Hinge for eyeglasses

Details Hinge for eyeglasses Hinge for eyeglasses

1999-09-21

2001-06-19

Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)

Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting

Spectacles and eyeglasses

Connectors

C016S228000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247810

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge for eyeglasses having a structure in which the outer side of a bracket and a temple section which are component elements of eyeglasses can be opened further outward than in a state where they normally form the same plane.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the art to provide a spring hinge for eyeglasses where the temple sections fit elastically to the sides of a face of a person who wears eyeglasses. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-64264 discloses a structure where the temple section does not rotate round a hinge axis, but at a portion serving as a fulcrum where the temple section and the bracket contact when the temple section is opened further outward than in the state where the outer side of the bracket and the temple section are in the same plane. In this structure, a hinge unit forming the hinge is arranged to slide onto the temple section when the temple section is opened outward relative to the bracket.
Further, in the hinge for eyeglasses adapted to elastically fit the temple sections to the sides of the face of the person who wears the eyeglasses as described above, Japanese Utility Model Application Open-Publication No. Sho. 64-3820 discloses a simple structure in which the temple section is moved to rotate both outward and inward by penetratingly rotating a flat portion of the bracket relative to a side groove which opens to the outside of the temple section.
However, in the conventional hinge, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-64264 discloses the structure where dovetail groove working is required to cause the hinge unit to slide surely onto the temple section. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is high. Further, since the dovetail groove or complicated working is required in a narrow section of the small parts of the eyeglasses, the mechanical strength for the eyeglasses as a whole and at the hinge part thereof becomes a problem.
Also, the hinge disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Open-Publication No. Sho. 64-3820 has an advantage in its simple structure, but there are some appearance and design problems as shown below: A side groove of the hinge portion is exposed to affect a sense of unity as a whole which is an important factor for a design of eyeglasses. In addition, the flat portion of the bracket protrudes in a folding condition of the temple section when the eyeglasses are not used and this is another design problem to be solved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a simplified hinge structure for eyeglasses.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge for eyeglasses which has no parts with a feeling that something is superficially wrong as eyeglasses and can enhance a sense of unity and a sense of quality.
It is still another object to provide a hinge for eyeglasses having a structure where the outer side of a bracket and a temple section can be smoothly opened further outward than in the state where they normally form the same plane.
To accomplish these objects, according to the present invention, a hinge for eyeglasses is provided on a bracket and a temple section, which comprises an outer hinge member, an inner hinge member adapted to be inserted into a part of the outer hinge member, and a rotation axis member for passing through the outer hinge member and the inner hinge member and supporting both the outer hinge member and the inner hinge member to cause the outer hinge member to move to rotate relative to the inner hinge member, wherein a flat member formed with a slit at its portion and provided with two elastic arm portions is disposed between the outer hinge member and the inner hinge member, and one of the elastic arm portions is arranged to engage with a portion of the outer hinge member and the other of the elastic arm portions is arranged to engage with a portion of the inner hinge member, and wherein when the temple section is opened outward relative to the bracket, the slit becomes narrower to apply an elastic force on each engaging portion.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3025762 (1962-03-01), Vigano
patent: 5-164993 (1993-06-01), None

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