Abrading – Precision device or process - or with condition responsive... – Computer controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-04-24
Eley, Timothy V. (Department: 3725)
Abrading
Precision device or process - or with condition responsive...
Computer controlled
C451S008000, C451S043000, C451S255000, C451S256000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for grinding the periphery of lenses to fit into an eyeglass frame.
An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus is known and it grinds the periphery of lenses to form a bevel at which each lens is supported in the groove of the eyeglass frame so as to achieve good fit into the latter.
In lens processing with this type of grinding apparatus, it is important to determine the best bevel position with respect to the edge position of a lens which has been processed into conformity with the configuration of an eyeglass frame. This is largely dependent on the experience and special hunch of the operator and great skill has been required to form satisfactory bevels. To deal with this problem, the edge position predestined by lens processing is measured and after the bevel position that divides the edge at a preset ratio is automatically determined on the basis of the obtained information, processing is subsequently carried out in accordance with the thus obtained information on the bevel position. An apparatus capable of this automated (AUTO) processing is already in commercial use.
However, the bevel position to be determined in the automated processing is entirely up to the manufacturer of the processing apparatus and the bevel formed is not necessarily in compliance with the specifications required by the processor (who has presented the eyeglasses). To accommodate this situation, the apparatus described above is adapted to be such that the processing mode is shifted to FORCED mode and the bevel position can be altered by supplying the apparatus with the necessary information. However, it is cumbersome to adjust the bevel position in each processing cycle.
In addition, the thickness of the rim of the eyeglass frame is generally different depending upon whether its constituent material is metallic or plastic and, it often becomes necessary to alter the bevel position in accordance with the constituent material of the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished under these circumstances and has as an object providing an eyeglass lens grinding apparatus which enables the processor to preset by himself the conditions of bevel formation in automated processing such as to permit for efficient lens processing.
Another object of the invention is to provide an eyeglass lens grinding apparatus which is capable of bevel formation as appropriate for the constituent material of the eyeglass frame into which the lens is to be fitted.
The stated objects of the invention can be attained by the following.
(1) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for grinding the periphery of a lens to fit into an eyeglass frame, comprising:
frame data inputting means for entering configuration data on said eyeglass frame;
layout data inputting means for entering layout data to be used in providing a layout of the lens corresponding to said eyeglass frame;
edge position detecting means for determining data on the edge position of the processed lens on the basis of said frame configuration data and said layout data;
bevel data calculating means which possesses calculation formula having at least one parameter and which calculators bevel data;
standard value storage means for storing a standard value of said parameter;
parameter altering means for altering the parameter from its standard value; and
control means for automatically bevelling the lens on the basis of the bevel data calculated using the altered parameter.
(2) The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus recited in (1), wherein said parameter comprises either the ratio of dividing the edge thickness of the processed lens or the amount of offset or both.
(3) The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus recited in (2), which further includes frame material designating means and wherein said ratio or amount of offset varies with the constituent material of the eyeglass frame.
(4) The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus recited in (3), wherein the constituent material of the eyeglass frame is either metallic or plastic.
(5) The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus recited in (1), wherein said parameter is the ratio of dividing the edge thickness of the processed lens and the calculation formula possessed by said bevel data calculating means has the power of the lens as a variable.
(6) The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus recited in (1), which further includes curve calculating means for calculating the front and rear surface curves of the lens on the basis of the result of detection by said edge position detecting means, said parameter is the ratio of dividing the edge thickness of the processed lens and the calculating formula possessed by said bevel data calculating means has a variable based on the difference between the front and rear surface curves of the lens.
(7) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for grinding the periphery of a lens to fit into an eyeglass frame, comprising:
frame data inputting means for entering configuration data on said eyeglass frame;
layout data inputting means for entering layout data to be used in providing a layout of the lens corresponding to said eyeglass frame;
edge position detecting means for determining data on the edge position of a processed lens on the basis of the said frame configuration data and said layout data;
bevel data calculating means which possessed a calculating formula having at least one parameter and which calculates bevel data;
standard value storage means for storing a standard value of said parameter;
parameter altering means for altering the parameter from its standard value;
forced processing data inputting means for further altering the bevel data calculated using the altered parameter; and
control means for bevelling the lens on the basis of second bevel data altered on the basis of the data entered by said forced processing data inputting means.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5027560 (1991-07-01), Coburn et al.
patent: 5138770 (1992-08-01), Matsuyama
patent: 5228242 (1993-07-01), Matsuyama
patent: 5333412 (1994-08-01), Matsuyama
patent: 5347762 (1994-09-01), Shibata et al.
patent: 5600574 (1997-02-01), Reitan
patent: 5716256 (1998-02-01), Mizuno et al.
patent: 5803793 (1998-09-01), Mizuno et al.
patent: 5890949 (1999-04-01), Shibata
patent: 576268 (1993-12-01), None
patent: 3-20603 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 6-208092 (1994-07-01), None
Eley Timothy V.
Nidek Co. Ltd.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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