In particular, the present invention relates to an eyeglasses frame made of metallic material, for example steel, titanium, aluminum, nickel silver (copper-zinc-nickel alloy), Monel (copper- nickel-iron alloy). However, as will become clear from the following description, the teachings of the present invention may be applied also to frames made of polymer material. As is known, an eyeglasses frame comprises a front piece, with which two temples are hinged. Generally, the front piece comprises, in turn, two lens holder rims, a bridge, a nosepiece and two end-pieces.

The lens holder rims have the function of keeping the lens in the correct position. They usually have a perimetral profile which substantially matches the profile of the lenses.

The bridge in turn is the part of the front piece which has the function of connecting together the two lens holder rims. Generally the bridge is situated along the top portion of each lens holder rim and is designed to be arranged above the nose of the user of the eyeglasses. The bridge may consist of a single part or two or more parts.

The nosepiece is usually an extension of the bridge and has the function of allowing the frame to rest on the user nose. The nosepiece may also consist of a single part or two parts. The end-pieces form the side parts of the front piece, where the temples of the frame are hingeably mounted.

In order to make a metal frame generally a wire drawn in the form of a "U" is used, being then folded, welded and machined until the various parts which form the finished frame are obtained. The frames then undergo coating and coloring surface treatments.

One of the most critical steps during the manufacture of the metal frames is the welding operation.

Often, in fact, the components which must be welded together are small in size. Moreover, for aesthetic reasons, the various welds must not be visible in the finished product.

Furthermore, some metallic materials, which can be used for the manufacture of frames, pose specific problems as regards welding.

For example, in the case of steel frames, the welds require high and uniform temperatures such as to ensure strength and resistance over time.

In the case of titanium frames, welding must be performed without oxygen at temperatures and for time periods which are strictly controlled.

It is clear, therefore, how this manufacturing step involves high costs and requires specially designed equipment and specialized labor.

Moreover, as mentioned, once welded and assembled, the frames require suitable surface treatments, for example painting or galvanic finishing treatments. In the case where finishes of the galvanic type are chosen, it is not possible to make metal frames which are formed by a combination of two or more different materials. Each type of material requires, in fact, a specific galvanic finish and, therefore, once the various components have been welded together, it would not be possible to perform a single surface treatment which is compatible with the various materials.

At the same time it is not possible to treat superficially the various components of the frame made with different materials before welding, because the latter would ruin the final appearance thereof.

Moreover, in recent years there has been the need to have frames which are increasingly lighter and this has resulted in the use of aluminum and some of its alloys.

However, it is not possible to weld together components of the aluminum frame, owing to the high deformability of the material. Assembly of the frame is therefore performed by means of connection systems which envisage the use of screws and in turn nuts and lock nuts. In this case also, the small millimetric dimensions of the various components make this assembly operation difficult.

Finally, frames made of metal cannot be easily repaired if a part of the frame is damaged or broken. On most occasions, in fact, it is preferable to replace the entire frame rather than perform a partial repair or replacement.

The object of the present invention therefore is to overcome at least partially the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

In particular, a task of the present invention is to provide an eyeglasses frame which can be easily assembled without having to perform welding operations.

Furthermore, a task of the present invention is to provide an eyeglasses frame which is robust and which is not subject to constraints of an aesthetic nature.

Another task of the present invention is to provide an eyeglasses frame which allows the possibility of assembling together different metals and/ or materials with different finishes. Moreover, a task of the present invention is to provide a frame, the components of which may be easily replaced if necessary.

Finally, a task of the present invention is to provide a frame which does not require the use of specialized labor for assembly thereof and which does not involve the use of specially designed equipment.

These and other objects are achieved with an eyeglasses frame according to claim 1.

