Apparatus for orienting eyeglasses for scanning by electronic scanner

• US 6,763,600 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Opti-Clip International LLC
• Original Assignee: Opti-Clip International LLC
• Inventors: Feldman, Zvi
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US09/991,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20030099521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 335/07, 33/28, 332/86, 332/00, 335/33, 336/45, 409/94, 409/219, 409/220, 409/225
• US Class Current: 33/507
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 13/0055 Positioning of lenses; Marking of lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 9/146 Accessories, e.g. lens mounting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/003 Measuring during assembly or fitting of spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30168 with means for operation without manual intervention
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30868 Work support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/308736 with position indicator or stop
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/309016 with work holder or guide

Abstract

Apparatus for orienting a pair of framed eyeglasses relative to an electronic scanner whereby the scanner then generated digital data defining the geometry of the frame. This data is entered into a computer to cause it to control a milling machine which shapes a blank to form a filter lens for an accessory that clips onto the frame and has a matching geometry.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to orient a pair of eyeglasses having an optical lens mounted in each half-section of a frame having a predetermined geometry with respect to an electronic scanner positioned behind a window and trained thereon so that its optical axis passes through a site on the window, the apparatus which acts to orient the half-section so that it can be scanned to generate digital data defining the geometry, comprising:

A. An anchor bonded to said window at said site and adapted to socket a pedestal;

B. A miniature pedestal attachable to said lens so that when socketed in said anchor, the half-section of the frame in which the lens is mounted is then viewable by the scanner and in a position to be scanned; and

C. A fixture provided with a table having a socket to accommodate the pedestal so that it can be adhesively attached to the lens, the lens with the pedestal attached thereto then being transferred to the window where the attachment is then socketed in the anchor.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which the fixture includes a rear plate from which a ledge extends to support a table having a circular hole therein to form a socket to receive the pedestal.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which the pedestal is formed by a cylindrical base which is received in said table socket and a head of greater diameter to which a sticker is attached.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which the sticker is a double-faced pressure sensitive adhesive, the under face of which being adhered to said head, the upper face being adhered to the lens.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which the anchor includes a magnetic element which is attracted to a magnet element in the head of the pedestal whereby when the pedestal is socketed in the anchor it is magnetically held in place.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which the anchor is ring shaped and has a diameter close to diameter of the cylindrical base of the pedestal so that the pedestal fits therein.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which the table includes a magnetic element which is attracted to the magnet element in the head of the magnetic element in the head of the pedestal whereby the pedestal is magnetically held in contact on the table.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which the data generated by the scanner is entered into the database of a computer.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, in which the computer acts to control a blank to form a filter lens having the geometry dictated by the data in the database.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, in which the computer includes software to compensate for deviations in the data yielded by the scanner which does not accurately define the geometry.