TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to spectacles and, more particularly to a manner of manufacture and assembly of spectacles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The sourcing and. purchase of a pair of spectacles which, in effect become part of a person's appearance is often a daunting task. Apart from the expense of

prescription lenses, frames are also a major expense for some people.

[0003] Moreover, once a decision on a frame is made and the lenses . ground to the required optical properties and shaped to suit the selected frame, a wearer is committed to that frame and the appearance it lends to the wearer, and it is not possible, until new frames are purchased to change that appearance.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above

disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

Notes

[0005] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU [0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a spectacles frame system provided with hinge elements linking the side arms of the frame to the lens supporting portion of the frame; the hinge elements including a first half hinge portion integral with the lens supporting portion and a second half hinge portion

pivotally linked to the first half hinge portion, and wherein the side arms of the spectacles are releasably attached to the lens supporting element by a sliding clip.

[0008] Preferably the second half hinge portion is provided at a leading end of each side arm.

[0009] In a preferred form, the sliding clip is in the form of a pin.

[00010] In a particular preferred form, the pin includes enlarged portions .

[00011] Preferably each of the half hinge portions comprise at least two lobes; the lobes provide with through holes having a common axis.

[00012] Preferably each side arm is provided at a leading end with a retention channel in an outer surface of the side arm; the channel transverse to a long axis of the side arm.

[00013] Preferably the system includes a generally U- shaped clip; a first leg of the U-shaped structure formed as a cylindrical shaft for insertion through the holes in the half hinge portion lobes so as to pivotally connect the side arm to the lens supporting portion.

[00014] Preferably the second leg of the clip is of a generally rectangular section; the second leg of the clip arranged for sliding engagement in the retaining channel when the first leg of the clip is inserted into the holes in the lobes of the half hinge portion.

[00015] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for releasably assembling a side arm of spectacle frames to a lens supporting portion of the spectacle frame; the method comprising the steps of:

- Aligning holes in lobes of a first half hinge portion provided at an outer end of a lens support portion of the frame and at a leading end of a respective side arms of the frame,

- Inserting a first leg of a U-shaped clip through the aligned holes, and

- Simultaneously sliding a second leg of the U-shaped clip into a channel provided along a side surface of the side arm.

[00016] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of disassembling a side arm of spectacle frames from a lens supporting portion of the frames without recourse to tools; the method comprising the steps of: - Pulling simultaneously a first leg of a U-shaped clip from holes in lobes of half hinge portions at respective outer ends of the lens supporting portion and a second leg of the clip from a channel in a side surface the side arm.

[00017] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system of production of the spectacles defined above; the system including a point-of-sale

installation for injection moulding side arms and a lens supporting portion in any one of a range of sizes and formed of any one of a selection of injection mouldable materials .

[00018] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for production of front

spectacle frames selected from front spectacle frames having a limited number of sizes of front spectacle frame the front spectacle frames incorporating side arm

attachments means which permit releasable attachment of side arms selected from side arms having a limited number of sizes of side arms.

[00019] Preferably the system incorporates a hinge pivot pin which releasably, pivotally, connects a selected side arm to a selected front spectacle frame.

[00020] Preferably the hinge pivot pin slidingly engages with the side arm attachment means.

[00021] Preferably the hinge pivot pin forms a first leg of a ϋ-shaped connector; the U-shaped connector having a first shaped and a second leg subtending from opposed ends of a cross member. [00022] Preferably the second leg resiliently clamps against an external wall of a side arm.

[00023] Preferably the second leg nests within a channel located in the side arm.

[00024] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a spectacles frame system provided with hinge elements linking the side arms of the frame to the lens supporting portion of the frame; the hinge elements including a first half hinge portion integral with the lens supporting portion and a second half hinge portion

pivotally linked to the first half hinge portion, and wherein the side arms of the spectacles are interchangeably and user-releasably attached to the lens supporting

element .

[00025] In yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a point of sale spectacle production system wherein a spectacles frame complete with lenses inserted ready for wear by a user is produced according to the following steps:

- A limited set of side arms and lens supporting portions of frames is conveyed to site;

- a user selects desired side arms and lens supporting portions according to their taste and face size;

- the user's inter-pupil distance (IPD) is measured on-site;

- the user' s prescription is determined;

- the prescription and IPD data and lens supporting portion size data is input into a lens grinder - the lens grinder produces ^~ enses according to the prescription and IPD which are inserted into the lens supporting portion of the frames as selected by the user; and

- the side arms are attached to the lens supporting portion thereby to provide a fully assembled spectacles frame complete v ith lenses inserted ready for wear by the user.

