Alignment apparatus for an eyeglass hinge assembly and method employing same

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to eyeglasses and, more particularly, to an apparatus for establishing alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly where a temple member pivotally connects to a pair of eyeglasses. The invention also relates to a method for employing the alignment apparatus to facilitate assembly, repair, or adjustment of an eyeglass hinge assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art

An eyeglass hinge assembly is the pivotal connection between a temple member and an eyeglass frame near the front of a pair of eyeglasses. A temple member is the elongated member that engages the side of an eyeglass wearer's head and the wearer's ear, to hold the eyeglasses in place. Eyeglasses typically have a pair of temple members, one on each side. Each eyeglass hinge assembly typically has several components including hinge elements alternately coupled to and protruding from the temple member and the eyeglass frame. Usually, hinge elements each have at least one hinge ring. Normally, a hinge element secured to a temple member includes a moveable single, central temple hinge ring structured to fit between a pair of stationary, spaced-apart hinge rings located on the hinge element that is attached to the frame. These hinge rings are aligned and a fastener, such as for example, an eyeglass hinge screw, is inserted to pivotally secure the hinge assembly.

Eyeglass hinges are vulnerable to breakage because of their small components. To reduce susceptibility to breakage, springs are commonly added between each temple member and the moveable hinge ring of a pair of eyeglasses to permit hyperextension of the eyeglass hinge (i.e., outward rotation of the temple member with respect to the lens). This allows flexion of a temple member when the temple is under stress, and thereby reduces the frequency of breakage. The hinge springs also improve comfort by reducing inward pressure exerted by a temple member on the side of a wearer's head. However, the hinge spring causes considerable tension on the moveable hinge ring segment of the hinge assembly. This tension makes it very difficult to align the hinge elements as required during initial assembly of an eyeglass hinge, or when attempting to repair, replace or adjust a temple member or other hinge component.

Prior to this invention, most temple members were coupled to the eyeglass frame by simultaneously attempting to line up the hinge rings of the hinge assembly and to force the eyeglass hinge screw into position. This method of lining up the moveable single, central hinge ring with the two stationary spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings has a poor success rate and is often difficult and time consuming. Many times the threads of the screw are ruined by the procedure.

Another somewhat easier methodology was to bolt an assembly to a work bench with a pin protruding upward. The moveable single, central hinge ring was fit down over this pin. With the hinge ring in position over the pin, the temple member was pulled to extend the hinge spring. At this point, the moveable single, central hinge ring was held extended with plastic jawed forceps. This too is often a difficult and time consuming maneuver because the forceps interfere with placement of the fastener into the small hinge ring holes. Additionally, it is difficult to simultaneously hold each component of a spring-loaded eyeglass hinge assembly in alignment because of the torque caused by the weight of the forcep handles while trying to insert a fastener or to replace or adjust a temple member or other hinge component.

There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus and associated method to improve assembly, repair or adjustment of spring-loaded eyeglass hinge assemblies that simplifies the alignment process, reduces the number of tools necessary, and avoids some of the difficulties in the approaches described hereinbefore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need and others are satisfied by the present invention, which is directed to an alignment apparatus for assembling, repairing or adjusting an eyeglass hinge assembly and a method employing the same.

In one embodiment of the invention, an alignment apparatus is used to establish alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly located between a temple member having a first hinge element and the frame of a pair of eyeglasses. The frame has an attachment member with a second hinge element. The first and second hinge elements are pivotally connected by a fastener. A hinge spring is disposed between the temple member and the first hinge element to permit flexion of the temple member in relation to the frame. The alignment apparatus includes a clamp having opposing first and second clamp elements and a tightening mechanism having open and closed positions. The tightening mechanism is coupled to the second clamp element. The clamp is structured to secure the temple member between the first and second clamp elements when the tightening mechanism is closed. A rotating arm pivotally attached to the first clamp element includes an adjustable extending means. The adjustable extending means is structured to deform the hinge spring of the eyeglass hinge assembly so as to establish alignment thereof.

The hinge spring may be disposed within a cavity inside the temple member.

The first hinge element may include a single, central hinge ring movably attached to the temple member by the hinge spring. The second hinge element may include a pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings. The single, central hinge ring may fit between and align with the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings. A fastener inserted through the aligned hinge rings may pivotally connect the eyeglass hinge assembly.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method for aligning an eyeglass hinge assembly includes providing a temple member having a first hinge element, an eyeglass frame, and an attachment member having a second hinge element attachable to the frame. A fastener for pivotally connecting the first and second hinge elements, and a hinge spring disposed between the temple member and the first hinge element to permit flexion of the temple member in relation to the frame, are also provided. An alignment apparatus is also provided. The alignment apparatus has a clamp with opposing first and second clamp elements, a rotating arm with an adjustable extending means pivotally coupled to the first clamp element, and a tightening mechanism having open and closed positions disposed on the second clamp element. A temple member is inserted between the first and second clamp elements. The tightening mechanism is tightened until it is in the closed position so as to secure the temple member within the clamp. The adjustable extending means is extended. The hinge spring is deformed by engaging and displacing the first hinge element with the adjustable extending means until the first and second hinge elements are aligned. An operation may then be performed on the eyeglass hinge assembly such as, for example, assembly, repair, adjustment or any combination thereof.

The method may include providing as the first clamp element, an elongated member having a longitudinal groove, aligning the temple member with respect to the longitudinal groove, and closing the tightening mechanism to engage and secure the temple member in the aligned position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment apparatus to quickly and easily establish alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly.

It is a further object of the present invention to employ such an apparatus to facilitate assembly, repair or adjustment of an eyeglass hinge assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to employ such an apparatus to insert or replace a fastener in an eyeglass hinge assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to employ such an apparatus to assemble, repair or replace an eyeglass hinge assembly component without any alteration to the structure of a pair of eyeglasses or to the method of manufacturing such eyeglasses.

These and other objects of the invention will be fully understood from the following description of the invention with reference to the drawings appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is an isometric view of a conventional pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 2

is an isometric view of an alignment apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3

is an isometric view of the alignment apparatus of

FIG. 2

as employed to align an eyeglass hinge assembly.

FIG. 4

is an exploded isometric view of an eyeglass hinge assembly of the conventional pair of eyeglasses of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 5

is a plan view cross-section of a temple member and an eyeglass hinge assembly showing internal structures, and the alignment apparatus of

FIG. 2

shown in phantom line drawing.

FIG. 6

is a plan view of the cross-section of the temple member and eyeglass hinge assembly of

FIG. 5

with the alignment apparatus of

FIG. 2

as employed to align the eyeglass hinge assembly. Position A, shown in phantom line drawing, shows the hinge assembly before alignment. Position B shows the assembly after establishing alignment.

FIG. 7

is a plan view of another conventional embodiment of an eyeglass hinge assembly.

FIG. 8

is an isometric view of a clamp of an alignment apparatus with portions of the second clamp element cut away to show internal structures in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9

a sectional view taken along lines

9

—

9

of FIG.

8

.

FIG. 10

is an isometric view of a clamp of an alignment apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11

is an isometric view of a clamp of an alignment apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12

is a plan view of the cross-section of

FIG. 5 and a

tool assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As employed herein, the term “eyeglass” refers to a pair of eyeglasses expressly including, but not limited to, vision-enhancing eyeglasses such as, for example, prescription eyeglasses, bifocals, trifocals, and multi-lens glasses, as well as sunglasses, safety-glasses and eyeglasses without lenses.

As employed herein, the term “frame” refers to frame members which hold two lenses in a relatively fixed position with respect to each other and are structured to be secured to the temple members of a pair of eyeglasses, expressly including, but not limited to, complete frames completely surrounding the lenses, partial frames surrounding a portion of the lenses, and frameless lenses.

As employed herein, “flexion” refers to controlled (e.g., without limitation, by spring resistance) hyperextension of a hinge assembly, for example, outward rotation rather than the normal inward rotation of a temple member in relation to the frame of a pair of eyeglasses.

