Eyeglass frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a spectacle frame comprising: - two frames (1) each supporting a spectacle lens, defining a front face and a rear face of the frame; - a nose bridge (2) connected to an internal lateral zone (ZI) of the corresponding frame (1) and comprising a spacing portion (3) defining the distance between the two frames (1); and - two lateral temples (5) connected to an external lateral zone (ZE) of the corresponding frame (1);the spectacle frame being characterized in that each frame (1) has in at least one of its internal (ZI) or external (ZE) lateral zones at least two recesses communicating with each other, including at least one retaining recess (11) for the nose bridge (2) or a lateral arm (5), and a clamping recess (10) for the nose bridge (2) or the lateral arm (5), and in that said frame further has for each frame (1) at least one clamping tenon (20) arranged to fit into said clamping recess (10) by interlocking and to form a reversible fastening. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Eyeglass frame Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an eyeglass frame allowing assembly and disassembly of the constituent parts to facilitate repair but also the recycling of raw materials.

[0002] More particularly, the eyeglass frame comprises two frames each supporting an eyeglass lens, a nose bridge connected to a respective internal lateral zone of the corresponding frame and comprising a spacing portion defining the distance between the two frames and two lateral branches connected to a respective external lateral zone of the corresponding frame. Prior art

[0003] In this type of eyeglass frame, the nose bridge and the side arms can be made entirely or partly from a metal wire, such as titanium, which is particularly light, strong, flexible, hypoallergenic and durable. The frames are generally made from a plastic material, such as cellulose acetate, of natural origin, particularly comfortable, ecological, and offering a wide choice of colors and effects.

[0004] There are several solutions for assembling the nose bridge and the side branches made of metal wire to the plastic frames. One of the solutions is a definitive and irremovable fixing, in particular by heat welding, the corresponding ends of the nose bridge and the side branches being hot-pressed into the plastic material of the frames. This solution does not allow the repair of the frame, nor the recycling of the raw materials, except by degrading the constituent parts of the frame to separate the materials. Other solutions exist which make it possible to overcome all or part of these disadvantages. One solution consists of an assembly with riders provided with non-return lugs which fit into holes made in the frames, this solution not being removable without breaking the lugs.Another solution consists of a screwed assembly for which the corresponding ends of the nose bridge and the side arms have an eyelet through which a screw is inserted and screwed either directly into the plastic material of the frames, or into an insert hot-set in the frames, or into a nut located at the back of the frames. This fixing solution, which is removable and allows the recycling, or even the reuse of the constituent parts of the frame, is subject to adjustment either by shrinkage of the plastic material which causes play in the fixing, or by unscrewing the screw or the nut, requiring regular tightening of the screws to ensure . the attachment. This solution is not optimal and is also unsightly due to the screw heads visible on the front of the glasses frame.

[0005] These problems of reversible assembly of parts are also encountered in other technical fields than that of optics and the invention may relate to these other technical fields, such as, for example, carpentry, cabinetmaking, watchmaking, jewelry and mechanics in general. Statement of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a new fixing solution for a spectacle frame of the type described above, easy to assemble and disassemble, without any screw-in member, unadjustable, allowing the frame to be repaired, as well as the recycling of the constituent parts of the frame and their reuse since they do not undergo irreversible degradation.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a spectacle frame of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that each frame comprises in at least one of its internal or external lateral zones at least two recesses communicating with each other, including at least one recess for holding the nose bridge or a lateral branch, and a recess for clamping the nose bridge or the lateral branch, and in that said frame further comprises for each frame at least one clamping tenon arranged to fit into said clamping recess by interlocking and form a reversible attachment.

[0008] In a preferred form of the invention, the nose bridge comprises on either side of the spacing portion a fixing zone in wire structure, each fixing zone comprising a locking eyelet positioned outside the internal lateral zone of the frame, a holding section housed in the holding recess of the corresponding frame, and an anti-rotation section housed in a through notch provided in the internal lateral zone of the frame and opposite the locking eyelet.

[0009] In the preferred form of the invention, each lateral branch comprises a fixing zone in wire structure, the fixing zone comprising at least one holding section housed in the holding recess of the corresponding frame, a locking eyelet positioned outside the external lateral zone of the frame, and an anti-rotation section housed in a through notch provided in the external lateral zone of the frame and opposite the locking eyelet.

[0010] Advantageously, the holding recess provided in at least one of the internal or external lateral zones of each frame is located downstream of the clamping recess and the clamping recess is open laterally towards the outside of the frame by an opening slot allowing the passage of the holding section of the nose bridge or the lateral branch.

[0011] Depending on the variant embodiments of the invention, at least one of the holding or clamping recesses is through, and the holding and clamping recesses extend along axes parallel to each other.

[0012] The clamping tenon advantageously comprises a main part matching the shape of the clamping recess, and a secondary part matching the opening slot so as to create a tight fit between the frame and the clamping tenon, and to at least partially close the internal and / or external lateral zones of each frame.

[0013] Preferably, each locking eyelet provided on the nose bridge and / or the side branches is open and forms a spring member which hooks onto a projecting part of the corresponding clamping tenon, depending on the embodiment variants, the clamping tenon may comprise a peripheral groove extending over all or part of its projecting part.

[0014] The nose bridge may further comprise two pad holders fixed on either side of the spacer portion and intended to receive pads resting on the lateral parts of the nose.

[0015] And the clamping tenon can be made from a material chosen from the group comprising acetates and elastomers. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0017] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view showing a part of a frame, a nose bridge and a tenon of an eyeglass frame according to the invention in the assembly phase,

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the frame of [Fig.l], the nose bridge being assembled to the frame and the tenon being in the assembly phase,

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a plan view of the front face of the mount of [Fig.l], after assembly,

[0020] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view showing part of a frame, a side branch and a tenon of an eyeglass frame according to the invention during assembly,

[0021] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the mount of [Fig.4], after assembly,

[0022] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a plan view of the front face of the mount of [Fig.5],

[0023] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the eyeglass frame according to the invention, after assembly, and

[0024] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a plan view of the front face of the mount of [Fig.7]. Description of the embodiments

[0025] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms which have a relative meaning, such as vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, rear, above, below, etc. must be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, and as shown in the figures. The X, Y and Z axes are defined by an orthonormal reference frame illustrated in [Fig.l]. Furthermore, the geometric positions indicated in the description and the claims, such as “perpendicular”, “parallel”, “symmetrical” are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions which are close, that is to say which accept a certain tolerance in the technical field considered, without influence on the result obtained.This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb “sensiblement”, without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0026] The attached figures do not show the spectacle frame in its entirety, but for figures 1 to 3, only part of a frame of the frame and a nose bridge, and for figures 4 to 8, only part of a frame of the frame and a side branch.

[0027] Classically, an eyeglass frame comprises: - two frames 1 each supporting a spectacle lens, defining a front face and a rear face of the frame; - a nose bridge 2 connected to each of the frames 1, in a lateral zone called internal lateral zone ZI located on the nose side, and intended to extend over an upper part of the user's nose; - the nose bridge 2 comprising a spacing portion 3 defining the distance between the two frames and two pad holders 4 fixed on either side of the spacing portion 3, intended to receive pads (not shown) resting on the lateral parts of the nose; and - two lateral branches 5 connected to each of the frames 1, in a lateral zone called external lateral zone ZE located on the temple side, and intended to extend from the temples to the user's ears.

[0028] The front and rear faces of the frame are inscribed in two substantially parallel planes defined by the X and Z axes of the orthonormal reference frame of [Fig.l]. Of course, the front and rear faces of the frame are not necessarily flat depending on the materials used and the desired aesthetic.

[0029] The invention is more particularly concerned with frames comprising frames 1 for holding the spectacle lenses in place, these frames being able to be closed to surround the entire edge of the lenses, or open to surround only part of the edge of the lenses. They can be made of different materials depending in particular on the desired style and aesthetics, such as thermoplastic materials like acetate, cellulose acetate, polyamides, thermosetting materials such as epoxy resins, plastics marketed under the Optyl® brand, materials of natural origin such as bones, horn, wood, metals, this list not being exhaustive.

[0030] The invention also relates to frames in which the nose bridge 2 and the side branches 5 are made entirely or partly by a wire structure. In all cases, at least the attachment zones of the nose bridge 2 and the side branches 5 are formed by a wire structure, the other parts being able to be made from the same materials as the frames. In the appended figures, the nose bridge 2 and the side branches 5 are made entirely by a wire structure. This wire structure can be made of a metal wire, such as titanium or stainless steel.

[0031] The invention is characterized by a reversible and therefore removable fixing method between the nose bridge 2 and the frames 1 according to figures 1 to 3 and / or between the lateral branches 5 and the frames 1 according to figures 4 to 6.

[0032] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, each frame 1 comprises in its internal lateral zone ZI on the nose side, two recesses communicating with each other, including a recess 11 for holding the nose bridge, and a recess 10 for clamping the nose bridge. The frame further comprises two clamping tenons 20, which are separate parts and arranged to each be housed in a clamping recess 10 by interlocking. These clamping tenons 20 are therefore removable to form a reversible attachment of the nose bridge 2.

[0033] The frames 1 may comprise, as in the example illustrated, a rounded prominent part in the shape of an ear to create the internal lateral zone ZI. This example is not limiting and any other shape could be suitable, or even no prominent part, the internal lateral zone being integrated into the width of the frame.

[0034] The nose bridge holding recess 11 is located downstream, at the bottom or behind the clamping recess 10. The clamping recess 10 is open laterally towards the outside of the frame by an opening slot 12 allowing the nose bridge 2 to pass towards the holding recess 11. In the embodiment shown, the two recesses 10, 11 extend on axes parallel to each other along the Y axis. They are also through-recesses, that is to say they pass through the frame from one side to the other and open out onto the front and rear faces of the frame. In variants not shown, one or both of the recesses 10, 11 could not be through, depending on the aesthetics of the frame and the shape of the nose bridge 2. Similarly, the recesses 10, 11 could be oriented differently and extend from top to bottom along the Z axis or from right to left along the X axis.

[0035] In the example shown, each frame 1 may also include a through notch 13 on the rear face of the mount, provided in the internal lateral zone ZI to receive an anti-rotation section of the nose bridge 2. This through notch 13 extends in the plane of the rear face along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the recesses 10, 11.

[0036] Each clamping tenon 20 comprises a main part 21 matching the shape of the clamping recess 10, and a secondary part 22 matching the opening slot 13 so as to create a tight fit between the frame 1 and the clamping tenon 20, and to properly close the internal lateral zones ZI of each frame. In addition, each clamping tenon 20 may protrude very slightly on the front face of the frame by a projecting part, intended to receive the clamping eyelet of the nose bridge 2, as explained below. The end of the clamping tenon 20 on the front face of the frame may form a decorative element and / or a marking zone for a logo or a trademark.

[0037] The clamping tenons 20 may be made of different materials, such as acetate, cellulose acetate, polyamide, epoxy resin, elastomer, or the like depending on the combinations of materials involved between that of the frames and that of the nose bridge attachment zones. For example, if the frames are made of cellulose acetate and the nose bridge attachment zones are made of titanium wire, then the clamping tenons may be made of cellulose acetate or elastomer. The elastomer has the advantage of being an elastic material, which makes it possible to absorb shocks that may come from the titanium attachment zones, and thus to avoid premature wear of the clamping tenons.

[0038] In this embodiment, the nose bridge 2 comprises two fixing zones in the form of an open loop, located on either side of the spacing portion 3. Each fixing zone comprises at least one holding section 31 intended to be housed in a bore passing through the internal lateral zone Z1 of each frame 1, and corresponding to the holding recess 11 mentioned above. Each fixing zone further comprises, on either side of the holding section 3, a locking eyelet 32 ​​intended to be positioned outside the frame and in particular in front of the front face of the frame, and an anti-rotation section 33 located opposite the locking eyelet 32 ​​and intended to be housed in the through notch 13 on the rear face of the frame. The locking eyelet 32 ​​is open and forms a spring member which hooks onto the projecting part of the corresponding clamping tenon 20.To improve the gripping effect, the clamping tenon 20 may or may not include a peripheral groove (not shown) extending over all or part of its projecting part.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the nose bridge 2 further comprises two pad holders 4 fixed on either side of the spacing portion 3 to receive pads (not shown) intended to rest on the lateral parts of the nose. These pads may simply comprise a non-opening housing to be fitted onto the pad holders 4 or any other fixing means preferably re- reversible.

[0040] To assemble the nose bridge 2 to the frames 1 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the method consists of: - position the nose bridge 2 on the inner side of a first frame 1, the locking eyelet 32 ​​oriented towards the front face of the frame, - insert the retaining section 31 of the nose bridge 2 into the opening slot 12 of the frame until it is housed in the retaining recess 11, - orient the nose bridge 2 to house the anti-rotation section 33 in the through notch 13 on the rear face of the frame, - place the spacer portion 3 of the nose bridge 2 against the front face of the frame, - forcefully insert the clamping tenon 20 into the clamping recess 10 by translation from the front face to the rear face, through the locking eyelet 32 ​​of the nose bridge 2, - the locking eyelet 32 ​​remaining engaged with the projecting part of the clamping tenon 20, - do the same with the second frame.

[0041] The locking pin 20 can be inserted by hand or with a suitable tool to hold it and guide it in translation.

[0042] With particular reference to Figures 4 to 6, each frame 1 comprises in its external lateral zone ZE on the temple side, three recesses communicating with each other, including an upper holding recess 11 for a lateral branch 5, a clamping recess 10 for the lateral branch and a lower holding recess 14 for the lateral branch. As for the attachment of the nose bridge 2, the frame further comprises two clamping tenons 20, which are separate parts and arranged to each fit into a clamping recess 10 by fitting together. These clamping tenons 20 are therefore removable to form a reversible attachment of each lateral branch 5. The clamping tenons 20 intended for the attachment of the lateral branches 5 may be identical to the clamping tenons 20 of the nose bridge 2, as in the example illustrated, and the description of the clamping tenons 20 with reference to the nose bridge remains valid.On the other hand, nothing prevents the bridle tenons of the side branches from being different from the bridle tenons of the nose bridge depending on the style and aesthetics of the frame and / or depending on the type of side branches.

[0043] The frames 1 may comprise, as in the embodiment shown, the external lateral zone ZE integrated into the width of the frame. This example is not limiting since the frames 1 could comprise a prominent part in which the external lateral zone is formed, this prominent part being able to have a rounded, square or any other suitable shape.

[0044] The upper holding recess 11 and the lower holding recess 14 of the lateral branch 5 are located above and below the clamping recess 10 in the illustrated example. The clamping recess 10 is open laterally towards the outside of the frame by an opening slot 12 allowing the passage of the lateral branch 5 towards the two holding recesses 11, 14. In the embodiment shown, the three recesses 10, 11, 14 extend on axes parallel to each other along the Y axis. They are also through-holes and open onto the front and rear faces of the frame. In variants not shown, one, two of the three or all three recesses could not be through-holes, depending on the aesthetics of the frame and the shape of the lateral branches. Similarly, the recesses 10, 11, 14 could be oriented differently and extend from top to bottom along the Z axis or from right to left along the X axis.

