FR2464496A1 - Holder for spectacle lens - has two supports with grooved cavities to match lens and male locking part for adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

The holder adjusts and fixes a lens (10) in position on the frame of a pair of spectacles. It has two lens supports (18,20) making a long stop cavity of a given shape. The supports can be fixed to each other and a male fixing part (30) for the lens fits the cavity. The locking part can be formed in the lens itself or can be separate. One support is fitted firmly to right or left of the spectacles and holds the lens in a grooved part and the second support is also grooved.

Description

 The present invention generally relates to a new method and to a new device for adjusting the lateral position of glasses, in particular special glasses, on glasses and for fixing the glasses, once adjusted, by blocking the undesirable lateral movements of these glasses. relative to the mount.

In the prior art, there are essentially four different means of fixing lenses to spectacle frames. A first anterior means consists in gluing the lenses to a part of the frame. A second means consisted in riveting the lenses directly onto the frame, for example as is done for the so-called lenses without a circle.

A third commonly adopted method consisted in forming a tongue, for example by grinding, at least around a part of the periphery of the lens and to embed this tongue in a female groove of the frame or in a female grooved element which fits on the frame and on the lens tab. Finally, it is also known to provide a female groove around the lens and to insert an element of the metal wire type which forms part of the frame.

 Each of the methods described above gives very good results in certain specific applications for spectacle wearers. However, for example for wearers of cataract glasses, there are some very specific needs. A cataract lens must be able to be adjusted relative to the support device formed by the spectacle frame and by the lens support elements in order to allow the lens to be positioned or centered so that the center of this lens is directly opposite the pupil of the wearer. Any lateral movement of the lens which moves the optical center from its desired position relative to the frame, even if it is only 0.5 mm, can have an influence on the wearer's vision and the larger movements quickly deteriorate the efficiency of the lens, causing incorrect vision and eyestrain in the wearer. This is why, when it has been properly positioned, the lens must also be securely locked on the frame so that it cannot move, in particular in the lateral direction.

 The outer periphery of a cataract lens should be thinned to a shape as close as possible to that of a knife blade and there should be no optical obstruction along this thinned edge. That is to say, the frame must not extend along the outer periphery of the lens along this thinned edge. If there is an obstruction along the thinned edge, this obstruction can be extremely annoying for the wearer's vision.

 Finally, the branch should be as far from the line of sight as possible.

 Each of the prior art lens attachment methods has some of the features required for a wearer of cataract glasses or a wearer of other glasses requiring precise adjustment to the wearer's conformation. None of the prior methods have all the characteristics. The methods and devices for fixing lenses of the prior art leave much to be desired when it is a question of fixing a lens to a spectacle frame and of avoiding any lateral displacement whatsoever while allowing easy adjustment of the position of the lens for the particular wearer considered before the blocking of its final position.

 U.S. patents Nos. 3,565,517, 3,475,083 and 3,017,862 as well as French patent -1,347,120 show a form of blocking cavity formed in a part of the lens-holding element of a spectacle frame or formed between two detachable parts of this mount. These documents do not describe a method and a device in which the lateral position of the lens with respect to the frame can be adjusted so as to be adapted to the measurements of a given wearer of glasses, an adjustment which is necessary for certain special lenses, for example cataract glasses.

 In addition, the aforementioned patent 3,017,806 describes a part of the fixing means which extend along the external periphery of the glass, which is not suitable for cataract glasses. On the other hand, in the magnetic device for fixing the glasses which is described in the aforementioned patents 3,565,517 and 3,475,083, the magnet is not sufficient to positively oppose a lateral displacement of the glass relative to to the frame so that, even if these last two patents were perfected so that the tongue of the glass support element is shorter than the groove formed in the frame, so as to allow lateral adjustment during when measured, the glass would not be positively blocked in lateral movement by the magnetic fixing means.

 The means for fixing the glasses described in US Pat. No. 2,529,068 are affected by the same shortcomings in the absence of possibility of lateral adjustment during measurement and the extension of the fixing means along part of the periphery external lenses. It is also clearly visible that the means described in the US patent. 1,573,088 for fixing the glasses in circles is entirely incapable of achieving the desired results targeted by the invention.

Glasses are known which have a portion having the general shape of a post which fits in a grooved part of the frame of the glasses or in a grooved part of a plastic element which adjusts on the frame and on the post, as found, for example in USA patents 2,091,296, 2,198,852 and 2,384,867.

These patents describe a glass fixing device in which the glass is blocked in lateral movement, either because it is stuck in the groove, or because a metallic or plastic extension of the groove is provided which extends beyond from the end of the tenon of the glass and which is bent or hot molded around the end of the tenon to block lateral movement. None of the last three aforementioned patents suggests adjusting the position in which the metal or plastic extension of the groove is bent or heat molded to modify the lateral position of the optical center of the lens according to the particular centering necessary for a wearer of special lenses. , for example cataract lenses. Furthermore, there is no indication of a post having a length shorter than that of the groove of the frame or of the plastic element in order to allow lateral adjustment for the setting. carrier measurements. Furthermore, the bonding of the glass in the groove poses problems of centering the glass to the measurements of the particular carrier considered, as will be indicated below in connection with another method and another device used in the prior art.

 A method of fixing special glasses and centering these glasses which is currently applied uses a strip of material which has one side composed of a thermosetting re-adhesive material and another side composed of a thermoplastic adhesive material, see the patent for USA

3 639 044. The thermosetting face is placed against the frame, in the approximate position desired for the lens and the thermoplastic adhesive face is pressed against the lens itself. In use, the glass is fixed to the thermoplastic part of the bands after having heated these bands and having fixed them to the frame. A new heating of the thermosetting face increases the strength of the bond between this face and the frame. When the glass has been fixed to the thermoplastic face, you can check the centering and, if necessary, heat the strip again to loosen the fixing on the thermoplastic face to allow the lateral position of the glasses to be adjusted. This procedure is repeated as often as necessary to obtain correct centering.

 However, correct centering performed in this way is long and requires removing the glasses from the patient's head and separating the lens from the frame in order to heat the adhesive strips again and to replace the lens in a new position . This makes reference to the anterior position of the lens very difficult to measure the desired new position of the lens so as to achieve proper centering. When the glass has been separated for centering, it is very difficult to manually adjust the lateral position of the glass with precision before bringing the glass back into contact with the thermoplastic side of the strip and sticking it back on this side. frequently the need to repeat the adjustment operation several times for each lens, which results in a high price for glasses, to compensate for the time that the oculist or the optician spends making these adjustments and, moreover, , this risks reducing the effectiveness of the final fixing of the lens to the frame by the thermo-adhesive strips (see also the US patent

3,243,249, which describes a method of fixing the lenses to the frame by spite of an adhesive material on an elastic band).

 The enumeration of the problems described in the preceding paragraphs should not be regarded as exhaustive but as a sampling of the many problems which tend to harm the effectiveness of the processes and devices used or proposed previously to fix and adjust the glasses, in particular those for which the lateral position is crucial for the proper use of glasses. There may be other significant problems, but those which have been presented above must be sufficient to demonstrate that the methods and devices used to adjust the lateral position of the lenses on the frames and positively avoid any undesirable lateral displacement relative to the frame after this adjustment, while facilitating the adjustment during the putting of the lenses to the measurements of the wearer considered particular and which are known in the art are not entirely satisfactory.

 In view of the need to carry out an improved method and device for adjusting the lateral position of a special lens on a spectacle frame for the measurement of a given wearer and to positively oppose the lateral displacements of the lens relative to the frame after the execution of the adjustment, the general aim of the invention is to create a new method and a new device for adjusting the position of the lens on the frame and fixing it on this frame, which reduce and attenuate the problems mentioned above.

 A more particular feature of the invention consists in producing a glass support element rigidly fixed to the spectacle frame and having a grooved portion. A second glass support element which also has a grooved portion and defines a blocking cavity in combination with the grooved portion of the rigidly mounted glass support element is tightly attached to the glass support element attached in fixed position by several elements fasteners which pass through at least one of the glass support elements.

A male glass blocking element which at least partially has the same general shape as the blocking cavity is kept tight in the cavity when the two glass support elements are tightly tightened one on the other by the fixing elements.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the male blocking element of the glass is formed, in particular by grinding, in the glass itself.

According to another embodiment, the male blocking element of the glass is constituted by an elongated element fixed to the smooth edge of the glass.

 Another feature of the invention is that. the fixing elements are tightened by screwing a nut on a part of these fixing elements which passes through at least one of the glass support elements, so as to allow any loosening necessary for adjusting the lateral position of the glass and ensuring a positive blocking of the glass in lateral movement when the glass support elements are strongly screwed one on the other.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows.

In the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example,
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of half of a pair of glasses comprising the glass support means according to the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a front view of one half of a pair of glasses comprising glass support means according to the invention;
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the device according to an embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing part of the device of FIG. 3
- Figs. 5a to 5d are exploded views showing other modes of construction of the fastening elements according to the invention.

