Temple hinge, spectacles and method for producing spectacles

Abstract

The invention relates to a temple hinge for rotatably connecting a temple to a spectacle frame of a pair of spectacles, wherein the temple hinge is assigned a hinge bushing in which a hinge pin is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge bushing is designed such that it partially surrounds the hinge pin when viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the hinge pin is magnetizable or magnetic, and at least one magnet is assigned to the hinge bushing, which is arranged opposite the hinge pin in such a way that the north pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of one end and the south pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of the other end of the hinge pin, and the at least one magnet exerts a magnetic force on the hinge pin, wherein the hinge bushing and the at least one magnet are designed such thatthat the hinge pin can be manually pulled out of the hinge bushing against the magnetic force of the at least one magnet in a pulling direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pair of spectacles and a method for producing such spectacles.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a temple hinge for rotatably connecting a temple to a frame of a pair of glasses, in particular according to the features of the independent claims.

[0002] In the eyewear industry, rotating temple hinges are an essential component of modern eyewear designs. Conventional temple hinges allow glasses to be folded, making them easier to transport and store. However, these conventional temple hinges often have disadvantages regarding the durability and stability of the hinge connection. Mechanical wear and loosening of the hinge frequently lead to insufficient hold of the temple, which impairs the functionality and comfort of the glasses. In addition, the resistance experienced when folding the glasses is often not optimally adjusted, which can lead to uneven opening and closing.

[0003] Another disadvantage of conventional temple hinges is that the wearer often cannot change the temples themselves. This leads to additional costs and inconvenience, as changing the temples usually requires visiting an optician or specialist shop. Furthermore, conventional glasses are prone to deformation when subjected to stress. For example, the glasses can lose their shape if dropped, or they can become deformed if a ball hits the wearer during sporting activities. These deformations can not only impair the wearer's vision but also significantly reduce the comfort and safety of wearing the glasses.

[0004] CN 201229439 Y discloses a hinge connection for eyeglasses that connects the eyeglass corner part to the eyeglass temple. It comprises a connecting seat and a connector, located on the eyeglass corner and the temple, respectively. The connector has a first magnetic element and is inserted into a connecting slot of the connecting seat, in which at least one second magnetic element is located. Due to the magnetic attraction, the connector can be rotatably held in the slot, enabling quick, easy, and stable assembly and disassembly.

[0005] US 2022 / 0075207 A1 enables the connection of a spectacle frame to a temple by magnetic attraction. It comprises a first and a second row of magnets that can be coupled together either vertically or horizontally.

[0006] US 2007 / 0146626 A1 shows an eyeglass frame comprising a lens-supporting structure and two temples, each of which is laterally connected to the lens-supporting structure via a hinge. The hinge comprises a first magnetic element fixedly connected to the lens-supporting structure and a second magnetic element fixedly connected to the temples. These two magnetic elements engage with each other to enable relative movement between the temples and the lens-supporting structure.

[0007] KR 10 2017 0 126 250 A relates to a hinge device for spectacles that allows the main frame and temples to be removably connected by magnetic force. It combines the functions of connecting and folding the temples and simplifies the separating structure. Since this is not visible when folded or opened, the design remains attractive. Magnetic force ensures the connection remains stable, so the temples are securely fixed. The device comprises four magnets with graduated magnetic force, ensuring controlled movement and secure attachment.

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to provide a temple hinge, a pair of spectacles, and a method for their production that not only offers improved durability and stability for the spectacles, but also allows the wearer to replace the temples themselves and exhibits greater resistance to deformations caused by external stresses. Furthermore, a smooth and controlled rotation of the temple is to be enabled. This is to be achieved by improving the design of the spectacle hinge to ensure more precise control and greater reliability during use of the spectacles.

