WO2007134949A1 - Method to produce a hinge for spectacles, and hinge for spectacles thus made - Google Patents
Method to produce a hinge for spectacles, and hinge for spectacles thus made Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007134949A1 WO2007134949A1 PCT/EP2007/054128 EP2007054128W WO2007134949A1 WO 2007134949 A1 WO2007134949 A1 WO 2007134949A1 EP 2007054128 W EP2007054128 W EP 2007054128W WO 2007134949 A1 WO2007134949 A1 WO 2007134949A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- hinge
- spectacles
- precipitation
- hardening
- stainless steel
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
- G02C5/00—Constructions of non-optical parts
- G02C5/22—Hinges
- G02C5/2218—Resilient hinges
- G02C5/2236—Resilient hinges comprising a sliding hinge member and a coil spring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
- G02C2200/00—Generic mechanical aspects applicable to one or more of the groups G02C1/00 - G02C5/00 and G02C9/00 - G02C13/00 and their subgroups
- G02C2200/30—Piston
Definitions
- - fig. 4 shows a third step in the production of the hinge for spectacles in fig. 1 ;
- one advantageous but not restrictive type of metal alloy to make the spring 17 is a stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, of the martensitic type.
- the steel can have a nominal chemical composition which comes within the following parameters: Cr 10+14%; Ni 7+11%; Mo 0.5 ⁇ 6%;
- the spring 17 is made of other types of steel hardening by precipitation, such as austenite or semi- austenite stainless steels.
- the spring 17 may be made of titanium or an alloy thereof. In this case, apart from optimum resistance to high temperatures (titanium melts at a temperature in the order of 1600 0 C), this also gives limited weight.
- the method to make the hinge 10 according to the present invention is as follows.
- the reciprocal attachment of the box-like body 16 and the arm 11 is effected by means of induction-type braze welding; that is, a plate P of low-melting material is put, in a known manner, between the box-like body 16 and the arm 11 , so that, melting at temperatures of more than 600°C, the plate P guarantees the mechanical hold of the connection.
- the second articulation element 15 is also welded to the relative segment of the front-piece 12 (fig. 4), and the first and second articulation element 13 and 15 are reciprocally pivoted with respect to each other, so as to definitively form the hinge 10 (fig. 1 ).
- the two articulation elements 13 and 15 are pivoted to each other by means of the pin 14 before they are welded to the respective arm 11 and front-piece
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Eyeglasses (AREA)
- Hinges (AREA)
Abstract
Method to produce a hinge (10) for spectacles by means of at least the following steps: a first pre-assembly step, in which a first articulation element (13) of the hinge (10) and an elastic member (17) for spectacles are disposed in a box-like body (16), the elastic member at least partly consisting of a metal material having a heat resistance such as to maintain its elastic/functional characteristics unaltered at temperatures of more than about 600°C; and a second step, in which the pre-assembled box-like body (16) is welded by means of continuous welding to a relative first component (11 ) of the spectacles with which the hinge (10) is associated.
Description
"METHOD TO PRODUCE A HINGE FOR SPECTACLES, AND HINGE FOR SPECTACLES THUS MADE"
* * * * *
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a method to produce a hinge for spectacles, particularly for an elastic hinge, able to connect an arm to a front piece of a frame for spectacles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Elastic hinges for spectacles are known, which articulate an arm and a front-piece of a frame with respect to each other, allowing to maintain adequate pressure on the user's temples in order to improve wearability.
Traditional elastic hinges generally consist of two articulation elements pivoted to each other and mounted respectively one on the arm and the second on the front-piece. To be more exact, known elastic hinges comprise a metal box-like body, inside which the first articulation element cooperates with a spring to define a slider to elasticize the hinge. Normally these springs, typically helical but not only, are made of harmonic steel.
Examples of this type of elastic hinges are disclosed, for example, in EP-A-1.621.920 and in WO-A-01/04689, in the name of the Applicant.
Methods to produce said known elastic hinges for spectacles normally provide at least an assembly step, in which the first articulation element, the spring and the box-like body are reciprocally assembled and constrained to each other. In a first known solution, first of all the spring and the first articulation element are positioned, and then the slider, inside the box-like body, and subsequently the latter is constrained to the relative arm by means of spot welding.
This type of welding, which notorious occurs at relatively low and localized temperatures, allows to constrain the box-like body to the arm, without overheating the spring excessively which is already positioned inside it, and hence with no risk of compromising the correct elastic functioning thereof.