The invention will be described as applied to alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly, although it will become apparent that it could also be applied to facilitate a variety of eyeglass operations expressly including, but not limited to, initial assembly of a pair of eyeglasses, eyeglass hinge repair, modification of a pair of eyeglasses, for example interchanging temple members or the frame, and replacement of a temple member, hinge fastener, or other missing or damaged hinge component, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 1

, illustrates the basic components of a conventional pair of eyeglasses

2

. Each lens

4

is surrounded by a frame

6

. A rigid bridge member

8

provides support for the eyeglasses

2

when resting on the bridge of a wearer's nose (not shown). An attachment member

10

is attachable to the frame

6

and pivotally connects to a temple member

12

by way of an eyeglass hinge assembly

20

. The eyeglass hinge assembly

20

includes a first hinge element

22

that is secured to the temple member

12

. A second hinge element

24

is secured to the attachment member

10

. The attachment member

10

is attachable to the frame

6

, as shown, or directly to the lens

4

(not shown). The first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

are then pivotally connected by a fastener

40

. In the exemplary embodiment of

FIG. 1

, each temple member

12

terminates in a contoured earpiece

14

. However, it will be appreciated that each temple member

12

could terminate in alternative ways such as, for example, a straight taper (not shown).

Referring to

FIG. 2

, an alignment apparatus

60

used to align an eyeglass hinge assembly

20

(

FIG. 1

) includes a clamp

62

having opposing first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

. The exemplary first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

of

FIG. 2

are translationally coupled to one another. A tightening mechanism

70

having an open position and a closed position is coupled to the second clamp element

66

. The open position permits insertion of a temple member

12

between the first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

(FIG.

3

). In the closed position, the temple member

12

is clamped and secured between the first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

(FIG.

3

). A rotating arm

72

is pivotally attached to the first clamp element

64

and rotates about a pivot axis

76

on the first clamping element

64

. An adjustable extending means

74

is disposed on the rotating arm

72

.

FIG. 3

shows the alignment apparatus

60

as employed on a pair of eyeglasses

2

. As employed, the clamp

62

is structured to secure a temple member

12

between the first and second clamping elements

64

,

66

when the tightening mechanism

70

is closed. As shown, the exemplary first clamp element

64

is an elongated member

164

that includes a longitudinal groove

68

structured to engage and align a temple member

12

therein. The exemplary tightening mechanism

70

is a threaded rod

170

disposed on the second clamp element

66

and structured to secure a temple member

12

within the longitudinal groove

68

of the elongated member

164

when the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

is turned to the closed position. The exemplary extending means

74

is also an adjustable threaded rod

174

. The threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

and adjustable threaded rod extending means

174

each include knobs

80

,

82

to facilitate turning by a user to close the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

and to extend the adjustable threaded rod extending means

174

, respectively.

In

FIG. 3

, the exemplary fastener

78

pivotally coupling the rotating arm

72

to the elongated member

164

is a threaded rod

178

. However, alternative fasteners

78

could be used, such as, for example, a pin (not shown). A bushing (not shown) may also be optionally provided to the threaded rod

178

to improve rotation of the rotating arm

72

about the pivot axis

76

(

FIG. 2

) of the elongated member

164

.

FIG. 4

illustrates the components of a conventional eyeglass hinge assembly

20

in greater detail. The first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

each have at least one hinge ring

30

(FIG.

3

). In the exemplary embodiment the first hinge element

22

, includes a single, central hinge ring

130

movably attached to the temple member

12

by a hinge spring

50

(best shown in

FIG. 5

) and the second hinge element

24

, has a stationary pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

attachable to attachment member

10

. The single, central hinge ring

130

of the first hinge element fits between and aligns with the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

of the second hinge element

24

. A fastener

40

, such as for example, the exemplary eyeglass hinge screw

140

shown, is inserted through the aligned hinge rings

130

,

230

to pivotally connect the first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

. The eyeglass hinge screw

140

includes a head

142

with a slot

144

. The slot

144

permits an individual to tighten the hinge screw

140

with a tool (not shown) such as, for example, a screwdriver (not shown). One or both of the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

may be threaded (not shown) to engage the eyeglass hinge screw

140

threads to secure it therein.

