Spacer device for frames of spectacles

Abstract

A spacer device for spectacles maintains the pair of arms of the frame spaced apart from each other with respect to the front of the frame when they are folded in a closing manner. The device includes a spacer member having a thickness defined between a pair of opposing surfaces, the member extending in a main direction, between a pair of opposing faces, which contact with the front mount of the frame and the arm of the pair of arms which is folded last onto the mount, respectively. A channel extends transversely to the main direction and is provided in a position between the faces, the channel delimited by a pair of walls which face each other in a mutually spaced apart relationship and are connected at an end thereof to a base surface of the channel.

Claims

1. A spacer device for frames (2) of spectacles configured to maintain a pair of arms (5, 6) of the frame spaced apart from each other and with respect to a front mount (3) of the frame when the arms are folded onto the mount in a closing manner, the device comprising a spacer member (7) which has a thickness (S) which is defined between a pair of opposing surfaces (8, 9), the member extending in a main direction (X), between a pair of opposing faces (10, 11), which are configured for contact with the front mount (3) of the frame and the arm (6) of the pair of arms which is folded last onto the mount (3), respectively, the spacer member (7) comprising a channel (12) which extends in the member transversely to the main direction (X) and which extends through the thickness (S) and which is provided in a position between the faces (10, 11), the channel (12) being delimited by a pair of walls (13, 14) which face each other in a mutually spaced apart relationship and which are connected at an end thereof to a base surface (15) of the channel, the channel (12) configured to be engaged by the arm (5) of the pair which is folded first onto the mount so as to remain spaced apart both from the mount (3) and from the other arm (6) adjacent thereto, wherein the face (10) of the spacer member (7) which is intended for contact with the front (3) of the frame has a concave surface profile.

2. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the walls (13, 14) extend in the channel substantially parallel with each other.

3. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the walls (13, 14) are connected to the base surface (15) of the channel with a curved surface profile.

4. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the channel (12) extends in the spacer member (7) perpendicularly to the main direction (X).

5. The spacer device according to claim 2, wherein the dimension of the distance between the walls (13, 14) of the channel (12) has a value between 2 mm and 7 mm.

6. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (S) of the spacer member (7) has a dimension between 5 mm and 12 mm.

7. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the channel (12) is positioned in the member (7) at a distance from the face (10) which is intended for contact with the front mount (3) of the frame having a dimension greater than the distance between the channel (12) and the opposing face (11).

8. The spacer device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member (7) is constructed from a material selected from expanded polymer materials, micro-cellular expanded materials or micro-cellular foams, expanded elastomer materials.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a spacer device produced according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of the preceding Figures,

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of the preceding Figures shown in an operating condition of application to a frame for spectacles.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(5) With reference to the cited Figures, there is generally designated 1 a spacer device for frames for spectacles which is constructed according to the present invention.

(6) In FIG. 4, the device 1 is illustrated in an operating condition for application to a generic frame 2 for spectacles of the type which is conventional per se and which comprises a front mount 3 which carries lens-carrying rims 3a which are connected to a central bridge 4 and a pair of arms 5, 6 which are articulated to the front mount.

(7) The spacer device 1 is configured to maintain the pair of arms 5, 6 of the frame 2 spaced apart from each other and with respect to the front mount 3 when they are folded onto the mount itself in a closing manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

(8) The device 1 comprises a spacer member 7 having a plate-like configuration, the thickness S of which is defined between a pair of opposing surfaces 8, 9. The member 7 extends in a main direction which is designated X, between a pair of opposing faces 10, 11, the face 10 being intended for contact with the front mount 3, the face 11 being intended for contact with the arm 6 which is folded last onto the mount (as shown in FIG. 4).

(9) In accordance with a main feature of the invention, the spacer member 7 comprises a channel 12 which extends in the member transversely to the direction X and which extends through the thickness S and which is provided in a position between the faces 10, 11. The channel 12 is delimited by a pair of walls 13, 14 which face each other in a mutually spaced apart relationship and which are connected at an end thereof to a base surface 15 of the channel.

(10) As shown in FIG. 4, the channel 12 is intended to be engaged by the arm 5 of the pair of arms which is folded first onto the mount 3 so as to remain spaced apart both from the mount 3 and from the other arm 6 adjacent thereto. More specifically, the walls 13, 14 extend in the channel substantially parallel with each other and the channel extends in the member of the spacer transversely, and perpendicularly in a preferred manner, relative to the direction X. In the transverse direction, the channel 12 extends over a main portion of the dimension of the member measured in the same direction.

(11) In a preferred form, the walls 13, 14 of the channel are connected to the base surface 15 with a curved surface profile which is obtained with preselected radii of curvature in the corresponding connection zones.

(12) The dimension of the opening of the channel, that is to say, the distance between the walls 13, 14, is selected to be a value sufficient to receive the arm, this dimension preferably being between 2 mm and 7 mm, and more preferably selected to be approximately 5 mm.

(13) The thickness S of the member 7 is also selected to have a dimension sufficient to ensure stable positioning of the spacer in the region of the central bridge 4 of the frame, in the space between the nose support lugs or plates.

(14) The dimension of the thickness is advantageously between 5 mm and 12 mm and more preferably selected to be approximately 10 mm.

(15) The face 10 of the spacer which is intended for contact with the front mount 3 is further constructed with a concave surface profile, the concavity allowing greater stability during contact of the spacer with the front mount.

(16) With reference to FIG. 3, the channel 12 is formed in the member 7 at a distance from the face 10 which is intended for contact with the front mount 3 of the frame having dimensions greater than the distance between the channel 12 and the face 11 opposite. The dimensions of these distances are selected to ensure suitable positioning of the arms which are folded in a closing manner on the mount so as to maintain the arms spaced apart from each other and with respect to the mount, but with a smaller overall spatial requirement of the frame.

(17) The spacer device according to the invention is advantageously found to be more secure, reliable and durable with respect to the known solutions.

(18) In the first place, the “U”-shaped profile of the groove is generally found to be more effective while receiving the arm, where applicable also applying a slight blocking action with pressure to the arm itself. In addition, it is more suitable for receiving arms of various thicknesses and dimensions.

(19) The “U”-shaped profile of the channel further preserves the spacer from possible breakage along the internal edge of the channel, in particular in the sections surrounding the base wall of the channel itself. In this regard, the curved connection profiles of the walls with respect to the base of the channel are intended to prevent any breakage of the material around the base surface of the channel, eliminating the points or sections where the efforts would be concentrated in the event of possible predetermined expansions by arms with a particularly great thickness.

(20) Furthermore, as a result of the shaping which is more structured and better conforms to the intended use, the spacer device of the invention is suitable for generating an impression of greater value and care during production, thereby being more highly recommended for the packaging of “high-end” spectacles.

(21) With regard to the materials from which the spacer according to the invention is produced, a first example is illustrated by the expanded polymer materials and by the micro-cellular expanded materials or micro-cellular foams.

(22) Therefore, it is possible to use polymer-based foam EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate polymer) or based on polyethylene, or the like.

(23) Another example is constituted by the so-called expanded rubbers or expanded elastomer materials (“expanded rubber” or “foam rubber”), which is also available in versions formulated and processed in order to be sufficiently soft and flexible, as well as with a low specific weight.

(24) The expanded rubbers are also substantially constituted by “cellular” or “porous” materials, but more often have closed type cells, unlike the expanded polymer materials (microcellular and non-microcellular), non-elastomer materials, often characterized by open cells.

(25) These materials may include (in an exemplary though non-limiting manner) expanded rubbers based on polymer EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) or expanded nitrile rubbers, for example, the so-called vinyl nitrile foam.

(26) A large portion of the types of material set out above herein are also available as semi-processed products in the form of plates or panels, with various dimensions, densities and thicknesses as well as with various colours. In these cases, the spacer device can therefore be readily produced by means of simple mechanical processing operations carried out on the plates, and in particular by means of the cutting processing operations and the like (for example, with automatic and numerical control machines).

(27) With some of the types of materials set out, it is also possible to produce the spacer by means of a forming process in a mould, from the starting material (liquid or solid resin; expanding agent; other).

(28) In those cases, the device can be removed from the mould with the definitive shape without there being any need to carry out specific processing operations of the mechanical type therein.

(29) Alternatively, at least partially dispensing with a requirement, it is possible to produce the spacer from materials which may be less light but more resistant, such as, for example, non-expanded rubbers or elastomer materials. In those cases, the device may be readily produced by means of injection-moulding or casting processes or by means of a hot compression process.

(30) By using rubbers or elastomer materials, in particular, the possibility of using more “ecologically sustainable” materials is increased, that is to say, with less environmental impact. This is the case, for example, for biodegradable elastomer materials, nowadays being available on the market for plastics materials.

(31) It is also possible, but in a less preferable manner, to use expanded polymer materials of the substantially rigid type, such as, for example, EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene) which, because they are provided with extreme lightness and economy, are substantially non-flexible or completely inflexible and therefore in fact cannot be adapted to various types of frame.

(32) The methods for using the spacer device are as follows.

(33) At the end of the production of the frame and before the packing or packaging thereof, the spacer device 1 is positioned between the central bridge 4 of the front mount 3 and the arm 5 which is closed first. In this manner, the device prevents the relative movement between the arm 5 and the front mount 3, keeping them offset at a predefined distance. It is thereby prevented that there may be any transfer of potential loading by the arm 5 to the front itself, thereby preventing the phenomenon of “creep” in the material of the front.

(34) The channel is intended to receive the first arm 5 in such a manner that this arm in turn acts as a stop for the spacer itself. Being blocked by the arm, the spacer tends to remain in position even in the case of possible accidental movements of the bag or packaging containing the frame, and thereby continues to perform the individual function.

(35) The closure of the second arm 6 brings the arm into contact with the face 11 of the spacer in a position in which the arm 6 remains spaced apart from the arm 5 below.

(36) The spacer being produced from a soft and flexible material, it readily adapts to various models of frame, characterized by various dimensions, shapes, thicknesses of the front mount and the arms, curvatures of the front and the arms, etc., respectively.

(37) The flexibility of the material used further prevents during contact with the device the frame from being subjected to any damage as a result of possible excessive pressures applied by the device itself in reaction to compression forces applied or the packaging case or the packing box, etc.

(38) Another important requirement for the material of the spacer is the lightness. It is advantageous for the spacer to have a particularly low weight in order not to increase substantially the overall weight of the frame and packaging and therefore to maintain at a lower level the costs resulting from the energy consumed for transporting the product.

(39) The invention thereby achieves the objects set out, affording the advantages set out with respect to the known solutions.