US3835588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lenticular contact lense lathe
Assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
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Filing: 1973-03-05
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A process for shaping lenticular contact lenses comprising the steps of casting a lense blank with a cast surface shaped to fit over the cornea and of shaping the opposite surface by first shaping the central portion of the optical surface by generating a curvature of the desired radius, and thereafter shaping the peripheral or outer portion of the optical surface by generating a curvature of the other desired radius. The steps are carried out sequentially and automatically on a novel machine. The machine comprises a tool holder mounted on a slidable support pivoted around a first pivot pin. The first pivot pin is supported on a second slidable support pivoted around a second pivot pin. The adjustable swing of the supports determine the multiple curvatures of the optical surface. The pivoted supports are moved sequentially and automatically by interconnecting them with a lost motion connection, whereby one support and the tool pivots freely to generate one curvature until the lost motion is taken up and then the other support and tool pivots to generate the other curvature.
Inventors
- 👤 K Whitham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:09
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/48; B23B; B23B5/00; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/04; B24B13/046; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/14; Y10T82/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a method for producing a lense having an optical surface comprising a plurality of curvatures, the steps which comprise: supporting the lense shaping tool on a first support; pivoting the support around a first pivot point representing the center of a radis for one of the curvatures; supporting the first pivot point on a second support which pivots around a second pivot point representing the center of a different radius for another curvature; biasing the second support with a restraining force to a zero position; and interconnecting by lost motion means the first support and second support freely around the second pivot until the lost motion is taken up and thereafter sequentially forcibly moving the second support around its pivot against the restraining force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a method for producing a lense having an optical surface comprising a plurality of curvatures, the steps which comprise: supporting the lense shaping tool on a first support; pivoting the support around a first pivot point representing the center of a radis for one of the curvatures; supporting the first pivot point on a second support which pivots around a second pivot point representing the center of a different radius for another curvature; biasing the second support with a restraining force to a zero position; and interconnecting by lost motion means the first support and second support freely around the second pivot until the lost motion is taken up and thereafter sequentially forcibly moving the second support around its pivot against the restraining force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A machine for shaping the optical surface of a lense having a plurality of curvatures comprising: a lense holding element cooperating with a tool holding element; a fixed support for one of said elements; a first pivoted support means for said other element; a first pivot pin around which said first pivoted support means pivots; a second pivoted support means carrying said first pivot pin; a second pivot pin around which said second pivoted support means pivots; means for interconnecting said first pivoted support means with said second pivoted support means; yielding means secured to said second pivoted support means to hold said second support means in an initial predetermined position; means to swing said first support means freely around its pivot to shape the first curvature; and means responsive to a predetermined angular movement of said first pivoted support means to effect the interconnection of said first and second pivotal support means for joint pivotal movement around the second pivot pin against said yielding means to shape the second curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A machine for shaping the optical surface of a lense having a plurality of curvatures comprising: a lense holding element cooperating with a tool holding element; a fixed support for one of said elements; a first pivoted support means for said other element; a first pivot pin around which said first pivoted support means pivots; a second pivoted support means carrying said first pivot pin; a second pivot pin around which said second pivoted support means pivots; means for interconnecting said first pivoted support means with said second pivoted support means; yielding means secured to said second pivoted support means to hold said second support means in an initial predetermined position; means to swing said first support means freely around its pivot to shape the first curvature; and means responsive to a predetermined angular movement of said first pivoted support means to effect the interconnection of said first and second pivotal support means for joint pivotal movement around the second pivot pin against said yielding means to shape the second curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lense holding element is secured to the fixed support and the cooperating tool element is mounted on the first pivotal support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein said interconnecting means comprises lost motion means between the first and second pivotal support means and the predetermined angular movement takes up the free motion of the lost motion means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the yielding means is a force biasing means and a stop means is provided against which said second pivotal support means is biased.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein a second stop means is provided on said second pivotal support means to limit the swing of said first pivotal support means thereby providing a set zero position between said two pivotal support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said lost motion means comprises two spatially spaced abutment means which come into abutting relationsHip upon a predetermined relative movement of said abutment means, one of said abutment means carried by the first pivotal support means and the other abutment means carried by the second pivotal support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein one of said abutment means is spatially adjustable to vary the distance between said abutment means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said one of said two spacially spaced abutment means is a surface on the first pivotal support means and wherein said other abutment means comprises an abutment member adjustable along an elongated member which is secured to said second pivotal support means, and means to hold said abutment member in its adjusted position along the elongated member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first pivotal support means comprises a first slide carrying the tool and slidable upon a first plate pivoted on the first pivot pin, and wherein said second pivotal support means comprises a second slide carrying said first pivot pin and slidable on a second plate pivoted on the second pivot pin, said second pivot pin being mounted on a slidable carriage movable along the bed of the machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the biasing means is secured to said second pivoted plate and a first adjustable stop is provided to be contacted by said second pivoted plate to limit its position under the influence of the biasing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein a second adjustable stop means is secured to the second slide and positioned to limit the movement of said first plate around its pivot pin and thereby adjust the initial position of the first support means relative to the second support means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |