WO2006111984A1

WO2006111984A1 - Nasal support pad for spectacle frames and spectacles including said pad

Info

Publication number: WO2006111984A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimiliano Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo SpA
Current assignee: Safilo SpA
Priority date: 2005-04-18
Filing date: 2005-04-18
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-18

Abstract

A nose pad for spectacles is described, comprising a first, rigid part (3), provided with attachment means (5, 5a) for attachment to the frame, and a second, soft part (4), firmly connected to the first part (3) on the side turned towards the user's face, with the spectacles put on, in order to constitute surfaces for support on the user's nose, and also at least one through opening (10) passing correspondingly through both the first and the second part (3, 4), so as to limit the area of contact in the nasal support of the pad and to guarantee the aeration of the skin in the region of the opening (10).

Description

Nasal support pad for spectacle frames and spectacles including said pad

Technical field

The present invention concerns a nasal support pad for spectacle frames and is also aimed at spectacles including the aforesaid nasal support pad. Technological background

In the specific technical field it is known to arrange in spectacle frames nasal support members, otherwise identified by the term "nose pads", which perform the principal function of centrally supporting the spectacle frame in the region of the nose. Typically, frames are provided that are equipped with a pair of pads secured to the frame in a limitedly articulated manner for greater adaptability to the shape of the face.

In this regard, the problems linked to the presence of such support members are known, especially those due to the discomfort they can cause in direct interaction with the skin. Such pads are in fact often the cause of discomfort in the area of contact with the nose, noticed particularly in the case of prolonged use of the spectacles, and due both to the localised pressure on the nose and to the poor ventilation of the skin subjected to such contact. To this is added the further discomfort that can arise as a result of the continuous movements to which the spectacles may be subjected during use, especially if used during sporting activity. Description of the invention The principal aim of the invention is that of providing a nasal support pad structurally and functionally designed to remedy the above- mentioned drawbacks, improving in particular the capacity for ventilation and comfortable support, in order to obtain a more comfortable fit of the spectacles and improved transpiration of the skin, especially during prolonged use of the spectacles.

These and other aims that will appear hereinafter are achieved by the invention by means of a nasal support pad produced in accordance with the following claims. Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are views in front elevation, from respectively opposed sides, of a nasal support pad produced in accordance with the invention,

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the pad of the preceding figures,

Figures 4 and 5 are views, respectively in front elevation and side elevation, of a detail of the pad of the preceding figures,

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of the pad of the preceding figures in the state assembled to a spectacle frame shown only in part.

Preferred way of implementing the invention With reference to the above drawings, the reference 1 indicates as a whole a nasal support pad, produced in accordance with the present invention. Said pad is arranged to be mounted in a limitedly articulated manner on a spectacle frame 2, only shown in part. Typically, the frame is provided with a pair of such pads capable of resting on the nose to support the spectacles in the region of the areas of the lenses overlying the nasal septum.

Only one of the pads will be described in detail hereinafter, it being understood that the other pad of the corresponding pair provided on the frame is structurally identical or is produced mirror- symmetrically, with the result that a right-hand pad and a left-hand pad are obtained, which although they have a different mirror configuration are still characterized by the same characteristics which constitute the inventive concept of the invention.

The pad 1, according to the invention, comprises a first and a second part, indicated respectively by 3 and 4, firmly connected to each other and conjointly defining a typical overall pad configuration, oval in plan with a nasal support portion having a convex profile.

More particularly, the first pad part 3 comprises a rigid plate-like base 3a constituting the bearing structure of the pad, and which is preferably made of plastics material, for example by means of injection- moulding. Standing up centrally from one of the opposed surfaces of the base 3a is an appendage 5 having a transverse through hole 5a for the articulated attachment of the pad to a wire-like support member 6 for supporting the pad on the frame. The appendage 5 is conveniently arranged to be received in a cavity 7 provided at one end of the member 6 and hinged thereto by means of a pin or screw 8, received in the hole 5a and in corresponding coaxial holes which pass through the cavity 7, thus ensuring an articulated connection with limited pivoting of the pad with respect to the frame. On the opposite side from the appendage 5, the first pad part 3a is firmly connected to the second part 4, extending on the side of the pad turned towards the user's face, when the spectacles are put on, so as to define a nasal support surface 4a.

