Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Methods
Patent
1999-05-25
2000-07-04
Mai, Huy
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Methods
351 41, 351 44, 2439, G02B 1300
Patent
active
060828579
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
THIS INVENTION relates to lightweight safety spectacles. The term "safety spectacles" shall include safety glasses and safety eyewear protection.
2. Prior Art
Safety authorities around the world have set standards for eye protection in industrial applications. For example, Australia and New Zealand have established Standard "AS/NZS 1337-1992" for such eye protectors. The standards usually set down criteria for the eye protectors and include parameters such as (a) dimensions, (b) visual quality, (c) optical quality, (d) materials, (e) ventilation, (f) impact resistance, (g) penetration resistance, (h) thermal stability and (i) protection against corrosion. Other criteria may also be specified.
Even the best eye protectors will not be worn, even if specified in a workplace, if the wearers find them uncomfortable or restricting to wear.
Employees will tend to oppose the provision, or replacement, of eye protectors if they are expensive to purchase.
To be acceptable, eye protectors must satisfy the legislated safety criteria; be comfortable and easy to wear; and be inexpensive to purchase. The task for eye protection manufacturers is to answer three conflicting criteria.
Examples of safety spectacles are disclosed in, inter alia, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,214 (BOLLE); U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,125 (PHILLIPS); U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,909 (BELL); U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,986 (GOWDY, Jr.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,558 (BLACKSTONE); U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,258 (LACHMAN et al); Des. Pat. No. 356,322 (BOLLE); Des. Pat. No. 317,012 (HIRSCHMAN); Des. Pat. No. 337,595 (REYMONDET et al); and Des. Pat. No. 334,758 (REYMONDET et al).
Generally, the safety spectacles disclosed therein are assembled from a large number of components and so are relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble.
Furthermore, they generally do not include a browguard to prevent articles, eg., metal or glass slivers, sparks, etc., falling between the lenses and the wearer's forehead into the wearer's eyes.
Both U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,909 (PHILLIPS) and Des. Pat. No. 356,322 (BOLLE) do disclose browguards, but the overall constructions are still complex and require the assembly of a number of components (including moulded plastic components).
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing safety spectacles which is relatively simple and inexpensive.
It is a preferred object to provide a method where the safety spectacles can be manufactured from only two components.
It is a further preferred object to provide a method which only requires simple tools and minimal assembly and is suitable for unskilled or semi-skilled labour.
It is a still further preferred object to provide a method which results in safety spectacles which meet the safety standards, are light and comfortable to wear, and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is a still further preferred object to provide the safety spectacles manufactured by the method.
Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following description.
In one aspect, the present invention resides in a method of manufacturing safety spectacles including the steps of: transparent, impact-resistant plastic sheet; the lens portion; portion;
Preferably, the plastic sheet is formed of polycarbonate, eg., sold under the Registered Trade Mark "LEXAN".
Preferably, the sheet is 1.0-2.0 mm, more preferably 1.0-1.5 mm, thick.
The steps (b) and (c) may be effected sequentially, or simultaneously, in a press.
Preferably, where the lens portion and the two wing portions are formed integrally, the sheet is deformed or bent, in another press, so that the wings extend substantially perpendicularly rearwardly of the lens portion in step (a1), before steps (b) and (c) are effected.
While the flange may be co-planar with the lens portion, it is preferred that it extend substantially perpendicularly forward of the lens portion.
Preferably, the browguard is formed from relatively thin metal, preferably aluminium or polycarbonate, sheet and has a
REFERENCES:
patent: 2208336 (1940-07-01), Marciano
patent: 4610036 (1986-09-01), LaPrairie
patent: 5000558 (1991-03-01), Blackstone
Kerins John C.
Mai Huy
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