A frame for spectacles

Technical field

The present invention relates to a frame for spectacles having the features set out in the preamble of main claim 1. Technological background

There are well known in the specific prior art frames for spectacles in which the articulation of the arms with respect to the front mount is constructed by means of hinge type devices having respective pins and seats which have eyelets and which are rotatingly associated with each other, the hinge type elements of those devices being suitably joined to the arm and to the lug of the frame.

This type of solution, in the large number of versions thereof provided in the prior art, conventionally involves some limitations, including the possible undesirable slackening of the screw or the hinge type pin, the need to construct a plurality of components required for the articulation with hinges, the dimensions owing to the set of components necessary, as well as the weight itself of the hinge type device which is not well suited to being used in frames of the lightweight type and/or type composed of plastics materials. Description of the invention

The problem which is addressed by the invention is to provide a frame for spectacles with means for articulating the arms to the front of the frame, which is structurally and functionally configured in order to overcome the limitations set out with reference to the known solutions, and in particular which has, in relation to the means for articulating the arms, a simplified

structure, which is simple and quick to assemble on the frame, which is particularly light and which has small dimensions so as to also be able to be used in particularly slender and light frames.

The problems and the objects set out above, in addition to others which will be appreciated more clearly below, are solved and achieved by a frame for spectacles which is constructed in accordance with the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more clearly from the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments which are illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a frame for spectacles constructed in accordance with the present invention,

- Figure 2 is a top view of the frame of Figure 1, with the position of the arms in the state folded on the front frame being indicated with broken lines,

- Figure 3 is a partially sectioned view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a detail of the frame of the preceding Figures,

- Figure 4 is a view of the detail of Figure 3, drawn to an even larger scale, in a different operating state,

- Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view, taken as a partial section through the detail of Figures 3 and 4,

- Figure 6 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the frame for spectacles according to the invention, - Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a detail of another construction

variant of the frame according to the invention, with portions being disassembled,

- Figure 8 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 7, with portions being assembled, - Figures 9 to 12 are partial top views of a detail of the frame in the articulation sequence of the arm from the open position to the position which is closed on the front frame.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the Figures mentioned, a frame for spectacles which is constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally designated

1 and comprises a front mount 2, for holding lenses 3, which is provided with a pair of mutually opposed lateral lugs 4 which are provided in order to connect respective arms 5 to the front mount in an articulated manner.

In order to connect each arm 5 in an articulated manner to the corresponding lug 4, the frame comprises a respective articulation element which is generally designated 6 and which is at least partially constructed from resiliently pliable material. That element 6 can be interposed between the lug 4 and the corresponding arm 5 so as to allow relative rotational movement between the arm and the lug, by means of the effect of its resilient pliability, between corresponding open and closure positions of the arm with respect to the front mount.

Since they are structurally and functionally identical, only one of the articulation elements 6 will be described in detail hereinafter.

Each element 6 is configured so as to be structurally independent of the lug 4 and the corresponding arm 5, means for retaining the element 6 therefore

being provided in the frame in order to fixedly join it both to the lug and to the arm, as will be appreciated more clearly from the remainder of the description.

The articulation element 6 is advantageously constructed from plastics material and comprises, in a mutually integral manner, a first, a second and a third portion designated 6a, 6b and 6c, respectively.

The portion 6c extends centrally between the other opposing portions 6a, 6b so as to connect them and is distinguished by greater flexibility than the portions 6a and 6b. Those portions 6a and 6b are provided in a substantially plate-like configuration and are intended to be retained in respective seats 7a, 7b which are provided in the respective lug 4 and the corresponding arm 5 so as to constitute formations for attaching the element 6 to the frame.

Advantageously, the resilient pliability of the central portion 6c is obtained by a groove 8 being provided. It is understood that other configurations, as alternatives to the groove, are possible, for example, those being constructed as recesses, notches or suitable reductions in thickness, all intended for the same object of increasing flexibility.

