Eyeglass frame
First Claim
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1. A method of fabricating an eyeglass frame having hyperelastic properties, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a single crystal of a shape memory material comprised of a CuAl-based alloy of metals,shape-setting the crystal into an eyeglass flexure shape,heating the shape to a temperature sufficient to dissolving the metals into a solution,quenching the shape by cooling at a rate which is sufficiently rapid to preserve the solution, andremoving the native oxide from the surface of the CuAl-based alloy.
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Abstract
Eyeglass frame hinges are replaced by flexures made of hyperelastic single-crystal shape memory alloy. These flexures exhibit more than 8 percent recoverable strain. Eyeglass frames with these flexures can be distorted repeatedly in ways that would destroy ordinary hinges, and recover without damage. Flexures may be incorporated in eyeglass frames in ways that make them attractive as fashion items, thus enhancing the value of a commodity consumer product.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating an eyeglass frame having hyperelastic properties, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a single crystal of a shape memory material comprised of a CuAl-based alloy of metals, shape-setting the crystal into an eyeglass flexure shape, heating the shape to a temperature sufficient to dissolving the metals into a solution, quenching the shape by cooling at a rate which is sufficiently rapid to preserve the solution, and removing the native oxide from the surface of the CuAl-based alloy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification