Lens edge-grinding, finishing and beveling machine

Claim 2

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lensedge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, and the rotating, pivoting and reciprocating movement of the lens blank holder, the improvement which comprises a single master cam having a plurality of cam surfaces and associated cam followers in operative engagement therewith, which establish and control each of the various steps of the grinding and beveling and finishing operation, one cam surface effecting pivotal movement of a lens-blank holder and lens towards and away from the grinding wheel, and pivotal movement of the lens carrying head and lens towards and away from the beveling and finishing wheel; a second cam surface effecting transverse or sideways movement of a lens blank holder from opposite the grinding wheel to opposite the beveling and finishing wheel, and back, while holding the lens blank holder against transverse or sideways movement during the grinding, and allowing such movemEnt during the beveling and finishing; and a third cam surface adapted to move into operative relation to an electric switch effecting a shut-off of the electric circuit at the end of a grinding and beveling and finishing cycle.

Claim 3

A machine according to claim 1 including a pattern cam rotatable with the lens blank holder controlling lens shape and size, a pattern cam platform on which the pattern cam rotates, and a rotatable spiral cam controlling the position of the platform to locate the pattern cam for a selected lens size.

Claim 4

A machine according to claim 2, including a locking means fixing the spiral cam against rotation and preventing the platform from moving into a different size position during use.

Claim 5

A machine according to claim 1, in which the lens blank holder is pivotably mounted on and movable with a reciprocable carrier, one portion of the master cam controlling reciprocation of the carrier, and another portion controlling pivoting of the lens blank holder.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 1, including beveling pressure control means in operative connection with the lens blank holder for applying pressure to the lens blank to move it sideways while it is in operative engagement with the beveling and finishing wheel, to displace the bevel center in any desired direction.

Claim 7

A machine according to claim 1, including a lens holder in two segments, one presenting a concave and one presenting a convex surface to a lens blank held therebetween, and a resilient friction pad attached to each of said surfaces that can hold a curved lens blank at its optical center throughout the grinding, beveling and finishing operations, without lens breakage or slippage.

Claim 8

A machine according to claim 1, comprising an electric motor driving said wheels; an electric motor driving the rotating, pivoting and reciprocating movement of the lens blank holder and pattern cam; each motor being operatively connected thereto by an electrical circuit that controls operation of the motors during a grinding, beveling and finishing cycle on a fail-safe basis, with an automatic shut-off of each motor at the end of the cycle.

Claim 9

A machine according to claim 1, including a base; at least two apertured supports fixed on the base; at least two shafts extending through the support apertures; and a movable carriage supported on the shafts and slidable transversely with respect to the supports, such transverse movement thereof being controlled by the master cam, the carriage carrying a lens head housing within which the lens blank holder is disposed.

Claim 10

A machine according to claim 8, in which the shafts are fixed to the carriage and the support apertures carry ball bushings which allow free movement of the shafts sideways with respect to the supports but prevent rotation of the carriage about the supports.

Claim 11

A machine according to claim 8, having a lens head housing pivotably mounted on a shaft which is supported on the movable carriage.

Claim 12

A machine according to claim 10, in which the lens head housing has a hinged lens cover enclosing the lens holder and any lens held therein, the hinged cover providing access to the lens holder for insertion and removal of a lens therein.

Claim 13

A machine according to claim 1, having a tank receiving sediment ground off a lens blank, the tank having a door which gives access to the interior of the tank for cleaning purposes, the apertured supports being fixed to the tank, and the lens blank holder being disposed over the tank.

Claim 14

A machine according to claim 1, including a fourth cam surface controlling application of and removal of pressure to the lens during the beveling and finishing, so as to control the beveling eccentricity.

Claim 15

A machine according to claim 13, in which the fourth cam follower is operatively connected to a pivotable pressure-applying beveling control means, to pivot it into and out of a pressure-applying position with respect to a lens blank in the lens blank holder, but only while the lens blank is in coNtact with the beveling and finishing wheel.

