WO2009113111A1

WO2009113111A1 - Improved arm for. spectacles and method of manufacture thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009113111A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimiliano Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo SpA
Current assignee: Safilo SpA
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2008-03-10
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-10

Abstract

An arm for spectacles comprises a first portion (3) extending in a predominant direction (X) of longitudinal extension of the arm, and a second portion (4) arranged to cover the first portion for at least partial covering thereof, wherein the first portion comprises a core (3) extending axially in the direction (X), and the second portion (4) comprises a structure having a plurality of substantially thread-like elements (5) wound onto the core (3) in a braided configuration (5a), covering the core (3).

Description

Improved arm for. spectacles and method of manufacture thereof. Technical field of the invention

The invention concerns an arm for spectacles, having the characteristics mentioned in the preamble of main claim 1. It also relates to a method of manufacture of arms for spectacles and also to spectacles including arms produced according to that method. Technological background

In the technical field of reference of the present invention it is known to produce spectacle arms that are capable of providing on the one hand a high flexibility and strength and, on the other hand, the possibility of adapting the shape or curvature of the arm to the face of the user. In the specific field of spectacles with arms of metallic material, in which both of the aforesaid functions can be obtained, spectacle arms are also known which are provided with a metal core arranged to be covered, at least in part, by a covering material, generally of plastics material.

In the continual search for new solutions, both functional and aesthetic, there has arisen in this field a need for producing spectacle arms which have cores with optimal characteristics of flexibility/resilience, both in order to adapt in the best possible manner to the different shapes of the heads of the users, and in order to resist, without shattering, the stresses and/or impacts to which a pair of spectacles may be subjected during normal use, but which at the same time may offer an ever more valued aesthetic impact, which is added to and incorporated with the desired technical functions in the best possible manner. Description of the invention The principal aim of the present invention is that of providing an arm for spectacles which is structurally and functionally designed to fulfil the typical functions required, in particular in the field of arms made of metal, and which at the same time succeeds in providing adequate and improved aesthetic and decorative levels for arms designed with metal cores, compared with the prior art.

A further aim is that of improving the methods of manufacture of such arms for spectacles, in order to obtain the desired aesthetic and functional aspects, with simplification of the constructional steps and reduction of the costs involved.

These aims are achieved by the present invention by means of an arm for spectacles and a method for its production which are provided according to the following claims. Brief description of the drawings The invention will be more easily understood and implemented by reference to the description of the appended drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof shown by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

-Figures 1 and 2 are views, respectively in plan from above and from the side, of a pair of spectacles comprising arms produced according to the invention, -Figure 3 is a view on an enlarged scale of one of the arms of Figures 1 and

2;

-Figures 4 and 9 are side views of the arm of the preceding figures in the sequence of steps of production thereof. Preferred embodiment of the invention

With reference to the appended drawings, the reference 1 indicates as a whole a pair of spectacles comprising a pair of side arms 2, produced according to the present invention, only one of which will be described in detail hereinafter, by reason of the identical structural of the arms.

The arm 2 extends in a predominant direction of longitudinal extension, indicated by X in the drawings, between a first and a second opposed end, respectively designated by 2a, 2b, the end 2a extending at the area of articulation of the arm on the lug of the spectacles, and the other end 2b being located in the ear support region of the arm.

The arm 2 also comprises a first portion 3, extending in the direction X, produced as an arm-like cylindrical core, preferably of metallic material, intended to be covered, at least partially, by a second, covering portion 4, as will become clear hereinafter. The core 3 is conveniently produced from steel or from a nickel/titanium alloy and extends substantially for the entire length of the arm.

The second portion 4, according to a principal characteristic of the invention, comprises a plurality of elements 5, substantially thread-like and capable of being wound on the core 3 in a typical braided structure, designated as a whole by 5a, clearly illustrated for example in Figures 3 and

9.

Preferably, the elements 5 of the braided structure are made of leather or similar material, or of fabric, or, as a further alternative, of synthetic fibres. In more detail, the braided structure 5a extends in the arm from the end 2a, adjacent to the hinge area, to completely cover a first section 3a of the core 3, in the direction of the opposite end 2b.

