GB2382665A

GB2382665A - Rimless spectacle frame with nose bridge and arms attached with adhesive

Info

Publication number: GB2382665A
Application number: GB0126689A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Corke
Original assignee: WIRRAL OPTICAL
Current assignee: WIRRAL OPTICAL
Priority date: 2001-11-07
Filing date: 2001-11-07
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0126689D0

Abstract

A rimless spectacle frame consists of a nose bridge 12 having a lug 14 located at each end adapted to adhere with each inner edge of a pair of spectacle lenses 10 by use of an adhesive and a pair of side arms 16 each having a lug 18 located at one end adapted to adhere with each outer edge of the pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive such as a two-part epoxy resin An intermediate mounting means 24 may also be used with slotted apertures 26 for attaching the arms and nose bridge.

Description

RIMLESS SPECTACLE FRAME This invention relates to a rimless spectacle frame. In particular, this invention relates to a rimless spectacle frame adapted to secure a pair of spectacle lenses, without the need for drilling or cutting.

In recent years, rimless spectacles have increasingly proven popular.

Generally speaking, these spectacles consist of a pair of lenses, the edges of which are drilled and tapped coplanar with the surface of the lens face, which allow a suitable nose bridge and a pair of hinged side arms to be screwed thereto. In use, these spectacles are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. There are, however, a number of disadvantages with this type of assembly. Firstly, the screws securing the nose bridge and side arms in position can often be seen by the wearer, which can be both distracting and unsightly. Secondly, the lack of an outer rim structure means that the spectacles are particularly flexible, and hence more susceptible to breakage.

Since the weakest portion of the assembly occurs at the screwed interface between the lenses and nose bridge or side arms, often the lens will fracture at one of these points, with a screw protruding therethrough. Clearly, the cost of repair in this case can be substantial.

In order to overcome this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved rimless spectacle frame. In use, the rimless spectacle frame being adhered to the spectacle lenses without the need for drilling, cutting or tapping, which allows for (i) ease of manufacture, (ii) increased field of vision for the wearer, (iii) increased durability, as the edges of the lenses are not weakened in anyway, and (iv) in the case of breakage, the spectacle lenses are often undamaged, and the spectacle frame can be promptly and economically repaired.

According to the present invention there is provided a rimless spectacle frame adapted to secure a pair of spectacle lenses, comprising:

a nose bridge of elongate structure, being interposed between said pair of spectacle lenses, having a lug located at each end adapted to adhere with each inner edge of said pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive; and a pair of side arms of elongate structure, each having a lug located at one end adapted to adhere with each outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a pair of rimless spectacles, comprising the steps of: adhering a lugged nose bridge of elongate structure between each inner edge of a pair of spectacle lenses ; and adhering a pair of lugged side arms to each outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses.

In a preferred embodiment, the nose bridge and side arms are constructed from a suitable metal or plastics material. In use, the side arms may be fixed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the lens or, more preferably, are hinged such that they can be foldably opened or closed. Further, in use, the other end of each of the side arms is suitably formed to rest on the ears of the wearer.

Preferably, the lug located at each end of the nose bridge is sufficiently shaped as to meet with the inner periphery of the lens and having a suitable cross section to provide a satisfactory adhesive interface. Likewise, the lug located at one end of each of the pair of side arms may be sufficiently shaped as to meet with the outer periphery of the lens and having a suitable cross section to provide a satisfactory adhesive interface. In a preferred embodiment, said adhesive may comprise any suitable high-strength adhesive compound, such as, for example, a two-part epoxy resin.

In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that an intermediate mounting means is interposed between the lug located at each end of the

nose bridge and the inner edge of the pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive. Further, an intermediate mounting means is interposed between the lug located at one end of each of the pair of side arms and the outer edge of the pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive. The intermediate mounting means may be formed from any suitable metal, plastics or wood material. In use, the intermediate mounting means may be secured to the lugs located on the nose bridge and the side arms by means of a screwed fixture or suitable adhesive. The intermediate mounting means then being adhered to the spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.

It is believed that a rimless spectacle frame in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems identified above. The advantages of the present invention are that the rimless spectacle frame is provided without the need for drilling, cutting or tapping, which allows for (i) ease of manufacture, (ii) increased field of vision for the wearer, (iii) increased durability, as the edges of the lenses are not weakened in anyway, and (iv) in the case of breakage, the spectacle lenses are often undamaged, and the spectacle frame can be promptly and economically repaired.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows further detail of the connection of the side arm and the outer periphery of the lens.

Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, wherein an intermediate mounting means is interposed between the outer edge of the lens and the lug located on the side arm.

Figure 4 shows a front view of an alternate intermediate mounting means which further facilitates ease of manufacture.

Referring now to the drawings, a rimless spectacle frame according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. In use, the present invention comprises a pair of spectacle lenses 10 having a suitable nose bridge 12 located therebetween. A lug 14 is positioned at each end of the nose bridge 12 which is secured to the inner edges of each of pair of spectacle lenses 10 via a suitable adhesive. At the outer edge of each of the lenses 10, a pair of side arms 16 is located via adhered lug 18. The other end of each of the side arms 16 is formed so as to comfortably fit over the ears of the wearer. In use, the side arms 16 may be fixed or hinged.

Further detail of the connection of the side arm 16 and the outer periphery of the lens 10 is depicted in Figure 2. In use, lug 18 is formed so as to meet with the curvature of the outer edge of lens 10, and is of sufficient cross section to provide a satisfactory adhesive interface. In a preferred embodiment a suitable hinge 20 may be interposed between the side arm 16 and lug 18, so as to allow the side arm 16 to be foldably opened and closed.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the present invention wherein an intermediate mounting means 22 is interposed between the outer edge of the lens 10 and the lug 18 located on the side arm 16. This intermediate mounting means 22 may be formed from any suitable metal, polycarbonate or wood material and, again, is formed as to meet with the inner and outer edges of lens 10. The side arm 16 may be secured to the intermediate mounting means 22 via any suitable fixture, which may include screws, nails or

adhesive. The intermediate mounting means 22 then being adhered to the spectacle lenses 10 by use of an adhesive.

An alternate intermediate mounting means is depicted in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the elongate intermediate mounting means 24 are provided with slotted apertures 26 to allow insertion of suitable connection pieces to form a nose bridge 12 (not shown) and a pair of side arms 16 (not shown). In this way, it is envisaged that the spectacle wearer could quickly and easily remove portions of the spectacle frame, and replace such with different coloured portions or the like to complement the wearer's clothes. As before, the intermediate mounting means 24 is secured to the outer and inner edges of the spectacle lenses using a suitable adhesive. In use, the adhesive may be provided by any using any suitable high-strength adhesive compound, such as, for example, a two-part epoxy resin.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A rimless spectacle frame adapted to secure a pair of spectacle lenses, comprising: a nose bridge of elongate structure, being interposed between said pair of spectacle lenses, having a lug located at each end adapted to adhere with each inner edge of said pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive; and a pair of side arms of elongate structure, each having a lug located at one end adapted to adhere with each outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.
2. A rimless spectacle frame according to claim 1, wherein the nose bridge and side arms are constructed from a suitable metal or plastics material.
3. A rimless spectacle frame according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the side arms are fixed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the lens.
4. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side arms are hinged such that they can be foldably opened or closed.
5. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distal end of each side arm is suitably formed to rest on the ears of the wearer.
6. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lug located at each end of the nose bridge is sufficiently shaped as to meet with the inner periphery of the lens and having a suitable cross section to provide a satisfactory adhesive interface.
7. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lug located at one end of each of the pair of side arms is sufficiently

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shaped as to meet with the outer periphery of the lens and having a suitable cross section to provide a satisfactory adhesive interface.
8. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adhesive comprises any suitable high-strength adhesive compound, such as, for example, a two-part epoxy resin.
9. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein an intermediate mounting means is interposed between the lug located at each end of the nose bridge and the inner edge of the pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.
10. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in claim 9, wherein a further intermediate mounting means is interposed between the lug located at one end of each of the pair of side arms and the outer edge of the pair of spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.
11. A rimless spectacle frame as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the intermediate mounting means is secured to the lugs located on the nose bridge and the side arms by means of a screwed fixture or suitable adhesive, the intermediate mounting means then being adhered to the spectacle lenses by use of an adhesive.
12. A method of assembling a pair of rimless spectacles, comprising the steps of: adhering a lugged nose bridge of elongate structure between each inner edge of a pair of spectacle lenses ; and adhering a pair of lugged side arms to each outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses.
13. A rim less spectacle frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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14. A method of assembling a pair of rimless spectacles substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.