EP1540408A1

EP1540408A1 - Novel method of assembling viewing glasses and the products thus obtained

Info

Publication number: EP1540408A1
Application number: EP03761864A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daoudi Fouad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2003-06-11
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: AU2003251223A1; WO2004003633A1; MA25780A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel method of designing and producing eyeglass-type sun or viewing glasses (Fig. 1) in which two lateral cords (3) replace the standard arms. The aforementioned lateral cords are fixed directly to the glasses (1) and are hooked over and behind the ears. Said cords are subsequently anchored in place in the natural half-cone formed at that point with the head, using a suitably-shaped end piece (5, 5'). In this way, the glasses are pressed against the face and nose rather than being supported by same and can be spontaneously adjusted. Several methods of fixing the cords to the glasses have been considered, in particular methods whereby the fixing elements are removed from the field of vision (Fig. 5 and 6), thereby increasing the latter.

Description

NEW PROCESS FOR VIEWING GLASS AND PRODUCTS THUS OBTAINED

Inventor: Omar DRISSI DAOUDI

The present invention relates to a new process for dressing prescription glasses and the products thus obtained.

The invention relates essentially to the fields of optics and eyewear in their various applications. Thus, the various types of corrective, sunglasses and leisure, day and night driving glasses, those for professional use, those intended for visual rehabilitation, those serving as protective masks, as well as various instruments are concerned, such as spectacle binoculars for example, and magnifying glasses for watchmaking, etc. It thus relates generally to all articles with the port similar to that of the glasses, calling upon the natural supports which are the nose and the ears.

The history of human glasses evolved from the lens which was worn directly wedged in the orbit, then the circled monocle, the binocular with manual grip, stored in a pocket or a case, and finally the glasses in their current design, equipped of articulated arms resting on the circumference of the ears. This development naturally benefited from very useful and effective knowledge in the field of geometric optics and knowledge of materials, in particular glass.

The most recent development has particularly concerned materials, with an increasingly marked adoption of synthetic materials, plastics in particular and resins, some of which, recognized as good quality, are called organic glasses, and whose properties are studied to provide a visual comfort as satisfactory, if not better than many mineral glasses, because of the treatments that the material undergoes specially for the identified needs. However, synthetic materials also attract attention for two priority reasons: one is their lightness, usually corresponding to greater robustness, therefore sought security, and the other is their ease of manufacture, since these materials are obtained by molding at low temperature, comparable to that of most plastics, or by solidification of a cold resin.

Lightness is therefore an understandable objective due to the fatigue and weariness that heavy glasses worn for long hours can actually cause. In this research, but also with the fashion effects, we sometimes came to offer the public glasses with glasses so reduced that the discomfort and partial obstruction of the visual field were exaggerated. In the most recent designs, and to do this, the frame itself is greatly reduced, either by the adoption of plastic materials, or by the reduction of the dimensions of the frame, reduced even to a simple metal wire, consistent with its functions.

The present invention aims to contribute to the comfort of users, by lightening glasses, but also by providing new provisions tending to modify the usual role attributed to the latter, by making it an object of multiple utility, by integrating other functions, while eliminating the disgrace that their constitution can sometimes present. In addition, the invention provides them with a better "dressing", in order to personalize them and harmonize them with each one's style.

Regarding glasses with more utilitarian, even professional functions, the invention aims to provide better safety in their wearing, their storage and essentially, guarantee their wearer more pleasure, by the ° deletion or rearrangement of elements which can sometimes be a source of accidents; it aims to simplify manufacturing, while raising the overall quality level, both by the materials used, and by their arrangement which is less restrictive to use. Finally, the combination of the various elements of the invention makes it possible to obtain glasses better suited to the face, and ultimately providing better protection.

The state of the art in the design of glasses, apart from the improvements in materials, which relate in part to the present invention, reveals many of the options envisaged in terms of fixing the frames. So :

> US patent 836796 dating from 1906 already showed a design where the arms ^ are replaced by two cords terminated by two closed loops surrounding the ears, and adjustable by means of a small ring, called a slide.

> UK patent No. 229858 attaches to means for attaching a chain to the glasses 5> UK patent No. L 158457 mentions a device using cords pulled above the ears by two counterweights used as pendants

> The patent FR N ° 2482316 proposes an arm system each of which is formed by a double cord with independently adjustable strands so as to optimize the application of the glasses on the face, and also proposes a 0 loop piece adapting around the ear

> FR patents N ° 2572195 and N ° 2580825 expose the association of glasses with a protective case worn as a medallion, and also use a closed cord as an arm

> Patent No. WO 90/15358 / PCT / US90 / 03081 relating to sports glasses 5 describes an adjustable cord device behind the head by means of a small sliding ring, the two lateral parts of the cord pulling on a frame comprising a central nasal protuberance in flexible support on the nose.

> Patent No. WO 99/05561 / PCT FR98 / 01613 describes a system for mounting the arms based on the molding of a relief (protuberance), 0 at the respective left and right ends of the corresponding glasses.

This design only replaces the usual glass holes.

> The patents N ° FR-A-2.715.235 and N ° 9612798 also disclose arms and mounts fixing devices, which however do not allow to release as completely the visible external surface of the optical glass. 5> US Pat. No. 5,162,823 shows a system of arms ending in “D” shapes which are supposed to adapt better to the ears.

> Patent US4723844 recommends for the arms a system of two flexible wires, terminated however at the ears by semi-rigid plastic elements, shaped to hang on the front and rear of the 0 ears, following the curve and similar to the elements in "D" above. The essential problem posed by this configuration is not to immediately adapt to any face, because of the length of the wires which must be adjusted beforehand for each.

Known solutions in fact only partially solve the problems of:

> The persistence of point tensions on the ears and head

> The discomfort of bulky items, such as cords behind the head or pendants under the throat

> The natural adaptation of the arms, or cords, to the size of the head> The risk of slipping due to sweat, water, ... on the face,

> Full automatic adjustment - or self-adjustment - when removing and replacing glasses, and during head movements.

The main aim of the invention is precisely to solve these problems. However, it aims much more, as mentioned above, and this is how it offers a whole new way of seeing and protecting oneself, with lightened, ventilated glasses, without obstruction of the visual field, and of a sought-after aesthetic, easily adaptable.

The invention, as characterized in the claims, consists of the joining of two spectacle lenses, by means of at least one intermediate central bridge, the lenses being left free elsewhere, so that by a point fixing at their left and right ends, fixing which can be direct or indirect, by means of an intermediate piece, a cord is called to play on each side the role of a mounting arm by being provided at its free end a stop or stop in the form of a compact object in volume, the function of which is to insert itself above and behind the ear, between the latter and the head, so as to constitute there a point d 'anchor for the cord; the two cords thus formed have the function of exerting traction on the ends of the glasses, to press them towards the face; this function is achieved by an elastic arrangement of these two cords, achievable in special ways, supplemented by a possible pivoting of the plane of the lenses worn, around two supports formed on the vertical middle part of the frame bridge as follows: on the other side of the straight segment connecting the attachment points of the two cords on the lenses (line of traction): in the upper part, by a protuberance of the frame in the direction of the face, and in the lower part in relation to this segment, by the nose pads; in this way, the glasses are applied stably to the nose and above, while retaining a desirable flexibility unprecedented in the horizontal direction; this arrangement provides automatic adjustment of the glasses on the face, the two stops (stops) of cords being positioned stably, as light as their weight may be, in the semi-cone naturally existing between the ears and the head.

The essential characteristics of the invention thus consist in the abandonment of the usual system of arms and cords weighted with weights or pulled behind the ears by sliding rings, and their replacement by two flexible cords, with very light wearing and in contact pleasant, self-traction, requiring for their fixing on the glasses of simple points, so that the following results result from this design:

> Very reduced weight of glasses, by eliminating frame frames and rigid arms > Total comfort around the ears, for which conventional arms and other hook-type devices, never conforming perfectly, create tension at pressure points

> Great overall compactness, with easily stored cords> Smaller cases, mainly in thickness

> Greater robustness, due to the elimination of joints

> Possibilities of simplifying the lateral fixings on the glass

> Auto-adjustment of the glasses plate

> Better adaptation to flat noses due to traction (eg Asian noses)> Use of specially made cords for additional uses

> Multiple industrial results including: simplification of manufacturing, lower costs, new developments.

ILLUSTRATIONS: In order to better understand the invention, some specific embodiments are set out below as simple illustrations.

A new process for dressing prescription glasses is constituted, and the products thus obtained, according to the invention, or according to certain of its methods of application and execution, to which it seems that there is reason to give the preferably, as follows: f _or carrying out the invention, the procedure for example as follows, one in the component elements according to the following provisions:

Figure 1 Plate I shows an overview of the pair of glasses with its cords and their stops

Figure 2 Plate I shows the detail of a protuberance, also called upper bridge or abutment on the face

Figure 3 Plate I shows a detail of the cord system with the stop and a possibility of adjustment of the latter by thread

Figure 4 Plate I represents a detail of the cord system with the stopper and a possibility of elastic adjustment of the latter by spring Figure 5 Plate II represents a device for fixing the end of the cord to a glass by means of a screw flat head and a cap nut Figure 6 Plate II represents a different device for fixing the end of the bead to a glass, by means of a hook with welding Figure 7 Plate II represents a different device for fixing the end of the bead on a glass, by hollow crimped rivet

Figure 8 Plate II represents a different device for fixing the end of the bead to a glass, with masking of the fixing from the outside.

A pair of glasses is formed, according to this example, by first preparing the various components, and first of all the glasses (1), by making the fixing holes necessary for their meeting around the central bridge (2), which is a piece preferably monobloc, and which itself comprises either pads on the nose, relatively independent and adjustable, as a preferential arrangement, or extensions acting as office, made in the mass and therefore fixed. Other holes are made at the ends of the glasses, which will be used to fix the cords, and which, in a simplified version which is that of the example, consist of small rivets passing through the glasses from the outside (convex face) inwards, where they are stopped either by a washer or a circular spring (rod), or by a small nut, which complete immobilizing them. Finally, at the internal end of the rivet, there is a shape, such as a ring for example (11), in which the end of the cord is fixed, by simple bending and knot on itself or by sewing, gluing, crimping or other.

At the ends of the cords, there are fixed stops which will come, as already explained,

(behind the ears, in their upper part. Comfort is assured by giving the cords an elasticity such that the glasses are applied gently but with sufficient firmness, which can be obtained either by elastic cords or by attached springs , or even integrated with these stops, or a combination of these provisions.

This device is usefully supplemented according to the invention, by the constitution of the stops (stops) in a flexible material, such as synthetic rubber, or the like, which will have the double advantage of giving more security to the wearer in the event of a side impact ( in a vehicle for example), and to provide greater grip of this stop between the ear and the head (earhook).

VARIANTS: the invention, as well as the specific arrangement illustrated, are naturally capable of being designed in several variants, according to the needs, or according to the necessities of the practical realizations.

A simple variant is that of replacing the cord with a chain which provides traction on the glasses. Another interesting variant consists of a combination of flexible parts and (semi) rigid parts for the cord. The latter will advantageously correspond to the specific parts going from the fixing on the glasses, to the rest on the ears: in fact, this part is called to be always taut and, moreover, it is most visible laterally, so that the he user may wish to highlight it, as well as the manufacturer, if it is made of valuable materials, or if it includes the mark of the latter: in this case we would simply keep the point fixation at the glasses, as before.

Variants may concern the shape of the stops, and we essentially recommend for this element, two shapes: the first, a small sphere, and the second a cone (or truncated cone), whose common advantage is to adapt the better at their location behind the ear. In particular, the cone, the preferred shape illustrated in Figure 4, is capable of an apex angle better suited to different physiologies, such as plated ears, or on the contrary detached.

To keep the glasses in perfect safety at the time of their removal, a variant is that which connects the two stops, at the rear, by a closed cord intended to allow the user to wear them around the neck.

An interesting variant consists in the design of the cords as electrical conductors, carrying a sound from a radio (type with frequency modulation, MP3 standard, etc.), or from a portable telephone device (GSM, or other, ... etc.). In these two cases, the headphones will naturally be supported along the length of the cord, at ear height: it is preferable to use the lightest devices.