- Fig. 6 shows a separate mile blocking element according to another embodiment of the invention having a dovetail section and a planar contact surface;
- Fig. 7 shows a separate male blocking element according to the invention having a dovetail section and a curved contact surface which follows the shape of the edge of the glass to which this male blocking element is to be fixed
- Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the male blocking element of FIG. 6, which shows that the dovetail post has a flared base portion
- Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the male blocking element of FIG. 7, which shows that the dovetail post has a flared base part and shows the curved shape of this male blocking element;
- Figs. ICa and lob represent, as a profile variant for the mule blocking element, a profile â
I and a circular keyhole profile on the right male blocking element of FIG. 6;
- Figs. Ila and llb show variant profiles for the male blocking element, one constituting an oval profile having flats at its ends and placed on a shoe and the other a dovetail profile without flared base, these two profiles being formed on the curved male blocking element of FIG. 7 ;;
- Fig. 12 shows a male locking element having a straight dovetail profile and a lower part which has a curved contact surface;
- Fig. 13 shows a male blocking element comprising a raised central part and a half of the glass support element comprising a half of blocking cavity of corresponding shape; and
- Figs. 14 and 15 show the use of the blocking element maIe of FIG. 12 for the lateral adjustment of a lens with a curved edge in a curved frame.

We will first refer to FIG. 1 on which a lens 10 is supported by a lens holder 12. The lens holder 12 shown is the right part of a spectacle frame, of which only half is shown in FIG. 1 and this straight part is also fixed, as is well known in the art, with a branch 14 and a bridge 16 passing over the nose to which is further fixed another door and another branch not shown. The glass holder 12 is composed of two glass support elements 18 and 20 which are fixed and tightened tightly against each other by suitable fixing elements (for example threaded studs 23 and nuts 25 which are mounted on these studs) as shown at 22 and 24 in FIG. 1. When the lens is fixed in position in its lens holder 12, one can first of all adjust its position laterally as indicated by the double arrow 26 to center it precisely on the wearer's eye. When the glass has been adjusted correctly in the lateral direction, the fastening elements 22, 24 are tightened, in order to securely lock the glass 10 in the glass holder 12 so that it cannot move afterwards. The glass holder 12 is advantageously sufficiently solid in the glass support elements 18 and 20 to support the glass 10 very rigidly and prevent it from vibrating during normal wearing by preventing it from moving forwards and backwards as represented by arrow 28.

 As can be seen in FIG. 2, the external periphery 31 of certain special glasses, for example cataract glasses 10, must also be entirely free of obstruction in order to give good results. This result is obtained with the fixing device according to the invention. In cataract glasses, this outer periphery 31 has the shape of a thinned edge like a knife blade to provide the wearer with correct vision.

 We will see in Fig. 2 that the two fixing elements 22, 24 are positioned to apply a clamping pressure so as to tightly clamp the glass support elements 18 and 20 against each other, the fixing force being exerted by screwing the elements attachment 22, 24 each of which is placed inside the upward vertical extension of lines which start from opposite ends of the male tenon part 30 of the glass 10, which will be described below.

 Referring now to Fig. 3, it can be seen that the glass 10 is ground along its upper periphery so as to form a male part or blocking element, for example the stud 30 having a dovetail profile. usual. Element 18 is ground to form a groove or mortise half 32, which fits over one side of the dovetail tenon 30 while the other element 20 is ground to form the other half 34 of the groove or mortise with a shape which matches that of the dovetail tenon 30. When assembled, the groove halves 32, 34 together form a blocking cavity.

 Fig. 4 shows the appropriate assembly of the glass holder 12. The glass is placed so that the dovetail tenon 30 fits in the half-groove 32 of the first element 18. Then the second element 20 is placed so that the dovetail tenon 30 fits in the half-groove 34. The second element 20 has holes 35 which stem respectively on several threaded studs 23 which protrude from the first element 18. Then put in place nuts 25 but without tightening them fully. At this stage, the glass 10 can then be adjusted laterally to center it for a given carrier, after which the nuts 25 are tightened with the aid of a suitable hand tool for rigidly locking the male part 30 of the glass 10 in place between the two elements 18, 20.

As will be obvious to the specialist during the formation of the blocking cavity 32, 34 and of the male part 30, an appropriate clearance space is provided to leave sufficient space to allow the elements 18, 20 to be clamped on. the glass 10 to an extent sufficient to lock this glass in position.

 It should also be noted that shoulders 36, 38 are formed on the glass and that the lower parts 40, 42 of the glass support elements 18, 20, respectively bear on these shoulders to improve the rigidity of the device and, in this way securely hold the glass 10 in position.

Figs. Sa to 5d show embodiments of the fastening elements 22, 24 according to the invention. On the
Fig. Sa, the studs 23 are integral with the first element 18 and have threaded ends 21. The second element 20 has complementary holes 35 through which the studs are threaded allowing mounting of nuts 35 on the studs 23 to securely assemble the first and second elements 18, 20 by tightening them tightly against each other,
Figs. 5 b, c and d show alternative embodiments. In the first variant, the studs 23 are integral with the second element 20; in the second variant, the studs 23 are not integral with any of the two glass support elements and carry at their two ends threads intended to receive nuts 25 while, in the third variant, at least one of the studs 23 is made body with one of the glass support elements 18 while at least one other stud forms a body with the second element 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, 11 nut 25 mounted on one end of each of the studs 23 can be replaced by a stop element constituted, for example by a flange formed integrally on the end of the stud 23 so that, when the nut 25 mounted on the other end of this stud, is tightened, the first and the second elements 18, 20 are strongly tight against each other.

