Eyeglass temple support structure

Abstract

To provide a temple support structure of spectacles that allows the spectacles to be stably worn, by sandwiching a wearer's temporal regions by the elastic force of temples, reduces the burden on the wearer by flexibly displacing the temples according to the shape of the temporal regions and allowing the temples to come into contact in stable positions, and has excellent strength because the temples are difficult to be displaced, when the temples are displaced in a pulled or pushed direction.SOLUTION: In a temple support structure of spectacles 100 having at least tip portions 2 provided on both end sides of lenses and temples 3 provided extending rearward from the tip portions 2, elastic means 4 composed of a belt-shaped member is provided on the tip portions 2 or the temples 3, the elastic means 4 has continuous elastic deformation elements 41, 42, 43 and 44, the elastic deformation elements 41, 42, 43 and 44 are formed so that in a plate width direction, a plurality of those are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the temples 3, and at least part of the elastic deformation elements 41, 42, 43 and 44 has a three-dimensional shape in such a manner as to be bent or curved in a left-right direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temple support structure for eyeglasses that can be worn by elastically clamping the temples of the wearer's head. [Background technology]

[0002] Ordinary eyeglasses are worn by placing the end pieces, which are the tips of the temples, over the ears. The temples are flexible, so they undergo elastic deformation when worn, and the reaction force can hold the temples in place. This allows the eyeglasses to be worn stably on the head by the end pieces hanging over the ears and holding the temples in place. However, head shapes vary from person to person, and even for the same person, the shape of the temples on the left and right sides may differ. Therefore, temples that elastically deform symmetrically on the left and right sides may not fit the temples well or may make strong localized contact, which can impair the fit of either the left or right side.

[0003] Therefore, when selling eyeglasses, adjustments are made, such as bending one of the end pieces, to suit individual differences in the shape of the temples so that the temples make appropriate contact with the temples and provide an appropriate clamping force. As such, if the mechanism for generating a reaction force to hold the temples is solely the flexibility of the temples, the glasses must be adjusted to fit the user's needs by a skilled professional at the time of purchase. This requires a lot of time and effort to adjust until a satisfactory fit is achieved, and the glasses must be readjusted each time as the user grows and changes. Another problem is that plastic deformation of part of the eyeglass frame for adjustment makes the glasses more susceptible to breakage due to residual strain and fatigue.

[0004] In this regard, a conventional technique has been disclosed in which a coil spring is interposed in a structural portion for supporting the temple so as to elastically deform, thereby enabling the temple to be flexibly deformed.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for manufacturing flexible temples in which a coil spring is fitted into a temple made of an alloy with a predetermined element ratio and fixed by brazing. Temples manufactured by this method are said to have the effect of being rich in design depending on the element ratio of the alloy, and also to not impair the flexibility of the temples by silver brazing at a temperature that does not cause annealing.

[0006] To summarize the technology of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the temple 800 comprises a temple main body 81 and a coil spring 82, both of which contain Ni. The temple main body 81 has a cylindrical portion 83, a flat portion 84, and an insertion portion 86 that fits into a temple end 85. A fitting protrusion 831 is formed on the end face of the cylindrical portion 83. Meanwhile, the coil spring 82 has an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 83, and is formed with a fitting hole 821 into which the fitting protrusion 831 fits. The temple main body 81 and the coil spring 82 are connected by fitting the fitting protrusion 831 into the fitting hole 821 at the cylindrical end of the coil spring 81 and fastening them together with silver solder, which melts at a low temperature. Brazing a material containing Ni with silver solder, which bonds at a low temperature, not only prevents the annealing effect but also provides a high degree of fastening.

[0007] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for thin glasses in which a frame using plate-shaped members has multiple slits so that temples formed on the same surface as the front part can be twisted and deformed when opened.

[0008] To summarize the technology of Patent Document 2, as shown in Figure 9, the thin eyeglasses 900 have a substantially flat front portion 91, and temples 94 extending from an end-piece portion 92 of the front portion 91 along the underside of a rim 93 toward the center of the front portion 91. The end-piece portion 92 has multiple slits 95... The slits 95 include cuts from the outer periphery of the end-piece portion and cuts from the inner periphery of the end-piece portion that do not reach the ridge line on the opposite side, and these slits are alternately formed to form a continuous zigzag pattern. The slits 95 allow the end-piece portion 92 to twist, allowing the temples 94 to rotate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 18919 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-81628 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The temples typified by the technology of Patent Document 1 utilize the elasticity of a coil spring to apply a reactive force when the temples are opened left and right, and this reactive force clamps the temporal region. Coil springs are generally manufactured by spirally winding a wire with a circular cross section to form an axisymmetric cylindrical shape. Therefore, temples using coil springs elastically displace in the left-right direction, which is the opening direction, and also in the up-down direction with similar elasticity. In this case, if the coil spring is designed to flexibly open left and right in order to provide a stable clamping force that conforms to the shape of the temporal region, the temples will also flexibly displace up and down. As a result, the heavy front section moves up and down and shifts when the glasses are worn, creating a problem of making it difficult to wear the glasses securely.

[0011] Furthermore, cylindrical coil springs inherently stretch elastically in the longitudinal direction. This makes it easier for the temples to displace longitudinally, making the front section more susceptible to slippage not only vertically but also longitudinally, making it even more difficult to securely wear the eyeglasses. Furthermore, if the coil spring is flexible, it may stretch significantly with even a slight tensile force, exceeding its elastic limit and undergoing plastic deformation. Therefore, the coil spring must be highly elastic. In this case, it loses the flexibility to displace and fit to the shape of the wearer's temporal region, and the temples no longer make contact with the temporal region. In other words, to securely wear the eyeglasses, the wearer must adjust the width of the temples to fit the shape of their head.

[0012] These problems also apply to the technology of Patent Document 2. When slits are provided in a flat frame to make the eyeglass frame thinner, the frame flexibly deforms in the left-right direction, applying a clamping force to the temples. However, when wearing the eyeglasses in an open state, the temples must be further displaced vertically to fit the temples. In this case, each of the rectangular elastic deformation elements formed by the slits twists, and this twisting is thought to cause vertical displacement. Because each elastic deformation element is flat and elongated, each element is prone to large twisting. Furthermore, the twisting of each elastic deformation element is added together, resulting in a large amount of vertical displacement of the temple tips. Therefore, as with Patent Document 1, there was a problem in that the heavy front portion was prone to moving up and down when worn, which reduced stability.

[0013] Furthermore, when a force pulling the temples in the longitudinal direction is applied, the rectangular elastic deformation elements, particularly the portions near the end pieces, undergo bending deformation. This causes the temples to elastically stretch in the longitudinal direction. This makes the temples more susceptible to deformation in the longitudinal direction, which, like Patent Document 1, further reduces the stability of the front section and increases the risk of breakage due to exceeding the elastic limit.

[0014] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a temple support structure for eyeglasses that can be worn stably by clamping the wearer's temples with the elastic force of the temples, and that allows the temples to flexibly displace in accordance with the shape of the wearer's temples, so that the temples come into contact in a stable position and reduce the burden on the wearer, while also providing excellent strength because the temples are less likely to displace when displaced in the direction of pulling or pushing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The means adopted by the present inventors to solve the above problems will be described below. The eyeglasses temple support structure of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the "support structure") is used for eyeglasses having at least end pieces provided on both ends of the lenses and temples extending rearward from the end pieces. Here, eyeglasses generally refer to eyeglasses equipped with lenses for vision correction, but the support structure of the present invention also includes not only eyeglasses for vision correction but also sunglasses, protective eyeglasses, splash guard face shields, etc., as long as the temples are worn by hanging them over the ears.

[0016] In the eyeglasses described above, elastic means are provided at the end pieces or temples. These elastic means are strip-shaped members that are displaced by a load and then return to their original shape when the load is removed. The elastic means may be a means that generates elasticity only in a specific direction, or a means that generates elasticity in all directions. Furthermore, when the elastic means is provided at the temples, it may be provided at any part of the temple, such as near the end pieces or near the end pieces. Meanwhile, a strip-shaped member refers to a member having a longitudinal cross-sectional shape whose thickness is smaller than its width.

[0017] The elastic means has a continuous elastic deformation element, and the elastic deformation element is configured to be arranged in a plurality of width directions along the longitudinal direction of the temple, and the elastic deformation element has a three-dimensional shape that is bent or curved in the left-right direction.

[0018] The elastic deformation element is the part of the elastic means that causes elastic deformation, and when any part of the elastic deformation element is displaced, the displacement increases continuously along the longitudinal direction of the band-shaped member that is the elastic deformation element. In other words, the elastic deformation element is not separated into multiple parts but is continuous. In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the temple, a plurality of elastic deformation elements are arranged with their plate width direction aligned along the longitudinal direction of the temple, and at least some of the elastic deformation elements arranged with their plate width direction bend or curve in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the temple of the eyeglasses is opened, to form a three-dimensional shape.

[0019] In this way, by arranging multiple continuous elastic deformation elements with the plate width direction along the longitudinal direction of the temple, the elastic means flexibly deforms when the temple is displaced in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the temple opens, or in the up-down direction perpendicular to that, or when the temple is displaced in the twisting direction. On the other hand, when the temple is displaced in a pulling or pushing direction, the elastic means does not easily elastically deform.

