WO2003010590A1

WO2003010590A1 - Spectacle lens and pair of spectacles comprising two such lenses

Info

Publication number: WO2003010590A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/002652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre Bassahon; Marc Delery
Original assignee: Owoay
Priority date: 2001-07-24
Filing date: 2002-07-24
Publication date: 2003-02-06
Also published as: EP1451632A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a spectacle lens comprising at least a peripheral zone (6) designed such that it includes, on the inside of the lens (1), that is at the side (3) thereof facing the user's eye when the latter wears the spectacles, a surface (6a) substantially parallel to the zone (6b) of the outside of said lens (1) located opposite, said peripheral zone (6) having thus a substantially constant thickness. The frame (10) of the pair of spectacles comprises, for each lens (1), at least a housing (12, 13) designed to receive said peripheral zone (6).

Description

EYEWEAR GLASS AND EYEWEAR WITH TWO OF THESE GLASSES

The present invention relates to a spectacle lens and a pair of glasses comprising two of these glasses. The corrective lenses of pairs of prescription glasses have, by the very fact of the correction which they have the function of providing, relatively large thicknesses at their lateral zones. These glasses are usually cut in single or double bevel at their edges to allow their assembly by insertion into the openings of the frame. The pairs of glasses according to this classic technique have the drawback of not having an aesthetic that is always very attractive, because of the thicknesses of the glasses. In addition, the installation of the glasses on the frame is relatively difficult to achieve.

Furthermore, a frame intended to receive corrective lenses is specifically designed for such lenses, so that there are pairs of glasses for corrective lenses and pairs of glasses for non-corrective tinted lenses.

It follows that a wearer of glasses with corrective lenses must, when he wishes to use glasses with tinted glasses, either resolve to wear glasses with non-corrective tinted glasses, or have a second pair of glasses, with glasses. tinted correctors. In the first case, the user must support a reduced vision, which is not desirable or even not possible; in the second case, the need to have two pairs of glasses is a certain constraint, in particular given the relatively high cost of one pair of glasses with tinted corrective lenses and the risk of damage or loss of these glasses, these are particularly used for outdoor activities, especially sports. In addition, such glasses are only available in relatively limited model ranges. There are also systems making it possible to mount non-tinted corrective lenses on the inside or outside of tinted non-corrective lenses. These systems have the disadvantage of not being very aesthetic and of not allowing very reliable maintenance of the auxiliary glasses.

The present invention aims to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks. Its main objective is therefore to provide a pair of glasses having an attractive visual appearance even when this pair of glasses has corrective lenses; the visual aspect of this pair of glasses must

particular to be such that it is difficult to detect, in the case of tinted lenses, whether they are corrective or non-corrective glasses.

Another objective of the invention is to provide lenses and a frame allowing easier fitting of the lenses on the frame. Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a pair of glasses with tinted corrective lenses that are significantly less expensive than existing homologous models, and available in a wide range of models.

An additional objective of the invention is to provide a pair of glasses with interchangeable lenses, which is simple to handle, which allows reliable mounting of the lenses on the frame, and which allows the pair of glasses to retain an attractive, close aesthetic. from that of existing pairs of glasses.

To this end, the glass according to the invention comprises at least one peripheral zone arranged so that it has, on the "inside" of the glass, that is to say at the level of the face thereof. turned towards the eye of the user when the latter is wearing the pair of glasses, one face substantially parallel to the zone of the "external" face of this glass situated opposite, this peripheral zone thus having a substantially constant thickness.

Said peripheral zone thus makes it possible to delimit a zone for assembling the glass with at least one part forming part of the pair of glasses. It may be a branch of the pair of glasses, connected directly to the lens at the level of said peripheral zone, or of the frame of this pair of glasses, or of at least one part of this frame. The frame, or this or these parts of the frame, then comprise at least one housing suitable for receiving said peripheral zone by sliding.