 As shown in Figs. Sa 5d, the blocking cavity formed by the grooved surfaces 32, 34 of the first and second glass support elements 18 and 20 need not necessarily extend over the entire length of these elements. It only has to be longer than the male part 30 of the glass 10, to thereby give this glass freedom of lateral movement in the blocking cavity 32, 34, when the clamping elements 22, 24 are loosened so that the glass can be centered on the wearer's measurements by this lateral displacement before the clamping elements 22, 24 are tightened.

 Although the invention has been described above in its particular application to glasses for cataracts, the specialist will recognize that, provided that the glass 10 has a thickness sufficient to allow the post to be ground in its upper part, it can also be applied to any type of glasses desired in which it is important to maintain the lateral position of the lens 10 and of capable of easily centering the lateral position of this lens 10 on the eye of the wearer. Alternatively, even if a glass 10 does not have sufficient thickness, the blank of this glass 10 can be formed so as to provide an amount of additional material in its upper part to allow the post 30 to be ground according to the invention .

 It goes without saying that, when the method and the device according to the invention are used to adjust the position of the lens of the lens 10 of a pair of glasses on the eye of the wearer, and then to positively block the glass 10 in lateral displacement in accordance with the invention, certain important advantages are obtained.

 In particular, the glass 10 can easily be adjusted laterally during the centering of the glasses on the wearer while the glasses are in place on the wearer.

For this, the fastening elements 22, 24 are loosened and the tenon 30 of the glass is slid into the blocking cavity 32, 34. When the desired position has been obtained, the glass 10 can be blocked sufficiently tightly, simply by pressing the first and second load-bearing elements 18, 20 against each other between the thumb and the index finger until the nuts 25 can be tightened. This makes adjusting the lateral position of the glass an operation simple and relatively fast compared to those relating to the methods and devices of the prior art.

As soon as the glass is securely fixed between the load-bearing elements 18, 20 by tightening the nuts 25, it is positively blocked in lateral movement and the shoulders 36, 38 of the glass, by cooperating with the lower face 40, 42 of the support elements lens 18, 20 opposes the tilting movement of lens 10 forwards and backwards with respect to the frame 11. Furthermore, no part of the elements 18, 20 extends along any portion of part 31 of glass 10 which is thinned into a knife blade.

 It goes without saying that lion can make various modifications to the device described above. For example, the particular shape of the tenon 30 and of the fixing cavity 32, 34 is not crucial provided that this tenon and this cavity have the same general shape and that the tightening of the first and second glass support elements, 18 , 20 one against the other fixes the glass 10 securely, preventing any lateral movement. In addition, the. faces 32, 34 of the fixing cavity, or the tenon 30 of the glass 10, or these two elements, can be provided with a rough surface state to contribute by friction to block the glass 10 in lateral movement.

One method of roughening the male stud 30 is to slowly rotate the cutter used to grind the stud 30, leaving the stud surface 30 rough. In addition, three or more than three fixing elements 22, 24 can be used, at least one of which is placed in the upward vertical extension of the lines which pass through the ends of the tenon 30 of the glass 10.

 Apart from the embodiments described above with regard to the position of the studs 23 and the holes 35, it can be envisaged that, in the embodiment described, in which the first glass support element 18 is not integral with the spectacle frame, the studs 23 may be of sufficient length to pass through the first and second elements 18, 20 as well as the part corresponding to the eyebrows of the spectacle frame 11 and this last part may have corresponding holes so that the studs 23 and the nuts 25 serve to tighten the first and second elements 18, 20 one on the other and to fix them to the spectacle frame 11.

 However, it has been observed that, when the edge of the glass is ground to form the maIe element, in particular if this element has the shape of a dovetail post, as is well known in the art, the male element is weakened. It is not known exactly what causes the weakening, but this weakening is probably the result of the heat and stresses developed by grinding. The vast majority of glasses will be used today (maybe 60 to 70%) are made of polyester (CR 39) and most of the other glasses are made of mineral glass about 2 to 3% being made of polycarbonate sold under the designation of "Lexan". The mineral glass and polyester glasses are particularly fragile and the male blocking element tends to break at the narrowest part, if the glass support elements do not have an appropriate rounding in the region of this narrow part, and in its upper part, even if the glass support elements have an appropriate rounding. This latter type of rupture seems to be linked to the compression stress exerted on the male blocking element when the blocking cavity is tightened on the male blocking element.

