Optician's Tool with Curved Hooks for Lens Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Opticians face difficulties in removing or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames, requiring substantial force that can lead to thumb injuries, especially with preexisting hand problems, and there is a lack of tools to assist in this process.
Innovation Solution
A tool with an elongated block and hooks is designed to assist opticians, featuring a handle, a recess, and curved surfaces with hooks to facilitate lens removal and insertion by distributing the force and reducing the need for thumb pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an optician uses thumb pressure to push lenses into or out of frames, then the lens can be inserted or removed, but the optician's thumb may be injured due to substantial force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tool as an intermediary device between the optician's hand and the lens. The tool includes a handle for hand operation and a curved surface with a hook that contacts the lens edge. This intermediary transfers the applying force from the optician's hand to the lens in a controlled manner, reducing the direct thumb pressure and injury risk while maintaining effective lens insertion/removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a handle portion for hand grip and operation, a curved surface for applying force, and a hook that engages with the lens edge. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the hook providing precise contact points that distribute force more evenly across the lens edge rather than concentrating it on a single thumb pressure point
2Productivity
If an optician uses thumb pressure to push lenses into or out of frames, then the lens can be inserted or removed, but repetitive action can cause hand problems to worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tool serves as a mediator that decouples the repetitive thumb pressure from the optician's hand. By transferring the force application to the tool's curved surface with hook, the tool absorbs the repetitive mechanical stress, allowing the optician to maintain high productivity through repeated lens operations without accelerating hand injury or worsening preexisting hand conditions
3Device complexity
If no tool is used for lens insertion/removal, then the operation is simple, but substantial force is required which can cause injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates a curved surface that conforms to the contour of the lens edge. This curved geometry allows the hook to engage with the lens at multiple contact points along its perimeter, distributing the required insertion/removal force across several points rather than requiring concentrated force at a single point, thereby reducing the total force needed while maintaining operational effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool allows for easier and safer lens manipulation, reducing the risk of injury and enabling opticians to perform tasks with less force, even when hand problems are present, by providing a mechanical advantage and proper leverage.
Implementation Method 1
The portion between the free end and the working end functions as a handle to be grasped by a person's hand. A first recess is formed in the bottom surface of the block along with a first curved surface and a first hook. The hooks are adapted to rest against the edge of the frame as the pointed edge or the second curved surface press the lens out of or into the frame as the free end of the tool is rotated.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool (10) for assisting an optician in removing lenses (42) from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames (44) includes an elongated block of substantially rigid material (12) having a forward working end (14) and a rearward free end (16) opposite the working end, the portion between the free end and the working end functioning as a handle to be grasped by a person's hand. A first recess (24) is formed in the bottom surface (22) of the block along with a first curved surface (26) and a first hook (28). The first curved surface includes a rearward facing pointed edge (27). Similarly, a second recess (36) is formed in the top surface (20) of the block along with a second curved surface (38) and a second hook (40). The hooks (28, 40) are adapted to rest against the edge (46) of the frame (44) as the pointed edge (27) or the second curved surface (38) presses the lens (42) out of or into the frame (44) as the free end (16) of the tool is rotated.