FLEX TYPE HINGE FOR EYEGLASSES

Abstract

FLEX TYPE HINGE FOR EYEGLASSES. A flex type hinge (1) for eyeglasses, whose peculiarity consists in comprising an internally hollow central hinge body (5), adapted to be coupled to a second body (6), which is also internally hollow and is adapted to be coupled to an eyeglass temple (3), and to a third body (12) adapted to be coupled to the front of the eyeglasses, it being possible to assemble the central body and the second and third bodies in a package, to internally define the passage of a data / power cable (20), the central body (5) allowing an accumulation of the data / power cable (20) and guaranteeing the passage of the cable (20) between the temple (3) and the front (4) without stretching and / or twisting.

Description

FLEX TYPE HINGE FOR EYEGLASSES

[0001] The present invention relates to a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flex-type hinge that can be used in conjunction with a flexible PCB cable for data and / or power transmission between the temple of a pair of eyeglasses and the front of the same.

[0002] As is known, so-called electronic glasses need to transfer data and / or energy from the temple of the glasses to the front of them using a cable that is usually a flexible PCB cable, that is, a band-type cable.

[0003] The transmission of data and / or energy through the aforementioned cable must be done using a cable that undergoes minimal deformation and is not subject to tensile forces when the user bends the arms of the glasses forward, to ensure the correct transmission of data and / or energy.

[0004] Furthermore, the PCB cable must obviously not be visible from the outside of the eyeglass frame, and must allow the frame to be bent, thus sliding within the coupling between the frame and the front, but without any gripping that could result in damage to the PCB cable itself due to friction.

[0005] As is also known, a flex hinge is a hinge that is used in eyeglasses to allow for over-rotation of the temple relative to the front, so as to prevent damage to the hinge if the user Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 19 / 45 2 / 10 inadvertently widening the stem excessively in relation to the front.

[0006] In conventional flexible hinges, the profile of the outer contact edge between the stem and the face is usually parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[0007] There are also flex-type hinges in which this does not happen. In such types of hinges, the profile of the outer contact edge between the rod and the face is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[0008] In this case, rotating the rod too much to close or open it relative to the front causes the hinge component connected to the rod to stick to the hinge component connected to the front and to the front itself, which in the long term leads to wear of the parts that make up the end of the front and the rod, as well as the hinge.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses that can be used in electronic eyeglasses, in combination with a flexible PCB cable that ensures minimal stress on the cable itself.

[00010] Within this purpose, an objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses, in which the particular shape structure of the hinge allows the flexible PCB cable to move and slide in the coupling between the temple and the front, without unwanted sticking, twisting or tearing. Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 20 / 45 3 / 10

[00011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible hinge for eyeglasses that completely conceals the passage of the PCB cable inside, without altering its functionality.

[00012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses that allows improved rotation between the temple and the front in a situation where the outer contact edge between the temple and the front is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge temple.

[00013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses, in which simplified rotation occurs both when closing the temple at the front and when there is over-rotation of the temple relative to the front.

[00014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses in which, externally, the hinge resembles a hinge with the profile of the outer contact edge between the temple and the front not parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[00015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flex-type hinge that is highly reliable, easy and practical to implement, and low cost.

[00016] This purpose and these and other objectives that will become more evident below are achieved by a flex-type hinge for eyeglasses, characterized by comprising an internally hollow central hinge body, adapted to be coupled to a second body, which is also Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, p. 21 / 45 4 / 10 internally hollow and adapted to be attached to a spectacle temple and a third body adapted to be attached to the front of the glasses, said central body and said second and third bodies being configured to be assembled in a package, in order to internally define the passage of a data / power cable, said central body allowing an accumulation of the data / power cable and ensuring the passage of the cable between the temple and the front of the glasses without stretching and / or twisting.

[00017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the flexible hinge according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[00018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of hinged eyeglasses according to the present invention;

[00019] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the glasses with the hinge according to the present invention;

[00020] Figure 3 is an enlarged and partially exploded perspective view of a hinge detail according to the invention;

[00021] Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hinge according to the invention from a viewpoint opposite to that of Figure 3;

[00022] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the coupling between the rod and the front with the Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, p. 22 / 45 5 / 10 hinge according to the invention, with the flexible PCB cable inserted;

[00023] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the invention applied to a pair of eyeglasses;

[00024] Figure 7 is an additional longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the invention;

[00025] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the invention in the over-opening condition of the rod;

[00026] Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the invention in the condition of folding the rod forward;

[00027] Figure 10 is an additional partial perspective view of the hinge according to the invention.

