GB2402229A

GB2402229A - Removably attachable magnification lens

Info

Publication number: GB2402229A
Application number: GB0312415A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Benjamin Ford; Mary Susan Ford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Also published as: GB0312415D0

Abstract

A removably attachable magnification lens comprising a region of flexible material 2 extending around the lens 1. When attached to an object to be viewed, the flexible material 2 supports the lens 1 such that it magnifies the object. The flexible material may be made from optically transparent substrate having the lens 1 attached to one side 3 and the other side 4 removably attachable to the object to be viewed. The region of flexible material 2 may be attached to the object via an adhesive layer 5 with a removable protective backing sheet 6. Alternatively, the region may comprise a suction cup 7 to create the adhesion. The device may be removably attached to a watch, mobile phone, or vehicle dashboard, to reduce the need for carrying spectacles.

Description

1 2402229 Improvements in or relating to optical apparatus.

This invention relates to optical apparatus.

Many people suffer from longsightedness or presbyopia and accordingly need spectacles for close work such as for checking the time indicated by a wrist watch or for using a mobile phone. This problem is particularly irksome because although enjoyment of many outdoor activities such as driving, walking or running may not be affected by presbyopia, there is nevertheless a need to wear or carry spectacles whilst enjoying these activities, simply to facilitate an occasional time check, or to use a mobile phone, or even to read dashboard data whilst driving.

An object of this invention is to provide optical apparatus effective for overcoming many problems of this kind whereby the need for carrying spectacles during outdoor activities especially but not exclusively, is obviated at least in part.

According to the present invention, optical apparatus comprises a magnifying lens around the periphery of which extends a region of flexible material which is selected for, or adapted for, removable attachment to an object to be viewed so that when attached to the object, the lens is supported in position to afford a magnified view of the object.

The optical apparatus may thus be removably secured to a watch face, mobile phone or car dashboard instrument for example so that the time indicated or other data can be read by a long-sighted person without the need for spectacles.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the region may be a part of a flexible optically transparent substrate to one side of which the lens is attached, the other side being adapted for attachment to the object to be viewed.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention the flexible material from which the region is made may be selected for its inherent removably adhesive qualities.

The adaptation of the region may comprise a removably adhesive coating. The term 'removably adhesive' when used herein means an adhesive which although providing good adhesion is relatively easy to] remove without damaging the surface to which it was attached.

The removably adhesive coating may be supplied with the i apparatus for application prior to use by a user, or alternatively and I preferably the region may be a removably self adhesive coating or the like applied during manufacture.

That side of the region which is intended to be removably attached to the object to be viewed may be covered with a removable protective backing to preserve its self adhesive qualities, which backing is removed just prior to use. : Alternatively the adaptation may comprise forming the region to define at least one suction cup which facilitates air-pressure adhesion.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings which are somewhat schematic and not to scale and in which: Figure 1, is a plan view of optical apparatus; i Figure 2, is a side view of one embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; 1 Figure 3, is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus having a plan view also as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4, is plan view of a watch to which the optical apparatus shown in Figure 2, is fitted and; I Figure 5, is a side view of the watch shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 1, wherein corresponding parts of the various figures bear the same numerical designations, optical i apparatus comprises a magnifying lens 1, which is made of a hard plastics material and may comprise one or more elements, around the periphery of which extends a transparent rectangular region 2, of transparent flexible plastics material.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 2, the region 2, comprises a rectangular substrate of thin flexible optically transparent plastics material to an upper surface 3, of which the lens 1, is attached. The attachment as aforesaid, may be effected with a suitable adhesive or by means of a moulding process which serves to integrate the region 2, with the lens 1, during manufacture. A lower surface 4, of the region 2, is provided with a removably adhesive coating 5, which is covered by a protective transparent backing sheet G. which backing sheet is removed just prior to use. By using a transparent backing sheet the lens can be offered up to check the size required and thereafter the region 2, may be trimmed to size if necessary.

In an alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figure 2, (but not shown) the region 2, is manufactured from a sheet of material chosen for its inherent removably self adhesive qualities whereby there is no need for the adhesive coating 5, although the transparent backing sheet 6, may still be used to protect the lower surface 4, until the apparatus is required for use.

In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3, which has a plan view as shown in Figure 1, the lens 1, which is made from a hard plastics material is formed integrally with the region 2, which is made from a softer flexible material and formed on a side thereof remote from the lens with a suction cup 7, which serves to i facilitate air pressure retention against a surface of an object to be viewed. Although not shown, a transparent backing sheet may be used to protect the suction cup 7, prior to use to facilitate accurate trimming as necessary.

Turning now to Figures 4, and 5, as one example of use of the lens 1, a watch 8, having a winder 9, and a strap 10, is shown. The lens 1, is as shown in Figures 1 and 2, having the region 2, with the adhesive coating 5, which facilitates attachment of the lens 1, to the watch 8.

In use of the apparatus a lens of a suitable size would be purchased having regard to the particular application in view and semi-permanently attached to an object such as a watch to be viewed.

It will be readily apparent that the choice of materials used will be made having regard to the optical qualities required as will be appreciated by the cognoscenti and various modifications may be made to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the lens may be a Fresenel lens which has an advantage that it can be somewhat thinner than conventional lenses for similar magnification.

Apparatus as herein described may find numerous applications including in particular use as aforesaid to facilitate watch or mobile phone use without the need for reading spectacles.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1 Optical apparatus comprising a magnifying lens around the periphery of which extends a region of flexible material which is selected for, or adapted for, removable attachment to an object to be viewed so that when attached to the object, the lens is supported in position to afford a magnified view of the object.

2. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the region is a part of a flexible optically transparent substrate to one side of which the lens is attached, the other side being adapted for attachment to the object to be viewed.

3. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the flexible material from which the region is made is selected for its inherent removably adhesive qualities.

4. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the adaptation of the region may comprises a removeably adhesive coating.

5. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the removably adhesive coating is supplied with the apparatus for application prior to use by a user.

6. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the region is a removably self adhesive coating applied during manufacture.

7. Optical apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein that side of the region which is intended to be removably attached to the object to be viewed is covered with a removable protective backing to preserve its self-adhesive qualities.

8. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, where the backing is transparent.

9. Optical apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises forming the region to define at least one suction cup by means of which to air-pressure adhesion is facilitated.

10. Optical apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.