Hinge for electronic eyeglasses

Abstract

A hinge for electronic eyeglasses, comprising: a first hinge body adapted to be connected to a temple of a pair of eyeglasses; a second hinge body adapted to be connected to a front portion of the eyeglasses, the hinge being characterized by comprising a power / data cable adapted to be inserted into the temple so as to pass through the first and second hinge bodies and be redirected towards the front portion; the first hinge body (2) being composed of a plurality of rings (4) spaced apart from one another, adapted to cross a plurality of rings (8) of the second hinge body (6) so as to form a plurality of concentric rings, at least some of the concentric rings being adapted to be connected to one another by means of a retaining pin (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an articulation for electronic eyeglasses. More specifically, the present invention relates to an articulation for electronic eyeglasses which allows the signal / data cable (ribbon cable) to be optimally disposed within the articulation.

[0002] The articulation according to the present invention can also be advantageously used for electrochromic eyeglasses. BACKGROUND

[0003] As is known, electronic eyeglasses are increasingly widespread on the market and this term refers to eyeglasses with still cameras, video cameras, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc. In essence, electronic eyeglasses are eyeglasses which allow the user to acquire environmental data such as images, videos, temperature, pressure values, etc. These eyeglasses are characterized by having an electronic device, which is usually arranged in the front part of the eyeglasses (for example, in the case of still cameras / video cameras) or arranged within the temples, which is conveniently powered by a battery, usually hidden within the temples of the eyeglasses, and the connection between the battery and the electronic device is provided by means of a power / data cable which must also be hidden within the temples.

[0004] The problem arises when the electronic device is located in the front part of the eyeglasses and the power / data cable must pass from the temple to the front part of the eyeglasses in order to be able to power and / or transmit data to said electronic device.

[0005] In this case, the cable is usually subjected to bending, twisting, jamming at the tip portion of the articulation, with the consequent risk of tearing the cable and, in any case, damaging said cable with the prolonged use of the electronic eyeglasses.

[0006] At present, there are no known solutions for passing the cable in the best way from the temple around the articulation portion to the front part, where the articulation portion constitutes the most significant obstacle to the connection of the electronic device arranged in the front part of the eyeglasses to the battery housed within the temple body. SUMMARY

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an articulation for electronic eyeglasses which allows the power / data cable to have the best passage from the temple to the front part of the eyeglasses, thus avoiding as much as possible the damage to said cable.

[0008] Within this object, the object of the present invention is to provide an articulation for electronic eyeglasses in which the passage of the power / data cable from the temple to the front part of the eyeglasses is generated in such a way as to allow the cable not to have the option of excessive bending and / or long-term damage to its integrity.

[0009] It is another object of the present application to provide an articulation for electronic eyeglasses in which the power / data cable is substantially hidden within the body of the articulation, becoming almost invisible even when the eyeglasses are observed from the inside of the coupling between the temple and the front portion.

[0010] It is another object of the present application to provide an articulation for electronic eyeglasses which can be easily disassembled without causing damage to the power / data cable.

[0011] It is another object of the present application to provide an articulation for electronic eyeglasses which is highly reliable, provides relative simplicity and has a competitive cost.

[0012] The objects of the present application, which will become more apparent hereinafter, as well as these and other objects, are achieved by an articulation for electronic eyeglasses comprising: a first articulation body adapted to be connected to a temple of a pair of eyeglasses; a second articulation body adapted to be connected to a front portion of the eyeglasses, the articulation being characterized in that it comprises a power / data cable adapted to be inserted within said temple, so as to pass through said first articulation body and said second articulation body and be redirected towards said front portion, and in that said first articulation body is constituted by a plurality of rings spaced apart from each other, adapted to cross a plurality of rings of said second articulation body, so as to form a plurality of concentric rings, at least some of said concentric rings being adapted to be connected to each other by means of a retaining pin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present application will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an articulation according to the present application, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an articulation according to the present application, coupled to a temple portion and a front portion of an eyeglass according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an articulation according to the present application, in which a power / data cable is inserted;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the coupling of an articulation according to the present application with a temple and a front portion of an eyeglass in a use configuration;

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the coupling of an articulation according to the present application with a temple and a front portion of an eyeglass in a use configuration, observed from the other side; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembled articulation of

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the coupling of an articulation according to the present application with a temple and a front portion of an eyeglass in a use configuration, observed from the other side; Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the coupled articulation of

[0019] Figure 6 is Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 a top plan view of the assembled hinge of

[0020] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge according to the application, coupled to the temple and front portions of the eyeglasses according to a second embodiment of the application;

[0021] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge of Figure 7 , with the power / data cable inserted;

[0022] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the coupling of the hinge of Figure 7 and Figure 8 to the temples and front of the eyeglasses in the use configuration;

[0023] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the assembled hinge of Figure 9 , viewed from the other side;

[0024] Figure 11 is a top plan view of the assembled hinge of Figure 9 and Figure 10 ;

[0025] Figure 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the coupled hinge of Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 ;

[0026] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the hinge according to the application applied to eyeglasses;

[0027] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the application;

[0028] Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge according to the application in the first configuration;

[0029] Figure 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge according to the application in the second configuration;

[0030] Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge according to the application, detached from the temples of the eyeglasses according to a fourth embodiment thereof;

[0031] Figure 18 is another perspective view of the hinge of Figure 16 ;

[0032] Figure 19 is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a hinge according to the present application;

[0033] Figure 20 is a rear perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a hinge according to the present application;

[0034] Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinge of Figure 19 and Figure 20 in the open condition;

[0035] Figure 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinge of Figure 19 and Figure 20 in the closed condition;

[0036] Figure 23 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a hinge according to the present application;

[0037] Figure 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinge of Figure 23 in the open condition;

[0038] Figure 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinge of Figure 23 in the closed condition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] With reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers identify the same elements, according to a first embodiment thereof, Figures 1 to 6 a hinge according to the present application is indicated in its entirety by the reference number 1 and comprises a first hinge body 2 associated with the temples 3 of a pair of glasses, which is provided to form a plurality of rings 4 spaced apart from each other, which allow the passage of a locking pin 5. A second hinge body 6 is provided and is connected to the front 7 of the pair of glasses. The second hinge body is also formed by a plurality of rings 8 spaced apart from each other, which are adapted to be inserted between the spaced apart rings 4 of the first hinge body 2.

[0040] As shown, the rings 4 of the first hinge body are, for example, three rings and, starting from the top (i.e. from the upper portion of the temples 3 adapted to come into contact with the upper portion of the front 7 of the glasses), they comprise: a first hinge ring 9 having a central hole 9a; a second hinge ring 10 spaced apart from the first hinge ring 9 and also provided with a central hole 11; and a third hinge ring 12 closed in the downward region and shaped with a raised edge 12a.

[0041] As shown by way of example in the figures, the second articulation body 6 also comprises two rings, generally indicated by the reference 8, the upper first ring 13 of the two rings being provided with a central hole 14 and the lower second ring 15 being provided with a central hole 17 and having a raised edge 16.

[0042] As mentioned above, the rings 8 and 4 are adapted to cross each other so as to form a plurality of five rings superimposed on each other and concentric so as to allow the passage of the retaining (locking) pin 5.

[0043] The number of rings can of course vary according to requirements, the number of five in total being an exemplary number.

[0044] Conveniently, the temple 3 is internally provided with a through longitudinal cavity 18 which allows the passage of the power / data cable 20, conveniently shaped so as to have a first portion 21 which engages with a second portion 22 of the cable, the second portion being arranged in an upper position with respect to the first portion 21 by means of a step 23.

[0045] The longitudinal cavity 18 of the temple 3 engages with the rings 4 of the first articulation body 2. As Figure 1 shown, for example, there is in fact a passage formed between the rings 4 and the longitudinal cavity 18 and in particular between the third ring 4 of the lower portion of the first articulation body 2 and the longitudinal cavity, so that the power / data cable 20 can pass inside the longitudinal cavity 18, then inserted through the rings 4 of the first articulation body and therefore also of the second articulation body 8, then being guided through the cavity 25 of the front 7 of the glasses.

[0046] In this way, the power / data cable 20 passes at the upper region of the temple 3 and then is folded down by means of a downward bend formed at the first portion 21 of the cable 20 (the horizontal portion of the first portion 21 next to the descending portion), then passing at the rings 4 of the bottom or lower portion of the first articulation body 2 and then passing behind the pin 5 inserted in the through holes of the articulation rings 4 and 8 (remaining substantially adjacent to the temple 3) and finally re-orienting through the cavity 25 of the front 7 of the glasses.

[0047] This particular configuration of the articulation rings and of the cavity of the temple 3 and of the cavity of the front 7 allows to house the power cable 20 completely inside the temples and the front 7 of the glasses, the cable not being visible externally, the cable passing through the articulation rings 4 and 8 assembled together by means of the retaining pin 5.

[0048] In Figures 7 to 12A second embodiment of a hinge according to the present application is shown in the figures, indicated in its entirety by the reference number 50, comprising a first hinge body 2 associated with a temple 3 of a pair of glasses, provided to form a plurality of rings 4 spaced apart from each other, allowing the passage of a retaining pin 5. A second hinge body 6 is provided and connected to the front 7 of the glasses. The second hinge body is also formed by a plurality of rings 8 spaced apart from each other, adapted to be inserted between the spaced apart rings 4 of the first hinge body 2.

[0049] As shown, the rings 4 of the first hinge body are, for example, three rings, and starting from the top, i.e. from the upper part of the temple 3 adapted to come into contact with the upper part of the front 7 of the glasses, the first hinge body comprises: a first hinge ring 9 having a central hole 9a; a second hinge ring 10 spaced apart from the first hinge ring 9 and also provided with a central hole 11 and a raised edge 12; and a third hinge ring 19 having a central hole 19a.

[0050] As shown by way of example in the figures, the second hinge body 6 also comprises two rings, the upper of the two rings, a first ring 13, being provided with a central hole 14, and the lower, a second ring 15, being provided with a central hole and a raised edge 16.

[0051] As mentioned, the rings 8 and the rings 4 are adapted to cross each other so as to form a plurality of five rings superimposed on each other and concentric so as to allow the passage of the retaining (locking) pin 5.

[0052] The number of rings is of course variable according to requirements, the number of five in total being an exemplary number.

[0053] Conveniently, the temple 3 is provided internally with a longitudinal cavity 18 allowing the passage of a power / data cable 20, conveniently shaped so as to have a first portion 21 engaged with a second portion 22 of the cable, the second portion being arranged in an upper position with respect to the first portion 21 by means of a step 23.

[0054] The longitudinal cavity 18 of the temple 3 engages with the rings 4 of the first hinge body 2. As Figure 1 shown, for example, there is in fact a passage formed between the rings 4 and the longitudinal cavity 18 and in particular between the second ring 10 of the first hinge body 2 and the longitudinal cavity, so that the power / data cable 20 can pass inside the longitudinal cavity 18, then inserted through the rings 4 of the first hinge body and therefore also through the rings 8 of the second hinge body, bypassing the retaining pin 5, then being guided through a cavity 25 of the front 7 of the glasses.

[0055] In this way, the power / data cable 20 passes through the upper area of the temple 3, then through the space present between the second ring 10 and the cavity 18 of the temple 3, and bypasses the pin 5, with the cable 20 housed with its step 23 inside the raised wall 12 of the ring 10 and the raised edge 16 of the ring 13, to be finally redirected through the cavity 25 of the front 7 of the glasses.

[0056] This particular configuration of the hinge ring and of the cavities of the temples 3 and of the front 7 allows to completely house the power cable 20 inside the temples and the front 7 of the glasses, with the cable not visible externally, which passes through the hinge ring 4 and the ring 8 assembled together by means of the retaining pin 5.

[0057] Figures 13 to 16 A third embodiment of a hinge according to the present application is shown, indicated in its entirety by the reference number 100, in which the first hinge body 2 comprises a plurality of rings 4 (in this case three) and the second hinge body 6 comprises a plurality of rings 8 (in this case two).

[0058] When the hinge bodies 2 and 6 are connected to the temples 3 and to the front 7 of the glasses, respectively, and the temples are coupled to the front, the rings 4 and 8 cross each other, align and are locked by the pin 5.

[0059] The assembly, the friction and the alignment of the hinge are ensured by the first ring, the two rings 4 of the component 2 for the hinge body 2 and one ring 8 for the hinge body 6.

[0060] The threaded pin 5 passes through the first two rings 4 and engages the third ring 8. The dimensions of these rings 4 and 8 are smaller than the fourth and fifth rings in order to ensure the compactness of the hinge.

[0061] The flexible cable 20 passes through the fourth and fifth rings of the hinge by means of a through hole in the fourth ring (second from the bottom) and a cup-shaped area made in the fifth ring (i.e. the lowest of the five rings in total).

[0062] During operation, the cable 20 is always kept in an upright position with respect to the rings (joints) of the hinge and is able to move freely in the space formed inside the hinge during the opening and closing cycle.

[0063] The insertion of the cable 20 is carried out by means of two openings 36 and 37 present in the first hinge body 2 and in the second hinge body 6, respectively.

[0064] The assembly of the cable in the hinge is carried out in three steps:

[0065] - assembly of the first and second hinge bodies by means of the insertion of the threaded pin 5;

[0066] - closing / opening the articulation to approximately half of its stroke, so that the passage path of the cable 20 is visible for the insertion of the cable;

[0067] - inserting the cable 20 and the sub-assembled electronic components 40, with the cable 20 partially tilted with respect to the final configuration, so as to facilitate the passage of the cable through the opening.

[0068] In this way, by connecting the cable 20 to the present components, the articulation is ready to be assembled to the corresponding plastic part of the frame, both from a mechanical point of view and from an electrical point of view.

[0069] Therefore, as a whole, the mechanical assembly of the articulation consists of five rings with different thicknesses: the first three rings can have a thickness comprised, for example, between 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm, the fourth ring can have a thickness of, for example, 2 mm, and the fifth ring can have a thickness of 2.25 mm.

[0070] Since these rings perform different functions, these dimensions are different between the rings. The first ring performs the alignment around the rotation axis, the friction of the articulation in the opening and closing movement and the tightening by means of the threaded pin 5.

[0071] The fourth ring has a greater size and is completely hollow, so as to allow the passage of the cable 20 inside it. Finally, the fifth ring ensures the passage of the cable 20 by means of the provision of a cup-shaped area which makes the cable 20 invisible to the user.

[0072] Figure 17 and Figure 18 A fourth embodiment of the articulation according to the present application is shown, indicated overall by the reference number 200, in which the ring 4 and the ring 8 have the following thicknesses: the first three rings from the top have the same thickness and, in particular, these rings are the first two rings from the top of the first articulation body 2 and the first ring from the top of the second articulation body 6, respectively, and also the third ring from the top of the first articulation body 2 and the second ring from the top of the second articulation body 6 have the same thickness.

[0073] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the articulation according to the present application, indicated overall by the reference number 300, in which there is a covering element 60 which is shaped with an arc-shaped portion for partially covering the concentric rings of the articulation. The arc-shaped portion ends with a cross-section in the shape of an arch 61 which rotates inside the first articulation body 2.

[0074] Figures 23 to 25A sixth embodiment of a hinge according to the present application is shown, indicated in its entirety by the reference number 400, in which, in this case, the covering element indicated by 70 does not extend within the first hinge body 2 as in the fifth embodiment, but there is a cylindrical portion 80 shaped to allow the passage of the cable 20. The cylindrical portion 80 is inserted between concentric rings and the cable 20 passes through it, resting on curved surfaces formed inside the cylindrical portion 80. The cable 20, within the cylindrical portion, rests on two different and opposite curved surfaces in the open condition (active position, with an angle of 0°) and in the closed condition (inactive position, 90° with respect to the open position). Furthermore, the temple 3 is provided with an additional bend, which can vary up to a maximum angle of 90° with respect to the active position of 0°. Preferably, the additional bend is an angle comprised between 1° and 22° with respect to the active position of 0°.

[0075] Conveniently, for all the embodiments described above, a cavity can be provided, suitable for housing a sensor and / or an emitter 30, in order to provide the user with notifications of the status of the device. By way of example, these notifications can be a battery charge indication, a Bluetooth® connection indication, an indication of the use by the user and / or an indication of the interaction of the user with the device.

[0076] By way of non-limiting example, these sensors and / or emitters can be temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or more generally environmental sensors.

[0077] The LED emitter 30 is arranged on the temple 3 at the ring 4 of the first hinge body and, in the particular case of a battery charge indication, is suitable for providing a light emission indication for notification to the user.

[0078] Furthermore, the ring 4 of the first hinge body and the ring 8 of the second hinge body can have different thicknesses from each other.

[0079] Finally, a rubber grommet 35 can be provided, suitable for protecting the flexible cable 20 from atmospheric agents. Said grommet 35 acts as a plug for the passage of the flexible cable 20 through the opening, with a passage hole for the cable.