An important variant, permitted by the invention, consists of the constitution of glasses with variable geometry, around the bridge which. to do this, will be made up of articulated central parts, which will be small nested friction parts, drawn in their center by a powerful spring, or elements nested by force, so that the natural friction of the materials maintain their relative immobilization . It goes without saying that a simpler variant would consist in constituting the bridge in a deformable material. It should be emphasized here that this variant is made possible particularly by the invention, since the use of current articulated arms does not allow an effective adjustment of the planes of the lenses around the eyes without significant alteration of the geometry of the frames. and without risk of embrittlement either of the glasses or of the other elements. Conversely, the invention allows this central bending to provide better coverage of the eyes, the cord adjusting by nature. Thus, much greater comfort can be obtained.

Ultra-compact variant: The arrangement of the glasses according to the invention, without frame uniting the glasses, also allows, in the option of glasses with fixed or variable geometry, the possibility of having separable glasses, which is achievable simply by making fit and disengage at will two parts of the bridge connecting them. In this case, the glasses can be superimposed for storage needs in a case reduced in size by half, both for the length and for the thickness: thus, an additional compactness of the assembly can easily be obtained by making this case even a pendant, keychain element or other, within easy reach.

Variant for high-power glasses: in many cases where users are forced to wear high-power glasses, especially those with high concavity, the weight of the glasses becomes very large and quickly tiresome. In addition, it is known that these glasses are very unsightly because of their large thickness. The invention easily solves this problem by the provision of a specific assembly consisting in including an optical glass of small dimensions in the central part of ordinary glasses (of the protective glass type), with a mounting by simple pressure, so that the thickness of the assembly remains acceptable. PREFERENTIAL PROVISIONS FOR FASTENERS:

> A most interesting arrangement results from the fact that the point connection of the cord with the glass does not induce tensions on the latter, unlike the conventional system of arms. Therefore, it is possible to make a fixing by means of metal or plastic parts, such as the previously described rivet (13), of a diameter large enough to be able to contain well crimped valuable parts, such as precious stones or grains of precious metals, which can thus, carefully placed and completely hiding the fixation itself, barely surface on the surface of the glasses, for the greatest overall aesthetic. > An equally interesting, robust and aesthetic arrangement, illustrated in FIG. 7, consists in the use of a hollow rivet (12) mounted adjusted, by the face convex of the glass in a very small hole (of the order of a millimeter) and into which is inserted the simple end of a wire - notably metal - corresponding to the end of the cord to be connected; the wire is crimped into the rivet by pressure, or even welded with a very penetrating metal such as silver. The operation ends either by forcing the rivet thus connected to the cord, in the hole of the glass, or by the addition of a strong adhesive, which will result in sealing off the micro-cracks which have arisen in the latter.

> A special arrangement is also made possible by the invention, for the same reason of the absence of tensions, and which consists in practicing a weld at the level of the fixing, on a rod placed from behind, so as to maintain this last, which is integral with the cord. In its simplest form, (Figure 6), it will be a noble metal hook for which we will practice a simple drilling through the glass and on which will come a drop of tin alloy, chosen for its low point suitable for organic glass, and its persistent shine.

> Another process suitable for the invention is that of surface chemical bonding, or hot bonding, which both, analogous although profoundly different, are made possible by the general concept, and result in a refined aesthetic of the together: they are practiced by relating the relatively wide base of a small part, directly on the optical glass, to its concave part, either by the interface of an adhesive, or by heat, a process used in plastics processing.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and illustrated. It covers the whole concept, explained herein, of new glasses, as well as the bridge with articulated curvature correction, as well as the hollow crimp rivet, as new products; the invention also covers the processes represented by the system for attaching and adhering the glasses, the system for point fixing directly by welding on the organic glass; it covers in particular the applications of adaptation to portable electronics; Finally, it covers, as new combinations, side cords associated with a lighting lamp, scientific or medical devices, detectors (types of gas, Geiger, luxmeter, etc.), without limitation.

More generally, the invention covers all the systems which can use it essentially for their constitution or their adequate functioning, the tools necessary for its production, as well as all the combinations likely to employ its special characteristics to contribute to their own ends.

Claims

1. New method for covering sight glasses, and products thus obtained, characterized in that two sight glasses, first assembled by means of at least one intermediate central bridge, and preferably not framed, together or individually , are arranged so that by a point of fixing point at their left and right ends, fixing which can be direct or indirect, by means of an intermediate piece, a cord (3) is called to play on each side the role of a mounting arm by being provided at its free end with a stop or stop (5) in the form of a compact object in volume, the function of which is to be inserted at the top and behind the ear, between the latter and the head, so as to constitute there an anchor point for the cord; the two cords thus formed have the function of exerting traction on the ends of the glasses, to press them towards the face; this function is achieved by an elastic arrangement of these two cords, achievable in special ways, supplemented by a possible pivoting of the plane of the lenses worn, around two supports formed on the vertical middle part of the frame bridge as follows: on the other side of the straight segment connecting the attachment points of the two cords on the lenses (line of traction): in the upper part, by a protuberance of the frame in the direction of the face, and in the lower part in relation to this segment, by the nose pads; in this way, the glasses are applied stably to the nose and above, while retaining a desirable flexibility unprecedented in the horizontal direction; this arrangement provides automatic adjustment of the glasses on the face, the two stops (stops) of cords being positioned stably, as light as their weight, in the half-cone naturally existing between the ears and the head. (Figures 1 to 4).

2. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, by way of the stop device also called stop, a truncated cone (5 ′) is used arranged horizontally behind the ear, the l The apex angle can vary so as to conform to different human physiologies.

3. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 2, characterized in that, as the material constituting the stops (5, 5 ′), a polymer or other flexible material is used, so as to avoid the consequences of possible side impacts while strengthening the adhesion of these stops between the ear and the wearer's head.

4. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, as supports for a portable radio, or for a mobile telephone, the cords are used as electrical conductors to which are physically and electrically, at least one earpiece, and a microphone.

5. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in order to ensure a permanent pulling effect for pressing them onto the glasses by means of inextensible cords, springs (8) are used incorporated in the cord stops, combined with a threading device (7) making it possible to extend the available length of the cords and their final tension (Fig. 3 and / or Fig. 4).

6. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the purposes of an assembly making the fixings invisible on the glasses, rivets are used, at least on the lateral sides of the latter. (13) passing through the glass, of a sufficiently large diameter to be able to accommodate, crimped or glued from the outside, an element of value such as stones or precious metals (14).

7. Method for covering spectacle lenses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for obtaining glasses with variable geometry, a trigger guard (2) is used, made up of nested elements drawn from the inside against the others, by a spring, or an elastic material so that any forced movement of these parts relative to each other can be maintained during normal use.

8. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the purposes of storage occupying a minimum of space, and the assurance of being able to keep the protective case permanently at hand , a concept is used which consists in being able to separate the glasses, by means of a device for interlocking components of the trigger guard, such as male and female parts.

9. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the purpose of fixing the bead to the glass, without causing tensions in the latter, an intermediate piece is used, such as hook (11 ) passing through the glass, fixed by a welding point of a metal with an appropriate melting point.

10. Method for covering sight glasses, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, by way of fixing the bead on the glass, without causing tensions in the latter, an intermediate piece is used, such as a thin hollow rivet with flat or rounded head (12) which, passing through the glass from the outside through a tiny hole, will come to tighten on the end of the cord, made of a thin and robust wire, of special material, the result being a very fastening barely visible from the outside.

11. A method of covering spectacle lenses, according to Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, by virtue of obtaining very high protection of the eyes against external aggressions, at the same time as the maximum extent of the field of vision, mainly in the case of glasses adaptable to the face by deformable bridge, glasses in portions of spherical caps, or a neighboring shape, are used, so that the rotation of the eye in almost the entire field does not meet the obstacle of the frames, fixings or edges of the lenses.

12. Method for covering spectacle lenses, according to Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, to lighten and make unsightly high-power spectacles, corrective lenses of small dimensions are used, positioned towards the center of organic lenses by simple pressure, so that the entire optics is sufficiently reduced in thickness and thus greatly reduced.