However, although it allows to use a pre-assembled unit consisting of the box-like body and the slider, this known solution does not guarantee a correct, stable and enduring mechanical hold of the welding made, mainly due to the localized zones of reciprocal joining. As an alternative to spot welding, it is known to constrain the box-like body to the arm by means of continuous, that is, not localized welding operations, such as for example braze welding, which provide considerable increases in heat energy, substantially along the whole surface of reciprocal joining, guaranteeing an optimum mechanical hold of the parts.
This operation, however, has the main disadvantage that relatively high temperatures are developed, even more than 6000C1 substantially along the whole area of contact between the box-like body and the arm.
Consequently, to prevent malfunctions of the spring due to the excessive overheating, the slider is inserted after the welding operations, with a consequent increase in the times and costs of assembly and the need to effect the welding operations with extreme accuracy in order to guarantee the alignment of the two articulation elements of the hinge.
A purpose of the present invention is therefore to perfect a method that allows to produce a hinge for spectacles which is simple and economic to make, for example using pre-assembled parts, and which guarantees optimum mechanical hold of the components without the main functionality being compromised.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with said purpose, a method to produce a hinge for spectacles according to the present invention provides at least the following steps:
- a first pre-assembly step in which a first articulation element of the hinge and an elastic member for spectacles are disposed in a box-like body; at least the elastic member at least partly consists of a metal material having a heat resistance such as to maintain its elastic/functional characteristics substantially unaltered at temperatures of more than about 6000C; and a second step in which said pre-assembled box-like body is welded by means of continuous welding to a relative first component of the frame of the spectacles, for example an arm, with which said hinge is associated.
In this way, using an elastic member consisting of a metal material with a high heat resistance, such as for example a stainless steel hardening by precipitation, a titanium alloy or other metal materials having the same characteristics of heat resistance, it is possible to effect a continuous welding of the parts even if this entails temperatures of more than 6000C, with no risk of compromising the elastic functionality and guaranteeing optimum mechanical hold of the hinge.
The solution according to the present invention also has the advantage of reducing the risk of the articulation elements of the hinge becoming disconnected, and guarantees the perfect linearity of the components of the frame of the spectacles.
The present solution is also particularly advantageous with regard to the times and costs of making the spectacles since, with the present invention, it is possible to provide a possible constructor with an already pre-assembled elasticization unit which, in a single operating step, only needs to be welded to the arm.
According to a variant, after the second continuous welding step of the box-like body to the arm, subsequent steps are provided to complete and assemble the hinge, such as for example steps to weld a second articulation element to the front-piece of the frame and reciprocal pivoting of the first and second articulation element in order to make the hinge definitively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- A -
These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a hinge for spectacles according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 shows a first step in the production of the hinge for spectacles in fig. 1 ;
- fig. 3 shows a second step in the production of the hinge for spectacles in fig. 1 ;
- fig. 4 shows a third step in the production of the hinge for spectacles in fig. 1 ;
- fig. 5 shows a variant in the method to produce the hinge for spectacles in fig. 4; - fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a construction variant of the hinge for spectacles according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF
EMBODIMENT
With reference to fig. 1 , a hinge for spectacles 10 according to the present invention is applied to articulate reciprocally an arm 11 to a front- piece 12 of a frame for spectacles.
To be more exact, the hinge 10 according to the present invention is of the elasticized type, that is, able to allow an extended travel of the arms 11 as they open, with a desired elastic return so as to facilitate the operations to put on the spectacles and improve wearability.
The hinge 10 traditionally comprises two articulation elements, respectively a first 13 associated with the arm 11 , and a second 15 associated with the front-piece 12, and reciprocally pivoted to each other by means of a pin 14, for example a screw. The hinge 10 also comprises a box-like body 16 welded, as will be described in detail hereafter, to the arm 11 , and an elastic member 17 associated with the first articulation element 13 so as to form a slider 19 to elasticize the movements of the hinge 10.
The box-like body 16 is welded to the arm 11 by means of a continuous welding, for example by braze welding with working temperatures of more than about 6000C, substantially along the whole surface of reciprocal contact of the box-like body 16 and the arm 11 , so as to guarantee an optimum mechanical hold of the connection between the box-like body 16 and the arm 11.
The elastic member in this case consists of a helical spring 17 of very small size, for example having a wire diameter between about 0.30 mm and about 0.40 mm. The spring 17 is retained with respect to the first articulation element 13 by means of a bracket 20, and is made of a metal alloy such as for example steel, characterized by a heat resistance of more than about 6500C, great ductility and good resistance to corrosion.