[0009] This object is achieved by the inventive subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims represent particularly preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The invention relates to a temple hinge for rotatably connecting a temple to a spectacle frame of a pair of spectacles, wherein the temple hinge is assigned a hinge bushing in which a hinge pin is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis - so that preferably one end of the temple can be rotated relative to the spectacle frame in the direction of the spectacle frame and back in order to fold or unfold the spectacles as usual by placing the temples on top of each other in the direction of the spectacle lenses.The hinge bushing is designed such that it partially surrounds the hinge pin in the circumferential direction, wherein the hinge pin is magnetizable or magnetic and at least one magnet is assigned to the hinge bushing, which magnet is arranged opposite the hinge pin in such a way that the north pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of one end and the south pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of the other end of the hinge pin and the at least one magnet exerts a magnetic force on the hinge pin, wherein the hinge bushing and the at least one magnet are designed such that the hinge pin can be pulled out of the hinge bushing by hand against the magnetic force of the at least one magnet in a pulling direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin, preferably along the temple of the spectacles, i.e. along a line parallel to the optical axis of the spectacles.

[0011] The advantages of the temple hinge according to the invention over the prior art, particularly compared to screwed hinges that cannot be removed (without precision tools), encompass several aspects. Thanks to the innovative magnetic and removable design of the temple hinge, the invention enables the wearer to change the temples independently and without special tools or a visit to a specialist. This also allows the wearer to change the temples according to their personal taste or current fashion, even to match their wardrobe. This flexibility increases individual adaptability and allows the wearer to change the appearance of their glasses quickly and easily, something that is not as convenient with traditional, permanently screwed hinges.

[0012] The flexibility of the temple hinge is achieved through its unique magnetic design. If the glasses are dropped or subjected to a strong impact, the hinge pin can be carried out of the hinge bushing against the magnetic holding force. This movement creates a predetermined breaking point, which can, however, be reassembled using the magnetic holding force. This feature reduces the risk of serious damage to the glasses and improves wearer safety by minimizing potential facial injuries. Screwed hinges do not offer this type of energy dissipation, which increases the risk of injury. The magnetic temple hinge thus represents an innovative solution that increases both the durability and functionality of the glasses in everyday situations.

[0013] In principle, it would be conceivable to provide (exactly) one magnet per hinge, assigned to the hinge bushing, which would then interact magnetically with a single hinge pin of the hinge. In this case, the longitudinal axis of exactly one magnet could run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. Alternatively, the longitudinal axes of exactly one magnet and the hinge pin could also be perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The fact that at least one magnet, with its two poles, acts near the ends of the hinge pin results in greater resistance to a tilting moment acting on the temple, which would detach it from the frame. One could also say that the magnets counteract this and create greater resistance to (accidental) detachment of the temple from the frame.

[0015] In short, the heart of the invention concerns the magnetic aspect of the temple hinge. The latter allows the temples to be easily rotated, removed, and replaced, aided by the attractive force of the magnets. Detaching the temple from the frame and reconnecting it to the frame can be done easily by hand and without any tools. This design of the temple hinge is thus a detachable connection.

[0016] When we talk about the pulling direction, we mean the direction in which the temple is pulled away from the frame, usually parallel to the optical axis of the glasses or the lens. This direction corresponds to the direction of the temple as seen from the wearer's eye to the ear.

[0017] A hinge, in this case the temple hinge, is a rotatable joint with a degree of freedom f=1. It can be designed as a single-joint hinge, in which the parts connected to it—here the temple—move in a circular path around a fixed axis, in this case the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin.

[0018] The hinge, or rather the magnets, absorb a greater moment due to their spaced-apart arrangement at the two ends of the hinge pin. Being arranged on both sides of the hinge pin, or more precisely at its ends, makes the glasses much more stable than if the magnet were only pointing at one end of the hinge pin, thus reducing the risk of the temples accidentally being pushed out of the frame. The vertical arrangement of the magnet also saves space, as the magnet can be made longer and slimmer (and therefore stronger).

[0019] According to the invention, the hinge, or more precisely each temple hinge, comprises (exactly) two magnets spaced apart from each other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin, the longitudinal axis of which is essentially parallel to the optical axis of the glasses (i.e., parallel to a horizontal line). One pole of the first magnet, preferably the south pole when the hinge pin is designed as a magnet, is arranged in the region of one end of the hinge pin, and one pole of the other magnet, preferably the north pole when the hinge pin is designed as a magnet, is arranged opposite the other end of the hinge pin. If, however, the hinge pin is made only of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, it generally does not matter whether the north or south pole of one of the magnets strikes the hinge pin, since the latter is still attracted by the two magnets.Regardless of whether the hinge pin is magnetizable or magnetic, this arrangement further increases the stability of the glasses, since the arrangement of the magnets in the area of ​​the ends of the hinge pin creates a particularly strong attractive force of the magnets, which counteracts the moment against tilting.

[0020] The temple hinge preferably comprises a (slim) hinge pin as a cylindrical rod whose length corresponds to a multiple of its diameter, wherein the hinge pin is preferably made of or comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, or the hinge pin is designed as a magnet, such as a bar magnet, wherein the poles of the magnets assigned to the hinge bushing are aligned with the poles of the hinge pin such that the two magnets assigned to the hinge bushing and the two poles of the hinge pin designed as a magnet attract each other in order to build up the magnetic force counter to the direction of pull. One could also say that the hinge pin is perpendicular to the optical axis of the glasses, i.e. along a vertical line. This allows it to be designed slimmer, i.e. thinner and longer, which enables a comparatively small, i.e. less thick, temple.

[0021] All of the magnets mentioned can be neodymium magnets.

[0022] According to a special embodiment, the temple hinge is assigned at least one tongue and groove connection, wherein the tongue preferably surrounds the hinge pin at least partially in the circumferential direction and engages in a complementary circumferential groove in the hinge bushing, so that when the hinge pin rotates, the tongue is supported, preferably together with the hinge pin, on the wall of the circumferential groove of the hinge bushing. This enables additional mechanical stabilization. This is because in the event of tilting, i.e. when the temple is not moved along the optical axis of the glasses, e.g. due to it being inadvertently bent upwards about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the optical axis, the tongue tilts in the groove and ensures resistance to unscrewing in this direction. The tongue and groove connection therefore serves to prevent the temple from accidentally becoming detached from the frame.The tongue and groove of the tongue-groove connection form a plain bearing.

[0023] Preferably, the tongue-and-groove connection is located between the two magnets associated with the hinge bushing. This positioning optimizes the mechanical support of the magnetic functions and contributes to the overall strength of the structure.

[0024] A pair of glasses according to the invention comprises a spectacle frame and two temples, each temple being attachable to the spectacle frame by means of a respective temple hinge, each temple hinge being designed according to the invention.

[0025] According to a further particular embodiment, the temple hinge is formed on the one hand by the spectacle frame and on the other hand by the spectacle temple, wherein preferably the hinge bushing and in particular the groove of the tongue-groove connection is formed by the spectacle temple and the hinge pin and in particular the tongue of the tongue-groove connection is formed by the spectacle temple.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one magnet runs with its longitudinal axis parallel to the optical axis of the glasses, and preferably the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin runs perpendicular to the optical axis of the glasses. This arrangement maximizes the aforementioned advantages.

[0027] A method according to the invention for producing spectacles comprises the following steps: producing the spectacle frame, the temples, and the temple hinges connecting the temple to the frame using an additive manufacturing process; inserting magnets into the empty space created by the hinge bushing to accommodate the magnets; and inserting the hinge pin into the empty space created by the temple during production, preferably by overmolding or, after the production of the aforementioned parts using the additive manufacturing process, preferably by insertion, to obtain spectacles according to the invention. This process enables efficient and precise production of modern spectacle designs.

[0028] The advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the figures.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 a spatial, partially exploded view of a pair of glasses according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 the subject of Fig. 1 in assembled condition; Fig. 3 a plan view of the subject of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a spatial partial view of the glasses from behind, with the temple removed from the frame; Fig. 5 the subject of Fig. 4 with attached temples

[0030] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is a three-dimensional representation of a part of a pair of spectacles 1 comprising a spectacle frame 2 and two temples 3, wherein only a part of the spectacles 1 is shown here, namely a part of a spectacle frame 2 with a part of a temple 3. Two spectacle lenses are held in the spectacle frame 2, wherein here, too, only one spectacle lens 4 is shown. The optical axis of the spectacle lens 4 is indicated by a dot-dash line.

[0031] Furthermore, each temple 3 can be attached to the spectacle frame 2 by means of a temple hinge 5. In the embodiment shown, the temple hinge 5 is formed on the one hand by the spectacle frame 2 and on the other hand by the temple 3.