Each lens of the pair of glasses according to the invention may comprise a single peripheral zone and be connected in a conventional manner to the frame at locations distant from this peripheral zone. Preferably, however, each glass has two peripheral zones arranged at two locations on its mutually distant periphery; the frame then comprises two housings suitable for receiving the peripheral zones by sliding. Advantageously, each peripheral zone has a thickness less than that of the rest of the glass, and is arranged so as to correspond to the shape of a non-correcting glass, in particular a tinted glass, in a corresponding location. This thickness is in particular between 1 and 2.5 mm thick. Each housing that comprises the frame or the said part or parts of this frame then has a thickness slightly greater than the current thickness of a non-corrective lens, in particular a tinted lens.

The corrective lenses according to the invention can thus be used on frames designed to normally receive non-corrective lenses. Corrective lenses or non-corrective lenses can therefore be placed on the same frame of a pair of glasses, so that there are no longer any frame models designed specifically for corrective lenses; these pairs of glasses can therefore have the same appearance as those receiving non-corrective lenses and be available in the same extended ranges of models.

Preferably, each peripheral zone is arranged so as to delimit a lateral wall of connection between it and the rest of the glass, this lateral wall of connection possibly being notably perpendicular to the neighboring portion of said peripheral zone.

This lateral connection wall forms a stop making it possible to define a determined position of engagement of said peripheral zone in a corresponding housing of the frame, which facilitates the mounting of a lens according to the invention on this frame. In addition, when said peripheral zone extends over a large portion of the lateral zone of the lens, the rim of the frame which comes in close proximity to this lateral connection wall. This immediate proximity makes it possible to conceal the additional thickness that a corrective lens has at its lateral zones. As a result, the pair of glasses according to the invention presents on the outside practically the same appearance as a pair of glasses with non-corrective lenses, that is to say without excess thicknesses of the lenses clearly visible from the side. The pair of glasses according to the invention comprises two glasses as mentioned above and at least two of said parts, at least one of these parts being intended to be connected to one of the glasses at the level of said peripheral zone which this glass comprises, and at least one other of these parts being intended to be connected to the other glass at the level of said peripheral zone which comprises this other glass. Advantageously, the pair of glasses comprises means allowing the interchange of the glasses, actuable by the user.

These interchange means can be simply interlocking; preferably, the means for interchanging a lens comprise: - at least one movable part with respect to the frame, this mobility taking place between an engagement position, in which this movable part maintains said peripheral zone in said housing, and an erasing position, in which this moving part allows the introduction of said peripheral zone into said housing or the withdrawal of this peripheral zone from this housing; and

- At least one holding means allowing the moving part to be held normally in the engagement position.

Each moving part can be sliding so as to cover said peripheral zone in the engagement position, and to be erased beyond this peripheral zone in the erasing position; each moving part can also be simply removable and be assembled to the frame, for example by snap-fastening, these snap-in means constituting said holding means; each moving part can also be pivotally mounted on the frame. In the latter case, the pivot axis of each moving part and the pivot axis of each corresponding branch of the pair of glasses are advantageously combined, the same spindle being used to mount the branch and the moving part. matching on the mount. The pair of glasses then has a particularly simple structure.

Preferably, in this case, each branch is shaped so as to bear against the outside face of the corresponding movable part when this branch is in the deployed position. This branch thus provides reinforced support for the corresponding moving part in the engagement position. The means of support mentioned above, making it possible to keep each moving part in the engagement position when the corresponding branch is not deployed, can simply be constituted by latching means.

For a good understanding, the invention is again described below with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, two possible embodiments of the pair of glasses it relates to.

Figure 1 is a front view of a corrective lens according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of this glass and of the part of a frame intended to receive this glass, according to one embodiment; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 after mounting the lens on the frame; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 in the case of the establishment on the frame of a non-corrective lens; Figure 5 is a partial view of the pair of glasses, in perspective, according to a second embodiment; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, exploded, and Figures 7 and 8 are partial views, from above and in section, respectively in an engagement position of a lens on the frame and unlocking of this glass.

In the description below, the parts or parts of parts which are found in an identical or similar manner from one embodiment to another are designated by the same reference numerals.

