US3893264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens surfacing apparatus and method
Assignee: Textron Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-23
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for grinding and polishing ophthalmic lenses in which the abrading or polishing surface is moved through an orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse. Simultaneously the lens is moved through an orbit which in the same plane describes substantially a circle. The reference plane is normal to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft which moves the lens in its circular orbit. The mechanism for orbiting the lens permits the lens surface to remain in close contact with the lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to the lap surface throughout the surfacing operation. The lens is maintained close to the base curve of the lap, resulting in improved lens-lap fit which is highly desirable in the grinding or polishing of toric lenses. The orbital paths given to the lens and the lap are obtained through rotating and rolling action. Lenses of high quality are produced in substantially reduced operating times.
Inventors
- 👤 Adolph Behnke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:09
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A lens grinding machine for forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof, means for moving said lap in a first orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, a lens carrying block, means for moving said block, simultaneously with the orbital movement of said lap, in a second orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said means for moving said block comprising a first drive shaft having a first axis of rotation and said reference plane being a plane normal to said first axis of rotation, and means for maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to said lap surface during the simultaneous orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A lens grinding machine for forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof, means for moving said lap in a first orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, a lens carrying block, means for moving said block, simultaneously with the orbital movement of said lap, in a second orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said means for moving said block comprising a first drive shaft having a first axis of rotation and said reference plane being a plane normal to said first axis of rotation, and means for maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to said lap surface during the simultaneous orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for moving said block are independent of the means for moving said lap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said lap in said first orbit comprise a machine frame, a tilt frame mounted for pivotal movement about a second axis within said machine frame, a first cam lever shaft mounted in said tilt frame, a lap support mounted on said first cam lever shaft, means for pivotally moving said tilt frame about said second axis through a first predetermined amplitude to establish the minor axis of said first orbit, said first cam lever shaft being mounted for pivotal movement relative to said tilt frame about a third axis perpendicular to and in spaced relation from said second axis, and means for pivotally moving said first cam lever shaft about said third axis through a second predetermined amplitude to establish the major axis of said first orbit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally moving said tilt frame about said second axis comprise a second drive shaft, means mounted on said tilt frame for rotating said second drive shaft, a first cam eccentrically mounted on said second drive shaft and adapted to rotate with said second drive shaft, and a cam roller mounted for rotation in said machine frame, said first cam being adapted to contact said cam roller whereby on rotation of said second drive shaft said tilt frame is pivotally moved about said second axis through said first predetermined amplitude with each complete rotation of said first cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 4 wherein said first cam is circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 4 wherein said first cam is non-circular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens grinding machine are recited in claim 4 wherein said first cam is elliptical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for pivotally moving said first cam lever shaft about said third axis comprise a second cam, said second cam being eccentrically mounted on saId second drive shaft, a first cam lever mounted on said first cam lever shaft and being adapted to rotate with said first cam lever shaft, a first cam follower mounted on said first cam lever and adapted to rotate against said second cam, whereby on rotation of said second drive shaft said first cam lever shaft is pivotally moved about said third axis through said second predetermined amplitude with each complete rotation of said first cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said block in said second orbit further comprise a machine frame, said first drive shaft supported in said frame, means for rotating said first drive shaft about said first axis of rotation, an oscillating platform eccentrically mounted on said first drive shaft being adapted to move in a circular orbit on rotation of said first drive shaft, means to support said oscillating platform for oscillating motion in said machine frame, a pivot shaft rigidly mounted in said oscillating platform and means connecting said pivot shaft to said lens carrying block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said means for maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to said lap surface during the simultaneous orbiting of said lap and said block comprise an arm mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said oscillating platform along a second axis, a pin holder shaft mounted for pivotal movement relative to said arm about a third axis perpendicular to and spaced from said second axis, a block holder arm mounted on said pin holder shaft, a pin holder integral with said block holder arm, a pair of block holder pins extending downwardly from said pin holder, said lens carrying block being adapted to receive said pair of block holder pins and to permit pivotal movement of said block with respect to said pins about an axis parallel to said second axis, and means for exerting a predetermined downward pressure on said arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 3 wherein the major axis of said first orbit is at least twice the minor axis of said first orbit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A lens grinding machine as described in claim 4 further comprising a second cam lever shaft mounted in said tilt frame, a second lap support mounted on said second cam lever shaft, said second cam lever shaft being mounted for pivotal movement relative to said tilt frame about a fourth axis parallel to said third axis, said means for pivotally moving said first cam lever shaft about said third axis further comprising means to simultaneously pivotally move said second cam lever shaft about said fourth axis through said second predetermined amplitude.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 12 wherein said means for pivotally moving said first and second cam lever shafts about said third and fourth axes, respectively, further comprise a second cam, said second cam being eccentrically mounted on said second drive shaft, a first cam lever mounted on said first cam lever shaft and being adapted to rotate with said first cam lever shaft, a first cam follower mounted on said first cam lever, a second cam lever mounted on said second cam lever shaft and being adapted to rotate with said second cam lever shaft, a second cam follower mounted on said second cam lever, means for maintaining said first and second cam followers in contact with said second cam, whereby on rotation of said second drive shaft each of said first and second cam lever shafts is pivotally moved about its corresponding third and fourth axes, respectively, through said second predetermined amplitude with each complete rotation of said first cam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 13 wherein said means for maintaining said first and second cam followers in contact with said second cam comprise a tension spring connecting said cam levers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 14 further comprising means to adjust the tension in said spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second lens carrying block and wherein said means for moving said block in said second orbit simultaneously with the orbital movement of said lap further comprise means to simultaneously move said second block in a third orbit substantially identical to said second orbit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 16 further comprising a machine frame, said first drive shaft supported in said frame, means for rotating said first drive shaft about said first axis of rotation, an oscillating member eccentrically mounted on said first drive shaft being adapted to move in a fourth orbit substantially identical to said second and third orbits on rotation of said first drive shaft, means to support said oscillating member for oscillating motion in said machine frame, a pivot shaft rigidly mounted in said oscillating member, means connecting said pivot shaft to said lens carrying block, and independent means connecting said pivot shaft to said second lens carrying block.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said means to support said oscillating member for oscillating motion in said machine frame comprise a pair of idler cranks mounted in said machine frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for exerting a predetermined downward pressure on said arm comprise a cylinder and piston means mounted on said machine frame, a pressure pin integral with said piston means, a socket in said arm to receive said pressure pin, and means to supply fluid under pressure to said cylinder and piston means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
114 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally moving said tilt frame about said second axis comprise a second drive shaft, means mounted on said tilt frame for rotating said second drive shaft, a circular member eccentrically mounted on said second drive shaft and being adapted to rotate with said drive shaft, a block, said circular member being mounted for rotation with respect to said block, and hinge means connecting said block to said machine frame whereby on rotation of said second drive shaft said tilt frame is pivotally moved about said second axis through said first predetermined amplitude with each complete rotation of said second drive shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
117 words
A lens grinding machine as recited in claim 20 wherein said means for pivotally moving said first cam lever shaft about said third axis comprise a first cam lever mounted on said first cam lever shaft and being adapted to rotate with said first cam lever shaft, a cam eccentrically mounted on said second drive shaft and being adapted to rotate with said second drive shaft, and a cam follower mounted on said first cam lever and adapted to rotate against said cam, whereby on rotation of said second drive shaft said first cam lever shaft is pivotally moved about said third axis through said second predetermined amplitude with each complete rotation of said second drive shaft.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising moving a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof in a first orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, simultaneously moving a lens carrying block in a second orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said reference plane being a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said circular orbit, and maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to said lap surface during the said orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising moving a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof in a first orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, simultaneously moving a lens carrying block in a second orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said reference plane being a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said circular orbit, and maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relation with respect to said lap surface during the said orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as recited in claim 22 wherein said lap is moved in said first orbit at between About 115 and 125 orbits per minute and said block is moved in said second orbit at between about 850 and 900 orbits per minute.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the major axis of said second orbit is at least twice the length of the minor axis of said second orbit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lens grinding machine for forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof, means for moving said lap in a first orbit, a lens carrying block, means for moving said block, simultaneously with the orbital movement of said lap, in a second orbit, wherein one of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially a circle and the other of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, and means for maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relationship with respect to said lap surface during the simultaneous orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lens grinding machine for forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof, means for moving said lap in a first orbit, a lens carrying block, means for moving said block, simultaneously with the orbital movement of said lap, in a second orbit, wherein one of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially a circle and the other of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, and means for maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relationship with respect to said lap surface during the simultaneous orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising moving a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof in a first orbit, simultaneously moving a lens carrying block in a second orbit, wherein one of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, the other of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said reference plane being a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said circular orbit, and maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relationship with respect to said lap surface during said orbiting of said lap and said block.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of forming a compound curvature on a lens surface comprising moving a lap having a compound curvature on the surface thereof in a first orbit, simultaneously moving a lens carrying block in a second orbit, wherein one of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in a reference plane describes substantially an ellipse, the other of said lap and said block moves in an orbit which in said reference plane describes substantially a circle, said reference plane being a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said circular orbit, and maintaining said lens surface in close contact with said lap surface and in a predetermined aligned relationship with respect to said lap surface during said orbiting of said lap and said block.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |