Eyeglass joint

Abstract

The present invention relates to a screwless elastic joint for eyeglasses. The invention describes a joint for an eyeglass frame with temples, wherein the joint (1) comprises a front portion (2), a temple portion (3), and a compression spring element (4), wherein the temple portion (3) comprises a cuboid that is open forward, along one side, and inwardly, and inwardly directed short hinge pins (6) are located on opposite inner faces (5) of the open cuboid, and wherein the front portion (2) is in the form of a retaining tab (9), wherein the retaining tab (9) is designed to be inserted into the open cuboid of the temple portion (3), and recessed support latches (13) are located on two opposite outer surfaces of the retaining tab (9) and can engage with the short hinge pins (6) of the temple portion (3).As a result, the front part (2) and the temple part (3) can be articulated together, and the compression spring element (4) is situated between the front part (2) and the temple part (3) such that the front part (2) is movably fixed to the hinge pins (6) of the temple part (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a screwless, spring-loaded spectacle hinge.

[0002] From DE 43 39 517 C1, a spectacle frame with temples is known which are horizontally pivotable on a lens-side connection element, while the temples are also vertically movable by means of joints. The disadvantage of the prior art is that the temples are not in a fixed position in either the open or closed state. Furthermore, the temples must be fixed by means of an adjustable spring force, depending on the environment in which the user intends to use the spectacles.

[0003] US Patent 658,537,2 B1 describes a connecting structure between a temple arm and a holder for eyeglasses that provides adequate resistance to a characteristic variation in the nature of the unfolding and folding movement of the eyeglass arm, which is generated by the temple arm.

[0004] JP 2002-268017 A discloses the construction of a stirrup connection structure by simply utilizing the restoring force of an elastic spring element, thereby improving its assembly work, reducing manufacturing costs and preventing an enormous enlargement of a circumferential end piece to build the spring element in it.

[0005] In JP 2013-148826 A, the provision of a temple connection structure for eyeglasses by means of a snap-in structure is disclosed, the structure and assembly of which are simple.

[0006] US Patent 2010 / 0091237 A describes an elastic hinge element for an eyeglass frame, wherein the hinge element comprises a slide arranged in a housing and a return spring for the slide. The slide comprises a guided portion that engages with a guided zone of the frame and an end forming a joint that extends outward from the housing. The spring operates under compression between a rear stop integrated into the slide and a front stop. The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an eyeglass hinge consisting of few components and allowing tool-free assembly of the joint parts.

[0007] The problem is solved by a spectacle hinge with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments of the spectacle hinge according to the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a joint for a spectacle frame with temples, wherein the joint consists of a front part, a temple part and a compression spring element, wherein the temple part consists of a cuboid open at the front, along one side and inwards, and short, inwards directed pivot axes are arranged on the opposite inner surfaces of the open cuboid, and wherein the front part is designed in the form of a retaining lug, wherein the retaining lug is designed to be insertable into the open cuboid of the temple part and bearing hooks in the form of recesses are arranged in two opposite outer surfaces of the retaining lug, which can be hooked into the short pivot axes of the temple part, whereby the front part and the temple part can be articulated together and the compression spring element is arranged between the front part and the temple part in such a way that the front part is movably fixed on the pivot axes of the temple part.

[0009] A preferred joint according to the invention is one in which the temple part has an insert body which extends from the temple part to the temple of the glasses towards the rear, wherein the insert body is designed to be inserted into the temple of the glasses.

[0010] It is particularly preferred that the insert body has a cavity for forming a spring housing and that the bracket part has a bore on the rear wall of the open cuboid so that the compression spring element can be inserted through the bracket part into the cavity of the insert body.

[0011] A joint according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the front part further comprises a base plate which is arranged on the front part of the retaining lug.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that the base plate is designed such that, in the open state of the temple of the glasses, the base plate covers the front open side of the cuboid of the temple part.

[0013] It is particularly preferred that a connecting element is arranged on the forward-facing side of the base plate, which is provided for attaching the frame for the spectacle lenses.

[0014] Furthermore, a joint according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the retaining lug has a radius on the outside rear and a rounded edge on the inside rear.

[0015] A joint according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the compression spring element consists of a compression spring and a pin, the pin being arranged in the direction of the retaining lug.

[0016] A joint is also preferred, wherein the retaining lug on the side facing the pin is designed such that a constant compressive force is exerted on the compression spring for an angle range of 90° to 108° between the joint parts.

[0017] A joint is therefore still preferred, wherein the retaining lug on the side facing the pin is designed in such a way that, in an angle range between the front part and the bracket part of 0° to 18°, the compression spring no longer experiences any additional relaxation and the spring tension is thus lifted shortly before the bracket strikes the front.

[0018] A joint according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the pin is fixedly or releasably connected to the compression spring.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is a joint for a spectacle frame with temples, wherein the joint consists of a front part, a temple part and a compression spring element, wherein the front part consists of a cuboid open at the front, along one side and inwards, and short, inwards directed pivot axes are arranged on the opposite inner surfaces of the open cuboid, and wherein the temple part is designed in the form of a retaining lug, wherein the retaining lug is designed to be insertable into the open cuboid of the front part and bearing hooks in the form of recesses are arranged in two opposite outer surfaces of the retaining lug, which can be hooked into the short pivot axes of the front part, whereby the front part and the temple part can be articulated together and the compression spring element is arranged between the front part and the temple part in such a way that the temple part is movably fixed on the pivot axes of the front part.

[0020] A joint according to the invention is further preferred, wherein the compression spring element is designed in the form of a leaf spring and / or in the form of an elastomer part and / or a rubber molded part.

[0021] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of a spectacle hinge according to the invention; Fig. 2 Partial sectional views of the spectacle hinge according to the invention in three states during the attachment of the hinge; Fig. 3 a sectional view of the spectacle hinge according to the invention; and Fig. 4 Three top views of the spectacle hinge according to the invention in three different positions along the longitudinal axis. The definition

[0022] The position and direction information given herein is to be understood as follows: Front: the wearer's line of sight; back: opposite to front (towards the ear); inside: towards the head, towards the wearer's center of body; outside: away from the wearer's center of body. Hinge position 180°: temple fully open. Hinge position 90°: temple fully folded.

[0023] The joint according to the invention has two defined end positions, namely open and closed, into which it snaps when the temple of the glasses is opened and closed. This is achieved by the interaction of a spring-loaded pin and a non-circular running surface. The front and temple-side joint parts, namely the front part and the spectacle part, can be assembled and disassembled without tools by hooking the pivot axis into a bearing hook.

[0024] The temple of the glasses, which is made of, for example, plastic or metal, preferably contains a metal core or is made entirely of metal. A particularly preferred variant is a metal core within a plastic temple, which is referred to as a temple insert.

[0025] A compression spring, preferably a coil spring made of spring steel, and a pin, for example made of metal or ceramic, which is either pre-mounted or loosely inserted in front of it, are movably mounted in a spring housing in the front part of the temple insert. The spring housing may have barbs or other surface structures on the outside to prevent it from slipping out of the surrounding plastic of the temple. The cross-section of the spring housing can be round or polygonal, preferably as an anti-rotation feature. The insert can be incorporated into the plastic temple and fixed in place by injection molding, for example by vibration or heating, overmolding, riveting, gluing, or screwing.

[0026] According to the invention, the compression spring can also be in the form of a leaf spring. A spring element in the form of elastomer or rubber molded parts is also preferred.

[0027] The hinge component is attached to the front end of the stirrup insert. This is preferably manufactured from steel using metal injection molding and welded or brazed to the insert, but it can also be manufactured as a single piece with the insert. The hinge component consists of a box open at the front and inwards, in which two short pivot shafts are located at the top and bottom. The inner front edge of the box has a chamfer, which provides the necessary freedom of movement for the hinge when assembled. The rear wall of the box has a bore through which the spring element can be installed and removed. The short length of the pivot shafts provides sufficient space for this.

[0028] The front hinge component is preferably manufactured in one piece from steel using metal injection molding, but can also be produced by milling or extrusion / milling. The spectacle front can be made of plastic or metal. A front made of thermoplastic is particularly preferred. The front hinge component has a mounting device that allows it to be inserted into a plastic front. This can be done by hot injection molding, vibration welding, gluing, riveting, or screwing. It can also be pressed onto another metal part at the front of the spectacle front. Injection molding using vibration and pressure is particularly preferred.

[0029] The insertion mushroom, rivet receptacle, or other suitable mounting device is arranged on a base plate that defines the positioning of the front joint part on the plastic and prevents it from sinking in too deeply. The base plate can also serve as a stop for the hinge part on the stirrup side. The base plate is not required for the movement of the joint, but when assembled, it prevents the joint from being unintentionally disassembled in any stirrup position.

[0030] On the base plate is a lug, preferably in the form of a retaining lug, which fits into the hinge housing on the bracket side and has a radius on its outer rear side and a slightly rounded edge on its inner rear side. When assembled, this edge forms the non-circular running surface for the spring element on the bracket side. The lug can also serve as a stop for the hinge part on the bracket side. On the upper and lower sides of the lug is an outwardly open hook geometry that serves as a bearing for the pivot pins of the bracket part. This hook geometry allows for tool-free mounting of the bracket to the front, similar to a bayonet fitting. By moving the bracket relative to the front from the outside inwards at an angle of approximately 45°, the inner side of the front-side lug can be used to press the spring-loaded pin into the spring housing, thus guiding the pivots into the hook from the outside.When the temple is released, the spring element pushes the axle into the hook, allowing the joint to open and close at angles from 180° to 90°. The square running surface of the pin pushes it furthest back when the temple is at a 45° angle relative to the front. At 90° and 180°, the spring is at its most relaxed. This results in defined end positions for the temple's movement.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the joint according to the invention, it is provided that in the angle range of 108° to 90°, i.e., shortly before the temple is fully folded inwards, no further spring force is provided towards the front. For this purpose, the running surface of the retaining lug is shaped such that, before the temple reaches the front, in an angle range of 108° to 90°, no spring force acts inwards, but only a movement adjustment takes place. The spring thus remains constantly compressed over the last part of the temple's travel. The advantages of this embodiment are that, due to the constant pressure exerted by the spring on the temple against the front and on the other temple, deformation of the plastic and deformation of the glasses as a whole can be prevented over a longer period and under the influence of heat.Since the spring remains consistently compressed on the last part of the bracket's travel, unwanted deformation of the frame can be prevented.

[0032] The spring force, and therefore the spring behavior of the bracket, can be varied by adjusting the length, number of coils, and wire thickness of the compression spring, as well as the length of the pin. This means its behavior can be modified without replacing the joint.

[0033] The joint can also be disassembled without tools by moving the bracket forward and outward relative to the front at an angle of approximately 45° between the bracket and the front. This allows for replacement of the spring element should it fatigue over time. Lubricating the mechanism with a small amount of oil or grease is recommended to minimize wear. Applying a thick grease to the spring before installation offers two advantages: the spring housing acts as a pump reservoir for the lubricant, and the grease's viscosity significantly reduces the likelihood of losing the spring, including the pin, during disassembly.

[0034] The inventive design allows for the creation of spectacle hinges with a minimum height of 4 mm. However, depending on the design of the spectacles, the height can be chosen as desired. Further minimization is limited by the practical spring diameters and the minimum wall thicknesses of the spring housing and its plastic casing, but it is conceivable. Greater heights are easily achievable. The hinge components can be finished by polishing, PVD coating, or electroplating. The surface-mounted installation described here is preferred; however, hinge positions offset to the inside of the temple can also be implemented, rendering the hinge invisible from the outside when the temple is open. This also allows for greater flexibility in choosing the temple height.

[0035] According to the invention, the temple part, preferably including the temple insert, is to be completely enclosed in the plastic of the temple. Thus, the joint is no longer visible from the outside. It is particularly preferred that the plastic is acetate, especially cellulose acetate, or polyamide, especially laser-sintered polyamide 12.

[0036] According to the invention, various embodiments for attaching the spectacle hinge to the spectacle frame are preferred. The hinge can be attached to the frame by injection molding, riveting, screwing, gluing, potting, or pressing. If components of the front of the spectacle frame are made of metals or alloys, the hinge can be attached by welding, soldering, or other methods for joining metallic materials. The respective joining methods and processes mentioned herein require different optimal shapes for the hinge front piece, such as injection molding, screw bosses, adhesive pins, and the like, but these can be varied independently of the hinge function according to the invention.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the invention, various embodiments for attaching the spectacle hinge according to the invention to the temple are preferred, and these can also be designed variably. Preferably, the hinge according to the invention is floated, hot riveted, hot formed, or pressed into a plastic temple or a temple end. However, the components can also be joined by gluing, screwing, riveting, potting, pressing, or other known joining techniques. If components of the temple are made of metals or alloys, the hinge can be attached by welding, soldering, or other methods for joining metallic materials. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is provided that a temple insert in wire or sheet metal form is formed for plastic temples, which connects directly to the spring housing of the spectacle hinge according to the invention.According to the invention, it is further provided that a metal temple with the spectacle hinge according to the invention is manufactured in one piece, in that the spring housing does not continue in a temple insert, but in a metal temple.

[0038] In the previously described arrangement of the components, where the retaining lug is mounted on the front and the axle, pin, and spring are arranged towards the temple assembly, the elongated coil spring is arranged in the temple body in a space-saving manner. However, according to the invention, a reversed orientation of the components is also provided. By shortening and widening the spring element or by using a different spring concept, for example, in the form of a leaf spring or an elastomer or rubber molded part, this spring concept can be accommodated at the front, and thus the entire spectacle hinge according to the invention can be installed in a reversed arrangement. This arrangement also represents an embodiment of the spectacle hinge according to the invention.It is clear to those skilled in the art that this form of arrangement of the components can also be partially derived from the aforementioned embodiments in the reversed arrangement of the components, and that this embodiment can be fully described in the present description.

[0039] The following exemplary embodiments explain the invention in more detail without limiting its scope. The invention and its embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0040] In the Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a spectacle hinge 1 according to the invention. The spectacle hinge 1 consists of the front part 2 and the temple part 2, which are designed to be interlocked. The front part 2, which can be integrated into the spectacle front by means of the mounting device 12, has a retaining lug 9, which is arranged towards the temple. Bearing hooks 13 are arranged on the outer surfaces of two opposing side surfaces of the retaining lug 9. The bearing hooks 13 can, for example, be milled into the respective side surfaces of the retaining lug 9. The dimensions of the retaining lug 9 are such that the retaining lug 9 can be inserted into and hooked into the hollow body of the temple part 3 of the hinge 1. The front part 2 also has a base plate 11, which serves various purposes.The base plate 11 can serve as a stop against the bracket part 3 and / or prevent the unintentional disassembly of the joint parts 2, 3. The second part of the joint 1 is referred to as the bracket part 3. The bracket part 3 has a device for receiving the front part 2. This receiving device is designed in the form of a cuboid which is open on the inside and in which two side faces of the cuboid are completely removed, namely the front face, which faces the front part 2 when the joint is assembled, and a longitudinal side, which extends from the front face of the cuboid towards the bracket insert 10, is partially removed, the remaining portion of the cuboid side face having a chamfer 8 on the forward-facing side edge. Advantageously, the corners of the opposing cuboid side faces are chamfered to allow the retaining lug 9 to be engaged in the open cuboid.Short pivot axes 6 are arranged on the inner faces 5 of the cuboid, which are the inner surfaces of the opposing cuboid faces. The pivot axes 6 have a height that allows the bearing hooks 13 to be engaged, but are also sufficiently spaced apart to allow the spring element 4 to pass through during assembly of the joint. To insert the spring element 4 into the bracket insert 10, the receiving device in the shape of the cuboid has an opening (not shown) on the side facing the bracket insert 10.

[0041] This opening is then spatially connected to the spring housing 7, which is part of the bracket insert. The spring housing receives the spring element 4, so that the spring element 4 exerts the required spring tension on the joint.

[0042] The third component of joint 1 is the spring element 4. During assembly of the joint, the spring element 4 is inserted into the spring housing 7. The spring element 7 then exerts its spring force on the retaining lug 9 of the front part 2, causing the short pivot axes 6 and the bearing hooks 13 to be under spring tension. In both the open and closed positions of the joint, the spring element 4 is in a relaxed state, thus minimizing wear on the spring force.

[0043] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows partial sectional views of the spectacle hinge according to the invention in three positions during the installation of the hinge. To assemble the hinge 1, the spring element 4 is first inserted into the spring housing 7 of the temple part 1. In the Figure 2aFigure 1 shows how the retaining lug 9 of the front part 2 is inserted into the open cuboid of the bracket part 3. The retaining lug 9 is oriented such that the open side of the bearing hooks 13 is aligned with the pivot axes 6. Simultaneously, pressure is exerted on the spring element 4 by the retaining lug 9, so that the spring element 4 is under tension. When the pivot axis 6 engages in the bearing hook 13, the retaining lug 9 is displaced laterally towards the pivot axes 6, as shown in the figure 1. Figure 2b is shown. In the Figure 2bIt has now been shown that the pivot axes 6 are enclosed by the bearing hook 13 and that the front part 2 is now movably mounted and, as indicated by the arrow above the mounting device 12, can be moved into the open position of the joint. When the joint is in the open position, the spring element 4 rests against the rear end of the retaining lug 9 and is in a relaxed state. By moving the front part 2 in the opposite direction, the retaining lug 9 exerts pressure on the spring element 4, and upon reaching the closed position, the spring element 4 relaxes and then rests against the side wall of the retaining lug. It is particularly preferred that the running surface of the retaining lug is shaped such that, before the bracket strikes the front, no spring force acts inwards within an angle range of 108° to 90°, but only a movement regulation takes place.

[0044] In the Figure 2This demonstrates how the joint can be assembled without tools by joining the components, namely the front part 2, the spring element 4 and the bracket part 3.

[0045] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the spectacle hinge according to the invention. A hinge 1 is shown in the open position. The front part 2 is hooked into the temple part 3. The pivot axes and the bearing hooks are not shown due to the nature of the sectional view. The retaining lug 9 rests against the spring element 4. The spring element 4 itself consists of several components. First, the compression spring 14 is shown, which rests against a pin 15 or is fixedly or detachably connected to it. The pin 15 is preferably made of a material that has the same or a lower hardness than the front part 2 and / or the retaining lug 9 in order to minimize wear during movement of the hinge. This makes it possible to replace the pin 15 if excessive wear occurs. The materials can be selected from nickel silver, bronze, softer steels, or low-friction plastics. The forward-facing part of the pin 15 can optionally be rounded or hemispherical.According to the invention, only the forward-facing part of the pin 15 is selected from the materials described above. However, according to the invention, it is also provided that the pin 15 or the forward-facing part of the pin 15 is coated with a sliding plastic. The spring element 4 is inserted into the spring housing 7. The spring housing 7 is designed in the form of a cavity, preferably in the form of a bore inside the bracket insert 10.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment, the components sliding against each other, namely the retaining lug 9 and the front face of the pin 15 resting against the retaining lug 9, can be hemispherical or rounded in some other way. This results in less friction, as the area of ​​contact between the surfaces is smaller. This also reduces the friction between the components.

[0047] In the Figure 4 Three top views of the spectacle hinge according to the invention are shown in three different positions along the longitudinal axis.

