Field of the invention

The present invention relates to spectacles comprising two annular frame elements con- nected by a nose bridge, each containing a lens, wherein each of the two annular frame elements are arranged to be connected to a spectacle side-piece, preferably via a hinge unit, wherein the nose bridge is exchangeable and comprises, at each end, a first cou- pling element which cooperates with a corresponding second coupling element pro- vided on each of the two frame elements, and wherein the first and second coupling elements are arranged for manual activation without the use of tools.

Background of the invention

In general, when making spectacle lenses, it is important to be able to position the lenses optically and design-wise correctly in relation to the user.

When making spectacles, correct positioning of the spectacle lenses in relation to the eyes of the user is thus important. Even the slightest twist or displacement when posi- tioning a spectacle lens relative to the eyes of the user poses the risk of visual disturb- ances. This is especially true for spectacle lenses with a complexity.

The present invention relates to spectacles, wherein each spectacle lens is mounted in a frame element, so-called framed spectacles. A frame element is also referred to in the industry as a rim.

The two frame elements are connected by a nose bridge. If the nose bridge is made in solid connection with the frame elements, the lenses will be spaced apart at a defined distance. This means that the spectacles have a fixed pupil distance, PD. Such spectacles are thus suitable only for users with a certain pupil distance. An optician must thus cany a large selection of spectacle frames, or alternatively the spectacle lenses must be cut to be adjusted to a specific spectacle frame. This places great demands on professional measurement, wherein the precision depends on the care and skill of the individual op- tician. The nose bridge is used to support the spectacles on the nose of the user, either directly by the nose bridge resting on the nasal ridge in a way that is almost comparable to a saddle on a horseback, or via nosepieces mounted on the nose bridge and typically com- prising pads in abutment with the nasal ridge or on the sides of the nasal ridge. Such pads are typically made of silicone.

Alternatively, the spectacles may also support on the nose of the user via a contact face, which forms part of the frame elements. This contact face may rest on the nasal ridge or on the sides of the nasal ridge.

If the nose bridge of the spectacles supports directly on the nose of the user, the lens of the spectacles will be placed at a fixed distance from the eye of the user and thus from the pupil of the user. Thus, not only will the spectacles have a fixed pupil distance, but there will also be a fixed distance between the lens and the pupil of the user. An optician must thus carry a large selection of spectacle frames that not only take into account the pupil distance but also take into account the anatomy of the user, wherein different nose shapes will locate such spectacles at different heights in relation to the pupil.

Alternatively, the spectacle lenses must be cut to be adjusted to a specific spectacle frame. As mentioned, this will place great demands on professional measurement, wherein the precision depends on the care and skill of the individual optician. Further- more, for preferred design reasons, it is desired that the pupil centre of a lens should preferably be located on the inner half of a spectacle lens in relation to a vertical centre line through the lens.

If the spectacles rest on the nose of the user via nosepieces, there will be some possibil- ity of adjusting the distance between the lens and the pupil. Thus, an optician may place the lens at a correct distance from the pupil via selecting and/or adjusting the nosepieces. However, the optician must still carry spectacle frames adjusted to the pupil distance for each user.

By adjusting the nosepieces, it is thus possible to adjust spectacles, for example in rela- tion to the height or curvature of a nose, and to place the spectacles in a position away from the face above the nose. Spectacles are also known where the nose bridge may be mounted and removed for exchange of the nose bridge, for example in case of damage or because a user wants to change the appearance of their spectacles. These nose bridges are fixed to the frame elements using screws and require the use of tools for assembly and disassembly. This makes exchange cumbersome and involves a risk of destroying threads when assem- bling nose bridge and frame elements.

There is thus a desire for flexibility when adjusting spectacles, so that an optician may- use frame elements in a simple way in spectacles, which are individually adjusted de- pending on the anatomy of the user by using a nose bridge with a different design, for example shape, shape, colour, material or length to connect two frame elements. There is a wish for the same frame elements to be adjustable to different anatomies when exchanging the nose bridge.

GB 2410805 A describes spectacles with a nose bridge which is exchangeable without the use of tools and as defined in the introduction of claim 1. However, there is no de- scription of a structure which is rigid and torsionally stable.

Object of the invention

The basic object of the invention is to make it easy, flexible and uncomplicated to as- semble, disassemble, exchange and sendee a nose bridge to allow for an adjustment of spectacles depending on the anatomy of a user without the use of tools, and which es- tablishes a rigid and torsionally stable connection.

