MXPA06014961A - Durable eyeglasses frame assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A eyeglasses frame ( 2, 7, 39, 49) allowing sizing, assembly and disassembly without the need for special training, screws, bolts, or pin or special tools.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF FRAMEWORK FOR DURABLE GLASSES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to spectacle frames, which do not require screws, pins or bolts, and which are easily assembled and disassembled without the need for special tools.

Background of the Invention This application claims priority to the United States patent application of America No. 10 / 874,279 filed on June 24, 2004. In recent years, numerous improvements have been made in the design and production of glasses, which have produced increasingly light, comfortable and attractive products. However, these improvements in the products have presented a number of problems with traditional eyewear designs. First, many eyewear products are very delicate, have a multiplicity of small components, and require sophisticated tools or custom-made parts for repair and assembly. Second, the delicate components inevitably break after a long use, and the repairs are delayed, costly, or inconvenient for the user. Third, for a given set of spectacle frames, it is generally difficult, expensive or impossible to make the glasses custom-made for a given user. Additionally, repairs to damaged glasses can often not be made by the end user, requiring a visit to the optometrist. The present invention can provide a solution to at least one of these problems. One of the biggest problems with many eyewear designs is the need for a multiplicity of fasteners such as screws, pins or small pins. These fasteners may be located at hinge points between the arm of the temple of the eyeglasses and the hinge block of the temple arm or in various locations in the eyeglass frame. In some cases, a variety of types or sizes of fasteners are used in the same pair of glasses. In addition, these fasteners are often not easily replaced through a vendor's stock and often require specialized orders to make repairs. The fasteners can be used both in the frames of the glasses and in the hinges of the glasses. When used in spectacle frames, fasteners can help secure the lenses in place, by attaching the frame to another portion of the glasses, or by holding together multi-component parts. Either way, the fastener, whether it's a screw, pin or bolt design, is subject to wear after a long use. When this occurs, the fastener will usually be lost, and the product will become useless until it is repaired. The fasteners are also used in the hinges of the glasses, for which there is already a variety of designs. Some designs require fasteners with rope such as screws or small bolts. Others require cordless fasteners such as pins. Some designs also use an adhesive, washers or materials that adapt to friction. Regardless of that, with all of these hinge designs, the screw, bolt, or pin runs the risk of getting out of the hollow in the hinges or in another section of the frame, rendering the glasses unusable and potentially requiring the purchase of new parts, the use of special tools, or a consultation with the optometrist to make repairs. Another problem with the hinges of the glasses is that they are sometimes subject to a relatively severe stress due to intentional or accidental misuse. Traditional eyeglass hinges often break or fall apart under sufficient tension. Broken glasses can not be used, and unzipped glasses can be accommodated in an inappropriate manner. With most current designs, repairs may require major training, purchase of replacement parts, or the use of materials that do not look good such as duct tape or glue. Still another problem with the current eyewear designs has to do with the ear piece on the temple arm. The temple arm ear piece comes in a length for a given set of frames. Although consumers often need shorter or longer temple arm lengths, this part is very rarely in stock and must be ordered in a special way by a salesperson. This process takes time if the appropriate part is even available. Most temple arms or frames are not universal, typically right or left handed, and can not be interchanged with other frame styles. The earphone lining or paddle is not designed to be removed once it is applied by the manufacturer. In the event that the palette is lost or broken, replacing it is very difficult. Palette styles are usually made to order pieces and designed only for one style, color, and arm size of the temple.; and manufacturers usually do not use palette part numbers to reorder. Most provide complete frames only for the replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Advantageously, the present invention provides a novel spectacle frame for securely holding a lens without the need for screws, pins, or bolts. The present invention further advantageously provides a novel spectacle frame for which a temple arm of the frame is removably attached to a hinge block of the temple arm without