 It has been found that, when the blocking element is clamped between the glass support elements, this element, for example the dovetail post described previously, can crack or break under exceptional conditions, for example. example when the glasses are dropped on their lenses or when excessive forces or stress are exerted on the lenses in another way.

 In addition, the grinding of the male blocking element in the glass blank represents a long and delicate job.

The machines used to grind the male element directly on the glass represent a significant expense for optical laboratories. There may be a breakage of the male locking element during grinding, which renders the glass blank unfit for use. Furthermore, it is difficult to grind a male blocking element with profiles other than the simple dovetail profile illustrated previously.

 In view of the above, according to another embodiment of the invention, provision has been made for the formation of the male blocking element in an appropriate material, resistant and rigid, formed separately from the glass and fixed to this glass.

Normally, the glasses are cut or ground in a circular blank. It is very simple to form a smooth, straight or curved edge on the glass when the glass has been formed to the desired shape in the blank.

 This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 15.

 Fig. 6 shows a glass 110 and a separate male blocking element 112 according to the invention. The glass 110 is cut or ground from a generally circular glass blank and is ground so as to have a straight smooth edge 114 provided in the region in which the glass 110 is adjacent to the glass support elements (not shown). The male blocking member 112 is made of a suitable material, an organic polymer or a mineral material, and it can be tough and rigid so as not to be deformed appreciably when the blocking cavity is tightened around the element blocking mules or it can be relatively elastic and flexible so as to deform slightly when the tightening cavity is tightened around it.

The choice of the material of the separate male blocking element 112 is advantageously such that this element 112, when fixed to the glass 110, forms a mgle blocking element 112 which is more solid and / or more resistant to breakage than a male blocking element of the same shape and the same dimension which would be formed by grinding in the glass blank, in one piece with the glass 110. Depending on the nature of the material of the male blocking element 112 and that of the material of the glass, the male blocking element 12 must be able to be bonded by an adhesive or fixed using an appropriate solvent which binds the material of the male blocking element 112 to that of the glass 110. Various suitable polymeric materials having sufficient mechanical strength and toughness can be used, among which there may be mentioned certain synthetic rubbers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyurethanes and polyesters, having a hardness.
Shore of 80 or more on the A scale. Suitable elastomers can also be used, for example, natural rubbers, neoprene, etc. which, although relatively elastic and flexible, have sufficient hardness and solidity so that the male element does not disengage from the blocking cavity when it has been tightened in the latter. It is preferable to stick the male blocking element 112 on glass 110 & using an appropriate glue chosen according to the material of this male element 112 and glass 110, among which epoxides, acrylic resins, cyanoacrylates and base adhesives rubber or silicone. However, some of the materials used for the male blocking element 112 and for the glass 110 can be bonded using a suitable solvent, for example acetone or methyl derivatives such as methyl chloride, which dissolve a part of one or the other or of each of the two parts constituted by the male blocking element 112 and the glass 110, depending on the nature of the material of these two parts. This bonding establishes a solid connection between the male blocking element 112 and the glass 110 when - the dissolved part of one or each of the two parts, - the male blocking element 112 and the glass 110, solidifies while the element 112 is in contact with the glass 110.

Materials used for glasses include, as is well known in the art, polyesters of polycarbonates and mineral glasses. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, when using a glass made of any of the three general types of material listed, the male blocking member 112 is made of polycarbonate, for example polycarbonate sold under the brand name "Lexant 'which is the same hard resin as that which is generally used for making certain commonly used glasses. The blocking element 112 in polycarbonate is bonded to the glass 110 by an adhesive & cyanoacry base late.

The male locking element 112 has a planar contact surface 116 which matches the shape of the smooth surface 114 of the glass 110. The adhesive is placed between the smooth surface 114 of the lens 110 and the contact surface 116 of the male contact element 112 for joining these two parts.

 As shown in FIG. 7, the glass 1101 may have a smooth edge 114 'which is curved instead of being flat. The male blocking element 112 'is shaped so as to have a contact surface 116' which matches the shape of the smooth surface 114 'of the glass 110 at the place where this blocking element 112w is to be fixed to the glass 110.

 Fig. 8 shows in more detail a profile shape which it is possible to adopt for the male blocking element 112, as shown in FIG. 6. The male element 112 of FIG. 8 has an upper part 118 with a dovetail profile, the narrow part of this profile flaring inwards to form a flared part 120 which ends in the contact surface 116.

 Fig. 9 shows the male blocking element 112 'of FIG. 7 by an enlarged view, which shows that the element 112t is similar to that of FIGS. 6 and 8, except that it has a curved contact surface 116t. The locking element 112 'includes a part 118' & dovetail profile and a flared part 120e.