It is a further object to provide spectacles where it is possible to establish the connection between individual parts of the spectacles with a clamping connection, ensuring that the coupling elements of the nose bridge are stably located in the frame elements after mounting of the lenses in the frame elements.

It is a further object to provide spectacles wherein spectacle side-pieces are mounted on the frame elements using coupling elements similar to those of the nose bridge. In other words, it is an object to provide spectacles wherein only manual human force is necessary to insert and remove a lens, and wherein the spectacle lens, after being pressed into a frame element, constitutes a locking function.

Description of the invention

This objective is achieved by spectacles of the type described initially, which is distinc- tive in that the coupling el ement of each frame element comprises at least a first recess in connection with the circumferential slot, said first recess penetrating the circumfer- ential slot, and in that the coupling element of the nose bridge comprises an adapter part which may be received in the recess, and which comprises a slot connecting those ends of the slot which are formed by the circumferential slot being penetrated by the recess and restoring the circumferential track in the frame element when the coupling element of the nose bridge is mounted in the recess, so that the nose bridge is retained in the recess when the lens is mounted in the frame element.

The first coupling elements may be either retained by press fitting with the other cou- pling elements or by the nose bridge being mounted before the lens with the first cou- pling element in a recess which has part of its extension under a slot in the frame element in which the lens is mounted, so that the nose bridge is retained in the recess once the lens has been mounted.

Alternatively, the second coupling element may be formed by a recess in a side surface of the frame element, and the first coupling element may be formed by a U-shaped bent end part of the nose bridge, which is pressed into the recess and, due to the elasticity in the U-shaped end part, is retained in the recess. Alternatively, retention may also be established using two locking elements which cooperate by means of a snap effect or hook function.

The cooperation between the two coupling elements ensures that the nose bridge sits stably on the frame elements. It could be said that the spectacles will be self-locking without the use of tools. By self-locking is meant that the elements of the spectacles may be retained without the use of screws, nails, rivets, cords or other loose parts commonly known for locking purposes.

The shape and size of the nose have a major impact on how the spectacles rest on the face in relation to the eyes, and how the nose bridge passes the nose. The large differ- ences in the appearance of the nose have an impact on the design of the nose bridge. The exchangeable nose bridge allows for variants of spectacles to be made which ac- commodate both a tall, slender nasal ridge, a wide nasal ridge and a very flat nasal ridge.

For an optician, it will thus be simple to adjust spectacles to the anatomy of the individ- ual user. The spectacle lenses are mounted in the two frame elements in the usual way by the lenses being pressed thereinto through the fact that the two parts have a mutual flexibility, which allows for a lens to be pressed into and out of a frame element.

The optician may choose a suitable nose bridge with a length and shape adjusted to the anatomy of the user. The nose bridge may be connected to the two frame elements, either before or after the lenses are mounted.

The nose bridge may be made of different materials, which may be identical to the ma- terial of the frame elements or different from the material used for the frame elements. A non-exhaustive listing of materials includes plastic, metal, horn, wood and fibre-re- inforced materials.

An easily exchangeable nose bridge offers an optician several advantages:

- simple possibility of changing pupil distance by exchanging to a larger/smaller nose bridge;

- exchange may be carried out without the use of tools;

- possibility of choosing nose bridges with different shapes adjusted to anatomy;

- possibility of choosing differently coloured nose bridges; and

- possibility of choosing a nose bridge of a different material than the frame elements. When a customer needs to try out the spectacles, it can be determined in advance what length and shape of nose bridge is to be used. The customer may then choose the colour and design.

The optician is therefore able offer a very high service level with a small inventory.

In the frame element, it is relatively simple to form a recess in connection with the circumferential slot in which the lens is retained. By providing the recess in connection with the slot, typically with part of the recess under the slot, the adapter part received in the recess may be designed with a slot corresponding to the slot in the frame element. By appropriately sizing the size and adapter part of the recess, the slot, after mounting of the coupling element of the nose bridge in the frame element, will establish an un- broken circumferential slot in the frame element.

After that, placing the lens in the slot of the frame element and the slot of the coupling element of the nose bridge will ensure that the nose bridge is retained in the recess.

This design will thus in a simple way enable a rigid connection by the receipt of the adapter element in the recess in the frame element taking place in a torsion-stable man- ner. Thus, a nose bridge and a frame element will be established with a mutually rigid connection when the adapter part is located in the recess.

The slot formed in the frame element may be a recess with a bottom surface and two side surfaces, making it possible to receive a part of the side surface area of the lens in the slot. This retains the lens in the slot.

The slot may be essentially U-shaped or V-shaped. The bottom surface may be of arbi- trary shape and the transition to the side surfaces may be sharp separation or curved separation, however there must be a side surface in the slot to prevent the lens from falling out of the frame element.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles in which the specta- cles are further distinctive in that each of the two frame elements comprises an annulus in which the lens is mounted and retained in a circumferential slot at the inside of the frame element, so that the lens may be mounted and removed by manually pressing the lens into and out of the frame element, respectively.

It is thus possible to assemble and lock the nose bridge to the frame elements, wherein the locking takes place by pressing the lens into the frame element. Once the lens has been pressed into the circumferential slot, the lens will be retained in the slot.

If the nose bridge is mounted before the lens with the first coupling element in a recess, which has part of its extension under the circumferential slot in the frame element in which the lens is mounted, the nose bridge will thus be retained in the recess once the lens has been mounted.

The annulus on the frame el ement may be broken or unbroken. By an unbroken annulus is meant that the frame element is in one entire piece and has no joints that can be opened/closed to insert a lens or the nose bridge into the frame element. A broken annulus means that the frame element may be made with one or more joints. Said joints may be held together with fastening means, comprising glue, screws or similar.

As mentioned, the frame elements may be made of different materials, but are prefera- bly made of metal or plastic or a combination of plastic and metal. Such a frame element has in a known way a certain flexibility, which allows the lens to be pressed into or out of the circumferential slot in the annular frame el ement.

The circumferential slot may be made in different shapes. It may be embodied in the form of depressions (groove) or protrusions (tongue) suitable for cooperating and re- ceiving an edge area of a lens which has been adjusted to that shape of the slot.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the nose bridge is made of metal and establishes a rigid connection of the two frame elements.

Spectacles in which the frame elements are made of plastic may be stiffened by making the nose bridge from metal, which establishes a rigid connection of the two frame elements. Thereby, the spectacles may be made with a rigid structure ensuring correct positioning of the spectacle lenses in relation to the pupils of the user.

By rigid connection is meant a connection of the two frame elements, so that by normal use, they will have a fixed mutual position.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the nose bridge is connected to two nosepieces.

It is preferable to place the nosepieces on the nose bridge. This allows the nosepieces and nose bridge to be exchanged and adjusted to different anatomies. Alternatively, it is possible to place nosepieces directly or indirectly on the frame elements.

These nosepieces are preferably made integrally with the nose bridge, for example by 3D printing, but may alternatively be mounted on the nose bridge by welding or gluing. With a nose bridge fitted with nosepieces, it is thus possible to make an adjustment in relation to the distance between the eyes, as well as an adjustment in relation to the shape of the nose.

As mentioned earlier, the distance between the eyes is modified by a longer or shorter bridge.

As mentioned, the shape and size of the nose have a major impact on how the spectacles rest on the face in relation to the eyes, and how the bridge passes the nose. When nose- pieces are used, it will be possible in a simpler way to take into account large differences in the appearance of the nose. It is therefore advantageous for nosepieces to be mounted on the exchangeable nose bridge so that they may be exchanged together wi-h the nose bridge. The exchangeable nose bridge allows for variants of spectacles to be made, which rest on the nasal ridge or the sides of the nasal ridge in order to accommodate both a tall, slender nasal ridge, a wide nasal ridge and a very flat nasal ridge while simultaneously ensuring that the spectacle lens is placed correctly in relation to the pu- pil. A nose bridge with nosepieces will therefore make it even more possible for the optician to offer a high sendee level with a small inventory.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the nosepiece comprises a nosepiece arm, wherein the nosepiece arm is preferably formed by a metal wire, which at its free end has a folding, wherein an elastic flexible nosepiece pad is retained by clamping. The folding may be shaped like a loop or be fork-shaped.

To obtain the best possible adjustment of a nosepiece in relation to different nose shapes, it is preferred that the nosepiece comprises a nosepiece arm on which a nose- piece pad is mounted. By making the nosepiece arm from metal wire, the nosepiece is adjustable and the optician may make adjustments in a simple way by bending the nose- piece arm so that the nosepiece pad rests on the nose of the user in a way which ensures the correct location of the spectacles with the lenses positioned correctly in relation to the pupils of the user.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the nose bridge comprises a curved middle part and plane end parts at the two coupling elements.

