Spectacle frame with RIMS having an inner lens clip system

Abstract

There is described a frame for spectacles, comprising a front mount (3) which has a pair of lens-carrying rims (4) for retaining respective lenses (5), each lens-carrying rim (4) comprising along the individual peripheral profile a frame-like element (11) which is provided with an abutment surface (12), against which at least a portion of a peripheral edge (10) of the respective lens (5) can abut, there being provided in the region of a portion of the frame-like element (11) a groove (13) which is configured to at least partially receive a portion of the peripheral lens edge (10), and at least one retention element (15) being provided on the corresponding lens-carrying rim (4) and being configured to secure the lens (5) against the frame-like element (11) with an interlocking connection of the resilient snap-fitting type after the lens (5) is received in the groove (13).

Description

[0001] SPECTACLE FRAME WITH RIMS HAVING AN INNER LENS CLIP SYSTEM

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a frame for spectacles.

[0004] In the specific technical field, there is known a need for constructing frames for spectacles which are provided with lenses of the readily interchangeable type, particularly so as to be able to be readily replaceable, even by the same user.

[0005] Technological background

[0006] This is because frames for spectacles of this type advantageously allow the replacement of the lenses both for correcting any optical parameter, which is not necessarily connected with defects of eyesight, and for reasons which are more typically linked with the aesthetic impact so as to adapt the same pair of spectacles to the different reguirements of the user.

[0007] There is further the advantage of being able to interchange in the same spectacle frame sun lenses with a different coloration for better adaptation to the different light conditions or to ensure optimum conditions of visibility in the most diverse activities or when taking part in different sporting disciplines.

[0008] No less important is the fact of being able to readily mount on the same frame, in an interchangeable manner, lenses which can be replaced for correcting eyesight defects.

[0009] In some known solutions for frames for interchangeable lenses, there is provision for interrupting the mount or lens-carrying rim and interposing a relative blocking device between the portions of the rim which are separated by the interruption so that the lens-carrying rim can be opened for inserting and removing the lens from the frame. However, these blocking devices are constructively guite complex, particularly if simple screw type clamping means are not provided for closing the portions of lens-carrying rim. Furthermore, normally they are not particularly convenient for the user who desires to intervene directly in order to replace the lenses with other interchangeable lenses.

[0010] In other known solutions, there are provided in the frame receiving seats for the peripheral edge of the lens and the lens is shaped with a suitable profile in order to engage corresponding recesses which are formed in the seats of the frame. Generally, such a coupling system requires preliminary deformation of the frame in order to allow the engagement of the lens in the respective seats. Therefore, this system is not particularly practical, nor is it rapid, and it further requires a resilient deformation of the frame beforehand, which is necessary to allow the insertion of the lenses in the respective receiving seats, which may involve resultant undesirable deformations of the mount and / or lenses themselves. These deformations can further cause alterations or partial reductions in the optical properties of the lens.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] A primary object of the present invention is to improve structurally and functionally the frames for spectacles, which are particularly configured for interchangeable lenses, in relation to the aspects set out above so as to be configured to overcome the limitations set out with reference to the cited prior art.

[0013] This object and other objects which will be set out in greater detail below are achieved by a frame for spectacles having the features defined in the appended claim 1.

[0014] The features defined in the dependent claims relate to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, a frame for spectacles comprises a front mount which has a pair of lens-carrying rims for retaining respective lenses, each lens-carrying rim comprising along the individual peripheral profile a frame-like element which is provided with an abutment surface, against which at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the respective lens can abut, there being provided in the region of a portion of the frame-like element a groove which is configured to at least partially receive a portion of the peripheral lens edge, and at least one retention element being provided on the corresponding lens-carrying rim and being configured to secure the lens against the frame-like element with an interlocking connection of the resilient snap-fitting type after the lens is received in the groove.

[0016] Preferably, the retention element is positioned along the corresponding lenscarrying rim near a lateral lug of the frame laterally opposite a central connection bridge of the lens-carrying rims.

[0017] Preferably, the retention element comprises a resiliently flexible tongue which projects from the frame-like element.

[0018] In one embodiment, the tongue comprises at a free end a tooth-like formation which projects transversely from the tongue, the tooth-like formation being configured to interfere with the lens following the insertion of the lens in the rim in a direction towards the frame-like element, and to become resiliently deformed.

[0019] Preferably, the tongue is configured to press the lens by means of the tooth-like formation against the frame-like element following the resilient return of the tongue towards a non-deformed condition. Preferably, the tongue extends from the frame-like element with a spaced-apart relationship from the corresponding lens-carrying rim so as to allow the tongue to be resiliently deformed.

[0020] Preferably, the abutment surface of the frame-like element extends transversely relative to a front insertion direction of the lens into the lens-carrying rim.

