US3909982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing contact lenses
Assignee: MED CON ENGINEERING
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing contact lenses, in which the cutting tool for cutting the base curve into a contact lens blank pivots about a point that is movable to vary the radius of curvature of the cutting tool, without moving the relative positions of the cutting tool tip and the blank. The blank with the base curve cut thereon is conveyed to supporting means so that the base curve will be polished as it faces upwardly. The lens blank is held by vacuum means during cutting of the power curve, and the power curve is polished with a wood polishing device.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A Schlotfeldt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/04; B24B13/046; B24B13/0025; B24B9/00; B24B9/02; B24B9/06; B24B9/08; B24B9/14; B24B9/142; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/14; Y10T82/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In apparatus for forming contact lenses, the improvement comprising, in combination: a cutting tool for cutting the base curve into a contact lens blank; means for positioning the cutting tip of said cutting tool in fixed working relationship with respect to said blank; means for providing relative rotation between the lens blank and the cutting tool; means for pivoting said cutting tool about a pivot point; and means for moving said pivot point to vary the radius of curvature of the base curve to be cut; wherein said cutting tip positioning means comprises a pivotable holder assembly defining a first slot, and a member located adjacent to said holder assembly and defining a second slot, said holder assembly and said member being positioned so as to permit said first and second slots to be aligned; said means for moving said pivot point comprising a first slider for sliding within said first slot and a second slider for sliding within said second slot, said pivot point being fastened to said first and second sliders.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In apparatus for forming contact lenses, the improvement comprising, in combination: a cutting tool for cutting the base curve into a contact lens blank; means for positioning the cutting tip of said cutting tool in fixed working relationship with respect to said blank; means for providing relative rotation between the lens blank and the cutting tool; means for pivoting said cutting tool about a pivot point; and means for moving said pivot point to vary the radius of curvature of the base curve to be cut; wherein said cutting tip positioning means comprises a pivotable holder assembly defining a first slot, and a member located adjacent to said holder assembly and defining a second slot, said holder assembly and said member being positioned so as to permit said first and second slots to be aligned; said means for moving said pivot point comprising a first slider for sliding within said first slot and a second slider for sliding within said second slot, said pivot point being fastened to said first and second sliders.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, including manually operable means for moving said second slider when said slots are aligned, to thereby force said first slider to move therewith; and means for preventing relative movement between said sliders and the aforementioned structure defining said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said member defines a first aperture, said pivotable holder assembly defines a second aperture which may be pivotally positioned in axial alignment with the first aperture, and means for coupling the first and second apertures to maintain alignment of said slots to permit precision movement of said pivot point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said pivoting means comprises, in combination: a drive-wire secured to the pivotable holder assembly, a pulley for rotatably engaging the wire means, means for supporting said pulley, spring-biased pulley means secured to said support means for providing tension to said wire, follower means secured to said wire, a cam having an edge-surface for engaging the follower means, a motor for rotating said cam, and means to bias said follower means against the edge-surface of said cam.
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |