Patent ID: 7559829

Claim:
Tool for surfacing an optical surface, including: a rigid support ( 104 ; 104 ′; 104 ″; 104 ′″) having a transverse end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′); an elastically compressible interface ( 105 ) that is pressed against and covers said end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′); a flexible pad ( 106 ) adapted to be pressed against the optical surface that is pressed against and covers at least part of the interface ( 105 ) on the side opposite and in line with said end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′), said pad ( 106 ) having a central portion that is located in line with said end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′) and a peripheral portion that is located transversely beyond said end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′); and spring return means ( 115 ) connecting the peripheral portion to the support ( 104 ; 104 ′, 104 ″; 104 ′″), the combination of said peripheral portion and the return means ( 115 ) forming means for stabilizing the tool during surfacing, said tool being adapted to effect surfacing essentially in the region of said central portion; characterized in that said rigid support ( 104 ; 104 ′; 104 ″; 104 ′″) is part of a base ( 130 ; 130 ′; 130 ″; 130 ′″) including a flexible flange ( 131 ; 131 ′; 131 ″; 131 ′″) surrounding said support ( 104 ; 104 ′; 104 ″; 104 ′″), said elastically compressible interface ( 105 ) being pressed against and covering an end surface ( 132 ) of said flange situated on the same side as said transverse end surface ( 113 ; 113 ′).