GB2448797A

GB2448797A - Spectacles side arms temple tip end covers with optional counterweight arrangement.

Info

Publication number: GB2448797A
Application number: GB0805450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Fairclough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-03
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Also published as: GB0706476D0; GB0805450D0

Abstract

Spectacle side aim temple end 4 covers 1 comprise tubular three dimensional or extruded flexible materials arranged to fit many different sizes of spectacles side arm temple 4 ends such that they increase the contact surface area between the ear and the glasses side arm temple tip. Preferably, shown in 3A, the covers 1 work in bayonet cooperation with wire fittings 6 to which a counterbalance 3, mass or weight may be fitted preferably in a flexible or hinged manner. Alternatively, shown in 3B, a cup or box like receptacle arrangement 3C may couple to the temple end cover 1 by fitting over it and may further be coupled to a counterbalance 3 or may serve as a counterbalance alone.

Description

Spectacles Improvements 4 Purpose: To create practical comfortable

inexpensive attachable devices which represent variations from earlier patent applications for the purpose of achieving a weightless or near weightless spectacle lens front.

Spectacle wearers need a counterbalance to off set the weight of spectacle lenses. The weight results in nose marks, slippage, pressure necrosis and headaches.

Many light weight spectacle frames have been designed by others but the problem of lens weight at the front of the spectacles can only be solved by working with gravity in the form of counterbalances. Such devices must further be practical, simply attachable, attractive, comfortable and economical.

Description:

The photographs on pages 1 and 2 show wearers from different views of the product as worn when attached to the spectacles. Other views on pages 3 and 4 illustrate attachments fitted on or into soft silicone temple coverings. One is a box like fitting over the extrusion (pages 3A, 13 and 14) and the other type (page 3B) may be pushed into the same extrusion inner slot adjacent to the spectacle temple ends shown in folded positions of front and rear aspects. Pages 4 and 5 shows folded and extended positions respectively. Page 6 shows enlarged details of how the fittings slide the one over the extrusion (or cover) and the other in the inner core hole as two separate methods of attachment. Worn under the hair they are both invisible but some persons may prefer to wear them above the hair as a jewelry accessory.

This application thus shows two separate novel and simple methods of attaching counterbalances to the tips of the spectacle wearers head in side, front and rear aspects. A different type is pictured on each side of page 6. Heavy metal or box like sockets on their own or connected as shown to extended counterbalances house the extrusion covered temple ends. The back portion of the spectacle tips must be covered by soft tubular or special extrusion (Page 14) an inch or so ahead of the ears on back to the tip ends. The soft extrusion covering the temple ends is removably inserted by hand pressure into the receiving box (which may or may not have an open end) at the rear of the box. The thin springy material may be inserted in the rear distal open end of the box with a fixed curve of about degrees built in 12C, 13A or 13B or it may be an integral part of the box so that it may swivel or be adjustable vertically to any angle desired as shown at the bottom of Page 11 Figure 3.

On page 12 Figures C and 13A a change in of about 45 degrees will be needed to be prevent drooping shown in 12C with a consequent loss of leverage fulcrum effect unless the spectacle temple above the ears is somewhat straightened by about half of its customary 60 degree bend. The temple bend should not be completely straightened due to a rotation of the plastic temple covering the wire core which would result in an unstable undesirable twisting of the extended counterbalance attachment. The inner slot may be grooved as shown for achieving easy insertion and fitting a greater range of temple tip sizes in an accordion like configuration, Figures 14B and 14C.

Alternatively the tips ends of the temples may be inserted into the box which temples must be first over fitted with a rubber moulding or extrusion section made in a few varying sizes to accept a broad range of temple sizes. The extrusion or soft enlarged silicone rubber or vinyl temple coverings are also needed on the temple above the ear area in order to provide a soft comfortable fulcrum at the sides of the head and tops of the ears. Plastic or rubber tape may be used if needed at the temple ends so to provide a snug fit in the receiving box by wrapping it around a few times should extrusions not be available. Again either rubber extrusion or soft plastic tubing overfittings are still needed above the ears. Set screws placed in the box (see pages 6 & 7) where holes may be provided as shown would be an alternative to rubber for securing the temple ends. Small spring devices are also a possibility.

The box shown may have an attractive configuration and jewelry like finish including decorative stones set by skilled jewelry designers as desired. The bayonet type of slide-on counterbalance shown on page 5, 6B, 7 and 8A may be hinged (or non hinged for economy) and either made of thin flexible spring metal, one piece metal casting (page 15) or of springy plastic with a metal weighted casting at its rear tip ends as shown on page 10. It features a bayonet type of slide-on shape with various views shown on pages 3, 4 and 10 end is pushed into mid area hole 14A or tip end inner hole of the injection molded soft part illustrated on page 14 cross sections. The material used may be of a non toxic food grade silicone rubber or of soft vinyl. The extrusions serve the purposes of providing a comfortable soft fulcrum above of the ears and also reducing inwards pressure of the temple member against the sides of the head. The tops of the ears contact area is thereby multiplied and the extrusion additionally being soft renders the increased counterbalance weight at the temple tip ends of being of no effect or impediment to ear comfort.

As another alternative weighted metal counterbalance may be directly applied to the exposed temple tip wire core after such wire is slightly flattened with a small hammer for a snug fit and in order to prevent rotation of the counterbalance attachment on page 9.

The counterbalance will be sliding through the wearers hair so a small rounded shape of some kind is desirable with no sharp corners as in drawings enclosed.

The counterbaJans may be configured as spoon-like teardrop, round or oval.

as shown in various views as accompanying figures and which is optimum for eye safety of the wearer when removing and for easily slipping through the wearer's hair. Another good counterbalance shape is a flattened lollipop like shaped metal casting 7A with a set of holes to receive securing screws. The counterbalance slot on the extrusion tip end receives an arm of thin flexible springy steel or pliable metal which in turn attaches to the weighted spectacle temple tips as a bayonet inserted in the extrusion covered temple, Page 9. The insertion location may be at the tip end extrusion opening or in some cases it may be inserted at a side hole located about midway 14A in the extrusion or injection molded tip cover. Counterbalances such as in fig 15 may be of one unit with the forward portion being thin and by controlling the thickness would be pliable or malleable and easily shaped so as to conform to any temple configuration. Soft temple cover B with a midway located hole is applied over temple members of spectacles D. The forward portion of A is then inserted as shown in fig 15.

Drawings of actual prototype models in true size as discussed above are shown on pages 11 and 12.

By enlarging the counterbalance tip ends as with rounded or oval shapes such as shown on pages 10, 11 and 12 pressure marks as skull indentation (which may be possible with the thinner tip shown on page 9) from prolonged wearing are minimized or eliminated. Also the fulcrum arm pivoting from the tops of the ears is in effect lengthened with a resulting minimum amount of total casting material being needed. The mass is then mostly at the tips ends. Silver or precious metals may be materials of choice due to a smaller size being possible because they are twice or more the specific gravity of base metals. The design thus could result in a cost savings of precious metal material as well.

Claims

1. Flexible soft temple tips end covers or extrusions to fit over temple ends of any conventional spectacles, designed so as to fit both large and small spectacle temple members in several sizes as required and functioning additionally to reduce downwards pressure at tops of ears by providing an increased surface area as compared to the original standard thin plastic temple tips.

2. Temple end covers in claim 1 both to work cooperatively with a bayonet like thin flat wire as shown which fits in the inner slot of the temple end cover which may be adjacent to the posterior end of the spectacle ear piece and inserted into the rear opening of the tube or through a separate side hole in said cover just rearwards of the temple ear bend as an alternative to the tip end rear tube opening insertion location.

3. A cup or box like plastic or metal fitting which fits over the above temple cover described in claim 1 thus enclosing the rearmost portion of the soft cover of the spectacle temple member and which may be co-operatively connected to the counterbalance located posterior to it as described and illustrated or the box alone if it is made of heavy metal secured over the soft temple covers may be sufficient to counterbalance lesser weights..

4. Claims I and 2 when joined together comprise one method of connecting the spectacle temple ends with the counterbalance located at the end of a thin springy connection and which may be optionally hinged.

5. Claims I and 3 cooperating together comprise the other way of securing the counterbalance to the end of the temples which may be only an open ended weighted box or cup like receptacle, or if more counterweight is desired then more rear counterbalance may be attached to said box as shown and described.