Figures 1 and 2 show a corrective lens 1 for a pair of glasses.

The glass 1 has an "inside" face 3, that is to say facing the eye of the user when the latter is wearing the pair of glasses, an "outside" face 4 and two peripheral hollow areas 5.

In the example shown, the glass 1 has an ovaloid shape, and said recessed areas 5 correspond to the longitudinal ends of this glass 1.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, each zone 5 is formed by a recess arranged in the thickness of the glass 1, from the peripheral edge of the latter and from said face interior 3. Each zone 5 thus delimits a peripheral zone 6, having a thickness less than the rest of the glass 1, and a connecting side wall 7, substantially perpendicular to the faces 3 and 4, connecting said peripheral zone 6 to said internal face 3 Each zone 6 is arranged so that it has, on the inside of the glass 1, a face 6a parallel or substantially parallel to the zone 6b of the external face of this glass located opposite. This zone 6 thus has a constant thickness.

The depth of the recess fitting each zone 5 is such that the thickness of each zone 6 corresponds to the usual thickness of a non-correcting lens of constant thickness, such as a tinted lens fitted to a pair of sunglasses. .

The frame 10 of the pair of glasses intended to receive the lens 1 is partially shown in FIG. 2. This frame 1 0 comprises, at each opening 1 1 for receiving a lens 1, two housings 1 2, 1 3 for receiving zones 6, and this opening 1 1 is delimited, at the level of said housings 1 2, 1 3 and on the inside of the frame 1 0, by flanges 1 4.

The housing 12 is constituted by a groove arranged inside the frame 10. This groove has the same shape as that of the corresponding zone 6 but is of slightly larger dimensions, so that this zone 6 can be engaged closely in it, by sliding.

The housing 1 3 also consists of a groove. This groove is formed by a rebate 1 5 arranged in the frame 1 0 and by a moving part 1 6.

The rebate 1 5 has the same shape as that of the corresponding zone 6 but is of slightly larger dimensions, so that this zone 6 can be engaged without play in this rebate 1 5. The part 1 6 is pivotally mounted on the frame 10 between an erasing position, shown in Figure 2 and an engagement position, shown in Figure 3. In the erasing position, the part 1 6 allows the introduction of the corresponding zone 6 in the rebate 1 5 or the withdrawal of this zone 6 from this rebate 1 5. In the engagement position, the part 1 6 comes in the immediate vicinity of zone 6 and consequently maintaining the latter in the housing 13 which it forms with the rebate 1 5.

The part 16 is equipped with a holding means (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4) making it possible to keep it normally in the engagement position. It may be a detent notch coming to lock in a corresponding cavity of the frame 10, as will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

It thus appears that the narrow engagement of the wings 6 in said housings 1 2, 1 3 allows simple, easy to produce and secure mounting of the lens 1 on the frame 10.

As shown in Figure 3, the flanges 14 are shaped so that the connecting walls 7 come in close proximity to them when the lens 1 is put in place on the frame 1 0. This arrangement allows to conceal the additional d thickness of the corrective lens 1 at its lateral zones. As a result, the pair of glasses formed by two glasses 1 and by the frame 10 has on the outside practically the same appearance as a pair of glasses with non-corrective glasses, that is to say without excess thickness of the glasses 1 clearly visible from the side. . In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the frame 10 allows the fitting of non-corrective lenses 100 on it, by simple engagement of the zones 6 of this lens 1 00 in the housings 12 and 1 3; the part 1 6 allows that the interchange of glasses 1 or 100 can be carried out easily and quickly. Thanks to this pair of glasses, there are no longer any frame models 10 designed specifically for manufacturing pairs of glasses with corrective lenses, and these pairs of glasses can therefore have the same appearance as those receiving non-corrective lenses and be available in the same model ranges. Referring to Figures 5 to 8, it appears that the pair of glasses according to the second embodiment comprises mounting areas 20 at the time portions of the frame 10, two movable parts 1 6 pivotally mounted relative to the mounting areas 20, and two branches 18 also pivotally mounted relative to the mounting zones 20. The mounting zones 20 can be arranged directly on the frame 10, for example by machining or molding, or can be arranged on attachments on the frame 10.

