FR3063152A1 - JOINT ARTICULATION OF EYEWEAR. - Google Patents

Abstract

Articulation 2 eyeglass frame 1 for pivotally connecting a pin 11 to a branch 12, having a male portion 3 adapted to be connected to the pin 11 and a female portion 4 adapted to be connected to the branch 12, characterized by the fact that the male part 3 is defined in the form of a blade 30 comprising a frame defining a light, in which two lugs coming from opposite edges of the frame extend diametrically opposite by defining sections of pivot shafts, and by the fact that the female part 4 has eyelets coming to fit on the reciprocal lugs of the male part 3.

Description

© Publication number: 3,063,152 (only to be used for reproduction orders) © National registration number: 1751410 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : G 02 C 5/00 (2017.01), G 02 C 9/00

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 23.02.17. (© Applicant (s): VUILLET VEGA Joint-stock company (© Priority: simplified - FR. @ Inventor (s): VUILLET GERARD. (© Date of public availability of the request: 24.08.18 Bulletin 18/34. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents (73) Holder (s): VUILLET VEGA Société par actions sim- related: folded. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): CABINET BLEGER-RHEIN-POUPON.

FR 3 063 152 - A1 (04; articulation of spectacle frame.

©) Joint 2 of spectacle frame 1 intended to pivotally connect a stud 11 to a branch 12, comprising a male part 3 intended to be connected to the stud 11 and a female part 4 provided to be connected to the branch 12, characterized by the fact that the male part 3 is defined in the form of a blade 30 comprising a frame delimiting a light, in which two lugs coming from opposite edges of the frame extend in diametrically opposite manner by defining sections of pivot shafts, and by the fact that the female part 4 has eyelets which fit onto the reciprocal lugs of the male part 3.

Eyeglass frame joint

The present invention relates to a spectacle frame joint, a spectacle frame and a pair of spectacles comprising it.

By spectacle frame is meant a frame of the type comprising a front with or without front bar, which may also include one or two optical or solar or protective glasses, said front further comprising at least one stud being connected to a reciprocal branch by a joint. The post can come in one piece with the front bar.

The facade may include circles now on all or part of the periphery of the lens called mask or lenses, according to a configuration commonly known as rimmed frame in the case of a complete rim, or Nylor in the case of a semi rim completed by support by a nylon thread or equivalent. The front may not have a front bar, and the tenon be attached to the glass directly, in a configuration commonly called pierced mounting.

According to another configuration, the frame may not include glasses, but support, for example, augmented reality devices, virtual reality devices or devices for delivering products such as misters for ocular dryness, or light therapy devices.

The frame of glasses can correspond to a semifini product, unfit to be sold and worn by an end user.

A pair of glasses is a spectacle frame embellished with corrective, solar or protective lenses, having finishes allowing it to be sold for use by an end user.

It is known to have spectacle frames comprising a front, cooperating with a branch by a hinge pivoting around a screw or a shaft forming an axis. The articulation is then constituted in a known manner by male and female knuckles fitted together, one attached to the tenon of the facade, the other to the end of the corresponding branch.

This type of articulation includes indexing means in the open position, the frame then being able to be worn on the face by a user, or in the closed position, to facilitate storage of the frame. It is also known that the articulation supports an over-opening relative to the carrying position, making it easier to put on the face of the wearer.

This type of joint requires many stages for their production and mounting (machining, stamping, welding, assembly, ...) which have a harmful effect on the price of the frame.

In the case of spectacle frames of thin thicknesses, the mounting of the joint connecting a branch and the facade causes unsightly extra thicknesses.

The solution to refine the joint to avoid excess thickness has the drawback of making it fragile and therefore liable to deterioration or rupture in the event of accidental stresses exerted on the frame.

The present invention seeks to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above, by proposing an articulation of a spectacle frame which is simple to manufacture, in few parts and robust, of small thickness.

To this end, the invention relates to a spectacle frame articulation intended to pivotally connect a post to a branch, comprising a male part intended to be connected to the post and a female part intended to be connected to the branch, the male part. being defined in the form of a blade comprising a frame delimiting a light, in which two lugs coming from opposite edges of the frame extend in diametrically opposite directions by defining sections of pivot shafts, and the female part comprising eyelets coming from fit on the reciprocal lugs of the male part.