the need for screws, pins or bolts. Further advantageously, the present invention provides a novel spectacle frame for which the frame arm of the frame can be easily attached to the hinge block of the temple arm without the need for special tools, spare parts, or training if the arm of the temple separates from the hinge block of the temple arm, either intentionally or accidentally. Another advantage of the present invention is that eyeglass frames constructed in accordance with the present may be, contrary to the prior art, more durable, with less chance of being permanently damaged, and can be easily repaired without the need for special tools, parts spare, or training. Another advantage of the present invention is that the frames of spectacles constructed in accordance with this invention can be, contrary to the prior art, more durable, with less possibility of being permanently damaged, and can be easily repaired by an end user who does not have training. A further advantage of the present invention is that the arm length of the eyeglass temple can be shortened by removing the excessive length, once again without the use of special tools.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the earphone lining or paddle can be used with frame arms of more than one length. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be described in part in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned through the implementation of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention can be carried out and achieved by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute a part of this description, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a pair of spectacles including the collar (1) and temple arm (25) of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame (1) of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a tension clip (5) and a receiver (6) of the tension clip before joining an upper portion of a ring (2) and a lower portion of a ring (3) according to the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a tension clip (5) and a receiver (6) of the tension clip of Figure 3 after joining an upper portion of a ring (2) and a lower portion of a ring (3) in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates an alternative mode of a tension clip (5 ') and a receiver (6 ') of a tension clip before joining an upper portion of a ring (2) and a lower portion of a ring (3) according to the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates a tension clip (5 ') and a receiver (6') of the tension clip of Figure 5 after attaching an upper portion of a ring (2) and a lower portion of a ring (3) of according to the present invention.

Figures 7-8 illustrate additional modalities for a tension clip (5") and a receiver (6") of the tension clip. Figure 9 illustrates a hinge block (4) of the arm of the temple (4) according to the prior art. Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of a hinge block (4) of the temple arm according to the present invention. Figure 11 illustrates a hinge block (4 ') of the temple arm according to the prior art. Figure 12 illustrates a temple arm (25) according to the present invention. Figure 13 illustrates a temple arm (25) attached to a hinge block (4) of the temple arm according to the present invention. Figure 14 illustrates a temple arm (25) rotated to a closed position in a hinge block (4) of the temple arm. Figure 15 illustrates an arm of the temple (25) being removed from a hinge block (4) of the temple arm without the need for tools and without damaging the glasses. Figure 16 illustrates a temple arm (25) with cuts (49) which can be cut to shorten the temple arm. Figure 17 illustrates a headphone lining or paddle (50) of the temple arm, which can be used with a variety of arm lengths of the temple.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes A detailed reference will now be made to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. The term "glasses" refers to whole glasses that include the lenses, frames and arms of the temple. Of course, the present invention applies equally well to prescription glasses for use in vision correction as well as sunglasses, goggles, or combinations of sunglasses, prescription glasses or goggles.

The term "frames" shall refer to complete "spectacles" except the lenses, ie, the frame or other retainer structure of the lenses, temple arms, nose pieces, or earphone liners. It is envisaged that the frames can be manufactured from any type of known material that is useful for the production of spectacle frames. Examples of materials used for eyeglass frames include metals such as titanium, stainless steel, Monel, beryllium, nitinol, Ticral, Flexon, aluminum, silver, gold; or non-metallic materials such as plastics, elastomers, rubber, wood, leather, or precious stones. Combinations of materials can also be used for various parts of the frames or as alloys, composite materials, or copolymers. In addition, any type of lens may be used in combination with the present invention. Advantageously, the present