US3134208A - Lens holding device - Google Patents

Lens holding device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3134208A
US3134208A US164860A US16486062A US3134208A US 3134208 A US3134208 A US 3134208A US 164860 A US164860 A US 164860A US 16486062 A US16486062 A US 16486062A US 3134208 A US3134208 A US 3134208A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
mandrel
elastomer
cup
optical blank
lens
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US164860A
Inventor
J D Richmond
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US164860A priority Critical patent/US3134208A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3134208A publication Critical patent/US3134208A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B13/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
    • B24B13/005—Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in an optical blank holding device for making lens, and more particularly to an optical blank holding device which may be readily attached to an optical blank or to a lens and detached therefrom without marring or distorting the optical blank or the lens made therefrom.
  • Optical blanks usually have the convex side thereof polished and finished ready for use, with the opposite or concave side thereof being unfinished. These optical blanks also usually have a centering dot on the unfinished side thereof to enable the lens to be attached to a mandrel with the dot positioned substantially axially of the mandrel.
  • the present lens holding device is so designed that an optical blank may be readily secured thereto and to be held firmly thereby during all phases of the operations thereon, that is, the grinding of the lens, both the roughening grind and the finished grind, and also the polishing thereof. Furthermore, without removing the lens from the lens holding device, the lens may be cut to the exact shape and the edges thereof finished ready for use.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a device for holding an optical blank to enable the abrading and polishing operations to be performed thereon to enable the optical blank to be finished into a lens to the desired curvature 'or combination of curvatures to obtain the desired power of magnification and/or correction.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a suction cup arrangement to enable an optical blank to be quickly attached to a mandrel for the grinding and polishing operations on the optical blank, without the necessity of removing the optical blank from the mandrel.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an optical blank holding device which may be readily attached to and detached from a mandrel holding element, yet main- 3,1342% Patented May 26, 1964 taining the lens in a fixed relation with respect to the axis thereof.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a removable, elastomer suction cup of a curvature which approximates the curve of the'optical blank to be ground and/or polished, which cup is in communication with an air evacuating device so as to enable the optical blank to be affixed to the elastomer cup by suction.
  • Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a device for holding an elastomer suction cup, the face of which is grooved to evenly distribute the suction over the face of the optical blank to prevent distortion thereof while it is being held for grinding and/ or polishing.
  • a still further object of the invention is to provide a combination hollow mandrel and elastomer suction cup whereby the passage in the hollow mandrel registers with a passage in the suction cup so air may be evacuated from the suction cup through the mandrel.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction, low in the cost of manufacture, easy to use, and which will give long continued service with a minimum of repair.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevatio-nal view of the optical blank holding device, showing a hollow spindle attached thereto, with a hollow needle and an air evacuating syringe positioned in the hollow mandrel, and also showing a universal joint and a mandrel extension connected in chuck relation to a rotating spindle, with parts broken away and with parts shown in section to bring out the details of construction;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hollow spindle with the lens holding device and the universal joint removed therefrom, and showing the self-sealing elastomer plug in exploded relation thereto;
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the elastomer suction cup for holding optical blanks, with parts being broken away and with other parts being shown in section to bring out the details of construction;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a hollow needle used in the air evacuating syringe for removing air from the hollow spindle, showing the passages intermediate the face of the suction cup and an optical blank.
  • the numeral 1 designates a power driven, rotatable spindle of the character to chuck a mandrel 2 for rotation therewith.
  • the spindle 1 in the present instance, is shown to have a squared recess 4 therein to receive the squared mandrel 2.
  • Each inner face of the squared recess 4 of the spindle has semi-cylindrical recesses 6 therein, so that a spring pressed ball 8, of conventional character, will register with the indentation or recess 6 to hold the? mandrel 2 against longitudinal movement, yet the ball 8 is springpressed by the spring 10, as will best be seen in FIG. 2,
  • the other end of the mandrel 2 preferably has a similar spring pressed ball to engage with a similar socket in a universal joint 12.
  • the universal joint 12 is of conventional block and cross-pin type, as will best be seen in FIG. 1.
  • the universal joint 12 has a socket in each end thereof to receive the respective mandrels 2 and 14.
  • mandrel 14 also has a spring pressed ball 8 which is adapted to register with an indentation or recess in the squared socket of the universal joint 12 so as to retain the mandrel 14, which has a portion thereof drilled and crossdrilled so as to form a passage therethrough, as will be more fully brought out hereinafter.
  • the mandrel 14 is threaded as indicated at 16 at one end and has an axial opening 13 extending thereinto, with a passage 26 drilled through a side thereof so as to interconnect with axial opening 13, as will best be seen in FIG. 1.
  • a counterbore 22 is made in the side of hollow mandrel 14, which counterbore 22 is adapted to receive an elastomer, self-sealing plug 24 therein, as will best be seen in FIG. 1, the purpose of which will be more fully brought out hereinafter.
  • An elastomer cup 26 has an internally threaded insert 28 therein axially thereof, which metal insert is preferably knurled or roughened on the outside, as indicated at 3%.
  • the elastomer cup 26 is vulcanized to the threaded insert 23 so that the knurled portion 36 will serve as a holding surface between the insert and the elastomer cup 26.
  • the threads of the insert 28 complementally engage the threaded portion 16 of mandrel 14.
  • the elastomer cup 26 has concave face and radial grooves 34 in the lower face thereof, which grooves connect with an axial passage 36 in the elastomer cup 26. Further parti-annular or lateral grooves 38 are formed in the lower face of elastomer cup 26, which grooves 38 interconnect with radial grooves 34 and axial passage 36 in the elastomer cup 26.
  • the lower end of the threaded mandrel M is open, so when the mandrel is screw threaded into screw threaded insert 28, the lower end of the mandrel will form a fluid tight seal with the face of elastomer cup 26. In this manner the passages 13 and 36 form a continuous, leakproof passage.
  • the elastomer cup 2d has a pair of cross wires 40 embedded therein, which wires 40 are so arranged as to cross centrally of the axial passage 36 so these may be viewed through optical blank 42, and by the use of optical blanks with the centering dot or marker 44, the optical blank may be readily aligned with the axis of the mandrel 14
  • An evacuating syringe or pump 46 is provided which has a hollow needle 48 to enable the withdrawal of air from passages 18, 2d, 36, 34- and 38 to cause the optical blank 42 to adhere to the elastomer suction cup 26, which cup seals with the lens around the edge 27 thereof.
  • a check valve 59 is provided into the pump do so that the air which is drawn through passages 52 and 54 of the pump is prevented from returning, once it has been evacuated.
  • the syringe or pump 46 is of a conventional piston type, and when the air has been evacuated to, the desired degree from passages within the mandrel and the elastomer cup 26, the needle is removed longitudinally from the elastomer self sealing plug 24, whereupon, the hole in the plug will seal, which will enable the optical blank 4-2 to be held in secure aligned relation so as to perform an abrading or grinding action and the finishing and polishing of the lens without having to remove the lens from the suction cup, once it has been adjusted and secured thereto.
  • the mandrel 14 may be removed from the universal joint 12 and fitted within the squared recess 4 in spindle l, in event it is not desired to use the universal joint 12 or the extension mandrel 2. Furthermore, the lens may be held on the suction cup 26, while it is being cut or the edges finished, thereby precluding dropping the lens while these actions are being performed.
  • the hollow needle such as shown in FIG. 5, may be used to pierce the elastomer sealing plug 24, which will permit air to enter through passages 54 and 52 into axial opening 18, which 4 will equalize the pressure on each side of the lens, thereby permitting the lens to be readily removed.
  • the mandrel 14 will be mounted in a fixture which Will rock about the horizontal axis as the abrading element is brought into abrading relation with the concave face of the optical blank 42. It is to be pointed out, however, that the removal of sufiicient air from passages 18, 20, 34 and 36 will cause the optical blank to be held in secure relation on the elastomer cup by the atmospheric pressure exerted thereon. It is preferable that the mandrel 14 be relatively short and that the elastomer plug 24 be so fitted in counter-bore 22 that it may be readily removed and replaced when it begins to leak, as its usefulness as a valve has been lost.
  • valve is inexpensive to produce and a vacuum or air exhaust pump can be readily made from the so-called foot-ball pump by reversing the cup of the plunger therein, thereby converting the customary football pump with the hollow needle into a vacuum pump.
  • a conventional valve and valve fitting may be used instead of the elastomer plug and hollow needle. The present arrangement, however, greatly expedites the operation of the device.
  • a device for holding an optical blank for processing which device comprises:
  • detachable pump means to selectively pass air through said valverneans on said rotatable, glandless mandrel only when said mandrel is not rotating, which valve means selectively closes said lateral opening in said mandrel to form a self-contained air tight chamber
  • said elastorner cup having an axial passage formed therethrough, which passage in said elastomer cup is adapted to register with said axial opening in said mandrel, and
  • a device for holding an optical blank for processing which device comprises:
  • said elastomer cup adapted to complementally fit said optical blank and having an axial passage formed therethrough, which axial passage insaid elastomer cup is adapted to register with said axial opening in said mandrel,
  • said pump which interconnects with said elastomer cup being adapted to evacuate at least a portion of the air from the grooved passages therein.
  • cross members embedded in said elastomer cup and being arranged a spaced distance below the surface thereof so as to form visible centering means through the axial passage in said elastomer cup, and
  • a device for holding an optical blank for processing which device comprises:
  • said elastomer cup having a plurality of radial grooves formed in the face thereof, which radial grooves are in communication with said axial opening in said mandrel, and which radial grooves extend outward from said axial passage less than half the diameter of said elastomer cup, and
  • said pump which interconnects with said elastomer cup being adapted to evacuate at least a portion of the air from the grooves in said elastomer cup ing:
  • said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therein which is in fiuid communication with the axial opening in said mandrel,
  • said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therein which is influid communication with the axial opening in said mandrel

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)

Description

May 26, 1964 J D RICHMOND LENS HOLDING DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 JD R/chmono INVENTOR.
H15 AGE T United States Patent 3,134,208 LENS HOLDENG DEVICE J D Richmond, 2112 Broad St, Wichita Falls, Tex., %ssignor of one-half to Cllyde S. Mcfiain, Wichita Falls,
Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,860 7 Claims. (ill. 51--235) This invention relates to improvements in an optical blank holding device for making lens, and more particularly to an optical blank holding device which may be readily attached to an optical blank or to a lens and detached therefrom without marring or distorting the optical blank or the lens made therefrom.
Various devices for holding optical blanks or lenses have been proposed heretofore, however these, for the most part, required extensive preparation to fit the optical blank or lens in place on the holding device, which usually utilized pitch to cement the optical blank or lens to the mandrel which was used to turn the optical blank or the lens with respect to the abrading element, and since optical blanks which are used in the manufacture of lens usually have one side finished, it is therefore necessary only to grind and polish the unfinished side of the optical blank to make a lens of the desired optical power of magnification.
Optical blanks usually have the convex side thereof polished and finished ready for use, with the opposite or concave side thereof being unfinished. These optical blanks also usually have a centering dot on the unfinished side thereof to enable the lens to be attached to a mandrel with the dot positioned substantially axially of the mandrel.
Heretofore, after an optical blank had been finished into a lens, it has been necessary to remove the pitch from the lens, which required chilling the lens to a subfreezing temperature and then scraping the pitch from the lens, which sometimes would result in the lens becoming scratched to such an extent that it would have to be re-ground or even discarded.
The present lens holding device is so designed that an optical blank may be readily secured thereto and to be held firmly thereby during all phases of the operations thereon, that is, the grinding of the lens, both the roughening grind and the finished grind, and also the polishing thereof. Furthermore, without removing the lens from the lens holding device, the lens may be cut to the exact shape and the edges thereof finished ready for use.
Having an optical blank or lens holding device of the character described herein mounted on a spindle which is readily detachable, as by a spring pressed ball seating in an indentation, enables the mandrel to be readily removed from one chucking arrangement and reinserted into another, thereby obviating the necessity of having to remove and remount the optical blank or lens for the various operations thereon.
An object of this invention is to provide a device for holding an optical blank to enable the abrading and polishing operations to be performed thereon to enable the optical blank to be finished into a lens to the desired curvature 'or combination of curvatures to obtain the desired power of magnification and/or correction.
Another object of this invention is to provide a suction cup arrangement to enable an optical blank to be quickly attached to a mandrel for the grinding and polishing operations on the optical blank, without the necessity of removing the optical blank from the mandrel.
A further object of the invention is to provide an optical blank holding device which may be readily attached to and detached from a mandrel holding element, yet main- 3,1342% Patented May 26, 1964 taining the lens in a fixed relation with respect to the axis thereof.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a removable, elastomer suction cup of a curvature which approximates the curve of the'optical blank to be ground and/or polished, which cup is in communication with an air evacuating device so as to enable the optical blank to be affixed to the elastomer cup by suction.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a device for holding an elastomer suction cup, the face of which is grooved to evenly distribute the suction over the face of the optical blank to prevent distortion thereof while it is being held for grinding and/ or polishing.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination hollow mandrel and elastomer suction cup whereby the passage in the hollow mandrel registers with a passage in the suction cup so air may be evacuated from the suction cup through the mandrel.
. Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction, low in the cost of manufacture, easy to use, and which will give long continued service with a minimum of repair.
With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevatio-nal view of the optical blank holding device, showing a hollow spindle attached thereto, with a hollow needle and an air evacuating syringe positioned in the hollow mandrel, and also showing a universal joint and a mandrel extension connected in chuck relation to a rotating spindle, with parts broken away and with parts shown in section to bring out the details of construction;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hollow spindle with the lens holding device and the universal joint removed therefrom, and showing the self-sealing elastomer plug in exploded relation thereto;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the elastomer suction cup for holding optical blanks, with parts being broken away and with other parts being shown in section to bring out the details of construction; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a hollow needle used in the air evacuating syringe for removing air from the hollow spindle, showing the passages intermediate the face of the suction cup and an optical blank.
With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a power driven, rotatable spindle of the character to chuck a mandrel 2 for rotation therewith. The spindle 1, in the present instance, is shown to have a squared recess 4 therein to receive the squared mandrel 2. Each inner face of the squared recess 4 of the spindle has semi-cylindrical recesses 6 therein, so that a spring pressed ball 8, of conventional character, will register with the indentation or recess 6 to hold the? mandrel 2 against longitudinal movement, yet the ball 8 is springpressed by the spring 10, as will best be seen in FIG. 2,
which is well known in the art of socket wrenches and the like. I
The other end of the mandrel 2 preferably has a similar spring pressed ball to engage with a similar socket in a universal joint 12. The universal joint 12 is of conventional block and cross-pin type, as will best be seen in FIG. 1. The universal joint 12 has a socket in each end thereof to receive the respective mandrels 2 and 14. The
mandrel 14 also has a spring pressed ball 8 which is adapted to register with an indentation or recess in the squared socket of the universal joint 12 so as to retain the mandrel 14, which has a portion thereof drilled and crossdrilled so as to form a passage therethrough, as will be more fully brought out hereinafter.
