advantageously be used instead of the bush-like elements 10 when the spectacles 1 are assembled with a temporary lens 3, typically when they are supplied to an optician.

In this case, the operation to remove lens 3 from the frame element 4 is easier than in the previous embodiment, in which this operation had to be performed by forced axial removal of the appendages 5, 6 from the seats 11.

The provision of the driving head 21 in fact enables each bush-like element 20 to be unscrewed after the bridge portion 13 has been cut off. By virtue of the fact that the projections 14 are arranged helically in the manner of screw threads and are made of a harder material than the curved surface 11a and because of the rotation imparted to the bush-like element 20 by the spanner, a matching thread is incised in the curved surface 11a of the seat 11 and facilitates the disconnection of the appendages 5, 6 from the respective seats 11.

Figures 7 to 10 show spectacles 30 formed in accordance with a first variant of the present invention. Upon the premise that details similar to those of the previous embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, the frame 2 of the spectacles 30 and hence, in particular, the frame element 4, is made of plastics material.

Moreover, the appendages 5 and 6 extend from the arm 4a in a manner such that the plane they define is substantially parallel to the axis X of the arm 4a and inclined slightly upwards (with reference to the condition of use of the spectacles) relative to the plane defined by the frame element 4 (Figure 9) .

The second appendage 6 comprises a first, tooth-like portion 31 integral with the arm 4a and a second, cylindrical portion 32 projecting therefrom in the same direction as and substantially parallel to the first appendage 5. Notches 33 are formed on the curved surface 32a of the second portion 32, on the side remote from the first appendage 5, and extend along parallel and regularly spaced- apart arcs of circles.

The second appendage 6 is housed in a recess 34 in the peripheral edge of the lens 3 so as to constitute means for preventing the lens 3 from rotating about the first appendage 5.

The complementary fixing means of the spectacles 30 comprise a plate 35 made of plastics material, for example, of nylon, in which holes 36, 37 are formed for housing the first and second appendages 5 and 6, respectively. The hole 37 may advantageously be of a size such as to fit the second appendage 6 with interference and to constitute a seat for housing the latter in the sense expressed with reference to the previous embodiment .

Moreover, the edge of the hole 37 is thus at least partially housed in engagement in the notches 33 in order to resist removal of the second appendage 6 from the hole 37. The complementary fixing means of the spectacles 30 also comprise a bush-like element of the type indicated 10 or 20 above (the latter is shown in Figure 7) , which is made of plastics material and which can house the first appendage 5 and can in turn be housed in the hole 36 in the plate 35 and in the hole 7 in the lens 3.

The lens 3 is fixed to the frame element 4 substantially as in the previous embodiment with the difference that the plate 35 is interposed between the bush- like element 10 (or 20) and the lens 3.

It will be noted that, in this embodiment, the seats for housing the appendages 5 and 6, of which the former is defined in the bush-like element 10 (or 20) and the latter is constituted by the hole 37, are fixed together by the plate 35 and by its condition of engagement with the bushlike element 10 (or 20) .

In this case, the plate 35 also constitutes an effective element for restraining the arm 4a against bending movements relative to the axis X, the arm 4a having poor bending strength since it is made of plastics material with a thin cross-section.

With the above-described firm fixing between the seats housing the appendages 5, 6 which in turn are fixed firmly to the arm 4a, any bending moments applied to the arm are translated by the plate 35 into tensile stresses which are withstood more effectively by the plastics material.

Figures 11 and 12 show a third embodiment of the spectacles according to the present invention in which details similar to those of the previous embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals. These spectacles, which are indicated 40 in the drawings mentioned, differ from the spectacles 30 of the previous embodiment in that the plate 35 is made of metal and has anchoring means for restraining the first appendage 5 in the hole 36 which constitutes the seat for housing the appendage 5. The anchoring means comprise plate- shaped projections 41 coplanar with the plate and extending radially inwards from the curved surface of the hole 36.

The projections 41 are formed by a series of radial notches formed at intervals in the peripheral region of the hole 36 and extend into the hole in a manner such that the appendage 5 is housed with interference .

The insertion of the first appendage 5 in the hole 36 causes partial resilient deformation of the projections 41 in the direction of insertion of the appendage. Removal of the appendage 5 from the hole 36 is thus prevented by the abutment of the projections 41 against the curved surface 5a.

Since the appendage 5 is made of plastics material, the restraint by the projections 41 is rendered extremely effective by the deformation brought about in the curved surface 5a by incision and/or scratching thereof .

As shown in Figure 11, the appendages 5 and 6 are provided, respectively, with projections 14 and with notches 33 similar to those of the previous embodiment. However, by virtue of the provision of the above-described anchoring means, the respective curved surfaces 5a, 6a of these appendages may also be smooth.

It will be noted that, in this embodiment, the seats for housing the appendages 5, 6 are constituted by holes 36, 37 in the plate 35 and that the provision of a bush-like element for restraining the respective appendage is advantageously not necessary. Moreover, the through-hole 7 in the lens 3 may be of a size such that it houses the first appendage 5 with little clearance.

The present invention thus solves the problem posed with reference to the prior art mentioned, at the same time offering many further advantages, amongst which is the provision of an effective fixing of the lens to the frame without the use of screws, and the fact that it is possible to produce frames with thin cross-sections to improve the lightweight characteristics of the spectacles. Moreover, the spectacles according to the invention facilitate operations which an optician typically has to perform to disassemble spectacles provided with temporary lenses and subsequently to reassemble them with final lenses. A further advantage is that it is possible to produce sufficiently durable spectacles, even with frames made of plastics material with a small cross-section.

