Hinge assembly for eyeglasses, eyeglasses comprising such hinge assembly and method for assembling such hinge assembly
By designing a simple and lightweight smart glasses hinge assembly, using a combination of anchor elements, anchor boxes, hinge members and elastic elements, the problem of the existing hinge assembly being complex and occupying a large space is solved, achieving stability, lightweight and efficiency. hinge assembly.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410971545.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-21
AI Technical Summary
The existing smart glasses hinge components are complex and take up a large space, increasing the risk of failure and overall size and weight, affecting the layout of flexible cables.
A simple and lightweight hinge assembly is designed, which uses a combination of anchor elements, anchor boxes, hinge members and elastic elements to achieve stable open and closed positions through preloaded elastic force and allow rotation in the over-travel position.
Simplification and lightweighting of the hinge assembly is achieved, reducing the risk of failure and difficulty of maintenance, while allowing the correct arrangement of flexible cables, reducing overall size and weight.
Smart Images
Figure CN119335761A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for glasses, and is particularly but not exclusively applicable to smart glasses.
[0002] The invention also relates to spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly.
[0003] The invention also relates to a method for assembling such a hinge assembly.
[0004] Although such hinge assemblies can be used in all types of glasses, for simplicity, this description will focus only on smart glasses for exemplary and non-limiting purposes.
[0005] As is known, smart glasses include electronic devices adapted to operate as an electronic calculator capable of supporting activities performed by a user wearing the smart glasses.
[0006] In more detail, electronic devices are able to play audio and video, launch and run software applications, and recognize shapes and objects placed in the surrounding environment.
[0007] Smart glasses may include a display integrated into the lenses, and a processing and control unit integrated into the frames or temples.
[0008] Furthermore, the display and the processing and control unit are electrically connected via a flexible cable passing through a hinge area between the front portion and the respective temple.
[0009] Typically, smart glasses are provided with a hinge that rotatably couples the front portion of the glasses and the corresponding temples.
[0010] In the prior art, bistable hinges are known that allow the temple to be held securely and stably in an operating position, ie in the open or closed position, in which the temple is prevented from accidentally moving.
[0011] In the prior art, hinges are also known that allow reaching an additional operating position of super-flexible opening, called "overtravel position", in which the angle formed between the respective temple and the front of the eyeglasses when the respective temple is opened is greater than 90 degrees.
[0012] These hinges will be referred to below as flexible.
[0013] The over-travel position helps the user to wear the glasses in an easier way due to the additional opening of the temples.
[0014] Generally, the bistability and flexibility of the hinge is given by the interaction of different hinge elements in the hinge area between the temple and the front part.
[0015] Known bistable and flexible hinges have certain disadvantages.
[0016] A first disadvantage is that these hinge elements are numerous and connected to one another in a complex manner, thus leading to possible malfunctions and increasing the risk of damage and / or malfunction, with the result that it is difficult to replace the hinge in a short time and without difficulty.
[0017] A second disadvantage is that these hinge elements occupy a large space, thus increasing the overall size and weight of the hinge and hindering the correct placement of the flexible cables in the hinge area when the hinge is integrated into a pair of smart glasses.
[0018] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and in particular to devise a hinge assembly for spectacles which is simpler and lighter than the prior art.
[0019] This and other objects are achieved according to the invention by manufacturing a hinge assembly for spectacles as claimed in claim 1 , spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly as claimed in claim 13 and a method for assembling such a hinge assembly as claimed in claim 17 .
[0020] Further features of the hinge assembly for spectacles and spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly are object of the dependent claims.
