Abstract:
A lens pad is provided for use on a lens clamp. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which, in turn, has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally thereon. The lens-engaging surface thus is annular. Alternatively, the lens-engaging surface is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no recess or variation in resiliency. Also provided is a clamp pad assembly. The clamp pad assembly includes a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The clamp pad assembly also may include a swivel member which is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto, in which case, the lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting therewith. The clamp pad assembly also may include a quick-release system capable of frictionally connecting the rotatable body to the clamp arm. The quick-release system permits quick removal and replacement of the clamp pad assembly for purposes of repair, changing lens pad configurations, changing lens pad sizes, and the like.

Description:
This is a Non-Provisional Application of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/112,568 filed on Dec. 16, 1998, and entitled Quick-Release Lens Clamp Pad Assembly for Use in Eyeglass Lens Processing. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a quick-release lens clamp pad assembly for use in eyeglass lens processing. The quick-release clamp pad assembly is particularly useful in the context of lens edging, although it is understood that the invention is not limited to that particular context. 
     Eyeglass lenses which carry anti-reflective coatings are becoming increasingly popular. In the past, however, when such lenses have been subjected to processing (e.g., during edging for purposes of adapting the lenses to a particular eyeglass frame or during other processing where the lens is held by its center), there has been a tendency to crack, craze or otherwise deteriorate the anti-reflective coating. Such deterioration has been found to occur as a result of the pressure exerted on the coating(s) when such lenses are clamped at their respective centers. There is consequently a need in the art for a lens clamp capable of holding lenses for edge or near-edge processing, which clamp also avoids or at least reduces the possibility of damage to anti-reflective coatings. 
     Another recent trend in the eyeglass industry is for the lenses of eyeglasses to be smaller in diameter. The latter trend is based at least partially on recent changes in fashion. While some people accept such changes in fashion, others resist. There is consequently a need for lens processing devices which are easily adaptable to avoid damage to anti-reflective coatings and which also are adaptable to processing of lenses of various diameters, including the types of lenses which are referred to in the eyeglass industry as “half-eye” lenses. 
     There also is a need in the art for a lens clamp pad assembly which can be used to secure a lens in place, and which also provides quick-release capabilities, whereby the lens clamp pad assembly can be easily replaced with an identical, a similar, or a different lens clamp pad assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a lens clamp capable of holding lenses for edge or near-edge processing, which clamp also avoids or at least reduces the possibility of damage to anti-reflective coatings. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens clamp which easily adapts a lens processing device to avoid damage to anti-reflective coatings and which also adapts the lens processing device for processing of lenses of various diameters, including the types of lenses which are referred to in the eyeglass industry as “half-eye” lenses. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lens clamp pad assembly which can be used to secure a lens in place, and which also provides quick-release capabilities, whereby the lens clamp pad assembly can be easily replaced with an identical, a similar, or a different lens clamp pad assembly. 
     To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a lens pad for use on a lens clamp. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface. The lens-engaging surface has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally on the lens-engaging surface, whereby the lens-engaging surface is annular. 
     The present invention also provides a lens pad for use on a lens clamp, wherein the lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no variation in resiliency. 
     Also provided by the present invention is a clamp pad assembly. The clamp pad assembly includes a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface. The lens-engaging surface has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally on the lens-engaging surface, whereby the lens-engaging surface is annular. 
     The present invention also provides a clamp pad assembly having a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm, wherein the lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no variation in resiliency. 
     Also provided by the present invention is a clamp pad assembly comprising a lens pad, a rotatable body, and a swivel member. The rotatable body is for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The swivel member is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto. The lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting therewith. 
     The present invention also provides a clamp pad assembly comprising a lens pad, a rotatable body, and a quick-release system. The rotatable body is for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The quick-release system is capable of frictionally connecting the rotatable body to the clamp arm. 
     Also provided by the present invention is a clamp pad assembly comprising a shaft, an O-ring in each of at least one O-ring groove of the shaft, a bearing, a rotatable body, a swivel member, and a lens pad. The shaft has first and second portions spaced longitudinally along the shaft. The first portion has at least one circumferential O-ring groove. An O-ring(s) is (are) provided in the O-ring groove(s), the O-ring(s) being resilient so that insertion of the first portion into a clamp arm opening causes compression of the O-ring(s) and over-ridable frictional retention of the first portion of the shaft in the opening of the clamp arm. The bearing is located against the second portion of the shaft. The rotatable body is mounted to the bearing for rotation with respect to the shaft. The swivel member is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto. The lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting with the swivel member. 
     The above and other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of clamp pad assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 1, when mounted on a first preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 1, when mounted on a second preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 2, when mounted on the first preferred clamp shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when mounted on the second preferred clamp shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a clamp pad assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 6, when mounted on the first preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 6, when mounted on a second preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 7, when mounted on the first preferred clamp shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, when mounted on the second preferred clamp shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 11,  12 , and  13  are rear, side, and front views, respectively, of a shaft which is used in both the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional and front views, respectively, of a rotatable body which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 are rear and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a swivel member which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 18,  19 , and  20  are front, cross-sectional, and rear views, respectively, of a replaceable pad which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23  are front, cross-sectional, and rear views, respectively, of a replaceable pad which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIGS. 24 and 25 are rear and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a swivel member which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIGS. 26,  27 , and  28  are rear, cross-sectional, and front views, respectively, of a rotatable body which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be described hereinafter in the exemplary context of an edging apparatus (e.g., an apparatus which provides edging of a lens for purposes of adapting the lens to a particular eyeglass frame). An exemplary edger is shown in Wagner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,422, assigned to the assignee hereof, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to use in connection with an edging apparatus. 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a clamp pad assembly  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The clamp pad assembly  10  includes two O-rings  12 , a shaft  14 , an O-ring  15  which is, in diameter, larger than the O-rings  12 , a thrust bearing  16 , a rotatable body  18 , a swivel member  20 , a fastener  22 , and a counterbored pad  24 . 
     The O-rings  12  and  14  preferably are made of rubber, synthetic rubber, or any other suitably resilient material. The shaft  14  and rotatable body  18  preferably are made of stainless steel or the like. The swivel member  20  preferably is made of brass or the like, and the counterbored pad  24  preferably is made of rubber, synthetic rubber, or any other suitably resilient material. While the foregoing materials are preferred, it is understood that the invention is not limited to embodiments which use any or all of the foregoing exemplary materials. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly  10 . In FIG. 2, the clamp pad assembly  10  is shown mounted on a first preferred clamp arm  26  of an edging apparatus. While the entire edging apparatus is not shown, such edging apparatuses are known. One example of such a lens edging apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,422, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, with the clamp arm  216  therein corresponding to the clamp arm  26  hereof. 
     During an edging operation, the lens, which is to be subjected to the edging operation, is rotatably held between two clamping members. The clamp pad assembly  10  and the clamp arm  26  can be used advantageously to define one of the clamping members. The clamp pad assembly  10  and clamp arm  26  preferably define the clamping member which is axially movable to selectively release or secure the lens in place. The clamp pad assembly  10  is provided on the axially movable clamping member to avoid damage to the lens when the lens is clamped in place. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the O-rings  12  circumferentially surround the shaft  14 . Recesses  30  are provided in the shaft  14  to accommodate the O-rings  12 , as best shown in FIG.  1 . The shaft  14  has a portion  32  of smaller diameter than a portion  34 . The O-rings  12  are mounted about the portion  32  of smaller diameter. 
     The portion  34  of larger diameter is where the larger O-ring  15  is mounted. The larger O-ring  15  is accommodated in a suitably dimensioned recess  36  which circumferentially surrounds the region  34  of the shaft  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the portion  32  of smaller diameter fits snugly into a hole  40  in the clamp arm  26 . When the portion  32  is pressed into the hole  40 , the O-rings  12  are compressed and provide a press-fit retention effect, which keeps the clamp pad assembly  10  secured to the arm  26 . Notably, this press-fit retention effect can be manually or otherwise overcome by pulling axially on the clamp pad assembly  10 . A quick-release arrangement therefore is achieved. The clamp pad assembly  10  can be secured easily to the arm  26  by merely pressing the portion  32  into the hole  40 , and can be removed easily from the arm  26  by merely pulling on the assembly  10  until the portion  32  slides out from the hole  40 . Such a quick-release arrangement advantageously facilitates rapid removal, servicing, repair and/or replacement of the clamp pad assembly  10 . The replacement advantageously can be performed using an identical assembly  10 , a reconditioned assembly  10 , a different assembly  10  (e.g., different in size, shape, or otherwise), or a new assembly  10  which is the same as the replaced assembly was when new. 
     If it becomes desirable to forego the quick-release arrangement, a second fastener  41  (e.g., a #6-32 FHSC screw which is 0.375 inch long) can be inserted through a suitable opening in the arm  26  and can be threadedly received by the shaft  14 , as best shown in FIG.  2 . The illustrated embodiment therefore is easily adaptable to the particular needs of each user. 
     The shaft  14  also includes a race  38  about which the thrust bearing  16  is mounted. The thrust bearing  16  provides an interface between the shaft  14  and the rotatable body  18 , which permits rotation of the rotatable body  18  with respect to the rotationally stationary shaft  14 . In particular, the thrust bearing  16  and the race  38  are accommodated in a thrust bearing pocket  42  of the rotatable body  18 . A pocket  44  of larger diameter than the pocket  42  also is provided in the rotatable body  18 . The pocket  44  of larger diameter accommodates the portion  34  of larger diameter and the O-ring  15 . The rotatable body  18  also includes a through-hole  46  which allows the fastener  22  to pass through the rotatable body  18  and to be threadedly received by an internally threaded bore  48  of the shaft  14 . 
     The rotatable body  18  further includes a swivel pocket  50 . The swivel pocket  50  accommodates a similarly shaped portion of the swivel member  20 . The swivel member  20  rotates with the rotatable body  18  when the rotatable body  18  rotates. A through-hole  52  is provided in the swivel member  20 . The fastener  22  passes through the through-hole  52 , and after passing through the through-hole  46  of the rotatable body  18 , the fastener  22  threadedly engages the shaft  14 . Preferably, the fastener  22  is threadedly engaged into the shaft  14  and then is rotated out (or loosened) by about one full turn to permit swiveling of the swivel member  20 . A thread-locking compound (or tape) may be used to keep the fastener  22  from further loosening. One example of such a thread-locking compound is commercially available under the trademark “LOC-TITE”. The swiveling provided by the swivel member  20  advantageously compensates for variations in the curvature of a lens (e.g., any angularity induced by prism). Compensation for asymmetric lenses is thereby provided. 
     Preferably, the fastener  22  has a flat head  54 , a shank  56 , and a shoulder  58  between the head  54  and the shank  56 . The shoulder  58  preferably has a diameter which progressively increases from the shank  56  to the head  54 . 
     After the fastener  22  is secured in place, the counterbored pad  24  is applied to the swivel member  20 . In particular, the counterbored pad  24  has a shank  60  which is accommodated and frictionally retained in a pad recess  62  of the swivel member  20 . A shoulder  63  of the counterbored pad  24  provides a transition to a head  64  of the pad  24 . The head  64  is hollowed out to form a lens-center-facing circular recess  66 . The lens-center-facing recess  66  advantageously distributes pressing forces over a greater surface area than would be case without the recess  66 . In particular, pressing of the clamp pad assembly  10  against a suitably positioned lens causes the majority of the pressing forces to be applied over the larger surface area defined by the annular lens-engaging surface  68  of the pad  24 . The force per unit of surface area therefore is reduced because of the larger distribution of pressing forces. The larger distribution of pressing forces thereby serves to reduce or eliminate the detrimental effects on the lens and its coatings which might otherwise occur as a result of more concentrated pressing forces. 
     The advantages of the present recess  66  are realized regardless of whether the pad  24  is applied against a concave, convex, or substantially flat surface of a lens. In situations where an annular lens block is adhesively attached to the opposite surface of the lens, the recess  66  advantagously causes the pad  24  to push the lens more directly against the block, with the pressing force distributed over a greater surface area. 
     While a counterbored pad  24  is shown as the exemplary way of achieving the larger distribution of pressing forces, it is understood that similar results can be achieved using, for example, a composite lens engaging surface of discretely or progressively increasing rigidity toward radially outer portions of the lens engaging surface. The present invention thus is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. 
     Advantageously, the frictional retention of the counterbored pad  24  in the swivel member  20  facilitates replacement and/or repair of the pad  24 . When the pad  24  wears out, for example, the pad  24  is pulled out from the swivel member  20  and is easily replaced or repaired. Since the clamp pad assembly  10  preferably is secured to the arm  26  using a quick-release arrangement, the replacement and/or repair of the pad  24  can be achieved quickly and easily by either pulling out the pad  24  alone or, if desired, by pulling out the entire clamp pad assembly  10  and removing the pad  24  after removal of the entire clamp pad assembly  10 . The versatility provided by the illustrated arrangement represents yet another advantage of the present invention. 
     Of course, if replacement of the entire assembly  10  is more desirable than replacement of the pad  24  alone, it is understood that the pad  24  can be secured permanently to the swivel member  18 . Typically, however, the ability to remove the pad  24  will be preferred. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly  10  shown in FIG. 1, when mounted on a second preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. In the second preferred clamp, the clamp arm  26  has an angled back side  28 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 2, when mounted on the first preferred clamp shown in FIG.  2 . In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the fastener  22  is shorter and therefore does not extend into the shaft  14 . In FIG. 2, the fastener  22  (e.g., a #6-32 FHSC screw) is about 0.625 inch long, whereas in FIG. 4, the fastener  22  is about 0.375 inch long. The fastener  22  shown in FIG. 4, therefore, is not threadedly received by the shaft  14 , but rather is threadedly received by the clamp body  18 . The O-ring  15  thus is primarily responsible for holding the assembly  10  together in the embodiment of FIG.  4 . 
     Otherwise, the components which make up the assembly  10  in FIG. 4 are substantially the same as their counterparts in FIG.  2 . FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when mounted on the second preferred clamp shown in FIG.  3 . Notably, the clamp arm  26  has an angled back side  28 . 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a clamp pad assembly  10 ′ according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment shares many similar components to its counterpart shown in FIG.  1 . The second embodiment differs, however, in that it is adapted for use on lenses (e.g., half-eye lenses) having smaller dimensions, especially smaller diametric dimensions (or lenses which are to be cut or edged to have smaller diametric dimensions). The counterbored pad  24  in FIG. 6 therefore has a smaller diameter than that which appears in FIG. 1. A smaller lens engaging surface  68  therefore is presented. Though the distribution of pressing forces tends to not be as large in the embodiment of FIG. 6 as that of the assembly  10  shown in FIG. 1, it nevertheless represents an improvement over the centrally concentrated pressing forces which result from other pad arrangements. 
     To compensate for the decrease in force distribution and the consequent increase in force per unit length around the annular lens-engaging surface  68 , when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a pad  24  with an increased thickness between the shoulder  63  and the wall  70  of the recess  66 . This increased thickness eliminates (or at least significantly reduces) the likelihood of failure (e.g., cracking) in response to the decreased force distribution. Of course, it is understood that the invention is not limited to this exemplary way of compensating for the decreases and increases in force distribution associated with the different sizes of pads  24 . Such compensation also can be achieved by using different materials, reinforcement, and the like. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly  10 ′ shown in FIG. 6, when mounted on the first preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. The clamp arm  26  is again designated using reference numeral  26 . Notably, the quick-release arrangement provided by the shaft  14 , O-rings  12 , and the arm  26  facilitates switching of the clamp pad assembly  10 ′ for the assembly  10  and vice versa. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled clamp pad assembly  10 ′ shown in FIG. 6, when mounted on the second preferred clamp of an edging apparatus. Notably, the angled back side  28  is present. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamp pad assembly shown in FIG. 7, when mounted on the first preferred clamp shown in FIG.  7 . In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the primary difference from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is that the fastener  22  is shorter and therefore does not extend as far into the shaft  14 . Otherwise, the components which make up the assembly  10 ′ in FIG. 9 are substantially the same as their counterparts in FIG.  7 . FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, when mounted on the second preferred clamp shown in FIG.  8 . Notably, the clamp arm  26  has the angled back side  28 . 