[0080] In practice, it has been found that the hinge for electronic eyeglasses according to the present application fully achieves the intended objects and purposes, since it allows to define a receptacle for the power / data cable partially within the temple 3 and through the hinge 1, allows to conveniently hide the cable and prevent it from being damaged by means of the passage through the hinge 1 without being jammed within the temple 3, and furthermore allows to avoid wear of the cable due to the repeated opening and closing of the temple 3 on the front 7.

[0081] The hinge thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0082] Moreover, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0083] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0084] This application claims priority to Italian patent application No. 102020000017815, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] In the event that technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs are included only for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by the reference sign has not any limitative effect. CLAIM

Claims

1. A hingement (1; 50, 100; 200; 300; 400) for electronic eyeglasses, comprising: A first hinged body (2) adapted to be connected to a temple (3) of a pair of glasses; a second hinged body (6) adapted to be connected to a front portion (7) of said glasses, said hinge comprising a power / data cable (20) adapted to be inserted into said temple (3) to pass through said first hinged body (2) and said second hinged body (6) and to be redirected towards said front portion (7), and wherein said first hinged body (2) is made up of a plurality of first rings (4) spaced apart from each other, adapted to cross a plurality of second rings (8) of said second hinged body (6) to form a plurality of concentric rings defining an internal passage, at least some of said plurality of concentric rings being adapted to be connected to each other by means of a retaining pin (5), said power / data cable (20) being shaped, before assembly, with a first portion (21) having a profile joined by a step (23) to a second portion (22) so that said second portion (22) is in a raised position with respect to said first portion (21), characterized in that, in the assembled condition, said step (23) is defined along said power / data cable (20) in a position in said internal passage of said plurality of concentric rings.

2. The articulating portion of claim 1, wherein, At least three of said plurality of concentric rings are adapted to be connected to each other by means of said retaining pin (5).

3. The articulating section of claim 1, wherein Said power / data cable (20) is adapted to be inserted into a first cavity (18) formed in said temple of said glasses to pass through said concentric rings, behind said retaining pin (5) after passing adjacent to said temple (3), to be guided to a second cavity (25) formed at said front portion (7).

4. The articulating section of claim 1, wherein Said power / data cable (20) is adapted to be inserted into a first cavity (18) formed in said temple of said glasses to pass through said concentric rings and to be guided to a second cavity (25) formed at said front portion (7) adjacent to said retaining pin (5).

5. The articulating section of claim 1, wherein, The initial portion of said first portion (21) of said power / data cable (20) is shaped with a profile having a horizontal portion joined by a descending portion.

6. The articulating section of claim 5, wherein, Said initial portion of said first portion (21) of said power / data cable (20) is adapted to be arranged at an upper region of said temple (3) to be directed downwards by means of said descending portion and to pass through a lower one of said first rings (4) of said plurality of first rings (4) of said first hinged body (2) adjacent to said retaining pin (5) behind said temple (3).

7. The articulating section of claim 4, wherein, Said concentric rings are arranged in communication with said first cavity (18) formed inside said temple to allow the passage of said power / data cable (20) from said temple (3) to said concentric rings of said hinge, bypassing said retaining pin (5).

8. The articulating section of claim 3, wherein, Said concentric rings are arranged in communication with said first cavity (18) formed inside said temple to allow the passage of said power / data cable (20) from said temple (3) to said concentric rings of said hinge, adjacent to said retaining pin (5) behind said temple (3).

9. The articulating section of claim 1, wherein, Said first portion (21) of said power / data cable (20) is adapted to be arranged at an upper region of said temple (3), said second portion (22) is adapted to be inserted at an intermediate first ring of said first plurality of rings (4) of said first hinging portion body (2) to bypass said retaining pin (5).

10. The articulating portion of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Said hinging portion comprises a third cavity arranged on said temple (3) at said first ring (4) of said first hinging portion body and adapted to house a sensor and / or an emitter to issue a notification to the user.

11. The articulating section of claim 10, wherein, Said notification is provided to the user through an LED emitter (30).

12. The articulating section according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Said plurality of concentric rings has a thickness that is the same as each other.

13. The articulating section according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Said plurality of concentric rings has a thickness that is different from each other.

14. The articulating section according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Said hinging portion comprises a cylindrical portion (80) adapted to be inserted between said concentric rings, said power / data cable (20) being adapted to pass through said cylindrical portion and to abut against different and facing regions having a curved profile depending on whether said hinging portion is in an open or closed condition.

Images