EP0832445A1

EP0832445A1 - Elastic hinge for eyeglasses

Info

Publication number: EP0832445A1
Application number: EP97915456A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rinaldo Montalban
Original assignee: Visottica SpA
Current assignee: Visottica SpA
Priority date: 1996-04-16
Filing date: 1997-03-27
Publication date: 1998-04-01
Also published as: IT1287233B1; ITPD960093A0; AU2292597A; KR100498669B1; ITPD960093A1; KR19990022876A; WO1997039377A1

Abstract

An elastic hinge for eyeglasses comprising, at the end of a temple (10), an elongated hollow body (11) with a flat end (12), the body (11) containing an elastic element (14) which is arranged between the head (17) of a pivot (16) passing through the body axially and a contrast element (18) retained therein, the pivot (16) passing through the contrast element (18) and engaging a first hinge element (22) whereto a second hinge element (25) is pivoted, the second hinge element (25) being fixed to the eyeglasses front (26) and having a polygonal profile, one side whereof rests on the flat end (12) of the hollow body (11). The contrast element (18) is retained in the hollow body (11) by means of a transverse pin (29), the pin (29) passing through the first hinge element (22) in a hollowed-out region (31) thereof so as to not interfere with its movements.

Description

ELASTIC HINGE FOR EYEGLASSES Technical Field

The present invention relates to an elastic hinge for eyeglasses. Background Art

Currently commercially available elastic hinges for eyeglasses substantially comprise, at the end of a temple, an elongated hollow body with a flat end, which contains a spring arranged between the head of a pivot passing through said spring axially and a contrast element locked inside said body.

The pivot passes through the contrast element and engages a first hinge element whereto a second hinge element is pivoted, said second hinge element being fixed to the eyeglasses front.

The second hinge element has a polygonal profile, particularly a square profile, one side whereof rests on the flat end of the hollow body.

All the elements contained in the hollow body are preassembled externally and then inserted and locked therein.

The various hinges differ essentially in the locking of the contrast element in the hollow body.

One of the most frequently used kinds of locking entails providing, inside the hollow body, an annular bore adapted to constitute the insertion seat for elastic wings which are coupled to the contrast element or for elastic locking rings, for example of the snap-ring type.

Providing the bore inside the hollow body, however, is a constructive complication and also sets a limit to the 97/01591

2 cross-sectional dimensions of said body, since said bore is a circumferential expansion of the hole wherein the elastic part of the hinge is inserted.

This is a particularly significant restriction for hinges for metal temples, which are generally smaller than the others.

In other cases, the bore constitutes the seat wherein an elastic locking ring of the snap-ring type expands; said ring is inserted in the hollow body by means of an adapted tool and is formed elastically and accommodated in a corresponding annular groove of the contrast element.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A principal aim of the present invention is to provide an elastic hinge for eyeglasses the structure whereof is constructively simpler than current ones. Within the scope of this aim, a consequent primary object of the present invention is to provide a hinge having a limited cross-sectional bulk for the elongated hollow body containing the elastic elements and fixed to the end of the temple. Another important object is to provide a hinge wherein the contrast element is locked without using elastic means. Another object is to provide a hinge the components whereof can be assembled rapidly and stably.

Another object is to provide a hinge which can be conveniently disassembled for optional replacement of worn or broken parts.

Another object is to provide a hinge which can be manufactured at low cost with conventional equipment and systems. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by an elastic hinge for eyeglasses comprising, at the end of a temple, an elongated hollow body with a flat end, said body containing an elastic means arranged between the head of a pivot passing through said body axially and a contrast element retained therein, said pivot passing through said contrast element and engaging a first hinge element whereto a second hinge element is pivoted, said second hinge element being fixed to the eyeglasses front and having a polygonal profile, one side whereof rests on the flat end of said hollow body, said hinge being characterized in that said contrast element is retained in said hollow body by means of a transverse pin, said pin passing through said first hinge element in a hollowed-out region thereof so as to not interfere with its movements and so as to constitute a rotation-preventing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of the elements composing the hinge; figure 2 is an exploded view of the elements contained in the hollow body rigidly coupled to the temple; figure 3 is a substantially sectional view of the insertion of the elastic elements in the hollow body; figure 4 is a sectional view of the assembly of the elastic elements in the hollow body; figure 5 is a perspective view of the hollow body during the insertion of the locking pin.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the above figures, an elastic hinge for eyeglasses comprises an elongated hollow body 11 fixed to the ends of a temple 10, said body having a flat end face 12 wherein a predominantly cylindrical blind hole 13 is provided which passes longitudinally through said body. A cylindrical helical spring 14 is accommodated inside the hole 13 and surrounds the stem 15 of a screw 16, on the head 17 whereof said spring rests with one of its ends.

