A SPECTACLE FRAME WITH ADJUSTABLE ARMS

Abstract: Each arm (5) of a spectacle frame comprises at least a first portion (6) and a second portion (7) associated for sliding as extensions of one another, the first portion including a pincer element (10) and the second portion including an elongate rod-like body (13) a portion of which is fitted in the pincer element (10); means are provided for clamping the pincer element (10) in order to stop relative sliding of the arm portions (6, 7) in conditions of engagement.

Description: A spectacle frame with adjustable arms Technical Field The subject of the present invention is a spectacle frame with adjustable arms according to the preamble to Claim 1. Background art As is known, adjustment of the length of the arms enables the frame to be adapted better to the different morphological structures of various users so that the spectacles can be positioned and supported on the face in an optimal manner, ensuring a more comfortable fit. According to the prior art, the adjustable arms of the frame are conventionally formed in two portions which are associated for sliding as extensions of one another and between which restraining and adjustment means, for example of the type with a friction slide or with a male and female screw system, are active. In both cases, the arms have a fairly bulky and heavy structure which may be inappropriate, particularly in light-weight spectacles. Moreover, the male and female screw adjustment system is slow and impractical for making fairly extensive adjustments. Disclosure of the Invention The main object of the present invention is to provide a spectacle frame which combines easy and extensive adjustability of the length of the arms with compactness of the arms and of their components so that they can be adapted to frames of different styles. Another important object of the invention is to provide a spectacle frame in which the adjustment of the arms is practical and easy even for unskilled people. A further object is to provide a frame in which a uniform adjustment of both arms is facilitated. These objects and others described further below are achieved by a spectacle frame formed in accordance with the following claims. Brief description of drawings The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, described by way of non- limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a spectacle frame formed in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a partially-sectioned, exploded, perspective view of the arm of the frame of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of a detail of Figure 2, Figures 4 and 5 are longitudinal sections of the arm of the frame of the previous drawings in two different extreme adjustment positions, Figure 6 is a section taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5, and Figures 7 and 8 are schematic, perspective views of a frame with arms which can be opened out resiliently. Best mode of carrying out the invention In the drawings, a spectacle frame (shown only partially) formed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated 1. The frame 1 is of the type having lens-holder rims 2 (only one of these is shown partially) , each having a respective hinge element or nose 3 in which an arm, generally indicated 5, is articulated by means of an eye or other hinge element 4. The present invention is also intended to be adaptable to frames which do not have lens-holder rims and in which the nose is mounted directly on the lens. Each arm 5 is composed of a first portion 6 and a second portion 7 which are associated for sliding as extensions of one another so that the overall length of the arm from the hinge element 4 to an opposed ear-piece 5a can be varied at will according to the morphological structure of the user's head. The first arm portion 6 is generally cylindrical and elongate along a longitudinal axis X and carries the hinge element 4 at one end and a pincer element, generally indicated 10, at the opposite end. The pincer element 10 consists of two jaws 11a, lib which jointly define a seat 12 with a cylindrical wall of axis X, housing a rod-like body 13 of the second portion of the arm 1 for sliding (when the pincer is not locked) . The two jaws are spaced radially by two diametrally-opposed slots 14 which, as well as ensuring resilient deformability of the jaws, also serve as guide means which house two appendages 15 formed by flattening of the portion of the end of the rod-like body 13 which is fitted in the seat 12. Relative rotation of the two arm portions is thus prevented. Along the outer surface of the first arm portion 6 in the direction away from the hinge-like element 4, there is a thread 16, followed by a first shoulder 17 and a second shoulder 18 both having frustoconical or inclined surfaces. Clamping means provided for closing the pincer element onto the rod-like body comprise an internally threaded sleeve 20 which is fitted on the pincer element in screwing engagement on the thread 16. In the threaded sleeve 20, in the region of the frustoconical surfaces 17, 18, there is a corresponding number of matching frustoconical or inclined surfaces 21, 22 so that, when the threaded sleeve 20 is screwed onto the thread 16 of the pincer element, an interaction takes place between the surfaces 17, 18 and 20, 21, respectively, bringing about clamping of the jaws 11a, lib towards one another onto the surface of the rod-like body 13 fitted in the seat 12. To facilitate screwing and unscrewing, the threaded sleeve 20 has an outer gripping portion 27 