[00026] Preferably, the side arms and lens supporting portions are produced by an extrusion process.

[00027] Preferably, the extrusion process utilises recycled plastics materials.

[00028] In yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a point of sale spectacle production system wherein there is produced a spectacles frame

complete with lenses inserted ready for wear by a user; the system including the following components:

- A limited set of side arms and lens supporting

portions of frames provided on-site;

- a user selected desired set of side arms and lens

supporting portion according to their taste and face size selected from the limited set;

- apparatus which measures and outputs the user's inter- pupil distance (IPD);

- apparatus which measures and outputs the user' s

prescription;

- a lens grinder into which the prescription and IPD

data and lens supporting portion size data is input;

- the lens grinder thereby producing lenses according to the prescription and IPD which are inserted into the lens supporting portion of the frames as selected by the user thereby to provide a fully assembled spectacles frame complete with lenses inserted ready for wear by the user.

[00029] Preferably, the side arms and lens supporting portions are produced by an extrusion process.

[00030] Preferably, the extrusion process utilises recycled plastics materials.

[00031] Preferably, the apparatus which measures and outputs the user' s prescription comprises a lens measuring device .

[00032] In yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for provision of a point of sale spectacle production system wherein a spectacles frame complete with lenses inserted ready for wear by a user is produced according to the following steps:

- Ά limited set of side arms and lens supporting

portions of frames is conveyed to site;

- a user selects desired side arms and lens supporting portions according to their taste and face size;

- The user's inter-pupil distance (IPD) is measured on- site;

- the user's prescription is determined;

- The prescription and IPD data and lens supporting

portion size data is input into a lens grinder

- the lens grinder produces lenses according to the

prescription and IPD which are inserted into the lens supporting portion of the frames as selected by the user; and - the side arms are attached to the lens supporting portion thereby to provide a fully assembled

spectacles frame complete with lenses inserted ready for wear by the user.

[00033] Preferably, the side arms and lens supporting portions are produced by an extrusion process.

[00034] Preferably, the extrusion process utilises recycled plastics materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00035] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein :

[00036] Figure 1 illustrates a set of front spectacle frames and side arms and related components forming a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, [00037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembled pair of spectacles arising from use of the system of figure 1

[00038] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the spectacles of figure 2 showing detail of at least one manner of effecting interchangeability of the components of the system of figure 1

[00039] Figure 4 is a perspective disassembled view of a part of a lens supporting portion and a side arm of spectacle frames and a securing clip according to another embodiment of the invention,

[00040] Figure 5 is a top view of the lens supporting portion and the side arm assembled by means of the clip of figure 4, [00041] Figure 6 illustrates a further manner of

effecting interchangeability of the components of the system of figure 1,

[00042] Figure 7 illustrates alternative detail of implementation of the spectacles of figure 2 and

[00043] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the arrangement of figure 7

[00044] Figure 9 is an exploded view of an alternative arrangement of figure 7 operating according to similar principles

[00045] Figure 10 is a block diagram of a system of substantially on-demand construction of a spectacle frame with lenses installed matching a user's prescription.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[00046] With reference to figs 1 and 2, there is

illustrated an interchangeable spectacle frame structure system 110 whereby a user can have assembled or assemble themselves without the need for tools a pair of spectacles 111 of the type seen in figure 2.

[00047] The system 110 is based around a front spectacle frame 112 of a specified, consistent shape profile to which can be interchangeably attached side arms 113.

[00048] The basis of the system is that the front spectacle frame 112 will be available in only a limited number of sizes intended to cater for head sizes

corresponding to children through to adults. For a given user having a given head size, their choice will be to select side arms of their choice to go with the front spectacle frame 112 of their choice. In relation to the front spectacle frame 112 the choice will be related to the composition and therefore appearance of the actual frame component 112A but not to the shape of the frame. For the side arms 113, there will also be a choice of lengths of the side arms, but, again, the basic shape will not change.

[00049] As will be discussed further in this application, it is expected that a user will have the choice of a selection of front spectacle frames 112 and side arms 113 that have been pre-manufactured. In some contexts, the user will also have the additional choice of selecting a

material from which the front spectacle frame 112 and/or the side arms 113 are to be manufactured and the components will be manufactured in situ using an on-site plastics injection machine which will have appropriate dies premade ready to manufacture the limited size range of components forming the system 110.

[00050] Broadly the system 110 provides a universal style of spectacle frame which will be available in a limited, predetermined number of different sizes and which will allow interchange-ability of arms both between any given size frame and, indeed, between frames of different sizes from the predetermined number of different sizes.

[00051] In a particular preferred form, the number of different sizes available for the front spectacle frame 112 will be in the range 3 to 7 and more preferably 5.

[00052] An additional feature of this arrangement is that the interchange-ability allows users not only choice at the time of initial construction and purchase, but also

subsequently, should they wish to trade or swap parts with other users.

[00053] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the spectacles of figure 2 showing detail of at least one manner of effecting interchangeability of the components of the system of figure 1. In a particular form the lens 114 may be user- releasably retained in a channel 115 as illustrated in the inset of figure 3. In a further particular form there may be a ledge portion 116 adjacent the channel 115 constructed so that if the ledge portion is urged away from the lens 114 the channel 115 is deformed so as to facilitate the release of the lens 114 from the channel 115-preferably just by the use of the fingers of a user.

First Preferred Embodiment

[00054] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention now with reference to E'igures 1, 2, 3 generally but

particularly figs 7 and 8, the lens supporting portion 40 of the spectacle frames is provided at each outer end 42 with one half of a conventional hinge structure comprising at least two hinge lobes 44 provided with through holes 46 designed to accept a hinge pin.

[00055] In this embodiment, the leading end of each side arm is likewise provided with half of a conventional hinge structure again comprising lobes 48 which can mesh with the lobes 44 of the hinge structure on the lens supporting portion 40.

[00056] In this second embodiment, the securing of the side arm 41 to the lens supporting portion is again by means of a U-shaped clip 50. In this instance also, a first leg 52 of the clip is in the form of a cylindrical shaft, but in this case the shaft is designed for insertion through the through holes 46 of the lobes of both halves of the hinge structures on the side arms and the lens

supporting portion, thereby pivotally connecting the side arm to the lens supporting portion. [00057] The second leg 54 of the U-shaped clip in this embodiment is also of generally rectangular section and is designed to slide into a channel 56 provided in the outer surface of the side arm, in similar manner to that

described for the first embodiment above. A preferred arrangement of the hinge elements and the location of the clip 50 is shown in Figure 7.

[00058] It is an object of the invention to provide spectacle frames at point of sale outlets while people wait. It is a further object of the invention that

different combinations of side arms and lens supporting potions of spectacles according to a wearer' s preferences can be readily provided. Moreover, a wearer may choose to purchase several different styles or colours of side arms which the wearer may, without the need of tools,

interchange at will.

[00059] According to a further aspect of the invention, point-of-sale outlets are provided with small injection moulding machines adapted to accept a range of tooling for different sizes and shapes of both lens supporting portions and side arms. As well, these machines are capable of injection moulding a range of plastics and composite materials. Thus a wearer is provided with the option of selecting a variety of configurations of spectacle frames appearances and materials, and be provided with his or her selections "on the spot". In one form the plastics may comprise the minor portion of the composition with the major portion being an alternative non-plastics materials such as, for example, a cellulosic material (thereby imparting a "woody" appearance to the frame and/or side arm as the case may be) . Second Preferred Embodiment

[00060] With reference to Figure 4, in a second preferred embodiment of the spectacle frames 10 according to the present invention, the frames conventionally comprise a lens supporting portion 12 and a pair of side arms (part of only one of which is shown) which are enabled to pivot between a wearable position and a folded position as well known in the art.

[00061] In the spectacle frames of this embodiment however, the side arms are detachable and interchangeable. Although this is also the case in conventional spectacle constructions that the side arms can be detachable, the removal (or assembly) of the side arms can normally only be achieved by tools and is generally beyond the average wearer. Furthermore the conventional spectacle

constructions do not have side arms which are

interchangeable in the sense contemplated in the present application. The present application and in this embodiment there is only a relatively small set of side arm shapes to select from. The composition of the side arms available to the user may vary markedly as discussed elsewhere based on the ability to select construction material in accordance with embodiments of this invention.

[00062] As shown in Figure 4, the lens supporting portion 12 of the spectacle frames of the invention are provided with side arm attachment elements 16 which are pivotally connected to the lens supporting portion 12. These side arm attachment elements 16 pivot about a hinge pin or screw 18 in the conventional way. Each side arm attachment element 16 is provided with a socket 18 adapted to receive the leading end 20 of a side arm 14, and is further provided with a cylindrical socket or through hole 22, the axis of which is preferably parallel to that of the hinge pin or screw 18.

[00063] The leading end of the side arms are shaped to enable the leading end to be slidingly inserted into the socket of the side arm supporting element 16. As well, the leading end of the side arm is provided with a channel 24 in the outer surface of the side arm, and transverse to the long axis of the side arm. The channel 22 is positioned on the leading end such that when the side arm has been slid into the socket of the side arm attachment element 16, the separation between the channel 24 and the cylindrical socket or through hole 22 of the side arm attachment element are spaced apart to suit a securing clip 26.