This allows for a simple, thin, two-piece spectacle frame joint.

According to a possible configuration, the pins have the same axial alignment and the eyelets are coaxial. This makes it possible to operate the joint without it being deformed by internal constraints.

According to a second possible configuration, the eyelets are subjected to elastic return means to be pushed elastically onto the lugs of the male part.

This ensures that the female part remains nested in the male part at all times of the use of the spectacle frame.

According to a third possible configuration, the female part comprises indexing means associated with at least one eyelet cooperating in support with complementary indexing means associated with a song facing the male part to index the male part relative to the female part in at least one given angular position.

This makes it possible to integrate at least one stable position obtained simply in the joint.

According to a fourth possible configuration, the means of indexing the eyelet are defined by, at least on one of its faces opposite a edge of the frame, at least one nesting reservation on said edge.

This allows the indexing means to be carried out simply.

According to a fifth possible configuration, the indexing means are defined to ensure the maintenance of the joint by indexing in at least one open position or one closed position.

This keeps the spectacle frame in a position of use suitable for being worn by a user, or in a closed position facilitating the storage of the frame.

According to a sixth possible configuration, at least one eyelet resting on the facing edge comprises at least one surface inclined towards at least one reservation, said inclined surface forming an unstable position, in particular capable of causing an automatic return effect from a position of over-opening to the open position.

This allows the articulation to include an automatic recall function allowing the articulation to pass from an unstable position to a stable position such as from an over-opening position to an open position, from an over-closing position towards a closed position, or from an intermediate position between the open and closed position to one of the open or closed positions.

According to a seventh possible configuration, the disengagement distance between the top of a lug and the edge from which the opposite lug originates is less than the distance from one eyelet in the direction of the other eyelet when the return means elastics of the male part are in a compressed state.

This prevents disassembly of the joint when it is subjected to accidental torsion of the frame.

The invention also relates to a spectacle frame comprising a hinge according to one or more of the preceding characteristics.

The invention further relates to a pair of spectacles made with a spectacle frame comprising a joint according to one or more of the preceding characteristics.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows, relating to embodiments which are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting examples.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial side view of a spectacle frame comprising a hinge according to an embodiment of the invention, the hinge being in the open position, according to a lateral view angle from the center of the frame.

- Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a female part of the joint of Figure 1 according to the same angle of view as Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view of a male part of the joint of Figure 1 from the same angle of view as Figure 1.

- Figure 4 is an overview of the spectacle frame of Figure 1, comprising a joint in the open position and a joint in the closed position.

- Figure 5 is a top view of the joint in the closed position of Figure 1.

- Figure 6 is a top view of the joint in the open position of Figure 1.

- Figure 7 is an exploded top view of the joint of Figure 1.

A spectacle frame comprising the articulation described below is defined in space according to its position of use when worn on the face of a user (not illustrated here), the orientation of one or more branches being then substantially horizontal. The articulation pivots along a substantially vertical axis.

The orientations refer to this position when worn by the user.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and following.

A spectacle frame 1 has a facade 10 having a tenon 11, said tenon 11 being able to be attached to a branch 12 by an articulation 2 pivoting along an axis 00 'substantially perpendicular to a main orientation of the branch 12 and to a main orientation of the facade 11.

This axis 00 'is also perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the joint.

The articulation 2 which can attach the tenon 11 to the branch 12 comprises a male part 3 intended to be connected to the tenon 11, and a female part 4 provided to be connected to the branch 12. Either of the connections can be done by screwing or gluing, welding or any other equivalent connection means, allowing reversible or permanent mounting on the post 11 or the corresponding branch 12.

The parts of the male and female joint 3,4 may also come in one piece with the stud 11 or the corresponding branch 12.

The articulation 2 can have a so-called open position, where a main orientation of the male part 3 is arranged substantially parallel to a main orientation of the female part 4.

On a frame 1 comprising this articulation 2, this corresponds to a state where the branch 12 is said to be open, the frame 1 then being able to be worn by a user.

The articulation 2 can also have a so-called closed position, where the main orientation of the male part 3 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the main orientation of the female part 4.

