U.S. patent application number 13/588128 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for resilient hinge for eyeglasses.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aspex Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nonu Ifergan.
Application Number | 20120307198 13/588128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38982489 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120307198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ifergan; Nonu |
December 6, 2012 |
RESILIENT HINGE FOR EYEGLASSES
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use with
eyeglasses. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a
hinge assembly to attach a temple to a main frame of a pair of
eyeglasses. The hinge assembly of this embodiment may include a
pair of hinge members (formed as a ball and socket) rotationally
attached to one another and each resiliently attached (e.g., using
a spring) to a respective one of the temple and the main frame of
the pair of eyeglasses.
Inventors: |
Ifergan; Nonu; (Quebec,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Aspex Group, Inc.
Quebec
CA
|
Family ID: |
38982489 |
Appl. No.: |
13/588128 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13051290 |
Mar 18, 2011 |
8256894 |
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13588128 |
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12648070 |
Dec 28, 2009 |
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13051290 |
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11531179 |
Sep 12, 2006 |
7637609 |
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12648070 |
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60793717 |
Apr 21, 2006 |
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60776234 |
Feb 24, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 5/2227 20130101;
G02C 5/2236 20130101; G02C 2200/30 20130101; G02C 5/10 20130101;
Y10T 16/526 20150115; G02C 2200/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/153 |
International
Class: |
G02C 5/22 20060101
G02C005/22 |
Claims
1. A hinge assembly, comprising: a socket member attached to an end
of a temple of a pair of eyeglasses; and a ball member attached to
a temple region of a main frame of the pair of eyeglasses; wherein
the ball member is configured to be received and held within the
socket member; and wherein at least one of: (a) the socket member
is resiliently attached to the end of the temple; and (b) the ball
member is resiliently attached to the temple region of the main
frame.
2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket member is
resiliently attached to the end of the temple.
3. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the ball member is
resiliently attached to the temple region of the main frame.
4. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket member is
resiliently attached to the end of the temple and wherein the ball
member is resiliently attached to the temple region of the main
frame.
5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket member is
essentially immovably attached to the end of the temple.
6. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the ball member is
essentially immovably attached to the end of the temple region of
the main frame via a ball member pin extending from the ball
member.
7. The hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing
having a first cavity into which at least a portion of the socket
member is received, wherein the housing is attached to the end of
the temple.
8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, further comprising a socket
member projection, wherein the socket member projection extends,
when the socket member is at least partially within the first
cavity, into a second cavity in the housing.
9. The hinge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a spring
disposed at least partially within the second cavity, wherein a
partition separates the first cavity from the second cavity,
wherein the socket member projection extends from the first cavity
to the second cavity through an opening in the partition, and
wherein the spring biases the socket member towards the
partition.
10. The hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing
having a cavity into which at least a portion of a pin of the ball
member is received, wherein the housing is attached to the temple
region of the main frame.
11. The hinge assembly of claim 10, further comprising a spring
disposed at least partially within the cavity, wherein a partition
at least partially defines the cavity, wherein the ball member pin
extends into the cavity through an opening in the partition, and
wherein the spring biases the ball member towards the
partition.
12. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket member
includes at an end thereof a plurality of flexible fingers, and
wherein the fingers are configured to flex open to allow the ball
member to enter the socket member.
13. The hinge assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the fingers
includes at a free end thereof a flange, and wherein each flange
helps to retain the ball member within the socket member when the
fingers flex closed.
14. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket member
includes at least one slot for guiding movement of a ball member
pin extending from the ball member.
15. The hinge assembly of claim 14, wherein the socket member
includes two essentially orthogonal slots for guiding movement of
the ball member pin extending from the ball member.
16. A hinge assembly, comprising: a socket member attached to a
temple region of a main frame of a pair of eyeglasses; and a ball
member attached to an end of a temple of the pair of eyeglasses;
wherein the ball member is configured to be received and held
within the socket member; and wherein at least one of: (a) the
socket member is resiliently attached to the temple region of a
main frame; and (b) the ball member is resiliently attached to the
end of the temple.
17. The hinge assembly of claim 16, wherein the socket member is
resiliently attached to the temple region of a main frame.
18. The hinge assembly of claim 16, wherein the ball member is
resiliently attached to the end of the temple.