The mandrel 14 is threaded as indicated at 16 at one end and has an axial opening 13 extending thereinto, with a passage 26 drilled through a side thereof so as to interconnect with axial opening 13, as will best be seen in FIG. 1. A counterbore 22 is made in the side of hollow mandrel 14, which counterbore 22 is adapted to receive an elastomer, self-sealing plug 24 therein, as will best be seen in FIG. 1, the purpose of which will be more fully brought out hereinafter.
An elastomer cup 26 has an internally threaded insert 28 therein axially thereof, which metal insert is preferably knurled or roughened on the outside, as indicated at 3%. The elastomer cup 26 is vulcanized to the threaded insert 23 so that the knurled portion 36 will serve as a holding surface between the insert and the elastomer cup 26. The threads of the insert 28 complementally engage the threaded portion 16 of mandrel 14. This enables the ready removal of the elastomer suction cup 26 and the insertion of an elastomer cup of a different curvature to lit a particular optical lens as desired; however, the elastomer material in the cup 26 is sufficiently pliable that it will fit a variety of curvatures of optical blanks without distortion.
The elastomer cup 26 has concave face and radial grooves 34 in the lower face thereof, which grooves connect with an axial passage 36 in the elastomer cup 26. Further parti-annular or lateral grooves 38 are formed in the lower face of elastomer cup 26, which grooves 38 interconnect with radial grooves 34 and axial passage 36 in the elastomer cup 26.
The lower end of the threaded mandrel M is open, so when the mandrel is screw threaded into screw threaded insert 28, the lower end of the mandrel will form a fluid tight seal with the face of elastomer cup 26. In this manner the passages 13 and 36 form a continuous, leakproof passage.
The elastomer cup 2d has a pair of cross wires 40 embedded therein, which wires 40 are so arranged as to cross centrally of the axial passage 36 so these may be viewed through optical blank 42, and by the use of optical blanks with the centering dot or marker 44, the optical blank may be readily aligned with the axis of the mandrel 14 An evacuating syringe or pump 46 is provided which has a hollow needle 48 to enable the withdrawal of air from passages 18, 2d, 36, 34- and 38 to cause the optical blank 42 to adhere to the elastomer suction cup 26, which cup seals with the lens around the edge 27 thereof.
A check valve 59 is provided into the pump do so that the air which is drawn through passages 52 and 54 of the pump is prevented from returning, once it has been evacuated. The syringe or pump 46 is of a conventional piston type, and when the air has been evacuated to, the desired degree from passages within the mandrel and the elastomer cup 26, the needle is removed longitudinally from the elastomer self sealing plug 24, whereupon, the hole in the plug will seal, which will enable the optical blank 4-2 to be held in secure aligned relation so as to perform an abrading or grinding action and the finishing and polishing of the lens without having to remove the lens from the suction cup, once it has been adjusted and secured thereto.
The mandrel 14 may be removed from the universal joint 12 and fitted within the squared recess 4 in spindle l, in event it is not desired to use the universal joint 12 or the extension mandrel 2. Furthermore, the lens may be held on the suction cup 26, while it is being cut or the edges finished, thereby precluding dropping the lens while these actions are being performed. When it is desired to remove the lens, which has been ground, from the optical blank 42, from the elastomer suction cup 26, the hollow needle, such as shown in FIG. 5, may be used to pierce the elastomer sealing plug 24, which will permit air to enter through passages 54 and 52 into axial opening 18, which 4 will equalize the pressure on each side of the lens, thereby permitting the lens to be readily removed.
The above procedure is practiced when the elastomer cup 26 is utilized for holding a lens when the lens is being ground for a spherical concave surface, however certain optical corrections require other special grinding technique, such as a cylinder grind or a combination of cylinder and spherical grinding, in which case, the mandrel lid is removed from universal joint 12 and is fitted into a stationary fixture (not shown). An optical blank is then mounted in the mandrel 14 in the manner set out above, whereupon, the optical blank will be held in secure relation so an abrading element rotating on a horizontal axis is brought into engagement with the concave face of the optical blank, and the optical blank will be shaped in accordance with the contact surface of the abrading face. However, in certain instances, the mandrel 14 will be mounted in a fixture which Will rock about the horizontal axis as the abrading element is brought into abrading relation with the concave face of the optical blank 42. It is to be pointed out, however, that the removal of sufiicient air from passages 18, 20, 34 and 36 will cause the optical blank to be held in secure relation on the elastomer cup by the atmospheric pressure exerted thereon. It is preferable that the mandrel 14 be relatively short and that the elastomer plug 24 be so fitted in counter-bore 22 that it may be readily removed and replaced when it begins to leak, as its usefulness as a valve has been lost.
This form of valve is inexpensive to produce and a vacuum or air exhaust pump can be readily made from the so-called foot-ball pump by reversing the cup of the plunger therein, thereby converting the customary football pump with the hollow needle into a vacuum pump. However, it is to be understood that a conventional valve and valve fitting may be used instead of the elastomer plug and hollow needle. The present arrangement, however, greatly expedites the operation of the device.
Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A device for holding an optical blank for processing, which device comprises:
(a) a rotatable, glandless mandrel,
(b) elastomer cup means detachably secured to said mandrel,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening extending thereinto for a portion of the length thereof,
(at) said mandrel having a lateral passage formed therein, which lateral passage intersects said axial opening therein,
(2) self-containedvalve means in said rotatable, glandless mandrel to close said lateral passage therein in air tight relation,
(7) detachable pump means to selectively pass air through said valverneans on said rotatable, glandless mandrel only when said mandrel is not rotating, which valve means selectively closes said lateral opening in said mandrel to form a self-contained air tight chamber,
(g) said elastorner cup having an axial passage formed therethrough, which passage in said elastomer cup is adapted to register with said axial opening in said mandrel, and
(h) a face of said elastomer cup being so conformed to seat near the edge of an optical blank.
2. A device for holding an optical blank for processing, which device comprises:
(a) a rotatable, glandless mandrel,
(b) elastomer cup means detachably secured to said mandrel,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening extending thereinto for a portion of the length thereof,
(d) said mandrel having a lateral passage formed therein, which lateral passage intersects said axial opening,
(e) said rotatable, glandless mandrel having a counterbore formed therein, which counterbore is coaxial with and in communication with said lateral passage in said mandrel,
(f) a self-sealing elastomer plug fitted in said counterbore in said mandrel, which plug closes said lateral passage in said mandrel,
(g) detachable pump means for selectively passing air through said elastomer sealing plug only when said mandrel is not rotating,
(h) said elastomer cup adapted to complementally fit said optical blank and having an axial passage formed therethrough, which axial passage insaid elastomer cup is adapted to register with said axial opening in said mandrel,
(i) a face of said elastomer cup being conformed so the edges thereof will seat on said optical blank, and
(j) said pump which interconnects with said elastomer cup being adapted to evacuate at least a portion of the air from the grooved passages therein.
3. A device for holding an optical blank for processing,
which devices comprises:
(a) a rotatable, glandless mandrel,
(b) an elastomer cup detachably secured to said mandrel,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening extending thereinto for a portion of the length thereof,
(d) said mandrel having a lateral passage formed therein, which lateral passage intersects said axial opening,
(e) self-contained valve means in said rotatable, glandless mandrel to close said lateral passage,
( a pump for selectively passing air through said valve means on said rotatable, glandless mandrel only while said mandrel is not rotating,
(g) said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therethrough, which axial passage in said elastomer cup is in register with said axial opening in said mandrel,
(h) cross members embedded in said elastomer cup and being arranged a spaced distance below the surface thereof so as to form visible centering means through the axial passage in said elastomer cup, and
(i) a face of said elastomer cup being conformed so the edges thereof will seat on an optical blank.
4. A device for holding an optical blank for processing, which device comprises:
(a) a rotatable, glandless mandrel,
(b) an elastomer cup secured to said mandrel,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening extending thereinto for a portion of the length thereof,
(d) said mandrel having a lateral passage formed therein, which lateral passage intersects said axial opening,
(e) self-contained valve means in said rotatable, glandless mandrel to close said lateral passage to form a self-contained air tight chamber,
(1) a pump to selectively pass air through said valve means on said rotatable glandless mandrel only while said mandrel is not rotating,
(g) said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therethrough, which axial passage in said elastomer cup is in register with said axial opening in said mandrel, I
(h) a face of said elastomer cup being conformed so the edges thereof will seat on an optical blank,
(1') said elastomer cup having a plurality of radial grooves formed in the face thereof, which radial grooves are in communication with said axial opening in said mandrel, and which radial grooves extend outward from said axial passage less than half the diameter of said elastomer cup, and
(j) said pump which interconnects with said elastomer cup being adapted to evacuate at least a portion of the air from the grooves in said elastomer cup ing:
through said axial passage therein, when said optical blank is fitted thereagainst. 5. In a device for holding an optical blank for process- (a) a mandrel having a squared end,
(b) means on. an end of said mandrel to detachably connect said mandrel to a socket,
(l) the other end of said mandrel being threaded,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening formedjtherein for only a portion of the length thereof,
(d) said mandrel having a lateral passageforrned therein, which lateral passage is in fluid communication with said axial opening,
(e) said mandrel having a counterbore formed therein, the axis of which counterbore is coaxial with the axis of said lateral passage,
(1) an elastomer, self-sealing plug fitted in said counterbore in said mandrel in leak proof relation,
(g) an elastomer cup threadably fitted on said threaded end of said mandrel,
(1) which elastomer cup has a concave face, (2) which concave face of said elastomer cup has a peripheral edge,
(h) said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therein which is in fiuid communication with the axial opening in said mandrel,
(i) the concave face of said elastomer cup being adapted to complementally engage the convex side of an optical blank,
(1') a hollow needle, and p (k) a pump connected to said hollow needle to evacuate at least a portion of the air from said lateral opening in said mandrel, from said axial opening in said mandrel, from said axial passage in said elastomer cup, and from said grooved passages in said elastomer cup when the optical blank is in engagement with the concave face of said elastomer cup to bindingly engage the optical blank with the concave face of said elastomer cup by atmospheric pressure.