[0045] In the example shown, each frame 1 may also include a through notch 13 on the rear face of the mount, formed in the external lateral zone ZE to receive an anti-rotation section of the corresponding lateral branch 5. This through notch 13 extends in the plane of the rear face along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the recesses 10, 11, 14.

[0046] In this embodiment, each lateral branch 5 comprises a distal end 50 comprising the fixing zone, and extending a main part 51 which extends from the rear face of the frame and may comprise a joint (not shown). The distal end 50 has the shape of an open loop comprising at least one upper holding section 52 intended to be housed in a first bore passing through the external lateral zone ZE of the frame and corresponding to the upper holding recess 11 mentioned above. It further comprises a locking eyelet 53 intended to be positioned outside the frame and in particular in front of the front face of the frame, followed by a lower holding section 54 intended to be housed in a second bore passing through the external lateral zone ZE of the frame and corresponding to the lower holding recess 14.Each lateral branch 5 may further comprise an anti-rotation section 55 located opposite the locking eyelet 53 and designed to be housed by the opening notch 13 on the rear face of the frame. As for the nose bridge 2, the locking eyelet 53 of each lateral branch 5 is open and forms a spring member which hooks onto the projecting part of the corresponding clamping tenon 20.

[0047] To mount one of the lateral branches 5 in one of the frames 1 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the method consists of: - position the side branch 5 on the outer side of the frame 1 by orienting the locking eyelet 53 towards the front face of the frame, - introduce the two holding sections 52, 54 of the lateral branch 5 into the opening slot 12 of the frame to accommodate the upper holding section 52 in the upper holding recess 11 and the lower holding section 54 in the lower holding recess 14, - orient the lateral branch 5 to house the anti-rotation section 55 in the through notch 13 on the rear face of the frame, - press the locking eyelet 53 against the front face of the frame, - forcefully insert the clamping tenon 20 into the clamping recess 10 by translation from the front face to the rear face, through the locking eyelet 53 of the side branch 5, - the locking eyelet 53 remaining engaged with the projecting part of the clamping tenon 20, - do the same with the second lateral branch 5 in the second frame 1.

[0048] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the spectacle frame according to the invention. In this example, each frame 1 comprises in its external lateral zone ZE on the temple side, two recesses communicating with each other, to form a clamping recess 10 of the lateral branch 5 and to accommodate the clamping tenon 20, and a single holding recess 14 to accommodate a single holding section 54 of the lateral branch 5. In this example, it is the lower holding section 54 which passes through the frame 1 via the lower holding recess 14 and the upper holding section 52 which goes around the frame 1 to come to bear on the edge of the corresponding external lateral zone ZE, giving the spectacle frame another appearance.This example is not limiting since the reverse can be envisaged: the lateral branch 5 could go around the frame 1 by its lower holding section 54, the upper holding section 52 then crossing the external lateral zone ZE of the frame 1 by an upper holding recess 11.

[0049] To mount one of the lateral branches 5 in one of the frames 1 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the method consists of: - position the side branch 5 on the outer side of the frame 1 by orienting the locking eyelet 53 towards the front face of the frame, - insert the lower holding section 54 of the lateral branch 5 into the opening slot 12 of the frame until it is housed in the lower holding recess 14, - press the upper holding section 52 to the outside of the frame and against the edge of the corresponding external lateral zone ZE of the frame 1, - orient the lateral branch 5 to house the anti-rotation section 55 in the through notch 13 on the rear face of the frame, - place the locking eyelet 53 against the front face of the frame, - forcefully insert the clamping tenon 20 into the clamping recess 10 by translation from the front face to the rear face, through the locking eyelet 53 of the lateral branch 5, - the locking eyelet 53 remaining engaged with the projecting part of the clamping tenon 20, - do the same with the second lateral branch 5 in the second frame 1.

[0050] The disassembly of the fixing zones is carried out by extracting the clamping tenons 20 allowing the nose bridge 2 and / or the side branches 5 to be released. The extraction of each locking tenon 20 can be carried out with a tool adapted to drive it out of the clamping recess 10 and the locking eyelets 32, 53.

