Year: 1888

page_text: I, CHARLES MACKENZIE of 120, Price Street, Birkenhead in the County of Chester,
Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
That portion of spectacles which is most liable to break is the bridge connecting the
eye or bow. Considerable expense is involved when this occurs, and either a new
frame is necessary or else the broken parts have to be soldered or otherwise fastened
together. The bridge piece has to be made in various sizes to suit the wearers thus
involving a larger stock of spectacles being kept by the retailer than would be the
case, if one size of spectacles could be worn. Spectacles constructed in accordance
with this invention, obviate the above disadvantages.
In carrying out my invention, I construct the eyes or bows, and the bridge in
separate parts, instead of making them in one piece as heretofore. There are several
ways of attaching the ends of the latter to the bows. In one arrangement I provide a
lug or projection on the bows, and enlarge the ends of the bridge so as to form an eye,
and connect the parts firmly together by means of a screw or pin; or a jaw could be
provided instead of a lug, or in place of the eye or enlargement on the ends of the
bridge. In another arrangement I provide a socket, lug, or dip on each bow into
which the ends of the bridge can be inserted with or without the intervention of pins,
so as to hold all tightly together. There are however, other arrangements which may
be adopted with success.
By this invention spectacles may be made to fit any person by simply attaching a
bridge of suitable shape or size. Or in the event of a breakage occurring, a new
bridge can be provided, and attached without expense beyond the cost of the bridge
itself. By my invention spectacles can be taken to pieces when desired, and packed in
a very small compass.
Dated this 4th day of August 1888

page_text: I, CHARLES MACKENZIE, of 120, Price Street, Birkenhead, in the County of
Chester, 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:-
That portion of spectacles which is most liable to break is the bridge connecting the
eye or bow. Considerable expense is involved when this occurs, and either a new
frame is necessary or else the broken parts have to be soldered or otherwise fastened
together. The bridge piece has to be made in various sizes to suit the wearers, thus
involving a larger stock of spectacles being kept by the retailer than would be the
case, if one size of spectacles could be worn. Spectacles constructed in accordance
with this invention, obviate the above disadvantages.
In carrying out my invention, I construct the eyes or bows, and the bridge in
separate parts, instead of making them in one piece as heretofore. There are several
ways of attaching the ends of the latter to the bows. In one arrangement, I provide
a lug or projection on the bows, and enlarge the ends of the bridge so as to form an
eye, and connect the parts firmly together by means of a screw or pin; or a jaw
could be provided instead of a lug, or in place of the eye or enlargement on the ends
of the bridge. In another arrangement, I provide a socket, lug, or dip on each bow
into which the ends of the bridge can be inserted with or without the intervention of
pins, so as to hold all tightly together. There are however other arrangements which
may be adopted with success.
Referring to the drawings
:-
Figure 1 is an elevation showing one method of attaching the bridge to the bows
of a pair of spectacles.
Figure 2 is a plan.
Figure 3 is a plan of a slight modification.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of a portion of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
A is the bridge of the spectacles, which connects the two bows or rims B B.
These rims are provided with the usual hinges B' for connecting them with the
sides.
At the point where the bridge A is connected to the two bows B B, each of the
latter is provided with a lug or socket 6 into which one end a of the bridge A is
inserted and held firmly in place by means of a screw b¹. The ends a of the bridge
may be provided with flats or indentations in or against which the screws will bear.
By reference to Figures 2 and 4, it will be seen that the lugs a are inserted in the
sockets b in a direct line with the middle of the bows B. I sometimes, however,
attach the bridge ends behind the edges of the bows or rims as seen in Figure 3, as
by this arrangement the spectacles are better adapted to fit some kinds of faces. It is
preferable to place the screws b¹ b' on a line passing through the centre of the side
joints as seen in Figure 1.

page_text: By this invention spectacles may be made to fit a person by simply attaching a
bridge of suitable shape or size. Or in the event of a breakage occurring, a new
bridge can be provided and attached without expense beyond the cost of the bridge
itself. By my invention, spectacles can be taken to pieces when desired, and packed
in a very small compass.
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. The manufacture of spectacles with the bridge in a separate piece from the eyes
or bows, but attached thereto by pin and socket or other fastening device, whereby the
bridges can be made of different sizes so as to be interchangeable, and thus the same
bows be made to fit any face, at pleasure.
2. The improvements in spectacles, whereby the parts can be made interchangeable,
and be put together and taken to pieces at pleasure, and packed in small compass,
substantially as described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.