Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge
The screwless hinge design with a U-shaped spring between hinge pieces addresses the issue of loose screws in eyeglass frames by providing a secure and cost-effective assembly that maintains temple position without requiring specific branch flexibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KALEOS EYEHUNTERS SL
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing eyeglass frames with screw hinges are prone to loosening or losing screws, rendering the frames unusable, and existing screwless solutions require specific branch flexibility for effective operation.
A screwless hinge design featuring a first and second hinge piece with a U-shaped spring interposed between them, where the second hinge piece is inserted through eyelets of the spring, and a hook is retained by elastic deformation between the hinge pieces, allowing for easy assembly and reduced costs.
The design provides a secure, cost-effective, and easy-to-assemble hinge that maintains the temple position without screws, ensuring durability and simplicity in manufacturing.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge
[0001] Technical sector
[0002] The present invention relates to a spectacle frame with screwless hinge having a first hinge piece which includes a first eyelet, a second hinge piece which includes a hook crimped with the first eyelet and a spring, formed by a U-shaped folded band, interposed between the first hinge piece and the second hinge piece separating them with an elastic force, the second hinge piece and the corresponding hook being arranged through second eyelets of said spring. State of the art
[0003] Eyeglass frames with hinges are well known, the hinge generally being formed by a pivot made up of two halves connected by a screw that acts as an axis of rotation. In this type of hinge, the screw can loosen or even be lost, rendering the frame unusable.
[0004] Various screwless joint solutions are also known to solve this problem.
[0005] For example, documents WO2022063998A1 and CN206975336U describe a frame in which the temple, in its end closest to the lens-bearing frame, is bifurcated and the bifurcated ends are crimped with a complementary coupling which forces an elastic separation between the two bifurcated ends, which act as a spring which holds the temples in the open and closed positions.
[0006] However, this solution requires that the branches have a pre-established flexibility, in order to be able to use parts of the branch as springs.
[0007] The present invention solves these problems as well as others.
[0008] Brief description of the invention
[0009] The present invention relates to a spectacle frame with screwless hinge, as described in claim 1.
[0010] The proposed eyeglass frame with screwless hinge comprises:
[0011] a lens-carrying frame with two ends separated in a transverse direction, and two arms elongated in a longitudinal direction, each arm being connected to one of the two ends of the lens-carrying frame by means of a joint.
[0012] It is understood that the lens-holding frame is the frame intended to be positioned in front of the user's eyes, supporting two lenses. It generally includes a bridge intended to remain supported on the user's nose.
[0013] It is also understood that the arms are intended to remain on both sides of the user's face, with a proximal end connected to the lens-carrying frame by means of said joint and with another distal end supported on the user's ears.
[0014] Said joint allows the branches to move between an extended position and a folded position. It is understood that the transverse and longitudinal directions are defined with the branches in the extended position, in which case the transverse and longitudinal directions are approximately perpendicular to each other.
[0015] Each joint comprises:
[0016] a first articulation part comprising a first eyelet, a second articulation part comprising a hook, and a U-shaped spring having a first arm and a second arm facing each other, having respective second eyelets facing each other; where
[0017] the first hinge piece is integrated into one end of the lens-holding frame and the second hinge piece is integrated into one end of a temple, or vice versa;
[0018] the second hinge piece is inserted through the two second eyelets of the spring, the first arm of the spring being pressed against the second hinge piece, and a portion of the hook protruding from the second arm of the spring through the corresponding second eyelet; and where
[0019] The first articulating piece includes a first retention region, defined between an end of the first eyelet and a distal edge of the first articulating piece, which is housed in the hook, and the second articulating piece includes a second retention region inserted in the first eyelet, the spring being retained by elastic deformation between the first articulating piece and the second articulating piece.
[0020] It is understood that the first eyelet and each of the second eyelets are elongated through openings, which allow the insertion through them of the hook, which is flattened.
[0021] In this case, both the first eyelet and the second eyelets are preferably elongated in the longitudinal direction, and the main faces of the hook are parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions, which allows its insertion through said first and second eyelets elongated in the longitudinal direction.
[0022] The first hinge piece, provided with the first eyelet, can be fixed to one end of the lens-holding frame, and the second hinge piece, provided with the hook, can be integrated into one end of the temple adjacent to the lens-holding frame. A reverse construction is also envisaged, in which the first hinge piece with the first eyelet is integrated into the end of the The branch and the second joint piece with the hook is connected to the end of the lens holder frame.
[0023] The spring is interposed between the first articulating piece and the second articulating piece, which produces an elastic force which separates them in the transverse direction, said separation being limited by the crimp existing between the hook and the first retention region of the first articulating piece, which is retained inside the hook.
[0024] It is understood that the inside of the hook is the concave space partially enclosed by the hook.
[0025] The present invention proposes, in addition to the above, that the second articulation piece and the corresponding hook are a single flat piece of constant thickness equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet and the second eyelets, the shape of the hook and the second articulation piece being defined by the shape of the perimeter of constant thickness of said flat piece.
[0026] This allows the second joint piece and the hook to be manufactured quickly, easily, and economically, for example, by cutting the flat piece, which increases precision. It also simplifies assembly by eliminating the need to connect the hook to the rest of the second joint piece, thus reducing costs.
[0027] It must be understood that references to geometric positions, such as, for example, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, etc., allow deviations of up to ±5° from the theoretical position defined by said nomenclature. Brief description of the figures
[0028] The advantages and features mentioned above, as well as others, will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:
[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a spectacle frame with a screwless hinge in a deployed position, according to a first embodiment in which the second hinge piece is formed in one end of each arm.
[0030] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged schematic plan view of the articulation of the same embodiment shown in Fig. 1, disassembled.
[0031] Fig. 3 shows the enlarged schematic plan view shown in Fig. 2, but with the spring attached to the second articulation piece.
[0032] Fig. 4 shows the enlarged schematic plan view shown in Fig. 3, but assembled.
[0033] Fig. 5 shows the enlarged schematic plan view shown in Fig. 4, but in the folded position.
[0034] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view such as that shown in Fig. 4, but according to an alternative embodiment in which the first articulation piece is formed in one end of each branch.
[0035] Detailed description of the invention and some examples of embodiment
[0036] The accompanying figures show illustrative and not limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] The proposed spectacle frame with screwless hinge comprises a lens-bearing frame (1) with two ends separated in a transverse direction (DT), and two temples (2) elongated in a longitudinal direction (DL), each temple (2) being connected to one of the two ends of the lens-bearing frame (1) by means of a hinge.
[0038] Each joint comprises a first joint piece (10) having a first eyelet (11), a second joint piece (20) having a hook (21), and a U-shaped spring (30) having a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) facing each other, having respective second eyelets (33) facing each other, the spring (30) being compressed between the first joint piece (10) and the second joint piece (20) and its second eyelets (33) being traversed by the second joint piece (20) and the corresponding hook (21).
[0039] The first hinge piece (10) is integrated into one end of the lens-carrying frame (1) and the second hinge piece (20) is integrated into one end of a temple (2).
[0040] Alternatively, the second hinge piece (20) is integrated into one end of the lens-carrying frame (1) and the first hinge piece (10) is integrated into one end of a temple (2).
[0041] In either of the two embodiments, the second articulation piece (20) will be inserted through the two second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first arm (31) of the spring (30) being pressed against the second articulation piece (20), and a part of the hook (21) protruding from the second arm (32) of the spring (30) through the corresponding second eyelet (33).
[0042] The first articulation piece (10) also includes a first retention region (12), defined between an end of the first eyelet (11) and a distal edge (13) of the first articulation piece (10). Said first retention region (12) is housed in the hook (21).
[0043] The second articulation piece (20) has a second retention region (22) inserted into the first eyelet (11) of the first articulation piece (10).
[0044] Generally, said second retention region (22) of the hook (21), contained in the first eyelet (11), will be a distal end of the hook (21), adjacent to its tip, although an alternative embodiment is also envisaged, according to which the second retention region (22) of the hook (21), which is contained in the first eyelet (11), is an intermediate region of the hook (21).
[0045] The spring (30) is held by elastic deformation between the first articulation piece (10) and the second articulation piece (20), imprisoned by the crimping between the hook (21) and the first eyelet (11).
[0046] It is also proposed that the second hinge piece (20) and the corresponding hook (21) are a single flat piece of constant thickness equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet (11) and the second eyelets (33), the shape of the hook (21) and of the second hinge piece (20) being defined by the shape of the constant thickness perimeter of said flat piece.
[0047] In this case, the main faces of said flat part will generally be parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).
[0048] It is also proposed that the first retention region (12) of the first articulation piece (10), housed in the hook (21), can be an elongated region in the longitudinal direction (DL), such that the relative rotation between the first articulation piece (10) and the second articulation piece (20) causes the rotation of the first retention region (12) in the hook (21). The distal edge (13) of the first articulation piece (10) slides on the surface of the second arm (32) of the spring (30), pushing it towards the first arm (31) of the spring (30), increasing its elastic deformation. This will generate an elastic force that will push the arms towards the deployed position.
[0049] The second arm (32) of the spring (30) may also include a recess (34) complementary to the distal edge (13) of the first joint piece (10). This recess (34) will be configured to house the distal edge of the first joint piece (10) within it when the arm (2) reaches a maximum folding position, ensuring retention. Generally, this recess will be a vertical channel perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal directions (DT, DL).
[0050] Preferably, the second hinge piece (20) is an end of the temple (2) of the spectacle frame. In this case, the temple will also be formed, at least in large part, by a flat piece, and preferably the main faces of said flat piece constituting the temples may be parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).
[0051] The reverse construction is also envisaged, in which the end of the branch is the first articulation piece (10).
[0052] The first arm (31) of the spring (30) can be pressed against the second articulating piece (20) by a first support region (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 region (35) being supported and pressed against a first seat (25) of the second articulating piece (20).
[0053] Generally, said first seat (25) can be defined by a step defined in the perimeter of constant thickness of the second articulation piece (20).