[0051] The present invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art within the limits of the appended claims. The invention can obviously be used in the front plane corresponding to the vertical plane XZ ([Fig.l]), in accordance with the examples illustrated and described, but also in all planes of the frame, for example in an upper or lower horizontal plane XY, but also by crossing the frame from the sides into the bezels. In addition, the technical characteristics of the different embodiments and variants mentioned above can be, in whole or for some of them, combined with each other.More generally, this invention which is described for an eyeglass frame can of course be extended to other technical fields, such as carpentry, cabinetmaking, watchmaking, jewelry, mechanics in general, and any other field requiring an assembly of parts which is reversible.

Claims

Claims

1. Eyeglass frame comprising: - two frames (1) each supporting an eyeglass lens, defining a front face and a rear face of the frame; - a nose bridge (2) connected to an internal lateral zone (ZI) of the corresponding frame (1) and comprising a spacing portion (3) defining the distance between the two frames (1); and - two lateral branches (5) connected to an external lateral zone (ZE) of the corresponding frame (1);characterized in that each frame (1) comprises in at least one of its internal (ZI) or external (ZE) lateral zones at least two recesses communicating with each other, including at least one holding recess (11, 14) of the nose bridge (2) or of a lateral branch (5), and a clamping recess (10) of the nose bridge (2) or of the lateral branch (5), and in that said mount further comprises for each frame (1) at least one clamping tenon (20) arranged to be housed in said clamping recess (10) by fitting and forming a reversible attachment.;

2. Eyeglass frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the nose bridge (2) comprises on either side of the spacing portion (3) a fixing zone in wire structure, each fixing zone comprising a locking eyelet (32) positioned outside the internal lateral zone (ZI) of the frame, a holding section (31) housed in the holding recess (11) of the corresponding frame, and an anti-rotation section (33) housed in a through notch (13) provided in the internal lateral zone (ZI) of the frame and opposite the locking eyelet (32).

3. Eyeglass frame according to claim 1, characterized in that each lateral branch (5) comprises a fixing zone in wire structure, the fixing zone comprising at least one holding section (52, 54) housed in the holding recess (11, 14) of the corresponding frame, a locking eyelet (53) positioned outside the external lateral zone (ZE) of the frame, and an anti-rotation section (55) housed in a through notch (13) provided in the external lateral zone (ZE) of the frame and opposite the locking eyelet (53).

4. An eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each locking eyelet (32, 53) provided on the nose bridge (2) and / or the side branches (5) is open and forms a spring member which hooks onto a projecting part of the corresponding clamping tenon (20).

5. Eyeglass frame according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping tenon (20) has a peripheral groove extending over all or part of its projecting part.

6. Spectacle frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding recess (11, 14) provided in at least one of the internal (ZI) or external (ZE) lateral zones of each frame (1) is located downstream of the clamping recess (10) and the clamping recess (10) is open laterally towards the outside of the frame by an opening slot (12) allowing the passage of the holding section (31, 52) of the nose bridge (2) or of the lateral branch (5).

7. Eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the holding recesses (11, 14) or clamping recesses (10) is through.

8. Eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding recesses (11, 14) and clamping recesses (10) extend along axes parallel to each other.

9. Eyeglass frame according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping tenon (20) comprises a main part (21) matching the shape of the clamping recess (10), and a secondary part (22) matching the opening slot (12) so as to create a tight fit between the frame (1) and the clamping tenon (20), and to at least partially close the internal (ZI) and / or external (ZE) lateral zones of each frame (1).

10. Eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the nose bridge (2) comprises two pad holders (4) fixed on either side of the spacer portion (3) and intended to receive pads resting on the lateral parts of the nose.

11. Eyeglass frame according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamping tenon (20) is made of a material chosen from the group comprising acetates and elastomers.