 Figs. 10a and 10b as well as 10a and 11b show some of the numerous cross-sectional variants which it is possible to adopt for the male locking element according to the invention, the embodiments of FIGS. 10a and 10b having planar contact surfaces 116, such as those shown in FIG. 6 while the embodiments of FIG.

 lla and llb have curved contact surfaces 116 like those shown in Fig. 7.

 Fig. 10a shows a blocking element 112 "having a planar contact surface 116" and having the profile of an I-beam which comprises an upper wing 122, a connecting portion 124 and a lower wing 126. The embodiment of the Fig. lOb is a male blocking element 112 "'which has a planar contact surface 116"' and has a keyhole section of circular shape which itself comprises a cylindrical part 128, a bottom shoe 130 and a part 132.

The male blocking element 112 '"' shown in the
Fig. 1la has a portion 134 with a truncated oval cross-section with a planar upper surface 136 and a base element 138 which ends in a curved contact surface 116 '"'.

Fig. îlb shows a male blocking element 112'n "having a part 118 'with a dovetail section similar to that of FIGS. 6 and 8 except that the flared part 120, 120' of these
Fig. 6 and 8 is not present and that the narrow part of the portion 118 '. & dovetail profile forms the curved contact surface 116 '"". Depending on the material of the male blocking elements 112 to 112 pull: these elements can be extruded, molded, and / or machined to the desired shape and dimensions, as it is. well known in the technique of manufacturing plastics.

Due to the flexibility obtained in the choice of the shape and dimensions of the male blocking element according to the invention, which can be formed separately from the glass 110, the male blocking element 112t "" may have, as is has shown it in FIG. 12, the combination of a straight upper part 118 "which has, for example an inverted dovetail section and a lower part 139, which hangs from the upper part 118" and in which a curved contact surface 116 is formed "" ". The male locking element 112" "" shown in FIG. 12 can be formed by extrusion or molding of a blank having a watch glass profile as shown in FIG. 12 and by machining the curved contact surface 116 "" "for example by grinding, on the lower part 139.

The shape adopted for 11 male locking element 112 "" 'shown in FIG. 12 allows the lateral adjustment of the glass 110 to which the male blocking element 112 "" "is fixed, as will be described more fully with reference to Fig.14 and 15, and without it being necessary to provide a cavity curved blocking device, as, for example, for the embodiments shown in Figs. 7, 9, 11a and 11b. The glass 110 can therefore be adjusted in the lateral direction inside the blocking cavity without the lateral movement of the blocking element 112 "" "" in its blocking cavity (not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) does not cause the glass 110 to rotate.

Another possibility which results from the flexibility of use obtained by using a male blocking element formed separately from the glass is shown in Fig. 13. This figure shows a male blocking element 112n "'t'
There is also shown half 140 of a pair of glass support elements similar to those described completely in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 & 5, this half 140 having a half 142 of the blocking cavity. The Figure shows that the half 140 of the pair of glass support elements has two holes 144 & through which are tightened clamping elements (not shown) of the blocking cavity for clamping the halves 140 of the pair of glass support elements one against the other and enclosing in these elements the male blocking element 112t "'n'.

 This male blocking element 112 "l" "has a Zen profile dovetail 118t" provided with a raised central part 150 which also has a profile & dovetail 118t't '. The Figure shows that the blocking cavity 142 includes a groove 148 having a raised central portion 146 and which is cut in the glass support element 140 to form the half 142 of blocking cavity, a cavity which follows the shape of the side walls 151 of the male blocking element 112. "" "'. However, the lengths dl and d2 of the raised part 46 of the groove 48 and of the body of this groove 48 are longer than the dimensions d1' and d2 'of the male blocking element 112 (11'trl to allow lateral movement of the male blocking element 112 "" "'in the blocking cavity 42.

In the embodiment shown in the
Fig. 14 and 15, the male blocking element 112'tt "'in FIG. 12 comprises a straight upper part 118tu with a dovetail profile and a curved contact surface 116" naked formed on the lower part 139 which hangs from the upper 118 ".

As described above, this embodiment can be used for the lateral adjustment of a lens (not shown) with a curved upper edge in a curved frame 140 ′ without the displacement turning the lens in giving it a position different from that prescribed. The curved frame 140 ′, of which a half has been shown which has a half 142 ′ of the blocking cavity has a longitudinal recess 152 which gives rise to a skirt 154 concealing the upper edge of the glass (not shown).

 The blocking cavity of which one half 142 'is shown has a length greater than that of the longitudinal edge of the upper part 118 "of the male blocking element 112" "" so that this element can move laterally in the cavity blocking 142 'when the two halves of the blocking cavity 142' interlock without tightening the upper part 118 "of the male blocking element. The lower part 139 extends sufficiently below the upper part 118" so that when the male blocking element 112 "" "moves laterally in the blocking cavity 142 ', the upper edge of the glass (not shown) does not block against the edge 154' of the groove 152 between the halves 140 ' of the mount.

