Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a multifocal lens assembly having a near vision minor lens element secured to the surface of a major lens element, comprising positioning a selected one of a set of completely finished minor lens elements of different add powers with a surface having a fixed base curve adjacent a selected portion of a surface of a finished major lens element; deforming the minor lens element to cause it to conform to the shape of the adjacent surface of the major lens element; and securing the deformed minor lens to the surface of the major lens to produce a finished multifocal lens assembly without additional surfacing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a multifocal lens assembly having a near vision minor lens element secured to the surface of a major lens element, comprising positioning a selected one of a set of completely finished minor lens elements of different add powers with a surface having a fixed base curve adjacent a selected portion of a surface of a finished major lens element; deforming the minor lens element to cause it to conform to the shape of the adjacent surface of the major lens element; and securing the deformed minor lens to the surface of the major lens to produce a finished multifocal lens assembly without additional surfacing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing includes adhesively securing said one surface of the deformed minor lens to the adjacent surface of the major lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of adhesively securing includes placing a small quantity of adhesive on said selected portion of a surface of said major lens element prior to deforming said minor lens element against said surface of said major lens element, and spreading said adhesive into a thin layer by pressing said minor lens element against said major lens element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3, further including partially curing said adhesive while pressing said minor lens element in place against said surface of said major lens element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, further including clearing any excess adhesive from said major and said minor lens elements, and thereafter completely curing said adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing includes fusing a front surface of said minor lens element to an ocular surface of said major lens element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each element in said set has a different add power, and selecting from said set the lens element having the add power required to meet a lens prescription to be filled.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of producing a multifocal lens assembly having a near vision minor lens element secured to a surface of a major lens element, comprising: providing a finished major lens element having a front surface with a base curve and having an ocular surface having a complex toric prescription curve; providing a set of completely finished minor lens elements, each minor lens element having a front surface base curve; placing an adhesive material on a selected portion of said ocular surface of said major lens element; positioning one minor lens element selected from said set with its front surface adjacent said selected portion of said ocular surface of said major lens and in contact with said adhesive material; deforming said one minor lens element into conformation with the toric curvature of said selected portion of said ocular surface while compressing and spreading said adhesive material uniformly between the adjacent surfaces of said major and said minor lens elements; and curing said adhesive to secure said minor lens element to said major lens element.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of producing a multifocal lens assembly having a near vision minor lens element secured to a surface of a major lens element, comprising: providing a finished major lens element having a front surface with a base curve and having an ocular surface having a complex toric prescription curve; providing a set of completely finished minor lens elements, each minor lens element having a front surface base curve; placing an adhesive material on a selected portion of said ocular surface of said major lens element; positioning one minor lens element selected from said set with its front surface adjacent said selected portion of said ocular surface of said major lens and in contact with said adhesive material; deforming said one minor lens element into conformation with the toric curvature of said selected portion of said ocular surface while compressing and spreading said adhesive material uniformly between the adjacent surfaces of said major and said minor lens elements; and curing said adhesive to secure said minor lens element to said major lens element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of deforming includes pressing a flexible minor lens element against said major lens element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said set of minor lens elements includes a plurality of elements, each having a different near vision power; and wherein the step of positioning a minor lens element selected from said set includes selecting the element having the near vision power required to meet the patient's near vision ophthalmic prescription when secured to said major lens element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a set of minor lens elements includes providing one minor lens for each of a plurality of near vision powers, wherein each minor lens element has the same base curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of deforming includes heating said one minor lens element to a flexing temperature, and thereafter pressing said one minor lens element against said major lens element.