[0021] The features and advantages of the hinge assembly for spectacles and spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly according to the invention will become more apparent from the following exemplary but non-limiting description with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:
[0022] Figure 1a is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a first stable open position;
[0023] Figure 1b yes Figure 1a A top view of a hinge assembly;
[0024] Figure 1c yes Figure 1a and Figure 1b A front view of a hinge assembly;
[0025] Figure 2a , Figure 2b are respectively along Figure 1c Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines IIa-IIa and IIb-IIb;
[0026] Figure 3a is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in an intermediate position between a first stable open position and a second stable closed position;
[0027] Figure 3b yes Figure 3a A top view of a hinge assembly;
[0028] Figure 3c yes Figure 3a and Figure 3b A front view of a hinge assembly;
[0029] Figure 4a , Figure 4b Along Figure 3c Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines IVa-IVa and IVb-IVb;
[0030] Figure 5a is a perspective view of the hinge assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a second stable closed position;
[0031] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a A top view of a hinge assembly;
[0032] Figure 5c yes Figure 5a and Figure 5b A front view of a hinge assembly;
[0033] Figure 6a , Figure 6b Along Figure 5c Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines VIa-VIa and VIb-VIb;
[0034] Figure 7a is a perspective view of the hinge assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention when it is in a third unstable overtravel position;
[0035] Figure 7b yes Figure 7a A top view of a hinge assembly;
[0036] Figure 7c yes Figure 7a and 7b A front view of a hinge assembly;
[0037] Figure 8a , Figure 8b Along Figure 7c Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines VIIIa-VIIIa and VIIIb-VIIIb;
[0038] Fig. 9 is a perspective exploded view of a hinge assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] Fig.10 is a partial perspective view of a pair of glasses according to the present invention;
[0040] Fig.11 is a front view of a hinge assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a first stable open position;
[0041] Fig.12a , Figure 12b Along Fig.11 Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XIIa-XIIa and XIIb-XIIb;
[0042] Fig.13 is a partial front view of glasses according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] Fig.14a , Fig.14b Along Fig.13 Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XIVa-XIVa and XIVb-XIVb;
[0044] Fig.15 is a partial front view of glasses according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] Fig.16a , Fig.16b Along Fig.15 Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XVIa-XVIa and XVIb-XVIb;
[0046] Fig.17 yes Fig.15 A partial perspective exploded view of the glasses;
[0047] Fig.18 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a first stable open position;
[0048] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 A side view of a hinge assembly;
[0049] Fig.20a , Fig.20b , Fig.20c Along Fig.19 Three cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XXa-XXa, XXb-XXb, and XXc-XXc;
[0050] Fig.21 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a third unstable overtravel position;
[0051] Fig. 22 yes Fig.21 A side view of a hinge assembly;
[0052] Fig.23a , Figure 23b Along the Fig. 22 Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along line XXIIIa-XXIIIa and line XXIIIb-XXIIIb;
[0053] Fig.24 is a perspective exploded view of a hinge assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] Fig.25 According to the present invention, Figure 18-Figure 24 A partial perspective view of the eyeglasses with a hinge assembly;
[0055] Fig.26 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a first stable open position;
[0056] Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 A side view of a hinge assembly;
[0057] Fig.28a , Fig.28b , Fig.28c They are Fig. 27 Three cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XXVIIIa-XXVIIIa, XXVIIIb-XXVIIIb, and XXVIIIc-XXVIIIc;
[0058] Fig.29 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention when the hinge assembly is in a third unstable overtravel position;
[0059] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 A side view of a hinge assembly;
[0060] Fig.31a , Fig.31b Along Fig.30 Two cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly along lines XXXIa-XXXIa and XXXIb-XXXIb;
[0061] Fig.32 is a perspective exploded view of a hinge assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0062] Fig.33 According to the present invention, Figure 26-Figure 32 A partial perspective view of the hinge assembly of the eyeglasses.
[0063] Referring to the drawings, a hinge assembly, generally designated 100 , is shown.
[0064] For simplicity, in this specification, reference will be made to Fig. 9 and Fig.17 The vertical axis Z and orientation of the hinge assembly 100 are shown.
[0065] Advantageously, the hinge assembly 100 may be mounted in a pair of eyeglasses 300 .
[0066] The eyeglasses 300 include a front portion 310 adapted to carry at least one lens and two temples 320. In particular, the temples 312 are adapted to allow a user to wear the eyeglasses 300. The eyeglasses 300 include two hinge assemblies 100, each hinge assembly coupling a respective temple 320 to the front portion 310.
[0067] Preferably, the glasses 300 are of the smart glasses type. In this case, the glasses 300 comprise a flexible cable 200 suitable for electrically connecting the electrical or electronic devices respectively integrated in the front part 310 and the temples 320 to each other.
[0068] In the case where the glasses 300 are not of the smart glasses type, the flexible cable 200 is not provided, but for simplicity and non-limiting purposes, the flexible cable 200 is shown in all figures.
[0069] The hinge assembly 100 includes an anchoring element 110 configured to be applied to a front portion 310 of an eyeglass 300 .
[0070] The hinge assembly 100 includes an anchor box 120 configured to be applied to a temple 320 of eyeglasses 300 .
[0071] The anchor box 120 includes at least one receiving cavity 121 that is open toward the outside and faces the anchor element 110 .
[0072] At least one receiving cavity 121 has an inner retaining member 122 .
[0073] Further details regarding the inner retaining member 122 will be presented in the following portion of this specification.
[0074] The hinge assembly 100 includes at least one hinge member 130 having at least one end portion 131 rotatably coupled to the anchor element 110 and at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 extending toward an opposite side with respect to the at least one end portion 131 .
[0075] The at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 ends with at least one head portion 133 which is at least partially accommodated in at least one corresponding accommodation cavity 121 .
[0076] The hinge assembly 100 includes at least one elastic element 140 which is penetrated by at least one corresponding shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 and contacts the inner holding member 122 from one side and contacts at least one head portion 133 from the other side.