 The skirt 154 extends sufficiently downward on the glass (not shown) and the lower part 139 of the male blocking element to conceal the upper edge of the glass (not shown) and the fact that this upper edge is not in contact with the edge 154 'of the groove 152 or does not exactly follow the shape of this edge when the glass (not shown) is offset laterally by the sliding of the male blocking element 112 "il II in the blocking cavity.

 Note that the embodiment of Figs 6 to 15 brings certain important advantages.

In particular, by choosing a sufficiently tenacious, hard and rigid material for the male blocking element, for example ULexan ", which is less fragile than polyester and than the material of mineral glass spectacle lenses, a clear result is obtained. reduction of the tendency of the male blocking element to break under stress. Male blocking elements having different shapes which may be less prone to break than can be easily made separate and attached to the glass the shape of a dovetail well known in the art but which could not be easily cut by grinding in the mass of the blank of spectacle glasses. In addition, the various forms which it is possible to give to the There are other advantages to the separately produced blocking element which cannot easily be obtained from a male blocking element cut by grinding in the mass of the glass, for example the male blocking element include a right upper part to guide the lateral movement of the lens in a rectilinear blocking cavity formed in a part of a curved frame, and have a curved contact surface on its lower part to conform to the shape of the curved edge of the lens, which has the general curved shape of the frame.Moreover, the male blocking element can include a raised part which gives it additional support while allowing the clamping elements to be placed, which tighten the blocking ca vity, further from the edges of the blocking element, thereby reducing the forces exerted on the blocking element. The manufacture of the male blocking element by molding, extrusion and / or grinding, allows a more precise formation of this element than when this element is ground in the mass of the glass by a technician in an optometry laboratory.

The fact of giving the male blocking element a more precise shape and dimensions ensures that better anus is obtained between the male blocking element and the blocking cavity formed in the glass support structure of the spectacle frame. This also tends to reduce the problem of cracking and breaking posed by the glass support device.
In addition, the simple elimination of the need to grind the male blocking element in the mass of the glass eliminates the time expenditure which results from the formation of a male blocking element made of material with the glass, with the exception of time. , much shorter, which is necessary for bonding the separate male blocking element to the glass and this removal also eliminates the need for costly machines which are necessary to form the male blocking element by grinding on the glass blank.

 Finally, the particular construction of the fastening elements 22, 24 is not crucial for the present invention.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the studs 23 and the nuts 25 described above can be replaced, for example, by an internally threaded blind socket, fixed to a support element 18 and in which a screw is screwed which passes through the other support element 20 and, in this way fixes this other support element.

Claims (31)

