WO2012044142A1

WO2012044142A1 - Glasses

Info

Publication number: WO2012044142A1
Application number: PCT/LV2010/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hermanis Sevcenko
Original assignee: Hermanis Sevcenko
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

Glasses (10) with interchangeable lenses and/or temples comprising a frame (11), a lens (18, 19), and a hinged temple (12, 13), wherein the frame (11) comprises a first abutment portion (25) and a second abutment portion (28), and wherein the lens (18, 19) and the hinged temple (12, 13) are wedged in series between the first (25) and the second abutment surface (28).

Description

GLASSES

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to glasses, in particular, to glasses with interchangeable lenses and/or temples.

STATE OF ART Glasses are the most popular of optical devices directed to improve the vision of a human and help him to compensate for eye weakness or protect the eyes from flying debris and other harmful interferences from outside. Other types of glasses may be used for viewing visual information such as stereoscopy or simply just for aesthetic or fashion values. Typically, glasses comprise a supporting frame, on which there is fixed at least one lens to look through and temples to secure the glasses in-place, usually by engaging with the wearer's ears. As a rule, the temples are fixed on the frame through a hinge, which makes the glasses collapsible to be compact when not in use. Nowadays, we are watching an increasing demand for glasses, which would allow for being easily taken to pieces and put together again right at home without special tools. Such a feature would be convenient to clean the glasses and allow for changing the lenses and/or temples, the frame remaining the same. US5418581 describes a separable hinging system anchoring temples to the eyewear frame. The system comprises a frame with substantially T-shaped members extending sideward on opposite ends of the frame, said T-shaped members having a vertical holding post configured to be frictionally gripped and held within a receiving member of the temple. However, such a snaplike fastening does not provide sufficient reliability when the eyewear is used actively.

Moreover, this design does not allow for changing lenses.

US5997137 describes a modular eyewear assembly. The assembly has a frame made from a resilient wire material and two lenses, each of which being fixed by two springs formed from the same wire material. Either, eyewear of this type does not provide sufficient reliability when used actively. Glasses with removable interchangeable lenses and temples are described in US4153347. Each of the lens rims is split to facilitate insertion and removal of a lens. A pair of flanges on each rim adjacent the split, in an appressed state, are inserted into a space between the upper and lower arms of the temple, thereby providing the fixation of the lens within the frame, the axle of the temple engaging with notches in the flanges of the frame. However, this design allows using lenses only of a certain shape. Other disadvantages of this design are the complexity of manufacturing the joint unit between the temple axle and flanges of the frame and a risk of damage or spontaneous disintegration of said joint unit. WO 2006/136932 Al describes glasses with a frame comprising three basic members made from a sheet metal: a front portion and two temples, each temple being attached to the front portion by a screwless hinge joint formed by the front end of the temple bent into a hollow cylinder engaging with a corresponding hooked end of the front portion. Such a construction is simple to manufacture and simple to disassemble. However, the fastening of the temples to the front portion is not sufficiently reliable, and there is a risk of spontaneous disintegration of the glasses. Moreover, this design implies the use of lenses only of a certain shape.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide glasses of such a construction which would allow for being easily disassembled and put together again without special tools, such as screwdrivers or pliers, be serviceable and convenient in cleaning and changing lenses and/or temple members.

It is another object of the invention to provide robust and reliable glasses.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a simple-to-manufacture frame, the manufacture not requiring welding equipment.

It is still another object of the invention to provide glasses of an esthetically attractive design allowing using lenses of various shapes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from further description. The following terms and expressions are used in this description. Glasses. The term "glasses" covers eyeglasses, spectacles, eyewear etc. as both an optical instrument and safety glasses for the protection of eyes from sunrays or from dust, wind, snow etc. Lens. The term "lens" is to be understood as any ophthalmic lens, no matter dioptric or shallow lens, and/or optical filters made from glass or plastic, e.g., polycarbonate, organic glass or the like, as well as special means analogous to optical lenses in function, e.g., perforated screens, or shape, e.g., templates used instead of lenses in transporting and/or selling spectacle frames. To be wedged in series. Two or more components are said to be wedged in series when they are pressed together with a certain thrust or clamped between two abutment portions in such a manner that one abutment portion exerts pressure upon a first component, said first component exerts pressure upon a second component, etc. and the last component exerts pressure upon the other abutment portion. In other words a chain of components is tightly inserted or wedged between two abutments .

Temple. This term covers both a temple member and elements of a hinge connection between the temple member and a frame of the glasses. The temple can be made as an integral part, or it can consist of several parts.

One or several of the objects of invention can be achieved if in glasses comprising a frame, a lens, and a hinged temple, wherein the frame comprises a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion and the lens and the hinged temple are wedged in series with each other between the first and the second abutment portions.

According to the invention, glasses may comprise one or more intermediate members wedged in series with the lens and the temple between the first and the second abutment portions.

The intermediate member may be wedged or inserted either between the lens and the temple, or between the lens and the first abutment portion, or between the temple and the second abutment portion.