19. The hinge assembly of claim 16, wherein the socket member is
resiliently attached to the temple region of the main frame and
wherein the ball member is resiliently attached to the end of the
temple
20. The hinge assembly of claim 16, wherein the socket member is
essentially immovably attached to the temple region of the main
frame.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/051,290, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/648,070, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,609,
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/793,717, filed Apr. 21, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/776,234, filed Feb. 24, 2006. Each of the
aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use
with eyeglasses.
[0003] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hinge
assembly to attach a temple to a main frame of a pair of
eyeglasses. The hinge assembly of this embodiment may include a
pair of hinge members (formed as a ball and socket) rotationally
attached to one another and each resiliently attached (e.g., using
a spring) to a respective one of the temple and the main frame of
the pair of eyeglasses.
[0004] For the purposes of describing and claiming the present
invention the term "resiliently attached" is intended to refer to
the flexible attachment of one element to another (as compared to
an essentially immovable attachment of one element to another). To
give one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and
not restrictive), one element may be resiliently attached to
another element via use of a spring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Eyeglasses (e.g., spectacle frames, sunglasses and other
types of eyewear) are available in a diverse array of types,
shapes, sizes, and materials. Generally, spectacle frames come into
three basic types--full, semi or half-rimless, and rimless. A
"full" eyeglass frame is comprised of a lens rim that completely
encircles the lens. In a "semi-rimless" eyeglass frame there is no
rim encircling the bottom or top of the lens. On the other hand,
"rimless" eyeglass frames normally have no rim around the lens. For
the most part, rimless eyeglasses come in three pieces (two end
pieces and the nose bridge), although other variations also exist.
In this rimless configuration, the lens or lenses form part of the
spectacle frame. Generally, in a rimless configuration, each lens
is routinely drilled so that the components fit snugly into the
lens. While the invention is described using one specific example
of spectacle frames, the invention can, of course, be adapted and
used for rimmed, semi-rimless and/or rimless frames. For the
purpose of ease and convenience, embodiments illustrated show a
"full" eyeglass frame but each figure could be illustrated with any
of the varying types of construction detailed above or others known
in the art.
[0006] Regardless of the type of frame, eyeglasses typically
include a pair of temples (that is, right and left temples) that
extend rearwardly from the main frame for engagement with the
user's ears. Each temple is typically attached to the main frame at
a temple region of the main frame by a hinge to allow the temple to
be folded behind the main frame for storage when not in use (as
discussed above, the main frame may or may not be formed by
including one or more lenses and each temple region may or may not
be formed at or included on one or more of the lenses--for example,
in the full configuration the main frame is distinct from each lens
and each temple region is formed at the distinct main frame; in
contrast, in the rimless configuration the main frame is formed at
least partially from one or more lenses and each temple region is
formed at or included on one or more of the lenses).
[0007] In some conventional eyeglasses, the hinge permits folding
and unfolding of the temple but inhibits movement of the temple in
the unfolded state beyond a position in which the temple is
generally perpendicular to the main frame. In that unfolded
position the hinge is relatively vulnerable to abnormal loads that
may occur in use. Such loads may occur, for example, from
accidental contact with the eyeglasses or from improper storage. In
this regard, the hinge is typically one of the more vulnerable
components of the eyeglasses and, accordingly, damage to the hinge
frequently occurs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the hinge assembly shown in
FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the components of the
hinge assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a
component used in the hinge assembly of FIGS. 2-4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 11A-11C are, respectively, inside, top and outside
views of a portion of a pair of eyeglasses according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 12A and 12B are exploded views showing the components
of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 13A and 13B are exploded views showing the components
of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 14A and 14B are exploded views showing the components
of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIGS. 15A and 15B are exploded views showing the components
of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIGS. 16A and 16B are exploded views showing the components
of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 17A and 17B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIGS. 19A and 19B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIGS. 20A and 20B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIGS. 21A and 21B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIGS. 22A and 22B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIGS. 23A and 23B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIGS. 24A and 24B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIGS. 25A and 25B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0033] FIGS. 26A and 26B are views of a component of a hinge
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] Among those benefits and improvements that have been
disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of
this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the
present invention and illustrate various objects and features
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be
embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given
in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the
figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be
exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0036] Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a pair of
eyeglasses generally indicated at 10 includes a main frame 12
having openings 14 to receive lenses. The main frame 12 includes a
bridge 16 and a pair of temple regions 18 (that is, right and left
temple regions). Of note, each temple region 18 may be formed as an
integral part of the main frame 12 or may be attached (e.g., via
glue, solder, crimping, screws, bolts or any other desired
mechanism) to the main frame 12. A pair of temples 20 (that is,
right and left temples) extend rearwardly from the temple regions
18 and are attached to the main frame 12 at the temple regions 18
by a hinge assembly 22, which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2
through 5 (in this embodiment, the two hinge assemblies are
essentially identical, although other embodiments may utilize
distinct hinge assemblies such as configured for right side or left
side use).
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, each hinge assembly 22 bridges
between a respective temple 20 and the temple region 18 of the main
frame 12. The hinge assembly 22 has a pair of housings 24, 26.
Housing 24 is attached to a respective temple 20 (while housing 24
is shown here as disposed within temple 20, housing 24 could, in
other examples, be disposed adjacent temple 20 or surrounding
temple 20). Housing 26 is attached to the main frame 12 in the
respective temple region 18 (while housing 26 is shown here as
disposed adjacent temple region 18, housing 26 could, in other
examples, be disposed within temple region 18 or surrounding temple
region 18). The housings 24, 26 accommodate a ball and socket joint
generally indicated at 28, the details of which will be described
below.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, it is seen that the housing 24 has
a forwardly directed cavity 30 and a rearwardly directed cavity 32
between which a partition 34 is formed (each of cavity 30, 32 may
have a cylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a
rectangular cross section, a triangular cross section, or any other
desired shape). The rear of the housing 24 includes extension 36 to
attach to an end of the temple 20 (the interface between the
extension and the temple may have a cylindrical cross section, a
square cross-section, a rectangular cross section, a triangular
cross section, or any other desired shape). The housing 26 has a
forwardly directed cavity 38 with a partition 40 delineating the
cavity 38 (cavity 38 may have a cylindrical cross section, a square
cross-section, a rectangular cross section, a triangular cross
section, or any other desired shape). An overhang 42 is provided on
the side of the partition 40 opposite to the cavity 38 and adjacent
to the housing 24.
[0039] Each of the cavities 32, 38, receives a compression spring
44, 46 that is seated against a respective partition 34, 40. Each
of the partitions 34, 40 has an opening 48, 50 (each of opening 48,
50 may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any
other desired shape).
[0040] The ball and socket joint 28 includes a socket member 52
located within the housing 24. The socket member 52 has a
projection 54 that extends through the opening 48 and through the
center of the spring 44 (projection 54 may have a cross section
that is cylindrical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other
desired shape--depending upon the shape of opening 48). The distal
portion of the projection 54 is threaded and receives a securing
nut 56 that bears against the spring 44 (in another example, rather
than using a securing nut threaded to the distal portion of
projection 54, an end piece may be crimped, snapped-on or otherwise
attached to the distal portion of projection 54 to retain spring
44).
[0041] The end of the socket member 52 opposite to the projection
54 is formed as a cavity 58 to receive a ball member 60 (the cavity
58 may have a cylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a
rectangular cross section, a triangular cross section, or any other
desired shape). The cavity 58 is defined by four fingers 62, 64,
66, 68 (finger 68 is shown partially cut-away in the view of FIG.
5) respectively defined by a pair of longitudinal slots 70, 72 in
the wall of the socket member 52 (although this embodiment utilizes
four fingers and a pair of slots, any desired number of fingers and
slots may be utilized). Each of the fingers 62, 64, 66, 68
terminates at its forward end in an inwardly directed flange 74
that overlies the open end of the cavity 58. The ball 60 has a pin
76 extending forwardly and through the opening 50 in the partition
40 (pin 76 may have a cylindrical cross section, a square
cross-section, a rectangular cross section, a triangular cross
section, or any other desired shape--depending upon the shape of
opening 50). The pin 76 passes through the spring 46 and is secured
by securing nut 78 threaded onto the distal end of the pin 76 (in
another example, rather than using a securing nut threaded to the
distal end of pin 76, an end piece may be crimped, snapped-on or
otherwise attached to the distal end of pin 76 to retain spring
46).
[0042] One example of the steps which may be carried out to
assemble the hinge assembly 22 will now be described. In this
example, the socket member 52 is inserted within the cavity 30 in
housing 24. It will be noted from FIG. 5 that the exterior of the
socket member 52 may be non-circular (e.g., rectangular). In this
case, the socket member 52 will have a fixed orientation within the
cavity 30 (when the cavity 30 has a non-circular shape matching
that of socket member 52). The spring 44 is then inserted into the
cavity 32 over projection 54 and secured with the securing nut
56.