It will be appreciated that the pivotal connection of the first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

could be accomplished using any type of fastener including, but not limited to, a threaded rod (not shown), a bolt (not shown), or a pin (not shown). Additionally, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of hinge rings

130

,

230

, for example, could be employed in a wide array of configurations (not shown) on any number of hinge elements

22

,

24

, for example. Additionally, the hinge rings

130

,

230

, for example, could be different shapes (not shown) or, an alternative method of pivotally connecting a temple member

12

to the frame

6

could eliminate the need for hinge rings

130

,

230

, for example, altogether, such as, for example, a resilient connecting strip (not shown), or a ball joint (not shown).

The conventional eyeglass hinge assembly

20

shown in

FIG. 4

, is spring-loaded having a hinge spring

50

disposed within a cavity

16

in the temple member

12

. The single, central hinge ring

130

is movably attached to the hinge spring

50

(best shown in FIG.

5

), to permit flexion of the temple member

12

in relation to the frame

6

. The hinge spring

50

reduces the eyeglass hinge assembly's

20

vulnerability to breakage by allowing flexion of the temple member

12

when the temple member

12

or the eyeglass hinge assembly

20

is under stress. The exemplary hinge spring

50

is a coil spring

150

disposed within a cavity

16

in the temple member

12

and secured to the moveable single, central hinge ring

130

(best illustrated in FIG.

6

). However, it will be appreciated that an alternative spring type could be employed expressly including, but not limited to, a leaf spring

250

, as shown in FIG.

7

.

Referring to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, the exemplary adjustable extending means

74

is an adjustable threaded rod

174

disposed on the rotating arm

72

and structured to engage and displace the moveable single, central hinge ring

130

to deform the exemplary coil spring

150

(FIG.

6

). The hinge spring

50

(

FIG. 5

) must be sufficiently deformed to establish alignment between the single, central hinge ring

130

and the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

(compare unaligned hinge rings

130

,

230

of

FIG. 5

, with aligned hinge rings

130

,

230

of

FIG. 6

, position B). The adjustable threaded rod

174

shown includes a knob

82

to facilitate adjustment by a user (e.g., turning to extend the adjustable threaded rod

174

). The adjustable threaded rod

174

may also include a cap

176

to cover the threads on the end of the adjustable threaded rod

174

opposite the knob

82

(FIG.

5

). The cap

176

permits the adjustable threaded rod

174

to turn inside the cap

176

while the cap

176

remains stationary in its articulation with the single, central hinge ring

130

. The cap

176

may be made from a relatively soft material such as, for example, plastic or rubber to improve engagement and displacement of the single, central hinge ring

130

with the adjustable threaded rod

174

, while simultaneously minimizing potential damage to the single, central hinge ring

130

potentially caused by the threads of the adjustable threaded rod

174

.

FIG. 7

illustrates another conventional eyeglass hinge assembly

220

in which the hinge spring

50

is a leaf spring

250

attached to the exterior of the temple member

212

. The leaf spring

250

permits flexion of the temple member

212

with respect to the frame

206

. An attachment member

210

is attachable to the frame

206

. The temple member

212

and attachment member

210

include first and second hinge elements

222

,

224

, respectively, that are pivotally coupled by a fastener

240

.

As illustrated, a method for aligning the eyeglass hinge assembly

20

between a temple member

12

and the frame

6

of a pair of eyeglasses

2

includes providing an eyeglass hinge assembly

20

having a first hinge element

22

secured to the temple member

12

, an attachment member

10

attachable to a frame

6

and having a second hinge element

24

, a fastener

40

for pivotally connecting the first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

(FIG.

3

), and a hinge spring

50

disposed between the temple member

12

and the first hinge element

22

(

FIG. 5

) to permit flexion of the temple member

12

in relation to the frame

6

(

FIG. 6

, position B). An alignment apparatus

60

having a clamp

62

is provided (FIG.

