GB2443325A

GB2443325A - Spectacle temple cushioned slide on counterweight with preferable brow pad, adaptor and flexible temple connector.

Info

Publication number: GB2443325A
Application number: GB0720922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Fairclough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-26
Filing date: 2007-10-25
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Also published as: GB0720922D0; GB0621289D0

Abstract

Cushioned slide on temple members 3 for attaching counterweights to the side arms or temples of spectacles to counterbalance the glasses lifting them off of the nose. Preferably the temple members are attached via a linking adaptor 2 that comprises two sockets, one for the eye glasses side arms or temples at the fulcrum 1 and one for the temple members such that it links the spectacles and counterweights together. The counterweights or counterbalances may be linked to the adaptor via an arm or rod like piece that slots into the adaptor (figure 2, part 6) and is flexibly adjustable to a range of angles including 45 degrees from the vertical enabling the optimisation of the working distance of the counterweights from their pivot point (figure 3). The counterweights may be a range of masses from four to twenty grams and may be produced from a high density heavy metal. The counterbalance may operate in conjunction with a spectacles brow pad or cushion (figure 7) to prevent wobbling of the glasses whilst worn and the adaptor piece may be combined with counterweight flexible piece to form one unit (figure 12).

Description

1 2443325

A UNIVERSAL FITTING SPECTACLE FRONT LENS WEIGHT NULLIFYING

ATTACHMENT

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to spectacles and in a preferred embodiment provides an accessory attachment system for existing spectacle wearers who are dissatisfied with their slipping, sliding and generally uncomfortable spectacles because of unsightly marks on their nose left by all spectacles regardless of lightness or weight daims if they are worn for long periods as well as accompanying dissatisfaction resulting from slipping, sliding, and generally uncomfortable spectacles primarily because of nose and back of the ear pains.

This invention reveals an improved top of the nose fittings which mainly touches the top crest of the nose, the flat space between the eyes in the absence (as in oriental heads) of a bridge structure, and since the spectacle front including the lenses is lifted upwards away from the nose structure it lightly touches the lower nasal eyebrow forehead and/or the upper lens rims touching the lower the bottom overhang of the eyebrows in the absence of the over the bridge area pad or pads. This then results in a stabilization of the lens means (lens rim including the lenses to prevent same from wobbling during head movements or when walking. Such lens means tend to float upwards due to the downwards pull of gravity on the illustrated counter balances at the rearwards location at the tips of the temple arms in the behind the ear area. An improved nose-lower brow device Figures, 1 to 9 is illustrated and may be used with or instead of nose pads as desired. The weighted tips are simple to apply by sliding them into or over the extrusion fulcrum I which covers the plastic tip end ear covers of the spectacles so the device could not be more simple to install even by a lay wearer of the spectacles. Several sizes may be needed for different sizes of temple ends.

The above describes the simple concept which has been urgently sought after by spectacle wearers who must wear them all day and due to nose pad necrosis (artery, vein and tissue damage) eventually become very sensitive to any touching or pressure at all on the sides of the nose and which sometimes results in nose cancers. For hundred of years nose pads 14 have been supporting the weight of the lenses and they are unfortunately located over and compress the veins and arteries which drain the sinuses resulting in pain and nervousness. This is why some wearers are driven to trying contact lenses which sometimes may cause even worse problems.

The connection between the temple member 4 and counterbalance 3 is achieved by insertion of the soft extrusion or moulded cover temple tip into the metal or plastic box like or oval on cross section tube or cup 2 its anterior opening and which is made to receive the temple held in place by the soft compressible rubbery like lining such as silicone material I acting as a fulcrum and also which expands in the above housing box like structure and thus secures the temple ends without damaging them. Please see illustrations 1, 2, 3m 10, and 11, The following illustrations are accompanied by description purposes, functions, and examples of configurations which may be modified by designers in optical frames and or jewellery because it may be both a decorative fashion as well as an optical accessory.

Since the counterbalances on the temple tips urge the spectacles upwards as opposed to downwards as with ordinary traditional spectacles there is only a light pillow or butterfly like touch on the wearer's lower forehead overhang just above the nose thus preventing wobbling of the lens means (spectacle front rims containing the wearer's lenses) as will be the case if there is no touch anywhere at all. This is a pressureless tough so consequently it leaves no marks and is felt so. It is unawaringly comfortable.

ILLUSTRATIVE DRAWINGS WITH EXPLANATIONS

1. Overall perspective of spectacles when worn on the head with fulcrums Fig 1. Tip end fittings with a thin springy and/or a hinged connection to a posteriorly located metal counterbalance weight.

2. Frontal folded position of a non hinged model.

3. Two alternate methods of counterbalance attachment to its cushioned fulcrum attachment. The upper view illustrates the method of direct spring 6 insertion between the medtal inner side if the temple member and the inner side of the soft temple cover or extrusion WhIch is in contact with the skull just above the ears. The lower drawing 3B shows a box like fixture with an oval (on cross section) and made of tubular metal or plastic 3B into which the extrusion or moulded soft temple cover fits and an optionally swivelling spring are is secured by a screw or pin P going through a hole on the medial side of above box or vertically oval tube. Figure 3C shows a box like or oval cross section of a connector design which prevents twisting of the oval rear temple member. Figure 3D shows a cross section of a soft silicone like rubbery material which may be an extrusion or moulded cover which is the fulcrum and which also serves the purpose of securely gripping the temple end of the spectades 2 with space for is expansion when the extrusion ( or moulded part) covering the temple is inside of its housing. The vertical side is in contact with the head when worn while the lower forty five degree angled portion rests on the groove of tissue between and above the ear and the side of the wearer's head.

4. Folded frame with a front view of brow pad and hinged counterbalance attachment.

5. Folded back view with a flattened disc like weighted metal counterbalance 8 to make a shorter non hinged attachment with increased mass or weight thus compensating for a shorter fulcrum length in order so as to provide the same leverage as a lesser weight on a longer arm.

6. Back view of hinged folded frame with closed folded attachment for compact case storage if needed.

7. front view of a brow pad showing lift from the posterior counterbalance and the resulting contact area with the lower portion of the wearer's brow overhang in the above the nose area. Raising the wings by bending the pliable material lowers the wearer's lenses Figs 7 & 9.

8. The brow pad shape may range from a tooth or butterfly configuration to a simple flexible soft tube fitting Fig 8T shown around any spectacle bridge wire. Since the tower brow bridge contact is very light there is considerable freedom of its configuration. The upper rims of the spectacles would be the place of contact on the area just above the eyes below the bottom overhang of the eyebrows in cases of an absence of an elevated bridge unit as shown. Standard nose pads may be bent drastically upwards with optical pliers in some cases provide the lower brow overhang contact depending on the design of the metal nose pad arms. Also a unifit pad of soft pliable optionally transparent plastic material with a soft metal core in the butterfly configuration shown may have the wings elevated by finger pressure reshaping Fig 7. A unifit pad similar to that which is shown would be desirable but it would be more practical to have it as part of a purpose built spectacle frame because of the numerous configuration and sizes of bridges in the optical industry.

9. The location and shape of the securing front groove depends on the frame bridge design so instead of or in addition to it, side grooves Fig 9-11 to engage the inner lens rim wires just below the metal bridge would be more practical as shown from a side view. It is in the order of a unifit bridge of an adjustable soft plastic material with a thin soft metal core only upside down as shown in the butterfly wing shape so that said wings are bendable and will precisely adjust the lens height before the eyes and preferably in a purpose built frame.

10. A fulcrum arm angle of approximately 45 degrees is desirable from a side view in order to keep the counterweight 8 in a horizontal plane and thereby in effect lengthen the fulcrum arm regardless of the shape or configuration of the counterweights. Being in a horizontal plane is also required because of the anatomical shape of the occipital bone at the rear end of the skull in relation to the forwards curvature of the neck profile from a side view.

11. Fulcrum cushion I is received by the rectangular or oval opening of the cap fitting at its anterior portion whilst the spring arm 6 attached to the counterbalance at its posterior end is inserted loosely or hinged as a vertical swivel as in the illustration. A screw or pin so that the arm may be raised or lowered to a near horizontal position when worn which is determined by the angle at the temple ear bend. The spring counterbalance connector 6 is best fitted hidden on the inner surface of the box between it and the extrusion temple covering to prevent its catching the wearer's hair and so to as not directly press on the head.

12.A moulded plastic semi rigid fitting with a groove 12 on the supenor surface to accept the spectacle side arms and hole 16 through which the temple end 15 is inserted downwards the spectacle temple which remains in the normal behind the ear position as is usual with spectacles. This embodiment or a variation therefrom may be used in one device all in one unit and as a ready made attachment moulded to its shape with no metal spring being needed and being optionally transparent. However it would be needed in several sizes to fit varying existing temple plastic ear tip thicknesses. This model is also optionally designed to work in cooperation with the same bottom of the brow pad which is illustrated and discussed above should complete nose clearance at the front be required.

Claims

CLAIMS A UNIVERSAL FITTING LENS WEIGHT REDUCTION OR WEIGHT NULLIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR SPECTACLES

1. Unique attachment methods of securing counterbalancing weights to any spectacles by means of cushioned slide on temple end covers acting as a fulcrum attached so as to counterbalance the front of the spectacles thus nullifying frontal spectacle weight and which may work in combination with the descnptions and illustrations and also which may be embodied as purpose built spectacles.

2. An oval, square, or rectangle metal or plastic receiving unit as described and shown which may receive the soft moulded temple ends or extrusions described in claim I and of large enough sizes to grip securely most sizes of temple ends made by virtue of the fulcrum's elastic compressibility.

3. as in claims I and 2 working in cooperation with an easily shaped thin springy plastic or metal connection fitted into the rear of receiving member in claim 2 and which may be angled to about 45 degrees from vertical depending on the downwards ear bend at the rear of the spectacle temple member thereby enabling the counterbalance connected to it to be in a horizontal plane thus maximising the length of the fulcrum arm for good leverage thus avoiding neck contact below.

4. Claims 1, 2, and 3 as above with a four to twenty gram couthnerbalance weight located at the posterior end at the rear if the head and preferably made of heavy metal as described above in claim 3 and of any desired shape or configuration.

5. Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 as above working in cooperation in order to achieve a near or completely weightless front portion of the spectacle structure so as to result in the upward lift effect in order to contact the wearers lower portion of the eyebrow overhang with a special attachable or purpose built brow pad functioning as described thus providing an anti wobbling stable contact in lieu of the usual nose pad contact at the anterior of the wearers head.

6. claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as above working together in cooperation with a fit on device which achieves the same result in a one piece unit functioning as in Figure 12 or as part of a purpose built spectacle structure.

All claims 1 to 6.