invention provides a novel spectacle frame for securely holding a lens without the need for screws, pins, or bolts. In an illustrative embodiment as shown in Figures 1-8, the present invention includes a frame (1) for spectacles comprising an upper portion (2) of a ring and a lower portion (3) of a ring, a block of hinge (4) of the arm of the temple, and a union mechanism (7). The linking mechanism (7) is adjacent to the hinge block (4) of the temple arm, for attaching the upper portion (2) of a ring and the lower portion (3) of a ring and includes a tension clip ( 5, 5 ', 5") located either the upper portion (2) of an arillo or the lower portion (3) of an arillo.A receiver (6, 6', 6") of the tension clip is located in the another of the upper portion (2) of a ring or the lower portion (3) of the ring, so that the tension clip (5, 5 ', 5") can be inserted into the receiver (6, 6', 6). ") of tension to join the upper portion (2) of a ring and a lower portion (3) of a ring and securely hold the lens (8) of a pair of glasses inside the frame (1) · In one embodiment, the tension clip (5) and the receiver (6) of the tension clip are illustrated in Figures 3-4. In this embodiment, the tension clip (5) is permanently attached to a joining region (12) of the lower portion of a ring (3) together with a length of the tension clip (5) and the lower portion of a ring (3). The junction in the junction region (12) can be formed by means of a chemical or mechanical bond. Applicable bonding processes include welding, gluing, or generating a chemical reaction that causes the tension clip (5) to attach to the lower portion (3) of the ring. The tension clip (5) and the lower portion (3) of a ring can also be formed as a single component by processes such as conventional metal forming or injection molding. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3-4, the tension clip (5) may have a hook or a "U" shape with a first section (10) and a second section (17) as well as a final section ( 14). The final section (14) is inserted into an opening (13) in the receiver (6) of the tension clip. Prior to insertion, the width (15) of the tension clip is equal to or greater than the width (16) of the tension clip receiver. Upon insertion of the tension clip (5) into the receiver (6) of the tension clip, the tension clip (5) is compressed such that the width (15) decreases sufficiently to fit within the opening (13). ) on the receiver (6) of the tension clip. When the tension clip (5) has been fully inserted into the receiver (6) of the tension clip, the tension clip (5) expands to the width (16) of the tension clip receiver and the first section (10) abuts against a portion of a terminal portion (11) of the upper portion (2) of a ring, and the second section (17) makes contact with a closing region (9) of the receiver (6) of the tension clip to securely join the upper portion (2) of a ring and the lower portion (3) of a ring. In this way, a lens (8) located between the upper portion (2) of a ring and the lower portion (3) of a ring will remain in place. In addition, the lens (8) can be released from the frame (1) by compressing the tension clip (5) and removing the tension clip (5) of the receiver (6) from the tension clip. Where memory alloys are used, such as nitinol, for example, the expansion and compression of the tension clip (5) can occur by taking advantage of shape memory or pseudo-elastic properties. Various other modalities for the tension clip (5 ') and the receiver (6') of the tension clip are illustrated in Figures 5-6. In Figures 5 and 6, the tension clip (5 ') contains a protrusion (18) which securely engages a side opening (19) in the receiver (6') of the tension clip. The coupling of the protrusion (18) and the lateral opening (19) locks the tension clip (5 ') into the receiver (6') of the tension clip as illustrated in Figure 6. Various other embodiments for the The tension clip (5") and the receiver (6") of the tension clip are illustrated in Figures 7-8. The tension clip (5") is not a hook or a" U "shape but is a substantially solid form (19) with a lateral protrusion (21), as in Figures 5-6 the lateral protuberance (21). 21) of the box (19) fits inside a side opening (22) of a receiver (6") of the tension clip. In any of the above embodiments, the tension clip (5, 5 ', 5") may be more elastic than the receiver (6, 6', 6") of the tension clip, such that the tension clip ( 5, 5 ', 5") is flexed during assembly.The receiver clip (6, 6', 6") of the tension clip, however, can in turn be more flexible, such that the receiver (6, 5 ', 5") is flexible. , 6 ', 6") is flexed during assembly.Of course, both parts can exhibit some degree of flexibility.Another advantage of the present invention is that the arm of the temple (25) of the frame can be easily attached to the block. of hinge (4) of the temple arm without the need for special tools, spare parts, or training if the temple arm (25) separates from the hinge block (4) of the temple arm either intentionally or Accidentally Figures 9-13 illustrate modalities of the temple arm (25) and the