2

). The clamp

62

has opposing first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

. A rotating arm

72

is pivotally coupled to the first clamp element

64

and has adjustable extending means

74

(FIG.

2

). The second clamp element

66

has a tightening mechanism

70

with open and closed positions (FIG.

2

). A temple member

12

is inserted between the first and second clamp elements

64

,

66

(FIG.

3

). The tightening mechanism

70

is then tightened until it is closed so as to secure the temple member

12

within the clamp

62

. The adjustable extending means

74

is extended. The hinge spring

50

is deformed by engaging and displacing the first hinge element

22

with the adjustable extending means

74

(FIG.

5

). The first and second hinge elements

22

,

24

are aligned (

FIG. 6

, position B). Finally, an operation is performed on the eyeglasses

2

such as, for example, assembly, repair, adjustment, replacement, or any combination thereof (not shown).

The disclosed method of establishing alignment using the alignment apparatus

60

, preferably, further includes providing an elongated member

164

with a longitudinal groove

68

as the first clamp element

64

, aligning the temple member

12

with respect to the longitudinal groove

68

, and closing the tightening mechanism

70

to engage and secure the temple member

12

in the aligned position therein (best shown in FIG.

3

).

In the exemplary method, illustrated in

FIGS. 5 and 6

, the tightening mechanism

70

is a threaded rod

170

and the adjustable extending means

74

extending from the rotating arm

72

, is an adjustable threaded rod

174

. Knobs

80

,

82

on the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

and adjustable threaded rod extending means

174

facilitate user closing and extension, respectively. The exemplary method further includes the steps of turning the tightening mechanism knob

80

to close the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

thus engaging and securing a temple member

12

against the first clamp element

64

, and turning the adjustable extending means knob

82

until the adjustable threaded rod

174

engages and displaces the movable single, central hinge ring

130

thus stretching the attached coil spring

150

sufficiently to establish alignment of the single, central hinge ring

130

with respect to the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

(

FIG. 6

, position B).

Referring to

FIG. 6

, the coil spring

150

must be sufficiently deformed to align the hinge rings

130

,

230

to facilitate assembly, repair or adjustment of the eyeglass hinge assembly

20

. In the exemplary embodiment of

FIG. 6

, the coil spring

150

must be stretched to establish alignment. Alternatively, if the hinge spring

50

was a leaf spring

250

, as shown in

FIG. 7

, the leaf spring

250

would have to be flexed rather than stretched, to accomplish such alignment (not shown).

FIG. 6

, position A, illustrates the exemplary alignment apparatus

60

as employed immediately prior to engaging the exemplary single, central hinge ring

130

of the first hinge element

22

and extending the exemplary coil spring

150

.

FIG. 6

, position B shows the exemplary alignment apparatus

60

as employed after securing a temple member

12

using the clamp

62

, and aligning the moveable single, central hinge ring

130

between the pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings

230

. The threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

is in the closed position, indicating that the temple member

12

is secured and aligned. The adjustable threaded rod

174

is in the extended position, indicating that the coil spring

150

is sufficiently stretched to align the hinge rings

130

,

230

. Once alignment is established (

FIG. 6

, position B), the user can quickly and easily perform a wide array of operations to the eyeglass hinge assembly

20

, expressly including but not limited to, initial assembly, insertion or replacement of a fastener

40

(see for example, the eyeglass hinge screw

140

of FIG.

4

), repair or replacement of one or more hinge components, adjustment of one or more hinge component or combinations thereof (not shown).

It will be appreciated that an alternative clamp

62

and tightening mechanism

70

could be employed, such as, for example, a wedge

270

(FIGS.

8

and

9

), a spring-loaded element

370

(FIG.

10

), or an ecocentric cam

470

(FIG.