[0020] The elastic means flexibly deforms in the up-down, left-right, and torsional directions, but does not easily deform in the longitudinal direction of the temple, as will be described in detail below. First, since the elastic deformation elements are arranged in multiple locations with their plate width direction aligned with the longitudinal direction of the temple, the elastic means has a front portion and a rear portion. Furthermore, the plate width direction of the elastic deformation elements, which are strip-shaped members, is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the temple, and since the elastic deformation elements are bent or curved in the left-right direction, the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped members is aligned with the up-down and left-right directions. Therefore, the elastic deformation elements have an upper portion, a lower portion, an outer portion, and an inner portion. In this way, the elastic means has a three-dimensional shape.

[0021] As an example of the elastic means configured as described above, we will explain the case where a force is applied to the connection portion of the elastic means with the temple (the end portion of the elastic deformation element) in the left-right direction, which opens the temple. In this case, the outer portions of the adjacent elastic deformation elements are displaced toward each other, while the inner portions are displaced away from each other. This is also true when a force is applied in the up-down direction, where one portion is displaced toward the other and the other is displaced away from each other. As another example, we will explain the case where a force is applied to the connection portion of the elastic means with the temple (the end portion of the elastic deformation element) in the rear direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the temple. In this case, adjacent portions of the elastic deformation element are displaced so as to move apart both vertically, inside and outside. On the other hand, when a force is applied in the forward direction, they are displaced so as to move closer together both vertically, inside and outside.

[0022] In this way, when a force is applied to the elastic means, adjacent portions of the multiple elastic deformation elements are displaced so as to move closer to or farther apart. At this time, direct forces are generated in the localized portions of the displaced elastic deformation elements, including a shear force in the width direction of the plate and a compressive or tensile force in the longitudinal direction of the band-shaped member. Furthermore, as force moments arise due to the misalignment between the end of the elastic deformation element to which the force is applied and the displaced elastic deformation element, a torsional moment about the longitudinal axis of the band-shaped member and a bending moment in the width direction of the plate are generated.

[0023] Here, the elastic deformation element made of a strip-shaped member has a cross section with a predetermined thickness and a width greater than that. With such a cross-sectional shape, an extremely large force or moment is required to flexibly deform the elastic deformation element in the plate width direction due to the shear force in the plate width direction and the bending moment in the plate width direction. Also, an extremely large force is required to expand or contract the elastic deformation element due to the compressive or tensile force in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped member. In other words, the torsional moment acting mainly on the longitudinal axis of the belt-shaped member causes torsional deformation in the elastic deformation elements, displacing adjacent portions of the elastic deformation elements so that they move closer to or farther apart.

[0024] Generally, when a strip-shaped member having a cross-sectional shape with a width and thickness is twisted around its longitudinal axis, the torsional angle due to the torsional moment is inversely proportional to the width. That is, a cross-sectional shape with a large width is less susceptible to torsional deformation and has high elasticity against torsional deformation. Therefore, even if the torsional moment acts mainly on the elastic deformation element, if the torsional moment is small, only a small torsional deformation occurs in the elastic deformation element.

[0025] In this regard, when the temple is displaced in the up, down, left, or right direction, the point of force is any part of the temple connected to the elastic means, and the point of action is an elastic deformation element located further forward. In this case, the line of action between the direction of the force at the point of force and the position of the point of action does not coincide, so a moment is generated in the elastic deformation element, which is the point of action. When a moment is generated, a larger torsional moment can be generated in the elastic deformation element compared to when a force is applied directly to the point of action. In addition, the torsional deformation caused by this large torsional moment increases the amount of displacement sequentially through successive elastic deformation elements. In this way, when the temples are displaced in the left-right and up-down directions, a small displacement of the temples can result in a large displacement of the temples.

[0026] On the other hand, when the temple is displaced longitudinally by pulling or pushing it in the longitudinal direction, the direction of the force at the point of force and the position of the point of application are approximately coaxial, so the lines of action are approximately the same. In this case, no moment is generated in the elastic deformation element, which is the point of application, and the force in the longitudinal direction acts directly on the elastic deformation element. When a force acts directly without generating a moment, a large torsional moment cannot be generated in the elastic deformation element unless an extremely large force is applied. In this way, when the temple is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the temple is only slightly displaced, reducing the possibility of damaging the elastic means.

[0027] On the other hand, when the temple is displaced so as to twist around its longitudinal axis, a bending moment acts on the elastic deformation element mainly in the thickness direction. Generally, when a strip-shaped member having a cross-sectional shape with a width and thickness is bent in the thickness direction, a small force can cause a large bending deformation. In this way, when the temple is displaced so as to be twisted around the longitudinal direction of the temple as an axis, the temple can be twisted with a slight force.

[0028] Among the means for solving the problems according to the present invention, those based on the basic configuration are as described above, but in the present invention, the following means can also be used. The tip of the temple may be displaceable at least in the vertical and horizontal directions. Note that, since the tip of the temple is displaceable at least in the vertical and horizontal directions, it does not exclude displacement in other directions such as diagonal directions.

