GB2115173A

GB2115173A - Spectacles

Info

Publication number: GB2115173A
Application number: GB08204629A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cecil James Watkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-17
Filing date: 1982-02-17
Publication date: 1983-09-01

Abstract

The spectacle frame (1) has forwardly extending projections (5) so arranged as to support the spectacles, when placed on a flat surface, with the lenses (4) clear of the surface, to avoid scratching. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spectacles The present invention relates to spectacles and spectacle frames. A particular problem for wearers of spectacles, particularly those who wear spectacles only for certain purposes such as, for example, reading-is that when the spectacles are removed and placed face downwards, for example on a table, there is a tendency for the lenses to become scratched as a result. This arises because spectcle lenses almost invariably have a convex front face which projects beyond the frame.

According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a pair of spectacles comprising a frame and a pair of lenses, the frame having forwardly extending projections so arranged as to support the spectacles, when placed on a flat surface, with the lenses clear of the surface.

The invention also extends to frames for such spectacles.

The frame may have two projections, for example at opposite sides thereof adjacent to the hinges, with elongate support edges for stable support on a flat surface. However, more than two projections may be provided, and, for example, it may be arranged that there are three projections which can provide stable support, even on surfaces which are not completely flat, with only point contact between the projections and the surface.

Where there are three projections, one of these may be formed by the bridge of the spectacle frame.

In a preferred arrangement, the frames are provided with projections having removable portions so that the degree to which they project can be adjusted to suit the lenses being used, so that the projections do not extend forward further than is necessary, so as not to unduly impair the aesthetic appearance of the spectacles.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of examplle, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan and side views of a pair of spectacles embodying the invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spectacles of Figs. 1 and 2, shown standing on a flat horizontal surface.

As shown in the drawings, a pair of spectacles comprises a frame 1, with side members 2 attached by means of hinges 3, in which are mounted a pair of lenses 4, in conventional manner. The lenses 4 have convex front surfaces although the lenses themselves may be convex lenses, concave lenses (i.e. concave meniscus) or even bi-focals. The convex front surfaces of the lenses would extend beyond the front of the frame 1, but for the provision of forwardly extending projections 5 which, as can be seen, terminate at a notional plane 6 which is slightly forward of the front surface of the lenses. As seen in Fig.

2, the projections 5 are of elongate form and serve to support the spectacles in a stable manner when these are placed face-down on a horizontal surface 7, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

As mentioned above, the projections 5 may have removable portions to adjust the extensions to suit the degree to which the lenses protrude from their mounting in the frame.

This is particularly easy to acheive in the case of moulded plastics frames, where the projections may be provided with grooves or the like so that unnecessary material (as indicated in Fig. 2 by the dotted line 8) can be broken off.

The projections may be of the same material and colour of the frames, and may be formed integrally with the frame, or may be of transparent materials so as to be unobtrusive.

It will be understood that the projections may be formed with smooth rounded edges to present an attractive appearance so that no serious change to the appearance of the spectacles takes place. Indeed the projections may be of an ornamental nature; for example they may be formed of gold wire, or of some ornate design such as butterfly wings. It would of course be equally possible to form the projections separately from the frame and to secure them to the frame by any suitable means such as adhesive or clips, and indeed it may be in this way possible to fit such projections to existing frames.

1. A pair of spectacles comprising a frame and a pair of lenses, the frame having forwardly extending projections so arranged as to support the spectacles, when placed on a flat surface, with the lenses clear of the surface.

2. Spectacles according to claim 1 having two such projections at opposite sides thereof adjacent the hinges of the frame, with elongate support edges for stable support on a flat surface.

3. Spectacles according to claim 1, having three such projections at, respectively, the two sides and the bridge of the frame.

4. Spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

5. A spectacle frame having forwardly extending projections so arranged as to support the frame, when placed on a flat surface, with the lens mountings thereof spaced from the surface, so that lenses when fitted thereto, are held clear of the surface.

6. A spectacle frame according to claim 5 having two such projections at opposite sides thereof adjacent the hinges of the frame, with elongate support edges for stable support on a flat surface.

7. A spectacle frame according to claim 5

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Spectacles The present invention relates to spectacles and spectacle frames. A particular problem for wearers of spectacles, particularly those who wear spectacles only for certain purposes such as, for example, reading-is that when the spectacles are removed and placed face downwards, for example on a table, there is a tendency for the lenses to become scratched as a result. This arises because spectcle lenses almost invariably have a convex front face which projects beyond the frame. According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a pair of spectacles comprising a frame and a pair of lenses, the frame having forwardly extending projections so arranged as to support the spectacles, when placed on a flat surface, with the lenses clear of the surface. The invention also extends to frames for such spectacles. The frame may have two projections, for example at opposite sides thereof adjacent to the hinges, with elongate support edges for stable support on a flat surface. However, more than two projections may be provided, and, for example, it may be arranged that there are three projections which can provide stable support, even on surfaces which are not completely flat, with only point contact between the projections and the surface. Where there are three projections, one of these may be formed by the bridge of the spectacle frame. In a preferred arrangement, the frames are provided with projections having removable portions so that the degree to which they project can be adjusted to suit the lenses being used, so that the projections do not extend forward further than is necessary, so as not to unduly impair the aesthetic appearance of the spectacles. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of examplle, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan and side views of a pair of spectacles embodying the invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spectacles of Figs. 1 and 2, shown standing on a flat horizontal surface. As shown in the drawings, a pair of spectacles comprises a frame 1, with side members 2 attached by means of hinges 3, in which are mounted a pair of lenses 4, in conventional manner. The lenses 4 have convex front surfaces although the lenses themselves may be convex lenses, concave lenses (i.e. concave meniscus) or even bi-focals. The convex front surfaces of the lenses would extend beyond the front of the frame 1, but for the provision of forwardly extending projections 5 which, as can be seen, terminate at a notional plane 6 which is slightly forward of the front surface of the lenses. As seen in Fig. 2, the projections 5 are of elongate form and serve to support the spectacles in a stable manner when these are placed face-down on a horizontal surface 7, as illustrated in Fig. 3. As mentioned above, the projections 5 may have removable portions to adjust the extensions to suit the degree to which the lenses protrude from their mounting in the frame. This is particularly easy to acheive in the case of moulded plastics frames, where the projections may be provided with grooves or the like so that unnecessary material (as indicated in Fig. 2 by the dotted line 8) can be broken off. The projections may be of the same material and colour of the frames, and may be formed integrally with the frame, or may be of transparent materials so as to be unobtrusive. It will be understood that the projections may be formed with smooth rounded edges to present an attractive appearance so that no serious change to the appearance of the spectacles takes place. Indeed the projections may be of an ornamental nature; for example they may be formed of gold wire, or of some ornate design such as butterfly wings. It would of course be equally possible to form the projections separately from the frame and to secure them to the frame by any suitable means such as adhesive or clips, and indeed it may be in this way possible to fit such projections to existing frames. CLAIMS

7. A spectacle frame according to claim 5 having three such projections at, respectively, the two sides and the bridge of the frame.

8. A spectacle frame accordig to claim 5, 6 or 7, in which the projections have removable portions so that the degree to which they project can be adjusted to suit the lenses being used.

9. A spectacle frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.