Hinge for eyewear

Details Hinge for eyewear Hinge for eyewear

2003-03-14

2004-09-07

Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)

Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting

Spectacles and eyeglasses

Connectors

C351S110000, C016S228000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06786594

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a hinge for an item of eyewear such as spectacles, sunglass and the like, and in particular to such a hinge that may be used with frameless spectacles and the like. It should be noted here that while in the remainder of this specification the term “spectacles” will be used for convenience and simplicity, the invention should not be construed as being limited to spectacles for correcting vision, but can be applied equally to other types of eyewear such as sunglasses and protective eyewear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, spectacles are formed with a frame for the lenses. This frame may be made of any suitably strong and preferably lightweight material such as plastics or a strong light metal such as aluminum or titanium. In addition to holding the lenses in the correct relative position, the frame is also used to mount the nosepieces that allow the spectacles to rest on the nose of a wearer, and also for the mounting of the rearwardly extending temples that engage and rest over the cars of a wearer.
As is well-known, the temples of the spectacles are normally movable between an extended operative or in-use position in which they ire approximately parallel to engage the ears when the spectacles are being worn, and a folded non-operative or non-use position for when the spectacles are not being worn. In the folded position the temples are moved so that they generally overlie the rear faces of the spectacles leases. In this position the spectacles occupy a minimum space when not in use and can, for example, be placed in a small case.
PRIOR ART
To allow the temples to move between their operative and non-operative positions, the temples are hinge mounted. Where the spectacles are provided with a frame, a projection is formed extending from the frame at each end and to which the ends of the temples are attached through a hinge structure. Conventionally the hinge is formed with an axis of rotation that extends substantially vertically when the spectacles are being worn, and can also be considered as being substantially parallel to the plane of the lenses (subject to the qualification that the lenses will be curved and therefore the plane of the lenses is an inevitable approximation).
Where a frame is provided for the lenses, providing the hinge mounting for the temples presents no difficulty. However, it is increasingly preferred to form spectacles without any frame. Frameless spectacles are increasingly preferred for aesthetic reasons and to reduce the weight of the spectacles, but when there is no frame the hinge mounting of the temples becomes problematic.
The conventional approach to the hinge mounting of the temples in frameless spectacles is to attach a hinge mounting directly to the lens using a securing pin that extends through the lens. With such a structure the hinge is arranged in the same manner as with spectacles having a frame, that is to say the hinge axis is substantially vertical when the spectacles are being worn. The problem with this conventional approach to the hinge mounting of the temples in frameless spectacles is that the securing pin must pass through the lens, and to avoid any danger of the lens fracturing the pin is often inserted through the lens at a distance of around 5 mm from the edge of the lens. This is both aesthetically unappealing, and also reduces the area of the lens that can be seen through by the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an item of eyewear comprising two lenses and two rearwardly extending temple members, wherein each said temple member is pivotally mounted for movement between in-use and non-use positions by means of a hinge provided in an aperture formed in a side of a respective said lens.
In a preferred arrangement, the hinge provides rotation about a hinge axis that is horizontal when the item of eyewear is being worn by a user, and which provides rotation about a hinge axis that extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the lens in the region of said hinge.
Preferably each temple rotates about said hinge through 180° when moving between said in-use and non-use positions. Means may be provided to fix die hinge in the aperture against rotation thereof. Preferably for example the aperture comprises a first circular portion and two sloping edges connecting the circular portion to the edge of the lens, and the hinge includes a mounting portion a central section thereof having a circular cross-section of the same diameter as the circular portion of the aperture, and the mounting portion farther including sloping surfaces complementary to the sloping surfaces of the aperture whereby rotation of the mounting portion in the aperture is prevented.
Viewed from another broad aspect the present invention provides an item of eyewear comprising two lenses and two rearwardly extending temple members, wherein each said temple member is pivotally mounted for movement between in-use and non-use positions, and wherein each said temple member rotates through 180° between said in-use and non-use positions.
Viewed from a still further broad aspect the present invention also provides an item of eyewear comprising two lenses and two rearwardly extending temple members, wherein each said temple member is pivotally mounted for movement between in-use and non-use positions by means of a hinge defining a hinge axis that extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the lens in the region of said hinge.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5847800 (1998-12-01), Tachibana
patent: 6068375 (2000-05-01), LeBrun et al.
patent: 6428166 (2002-08-01), Tiberghien
patent: 6530660 (2003-03-01), Chao et al.
patent: 6540350 (2003-04-01), Fujita
patent: 0656557 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 2751431 (1998-01-01), None
patent: 2168499 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 02/061495 (2002-08-01), None
patent: 03/021335 (2003-03-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Hinge for eyewear does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Hinge for eyewear, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hinge for eyewear will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3267523