Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With auxiliary lenses movable in and out of the optical path
Patent
1997-07-24
1999-07-13
Mai, Huy
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With auxiliary lenses movable in and out of the optical path
351158, 359409, G02C 708
Patent
active
059233966
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a fixing assembly, capable of fitting spectacles with supplemental lenses which serve as filters, protective shields and/or magnifying glasses over a restricted sub-area of the actual lenses. The fixing assembly includes mechanical holders which enable the positioning, aligning and/or maintaining the alignment of supplemental lenses.
For example, the dentists have a need to wear a protective shield for blocking the radiation of a UV-curing device from striking directly on the eyes. A separate UV-protection shield held by a dental assistant is inconvenient to use. In addition to UV-radiation, the protection can be applied to any ophtalmologically harmful radiation. In addition, the separate lenses may also serve as filters for making certain objects more clearly detectable.
On the other hand, it is often desirable that the spectacles be provided with a magnifying sub-area that can be used in precision work which requires magnification from time to time. Manufacturing special bifocal glasses for this purpose is expensive.
A fixing assembly of the invention can also be used for fitting the spectacles with binocular loupes, comprising an attachment frame and two loupes, each provided with at least two lenses of which the ocular lens closer to the eye is smaller than the outer objective lens.
Such binocular loupes to be attached to spectacles are intended to facilitate precision work, such as the work of a dentist or of a precision mechanician. The drawbacks of prior art binocular loupes include a complicated design and an excessive weight as well as a restricted field of vision caused by the loupes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,588 anticipates the attachment of a protective coating to the surface of spectacle lenses over a restricted sub-area of the lens. A thin surface coating is difficult to manufacture and it alters the spectacles permanently and, thus, the solution is poorly adaptable to spectacles adjusted to each individual's own eyes. Furthermore, the coating formed by a thin layer is difficult to provide with a sufficient protective effect if clear transparency is desired at the same time. The coating only offers protection and does not provide a possibility of using simultaneously or alternatively a magnifying glass or a binocular loupe.
Moreover, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,165 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,548 disclose the placement of various supplemental lenses over a sub-area of the actual lenses by means of mechanical, adjustable arms. These prior art solutions do not afford a reliable attachment for supplemental lenses and the attachment arrangement is not suitable for all types of spectacles. The attachment is often secured by manufacturing specially designed spectacles, leading to a substantial increase in total costs. The most general drawback in prior art attachment units based on mechanical attachment arms is the fact that the attachment assemblies obscure and interfere with the field of vision.
An object of the invention is to provide a fixing assembly for attachments mountable on the user's own spectacles, said assembly being as inconspicuous, easy to use and economically priced as possible and versatile in applying it to fixing various attachments. In the attachment of binocular loupes, for example, it is important that the fixing assembly and the loupes screen as little as possible of the field of vision, whereby the view can be readily directed past the loupes at the same target that has just been examined and magnified through the loupes.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a fixing assembly for supplemental lenses and/or binocular loupes, which is suitable for use in connection with many different types of spectacles.
These objects are achieved on the basis of the characterizing features set forth in the annexed claim.
For example, the use of resiliently flexible arms offers substantial benefits if compared to rigid hinged frames. The lenses carried by flexible arms are readily cleanable and return to the original position thereof.
Other embodiments of
REFERENCES:
patent: 4647165 (1987-03-01), Lewis
patent: 5446507 (1995-08-01), Chang
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