[0077] At least one elastic element 140 is preloaded in compression.
[0078] Furthermore, at least one elastic element 140 is accommodated in at least one corresponding accommodation cavity 121 .
[0079] The hinge assembly 100 is reversibly movable from a first stable open position to a second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, and from the first stable open position to a third unstable overtravel position or from the third unstable overtravel position to the first stable open position.
[0080] In particular, the hinge assembly 100 can be transformed from a first stable open position to a second stable closed position or from a second stable closed position to a first stable open position by rotating the anchor box 120 and at least one hinge member 130 relative to the anchor element 110 around a first hinge axis and relative to at least one elastic element 140, and can be transformed from the first stable open position to a third unstable overtravel position by rotating at least one hinge member 130 relative to the anchor element 110 around the first hinge axis and the anchor box 120 relative to the anchor element 110 around a second hinge axis parallel to the first hinge axis and relative to at least one elastic element 140.
[0081] More details about the first articulation axis and the second articulation axis will be presented later in this description.
[0082] The first stable open position corresponds to a position in which the temples 320 of the eyeglasses 300 are open and the eyeglasses 300 can be worn by a user.
[0083] The second stable closed position corresponds to a position in which the temples 320 of the eyeglasses 300 are closed and the eyeglasses 300 cannot be worn by a user.
[0084] The third unstable over-travel position corresponds to a position where the temple 320 of the eyeglasses is open beyond the first stable open position.
[0085] Preferably, for example, according to the first embodiment shown in the drawings, the anchoring element 110 includes a coupling portion 111 and at least one cantilever portion 112 extending toward an opposite side relative to the coupling portion 111 .
[0086] In particular, the coupling portion 111 is configured to be applied to the front portion 310 .
[0087] At least one end portion 131 is rotatably coupled to at least one cantilever portion 112 .
[0088] At least one cantilever portion 112 includes at least one first cam 113, and the anchor box 120 includes at least one first guide end 134, which faces at least one cantilever portion 112 and is configured to slide on the at least one first cam 113 when the hinge assembly 100 is turned from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position.
[0089] In more detail, at least one first cam 113 is formed on a boundary of at least one cantilever portion 112 .
[0090] The at least one first leading end 134 is a free end of the wall of the anchor box 120 facing the at least one cantilever portion 112 .
[0091] At least one first cam 113 is formed such that during the transition from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position and from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, the interaction between at least one first guide end 134 and at least one first cam 113 causes at least one head portion 133 and the internal retaining member 122 to approach each other in a first stage, thereby compressing at least one elastic element 140, and to move away from each other in a subsequent second stage, thereby relaxing at least one elastic element 140.
[0092] During the transition from the first stable open position to the third unstable overtravel position, the at least one first guide end 134 moves away from the at least one first cam 113 and the at least one head portion 133 and the inner retaining member 122 approach each other, thereby compressing the at least one resilient element 140 .
[0093] In more detail, in the first stage and therefore during the initial step of the rotation of the at least one hinge member 130, when the hinge assembly 100 turns from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, and when the hinge assembly 100 turns to the third unstable overtravel position, the at least one elastic element 140 is compressed due to the fact that the at least one head portion 133 and the inner retaining member 122 are relatively close. In this case, the at least one head portion 133 and the inner retaining member 122 compress the at least one elastic element 140 with elastic force loading.
[0094] When the hinge assembly 100 moves from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, due to the cooperation between at least one first guide end 134 and at least one first cam 113, at least one head portion 133 and the internal retaining member 122 are relatively close to each other.
[0095] In other words, the elastic force is loaded by the relative proximity of the at least one head portion 133 and the inner retaining member 122 .
[0096] In the second stage and therefore during the final step of the rotation of at least one hinged member 130, when the hinge assembly 100 moves from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, and when the hinge assembly 100 moves from the third unstable overtravel position to the first stable open position, at least one head portion 133 and the internal retaining member 122 move away from each other.
[0097] In this case, the at least one elastic element 140 is stretched due to the elastic force of the loading. When the hinge assembly 100 is turned from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, due to the cooperation between the at least one first guide end 134 and the at least one first cam 113, the at least one head portion 133 and the inner retaining member 122 are relatively moved away from each other.
[0098] On the one hand, when the hinge assembly 100 is in an intermediate position between the first stable open position and the second stable closed position, if the anchor box 120 is released (or when the hinge assembly 100 is installed in the glasses 300, if the temple 320 is released), the loaded elastic force causes the at least one elastic element 140 to stretch, which in turn causes the at least one head portion 133 and the internal retaining member 122 to move relatively away from each other, thereby causing the anchor box 120 and the at least one hinged member 130 to rotate around the first hinge axis.
[0099] In this way, the hinge assembly 100 (or the temple 320 when the hinge assembly 100 is installed in the glasses 300) returns to the first stable open position or the second stable closed position.
[0100] On the other hand, when the hinge assembly 100 is in an intermediate position between the first stable open position and the third unstable overtravel position, or when the hinge assembly 100 is in the third unstable overtravel position, if the anchor box 120 is released (or when the hinge assembly 100 is installed in the glasses 300, if the temple 320 is released), the loaded elastic force causes at least one elastic element 140 to stretch, which in turn causes at least one head portion 133 and the internal retaining member 122 to move relatively away from each other, thereby causing the anchor box 120 to rotate around the second hinge axis and at least one hinge member 130 to rotate around the first hinge axis.
[0101] In this way, the hinge assembly 100 (or the temple 320 when the hinge assembly 100 is installed in the eyeglasses 300) returns to the first stable open position.
[0102] Preferably, for example in the first embodiment, the inner wall of at least one corresponding accommodating cavity 121 includes a stepped shaped portion 123 , and the inner retaining member 122 is a bushing 122 which is penetrated by at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 and abuts against the stepped shaped portion 123 .
[0103] In this case, at least one elastic element 140 is in contact with the bushing 122 .
[0104] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the retaining member 122 is formed by a spring clip which is penetrated by at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 and is coupled to the inner wall of at least one corresponding accommodation cavity 121 .
[0105] In another alternative embodiment, the retaining member 122 is a protrusion of the inner wall of at least one corresponding accommodating cavity 121. Such a protrusion is made, for example, by welding.
[0106] During the transition of the hinge assembly 100 between the first stable open position and the second stable closed position and between the first stable open position and the third unstable overtravel position, the bushing 122 is maintained in contact with the step-shaped forming portion 123 due to the preloaded elastic force of at least one elastic element 140 that holds the bushing 122 against the step-shaped forming portion 123.
[0107] Preferably, the at least one first cam 113 comprises a first end-stroke abutment surface 113' and a second end-stroke abutment surface 113".
[0108] In this case, at least one first guide end 134 and the first end stroke abutment surface 113' are configured to determine a first stable open position when they abut against each other, and at least one first guide end 134 and the second end stroke abutment surface 113" are configured to determine a second stable closed position when they abut against each other.
[0109] In more detail, when the hinge assembly 100 rotates from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position, the at least one first guide end 134 is configured to slide from the first end stroke abutment surface 113' to the second end stroke abutment surface 113" on the at least one first cam 113.
[0110] On the other hand, when the hinge assembly 100 rotates from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, the at least one first guide end 134 is configured to slide on the at least one first cam 113 from the second end stroke abutment surface 113 ″ to the first end stroke abutment surface 113 ′.
[0111] Preferably, at least one cantilever portion 112 has a first through hole 112'. In this case, at least one end portion 131 has a second through hole 131' arranged at the first through hole 112'. In addition, the hinge assembly 100 includes a pin 114 accommodated in the first through hole 112' and the second through hole 131'.
[0112] In this case, the first articulation axis is defined by the pin 114 .
[0113] In other words, the first hinge axis passes through the first through hole 112 ′ and the second through hole 131 ′.
[0114] Preferably, the anchor box 120 is configured to push a point of the anchor element 110 when the hinge assembly 100 is moved from the first stable open position to the third unstable over-travel position.
[0115] In this case, the second articulation axis passes through said point.
[0116] Therefore, when the hinge assembly 100 rotates from the first stable open position to the third unstable overtravel position and from the third unstable overtravel position to the first stable open position, the anchor box 120 rotates about the second hinge axis relative to the anchor element 110, and at least one hinge member 130 rotates about the first hinge axis relative to the anchor element 110.
[0117] Preferably, the first articulation axis is substantially parallel to the second articulation axis.
[0118] Preferably, the first articulation axis and the second articulation axis are substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z.
[0119] Preferably, the anchoring element 110 comprises two boundary walls 115 substantially parallel to the at least one cantilever portion 112. The at least one end portion 131 is also rotatably coupled to the boundary walls 115.
[0120] Preferably, as shown in the drawings, each boundary wall 115 has a third through hole 115' aligned with respect to the first through hole 112'. In this case, the second through hole 131' of at least one end portion 131 is also aligned with the third through hole 115', so that the pin 114 passes through the first through hole 112', the second through hole 131' and the third through hole 115'.
[0121] Preferably, the boundary walls 115 are parallel to each other and aligned relative to the vertical axis Z.
[0122] Preferably, as shown in the drawings, each boundary wall 115 comprises a respective second cam 116, and the anchor box 120 comprises two second guide ends 135, each second guide end facing a respective second cam 116. In this case, the respective second cam 116 is shaped similarly to the at least one first cam 113.
[0123] Preferably, the respective second cam 116 is parallel to the at least one first cam 113 .
[0124] Preferably, at least one first cam 113 and a second cam 116 are aligned relative to the vertical axis Z with respect to each other.
[0125] Thus, when the anchor box 120 and the corresponding hinge member 130 rotate relative to the anchor element 110 during the transition of the hinge assembly 100 between the first stable open position and the second stable closed position, the corresponding second cam 116 cooperates with the corresponding second guide end 135, just as the at least one first cam 113 cooperates with the at least one first guide end 134.
[0126] Preferably, each second cam 116 may have a third end stroke abutment surface 116' as the first end stroke abutment surface 113' and a fourth end stroke abutment surface 116". In this case, the corresponding second guide end 135 and the corresponding third end stroke abutment surface 116' of the second cam 116 are configured to determine a first stable open position when they abut against each other, and the corresponding second guide end 135 and the fourth end stroke abutment surface 116" of the second cam 116 are configured to determine a second stable closed position when they abut against each other.
[0127] Preferably, as shown in the drawings, the number of the accommodating chamber 121 , the number of the hinge members 130 and the number of the elastic elements 140 are respectively equal to 2.
[0128] In this case, the end portion 131 , the shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 , the head portion 133 , and the inner retaining member 122 are respectively equal in number to 2. In particular, each accommodating cavity 121 has a corresponding inner retaining member 122 .
[0129] Preferably, in the case where the number of the inner retaining members 122 is equal to 2, each accommodation cavity 121 has a corresponding step-shaped forming portion 123 .
[0130] Preferably, the cantilever portion 112 and the first cam 113 are respectively equal to 1 in number. In this case, the first guide end portion 134 is equal to 1 in number.
[0131] Preferably, each end portion 131 of the corresponding hinge member 130 is rotatably coupled to at least one cantilever portion 112 and the corresponding boundary wall 115 .
[0132] In more detail, each boundary wall 115 defines a corresponding free space together with at least one cantilever portion 112. An end portion 131 of a corresponding hinge member 130 is received in the corresponding free space.
[0133] In this case, the pin 114 passes through two second through holes 131' of the corresponding end portions 131, and each shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation cavity 121. In addition, at least one first guide end 134 is a free end of a wall between two accommodation cavities 121.
[0134] Preferably, the two accommodating cavities 121 are aligned with each other along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z.
[0135] Preferably, according to Figure 11-12b In the second illustrated embodiment, the hinge assembly 100 includes a retaining elastic member 150 received in and coupled to the anchoring member 110 .
[0136] The retaining spring element 150 is configured to retain a portion of the flexible cable 200 abutting the anchor element 110 .
[0137] Preferably, the retaining elastic element 150 is accommodated between the boundary walls 115 of the anchoring element 110 .
[0138] In more detail, the holding elastic element 150 is a torsion spring having a first portion 151 coupled to one boundary wall 115, a second portion 152 coupled to the other boundary wall 115 opposite to the first portion 151, and a central portion 153 connecting the first portion 151 and the second portion 152. In particular, the central portion 153 is bridge-shaped.
[0139] The first portion 151 and the second portion 152 apply a preloaded torsional moment on the central portion 153 .
[0140] Preferably, each boundary wall 115 has a corresponding hole 115 ″ into which corresponding ends 151 ′, 152 ′ of the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 are respectively inserted.
[0141] The hinge assembly 100 may be advantageously mounted in eyeglasses 300 .
[0142] Eyeglasses 300 include two hinge assemblies 100 , each coupling a respective temple 320 to a front portion 310 .
[0143] In more detail, the anchoring element 110 is applied to the front portion 310 , while the anchoring box 120 is applied to the corresponding temple 320 .
[0144] In case the glasses 300 are of the smart glasses type and the hinge assembly 100 includes the retaining elastic element 150 , the retaining elastic element 150 retains a portion of the flexible cable 200 abutting against the anchoring element 110 .
[0145] In more detail, the central portion 153 abuts against the flexible cable 200 so that during a rotation of the anchor box 120 and the at least one hinged member 130 relative to the anchor element 110, or in other words, during a rotation of the temple 320, the flexible cable 200 is pushed against the anchor element 110 due to the preloaded torsional moment.
[0146] Therefore, the flexible cable 200 cannot be rotationally dragged by the temple 320 .
[0147] In the case where the glasses 300 are of the smart glasses type, according to Figure 13 to Figure 14b In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , each temple 320 includes a corresponding covering element 321 configured to block and cover the flexible cable 200 .
[0148] In particular, each covering element 321 is arranged at a respective end of the temple 320 facing the front portion 310 .
[0149] Preferably, the cover element 321 is defined by a peripheral wall 322 defining a housing cavity 323 .
[0150] When the hinge assembly 100 is in the first stable open position, the flexible cable 200 is accommodated in the housing cavity 323 .
[0151] Furthermore, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the first stable open position, the flexible cable 200 at least partially abuts against the inner surface 323 ′ of the housing cavity 323 .
[0152] In more detail, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the first stable open position, the peripheral wall 322 is received between the boundary walls 115 .
[0153] Therefore, the covering member 321 covers the flexible cable 200 so that the flexible cable 200 cannot be seen from the outside of the glasses 300 .
[0154] When the hinge assembly 100 is turned from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position, the cover element 321 rotates integrally with the temple 320 , and the peripheral wall 322 gradually leaves the space defined between the boundary walls 115 .
[0155] Thus, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the second stable closed position, the flexible cable 200 is accommodated between the boundary walls 115 but is not accommodated in the housing cavity 323 .
[0156] However, the cover element 321 still covers the flexible cable 200 so that the flexible cable 200 cannot be seen from the outside of the glasses 300 even when the hinge assembly 100 is in the second stable closed position.
[0157] The covering element 321 may be applied to the respective temple 320 or may be made in one piece with the respective temple 320 .
[0158] according to Figure 15-17 In the fourth embodiment shown, the hinge assembly 100 includes a retaining elastic member 150 , and each temple 320 includes a covering member 321 .
[0159] In this case, if Figure 16a-16b As shown, the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 are outside the housing cavity 323 and are arranged to contact the outer surface of the peripheral wall 322 , while the central portion 153 is accommodated in the housing cavity 323 .
[0160] Preferably, the anchoring element 110 is applied to the front portion 310 by gluing or overmolding.
[0161] More preferably, the coupling portion 11 is applied to the front portion 310 by gluing or overmolding.
[0162] Alternatively, the anchoring element 110 is applied to the front part 310 by means of one or more screws passing through the anchoring element 110. Alternatively, the anchoring element 110 is made with the front part 310 in one piece.
[0163] Preferably, the anchoring box 120 is applied to the corresponding temple 320 by bonding or overmolding.
[0164] Alternatively, the anchor box 120 is applied to the corresponding temple 320 by threaded coupling.
[0165] Alternatively, the anchor box 120 is made in one piece with the corresponding temple 320.
[0166] according to Figure 18-Figure 24 The fifth embodiment shown, and Figure 26-Figure 32 In the sixth embodiment shown, the hinge assembly 100 includes a hinge member 130 having two end portions 131 , a shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 and a head portion 133 .
[0167] The above features improve the stability of the hinge assembly 100. In fact, from one side, the articulation member 130 is rotatably coupled to the anchoring element 110 by means of two end portions 131 protruding from the same body, and from the other side, only one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 is housed in the housing cavity 121, thereby reducing possible movements associated with the structural gap between the anchoring box 120 and the articulation member 130.
[0168] In addition, the hinge assembly 100 includes an inner retaining member 122 and a resilient element 140 .
[0169] In this case, the anchor box 120 includes a receiving chamber 121 .
[0170] Each end portion 131 is rotatably coupled to the cantilever portion 112 and, preferably, to a respective boundary wall 115 .
[0171] In more detail, each end portion 131 is housed in a free space defined between the cantilever portion 112 and a respective boundary wall 115 .
[0172] In the fifth embodiment and in the sixth embodiment, preferably, the cantilever portion 112 has the first cam 113 , and each boundary wall 115 may have the second cam 116 .
[0173] According to the sixth embodiment, each end portion 131 provides a protruding portion 131a. Each protruding portion 131a extends from one lateral side of the corresponding end portion 131 toward the accommodation cavity 121, forming a corresponding notch 131b.
[0174] In addition, if Fig.28a , Fig.31a As shown, the wall of the anchor box 120 facing each end portion 131 is shaped to protrude into the corresponding recess 131b.
[0175] The protruding portion 131a enlarges the cross-section of the hinge member 130, for example, Fig.20c , Fig.28c As shown in the comparison between .
[0176] Typically, due to the structural gap between the hinge member 130 and the accommodating cavity 121, the hinge member 130 can rotate around the rotation axis passing through the elastic element 140. This phenomenon is called "swaying". The degree of "swaying" rotation depends on the distance between the rotation axis and the contact point between the hinge member 130 and the accommodating cavity 121.
[0177] In the sixth embodiment, due to the protruding portion 131 a that increases the cross-section of the hinge member 130 , the contact point between the hinge member 130 and the accommodating chamber 121 is further away from the rotation axis.
[0178] In this way, the protruding portion 131a allows the so-called "wobble" phenomenon to be reduced.
[0179] The hinge assembly 100 according to the fifth and sixth embodiments may be advantageously installed in a pair of glasses, respectively. Fig.25 , Fig.33 shown.