Applicant has found that one advantageous but not restrictive type of metal alloy to make the spring 17 is a stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, of the martensitic type.
For example, according to an embodiment, the steel can have a nominal chemical composition which comes within the following parameters: Cr 10+14%; Ni 7+11%; Mo 0.5÷6%;
Co up to 9%;
Cu 0.5÷4%; Ti 0.4÷1.4%;
Al 0.05÷0.6%;
C+N ≤0.05%;
Others ≤0.5%.
Other forms of embodiment may provide that the spring 17 is made of other types of steel hardening by precipitation, such as austenite or semi- austenite stainless steels. According to another variant, the spring 17 may be made of titanium or an alloy thereof.
In this case, apart from optimum resistance to high temperatures (titanium melts at a temperature in the order of 16000C), this also gives limited weight.
According to another variant, the spring 17 can be made using super- alloys based on Fe, Fe-Ni or Ni. These types of alloys owe their high resistance to high temperatures to the precipitation of inter-metal compounds based on Mo, Ti, W, V in solid solution.
In the constructional variant shown in fig. 5, the hinge 10 is substantially equivalent to the one shown in fig. 1 , except for the mechanical structure of the slider 19 and the reciprocal connection between the first articulation element 13 and the spring 17. In this embodiment too, the spring 17 is made of a metal alloy characterized at least by a heat resistance of more than about 6500C.
The method to make the hinge 10 according to the present invention is as follows.
With reference to figs. 2, 3 and 4, the hinge 10 according to the present invention initially provides a process to pre-assemble the slider 19 in the box-like body 16 (fig. 2), and then the unit thus pre-assembled is attached to the arm 11 by means of continuous welding of a substantially known type.
In the case shown here, to give a non-restrictive example in fig. 3, the reciprocal attachment of the box-like body 16 and the arm 11 is effected by means of induction-type braze welding; that is, a plate P of low-melting material is put, in a known manner, between the box-like body 16 and the arm 11 , so that, melting at temperatures of more than 600°C, the plate P guarantees the mechanical hold of the connection.
As said, although this operation develops a working temperature of more than about 6000C, it does not affect the elastic and functional characteristics of the spring 17, since the latter is made of the above- mentioned metal alloy, with characteristics of heat resistance to temperatures of more than about 6500C.
Subsequently, the second articulation element 15 is also welded to the relative segment of the front-piece 12 (fig. 4), and the first and second
articulation element 13 and 15 are reciprocally pivoted with respect to each other, so as to definitively form the hinge 10 (fig. 1 ).
According to a variant, shown schematically in fig. 5, the two articulation elements 13 and 15 are pivoted to each other by means of the pin 14 before they are welded to the respective arm 11 and front-piece
12, so as to guarantee optimum alignment and pivoting thereof, even after the respective welding steps.
It is clear however that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the hinge 10 and relative method of production as described heretofore, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. Method to produce a hinge (10) for spectacles, characterized in that it provides at least the following steps: a first pre-assembly step, in which a first articulation element (13) of said hinge (10) and an elastic member (17) for spectacles are disposed in a box-like body (16), at least said elastic member (17) consisting at least partly of a metal material having a heat resistance such as to maintain its elastic/functional characteristics substantially unaltered at temperatures of more than about 6000C; and - a second step, in which said pre-assembled box-like body (16) is welded by means of continuous welding to a relative first component (11 ) of the spectacles with which said hinge (10) is associated.
2. Method as in claim 1 , characterized in that at the end of said second step, it provides at least a third step of continuous welding of a second articulation element (15) of said hinge (10) to a second component (12) of the spectacles, with which said hinge (10) is associated.
3. Method as in claim 2, characterized in that it also provides a fourth step, in which said first articulation element (13) and said second articulation element (15) are reciprocally pivoted to each other by means of a pin element (14).
4. Method as in claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said fourth step is performed at the end of said third step.
5. Method as in claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said fourth step is performed between said first and said second step.
6. Hinge for spectacles comprising at least a first articulation element (13) mounted on a first component (11 ) of the spectacles, and associated with an elastic member (17) for spectacles able to elasticize at least part of the movement of said hinge, and a box-like body (16) welded to said component (11 ) to at least partly cover said elastic member (17) and said first articulation element (13), characterized in that at least said elastic member (17) is made at least partly of a metal material having a heat resistance such as to maintain its elastic/functional characteristics substantially unaltered at temperatures of more than about 6000C.
