GB2348037A

GB2348037A - Display set for spectacles

Info

Publication number: GB2348037A
Application number: GB9905758A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hockney
Original assignee: CAMBRIDGE OPTICAL GROUP LIMITE
Current assignee: CAMBRIDGE OPTICAL GROUP LIMITE
Priority date: 1999-03-13
Filing date: 1999-03-13
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: GB9905758D0

Abstract

A point of sale set for spectacles comprises either at least two different front pieces and a pair of temple pieces, or at least two different pairs of temple pieces and a front piece, the front pieces and temple pieces being adapted to connect via permanent securing means and also by temporary quick securing and release means so as to enable temporary demonstration of the spectacles, and a display set having drawers containing such pieces.

Description

Display set for spectacles The invention relates to spectacles and point of sale displays for spectacles.

Conventionally spectacles are in the form of a frame front, in which the prescription or nonprescription lenses are held, hingeably attached to side arms (temple pieces). In use the temple pieces generally extend rearwards at the side of the user's head and rest over the ears, while the frame front is supported by a bridge piece which is supported on the user's nose.

In most cases the hinge arrangement which connects the temple pieces and the frame front is not such that the frame front and temple pieces are readily detachable. Commonly each wing of the hinge is welded or otherwise permanently connected, in one case to the edge of the front frame, and in the other case to the end of the temple piece, and the hinge itself is fastened together with some form of permanent means such as a screw.

Generally spectacle frames have been sold as complete units and displayed as such, for example in standard wall displays consisting of many rows and columns of different designs of spectacles each individually supported in an open or closed position for the customer to examine.

Such displays, although they may consist of a large number of different designs of spectacle frames, often do not have the frame which meets the customer's requirements, because one or more features of each design do not meet with their approval. Examples of a number of displays are known from the prior art.

In some cases arrangements have been proposed for quick release fastenings for the temple pieces to the front frame, so that different temple pieces are interchangeable by the user. For example, US Patent No. 4798455 (Yoe et al.) discloses such an arrangement for novelty glasses. In one embodiment the frame front is divided into two pieces, one for each lense. Each frame front element has a side lug with a channel into which a cooperating element on the end of the temple piece is secured by a push fit. This embodiment has no hinges. In a second embodiment, the front frame is provided with hinges, each in the form of"U"shaped fastener, integral with the front frame, which snap fits over a cylindrical securing element on the end of each temple piece. The temple piece can rotate about the axis of the cylindrical securing element. In each case the front frames and temple pieces are designed for novelty appeal, for example as a toothbrush shape or pencil shape for the temple pieces, or television or watch for the front pieces.

A further quick release fastening mechanism has been proposed in US Patent Number 5007728 (Robert Magorien). In this case the problem relates to the use of spectacles for a number of different applications: for example a user may want fashionable eyewear, but also to use the same prescription lenses as part of safety glasses. The patent describes glasses comprising a front piece including hinged side lugs. The distal end of the side lugs (ie the other side of the hinge from the front piece) are adapted to fit a socket on the end of the temple pieces, so that the temple pieces snap fit onto the side lugs. In this way alternative temple pieces can be used, some being of fashion wear, and others of a safety design.

In each case the replaceable temple pieces require special design of the hinge elements or securing mechanism. In the case of the glasses not intended for novelty use the design of the securing mechanism is relatively intricate. Furthermore, the availability of such designs has not resulted in a wide variety of frames with interchangeable elements becoming available.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means by which users can choose between different frames and interchangeable front pieces, and try wearing glasses made of such pieces in order to test them on an interchangeable basis. For example the user may wish to experiment with a number of different colourways or designs before deciding which frames are preferred.

After choosing, the glasses can be made up with a conventional form of fastening between the front frame and temple pieces which is durable and permanent during use.

The present invention provides a point of sale set for spectacle frames having a front piece and temple pieces, and temple piece securing means for securing the temple pieces to the front piece, the point of sale set comprising at least two different designs of front piece and at least one design of temple piece and at least two different designs of temple piece and at least one design of front piece, each temple piece being adapted to fit each front piece, and temporary or quick securing and release means for securing the front pieces to the temple pieces temporarily for display purposes, the temporary or quick securing means differing at least in part from the temple piece securing means.

Generally the front piece of the assembled spectacle frames will be fitted with prescription or non-prescription lenses.

Preferably the temple piece securing means are hinge means, permitting the temple pieces to be hinged, in the assembled spectacle frames, relative to the front piece, so that the spectacle frames can be folded up. Preferably these temple piece securing means are"permanent". By permanent is meant that the temple piece securing means will not, during normal use of the assembled spectacles, be released, or are not designed or adapted to be so released. For example such means might be undone during repair of the spectacles, but not when the spectacles are normally worn.

For example the temple piece securing means may be a"permanent"hinge means, the parts of which are not designed to be separated during normal use, but only for repair. This type of hinge means is further described below.

The temple pieces are designed to match a number of different front pieces. This requires each part to have complementary elements adapted for quick securing and release, and also that the other elements of the interface between the front piece and the temple piece match. For example, usually front pieces in spectacle frames are provided with lugs on each side of the front piece. Where the hinge means requires that the two surfaces of the lug and the temple piece should butt onto each other, and should preserve a particular angle between the lug and the temple piece, the temple pieces are adapted so that each different design of temple piece butts correctly onto the design or each design of front piece. Similarly, if there is any special projection or other feature on the temple piece, which requires a complementary or matching feature on the front piece, then that must be present in each design of front piece to which the temple piece is to be matched. Preferably the sets of corresponding temple pieces and front pieces are also matched to have matching or complementary aesthetic features. Hitherto, the temple piece and corresponding lug have been designed and manufactured as an integral component and then split apart, which has meant that the design is not, generally complementary to or matching to other lugs. Preferably therefore the individual temple piece and the corresponding lug are not manufactured as an integral component, but as separate components.

Frequently the lugs on the front piece conceal and have fastened to them a first hinge element, and the temple pieces have secured to their forward end a second complementary hinge element.

The hinge elements engage so that they can partially rotate, relative to each other, about a common axis. For example one hinge elements may carry a bore, which engages with a pin on the other hinge element; or both hinge elements may carry bores, which, when the complementary hinge elements engage, are coaxial and the hinge elements are fastened together with a pin, screw or rivet coaxial with, and inserted into a bores along their common axis.

When fastened together using such a hinge element, the front piece and temple pieces are relatively permanently secured. They are not readily detached without special implements, and during use are not intended to be detached.

The temporary or quick release means referred to above can be provided in such a case by means of a pin or screw, for example of metal or plastics material, which can be rapidly inserted and removed from the hinge, in order to secure the parts together. In this respect it differs from the (permanent) temple piece securing means for the assembled spectacle frames. For example, where the parts of the hinge are normally screwed together, part of the bore of one of the hinge elements being threaded to accept such a screw, a pin can be provided of dimensions such that it is a press fit into the threaded part of the bore without requiring to be screwed into it. In a case where there is no thread, but the pin (or screw) is secured normally permanently by some other means, such as a nut, no nut is used. The securing means is temporary in that it would not be suitable for continued use, because during such use the pin is may become dislodged or lost.

Where the bore is partly threaded, preferably a plastics or plastics coated pin is used to avoid damage to the thread. Preferably such a pin or screw is also provided with means which assist in its rapid removal. Such pins or screws may be disposable after on or more uses.

Alternatively, other quick securing and release means may be used, while a conventional hinge is used in the assembled spectacle frame. This is not usually preferred as it requires different temple and/or front pieces to those use in the assembly of the frames for ultimate supply to the customer and therefore additional components to be made.

In a set, each temple piece is adapted to match at least two designs of front piece, or the lug forming part of such designs. Alternatively, but preferably also each front piece is adapted to match at least two pairs (left and right) of temple pieces.

Preferably the set comprises several designs of front, several designs of lugs adapted to fit the fronts, and several designs of temple, the temples being adapted to be compatible with each of the lugs such that the temples may be mutually exchanged.

In a set according to the present invention there may for example be at least 3, preferably at least 6 different front designs (including the lugs), and 3, preferably at least 6 temple piece designs, each adapted to fit each other front piece design. The front piece designs may differ from one another by having different designs of lugs, or by the remainder of the front piece designs differing from each other. Preferably a set will include a number of front pieces which differ in design only in the design of their lugs, as well as a number which differ in their design apart from the lugs. For example a set may include three different lug designs, each combined with three different designs of the front piece without the lugs (making a total of nine designs of front piece).

A feature of the design will preferably also be the colourways for each part. By"colourways"is meant the combination of colours used to decorate an individual piece.

