Measuring and testing – Surface and cutting edge testing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-01-09
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Surface and cutting edge testing
C033S507000, C345S182000, C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170321
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the contour of a lens frame (lens opening) of an eyeglass frame or the contour of a lens-shaped template formed to be fit in the lens frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
As disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 6-194153, for example, a conventional template-measuring apparatus is known in which a measuring element for measuring a lens frame and a measuring element for measuring a template are spaced away from each other and, when the template is measured, the template measuring element is manually erected to be situated at a template measuring position as a measurement reference position, so that the contour of the template can be measured.
However, this type measuring apparatus is troublesome and difficult to set the template measuring element.
In addition, there is a fear that when an operator (artisan) measures the contour of the template, he/she will forget to set the template measuring element, or, when the operator changes the measurement of the template to the measurement of the lens frame, he/she will forget to stow the template measuring element.
For this reason, there is also a fear that the eyeglass frame will collide with the template measuring element by mistake and thus the eyeglass frame will be deformed or broken.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lens-shaped template contour measuring apparatus in which a template measuring element is positioned at a measurement reference point by a position control means, based on a start signal by which the measuring element starts the measurement of the template.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lens-shaped template contour measuring apparatus in which a sensing means senses that a lens-shaped template holding means holds a lens-shaped template and, based on a sensed result, a lens-shaped template measuring element is positioned at a measurement reference point by a position control means.
To achieve the objects, the measuring apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a lens-shaped template holding means for holding the lens-shaped template; a measurement element for measuring a contour of the lens-shaped template held by the lens-shaped template holding means; a starting means for starting the measurement element measuring the contour of the lens-shaped template; and a positioning means for positioning the measurement element at a measurement reference point when the starting means starts the measurement by the measurement element.
To achieve the objects, the measuring apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a lens frame holding means for holding the lens frame of the eyeglass frame; a lens-shaped template holding means for holding a lens-shaped template; measurement elements for measuring a contour of the lens frame held by the lens frame holding means and measuring a contour of the lens-shaped template held by the lens-shaped template holding means, respectively; a sensing means for sensing that the template holding means has been attached to an apparatus body; and a positioning means for positioning each of the measurement elements at a measurement reference point, based on a result of the sensing means.
Preferably, the measuring apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention further comprises a slider disposed to horizontally proceed and recede and horizontally rotate; an eyeglass frame holding means, disposed above the slider, for holding the eyeglass frame; a lens-shaped template holding means, disposed above the slider, for holding the lens-shaped template; the measurement element for the lens frame being attached to the slider so as to be vertically movable and being engaged with a V-shaped groove of the lens frame of the eyeglass frame; a radius vector measurement means for measuring a vector radius of the lens frame or the lens-shaped template, based on an amount of horizontal movement of the slider; the measurement element for the lens-shaped template being attached to the slider so as to be freely erected and laid down, and measuring the contour of the lens-shaped template held by the lens-shaped template holding means during being erected; a feeler erecting means for erecting and positioning the lens-shaped template measurement element at the measurement reference point, based on a result of the sensing means, so that the contour of the lens-shaped template held by the lens-shaped template holding means can be measured; and an arithmetic and control means for calculating a radius vector &rgr; i from the radius vector measurement means with respect to an angle &thgr; i of rotation of the slider.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4991305 (1991-02-01), Saigo et al.
patent: 5121550 (1992-06-01), Wood et al.
patent: 5501017 (1996-03-01), Suzuki
patent: 5515612 (1996-05-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 5594992 (1997-01-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5615486 (1997-04-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 0 344 725 (1989-12-01), None
patent: 3-20604 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 3-135708 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 6-194153 (1994-07-01), None
Eto Yasuhito
Suzuki Yasuo
Watanabe Ken'ichi
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
Larkin Daniel S.
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