EP0898728A1

EP0898728A1 - Wire frame for spectacles

Info

Publication number: EP0898728A1
Application number: EP97922031A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Fortini
Original assignee: Bottega D Arte in Firenze Srl
Current assignee: Bottega D Arte in Firenze Srl
Priority date: 1996-05-16
Filing date: 1997-05-13
Publication date: 1999-03-03
Also published as: WO1997043683A1; JP2000510257A

Abstract

A spectacle frame is described, comprising mountings (9, 11) for the lenses (L) and a pair of sides (1, 3) fastened to said mountings by means of respective hinges (5, 7) having a rotation axis (A-A), in which each of said hinges is formed from a first portion of wire wound into a helical spring (11D) and from a second portion of wire forming a hinge pin (3A) that fits into said helical spring, one of said portions of wire extending to form the respective side (3) and the other portion of wire having a connection member (11C) for the connection to said mountings (11). The portion of wire forming the side (3) has a bend (3C) which defines a first abutment against the connection member, to retain the pin (3A) into engagement with the helical spring (11D), and a second abutment to limit the maximum aperture of said side.

Description

WIRE FRAME FOR SPECTACLES Description Technical field

The present invention relates to spectacle frames, with or without lens rims and at least partly made of wire. The invention also relates to spectacles including said frames. Background of the Invention

In the production of spectacle frames it is increasingly common to use metal wires, e.g. of titanium steel, from which it is possible to make excep- tionally light, strong frames. One example of a frame of this type is disclosed in WO-A-9602014 in the name of the present applicant. That document dis¬ closes several types of joint between the sides and the lens mountings. Some of these joints involve an intermediate component in the form of a screw or ball to define the hinge axis. In other versions the joint is obtained by intertwin- ing the two helical wire spring portions.

Another type of wire spectacle frame is disclosed in EP-B-0256098. This type of frame includes a hinge between each side and the body of the frame (that is, the part on which the lenses are mounted): the hinge is made out of a first portion of wire wound into a helical spring, and a second portion of wire forming a hinge pin that fits axially into said helical spring. As disclosed in that prior patent, the hinge pin is formed on a portion of wire attached to the lens, while the helical spring is formed by the end portion of the side of the specta¬ cles. In order to fasten the helical spring and the pin axially together, the length of the latter is such that it projects out of the helical spring and is bent to give an irreversible fastening between the two parts: the helical spring is retained between two bent segments of the wire that forms the axial pin pass¬ ing through the spring.

This type of joint is very simple but it has serious drawbacks in terms of function and manufacture. Functionally, the bent end of the hinge pin consti- tutes a projection that is not only unattractive from an aesthetic point of view, but also potentially dangerous. As for its manufacture, the necessity of bend¬ ing the pin after inserting it into the helical spring is a complication and makes it necessary to use special tools for its assembly. Disassembly without damag- ing the frame is almost impossible. The resulting hinge leaves play between the two component parts. This leaves a measure of uncertainty in the determi¬ nation of the angle formed between the plane of the lenses and the side. This leads to visual problems, particularly for people who wear the lenses to cor- rect astigmatism.

Disclosure of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a frame of the type stated above, that is simpler, aesthetically more pleasing, easier to assemble, and disassemble if needed, as well as stronger and more reliable. This and other objects and advantages, which will be clear to those skilled in the art from a perusal of the following text, are achieved with a frame comprising mountings for the lenses and a pair of templates or sides fastened to said mountings by means of respective hinges, in which each of said hinges is formed from a first portion of wire wound into a helical spring and from a second portion of wire forming a hinge pin that fits into said helical spring, one of said portions of wire extending to form the respective side and the other portion of wire having a connection member for the connection of the hinge to said mountings. According to the invention the portion of wire forming the side or template of the frame has a bend which defines a first abutment against the connection member, to prevent the pin from slipping out of the helical spring, and a second abutment to limit the maximum aperture of said side when it is made to oscillate around the hinge axis. As will be apparent from the following detailed description of possible embodiments of the invention, assembly of the templates or sides of the frame is performed without the help of any tool and is reversible, that is to say the hinge can easily be disassembled without tools, and yet at the same time is completely reliable.

Although it is possible, in principle, to form the helical spring on the side and the pin on the lens mountings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the portion of wire that forms the helical spring is integral with the lens mountings and the portion of wire that forms the hinge pin is represented by the end section of the side or template of the frame.

The joint system between the sides and the mountings, forming the sub¬ ject of the present invention, can readily be used to great advantage in frames O 97/43683 T/ T 7/001

- 3 - for rimless spectacles. However, the same joint system can also be used in spectacles with rims surrounding the lenses.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the bend formed by the end portion of the side or template of the frame is approximately 340-360°. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second portion of wire which forms the pin of the respective hinge, forms the respective side or template of the frame as well, and comprises a segment of wire that is inclined relative to said pin, is at a distance from it, and is screwed around the outer surface of the turns of said helical spring, thereby forming an axial fastening means. This gives an additional retention action between the template and the frame. According to this embodiment, the sec¬ ond portion of wire may advantageously include an end section of approxi¬ mately straight wire forming the hinge pin, making a connecting curve at ap¬ proximately 80-90° to an approximately straight intermediate section which is connected in turn by said bend to said segment of wire that is inclined relative to said pin end section and positioned at a distance from said pin such as to create a frictional force between the segment of wire and the outer surface of the turns of the helical spring.

The first portion of wire and the second portion of wire may be made of from wires of different hardnesses, e.g. of steel and a titanium alloy, to avoid or reduce wear or seizing of the two portions due to the pivoting of the tem¬ plate with respect to the lens mounting portion of the frame.

According to a possible development of the invention, the portion of wire extending to form the respective side acts as a resilient spring member which, cooperating with the other of said portions of wire, defines a position of stable equilibrium of the side when the latter is in its open position. This makes the use of the frame particularly comfortable and practical.

In order to obtain a side or template whose wire acts as a spring, accord¬ ing to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bend formed by said wire lies in a plane which is almost parallel to the axis of the hinge, and the wire portion having said connection member for the connection to said mountings has a wire section which is approximately parallel to the hinge pin. The wire portion extending to form the respective side rests on said O 97/43683 PCMT97/00109

- 4 - wire section which is parallel to the hinge pin.

Additional advantageous features and embodiments of the frame accord¬ ing to the invention are set forth hereinafter and in the appended claims

The invention also relates to spectacles comprising a pair of lenses and a frame as described above. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be understood more clearly on examining the descrip¬ tion and attached drawing, which latter shows a practical, non-restrictive ex¬ ample of the invention. In the drawing- Fig 1 shows a front view of a pair of spectacles fitted with a frame ac¬ cording to the invention,

Fig 2 shows an enlargement of a portion of Fig 1 , in which the joint be¬ tween a side and the lens attachment means can be seen,

Fig 3 shows an enlarged side view on Ill-Ill as marked in Fig. 2; Fig 4 shows a local plan view on IV-IV as marked in Fig 1 ,

Fig. 5 shows a local section on V-V as marked in Fig. 2, Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show three stages in the assembly of the side, Fig 9 shows an intermediate bridge between the two lenses in one em¬ bodiment; Fig 10 shows the intermediate bridge between the two lenses in a sec¬ ond embodiment,

Fig 11 shows a section on XI-XI as marked in Fig 10, Fig. 12 shows a view of the bridge in a third embodiment, Fig 13 shows a view on XIII-XIII as marked in Fig. 12, Fig 14 shows a local section on XIV-XIV as marked in Fig 13,

Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of the bridge; Fig 16 shows a local section on XVI-XVI as marked in Fig 15, Fig. 17 shows a front view of a pair of spectacles fitted with a frame ac¬ cording to the invention in a further embodiment; Fig 18 shows an enlargement of Fig.17;

Fig 19 shows a side view according to line XIX-XIX in Fig 17; Figs. 20, 21 , 22 show a plan view of the hinge of the frame of Fig 17 in three different positions; Fig. 23 shows a side view of yet another embodiment; of the frame ac¬ cording to the invention;

Fig.24 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the frame of the in¬ vention with the side in open position; Fig. 25 shows a plan view according to line XXV-XXV in Fig.24;

Fig. 26 shows a side view similar to Fig.24, with the side in closed posi¬ tion; and

Fig. 27 shows a plan view according to line XVII-XVII in Fig.26. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to a rimless frame, but it will be understood that the same inventive concepts can also be applied to a rim-type frame or to one with half-rims around the lenses.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 16, the frame comprises a pair of sides 1 , 3 hinged by means of hinges 5 and 7 to intermediate components 9 and 11 for the fastening of the lenses L of the spectacles. The lenses L are linked to¬ gether by an intermediate bridge 13 to which pads 15 which rest on the nose are attached.

The intermediate components 9, 11 and the sides 1 , 3 are made of wire and preferably the wire that forms the components 9, 11 has a different hard- ness to that of the wire that forms the sides 1 , 3 in order to avoid problems of sticking.

The two intermediate components 9 and 11 are essentially symmetrical and it is component 11 that will be described in detail below. Component 11 comprises (see in particular Figs. 4 and 5) an approximately straight end 11A which is used to mount that particular lens L in the manner described later. Joining the end 11A is a straight middle portion 1 1 B approximately at right angles to the portion 11A and a further portion 11 C terminating in an end forming a helical winding 11 D (Figs. 2 and 3) which will be referred to as a "spring" in the context of the present description. The portion 11 C forms a connection member which connects the hinge to the devices which provide for the mounting of the lenses to the frame and which will be described later on. The helical spring 11 D, the turns of which are in mutual contact, is the first component of the hinge 7. Into this there fits axially a pin 3A formed by the wire of the associated side 3. As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 in particular, the end of the wire forming the side 3 is shaped in such a way that its essentially straight end section forms the pin 3A; the latter is connected to an approxi¬ mately straight intermediate section 3B angled at approximately 80-90° rela- tive to the pin. The intermediate section 3B is connected in turn by an ap¬ proximately 360° bend 3C to a segment of wire 3D that is inclined relative to the hinge pin end section 3A and positioned at a distance from the pin 3A that is slightly less than the diameter of the wire forming the helical spring 11D. The connection between the side 3 and the intermediate component 11 is made with the following sequence of operations, clearly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8: the side 3 is brought towards the mating component with an orientation such that its rearmost portion 3X (which fits behind the ear when in use) is towards the front, in other words in front of the lenses L (Fig. 6). In this position the pin 3A is inserted (in the direction of arrow F in Fig. 6) into the axial hole of the helical spring 11 D. The pin 3A is forced into the spring 11 D until the portion 3D of the wire forming the side 3 has been pushed over the first turn of the spring 11 D and is engaged in the groove between the first and second turns (see Fig. 7). This is brought about by gentle application of force because the distance between the pin 3A and the portion 3D of the wire form- ing the side 3 is (as mentioned earlier) slightly less than the diameter of the wire forming the spring 11 D. The elasticity of the wire of the side 3 allows the portion 3D and the pin 3A to be pulled elastically slightly apart to enable the former to be pushed over the first turn of the spring 11 D.

Having reached the position shown in Fig. 7, the side 3 is rotated in a clockwise direction about the axis of the pin 3A and of the spring 11 D as shown by arrow F1 (Fig. 7) through about 180° to reach the position shown in Fig. 8.

The rotation indicated by arrow F1 results in a screwing of the portion of wire 3B around the outer surface of the helical spring 11 D, the groove be- tween the contiguous turns of the spring 11D forming the helical screw-like channel in which the portion 3D of the wire forming the side 3 travels.

The position shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to the position of maximum opening of the side 3. It is defined by the stopping of the bend 3C against the O 97/43683 PCMT97/00109

- 7 - portion 11 C of the intermediate component 11. The side 3 is closed by turning it through 90° in the opposite direction to bring the side 3 towards the lenses L

Side 1 is assembled in the same way with symmetrical rotations. From the above account it will be clear that assembling the sides 3 is a quick and simple operation requiring no tools and no auxiliary hinge pins or screws. Axial retention of the hinge pin 3A in the helical spring 11 D is pro¬ vided by the elasticity of the wire forming the side 3, because the portion 3D of this wire is engaged in the helical channel defined by the contiguous turns of the spring 11 D. The same elasticity also provides a frictional force when the sides 1 , 3 are opened and closed. Axial retention is anyway provided by the wire portions 3D forming aπ abutment against the wire portion 11 C. The abut¬ ment prevents removal of the pin 3A from the coils of the helical spring 11 D. Rotation in the opposite direction to arrow F1 , with the side 3 being passed under its lens L, also enables easy dismantling of the side should re¬ pair or replacement be required. This operation is also done without the help of any kind of tool.

In the embodiment disclosed herein mounting of the intermediate com¬ ponents 9 and 11 on their respective lenses L is accomplished by a very ef- fective and reliable system described below with reference to component 11 , it being understood that component 9 is essentially symmetrical and is mounted in an equivalent manner. This system can be used in combination to a differ¬ ent kind of hinge as well.

The approximately straight end 11 A of the intermediate component 11 is inserted through a transverse hole 21 F (Fig. 5) in a tie bearing the general reference 21. The tie is made up of two parts, specifically an internally threaded sleeve 23 with a hexagonal head 23A (or some equivalent) to enable it to be screwed by a tool. Engaged in the threaded hole of the sleeve 23 is a screw member 25 in whose head 25A the transverse hole 21 F is made. Screwing the threaded member 25 into the sleeve 23 clamps the intermediate component 11 to the lens L. A washer 27 (which may be elastic) interposed between the portion 11 A of the component 11 and the rear surface of the lens L prevents direct contact between the wire and the lens and so prevents dam- age to the lens. Another washer (not shown) may be interposed between the hexagonal head 23A and the front surface of the lens L. Both washers may be of metal.

This mounting system is highly effective as it enables the relative posi- tion of the intermediate component 11 with respect to the lens L to be ad¬ justed, so that any errors made when making the hole in the lens L for the tie 21 can be compensated for. Before the components 23 and 25 are tightened together, after having inserted the straight portion 11A of the component 11 through the transverse hole 21 F, the intermediate component 11 is placed against the lens to insert the portion 11 B in a lateral notch T (Fig. 2) formed on the edge of the lens L, in order to ensure that once the tie 21 is tightened up, there can be no relative movement (angular or otherwise) between the in¬ termediate component 11 and the lens.

A similar clamping system is used to fasten the intermediate bridge 13 to the two lenses L.

Figs. 10 and 11 show an embodiment in which the bridge 13 comprises two symmetrical ends 13B, each of which fits into a transverse hole in the head 31 of a threaded member 30 engaged in a threaded sleeve 33 passing through a hole formed in the corresponding lens L. The two components 31 and 33 thus form a tie, bearing the general reference 32, which is essentially equivalent to the tie 21. Integral with the threaded member 30 are two brack¬ ets 35 supporting the pads 15 that rest on the nose. These pads cannot therefore be adjusted relative to the lenses, but the distance between the lenses and the position of the bridge with respect to the lenses can be ad- justed by pushing the ends 13B of the bridge 13 in either direction through the transverse hole in each of the threaded members 30 before tightening to¬ gether the components 30 and 33 of each tie 32.

Fig. 9 shows a version in which a single wire forms the bridge 13 and two brackets to which the pads 15 are attached. Assembly is by means of two ties 30 similar to those described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show an improved embodiment in which the support¬ ing brackets 35 of the pads 15 are not welded to the clamping ties 32, but in¬ stead have ends 35A that fit into the same hole into which the ends 13A of the bridge 13 are inserted. By this means it is possible, before the threaded mem¬ ber 30 and threaded sleeve 33 are tightened together, to adjust the relative positions of the bridge 13, lenses L and pads 15. Figs. 13 and 14 show in greater detail the clamping tie of one end 13A of the bridge 13. As can be seen in these figures, the end portions 13A of the bridge and the ends 35A of each bracket 35 are compressed in such a way as to reduce the cross-section of the wire in order to accommodate both wires forming the bridge 13 and the bracket 35 in the same transverse hole in the threaded member 30. The cross-section of the end portions of the bridge and of the brackets is bounded by an arc of a circle and a straight line, the latter corresponding to a flattening of that particular wire. The bridge and the brackets 35 are in contact over these flattened portions.

In Figs. 15 and 16 the wire that forms the bridge 13 and portions 13A that fit into the ties 32 extends so as also to form the brackets 35 to which the nose support pads are attached. In this version it is possible to adjust the po¬ sition of the lenses L and of the bridge 13, but the relative positions of the pads 15 and bridge 13 remains fixed, except for the adjustments permitted by the deformability of the brackets 35.

Because the lenses L also have notches for the bridge 13 similar to the notches T, in order to avoid relative movements of rotation between the bridge and the lenses about the axes of the ties 32, the system described herein al¬ lows any errors in the positioning of the holes through which the ties 32 pass, with respect to the edges of the lenses L, to be compensated for.

Figs. 17 to 22 show a modified embodiment of the spectacle frame ac- cording to the invention. Also in this case the frame is of the rimless type, but it should be understood that this is only a non limiting example.

The frame includes a pair of sides or templates 101 , 103, hinged by means of hinges 105, 107 to intermediate components 109 and 111 for the fastening of the lenses L of the spectacle. The lenses L are linked together by an intermediate bridge 113 to which pads 115 which rest on the nose are at¬ tached. The intermediate components 109, 111 and the sides 101 , 103 are made of wire, if requested in two different alloys in order to avoid seizure and wear phenomena. The two intermediate components 109, 111 may have any desired shape and are not described in detail, but only to the extent which is related to the hinge for the sides 101 , 103. The intermediate components could also be formed by the end portions of wires forming the rims of the lenses, or other. They could also be portions of wire integral with a rim made of plastic or other material (e.g. soldered metal rather than bent wire) in which the lenses are mounted.

The two intermediate components 109, 111 are symmetrical and for the sake of simplicity only the component 111 will be described. As shown in par- ticular in Fig.19, the wire portion forming the intermediate component 111 in¬ cludes a terminal portion having a reversed U-shape with an approximately straight wire portion 111 A and a wire portion 111 B parallel thereto, forming the pin of the respective hinge 107, the axis of which is designated A-A. A wire portion designated 111C serves as a connection member for the hinge to the front part of the frame, where the lenses L are mounted.

Each side 101 , 103 is made of a shaped wire. It should be understood, however, that for the purpose of the present invention it is sufficient for the portion of each side which is nearer to the respective hinge to be made of wire. The two sides are symmetrical and only the side 103 will be described in detail. As shown in detail in Fig.19, the portion of wire which forms the side 103 has a bend 103A of approximately 360°. 103B and 103C designate two approximately straight portions of wire which converge into the bend 103A. The portion 103C ends with an eyelet 103D actually formed by a series of helical turns which are in mutual contact and which form in essence a com- pressed helicoidal spring. When mounted the pin 111 B formed by the wire section of the intermediate component 111 is arranged inside the helical spring 103D. The members 103 and 111 B make up the very hinge which con¬ nects the intermediate component 111 and the side 103.

As shown in particular in Figs. 20 to 22, the wire forming the side 103 is slightly curved at 103E between the portion 103B and the central portion of the side itself. The wire forming the side 103 rests with its curved section 103E on the portion of wire 111A and is pressed against the latter when the side 103 is rotated toward the opened position. The opening movement is repre- sented in the sequence of Figs 20 to 22 in Fig 20 the side 103 is closed, in Fig 21 the side is in an intermediate position and in Fig 22 the side is open As clearly shown in these figures, when rotating according to arrow f103 the bend 103A is elastically deformed, since the angle formed by the wire portions 103B, 103C varies from a minimum (Fig 20) to a maximum (Fig 21 ) and then decreases again (Fig 22) The opened position of Fig 22 is therefore a posi¬ tion of stable equilibrium From the position of Fig 21 the side 103 can be re¬ leased in the opened position of Fig 22 or in the closed position of Fig 20 by slightly pushing it in one direction or the other The maximum opening position (Fig 22) is defined by an abutment formed by the bend 103A which rests on the intermediate component 111

Fig 23 shows a modified embodiment of the spectacle of Figs 17-22 wherein the helical spring or eyelet is formed by the wire which forms the in¬ termediate component 111 , while the pin of the hinge is formed by the wire of the side 103 In Fig 23 the pin is shown at 103F and the eyelet is shown at 111 E

Also in the embodiment of Figs 17 to 23 the sides are mounted by means of a rotation of approximately 180° according to a sequence of move¬ ments similar to the one shown in Figs 6-8, but with the side passing above the lens rather than below it This allows assembling and disassembling of the sides without the aid of tools The sides are prevented from being disengaged because the wire 103 bent at 103A embraces the connection member 111 C Disassembling is possible only if the side is elastically deformed and made to pass above the lenses Figs 24-27 show a further embodiment of the frame according to the in¬ vention Corresponding parts are labeled with the same references numbers as in Figs 17-22, increased by hundred In this embodiment the frame is of the type including a rim R around the lenses L In this case the intermediate component 211 has a connection member 211 C which connects the pin 211 B of the hinge 207 to the rim R surrounding the lens L The wire forming the side or template 203 forms a bend 203A and a helical spring 203D

In this embodiment the spring effect of the wire forming the side 203 is missing Assembling and disassembling can be obtained in the same way as shown in Figs. 6-8, with the template or side 203 passing above the lens L rather than below it as in Figs. 6-8.

