GB2411434A

GB2411434A - Spectacles

Info

Publication number: GB2411434A
Application number: GB0412423A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Hynes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2004-06-03
Publication date: 2005-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-03
Also published as: GB2411434B; GB0404290D0; GB0412423D0

Abstract

A spectacle pin 18 has means 24 for fastening a support member (14,16, Fig.1) thereto; and a lens fastening portion 32 shaped so that when fitted in an aperture 34 of a lens 12 pivotal movement of the pin relative to the lens is restrained. The lens fastening portion has means 30 for co-operating with a fastening member 20 to fasten the pin to the lens. The spectacles comprise two lenses having two apertures in each lens; four pins inserted in respective apertures and fastened to the respective lenses; a bridge support member connecting the lenses and fastened to respective pins; and two side support members fastened to respective other pins.

Description

241 1 434

SPECTACLES

The present invention relates to spectacles and to parts for spectacles.

Frameless spectacles are well known hereto. Such spectacles comprise two lenses, which are fixed to wire support members that consist of a bridge and two arms. When fixing the support members to the lenses, it is important to restrain relative movement between the support members and the lenses to prevent the spectacles from loosening and becoming floppy, a problem to which frameless spectacles are particularly prone. There is a farther problem in that such spectacles require intricate assembly work, which contributes to costs.

In one prior art arrangement, each lens is provided with an aperture for receiving a fastening member for fastening a support member to the lens. The lens is further provided with an indentation at a side thereof proximate the aperture for receiving a portion of the support member, and for restraining pivotal movement of the support member in the aperture. The aperture must be accurately spaced from the side of the lens to allow the support member to be fixed to the lens. The spectacles of this arrangement have a tendency to loosen over time because relative movement between the support members and the lenses is not adequately restrained. Also, the indentation in the side of the lens causes a weakness in the material of the lens which can lead to cracking.

In a modification of this prior art arrangement that omits the indentation, a connection piece grips the side of the lens to restrain relative movement. However, manufacture of such spectacles is still complicated by the requirement to position the aperture accurately and the connection piece requires soldering to the support arm.

In another prior art arrangement, two apertures are provided in a lens for receiving respective fastening members for fastening the support member to the lens. Since the support member is fastened to the lens at two positions, relative movement can be restrained. However, accurate spacing between the apertures is still required to allow the support member to be fastened to the lens. Further, in one method of fastening the support members to the lens, the support member is provided with two barbed fastening extensions, which engage within respective grooved sleeves that fit in the apertures. These fastening extensions exert a radially outward pressure on the lens, which can lead to cracking of the lens.

In a further prior art arrangement, an elongated aperture is provided in the lens for receiving a fastening portion of a support member. The fastening portion is shaped to complement the shape of the aperture so that relative pivotal movement of the support member in the aperture is restrained. The fastening portion is fixed in the aperture with glue. The type of glue used must be readily cleaned from the lens after assembly without damaging the lens and such glues typically have low melting points and are susceptible to degradation under UV light. Consequently, the support members can become unfixed if exposed to relatively high temperatures, or if exposed to sustained sunlight. The support member can also become unfixed if exposed to certain solvents such as washing up liquid or hair spray.

It is desirable to provide improved spectacles and parts thereof.

The present invention provides a spectacle pin for a pair of spectacles comprising: means for fastening a support member thereto; and a lens fastening portion shaped so that when fitted in an aperture of a lens pivotal movement of the pin relative to the lens is restrained, the lens fastening portion having means for co-operating with a fastening member to fasten the pin to the lens.

The present invention also provides spectacles comprising two lenses having two apertures in each lens; four pins inserted in respective said apertures and fastened to the respective lenses; a bridge support member connecting the lenses and fastened to respective two of said pins; and two side support members fastened to respective other two of said pins.

In order that the present invention may be well understood, various embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an assembly of parts for a pair of spectacles; Figure 2 is a perspective view a spectacle pin; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the connection of the spectacle pin shown in Figure 2 to a lens; Figure 4 is a perspective view another spectacle pin; Figure 5 is a top view of the spectacle pin shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is another side view of the spectacle pin shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spectacle pin taken along line V-V in Figure 4; Figures 8 and 9 show the spectacle pin shown in Figure 4 and a support member; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified spectacle pin; Figure llA is a side view of a spectacle pin according to a further spectacle arrangement; Figures 11B and 11C are a top view and a front view of the spectacle pin in Figure 11A; Figure 12A is a perspective view of the spectacle pin in Figure 11A; Figure 1 2B is a perspective view of the spectacle pin and a lens; Figures 13A-D show assembly steps of a support member to the spectacle pin in Figure 11A; Figures 14A-E are various different views of a bridge support member; and Figure 15 shows all of the components of a pair of spectacles incorporating the spectacle pin in Figure 11A.

Figure 1 shows the parts of a pair of spectacles. The assembly comprises two lenses 12; two side support members 14; a bridge support member 16; four spectacle pins 18; four fastening members in the form of nuts 20 and four connectors, or cutters, 22 (see Figures 2, 4, 9 and 10). Each lens 12 has two apertures and a spectacle pin 18 is inserted through each aperture and comprises means for co-operating with a nut to fasten the pin to the lens. The bridge support member 16 is connected to two of the pins 18 with respective connectors 22 to form the bridge of the spectacles. The two side support members 14 are connected to the respective remaining pins 18 with connectors 22 to form the arms of the spectacles. No welding or other complicated assembly steps are required and therefore the spectacles are easy and quick to assemble.

A spectacle pin 18 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The assembly may comprise two types of spectacle pin - one type for connecting the side support members to the lenses and one for connecting the bridge support member to the lenses. Alternatively, all four pins can be a common type to reduce manufacturing costs. Figure 2 (and Figures 11 to 13 and 15) shows a common type spectacle pin. Figures 4 to 9, and 10 show two types of IS spectacle pin adapted to connect the side support members to the lenses.

Figures 4 to 9 and 10 will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to Figure 2, one end portion 23 of each spectacle pin 18 has means for fastening a support member 14, 16 thereto an elongate slot, or opening, 24 for receiving a looped portion of a support member 14. The spectacle pin 18 has first and second holes 26 into which connector 22 can be inserted. The connector 22 is inserted in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongate slot so that when the looped portion of support member 14 is received in the slot, the connector extends through the looped portion to connect the support member to the pin. The connector may be a rivet, a screw or any other suitable connector. The hollowed interior of the pin is adapted to receive the looped portion of a support member with a snug fit to improve the connection therebetween and restrain relative movement. It should be noted that the looped portions of the support members need not form a full 360 degree loop provided the connection to the pin 18 is secure.

For connection of the bridge support member 16, the looped portions thereof are preferably elongate, as shown in Figure 1, having two curved portions and two straight portions to resist pivotal movement of the support member 16 relative to the pin. The two straight portions fit flush against respective sides of the elongate slot, and a washer 36 with a circular through hole is provided for preventing movement of the support member 16 relative to the pin 18.

For connection of the side support members 14, the looped portions thereof are preferably circular, as shown in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figures 8 and 9, to allow pivotal movement of the support member relative to the pin.

The opposing end portion of each spectacle pin 18 forms a lens fastening portion 28 for fastening the pin to a lens 12, as shown in Figure 3.

The fastening portion 28 comprises a threaded cylinder 30 for extending through an aperture 34 in the lens and co-operating with a threaded bore in a nut, or fastening member, 20. Alternatively, other suitable fastening arrangements can be adopted. In the arrangement shown, aperture 34 has a non-cylindrical shape (e.g. elongate as shown) and fastening portion 28 comprises a non-cylindrical portion 32 having a non-circular, or elongate, cross-section for fitting in the complimentarily shaped aperture 34 for resisting rotation of the pin relative to the lens. By shaping the lens fastening portion to restrain relative rotation thereof in the aperture, the arrangement reduces the possibility of the nut being loosened during use. When the pin is fastened to the lens, the lens is squeezed between the pin and the nut in a direction approximately perpendicular to the surface of the lens. This method of fastening the pin to the lens restrains relative movement and reduces the occurrence of cracks in the lens, which can more readily occur in the prior art arrangement where the fastening member exerts a radially outward pressure on the lens.

Preferably, nut 20 is self-fastening.

Alternative techniques of resisting rotation of the pin relative to the lens may be adopted, such as the provision of two extensions for fastening in two respective apertures in the lens, although these techniques are not currently preferred.

Figures 4 to 9 show a spectacle pin 18 with a looped portion of a side support member 14 which forms a hinge for connecting the side support member 14 to a lens 12 to allow pivotal movement of the support member relative to the pin. This spectacle pin is different to the spectacle pin described above in that a counter-sunk groove 25 extends from the elongate slot 24 for partially, or fully, receiving the support member 14 in a first, or folded, position of the support member. As shown in Figure 9, the connector 22 forms a pivot, or hinge pin, with axial centre C about which pivotal movement of support member 14 can take place. The counter-sunk groove 25 allows the pin to be reduced in size, as compared with the pin shown in Figure 2, whilst still allowing pivotal movement of the support member 14 through degrees.

The outer circumference of the connector and the inner circumference of the looped portion are circular and of similar size so that smooth pivotal movement of the support member can be achieved. The outer circumference of the looped portion is also circular so that the support member 14 can rotate smoothly in elongate slot 24. Although not shown in the drawings, support member 14 is bent through approximately 90 degrees so that the position shown in Figure 9 constitutes a folded position. Pivotal movement of support member 14 (in an anti-clockwise direction as shown in Figure 9) moves the support member 14 to a second, or unfolded, position of the spectacles, for supporting the spectacles on a wearer's face.

The elongate slot 24 is shown in broken lines in Figures 5, and 9.

The elongate slot is preferably sized and shaped to match the shape of the looped portion to reduce movement of the support member 14 in the pin 18 in the assembled product. The elongate slot 24 is closed by an end of the pin, as shown in the drawings, which is preferable for rigidity, but alternatively, the elongate slot may be open as shown in Figure 10.

As shown in Figure 1 O. the pin 18 is provided with a gap 38 so that the elongate slot, or opening, 24 is not closed by the end portion of the pin. This arrangement allows a reduction in the size of the pin whilst still allowing the support member 14 to pivot through 90 degrees.

The support members 14,16 can be formed by any suitable method but are preferably preformed by bending lengths of wire into the desired shapes.

The support members are preferably made from a material with shape memory such as metal or selected plastics. Stainless-steel or titanium may be used.

By way of example the spectacle pins 18 described above or hereinafter are preferably dimensioned as follows. End portion 23 is 4.5mm long and 2. 9mm in diameter. Slot 24 is 3mm by lmm by 2.9mm and formed at the geometrical centre of the end portion 23. Groove 25 is lmm in length by lmm deep. The end of end portion 23 is domed to a radius of 2.45mm.

End portion 28 is 10mrn in length. Non-cylindrical portion 32 is 2mm in length and 2.5mm in width. Portion 32 has a curved surface as shown in Figure 5 having a radial curve of 0.7mm. Circular cylinder 30 is 1.4mm in diameter. The spectacle pins are preferably moulded from a metallic substance to form a rigid, non-flexible support for the support member.

The support members 14,16 are made from a lmrn diameter wire. The looped portions of the bridge support member are formed by bending the wire over an oval of 1.5mm by 2.00mm to form an elongated looped portion 3.5rnm wide by 4.0Tnm long. Once the looped portion is formed, a pad arm and bridge sections are bent through 90 degrees. The side support member 14 has a looped portion formed by bending the wire around a lmrn circle.

Connector 22 is Imm in diameter.

A further spectacle arrangement is described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. A spectacle pin 50 is shown in detail in Figures l lA, l lB and l l C. Pin 50 comprises means for fastening a support member thereto including an opening 52 for receiving a portion of a support member. The support member is described in more detail with reference to Figures 13 to 15. Unlike the previously described spectacle pins, the means for cooperating with a fastening member of pin 50 does not include a threaded cylinder but instead includes a threaded bore 54 in lens fastening portion 56. Bore 54 opens into opening 52. Referring additionally to Figures 12A and 12B, the fastening portion 56 is shaped so that when fitted in the aperture of a lens pivotal movement of the pin relative to the lens is restrained. As shown portion 56 is non-cylindrical and is adapted to fit in a complimentary shaped non cylindrical aperture 58 in lens 60. A threaded fastening member 62 engages with threaded bore 54 when the fastening portion 56 is received in aperture 58 for fastening the pin 50 to the lens 60. Fastening member 62 is a screw as shown but other suitable fastening members can be provided as appropriate.

The non-cylindrical shape of the fastening portion 56 and aperture 58 is elongate as shown but other suitable non-cylindrical shapes can be selected as required. The purpose of the non-cylindrical shape is to prevent movement of the pin 50 relative to the lens 60 when the pin is fastened to the lens. This non-cylindrical arrangement solves the problems discussed in relation to the

prior art.

The fastening of a support member to pin 50 will now be described with reference to Figures 13A to 13D which shows a side support member 64.

Member 64 comprises a shoulder portion 66 and hook portion 68. The shoulder portion 66 is inserted through opening 52 in pin 50 so that the hook portion 68 extends out from the pin, as shown in Figure 13B. The support member 64 is then moved to the position shown in Figure 13C and a clamp member 70 is inserted into opening 52. Clamp member 70 has a countersunk recess 72. After insertion of the clamp member 70 as shown in Figure 13D, screw 62 is fastened in bore 54 to fasten the pin to the lens 60 and also to engage in countersunk recess 72 in clamp member 70 thereby fastening the support member 64 to the pin.

As shown in Figure 12B, the pin 50 is orientated with opening 52 extending upwardly so that when the support arson 64 is received in opening 52 pivotal movement of the arm between open and closed positions is allowed.

In this regard, shoulder portion 66 is cylindrical to allow this pivotal movement.

Although reference is made to opening 52 extending upwardly, clearly the spectacles can be placed in any orientation whilst still allowing opening and closing of the support arms. The reference to upwardly is the orientation Figure 14 shows a bridge support member 74 comprising a bridge portion 76, two nose portions 78 and two connection portions 80. Bridge support member 74 is formed by bending a wire into the shape shown, with looped portions forming respective connection portions 80. The connection portions 80 are adapted to be received in opening 52 of a pin 50 and fastened therein with a screw 62 (not shown in Figure 14E).

Figure 15 shows all of the components of a pair of spectacles. It will be appreciated from Figure 15 that the clamp member 70 for use in clamping arm support member 64 to pin 50 is required to allow pivotal movement of the arms relative to the spectacles. Bridge support member 74 which is not required to be pivoted, does not require a separate clamp member and therefore the connecting portion 80 can simply be formed by a loop portion of the bridge support member.

A further embodiment is described below but is not illustrated in the drawings. This further embodiment comprises a spectacle pin which is attached to the lens in any of the ways shown in the drawings. The pin has a hole extending therethrough and a support member is fastened to the pin by pushing it through the hole and then bending the member so that it cannot detach from the pin.

Claims

1. A spectacle pin for a pair of spectacles, comprising: means for fastening a support member thereto; and a lens fastening portion shaped so that when fitted in an aperture of a lens pivotal movement of the pin relative to the lens is restrained, the lens fastening portion having means for co operating with a fastening member to fasten the pin to the lens.

2. A spectacle pin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens fastening portion is non-cylindrical.

3. A spectacle pin as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lens fastening portion has an elongate cross-section.

4. A spectacle pin as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lens fastening portion has a bore therein for receiving a fastening member for fastening the pin to a lens.

5. A spectacle pin as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pin has an opening for receiving a portion of said support member so that the support member can be fastened thereto.

6. A spectacle pin as claimed in claim 5 when claim 5 is dependent on claim 4, wherein the bore opens into said opening so that said fastening member can fasten said support member in said opening.

7. A spectacle pin as claimed in claim 6, wherein said opening is adapted so that when a side arm support member is received therein, said side arm support member can be pivoted into an open condition for supporting the spectacles on the face of a wearer and a folded condition.

8. A spectacle pin as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, comprising an opening for receiving a looped portion of a support member; and a hole for insertion of a connector for connecting the support member to the pin.

9. A pin as claimed in claim 8, having a second hole aligned with the first said hole so that said connector can be inserted through said first hole through the looped portion of wire and into said second hole.

10. A pin as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connector is inserted in a direction generally perpendicular to the opening.

11. A pin as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein a counter-sunk groove extends from said opening for receiving a portion of a support member in a first position of the support member.

12. A pin as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the connector forms a pivot about which said support member is pivotal, so that said connector forms a hinge pin and said pin and said support member form a hinge. s

13. A pin as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support member is pivotal between a first position in which the spectacles are folded and a second position in which the support member can support the spectacles on the face of a wearer.

14. Spectacles comprising two lenses having two apertures in each lens; four pins as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 inserted in respective said apertures and fastened to the respective lenses; a bridge support member connecting the lenses and fastened to respective two of said pins; and two side support members fastened to respective other two of said pins.

15. Spectacles as claimed in claim 14, wherein said apertures are noncylindrical, and said fastening portion has a non-cylindrical portion for resisting rotation of said pin when received in the aperture of the lens.

16. Spectacles as claimed in claim 15, wherein said aperture is elongate and said non-cylindrical portion is shaped to correspond with the shape of said aperture.

17. Spectacles as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein said support members are received in openings in respective said pins and fastened therein with respective fastening members which extend through respective bores in said pins, said fastening members fastening said pins to the lenses.

18. Spectacles as claimed in claim 17, wherein the side support members are received in the openings and fastened therein with respective clamp members and respective said fastening members so that the side support members are pivotal in respective said openings.