which is knurled or roughened in some other way, for example, by means of splines . A plurality of uniformly longitudinally-spaced marks such as notches 25 is formed on the rod-like body 13 and serves as a measuring device enabling the length of the rodlike body projecting beyond the first arm portion to be determined and both arms of the frame to be adjusted correspondingly. Preferably, the notches 25 are formed on the side of the arm which faces the user's head in use and the corresponding end of the threaded sleeve 20 is used as a reference for reading the length of the arm. In one envisaged embodiment of the invention, the first arm portion comprises a known resilient biasing mechanism 30, for example, of the type with a sliding guide with a resilient spring element which enables the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond the normal open position (Figures 7 to 8) . The invention is also suitable for use on frames with conventional hinges which cannot be opened out beyond the normal open position. In order to make the desired adjustment on the basis of the morphology of his own face and ears, the user slackens the clamping means by at least partially unscrewing the threaded sleeve 20 so as to release or loosen the engagement between the frustoconical surfaces 17, 18 and 20, 21, respectively. The -jaws 11a, lib are thus loosened, leaving the rod-like body free to slide in the seat 12. The exact position of each arm is found by trial, with the use, for a uniform adjustment of the arms, of the notches or marks provided on the rod-like body for this purpose. Once the optimal adjustment has been reached, the arm portions are locked relative to one another by re-tightening of the threaded sleeve 20 on the thread 16 so as to close the pincer element. Many modifications and variations, all falling within the same inventive concept, may be applied to the invention thus described. For example, the configuration described by way of example may be reversed with the rod-like body fixed to the hinge eye 4 and the pincer element in turn associated with the arm portion having the ear-piece 5a. Moreover, the appendages 15 may be formed by methods other than flattening and in different positions along the rod-like body. Above all, they may vary in number, the required result being achievable even with a single appendage.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A spectacle frame (5) with arms of adjustable length, in which each arm (5) comprises at least a first portion (6) and a second portion (7), the said arm portions (6, 7) being associated for sliding as extensions of one another, and each arm (5) also comprising restraining means for fixing the portions to one another, characterized in that the first portion (6) comprises a pincer element (10) and the second portion (7) comprises an elongate rod-like body (13) a portion of which is fitted in the pincer element, the restraining means including means for clamping the pincer element (10) in order to stop relative sliding of the portions (6, 7) in conditions of engagement. 2. A spectacle frame according to Claim 1, in which the first arm portion (6) comprises, at the opposite end to the pincer element, a hinge element (4) by which the arm (5) is articulated to a nose of the frame. 3. A spectacle frame according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the clamping means comprise an internally threaded sleeve (20) fitted on the pincer element (10) and screwed onto a thread (16) of the first arm portion (6), corresponding inclined surfaces (17, 18, 20, 21) being formed in the threaded sleeve (20) and on the pincer element (10) and cooperating with one another in order to clamp jaw means (11a, lib) of the pincer element (10) onto the second arm portion (7) as a result of the screwing of the threaded sleeve (20) onto the thread (16) . 4. A spectacle frame according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which guide means are provided in the pincer element (10) and on the rod-like body (13) for preventing relative rotation between the arm portions (6, 7) during sliding. 5. A spectacle frame according to Claim 4, in which the guide means comprise at least one slot (14) which is formed in the pincer element (10) and is elongate in the direction of sliding of the portions (6, 7), and at least one corresponding appendage (15) formed on the rod-like body (13) and engaged in the slot (14) . 6. A spectacle frame according to Claim 5, in which the pincer element (10) has at least two diametrally-opposed slots (14) defined between the jaw means (11a, lib), and the rod-like body (13) comprises two corresponding appendages (15) formed by flattening of the free end thereof which is housed in the pincer element (10) . 7. A spectacle frame according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which measuring means are provided on the rod-like body (13) and/or on the pincer element (10) for enabling the length of the arm (5) to be determined and both arms of the frame to be adjusted correspondingly. 8. A spectacle frame according to Claim 7, in which the measuring means comprise a plurality of marks (25) which are uniformly spaced longitudinally on the rod-like body (13) and can be set against the free end of the threaded sleeve (20) of the pincer element (10 ) .

Inventors: TABACCHI VITTORIO, TABACCHI, VITTORIO
Applicants: SAFILO SPA, TABACCHI VITTORIO, SAFILO SOCIETA' AZIONARIA FABBRICA ITALIANA LAVORAZIONE OCCHIALI S.P.A, TABACCHI, VITTORIO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G02C5
IPC codes: G02C5