The second pad part 4 is made of a very yielding, soft material, and is preferably firmly connected to the base 3a by means of over- moulding of a suitable synthetic material onto the base itself. The second part 4 moreover further extends to cover the base 3a along the entire lateral peripheral edge of the pad, as is clearly illustrated in the drawings, leaving uncovered only the side of the base affected by the appendage 5. The pad 1 is also provided with through openings 10 passing correspondingly through both the first and second pad parts 3,

4. In the example described, a pair of such openings 10 is provided, obtained in parts longitudinally opposed with respect to the appendage

5, but a different number of openings (also a single opening) may be provided, passing transversely through the pad, to constitute preferred ventilation openings for the nasal support region.

Each opening 10 extends in the transverse thickness of the pad in the direction of the area of support contact with the nose and has a cross-section having a closed contour with an identical peripheral profile both in the first pad part 3 and in the second pad part 4. Provision is also conveniently made for at least part of the contour profile of the cross-section of each opening 10 to extend parallel to the profile of the outer peripheral edge of the pad.

The through openings 10, having a profile of the cross-section coinciding in each of the pad parts 3 and 4 affected by said openings, may therefore vary in number, position and size with respect to those of the example illustrated, in order to fulfil specific structural and functional requirements and also to obtain configurations that are particularly aesthetically pleasing, all however coming within the scope of the same inventive concept.

The invention thus fulfils the aims proposed, providing numerous advantages with respect to the known solutions.

A first advantage is that of obtaining, with the pad structure according to the invention, an optimum overall degree of comfort for the user, obtained by reducing the area of contact of the pad on the user's nose, at the same time improving the transpiration capacity at the areas in contact with the skin, increasing aeration thereof (through the provision of one or more through openings of the type claimed).

Another advantage is that of improving the comfort in the nasal support area by providing a part of the pad, that part facing towards the nose, made of a soft material (in order to limit discomfort in the support contact) capable of further guaranteeing the transpiration of the portions of the skin that are subjected to contact with the pad. The provision of a soft covering part advantageously further contributes to the absorption, in the event of accidental impact, of the impact stresses transmitted to the nasal septum.

Another advantage is that of obtaining nose pads the use of which can guarantee an improved overall degree of comfort also for use of the spectacles during sporting activity.

Not least, the advantage of producing nasal support pads according to the invention that are structurally simple with contained production costs in relation to the functional advantages obtainable.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A nose pad for spectacles, characterized in that it comprises a first, rigid part (3), provided with attachment means (5, 5a) for attachment to the frame, and a second, soft part (4), firmly connected to the first part (3) on the side turned towards the user's face, with the spectacles put on, in order to constitute surfaces for support on the user's nose, and in that it comprises at least one through opening (10) passing correspondingly through both said first and said second part (3, 4), so as to limit the area of contact in the nasal support of the pad and to guarantee the aeration of the skin in the region of said opening (10).

2. A nose pad according to claim 1, wherein said parts (3, 4) are firmly connected to each other by over-moulding of the second part (4) onto the first part (3).

3. A nose pad according to claim 2, wherein said first part (3) is made of plastics material and said second part (4) is made of a synthetic material over-moulded onto the first part (3).

4. A nose pad according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first part (3) comprises a substantially plate-like base (3a) from which there stands up an appendage (5) for articulated attachment to the frame, and said second part (4) extends to cover said base (3a), on the opposite side from said appendage (5).

5. A nose pad according to claim 4, wherein said second part (4) extends to further cover the peripheral edge of said base (3a).

6. A nose pad according to claim 5, wherein said at least one through opening (10) extends in said first and second part (3, 4) with a cross-section having a closed contour of equal peripheral profile in each of said parts.

7. A nose pad according to claim 6, wherein said at least one through opening (10) has a profile of the contour of the cross-section extending, for at least a certain distance, parallel to the profile of the outer edge of the pad.

8. A nose pad according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least two through openings (10) are provided in positions longitudinally opposed with respect to the attachment appendage (5) of the pad.

9. A nose pad according to claim 8, wherein each of said through openings (10) has a respective profile of the contour of the corresponding cross-section extending, for at least a certain distance, parallel to the profile of the outer edge of the pad.

10. Spectacles comprising a frame (2) and a pair of nasal support pads (1) arranged for attachment to said frame and produced in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims.