WO2004097500A2 - Hinge which is intended, in particular, for spectacle frames - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge comprising fixed and mobile elements which are connected by means of an axis of rotation (A). The mobile element (1) comprises a housing (2) having a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4). According to the invention, a tie rod (5) is mounted such as to slide in the aforementioned housing (2). Said tie rod comprises a means for co-operating with the axis (A) and a seat (7) for a spring (8) which rests on (i) the proximal end of the housing (2) and (ii) the seat (7). The hinge is characterised in that the position of the seat (7) can be adjusted along the length of the tie rod (5).

Description

Hinge, especially for eyeglass frames

The present invention relates to a hinge of the "telescopic" type, capable, in particular to equip a spectacle frame.

Hinges, called "telescopic", which comprise, as any hinge, two elements connected by an axis of rotation, at least one of the two elements being movable,. have the particularity to include, in the movable element, along its longitudinal axis, a housing having a proximal end on the axis of rotation and, on the opposite side, a distal end, a tie rod mounted to slide in the housing and comprising, its proximal end, a means for cooperating with said axis of rotation and, at its distal end, a seat for a spring, a return spring bearing on the one hand, on the proximal end of the housing and on the other hand , on the seat.

With this arrangement, it is possible, in the case of a spectacle frame, for example, to open the branches beyond the normal opening position, with an elastic return to this position. The over-opening makes it easy to put the glasses on the wearer, especially when it is made by a third party (the optician), and the elastic return ensures the stability of the mount when placed, the branches then gently pressing on the sides of the user's face.

It is important, for the comfort of the wearer, that the support of the branches on the sides of his face is sufficient to keep the spectacle frames in position but is limited so as not to be unbearable.

To achieve this optimal result, the optician sets the frame on the face of the user by deforming the branches so that the support of the branches is sufficient and comfortable. This being so, the thickness of the branches, the fragility of the surface decorations, the quality and the variety of the materials used, often make this operation delicate. The invention aims to solve this problem by providing means for adjusting the length of the tie rod which actuates the return spring of the hinge. More precisely, this adjustment is done by adjusting the position of the spring seat on the tie rod. By playing on this position, the optician more or less compresses the spring and therefore "fixed" a particular restoring force for a given wearer.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the adjustment of the position of the spring seat on the tie rod is done by means of a tie rod comprising, on the one hand, a body having a distal end, a thread, and on the other hand on the other hand, a nut adapted to engage with the thread, the proximal face of the nut constituting the seat. It is understandable, of course, that by screwing more or less the nut on the threaded rod, the spring seat is advanced or retracted on the tie rod. The adjustment will be made from the outside of the hinge by means of an operating tool inserted into a socket, on the distal face of the nut, accessible from the distal end of the movable element, via a coaxial passage to housing. There will be no need to disassemble the hinge to adjust the length of the tie rod.

The passage may advantageously have a cross section smaller than that of the housing, to limit as much as possible the size of the gaping hole at the free end of the element, and thus protect the mechanism of fouling as much as possible.

In a particular embodiment, the passage and the nut are of circular section. Adjustment can then be done smoothly and does not require to clear the nut passage to maneuver, since the nut is not blocked in rotation in the passage.

In another particular embodiment, the passage and the nut are of square cross section, the nut being adapted to a smooth sliding in the passage. The nut is then locked in rotation when it is positioned in the passage and adjustment can be done only by clearing the nut of the passage. Once the nut in the housing, the rotation of the nut, and thus the adjustment of the length of the tie rod, is allowed thanks to the larger cross section of the housing and is done by quarter turn so that the square part of the nut can come back in the square portion of the passage for each setting position.

In another embodiment, the passage and the nut have proximal side, a square cross-sectional portion, and distal side a circular cross-sectional portion. The advantage of this embodiment is that to be able to maneuver the nut, only the proximal end, square, of the nut must be clear of the passage.

In a particular embodiment, the distal end of the nut protrudes out of the passage and the socket is formed on a breakable zone of the nut. It is thus possible, once the adjustment has been made, to separate the breakable zone from the projecting end, the remaining part of this end then forming a plug for the passage. In this case, there is no communication possible between the external environment and the mechanism.

In another particular embodiment, the body of the tie rod comprises, on the proximal side, at least one relief cooperating with a complementary relief to block the pulling in rotation while permitting its axial sliding, the complementary reliefs being capable of being disengaged. one of the other, and the nut is slidably mounted, but permanently locked in rotation in a passage coaxial housing. No tool is then necessary to adjust the length of the tie rod which is done by unlocking and then manual rotation of the part on which is mounted the movable hinge element, namely the bezel branch in the case of a mount. Finally, all these forms of execution can be integrated within the branches of eyeglass frames.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a diagrammatic view of a longitudinal section of a hinge according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1a shows, in perspective and on a different scale, the nut used in the method of FIG. embodiment of Figure 1,

- Figures 2a and 2b are schematic views of a longitudinal section of a hinge according to a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2c represents, in perspective and on a different scale, the nut used in the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrammatic views of a longitudinal section of a hinge according to a third embodiment of the invention,

3c represents, in perspective and on a different scale, the nut used in the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b; FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic view of a longitudinal section of a hinge according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. embodiment of the invention,

4b represents, in perspective and on a different scale, the nut used in the embodiment of FIG. 4a, FIG.

- Figures 5a and 5b are schematic views of a longitudinal section of a hinge according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5c represents in perspective and on a different scale, the nut used in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b FIG. 5d is a perspective view of the tie rod of the embodiment of FIGS. 5a-5b, and

- Figures 6a-6b, on the one hand, and 6c-βd, on the other hand, respectively illustrate the configuration that takes an extensible hinge of the prior art in normal open position (Fig. βa) and on -opening (Fig. 6b), and that takes, in normal open position (Fig. 6c) and over-opening (Fig. 6d), a hinge according to the invention, suitably arranged. In the description of the figures, the elements common to the various embodiments will be designated by the same references, while the elements varying from one embodiment to the other will be designated by a reference retaining the same two last digits, but of which the number of hundreds will correspond to the particular embodiment (for example: nut 110 of the first embodiment, 210 of the second mode, 310 of the third mode, etc.).

1 represents one of the elements 1 of a hinge secured to one branch B of spectacles, the other element, not shown, being connected to the element 1 via an axis of rotation A, perpendicular to the drawing sheet . The element 1, said mobile, comprises along its longitudinal axis X-X ', a housing 2 having a proximal end 3 on the side of the axis of rotation A of the hinge and, on the opposite side, a distal end 4. Proximal side, the housing 2 opens on the outside through a passage 16. In the housing 2 is a tie rod 5 mounted to slide and having at its proximal end, a yoke 6 having a passage 6 'for the axis of rotation A of the hinge, and at its distal end, a seat 7 for a spring 8. The clevis 6 slides in the passage 16. The tie rod is composed, on the one hand, of a body which has, on the distal end side, a thread 9 and, secondly, a nut 110 adapted to engage with the thread 9 and which we see separately in Figure la. The return spring 8 is supported, on the one hand, on the proximal end 3 of the housing 2 and, on the other hand, on the seat 7 constituted by the proximal face of the nut 110. The nut 110 has, on the distal end side, a socket 111 accessible from the distal end 4 of the element mobile 1, via a passage 112 coaxial with the housing 2. The passage 112 and the nut 110 are of circular cross section, which allows smooth rotation of the nut 110 and thus a setting of the seat position 7 along the tie 5.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show an embodiment of the invention in which, the nut 210, which is seen separately in FIG. 2c, and the passageway 212 are of square cross section, the nut 210 being adapted to a gentle sliding in the passage 212. Figure 2a shows the nut 210 in position immobilized in rotation in the passage 212. Figure 2b shows the position of the nut 210 in the housing 2 following the thrust exerted, since the outside the hinge, against the force of the spring 8, by an operating tool 13 on the socket 211 formed on the distal face of the nut 210. The housing 2 being of greater cross section than the nut 210, it becomes possible, when the nut 210 occupies this position, to rotate it by means of the operating tool 13 and then let it go back into the passage 212, where it is found immobilized in rotation. It is understood that this embodiment allows adjustment only quarter turn since, failing that, the nut 210 of square section could return to be placed in the passage 212 of square section. The distal face of the nut 210 has a second socket 211 'orthogonal to the socket 211 to allow the possible use of a Phillips screwdriver as a tool 13.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the invention in which the nut 310, which is seen in isolation in FIG. 3c, and the passageway 312 have a proximal portion of square cross-section, respectively, 310a and 312a, and a distal portion of circular cross section, respectively 310b and 312b, the sectional change determining a shoulder, respectively, 310c and 312c. In FIG. 3b, the insertion of an operating tool 13 makes it possible, by compressing the spring 8, to release the proximal part of square section 310a from the nut 310 of the proximal portion of square section 312a of the passage 312 in the pushing back into the housing 2, of larger cross section, which allows the rotation of the nut 310, and thus the modification of the effective length of the tie rod 5. The nut 310 is then allowed to return to its position in FIG. 3a, the shoulder 310c bearing against the shoulder 312c. Naturally, as in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2c, this embodiment authorizes an adjustment only by quarter turn since, failing that, the square section portion 310a of the nut 310 could not return to itself. place in the square section portion 312a of the passage 312.

FIG. 4a is an embodiment of the invention in which the nut 410, which is seen separately in FIG. 4b, has a distal portion 14 which projects out of the passage 412 and is breakable at a 15, a socket 411 being formed on the distal face of the breakable portion 14. Once set the useful length of the tie rod, the distal portion 14 of the nut 410 is separated by cutting at level 15, leaving only one " "nut" stub which blocks the passage 412 and avoids any clogging of the mechanism.

Figures 5a and 5b show a particular embodiment of the invention in which the passage 512 does not have a distal end end opening which would introduce a tool for operating the nut 510. The nut 510 is, in Indeed, mounted slidably but permanently locked in rotation in the passage 512, and the tie rod 5 comprises, proximal side, a relief cooperating with a complementary relief to block the tie rod 5 in rotation while permitting its axial sliding. More precisely, these reliefs consist of a on the other hand, by the rectangular cross-sectional shape of the yoke 506 (see FIG. 5d) and the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the passage 516 in which this yoke 506 slides. By pulling on the branch B according to the arrow FI, against the force of the spring 8, the clevis 506 of the passage 516 is disengaged (FIG. 5b), which makes it possible to turn the branch B along the arrow F2, and therefore to screw or unscrew the nut 510 on the tie rod 5, since said nut 510 is locked in rotation in the housing 512 and is therefore forced to rotate with the branch B. Once set the desired useful length for the pulling 5, the branch B is released and the clevis 506 is replaced in the passage 516. This time it is understood that the adjustment can be done only by half-turns. A quarter-turn adjustment would be possible by giving a square, not rectangular, section to the yoke 506 and the passage 516.

As has been explained in the introduction to the present description, the objective, in the case of a spectacle frame hinge, is to obtain, during the wearing of the glasses, a comfortable over-opening of the branches. By over-opening means an unstable open position of the branches, spaced beyond the stable normal open position. According to the prior art, in the stable normal opening configuration, the branches are substantially perpendicular to the face. To this end, the hinges are designed so that in normal open position, the outer faces 600b, 601b of the knuckles are aligned (plane YY '- Fig. 6a) when the bearing surfaces 600a, 601a are contiguous . It follows that in the over-opening position of an angle α, generally from 2 to 8 °, a "break" of line C (FIG 6b) unattractive occurs between the knuckle 600 which is secured to the face of the mount and the knuckle 601 which is secured to the branch.