[0180] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling the hinge assembly 100. The method comprises the following steps:
[0181] - providing an anchoring element 110;
[0182] - providing an anchor box 120;
[0183] - providing at least one hinge member 130;
[0184] - passing at least one respective shaft-shaped shaped portion 132 through at least one respective elastic element 140 and through the respective inner retaining member 122, so that at least one elastic element 140 is in contact with the inner retaining member 122 from one side and with at least one head portion 133 from the other side;
[0185] - inserting at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion 132, at least one head portion 133, at least one elastic element 140 and the inner retaining member 122 into at least one corresponding receiving cavity 121;
[0186] - deforming the outer wall of the accommodation cavity 121 to form a stepped shaped portion 123 so that the inner retaining member 122 abuts against the stepped shaped portion 123;
[0187] - Rotatably coupling at least one end portion 131 to the anchoring element 110 .
[0188] Thus, the anchor box 120 is coupled to the at least one articulation member 130 , and the at least one articulation member 130 is coupled to the anchor element 110 .
[0189] From the description given, the features of a hinge assembly for spectacles, spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly and a method for assembling such a hinge assembly and the objects of the invention are clear, as are the relative advantages.
[0190] In fact, the bistable and flexible hinge assembly is simple and light, thus reducing the risk of damage and / or malfunction of the latter.
[0191] Furthermore, in the event that the hinge assembly is integrated into a pair of smart glasses, the hinge element allows the flexible cable to be accommodated in a fixed manner without increasing the overall size of the hinge assembly.
[0192] Finally, it is clear that the hinge assembly for spectacles thus conceived, the spectacles comprising such a hinge assembly and the method for assembling such a hinge assembly are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the invention; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, may be of any type according to the technical requirements.
Claims
1. A hinge assembly (100) for glasses (300), comprising: - an anchoring element (110) configured to be applied to the front part (310) of said eyeglasses (300); - an anchoring box (120) configured to be applied to a temple (320) of the eyeglasses (300), the anchoring box (120) comprising at least one receiving cavity (121) open to the outside and facing the anchoring element (110), the at least one receiving cavity (121) having an internal retaining member (122); at least one articulated member (130) having at least one end portion (131) rotatably coupled to the anchoring element (110) and at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) extending toward the opposite side relative to the at least one end portion (131), the at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) ending with at least one head portion (133) being at least partially accommodated in at least one corresponding accommodation cavity (121); at least one elastic element (140) passed through by at least one corresponding shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) and in contact with said inner retaining member (122) from one side and with said at least one head portion (133) from the other side; Wherein, the hinge assembly (100) can reversibly move from a first stable open position to a second stable closed position and from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, and can reversibly move from the first stable open position to a third unstable overtravel position and from the third unstable overtravel position to the first stable open position.
2. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The anchoring element (110) comprises a coupling portion (111) and at least one cantilever portion (112) extending toward an opposite side relative to the coupling portion (111), the at least one end portion (131) being rotatably coupled to the at least one cantilever portion (112), the at least one cantilever portion (112) comprising at least one first cam (113), and the anchoring box (120) comprising at least one first guide end portion (134), the at least one first guide end portion facing the at least one cantilever portion (112) and being configured to rotate in the hinge assembly (100) when the hinge assembly (100) is turned from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position or from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position. The at least one first guide end portion (134) is shaped such that during the transition from the first stable open position to the second stable closed position and from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, the interaction between the at least one first guide end portion (134) and the at least one first cam (113) causes the at least one head portion (133) and the inner retaining member (122) to approach each other in a first stage, thereby compressing the at least one elastic element (140), and the at least one head portion (133) and the inner retaining member (122) to move away from each other in a subsequent second stage, thereby relaxing the at least one elastic element (140), And wherein, during the transition from the first stable open position to the third unstable overtravel position, the at least one first guide end (134) moves away from the at least one first cam (113), and the at least one head portion (133) and the internal retaining member (122) approach each other, thereby compressing the at least one elastic element (140).
3. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inner wall of at least one corresponding accommodating cavity (121) includes a stepped forming portion (123), and the internal retaining member (122) is a bushing (122) which is penetrated by the at least one shaft-shaped forming portion (132) and abuts against the stepped forming portion (123).
4. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of claims 2-3, wherein: The at least one first cam (113) includes a first end stroke abutment surface (113') and a second end stroke abutment surface (113"), the at least one first guide end (134) and the first end stroke abutment surface (113') being configured to determine the first stable open position when they abut against each other, and the at least one first guide end (134) and the second end stroke abutment surface (113") being configured to determine the second stable closed position when they abut against each other.
5. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of claims 2-4, wherein: The at least one cantilever portion (112) has a first through hole (112'), the at least one end portion (131) has a second through hole (131') arranged at the first through hole (112'), the hinge assembly (100) includes a pin (114) accommodated in the first through hole (112') and the second through hole (131'), and the first hinge axis is defined by the pin (114).
6. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of claims 2-5, wherein: The anchoring element (110) comprises two boundary walls (115) substantially parallel to the at least one cantilevered portion (112), and the at least one end portion (131) is also rotatably coupled to the boundary walls (115).
7. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the boundary walls (115) comprises a corresponding second cam (116), and the anchor box (120) comprises two second guide ends (135), each of which faces a corresponding second cam (116), and the corresponding second cam (116) is shaped in the same way as the at least one first cam (113).
8. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The number of the accommodating chamber (121), the hinged member (130) and the elastic element (140) is respectively equal to 2.
9. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, comprising an articulated member (130) having two end portions (131), an axle-shaped shaped portion (132) and a head portion (133).
10. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: Each end portion (131) is provided with a protruding portion (131a), and each protruding portion (131a) extends from one lateral side of the corresponding end portion (131) toward the accommodating cavity (121), thereby forming a corresponding notch (131b).
11. The hinge assembly (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a retaining elastic element (150) housed in and coupled to the anchoring element (110), the retaining elastic element (150) being configured to retain a portion of the flexible cable (200) against the anchoring element (110).
12. The hinge assembly (100) according to claims 6 and 11, wherein: The retaining elastic element (150) is a torsion spring having a first portion (151) connected to one boundary wall (115), a second portion (152) opposite to the first portion (151) and connected to the other boundary wall (115), and a central portion (153) connecting the first portion (151) and the second portion (152), wherein the first portion (151) and the second portion (152) apply a preloaded torsional moment to the central portion (153).
13. A pair of glasses (300), comprising: - a front portion (310) and two temples (320) adapted to carry at least one lens; - two hinge assemblies (100), each of which couples a corresponding temple (320) to the front portion (310), wherein each hinge assembly (100) comprises: - an anchoring element (110) applied to the front part (310) of the spectacles (300); - an anchoring box (120) applied to the temple (320) of the eyeglasses (300), the anchoring box (120) comprising at least one receiving cavity (121) open to the outside and facing the anchoring element (110), the at least one receiving cavity (121) having an internal retaining member (122); at least one articulated member (130) having at least one end portion (131) rotatably coupled to the anchoring element (110) and at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) extending toward the opposite side relative to the at least one end portion (131), the at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) ending with at least one head portion (133) being at least partially accommodated in at least one corresponding accommodation cavity (121); at least one elastic element (140) passed through by at least one corresponding shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) and in contact with said inner retaining member (122) from one side and with said at least one head portion (133) from the other side; Wherein, the hinge assembly (100) can reversibly move from a first stable open position to a second stable closed position and from the second stable closed position to the first stable open position, and can reversibly move from the first stable open position to a third unstable overtravel position and from the third unstable overtravel position to the first stable open position.
14. The glasses (300) according to claim 13, comprising a flexible cable (200) suitable for electrically connecting the electrical or electronic devices integrated in the front part (310) and the temple (320) to each other.
15. The glasses (300) according to claim 14, wherein: Each temple (320) includes a corresponding covering element (321) configured to block and cover the flexible cable (200), the covering element (321) being defined by a peripheral wall (322) defining a shell cavity (323), and when the hinge assembly (100) is in the first stable open position, the flexible cable (200) is accommodated in the shell cavity (323) and at least partially abuts against an inner surface (323') of the shell cavity (323).
16. The glasses (300) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The hinge assembly (100) includes a retaining elastic element (150) received in and coupled to the anchoring element (110), the retaining elastic element (150) retaining a portion of the flexible cable (200) abutting against the anchoring element (110).
17. A method for assembling a hinge assembly (100), the method comprising the following steps: - providing an anchoring element (110) configured to be applied to the front part (310) of the eyeglasses (300); - providing an anchor box (120) configured to be applied to a temple (320) of a pair of glasses (300), the anchor box (120) comprising at least one receiving cavity (121) opened toward the outside; - providing at least one articulated member (130) having at least one end portion (131) and at least one shaft-like shaped portion (132), the at least one shaft-like shaped portion (132) ending in at least one head portion (133); - passing the at least one respective shaft-shaped shaped portion (132) through at least one respective elastic element (140) and through the respective inner retaining member (122) so that the at least one elastic element (140) is in contact with the inner retaining member (122) from one side and with the at least one head portion (133) from the other side; - inserting the at least one shaft-shaped shaped portion (132), the at least one head portion (133), the at least one elastic element (140) and the inner retaining member (122) into the at least one corresponding receiving cavity (121); - deforming the outer wall of the accommodating cavity (121) so as to form a stepped shaped portion (123) of the inner wall of the at least one accommodating cavity (121), so that the inner retaining member (122) abuts against the stepped shaped portion (123); - rotatably coupling said at least one end portion (131) to said anchoring element (110).