7. Hinge as in claim 6, characterized in that said metal material is a stainless steel, hardening by precipitation.
8. Hinge as in claim 7, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, is of the martensitic type.
9. Hinge as in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Cr comprised between about 10÷14%.
10. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 9, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Ni comprised between about 7÷11 %.
11. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 10, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Mo comprised between about 0.5÷6%.
12. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 11 , characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Co of up to about 9%.
13. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 12, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Cu comprised between about 0.5÷4%.
14. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 13, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Ti comprised between about 0.4÷1.4%.
15. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 14, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of Al comprised between about 0.05÷0.6%.
16. Hinge as in any claim from 7 to 15, characterized in that said stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, has a relative percentage of C+N ≤0.05%.
17. Hinge as in claim 7, characterized in that metal material is a stainless steel, hardening by precipitation, of the austenite or semi-austenite type
18. Hinge as in claim 6, characterized in that said metal material is titanium or an alloy thereof.
19. Hinge as in claim 6, characterized in that said metal material is a super-alloy with a base of Fe1 Fe-Ni or Ni.
20. Hinge as in any claim from 6 to 19, characterized in that said elastic member consists of a helical spring (17) having a diameter of the wire comprised between about 0.30 mm and about 0.40 mm.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITUD20060127 ITUD20060127A1 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-05-19 | PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A HINGE FOR GLASSES AND HINGE FOR GLASSES SO MADE ' |
| ITUD2006A000127 | 2006-05-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2007134949A1 true WO2007134949A1 (en) | 2007-11-29 |
Family
ID=37387373
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2007/054128 WO2007134949A1 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2007-04-27 | Method to produce a hinge for spectacles, and hinge for spectacles thus made |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IT (1) | ITUD20060127A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2007134949A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009048496A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-03-03 | Reiner Wagner | Spectacles, device with a spectacle element and a hinge part, and method for fixing a hinge part on a spectacle element |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5533233A (en) * | 1994-04-30 | 1996-07-09 | OBE-Werk Ohnmacht & Baumgartner GmbH & Co., KG | Spring hinge |
| DE19856117A1 (en) * | 1997-12-09 | 1999-06-17 | Boo Gwang Park | Hinge for arms of spectacle glasses |
| WO2001004689A1 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-01-18 | Visottica S.P.A. | Hinge wing with flexing device for temples of eyeglasses |
| EP1482350A1 (en) * | 2003-05-29 | 2004-12-01 | Ideal S.R.L. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
| EP1617276A1 (en) * | 2004-07-15 | 2006-01-18 | Makitech S.r.l. | Elastic hinge for spectacles and related assembly method |
| EP1621920A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-02-01 | Visottica Industrie S. P. A. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
| EP1726985A1 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2006-11-29 | Visottica Industrie S. P. A. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
-
2006
- 2006-05-19 IT ITUD20060127 patent/ITUD20060127A1/en unknown
-
2007
- 2007-04-27 WO PCT/EP2007/054128 patent/WO2007134949A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5533233A (en) * | 1994-04-30 | 1996-07-09 | OBE-Werk Ohnmacht & Baumgartner GmbH & Co., KG | Spring hinge |
| DE19856117A1 (en) * | 1997-12-09 | 1999-06-17 | Boo Gwang Park | Hinge for arms of spectacle glasses |
| WO2001004689A1 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-01-18 | Visottica S.P.A. | Hinge wing with flexing device for temples of eyeglasses |
| EP1482350A1 (en) * | 2003-05-29 | 2004-12-01 | Ideal S.R.L. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
| EP1617276A1 (en) * | 2004-07-15 | 2006-01-18 | Makitech S.r.l. | Elastic hinge for spectacles and related assembly method |
| EP1621920A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-02-01 | Visottica Industrie S. P. A. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
| EP1726985A1 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2006-11-29 | Visottica Industrie S. P. A. | Elastic hinge for eyeglasses |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009048496A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-03-03 | Reiner Wagner | Spectacles, device with a spectacle element and a hinge part, and method for fixing a hinge part on a spectacle element |
| DE102009048496A8 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-06-01 | Reiner Wagner | Spectacles, device with a spectacle element and a hinge part, and method for fixing a hinge part on a spectacle element |
| US8870369B2 (en) | 2009-08-28 | 2014-10-28 | Reiner Wagner | Spectacles, device having a spectacles element and a hinge part, and method for fastening a hinge part to a spectacles element |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ITUD20060127A1 (en) | 2007-11-20 |
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