[00064] The securing clip 26 comprises a U-shaped clip provided with a first leg 28 is in the form of a

cylindrical shaft sized to be inserted into the cylindrical socket or through hole 22 of the side arm attachment element 16 as a close sliding fit.

[00065] The second leg 30 of the clip 26 is in the form of a generally rectangular section bar, sized so as to slide into the channel 24 provided at the leading end of the side arm.

[00066] To assemble a side arm to the lens supporting portion of the spectacles of the invention therefore, the leading end of the side arm is firstly slid into the socket at the end of the side arm attachment element, and first and second legs of the U-shaped clip are then respectively inserted into the cylindrical socket or through hole of the side arm attachment element and the channel at the leading end of the side arm. By this means the side arm is secured to the side arm attachment element. It will be noted that the assembly requires no tools for the operation.

[00067] The reverse, that is disassembly, may also be accomplished without tools. The clip may be pushed up and removed from its location in the cylindrical socket or through hole and the channel, and the leading end of the side arm slid out of the socket in the side arm attachment element .

Third Preferred Embodiment

[00068] With reference to figure 9, there is illustrated an exploded view of a spectacle frames system provided with hinge elements linking the side arms of the frames to the lens supporting portion of the frame utilising an

alternative connection arrangement.

[00069] In this instance, a pin 60 having enlarged portions 61, 62 is sized so as to be insertable into the holes 46 of the lobes on the frame whereby the enlarged portions 61, 62 are located between the lobes so as to assist in retaining the pin 60 in the lobes and forming the hinge .

[00070] The sizing is such that a user may use a thumb and forefinger to push the pin into the lobes and may equally use thumb and forefinger to extract the pin 60 from the lobes should they wish to change the side arms at any time .

[00071] Again, the arrangement is such that specialised tools are not required to effect the side arm change. System

[00072] With reference to figure 10, the previously described spectacle frames system can be used as part of a substantially on-site and on-demand fully assembled spectacle frames and lens system 210.

[00073] With reference to figure 10, the components of the spectacle frames according to a limited set of

components thereof 211 as previously described can be produced by an extrusion process 213. In some instances, plastics material may be derived from recycled plastics materials. The selection of components 211 may be displayed at a point of sale environment 212.

[00074] In some instances, the extrusion process 213 may also be carried out at the point of sale environment thereby including the extrusion process in the point of sale environment 212A.

[00075] In use, a user enters the point of sale

environment 212 and has their inter-pupil distance (IPD) measured by an IPD measuring device 214 which may be a simple mechanical device or can be an electronic purpose built device. The reading of the IPD is fed into a lens grinder 215.

[00076] Also fed into the lens grinder is the desired prescription for that user. The desired prescription may be obtained by a prescription reader 216 which simply reads the existing prescription of an existing pair of spectacles of the user or the prescription may be derived by an optometrist taking readings on-site according to current best practice methodology. The lens grinder then, on-site, produces lenses ground to the prescription and with the inter-pupil distance set appropriately for the frame 217 based on the frame measurements also having been fed to the lens grinder. As it will be appreciated, the frame

measurements will comprise only a limited subset - typically 3 (large, medium and small) .

[00077] This arrangement allows a fully assembled spectacles frame with lenses inserted with the correct prescription tailored to the user who has selected the spectacle frames components and also with the IPD of the lenses correctly located in the frame to match with the user's actual IPD as measured by measuring device 214.

[00078] The end result is that a user may enter a point of sale with either no prescription glasses or with a set of prescription glasses whose prescription the user may which to substantially replicate in a new frame and with IPD correctly set for the frame that they leave the point of sale with.

[00079] By virtue of the limited set of components from which to choose, this aim can be achieved with the user, often experiencing an enhanced visual experience as

compared with other methodologies for production and insertion of lenses into spectacle frames where, for example, frame data is imprecise or based on estimates or averaging .

[00080] The end result of following the system and with reference to the earlier described limited set of

components is an interchangeable lens and frame and sidearm system which, in preferred embodiments, makes use of recycled plastics. The selected components are assembled into a fully finished precision cut lens arrangement with the freedom to interchange for other sidearms and other colours of components from within the limited set of components .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[00081] The present invention provides an alternative system for the supply of spectacles at point of sale which can be spontaneously manufactured to suit a wearer's selection and in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. Moreover the construction of the spectacles allows a wearer to readily and without tools interchange the side arms of the spectacles .