11

). As shown in

FIG. 8

, it will be appreciated that an alternative embodiment of the clamp

262

may include a wedge

270

engaged with a guiding slot

272

for relative movement with respect thereto. The second clamp element

266

may include a guiding slot

272

on both sides of the wedge

270

that is substantially parallel to direction the wedge

270

travels therein. The wedge

270

could be structured to slide within the guiding slot

272

when the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

is tightened so that the free end of the tightening mechanism

170

engages the wedge

270

causing the wedge

270

to slide downward within the guiding slot

272

toward the temple member

12

to secure the temple member

12

against the first clamp element

264

within the longitudinal groove

68

therein. A stop (not shown) could be included to prevent the wedge

270

from coming out of the guiding slot

272

when the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

is in the open position.

As shown in sectional

FIG. 9

, the wedge

270

may have a substantially rectangular cross-section and engage a guiding slot

272

in the second clamp element

266

for relative movement with respect thereto. The guiding slot

272

may be substantially parallel to the wedge

270

and angled with respect to the second clamp element

266

to facilitate downward movement of the wedge

270

. When the threaded rod tightening mechanism

170

is closed, as shown, the free end of the tightening mechanism

170

engages the wedge

270

as shown causing it to slide downward, securing the temple member

12

against the first clamp element

264

.

Another clamp

362

alternative may include a spring-loaded element

370

as shown in FIG.

10

. As shown, the spring-loaded element

370

could comprise a coil spring

372

disposed on the second clamp element

366

and structured to compress a temple member

12

against the first clamp element

364

securing it within the longitudinal groove

68

therein.

Alternatively, as shown in

FIG. 11

, the clamp

462

may include an ecocentric cam

470

pivotally attached to the second clamp element

466

to secure a temple member

12

against the first clamp element

464

. An ecocentric cam

470

is one that has a non-circular, typically oblong, shape. When the ecocentric cam

470

is rotated about a pivotal axis

472

the non-circular shape provides an increasing clamping force. In this fashion, an ecocentric cam

470

could be used to secure a temple member

12

within-the longitudinal groove

68

of the first clamp element

464

of the alignment apparatus

60

, when the ecocentric cam

470

is rotated about the pivotal axis

472

to a closed, clamped position (not shown).

It will also be appreciated that hinge rings

130

,

230

, for example, come in various sizes and shapes (not shown). Accordingly, if the adjustable threaded rod

174

cannot sufficiently engage a particular movable hinge ring

130

, for example, to displace it and deform the hinge spring

150

, for example, an additional step may be required to displace the hinge ring

130

while the temple member

12

is secured in the clamp

62

. As shown in

FIG. 12

, a tool assembly

100

may be used to displace the movable single, central hinge ring

130

before extending the adjustable threaded rod

174

. The adjustable threaded rod

174

can then be extended to engage the movable single, central hinge ring

130

and hold the hinge spring

150

, for example, in the deformed position. A tool assembly

100

expressly includes, but is not limited to, a pair of needle nose pliers (as shown in FIG.

12

), forceps (not shown), a screwdriver (not shown) or other tool assembly

100

suitably structured to engage and displace a moveable hinge ring

130

, for example, (not shown).

Accordingly, the disclosed simplistic and readily employable alignment apparatus

60

quickly, easily, and economically establishes alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly

20

of a pair of eyeglasses

2

to facilitate eyeglass assembly, repair, adjustment, replacement or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that the various components of the alignment apparatus

60

such as, for example, first and second clamping elements

64

,

66

, may be various lengths, sizes and shapes (not shown), other than the rectangular elongated member

164

and shorter, wider, and thicker rectangular second clamp element

66

(best shown in FIG.

3

). The alignment apparatus

60

may also be made from a wide variety of materials such as, for example, metal or plastic. Additionally, the alignment apparatus

60

may be made using a wide array of manufacturing processes such as, for example, machining, forming, molding or casting. Furthermore, while the exemplary alignment apparatus

60

is comprised of three components made from the same material, the alignment apparatus

60

may be constructed from a fewer or greater number of components and from more than one material (not shown).

It will also be appreciated that the disclosed method of alignment may be employed to perform operations on a pair of eyeglasses

2

expressly including, but not limited to, initial assembly, repair, replacement or adjustment of one or more components of an eyeglass hinge assembly

20

.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.