Preferably, the glasses comprise two lenses, two hinged temples and three intermediate members wedged in series between two abutment portions, in the following order: first abutment portion, first hinged temple, first intermediate member, first lens, second intermediate member, second lens, third intermediate member, second hinged temple, third intermediate member, and second abutment portion. A locking member can be attached to the central intermediate member to secure the intermediate member to the frame. In this case the locking member may be used as carrier for nose-pads. Alternatively, the nose-pads may be attached to the intermediate member or to lenses.

The function of the locking member can be performed by any component of the assembly. The locking member being removed, all the assembly can be easily taken to pieces.

Preferably, the frame and temples are made from sheet titan. However, because titan is an expensive material, the frame may be made from other sheet metal, such as German silver, aluminum or other suitable metal.

Preferably, the abutment portion proximate to a hinged temple is configured as a hook. Further preferably, a hinge between the hinged temple and the frame is formed by a curled end of the temple, the abutment portion shaped as a hook, and an axle passing through both the curled end of the temple and the hook.

The above-identified plurality of features results in glasses allowing for taking them to pieces and assembling the pieces together again, replacing lenses and/or temples without special tools. Another technical result achieved by the invention consists in the simplicity and reliability of the glasses as well as a possibility to manufacture such glasses without welding equipment. One more technical result is a possibility to use lenses of various shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig.l demonstrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of glasses according to the invention;

Fig.2 demonstrates a perspective view of each piece of the glasses of Fig.l separately;

Figs.3a-3c illustrate temples of different designs;

Fig.4 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the locking member is made as an integral whole with nose-pads;

Fig.5a illustrates an alternative embodiment of the locking member made as an integral whole with nose-pads;

Fig.5b illustrates an alternative embodiment of the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The possibility of embodiment of the invention is shown by the examples described below.

Fig.l illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. Glasses 10 comprise frame 11 made from a sheet aluminum with thickness of about 3 mm, two temples 12, 13 connected to frame 11 through hinges formed by frame 11, curls 14, 15 formed at the ends of temples 12, 13, and axles 16, 17 respectively. Further, glasses 10 comprise two lenses 18, 19, two intermediate members 20, 21 located between said temples 14, 15 and lenses 18, 19 respectively, and an intermediate member 22 which is located between two lenses 18, 19 and furnished with locking member 23. The locking member 23 has two holding protrusions on which two nose-pads 24 are fixed. Said intermediate members 20, 21, axles 16, 17, and nose-pads 24 are made from a plastic material. Temples 12, 13 are made from sheet aluminum with thickness of about 2 mm.

As shown in Fig.2, frame 11 has two abutment portions 25, 28. Intermediate members 20, 21 have notches 29,30 and 31, 32 respectively enabling to position them relative to frame 11, and notches 34, 35 for positioning lenses 18, 19. Similar notches 33, 36, and 37 to provide positioning relative to frame 11 and lenses 18, 19 are made in the intermediate member 22. Notches 34 and 35 in the intermediate members 20, 21 respectively have knobs 45, and lenses 18, 19 have mating recessions 46, 47 to receive knobs 45, thus positioning lenses 18, 19 vertically. Temples 12, 13 have inserts 16, 17 respectively, made of plastic, which serve as the hinge axles. Axles 16, 17 have encircling annular grooves 38, 39 respectively, which provide positioning axles 16, 17 relative to frame 11. Further, temples 12, 13 have slots 40, 41 respectively, which provide positioning temples 12, 13 relative to frame 11. Stop members 42, 43 are provided on the opposite ends of frame 11. Temples 12, 13 being spread enough to wear the glasses, the vertical portions of the inner surfaces of said slots 40, 41 abut against the front surfaces of said stop members 42, 43 respectively, thus preventing temples 12, 13 from further undue travel. Locking member 23 is made from a springy material and comprises an open cylindrical ring or short tube, the inner diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the central portion of the intermediate member 22. On the inner cylindrical surface of locking member 23, teeth 44 are provided which engage with frame 11 when the glasses are assembled. Also, locking member 23 comprises two projections on which two nose-pads 24 are fixed.

Other suitable metals, e.g., titan or German silver also may be used to manufacture frame 11. Other suitable materials can be used instead of metals, e.g., plastic or ceramic. In manufacturing frame 11, the technologies of punching-out and bending may be used.

However, other technologies may be applied instead, e.g., molding or milling.

Glasses 10 can be assembled in the following order. Temples 12, 13 are put on frame 11 by their slots 40, 41. Then hinge axles 16, 17 are inserted into curls 14,15 formed in temples 12, 13. Temples 12, 13 together with axles 16, 17 are inserted into the hooks formed on the opposite ends of frame 11 in contact with abutment portions 25, 28. First intermediate member 20 is installed on frame 11 and pushed toward temple 12. Lens 18 is based on intermediate member 20 and pushed toward temple 12 by central intermediate member 22 with locking member 23 fitted on the latter. Then, second intermediate member 21 is installed; lens 19 is based on this intermediate member 21 and is inserted into notch 36 in central intermediate member 22, whereafter the latter is put on frame 11. Locking member 23 is rotated about central intermediate member 22 until it is fixed on frame 11 when teeth 44 on the inner surface of locking member 23 engage with the rear edge of frame 11.

To disassemble glasses 10, locking member 23 is rotated in such a way that teeth 44 on its inner surface disengage from frame 11. Then, central intermediate member 22 is detached from frame 11, thereby releasing lenses 18, 19, temples 13, 14, and intermediate members 20, 21. The above example describes only one of numerous possible embodiments of the invention. Some of further possible embodiments are outlined below.

Fig.3a illustrates a version of the hinge connection between a temple and a frame. In this version, temple 50 and axle 51 are connected non-detachably. First intermediate member 52 is pressed directly to said axle 51. Axle 51 has knob 53 to fix temple 50 in its open position. In other respects, this version is similar to the version illustrated in Figs.1 and 2 discussed above.

Fig.3b illustrates still another version of the hinge connection between a temple and a frame. In this version, axle 55 of temple 56 is pressed to intermediate member 57. Axle 55 has knob 58 to fix temple 36 in its open position. This version differs from the previously discussed version only in the way of fixture between temple 56 and axle 55.

Fig.4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the central intermediate member. Central intermediate member 59 is made as a whole with protrusions holding nose-pads 60, which makes the design of locking member 61 simpler. Figs.5a and 5b illustrate still another embodiment of the invention. In this version, frame 65 is shaped as a closed loop, and central intermediate member 62 additionally takes upon itself the functions of locking member. In assembling the glasses, this intermediate member is inserted into the loop in frame 65 and becomes fixed on the latter by two catchers 63, 64. The intermediate member 62 also contains an arch 66 to accommodate a human nose. Such a design with a looped frame provides an added protection for lenses, e.g., the glasses being dropped.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used:

10 glasses

11 frame

12 temple (left)

13 temple (right)

14 curled temple end (left)

15 curled temple end (right)

16 axle (left)

17 axle (right)

18 lens (left)

19 lens (right)

20 intermediate member (left)

21 intermediate member (right)

22 intermediate member (central)

23 locking member

24 nose-pads

25 first abutment portion (left)

28 second abutment portion (right)

29 notch (in intermediate member 20 to position it on frame 11)

30 notch (in intermediate member 20 to position it on frame 11)

31 notch (in intermediate member 21 to position it on frame 11)

32 notch (in intermediate member 21 to position it on frame 11)

33 notch (in intermediate member 22 to position it on frame 11)

34 notch (in intermediate member 20 to position lens 18)

35 notch (in intermediate member 21 to position lens 1 )

36 notch (in intermediate member 22 to position lens 19)

37 notch (in intermediate member 22 to position lens 18)

38 encircling annular groove (in temple axle 16)

39 encircling annular groove (in temple axle 17) 40 slot (in temple 12)

41 slot (in temple 13)

42 stop member (left)

43 stop member (right)

44 teeth (on locking member 23)

45 knob (on intermediate member to position the lens)

46 recession (in lens 18)

47 recession (in lens 19)

50 temple

51 temple axle

52 intermediate member

53 knob (on temple axle)

55 temple axle

56 temple

57 intermediate member

58 knob (on temple axle)

59 intermediate member

60 nose-pads

61 locking member

62 intermediate member

63 catcher

64 catcher

65 frame

66 arch.

Claims

1. Glasses comprising

a frame,

a lens, and

a hinged temple,

characterized in that the frame comprises

a first abutment portion and

a second abutment portion, and

the lens and the hinged temple are wedged in series with each other between the first and the second abutment portions.

2. The glasses according to claim 1, comprising a first intermediate member wedged in series with the lens and the hinged temple between the first and the second abutment portions.

3. The glasses according to claim 2, wherein the first intermediate member is wedged between the lens and the hinged temple.

4. The glasses according to claim 2, wherein the first intermediate member is wedged between the lens and the first abutment portion.

5. The glasses according to claim 2, wherein the first intermediate member is wedged between the hinged temple and the second abutment portion.

6. The glasses according to any of claims 2-5, comprising a second intermediate member wedged in series with the lens, the hinged temple, and the first intermediate member between the first and the second abutment portions.

7. The glasses according to claim 6, comprising a third intermediate member wedged in series with the lens, the hinged temple, the first and the second intermediate members between the first and the second abutment portions.

8. The glasses according to claim 7, comprising a second lens and a second hinged temple, wherein the lenses, the hinged temples, the first, the second, and the third intermediate members are all wedged in series with each other between the first and the second abutment portions.

9. The glasses according to claim 8, wherein one of the intermediate members is furnished with nose-pads.

10. The glasses according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the frame and/or the temple are made from a sheet metal.

11. The glasses according claim 10, wherein the sheet metal is selected from a group consisting of titan, German silver, and aluminum.

12. The glasses according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the second abutment portion is configured as a hook.

13. The glasses according to claim 12, wherein a hinge between the hinged temple and the frame is formed by a curled end of the hinged temple, the second abutment portion shaped as a hook, and an axle passing through both the curled end of the temple and the hook.

14. The glasses according to any of claims 2-13, wherein one of the intermediate members is furnished with a locking member to fix the intermediate member on the frame.