Preferably there will be a number of different shapes and configurations of design, as set out above, and also a number, for example 4, preferably at least 6, colourways for each temple piece. In addition, there will preferably be a number of colourways for each front piece design, for example 3, preferably at least 6.

Preferably in the display set, the quick securing and release means consists of a dummy pin or screw, adapted to be rapidly inserted into the bore of a hinge of the above type. Preferably the set comprises a number of dummy pins suitable for that purpose.

Preferably the set is displayed for the customer, so that the customer can choose a specific front piece of the frame to suit their taste, and can then select temple pieces. The temple pieces are adapted so that they fit any of the front pieces which may be chosen. The user can then fasten the temple pieces to the front frame by the quick securing means provided and try wearing the spectacles in order to judge their suitability. If they decide that they would prefer to try a different front, the front can be quick released from the temple pieces, the alternative front taken and quick secured to the temple pieces so that the result can be viewed promptly.

The invention further provides a point of sale display including sets of fronts of different design, lugs of different design and temples of different design, the temples of each design being mutually interchangeable, in relation to lugs of each design.

The display may conveniently be in the form of a set of drawers. For example the first drawer can contain a set of front pieces, each of a different design, but of a limited range of colours.

The second drawer can contain a set of temple pieces, which may still be in a straight form (ie before the rear section is bent around to fit over the user's ear. In addition, in or associated with the container for the temple pieces there may be elements for implementing the quick securing and release means, such as pins which can be press fitted into the bore of the hinge elements in the front pieces and temple pieces.

There may be a third drawer which contains a further selection of front pieces, with a wider range of colours, and a fourth drawer with a further range of temple pieces with a wider range of colours.

Part of the set may also be displayed in a conventional manner, for example, some of the front pieces or part assembled frames may be exhibited on a wall or standing display.

As an alternative to drawers, the set may be displayed in a like manner on a wall or standing display.

Conveniently, such a display is made up of sample of the components used by the manufacturer or assembler to assemble the completed spectacle frames, together with the elements which permit quick securing and release, such as press fit pins. Clearly in such as case the actual pins required in final assembly need not be included in the display set. In this way a display set can be used to display actual examples of the frames, and special samples for display do not have to be made up.

In use the user will examine front pieces from the first drawer, and when a suitable one has been chosen, will examine temple pieces from the second drawer. A sample of the spectacle frames can then be rapidly assembled using the quick securing means and the user can try wearing them in order to see whether they are suitable. In order to assist in this the front pieces may be fitted with plain or corrected lenses, and the user can affix additional plastic preformed malleable lenses to correct their vision sufficiently so that they can view the sample spectacles while wearing them. Alternatively, a display system can be provided which includes means for the user to photograph themselves and then view the image using spectacles with appropriate correcting lenses, for example their existing spectacles.

If the spectacle frames, comprising a front piece and temple pieces are chosen by the user, the manufacturer or assembler can then assemble an appropriate set of spectacles with appropriate lenses, such as correcting lenses, based on the chosen designs, for example by assembling from stock items a front piece and temple pieces of the chosen designs, using relatively permanent securing means such as screws for the hinges.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example only, by reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows an elevation of a front piece.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a temple piece including the hinge and lug, which normally forms part of the front piece.

Figure 3 shows a part plan view and cross section of the hinge area for securing the front pieces to the temple pieces.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a display cabinet for holding sets in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a drawer of a display cabinet containing front pieces including fitted lugs.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a drawer of a display cabinet containing temple pieces.

In Figure 1, the front piece 1, is made up of two lunettes, 2,3, each adapted to hold a lense, 4.

The lunettes are joined by a bridge piece 5. Two lugs, 6,7 are fastened to the sides of the front piece 1.

Figure 2 shows a temple piece 8 and side lug 6 hinged together, by a hinge 9, comprising hinge elements shown in more detail in Figure 3. The hinge 9, comprises hinge elements 10,11. Each hinge element carries a bore 12 through flanges 13,14. The bore of one of the flanges is threaded (not shown), and when fmally assembled in a permanent manner, a screw (not shown) is inserted into the bore and tightened in the thread so as to secure the two hinge elements 10,11 rotatably together.

Figure 5 shows a drawer containing front pieces, 1, each carrying a side lugs 6,7. The drawer fits into the cabinet 20. Figure 6 shows temple pieces without the lugs, and with only one hinge element. Normally these will be displayed with hinge element hidden by the temple piece, so that the customer can see the design clearly. In addition a set of temporary securing pins 15 are provided. When the user selects a front piece and temple piece, the hinge element of the temple piece can be engaged with the complementary hinge element of the front piece and the temporary pin inserted through the hinge bore 12 to secure the parts together for temporary trial.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A point of sale set, for spectacles having a front piece and temple pieces, and temple piece securing means for securing each temple piece to the front piece, comprising at least two different designs of front piece and at least one design of temple piece or at least two different designs of temple piece and at least one design of front piece, each temple piece being adapted to fit each front piece, and temporary or quick securing and release means for securing the front pieces to the temple pieces temporarily for display purposes, the temporary or quick securing and release means being at least partly different from the temple piece securing means.

2 A point of sale set according to claim 1, in which the temple piece securing means comprise hinge means.

3 A point of sale set according to claim 2, in which the hinge means comprises a first hinge elements carrying a bore, and a second hinge element adapted to engage the first hinge element, the second hinge element carrying a pin adapted to engage the bore along a common axis, or carrying a further bore adapted to engage coaxially with the first bore, and to adapted to accept to accept a pin or other axial securing means along the common axis.

4 A point of sale set according to claim 3 in which both hinge elements carry a bore, in which the temporary or quick securing and release means comprises, in addition to the hinge elements, a pin adapted to press fit the bore of the hinge elements.

5 A set according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the front pieces include a rearwardly directed lug piece for each temple piece to be secured to the front piece, the lug and temple pieces in the set having mutually compatible designs.

6 A set according to claim 5, depending on claim 3 or 4, in which one hinge element is secured to the lug, and the other hinge element is secured to the temple piece.

7 A display case for a set according to any of the preceding claim, including such a set, comprising a plurality of drawers, such drawers containing the front pieces and temple pieces, and also the element necessary for implementing the temporary or quick securing or release means.

8 A process for assembly of a spectacle frame, comprising displaying a set in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6, to a customer, the customer identifying a front piece and two temple pieces from the set, the front piece and temple pieces being assembled temporarily to form a trial spectacle frame, the relevant desired front and temple pieces being selected following such trial, and a spectacle frame being assembled from corresponding front and temple pieces and temple securing means.

9 A collection of front and temple pieces adapted for use in a set, or in conjunction with a set according to any of claims 1 to 6.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 point of sale set, for spectacles having a front piece and temple pieces, and temple piece securing means for securing each temple piece to the front piece, comprising at least two different designs of front piece and at least one design of temple piece or at least two different designs of temple piece and at least one design of front piece, each temple piece being adapted to fit each front piece, and temporary or quick securing and release means for securing the front pieces to the temple pieces temporarily for display purposes, the temporary or quick securing and release means being at least partly different from the temple piece securing means.
2 A point of sale set according to claim 1, in which the temporary or quick securing and release means includes at least some elements of the temple piece securing means.
3 A point of sale set according to claims 1 or 2, in which the temple piece securing means comprise hinge means.
4 A point of sale set according to claim 3, in which the hinge means comprises a first hinge elements carrying a bore, and a second hinge element adapted to engage the first hinge element, the second hinge element carrying a pin adapted to engage the bore along a common axis, or carrying a further bore adapted to engage coaxially with the first bore, and to adapted to accept to accept a pin or other axial securing means along the common axis.
5 A point of sale set according to claim 4 in which both hinge elements carry a bore, in which the temporary or quick securing and release means comprises, in addition to the hinge elements, a pin adapted to press fit the bore of the hinge elements.
6 A set according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the front pieces include a rearwardly directed lug piece for each temple piece to be secured to the front piece, the lug and temple pieces in the set having mutually compatible designs.
7 A set according to claim 6, depending on claim 4 or 5, in which one hinge element is secured to the lug, and the other hinge element is secured to the temple piece.
8 A display case for a set according to any of the preceding claim, including such a set, comprising a plurality of drawers, such drawers containing the front pieces and temple pieces, and also the element necessary for implementing the temporary or quick securing or release means.
9 A process for assembly of a spectacle frame, comprising displaying a set in accordance with any of claims I to 7, to a customer, the customer identifying a front piece and two temple pieces from the set, the front piece and temple pieces being assembled temporarily to form a trial spectacle frame, the relevant desired front and temple pieces being selected following such trial, and a spectacle frame being assembled from corresponding front and temple pieces and temple securing means.
10 A collection of front and temple pieces adapted for use in a set, or in conjunction with a set according to any of claims I to 7.