Improvements in and relating to Spectacles.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Spectacles.
I, WILLIAM SALT, of 65, Hatton Garden, London, E.C., Manufacturing
Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be follows:-
This invention relates to spectacles, and has for its object to provide a
spectacle that shall be capable of being comfortably and firmly placed in position
upon the face and which when folded shall occupy a minimum of space.
The invention consists of a spectacle in which the sides are of such length
that their extremities bear upon or immediately behind the cheek-bones of
the wearer and have such a bearing surface as to firmly hold the spectacle in
position upon the nose so that it cannot be removed accidentally. In spectacles
as usually made and worn the sides are provided of such length as to reach
beyond the ear. In such cases the hair of the wearer is an obstruction and
often causes the frame to sit awkwardly, while also causing sometimes a scratch-
ing on the side of the head, while the extremities, having a bearing at one point
only, often cause the front of the spectacle frame to rise up from the nose. Spec-
tacles provided with curled sides or extremities are manufactured to overcome
some of the disadvantages of the ordinary form of spectacle, but these are found
awkward to place in position and cause irritation to many wearers, while occupy-
ing, at the same time, such a space when folded as to be inconvenient to carry.
Spectacles having the extremities of their sides formed as hinged to the main
part are also manufactured, but these have the disadvantage of being awkward
to manipulate in placing the spectacles upon the face, while the hinged
extremities frequently become entangled with the hair and are thereby a source
of annoyance. The present invention has for its object to overcome the dis-
advantages that attend the use of spectacles of such ordinary forms.
In carrying the invention into effect the sides of the spectacle frame are formed
of comparatively short length so that their extremities may bear upon or immedi-
ately behind the cheek bones and in front of the ears. The extremities are each
preferably formed so that they shall have a transversely extended bearing surface.
For example each of the extremities may be bifurcated or trifurcated and each
of the extremities provided with a piece of rubber, cork, leather, or other soft
material to give a comfortable as well as a firm hold. The invention is not
limited to the particular form of the bearing surface of the extremity of the
sides and may be employed, an essential feature of the invention being a trans-
versely extended bearing surface in a spectacle having sides of comparatively short
length. The sides of the spectacle as in the ordinary form bear with a slight
pressure against the side of the head of the wearer. The sides of the spectacles
may be so provided that when drawn from the face the sides shall automatically
fold in line with the frame by such means as spiral springs mounted upon the
hingeing pins or by the elasticity of the sides themselves. By providing a
spectacle in accordance with the invention the frame is caused to have a firm seat
Th
011

page_text: upon the nose, while, when folded, the spectacle can be put into a case of very
small dimensions, seeing that the sides, when folded, will not extend beyond
the limits of the frame.
is in day 01 May 1
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.
I, WILLIAM SALT, of 65, Hatton Garden, London, E.C., Manufacturing
Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to spectacles, and has for its object to provide a
spectacle that shall be capable of being comfortably and firmly placed in position
upon the face and which when folded shall occupy a minimum of space.
The invention consists of a spectacle in which the sides are of such length
that their extremities bear upon or immediately behind the cheek bones of
the wearer and have such a bearing surface as to firmly hold the spectacle in
position upon the nose so that it cannot be removed accidentally. In spectacles
as usually made and worn the sides are provided of such length as to reach
beyond the ear. In such cases the hair of the wearer is an obstruction, and
often causes the frame to sit awkwardly, while also causing sometimes a scratch-
ing on the side of the head, while the extremities having a bearing at one point
only, often cause the front of the spectacle frame to rise up from the nose. Spec-
tacles provided with curled sides or extremities are manufactured to overcome
some of the disadvantages of the ordinary form of spectacle but these are found
awkward to place in position and cause irritation to many wearers, while occupy-
ing, at the same time, such a space when folded as to be inconvenient to carry.
Spectacles having the extremities of their sides formed as hinged to the main
part are also manufactured, but these have the disadvantage of being awkward
to manipulate in placing the spectacles upon the face, while the hinged
extremities frequently become entangled with the hair and are thereby, a source
of annoyance. The present invention has for its object to overcome the dis-
advantages that attend the use of spectacles of such ordinary forms.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan of a pair of spectacles constructed in accordance with my
present invention.
Figures 2 to 13 inclusive are details of the end enlargements, and
Figure 14 shows a modification of my end, when made as a sliding member.
In carrying my invention into effect, the sides A of the spectacle frame are
formed of comparatively short length, so that their extremities may bear upon
The extremi-
or immediately behind the cheek bones and in front of the ears.
ties B are each preferably formed so that they shall have a transversely extended
bearing surface B B¹. For example each of the extremities may be bifurcated
or trifurcated, as in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, and each of the extremities may
be provided with a piece of rubber, cork, leather or other suitable material to
give a comfortable as well as a firm hold. In Figure 2 the extended bearing is
obtained by spirally bending the end as shown. The invention is not limited to

page_text: the particular form of the bearing surface of the extremity of the sides, that may
be employed, an essential feature of the invention being a transversely extending
bearing surface in a spectacle having sides of comparatively short length. The
sides of the spectacle as in the ordinary form bear with a slight
the wearer. The sides of
pressure against the side of the head of
the spectacles may be so provided, that when drawn from the face the
sides shall automatically fold in line with the frame by such means as spiral
springs C, mounted upon the hingeing pins as shown in Figure 13, or by the
elasticity of the sides themselves. I make the end extensible, by forming a
loose collar-like socket or carrier D thereon as shown in Figure 14. By provid
ing a spectacle in accordance with the invention the frame is caused to have
a firm seat upon the nose, while, when folded, the spectacle can be put into a
case of very small dimensions, seeing that the sides when folded, will not extend
beyond the limits of the frame.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1.) In spectacles the improved arrangement of the ends whereby an enlarged
or extended bearing surface is obtained for engagement with the side of the head,
substantially as herein before described, and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2.) In spectacles provided with extended bearing ends or extremities as described
in the first claim, providing such extended bearing surfaces with cork, india-
rubber or other resilient material coverings or pads, substantially as hereinbefore
described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of February
1900.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.
uary 1900.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.