Claim 16

A machine according to claim 1, in which the master cam is in the form of a cylinder having adjacent cam sections bearing the first, second and third cam surfaces.

Claim 17

A machine according to claim 1, in which the master cam is mounted on a motor-driven camshaft, and the motor rotates the camshaft and the lens blank holder in a synchronized operation.

Claim 18

A machine according to claim 1, in which the first cam follower is operatively connected to the lens blank holder and pivots it about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the lens, and the first cam surface is of the hill-and-dale type, and raises or lowers the cam follower to effect the pivoting movement.

Claim 19

A machine according to claim 1, in which one of the second cam follower or the master cam is operatively connected to a movable carriage on which the lens blank holder is mounted, and actuates transverse reciprocating movement thereof, first in one direction, and then back, between limiting positions corresponding to positions of the lens opposite the grinding wheel and the beveling and finishing wheel, respectively.

Claim 20

A machine according to claim 17, in which the second cam surface is provided with a groove in which the second cam follower travels, one portion of the groove having a width to accommodate the cam follower, and to hold the movable carriage on which the lens carrying head is mounted in a fixed transverse position while the lens is in contact with the grinding wheel during the grinding portion of the cycle, and another portion having a width to permit free transverse movement of the movable carriage while the lens is in contact with the beveling and finishing wheel, during the beveling and finishing portion of the cycle.

Claim 21

A machine according to claim 1, in which the third cam surface is a small segment holding a pressure-operated button of the electric switch in an ''''off'''' position while in contact therewith, and in all other positions allowing the button to remain in an ''''on'''' position.

Claim 22

In a lens-edge grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, a pattern or template platform controlling lens size according to its position with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a pattern cam rotatable with the lens blank holder controlling lens shape and size, the improvement which comprises, in combination, a spiral cam for adjusting the position of the platform with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, comprising a cam wheel mounted on and rotatable about a fixed axis with a camshaft, and having a spiral cam slot rising helically in a uniform curve from a central part of the wheel to its surface, and a cam follower fixedly attached to the platform, and travelling in the spiral cam slot, moving the platform reciprocably according to its position in the slot, and the position of the cam wheel; and a lens size control mechanism in operative connection with the spiral cam, and rotatable therewith, including a cam lock which is axially mounted over and does not rotate with the camshaft, and locking means operatively connected to and rotatable with the camshaft and reciprocably movable into and away from fixedly interlocking engagement with the cam lock at any of a plurality of fixed positions corresponding to lens size gradations so that the position of the spiral cam is fixed when said locking means is interlocked with the cam lock, and the spiral cam cannot be rotated; and biasing means to keep said means normally in interlocking engagement with the cam lock.

Claim 23

In a lens-edge grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, a pattern or template platform controlling lens size according to its position with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a pattern cam rotatable with the lens blank holder controlling lens shape and size, the improvement which comprises, in combination, a spiral cam for adjusting the position of the platform with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, comprising a cam wheel mounted on and rotatable about a fixed axis with a camshaft, and having a spiral cam slot rising helically in a uniform curve from a central part of the wheel to its surface, and a cam follower fixedly attached to the platform, and travelling in the spiral cam slot, moving the platform reciprocably according to its position in the slot, and the position of the cam wheel; and a lens size control mechanism in operative connection with the spiral cam, and rotatable therewith, including a cam lock which is axially mounted over and does not rotate with the camshaft, and locking means operatively connected to and rotatable with the camshaft and reciprocably movable into and away from fixedly interlocking engagement with the cam lock at any of a plurality of fixed positions corresponding to lens size gradations so that the position of the spiral cam is fixed when said locking means is interlocked with the cam lock, and the spiral cam cannot be rotated; and biasing means to keep said means normally in interlocking engagement with the cam lock.

