Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Folding
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-13
2002-12-17
Dang, Hung Xuan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Folding
C351S153000, C002S454000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06494573
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in foldable spectacle frames.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
It is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,035 one type of spectacle frame comprising lens frames and temples, wherein the temples are foldable to a thin form in substantially the same plane as the lens frames without lapping over the lens frames, such as shown in FIG.
8
.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the opposed temples, indicated as
306
and
306
a
, each comprises an auxiliary temple member
303
and a main temple member
304
. The auxiliary temple member
303
which has a length corresponding to a vertical width of the lens frame
301
, is supported by an outer portion of upper side
310
of the lens frame and is movable about a pivot
331
. in an auxiliary plane of pivotal movement substantially orthogonal to the plane of the lens frame
301
. The main temple member
304
is pivoted at a pivot
337
to the auxiliary temple member
303
and movable about the pivot
337
in a main plane of pivotal movement that is orthogonal to the auxiliary plane of pivotal movement of the auxiliary temple member
303
.
The auxiliary temple members
303
and the main temple members
304
of the above spectacle frame can be located substantially in the same plane as the lens frames after folding. Accordingly, the spectacle frame has advantage of being foldable to a thickness smaller than common spectacle frames having temples which lap over the lens frames when folded.
With the spectacle frame described, the auxiliary temple member
303
is biased in an unfolding direction by a torsion spring at a location that the auxiliary temple member
303
is pivoted to the lens frame
301
. However, the torsion spring is small and low in spring force. Accordingly, when only one of the temples
306
,
306
a
is unfolded, (e.g., the temple
306
) and grasped by one hand to wear the spectacles, the angle &agr;
1
that each temple in relation to the plane of the lens frames
301
varies owing to the gravity acting on the lens frames
301
as shown in FIG.
8
. Thus, the opposed temples
306
a
,
306
are out of balance with respect to the plane of the lens frames
301
, so that the spectacles tilt as shown in
FIG. 9
if worn in this state. The spectacles must then be worn again after correcting the unfolded state of the auxiliary temple members
303
with both hands.
An improved foldable spectacle frame is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,23 1,429 (see
FIGS. 11A and 11B
) and intends to solve the above problems, wherein the foldable spectacle frame is provided with a slide member
352
that engages with the lens frame
301
when the main temple member
304
is brought into an unfolded state and disengages from the lens frame
301
when the main temple member
304
is folded.
The above solution, however, has encountered difficulty in actual practice since sizes of projections
351
protruded from the slide members
352
and of the recessed portions formed on blocks
313
of the lens frames
301
are limited due to limited space available on the blocks
313
. Hence, the projections
351
are liable to damages when users unintentionally or accidentally pivot the auxiliary temple members
303
prior to folding the main temple members
304
.
The present invention provides a spectacle frame which is free of the above problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a foldable spectacle frame comprising two lens frames and two temples, wherein each temple comprises an auxiliary temple member being supported by a pivot provided at an outer portion of the lens frame and being movable about the pivot in an auxiliary plane of pivotal movement that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the lens frame, and a main temple member pivoted to the auxiliary temple member rotatably in a main plane of pivotal movement that is orthogonal to the auxiliary plane of pivotal movement of the auxiliary temple member. The spectacle frame further comprises a slide member slidably provided within the auxiliary temple member and having a length permitting a base end thereof to project from the auxiliary temple member, and biasing means for biasing the slide member in a direction away from the pivot when folding the spectacle frame, wherein the pivot includes engaging means for engaging the slide member with the pivot by cooperation of the slide member, the pivot, and the main temple member. The slide member engages with the pivot when the main temple member is brought into an unfolded state and disengages from the pivot when the main temple member or the auxiliary temple member is folded.
The advantages and features of this invention can be easily comprehended by persons skilled in the art through the drawings and detailed explanations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4820035 (1989-04-01), Kanda
patent: 5187504 (1993-02-01), Kanda
Dang Hung Xuan
Ladas & Parry
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