[0032] The temple hinge 5 serves for the rotatable connection of one temple 3 with the frame 2 of the spectacles 1. For this purpose, the temple hinge 5 is assigned a hinge bushing 6 in which a hinge pin 7 is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis. As indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 2, the respective temple piece 3 can be pivoted back and forth with its free end around the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin 7 in the direction of the frame 2 in order to fold the glasses 1 together and unfold them again. Fig. In the position shown in Figure 2, the glasses 1 are unfolded and can be worn in this way.

[0033] The hinge bushing 6 is designed in such a way that it partially surrounds the hinge pin 7 in the circumferential direction. This is best seen from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. One could also say that the hinge bushing 6 is open around its circumference.

[0034] The hinge pin 7 is magnetizable or magnetic. At least one magnet is assigned to the hinge bushing 6, here the two magnets 8.1, 8.2, which are arranged opposite the hinge pin 7 (see Fig. 3) that the north pole of the at least one magnet 8.1 is located in the area of ​​one end and the south pole of the at least one magnet 8.2 is located in the area of ​​the other end of the hinge pin 7. Thus, both magnets 8.1, 8.2 exert a magnetic force on the hinge pin 7 in order to keep the bow hinge 5 closed and thus in its function. The hinge bushing 6 and the at least one magnet, here the two magnets 8.1, 8.2, are designed such that the hinge pin 7 can be pulled out of the hinge bushing 6 purely by hand - and thus without tools - against the magnetic force of the at least one magnet 8.1, 8.2 in a pulling direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin 7 (see the thick arrow in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, which runs essentially parallel to the optical axis of the glasses or the lens 4) can be pulled out.

[0035] The magnets 8.1, 8.2 are arranged at a distance from each other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin 7, so that one pole of the first magnet 8.1, preferably the south pole, is located in the area of ​​one end of the hinge pin 7 and one pole of the other magnet 8.2, preferably the north pole, is located opposite the other end of the hinge pin 7. Due to the distance between the magnets, they act on the ends of the hinge pin 7 and counteract a tilting moment acting around the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin 7 (see the double arrows in Fig. 5), whereby they protect the temple hinge 5 against unintentional opening and thus a separation of the temple 3 from the frame 2.

[0036] In the embodiments shown, the hinge pin 7 is designed as a cylindrical rod whose length corresponds to a multiple of its diameter. It can be made of or comprise a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, or even be designed as a magnet, such as a bar magnet. The poles of the magnets 8.1, 8.2 assigned to the hinge bushing 6 are aligned with the poles of the hinge pin 7 acting as a magnet in such a way that the two magnets 8.1, 8.2 assigned to the hinge bushing 6 and the two poles of the hinge pin 7 designed as a magnet attract each other to build up the magnetic force opposite to the pulling direction (for releasing the bow hinge).

[0037] At least one tongue-and-groove connection 9 is assigned to the bracket hinge 5, wherein the tongue 10 surrounds the hinge pin 7 at least partially in the circumferential direction and is inserted into a complementarily formed circumferential groove 11 (see Fig. 4) engages in the hinge bushing 6, so that when the hinge pin 7 rotates, the spring 10 is preferably supported together with the hinge pin 7 on the wall of the circumferential groove 11 of the hinge bushing 6. One could also say that the spring 10 forms a void, like a through-hole, into which the hinge pin 7 engages. To improve the rigidity of the spectacles 1 and to have greater resistance to lateral tilting moments, the spring-groove connection 9 is arranged between the two magnets 8.1, 8.2 assigned to the hinge bushing 6.

[0038] As shown, the hinge bushing 6 and the groove 11 of the tongue-and-groove connection 9 can be formed by the spectacle frame 2, and the hinge pin 7, and in particular the tongue 10 of the tongue-and-groove connection, can be formed by the temple 3. In principle, the positions could also be reversed, so that the hinge bushing 6 can be formed by the temple 3 and the hinge pin 7 by the spectacle frame 2.

[0039] The Fig. The individual parts of the glasses 1 shown in Figure 1, such as the frame 2 and the two temples 3, could in principle be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. Thus, the aforementioned parts could be printed using a 3D printer. For this purpose, the Fig.1 for accommodating the magnets 8.1, 8.2 and for inserting the hinge pin 7 into the empty space created by the temple 2 around the spring 10. The magnets 8.1, 8.2 and the hinge pin 7 could then be inserted into these empty spaces to obtain the finished temple hinge 5.

[0040] The material of the glasses 1 can comprise a thermoplastic or thermoset, regardless of the embodiment shown.

Claims

[1] Temple hinge (5) for rotatably connecting a temple (3) to a spectacle frame (2) of a pair of spectacles, wherein the temple hinge (6) is assigned a hinge bushing in which a hinge pin (7) is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge bushing is designed such that it partially surrounds the hinge pin (7) viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the hinge pin (7) is magnetizable or magnetic, and at least one magnet is assigned to the hinge bushing, which is arranged opposite the hinge pin (7) in such a way that the north pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of one end and the south pole of the at least one magnet is in the region of the other end of the hinge pin (7), and the at least one magnet exerts a magnetic force on the hinge pin (7), wherein the hinge bushing and the at least one magnet are designed such thatthat the hinge pin (7) can be pulled out of the hinge bushing by hand against the magnetic force of the at least one magnet in a pulling direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin (7), , characterized by that two magnets (8.1, 8.2) are provided which are spaced apart from one another perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin (7), wherein one pole of the first magnet (8.1, 8.2), preferably the south pole, is arranged in the region of one end of the hinge pin (7) and one pole of the other magnet (8.1, 8.2), preferably the north pole, is arranged opposite the other end of the hinge pin (7). [2] Bow hinge (5) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the hinge pin (7) is designed as a cylindrical rod whose length corresponds to a multiple of its diameter, wherein the hinge pin (7) is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, or comprises such a material, or the hinge pin (7) is designed as a magnet, such as a bar magnet, wherein the poles of the magnets assigned to the hinge bushing (6) are aligned with the poles of the hinge pin (7) in such a way that the two magnets assigned to the hinge bushing (6) and the two poles of the hinge pin (7) designed as a magnet attract each other in order to build up the magnetic force counter to the pulling direction. [3] Bow hinge (5) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the bow hinge (5) is assigned at least one tongue and groove connection (9), wherein the tongue (10) preferably surrounds the hinge pin (7) at least partially in the circumferential direction and engages in a complementarily formed circumferential groove (11) in the hinge bush (6), so that the tongue (10) is supported on the wall of the circumferential groove (11) of the hinge bush (6) when the hinge pin (7) rotates, preferably together with the hinge pin (7). [4] Bow hinge (5) according to claim 3, characterized by that the tongue-and-groove connection (9) is arranged between the two magnets (8.1, 8.2) assigned to the hinge bushing (6). [5] Spectacles (1) comprising a spectacle frame (2) and two spectacle temples (3), wherein each spectacle temple (3) can be fastened to the spectacle frame (2) by means of a respective temple hinge (5), wherein each temple hinge (5) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [6] Glasses (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the temple hinge (5) is formed on the one hand by the spectacle frame (2) and on the other hand by the spectacle temple (3), wherein preferably the hinge bushing (6) and in particular the groove (11) of the tongue-and-groove connection (9) is formed by the spectacle frame (2) and the hinge pin (7) and in particular the tongue (10) of the tongue-and-groove connection (9) is formed by the spectacle temple (3). [7] Glasses (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the at least one magnet (8.1, 8.2) runs with its longitudinal axis parallel to the optical axis of the spectacles (1) and preferably the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin (7) runs perpendicular to the optical axis of the spectacles (1). [8] Glasses (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the glasses (1) are manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing or injection molding. [9] Method for producing spectacles (1) comprising the following steps: producing the spectacle frame (2), the temples (3) and the temple hinges (5) connecting the temple (3) to the spectacle frame (2) by means of an additive manufacturing process, inserting magnets (8.1, 8.2) into the empty space created by the hinge bushing (6) for receiving the magnets (8.1, 8.2) and inserting the hinge pin (7) into the empty space created by the temple (3) during production, preferably by overmolding or after the production of said parts by means of the additive manufacturing process, preferably by insertion, in order to obtain spectacles (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8.

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