At the opposed axial ends of the core section 3a, respective stop elements for the braided structure 5a are provided, arranged to connect the latter firmly to the core of the arm. To this end, said stop elements comprise a pair of bushes 6, 7, each of which includes a first seat (6a, 7a) and a second seat (6b, 7b), respectively arranged for the engagement with and corresponding securing to the core 3 and to the corresponding end of the braided structure 5a.

The bush 6 also comprises a portion configured as an eyelet 8, for the articulated connection of the arm to the lug of the spectacles.

The seats 6a, 6b are formed in the bush 6 as cavities of circular cross- section, coaxial with each other, and in prolongation of each other, the seat 6b having a diameter larger than that of the seat 6a.

The seat 6a, preferably configured as a blind hole, is arranged to receive and retain, for example by means of welding, the corresponding end of the core, with the end fitting inside the seat 6b. In the annular space defined between the circular wall of the seat 6b and the core, the corresponding end of the braided structure 5a is received and retained, for example by means of adhesive securing between the surfaces of the elements 5 and of the seat in mutual coupling.

In a similar manner, the bush 7 is fitted onto the core 3 at the end of the section 3a opposed to the bush 6. The bush 7 has a central through-cavity, coaxial with the axis X, along which are defined, in prolongation of one another, the seat 7b, the seat 7a and a third seat, indicated by 7c, the function of which will become clear hereinafter. The seat 7a therefore remains axially contained between the seats 7b and 7c and is formed as a circular through-hole of smaller diameter than the circular holes defining the other seats.

The seat 7a is arranged to receive the core 3 passing through the bush 7. The seat 7b, similarly to the seat 6b, is arranged for the engagement and retention of the corresponding end of the braided structure 5a. The seat 7c, however, is arranged to receive and retain an end 9a of an end-piece element 9 fitted onto the core 3 along a section 3b extending in axial prolongation of the section 3a, the end-piece of the arm being produced from plastics material to ensure comfortable fitting of the spectacles in the ear support region where there is contact between the arm and the head of the user. The core section 3b and the end-piece 9 coupled thereto are moreover bent over to assume the most suitable configuration in the adjustment of the fit of the arm.

The method of manufacture and assembly of the arm 2 provides for a first step in which the core 3 is inserted axially into the bush 6 and is received and fixed in the seat 6a, for example by welding (Fig. 4). The end of the core 3 remains in abutment against the back wall of the blind seat 6a, having a smaller diameter than the seat 6b.

The piece thus assembled can then be subjected to galvanic metallisation and painting treatments.

In a further step, the bush 7 is fixed to the end-piece 9 by means of the engagement of an end of the end-piece in the seat 7c and corresponding retention, for example by adhesive means. Previously, the end-piece 9, made of plastics, is provided with a central inner cavity, elongate in the direction X and capable of receiving the section 3b of the core in a following assembly step. In a further step, the braided structure 5a is arranged by interweaving the plurality of thread-like elements 5. At the opposed axial ends of the braid, where the plurality of interwoven threads come together, respective windings 11 of gauze or tape, fixed with adhesive, are conveniently provided in such a way as to firmly connect the elements of the braid to one another, compacting same and providing a larger and more uniform surface for adhesion in the corresponding seats of the bushes 6, 7.

The braided structure 5a is fitted onto the core 3 so as to engage the section 3a of this latter, with the bush 6 consequently being received in the seat 6b. Fixing on the inside of the seat 6b is effected by adhesive securing of the corresponding winding 11 of gauze or tape in the seat itself.

In a following step, the assembly consisting of the bush 7 and end- piece 9, assembled previously, is fitted onto the core 3, until the corresponding end of the braid 5a is received in the seat 7b, with subsequent corresponding locking of the surfaces, by adhesive means, in mutual coupling.

The locking of the core 3 within the end-piece 9 may be further facilitated by the use of adhesive and by the subsequent bending of the end- piece, which leads to the final configuration of the arm, shown in Figure 9, being obtained. The assembly is then completed, obtaining in the arm 2 a covering with the braided structure 5a in the section 3a of the core which is extended by a plastic end-piece along the section 3b, in proximity to the ear support region of the arm.

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

It should firstly be noted that the use of a core of metallic material makes it possible to obtain the best functions of the purely metallic arms, in which it is possible to adapt the shape of the arm to the face of the user by means of plastic deformation of the core and of the end-piece. The use of steel cores of slim cross-section lends itself to such operations of adjustment and accommodation of the fit by means of deformation of the plastic type.

