Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Split rim mounting
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-28
2001-05-08
Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Split rim mounting
C351S090000, C351S098000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227666
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to eyeglass frames and a method for inserting lenses into the eyeglass frames, and in particular to an eyeglass frame and lens insertion method that allows a lens to be easily installed in the eyeglass frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many individuals are required to wear eyeglasses. In the case of prescription eyeglasses, separate lenses are required to be inserted into and retained by an eyeglass frame.
Heretofore, the procedure for inserting and retaining a lens in an eyeglass frame has been problematic to opticians or eye care technicians. First, an eyewire screw needs to be removed to loosen the frame to receive the lens. Typically the frame or eyewire includes two halves separated by spaced opposing ends to allow the frame to be opened, i.e. spread apart, to receive the lens. The opposing ends include bushings to receive the eyewire screw and join the two halves together when tightened by a screwdriver. This retains the lens securely in the frame. Before inserting the screw in the bushings, the outer edge of the lens must be aligned with the inside edge of the frame. Particular attention must be placed to match the curvature of the lens to the curvature of the frame. Typically, the outer edge of the frame and the inside edge of the frame are aligned by any of the known methods. For example, the outer edge of the lens is cut with a “V” shaped bevel, or a “U” shaped groove, and the inside edge of the frame is included with a respective corresponding portion to join therewith.
Once the lens and frame are aligned, the eyewire screw is reinserted into the bushings. Before the screw is tightened, the bushings must be aligned. Otherwise, the male threads of the screw will not fit correctly with the female threads of the bushing.
It has been found that properly aligning the bushings to receive the screw is often problematic. Sometimes, the optician does not align the screw with the hole in the bushing. Oftentimes the lens is oversized (this is very common because an undersized lens can not be made to fit the frame and is wasted, but an oversized lens can always be force fit or cut down if necessary) and thereby, forces the optician to hold the two halves of the frame very tightly and awkwardly. When a high degree of pressure is being applied with one of the optician's hands, it tends to add tension to the other hand and often leads to the screwdriver slipping and possibly injuring the optician.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that the above disadvantages are overcome in an eyeglass frame comprising a first portion and a second portion, the portions defining an opening therebetween for receiving and retaining a lens; and a fastening member received by the first and second portions to move the first and second portions relative to each other between a first position whereby the opening is sized to receive the lens, and a second position whereby the opening is sized to retain the lens. The fastening member is constructed and arranged to be of a size to join the first portion to the second portion when the portions are engaged in the first position, and to include a break-away section that allows a portion of the fastening member to be severed therefrom when the portions are engaged in the second position.
Preferably, the fastening member is a screw and is chamfered at the break-away section.
In a preferred embodiment, the first portion includes a first bushing to receive the screw, and the second portion includes a second bushing having threads to receive the threads of the screw. The screw joins the first and second portions when the screw is received by the first and second bushings, and is rotated to move the first and second portions into the second position.
Preferably, the first and second bushings are substantially juxtaposed in the second position, and at least a part of the break-away section extends beyond the second bushing in the second position.
In a preferred embodiment, the break-away section includes a joint-line to separate the portion of the fastening member to be severed therefrom from the remainder of the fastening member, the fastening member is severed at the joint-line, and the joint-line does not substantially extend beyond the second bushing.
In a preferred embodiment, a method for inserting a lens in an eyeglass frame comprises the steps of joining first and second portions of the eyeglass frame by a fastening member, the fastening member including a breakaway section that allows a section of the fastening member to be severed therefrom; and adjusting the fastening member to move the first and second portions relative to each other into a first position to receive the lens therebetween, whereby the first and second portions remain joined by the fastening member. Preferably, the method includes the additional steps of adjusting the fastening member to move the first and second portions relative to each other into a second position to retain the lens therebetween; and severing the fastening member at the break-away section.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 1394608 (1921-10-01), Davern
patent: 1539826 (1925-06-01), Boutelle
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patent: 4360252 (1982-11-01), Solomon
patent: 4725132 (1988-02-01), Piveta
patent: 5517723 (1996-05-01), Sircy
patent: 5917575 (1999-06-01), Cunningham
Dang Hung Xuan
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Pareto Corporation
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