In this connection, in the region of the bottom of the groove 8, the portion 6c has a reduction in thickness so as to increase the flexibility thereof and to promote the relative pivoting between the portions 6a, 6b about a pivot axis which is substantially located in the region having reduced thickness, at the apex of the groove bottom.

As set out in Figure 3, in the open position of the arm, the opposing lateral sides 8a, 8b of the groove 8 are pivoted, so as to move together in relative

terms, substantially positioned one above the other. Furthermore, each side 8a, 8b of the groove substantially extends along the edge of the front end surface of the lug and the arm. In that manner, in the open position of the arm 5, the region relating to the groove 8 remains substantially concealed by the arm and lug portions which are in relative proximity. There is thereby produced a structure which is generally more linear and aesthetically attractive with respect to the profile of the arm in the region for connection to the lug. The means for retaining the articulation element 6 comprise, for each of the portions 6a, 6b, a respective block 9a, 9b which is intended to be inserted in the corresponding seat 7a, 7b, together with the portion 6a or 6b which is associated therewith, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 to 5. In greater detail, each seat 7a, 7b is constructed so as to have such dimensions as to receive each corresponding portion 6a, 6b with the relevant block 9a, 9b, positioned one above the other, the connection being configured with predetermined interference, between the surfaces which are in relative engagement, so as to bring about a suitable pressure type locking action. In accordance with the level of predetermined interference, the securing of the articulation element can also be brought about in a removable manner.

According to another feature of the invention, it is provided that the blocks 9a, 9b are constructed from such a material that an action of magnetic attraction is applied between them. They are arranged, with end surfaces 10a, 10b facing each other, in such a manner as to allow the mutual relative magnetic attraction thereof, in the direction in which the arm moves

towards the lug, such an action allowing the arm to remain in the open position with respect to the front mount, in contrast to the resilient action applied by the articulation element. In a preferred embodiment, each block 9a, 9b is constructed as a magnet. However, other alternative constructions are possible, for example, each block may be only partially constructed from magnetic material or ferromagnetic material, or only one of the blocks may have magnetic properties and the other may be formed only from ferromagnetic material. In order to further ensure the securing of the articulation element 6 in the arm and the relevant lug, respectively, the retention means can comprise a respective projection 11a, lib, which is constructed in the form of an extension piece projecting from the respective portion 6a, 6b of the articulation element. Each projection 11a, lib is able to abut a respective surface 12a, 12b of the lug and the corresponding arm when the relevant block 9a, 9b is inserted in the individual attachment seat 7a, 7b thereof. With particular reference to Figure 5, each surface 12a, 12b is defined in a respective cavity 13a, 13b which is provided in the lug and the arm and which is open in the corresponding seat 7a, 7b. The cavity is preferably constructed so as to extend through the arm (and the lug, respectively). The formation and arrangement of the cavity 13a, 13b are selected in such a manner that each portion 6a, 6b can be freely insertable in the corresponding seat 7a, 7b without interference between the projection and the seat. When completely inserted, the projection 11a, lib is intended to be received in the individual cavity 13a, 13b, respectively, in abutment against the corresponding surface 12a, 12b. Subsequently, insertion of the

corresponding securing block 9a, 9b in each seat 7a, 7b, on the one hand, ensures the pressure type securing of the element 6 in the seat and, on the other hand, prevents disengagement of the projection from the cavity, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. The additional securing action is therefore achieved in that the optional axial movement (in the direction for removal from the seat) of the projection 11a, lib interferes with the surface 12a, 12b of the cavity. That interference can be overcome only by means of preventive removal of the block from the seat. Finally, magnetic elements are designated 15a, 15b and are each provided on the respective arm 5, in a corresponding position and so as to co-operate with each other, with mutual magnetic attraction, when the arms are closed on the front mount of the frame, which position is illustrated with broken lines in Figure 2. That retention action is applied, in contrast to the resilient action of the articulation elements 6, which would tend to retain the arms in a partially closed state with respect to the front mount, so as to assist the user in moving the spectacles when they are not being worn or when they are put away in a case, if applicable.