6. In a device for holding an optical blank for processing:
(a) a mandrel having a squared end,
(b) means on an end of said mandrel to detachably connect said mandrel to a socket,
(1) the other end of said mandrel being threaded,
(c) said mandrel having an axial opening formed therein for only a portion of the length thereof,
(d) said mandrel having a lateral passage formed therein, which lateral passage is in fluid communication with said axial opening,
(e) said mandrel having a counterbore formed therein, the axis of which counterbore is coaxial with the axis of said lateral passage,
(1) an elastomer, self-sealing plug fitted in said counterbore in said mandrel in leak proof relation,
(g) an elastomer cup threadably fitted on said threaded end of said mandrel,
(1) which elastomer cup has a concave face, (2) which concave face of said elastomer cup has a peripheral edge,
(h) said elastomer cup having an axial passage formed therein which is influid communication with the axial opening in said mandrel,
(i) the concave face of said elastomer cup being adapted to complementally engage the convex side of an optical blank,
(j) a hollow needle, and
(k) a pump connected to said hollow needle to evacuate at least a portion of the air from said lateral opening in said mandrel, from said axial opening in said mandrel, from said axial passage in said elastomer v cup, and from said grooved passages in said elastomer cup when the optical blank is in engagement with the concave face of said elastomer cup to bindingly engage the optical blank with the concave face of said elastomer cup by atmospheric pressure,
(1) thin cross members embedded Within said elastomer cup a spaced distance from the concave face therein, so said members Will cross at substantially ninety degrees centrally of said axial passage in said cup to form a centering gauge for an optical blank which has a central marker thereon.
7. A device for holding an optical blank for processing as defined inclaim 4, wherein:
(a) the face of said elastomer cup has laterally grooves formed therein,
(b) which lateral grooves are in communication with said radial grooves therein, and
suction over the greater portion of the area of the face of said cup when said optical blank is secured in place thereon.
References (Zited in the file of this patent (0) which lateral grooves are so arranged as to dispense 15 2,688,220
UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark May 8, 1900 Fellow et a1. Dec. 1, 1914 Perry Nov. 15, 1938 Petry Apr. 23, 1946 Mullen Mar. 9, 1948 Richardson July 6, 1948 Suben Sept. 5, 1950 Boutell Sept. 7, 1954

Claims (1)

1. A DEVICE FOR HOLDING AN OPTICAL BLANK FOR PROCESSING, WHICH DEVICE COMPRISES: (A) A ROTATABLE, GLANDLESS MANDREL, (B) ELASTOMER CUP MEANS DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID MANDREL, (C) SAID MANDREL HAVING AN AXIAL OPENING EXTENDING THEREINTO FOR A PORTION OF THE LENGTH THEREOF, (D) SAID MANDREL HAVING A LATERAL PASSAGE FORMED THEREIN, WHICH LATERAL PASSAGE INTERSECTS SAID AXIAL OPENING THEREIN, (E) SELF-CONTAINED VALVE MEANS IN SAID ROTATABLE, GLANDLESS MANDREL TO CLOSE SAID LATERAL PASSAGE THEREIN IN AIR TIGHT RELATION, (F) DETACHABLE PUMP MEANS TO SELECTIVELY PASS AIR THROUGH SAID VALVE MEANS ON SAID ROTATABLE, GLANDLESS MANDREL ONLY WHEN SAID MANDREL IS NOT ROTATING, WHICH VALVE MEANS SELECTIVELY CLOSES SAID LATERAL OPENING IN SAID MANDREL TO FORM A SELF-CONTAINED AIR TIGHT CHAMBER, (G) SAID ELASTOMER CUP HAVING AN AXIAL PASSAGE FORMED THERETHROUGH, WHICH PASSAGE IN SAID ELASTOMER CUP IS ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH SAID AXIAL OPENING IN SAID MANDREL, AND (H) A FACE OF SAID ELASTOMER CUP BEING SO CONFORMED TO SEAT NEAR THE EDGE OF AN OPTICAL BLANK.