On a frame 1 comprising this articulation 2, this corresponds to a state where the branch 12 is said to be closed, which makes it possible to obtain a compact frame which is easier to store.

According to an alternative embodiment, the articulation 2 can have an over-opening position corresponding to an angular position of the articulation 2 beyond its open position, and an over-closing position corresponding to an angular position of the hinge 2 below its closed position.

The male part 3 of the articulation 1 has the general shape of a blade 30 substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the articulation 2. The articulation axis 00 ′ is in the director plane of the blade 30 of the male part 3.

This male part 3 has a through opening 31 passing through the blade 30 transversely. This light 31 is defined by edges 33, 34, 35, 36 of a frame 32 defining it.

In this light 31, two pins 330,340 are arranged with their vertices facing one another. These pins 330, 340 form parts of shafts through which the pivot axis OO 'of the joint 2 passes. These pins 330, 340 come from edges 33, 34 opposite from the frame 32.

The frame 32 of the male part 3 is closed to provide structural rigidity of the pins 330, 340 forming the pivot shafts of the joint 00 ′ when efforts are exerted during use. This rigidity can be ensured by requiring only a reduced blade thickness 32.

Indeed, a discontinuity of this frame 32 would facilitate bending of the support structure of the pins 330,340, which leads to a displacement of the pins 330,340 relative to each other and to damage of the joint 2.

In the example of embodiment of the articulation illustrated here, the thickness of the blade 30 of the male part 3 of the articulation 2 corresponds to the diameter of the pins 330,340.

It is thus possible to obtain a male part 3 having satisfactory rigidity characteristics, with a thin thickness which does not harm the aesthetics of the frame 1.

The female part 4 of the articulation 2 comprises two eyelets 40, 41 in opposition to one another, which have orifices 42, 43 which fit onto the lugs 330, 340 of the male part and pivot around them.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the two eyelets 40, 41 both have a general configuration of rings, the annular surfaces of which are parallel to the pivot plane of the articulation 2.

The female part 4 is assembled on the male part 3 by positioning the pins 330, 340 in the orifices 42, 43 of the reciprocal eyelets. The spacing between the tops of the two pins called the pass width allows the eyelets to be fitted.

An eyelet 40,41 can have its orifice 42,43 off-center with respect to the other eyelet. This off-center configuration subjects this articulation 2 to torsional stresses during its operation. In order to resist these constraints, the structure of the joint 2 must be reinforced, by thickening the male part 3 for example.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated here, the nesting orifices 42, 43 of the two eyelets 40, 41 are carried by the same articulation axis AA ′ so as not to create these constraints on the articulation and allow a space-saving joint.

The female part 4 of the articulation 2 also includes elastic return means connected to the eyelets 40,41. These elastic return means exert a return force towards the pins 330, 340 on which they are fitted.

In the embodiment illustrated here, these elastic return means are in the form of spring blades 44,45 coming from branch 12 and each connected to an eyelet 40,41. These two spring blades 44,45 are arranged on the same plane and have sections 46,47 facing each other.

In the rest position, these leaf springs 44,45 have their edges 46,47 facing away from each other; the spacing between the eyelets 40,41 attached to each leaf spring 44,45 is then greater than the pass width between the tops of the two lugs 330,340.

The distance of the edges 46,47 from the blades 44,45 can also be greater so that the spacing between the two eyelets 40,41 connected to each leaf spring 44,45 is greater than the distance between the edges 33 , 34 from which the pins 330,340 originate.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated here, when the female part 4 is assembled in the male part 3, at least one of the surfaces of the eyelets 40,41 is in contact with one of the edges 33,34 of the frame. where the pins 330,340 come from. The spring blades 44,45 are then in compression and exert a force to return the eyelets 40,41 towards the lugs 330,340 or the edges 33,34 from which they come.

The annular surfaces of the eyelets 40,41 are in the embodiment described in a position substantially perpendicular to the blade 30 of the male part 3 and are also perpendicular to the edges 33,34 of the frame from which the lugs 330,340 originate.

The articulation 2 may also include means of indexing according to a given angular position of the male part 3 relative to the female part 4.

The angular position can for example correspond to the open position or to the closed position as defined above.

