EYEGLASSES FRAME

Abstract

Provided is an eyeglass frame that includes a hinge with which a reduction in size and a reduction in weight can be achieved, and stable open/close operations can be performed over a prolonged period of time. The eyeglass frame includes a lens holding portion 2, a temple 3, and a hinge 5 that enables pivoting of the lens holding portion 2 and the temple 3. The hinge 5 includes a terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion 2, a terminal portion 31 of the temple 3, and a coupling portion 4 that couples the two terminal portions. The terminal portion 31 of the temple 3 is selectively positioned with respect to the coupling portion 4 at a position when the temple 3 is completely open and at a position when the temple 3 is folded.

Claims

1. An eyeglass frame (1) comprising: a lens holding portion (2); a temple (3); and a hinge (5) that enables pivoting of the lens holding portion (2) and the temple (3), wherein the hinge (5) includes a terminal portion (21) of the lens holding portion (2), a terminal portion (31) of the temple (3), and a coupling portion (4) that couples the terminal portion (21) of the lens holding portion (2) with the terminal portion (31) of the temple (3), and a means is provided for selectively positioning the terminal portion (31) of the temple (3) with respect to the coupling portion (4) at a position when the temple (3) is completely open and at a position when the temple (3) is folded.

2. The eyeglass frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal portion (31) of the temple (3) is made of a polyamide resin, and the coupling portion (4) is made of a urethane resin.

3. The eyeglass frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively positioning the terminal portion (31) of the temple (3) with respect to the coupling portion (4) at a position when the temple (3) is completely open and at a position when the temple (3) is folded is a combination of small hemispherical protrusions (35, 36) respectively provided at leading ends of upper-side and lower-side members (32, 33) of the terminal portion (31) of the temple, and two depressions (43, 44) of the coupling portion (4).

4. The eyeglass frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively positioning the terminal portion (31A) of the temple (3A) with respect to the coupling portion (4A) at a position when the temple (3A) is completely open and at a position when the temple (3A) is folded is a combination of depressions (35A, 36A) respectively provided at leading ends of upper-side and lower-side members (32A, 33A) of the terminal portion (31A) of the temple, and two small hemispherical protrusions (43A, 44A) of the coupling portion (4A).

5. The eyeglass frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively positioning the terminal portion (31B) of the temple (3B) with respect to the coupling portion (4B) at a position when the temple (3B) is completely open and at a position when the temple (3B) is folded is a combination of small hemispherical protrusions (35B, 36B) respectively provided at leading ends of upper-side and lower-side members (32B, 33B) of the terminal portion (31B) of the temple, and two grooves (43B, 44B) of the coupling portion (4B).

6. The eyeglass frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for selectively positioning the terminal portion (31C) of the temple (3C) with respect to the coupling portion (4C) at a position when the temple (3C) is completely open and at a position when the temple (3C) is folded is a combination of small hemispherical protrusions (35C, 36C) provided, facing each other, between upper-side and lower-side members (32C, 33C) of the terminal portion (31C) of the temple, and two through holes (43C, 44C) of the coupling portion (4C).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a hinge portion of an eyeglass frame according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from the inner side.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the hinge portion in FIG. 1 when viewed from the outer side.

[0020] FIG. 3 are transverse cross-sectional views of the hinge portion in FIG. 1; where FIG. 3(a) illustrates a state in which a temple is open, and FIG. 3(b) illustrates a state in which the temple is folded.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrate a coupling portion according to Embodiment 1; where FIG. 4(a) is a left side view, FIG. 4(b) is a front view, FIG. 4(c) is a right side view, FIG. 4(d) is a plan view, FIG. 4(e) is a bottom view, and FIG. 4(f) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 4(b).

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrate a terminal portion of a lens holding portion according to Embodiment 1; where FIG. 5(a) is a plan view, FIG. 5(b) is a side view, and FIG. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 5(b).

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrate a terminal portion of the temple according to Embodiment 1; where FIG. 6(a) is a plan view; FIG. 6(b) is a side view, and FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 6(b).

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrate a coupling portion according to Embodiment 2; where FIG. 7(a) is a left side view, FIG. 7(b) is a front view, FIG. 7(c) is a right side view, FIG. 7(d) is a plan view, FIG. 7(e) is a bottom view, and FIG. 7(f) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 7(b).

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrate a terminal portion of a temple according to Embodiment 2; where FIG. 8(a) is a plan view, FIG. 8(b) is a side view, and FIG. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 8(b).

[0026] FIG. 9 illustrate a coupling portion according to Embodiment 3; where FIG. 9(a) is a left side view, FIG. 9(b) is a front view, FIG. 9(c) is a right side view, FIG. 9(d) is a plan view, FIG. 9(e) is a bottom view, and FIG. 9(f) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 9(b).

[0027] FIG. 10 illustrate a terminal portion of a temple according to Embodiment 3; where FIG. 10(a) is a plan view, FIG. 10(b) is a side view, and FIG. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 10(b).

[0028] FIG. 11 illustrate a coupling portion according to Embodiment 4; where FIG. 11(a) is a left side view, FIG. 11(b) is a front view, FIG. 11(c) is a right side view, FIG. 11(d) is a plan view, FIG. 11(e) is a bottom view, and FIG. 11(f) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 11(b).

[0029] FIG. 12 illustrate a terminal portion of a temple according to Embodiment 4; where FIG. 12(a) is a plan view, FIG. 12(b) is a side view, and FIG. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line indicated by arrows in FIG. 12(b).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0031] FIGS. 1 to 6 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an eyeglass frame 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a hinge 5 that enables pivoting of a temple 3. The hinge 5 is constituted mainly by a terminal portion 21 of a lens holding portion 2, a terminal portion 31 of the temple 3, and a coupling portion 4 that couples the two terminal portions.

[0033] The coupling portion 4 that couples the terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion 2 with the terminal portion 31 of the temple is a synthetic resin block as shown in FIG. 4. The coupling portion 4 includes, as contour forming portions, a straight portion 40 that appears on the outer side of the eyeglasses, a recessed portion 41 that engages with the terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion, and a curved portion 42 on which the terminal portion 31 of the temple slides, as most clearly shown in FIG. 4(b). The curved portion 42 has two depressions (namely, a first depression 43 and a second depression 44). Ends of these depressions are slightly raised outward forming raised portions 431 and 441. The coupling portion 4 has a first screw hole 45 for coupling to the terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion, and a second screw hole 46 for coupling to the terminal portion 31 of the temple.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion has an upper-side member 22 and a lower-side member 23, when viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 4 is fitted between these upper-side and lower-side members 22 and 23. The terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion has a third screw hole 24 formed extending through the upper-side and lower-side members 22 and 23. The third screw hole 24 is formed at the same position as the first screw hole 45 of the coupling portion 4, and a screw 47 is inserted into these screw holes 24 and 45 to couple the terminal portion 21 of the lens holding portion with the coupling portion 4 (see FIG. 3).

[0035] In a space in which the coupling portion 4 is to be located, a protruding portion 25 is provided between the upper-side and lower-side members 22 and 23 of the terminal portion 21 on the lens-holding side, the protruding portion 25 being fitted to the recessed portion 41 of the coupling portion. Also with this configuration, the terminal portion 21 on the lens-holding side and the coupling portion 4 are reliably coupled to each other.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the terminal portion 31 of the temple has an upper-side member 32 and a lower-side member 33, when viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 4 is fitted between these upper-side and lower-side members 32 and 33. The terminal portion 31 of the temple has a fourth screw hole 34 formed extending through the upper-side and lower-side members 32 and 33. The fourth screw hole 34 is formed at the same position as the second screw hole 46 of the coupling portion 4, and a screw 48 is inserted into these screw holes 34 and 46 to couple the terminal portion 31 of the temple with the coupling portion 4 (see FIG. 3).

[0037] In a space in which the coupling portion 4 is to be located, small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are provided at leading ends of the respective upper-side and lower-side members 32 and 33 of the terminal portion 31 of the temple. The small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 can be selectively fitted into the above-described two depressions 43 and 44 of the coupling portion 4.