US164860A 1962-01-08 1962-01-08 Lens holding device Expired - Lifetime US3134208A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US164860A US3134208A (en) 1962-01-08 1962-01-08 Lens holding device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US164860A US3134208A (en) 1962-01-08 1962-01-08 Lens holding device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3134208A true US3134208A (en) 1964-05-26

Family

ID=22596387

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US164860A Expired - Lifetime US3134208A (en) 1962-01-08 1962-01-08 Lens holding device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3134208A (en)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3274737A (en) * 1962-10-06 1966-09-27 Lentilles Ophtalmiques Rationn Polishing of corneal lenses
US3321201A (en) * 1965-02-10 1967-05-23 George F Brewster Vacuum chuck means and method of holding material
US3330714A (en) * 1962-03-08 1967-07-11 Vari Products Co Method of adhering adhesive backed light reflector unit to a mounting surface
US3590532A (en) * 1968-03-06 1971-07-06 Lawrence Littlefield Lens finishing and modifying machine
US4077411A (en) * 1975-04-18 1978-03-07 Ward Donald E Keratoplasty device
US4110937A (en) * 1977-07-25 1978-09-05 Bein Kenneth E Holding means for gem stones
US4138080A (en) * 1976-06-16 1979-02-06 Albert Karmen D Hermetically self sealing gasket for high vacuum fasteners
US4164099A (en) * 1978-02-10 1979-08-14 Grant Alan H Contact lens tool
FR2613268A1 (en) * 1987-04-02 1988-10-07 Briot Int Device for applying an adaptor for a machine for centring optical lenses
GB2281978A (en) * 1992-02-21 1995-03-22 Johann Friedrich Hellenkamp An applicator device for positioning a contact lens on the human eye
US5572785A (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-11-12 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus and method for automated assembly of precision components
WO1997043089A1 (en) * 1996-05-15 1997-11-20 Ppg Industries, Inc. Laminating device and method of operating same
US5721644A (en) * 1996-09-24 1998-02-24 Gerber Optical, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching a finishing block to a lens
US5993560A (en) * 1991-10-04 1999-11-30 Wasak; Wojciech Optical surfaces cleaning devices, compositions and methods
US6011630A (en) * 1996-11-12 2000-01-04 Gerber Optical, Inc. System and method for blocking a lens
DE19954761A1 (en) * 1999-11-15 2001-05-31 Wernicke & Co Gmbh Holder for a block or sucker
US20030131797A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-07-17 Oglesbee Shawn P. System for coating items using self-contained vacuum fixture
US20030178862A1 (en) * 2002-03-21 2003-09-25 Peter Hagmann Gripper
US20060267262A1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-11-30 Bruno Schiavi Support device for securing workpieces
US20080100799A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-01 Newman Stephen D System and Method for Transferring Hydrated Lenses on an Automated Line
EP2266754A1 (en) * 1997-01-16 2010-12-29 Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH Vacuum chuck for holding a spectacle lens blank
US20140346795A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2014-11-27 Novartis Ag Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens
FR3022641A1 (en) * 2014-06-23 2015-12-25 Essilor Int CENTER-BLOCKER APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC LENS
DE102014213393A1 (en) 2014-07-10 2016-01-14 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Set of spectacle lens semifinished products and method for its design, method and apparatus for producing spectacle lenses and use of a set of semi-finished products
EP4035832A1 (en) 2021-01-28 2022-08-03 Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH Blocking piece and method for vacuum blocking a lens blank
EP4446053A1 (en) 2023-04-11 2024-10-16 Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH Blank contacting element, vacuum blocking piece and method for manufacturing a spectacle lens

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US649401A (en) * 1899-05-24 1900-05-08 Clark Cycle Tire Company Valve for inflation.
US1119111A (en) * 1911-04-10 1914-12-01 Bausch & Lomb Work-support for lens-cutting machines.
US2136520A (en) * 1933-08-11 1938-11-15 Everett G Clements Resilient valve for bladders and the like
US2398959A (en) * 1943-09-10 1946-04-23 Du Mont Allen B Lab Inc Vacuum chuck for glass lathes
US2437436A (en) * 1947-12-15 1948-03-09 John E Mullen Method for making plastic contact lenses
US2444531A (en) * 1946-01-05 1948-07-06 Polaroid Corp Chuck
US2520977A (en) * 1947-05-08 1950-09-05 Lens Block Corp Vacuum lens block
US2688220A (en) * 1952-04-16 1954-09-07 Eastman Kodak Co Means of chucking thin edge lenses

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US649401A (en) * 1899-05-24 1900-05-08 Clark Cycle Tire Company Valve for inflation.
US1119111A (en) * 1911-04-10 1914-12-01 Bausch & Lomb Work-support for lens-cutting machines.
US2136520A (en) * 1933-08-11 1938-11-15 Everett G Clements Resilient valve for bladders and the like
US2398959A (en) * 1943-09-10 1946-04-23 Du Mont Allen B Lab Inc Vacuum chuck for glass lathes
US2444531A (en) * 1946-01-05 1948-07-06 Polaroid Corp Chuck
US2520977A (en) * 1947-05-08 1950-09-05 Lens Block Corp Vacuum lens block
US2437436A (en) * 1947-12-15 1948-03-09 John E Mullen Method for making plastic contact lenses
US2688220A (en) * 1952-04-16 1954-09-07 Eastman Kodak Co Means of chucking thin edge lenses

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3330714A (en) * 1962-03-08 1967-07-11 Vari Products Co Method of adhering adhesive backed light reflector unit to a mounting surface
US3274737A (en) * 1962-10-06 1966-09-27 Lentilles Ophtalmiques Rationn Polishing of corneal lenses
US3321201A (en) * 1965-02-10 1967-05-23 George F Brewster Vacuum chuck means and method of holding material
US3590532A (en) * 1968-03-06 1971-07-06 Lawrence Littlefield Lens finishing and modifying machine
US4077411A (en) * 1975-04-18 1978-03-07 Ward Donald E Keratoplasty device
US4138080A (en) * 1976-06-16 1979-02-06 Albert Karmen D Hermetically self sealing gasket for high vacuum fasteners
US4110937A (en) * 1977-07-25 1978-09-05 Bein Kenneth E Holding means for gem stones
US4164099A (en) * 1978-02-10 1979-08-14 Grant Alan H Contact lens tool
FR2613268A1 (en) * 1987-04-02 1988-10-07 Briot Int Device for applying an adaptor for a machine for centring optical lenses
US5993560A (en) * 1991-10-04 1999-11-30 Wasak; Wojciech Optical surfaces cleaning devices, compositions and methods
GB2281978B (en) * 1992-02-21 1996-07-31 Johann Friedrich Hellenkamp An applicator device for positioning a contact lens on the human eye
GB2281978A (en) * 1992-02-21 1995-03-22 Johann Friedrich Hellenkamp An applicator device for positioning a contact lens on the human eye
US5572785A (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-11-12 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus and method for automated assembly of precision components
WO1997043089A1 (en) * 1996-05-15 1997-11-20 Ppg Industries, Inc. Laminating device and method of operating same
US5916398A (en) * 1996-05-15 1999-06-29 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Suspension lamination method and device
US5721644A (en) * 1996-09-24 1998-02-24 Gerber Optical, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching a finishing block to a lens
US6011630A (en) * 1996-11-12 2000-01-04 Gerber Optical, Inc. System and method for blocking a lens
EP2266754A1 (en) * 1997-01-16 2010-12-29 Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH Vacuum chuck for holding a spectacle lens blank
DE19954761A1 (en) * 1999-11-15 2001-05-31 Wernicke & Co Gmbh Holder for a block or sucker
DE19954761C2 (en) * 1999-11-15 2001-10-25 Wernicke & Co Gmbh Holder for a block or sucker
US6855042B1 (en) 1999-11-15 2005-02-15 Wernicke & Co. Gmbh Retaining device for a block or suction element
US20030131797A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-07-17 Oglesbee Shawn P. System for coating items using self-contained vacuum fixture
US20030178862A1 (en) * 2002-03-21 2003-09-25 Peter Hagmann Gripper
US6994386B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2006-02-07 Novartis Ag Gripper
US20060267262A1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-11-30 Bruno Schiavi Support device for securing workpieces
US7918440B2 (en) * 2005-05-31 2011-04-05 Jobs S.P.A. Support device for securing workpieces
US20080100799A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-01 Newman Stephen D System and Method for Transferring Hydrated Lenses on an Automated Line
US7637085B2 (en) * 2006-10-27 2009-12-29 Newman Stephen D System and method for transferring hydrated lenses on an automated line
US20100170203A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2010-07-08 Menicon Co. Ltd. Systems and methods for transferring hydrated lenses on an automated line
US8104251B2 (en) * 2006-10-27 2012-01-31 Menicon Signapore Pte Ltd. Systems and methods for transferring hydrated lenses on an automated line
US9033386B2 (en) * 2009-09-04 2015-05-19 Novartis Ag Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens
US20140346795A1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2014-11-27 Novartis Ag Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens
FR3022641A1 (en) * 2014-06-23 2015-12-25 Essilor Int CENTER-BLOCKER APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC LENS
WO2015197970A1 (en) * 2014-06-23 2015-12-30 Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique) Ophthalmic lens centring-blocking apparatus
US10306119B2 (en) 2014-06-23 2019-05-28 Essilor International Ophthalmic lens centring-blocking apparatus
DE102014213393A1 (en) 2014-07-10 2016-01-14 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Set of spectacle lens semifinished products and method for its design, method and apparatus for producing spectacle lenses and use of a set of semi-finished products
US9733492B2 (en) 2014-07-10 2017-08-15 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Set of spectacle lens semifinished products, apparatus for making spectacle lenses and method therefor
EP4035832A1 (en) 2021-01-28 2022-08-03 Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH Blocking piece and method for vacuum blocking a lens blank
WO2022162100A1 (en) 2021-01-28 2022-08-04 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Blocking piece and method for vacuum blocking a lens blank
US12059768B2 (en) 2021-01-28 2024-08-13 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Blocking piece and method for vacuum blocking a lens blank
EP4446053A1 (en) 2023-04-11 2024-10-16 Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH Blank contacting element, vacuum blocking piece and method for manufacturing a spectacle lens
WO2024213551A1 (en) 2023-04-11 2024-10-17 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Vacuum blocking piece and method for manufacturing a spectacle lens

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3134208A (en) Lens holding device
US4164099A (en) Contact lens tool
US2198765A (en) Vacuum cup and vacuum cup system
NO961163L (en) Grinding wheels with elastic base for smoothing and polishing of hard material toroidal contours
US5228160A (en) Cue tip shaping tool and file fabrication method for use therewith
US2988859A (en) Expansible honing tool head
US2138253A (en) Tool holder
US3704558A (en) Lens block
US1303541A (en) Gbindiitg- wheel fob dental purposes
US502932A (en) Grinding globe-valve seats
US2607174A (en) Method of grinding eyeglass lenses
US2143010A (en) Chuck
US2815615A (en) Honing device
US2089230A (en) Rock drill
US2302207A (en) Abrading tool
US2833093A (en) Seat grinder
US2549010A (en) Replaceable insert for valves
US2176357A (en) Wheel alignment mechanism
US2802319A (en) Drill pipe collar refacing tool
US1902711A (en) Bushing remover
US2133612A (en) Valve seat grinding tool
US238284A (en) Sand-paper roll
US2329173A (en) Drawing tool
US4494728A (en) Bell-mouth ports for pneumatic couplings using O-rings
US2010140A (en) Lubricating device