METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING SPECTACLE FRAME COMPONENTS AND LENSES

The invention relates to a spectacle frame comprising a front and a pair of temples, the front having a side member at each end thereof; wherein the pair of temples and the side members each comprises an engagement member or a receptor.

In spectacle frames, frame components, and frame components and lenses, are usually attached to each other by screws. This requires great accuracy in the locating and drilling of the holes. It also increases the number of components, and can make life difficult for optical technicians when assembling frames, inserting or removing lenses, or repairing frames. For attaching a frame component to the lens, particularly for rimless frames, or partially rimless frames, if there is an error, or adjustment is required, a new lens may have to be made. This is time consuming for the technician and relatively expensive to the consumer.

Also, spectacle frames assembled without screws or use of soldering, have been made with a front, and two temples, all being made from moulded acrylic or plastic releasably secured together using a complex arrangement requiring special tools. This is inconvenient for opticians, who would find it much easier if they could insert lenses into, and remove temples from fronts without requiring special tools. Furthermore, to provide spring functionality in the temples normally requires a separate spring.

The documents US 5,523,806 and EP 0 833 185 A2 each disclose a spectacle frame comprising a front, and a pair of temples, the front having a side member at each end thereof, wherein the side members are formed by a wire.

Document US 5,726,732 discloses a spectacle frame comprising a front, a side member at each end of the front, a pair of rims to which the side members are attached, each rim and side member being split along a common split line for enabling the rim to be opened along the split line for the insertion and removal of a lens, and a pair of temples each with a sleeve-shaped receptor, and each for engagement with one of the side members for retaining the common split line closed

Document DE 197 03 812 A1 discloses a spectacle frame comprising a front, a side member at each end of the front, a pair of rims to which the side members are attached, each rim and side member being split along a common split line for enabling the rim to be opened along the split line for the insertion and removal of a lens and a pair of temples each for engagement with one of the side members. In order to keep the slit side member closed a locking clasp is slid onto the free end of the side member, wherein the locking clasp is formed with an upper L-shaped bracket and a lower L-shaped bracket, the upper L-shaped bracket and a lower L-shaped bracket holding the lower and the upper members in a closed manner.

Document US 5,007,728 discloses a spectacle frame comprising a front, and a pair of temples, the front having a side member at each end thereof, wherein the pair of temples each comprise a receptor, and the side members each comprise an engagement member The engagement member is bifurcated and comprises an upper member and a lower member with a gap therebetween, wherein the upper member has a barb. The receptor is formed by a sleeve having a recess in its peripheral wall. For releasably attaching the engagement member to the receptor, the engagement member is inserted into the receptor until the barb of the upper member of the engagement member is caught by the recess of the receptor.

Document EP 1 460 470 A1, published after the priority date of this application, discloses a spectacle frame comprising a front and a pair of temples, the front having a side member at each end thereof, wherein the pair of temples comprises a sleeve-shaped receptor, and the side members each comprise an engagement member. The engagement member being bifurcated and comprising an upper member and a lower member with a gap therebetween, and the upper member and the lower member each have a barb. The sleeve-shaped receptor is in engagement with the engagement member, wherein the barbs engage inwardly extending tabs within the sleeve.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved spectacle frame which is capable for attaching lenses and/or components without use of screws or similar fasteners.

This aim is achieved with a spectacle frame according to claim 1. This aim is further achieved with a spectacle frame according to claim 4.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial, exploded front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial front view of a further embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a partial, exploded front perspective view of the embodiment according to Figure 3; .
• Figure 5 is a front perspective view corresponding to Figure 4 but of the other side;
• Figure 6 is a partial front perspective view of another embodiment prior to assembly;
• Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of a front end and a temple of Figure 6 prior to assembly;

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment according to the invention where a half frame 354 has an integral side member 388 extending rearward thereof. The side member is bifurcated to form upper member 390 and lower member 392 with a gap 394 between them, and each member 390, 392 has a barb 396 at the end thereof.

Temples 398 have a corresponding receptor 3100 at their front end 3102. The receptor 3100 has L-shaped upper and lower brackets 3104 and 3106 respectively, as well as a longitudinally extending elongate slot 3108. To assemble the temple 398 with half frame 354 (or with a full frame, or a pseudo full frame), the side member 388 is engaged with receptor 3100 in a sliding manner. Barbs 396 force the two members 390, 392 together by compressing gap 394 until receptor 3100 is fully engaged over side member 388, whereupon barbs 396 engage behind upper and lower brackets 3104, 3106. When in this position, gap 394 and slot 3108 are aligned.

A locking button 3110 may be inserted through slot 3108 in the manner of a snap fit. The button 3110 has an enlarged head 3112 that is larger than slot 3108 so it won't pass through slot 3108. The body 3114 of button 3110 passes through slot 3108 and engages in gap 394. In this way, the members 390, 392 may not be moved closer together and thus temple 398 is securely, yet releasably, held on to frame 354. To remove temple 398, the button 3110 is removed, barbs 396 moved towards each other until they disengage from brackets 3104, 3106, and the temple 398 removed. Button 3110 may be used for trademark material as the head 3112 may have printed and/or embossed thereon the trademark identifying the origin of the spectacle frame 354.

Figures 3 to 5 show a second embodiment where the rim 4116 of a front 4120 and the side member 488 are split by a common split 4118. In this way, the upper and lower members 490, 492 may be separated to open rim 4116 to enable lens 412 to be inserted into rim 4116; the members 490, 492 moved to the closed position shown; and the temple 498 engaged with the side member 488 as is described above in relation to the first embodiment. In this way, the temples 398 serve to not only secure themselves to the front 4120, but also serve to secure the rim 4116 in the closed position, thus securing the lens 4112 in the rim 4116.

Figures 6 and 7 shows a variation where the side member 888 has a more complex shape. Here, there is a projection 897 and a recess 899, but upper member 890 and lower member 892 are minor images of each other Each of the members 890, 892 is arcuate in a convex manner (i.e. away from the split 8118), and each has at least one, preferably two, forward-facing ridges 893. Each also has a rearward-extending tongue 891 that has a shallow, curved barb 896 at its rear end. The upper edges of upper member 890 and lower edge of lower member 892 have recesses 889, as shown. This provides an end stop for positive engagement of side member 888 in temple 898.

The temple 898 has shoe 885 as well as a recess 881 corresponding in size and shape to side member 888. In this way the side member 888 can engage in recess 881, in the manner described above, and in the manner of a snap fit. Shoe 885 engages recesses 889 and end stop.