Actuation mechanism for variable focus spectacles

• US 7,008,054 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2004
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Superfocus Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Lane Research
• Inventors: Kurtin, Stephen, Epstein, Saul, Fedele, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US10/993,804
• Time in Patent Office: 472 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/158, 359/665, 359/666, 359/832, 359/694, 359703-706
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/08 Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length

Abstract

An actuating mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focus lens units. The mechanism mounts on the spectacle bridge; and includes two elongated drive levers mounted near opposite ends of the bridge, each extending toward the other end of the bridge. The free end of each driving lever is connected to its corresponding lens unit through a linkage. The driving levers are caused to rotate simultaneously, but in opposite directions, by a cam that is driven by a sliding member that slides along the bridge. By positioning the sliding member as desired, the spectacles wearer causes the cam to rotate, thereby causing the driving levers to rotate, and both lens units to change focal length.

Claims

1. An actuation mechanism for spectacles which includes two variable focus lens units and a bridge therebetween comprising:

a pair of rotatably mounted elongated driving levers, one mounted near each end of said bridge, each of said driving levers extending toward the end of said bridge most remote from its point of mounting;

a pair of linkages, each coupling the free end of one of said driving levers to one of said variable focus lens units;

a rotatable cam mounted near one end of said bridge, said cam having a cam surface;

means for coupling said cam to said driving levers whereby rotation of said cam will cause said driving levers to rotate in opposite directions; and

a manually operable sliding member mounted for linear motion along the length of said bridge and engaging said cam surface to cause said cam to rotate as said sliding member is moved.

2. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said cam rotates about the same axis as one of said driving levers.

3. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein said cam is positioned between said driving levers.

4. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said cam is a part of one of said driving levers, said cam surface being an edge of said driving lever.

5. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said sliding member includes a user accessible lip located above said bridge.

6. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said linkages are comprised of thin pieces of ribbon fastened to said driving levers and to said lens units.

7. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 6 wherein said pieces of ribbon are fastened to said driving levers and to said lens units by welding.

8. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said linkages are looped over said driving levers.

9. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 8 wherein said linkages are comprised of wire.

10. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said cam surface is straight.

11. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said cam surface is curved.

12. An actuation mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focus lens units and a bridge therebetween comprising:

first and second pins attached to said bridge near opposite ends thereof;

first and second elongated driving levers, each mounted on one of said pins and free to rotate thereabout, each of said driving levers extending toward the end of said bridge furthest from the pin on which it is mounted;

first and second linkages, each coupling the free end of one said driving levers to a variable focus lens unit;

a cam disposed between said first and second elongated driving levers and rotatably mounted on said bridge, said cam having a cam surface;

means for causing said cam to engage said driving levers for rotation in opposite directions; and

a manually operable sliding member mounted for linear motion along the length of said bridge and engaging said cam surface to cause said cam to rotate as said sliding member is moved.

13. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said cam rotates about said first pin.

14. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said sliding member includes a user accessible lip located above said bridge.

15. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said linkages are comprised of thin pieces of ribbon fastened to said driving levers and to said lens units.

16. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 15 wherein said pieces of ribbon are fastened to said driving levers and to said lens units by welding.

17. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said linkages are looped over said driving levers.

18. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 17 wherein said linkages are comprised of wire.

19. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said cam surface is straight.

20. An actuation mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said cam surface is curved.