In recent years, rimless spectacles have increasingly proven popular.

In particular, these spectacles consist of a pair of lenses, the edges of which drilled and tapped coplanar with the surface of the lens face, which allows a suitable nose bridge and pair of hinged side arms to be screwed thereto.

However, these lenses suffer a number of disadvantages in that there is a decreased field of vision for the wearer, which can be both distracting and unsightly. Furthermore, these lenses are more susceptible to breakage, since the weakest portion of the assembly occurs at the screwed interface between the lenses and nose bridge or side arms.

In order to overcome this, rimless spectacles as described in UK Patent Application No. 0126689.9 have been developed in which the nose bridge and side arms are of elongate structure and profiled so as to meet with and adhere to the periphery of the lenses, without the need for drilling or cutting. In this way, the rimless spectacles described therein provide an optimum field of vision for the wearer and increased durability, since the edges of the lenses are not weakened in any way. Furthermore, in the case of breakage, the spectacle lenses are often undamaged and the spectacle frame can be promptly and economically repaired.

However, the rimless spectacles as described in UK Patent Application No. 0126689.9 are difficult to manufacture, since the spectacle lenses, nose bridge and side arms have to be retained in a rigid position whilst the adhesive interposed therebetween sets. Furthermore, since these rimless spectacles are often bespoke or low production runs, there is a need for a manufacturing jig which is highly flexible that can be readily used to accurately position and retain the spectacle lenses, nose bridge and side arms for adhering.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a jig for manufacturing rimless spectacles and method thereof. In use, the jig allows rimless spectacles to be manufactured without the need for drilling or cutting.

The present invention provides for ease of manufacture and increased durability of the finished product, as the adhesive joint strength is optimised.

The jig described herein is adjustable in three dimensions, making such highly flexible for the manufacture of bespoke rimless spectacles or low production runs.

According to the present invention there is provided a jig for manufacturing rimless spectacles, comprising: first means for positioning and retaining a lugged nose bridge between the inner edges of a pair of spectacle lenses, by use of an adhesive; second means for positioning and retaining said pair of spectacle lenses ; and third means for positioning and retaining a pair of lugged side arms to the outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses, by use of an adhesive.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing rimless spectacles, comprising the steps of: positioning and adhering a lugged nose bridge between each inner edge of a pair of spectacle lenses ; and positioning and adhering a pair of lugged side arms to each outer edge of said pair of spectacle lenses.

In a preferred embodiment, said first means for positioning and retaining a lugged nose bridge comprises a mounting slide having inner and outer pillars extending therefrom. Preferably, the distance between the inner and outer pillars is adjustable using a slider and first knurled screw. In use, the profile of the outer pillar is curved such that the lugged nose bridge can be readily retained without distortion. The height of the mounting slide can also be adjustable using a second knurled screw and slotted aperture. In use, the position of the mounting slide is also transversely adjustable by rotating a first thumb wheel.

Preferably, said second means for positioning and retaining the pair of spectacle lenses comprises two lens mounting assemblies movable along a cross-slide. The two lens mounting assemblies are located on a slide plate which is transversely adjustable relative to a base section through a slotted aperture and third knurled screw. Each of the lens mounting assemblies is movable along the cross-slide using retained screws. In use, the top of the lens mounting assembly is formed as a suction cup or other securing means and a spectacle lens is simply placed upon each of the lens mounting assemblies and located against the lugged nose bridge retained on said mounting slide for adhering.

Further preferably, said third means for positioning and retaining a pair of lugged side arms comprises a pair of side arm c ! amps located outside of the lens mounting assemblies. Each of the side arm clamps further comprises inner and outer jaws which are used to clamp the side arms to the outer edges of the spectacle lenses retained on the lens mounting assemblies for adhering. In use, the inner and outer jaws are connected by a parallel pin and the distance between the inner and outer jaws is adjustable by rotating a fourth knurled screw. The height of the inner and outer jaws is also adjustable by rotating a second thumb wheel on the side arm clamp.

In a preferred embodiment, said adhesive may comprise any suitable high-strength adhesive compound, such as, for example, a two-part epoxy resin.

It is believed that a jig for manufacturing rimless spectacles and method thereof in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems identified above. The advantages of the present invention are that a jig for manufacturing rimless spectacles without the need for drilling or cutting is provided. The present invention provides for ease of manufacture and increased durability of the finished product, as the adhesive joint strength is optimised. The jig described herein is adjustable in three dimensions making such highly flexible for the manufacture of bespoke rimless spectacles or low production runs.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the present nvention.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the present invention looking along the line of the cross-slide.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the present invention looking along the line transverse to the cross-slide.

Referring now to the drawings, a jig for manufacturing rimless spectacles according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

In use, the present invention comprises a base section 25 having a centrally-placed mounting slide 2 located thereon. Extending from the top of the mounting slide 2 are two pillars 9 and 11, which are used to locate the lugged nose bridge (not shown). In use, the lugged nose bridge is retained between the outer pillar 9 and inner pillar 11; the distance between the outer 9 and inner pillars 11 being adjustable using a slider 31 and first knurled screw 32. The profile of outer pillar 9 is curved such that the lugged nose bridge can be readily retained without distortion.

The height of the mounting slide 2 is adjustable using a second knurled screw 33. To adjust the height of the mounting slide 2, the second knurled screw 33 is loosened and the mounting slide 2 can be raised or lowered through the slotted aperture behind the second knurled screw 33. When the desired height is attained, second knurled screw 33 is tightened against the cross-slide 8. The position of the mounting slide 2 is also adjustable along the direction of the cross-slide, using the second knurled screw 33. Furthermore, the position of the mounting slide 2 is transversely adjustable relative to the cross-slide 8, by rotating first thumb wheel 30.

Also located on the base section 25 is a slide plate 21 which is transversely adjustable relative to the base section 25 through a slotted aperture and third knurled screw 26. A cross-slide 8 having two lens mounting assemblies 15 is located on the slide plate 21.'Each of'the lens mounting assemblies 15 is movable along the cross-slide 8 using retained screws 29. In use, the top of the lens mounting assembly 15 is formed as a suction cup or other securing means and a lens (not shown) is simply placed upon each of the lens mounting assemblies 15 and located against the lugged nose bridge retained on mounting slide 2 for adhering.

Outside of the lens mounting assemblies 15 are located a pair of side arm clamps 22. Each of the side arm clamps 22 further comprise inner and outer jaws 19 and 20 which are used to clamp the side arms (not shown) to the outer edges of the spectacle lenses retained on the lens mounting assemblies 15 for adhering. The inner 19 and outer jaws 20 are connected by a parallel pin 24 and the distance between the inner 19 and outer jaws 20 is adjustable by rotating a fourth knurled screw 5. The height of the inner 19 and outer jaws 20 is also adjustable by rotating a second thumb wheel 23 on the side arm clamp 22.

In use, a lugged nose bridge is secured between the outer 9 and inner pillars 11 on the mounting slide 2. Adhesive is then applied to the lugs positioned at each end of the nose bridge, which is secured to the inner edges of each pair of spectacle lenses located on the two lens mounting assemblies 15. Lugged side arms are then adhered to the outer edge of each of the spectacle lenses ; the side arms being retained by inner 19 and outer jaws 20 on the side arm clamps 22. The spectacle lenses, nose bridge and side arms are then retained in this configuration whilst the adhesive sets.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.