Frame for spectacles with improved hinge for the temples

Abstract: The frame for spectacles without surround comprises: a pair of arms (3) and, for each arm, an element (7) for connection to the respective lens (L). Advantageously, the connecting elements (7) and the arms form respective eyelets (7X; 3A, 3B) connected by a pivoting member (13, 14).

Description: Technical field The invention relates to a spectacle frame. More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement to a frame comprising: a pair of arms or temples; for each arm, an element for connection to the respective lens and a hinge between each arm and the corresponding connecting element, the arms and the connecting element being constructed of metal wire. Prior art Frames of this type are described, for example, in US-A-718,363. In this frame, the arms are each formed by a metal wire which, in the end portion adjacent to the lens, forms a helical spring portion constituting a resilient articulation, and a clip for anchoring to the lens. Each arm is linked to the respective lens just by the fact of the resilient force exerted by the clip, and this does not ensure a reliable connection between arm and lens. For the purpose of guaranteeing a more secure connection, alternative systems of connection between lenses and frame, and in particular between lenses and intermediate bridge, as well as between lenses and arms, have been devised. By way of example, US-A-4,502,765 contains a description of a connecting system in which each lens exhibits eyelet holes and in which in each hole there are inserted two pivot pins which are spaced from one another and which are integral with the intermediate bridge or with the arm. A locking screw is inserted between the pivot pins. This locking system exhibits the disadvantage that the eyelet hole in the lens is difficult and costly to construct. Furthermore, this hole exhibits sharp corners which constitute points of weakening and of initiation of phenomena of breakage of the lens. In other known spectacles there is provided a circular hole, through which there passes the screw, surrounded by a resilient sleeve. The disadvantage of this solution is represented by the fact that the tightening of the screw gives rise to an expansion of the sleeve and consequently a breakage of the lens in correspondence with the hole. Spectacles of this type are illustrated, for example, in FOCUS, No. 6/94, page 47, but in a version having a semi-surround for the lenses. EP-B-0 256 098 discloses a frame for spectacles having connecting elements and relevant arms made by separate portions of wire. Each arm and the relevant connecting element are mutually articulated by a hinge formed by a wire portion making up the pivot and by a helically wound end portion surrounding the pivot and formed by the arm. This arrangement is expensive and the hinge difficult to produce. Object of the invention The subject of the present invention is constituted by a frame which overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional frames. In particular, a first subject of the present invention is the construction of a frame of the initially mentioned type, in which the arms and possibly the intermediate bridge can be linked to the lenses in a secure and reliable manner, without the risk of a relative movement with respect to the lenses and without risks of breakage of said lenses. A further subject of the present invention is a frame which is of low cost and which is easy to assemble. Summary of the invention The aforementioned objects and further objects and advantages, which will become clear to persons skilled in the art upon reading the text which follows, are obtained with a frame according to claim 1. Further advantageous features of the frame according to the invention are described in the text which follows, with reference to a number of embodiments, and in the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood upon following the description and the accompanying drawing, which shows a non-limiting practical exemplification of said invention. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a front view of a pair of spectacles equipped with a frame according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the elements constituting the connection between the arm and the lens; Fig. 3 shows a view according to III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a view according to IV-IV of Fig. 2; Figs. 4A and 4B show a different embodiment of the articulating hinge between the arm and the connecting element; Fig. 5 shows a detail, in front view, of the pad for support on the nose; Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the elements for connecting the pad and the intermediate bridge to the lens; Fig. 7 shows a view according to VII-VII of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows, separately, in front view, the element carrying the pad for support on the nose; Fig. 9 shows, separately, one lens; Fig. 10 shows a view similar to the view of Fig. 4, of a slightly modified embodiment; Fig. 11 shows an exploded view, similar to the view of Fig. 2, in a further embodiment; Fig. 12 shows a view according to XII-XII of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 shows a front view, similar to Fig. 5, in a modified embodiment; Fig. 14 shows an exploded view of the system for connecting the pad for support on the nose in the embodiment of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 shows a view according to XV-XV of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 shows a view, similar to the view of Fig. 13, in a modified embodiment; Fig. 17 shows an exploded view, similar to the view of Fig. 14, of the embodiment of Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 shows a view according to XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Figs. 1 to 9 show all the elements of a first embodiment of the frame according to the invention. Reference numeral 1 generally indicates, in Fig. 1, a pair of spectacles having two lenses L which are self-supporting, or without surround, and to which the arms 3 and the intermediate bridge 5 are connected. Each arm 3 is connected to the respective lens by means of a connecting element 7, by means of a hinge 9 between the arm and the connecting element, which hinge permits the articulation of said arm. The arms 3, the intermediate bridge 5 and the connecting elements 7 are constructed of resilient and non-allergic metal wire, such as for example stainless steel, gold or its alloys, titanium, or the like. The end of each arm 3, which is linked to the respective connecting element 7, is bent to form an eyelet 3A and a loop 3B. Each intermediate element 7 forms, at a first end, a helical spring 7A, the external diameter of which is of dimensions such as to be inserted, with slight forcing, in a hole LF of the respective lens. The second end of each intermediate element 7 forms an eyelet 7B which, in the assembled condition, is disposed coaxially with the eyelet 3A to form an articulation hinge, supplemented by a pivot pin, constituted by a screw 13 and by a nut 14 or by an appropriately smoothed washer. The opening articulation of each arm is limited by the abutment of the loop 3B against the connecting element 7. During this articulation, the risk of unscrewing of the screw 13 from the washer or from the nut 14 is avoided in that both the head of the screw and the nut are in contact with surfaces of the wire forming the arm 3, and accordingly any relative sliding movement between screw and arm or between nut and arm is prevented. Between the two ends 7A and 7B, the connecting element 7 forms a U-shaped loop indicated by 7C, one branch of which is caught in a notch LT along the peripheral edge of the lens L. The locking of each connecting element 7, and thus of the respective arm 3, to the pertinent lens L takes place by means of a screw 15 which is inserted in the spring 7A and engages in a threaded bushing 17 with which two attachments 19 are integral, which attachments, in the assembled condition, embrace a portion of the respective connecting element 7, and thus the portion between the end which is helically wound to form the spring 7A and the U-shaped loop 7C. In this way, the threaded bushing 17 is fixed against rotation and accidental unscrewing. A washer 21 of plastic or similar material is disposed between the head of the screw 15 and the front surface of the lens L. Figs. 4A and 4B show a modified embodiment of the hinge 9. More particularly, Fig. 4A shows an exploded axonometric view of the hinge and Fig. 4B shows a cross section along a plane containing the axis of the hinge. According to this embodiment, the arm 3 forms, at its own end fixed to the connecting element 7, two eyelets 3X, 3Y which are spaced from one another along the axis of the hinge. Between the two eyelets 3X, 3Y there is inserted an eyelet 7X formed by the corresponding end of the connecting element 7. The mutual locking takes place by means of the insertion, under pressure, of a sphere 8, the diameter of which corresponds to the internal diameter of the eyelet 7X. The eyelets 3X and 3Y of lesser diameter retain the sphere in its position and are constructed in such a manner as to permit the insertion of the sphere in its working position by simple pressure and radial deformation of one of the eyelets 3X or 3Y, according to whether the sphere is inserted from one side or from the other. This configuration of the hinge is particularly simple to construct and to assemble, and avoids any problem of unscrewing, which may arise with the conventional hinges making use of screw means. Figs. 5 to 8 show the system for locking the bridge 5 to the lenses L. For this purpose, the terminal ends of the wire forming the bridge 5 are helically wound to form respective helical springs 5A, similar to the springs 7A formed with the wire of the connecting element 7. The springs 5A are inserted in corresponding holes LF' (Fig. 9) of