[0043] The ball 60 is then inserted into the cavity 58 by forcing
the ball 60 axially between the fingers 62, 64, 66, 68 (the ends of
one or more of fingers 62, 64, 66, 68 may be angled or chamfered to
aid in insertion of ball 60 into cavity 58). The fingers have
sufficient flexibility to separate and allow the ball 60 to snap
into the cavity 58. The inturned flanges 74 provide an abutment
surface against which the ball 60 seats and is retained (in
operation, pin 76 may extend through the slots 70 and 72 to allow
the ball to pivot with respect to the socket member 52). The
housing 26 may then be inserted over the pin 76 and the spring 46
located within the cavity 38 (surrounding the pin 76). The spring
is then retained by the securing nut 78.
[0044] When assembled, the end face of the socket member 52 bears
against the outer face of the partition 40 under the action of the
spring 46 (when spring 46 pulls on ball 60 and, indirectly, socket
member 52). In order to fold the temple 20 behind the main frame
12, rotation occurs between the ball 60 and the socket member 52.
As rotation occurs, the edge of the socket member 52 forms a line
of rotation so that the springs 46 and 44 are compressed as the
housing 24 is rotated relative to the housing 26. As the housing 24
rotates, the pin 76 passes along the slot 72 to allow the temple 20
to fold behind the main frame 12.
[0045] Unfolding the temple 20 from behind the main frame 12
similarly produces a relative pivotal movement between the housing
24 and housing 26 (with the springs 44, 46 providing a bias that
acts to hold the temple 20 in the unfolded position). If a force is
applied to move the temple 20 further outwardly relative to the
main frame 12 (that is, beyond a position in which the temple 20 is
generally perpendicular to the main frame 12), a movement similar
to that occurring when the temple 20 is folded will occur with the
springs 44, 46 yielding to accommodate the further outward
movement. The temple 20 is thus not subjected to excessive bending
forces and upon removal of the further outwardly directed force,
the springs 44, 46 will cause the temple to return to its normal
unfolded position (that is, generally perpendicular to the main
frame 12).
[0046] Further, under normal conditions, the overhang 42 cooperates
with the upper side of the socket member 52 to inhibit rotation of
the temple 20 about a horizontal axis of the ball joint (that is,
the overhang 42 cooperates with the upper side of the socket member
52 to inhibit rotation of the temple 20 up and down relative to the
main frame 12). If, however, an abnormal load is applied in a
vertical plane, the springs 44, 46 will again yield to permit
relative pivoting between the housings 24 and 26 (that is, allow
movement of the temple 20 up and down relative to the main frame
12). In this case, the pin 76 passes along the slot 70 to
accommodate the displacement (the springs 44, 46 provide a return
bias once the up/down loading is removed).
[0047] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, housing 24a is
attached to the main frame 12, and housing 26a is attached to the
end of the temple 20a. In FIG. 6, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 are
given like reference numerals with the suffix "a" for clarity. It
will be appreciated that the hinge assembly 22a operates in a
manner similar to hinge assembly 22 described above and the details
thereof need not be reiterated. It will be noted from FIG. 6 that
the pin 76a and projection 54a are suitably sized in order to
accommodate variations in the size of cavities 32a and 38a that may
be required in order to reverse the orientation of housings 24a and
26a when compared to the orientation of housings 24 and 26 as shown
in FIG. 3. The springs 44a and 46a are also suitably chosen to
accommodate variations in the size of cavities 32a and 38a as
required. It will also be noted from FIG. 6 that overhang 42a is
modified to include a stepped portion 100 that is oriented to
attach to the end of the temple 20a such that housing 26a will fit
with temple 20a in a manner similar to the fit of the housing 24
and temple 20 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the housing 26b
is attached to the main frame 12b and the pin 76b is attached to
the housing 26b. In FIG. 7, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that have
been adapted for the arrangement shown are given like numerals with
the suffix "b" for clarity. It will be appreciated that the socket
member 52b, housing 24b, projection 54b, and spring 44b are
essentially identical to and operate in the same way as those
elements shown in FIG. 3 such that when the temple 20b is rotated,
the housing 24b will bear on and interact with overhang 42b in a
manner similar to what has been described above. It also will be
noted from FIG. 7 that pin 76b is of a suitable length to
accommodate movement of the fingers of socket member 52b within gap
101. In operation, the ball 60b will remain in an essentially fixed
position while the pin 76b slides within either slot of socket
member 52b. When the temple 20b is folded, the spring 44b will
compress and projection 54 will slide within opening 48 in a manner
similar to that described above.
