Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Subjective type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-14
2001-07-17
Manuel, George (Department: 3737)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Subjective type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260969
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is concerned with a magnification test apparatus for eyeglasses and, more particularly, with a magnification test apparatus for reading glasses.
With advancing age, many people progressively become long-sighted. This condition can easily be corrected by the provision of reading glasses, which serve to magnify images (such as print) held only a short distance from the face of a person which would otherwise be too small to view properly. The magnification required is different for different people. Moreover, as the condition of a person's vision changes over time, the magnification required will alter.
There are two options for people to obtain reading glasses. The first, more conventional option, of attending on optometrist and being tested and prescribed optical lenses is not always an affordable or readily or conveniently accessible option. The second option of a person purchasing from a retail outlet one pair of reading glasses from a group of reading glasses having a range of particular magnifications overcomes the disadvantages of the first option but has the disadvantage that it is not always a straight-forward exercise to select an appropriate magnification.
The usual means of testing reading glasses in the “self-service” option is to pick up a loose pair of glasses, try them on and then attempt to read some nearby print. The conditions of such a test are not sufficiently well-controlled to allow for adequate testing of the glasses, and glasses with an inappropriate magnification are sometimes chosen as a result.
The present invention allows for testing of glasses under controlled conditions in a “self-service” situation.
In general terms the present invention provides a magnification testing apparatus for testing the suitability of eyeglasses, which apparatus includes:
(a) a plurality of frames for eyeglass lenses;
(b) a plurality of pairs of lenses of different magnification secured within the frames;
(c) a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus to position their face so as to bring each of the frames in turn into a conventional eyeglass-wearing position; and
(d) a motif of a first predetermined size spaced a first predetermined distance from each frame when the frame is in the conventional eyeglass-wearing position.
The frames may be arranged in a line. With this arrangement preferably there is a motif aligned with each frame.
Alternatively the frames may be arranged in a circular array on a turret that can be rotated about a vertical axis. With this arrangement preferably there is a single fixed motif and the frames can be rotated successively into a viewing position in relation to the motif.
More particularly, according to the present invention there is provided a magnification testing apparatus for testing the suitability of eyeglasses, which includes:
(a) a first frame for eyeglass lenses;
(b) a second frame for eyeglass lenses;
(c) a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus to position their face so as to being each of the frames in turn into a conventional eyeglass-wearing position;
(d) a first pair of lenses secured within the first frame, the first pair of lenses possessing predetermined optical properties;
(e) a second pair of lenses secured within the second frame, the second pair of lenses possessing predetermined optical properties.
(f) a first motif of a first predetermined size spaced apart from the first frame by a first predetermined distance; and
(g) a second motif of a second predetermined size spaced apart from the second frame by a second predetermined distance.
In one embodiment the first and second predetermined distances are the same distance, the first and second motifs are the same size, and the first and second pairs of lenses have different magnifications.
In another embodiment, the first and second predetermined distances are not identical.
With this embodiment one of the first and second motifs may be scaled up or down in size by the appropriate amount to compensate for the different viewing distances.
Alternatively, or in addition, the first and second pairs of lenses may have different magnifications.
Preferably, the first and second motifs are identical to allow for easy comparison.
Typically, each of the first and second motifs is a passage of print that is too small to be read by a person requiring reading glasses at the first or second predetermined distance chosen. In general this distance is 30-35 cm, to stimulate usual reading conditions.
Preferably, the first pair of lenses and the second pair of lenses are the lenses of conventional reading glasses.
Preferably, the first pair of lenses has a different magnification to the second pair of lenses. In general, a plurality of such lenses are arranged in the magnification testing apparatus described above so that a user of the apparatus can try a large range of lenses and make a direct comparison of the suitability of the magnification levels of the lenses.
For convenience, the support means can be a display unit with reading glasses displayed thereon.
Preferably, a plurality of pairs of lenses are arranged in a row positioned towards the top of the display unit and reading glasses having the same magnification as a particular pair of lenses are displayed directly beneath it.
The display unit may include a mirror positioned above the frames so that the user of the apparatus can also check their appearance while the frames are in the conventional eyeglass-wearing position. The mirror may be angled, say at 20° to the vertical, to facilitate viewing and frames of different styles (as well as different magnifications) may be displayed.
Preferably the display unit includes one or more than one member, such as a rod or any other suitable means, on which each frame is mounted.
Preferably the frames, which do not have the “arms” used to secure eyeglasses on the head of a wearer, are suspended by the member or members in positions to which a user of the apparatus can readily position their head to assess whether the pairs of lenses have the correct magnification.
For convenience, preferably the frames are located between 900 mm and 1 m above the floor, as it has been found that bending to this height is most comfortable for the majority of people.
Alternatively, the frames are mounted in a surface of the support means or extending from the support means. This surface may be shaped to allow for comfortable positioning of the face of the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1437776 (1922-12-01), Reese et al.
patent: 5486879 (1996-01-01), Barnett
patent: 5861941 (1999-01-01), Leibars et al.
Carl Gasper & Associated Pty. Ltd.
James Ray & Associates
Manuel George
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