EP3170049A1

EP3170049A1 - Hinge for spectacles frame

Info

Publication number: EP3170049A1
Application number: EP15736469.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominique Delamour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-15
Filing date: 2015-07-09
Publication date: 2017-05-24
Also published as: US20170212362A1; US10061141B2; WO2016008796A1; FR3023928B1; FR3023928A1

Abstract

A hinge (4G) for a spectacles frame, comprising a front-face element (1), a side element (2) and a connecting element (3) connecting said front-face element (1) to said side element (2), said connecting element (3) comprising a base member (5), mounted in the side element (2), and a head member (6), housed in the front-face element (1), the base member (5) being articulated directly to said head member (6) about a vertical first axis of articulation (Z1), the head member (6) of the connecting element (3) being articulated directly to the front-face element (1) about a horizontal second axis of articulation (X2).

Description

HINGE FOR EYEWEAR MOUNT

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART The present invention relates to the field of eyeglass frames and, more particularly, that of spectacle frame hinges.

Conventionally, a pair of glasses consists of a spectacle frame in which are mounted solar glasses, sight or fantasy. The spectacle frame comprises a front face, also called main frame, adapted to receive said glasses, and two branches mounted at the lateral ends of said front face. Each branch is connected to the main frame by means of a hinge which allows mainly to fold / unfold the branch.

Subsequently, the terms horizontal and vertical are defined with respect to an eyeglass frame in the use position which comprises a front face in a vertical plane and longitudinal branches adapted to unfold in a horizontal plane, that is, that is, orthogonally to said front face. Subsequently, the transverse plane designates the plane which is both orthogonal to the horizontal plane and to the vertical plane.

Ordinarily, a hinge comprises a front face member, a leg member and a connecting member connecting said front face member to said leg member so as to allow rotation of the leg member with respect to the front member. before in the horizontal plane. In other words, each hinge allows a horizontal rotation to fold / unfold the branches of the glasses relative to the front face between an open position and a closed position. Such a horizontal rotation is known from the prior art and will not be presented in more detail. In addition, such a hinge allows to allow over-opening, which improves its life.

Furthermore, in order to increase the lifetime of spectacle frames, it has been proposed to allow the rotation of the branches of the spectacles in the transverse plane in order to limit the risk of breakage. For this purpose, patent application US5596789A discloses a ball-type hinge which comprises a branch element comprising a guide sphere mounted in a cage, of complementary shape, connected to the front face element. Such a ball joint allows rotations along 3 perpendicular and concurrent axes. Such a hinge is complex and expensive to manufacture due to the machining of spherical surfaces of the ball joint. In addition, the assembly is complex and long to implement.

To avoid recourse to spherical surfaces, WO2004067977A1 discloses a hinge which allows, on the one hand, a rotation in a horizontal plane and, on the other hand, a rotation in a transverse plane. This hinge includes a front face member, a leg member and a connecting member connecting said front face member to said leg member. The connecting element comprises a first portion, in the form of a first hook extending in a transverse plane, which is guided in the front face member and a second portion, in the form of a second hook extending in a horizontal plane, which is guided in the branch element. The first hook and the second hook cooperate together to allow rotation in the horizontal plane and in the transverse plane at their point of contact. In practice, the point of contact between the hooks is mobile depending on the orientation of the branch. As a result, it is necessary to provide additional means for centering between the leg member and the front face member.

In addition, such a hinge requires a large number of elements, in particular, one or more springs, which are complex to install in the hinge. Furthermore, the step of manufacturing the hooks, the machining step of the hook guide openings and the assembly step are long and complex to implement, which increases the cost price of the hinge . Incidentally, there are known hinges of simple design but these are visible from the outside, which presents a drawback for users increasingly concerned about the aesthetics of their glasses. Furthermore, US Pat. No. 7,264,349 B1 discloses a spectacle frame whose branches can be removed quickly. Nevertheless, such a frame does not allow over-opening and is not relevant. The invention therefore aims to remedy at least some of these disadvantages by providing a new hinge capable of allowing a first rotation in a horizontal plane and a second rotation in a transverse plane. The invention also aims to provide a hinge of simple design, aesthetic, robust and having a limited number of elements that are simple to manufacture and assemble to reduce the cost.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

An eyeglass frame hinge comprising a front face member, a leg member and a connecting member connecting said front face member to said leg member, said link member having a base member mounted in the branch member, and a head member, housed in the front face member, the base member being directly articulated with respect to said head member according to a first axis of vertical articulation.

The hinge is remarkable in that the head member of the connecting element is directly articulated with respect to the front face element according to a second axis of horizontal articulation. Thanks to the hinge according to the invention, movements in two separate planes can be made in a simple manner for a limited cost. Advantageously, the front face member allows to participate directly in the articulation of the branch member, which avoids the need for an additional piece as in the prior art. According to the invention, the head member is articulated and itself incorporates a joint, which increases the compactness. In addition, the connecting element is inserted in the front face element and the branch element, which improves the aesthetic appearance.

Preferably, the base member protrudes from the leg member to extend into the front face member as well. Advantageously, the first axis of vertical articulation and the second axis of horizontal articulation are concurrent, which allows the hinge to have functions similar to a ball while being free from the difficulties of manufacture and assembly of this last. In addition, the centering of the branch is automatic, which is advantageous.

Preferably, the front face element comprising an internal cavity housing the head member, said internal cavity has an inner guiding surface which extends along the second axis of horizontal articulation. More preferably, the inner guiding surface is in the form of a portion of an annular cylindrical envelope. Thus, the inner shape of the front face member advantageously forms a guide surface for directly guiding the head member. Preferably, the head member comprising at least one outer guide surface which extends along the second axis of horizontal articulation, said outer guide surface has a shape complementary to said inner surface for guiding said internal cavity of the front panel element. Thus, the articulation is optimally effected by sliding between the two guide surfaces. More preferably, the outer guide surface is in the form of a portion of an annular cylindrical envelope.

Preferably, the head member comprises two interface pieces. Preferably, each interface piece is an annular section cylinder portion having a flat surface and a curved surface.

Preferably, the base member comprises a connecting bar which is articulated to the head member according to the first axis of vertical articulation. The connecting element thus integrates its articulation means, which is advantageous.

Preferably, the front face element comprises an opening face adapted to cooperate with the branch member in the open position of the hinge and a closing face adapted to cooperate with the branch member in the position of closing the hinge. Preferably, said faces are substantially orthogonal to each other. Advantageously, at least one of said faces, preferably both opening and closing faces, comprises a movement surface to facilitate the transition from an open position to a closed position and vice versa.

According to one aspect of the invention, the front face member comprises a first guide groove which extends in a horizontal plane, orthogonal to the first vertical hinge axis, and which extends continuously between said face opening and said closure face. Thus, said first guide groove guides the opening of the hinge during its movement along the first axis of vertical articulation.

Preferably, the first guide groove extends over the entire horizontal length of said opening face to allow a movement of over-opening of the hinge.

According to another aspect of the invention, the front face element comprises a second guide groove which extends in a transverse plane, orthogonal to the second horizontal axis of articulation, and which extends in said opening face . Thus, said second guide groove guides the movement of the hinge along the second axis of horizontal articulation when the hinge is open. The mechanical strength of the hinge is thus increased. Preferably, the second guide groove extends the full vertical length of said opening face to allow upward and downward tilting of the front face member to increase its resistance to shocks. More preferably, the edges of the second guide groove are curved in order to allow a displacement comprising a component along the first axis of vertical articulation and a component along the second axis of horizontal articulation.

Advantageously, the front face member comprises a mounting face, opposite said closure face, which includes a mounting aperture of said head member to facilitate mounting of the hinge. Of Preferably, the front face element comprises means for closing said mounting opening, more preferably a closing cap.