the respective lens L, which are identical with the holes LF. A screw 23 is inserted coaxially in each spring 5A and engages into a corresponding threaded bushing or nut 25, similar to the threaded bushing 17 and exhibiting attachments 27 and 29 which embrace a portion of the wire forming the bridge 5 (Fig. 5). The attachment 29 is extended so as to form a pad arm, to which is integrally fixed the respective pad 31 for support of the frame on the nose. The metal wire forming the bridge 5 exhibits two intermediate portions 5B which engage in corresponding notches LT' constructed peripherally along the edge of the lens. In this way, once the screws 23 have been tightened, any relative movement between the lenses L and the bridge 5 is prevented. Figs. 10 to 18 show a number of constructional variants of the frame which is described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. Identical numerals are used to indicate identical or corresponding parts. Fig. 10 shows a variant embodiment of the system for locking the connecting element 7 to the lens L. In this configuration, the screw engages on a threaded bushing constituted by a simple nut 17A, having no anti-unscrewing attachments. Between the nut 17A and the rear surface of the lens L there is disposed a second washer 21. Figs. 11 and 12 show a variant of construction of the articulation hinge between arm 3 and connecting element 7. In this case, the articulation is obtained by means of a central pivot pin 13, inserted in two eyelets 3A and 7B which are formed by the arm 3 and by the connecting element 7 respectively. In this case, the connecting element 7 forms a double eyelet 7B and between the two turns of the double eyelet there is inserted the eyelet 3A formed by the end of the arm 3. Figs. 13 to 15 illustrate a different system of construction of the pads 31 for support on the nose. In this case, each pad 31 is carried by a respective pad arm 33 which forms an eyelet 33A and a terminal hook portion 33B which engages on the bridge 5, as shown in particular in Fig. 13. The hook 33B prevents the rotation of the pad 31 once the screw 23 has been tightened. Figs. 16 to 18 show, finally, a variant in which the stirrups which carry the pads 31 are constructed from terminal ends 5D of the wire forming the bridge 5. Said wire also forms eyelets 5C into which the tightening screws 23 are inserted. The various illustrated variants can be combined with one another according to any arrangement. It is understood that the drawing shows only an exemplification given only by way of practical demonstration of the invention, it being possible for this invention to vary in forms and arrangements without nevertheless departing from the scope of the concept which forms the basis of said invention. The possible presence of reference numerals in the appended claims has the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims with reference to the description and to the drawing, and does not limit the scope of the protection represented by the claims.

Claims: A frame for spectacles comprising: a pair of arms (3); for each arm, a connecting element (7) for connection to the respective lens (L); each arm (3) being connected to the corresponding connecting element (7) by means of a hinge, said arms and said connecting elements being constructed of metal wire, characterized in that each of said hinges includes: a first eyelet (7B; 7X; 3A) formed from the front end of the corresponding arm (3) or from one end of the corresponding connecting element (7); two spaced and substantially axially aligned second eyelets (3A, 3B; 3X, 3Y; 7B, 7B) formed from one end of the corresponding connecting element (7) or from the front end of the corresponding arm (3); and a pivot member (13, 14; 8; 13) extending coaxially with said first and said second eyelets. Frame according to claim 1, in which said pivot member includes a screw (13) and a corresponding nut (14). Frame according to claim 1, in which said pivot member is a spherical element (8) retained between said first and said second eyelets. Frame according to claim 3, in which said arm (3) comprises said second eyelets (3X, 3Y) which are substantially coaxial and spaced along their common axis, said connecting element (7) comprises said first eyelet (7X) of greater diameter than said second eyelets (3X, 3Y) and disposed coaxially with them and between them, the spherical element (8) being caught and retained between the three eyelets (3X, 3Y, 7X). Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, in which the front end of each arm forms an abutment which limits the opening articulation of the arm. Spectacles comprising a pair of lenses and a frame, said spectacles being characterized in that said frame is constructed according to one or more of the preceding claims.

Inventors: FORTINI PAOLO, FORTINI, PAOLO
Applicants: BOTTEGA ARTE FIRENZE SRL, BOTTEGA D'ARTE IN FIRENZE S.R.L.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G02C1
IPC codes: G02C1, G02C5