The characteristic features and further advantages of the invention will become clear from the description, provided hereinbelow, of a preferred embodiment, provided by way of a non- limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a frame according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view, in exploded form, of the frame according to Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a front view of the frame according to Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a front view, in exploded form, of the frame according to Figure 3;

- Figure 5 and 6 show in schematic form the relative movements of the front piece and a part of the frame according to the invention, during the assembly step of the said frame;

- Figure 7 shows a view, on a larger scale, of a first component of the frame according to Figure 1;

- Figure 8 shows a view, on a larger scale, of a second component of the frame according to Figure 1;

- Figure 9 shows a view, on a larger scale, of the detail indicated by A in Figure 1;

- Figure 10 shows a view from above, on a larger scale, of the detail indicated by E in Figure 8;

- Figure 10A shows a simplified cross-sectional view along the plane indicated by Xa-Xa in Figure 7;

- Figures 11A, 11B, 11C; 12A, 12B, 12C; 13A, 13B, 13C, 14A, 14B, 14C; 15A, 15B, 15C show in schematic form the various steps of the method for assembling a frame according to the invention;

- Figure 16 shows a view, on a larger scale, of the detail indicated by B in Figure 2;

- Figure 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the detail indicated by C in Figure 3;

- Figures 18, 19 and 20 show, respectively, a front view, a view from below and a view from above of a component of the frame according to the invention;

- Figure 21 shows a view, on a larger scale, of the detail indicated by D in Figure 2;

- Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 shown in schematic form how the opening and closing movements of the temples in the frame according to the invention are controlled.

With reference to the figures, Figure 1 shows a frame for eyeglasses - indicated overall by 1 - which is provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Preferably the frame 1 is made of metallic material, for example titanium, aluminum, steel, nickel silver or

Monel. However, the principles of the present invention may be advantageously applied also to frames made of polymer material, for example cellulose acetate.

The frame 1 comprises a front piece 2 which extends substantially in a plane F.

For the purposes of the present invention "front piece extending substantially in a plane" is understood as meaning a front piece which is flat and/or has a reduced curvature with a transverse thickness which is more or less uniform along the direction of extension of the said front piece.

For the purposes of the present invention, for example, a front piece which has a slight curvature in its central portion and may be provided with projections or appendages at its side ends is considered to be also flat.

As can be clearly seen in Figures 1-4, the front piece 2 has an upper bar 3 which comprises, in turn, a bridge 31 for connecting together a pair of lens holder supports 4. Each lens holder support 4 is designed to encompass at least partially a lens 5.

The frame 1 further comprises a pair of temples 6. Each temple 6 is hinged with the front piece 2 at a first end 11 of each lens holder support 4 and at a side end 13 of the upper bar 3. The frame 1 also comprises a nosepiece 7, which is rigidly or removably fixed to the connecting bridge 31.

In accordance with the invention, the nosepiece 7 comprises a fixing element 8 for each lens holder support 4.

Moreover, a coupling seat 10 is formed at a second end 9 of each lens holder support 4, for coupling with the fixing element 8 (see Figures 8 and 10).

Each lens holder support 4 is movable between a first position for engagement with the corresponding fixing element 8, in which the lens holder support 4 is arranged in a plane Gt perpendicular to the plane F along which the front piece 2 extends (see Figure 5), and a second position for engagement and locking together of the lens-holder support 4 and the corresponding fixing element 8, in which the lens-holder support 4 is arranged in a plane Gp parallel to the plane F along which the front piece 2 extends (see Figure 6).

As shown by way of example in Figures 5 and 6, advantageously the transition between the first engagement position and the second engagement and locking position is performed by means of an intermediate rotation of each lens holder support 4 about a longitudinal axis T of the fixing element 8.

As is clearly visible in Figure 10, the coupling seat 10 preferably consists of a shaped slot which has an open profile. Advantageously, the coupling seat 10 extends parallel to the direction of extension of the lens holder support 4.

The coupling seat 10 may comprise an insertion portion 101 arranged in the vicinity of the perimetral opening of the seat and an interlocking portion 102, these two portions being connected together by means of an intermediate portion 103.

In turn, as shown in Figure 7, the fixing element 8 may comprise a locating part 81 designed to be inserted and locked inside the coupling seat 10 when the lens holder support 4 is in the position for engagement and locking with the fixing element 8.

As will be explained in detail below, the insertion portion 101 advantageously allows insertion of the locating part 81 inside the coupling seat 10 such that the lens holder support 4 is able to assume the first position for engagement with the corresponding fixing element 8.

In turn, the intermediate portion 103 allows the rotation of the coupling seat 10 about the locating part 81, thus allowing the lens holder support 4 to rotate about the longitudinal axis T of the fixing element 8.

Finally, the interlocking portion 102 allows the locating part 81 to be locked inside the coupling seat 10, such that the lens holder support 4 may assume the second engagement and locking position in which it is locked to the fixing element 8.

As shown in Figures 7 and 10A, the locating part 81 of the fixing element 8 has preferably a prismatic shape with a rectangular base 82.

The smaller side of the rectangular base 82 has a length w and the larger side of the rectangular base 82 has a length 1.

Advantageously the fixing element 8 is positioned in the nosepiece 7 so that the smaller side of the base 82 of the locating part 81 is arranged parallel to the plane F of the front piece 2. Preferably the length w is between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm and a length 1 is between 0.9 mm and 1.2 mm.

It is obviously possible to provide a base 82 with sides having dimensions different from those mentioned above in order to satisfy specific fixing requirements.

In turn, the insertion portion 101 of the coupling seat 10 has preferably a constant width p. The width p of the insertion portion 101 is chosen so as to allow preferably insertion and sliding of the locating part 81 inside the coupling seat 10 solely in the configuration where the base 82 of the locating part 81 is arranged facing, with its smaller side, the opening of the coupling seat 10. In other words, the width p of the insertion portion 101 is greater than or equal to the length w of the smaller side of the base 82 and is smaller than the length 1 of the larger side of the base 82. For example, in the case where the length w is equal to 0.7 mm and the length 1 is equal to 1.0 mm, the width p preferably will be between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm. Still with reference to Figure 10, the intermediate portion 103 of the coupling seat 10 preferably has an at least partially curved profile. A circumference of diameter q may be inscribed inside it.

This diameter q advantageously is chosen so as to be greater than the length 1 of the base 82, such as to allow rotation of the locating part 81 inside the intermediate portion 103 of the coupling seat 10, so that the base 82 of the locating part 81 may assume a configuration where it is arranged facing, with its larger side, the opening of the coupling seat 10. For example, in the case where the length w is equal to 0.7 mm and the length 1 is equal to 1.0 mm, the diameter q preferably will be between 1.25 mm and 1.3 mm.

Finally, the interlocking portion 102 of the coupling seat 10 has preferably a constant width r. The width r of the interlocking portion 102 is chosen so as to allow locking of the locating part 81 inside the coupling seat 10 by means of a form fit between the interlocking portion 102 and the locating part 81.

In other words, with due allowance for machining tolerances, the width r is substantially equal to the length 1 of the larger side of the base 82 of the locating part 81.

In this way, locking together of the locating part 81 and the interlocking portion 102 allows the lens holder support 4 to be locked to the nosepiece 7 and kept correctly oriented with respect to the plane F in which the front piece 2 lies. With reference to Figure 7, preferably the fixing element 8 also comprises a first stabilizing bracket 84 and a second stabilizing bracket 86 which are respectively positioned at the lower end and the upper end of the locating part 81.

Advantageously, the stabilizing brackets may be spaced from each other by a distance k equal preferably to the thickness of the lens holder support 4 at the end 9.

The stabilizing brackets 84 and 86 allow even firmer and more secure locking together of the fixing element 8 and the lens holder support 4. In fact, once the lens holder support 4 has been locked together with the fixing element 8, end 9 of the lens holder support is inserted between the stabilizing brackets. In this way, following knocks of impacts, the coupling seat 10 may be prevented from sliding downwards or upwards relative to the locating part 81.

According to an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, but may be easily imagined by the person skilled in the art, the fixing element 8 is provided with a single stabilizing bracket which may be positioned at the lower or upper end of the locating part 81. Reference is now made to Figures 11A, 11B, 11C; 12A, 12B, 12C; 13A, 13B, 13C, 14A, 14B, 14C; 15A, 15B, 15C for a detailed description of the method with which the lens holder support 4 may be locked to the nosepiece 7 by means of engagement and locking together of the coupling seat 10 and the fixing element 8.

This method comprises preferably an approach step, an engaging step, a rotation step and a locking step.