[00028] With reference to the figures, the flex-type hinge according to the invention, generally designated by reference number 1, is adapted for use in a pair of eyeglasses 2 that is provided with a pair of temples 3 that can be folded, using the hinge 1, at the front 4 of the eyeglasses.

[00029] The hinge 1 comprises an internally hollow central body 5, in which a flexible PCB cable 20 is adapted to pass through and be accommodated folded in loops within the central body 5 so as to have a cable damper shape 20 that makes it possible to bend the rod 3 in front 4 (or perform an over-rotation when opening the rod in relation to the front) without the cable being subjected to unwanted gripping or tensile forces. Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 23 / 45 6 / 10

[00030] The central body 5 is coupled to a second body 6 which is intended to be accommodated within the rod 3, when joined to the central body 5, with the interposition of elastic means 7, such as, for example, helical springs, which press against and between the body 6 and the central body 5. The central body 5 is locked in place within the rod 3, for example, using screw locking means which are inserted into a hole 8 in the rod 3 and into a corresponding threaded hole 9 in the central body 5.

[00031] Body 6 is also hollow so that the flexible PCB cable 20 can pass through an opening 10 in it. Body 6 is conveniently C-shaped and is provided with a pair of rivets 11 that allow coupling with an additional body 12 (i.e., a third body constituting the hinge according to the invention), which is provided with mutually opposed protrusions 14 that allow coupling with the rivets 11 of the second body 6 so as to define a package-type body that is constituted by the coupling of the central body 5 within the second body 6 and with the third body 12. The package-type body (central body 5, second body 6 and third body 12) is also held together by the walls of the front pocket 4 into which the package-shaped body is inserted. Preferably, a locking pin 13 is inserted into a through hole 25 set in the mutually opposing protrusions 14 (which therefore constitute the raised edge of the through hole 25) to secure the third body 12 to the front.

[00032] The hinge thus provided is therefore constituted by a package-shaped body which is Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 24 / 45 7 / 10 consisting of central body 5, body 6 and body 12, which are coupled at the front.

[00033] Body 12 is, in turn, adapted to be accommodated inside the front 4 of the glasses and attached to it using pin 13.

[00034] Body 12 is also hollow to allow passage of the flexible PCB cable 20 to the front 4 of the glasses.

[00035] The central body 5 is conveniently provided with a pair of wings 16 and 17 which are adapted to define a sort of fork, whose function is to completely conceal the central handle 20 from view, making the rod - open or closed - completely similar to a standard rod from an aesthetic point of view.

[00036] As can be seen in Figure 5, the flexible PCB cable 20 passes through the various component elements of the hinge 1, following a path that allows an accumulation of flexible cable inside the central body 5, then passes around a cylindrical body, the pin seat 13 which ends with mutually opposite protrusions 14 and then enters the front 4 of the glasses.

[00037] Passing the flexible PCB cable 20 in this way allows the cable not to be subjected to tensile forces and stick to sharp parts of the hinge and, instead, it is simply guided inside the hinge cavity that passes around the cylindrical body, which is the seat of the pin 13 and which has a rounded portion and which therefore allows rotation of the rod 3 relative to the front 4 without the cable being subjected to tears or other damage. Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, p. 25 / 45 8 / 10

[00038] The flex-type hinge has elastic means 7 that allow the hinge to permit over-rotation of the rod relative to the front, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 8.

[00039] Conveniently, the hinge body 12 connected to the front 4 has a first portion 27, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 3, which is combined with a second portion 28 that is arranged along an inclined plane.

[00040] Preferably, the axis of arrangement of the inclined plane 28 should be parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[00041] Similarly, hinge body 5 has a first portion 29 that is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge and a second portion 30 that is angled so as to be complementary to the second portion 28 of hinge body 12.

[00042] The inclined planes 28 and 30, respectively, of the hinge body 12 and the hinge body 5 are arranged so as to be hidden when the hinge is mounted on the glasses, so that externally the coupling between the temple and the front occurs along a profile 11 that is not parallel to the axis of rotation 40 of the hinge.

[00043] In this way, the body of the hinge 5 during over-rotation has its portion 30, which is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 3, in the inclined plane 28, thus reducing wear. Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 26 / 45 9 / 10 of the component parts of the hinge and the front end to which the rod is attached.

[00044] In practice, it has been found that the hinge according to the invention fully achieves the defined objective and objects, insofar as it allows, in a flex-type hinge, i.e., one that allows extra rotation of the temple in relation to the front of the glasses and a typically bistable behavior during the opening and closing of the temple, the passage of a flexible PCB cable, thus guaranteeing its full functionality over time due to the absence of potential damage resulting from the passage of the cable in contact with sharp parts of the hinge itself or, in any case, preventing the cable from being subjected to unwanted twisting and stretching.

[00045] Furthermore, the hinge according to the invention allows for a closing rotation and an over-rotation of the stem relative to the front without the component parts becoming stuck to each other and thus wearing out the hinge itself. The presence of an inclined plane in a hidden position when the hinge is mounted on the glasses and the stem is in the operative position allows for a smoother sliding of one component of the hinge relative to the other, by virtue of the fact that there is a sliding of the second hinge body relative to the first body, in which the second body moves along the inclined plane of the first body.

[00046] The hinge, as designed, is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the appended claims. Petition 870220044901, dated 05 / 24 / 2022, page 27 / 45 10 / 10

[00047] In addition, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[00048] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be anything according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[00049] The disclosures in Italian patent applications no. 102019000025189 and no. 102019000025192, to which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[00050] When the technical characteristics mentioned in any claim are followed by numerals and / or reference signs, these numerals and / or reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, these numerals and / or reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such numerals and / or reference signs.

Claims

1. A flexible hinge (1) for eyeglasses comprising an internally hollow central hinge body (5), adapted to be coupled to a second body (6), also internally hollow and adapted to be coupled to an eyeglass temple (3) and to a third body (12) adapted to be coupled to the front of the eyeglasses, said central body and said second and third bodies being configured to be assembled in a package in order to internally define the passage of a data / power transmission cable (20), said central body (5) allowing an accumulation of the data / power cable (20) and ensuring the passage of the cable (20) between the temple (3) and the front (4) of the eyeglasses without stretching and / or twisting, characterized in that said second body (6) is C-shaped and can be coupled to said third body (12), with the interposition of said central body (5) and elastic means (7),the said second body (6) being provided with a pair of rivets (11) which are adapted to be inserted into mutually opposite projections (14) which are defined on the said third body (12), for the assembly of the said central body (5), the said second body (6) and the said third body (12) together, to define a package-type body.

2. Hinge, according to claim 1, characterized in that said central body (5) and said second body (6) are adapted to be accommodated within said rod (3). Petition 870260017268, dated 24 / 02 / 2026, p. 11 / 18 2 / 4 3. Hinge, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said third body (12) is adapted to be accommodated within said front (4).

4. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said central body (5) has a pair of wings (16, 17) arranged like a fork and adapted to completely conceal the central cable (20) from view.

5. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said data / power cable is a flexible PCB cable (20).

6. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said data / power cable (20) passes around said cylindrical body (14) of said third body (12) to be inserted into said front (4).

7. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said elastic means (7) are interposed between said central body (5) and said second body (6).

8. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said central body (5) allows a wavy accumulation of said data / power cable (20), in order to define a cable stock to allow the bending of said rod (3) in relation to said front (4) and the extra rotation of said rod (3), without stretching and / or tearing said data / power cable. Petition 870260017268, dated 24 / 02 / 2026, p. 12 / 18 3 / 4 9. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said elastic means (7) are configured to permit over-rotation of the rod (3) relative to the front (4).

10. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said third hinge body (12) has an inclined plane (28) which is adapted to allow sliding on said central hinge body (5) when an over-rotation is performed of said rod (3) relative to said front (4).

11. Hinge according to claim 10, characterized in that said inclined plane (28) of said third hinge body (12) is hidden when said rod (3) is in the normal opening position relative to said front (4).

12. Hinge, according to claim 10, characterized in that said third hinge body (12) comprises, at the interface with said central hinge body (5), a portion (27) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod (3), in the normal opening position of the rod, which is connected to said inclined plane (28) of said third hinge body (12).

13. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said central hinge body (5) comprises, at the interface with said third hinge body (12), a portion (29) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod (3), in the normal opening position of the rod, Petition 870260017268, dated 24 / 02 / 2026, p. 13 / 18 4 / 4 which merges with an inclined plane (30) that is complementary to the inclined plane (28) of said third hinge body (12).

14. Hinge, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said third hinge body (12) and said central hinge body (5), when said rod (3) is in the normally open position relative to said front (4), are coupled according to a profile (11) of the outer contact edge between the rod and the front that is not parallel to the axis of rotation (40) of the hinge.

15. Eyeglasses characterized in that they comprise at least one hinge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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