Preferably, the hinge comprises at least one resilient spring ensuring maintaining in contact with the front face element against the branch element. Preferably, said resilient spring exerts a compressive force between the leg member and the base member of the link member.

The invention further relates to a spectacle frame having a front face, two lateral branches, each side branch being connected to said front face by a hinge as presented above.

The invention also relates to a pair of glasses comprising two glasses and a frame as presented above, said glasses being fixed in said front face of the frame.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a pair of spectacles according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic sectional representation of a left hinge of the pair of glasses in the horizontal plane;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation from the rear of a front face element of said hinge;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation from the front of the front face element;

- Figure 5 is another representation from the rear of the front panel element;

Figure 6 is a representation from the side of the front panel element;

- Figure 7 is a schematic representation from the front of a branch member of said hinge;

- Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a connecting element of said hinge; FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a basic member of the connecting element;

- Figure 10 is another embodiment of a head member of the connecting element;

- Figure 1 1 is a schematic representation of the assembly of a hinge according to the invention;

- Figure 12 is a schematic sectional representation of the left hinge in the open position in the horizontal plane;

- Figure 13 is a schematic sectional representation of the left hinge being closed in the horizontal plane;

- Figure 14 is a schematic sectional representation of the left hinge in the closed position in the horizontal plane;

- Figure 15 is a schematic representation of the left side branch in the closed position;

- Figure 16 is a schematic sectional representation of the left hinge in the open position in the transverse plane;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the left lateral branch being moved in the transverse plane; and

- Figure 18 is a schematic representation of the left side branch being moved in the transverse plane.

It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF REALIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a pair of spectacles 400 comprising a spectacle frame 300 in which glasses 301 G, 301 D. are mounted.

Subsequently, with reference in particular to FIG. 1, the spectacle frame 300 is described in an orthogonal reference (X, Y, Z) in which the X axis extends horizontally from left to right, Y axis extends in depth from front to back and the Z axis extends vertically from bottom to top. Subsequently, the plane (X, Y) is called the horizontal plane, the plane (X, Z) is called the vertical plane and the plane (Y, Z) is called the transverse plane.

The spectacle frame 300 comprises a front face 100, also called main frame, extending in the vertical plane (X, Z) which has a left opening 101 G and a right opening 101 D for respectively receiving a left glass 301 G and a straight glass 301 D.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, the spectacle frame 300 further comprises a left lateral branch 200G and a right lateral branch 200D which are respectively mounted at the left and right lateral ends of said front face 100 by a left hinge 4G and a hinge right 4D. In this example of implementation, the hinges 4G, 4D are symmetrical. For the sake of clarity and brevity, only the left hinge 4G will be described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the left hinge 4G connects the left lateral branch 200G to the left end of the front face 100. According to the invention, the left hinge 4G comprises a front face element 1, a branch element 2 and a connecting element 3 connecting said front face element 1 to said branch element 2. By front face element 1, is meant an element which forms a part of the front face 100. Said front face element 1 may be a part removable from a main portion of the front face 100 or be integrated in the front face 100. Similarly, by branch member 2 is meant an element which forms part of the side branch 200G. Said branch element 2 may be a removable part of a main part of the lateral branch 200G or may be integrated in said lateral branch 200G.

Still, with reference to FIG. 2 and as explained below, thanks to the hinge 4G, the branch element 2 is articulated along a first axis of vertical rotation ZI and a second axis of horizontal rotation X2 with respect to the front panel element 1 by virtue of the connecting element 3. Thus, with reference to FIG. 1, thanks to the first axis of vertical rotation ZI, each lateral branch 200G, 200D can move in the horizontal plane (X, Y) in order to fold / unfold the side branches 200G, 200D. Likewise, thanks to the second axis of horizontal rotation X2, each branch Side 200G, 200D can move in the transverse plane (Y, Z) to absorb shock and improve the life of the pair of glasses.

With reference to FIG. 2, the connecting element 3 cooperates, on the one hand, with the front face element 1 and, on the other hand, with the branch element 2 in order to allow the two ZI rotations. , X2 as will be presented later.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the connecting element 3 comprises a base member 5, mounted in the branch element 2 and projecting in the front face element 1, and a mounted head member 6 in the front panel element 1. The members 5, 6 of the connecting element 3 will be presented later in the detailed description of the connecting element 3.

The branch 200G can pivot about the first axis of vertical articulation ZI since the base member 5 is directly articulated with respect to said head member 6 according to a first axis of vertical articulation ZI so as to move in a first groove of the front panel element 1. Similarly, the branch 200G can pivot about the second axis of horizontal articulation X2 since the head member 6 of the connecting element 3 is directly articulated with respect to the front face element 1 according to a second horizontal articulation axis X2 to move in a second groove of the front face element 1.

Subsequently, the open position of the hinge 4G, the position of the hinge 4G when the branch 200G is unfolded. Similarly, the closed position of the hinge 4G, the position of the hinge 4G when the branch 200G is folded.

Front face element 1 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front face element 1 comprises a rigid body 10, preferably made of metal, but it is obvious that other materials could be suitable for use with a metal / plastic alloy. The rigid body 10 preferably has a parallelepipedal shape, more preferably a cubic shape, defining a front face 10A, an opening rear face 10R, a left face of mounting 10G, a right closing face 10D, a lower face 101 and an upper face 10S as shown in FIG.

The rear face 10R of the front face member 1 is called the opening face because it corresponds to the face in contact with the branch member 2 in the open position of the hinge 4G. Similarly, the right face 10D of the front face element 1 is called closure face because it corresponds to the face in contact with the branch member 2 in the closed position of the hinge 4G. For the right hinge 4D, the left face of the rigid body corresponds to the closing face due to symmetry.

In this example, the opening face 10R and the closing face 10D respectively comprise an open opening surface SMO and a closed closing surface SMF. Preferably, each SMO, SMF motional surface defines a curved relief as taught by the patent application WO2010100087. Similarly, as will be presented hereinafter with reference to FIG. 7, the branch element 2 comprises an active active surface SMA for cooperating with the moving surfaces SMO, SMF of the opening face 10R and the face 10D closure to facilitate the opening and closing of the left side branch 200G.

Advantageously, the opening face 10R and the closing face 10D each comprise elementary contact points distributed at the corners of said face 10R, 10D so as to limit the wear of the hinge 4G when it is handled between its position. opening and its closed position. It goes without saying that the invention also applies to a front face element 1 without moving surfaces.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the front face member 1 further comprises connection means 1 1 to a portion of the front face 100 which is in the form of a tenon. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that said connection means 1 1 could be in another form, for example, a tongue, a pin or a tenon.

Referring to Figure 3, the body 10 includes an internal cavity 12 accessible from the left side 10G through a mounting aperture to allow the housing of the head member 6 (Figure 2) as will be presented later. Subsequently, the left side 10G is also called 10G mounting face. The internal cavity 12 extends along the second axis of articulation X2. Preferably, the opening of the left mounting face 10G is closed by closing means after assembly of the branch 200G. In this example, the closure means are in the form of a removable cover 16. For this purpose, with reference to FIG. 4, the left face 10G of the rigid body 10 comprises guide grooves 17 extending according to FIG. the Y axis to guide the translation assembly of the cover 16 and reported locking means. It goes without saying that the cover 16 could be mounted in force.

In this example, said internal cavity 12 comprises an inner guide surface SI adapted to allow guiding of the head member 6. Preferably, the guide surface SI is in the form of a cylindrical portion of annular section s extending along the second axis of articulation X2. Said guide surface SI extends in this example over an angular range of the order of 180 to 250 °. It goes without saying that the guide surface SI could be discontinuous and comprise a plurality of elementary guide surfaces. The inner guide surface SI has a diameter of between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably of the order of 2-4 mm.

