SPECTACLE ROD WITH FRICTION ELEMENT AT EAR BEND

Abstract

A spectacle rod is provided, including a plate-shaped metal rod and a friction element located at an ear bend. In order to avoid inadvertent removal of the friction element from the metal rod, a protrusion and the recess are formed. The protrusion and recess include a first transverse protrusion at the outermost second end of the spectacle rod. This transverse protrusion, together with the spectacle rod, forms an outwardly open recess. This recess has a smaller cross-section at the opening than at a central part. Thereby, elastic compliant material from the friction element will be received in the recess. The elastic material will be compressed so that a clamping effect occurs, contributing to a retention which prevents accidental separation of the friction element and the metal rod.

Claims

1. A spectacle rod with a first end part intended for connection with a front piece, as well as a second end part intended to be bent to form an ear bend, the spectacle rod having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and the spectacle rod being formed, at least above the second end part of the spectacle rod, by a plate-shaped rod having side faces as well as bottom and top faces, and wherein a friction element made from an elastic, compliant material is connected to the plate-shaped rod in a position at the ear bend for contact behind the ear of a user, and wherein the plate-shaped rod has a first transverse protrusion, which first transverse protrusion is directed in the transverse direction and obliquely in the longitudinal direction in order to form, together with the second end part of the metal rod, a longitudinally open recess, and wherein, in the first end part of the friction element, a first transverse hole is provided for receiving the first transverse protrusion of the plate-shaped rod, and wherein the plate-shaped rod is a metal rod, and wherein the friction element is conduit-shaped so that the conduit walls and bottom cover the side faces and the bottom face of the metal rod, and wherein the first transverse hole of the friction element is formed in the material quantity and directed in the transverse direction in order to receive the first transverse protrusion of the metal rod, and wherein elastic material at the first end part of the friction element is received in the open recess of the metal rod, so that the first transverse protrusion and the recess form first retaining means, and wherein between the walls and the bottom of the conduit and the side faces of the metal rod, further retaining means are provided which prevent the displacement of the friction element in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the metal rod, wherein the first transverse protrusion of the plate-shaped rod is provided at its outermost second end, wherein the longitudinally open recess is formed, together with the outermost second end part of the metal rod, which longitudinally open recess has at its opening a smaller cross-section than at a central part of the recess, wherein the friction element at a first end of the conduit is closed by a material quantity at the first end of the friction element, wherein the first transverse hole of the friction element is formed in also directed obliquely in the longitudinal direction, wherein elastic material at the first end part of the friction element is received in the open recess of the metal rod in an elastically compressed state.

2. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the metal rod at its bottom face is provided with transverse second protrusions for releasable snap engagement with second holes in the bottom of the conduit, wherein the second protrusions at their connection to the metal rod have a smaller cross-section than that of the second protrusions at a distance from the metal rod, so that the second protrusions are retained in the second holes at the bottom of the conduit due to the elastic compliance of the friction element material.

3. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein a transverse protrusion is formed at the opening of the recess on the first transverse protrusion and/or on the outermost second end part of the metal rod.

4. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the first hole in the friction element is made with a size smaller than that of the first protrusion of the metal rod, so that the first protrusion of the metal rod is received therein with a clamping effect.

5. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the conduit is formed with a smaller width than the thickness of the metal rod, so that the conduit side walls are in elastic abutment with the side faces of the metal rod.

6. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the metal rod in an intermediate part, at the side facing the second protrusions of the metal rod, has an abutment face for an end face of the friction element.

7. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the friction element covers at least part of the outermost end face of the second end part of the metal rod.

8. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the metal rod is made from titanium.

9. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the side walls of the friction element conduit have decreasing thickness towards the side faces of the metal rod to form a smooth transition.

10. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the metal rod at its outermost second end part has a groove, where an end part of the friction element is in abutment.

11. The spectacle rod according to claim 1, wherein the transverse protrusion is a hook shaped protrusion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0060] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective view of a pair of spectacles with a spectacle rod according to embodiments of the invention;

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a side view, partly in section, of the spectacle rod of FIG. 1:

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a partial side view of the spectacle rod of FIG. 1:

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the spectacle rod of FIG. 3:

[0065] FIG. 5A shows an enlarged cross-section according to the arrows A-A of FIG. 3:

[0066] FIG. 5B shows a cross-section similar to FIG. 5A of a second embodiment:

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the metal rod of FIG. 1 without a friction element attached:

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a partial, enlarged image of the metal rod of FIG. 6:

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a section through the friction element shown in FIG. 1:

[0070] FIG. 9 shows a partial, enlarged image through the sectional view of FIG. 8; and

[0071] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged, partial view of the metal rod and friction element with the friction element shown in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a pair of spectacles 1. The spectacles include a spectacle rod in the form of a metal rod 2, which is connected via a hinge 3 to a front piece 4. In the front piece 4, a spectacle lens 5 is provided in a frame. The front piece 4 further comprises a nose pad 6 for abutment with the nose of the user.

[0073] The metal rod 2 has an ear bend 7. At the ear bend 7, a friction element 8 is mounted in a position where there will be contact behind the ear of a user. The friction element 8 is manufactured from an elastic, compliant material, such as an elastic polymer.

[0074] As can be seen, the metal rod 2 is plate-shaped, having a significantly greater height 9 than thickness 10.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows the metal rod 2 with the friction element 8 shown in section. In the bottom face of the metal rod, a recess 11 is provided, in which the friction element is partially received. In the recess 11, the metal rod is provided with a number of transverse second protrusions 12. These second protrusions 12 are mushroom-shaped or arrow-shaped, so that they have a smaller cross-section at their connection to the metal rod 2 than their cross-section at a distance from the metal rod. The protrusions 12 are mounted with a snap effect in transverse second holes 13 in the friction element 8 and will be retained therein by a clamping force exerted due to the elastic compliance of the friction element material.

[0076] It can be said that a snap effect is thereby achieved, since the protrusions 12 are pressed into the holes 13.

[0077] As is particularly clear from FIGS. 3 to 5, the friction element has a conduit shape with a conduit 14 for receiving the metal rod 2. The conduit includes two side walls 15 and a bottom 15. The side walls have surfaces 16, which are in abutment with side faces 17 of the metal rod 2. Likewise, the bottom 15 will have a bottom face 18, which is in contact with a bottom face 19 of the metal rod 2. The metal rod 2 has a top face 20 that extends over the friction element 8.

[0078] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an enlarged cross-section through the spectacle rod between the transverse projections 12 on the metal rod 2.

[0079] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B further show that the sidewalls 15 have a decreasing thickness upwards in the direction of the side faces 17 of the metal rod 2. This provides a smooth transition between the outside of the friction element and the metal rod 2. However, there is an upper side 21 on the side walls 15, which the user may use as a pressure surface when the friction element 8 is to be separated from the metal rod 2.

[0080] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment in which the conduit 14 is formed with smaller width than the thickness of the metal rod 2, so that the conduit side walls 15 are in elastic abutment with the side faces 17 of the metal rod.

[0081] FIG. 5B shows an embodiment in which the conduit 14 is formed with the same width as the thickness of the metal rod 2, so that the conduit side walls 15 are in abutment with the side faces 17 of the metal rod, without any elastic clamping effect. Between the side walls 15 and the side faces 17, a glue joint 46 is provided to ensure the retention of the friction element against the side faces 17 of the metal rod.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged side view in the area of the ear bend 7. FIG. 3 shows a section line A-A for the position in which the sectional view of FIG. 5 is made. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that a narrow marginal edge area 20 (see also FIG. 5) on the metal rod 2 is above the upper side 21. Thus, a user will be able to easily grab hold at the upper side 21 and pull the friction element in the transverse direction to free it from the engagement with the protrusions 12 when the friction element is to be replaced.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows the metal rod 2, which has a first end 22 for attachment to the front piece, and a second end 22 farthest away from the front piece 4. At the outermost second end 22, the metal rod has a transverse first protrusion 23.

[0084] FIGS. 6 and 7 show more clearly the design of the first projection 23 and the second projections 12 on the metal rod 2.

[0085] The metal rod 2 has a longitudinal direction 24 and a transverse direction 25, as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The longitudinal direction 24 and the transverse direction 25 of the metal rod correspond to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the spectacle rod.

[0086] The first protrusion 23 extends in the transverse direction 25 and with an oblique course in the longitudinal direction 24. Thus, the first projection 23 together with the outermost second end part 22 of the spectacle rod will form a recess 26 that is open in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] The recess 26 has an opening 27, which has a smaller cross-section than the cross-section that will be provided at a central part 28 of the recess 26. At the opening 27 of the recess, the first protrusion 23 is provided with a hook-shaped protrusion 29. This hook-shaped protrusion 29 helps to create the smaller opening 27 and at the same time will contribute to a safe retention of elastically compliant material from the friction element when the friction element is mounted on the metal rod, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2 and FIG. 10.

[0088] FIGS. 8 and 9 show sectional views through the friction element 8. As is particularly clear from FIG. 9, the friction element conduit 14 is closed by a material quantity 30 at the first end 31 of the friction element. At the second end 32 of the friction element, the conduit 14 is open.

[0089] As is particularly clear from FIG. 9, at its first end part 31 the friction element is provided with a first transverse hole 33 in the material quantity 30 which closes the conduit 14. This hole 33 serves to receive the transverse first protrusion 23 of the metal rod.

[0090] As can be seen from FIG. 10, the material quantity 34 which delimits the transverse first hole 33 will be deformed when mounted on the metal rod 2. This ensures a retaining grip between the friction element 8 and the metal rod 2, so that the friction element cannot be inadvertently displaced in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction. The engagement between the first protrusion 23 and the first transverse hole 33 as well as the material quantity 34 can be said to constitute the first retaining means.

[0091] The second protrusions 12 and the second holes 13 can be said to constitute second retaining means between the friction element 8 and the metal rod 2.

[0092] FIG. 7 shows that the metal rod 2 at its outermost second end 22 is provided with a groove 35. This groove 35 serves to receive a protruding material part 36 at the first end 31 of the friction element 8.

[0093] As can be seen from FIG. 10, it is hereby ensured that the outer end face 37 of the metal rod 2 lies level with the outer end face 38 of the friction element 8, the friction element face 39 being in abutment with the face 40 of the metal rod 2 in the groove 35.

[0094] In FIG. 8, the second holes 30 of the friction element 8 are shown with an opening 41 that has a smaller cross-section than that of the holes at a central part 42 of the second holes 13. This achieves a secure retention of the transverse second protrusions 12. As is particularly clear from FIG. 10, after the introduction of the transverse second protrusions 12, an elastic deformation of the friction element material will be provided, which contributes to the safe retention, as the second protrusions 12 are received in the second holes 13 with a clamping effect.

[0095] Similarly, the first protrusion 23 of the spectacle rod will have a size larger than the transverse first hole 33 of the friction element, so that, here too, receiving takes place with a clamping effect.

[0096] FIG. 6 shows that the metal rod 2 in an intermediate part 43 has an abutment face 44 at the end of the recess 11. This abutment face 44 serves for abutment with an end face 45 (see FIG. 8) of the friction element 8 when this is mounted on the metal rod 2. This establishes further safety against an accidental displacement of the friction element 8 relative to the metal rod 2.

[0097] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0098] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a unit or a module does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.