[0054] The portion of the second articulation piece (20) inserted through the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) can be confined between the first seat (25) and a second seat (26) of the second articulation piece (20) separated from the first seat (25) in the longitudinal direction (DL), the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) being inserted tightly between the first seat (25) and the second seat (26) ensuring the retention of the spring (30) to the second articulation piece (20).
[0055] This allows the spring attached to the second joint piece to be retained even when the first joint piece is separated from the second joint piece, simplifying its assembly.
[0056] The spring (30) may further include a third eyelet (36) located between the two second eyelets (33), and the second seat (26) may also include a protrusion (27) inserted into the third eyelet (36) ensuring additional retention of the spring (30) to the second articulation piece (20).
[0057] The second articulation piece (20), the hook (21), the first eyelet (11) of the first articulation piece (10), the second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first retention region (12) of the first articulation piece (10) and the second retention region (22) of the second articulation piece (20) are preferably all coplanar with respect to each other in a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).
[0058] The first articulation piece (10) can be a flat piece whose principal faces are perpendicular to the transverse direction (DT), in which case the second articulation piece (20) can be a flat piece whose principal faces are perpendicular to the principal faces of the first articulation piece (10).
Claims
1.
2. Demands Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge, where the eyeglass frame comprises a lens-bearing frame (1) with two ends separated in a transverse direction (DT), and two temples (2) elongated in a longitudinal direction (DL), each temple (2) being connected to one of the two ends of the lens-bearing frame (1) by means of a hinge, where each hinge comprises: a first hinge piece (10) having a first eyelet (11), a second hinge piece (20) having a hook (21), and a U-shaped spring (30) having a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) facing each other, having respective second eyelets (33) facing each other; where the first hinge piece (10) is integrated into one end of the lens-bearing frame and the second hinge piece (20) is integrated into one end of a temple, or vice versa;the second joint piece (20) is inserted through the two second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first arm (31) of the spring (30) being pressed against the second joint piece (20), and a portion of the hook (21) protruding from the second arm (32) of the spring (30) through the corresponding second eyelet (33); and where the first joint piece (10) has a first retention region (12), defined between an end of the first eyelet (11) and a distal edge (13) of the first joint piece (10), which is housed in the hook (21), and the second joint piece (20) has a second retention region (22) inserted into the first eyelet (11), the spring (30) being retained by elastic deformation between the first joint piece (10) and the second joint piece (20);characterized in that the second hinge piece (20) and the corresponding hook (21) are a single flat piece of constant thickness equal to or less than the width of the first eyelet (11) and the second eyelets (33), the shape of the hook (21) and of the second hinge piece (20) being defined by the shape of the constant thickness perimeter of said flat piece.; Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first retention region (12) of the first piece The joint (10), housed in the hook (21), is elongated in the longitudinal direction (DL), so that the relative rotation between the first joint piece (10) and the second joint piece (20) causes the rotation of the first retention region (12) in the hook (21), the distal edge (13) of the first joint piece (10) sliding on the surface of the second arm (32) of the spring (30) pushing it towards the first arm (31) of the spring (30) increasing the elastic deformation.
3. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to claim 2, wherein the second arm (32) of the spring (30) has a recess (34) complementary to the distal edge (13) of the first hinge piece (10), configured to house the distal edge (13) of the first hinge piece (10) inside it when the arm (2) reaches a maximum folding position, ensuring retention.
4. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge wherein the second hinge piece (20) is an end of the temple (2) of the eyeglass frame.
5. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is pressed against the second hinge piece (20) by a first support region (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 region (35) being supported and pressed against a first seat (25) of the second hinge piece (20) defined in the constant thickness perimeter of the second hinge piece (20).
6. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the second hinge piece (20) inserted through the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) is confined between the first seat (25) and a second seat (26) of the second hinge piece (20) separated from the first seat (25) in the longitudinal direction (DL), the second eyelet (33) of the first arm (31) of the spring (30) being inserted tightly between the first seat (25) and the second seat (26) ensuring the retention of the spring (30) to the second hinge piece (20).
7. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to claim 6, wherein the spring (30) has a third eyelet (36) located between the two second eyelets (33), and where the second seat (26) has a protrusion (27) inserted into the third eyelet (36) providing additional retention of the spring (30) to the second articulation piece (20).
8. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second hinge piece (20), the hook (21), the first eyelet (11) of the first hinge piece (10), the second eyelets (33) of the spring (30), the first retention region (12) of the first hinge piece (10) and the second retention region (22) of the second hinge piece (20) are coplanar in a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions (DL, DT).
9. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge piece (10) is a flat piece whose principal faces are perpendicular to the transverse direction (DT) and the second hinge piece (20) is a flat piece whose principal faces are perpendicular to the principal faces of the first hinge piece (10).
10. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second retention region (22) of the hook (21), contained within the first eyelet (11), is a distal end of the hook (21) adjacent to its tip.
11. Eyeglass frame with screwless hinge according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the second retention region (22) of the hook (21) is an intermediate region of the hook (21).