It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example by way of a practical demonstration of the invention, it being possible for the latter to be varied as regards shapes and arrangements without thereby departing from the scope of the concept underlying the invention. Any reference numerals present in the accompanying claims are for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims with reference to the description and drawing, and do not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.

Claims

1. Spectacle frame comprising mountings (9, 11 , 25; 109, 111 ; 211 ) for the lenses (L) and a pair of sides (1 , 3; 101 , 103; 203) fastened to said mountings by means of respective hinges (5, 7; 105, 107; 207) having a rota- tion axis (A-A), in which each of said hinges is formed from a first portion of wire wound into a helical spring (11 D; 103D; 111 E; 203D) and from a second portion of wire forming a hinge pin (3A; 111 B; 103F; 211 B) that fits into said helical spring, one of said portions of wire extending to form the respective side (1 , 3; 101 , 103; 203) and the other portion of wire having a connection member (11 C; 111 C; 211 C) for the connection to said mountings (9, 11 , 25; 109, 111 ; 211 ), characterized in that the portion of wire forming the side (1 , 3; 101 , 103: 203) has a bend (3C; 103A; 203A) which defines a first abutment against the con¬ nection member, to retain the pin (3A; 111 B; 103F) into engagement with the helical spring (11 D; 103D; 111 E; 203D), and a second abutment to limit the maximum aperture of said side.

2. Frame according to claim 1 , characterized in that said bend is ap¬ proximately 340-360°.

3. Frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second portion of wire forms the respective side (1 , 3) and comprises a segment of wire (3D) that is inclined relative to said pin (3A), is at a distance from it, and is screwed around the outer surface of the turns of said helical spring, thereby forming an axial fastening means.

4. Frame according to claim 3, characterized in that said second por- tion of wire includes an end section of approximately straight wire forming said pin (3A), making a connecting curve at approximately 80-90° to an approxi¬ mately straight intermediate section (3B) which is connected in turn by said bend (3C) to said segment of wire (3D) that is inclined relative to said pin (3A) and positioned at a distance from said pin such as to create a frictional force between the segment of wire (3D) and the outer surface of the turns of the helical spring (11 D).

5. Frame according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said first portion forming the helical spring (11 D; 11 1 E) is integral with the respective mountings (9, 11 ; 109, 111 ) and said second portion forming the pin (3A; 103F) is formed at one end of the respective side (1 , 3; 101 , 103).

6. Frame according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said first portion of wire and said second portion of wire are made from wires of different hardnesses.

7. Frame according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it is a rimless frame in which said mountings comprise two connecting components (9, 11 ; 109, 111 ) between the lenses (L) and the sides (1 , 3; 101 , 103), each component comprising at one end a means (11A) of connection to its respective lens and at the other end forming said helical spring (11 D; 111 E) or said pin (111 B).

8. Frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portion of wire extending to form the respective side (101 , 103) acts as a spring member which, cooperating with the other of said portions of wire, defines a position of stable equilibrium of the side (101 , 103) when the latter is in its open position.

9. Frame according to claim 2 and 8, characterized in that said bend (103A) lies in a plane which is almost parallel to the axis (A-A) of the hinge (105, 107), that the wire portion having said connection member (111 C) for the connection to said mountings has a wire section (111A) which is approxi- mately parallel to the hinge pin (111B; 103F), and that the wire portion extend¬ ing to form the respective side (101 , 103) rests on said wire section (1 11A) which is parallel to the hinge pin (111 B; 103F).

10. Frame according to claim 9, characterized in that the portion of wire extending to form the respective side (101 , 103) has a curvature (103E) lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis (A-A) of the hinge (105, 107).

11. Frame according to claim 10, characterized in that said portion of wire extending to form the respective side (101, 103) contacts the wire section (111 A) which is parallel to the hinge pin (111 B; 103F) in correspondence of said curvature (103E).

12. Frame according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 11 , characterized in that said helical spring (103D) is formed by the wire portion extending to form the side (101 , 103) and said hinge pin (111 B) is formed by the portion of wire connected to said mounting.

13. Spectacles comprising a pair of lenses (L) and a frame according to any of Claims 1 to 12.