These indexing means are arranged on the female part and cooperate with complementary indexing means arranged on the male part 3, an example of corresponding means is described below.

At least one surface of the eyelets 40,41 is in contact with the edge 33,34 of the frame 32 opposite. This surface may include at least one reservation 400,410,420,430 in the form of a groove or a groove extending diametrically to the orifice 42,43 of the corresponding eyelet. This reservation

400,410,420,430 is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the eyelet in the embodiment illustrated here.

This reservation 400,410,420,430 on the surface of the eyelet 40,41 is of substantially complementary shape to the edge 33,34 in contact with the eyelet 40,41, so as to fit onto it to form the indexing means of the female part 4 and the complementary means of indexing the male part 3 and ensuring a stable position of the joint 2.

Song 33.34 is retained in the reservation

400,410,420,430 by the elastic return effect of the leaf springs 44,45.

In order to get out of this stable position, the user must exert a force of rotation of the articulation 2 in order to disengage the edge 33,34 from the reservation 400,410,420,430 in which it was placed, against the restoring force exerted by the spring blades 44,45.

It is possible to facilitate the disengagement of the edge from the reservation by modulating the angles of the walls forming the sides of the reservation 400,410,420,430. It is also possible to provide chamfers or leaves for the same purpose on the engagement edges of the reservation 400,410,420,430.

One can provide on the same eyelet surface 40,41 two nesting reservations 400,410 and 420,430 for the indexing ίο of the joint 2 in at least two angular positions offset one with respect to the previous one.

Thus, a first stable indexed position can be achieved with the joint 2 in the closed position, in order to prevent the branch 12 from coming into contact with the front panel 11 of the frame 1, and a second stable indexed position can be achieved with the articulation 2 in the open position, in order to maintain the branch 12 of the frame 1 in a position carried by the user.

In order to avoid interference between the blade 30 of the male part 3 and the spring leaf (s) 44, 45 of the female part 4 when the joint 2 is placed in the open position, the spring leaves are offset with respect to the blade 30 of the male part, they are not aligned with respect to the pivot axis OO 'of the joint 2.

This is particularly visible in Figure 6.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not illustrated here, an overtravel position can also be incorporated in this articulation 2 by increasing this offset so as to create an angular play in the articulation 2 beyond the open position or in below the closed position.

According to a second alternative embodiment not illustrated here, at least one eyelet 40, 41 has a radial protrusion capable of coming into abutment against the blade 30 in order to prevent the articulation 2 from exceeding a position defined in rotation. This thus makes it possible to form a closing stop avoiding that, once the joint assembled on the frame 1, the branch 12 does not come to strike against the front 11 and damage it.

In order to avoid a sloshing of the branch 12 which can give the user the impression of a frame of poor quality, it can be added to the joint 2 means for automatically returning the joint 2 to the position or positions stable defined above.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the automatic return means are in the form of at least one surface "S" inclined on the surface or surfaces of the eyelets 40,41 in contact with the edges 33,34 of the frame 32. This or these "S" surfaces are inclined towards a reservation

400,410,420,430 forming a stable opening or closing position. The edge 33,34 in contact is encouraged to slide on the surface “S” inclined towards the neighboring stable position by the effect of the force exerted by the elastic return means constituted by the leaf springs 44,45 described above.

The surface (s) "S" thus inclined can be located in the angular space between the reservations

400,410,420,430 corresponding to the open and closed positions of the joint 2. There is then provided an unstable intermediate position corresponding to a radial edge on the surface of the eyelet 40,41, and which has on either side of this edge two "S" surfaces coming from it and angularly inclined towards the stable positions.

An inclined surface "S" can also be located after the open position, so that in the event of over-opening of the joint 2, the joint is brought back to the open position.

This automatic recall thus obtained from an unstable overopening position to a stable open position is called in the eyewear field a "FLEX" function.

In the same way, an inclined surface “S” can also be situated below the closed position, so that in the event of over-closing of the joint 2, the joint is brought back to the closed position. .

