Patent Publication Number: US-2010110367-A1

Title: Screwless mounting for eyeglasses

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/US2008/055684 filed 3 Mar. 2008, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/892,396 filed 1 Mar. 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a screwless mount system for eyeglasses for mounting lenses to frames. The invention has particular applicability to rimless eyeglass frames. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Known systems for mounting frames to eyeglasses, such as the Silhouette system, are complicated, unwieldy, time-consuming and costly to the consumer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an effective, inexpensive and quick eyeglass mount for mounting the temples or ear-pieces or end pieces of the frame to the part of the front part of the frame that holds the lenses. 
     Other and further objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is diagrammatic illustration of the novel mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view through a novel post as used in the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the post shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a novel lock bushing that coacts with the post. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the bushing shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is sectional view of a novel double post. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the double post shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of another novel post. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view through another novel lock bushing. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a novel modification of the post. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are views of a novel metal lock bushing. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are views of another novel metal lock bushing. 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view through another post. 
         FIGS. 17-19  are views of another post construction. 
         FIGS. 20-22  are views of still another post construction. 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are views of a novel post, lock bushing and washer assembly. 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view of another post. 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the post of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view through a lock bushing. 
         FIG. 28  and  FIG. 29  are views showing slits in eyeglass lens. 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of another lock bushing. 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the lock bushing of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view through still another post. 
         FIG. 33  is a diagrammatic view of the post of  FIG. 32  mounted on a temple or end-piece having tow projections. 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a washer. 
         FIG. 35  is a sectional view of the washer shown in  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of another lock bushing. 
         FIG. 37  is a sectional view of the bushing of  FIG. 35 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention provides a simple way to connect the temples or end pieces of a frame to either the front part or portion of the frame or to the lens directly. This is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As seen, the temple  10  and lens  12  are each provided with an opening through which a post  20  can pass. Post  20  is plastic and cut with grooves  22  to form ribs  23 . The top end of the post is recessed and threaded and receives a capped metal screw  24 . When the post  20  is projected through the opening a lock bushing  26  of special design is pushed onto the projected post and locks it into position. 
     This new screwless mounting system has all the benefits of a screw without the drawbacks. It provides the tightest and strongest fit of any system without having to apply excessive pressure on lens. A traditional screw and nut assembly can be tightened strongly but it applies pressure to the lens which can lead to cracks in the lens. Adjustments to pressure cannot be made with a standard compression mount system. The new inventive system can be made much longer than needed so that it can be used on any thickness lens. When installation is completed, the excess is cut off. It is easier and much faster to assemble lenses on a frame. 
       FIGS. 2 to 5  show a novel post  20  with grooves  22  and a top cap  28  inserted into a recess in the top of the post  20 . The lock bushing  26  is shown in section in  FIG. 4  and is composed of plastic and has inclined barbs  32  within its throughbore  30  to interact with the grooves and ribs of the post. The bushing can be pushed onto the post  20 , as the barbs  32  will slide by the ribs. However, the barbs will catch in the grooves  22  and lock the bushing against reverse movement. The top part of locking bushing  26  is provided with enough softness to allow compression that provides correct pressure on lens. Locking bushing  26  is best made out of silicone. The prongs or barbs  32  are made out of a stiff plastic embedded in the silicone of the bushing  26 . Another possibility for controlling pressure is to make the rods  20  out of a rubbery type material, so when pulled through the cap or locking bushing, the more it is pulled the stronger the pressure exerted on the cap and lens. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a construction that has two posts  40  with a common top  42 . This enables a slit to be formed in the lens or temple to prevent rotation. 
       FIGS. 8 to 11  show another version. Post or rod  20  is the same configuration as described. The cap or bushing  26  has only one prong or barb  32  to interact with the slightly upwardly inclined ribs  23 . The ribs are only present in one peripheral area as shown in  FIG. 11  at  44 . 
       FIGS. 12 to 15  show various caps or bushings  26  utilizing either metal or plastic or a combination of both. The post with which they interact is shown in 
       FIG. 16  and includes a metal top that threads into a recess in the top of the post of rod. 
       FIGS. 17 to 22  show two versions of metal rods or posts  20  which can be stamped out. 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show an assembly of a post  20  with a lock bushing  26  and a washer  46  mounted on the post  20 . The washer is made of a silicone to protect the lens. 
       FIGS. 25 to 29  illustrate the use of a post  20  rectangular in cross section. A metal cap  48  is press fitted into a recess in the top of the rod or post  20 . 
     Using a rectangular cross section enable the lens to have an elongated slit  52  in place of a round hole. This prevents rotation of the temple when received in the lens for rimless glass frames. 
       FIGS. 30 and 31  show a metal lock bushing or cap  26  consisting of an annular body  56  having inwardly projecting tabs or prongs  58  bent upwardly in a cruciform pattern. 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  show an arrangement consisting of a top recessed post or rod  20 , a top connecting bar  60  and a parallel depending tube  62  spaced from rod  20 . The ribs  23  appear only on one side. This arrangement has use with a temple  64  having a pair of spaced ribbed projections  66 . The post is fitted to one projection and the tube  62  to the other. The design using a post  20  and tube  62  enables the tube  62  to cover one projection to prevent rotation, and the rod  20  to cover the other barb for locking. A retaining ring may be crimped around projections and the plastic tube and post to ensure stronger hold. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 34 to 37  are a locking bushing or cap  26  having essentially two barbs or prongs  32 , and a washer  46  of silicone. The prongs  32  only appear over a short peripheral distance. Because the ribs  23  are only on one side, the prongs  32  can be rotated to remove. This configuration is meant to be used on frames designed for the SILHOUETTE mounting system and the like, using the prongs of the system and adapting the existing mounting system to work with them. 
     As evident from the above, the use of either two posts  20  or a post  20  and a tube  62  prevents rotation. The locking bushing is preferably made of plastic, but can be metal. The locking prongs  32  should be flexible, and only one prong may be necessary. The tops of the posts  20  can be made to match current basic screw head designs such star shape, hex, T screw, round, etc. Also, current manufacturers can change to this inventive system without having to change their current styling or molds. 
     The present inventive system can be all metal or all plastic or a combination of the two. Any shape screw head from most popular screws currently used in the industry or any new design required by any eyewear manufacturer can be used. It can replace the current screws being used without the need to redesign the frame. 
     Screw head types can be metal embedded in plastic or made all metal. 
     Ribbed part can be rigid or preferably soft bendable as steel wire (with ribs). 
     This way mounting lenses would have a lot more leeway and be easier to mount. 
     Use of locking mechanism with ribs and lock on one side only with alternate shape for ribs and locking pin is an advance of the present invention. Use of interchangeable head gives great advantage. 
     By using the curved edge on the rod acting as a cam, and the curved edge on the locking mechanism (bushing), the locking mechanism can be twisted on and off. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, changes will be evident to those skilled in the art. Such changes are deemed to come within the purview of the claims.