[0029] The elastic means can be configured to displace the temples only in the left-right direction or only in the up-down direction. However, by making them movable at least in the vertical and horizontal directions, a clamping force can be generated on the temporal region, and even if the shapes of the temporal regions differ between the left and right, the temples can be flexibly displaced in the vertical direction to follow the shape of the temporal region.

[0030] Furthermore, when the structure is such that it can be displaced in the vertical and horizontal directions, it is also possible to configure it so that the elasticity is higher when displacing in the vertical direction than when displacing in the horizontal direction. Here, when the elasticity is configured to be different between the upward and downward directions among the vertical directions, this also includes the case where the elasticity of either the upward or downward direction is higher than the elasticity of either the left or right direction.

[0031] When wearing eyeglasses, the heavy front part tends to move up and down around the ear tips of the temples. By making the elastic means more elastic in the up and down direction than in the left and right direction, it is possible to prevent the front part from moving up and down.

[0032] On the other hand, the elastic means may be configured to have a tubular portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the temple by bending or curving the band-shaped member in the longitudinal direction. Here, the tubular portion is not limited to a tubular portion that is closed by the band-shaped member when the elastic means is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the temple, and even if a part of the tubular portion is open, it is included in the tubular portion as long as it is configured to surround the longitudinal axis.

[0033] A cylindrical shape has the geometric feature of being less likely to deform when subjected to a force from the periphery toward the center, compared to a simply bent or curved shape. Therefore, by using an elastic means having a cylindrical portion, it is possible to prevent the elastic means itself from deforming even when a force that would crush the eyeglasses is applied when not being worn.

[0034] Furthermore, in an elastic means having such a tubular portion, when the tip of the temple is displaced in the left-right direction, the vertical elastic deformation element of the tubular portion is twisted, and when the tip of the temple is displaced in the up-down direction, the horizontal elastic deformation element of the tubular portion is twisted.

[0035] By configuring the cylindrical portion to be twisted at predetermined positions in the left-right and up-down directions, an elastic means can be formed that is difficult to displace in diagonal directions but is easy to displace in the left-right and up-down directions.

[0036] In this case, the tubular portion has an approximately rectangular cross section with upper and lower short portions that run along the left-right direction and left and right long portions that run along the up-down direction, and it is also possible to configure the long portions to be elastic deformation elements in the up-down direction and the short portions to be elastic deformation elements in the left-right direction. Here, the long side portion and the short side portion include not only those portions with a clear boundary therebetween, but also those portions where the boundary therebetween is unclear due to partial overlapping.

[0037] In this configuration, the long portions act as elastic deformation elements in the vertical direction and are torsionally deformed in response to left-right displacement of the temples, and the short portions act as elastic deformation elements in the horizontal direction and are torsionally deformed in response to up-down displacement of the temples. This makes it difficult for the elastic means to be displaced in the diagonal direction, and also makes it possible to make the elastic means more elastic in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the above configuration can also be configured as follows. First, the upper and lower short portions are connected to one of the left and right long portions of the cylindrical portion. Furthermore, the other of the left and right long portions has a downward protrusion on the upper short portion, and the downward protrusions of the short portions adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the temple are connected to each other. On the other hand, the lower short portion has an upward protrusion on the lower short portion, and the upward protrusions of the short portions adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the temple are connected to each other. The downward protrusion and the upward protrusion are configured to be spaced apart. Here, the connection between the upper and lower short portions does not matter whether they are on the outside or inside of the long portion of the elastic means. In addition, the downward protrusion and the upward protrusion may have the same protrusion amount or may have different protrusion amounts.

[0039] In the above-described configuration, the elastic means can be manufactured by bending the deployable member, which is a plate-like member processed into a predetermined shape, which not only reduces manufacturing costs but also allows the elastic means to be configured in various designs simply by changing the shape of the deployable member as desired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0040] In the present invention, the elastic means is resistant to bending or twisting deformation due to a small force, but when the temple is displaced left and right or up and down, the moment generates a large torsional moment, allowing the elastic means to flexibly and elastically deform. In addition, when the temple is displaced in a twisting direction around the longitudinal direction of the temple as an axis, the elastic means can be flexibly and elastically deformed by making it easy to bend and deform in the plate thickness direction. As a result, the temples' elastic force holds the wearer's sides of the head, allowing the glasses to be worn stably, and the temples can flexibly displace according to the shape of the wearer's sides of the head, allowing the temples to come into contact in a stable position, thereby reducing the burden on the wearer.