In order to allow a relative movement in the horizontal plane (X, Y) of the branch element 2 with respect to the front face element 1 (rotation along the first axis of rotation ZI), the body 10 of the element front face 1 comprises a first guide groove 13, extending in the horizontal plane (X, Y), which is formed continuously in the opening face 10R and the closing face 10D as illustrated in FIGS. 6. Thus, the connecting element 3 can move between the open position and the closed position of the hinge 4G. Preferably, the first guide groove 13 extends over the entire horizontal length of the opening face 10R to allow over-opening of the branch 200G, that is to say, a rotation of the left branch 200G around the first axis of rotation ZI in the opposite direction to the straight branch 200D. With reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, in order to allow a relative movement in the transverse plane (Y, Z) of the branch element 2 with respect to the front face element 1 (rotation along the second axis of rotation X2), the body 10 of the front face member 1 includes a second guide groove 14 formed continuously in the opening face 10R and extending in the transverse plane (Y, Z). Thus, the branch 200G can move transversely in the open position. Preferably, with reference to FIG. 5, the second guiding groove 14 extends over the entire vertical length of the opening face 10R in order to allow both downward and upward inclination.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first guide groove 13 and the second guide groove 14 are intersecting at the rear opening face 10R. Preferably, the edges 15 of the second guide groove 14 are shaped in a curved manner so as to allow movement along the X, Z directions and their combinations. Preferably, the edges 15 of the second guide groove 14 are tapered to improve guidance.

The internal cavity 12 of the branch member 1 opens at the first guide groove 13 in the right face 10D of the body 10. The opening of the first guide groove 13 is smaller than the mounting opening of the left mounting face 10G so that the right face 10D forms a stop wall during the insertion of the head member 6 from left to right as will be presented later. Such a front face element 1 is simple to manufacture by machining since it does not have complex shapes, which is advantageous.

Branch member 2 As illustrated in FIG. 7, the branch element 2 comprises a rigid body 20, preferably made of metal, but it goes without saying that other materials could be suitable for example a metal / plastic alloy.

The rigid body 20 preferably has a parallelepipedal shape defining a front face 20A, a rear face 20R and side faces 20L. The front face 20A, designated subsequently active face 20A, extends substantially in the vertical plane (X, Z) in the open position of the hinge 4G. As indicated above, the active face 20A of the branch element 2 has an active active surface SMA in order to cooperate with the moving surfaces SMO, SMF of the opening and closing faces 10R of the front face element 1 function of the opening or closing of the 4G hinge. The active active surface SMA of the branch element 2 has a shape complementary to the moving surfaces SMO, SMF of the front face element 1. The branch element 2 further comprises connecting means 21 to a part of the branch 200G which is presented, with reference to FIG. 7, in the form of a tenon formed from the rear face 20R of the rigid body 20. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that said connection means 21 could be in another form, for example, a tongue or a tenon. Advantageously, said connection means 21 also define a bearing surface of the elastic spring as will be presented later.

The rigid body 20 of the leg member 2 also has a through opening 22 extending substantially perpendicularly to the active face 20A, that is to say, along the depth axis Y when the hinge 4G is open. The opening 22 also passes through the connection means 21. The branch member 2 can thus accommodate and guide the base member 5 of the connecting element 3 in its opening 22 as will be presented later. Preferably, the base member 5 of the connecting element 3 can translate along the axis of the opening 22 (Y axis).

In this example, the section of the through opening 22 is shaped to prevent rotation of the base member 5 of the connecting element 3 with respect to the branch element 2 along the axis of the opening 22 (Y axis rotation). The section of the through opening 22 is here rectangular but it goes without saying that it could be different. Preferably, the section of the through opening 22 is smaller at the connection means 21 than at the front face 20A of the rigid body 20.