 1 - Device for adjusting and blocking a lens (10, 110) in place on the frame of a pair of glasses, characterized in that it comprises two lens support elements (18, 20) which form an elongated blocking cavity (32 , .34, 142) having a determined shape, means (22, 24, 23, 25) serving to clamp the glass support elements against each other and a male blocking element (30, 112) of the glass having a shape at least partially in accordance with that of the blocking cavity.  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element (30) is formed in the glass itself.  3 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element mile is an elongated element (112) formed separately from the glass and having a contact surface (116) qdi marries a smooth edge (114) of the glass, this male element being fixed to the smooth edge of the glass. 4 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a first glass support element (18) rigidly fixed to the right or left part of the pair of glasses, this first glass support element having a first grooved part ( 32); a second glass support member (20) having a second grooved portion (34), the first and second grooved portions defining a blocking cavity between the first glass support member and the second glass support member when the first glass support member glass and the second glass support element are tightly attached to each other; a plurality of fixing elements (22, 24) which pass through at least one of the first and second glass support elements and which are adapted to tightly fix the first glass support element (18) to the second glass support element (20); and a glass (10) having an upper portion having a male part or the blocking element (30), said male part (30) having the same shape as the blocking cavity and being adapted to be fixed by friction in said cavity locking in a way that blocks it in lateral movement when the first and second glass support elements are tightly fixed to each other. 5 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first glass support element (18) is integral with the right or left part of the frame.  6 - Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said several fixing elements (23, 25) are integral with at least one of the first and second glass support elements and passes through that of the first and second support elements glass which is conjugated to it.  7 - Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said several fixing elements (23, 25) pass through the first and the second glass support elements.  8 - Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of said several fixing elements (23, 25) is integral with the first glass support element (18) and that at least one said several fixing elements (23, 25) are integral with the second glass support element (20).  9 - Device according to claim 6 or 8, characterized in that each of said several fixing elements comprises: a stud (23) which is integral with at least one of the first and second glass support elements (18,20) and which has a threaded portion (21); and a nut (25) having a threaded portion adapted to be screwed onto the threaded portion (21) of the stud (23).  10 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of said several fastening elements comprises: a stud (23) which has a first end and a second end, this first and this second end each having a threaded portion (21); and first and second nuts (25) each having a threaded portion adapted to be screwed onto the first and second threaded ends (21) of the stud (23).  11 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of said several fixing elements comprises: a stud (23) having a first and a second end; a stopper attached to said first end; a threaded part (21) formed on said second end and a nut (25) having a threaded part adapted to be screwed onto said threaded part (21) of the stud.  12 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the glass has a curved external part forming an edge of the thinned glass knife edge, the first and second glass support elements (18, 20) not being in contact with said external part forming the edge of the glass which is thinned into a knife blade. 13 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that, for mounting and adjusting each lens on the desired lateral position for a given wearer, it comprises, a first lens support element (18) rigidly fixed & the corresponding part , right or left, of the pair of glasses; a second glass support element (20), the first and second glass support elements defined as between them a fixing means; a glass (10) comprising an upper part and a retaining means (30) which extends along this upper part 3 and means (22, 24) serving to tighten said fixing means around said retaining means, thus preventing any lateral movement of the lens with respect to the corresponding right or left part of the frame.  14 - Device according to claim 13, ca acterized in that the first glass support element (18) is integral with the corresponding part, right or left of the frame. 15 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the glass (10) has a curved external peripheral part which forms a thinned edge in the form of a knife blade; and the first and second glass support elements (18, 20) are not in contact with said outer peripheral part forming the knife edge of the glass. 16 - Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first glass support element (18) is integral with the corresponding part, right or left, of the frame.  17 - Device according to claim 15 or 16 characterized in that said blocking cavity (32, 34) is of length greater than that of the male blocking element (30) of the glass (10) which extends along the part upper re of this glass.  18 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the male blocking element (112) is made of a hard plastic.  19 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the male blocking element (112) is composed of a natural or synthetic rubbery elastomer. 20 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the male locking element (112) is made of a polycarbonate.  21 - Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the male blocking element (112) is glued to the glass (110) by an adhesive based on cyanoacrylate.  22 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the glass (110) is composed of a polyester and that the male blocking element (112) is composed of a polycarbonate.  23 - Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the male blocking element (lia) is bonded to the glass by an adhesive based on cyanoacrylate.  24 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the glass (110) is composed of mineral glass and that the male blocking element (112) is composed of a polycarbonate.  25 - Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the male blocking element (112) is bonded to the glass (110) by an adhesive based on cyanoacrylate.  26 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the glass (110) and the male blocking element (112) are composed of polycarbonate.  27 - Device according to claim 26, characterized in that the male blocking element (112) is glued to the glass (110) by an adhesive & cyanoacrylate base. 28 - Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the hard plastic material is chosen from polycarbonate polyesters, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, and synthetic rubbers having a Shore hardness of 80 or more on the A scale.  29 - Pair of glasses comprising on its frame an adjustment and blocking device according to any one of the preceding claims.  30 - Method for adjusting the position of a lens on a spectacle frame in order to adjust the lens to a given wearer when the lateral position of the lens is crucial for good vision of the wearer and to oppose the lateral displacement of the lens when it has thus been adjusted by means of a device according to claim 2, characterized in that the glass (10) is retained on the frame - by means of a blocking cavity (32, 34) defined by parts carriers (18,20) of the frame which can be clamped one on the other in an adjustable manner and which hold the lens (10) between them by friction to block it in lateral movement by tightening a male blocking element (30 ) carried by the glass (10) when said load-bearing parts (18, 20) are pressed against one another; it is checked that the lens (10) is placed in the correct lateral position to provide the wearer of the glasses with correct vision; if it is necessary to make a correction of the lateral position of the glass, said load-bearing parts (18, 20) are loosened enough to allow said male element (30) to slide laterally in said blocking cavity and the lateral position is adjusted glass by sliding it so; said carrier parts (18, 20) are tightened one on the other; the verification, loosening, sliding and tightening phases are repeated until the correct adjustment of the glass on the carrier has been obtained and, finally, said carrier parts (18, 20) are tightened one on the other in thus blocking any subsequent lateral displacement of the lens with respect to the frame.  31 - Method for mounting a lens in a spectacle frame by means of a device according to claim 3, characterized in that separately from the lens (110) is formed a male blocking element (112) which has a profile conforming to that of the cavity formed by the glass support elements (140) of the frame, a smooth edge (114) is formed on the glass (110), with a shape conforming to that of a contact surface (116 ) formed on the male blocking element (112), said contact surface (116) of the male blocking element (112) is fixed on the smooth edge (114), then it is enclosed in the blocking cavity part of the male blocking element (112) which has a shape conforming to that of this blocking cavity and this blocking cavity is tightened.