[0041] In addition to the above, the elastic means is configured so that a large torsional moment is not generated in response to a force pulling the temple in the longitudinal direction or a force pushing in the direction, so that the elastic means does not easily elastically deform even when an unintended force is applied. This has the effect of making the eyeglasses superior in strength because the temples are less likely to be displaced when they are pulled or pushed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are three-view diagrams showing eyeglasses using the temple support structure of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A to 3C are a partial front view, a partial plan view, and a partial rear view showing a leaf spring member and a temple, which are an example of elastic means of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a development view of the leaf spring member of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing a state in which the leaf spring member of the present invention is elastically deformed. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the point of force and the point of action when displacing the temple in the temple support structure of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view of a leaf spring member according to a first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are a front view and a side view of a leaf spring member according to a second modified example of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are a partial perspective view and a partial developed view showing a conventional example of Patent Document 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the conventional example of Patent Document 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the left-right direction is the x-direction in Figure 1, the up-down direction is the y-direction in Figure 1, and the front-back direction is the z-direction in Figure 1. The deformation state in Figure 4 is a schematic representation.

[0044] 1, eyeglasses 100 using the eyeglasses temple support structure of the present invention are composed of a front frame 1 with lenses attached, endpieces 2 and 2 extending rearward via hinge members attached to the left and right ends of the front frame 1, and temples 3 and 3 extending further rearward from the rear ends of the endpieces 2 and 2. The front frame 1 is a full-rim type frame in which the lenses are held all around by a resin rim, but it may also be a rimless type in which the endpieces 2 and 2 are attached directly to the lenses, and various other forms can be adopted as long as the endpieces 2 and 2 are provided.

[0045] The front portions of the resin temples 3·3 are provided with leaf spring members 4·4, which serve as elastic means. These leaf spring members 4 are all made of thin, band-shaped metal plates, preferably stainless steel plates or beta-titanium plates.

[0046] The configuration of the leaf spring member 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. First, in a front view, the outer vertical ribs 41, each having a predetermined width, are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the temple 3, with the longitudinal direction being the up-down direction, and the plate width direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the temple 3. Note that Fig. 2 shows the front view of the temple 3 as viewed from the outside to the inside of the eyeglasses 100. The outer vertical ribs 41 are the longitudinal parts of the leaf spring member 4, and there are five of them, with the first outer vertical rib 411 on the side of the connection part 33 between the temple 3 and the end piece 2 and the fifth outer vertical rib 415 on the side of the temple 3.

[0047] Next, in a plan view, the outer vertical bones 41 are bent vertically to form continuous rectangular upper horizontal bones 42 of the same plate width, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the temple 3, and like the outer vertical bones 41, the plate width direction is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the temple 3. The upper horizontal bones 42 are the short parts of the leaf spring member 4, and there are five of them, with the side on the connecting portion 33 side being the first upper horizontal bone 421 and the side on the temple 3 side being the fifth upper horizontal bone 425. Similarly to the upper transverse bone 42, a rectangular lower transverse bone 43 is disposed below the upper transverse bone 42, facing the upper transverse bone 42 across the outer longitudinal bone 41. The lower transverse bones 43 are also short parts of the leaf spring member 4, and there are five of them in total. The side closest to the connecting portion 33 is the first lower transverse bone 431, and the side closest to the temple 3 is the fifth lower transverse bone 435.

[0048] Furthermore, in rear view, the upper transverse ribs 42 and the lower transverse ribs 43 are bent vertically, so that the continuous inner longitudinal ribs 44 of the same plate width are arranged so as to line up in the longitudinal direction of the temple 3, and like the outer longitudinal ribs 41, the plate width direction is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the temple 3. The inner longitudinal ribs 44 are the longitudinal parts of the leaf spring member 4 and constitute upward and downward protruding parts, with the upper side facing the connecting portion 33 being the first inner longitudinal rib 441 and the side facing the temple 3 being the fifth inner longitudinal rib 446. The lower side facing the connecting portion 33 is the sixth inner longitudinal rib 445 and the side facing the temple 3 being the tenth inner longitudinal rib 444'.

[0049] Here, the protruding tips of adjacent portions of the medial longitudinal bones 44 are connected to each other by horizontal bones 45. More specifically, the upper first medial longitudinal bone 441 and the adjacent second medial longitudinal bone 441' are connected by a first horizontal bone 451. Furthermore, the third medial longitudinal bone 442 and the adjacent fourth medial longitudinal bone 442' are connected by a second horizontal bone 452. However, the fifth medial longitudinal bone 446 is not connected because there is no adjacent medial longitudinal bone. On the other hand, the seventh medial longitudinal bone 443 on the lower side is connected to the adjacent eighth medial longitudinal bone 443' by the third horizontal bone 453. The ninth medial longitudinal bone 444 is connected to the adjacent tenth medial longitudinal bone 444' by the fourth horizontal bone 454. However, the sixth medial longitudinal bone 445 is not connected because there is no adjacent medial longitudinal bone. In this way, in rear view, the inner vertical bones 44 connected by the horizontal bones 45 are arranged at the upper and lower sides with a shift of one outer vertical bone.

[0050] The fifth inner vertical bone 446, which is not connected to any other bones, is provided with a connecting portion-side fixing piece 46 extending forward. The sixth inner vertical bone 445, which is also not connected to any other bones, is provided with a temple-side fixing piece 47 extending backward. The connecting portion side fixing piece 46 is fixed integrally with the connecting portion 33 when the temple 3 is manufactured. Similarly, the temple side fixing piece 47 is fixed integrally with the arm portion 32 of the temple 3. The integration method can be adhesion, press fitting, or the like.

[0051] The outer longitudinal bone 41, upper transverse bone 42, lower transverse bone 43, inner longitudinal bone 44, and horizontal bone 45 are formed by a continuous metal plate of a single belt-shaped member, and when the leaf spring member 4 elastically deforms, some or all of these become elastic deformation elements except for the connecting portion side fixing piece 46 and the temple side fixing piece 47. The outer longitudinal bone 41 and inner longitudinal bone 44 are bent in the left-right direction to form the upper transverse bone 42 and the lower transverse bone 43, thereby forming a three-dimensional cylindrical portion as an elastic deformation element. Due to the three-dimensional configuration, even if a load is applied to the leaf spring member 4 itself, the leaf spring member 4 will not be deformed and damaged.

[0052] Such a three-dimensional cylindrical section can be manufactured by bending a flat, strip-shaped member having an unfolded shape as shown in Figure 3 using a press or other process. To obtain this unfolded shape, the unfolded shape is first cut out of a thin plate-like member using a die or laser processing. Laser processing is preferable, especially when the width of the slit portion is narrow. Next, the dotted line portion in Figure 3 is bent 90 degrees into a mountain fold using a press. This bending can be performed in one go to create a three-dimensional shape, but it can also be performed in multiple steps. Care must also be taken to avoid variations in the bending angle due to springback.

[0053] The leaf spring member 4 obtained in the above manner is flexibly and elastically deformed when the temple 3 to which it is attached is displaced in a specific direction. For example, when the temple 3 is displaced in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction of opening the temple 3, the leaf spring member 4 displaces the temple side fixed piece 47 outward, with the connection side fixed piece 46 as the fixed end, as shown in Figure 4(a). At this time, adjacent outer longitudinal bones 41 deform to move closer to each other, and adjacent inner longitudinal bones 44 deform to move apart. However, the spacing between a pair of inner longitudinal bones 44 connected by a horizontal bone 45 changes only slightly due to the presence of the horizontal bone 45.

[0054] As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 4(a), one lateral longitudinal bone 41 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lower transverse bone 43 bending from it shifts backward, and the adjacent lateral longitudinal bone 41 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lower transverse bone 43 bending from it shifts forward. These deformations occur alternately. As a result, adjacent outer vertical bones 41 are deformed to move closer to each other, and adjacent inner vertical bones 44 are deformed to move apart, resulting in the temple side fixing pieces 47 of the leaf spring member 4 being displaced outward.

[0055] Next, when the temple 3 is displaced in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction of lifting the temple 3, the leaf spring member 4 displaces the temple side fixed piece 47 upward, with the connection side fixed piece 46 as the fixed end, as shown in Figure 4(b). At this time, adjacent upper transverse bones 42 deform to move closer to each other, and adjacent lower transverse bones 43 deform to move apart. However, the spacing between the upper transverse bones 42 and the lower transverse bones 43 extending from a pair of medial longitudinal bones 44 connected by a horizontal bone 45 changes only slightly due to the presence of the horizontal bone 45.

[0056] 4(b), one upper transverse bone 42 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lateral longitudinal bone 41 bending from it shifts forward, and the adjacent upper transverse bone 42 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lateral longitudinal bone 41 bending from it shifts backward. These deformations occur alternately, and a similar deformation occurs in the lower transverse bone 43. As a result, adjacent upper cross bones 42 are deformed to move closer to each other, and adjacent lower cross bones 43 are deformed to move apart, resulting in the temple side fixing piece 47 of the leaf spring member 4 being displaced upward.

[0057] The outer longitudinal bone 41 is longer than the upper transverse bone 42 and the lower transverse bone 43. Due to the longer length, the torsional composite is higher in the upper transverse bone 42 and the lower transverse bone 43. Therefore, the elasticity is higher when the temple 3 is displaced upward than when it is displaced in the opening direction.

