Patent EP0146317A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0146317A2
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EP
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Eyeglass frame including shape memory elements
Assignee: Marchon Eyewear Inc
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Filing: 1984-12-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-12-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the use of shape memory material in engaging or otherwise coupling various separate elements of eyeglasses into a single structure, such as an eyeglass frame including at least one shape memory rim which recovers to a memory configuration from a deformed state in response to temperature changes thereof. Each such shape memory rim retainably engages or, alternatively, releases a respective lens as such rim recovers to its memory configuration from its deformed state. A method of fabricating the frame is also included. Moreover, a fastener for coupling a temple to a lens - or a rim surrounding a lens - and a fastener for coupling a nose bridge between two lenses - or the rims thereof - are provided. Each temple may be recovered from a deformed configuration with the applying of sufficient heat thereto. •
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Krumme
- 👤 Robert B. Zider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:07
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D12/00; B29D12/02; G; G02; G02C; G02C1/00; G02C1/02; G02C1/023; G02C1/06; G02C5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A frame for an eyeglass lens, the frame comprising: a shape memory rim recoverable to a memory configuration from a plastically deformed state in response to directing the temperature of said rim to a recovery level; said rim has an inner surface with a substantially C-shaped cross-section; a channel being thereby defined along the inner surface of said rim; the channel defined along the inner surface of said rim having a sujfficiently large radial dimensin to enable insertion of the lens into the channel when siad rim is in the deformed state thereof; the channel defined along the inner surface of said rim, responsive to said rim recovery toward the memory configuration thereof, having a sufficiently small radial dimension that said rim retainably engages a lens inserted in the channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A frame for an eyeglass lens, the frame comprising: a shape memory rim recoverable to a memory configuration from a plastically deformed state in response to directing the temperature of said rim to a recovery level; said rim has an inner surface with a substantially C-shaped cross-section; a channel being thereby defined along the inner surface of said rim; the channel defined along the inner surface of said rim having a sujfficiently large radial dimensin to enable insertion of the lens into the channel when siad rim is in the deformed state thereof; the channel defined along the inner surface of said rim, responsive to said rim recovery toward the memory configuration thereof, having a sufficiently small radial dimension that said rim retainably engages a lens inserted in the channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein said shape memory rim comprises an open rim shaped to only partially surround the lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said lens is grooved to receive at least one end of said C-shaped rim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein both faces of said lens adjacent an edge of said lens are grooved to receive both ends of said rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein said rim enclosed only a short arcuate length of said lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A frame according to claim 5 wherein a pair of short arcujate rims grasp said lens adjacent a temple location and adjacent a nose piece location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A frame according to claim 2 or claim 5 wherein said shape memory rim also has the property of elasticity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein said shape memory rim also has the property of elasticity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein said shape memory rim comprises a martensitic transformation metal material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A frame according to claim 1 or claim 9 wherein said shape memory rim comprises a nickel titanium alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein said rim being spring-loaded radially inwardly wherein a lens inserted in the channel is retained against the inner surface within the channel by a spring-force; and wherein said rim in the memory configuration thereof defines the channel along the inner surface sufficiently large in the radial dimension to enable insertin of a lens therein and removal of a lens therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
An eyeglass frame having a lens, a temple, adjacent to said lense, a temple fastener positioned to couple together a temple and the lens adjacent thereto; said temple fastener comprising a shape memory temple fastener recoverable to a memory configuration from a deformed configuration in response to said shape memory temple fastener being heated to a recovery temperature; each shape memory temple fastener in the memory configuration thereof being closed to provide coupling between a temple and the lens adjacent thereto; and each shape memory temple fastener in a deformed configuration theeof being opened to render a temple and the lens adjacent thereto uncoupled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
