WO1997041480A1

WO1997041480A1 - Improved spectacles

Info

Publication number: WO1997041480A1
Application number: PCT/IT1996/000089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi
Original assignee: Safilo Societa' Azionaria Fabbrica Italiana Lavorazione Occhiali S.P.A
Priority date: 1996-05-02
Filing date: 1996-05-02
Publication date: 1997-11-06
Also published as: AU5777296A

Abstract

The spectacles comprise a pair of lenses (2) and, for each lens, a respective arm (3) connected to the lens (2) by means of a hinge articulation including a first hinge element (6) fixed to the corresponding lens (2) and a second hinge element (5) mounted on the corresponding arm (3); the first hinge element (6) comprises one or more helical winding coils (8a, 8b) constituting a seat for housing a hinge pin (7) and having a first end fixed to the lens (2) and a second, opposite end constituting a resiliently yielding stop abutment for the corresponding arm (3) for enabling the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond a normal open condition.

Description

"improved spectacles"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improved spectacles of the type including the characteristics specified in the preamble to the mam claim.

BACKGROUND ART

In the specific technical field, there is a need to produce spectacle frames of extremely limited weight. These frames are produced with extensive use of materials which combine considerable mechanical strength with a relatively low specific weight. Typically, these frames are made of thin steel or titanium wires. Spectacle frames are also known which enable the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond a normal open condition by means of springs acting between the hinge elements by means of which the arms are articulated to the lenses. However, the bulkiness associated with these springs is normally irreconcilable with the thin sections of the arms and of the hinge elementε necessary to achieve overall lightness of the spectacles.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide spectacles which are designed structurally and functionally so as to combine extreme lightness with a capability for the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond the normal open condition, thus eliminating the problems complained of with reference to the prior art mentioned. Another object of the invention is to provide spectacles of which the structure enaoles the aforesaid result to be achieved and, at the same time, is reliable, strong and inexpensive.

These and other objects are achieved by the invention by means of spectacles including the characteristics indicated in the claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof described by way of non- limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, m which:

- Figure 1 is a partial, exploded, perspective view of spectacles formed according to the present invention, - Figures 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side elevational view of a detail of the spectacles of Figure l, respectively.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, a pair of spectacles, of which a lens 2 and an arm 3 are shown partially, is generally indicated l, it being understood that the spectacles include a further lens and a further arm which are identical but are disposed m specularly symmetrical positions. Only the end section 4 of the arm 3 close to the lens 2 is shown, it being understood that the intermediate section and the opposite end are formed in conventional manner.

The end section 4 comprises a portion 4a substantially aligned with the intermediate section and a portion 4b which is bent in the manner of an elbow and has an eye 5 at its free end.

The arm 3 is hinged on the lens 2 by means of a first hinge element 6, a hinge pin 7 and a second hinge element constituted by the eye 5.

The first hinge element 6 is produced in the form of a spring or, preferably, of two helical winding portions 8a, 8b, each including at least one coil forming a seat for the hinge pin 7. As well as forming hinge means, these helical windings also constitute resilient means for enabling the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond a normal open condition m the manner which will be explained below.

The first hinge element 6 also known, in Italian, by the term "nose" in the specific technical field, is formed from a single metal wire, for example, of spring steel, forming two eyes 9a, 9b at its opposite free ends; the eyes serve to house corresponding screws 10a, 10b extending through respective holes Ila, lib formed m the lens 2 and constitute means for attaching the hinge element 6 to the corresponding lens 2. Each helical winding is connected to the corresponding eye 9a, 9b by an end portion 12a, 12b thereof forming a respective elbow 13a, 13b. Its opposite end portions 14a, 14b are -joined together in a substantially C-shaped configuration by means of a common bridge portion 15. The portion 15 constitutes a resiliently yielding stop abutment for the arm 3 which bears thereon in the normal open position of the spectacles with the ability to move out further beyond the aforesaid position, making use of the ability to yield resiliently conferred on the abutment by the helical windings 8a, 8b. The bearing of the arm 3 takes place by means of its elbow portion 4b and, by appropriate variation of the length of this portion, it is possible to vary the lever arm formed thereby in the loading of the spring of the first hinge element 6 so as to vary its resilient reaction.

Many modifications and variations may be applied to the invention described; for example, the first hinge element may be fixed to a lens-holding rim of a spectacle frame instead of directly to the lens.

Moreover, the first hinge element may be formed with a single helical winding, the second hinge element in this case being fork-shaped so as to enclose the aforesaid winding. Furthermore, it may be formed by the assembly of structurally independent elements rather than by deformation of a single metal wire.

Claims

3 CLAIMS

1. Improved spectacles comprising a pair of lenses (2) and, for each lens, a respective arm (3) connected to the lens (2) by means of a hinge articulation including a first hinge element (6) fixed to the corresponding lens (2) and a second hinge element (5) mounted on the corresponding arm (3) as well as resilient means for enabling the arms to be opened out resiliently beyond a normal open condition, the hinge elements (5, 6) being connected to one another for rotation about a hinge axis by means of a hinge pin (7), characterized in that the resilient means comprise at least one helical winding coil (8a, 8b) having a first end fixed to one of the lens and the arm, and a second, opposite end, forming a resiliently yielding stop abutment for the other of the lens and the arm.

2. Spectacles according to Claim l. in which the at least one coil constitutes a seat for housing the first hinge pin.

3. spectacles according to Claim l or Claim 2, in which the at least one coil is made of metal wire and is integral with the end portions.

4. spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the first hinge element (6) is produced in the form of a spring with two helical winding portions (8a, 8b) constituting seats for the hinge pin (7) and -joined to the same intermediate portion (15) constituting the resiliently yielding stop abutment for the corresponding arm (3) the opposite ends of the helical windings (8a, 8b) to the intermediate portion (15) having means for attacnment to the corresponding lens.

5. Spectacles according to Claim 4, in which the attachment means comprise respective eyes (9a 9b) formed at the free ends of the helical windinσs (8a 8b) .

6. Spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the first hinge elements (6) are fixed directly to the corresponding lens (2) and constitute a single means for fixing the arm (3) to the corresponding lens (2).