Means for retaining the male part 3 in the female part 4 can also be incorporated in this articulation 2, to avoid dismantling the accidental articulation.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated here, these retaining means are constituted by the fact that a disengagement distance of the female part 4 from the male part 3 - corresponding to the distance between the top of a lug 330,340 and the edge 34,33 from which the opposite lug originates - is less than the distance from one eyelet 40,41 towards the other eyelet 41,40 when the elastic return means of the male part 3 are in the compressed state, that is to say when the edges 46,47 of the spring blades 44,45 touch.

Thus in the event of accidental torsion of the articulation, the two spring blades 44,45 approach and compress, their edges 46,47 come into contact and do not allow the lugs 330,340 to have enough space to come out of the orifices 42 , 43 carnations.

As soon as the torsional force decreases, the spring blades 44,45 move away from one another and push the eyelets 40,41 towards the lugs 330,340 or the edges 33,34 of the frame 32 of the male part 3 .

These retaining means do not, however, prevent the mounting of the articulation 2.

The assembly is carried out as follows: a lateral torsion is applied to the two spring blades 44, 45 so as to offset them and they are compressed towards each other so that they are positioned in scissors. The distance between the two eyelets 40,41 then becomes smaller than the pass width between the tops of the two lugs 330,340. This allows to fit a first lug into a first hole, then to place the second lug in front of the second hole. Stopping the compressive force then allows repositioning of the spring blades 44,45 on the same plane and good positioning of the pins 330,340 in the orifices 42,43.

One of the male part 3 and the female part 4 of the articulation 2 or both can be produced in whole or in part by machining, or by any other suitable manufacturing means such as for example stamping and folding, laser cutting , waterjet cutting, additive manufacturing or chemical cutting.

There is thus obtained a hinge 2 of spectacle frame 1 having a small thickness, simple to produce in a small part, robust, not dismantling in the event of accidental twisting and which may include stable indexing positions in the open position and / or closed, as well as unstable over-opening and / or over-closing positions, which may further include means for automatically returning the joint 2 to one or more of these stable positions.

The invention also relates to a spectacle frame 5 manufactured with at least one articulation having one or more of the characteristics described above.

Finally, the invention relates to a pair of glasses comprising a spectacle frame with at least one articulation having one or more of the characteristics described above.

Claims (9)

1. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) intended to pivotally connect a stud (11) to a branch (12), comprising a male part (3) intended to be connected to the stud (11) and a female part (4) designed to be connected to the branch (12), characterized in that the male part (3) is defined in the form of a blade (30) comprising a frame (32) delimiting a light (31), in which two lugs (330,340) from opposite edges (33,34) of the frame (32) extend in diametrically opposite manner by defining sections of pivot shafts, and by the fact that the female part (4) comprises eyelets (40,41) fitting onto the reciprocal lugs (330,340) of the male part (3). 2. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pins (330,340) have the same axial alignment and in that the eyelets (40,41) are coaxial. 3. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the eyelets (40,41) are subjected to elastic return means to be pushed elastically on the pins (330,340) of the male part (3). 4. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the female part (4) comprises indexing means associated with at least one eyelet (40,41 ) cooperating in support with additional indexing means associated with a facing edge (33, 34) of the male part (3) to index the male part (3) relative to the female part (4) in at least one given angular position. 5. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the indexing means of the eyelet (40,41) are defined by, at least on one of its opposite faces a edge (33,34) of the frame (32), at least one nesting reservation (400,410,420,430) on said edge. 6. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the indexing means are defined to ensure the maintenance of the joint (2) by indexing in au minus an open or closed position. 7. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to claim 5 taken alone or combined with claim 6, characterized in that at least one eyelet (40,41) bearing on the edge (33,34 ) facing has an inclined surface “S” towards at least one reservation (400,410,420,430), said inclined surface “S” forming an unstable position, in particular capable of causing an automatic recall effect from an over-opening position towards the open position . 8. Joint (2) of spectacle frame (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the disengagement distance between the top of a lug (330,340) and the edge (34,33) where the opposite lug (340,330) comes from is less than the distance from one eyelet (40,41) towards the other eyelet (41,40) when the elastic return means of the female part (4 ) are in a compressed state. 9. 5 10. Spectacle frame (1) comprising a hinge (2) according to one of the preceding claims. Pair of glasses comprising a glasses frame (1) according to claim 9. 1/2 \\\ FIG. 3