Each mounting zone 20 comprises: - on its front side, a rebate 1 5 for receiving the corresponding zone 6 of the lens 1,

two parallel walls 22 projecting rearward, and

- an intermediate transverse opening 23.

The two walls 22 are pierced with coaxial holes and thus form a pivoting receiving yoke of the movable part 1 6 and of the corresponding leg 1 8.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, the transverse opening 23 is delimited, on the rear side, by an external rounded face and by an internal flat face, this flat face being connected, on the internal side of the zone 20 , to a face oriented substantially perpendicular to it. These two planar faces define a sharp angle forming a snap-lock edge, as will appear below.

Each movable part 1 6 comprises a front zone 25 shaped so as to cover the corresponding edge of the glass 1, a rear tenon 26 and a catch notch 27.

The pin 26 is adapted to be pivotally received in the yoke formed by the walls 22 and has a groove in which the branch 18 is intended to be pivotally received. The bottom of this groove is delimited by an oblique wall 28 extending in a direction going from the rear and from the inside of the part 16 towards the front and outside of the latter. The tenon 26 further comprises two coaxial holes coming, in the mounting position of the part 16 on the zone 20 opposite the holes of the walls 22.

The notch 27 projects from the internal face of the part 1 6 and is shaped so as to penetrate into the opening 23 when this part 1 6 is brought into the engagement position and to be locked by snap behind said inner flat face.

The branch 1 8 has an oblique front edge 29, suitable for coming into contact with said oblique wall 28 in the fully deployed position of this branch 1 8, and a mounting / pivoting hole. A spindle is driven into the respective holes in zone 20, part 1 6 and branch 1 8.

As can be understood with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the branches 1 8 ensure, when deployed, the maintenance of the parts 1 6 in the engagement position, the edges 29 of these branches 1 8 bearing against the walls 28 parts 1 6. Perfect maintenance of the glasses 1 is thus ensured.

When the branches 18 are folded, the notches 27 maintain the parts 1 6 in the engagement position. These parts 1 6 can be easily unlocked, by pressing on the ends of the notches 27, so as to release the glasses 1.

As appears from the above, the invention brings a decisive improvement to the prior art, by providing a pair of glasses having an attractive visual appearance even when this pair of glasses has corrective lenses. The invention also provides a lens and a frame allowing easier fitting of the lenses on the frame, a pair of glasses with tinted corrective lenses significantly less expensive than existing homologous models, and available in a wide range of models, and a pair of glasses with interchangeable lenses, simple to handle, allowing reliable mounting of lenses on the frame, and retaining an attractive aesthetic.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that, on the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments falling within the scope of protection defined by the claims. appended. In particular, the peripheral zone of lesser thickness may extend over the entire periphery of the glass; each movable part 1 6 can be sliding or simply removable; each moving part 1 6 can comprise means coming into engagement with means complementary to the corresponding zone 6, such as a pin projecting from the internal face of the moving part, coming to engage in a corresponding hole arranged in the zone 6 corresponding; zone 6 of each lens and / or the corresponding housing of the frame can be shaped so as to constitute a polarizing device making it possible to easily and quickly differentiate the left lens from the right lens when these lenses are placed on the mount; this conformation can in particular result from forms differentiated from zones 6, or bevels arranged in the lateral edges of the wings, the housings then being delimited laterally by walls inclined in a corresponding manner.

Claims

1 - Spectacle glass, characterized in that it comprises at least one peripheral zone (6) arranged so that it has, on the "inside" of the glass (1), that is to say at level of the face (3) thereof facing the eye of the user when the latter is wearing the pair of glasses, one face (6a) substantially parallel to the zone (6b) of the "external" face of this glass (1) located opposite, this peripheral zone (6) thus having a substantially constant thickness. 2 - spectacle lens according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two peripheral zones (6) arranged in two locations on its mutually distant periphery.

