Spectacle frame

• US 5,258,784 A
• Filed: 07/17/1991
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ian J. Baines
• Original Assignee: Ian J. Baines
• Inventors: Baines, Ian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US07/731,630
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/47, 351/49, 351/153, 351/114, 351/119, 351/121, 351/140, 351/118, 351/124, 351/125, 351/133, 16/288
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/06 Locking elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/28 Coil spring twisted upon actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/14 Side-members
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/2227 comprising a fixed hinge member and a coil spring

Abstract

A spectacle frame includes a nose bar, a pair of eyewires each having one side connected to the ends of the nose bar and end pieces on their other side and a pair of temples pivotally connected to the end pieces of the eyewires. The nose bar and/or the pair of temples include at least three links having interengaged end portions. These links are fixedly connected, although some limited articulation may be provided. The spectacle frame desirably includes a unique hinge assembly for the temples and may also include inserts bonded to the eyewires to permit mechanical engagement with the nose bar. The spectacle frame may also include a brow bar which is threadably captured in bosses on the eyewires.

Claims

1. In a spectacle frame, the combination of components comprising:

(a) a nose bar having two opposite ends;

(b) a pair of end pieces;

(c) a pair of eyewires each having one side connected to one end of said nose bar and to one of said end pieces on the other side; and

(d) a pair of temples pivotally connected to said end pieces of said eyewires, at least one of said nose bar and said pair of temples including at least three links having interengaged end portions, said links being elongated along an elongated axis of the component in which they are disposed, a first one of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end and a centrally disposed arm at the other end, a second of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end receiving said centrally disposed arm of said first link, and a third one of said links having a centrally disposed arm at one end received between said pair of vertically spaced arms on said first link, and wherein said links including means effecting interengagement thereof to prevent inadvertent disassembly, and at least two adjacent links having abutting surfaces configured to preclude articulation therebetween.

2. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise threaded fasteners extending through the interfitting arms of said links.

3. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise pins extending through the arms of said links.

4. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise deformed portions of said links.

5. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein the adjacent surfaces of said links are configured so that at least one of said links is free to pivot about the link with which it is engaged.

6. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein the centrally arms disposed and the vertically arms disposed of said links have adjacent planar surfaces which are closely spaced to preclude relative pivotal movement.

7. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said temples includes said links and an end link is pivotally connected to said end pieces on the eyewires.

8. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said temples comprise a multiplicity of interconnected links adjacent said eyepieces and elongated ear loops extending from an end of said links spaced from said eyewires.

9. In a spectacle frame, a pair of temples including at least three links having interengaged end portions and ear loops connected to one of an end links, said links being elongated along an elongated axis of said temples, a first one of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end and a centrally disposed arm at the other end, a second one of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end receiving said centrally disposed arm of said first link, and a third one of said links having a centrally disposed arm at one end received between said pair of vertically spaced arms on said first link, said links including means effecting interengagement thereof to prevent inadvertent disassembly, the interengaged ends of at least two of said links having abutting surfaces configured to preclude articulation therebetween.

10. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 9 wherein said interengaging means comprise threaded fasteners extending through the interfitting arms of said links.

11. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 9 wherein said interengaging means comprise pins extending through the arms of said links.

12. The spectacle frame in accordance with claim 9 wherein the centrally arms disposed and the vertically arms disposed of said links have adjacent planar surfaces which are closely spaced to preclude relative pivotal movement.

13. In a spectacle frame, the combination of components comprising:

(a) a nose bar having two opposite ends;

(b) a pair of end pieces;

(c) a pair of eyewires each having one side connected to one end of said nose bar and to one of said end pieces on the other side; and

(d) a pair of temples pivotally connected to said end pieces of said eyewires, and each one of said pair of temples including a multiplicity of interconnected links pivotally connected to one of said end pieces said links being elongated along an elongated axis of the component in which they are disposed, a first one of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end and a centrally disposed arm at the other end, a second one of said links having a pair of vertically spaced arms at one end receiving said centrally disposed arm of said first link, and a third one of said links having a centrally disposed arm at one end received between said pair of vertically spaced arms on said first link, said links including means effecting interengagement thereof to prevent inadvertent disassembly, and at least two adjacent links having abutting surfaces configured to preclude articulation therebetween.