During the approach step (see Figures 11 A, 11B, 11C) the lens holder support 4 is moved near to the corresponding fixing element 8 so that the base 82 of the locating part 81 is oriented with its smaller side facing the opening of the coupling seat 10. During this approach step, the lens holder support 4 is arranged along the plane Gt perpendicular to the plane F along which the front piece 2 extends (see Figure 5).

During the following engaging step (see Figures 12A, 12B, 12C) the lens holder support 4, arranged again along the plane Gt, is moved along the insertion direction, identified by the arrow I. In this way the locating part 81, after passing through the insertion portion 101, may be positioned inside the intermediate portion 103 of the coupling seat 10.

During the rotation step (see Figures 13A, 13B, 13C and 14A, 14B, 14C) the lens holder support 4 is rotated (as shown by the arrow S) by approximately 90° about the longitudinal axis T of the fixing element 8 so as to be arranged, at the end of rotation, in the plane Gp parallel to the plane F along which the front piece 2 extends (see Figure 6).

The rotation of the lens holder support 4 is allowed by the fact that dimensions of the locating part 81 and of the intermediate portion 103 of the coupling seat 10 are chosen so as to allow the rotation of the locating part 81 inside the intermediate portion of the coupling seat 10. At the end of this step, the base 82 of the locating part 81 is oriented with its larger side facing the opening of the coupling seat 10. Advantageously, following this rotation, disengagement between the lens holder support 4 and the fixing element 8 is prevented. In fact, the orientation assumed by the locating part 81 prevents it from coming out of the coupling seat 10 since the insertion portion 101 of the coupling seat 10 has a width p smaller than the length 1 of the base 82 of the locating part 81. Finally, during the locking step (see Figures 15A, 15B, 15C) the lens holder support 4, arranged in the plane Gp, is moved along a locking direction, identified by the arrow J. In this way, the locating part 81 may be locked inside the interlocking portion 102 of the coupling seat 10 so as to allow locking of the lens holder support 4 to the fixing element 8 and, consequently, via the nosepiece 7, to the front piece 2 of the frame 1.

Advantageously, in the case where the lens holder support 4 must be unlocked from the front piece 2, it will be sufficient to perform the various steps described above in the reverse order. Reference is now made to Figure 16 to 20. The nosepiece 7 preferably comprises two appendages 72 connected together by means of a connecting element 71. The fixing element 8 and a support 75 for a pad 78 of the frame designed to rest on the user nose are positioned in the region of each appendage 72.

The nosepiece 7 may be fixed to the connecting bridge 31 by means of a nose lock 32 adapted to engage with the connecting bridge 31 and to be removably fixed to the connecting element 71 via fixing means 76.

In detail, the nose lock 32 comprises preferably a fixing base 33 adapted to be inserted at least partially inside a through-slot 36 arranged in the connecting bridge 31 (see Figures 18-20).

In turn, the connecting bridge 71 is adapted to be inserted at least partially inside the slot 36, on the opposite side to that in which the fixing base 33 is inserted, so as to abut against the fixing base 33.

The fixing means 76 by means of which the connecting bridge 71 is removably fixed to the fixing base 33 engage in succession inside the fixing holes 74 provided in the connecting element 71 and the fixing holes 34 provided in the fixing base 33.

The fixing base 33 may be advantageously shaped so as to have a shape and size substantially the same as that of the slot 36. In this way it is ensured that the nose lock 32 cannot rotate or be moved during use of the frame 1.

At the same time the connecting element 71 may also be shaped so as to have a shape and size substantially the same as that of the slot 36. In this way it is ensured that the nosepiece 7 cannot rotate or be moved during use of the frame 1.

Reference is now made to Figures 21-25. As mentioned, each temple 6 of the frame is hinged with the front piece 2 at the first end 11 of each lens holder support 4 and at the side end 13 of the upper bar 3.

In detail, the temple 6 is provided with a pivoting end 61 in which a pivot hole 62 is provided. As can be clearly seen in Figure 21, the pivoting end 61 of the temple 6 is designed to be inserted between the side end 13 of the upper bar 3 and the end 11 of the lens holder support 4 and to be locked there by means of a hinge 90.

The hinge 90 preferably engages in succession with a first fixing hole 51 arranged at the side end 13 of the upper bar 3, the pivot hole 62 and a second fixing hole 41, arranged at the first end 11 of the lens holder support 4.

