Improvements in Frameless Spectacles and Eye Glasses.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Frameless Spectacles and Eye Glasses.
1, WALTER SCOTT ESSICK, Machinist, of Reading, State of Pennsylvania,
U.S.A. do hereby declare the nature of this inventiou 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 that class of spectacles and eye glasses known as
"frameless," in which the nose piece and temple joints are secured directly to
the lens.
Heretofore these fittings have been made in the form of clips the opposing ears
of which span the lens and are bound together against the opposite faces of the
latter, a screw commonly passing through perforations in one of the ears and in
the lens; and engaging a screw threaded perforation in the opposite ear.
A very serious objection to this construction is, that it necessitates the keeping in
stock of a variety of clip fittings adapted to various thicknesses of lens; and even
with such variety, it is practically difficult if not impossible to properly fit them
to the lenses. A further serious objection is that even when carefully fitted and
fastened the liability of breakage of the lenses is so great as to cause many to
prefer the framed construction. It is my object to overcome both of these
objections and this I have accomplished by means of the simple but important
improvements described in connection with the accompanying drawing, the novel
features of which are specified in the claims.
Fig. 1 shows a clip fitting of ordinary form; and Figures 2 and 3 represent the
same applied to lenses of considerable curvature.
Fig. 4 shows my improved single ear fitting; and Figure 5 represents the same
applied to the lens shown in Figure 2.
Fig. 6.shows my improved fitting in modified form applied to a lens of opposite
curvature from that shown in Figure 5.
The fittings represented in Figures 1 and 4 are temple joints; but it will be unders-
stood that the invention relates equally to other attachments such as the nose pieces
of either spectacles or eye glasses. The ordinary form of fitting A, represented in
Figure 1, is provided with two parallel ears a a¹ between which the lens is inserted
and ordinarily clamped by means of a clamping screw which passes through one
ear and the lens and screws into the other ear. Owing to the endless variety of
Jenses both as to curvature and thickness, fittings of various dimensions and shape
must be made and kept in stock by all dealers pretending to be properly equipped.
Moreover in Fig. 2 is indicated one of the difficulties arising in the practical use
of these fittings, the ears a a' being so bent as to approximately fit the double
concave lens on both faces, which is an obviously difficult operation; while proper
alignment of the holes as a in the ears of the fitting with the perforation 6 in the
lens is more so. When these difficulties are successfully overcome however as
indicated in Figure 3, the clamping by means of a screw B¹ is very ineffective
owing to the unequal strain brought to bear upon the lens around the hole b, as
indicated; a defect which is not only liable to quickly cause the loosening of the
connection but also to cause breakage of the lens, even in the act of tightening up
the clamping screw.
In my improved fitting C I provide a bearing against one face only of the lens,.
thus rendering it at once equally applicable to lenses of all thicknesses. The
single ear may be readily bent to suit the curvature of the surface against which
it is to bear, and it is then clamped against said surface as firmly as possible
without danger of strain or breakage, by means of a clamping screw and washer D
and E as shown in Figure 5 and 6. In these constructions the hemi-spherical

page_text: head of the screw seats itself properly in the correspondingly shaped recess or
socket e¹ of the washer while allowing the latter to properly adjust itself to the
surface of the lens, the opening e in the washer being sufficiently larger than the
body of the screw D to permit it to assume any required angle to the latter as
shown. In the simpler form of construction indicated in Figure 6 the hole in the
ear is tapped to properly receive the threaded end of the screw in the saine
manner as shown in Figure 3; the effect of my improved construction however
being to firmly clasp the material around the hole in the lens so as to practically
reinforce and strengthen it instead of straining it as in the prior construction,
while at the same time producing a far more firm connection of the fitting.
Instead of tapping a thread directly in the car however a hemi-spherical nut d, as
shown in Figure 5 may be used thus duplicating the construction at the head of
the screw, and providing a complete universal joint connection. If the screw be
reversed so that the nut is in contact with the washer the result is obviously
the same.
It will be noticed that in my improved construction as in the old form, the
fitting shoulders at c¹ against the edge of the lens, so as to avoid possible turning
upon the screw D. In Figures 4 and 5 1 also indicate a means of preventing
turning of the washer E consisting of a projecting finger on the washer,
arranged to loosely engage a depending extension of the fitting; but I do not
consider any such provision essential to the satisfactory working of my invention
inasmuch as I have found by practical use that the clamping construction may be
safely made so as to securely fasten the fitting. And moreover I have found by
severe tests that the uniform pressure thus secured upon the lens greatly decreases
the liability of breakage and enables me to place the hole for the clamping screw
so much nearer the edge of the lens as to materially extend the sight, thus largely
obviating another objection to frameless glasses.
As already stated a single size of my improved fitting may be quickly adapted
to any shape and thickness of lens, thus avoiding the necessity of keeping a varied
stock on hand. The screws may be readily cut off to suit any given lens. The
lenses also may have the screw holes drilled at a uniform distance from the edge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In spectacles or eye glasses, a frameless lens and a metallic fitting thereto
having one clamping ear only contacting with one face of the lens and a clamping
screw passing through a perforation in the lens and engaging said ear substantially
as set forth.
2. A fitting for a frameless spectacle lens, having one clamping ear only
adapted to bear against one face of the lens, a shoulder forming a stop against
the edge of the lens and a perforation in said ear for a clamping screw
substantially as set forth.
3. In spectacles or eye glasses, a frameless lens and a metallic fitting thereto
having one clamping ear only to contact with one face of the lens, a clamping
screw passing through a perforation in the lens, and engaging said car, and a
washer interposed between the head of the screw and the opposite face of the lens
and in which said head is socketed, substantially as set forth.
4. A perforated spectacle lens having a fitting clamped against one face thereof
by means of a clamping screw passing through the perforation in the lens and a
washer for said screw adjustably seated against the opposite face of the lens
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1896
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.