Advantageously, the elements 15a, 15b are provided in a position at the approximate midpoint of the arm, and such that in that position the arms are positioned one above the other and so as to be contiguous with each other in the position closed on the mount so as to assist the action of retention by means of magnetic attraction.

It is understood that there can be provided arm retention means other than those of a magnetic type, the construction described being a preferred selection. This may include, merely by way of example, retention means of

a mechanical type, for example, constructed in the form of a clip to be applied between the arms so as to retain them in position. Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, in which details similar to those of the preceding embodiment are referred to with the same reference numerals.

This embodiment differs from the preceding embodiment mainly in that there is provided, for each arm 5, a respective pair of articulation elements 6, which are laterally side by side, in the articulation region of the arm with respect to the lug. The articulation elements 6 are structurally and functionally identical to those described above. The provision of a pair of elements 6, in arms having a given vertical dimension in the articulation region with respect to the lug, allows an effective and stable articulation to be obtained, in addition to ensuring stable securing between the arm and the lug, in the open state of the arms. Figures 7 to 12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which details similar to those of the preceding embodiments are referred to with the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, similarly to the preceding embodiment, there is provided for each arm 5 a respective pair of articulation elements 6, which are placed laterally side by side, in the articulation region of the arm with respect to the lug. This variant differs mainly in that, as an alternative to the magnetic retention means which are provided between the arms, in the state folded on the front, the frame comprises retention means which are not of the magnetic type and which are arranged between each arm and the corresponding lug.

The means comprise, in each arm 5, a respective extension piece 20 which projects, at least partially, from the lug 4 and which is configured to cooperate with a surface 21 of the corresponding arm which is associated therewith in order to urge it into the state folded on the front frame, in contrast to the return action of the resilient element 6. In greater detail, each extension piece 20 is advantageously constructed as a tooth-like formation which is provided in the position between the pair of articulation elements 6 of each arm 5 and which projects in the direction of the relevant arm. The surface 21 is formed in a recess or reduction 21a which is provided in the arm, at the free end thereof directed towards the lug 4, in such a manner that the tooth-like end of the extension piece 20 engages with relative sliding contact in the recess 21a, during the rotational movement of the arm away from and towards the position folded on the front frame. Figures 9 to 12 illustrate the sequence of the rotational movement, starting from the open position of Figure 9 as far as the position of Figure 12, in which the arm is folded in a closed manner on the front. During the movement, the arm slides on the tooth of the extension piece 20, the extension piece 20 forming a type of cam-like profile with respect to the sliding surface 21, the movement being permitted by the resilient deformability of the articulation elements 6. Once the position in Figure 12 is reached, the arm remains secured with the lateral side (surface 21) in abutment against the edge of the end of the extension piece. Only Figure 12 illustrates, with broken lines, the position of the articulation elements 6, whose resilient return action is in contrast to the securing action of the

extension piece 20.

Advantageously, the extension pieces 20 are integrally formed with the front mount of the frame and project in the same direction from the respective lateral lugs of the frame. The invention thereby achieves the objects set out and provides a number of advantages over known solutions.

A main advantage consists in that the frame according to the invention allows easy and rapid assembly of the hinge elements, without screw type means or threaded pins being provided for ensuring the hinge type articulation, thereby advantageously being reliable over time and further allowing operational simplification during assembly/disassembly thereof. Another advantage involves the structural simplification and the small number of components of the device, which features allow spectacles to be constructed with overall dimensions which are extremely small and of a particularly lightweight type.

Still another advantage is that the articulation elements according to the invention are extremely light and can therefore be used in particularly slim and light frames, such as those constructed entirely from plastics materials.