Once the hinge 90 is fixed to the front piece 2, the pivoting end 61 advantageously is brought into contact with the facing surfaces of the bar 3 and the lens holder support 4.

Preferably, the pivot hole 62 of the temple is provided in a relief 65 having the function of a washer. This relief 65, in fact, facilitates relative sliding of the pivoting end 61 and the facing surfaces of the bar 3 and of the lens holder support 4, so as to ensure regular opening and closing of the temple, without any jamming.

Preferably, the hinge 90 is composed of a rimmed bush 91 and a screw 92 designed to be screwed inside the bush 91.

The provision of the rimmed bush 91, once the screw 92 has been screwed in, allows manual adjustment of the degree of "hardness" of the temple opening action, i.e. the resistance of the hinge to the opening (and closing) movements of the temple.

The temple 6 may move with respect to the plane F of the front piece 2 between an opening position, in which the longitudinal axis S of the temple 6 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane F (see Figures 22 and 23), and a closing position, in which the longitudinal axis S of the temple 6 is positioned substantially parallel to the plane F (see Figures 24 and 25).

Advantageously, in order to limit the opening and closing movements of the temple 6 and prevent the temple, during opening, from flexing excessively, i.e. rotating through an angle greater than needed relative to the plane of the front piece, or prevent it, during closing, from hitting against the lenses and/or the front piece, the pivoting end 61 of the temple 6 may be provided with two stops, i.e. an opening stop 63 and a closing stop 64.

The opening stop 63 and the closing stop 64 are obtained by suitably shaping the terminal profile of the pivoting end 61 of the temple.

Preferably the stops are arranged at the sides of the pivot hole 62 so as to be mutually offset. The opening stop 63 limits the maximum opening angle which the axis S of the temple 6 may assume with respect to the plane F of the front piece 2, while the closing stop 64 limits the minimum closing angle which the axis S of the temple 6 may assume with respect to the plane F of the front piece 2.

As clearly shown in figures, the two stops 63, 64 of the temple 6 are designed to abut against a pin 94 which is positioned in the vicinity of the hinge 90 and is also inserted between the side end 13 of the upper bar 3 and the first end 11 of the lens holder support 4.

Preferably, the pin 94 has a first engaging end 95 and a second engaging end 96. These engaging ends 95, 96 are designed to engage inside corresponding holes 52, 42 arranged respectively in the side end 13 of the upper bar 3 and in the first end 11 of the lens holder support 4.

As can be seen in Figures 22 and 23, the temple 6 of the frame 1 during the opening movement may rotate about its pivoting axis Z until the pin 94 abuts against the opening stop 63.

At the same time, as can be seen in Figures 24 and 25, the temple 6 of the frame 1 during the closing movement may rotate about its pivoting axis Z until the pin 94 abuts against the closing stop 64.

In the light of that stated above, the person skilled in the art will easily understand how the frame 1 according to the invention is able to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

In particular, the frame 1 may be easily assembled without the need to perform complex welding operations. Advantageously, the frame according to the invention may therefore be made also using materials which, owing to their highly thermal conductivity and low melting point, may not be welded. For example, the frame according to the invention may advantageously be made of aluminum, so as to be able to obtain a frame which is lighter compared to the alloys which are generally used, for example nickel silver.

At the same time, the frame according to the present invention may advantageously also be made of titanium, without having to provide costly equipment or without having to use specialized labor.

Moreover, with the frame according to the present invention it is possible to assemble together components which have already undergone the respective coating and/ or coloring surface treatments. It is therefore possible to assemble together various materials, for example titanium and steel, or aluminum and steel, even if they require different galvanic treatments, so as to obtain frames with an original appearance.

Furthermore, the systems for fastening together the lens holder support and nosepiece, and nosepiece and front piece, are strong and secure and are not subject to aesthetic constraints. Finally, all the parts of the frame according to the invention are assembled mechanically. Should one of the components of the frame be broken or damaged, it may be easily replaced without having to replace the entire frame.

The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific requirements, may make modifications to the embodiments described above and/ or replace the parts described with equivalent parts, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.