The use of materials having a high resilience, such as nickel/titanium alloys, for the production of the arm, makes it possible, with suitable and specific treatments, to privilege instead the flexibility and resilience of the arm, compared with deformability of the plastic type, at the same time maintaining a high degree of robustness.

Both the aforesaid technical functions can be associated in the arm of the invention with a covering structure for the core, having a particular braided configuration, with improved value on a decorative and aesthetic plane compared with the metal arms of known type. Such a dual aesthetic and functional purpose may therefore be obtained in spectacles including arms according to the invention, with a consequent improvement in the method of manufacture and assembly of the arm, compared with the known solutions.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An arm for spectacles, comprising a first portion (3) extending in a predominant direction (X) of longitudinal extension of the arm, and a second portion (4) arranged to cover the first portion for at least partial covering thereof, characterized in that said first portion comprises a core (3) extending axially in said direction (X) and said second portion (4) comprises a structure having a plurality of substantially thread-like elements (5) wound onto said core (3) in a braided configuration (5a), for covering said core (3).

2. An arm according to claim 1, wherein the elements (5) of said braided structure (5a) are made of leather or fabric or synthetic fibres.

3. An arm according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said core (3) is made of metallic material.

4. An arm according to claim 3, wherein said core (3) is made of steel.

5. An arm according to claim 3, wherein said core (3) is made of a nickel/titanium alloy.

6. An arm according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said braided structure (5a) extends, along the arm, from a first arm end (2a), adjacent to the hinge region for the articulated connection of the arm to a front mount frame, for a first section (3a) of said core (3) in the direction of the opposed second axial arm end (2b), adjacent to the ear support region of the arm.

7. An arm according to claim 6, wherein said first section (3a) is extended in a second section of said core (3), in the direction of said second end (2b), said second core section being covered by an end-piece element (9) configured for. the support of the arm (2) in the ear region.

8. An arm according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of stop elements, arranged at the opposed axial ends of said braided structure (5a), and which can be firmly connected to the core (3) and are capable of being fixed to the elements of said braid of the corresponding end, so as to secure said braid to each of said stop elements.

9. ^" An arm according to claim 8, wherein said stop elements comprise a first and a second bush (6, 7), each bush including a first seat (6a, 7a) and a second seat (6b, 7b) which are respectively arranged for the engagement with and corresponding securing to said core (3) and to the corresponding end of the braided structure (5a).

10. An arm according to claim 9, wherein said first bush (6) comprises a portion (8) for the hinged articulation of the arm (2) to the front frame of the mount.

11. An arm according to claim 9, wherein said second bush (7) comprises a third seat (7c) for the engagement of the arm end-piece.

12. A method of manufacture of an arm (2) for spectacles of the type comprising a first arm portion (3) extending in a predominant direction (X) of longitudinal extension of the arm and a second portion (4) arranged to cover the first portion for at least partial covering thereof, characterized in that it comprises the steps of producing said first portion in the form of a core (3) extending axially in said direction (X) and of covering said core (3) with a structure having a plurality of substantially thread-like elements (5) by means of winding same onto said core (3) in a braided configuration (5a).

13. A method according to claim 12, comprising the step of producing said core (3) from a metallic material, such as steel or nickel/titanium alloy and of covering said core (3) with a braid (5a) of thread-like elements (5) made of leather, or fabric or synthetic fibres.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein provision is made for the step of producing a first bush (6) and a second bush (7) which are capable of being fitted onto said core (3), of providing on each bush a seat (6b, 7b) for the engagement of a respective axial end of said braided structure (5a), and of rigidly securing, by adhesive means, each of said ends of the braid (5a) to the corresponding bush (6, 7), with prior insertion of the core (3) into the braided structure (5a).

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the thread-like elements (5) of the braid (5a) are firmly connected to one another at each end of said braided structure, prior to insertion with fixing in the seat (6b, 7b) of the corresponding bush (6, 7).

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said action of mutual securing of the elements (5) is obtained by means of respective windings (11) of gauze or tape, fixed with adhesive.

17. Spectacles comprising at least one arm according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, produced by the method of manufacture of one or more of claims 12 to 16.