[0038] In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, when the temple 3 is open, the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are positioned by being fitted into the second depression 44, and when the temple 3 is closed, the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are positioned by being fitted into the first depression 43. The two depressions 43 and 44 have, at respective ends thereof the raised portions 431 and 441, and thus the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are pushed against the raised portion to some extent, and then, under this force, the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are facilitated to move into the depression 43 or 44 where they are stable.

[0039] At this time, a click sound is generated. The small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 are not stable at positions other than the two depressions, and slide freely. Accordingly, the temple 3 of the eyeglasses generates a click sound when entering an open state or a closed state, and is stable only in the open state and the closed state. In this configuration, the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 of the terminal portion 31 of the temple frequently come into contact with and are pressed against the two depressions 43 and 44 of the coupling portion 4. Therefore, importance is placed on selection of types of resin as constituent materials of these constituent components, and the combination thereof. The temple 3 and the coupling portion 4 are made of resin that is viscoelastic, mechanically strong, and highly abrasion resistant, such as a urethane resin, a polyamide resin, a fluorine resin, a polyacetal resin, or a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin. Currently, it is known that the terminal portion 31 of the temple is preferably made of a polyamide (nylon) resin, and the coupling portion 4 is preferably made of a urethane resin.

Embodiment 2

[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 show Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that two small hemispherical protrusions 43A and 44A are provided in place of the two depressions 43 and 44 of Embodiment 1, and depressions 35A and 36A are provided in place of the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 of Embodiment 1. In other words, layout of the small hemispherical protrusions and the depressions is inverted, and it is clear that the same effects can be achieved.

[0041] Other configurations are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and thus A is added to the ends of the reference numerals of Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Embodiment 3

[0042] FIGS. 9 and 10 show Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that two grooves 43B and 44B are provided in place of the two depressions 43 and 44 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the two grooves 43B and 44B form a substantially right angle with a second screw hole 46B of a coupling portion 4B, if the second screw hole 46B is assumed to be the origin. In this configuration, the small hemispherical protrusions of the temple are selectively fitted into the two grooves 43B and 44B.

[0043] Other configurations are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and thus B is added to the ends of the reference numerals of Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Embodiment 4

[0044] FIGS. 11 and 12 show Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 1 in that two through holes 43C and 44C are provided in place of the two depressions 43 and 44 of Embodiment 1, and small hemispherical protrusions 35C and 36C are provided in place of the small hemispherical protrusions 35 and 36 of Embodiment 1. Note that, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the through holes 43C and 44C are formed at positions that form a substantially right angle with a second screw hole 46C of a coupling portion 4C, if the second screw hole 46C is assumed to be the origin, and as shown in FIG. 12, the small hemispherical protrusions 35C and 36C are located, while facing each other, inward of the upper-side and lower-side members 32C and 33C of the temple.

[0045] In this configuration, the small hemispherical protrusions 35C and 36C of the temple are selectively fitted into the two through holes 43C and 44C.

[0046] Other configurations are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and thus C is added to the ends of the reference numerals of Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] 1 Eyeglass frame [0048] 2 Lens holding portion [0049] 21 Terminal portion [0050] 22 Upper-side member [0051] 23 Lower-side members [0052] 24 Third screw hole [0053] 25 Protruding portion [0054] 3 Temple [0055] 31 Terminal portion [0056] 32, 33 Upper-side and lower-side members [0057] 32C, 33C Upper-side and lower-side members [0058] 34 Fourth screw hole [0059] 35, 36 Small hemispherical protrusion [0060] 35C, 36C Small hemispherical protrusion [0061] 4 Coupling portion [0062] 40 Straight portion [0063] 41 Recessed portion [0064] 42 Curved portion [0065] 43 First depression [0066] 44 Second depression [0067] 43A, 44A Small hemispherical protrusion [0068] 43B, 44B Groove [0069] 43C, 44C Through hole [0070] 431, 441 Raised portion [0071] 45 First screw hole [0072] 46 Second screw hole [0073] 5 Hinge