[0058] Next, when the temple 3 is displaced so as to twist around the longitudinal direction of the temple 3 as an axis, the leaf spring member 4 is displaced so that the temple side fixed piece 47 rotates, with the connection side fixed piece 46 as the fixed end, as shown in Figure 4(c). At this time, the inner longitudinal rib 44, the upper transverse rib 42 and the lower transverse rib 43 are only slightly deformed, but the outer longitudinal rib 41 is deformed so as to bend in the thickness direction.

[0059] 4(c), when the inner longitudinal bone 44, the upper transverse bone 42, the outer longitudinal bone 41, and the lower transverse bone 43, which are aligned in the vertical direction, are considered as a pair of elastic deformation elements, the outer longitudinal bone 41 bends relatively greatly, but the inner longitudinal bone 44 connected by the horizontal bone 45 and the upper transverse bone 42 and the lower transverse bone 43 extending therefrom are less likely to bend due to the short length of each side. Therefore, the pair of adjacent elastic deformation elements, the inner longitudinal bone 44, the upper transverse bone 42, the outer longitudinal bone 41, and the lower transverse bone 43, are displaced so as to rotate. As a result, the temple-side fixed piece 47 is displaced so as to rotate with the connecting-portion-side fixed piece 46 as a fixed end.

[0060] On the other hand, when the temple 3 is displaced parallel to the longitudinal direction of the temple 3, the leaf spring member 4 displaces approximately parallel to the connecting portion side fixed piece 46, with the temple side fixed piece 47 as the fixed end, as shown in Figure 4(d). At this time, the adjacent upper transverse bones 42 and the adjacent lower transverse bones 43 are deformed so as to move apart. However, the spacing between the upper transverse bones 42 and the lower transverse bones 43 extending from the pair of medial longitudinal bones 44 connected by the horizontal bone 45 only varies slightly due to the presence of the horizontal bone 45.

[0061] 4(d), one upper transverse bone 42 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lateral longitudinal bone 41 bending from it shifts forward, and the adjacent upper transverse bone 42 undergoes torsional deformation such that the lateral longitudinal bone 41 bending from it shifts backward. These deformations occur alternately, and a similar deformation occurs in the lower transverse bone 43. As a result, the adjacent upper cross bones 42 and the adjacent lower cross bones 43 are deformed so as to move away from each other, and as a result, the temple-side fixing pieces 47 of the leaf spring member 4 are displaced substantially in parallel.

[0062] The leaf spring member 4 undergoes such deformation, but since the cross section of the strip-shaped member is rectangular with a width and thickness, it has relatively high torsional rigidity, and therefore requires a large force or moment to cause deformation, mainly due to torsional deformation.

[0063] In this regard, when the temple 3 is displaced in the left-right or up-down direction, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the part of the temple end piece 31, which is the point of force, and the connecting portion-side fixed piece 46 of the leaf spring member 4, which is the point of action, are separated by a relatively large distance L1. Furthermore, the direction of the force P that displaces the temple 3 does not pass through the connecting portion-side fixed piece 46. In other words, the lines of action do not coincide. Therefore, when the temple 3 is displaced in the left-right or up-down direction, a large moment is generated, which tends to cause torsional deformation in the elastic deformation element. As a result, the leaf spring member 4 can be flexibly and elastically deformed by displacing the temple 3 with a slight force.

[0064] Furthermore, when the temple 3 is twisted around its longitudinal axis, as shown in Figure 5(c), the direction of the force P that displaces the temple 3 passes through the connecting portion side fixed piece 46 or its vicinity. In other words, the temple 3 is twisted around an axis that passes between the upper transverse bone 42 and the lower transverse bone 43 and between the outer longitudinal bone 41 and the inner longitudinal bone 44. Generally, when a plate material with a rectangular cross section having a width and a thickness is bent in the thickness direction, a small force causes a large deflection deformation. Therefore, when the temple 3 is twisted around its longitudinal axis, the outer vertical ribs 41 cause a deflection deformation in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 4(c). As a result, when the temple 3 is twisted with a small force, the leaf spring member 4 can be flexibly and elastically deformed.

[0065] On the other hand, when the temple 3 is displaced substantially parallel to its longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 5(c), the direction of the force P displacing the temple 3 passes through or near the connecting portion side fixed piece 46, which is the point of action. In other words, the lines of action are substantially the same. Therefore, when the temple 3 is displaced substantially parallel to its longitudinal direction, a large moment cannot be expected, and the force P acts directly. This makes it difficult for the elastic deformation element to undergo torsional deformation. As a result, even if the temple 3 is pulled in its longitudinal direction, the leaf spring member 4 does not easily deform.

[0066] As described above, according to the eyeglasses 100 employing the temple support structure of the present invention, the temples 3 can be flexibly and elastically displaced in the up / down, left / right, or torsional directions by the leaf spring members 4, which are elastic means. This allows the eyeglasses 100 to be stably held on the head of the wearer, reducing the burden on the wearer. Furthermore, even if the temple 3 is pulled forcefully or a heavy object is placed on the eyeglasses 100, the leaf spring member 4 does not easily deform, and the eyeglasses can have sufficient strength.