     FIGS. 11,  12 , and  13  are rear, side, and front views, respectively, of the shaft  14  which is used in both the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The shaft  14  preferably is about 0.610 inch long, and at its widest part, preferably has a diameter of about 0.593 to 0.597 inch. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional and front views, respectively, of the rotatable body  18  which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . Preferably, the outside diameter of the rotatable body  18  is about 0.875 inch. A preferred length of the rotatable body  18  is about 0.690 inch. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 are rear and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the swivel member  20  which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . Preferably, the outside diameter of the swivel member  20  is about 0.875 inch. The inside diameter preferably is about 0.482 inch at the entrance to the pad recess  62  and progressively increases at a rate of about 3 degrees. This progressively increasing inside diameter of the pad recess  62  provides an enhanced grip on the shank  60  of the lens pad  24  and more positively maintains a desired position of the shank  60  in the swivel member  20 . Preferably, the swivel member  20  has a length of about 0.392 inch. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 18,  19 , and  20  are front, cross-sectional, and rear views, respectively, of the replaceable pad  24  which is used in the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . Preferably, the head  64  of the pad  24  has an outside diameter of about 0.8 inch, and the shank  60  has an outside diameter of about 0.5 inch. The pad  24  preferably is about 0.325 inch long, with the head  64  accounting for about 0.125 inch of the 0.325 inch length and the shank  60  accounting for the other 0.200 inch of the 0.325 inch length. The recess  66  of the pad  24  preferably is about 0.08 inch deep. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23  are front, cross-sectional, and rear views, respectively, of the replaceable pad  24  which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . Preferably, the pad in FIG. 6 has the same length dimensions as the pad shown in FIG.  1  and the same shank diameter, as well. The outside diameter of the head  64  of the pad  24  in FIGS. 6,  21 ,  22 , and  23 , however, is 0.650 inch. Also, the recess  66  of the pad  24  in FIGS.  6  and  21 - 23  preferably is about 0.067 inch deep at its deepest point. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 24 and 25 are rear and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the swivel member  20  which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . Preferably, the outside diameter of the swivel member  20  in FIGS. 6,  24  and  25  is about 0.65 inch. The inside diameter preferably is about 0.482 inch at the entrance to the pad recess  62  and progressively increases at a rate of about 3 degrees. This progressively increasing inside diameter of the pad recess  62  provides an enhanced grip on the shank  60  of the lens pad  24  and more positively maintains a desired position of the shank  60  in the swivel member  20 . Preferably, the swivel member  20  has a length of about 0.392 inch (i.e. the same length as that of the swivel member  20  in FIG.  1 ). Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 26,  27 , and  28  are rear, cross-sectional, and front views, respectively, of the rotatable body  18  which is used in the second embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . Preferably, the outside diameter of the rotatable body  18  in FIGS.  6  and  26 - 28  is about 0.65 inch. A preferred length of the rotatable body  18  is about 0.6 inch. Additional preferred dimensions are shown in the drawings of the provisional application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred dimensions and shapes are shown, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred dimensions and shapes. Variations from the preferred dimensions and shapes are contemplated and would fall well within the scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrated embodiments achieved several advantages over conventional clamp pads. The ability to quickly replace lens clamp pad assemblies provides increased versatility and manufacturing efficiencies. One such efficiency is realized by a reduction in the downtime which is usually required to replace a worn or otherwise inappropriate clamp pad and/or related assembly. 
     While the advantages of the present invention typically will be maximized by combining all of the advantageous aspects described above, it is understood that individual aspects can be used without the various other advantageous aspects. The quick-release arrangement, for example, can be used with pads which lack the recess  66 . The quick-release arrangement also can be used to facilitate changes from assemblies which carry the pads with the recess  66  to those which carry the pads without the recess, when the recess is not needed (e.g., when fragile coatings are not applied to the lenses), and vice versa when the recess is needed. The quick-release arrangement also can be used, with or without the other advantageous aspects of the invention, to facilitate quick switching between lens pad assemblies having lens pads of different sizes. This, in turn, permits rapid adaptation of lens processing devices to accommodate lenses having different sizes. 
     Likewise, the pads  24  with the recess  66  can be provided on a clamp pad assembly which does not include a quick-release arrangement. The removability of the pad  24  from the swivel member  18  also can be provided with or without the quick-release arrangement and/or counterbored pads  24 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated and described features. To the contrary, the invention is capable of further modifications, usages, and/or adaptations following the general principles of the invention and therefore includes such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features set forth above, and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.