Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge

Abstract

Spectacle frame with screwless hinge, wherein the spectacle frame comprises a lens holder frame (1) with two transversely spaced (DT) ends and two longitudinally extended (DL) temples (2), wherein each temple (2) is connected to one of the two ends of the lens holder frame (1) by means of a hinge, wherein each hinge comprises: a first joint part (10) integrating a first eyelet (11), a second joint part (20) integrating a hook (21), and a U-shaped spring (30) with a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) which are opposite each other and are provided with second opposing eyelets (33); wherein the first joint part (10) is integrated into one end of the lens holder mount and the second joint part (20) is integrated into one end of a yoke, or vice versa; the second joint part (20) is inserted through the two second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), wherein the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is pressed against the second joint part (20) and a part of the hook (21) protrudes from the second arm (32) of the spring (30) through the corresponding second eyelet (33); and wherein the first joint part (10) includes a first retaining area (12) defined between an end of the first eyelet (11) and a distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10) which is received within the hook (21), and the second joint part (20) includes a second retaining area (22) inserted into the first eyelet (11), wherein the spring (30) is held under elastic deformation between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20); characterized by the fact that the second joint part (20) and the corresponding hook (21) are a single flat part with a constant thickness that is equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet (11) and the second eyelets (33), wherein the shape of the hook (21) and the second joint part (20) is defined by the shape of the constant-thickness perimeter of the flat part.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spectacle frame with a screwless hinge, which is provided with a first hinge part containing a first eyelet, a second hinge part containing a hook engaging with the first eyelet, and a spring formed from a U-shaped bent strip inserted between the first hinge part and the second hinge part, separating them with an elastic force, wherein the second hinge part and the corresponding hook are arranged through second eyelets of said spring. State of the art

[0002] Eyeglass frames with hinges are very common, with the hinge typically consisting of two halves connected by a screw that acts as the pivot point. With this type of hinge, the screw can loosen or even fall out, rendering the frame unusable.

[0003] Several screwless joint solutions are also known to address this problem.

[0004] For example, WO2022063998A1 and CN206975336U describe a frame in which the temple forks at its end closest to the lens holder frame and the forked ends are engaged by a complementary coupling, forcing an elastic separation between the two forked ends, which act as a spring and hold the temples in the open and closed positions.

[0005] However, this solution requires that the brackets exhibit a predetermined flexibility in order to use parts of the bracket as springs.

[0006] The present invention solves these and other problems. Brief description of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a spectacle frame with a screwless hinge, as described in claim 1.

[0008] The proposed eyeglass frame with a screwless hinge includes: a lens holder frame with two transversely spaced ends and two longitudinally extended arms, each arm being connected to one of the two ends of the lens holder frame by means of a joint.

[0009] A lens holder frame is a frame designed to be positioned in front of the user's eyes and to hold two lenses. It typically includes a bridge designed to rest on the user's nose.

[0010] It is also understood that the temples are intended to be positioned on both sides of the user's face, with one proximal end connected to the lens holder via the aforementioned joint and another distal end resting on the user's ears.

[0011] The aforementioned joint allows the brackets to move between an extended and a folded position. It should be understood that the transverse and longitudinal directions are defined when the brackets are in the extended position, in which case the transverse and longitudinal directions are approximately perpendicular to each other. Each joint comprises: a first joint part incorporating a first eyelet, a second joint part incorporating a hook, and a U-shaped spring with a first arm and a second arm opposite each other and provided with second opposing eyelets; wherein the first joint part is integrated into one end of the lens holder mount and the second joint part is integrated into one end of a yoke, or vice versa; the second joint part is inserted through the two second eyelets of the spring, with the first arm of the spring being pressed against the second joint part and a part of the hook protruding from the second arm of the spring through the corresponding second eyelet; and wherein the first joint part contains a first holding area defined between an end of the first eyelet and a distal edge of the first joint part that is received inside the hook, and the second joint part contains a second holding area inserted into the first eyelet, the spring being held under elastic deformation between the first joint part and the second joint part.

[0012] It is to be understood that the first eyelet and each of the second eyelets are elongated through-holes that allow the flattened hook to be inserted.

[0013] In this case, both the first eyelet and the second eyelets are preferably elongated in the longitudinal direction, and the hook shows its main surfaces parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions, making it possible to insert it through the longitudinally elongated first and second eyelets.

[0014] The first joint part, equipped with the first eyelet, can be attached to one end of the lens holder housing, and the second joint part, equipped with the hook, can be integrated into one end of the arm adjacent to the lens holder housing. A reverse design is also provided, in which the first joint part with the first eyelet is integrated into the end of the arm, and the second joint part with the hook is connected to the end of the lens holder housing.

[0015] The spring is inserted between the first joint part and the second joint part and generates an elastic force that separates them from each other in the transverse direction, with this separation being limited by the engagement between the hook and the first holding area of ​​the first joint part, which is held inside the hook.

[0016] The inside of the hook refers to the concave space that is partially enclosed by the hook.

[0017] In addition to the foregoing, the present invention proposes that the second joint part and the corresponding hook are a single flat part with a constant thickness equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet and the second eyelets, wherein the shape of the hook and the second joint part is defined by the shape of the constant-thickness circumference of said flat part.

[0018] This allows for the quick, easy, and cost-effective production of the second joint part and the hook, for example, by cutting the flat part, thereby increasing precision. Furthermore, assembly is simplified because the process of connecting the hook to the rest of the second joint part is eliminated, thus reducing costs.

[0019] It should be understood that the specifications for geometric positions, such as parallel, perpendicular, tangential, etc., allow deviations of up to ±5° from the theoretical position defined by the aforementioned nomenclature. Brief description of the characters

[0020] The foregoing and further advantages and features will become more fully understandable from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be understood as merely exemplary and not limiting, wherein: Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a spectacle frame with a screwless joint in an unfolded position according to a first embodiment, in which the second joint part is formed at one end of each temple. Fig. 2 an enlarged schematic top view of the joint of the same in Fig. Figure 1 shows the embodiment in its disassembled state. Fig. 3 the in Fig. The enlarged schematic top view shown in section 2 shows, however, with the spring attached to the second joint part. Fig. 4 the in Fig. The enlarged schematic top view shown in section 3 shows the product in its assembled state. Fig. 5 the in Fig. The enlarged schematic top view shown in section 4 is shown, but in the folded position. Fig. 6 a schematic view like the one in Fig. Figure 4 shows, however, according to an alternative embodiment in which the first joint part is formed at one end of each bracket. Detailed description of the invention and exemplary embodiments

[0021] The accompanying figures show exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] The proposed spectacle frame with screwless joint comprises a lens holder frame (1) with two ends spaced apart in the transverse direction (DT) and two temples (2) extended in the longitudinal direction (DL), each temple (2) being connected to one of the two ends of the lens holder frame (1) by means of a joint.

[0023] Each joint comprises a first joint part (10) incorporating a first eyelet (11), a second joint part (20) incorporating a hook (21), and a U-shaped spring (30) provided with a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) opposite each other and provided with second opposing eyelets (33), wherein the spring (30) is compressed between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20) and its second eyelets (33) are traversed by the second joint part (20) and the corresponding hook (21).

[0024] The first joint part (10) is integrated into one end of the lens holder housing (1) and the second joint part (20) is integrated into one end of a bracket (2).

[0025] Alternatively, the second joint part (20) is integrated into one end of the lens holder housing (1) and the first joint part (10) is integrated into one end of a bracket (2).

[0026] In each of these two embodiments, the second joint part (20) is inserted through the two second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), with the first arm (31) of the spring (30) being pressed against the second joint part (20) and a part of the hook (21) protruding from the second arm (32) of the spring (30) through the corresponding second eyelet (33).

[0027] The first joint part (10) also includes a first retention area (12) defined between an end of the first eyelet (11) and a distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10). This first retention area (12) is located within the hook (21).

[0028] The second joint part (20) contains a second holding area (22) which is inserted into the first eyelet (11) of the first joint part (10).

[0029] Typically, the second holding area (22) of the hook (21), which is contained inside the first eyelet (11), is a distal end of the hook (21) adjacent to its tip, but an alternative embodiment is also provided in which the second holding area (22) of the hook (21), which remains contained inside the first eyelet (11), is an intermediate area of ​​the hook (21).

[0030] The spring (30) remains held under elastic deformation between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20), clamped by the engagement between the hook (21) and the first eyelet (11).

[0031] It is further proposed that the second joint part (20) and the corresponding hook (21) are a single flat part with a constant thickness equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet (11) and the second eyelets (33), wherein the shape of the hook (21) and the second joint part (20) is defined by the shape of the constant-thickness perimeter of said flat part.

[0032] In this case, the main surfaces of the aforementioned flat part are typically parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).

[0033] It is further proposed that the first retaining region (12) of the first joint part (10), which is received within the hook (21), can be a longitudinally (DL) extended region such that the relative rotation between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20) causes a rotation of the first retaining region (12) within the hook (21), with the distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10) sliding over the surface of the second arm (32) of the spring (30) and pressing it towards the first arm (31) of the spring (30), thereby increasing its elastic deformation. This generates an elastic force that pushes the brackets into the unfolded position.

[0034] The second arm (32) of the spring (30) may further include a recess (34) that is complementary to the distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10). This recess (34) is configured to receive the distal edge of the first joint part (10) within its interior when the bracket (2) reaches a maximum folding position, thereby providing a support. Typically, this recess is a vertical channel that runs perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal directions (DT, DL).

[0035] Preferably, the second hinge part (20) is an end of the temple (2) of the spectacle frame. In this case, the temple is also formed at least mostly from a flat part, and preferably the main surfaces of said flat part, from which the temples consist, can run parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).

[0036] The reverse construction is also provided, in which the end of the bracket is the first joint part (10).

[0037] The first arm (31) of the spring (30) can be pressed against the second joint part (20) by a first support area (35) defined between an end of the second eyelet (32) of the first arm (31) and a distal edge of the first arm (31), the first support area (35) being supported and pressed against a first seat (25) of the second joint part (20).

[0038] Typically, the first seat (25) mentioned above can be defined by a step defined at the circumference with constant thickness of the second joint part (20).

[0039] The part of the second joint part (20) that is inserted through the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) can be enclosed between the first seat (25) and a second seat (26) of the second joint part (20) that is spaced longitudinally (DL) apart from the first seat (25), wherein the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is firmly inserted between the first seat (25) and the second seat (26), thereby providing a support for the spring (30) on the second joint part (20).

[0040] This allows the spring to remain connected to the second joint part even when the first joint part is separated from the second joint part, thus simplifying assembly.

[0041] The spring (30) may further include a third eyelet (36) arranged between the two second eyelets (33), and the second seat (26) may also include a projection (27) inserted into the third eyelet (36), thereby providing an additional support for the spring (30) on the second joint part (20).

[0042] The second joint part (20), the hook (21), the first eyelet (11) of the first joint part (10), the second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first holding area (12) of the first joint part (10) and the second holding area (22) of the second joint part (20) are preferably all coplanar to each other in a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).

[0043] The first joint part (10) can be a flat part whose main surfaces are perpendicular to the transverse direction (DT), in which case the second joint part (20) can be a flat part whose main surfaces are perpendicular to the main surfaces of the first joint part (10). QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022063998A1

[0004] CN 206975336U

[0004]

Claims

[1] Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge, wherein the eyeglass frame comprises a lens holder frame (1) having two transversely spaced (DT) ends and two longitudinally extended (DL) temples (2), wherein each temple (2) is connected to one of the two ends of the lens holder frame (1) by means of a hinge, wherein each hinge comprises: a first joint part (10) integrating a first eyelet (11), a second joint part (20) integrating a hook (21), and a U-shaped spring (30) with a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) which are opposite each other and are provided with second opposing eyelets (33); wherein the first joint part (10) is integrated into one end of the lens holder mount and the second joint part (20) is integrated into one end of a yoke, or vice versa; the second joint part (20) is inserted through the two second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), wherein the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is pressed against the second joint part (20) and a part of the hook (21) protrudes from the second arm (32) of the spring (30) through the corresponding second eyelet (33); and wherein the first joint part (10) includes a first retaining area (12) defined between an end of the first eyelet (11) and a distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10) which is received within the hook (21), and the second joint part (20) includes a second retaining area (22) inserted into the first eyelet (11), wherein the spring (30) is held under elastic deformation between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20); characterized by , that the second joint part (20) and the corresponding hook (21) are a single flat part with a constant thickness that is equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet (11) and the second eyelets (33), wherein the shape of the hook (21) and the second joint part (20) is defined by the shape of the constant-thickness perimeter of the flat part. [2] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining area (12) of the first joint part (10) which is received within the hook (21) is extended in the longitudinal direction (DL) such that the relative rotation between the first joint part (10) and the second joint part (20) causes a rotation of the first retaining area (12) within the hook (21), wherein the distal edge (13) of the first joint part (10) slides over the surface of the second arm (32) of the spring (30) and pushes it towards the first arm (31) of the spring (30), thereby increasing its elastic deformation. [3] Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to claim 2, wherein the second arm (32) of the spring (30) includes a recess (34) which is complementary to the distal edge (13) of the first hinge part (10) and which is configured to receive the distal edge (13) of the first hinge part (10) inside it when the temple (2) reaches a maximum folding position, thereby providing a support. [4] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to claim 1, wherein the second joint part (20) is an end of the temple (2) of the eyeglass frame. [5] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is pressed against the second joint part (20) by a first support area (35) defined between an end of the second eyelet (32) of the first arm (31) and a distal edge of the first arm (31), wherein the first support area (35) is supported and pressed against a first seat (25) of the second joint part (20) defined at the circumference with constant thickness of the second joint part (20). [6] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to claim 5, wherein the part of the second joint part (20) which is inserted through the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is enclosed between the first seat (25) and a second seat (26) of the second joint part (20) which is spaced apart from the first seat (25) in the longitudinal direction (DL), wherein the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is firmly inserted between the first seat (25) and the second seat (26), thereby providing a support for the spring (30) on the second joint part (20). [7] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to claim 6, wherein the spring (30) includes a third eyelet (36) arranged between the two second eyelets (33), and wherein the second seat (26) includes a projection (27) inserted into the third eyelet (36), thereby providing an additional support for the spring (30) on the second joint part (20). [8] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second joint part (20), the hook (21), the first eyelet (11) of the first joint part (10), the second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first retaining area (12) of the first joint part (10) and the second retaining area (22) of the second joint part (20) are coplanar in a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT). [9] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first joint part (10) is a flat part whose main surfaces are perpendicular to the transverse direction (DT), and the second joint part (20) is a flat part whose main surfaces are perpendicular to the main surfaces of the first joint part (10). [10] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second holding area (22) of the hook (21) which is located inside the first eyelet (11) is a distal end of the hook (21) which adjoins its tip. [11] Eyeglass frame with screwless joint according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the second holding area (22) of the hook (21) is an intermediate area of ​​the hook (21).

Images