Claims

1. Improved spectacles, comprising a frame (2), at least one lens (3) , and fixing means and complementary fixing means for fixing the lens to at least one element (4) of the frame, the fixing means comprising a first appendage

(5) which is fixed to the frame element (4) and can be housed in a through-hole (7) of the lens (3) , and characterized in that the fixing means further comprise at least one second appendage (6) fixed to the frame element (4) and spaced from the first appendage (5) , and in that the complementary fixing means comprise respective seats (11, 36, 37) for housing the appendages (5, 6), the seats (11, 36, 37) being fixed together in order to restrain the appendages (5, 6) on the side of the lens (3) remote from the frame element (4) .

2. Spectacles according to Claim 1 in which a through- hole (8) is provided in the lens (3) and can engage the at least one second appendage (6) in order to restrain the lens (3) with regard to pivoting movements about the first appendage (5) .

3. Spectacles according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which a respective recess (34) is formed in a peripheral edge of the lens and can engage the at least one second appendage

(6) in order to restrain the lens (3) with regard to pivoting movements about the first appendage (5) .

4. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the second appendage (6) extends from the frame element (4) substantially parallel to and in the same direction as the first appendage (5) .

5. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the seats (11, 36, 37) has a cross-section with dimensions such that the respective appendage (5, 6) is housed in the at least one seat with interference .

6. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the appendages (5, 6) and the seats (11, 36,

37) define respective curved surfaces (5a, 6a, 11a) which face one another when the appendages are housed in the seats and anchoring means (14, 41) are formed on one and/or on the other of the respective curved surfaces for restraining the respective appendage in the respective seat.

7. Spectacles according to Claim 6 in which the anchoring means comprise projections (14, 41) formed on at least one of the respective curved surfaces (5a, 6a, 11a) for bringing about plastic deformation of the other of the respective curved surfaces (11a, 5a, 6a) .

8. Spectacles according to Claim 7 in which the projections (14) extend helically along the curved surface

(5a, 6a, 11a) to define a screw thread.

9. Spectacles according to Claim 8 in which the screw thread is formed on the curved surface (5a, 6a) of one of the appendages (5, 6) .

10. Spectacles according to Claim 7 in which the projections are plate-shaped projections (41) lying substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the appendages (5, 6) are inserted in the seats (11, 36, 37) and extending radially from one of the respective curved surfaces towards the other of the respective curved surfaces .

11. Spectacles according to Claims 7 to 10 in which the projections (14, 41) are formed in only one of the respective curved surfaces (5a, 6a, 11a) and are made of a material which is harder than the material of the other of the respective curved surfaces.

12. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the complementary fixing means comprise at least one bush-like element (10, 20) in which one of the seats (11) is defined, the bush-like element being at least partially housed in engagement in the through-hole (7) of the lens (3) in order to restrain the first appendage (5) in the hole when the first appendage (5) is housed in the seat (11) .

13. Spectacles according to Claim 12 in which the bushlike element (10, 20) is open at a first of its ends (12, 22) in order to house the appendage (5) in the seat (11) and the first end (12, 22) is flush with a principal surface (3a) of the lens (3) facing the frame element (4) when the bush-like element (10, 20) is housed in the through-hole (7) of the lens (3) .

14. Spectacles according to Claim 13 in which the bushlike element (10, 20) is fixed firmly to the other seats (11) by means of a bridge portion (13) extending from a second, remote end of the bush-like element (10, 20) .

15. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 12 to

14 in which the complementary fixing means comprise a respective bush-like element (10, 20) for each of the appendages (5, 6) .

16. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 12 to

15 in which the bush-like element (10, 20) is made of plastics material .

17. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 13 to 16 in which the bush-like element (10, 20) comprises a driving head (21) at an end remote from the first end (12, 22 ) .

18. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the appendages (5, 6) extend from an arm (4a) of the frame element (4) , the arm extending along a axis (X) substantially parallel to a principal surface (3a) of the lens (3) in order to abut the lens when the first appendage (5) is housed in the through-hole (7) of the lens (3) .

19. Spectacles according to Claim 18 in which at least two of the appendages (5, 6) extend from the arm (4a) in a manner such as to define a plane transverse the axis (X) defined by the extent of the arm in order to restrain the lens (3) with regard to pivoting movements about the axis (X) .

20. Spectacles according to Claim 18, in which at least two of the appendages (5, 6) extend from the arm (4a) in a manner such as to define a plane substantially parallel to the axis (X) defined by the arm, in order to limit bending movements of the arm (4a) .

21. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the frame element (4) is made of wire .

22. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 1 to 19 in which the frame element (4) is made of plastics material .

23. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the seats (11, 36, 37) for housing the appendages (5, 6) is constituted by a respective hole (36, 37) formed in a plate (35), the plate being capable of being fixed firmly to the other seats (11, 36, 37) .

24. Spectacles according to Claim 23, in which another of the seats (11) is defined in a bush-like element (10, 20) and the plate (35) has a hole (36) for housing the bush-like element (10, 20) in engagement when the appendage (5, 6) is housed in the bush-element (10, 20) .

25. Spectacles according to Claim 22 in which all of the seats (36, 37) for housing the appendages (5, 6) are formed in the plate (35) .

26. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 23 to 25 in which the plate-shaped projections (41) are formed in the curved surface of at least one of the seats by radial notches formed in the plate in the peripheral region of the hole .

27. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 23 to 26 in which notches are formed in at least one of the appendages housed in a respective hole in the plate, for at least partially housing the edge of the hole.