WO2002029474A1

WO2002029474A1 - Improved spectacles

Info

Publication number: WO2002029474A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo Societa' Azionaria Fabbrica Italiana Lavorazione Occhiali S.P.A
Priority date: 2000-10-04
Filing date: 2000-10-04
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Also published as: AU2000279462A1

Abstract

Improved spectables comprise a frame (2), at least one lens (3), and a fixing device (7) for fixing by means fo expansion the lens to an element (4, 6) of the frame. The fixing device (7) is fixed to the element (4, 6) of the frame and is engaged by expansion in a hole (3a) in the lens so as to fix the lens to the element and comprises a tension rod (8) and at least one sleeve (9, 10) fitted coaxially on the tension rod, expandable radially as a result of axial compression, and disposed between abutment means (12, 12). The fixing device (7) comprises actuator means (14) associated with the tension rod (8) for compressing the at least one sleeve (9, 10) between the abutment means (12, 13).

Description

Improved spectacles Technical field

The subject of the present invention is improved spectacles according to the preamble to the main claim. Background art

Within the technical field to which the invention relates, the need to provide spectacles which permit a firm lens/frame coupling and which at the same time have a light and attractive appearance is known. For example, it is known from United States patent No. 6007200 to produce spectacles in which the fixing device between the lens and the frame comprises a sleeve made of plastics material which is housed in a hole in the lens and in which an appendage of the frame is inserted. The sleeve typically has an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the appendage so that, when the appendage is inserted in the sleeve, the sleeve is expanded radially against the internal surface of the hole, keeping the lens and the frame firmly coupled. However, spectacles which use fixing devices of this type have many disadvantages .

First of all these spectacles are ill-suited to any subsequent operations to replace the lenses; in fact the lens is disconnected from the frame by the removal of the appendage from the hole in opposition to the restraining action exerted by the sleeve. It can easily be seen that, in spectacles with fixing devices of this type, the ease with which the appendage can be removed from the hole in order to disconnect the lens is correlated inversely with the effectiveness of the restraining action, and it is therefore impossible to improve one of the two functions without adversely affecting the other.

A second disadvantage of these spectacles is that, since the deformation of the sleeve is of plastic type, the removal of the appendage from the hole may. necessitate replacement of the sleeve.

A further limitation encountered in these spectacles is that the sleeve is provided as a component which is separate both from the lens and from the frame and, in view of its very small dimensions, it is therefore awkward to fit and subject to being lost.

The problem upon which the present invention is based is that of providing improved spectacles which are designed structurally and functionally to overcome the limitations explained above with reference to the prior art mentioned. Disclosure of the invention

This problem is solved by the present 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 detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non- limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of spectacles formed in accordance with the present invention,

- Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of a first detail and of a second detail of the spectacles of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale, and - Figure 4 shows the detail of Figure 2 in section, and on an enlarged scale. Best mode for carrying out the invention

In the drawings, a pair of spectacles formed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated 1.

The spectacles 1 comprise a frame 2 and a pair of lenses 3.

Typically identified on the frame 2 are a bridge 4 extending between the lenses 3, shoulders 6 fixed to the lenses 3 on the sides remote from the bridge 4, and arms 5 each articulated to an end 6a of a respective shoulder 6.

The lenses 3 are connected to one or more elements of the frame 2 (in the preferred embodiment described herein, to the bridge 4 and to the shoulders 6) by means of fixing devices 7. The fixing devices 7 are provided at the free ends of the bridge 4 and of the shoulders 6 (indicated 4a and 6b, respectively) in order to be inserted in suitable holes 3a in the lenses 3. According to the present invention, each fixing device 7 comprises a tension rod 8 which has an axis X and onto which are fitted coaxially a first sleeve 9 and a second sleeve 10 and a Belleville washer 11 interposed between the sleeves . The sleeves 9 and 10 are included axially between a first flange 12 fixed to a first end 8a of the tension rod 8 and a second flange 13 slidable axially on the tension rod 8.

Moreover, the sleeves 9 and 10 are made of elastomeric material and can therefore expand radially when they are compressed axially. The Belleville washer 11 interposed between the sleeves 9, 10 is also susceptible to similar behaviour when subjected to axial compression.

The fixing device 7 also comprises actuator means 14 connected to a second, opposite end 8b of the tension rod 8. The actuator means 14 comprise a cam 15 articulated to the end 8b of the tension rod 8 and pivotable about an axis Y by means of an operating lever 16. The operating lever 16 is pivotable about the axis Y between a rest position shown in Figure 2 and an operative position in which the tension rod 8 is translated axially towards the actuator means 14 by the effect of the cam 15.

Each fixing device 7 is connected to a respective end

4a of the bridge 4 or to an end 6b of a respective shoulder

6 by means of a drilled plate 17 which is interposed between the second flange 13 and the cam 15 and through which the tension rod 8 extends slidably.

With reference to Figure 2, a tooth 19 for the abutment of the lens 3 extends from each shoulder 6 and is preferably housed in a recess 20 formed in the peripheral edge of the lens 3 so as to serve as a means for preventing rotation of the lens 3, preventing it from pivoting about the axis X.

A rotation prevention means of this type may similarly be provided on the bridge 4 (see Figure 3) .

The mounting of the lens 3 on the frame 2 requires each fixing device 7 associated with an element of the frame 2

(in the preferred embodiment described herein, with the bridge 4 and with the shoulders 6) to be inserted in the respective hole 3a in the lens 3.

The fixing device 7 is inserted with the operating lever 16 in the rest position and with the lens 3 positioned angularly in a manner such that the tooth 19 of the shoulder 6 (or of the bridge 4) is housed in the corresponding recess 20 of the lens 3.

It will be noted that the lens 3 is advantageously in abutment with a portion 21 of the shoulder 6 (or of the bridge) disposed between the drilled plate 17 and the tooth 19 and that, upon completion of the insertion, the first and second flanges 12, 13 are in the hole 3a, substantially flush with the lens 3.

The operating lever 16 is then pivoted about the axis Y in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Figure 2 so that the tension rod 8 and the first flange 12 fixed thereto are translated along the axis X relative to the second flange 13 and the drilled plate 17, owing to the effect of the cam 15. The sleeves 9, 10 and the Belleville washer 11 are thus compressed axially by the flanges 12, 13 and, by virtue of their resilient characteristics, are consequently expanded radially against the internal surface of the hole 3a. It will be noted that, by virtue of the at least partial presence of the flanges 12 and 13 in the hole 3a, the expansion of the sleeves 9, 10 is guided and contained within the hole 3a, without undesired external bulging.

In order to disconnect the lens 3 from the frame 2, it suffices to pivot the operating lever 16 in the opposite direction, to the original rest position. The sleeves 9, 10 and the Belleville washer 11 are thus returned to the radially contracted condition and the fixing device 7 can easily be withdrawn from the hole 3a.

It will also be noted that, by virtue of the provision of the actuator means 14 for controlling the radial expansion of the sleeves 9, 10 and of the Belleville washer 11, the restraint of the lens is advantageously rendered unconnected with the relative dimensions of the fixing device 7 and of the hole 3a,. The operations to insert and remove the fixing device 7 can thus be carried out easily without adversely affecting the lens/frame coupling.

The invention thus solves the problem posed, at the same time offering many further advantages, amongst which is simplified control of the operations to mount and remove the lens, due to the fact that the fixing device is already connected to the frame and there are no separate elements such as screws or sleeves which are liable to be lost.

Moreover, with the present invention, the above- mentioned operations can take place quickly and safely and are completely reversible.

Claims

1. Improved spectacles comprising a frame (2), at least one lens (3) , and a fixing device (7) for fixing by means of expansion the lens to an element (4, 6) of the frame, the fixing device (7) being fixed to the element. (4, 6) and engaged by expansion in a hole (3a) in the lens in order to fix the lens to the element, characterized in that the fixing device comprises a tension rod (8) , at least one sleeve (9, 10) fitted coaxially on the tension rod and disposed between abutment means (12, 13), the sleeve being radially expandable as a result of axial compression, and actuator means (14) associated with the tension rod (8) for compressing the at least one sleeve (9, 10) between the abutment means (12, 13) .

2. Spectacles according to Claim 1 in which the abutment means comprise a pair of flanges (12, 13) facing one another axially along the tension rod (8) .

3. Spectacles according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the actuator means (14) comprise a cam (15) connected to the tension rod (8) and pivotable about an articulation axis (Y) by means of an operating lever (16) .

4. Spectacles according to Claim 3 in which the cam (15) is articulated to one end (8b) of the tension rod.

5. Spectacles according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the cam (15) is abutted by one of the flanges (13) which is slidable axially on the tension rod (8) on one side of the at least one sleeve (9, 10) , and the other flange (12) is fixed axially to the tension rod (8) on the opposite side of the at least one sleeve (9, 10) .

6. Spectacles according to one or more of Claims 2 to 5 in which, when the device (7) is inserted in the hole (3a) in the lens (3) , the flanges (12, 13) are at least partially housed in the hole in order to guide and contain the radial expansion of the at least one sleeve (9, 10) inside the hole.

7. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the at least one sleeve (9, 10) is made of elastomeric material.

8. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the fixing device comprises at least two axially adjacent sleeves (9, 10) between which at least one Belleville washer (11) is interposed.

9. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the fixing device (7) is connected to the frame element (4, 6) owing to the provision of a drilled plate (17) of the element, in which the tension rod (8) is slidably restrained.

10. Spectacles according to Claim 9 in which the drilled plate (17) is interposed between the cam (15) and the flange (13) which is slidable axially on the tension rod (8) .

11. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which a tooth (19) for the abutment of the lens (3) extends from the frame element (4, 6) in order to oppose pivoting of the lens about the axis (X) of the tension rod (8) .

12. Spectacles according to Claim 11 in which the abutment tooth (19) can be housed in a recess (20) formed along the peripheral edge of the lens (3) .

13. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the frame element is a shoulder

(6) of the spectacles.

14. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the frame element is a bridge (4) between the lenses (3) of the spectacles.