WO2006033125A1

WO2006033125A1 - Spectacles having interchangeable lenses

Info

Publication number: WO2006033125A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo SpA
Current assignee: Safilo SpA
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2004-09-24
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-24

Abstract

Spectacles having interchangeable lenses comprise a front frame (2) defining seats for respective lenses (4), the seats comprising at least one groove-shaped portion (7) suitable for accommodating at least partially a peripheral edge of the corresponding lens (4), means for holding the lens (4) in the frame (2) being provided at the location f the groove (7) and acting between the groove and the corresponding facing edge of the lens in order to hold the lens in position in the front frame. The holding means comprise, for each lens (4), at least one recess (11) which is provided on the lens edge and which is capable of being engaged by a retaining element (10) projecting from the corresponding accommodating groove (7), for holding the lens (4) in position in the front frame (2), after the insertion of the lens (4) into the groove (7).

Description

Spectacles having interchangeable lenses Technical field

The present invention relates to spectacles having interchangeable lenses according to the preamble of main claim no. 1. Technological background

In this specific technical field there is a known need to produce spectacles provided with lenses of the interchangeable type that are such as to be readily replaceable by the user. Spectacles of this type advantageously enable the lenses to be replaced for the correction of any optical parameter, not necessarily associated with sight defects, in order to adapt the same pair of spectacles to the user's various requirements. There is also the advantage of being able to interchange in the same spectacle frame sun lenses of a different colour for better adaptation to the various light conditions or to ensure optimum conditions of visibility in the most varied activities or in the practice of various sporting disciplines. Of no less importance is the ready ability to mount replaceable lenses interchangeably on the same frame for the correction of sight defects.

An example of spectacles having interchangeable lenses of the type indicated is known from United States Patent No. 5,602,603. The spectacles described there provide that the frame is equipped with a lens-carrying mount having, for each lens, a respective pair of opposing grooves suitable for accommodating peripheral portions of the lens in order to hold it on the mount. One limitation of this known application resides in the fact that the coupling of the lens requires previous resilient deformation of the mount, which is necessary in order to enable the lenses to be inserted into the respective accommodating grooves, which, however, may involve consequent undesired deformation of the mount and/or of the lenses. This deformation may also cause changes or partial reductions in the optical properties of the lens. In addition, the fact that the profile of the lens, in the portions not affected by the holding grooves, is moved away, even only slightly, from the respective bearing surface of the lens-carrying mount, owing to the associated resilient deformation, is not aesthetically pleasing. Another solution for spectacles having interchangeable lenses is described in United States Patent No. 6,601,954. In the solution described there, the groove for accommodating the lens has portions of different depths for accommodating respective springs which are active between the groove and the facing edge of the lens in order to hold the lens in position on the respective lens-carrying rim. This application is rather complex to produce, requiring the provision of grooves of different depths, in addition to the fact that, in this case too, it may involve undesired deformation, in particular of the lenses.

Description of the invention

The primary object of the present invention is the structural and functional improvement of spectacles having interchangeable lenses in relation to the aspects listed above.

That object and others too, demonstrated hereinafter, are achieved by the invention by means of spectacles produced in accordance with the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings The features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a pair of spectacles produced in accordance with the present invention,

- Figure 2 is a plan view of the spectacles of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a partly sectioned view of a detail of the spectacles of the preceding Figures,

- Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a lens arranged to be mounted interchangeably on spectacles according to the invention,

- Figure 5 is a view in accordance with arrow A of the lens of Figure 4,

- Figure 6 is a partly sectioned front elevational view of the spectacles of the preceding Figures,

- Figure 7 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a detail of the lens of Figure 4 on an enlarged scale.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

With reference to the mentioned drawings, a pair of spectacles produced in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated 1. the spectacles represented in the above-mentioned drawings are provided with a front frame 2 defining seats, which are generally indicated 3, for two respective lenses 4. A central region 5 for support on the nose is identified between the lenses 4 in the frame while the frame 2 is hinged to respective arms 6 at its opposite ends 2a, 2b. Means for holding the lenses 4 in the respective seats are also provided on the spectacles 1, as described in detail hereinafter. Because the seats and the associated holding means are structurally identical for each of the lenses 4 and are arranged reflectively with respect to a central plane of symmetry of the frame, reference will be made in the description to only one of the lenses and to the respective holding region on the frame 2, the same particulars and reference numerals thus also referring to the other lens of the frame.

According to a main feature of the invention, the seat for holding the lens 4 comprises a single groove 7 extending continuously over the front of the frame starting from an upper intermediate eyebrow arch region 8a, in the direction towards the central bridge region 5, and further extending in a lower arch portion 8b, opposite the arch 8a. The groove 7 also extends in the eyebrow arch 8a over a length greater than that provided in the lower arch portion 8b, the respective free ends of the groove, indicated 7a, 7b, thus being vertically misaligned in a front view of the frame, as shown clearly by Figure 6.

A peripheral edge portion 4a of the respective lens can be accommodated in each groove 7 and has a lowered peripheral profile with respect to the extension of the profile dictated by the remaining edge portion 4b of the lens. In addition, the lens portion 4a accommodated in the groove 7 has a reduced transverse thickness compared with the nominal thickness of the lens (Figure 7). The lowering of the profile and the transverse reduction of the thickness, which are advantageously obtained, for example, by milling work, are selected with dimensions such as to allow the lens, once accommodated in the groove, to be coupled substantially flush with the groove, in the front portion of the frame, both along the entire length of the groove and at the free ends thereof.

A pair of retaining elements, indicated 10, projecting from the groove at the respective ends 7a, 7b thereof are also provided on each lens 4 in order to hold the lens. Those elements are capable of engaging respective corresponding recesses 11 formed in the facing edge of the lens, in particular at the respective ends of the edge portion 4a having a lowered external profile.

In more detail, each retaining element 10 comprises a plate-form appendage 10a for attachment to the groove I₁ which appendage is bent at its free end 10b with a curved profile whose convex portion is capable of a form-fit with the concavity of the curved surface defined in the corresponding recess 11.

Each retaining element 10 is also supported in a resiliently yielding manner in the groove 7. This resilient behaviour is preferably obtained using a resilient plate-form appendage 10a (or another type of retaining clip) and is such that the retaining elements 10 can be opened out (towards the inside of the groove), interfering with the edge of the lens during the stage of inserting the lens into the corresponding groove, and when insertion is complete they return resiliently to the position of engagement in the respective recesses 11.

It is also possible to provide that the retaining elements 10 are partially resiliently urged against the respective recesses 11 also in the condition in which the lens has been coupled, in order to improve the action of holding the lens in position on the frame and to oppose escape from the respective groove. Each retaining element 10 is secured to the respective internal surface of the groove 7 by welding, or adhesive bonding, or by means of screws or pins, for example, by means of riveted pins marked with the reference numeral 10a. In use, each lens 4 is inserted into the respective groove 7 with a lateral translation movement directed from the ends 2a, 2b of the frame 2 towards the central region 5 for support on the nose, keeping the lens placed against the front surface of the frame until it has been inserted completely into the groove with engagement of the retaining elements 10 in the respective recesses 11.

It will be appreciated that the insertion of the lenses does not involve any substantial deformation either of the frame 2 or of the lens 4 and the action of holding the lenses exerted by the groove 7 and by the retaining elements 10 means that each lens is held firmly in position placed against the profile of the frame 2, matching the shape thereof without requiring any deformation.

The lens-holding means provided according to the invention also ensure that the user can remove the lens readily and quickly, permitting easy interchangeability of the lenses. It will also be appreciated that the spectacles according to the invention may advantageously be produced with a front frame in metal material as well as in plastics material or any other suitable material.

The invention thus achieves the proposed objects, obtaining the advantages mentioned above with reference to the mentioned prior art.

Claims

1. Spectacles having interchangeable lenses, comprising a front frame (2) defining seats for respective lenses (4), the seats comprising at least one groove-shaped portion (7) suitable for accommodating at least partially a peripheral edge of the corresponding lens (4), means for holding the lens (4) in the frame (2) being provided at the location of the groove (7) and acting between the groove and the corresponding facing edge of the lens in order to hold the lens in position in the front frame, characterised in that the holding means comprise, for each lens (4), at least one recess (11) which is provided on the lens edge and which is capable of being engaged by a retaining element (10) projecting from the corresponding accommodating groove (7), for holding the lens (4) in position in the front frame (2), after the insertion of the lens (4) into the groove (7).

2. Spectacles according to claim 1, wherein, for each lens (4), a single groove (7) is provided which extends continuously from an intermediate eyebrow arch region (8a) of the frame in the direction towards a central region (5) of the frame for support on the nose and which further extends along a lower arch portion (8b) of the frame, opposite the eyebrow arch (8a), a respective retaining element (10) capable of engaging the respective recess (11) formed in the lens edge in a corresponding position being provided at the location of each opposite free end (7a, 7b) of the groove

(7).

3. Spectacles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining elements (10) are supported in a resiliently yielding manner in the respective groove (7) so that they can be opened out, by interference with the lens edge, during the insertion of the lens (4) into the groove, with resilient return to the position of engagement in the respective recesses (11) corresponding to the position of coupling the lens (4) to the frame (2).

4. Spectacles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge portion (4a) of the lens (4) capable of being accommodated in the groove (7) has a lowered peripheral profile with respect to the extension of the contour profile of the remaining lens portion (4b), the lowering of the profile being selected in such a manner that the lens (4) and the accommodating groove (7) are substantially flush at the ends (7a, 7b) of the groove.

5. Spectacles according to claim 4, wherein the recesses (11) are formed in the lens edge portion (4a) having a lowered profile.

6. Spectacles according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the edge portion (4a) of the lens that has a lowered peripheral profile and that is capable of being accommodated in the groove has a transverse thickness smaller than the nominal thickness of the lens, the reduction in the thickness being selected in such a manner that the lens (4) and the groove (7) are flush along the entire length of the groove in the front frame (2).

7. Spectacles according to claim 6, wherein the retaining elements (10) provided on the same groove (7) of the frame are positioned at the front of the frame (2) on opposite sides with respect to a median plane transverse to the surface of the lens (4).

8. Spectacles according to claim 7, wherein the retaining element (10) provided on the eyebrow arch (8a) of the frame (2) is positioned beyond the transverse median plane in the direction towards the hinge region of the frame.

9. Spectacles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element (10) comprises a plate-form appendage (10a) for attachment in the groove (7), the appendage being bent with a curved profile at its free end (10b) and the recess (11) in the lens having a corresponding curved profile for a substantial form-fit with the end (10b) of the appendage.

10. Spectacles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front frame (2) is produced in metal material or a metal alloy.

11. Spectacles according to any one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the front frame (2) is produced in plastics material.