The other end of the spring 14 rests on a cylindrical contrast element 18 locked in said hole 13 as better described hereinafter. The contrast element 18 is axially provided with a through hole 19 which is crossed by the stem 15 of the screw 16, the threaded end 20 whereof engages a complementarily threaded hole 21 of a first hinge element 22. Said hinge element is substantially parallelepiped- shaped and fits between the walls of a diametrical gap of the contrast element 18, as shown in particular in figures 3 and 4, and is arranged inside the hollow body 11 together with said contrast element. The first hinge element 22 protrudes from the hollow body 11 with a part 23 thereof provided with a hole 24 for pivoting a second substantially fork-shaped hinge element

25.

The second hinge element 25 is fixed to the front 26 of a pair of eyeglasses and is provided with holes 27, which match said hole 24, for a threaded pivot 28.

The outer profile of the polygonal fork of the second hinge element 25 has at least two sides which form stable equilibrium positions for the rotation of the temple 10, one of said sides resting on the end face 12 of the body

11.

Said rotation can occur by compression of the spring 14, caused by traction applied by the first hinge element 22 and therefore by the screw 16.

According to the invention, said contrast element 18 is associated with said hollow body 11 by means of a transverse pin 29 inserted in adapted coaxial through holes 30 of said hollow body 11, so that the contrast element 18 rests thereon with its head in the region opposite to the screw 16.

The pin 29 also passes through the first hinge element

22 in a longitudinal lateral region 31 thereof which is appropriately hollowed out so as to not interfere with its movements and so as to constitute a rotation-preventing element.

In practice, the hinge elements are preassembled and then inserted in the hollow body 11.

After the insertion of the elastic elements, the pin 29 is inserted in the holes 30 and keeps the entire system associated.

In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved.

The blind hole 13 is in fact substantially free from expansions such as conventional bores for accommodating the means for locking the contrast element.

This allows the cross-sectional bulk of the hollow body 11 to be particularly limited.

Fixing provided through the pin 29 considerably simplifies both the internal structure of the hinge and its production.

Assembly is also particularly easy and quick. It is also possible to easily and rapidly perform disassembly for part replacement. The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

All the details may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An elastic hinge for eyeglasses comprising, at the end of a temple (10), an elongated hollow body (11) with a flat end (12), said body (11) containing an elastic means (14) arranged between the head (17) of a pivot (16) which passes through said body (11) axially and a contrast element (18) retained therein, said pivot (16) passing through the contrast element (18) and engaging a first hinge element (22) whereto a second hinge element (25) is pivoted, said second hinge element (20) being fixed to the eyeglasses front (26) and having a polygonal profile, one side whereof rests on the flat end (12) of said hollow body (11), said hinge being characterized in that said contrast element (18) is retained in said hollow body (11) by a transverse pin (29), said pin (29) passing through said first hinge element (22) in a hollowed-out region (31) thereof so as to not interfere with its movements and so as to constitute a rotation-preventing element.

2. An elastic hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said pin (29) is inserted in adapted coaxial holes (30) of said hollow body (11) in such a region as to abut against the end of said contrast element (18) which is arranged opposite with respect to said elastic means (14).

3. An elastic hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin (29) is arranged in a lateral region (31) of said first hinge element (22) wherein said longitudinal hollowed-out region is formed.

4. An elastic hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first hinge element (22) is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and fits between the walls of a diametrical gap of said contrast element.