[0067] "Variation 1" Next, a modified example of eyeglasses using the temple support structure of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, the same parts will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0068] In this modified example, the basic structure of the eyeglasses, including the end pieces 2 and temples 3, is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. However, it differs in that an arc-shaped leaf spring member 5 is used as the elastic means.

[0069] To explain the arc-shaped leaf spring member 5 in more detail, as shown in the front view of Fig. 6, the arc-shaped leaf spring member 5 has a bellows portion 51, a connecting portion-side fixed piece 52, and a temple-side fixed piece 53. These shapes are obtained by processing a thin metal plate by press working or laser processing, and then pressing it with a curved mold to form it into an arc shape as shown in the side view of Fig. 6.

[0070] In this way, even if the shape does not include a cylindrical portion, the bellows portion 51, which is an elastic deformation element, is configured to bend in the left-right direction to form a three-dimensional shape, so that the temple 3 can be flexibly and elastically displaced in the up-down, left-right, or torsional directions. This modified example is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which the medial longitudinal bone 44 is not present, and the modified form is the same as that shown in FIG.

[0071] "Variation 2" Another modified example of eyeglasses using the temple support structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the elastic means is a cylindrical coil spring member 6. The elastic deformation element in the cylindrical coil spring member 6 is a coil portion 61, which is wound spirally so that the plate width is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the temple 3.

[0072] 7, the cylindrical coil spring member 6 has a coil portion 61 which is a cylindrical portion, a connecting portion side fixed piece 62, and a temple side fixed piece 63. These shapes are obtained by spirally winding a metal tape member having the plate width of the cylindrical coil spring member 6 using a coiling machine or the like for manufacturing coil springs, and then processing the end portions using a press machine to form the connecting portion side fixed piece 62 and the temple side fixed piece 63.

[0073] In this way, when the elastic deformation element is configured as the coil portion 61, not only is manufacturing easy, but the temple 3 can be flexibly and elastically displaced in the up / down, left / right directions or in the twisting direction. In this case, a shape other than a circle may be adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the coil portion 61. In particular, if the coil is an elliptical coil having a longitudinal portion in the up-down direction, the elasticity when the temple 3 is displaced in the up-down direction can be made higher than when it is displaced in the left-right direction.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and for example, the cross-sectional shape of the strip-shaped member constituting the elastic means may be trapezoidal or engraved with a pattern other than a rectangle. Furthermore, not only the elastic means but also the temple itself may be configured to bend elastically. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100 glasses 1 Front Frame 2 Tomobe 3 Temple 31 Modern 32 Arm 33 Connecting part 4 Leaf spring member 41 Lateral longitudinal bone 42 Upper transverse bone 43 Lower transverse bone 44 Medial longitudinal bone 45 horizontal bone 46 Connection side fixing piece 47 Temple side fixing piece 5. Arc-shaped leaf spring member 51 Bellows 52 Connection side fixing piece 53 Temple side fixing piece 6 Cylindrical coil spring member 61 Coil section 62 Connection side fixing piece 63 Temple side fixing piece

Claims

1. A temple support structure for eyeglasses having at least end pieces provided on both ends of lenses and temples extending rearward from the end pieces, The end piece or the temple is provided with an elastic means made of a band-shaped member, The elastic means has an elastic deformation element formed by a single continuous strip-shaped member, and the elastic deformation element is configured to be arranged in plurality with its plate width direction aligned along the longitudinal direction of the temple, The elastic means has a cylindrical portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the temple, In the cylindrical portion, an upper short portion is connected to a lower short portion, and an outer long portion is connected to an inner long portion for each of the plurality of elastic deformation elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the temple, The medial longitudinal portion is composed of an upper medial longitudinal bone and a lower medial longitudinal bone, The adjacent upper medial longitudinal bones and the adjacent lower medial longitudinal bones are connected in pairs, A temple support structure for eyeglasses, characterized in that the connection portion of the upper inner longitudinal bone and the connection portion of the lower inner longitudinal bone are connected so as to be alternately arranged in a shifted position relative to the longitudinal direction of the temple.

2. 2. The eyeglasses temple support structure according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the temple is displaceable at least in the vertical and horizontal directions.

3. 3. The eyeglasses temple support structure according to claim 2, wherein the elasticity is higher during displacement in the up-down direction than during displacement in the left-right direction.

4. When the tip of the temple is displaced in the left-right direction, the outer longitudinal portion or the inner longitudinal portion of the cylindrical portion is twisted, 2. The eyeglass temple support structure according to claim 1, wherein when the tip of the temple is displaced in the vertical direction, the upper short portion or the lower short portion of the tubular portion twists.

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