WO2002010840A1

WO2002010840A1 - Spectacles with interchangeable lenses

Info

Publication number: WO2002010840A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo Societa' Azionaria Fabbrica Italiana Lavorazione Occhiali S.P.A
Priority date: 2000-07-27
Filing date: 2000-07-27
Publication date: 2002-02-07
Also published as: AU2000264699A1

Abstract

Spectacles (1; 50) with interchangeable lenses are described and comprise a front frame (2) defining seats (3) for respective lenses (4) and means for restraining the lenses in the seats, in which the restraining means comprise an outer lens-holder portion (7) defining a brow arch profile (8) and a juxtaposed inner lens-holder portion (9) parallel to and spaced from the brow arch profile (8) for at least a predominant portion thereof, both of the lens-holder portions (7, 9) being substantially continuous, at least in the region of the brow arch profile (8).

Description

Spectacles with interchangeable lenses Technical field

The subject of the present invention is spectacles with interchangeable lenses of the type described in the preamble to main Claim 1.

Technological background

Within the specific technical field, there is a need to provide spectacles having interchangeable lenses which can easily be replaced by the user. Spectacles of this type in fact advantageously allow lenses for correcting any optical parameter, not necessarily visual defects, to be replaced in order to adapt the same pair of spectacles to different user requirements. For example, the advantage of being able to use the same pair of spectacles with sun-screening lenses of different colours for better adaptation to different light conditions, or to ensure optimal visibility conditions during a wide variety of activities and whilst engaged in different sports disciplines, is considered. Not less important is the fact that replaceable lenses for correcting visual defects can easily be mounted interchangeably on the same frame .

An example of spectacles with replaceable lenses of the type referred to is known from United States patent No. 5602603. The spectacles described therein provide for the frame to have a lens-holder having, for each lens, a respective pair of opposed grooves which can house corresponding peripheral portions of the lens in order to restrain it in the lens-holder. Either the lens or the lens-holder is arranged to be slightly resiliently deformed to allow the lens to be fitted in the respective grooves and to achieve a forced restraint of the lens in the lens- holder .

Although, on the one hand, this forced coupling fixes the lens to the lens-holder, on the other hand, it leads to undesired deformations of the lens-holder and of the lenses themselves which, although of limited magnitude, may also cause alterations or partial reduction of the optical properties of the lens. Moreover, the fact that, as a result of the relative resilient deformation, the profile of the lens in the portions not affected by the restraining grooves is moved shifted, even only slightly, from the respective bearing surface of the lens-holder is not aesthetically pleasing. Description of the invention

The primary object of the present invention is the structural and functional improvement of spectacles with interchangeable lenses with regard to the aspects listed above .

This and other objects which will become clear from the following are achieved by the invention, by means of spectacles formed in accordance with the appended claims . Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments thereof, described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of spectacles according to the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the spectacles of Figure 1 with parts separated and assembled, respectively, - Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a detail of the spectacles of the previous drawing, on an enlarged scale,

- Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of spectacles according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, a first embodiment of the spectacles according to the present invention is generally indicated 1. The spectacles shown in the above- mentioned drawings are equipped with a front frame 2 defining seats 3 for two respective lenses 4. A central nose bridge region 5 is defined in the frame between the lenses 4, and the frame is articulated, at its opposed ends 2a, 2b, to respective arms 6. Means are provided on the spectacles for restraining the lenses 4 in the respective seats 3. These means comprise an outer lens-holder portion 7 defining a brow arch profile 8 and a juxtaposed inner lens-holder portion 9, the expression "inner lens-holder portion" being intended to define the portion which faces the user in use.

As will be noted, the outer lens-holder portion 7 is incorporated in the frame 2, whereas the inner lens-holder portion 9 is parallel to and spaced from the brow arch profile 8 and extends along the entire length of the above-^ mentioned profile. The lens-holder portions 7 and 9 are substantially continuous along the profile 8 and extend symmetrically from the central nose bridge region 5 towards the ends 2a, 2b of the frame.

The lens-holder portions 7 and 9 are structurally independent of one another and are held together in the nose bridge region 5 by a restrained coupling, for example, by means of a pin-like appendage 10 projecting from the inner lens-holder portion 9 and engaged in a respective seat 11 of the outer lens-holder portion 7.

Along the brow arch profile 8, the lens-holder portions 7 and 9 define, in each portion of the arch extending symmetrically from the central region 5, respective slots 12 constituting substantially pocket-like seats in which the lenses 4 can be inserted from above, towards the portion of the frame remote from the lens-holder portions. The inner lens-holder portion 9 has, at its opposed free ends 9a, 9b, respective slot-like holes, all indicated 13, which house the respective pins for the articulation of the corresponding arms 6. By virtue of the slot-like holes 13, the outer and inner lens-holder portions 7, 9 have freedom to move relative to one another, at least by translation (Figure 4) .

Moreover, the inner lens-holder portion 9 is made of a resilient material so that its two branches which extend symmetrically from the central nose bridge region 5 constitute resilient means for urging the respective lens 4 to a position in which it bears against the outer lens- holder portion 7, along the brow arch profile 8. By virtue of the freedom of the lens-holder portions 7 and 9 to move relative to one another, the inner lens-holder portion is free to exert the resilient force along the arch profile, keeping the upper edges of the lenses clinging to the outer lens-holder portion 7.

