Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Rimless mounting
Reissue Patent
1999-06-30
2001-12-04
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Rimless mounting
C351S121000, C351S154000, C351S178000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037461
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a holding structure for spectacle lenses, and more particularly, to a spectacle lens holding structure suited for use in rimless spectacles.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In recent years, rimless spectacles have been attracting attention because of their advantages such as wide field of view and lightness in weight. Rimless spectacles are classified into two types, that is, a type called semi-rimless spectacles in which lenses are suspended by means of nylon thread wound round the lower edges thereof, and a type called two-point or three-piece type in which lenses are supported by means of screws fitted into holes formed through the lenses. In the former type of lens holding structure, an upper edge portion of each lens is fitted in a metal part, a nylon thread is laid along a groove cut in a lower edge portion of each lens, and the opposite ends of the thread are fastened to the upper metal part, whereby the lenses are suspended. In the latter type of lens holding structure, small screw holes of about 1.4 mm in diameter are bored through portions of each lens close to the right and left edges thereof, respectively, and screws are inserted through the holes to attach the lenses to lens holding members such as a bridge, endpieces, straps, etc. (see Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-63419 and Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-6521, for example).
In the conventional holding structure for the semi-rimless spectacles, however, each lens must first be ground so that the peripheral edge thereof may be flat, and then a groove must be cut along the entire peripheral surface (edge surface) of the lens. Thus, in the case of a lens with a small thickness, considerable skill is required to cut a groove, and the thickness between the groove and the lens surface may become so small that the lens may be chipped when the spectacles are dropped.
In the holding structure for the two-point or three-piece type spectacles, screw holes must be formed through each lens. Therefore, when a screw hole is bored from one side to the other of the lens, the edge of the open end on the other side of the lens may be chipped, making the machining difficult. Further, the lens may crack when a screw hole is bored; therefore, screw holes must be formed at a distance from the edge of the lens. If, however, screw holes are formed at a distance from the edge of the lens, a problem arises in that the screw holes and holding sections associated therewith obstruct the field of view. Further, since lens holding members such as screws and nuts protrude from both surfaces of the lens, they form an obstacle when the lens surfaces are wiped up.
Furthermore, it is necessary that the screw holes be bored perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to the lens surface. Also, the screw holes must be bored at accurate positions with respect to the edge of the lens so that an endpiece or a bridge can be firmly fixed, but since the lens has a spherical surface, the drill bit can easily slip off along the spherical surface of the lens, requiring a great deal of skill in the machining.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a structure for holding the lenses of rimless spectacles which structure is capable of securely holding the spectacle lenses without using members that protrude from both surfaces of the lenses, such as screws or nuts, which provides an improved effective field of view, and which can be fabricated with ease.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a spectacle lens holding structure for use in rimless spectacles, which comprises a lens holding member for holding a spectacle lens, the lens holding member having a surface which is disposed in contact with the spectacle lens and on which a projection is formed, the projection being inserted and fixed in a blind hole formed in the spectacle lens.
Preferably, the blind hole is formed in the edge surface of the spectacle lens.
The lens holding member holds the spectacle lens in such a manner that the projection thereof is inserted and fixed in the blind hole formed in the spectacle lens, whereby a holding structure is obtained which does not use screws, nuts or like members and which can securely hold the spectacle lenses without causing looseness or unstableness of the spectacle lenses. Further, since the holes are not through holes, there is no possibility of the spectacle lenses being cracked, making the fabrication of spectacles easy. Also, the spectacle lenses can be held at their peripheral edge portions, thus providing an improved effective field of view.
Furthermore, since the blind holes are formed in the edge surfaces of the spectacle lenses, the effective field of view can be further improved, and this feature is particularly advantageous for progressive lens or multifocal lens with which near distance is viewed frequently. In this arrangement, moreover, the projection of the lens holding member is inserted and fixed perpendicularly or slightly obliquely with respect to the edge surface of the lens; therefore, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary protuberances projecting from the lens surfaces, making it easy to wipe up the lens surfaces and refining the design of the spectacles.
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 which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2588505 (1952-04-01), Ellis
patent: 3846017 (1974-11-01), Ferrell
patent: 4692001 (1987-09-01), Anger
patent: 5544985 (1996-08-01), Lane
patent: 38312/93 (1993-12-01), None
patent: WO96/12983 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO96/18127 (1996-06-01), None
Hoya News, 1994-10, No. 112, Oct. 1994.
Hoya Collection, Oct. 1994.
Eyeglasses, Eyeglasses Composite Profession Journal, Oct. 15, 1994, No. 445.
Hoya Corporation
Mai Huy
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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