Such a branch element 2 is simple to manufacture by machining since it does not have complex shapes, which is advantageous. Connecting element 3

The connecting element 3, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a base member 5 and a head member 6 which are hinged together about the first axis of articulation ZI. For this purpose, the head member 6 extends horizontally along the X axis while the base member 5 extends along the Y axis in the open position.

The connecting element 3 is made of metal to have a high mechanical strength and low wear. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the connecting element 3 could be made of other materials, for example, a metal / plastic alloy.

Basic Body 5

Referring to Figure 8, the base member 5 comprises a longitudinal rod 50 extending along the Y axis which is connected to a connecting bar 51 extending vertically along the first axis of articulation ZI. In this embodiment of Figure 8, the longitudinal rod 50 and the connecting bar 51 of the base member 5 are independent but it is obvious that they could form a one-piece forged assembly as shown in Figure 9 representing another embodiment of the base member 5. Such an embodiment may cooperate with a head member 6 having two interface parts 61, 62 as presented below. With reference to FIG. 8, the longitudinal rod 50 has a front portion 50A adapted to protrude into the front face member 1 and a rear portion 50B adapted to be guided in the branch member 2.

The front portion 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 has a front end of annular shape in which is formed a through opening 52 of hinge axis ZI. The connecting bar 51 is adapted to cooperate in the through opening 52 to form a vertical axis joint ZI. The rear end of the front portion 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 has a section of complementary shape to the through opening 22 of the branch element 2. In this for example, the section of the rear end of the front portion 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 is rectangular as shown in FIG.

The rear portion 50B of the longitudinal rod 50 has a smaller section than the section of the front portion 50A so that the rear portion 50B remains in abutment in the branch member 2 during its assembly as will be presented later.

Still with reference to Figure 8, the rear portion 50B of the longitudinal rod 50 has an annular section so as to be inserted into an elastic spring 7, preferably a compression spring. The rear portion 50B of the longitudinal rod 50 comprises a threaded portion to allow the screwing of a nut 8 so as to constrain the elastic spring 7 between the front portion 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 and said nut 8 to adjust the tension 7. The use of such an elastic spring 7 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail.

The connecting bar 51, housed in the through opening 52 of the longitudinal rod 50, protrudes on either side of said opening 52 along the vertical axis ZI in order to cooperate with the head member 6 as will be presented. thereafter. Head organ 6

Referring to Figure 8, the head member 6 comprises in this example two identical interface parts 61, 62 extending horizontally along the second axis of articulation X2. Each interface piece 61, 62 is, in this example, in the form of a cylinder portion of annular section. In other words, each interface piece 61, 62 has a curved surface S2 and a flat surface SP.

The interface pieces 61, 62 are mounted at the ends of the connecting bar 51 and sandwich the longitudinal rod 50. In other words, the two interface pieces 61, 62 form together and globally an outer guiding surface. S2 which is in the form of a cylindrical envelope portion of annular section extending along the second axis of articulation X2. Said outer guide surface S2 thus has two elementary guide surfaces (one on each interface piece 61, 62). Each interface piece 61, 62 also comprises a through opening 63, 64 extending orthogonally to its planar face SP (along the axis ZI) to cooperate with each of the two ends of the connecting bar 51 protruding from both sides. Another of the longitudinal rod 50. In the mounted position, the plane face SP of each interface piece 61, 62 is in contact with the longitudinal rod 50. The guide surfaces S2 of the two interface pieces 61, 62 are thus positioned diametrically opposite to cooperate, in a complementary manner, with the internal guide surface SI of the internal cavity 12 of the front face element 1. The base member 5 is thus articulated along the first axis of articulation ZI with respect to the head member 6 by virtue of the connecting bar 51 in order to allow the base member 5 to rotate with respect to the head member 6 in the horizontal plane (X, Y).

Similarly, the connecting element 3 is articulated along the second axis of articulation X2 with respect to the front face element 1 in order to allow the connecting element 3 to rotate relative to the front element. before 1 in the transverse plane (Y, Z).

The outer guide surface S2 of the head member 6 has a smaller diameter than the inner cavity 12, of the order of 1 to 2 mm in order to provide a game during assembly while allowing optimal guidance.

It goes without saying that the outer guide surface S2 of the head member 6 could be continuous and extend over an angular range of the order of 180 to 250 °. For this purpose, with reference to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a head member 6 in which the interface pieces form a one-piece assembly. Such an embodiment is advantageous with a base member 5 having a detachable connecting bar 51. With reference to FIG. 10, the head member 6 has a cylindrical body 65, of annular section, extending horizontally along the second axis of articulation X2 and which is traversed by a through opening 66 along the first axis of FIG. ZI joint. The head member 6 has a horizontal notch 67 to allow the insertion of the front end 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 into said cylindrical body 65, and allow the insertion of the connecting bar 51 into the through openings 52, 66. Mounting

The mounting of the left hinge 4G will now be presented with reference to Figure 1 1.

Firstly, the head member 6 is mounted on the connecting bar 51 of the base member 5 in order to assemble the connecting element 3. The connecting element 3 thus has a hinge axis ZI. Then, the longitudinal rod 50 of the base member 5 is inserted along the Y axis in the through opening 22 of the leg member 2 as shown in FIG. 1 1 so that the connecting element 3 is in the branch element 2. Due to the difference in section, the front portion 50A of the longitudinal rod 50 abuts in the branch element 2 and remains projecting with respect to said branch element 2.

Then, the head member 6 of the connecting element 3 is introduced by the left mounting face 10G of the front face member 1 to be housed in the internal cavity 12 and abut against the opening face. 10D. During insertion, the longitudinal rod 50 is guided in the first guide groove 13 of the front face member 1 (not shown in Figure 1 1). Then, the opening of the left face 10G is closed by the introduction of the closure cap 1 6 by translation using the guide grooves 17 of the front face member 1.

The active face 20A of the branch member 2 is then pressed against the opening face 10R of the front face member 1 so that their moving surfaces SMA, SMO cooperate. The tension of the elastic spring 7, which keeps the front face member 1 in contact with the leg member 2, is then adjusted by screwing the nut 8 onto the rear portion 50B of the rod 50. 12 shows the left hinge 4G, after assembly, in the open position. In the open position, the longitudinal rod extends in the center of the opening face 10R, at the intersection of the first guide groove 13 and the second guide groove 14. Mounting such a hinge is simple to achieve, which saves time and a reduction in the cost price of the frame formed from said hinges. Use and benefits

As shown in FIG. 12 showing the open top view hinge 4G, the left side branch 200G is open, the active active area SMA of the branch member 2 being in contact with the open SMO opening surface of the element front face 1.

To fold the lateral branch 200G, a user moves the lateral branch 200G towards the front face 100 as illustrated in FIG. 13. As a result, the base member 5 articulates along the first axis ZI relative to the head 6 which remains fixed in the branch element 2. During the rotation, the base member 5 moves in the first groove 13 of the front face member 1, in particular in the opening face 10R and the closure face 10D. The connecting bar 51 guides the rotation of the branch 200G. Furthermore, since the first groove 13 of the front face member 1 extends over the entire horizontal length of the opening face 10R, the side branch 200G can move over-opening.

Thus, the branch 200G can move in the horizontal plane (X, Y) over an angular range a of the order of -45 to + 90 ° with respect to its reference open position. In the closed position, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the lateral branch 200G extends along the X axis in the horizontal plane (X, Y) and the active active surface SMA of the branch element 2 is in contact with the eventful closing surface SMO of the front face element 1. The articulation along the second axis of articulation X2 will henceforth be presented.

Referring to Figure 1 6 showing the hinge 4G seen from the side, starting from the open position of the hinge 4G, the active face 20A of the branch member 2 is in contact with the opening face 10R of the element front face 1. The user moves the lateral branch 200G vertically downward in the transverse plane (Y, Z). As a result, the head member 6 is articulated along the second axis X2 in the front face member 1. During rotation, the outer guide surface S2 of the interface pieces 61, 62 contacts the inner guide surface S1 of the inner cavity 12 of the front face member 1. In other words, the head member 6 globally has a link bar function in the front face element 1. The base member 5 moves in the second groove 14 of the front face member 1, in particular in the opening face 10R. As the second guide groove 14 extends the full vertical length of the opening face 10R, the side branch 200G can tilt both downwardly and upwardly.

Thus, the branch 200G can move in the transverse plane (Y, Z) over an angular range β of the order of -45 ° to + 45 ° with respect to its reference open position as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

As the edges 15 of the second groove 14 are curved, the lateral branch 200G can be moved in directions comprising a component along the first axis of articulation ZI and a component along the second axis of articulation X2 in order to give flexibility to 4G hinge and better resistance in its open position. On the contrary, when the hinge 4G is closed, only a movement in the horizontal plane (X, Y) is allowed. Moreover, thanks to the elastic spring 7 and the nature of the connecting element 3, the hinge 4G is automatically returned to a centered opening position when the user no longer acts on the side branch 200G.

Thanks to the hinges 4G, 4D according to the invention, the spectacle frame 300 is more resistant and allows various manipulations without risk of damage (folding, unfolding, over-opening, displacement in the transverse plane, etc.). In addition, its cost is reduced compared to the prior art given the simplicity of manufacture of individual parts and their ease of assembly. Finally, such a hinge is integrated into the frame, that is to say, not visible by the end user, which has an aesthetic advantage.

Claims

Eyeglass frame hinge (4G, 4D) (300) comprising a front face member (1), a leg member (2) and a connecting member (3) connecting said front face member (1) to said member branch member (2), said connecting member (3) having a base member (5) mounted in the leg member (2) and a head member (6) housed in the front face member (1), the base member (5) being directly articulated with respect to said head member (6) according to a first axis of vertical articulation (ZI), hinge (4G, 4D) characterized in that the member of head (6) of the connecting element (3) is directly articulated with respect to the front face element (1) along a second horizontal axis of articulation (X2).

Hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first vertical hinge axis (ZI) and the second horizontal hinge axis (X2) are concurrent.

Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, the front face member (1) comprising an internal cavity (12) housing the head member (6), said internal cavity (12) has an inner guide surface (SI) which extends along the second axis of horizontal articulation (X2).

Hinge according to Claim 3, in which, the head member (6) comprising at least one outer guide surface (S2) extending along the second horizontal articulation axis (X2), said external guide surface ( S2) has a shape complementary to said inner guiding surface (S1) of said inner cavity (12) of the front face member (1).

Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member (5) comprises a connecting bar (51) which is articulated to the head member (6) according to the first axis of vertical articulation (ZI). .

6. Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front face member (1) comprises an opening face (10R) adapted to cooperate with the branch member (2) in the open position of the hinge (4G, 4D) e † a closing face (1 OD) adapted to cooperate with the branch member (2) in the closed position of the hinge (4G, 4D).

Hinge according to claim 6, wherein the front face member (1) comprises a first guide groove (1 3) which extends in a horizontal plane (X, Y), orthogonal to the first axis of articulation. vertical (ZI), and which extends continuously between said opening face (10R) and said closing face (1 OD).

Hinge according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the front face member (1) comprises a second guide groove (1 4) which extends in a transverse plane (Y, Z) orthogonal to the second horizontal articulation axis (X2), and which extends in said opening face (1 OR).

The hinge according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the front face member (1) comprises a mounting face (10G), opposite to said closure face (10D), which comprises an opening of mounting said head member (6).

10. Eyeglass frame (300) comprising a front face (1 00), two lateral branches (200G, 200D), each lateral branch (200G, 200D) being connected to said front face (100) by a hinge (4G, 4D ) according to one of the preceding claims.