Means for preventing loss of the lenses are also provided to prevent the lenses coming out of their seats . These means comprise a hairy surface 14 (Figure 1) which is applied to the inner lens-holder portion 9 in a position facing the outer lens-holder portion 7, along the brow arch profile 8, and which can contact the surface of each lens 4 and hinder its removal from the respective seat 3 by virtue of the relative surface friction. Moreover, each lens 4 has a recess 15 which is formed along an edge thereof, on the side remote from the central region 5, in the region of the brow arch and which, when the lens is inserted in the frame, can be engaged by a respective tooth-shaped projection 16 provided in a corresponding position on the outer lens-holder portion 7. The recess 15 and the tooth-shaped projection 16 thus constitute additional loss-prevention means which can prevent each lens 4 from coming out of its seat .

Each seat 3 also has a projecting appendage 17 which extends from the seat and can engage a respective notch 18 formed in a corresponding position in the lens . The appendages 17 are preferably provided in the respective seats 3, in reflectively symmetrical positions with respect to the central nose bridge region 5, in the portions of the frame adjacent the central region. As a result, each lens 4 remains housed and restrained in the respective seat 3 , not only by virtue of the loss-prevention means constituted by the hairy surface 14, but also by virtue of the shape of the lens itself, by means of the engagement of the appendages 17 in the corresponding notches 18.

In use, each lens 4 is inserted through the slot 12 from above, is housed in the respective seat 3 of the frame, and is kept bearing against the outer lens-holder portion 7 by the above-described restraining action of the inner lens- holder portion 9. It will be noted that the insertion of the lenses leads to deformation neither of the frame 2 nor of the lens 4 and the resilient and restraining action exerted by the inner lens-holder portion 9 on the lenses means that the surface of each lens 4 is kept in position, bearing against the profile of the outer lens-holder portion. The surface of the outer lens-holder portion which is in contact with the lens along the brow arch can thus be machined with a profile having the same shape as that of the upper edge of the lens so that, once the lens is inserted, it remains clinging to the outer lens-holder portion, fitting its shape without the need for any deformation.

The above-described loss-prevention means also ensure the restraint of the lens in the respective seat whilst nevertheless permitting quick and easy removal of the lens by the user. Figures 5 and 6 show a variant of the invention, generally indicated 50, in which details similar to those of the previous embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. The spectacles 50 differ from those of the previous embodiment mainly in that the lenses 4 are integral with one another (there is a single lens or so-called "shield") with a connecting portion 51 integral with both lenses and formed between them (Figure 6) , and in that the lens-holder portions 7 and 9 are parallel and spaced apart along the entire upper brow arch 8 of the frame. They thus define a single pocket-like seat 52 in which the above- mentioned single lens can be inserted from above.

It should be noted that, in this variant, both of the lens-holder portions 7 and 9 are integral with the frame and the inner lens-holder portion 9 is formed integrally with the outer lens-holder portion in the region of the opposed ends 9a, 9b. The invention thus solves the problem set, achieving the advantages mentioned above with reference to the prior art cited.

Claims

1. Spectacles with interchangeable lenses comprising a front frame (2) defining seats (3) for respective lenses (4) and means for restraining the lenses in the seats, characterized in that the restraining means comprise an outer lens-holder portion (7) defining a brow arch profile (8) and a juxtaposed inner lens-holder portion (9) parallel to and spaced from the brow arch profile (8) for at least a predominant portion thereof, both of the lens-holder portions (7, 9) being substantially continuous, at least in the region of the brow arch profile (8) .

2. Spectacles according to Claim 1 in which the lens- holder portions (7, 9) are structurally independent, at least in the portions thereof which extend around the brow arch region (8) .

3. Spectacles according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , in which the inner lens-holder portion (9) is restrained on the outer lens-holder portion (7) in a central nose bridge region (5) of the brow arch profile (8) .

4. Spectacles according to Claim 3, in which the lens- holder portions (7, 9) are held together in the central nose bridge region (5) by restrained coupling means (10, 11) .

5. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the lens-holder portions (7, 9) are coupled at their opposed ends with freedom to move relative to one another, at least by translation.

6. Spectacles according to Claim 5, in which the outer lens-holder portion (7) comprises, at its opposed ends, respective slot-like holes (13) for articulated coupling with the inner lens-holder portion (9) and with respective arms (6) .

7. Spectacles according to Claim 3, in which the lens- holder portions (7, 9) define, in each of the brow arch portions (8) extending symmetrically from the nose bridge region (5) , respective pocket-like seats (12) in which the lenses (4) can be inserted from above.

8. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising means on at least one of the lens-holder portions (7, 9) for preventing loss of the lenses (4) .

9. Spectacles according to Claim 8, in which the loss- prevention means comprise a hairy surface (14) which extends along at least a portion of the brow arch profile (8) and which can contact the surface of the lens (4) .

10. Spectacles according to Claim 8, in which the loss- prevention means further comprise at least one appendage (17) projecting from each of the seats (3) for engaging a respective notch (18) provided in the respective lens (3) .

11. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the inner lens-holder portion (9) is made of resilient material in order to constitute resilient means for urging the lenses (4) to a position in which they bear against the outer lens-holder portion (7) in the region of the brow arch profile (8) .

12. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which each lens (4) has a recess (15) which can be engaged by a respective tooth-shaped projection (16) of the inner lens-holder portion (9) .

13. Spectacles according to Claim 1, in which the lenses (4) are integral with one another, with a connecting portion (51) between the lenses and integral with both lenses, and the lens-holder portions (7, 9) are parallel and spaced apart along the entire upper arch of the frame (2) and define a pocket-like seat (52) in which the lenses (4) are inserted f om above .