[0048] The Figure 4a This shows a top view of the side of the open joint. Due to the shape and dimensions of the base plate 12, the joint itself is not visible. Figure 4bThis shows a top view of the upper and lower areas of the opened joint. The joint itself is not visible here either. Only the beveled edges of the cuboid for receiving the retaining lug are visible. To improve the mounting options for the temple insert in a plastic or other material, a surface structure 17 is shown on the outside of the spring housing. This surface structure 17 can have any desired shape to optimally secure the temple insert in the spectacle temple. In the Figure 4c The interior view of the opened spectacle hinge is now shown. The individual components and features of the hinge according to the invention are clearly illustrated. Reference symbol list

[0049] 1 Spectacle hinge 2 Front part 3 Temple part 4 Spring element 5 Inner surface of cuboid 6 Pivot axis 7 Spring housing 8 Chamfer 9 Retaining lug 10 Temple insert 11 Base plate 12 Mounting device 13 Bearing hook 14 Compression spring 15 Pin 16 Cavity / bore 17 Surface texture

Claims

1. Joint for a spectacle frame with temples, wherein the joint (1) consists of a front part (2), a temple part (3) and a compression spring element (4), wherein the temple part (3) consists of a cuboid open towards the front, along one side and on the inside, and short, inwardly directed axes of rotation (6) are arranged on the opposing inner sides (5) of the open cuboid, and wherein the front part (2) is designed in a form of a holding lug (9), wherein the holding lug (9) is designed to be insertable into the open cuboid of the temple part (3), and wherein hinging hooks (13) in form of recesses are arranged in two opposing outer surfaces of the holding lug (9), which are hookable in the short axes of rotation (6) of the temple part (3), whereby the front part (2) and the temple part (3) are jointly connectable with one another and the compression spring element (4) is arranged between the front part (2) and the temple part (3) in such a way that the front part (2) is fixed movably on the axes of rotation (6) of the temple part (3).

2. Joint according to claim 1, characterize in that the temple part (3) has an insert body (10), which extends rearwardly from the temple part (3) to the spectacle temple, wherein the insert body (10) is formed to be insertable into the spectacle temple.

3. Joint according to claim 2, characterized in that the insert body (10) has a cavity (16) for forming a spring housing (7) and that the temple part (3) has a bore on the rear wall of the open cuboid so that the compression spring element (4) is introducible through the temple part into the cavity (7) of the insert body (10).

4. Joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front part (2) further comprises a base plate (11) which is arranged at the front part of the holding lug (9).

5. Joint according to claim 4, characterized in that the base plate (11) is formed in such a way that in the opened state of the spectacle temple the base plate (11) covers the side of the cuboid of the temple part (3) which is open at the front.

6. Joint according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a connecting element (12) is arranged on the forward-facing side of the base plate (11), which is provided for fastening the frame for the spectacle glasses.

7. Joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding lug (9) has a radius at the outside rear and a rounded edge at the inside rear.

8. Joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression spring element (4) consists of a compression spring (14) and a pin (15), wherein the pin (15) is arranged in the direction to the holding lug (9).

9. Joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding lug (9) is formed on the side facing the pin (15) in such a way that a constant compressive force is exerted on the compression spring (14) at an angular range of the joint parts of 90° to 108° relative to one another.

10. Joint according to claim 9, characterized in that the pin (15) is fixed or releasably connected to the compression spring (14).

11. Joint for a spectacle frame with temples, wherein the joint (1) consists of a front part (2), a temple part (3) and a compression spring element (4), wherein the front part (2) consists of a cuboid which is open towards the front, along one side and on the inside, and short, inwardly directed axes of rotation (6) are arranged on the opposing inner sides (5) of the open cuboid, and wherein the temple part (3) is designed in the form of a holding lug (9), wherein the holding lug (9) is designed to be insertable into the open cuboid of the front part (2) and hinging hooks (13) in the form of recesses are arranged in two opposing outer surfaces of the holding lug (9), which are hookable in the short axes of rotation (6) of the front part (2), whereby the front part (2) and the temple part (3) are jointly connectable with one another and the compression spring element (4) is arranged between the front part (2) and the temple part (3) in such a way that the temple part (3) is fixed movably on the axes of rotation (6) of the front part (2).

12. Joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression spring element (4) is designed in the form of a leaf spring and / or in the form of an elastomer part and / or moulded rubber part.

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