block of hinges (4) of the temple arm according to the present invention The arm of the temple (25) and the hinge block (4) of the arm of the temple can be used with eyeglass frames with complete rings, frames of half-round or semi-rimless glasses, or eyeglass frames. with three-piece or frameless mount. Figure 9 illustrates a hinge block (4) of the temple arm. The hinge block (4) of the temple arm includes a first section (30) of a hinge block and a second hinge block section (31). The second section (31) of the hinge block is attached to the upper portion (2) of the eyeglass ring or to the lower portion (3) of a ring. In the case of an eyeglass frame without frame, the hinge block (4) of the temple arm can be attached directly to the lens (8) of the glasses. An obtuse angle (29) between the first section (30) of the hinge block and a second section (31) of the hinge block varies within the range of about 100 ° to about 130 °. The hinge block (4) of the temple arm has a surface groove (26) located on one side of the first section (39) of the hinge block. The first section (30) of the hinge block also has an upper face (32) and a lower face (33). A first circular opening (27) is located on the upper face (32), and a second circular opening (34) is located on the lower face (33). A cylindrical hole (28) connects the first circular opening (27) and the second circular opening (34). In another embodiment, which is illustrated in Figure 10, there may be only one circular opening (35) and a cylindrical bore (36) may extend only part of the way through the first section (30) of the hinge block. Figure 11 illustrates a hinge block (4 ') of the arm of the similar temple, which is known in the prior art. The present invention provides several advantages over this invention. First, the obtuse angle (29) between the first section (30) of the hinge block and the second section (31) of the hinge block is approximately 100 ° and 130 ° as shown in Figures 9-10. The angle (29 ') between the first section (30') and (3G) of the hinge block, as shown in the prior art, is always approximately 90 °. Second, the groove (26) of the present invention is superficial, having a depth of less than the diameter of an elongated section (37) of the arm of the temple, as shown in Figures 12-14. Third, the groove (26) has a chamfered and beveled or sloped forward edge (52), while the leading edge (52 ') of the prior art is blunt. The combination in the present invention of the obtuse angle (29), the surface groove (26) and the inclined leading edge (52) provide an advantage by reducing the tension in the glasses with excessive bending outwardly from the arm of the temple (25). ) and allowing the arm of the temple (25) to be more easily removed from the hinge block (4) of the temple arm with the application of sufficient tension whether accidental or intentional, without damaging the glasses. The structure of the prior art does not foresee this important advantage. Figure 12 illustrates a temple arm (25) according to the present invention. The temple arm (25) has an elongated section (37), a hinge (38) of the temple arm and a junction connection (39) of the hinge. The hinge (38) of the arm of the temple has a connector section (40) of the hinge block, a middle section (42) and a connector region (43) of the temple arm. The hinge (38) of the temple arm is connected to the elongated section (37) by means of a hinge connection (39). The middle section (42) extends away from the elongate section (37) at a first angle (41). The hinge connection (39) is bent to allow the first angle (41) to increase or decrease without damaging the frame of the glasses. The connector section (40) of the hinge block forms a second angle (44) with the middle section (42) which is approximately 90 °. The elongated section (37) has a first end (46) which is at an angle with respect to the main axis (50) of the elongated section (37). Figures 13-14 illustrate an arm of the temple (25) connected to a hinge block (4) of the temple arm. Figure 13 illustrates a temple arm (25) connected to a hinge block (4) of the temple arm with the temple arm in an open position as it would be if a person were wearing the glasses. In the open position, the first end (46) of the elongated section (37) of the temple arm (25) rests in the slot (26) on the side of the hinge block (4) of the temple arm. A fold (51) in the elongated section allows the first end (46) of the elongated section (37) to fit snugly within the slot (26). The connector (40) of the hinge block is pivotally positioned within the hole (28) of the hinge block (4) of the temple arm through the first circular opening (27). Figure 14 illustrates the arm of the temple (25) connected to a hinge block (4) of the arm of the temple (4) with the arm of the temple (25) in a closed position as it would be in case of that the glasses were not being used. The first end (46) of the elongated section (37) is not in the groove (26), the connector (40) of the hinge block is in the hole (28), and the temple arm (25) is pivoted about the axis (45) created by the connector (40) of the hinge block and the hole (40). 28). In the closed position, the position of the first end (46) of the elongated section (37) outside the slot (26) helps maintain the closed position to protect the glasses while they are being stored or while being charged. Figure 15 illustrates a temple arm (25) being removed from a hinge block (4) of the temple arm. The angle (41) is increased by means of the extension of the hinge connection (43). The elongated section (37) moves out of the hole (28) to remove the temple arm (25) from the hinge block (4) of the temple arm. Figure 16 illustrates an arm of the temple (25) of glasses with indicia such as notches (49) which can be cut to modify the length of the arm of the temple. Punctuation may also be employed to allow the temple arm (25) to be broken cleanly to the desired length. The signs can also be at least some printed marks. A design may include any number of notches (49), but a preferred number would be between 2 and 20 graduated notches (49), which may be evenly spaced or spaced apart by other relevant considerations, such as statistical anthropometric. In typical cases, between 2 and 6 graduated notches (49) will be used. The temple arm material (25) may be thinner in the notches (49) to provide an easy cut and sizing of multiple temple arms equally. Figure 17 illustrates a palette of the head arm (50) of the temple which can be used with a variety of arm lengths of the temple. After the arm of the temple is adjusted to the desired length the palette of the earphone (50) is placed on the arm of the temple (25). The palette of the headset (50) itself can be cut or configured in some other way to make it fit appropriately in the temple arm (25), or for the comfort of the user. The temple arm (25) and the temple arm hinge block (4) of the present invention can be used with any type of spectacle frames. The marks on the arm of the temple (25) and on the palette of the headset (50) of the arm of the temple of the present invention can also be used with any type of spectacle frame. Examples of various types of eyeglass frames, which may be used, are full eyeglass frames, half eyeglass eyeglass frames, and triple-rimless eyeglass frames. Other embodiments of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art from consideration of the description and implementation of the invention described herein. It is the intention that the description and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims (52)

1. Claims 1. A spectacle frame assembly, which comprises: a ring assembly having at least one upper portion and at least one lower coupling portion; at least one arm of the temple; at least one hinge block of the temple arm connected to the ring assembly; and a joining mechanism for joining the upper portion of the ring and the lower coupling portion of the ring without the use of tools. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said joining mechanism includes a tension clip located in one of the upper or lower portions of the ring. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 2, wherein said joining mechanism includes a tension clip receiver located in the other of the upper portion or lower portion of the ring. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 3, wherein said tension clip can be removably inserted within the tension clip receiver to join the upper portion of the aril and the lower coupling portion of the aril to maintain lens lenses. glasses inside the arillo. 5. Goggles comprising two lenses, two temple arms, and frames for holding said two lenses, said spectacles further having a hinge block of the arm of the temple, wherein said temple arms are pivotally attached directly to said temple. Hinge block of the temple arm without the use of additional tooling. 6. The goggles of claim 5, wherein said frames are frames of full-goggles. 7. The goggles of claim 5, wherein said frames are half-round eyeglass frames. The spectacles of claim 5, wherein said frames are frames of triple-rimless spectacle frames. 9. A spectacle frame assembly comprising an arm of the temple and a hinge block of the arm of the temple, said temple arm being pivotally attached directly to said temple arm hinge block without the use of additional tooling. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 9, wherein said frames are full-goggle spectacle frames. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 9, wherein said frames are frames of half-round glasses. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 9, wherein said frames are frames of triple rimless frames. 13. A spectacle frame assembly having a block of temple arm hinges for glasses constructed and arranged so that the temple arm of said spectacles can be selectively and replaceably removed from said arm hinge block. the temple by means of the application of a predetermined amount of moment of rotation. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 13, wherein said frames are full-goggle frames. 15. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 13, wherein said frames are frames of half-round glasses. 16. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 13, wherein said frames are frames of triple-rimless spectacle frames. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 13, wherein said temple arm has a first end for joining said hinge block of the temple arm. The frame assembly of claim 13, wherein said temple arm hinge block comprises a slot for receiving a portion of said first end of said temple arm, said portion having a diameter. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 18, wherein the depth of said slot is less than half the diameter of said first portion of said temple arm. 20. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 18, wherein said slot is chamfered. 21. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 18, wherein said groove has a bevelled and inclined front edge. 22. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 18, wherein said first end comprises a fold. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 22, wherein said groove is angled to accommodate said bending at said first end of said temple arm. 24. The eyeglass frame assembly of claim 23, wherein said slot is chamfered. 25. The eyeglass frame assembly of claim 23, wherein said slot has a beveled and inclined leading edge. 26. A frame arm of the eyeglass temple and a block of hinges of a temple arm for an eyeglass frame constructed and arranged so that the arm of the eyeglass temple can be selectively and replaceably removed from said eyeglass temple. hinge block of the arm of the temple by applying excessive rotation of said arm of the temple with respect to said hinge block of the arm of the temple. 27. The spectacle frame of claim 26, wherein said frames are full-rimmed spectacle frames. 28. The spectacle frame of claim 26, wherein said frames are frames of half arillo spectacles. 29. The spectacle frame of claim 26, wherein said frames are frames of triple rimless frames. An eyeglass frame assembly comprising at least one arm piece of the temple connected to said eyeglass frame at a proximal end thereof, and having marks at a distal end thereof for adjusting the length of said arm. of the temple The spectacle frame assembly of claim 30, wherein said markings comprise preformed notches. 32. The frame assembly of claim 30, wherein said marks are dotted or engraved. 33. The eyeglass frame assembly of claim 30, wherein said frames are full eyeglass frames. 34. The eyeglass frame assembly of claim 30, wherein said frames are frames of half-round glasses. 35. The spectacle frame assembly of claim 30, wherein said frames are frames of triple rimless frames. 36. A method for attaching a spectacle lens to a spectacle frame, which comprises the steps of: providing a spectacle frame having an aryl assembly having at least one upper portion and at least one lower engaging portion, and a joining mechanism for attaching the upper portion of the ring and the lower coupling portion of the ring; and joining the upper portion of the ring to said lower coupling portion of the ring without the use of tools. 37. A method for constructing glasses, which comprises the steps of: providing an assembly of spectacles having a hinge block from the arm of the temple to receive an arm of the temple; and selectively and removably joining said arm of the temple from said hinge block of the temple arm without the use of tools. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said glasses are full-rimmed glasses. 39. The method of claim 37, wherein said glasses are half arillo spectacles. 40. The method of claim 37, wherein said glasses are triple-rimless glasses. 41. A method for disassembling glasses, which comprises the steps of: providing glasses having a hinge block of the arm of the temple connected to an arm of the temple; and selectively and replaceably removing said arm from the temple of said temple arm hinge block without the use of tools. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein said glasses are full-goggle spectacles. 43. The method of claim 41, wherein said glasses are half arillo spectacles. 44. The method of claim 41, wherein said glasses are triple-rimless glasses. 45. A method for affixing glasses to a user, which comprises the steps of: providing glasses having an arm of the temple that has marks; and size the arm of the temple by removing a portion of the arm of the temple. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein said glasses are full-rimmed glasses. 47. The method of claim 45, wherein said glasses are half arillo spectacles. 48. The method of claim 45, wherein said glasses are triple rim-free glasses. 49. An arm of the eyeglass temple, which comprises marks for the removal of material therefrom to adjust the length of said arm of the temple. 50. The arm of the temple of the goggles of claim 49, wherein said markings comprise preformed notches. 51. The arm of the temple of the goggles of claim 49, wherein said marks are dotted or engraved. 52. A temple arm ear paddle for use with the temple arm of claim 49 wherein the markings are colored signals.