An eyeglass frame having a lens, a temple, adjacent to said lense, a temple fastener positioned to couple together a temple and the lens adjacent thereto; said temple fastener comprising a shape memory temple fastener recoverable to a memory configuration from a deformed configuration in response to said shape memory temple fastener being heated to a recovery temperature; each shape memory temple fastener in the memory configuration thereof being closed to provide coupling between a temple and the lens adjacent thereto; and each shape memory temple fastener in a deformed configuration theeof being opened to render a temple and the lens adjacent thereto uncoupled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A frame according to claim 12 wherein said temple fastener has an elastic property as well as a shape memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 12 wherein said temple comprises a shape memory temple deformable from a memory configuration thereof and restorable to the memory configuration thereof by directing said each shape memory temple to a recovery temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frame according to claim 14 wherein said temple exhibits elastic properties as well as shape memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 12 wherein said lens has a nose bridge, and wherein the frame further comprises: a bridge coupling element extending from an end of said nose bridge said bridge coupling element being closed to engage one of the lenses when recovered to a memory configuration thereof and being opened to disengage said one lens when deformed from the memory configuration thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A temple for eyeglasses comprising a shape memory material in the martensitic state, and a stiffening element bendable by said material when heated to its shape memory recovery temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A temple for eyeglasses comprising a shape memory material in the martensitic state, and a stiffening element bendable by said material when heated to its shape memory recovery temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temple according to claim 17 wherein said material is channel shaped and said stiffening element is inserted in said channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gripping member comprising a shape memory material in the martensitic state, and a stiffening element bendable by said material when heated to its shape memory recovery temprature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gripping member comprising a shape memory material in the martensitic state, and a stiffening element bendable by said material when heated to its shape memory recovery temprature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gripping member according to claim 19 wherein said stiffening element has shape memory when subjected to cold temperatures.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
122 words
An eyeglass frame for holding two lenses, the frame comprising: two rims, each rim at least partially surrounding a respective one of the lenses; two temples; a nose bridge; two nose rests; first means for coupling one of the temples to one of the rims; second means for coupling the other temple to the other rim; third means for coupling said nose bridge between said two rims; fourth means for coupling one of the nose rests to said one rim; fifth means for coupling the other nose rest to said other rim; and sixth means for coupling each lens within the surrounding rim; at least one of said six coupling means including a fastener having the characteristics of shape memory and elasticity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
122 words
An eyeglass frame for holding two lenses, the frame comprising: two rims, each rim at least partially surrounding a respective one of the lenses; two temples; a nose bridge; two nose rests; first means for coupling one of the temples to one of the rims; second means for coupling the other temple to the other rim; third means for coupling said nose bridge between said two rims; fourth means for coupling one of the nose rests to said one rim; fifth means for coupling the other nose rest to said other rim; and sixth means for coupling each lens within the surrounding rim; at least one of said six coupling means including a fastener having the characteristics of shape memory and elasticity.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 21 wherein said temples comprise shape memory temples deformable from a memory configuration thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
An eyeglass frame according to claim 21 wherein said nose rests have supports and wherein said supports have shape memory and elastic properties.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rim includes a first layer with a C-shaped cross-section and a second layer with a C-shaped cross-section; said first layer being disposed about said second layer; and wherein either said first layer or said second layer comprises a shape memory material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 24 wherein said first layer is of shape memory material; the channel of said rim being reduced in the radial dimension thereof responsive to said first layer being heat recovered to the memory configuration thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
An eyeglass frame as claimed in claim 25 wherein said second layer is of shape memory material; the channel of said rim being increased in the radial dimension thereof resopnsive to said second layer being heat recovered to the memory configuration thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
67 words
A frame according to claim 21 wherein said first means comprises a split shaft having a head and a pair of legs said shaft extending through aligned holes in mating members of said rim and said temple, said shaft having shape memory, said legs of said shaft expanding transversely to engage said mating members when subjected to temperatures causing said legs to expand to their memory state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A frame according to claim 27 wherein said head and the ends of said legs are flush with the outer surfaces of said temple and said rim.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
A frame according to claim 28 wherein said shaft is threaded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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