To remedy this aesthetic disadvantage, the invention proposes to take account of the angle α in the hinge design. For this purpose, in stable normal open position (bearing face 600a 'against bearing face 601a' - Fig. 6c), the outer face 601b 'makes a reentrant angle α with respect to the plane YY' of the face 600b 'outdoor. There is, then again, a break of line C, but which affects the mount while it is not worn. When the mount is worn, its branches are in over-opening position (Fig. 6d) and the break disappears. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments presented; in particular, whatever the embodiment, the axis of rotation A of the hinge could be virtual.

Claims

1 - Hinge comprising a fixed element and a movable element (1) connected by an axis of rotation (A), said movable element (1) having, along its longitudinal axis (X-X '), a housing (2) having a proximal end (3) on the axis of rotation side and, in contrast, a distal end (4), a tie rod (5) being slidably mounted in said housing (2) and having, at its proximal end, means for cooperating with said axis of rotation and, at its distal end, a seat (7) for a spring, a return spring (8) bearing, on the one hand, on the proximal end of said housing (2) and, on the other hand, on said seat (7), characterized in that the position of said seat (7) is adjustable along said tie rod (5). 2 - hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said tie rod (5) comprises, on the one hand, a body having, on the distal end side, a thread (9) and, on the other hand, a nut (110; 310; 410; 510) adapted to engage said thread (9), the proximal face of said nut (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) constituting said seat (7). 3 - hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that the distal face of said nut (110; 210; 310; 410) provides, for an operating tool (13), a socket (111; 211; 311; 411) accessible from the distal end of the movable member (1), via a passage (112; 212; 312; 412) coaxial with said housing (2). 4 - Hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that said passage (112; 212; 312; 412) has a cross section smaller than that of said housing (2). 5 - hinge according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said passage (112) and said nut (110) are of circular cross section. 6 - hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that said passage (212) and said nut (210) are of square cross section, said nut (210) being adapted for gentle sliding in said passage (212). 7 - hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that said nut (310) and said passage (312) comprise, proximal side, a portion of square cross section (310a, 312a) and, distal side, a portion of circular cross section (310b, 312b). 8 - hinge according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the distal end of the nut (410) protrudes from said passage (412) and in that said plug (411) is formed on a breakable zone (14) of said nut (410). 9 - hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that the body of said tie rod (5) comprises, proximal side, at least one relief (506) cooperating with a complementary relief (516) to block the tie rod (5) in rotation while allowing its axial sliding, said complementary reliefs (506, 516) being capable of being disengaged from one another, and in that said nut (510) is slidably mounted, but permanently locked in rotation, in a passage coaxial (512) to said housing (2). 10 - spectacle frame incorporating a hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11 - spectacle frame whose hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, is incorporated in the branch. 12 - Eyeglass frame incorporating a hinge comprising a fixed element (600 ') and a movable element (601') connected by an axis of rotation (A), said movable element (601 ') having, along its longitudinal axis, a housing having a proximal end on the axis of rotation and, on the opposite side, a distal end, a tie rod being slidably mounted in said housing and having, at its proximal end, means for cooperating with said axis of rotation and at its distal end , a seat for a spring, a return spring bearing, on the one hand, on the proximal end of said housing and, on the other hand, on said seat, said fixed (600 ') and movable (601') elements each having a bearing surface (600a ', 601a') and a face (600b ', 601b') facing outward in the wearing position of the frame, said bearing surface (600a ', 601a') facing each other, and said mount being capable of passing from a normal opening position of branches to an over-opening position of an angle α by relative to the normal open position, characterized in that, when the bearing surface (600a ') of the fixed element (600') is contiguous with the bearing surface (601a ') of the movable element (601 '), said outer faces (600b', 601b ') of the fixed and movable elements (600', 601 ') are, between them, an angle α.