[0049] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, socket member 52c
is integrally formed with housing 24c and in turn attaches to the
end of the temple 20c. In FIG. 8, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that
have been adapted for the arrangement shown are given like numerals
with the suffix "c" for clarity. In this arrangement, flange 102
projects from the housing 24c to provide a member for the overhang
42c to bear on and interact with as the temple 20c is rotated. It
will be noted from FIG. 8 that as the temple 20c is rotated, the
spring 46c will compress and the pin 76c will slide within opening
50c as before to provide suitable clearance to allow the fingers of
socket member 52c to move around the ball 60c. In operation, the
socket member 52c will remain in an essentially fixed position
relative to the temple 20c while the pin 76c slides within either
slot of socket member 52c.
[0050] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement
shown in FIG. 6 is adapted such that the housing 24d is integrally
formed with the socket member 52d, which is attached to the main
frame 12d. In FIG. 9, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that have been
adapted for the arrangement shown are given like numerals with the
suffix "d" for clarity. In this arrangement, a stepped portion 103
is formed in the housing 24d to bear against and interact with
overhang 42d. It will be noted from FIG. 9 that as the temple 20d
is rotated, the spring 46d will compress in a manner similar to the
arrangement shown in FIG. 6, however, the socket member 52d will
remain essentially fixed. The pin 76d will slide within opening 50d
as before to allow suitable clearance for the overhang 42d to move
relative to the stepped portion 103. The fingers of socket member
52d will remain essentially stationary while the pin 76d slides in
either slot of socket member 52d.
[0051] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement
shown in FIG. 6 is adapted such that the housing 26e is integrally
formed with the ball 60e and pin 76e. In FIG. 10, like elements
from FIGS. 1-5 that have been adapted for the arrangement shown are
given like numerals with the suffix "e" for clarity. In this
arrangement, a stepped portion 42e bears against and interacts with
the housing 24e, and the leg portion 100e is adapted to attach to
the end of the temple 20e. It will be noted from FIG. 10 that as
the temple 20e is rotated, the spring 44e will compress in a manner
similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, however, the ball 60e
and pin 76e will remain essentially fixed. The projection 54e will
slide within opening 48e as before to allow suitable clearance for
the overhang 42e to move relative to the housing 24e. The socket
member 52e is able to slide outward from the housing 24e while the
stationary pin 76e slides in either slot of socket member 52e.
[0052] It will be appreciated, of course, that the pin and
projection should be suitably sized to enable the necessary
rotation of the overhangs with respect to the housings during
rotation of the temple 20.
[0053] It will be further appreciated, of course, that various
embodiments of the present invention permit the hinge assembly 22
to accommodate abnormal loads applied in a number of directions and
the choice of using one or two springs (and the strength of such
springs) will depend on the degree of movement that is desired.
However, in each case, folding and unfolding of the temples 20 may
be permitted while accommodating such abnormal loads.
[0054] It will also be seen that the provision of the ball and
socket joint 28 according to various embodiments of the present
invention permits the hinge assembly 22 to provide the desired
range of movement for the temple as well as to accommodate the
abnormal loads applied to thereto. At the same time, the provision
of the socket member 52 and the flexible fingers 62, 64, 66, 68
facilitates the assembly of the components of various embodiments
of the present invention by permitting an essentially straight
axial insertion of the ball 60 into the cavity 58.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, it is seen that hinge
assembly 22 may be attached to temple 20 via pin 1100 going through
temple 20 into hinge assembly 22. Likewise, it is seen that hinge
assembly 22 may be attached to temple region 18 of main frame 12 by
pin 1102 going through temple region 18 of main frame 12 into hinge
assembly 22. Of course, in other examples, the connection may be by
glue, solder, crimping, bolts or any other desired mechanism.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, another embodiment of
the present invention is shown (FIG. 12A shows an exploded top view
of a left side of a pair of eyeglasses incorporating a hinge
assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention and
FIG. 12B shows an exploded side view of the left side of the pair
of eyeglasses incorporating the hinge assembly according to the
embodiment of FIG. 12A). As seen in these figures, temple 1200
includes cavity 1202 (cavity 1202 may have a cylindrical cross
section, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross section, a
triangular cross section, or any other desired shape). Disposed
within cavity 1202 is spring 1204 and pad 1206. Joint member 1208
is pivotally attached to temple 1200 via pivot pin 1210 (pivot pin
1210 goes through openings 1212, 1213 provided in temple 1200 as
well as opening 1214 provided in joint member 1208). Joint member
1208 is also pivotally attached to temple region 1216 (of a main
frame of the eyeglasses) via pivot pin 1218 (pivot pin 1218 goes
through openings 1220,1221 provided in temple region 1216 as well
as opening 1222 provided in joint member 1208). Finally, pad 1224
and spring 1226 are disposed within cavity 1228 of temple region
1216 (cavity 1228 may have a cylindrical cross section, a square
cross-section, a rectangular cross section, a triangular cross
section, or any other desired shape).
[0057] In operation, spring 1204 pushes out against pad 1206 to
bias pad 1206 against joint member 1208. Depending upon the shape
of the surface of joint member 1208 presented to pad 1206, this
biasing action may: (a) serve to hold temple 1200 in one or more
predefined positions as temple 1200 is pivoted up or down relative
to temple region 1216; and/or (b) serve to move temple 1200 to one
or more predefined positions as temple 1200 is pivoted up or down
relative to temple region 1216.
[0058] Similarly, spring 1226 pushes out against pad 1224 to bias
pad 1224 against joint member 1208. Depending upon the shape of the
surface of joint member 1208 presented to pad 1224, this biasing
action may: (a) serve to hold temple 1200 in one or more predefined
positions as temple 1200 is pivoted laterally relative to temple
region 1216; and/or (b) serve to move temple 1200 to one or more
predefined positions as temple 1200 is pivoted laterally relative
to temple region 1216 (of note, the orientation of the joint member
1208 may be moved such that each of pivot pins 1210,1218 is
essentially orthogonal to the position shown in FIGS. 12A and
12B).
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, an arrangement similar
to that shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal
difference here (as opposed to FIGS. 12A and 12B) is in the shape
of temple 1300.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, an arrangement similar
to that shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal
difference here (as opposed to FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that temple
region 1416 is formed as part of the main frame of the eyeglasses
(as opposed to temple region 1216, which is attached (via screws or
other mechanism) to the main frame of the eyeglasses).
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, an arrangement similar
to that shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal
difference here (as opposed to FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that hinge box
1590 (with cavity 1592) is attached (via screws or other mechanism)
to temple 1500 and hinge box 1594 (with cavity 1596 is attached
(via screws or other mechanism) to temple region 1516 (of the main
frame of the eyeglasses).
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, an arrangement similar
to that shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal
difference here (as opposed to FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that hinge box
1690 (with cavity 1692) is attached (via an interference fit) to
temple 1600 and hinge box 1694 (with cavity 1696) is attached (via
an interference fit) to temple region 1616 (of the main frame of
the eyeglasses).
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 17-21, various additional examples of
joint members of the type shown in FIGS. 12-16 are depicted. Of
note, each of FIGS. 17A-21A shows a view along a first plane, and
each of FIGS. 17B-21B shows a view along a second plane generally
orthogonal to the first plane (that is, FIGS. 17A and 17B show two
views of the same element; FIGS. 18A and 18B show two views of the
same element; FIGS. 19A and 19B show two views of the same element;
FIGS. 20A and 20B show two views of the same element; and FIGS. 21A
and 21B show two views of the same element). Of further note, the
different shapes of these elements may provide different positions
at which the temple is held or moved and/or may require different
amounts of force to hold or move the temple to such different
positions.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 22-26, various additional examples of
pads of the type shown in FIGS. 12-16 are depicted. Of note, each
of FIGS. 22A-26A shows a view along a first plane, and each of
FIGS. 22B-26B shows a view along a second plane different than the
first plane (that is, FIGS. 22A and 22B show two views of the same
element; FIGS. 23A and 23B show two views of the same element;
FIGS. 24A and 24B show two views of the same element; FIGS. 25A and
25B show two views of the same element; and FIGS. 26A and 26B show
two views of the same element). Of further note, the different
shapes of these elements may provide different positions at which
the temple is held or moved and/or may require different amounts of
force to hold or move the temple to such different positions.
[0065] While a number of embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it is understood that these embodiments are
illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications
may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For
example, the fingers/slots of the socket may define any desired
number of predetermined paths to permit rotational and/or pivotal
movement between the ball and socket. Further, while various
housings have been shown as disposed within the temple, such
housings could, in other examples, be disposed adjacent the temple
or surrounding the temple. Likewise, while various housings have
been shown as attached to the temple region of the main frame, such
housings could, in other examples, be disposed within the temple
region or surrounding the temple region. Further still, any steps
described herein may be carried out in any desired order (and any
additional steps may be added as desired and any steps may be
deleted as desired).
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