[0021] Preferably, the abutment surface has a surface progression which is configured to bring about a supporting contact with a portion of the peripheral lens edge. In one embodiment, the lens has a first surface and a second opposite surface, between which there is defined the lens thickness, the first surface being directed at the front towards the exterior of the frame when it is mounted on the lens-carrying rim, the abutment surface being configured for supporting contact with the first lens surface in the region of the peripheral lens edge.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a frame which is constructed according to the invention,

[0025] - Figure 2 is a perspective view corresponding to the view of Figure 1, wherein the lenses are shown in a position removed from the frame,

[0026] - Figures 3 and 4 are partial perspective views, drawn to an enlarged scale, of details of the frame of the preceding Figures,

[0027] - Figure 5 is a partial front view of the frame of the preceding Figures,

[0028] - Figure 6 is another perspective view of the frame of the preceding Figures, - Figure 7 is a sectioned view along the line VII-VII of Figure 6,

[0029] - Figure 8 is a front view of the frame of the preceding Figures,

[0030] - Figure 9 is a sectioned view along the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0032] With reference to the cited Figures, there are generally designated 1 a pair of spectacles with a frame 2 which are constructed according to the present invention.

[0033] The frame 2 comprises a front mount 3 with a pair of lens-carrying rims 4 for supporting respective lenses 5, a pair of lateral arms 6 and a central bridge 7 for centrally connecting the lens-carrying rims.

[0034] For ease of illustration, in order to make the construction detail of the front mount more visible, the arms 6 are partially depicted in Figure 1 with dot-dash lines.

[0035] In the region of each of the opposite lateral ends of the front mount, each arm 6 is articulated in a hinged manner to a respective frame element 2b, which is also known using the term "lug" in the specific technical field. The hinge type connection about a respective hinge axis which is designated X can be arranged, for example, by means of hinge pin type formations which are engaged in corresponding seats which are formed in the corresponding facing ends of each lug / arm pair.

[0036] There is designated 8 a portion of each respective lens-carrying rim 4 which is formed for the nose support of the frame and which extends behind the central connection bridge 7 of the lens-carrying rims.

[0037] Each lens-carrying rim 4 is configured to retain the corresponding lens 5 in an interchangeable manner with a connection system which is described in detail below.

[0038] As a result of the fact that the system is constructed in a specular manner with respect to each lens-carrying rim, only one of them will be described in detail in order not to overload the description.

[0039] Each lens 5 has a first surface and a second surface 5a, 5b, between which the lens thickness S is defined, the first surface 5a being directed at the front towards the exterior of the fame when it is mounted on the respective lenscarrying rim. However, the second surface 5b is directed towards the interior of the frame (that is to say, towards the face of the user who is wearing the spectacles).

[0040] There is designated 10 a peripheral edge of the lens which runs along the peripheral profile of the lens surfaces 5a, 5b.

[0041] Each lens-carrying rim 4 comprises along an individual peripheral profile a frame-like element 11 which is provided with an abutment surface 12, against which at least the peripheral edge 10 of the respective lens 5 is capable of abutment.

[0042] The abutment surface 12 extends transversely relative to a front insertion direction of the lens in the lens-carrying rim.

[0043] The frame-like element 11 is configured in such a manner that the lens 5 is inserted in the rim at the internal side of the frame (that is to say, the side directed towards the face of the user) so that the surface portion 5a of the lens which runs along the peripheral edge 10 is caused to move into abutment against the abutment surface 12 of the frame-like element.

[0044] There is provided, along the internal profile of the lens-carrying rim 4, in the region of a portion of the frame-like element which extends behind the central nose support bridge, a groove 13 which has a channel-like formation which is configured to at least partially receive a portion of the peripheral lens edge 10 during the step of inserting the lens in the corresponding rim.

[0045] Figures 3 and 4 show the groove 13 in a preferred embodiment, which is provided in each respective lens-carrying rim and which extends over a portion which runs along the lens-carrying rim, as clearly illustrated by the broken line of Figure 5.

[0046] The cross-sectioned view of Figure 7 shows the groove and in particular the channel-like formation thereof.

[0047] As will be set out clearly below during the step of connecting the lens to the lens-carrying rim, by engaging the lens in the groove, the lens edge remains retained in a stable manner on the lens-carrying rim.

[0048] The frame 2 further comprises a retention element, which is generally designated 15 and which is configured to secure the lens, once it is engaged in the groove 13, against the frame-like element 11 with an interlocking connection.

[0049] The interlocking connection is preferably of the type with a resilient snap-fit and is completed after the lens is received in the groove.

[0050] In greater detail, the retention element 15 is positioned along the lens-carrying rim 4 near the lateral lug 2b of the frame at the side laterally opposite the central bridge 7.

[0051] The retention element 15 comprises a resiliently flexible tongue 16 which projects from the frame-like element 11 and which develops along a curved portion of the frame-like element.

[0052] The tongue 16 comprises at the free end thereof (opposite the connection end with respect to the frame-like element) a tooth-like formation 17 which projects transversely from the tongue.

[0053] The tongue 16 extends from the frame-like element 11 with a spaced-apart relationship from the corresponding lens-carrying rim 4 so as to allow the tongue to move freely during the resilient deformation thereof.

[0054] The tooth-like formation 17 is configured to interfere with the lens following the insertion of the lens in the rim in a direction towards the frame-like element in order to become resiliently deformed as a result of this interference.

[0055] The tongue 16 is further configured to press the lens by means of the tooth-like formation 17 against the surface 12 of the frame-like element following the resilient return of the tongue towards a non-deformed condition.

[0056] The operating steps for connecting the lens to the corresponding lens-carrying rim are as follows.

[0057] The lens is inserted in the rim at the internal side of the frame with a first movement, in which the groove 13 is engaged by the corresponding lens edge. Once the groove is engaged, the lens is subjected to a second movement approaching the retention element (remaining retained in the groove) until being brought into interference against the tooth 17. By causing the lens to slide on the tooth, the tongue is resiliently deformed until allowing the passage of the lens edge towards the frame-like element. Once the interference with the tooth has finished, the tongue, as a result of the resilient return action, is again moved towards the non-deformed position, in which the tooth presses the lens edge against the abutment surface of the frame. In this position, the lens edge is maintained in a retained state, in relative contact, between the tooth of the tongue and the frame, ensuring the blocking of the lens on the rim (in conjunction with the retention action applied by the connection of the lens in the opposite groove).

[0058] In order to remove the lens from the rim, it is simply necessary to resiliently deform the tongue (by pressing the tooth towards the lens-carrying rim behind it) so as to release the extraction movement of the lens from the retention element. Once the retention action of the tongue is removed, the lens can be extracted from the groove opposite it so as to complete the disengagement of the lens from the rim.

[0059] The pressure action against the tongue, in order to remove the retention of the lens applied by the tongue, can be readily carried out with one finger of a hand, gripping the lens with the other hand in order to complete the extraction of the lens from the lens-carrying rim.

[0060] Preferably, the selection of the material from which the frame and the retention element are made and suitable dimensions of the retention element allow a suitable resilient deformation behaviour of the retention element to be obtained so as to make it easier for the user during the insertion and removal movements of the lens with respect to the rim, at the same time ensuring an appropriate blocking action of the lens on the rim.

[0061] The invention thereby achieves the objects proposed, achieving a number of advantages over the known solutions.

[0062] One main advantage involves the fact that, as a result of the frame with interchangeable lenses of the invention, the actions required for connecting the lens to the rim and disengaging it can be carried out in a particularly simple, rapid and convenient manner, including for the user of the same spectacles. Furthermore, as a result of the invention, no particular processing of the rim and / or the lens edge becomes necessary in order to generate a form-fitting connection between them, for example, by means of grooves which run internally with respect to the rims along the peripheral development thereof and / or by means of a specific processing of the peripheral lens edge in order to ensure the connection with relative retention between the lens and rim.

[0063] Another advantage is that the frame with lens-carrying rims provided with the groove and the retention element according to the invention can be obtained completely from plastics material, for example, by injection-moulding, with a substantial reduction of overall production costs of the spectacles.

Claims

Patent claims1. A frame for spectacles, comprising a front mount (3) which has a pair of lenscarrying rims (4) for retaining respective lenses (5), each lens-carrying rim (4) comprising along the individual peripheral profile a frame-like element (11) which is provided with an abutment surface (12), against which at least a portion of a peripheral edge (10) of the respective lens (5) can abut, there being provided in the region of a portion of the frame-like element (11) a groove (13) which is configured to at least partially receive a portion of the peripheral lens edge (10), and at least one retention element (15) being provided on the corresponding lens-carrying rim (4) and being configured to secure the lens (5) against the frame-like element (11) with an interlocking connection of the resilient snap-fitting type after the lens (5) is received in the groove (13).

2. A frame for spectacles according to claim 1, wherein the retention element (15) is positioned along the corresponding lens-carrying rim (4) near a lateral lug (2b) of the frame laterally opposite a central connection bridge (7) of the lens-carrying rims (4).

3. A frame for spectacles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retention element (15) comprises a resiliently flexible tongue (16) which projects from the frame-like element (11).

4. A frame for spectacles according to claim 3, wherein the tongue (16) comprises at a free end a tooth-like formation (17) which projects transversely from the tongue, the tooth-like formation (17) being configured to interfere with the lens (5) following the insertion of the lens (5) in the rim (4) in a direction towards the frame-like element (11), and to become resiliently deformed.

5. A frame for spectacles according to claim 4, wherein the tongue (16) isconfigured to press the lens (5) by means of the tooth-like formation (17) against the frame-like element (11) following the resilient return of the tongue (16) towards a non-deformed condition.

6. A frame for spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue (16) extends from the frame-like element (11) with a spaced-apart relationship from the corresponding lens-carrying rim (4) so as to allow the tongue (16) to be resiliently deformed.

7. A frame for spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment surface (12) of the frame-like element (11) extends transversely relative to a front insertion direction of the lens (5) into the lenscarrying rim (4).

8. A frame for spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment surface (12) has a surface progression which is configured to bring about a supporting contact with a portion of the peripheral lens edge (10).

9. A frame for spectacles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lens (5) has a first surface and a second opposite surface (5a, 5b), between which there is defined the lens thickness (S), the first surface (5a) being directed at the front towards the exterior of the frame when it is mounted on the lens-carrying rim (4), the abutment surface (12) being configured for supporting contact with the first lens surface (5a) in the region of the peripheral lens edge (10).

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