3 - spectacle lens according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, characterized in that each peripheral zone (6) has a thickness less than that of the rest of the lens (1), and is arranged so as to correspond to the shape d 'a non-corrective glass, in particular a tinted glass, in a corresponding location.

4 - spectacle lens according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of each peripheral zone (6) is between 1 and 2.5 mm thick.

5 - spectacle lens according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each peripheral zone (6) is arranged so as to delimit a side wall (7) of connection between it and the rest of the glass (1). 6 - spectacle lens according to claim 5, characterized in that the lateral connection wall (7) is substantially perpendicular to the neighboring portion of said peripheral zone (6).

7 - spectacle lens according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each peripheral zone (6) extends over a large portion of the lateral zone of the glass (1).

8 - Pair of glasses, characterized in that it comprises two glasses (1) according to claim 1, and at least two parts (1 0) at least one of which is intended to be connected to one of the glasses (1) at said peripheral zone (6) which this glass (1) comprises, and at least one of which is intended to be connected to the other glass (1) at said peripheral zone (6) which comprises this other glass (1). 9 - Pair of glasses according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises corrective lenses (1).

10 - Pair of glasses according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises non-corrective lenses (1 00). 1 1 - Pair of glasses according to one of claims 8 to 1 0, characterized in that each aforementioned piece is a branch of the pair of glasses, connected directly to the glass at said peripheral zone.

1 2 - Pair of glasses according to one of claims 8 to 1 0, characterized in that each aforementioned piece is the frame (1 0) of this pair of glasses or at least one piece of this frame.

1 3 - Pair of glasses according to claim 1 2, characterized in that the frame (10) comprises at least one housing (1 2, 13) adapted to receive said peripheral zone (6) by sliding. 14 - Pair of glasses according to claim 1 3, characterized in that each housing (1 2, 1 3) has a thickness slightly greater than the current thickness of a non-corrective glass, in particular a tinted glass. 1 5 - Pair of glasses according to claim 14, characterized in that the frame comprises at least one rim (14) intended to come, when the lens (1) is placed on this frame (10), in the immediate vicinity of said connecting side wall (7).

1 6 - Pair of glasses according to one of claims 8 to 1 5, characterized in that it comprises means allowing the interchange of glasses (1, 100), operable by the user. 17 - Pair of glasses according to claim 1 6, characterized in that the means for interchanging a lens (1, 100) comprise:

- At least one part (1 6) movable relative to the frame (1 0), this mobility taking place between an engagement position, in which this movable part (1 6) holds said assembly wing (6) in said housing (1 3), and an erasing position, in which this movable part (1 6) allows the introduction of said assembly wing (6) in said housing (1 3) or the removal of this wing d 'assembly (6) out of this housing (1 3); and

- At least one holding means (23, 27) for normally maintaining the moving part (1 6) in the engagement position. 1 8 - Pair of glasses according to claim 1 7, characterized in that each movable part is sliding so as to cover said peripheral zone in the engagement position.

19 - Pair of glasses according to claim 17, characterized in that each movable part is removable relative to the frame, and can be assembled to the frame, for example by latching, these latching means constituting said holding means.

20 - Pair of glasses according to claim 1 7, characterized in that each movable part (1 6) is pivotally mounted on the frame (10).

21 - pair of glasses according to claim 20, characterized in that the pivot axis of each movable part (1 6) and the pivot axis of each branch (1 8) corresponding to the pair of glasses are combined, a same spindle being used for mounting the branch (1 8) and the movable part (1 6) corresponding to the frame (1 0).

22 - Pair of glasses according to claim 20 or claim 21, characterized in that each branch (1 8) is shaped so as to bear against the outer face of the movable part (1 6) corresponding when this branch (1 8) is in the deployed position.

23 - Pair of glasses according to one of claims 8 to 22, characterized in that the assembly wing of each lens and / or the corresponding housing of the frame can be shaped so as to constitute a key allowing to easily and quickly differentiate the left lens from the right lens when placing these lenses on the frame.