Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Rimless mounting
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-24
2004-07-27
Dang, Hung X. (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Rimless mounting
C351S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06767096
ABSTRACT:
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2002-207503 and 2002-207504 both filed Jul. 16, 2002, which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a connection structure of eyeglasses. More particularly, the invention relates to eyeglasses having the connection structure for rimless eyeglasses, which has no rim for holding an outer periphery portion of lens, and having a screwless hinge.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as rimless eyeglasses, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,183 and Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3007846 have been known, for example.
The rimless eyeglasses disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,183 has end members connected to temples via hinge portions and a bridge. A first strip portion of U-shaped elastic clamp member formed in each of end portions of the end members and the bridge, is inserted into an aperture provided in a lens, and a second strip portion is engaged with a groove provided in an edge of the lens for clamping the lens between the aperture provided in the lens and the edge of the lens by means of the U-shaped elastic clamp member such that the lens and the end member and the bridge, respectively, are connected to each other.
On the other hand, eyeglasses disclosed in Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3007846 is designed to connect and hold a pair of left and right lenses by means of a metal bridge having parallel line form edge contact portions which can line contact with inner edges of the lenses and inner piercing portions which can extend through bridge fixing apertures formed in the vicinity of inner edges of the lenses, and metal end members each having parallel line form edge contact portion which can line contact with outer edge of the lens and outer piercing portion which can extend through end member fixing aperture formed in the vicinity of the outer edge of the lens.
Moreover, a conventional screwless hinge for the eyeglasses has been known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-075056.
In the screwless hinge disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-075056, a connecting member of a linear material, which is fitted to a lens or a rim at one end, is formed with a U-shaped curved portion on the other end thereof. At an end of a temple, an engaging member formed with a circumferentially extending groove is provided. The engaging member is pivotably engaged with the connecting member between the U-shaped curved portion so that the U-shaped curved portion of the connecting member contacts with the circumferential groove of the engaging member at least two positions.
However, in such conventional rimless eyeglasses, in any cases, connection of eyeglass parts, such as a bridge, end members or the like, and the lens is established by inserting a first strip portion or inner and outer piercing portions formed in the end portion of the eyeglass part into the aperture formed in the lens and contacting a second strip portion or edge contact portion to the edge of the lens. Therefore, when a large external force acts to vary a distance (space) between the temples of the eyeglasses, for example, the eyeglass parts may be deformed and in the worst case, stress may be concentrated in the aperture portion of the lens to cause breakage of the lens.
On the other hand, such eyeglass parts are light in weight and small in shape and are typically produced of special metal in order to maintain necessary strength. Accordingly, in order to avoid direct contact of the metal associated with the lens and avoid exertion of unnecessary external force, special measures have to be taken, and a troublesome adjusting operation for adjusting these becomes necessary.
Furthermore, in such a conventional screwless hinge, the engaging member formed with the groove extending in the circumferential direction, is clamped with the U-shaped curved portion with contacting at least at two positions to permit pivotal motion of the temples. Therefore, it is structurally not possible to provide sufficient clamping force to cause deflection of the temples in vertical directions resulting in degradation of wearing comfort.
On the other hand, a recess is provided in the U-shaped curved portion having curvature matching with that of the engaging member so as to guide pivotal movement of the engaging member. However, the pivoting center of the engaging member cannot be uniform to cause instability in opening and closing the temple.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and to provide eyeglasses which can prevent deformation of parts or breakage of lens when an excessive external force acts on the eyeglasses, and has connecting structure of the eyeglasses not requiring adjusting operation, or simply adjusted even when adjustment operation is required.
Another object of the present invention is to provide eyeglasses having screwless hinges which can avoid deflection of temples in vertical directions and can be opened and closed stably.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a connecting structure of eyeglasses comprising:
a first member fixed to an eyeglass lens; and
a second member connected to a temple or a bridge;
wherein the first member has a mounting groove formed at least a part of an outer periphery portion thereof, and the second member has a substantially U-shaped bent portion introduced from one direction into the mounting groove and resiliently engaging with the mounting groove.
With the construction set forth above, when the excessive external force is exerted upon opening the temple or other occasion, the second member resiliently engaging the substantially U-shaped bent portion with the mounting groove formed on at least a part of the outer periphery portion of the first member is released from the first member. Accordingly, deformation of the first and second members and breakage of the lens can be prevented.
Here, the outer peripheral portion is an elliptic shape, and the mounting groove may be formed in a portion including at least one arc shaped portion of the outer periphery. Thus, sufficient contract area can be provided between the first member and the second member to ensure connection between the first member and the second member.
On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion may be a rectangular shape, and the mounting groove may be formed in a portion including at least a hole portion and a corner portion of the outer periphery portion. Thus, sufficient contract area can be provided between the first member and the second member to ensure connection between the first member and the second member. Furthermore, superiority in design can be obtained.
It should be noted that the first member is preferably formed of a resin. With such construction, freedom in design required for the eyeglasses can be increased and can be easily colored in the color different from the lens to make the eyeglasses more fashionable.
On the other hand, the first member may be fixed on the eyeglass lens by bonding or adhesion. Thus, working for forming apertures in the lens or adjustment operation becomes unnecessary to facilitate production of the eyeglasses.
Furthermore, it is also possible that the first member is fixed by inserting a leg portion into a lens aperture formed in the eyeglass lens.
Furthermore, the resin may be transparent. With such selection, a visual field is not restricted and becomes bright. On the other hand, foreign body sensation in the lens portion in appearance can be reduced to provide neat design for the eyeglasses.
It should be noted that the mounting groove of the first member may be arranged in a vertical direction as viewed from a front side. With the construction set forth above, neat appearance as viewed from a front side can be provided to make the eyeglasses more fashionable.
Furthermore, the mounting groove of the first member may be formed over an entire circumference o
21 (Two-One) Co., Ltd.
Dang Hung X.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
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