Claim 24

A machine according to claim 21, comprising a vertical shaft on which the platform is mounted; and a pivotable support arm having an aperture iN which the shaft is slidably held, the top end of the shaft being fixed to the platform, and the bottom end of the shaft carrying a cylindrical ball-bearing which serves as the cam follower.

Claim 25

A machine according to claim 22, in which the camshaft extends through and rotates in an aperture of the support arm, a peripherally toothed cam lock is fixed to the support arm, and having a central aperture through which the camshaft extends, the camshaft beyond the lock having a polygonal configuration, and supporting a sizing dial and a sizing knob slidably attached to the end of the shaft, and rotatable manually to rotate the shaft, and always having the same radial position as the spiral cam, so that their position reflects exactly the position of the spiral cam, and therefore of the platform.

Claim 26

A machine according to claim 23, in which the sizing dial has an internal recess conforming to the external configuration of and receiving the cam lock, and the sizing dial and knob can be slid along the shaft so that the dial moves into and out from engagement with the cam lock, such movement being controlled by the sizing knob, with pins disposed in spaced positions along the interior wall of the recess of the sizing dial to mesh with the teeth of the cam lock, and lock the camshaft against rotation.

Claim 27

A machine according to claim 22, having an electric motor to rotate the lens holders; a switch operatively connected to the motor and attached to the support arm, with a switch control means extending outwardly therefrom; a lug on the shaft positioned to depress the control means and actuate an electric circuit; the shaft being movable with respect to the support arm, to move the lug and depress the control means whenever a lens pattern is resting on the platform, so that the switch is on and the lens holders rotated only when a lens blank has been cut down to a size such that the pattern rests on the platform.

Claim 28

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a lens blank holder in two segments holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises two lens holder shafts in axially end-facing relationship, each facing end having a lens holder segment attached thereto; drive means for rotating each shaft, and at least one of the shafts being movable axially transversely with respect to the other, and being slidably supported in a rotatable sleeve, the movable shaft being supported within a housing and having a control means attached over its other end, the control means having a socket in which the shaft end is inserted; a thrust bearing in the socket and disposed over the shaft end; an externally threaded tubular shaft enclosing the said end of the movable shaft and attached at one end to the control means, for rotation therewith over the movable shaft; a threaded socket in the housing into which the tubular shaft threads; and retaining means affixed to the movable shaft end within the socket of the control means and retaining it within the socket for movement with the control means upon relative movement of the tubular shaft within the socket.

Claim 29

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a lens blank holder in two segments holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises two lens holder shafts in axially end-facing relationship, each facing end having a lens holder segment attached thereto; drive means for rotating each shaft, and at least one of the shafts being movable axially transversely with respect to the other, and being slidably supported in a rotatable sleeve, the movable shaft being supported within a housing and having a control means attached over its other end, the control means having a socket in which the shaft end is inserted; a thrust bearing in the socket and disposed over the shaft end; an externally threaded tubular shaft enclosing the said end of the movable shaft and attached at one end to the control means, for rotation therewith over the movable shaft; a threaded socket in the housing into which the tubular shaft threads; and retaining means affixed to the movable shaft end within the socket of the control means and retaining it within the socket for movement with the control means upon relative movement of the tubular shaft within the socket.

Claim 30

A machine according to claim 26, in which the two shafts are rotatably supported in the central apertures of two pairs of ball-bearing wheels.

Claim 31

A machine according to claim 26, in which the drive means for the shafts and/or sleeve are sprocket wheels attached thereto and driven by chain drives.

Claim 32

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size pattern, and a pattern or template platform controlling lens size according to its position with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finisHing wheels, the improvement which comprises a lens size control mechanism in operative connection with the platform, to raise or lower the platform, including a rotatable sizing dial mounted on a shaft, rotation of which raises or lowers the platform, a lock axially and fixedly held over the shaft so as not to rotate therewith, and locking means fixedly interlocking with the lock at any of a plurality of fixed positions corresponding to lens size gradation and holding the dial and shaft against rotation when so interlocked.

Claim 33

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size pattern, and a pattern or template platform controlling lens size according to its position with respect to the peripheral surface of the grinding, beveling and finisHing wheels, the improvement which comprises a lens size control mechanism in operative connection with the platform, to raise or lower the platform, including a rotatable sizing dial mounted on a shaft, rotation of which raises or lowers the platform, a lock axially and fixedly held over the shaft so as not to rotate therewith, and locking means fixedly interlocking with the lock at any of a plurality of fixed positions corresponding to lens size gradation and holding the dial and shaft against rotation when so interlocked.

Claim 34

A machine according to claim 29, including means to bias the dial and locking means into locking engagement with the lock.

Claim 35

A machine according to claim 29, in which the lock comprises a toothed gear, and the locking means is adapted to mesh with teeth on the gear.

Claim 36

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises a beveling pressure control for imposing an off-center bevel to a lens edge, comprising a weight and a thrust point carried on arms spaced on opposed sides of and extending from a support pivotally mounted in operative connection with the lens blank holder, the thrust point being adapted to bear against a fixed base and thrust the lens blank holder sideways under the pivoting force of the weight, to impart a sideways-applied beveling pressure to a lens blank against one side of the beveling and finishing wheel.

Claim 37

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises a beveling pressure control for imposing an off-center bevel to a lens edge, comprising a weight and a thrust point carried on arms spaced on opposed sides of and extending from a support pivotally mounted in operative connection with the lens blank holder, the thrust point being adapted to bear against a fixed base and thrust the lens blank holder sideways under the pivoting force of the weight, to impart a sideways-applied beveling pressure to a lens blank against one side of the beveling and finishing wheel.

Claim 38

A machine according to claim 32, in which the weight is slidably held on a shaft to adjust the bearing pressure of the thrust point against the base.

Claim 39

A machine according to claim 32, arranged to be cam-actuated, comprising a cam surface; and a cam follower attached to an arm extending from the support; the cam surface normally holding the cam follower so that the thrust point is held away from the fixed base, but when a lens is in contact with the beveling wheel permitting the cam follower to pivot the pressure control support until the thrust point is brought in contact with the fixed base.

Claim 40

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises a base; at least two apertured supports fixed on the base; at least one shaft extending through the apertures between the supports; and a movable carriage attached to the shaft, which is arranged for reciprocable transverse movement with respect to the supports in the apertures, and carrying the lens blank holder for pivotal movement thereof towards and away from the grinding wheel, and towards and away from the beveling and finishing wheel, the carriage carrying a cam movable by a cam follower fixed to the base, for effecting and controlling reciprocable movement of the carriage and the shaft with respect to the grinding and beveling and finishing wheels, and the cam having a circumferential groove in which the cam follower travels.

Claim 41

In a lens edge-grinding and finishing machine having lens-edge grinding, beveling and finishing wheels, and a rotatable, pivotable and reciprocable lens blank holder holding the lens blank in operative relation to the said wheels for grinding, beveling and finishing thereof, to a size and pattern, the improvement which comprises a base; at least two apertured supports fixed on the base; at least one shaft extending through the apertures between the supports; and a movable carriage attached to the shaft, which is arranged for reciprocable transverse movement with respect to the supports in the apertures, and carrying the lens blank holder for pivotal movement thereof towards and away from the grinding wheel, and towards and away from the beveling and finishing wheel, the carriage carrying a cam movable by a cam follower fixed to the base, for effecting and controlling reciprocable movement of the carriage and the shaft with respect to the grinding and beveling and finishing wheels, and the cam having a circumferential groove in which the cam follower travels.

Claim 42

A machine according to claim 35, having two parallel shafts extending between and sliding transversely through the apertures of the supports.

Claim 43

A machine according to claim 36, in which the shafts are supported on ball bushings disposed in the support apertures allowing reciprocable movement but not pivoting movement thereof.