The nose bridge having a curved middle part makes it possible to adapt spectacles to a tall, slender nose while simultaneously enabling a positioning of the spectacles close to the pupils of the user. By having plane end parts of the nose bridge, a simpler design of the coupling elements of the frame elements will be achieved.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the coupling element of each frame element comprises at least a second recess connected to the first recess, extending towards the outside of the frame element and being arranged to receive an end part of the nose bridge when this is mounted in the frame elements, so that the nose bridge is retained torsionally stable in the recess when the lens is mounted in the frame element. By establishing a second recess in the frame element, it is possible that not only an adapter element is located in a recess, but also that part of the nose bridge, preferably the plane end part mentioned above, is received in the second recess. With such a struc- ture, an especially torsion-stable retention of the nose bridge is obtained after the lens is mounted.

In a further aspect, the present invention also concerns spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the recesses in the frame elements and the parts of the nose bridge for receiving in the recesses are made in sizes to establish a press fitting when the nose bridge is mounted in the recesses.

By applying a press fitting when the nose bridge is mounted in the recesses of the frame elements, it is possible to locate the recesses so that it is not necessary to use the lens to retain the coupling elements of the nose bridge in the coupling elements of the frame.

It is also possible that the recess mentioned above with location of the first recess in connection with the circumferential slot is made so that a press fitting is established between the nose bridge and the frame elements. This facilitates the retention of the nose bridge in the frame elements during an mounting/removal without the lens being mounted in the frame element.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to spectacles, wherein the specta- cles are further distinctive in that the frame elements are made of materials with elastic properties.

This makes it possible to insert the lens into the frame element, which has an unbroken circumference. The elastic and flexible properties of the frame element will facilitate the manual pressing of the lens into the frame element, so that the lens engages with the slot of the frame element.

Description of the drawings

Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in more detail by describing non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a partial view of spectacles with two different nose bridges;

Fig. 2 shows four different embodiments of nose bridges seen in different directions;

Fig. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a nose bridge, corresponding to the embod- iments shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the nose bridge illustrated in Fig. 3, but modified with nosepieces;

Fig. 5 A illustrates different cross-sections through a joint between a nose bridge and a frame element;

Fig. 5B illustrates a partial view, in which the frame element and the nose bridge are coupled and retained by a lens;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of different nose shapes;

Fig. 7 shows schematic steps for mounting a nose bridge to two frame elements;

Fig. 8 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 7, but showing a different embodiment of the nose bridge;

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of spectacles seen from the back and front, re- spectively, and with illustration of a coupling element for mounting spectacle side-pieces,

Fig. 10 shows assembly steps for mounting a nose bridge to two frame elements ac- cording to a further embodiment;

Fig. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of spectacles viewed from the front and above, respectively;

Fig. 12 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 11, but of a further embodiment of the spectacles; and

Fig. 13 shows details of a frame element.

Detailed description of the invention

In the description of the figures, identical or similar elements will have the same refer- ence designation in the different figures. There will not be a full explanation of all de- tails in connection with each figure/embodiment.

The figures show specific embodiments. It is possible to have further embodiments, just as it will also be possible to combine details from the embodiments shown with other details of other embodiments. Fig. 1 shows two images A and B, illustrating spectacles 1 comprising two annular frame elements 2 connected to a nose bridge 3. Each of the annular frame elements 2 have, at the side opposite the nose bridge, an extension 4 comprising coupling ele- ments (not shown here) for coupling with each their spectacle side-piece (not shown here). The coupling preferably takes place via a hinge joint enabling swinging the two spectacle side-pieces in relation to the front bridge formed by the two frame elements 2 and the nose bridge 3.

Each of the frame elements 2 contains a lens 5. The figures illustrate a centre line 6 for each of the two lenses. In normal use, the centre line will have a horizontal orientation. Furthermore, vertical lines 7 indicate a point for the pupils, so that a distance 8 between the two vertical lines 7 indicates the pupil distance.

Image B illustrates a view similar to image A. However, the nose bridge 3 here is made shorter, so that the pupil distance 8 is shorter than the pupil distance 8 shown in im- age A.

By varying the length of the nose bridge, it is thus possible to adjust the pupil distance 8 of the spectacles.

The vertical line 9 indicates a symmetry line for the spectacles 1.

Fig. 2 shows, in images A-D, four different embodiments of a nose bridge 3. In each of the images, the nose bridge is shown from the front, from the side and from above.

The nose bridge 3 comprises a curved middle part 10, which has plane end parts 11 on each side of the curved middle part 10. The plane end parts 11 are connected to a first coupling element 12 designed and arranged to cooperate with a corresponding second coupling element provided on each of the two frame elements 2. This will be explained in more detail below.

It can be seen that the first coupling elements 12 are banana-shaped. The coupling ele- ments are adapted to the corresponding shape of the frame elements, to which the nose bridge 3 is to be fixed. The coupling elements may thus have a different shape from the one shown in image A.

The coupling elements 12 have, in their outward-facing side 13, i.e. the side which will face the lens 5, a slot 14. This slot serves to receive a side edge area of the lens. This will be explained in more detail below.

In this connection, by the term outward-facing is meant a direction facing away from the symmetry line 9 of the spectacles.

The embodiments shown in images B, C and D differ from that shown in image A in that the middle part 10 of the nose bridge is different in shape and size.

It is thus possible to give the nose bridge different lengths, but it is also possible to give the nose bridge different shapes/curvatures. The nose bridge thus not only serves to adapt the spectacles to different pupil distances, but may also act as a design element on the spectacles.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the first coupling element 12 is placed on the plane end parts 11 at the side facing away from the outward-directed curvature of the middle part 10.

The nose bridge may be mounted at a front of the frame elements 2 of the spectacles, i.e. the side facing away from the user, or may be mounted at the back of the frame elements 2, i.e. the side facing the user. Thereby, the nose bridge may be provided with greater or lesser visibility to an observer and thus produce varying design effects.

Fig. 3 illustrates a further embodiment different from the one shown in Fig. 2 in that the first coupling element 12 is placed on the plane end parts 11 at the side facing the out- ward-directed curvature of the middle part 10. Here as well, outward-directed means the direction facing away from the user. In this embodiment, the first coupling element 12 is shown with a shorter extension and a different shape/ curvature, the first coupling element being intended to cooperate with frame elements which have a different shape from the one illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a nose bridge 3 corresponding to the nose bridge shown in Fig. 3. How- ever, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 differs by being fitted with a nosepiece 15 at each end. The nosepiece 15 has a wire-shaped nosepiece arm and is attached to the nose bridge 3 at a point 16. The wire-shaped nosepiece 15 is folded at the outer end of the nosepiece to form a loop 17. This loop is intended to retain a nosepiece pad which is clamped in the loop. Such a nosepiece pad is arranged to abut the nasal ridge of the user.

Alternatively, the nosepiece 15 may be mounted on the frame elements. However, they are advantageously located on the nose bridge 3, so that the combined unit consisting of the nose bridge 3 and the nosepieces 15 not only enables an adjustment of the pupil distance by selecting the length of the middle part 10 of the nose bridge, but also enables an adjustment of the location of spectacles in relation to to the anatomy and nose shape of the user. This is done by applying different nosepieces or by adjusting the wire- shaped material for the abutment with the nose of the user. Hereby, adjustment of the positioning of the spectacle lens in relation to the pupil of the user may be established.

Fig. 5 A shows cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the coupling between the lens 5 and the frame element 2 using the nose bridge 3.

Image A- A in Fig. 5 A corresponds to a section according to arrows A- A in Fig. 5B. Thus, it can be seen that the section passes through a position in which the nose bridge 3 is mounted. The sections B-B show a position on the frame element 2 in which only the first coupling element 12 on the nose bridge is visible.

In Fig. 5B, image C-C shows that frame element 2 has a first coupling element in the form of a first recess 18. The recess 18 is placed in connection with a circumferential slot 19 provided in the inside of the frame el ement (see also Fig. 5 A).

The circumferential slot 19 serves to receive the lens 5 by a side edge area being re- ceived therein. When the nose bridge 3 is mounted with the first coupling element 12 in the recess 18, which constitutes a corresponding second coupling element provided on the frame ele- ment 2, the slot 14 provided in the first coupling element 12 will extend in continuation of the circumferential slot 19,

The first coupling element 2 of the nose bridge, which is received in the recess 18, may thus be considered as an adapter part. By adapter part is meant a part which makes an adjustment between the frame part and the lens in the area in which the recess 18 is provided.

When the lens 5 is mounted in the frame element 2, the nose bridge 3 will thus be re- tained to the frame element 2.

Fig. 5B also shows a second recess 20. This second recess 20 is connected to the first recess 18 and extends from the recess towards an outside of the frame element 2. This second recess 20 serves to receive the plane end part 11 of the nose bridge, as can most clearly be seen in the image on the left in Fig. 5B. When mounting the plane end part 11 in the second recess 20, an even greater certainty of torsion stability in the connection is achieved.

The nose bridge will thus have the adapter part located in the recess 18, and the plane end part 11 will be received in the recess 20, which is oriented with an extension roughly perpendicular to the recess 20.

In Fig. 5B, the frame element 2 is shown with an embodiment that is approximately circular. However, this frame element may also be designed with other shapes, for ex- ample as shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 5 A shows that the circumferential slot 19 in the frame element may have different shapes. The circumferential slot 19 is not shown, but in image B-B in Fig. 5 A, the cross- sectional shape of the first coupling element 12 is illustrated, in which a slot 14 has been formed with a shape corresponding to the shape of the circumferential slot 19. The slot 19 (and 14) may thus be provided as depressions (slots) or protrusions (tongue) suitable for coupling. In B-B in Fig. 5 A, a further embodiment is seen, in which a springy element 21, respec- tively 22, has been provided, which has either a circular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section.

The springy element 21, 22 will preferably be made of rubber. Using a springy ele- ment 21, 22 between the botom 23 of the recess 18 and the first coupling element 12 makes it possible to take tolerance uncertainty into account.

The frame element 2 is made of plastic or another material with elastic properties, al- lowing for the lens to be pressed into the circumferential slot 19 of the frame element 2 using only manual force.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view from above of a user 24 wearing spectacles 1 . The user 24 is shown with different shapes of the nose 25.

At the top of Fig. 6, a nose which is relatively slender is shown. The middle image shows a nose 25 which is high and wide, and the bottom image shows a nose 25 with a flat nasal ridge.

For illustrative reasons, the nasal ridge is shown as coinciding with the middle part 10 of the nose bridge. However, in practice there will be distance so that the nose bridge does not rest directly on the ridge.

On the other hand, nosepieces 15 will rest on the nose of the user. The nosepieces, which are mounted on the nose bridge 3, are fitted with nosepiece pads 26 resting on the nose of the user.

Fig. 6 thus illustrates how the exchangeable nose bridge 3 is fitted with different types of nosepieces 15, taking into account the different shapes of the nose of the user.

As explained above, the combined product consisting of nose bridge and nosepieces will enable an adjustment according to the anatomy of the user in the form of the size of the nose, so that the spectacles are located correctly in relation to the eyes of the user. Fig. 7 shows two frame elements 2 and a nose bridge 3 in separated condition. It can be seen in image A that the recess 20 is located at the front of the spectacles and is con- nected to the recess 18, in which the first coupling element is to be received. It can be seen that the plane end parts 11, which are received in the second recess 20, will be visible to an observer when the spectacles are in use. This is illustrated in image C.

Image B shows the nose bridge 3 connected to the frame element 2 on the left.

Image C shows the nose bridge 3 connected to both frame elements 2, and lens 5 is in- serted, so that a fixation of the nose bridge is established.

Fig. 8 shows images corresponding to Fig. 7. The difference here is that the second re- cess 20 resides on the back side of the frame elements 2, i.e. the side facing the user. This means that after mounting, the plane end parts 11 of the nose bridge 3 will not be visible to an observer. This is clear in image C, in which the nose bridge is mounted in both frame elements and the lenses 5 are inserted.

In Fig. 8, the spectacles are seen from the front, and therefore the first recess 18 is not visible in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 9, image A shows non-assembled spectacles seen from the back, i.e. the side facing the user. Image B shows an image corresponding to image A of the non-assem- bled spectacles seen from the front.

In these spectacles, the frame elements 2 are fitted with a mounting opening 27, in which a nosepiece may be fixed, for example by gluing. Alternatively to the embodi- ment shown, it will also be possible that nosepieces, as explained above, are mounted on the nose bridge 3.

Fig. 9 illustrates that at the outside of the frame elements 2, a first recess 18 and a sec- ond recess 20 corresponding to the recesses 18 and 20 have been formed for connection of the nose bridge 3. Fig. 9 shows a connection element 28 for each frame element 2 and is intended for the attachment of spectacle side-pieces.

The connection element 28 has a first coupling element 29 corresponding to the first coupling element 12 on the nose bridge. Furthermore, a flat end part 30 has been pro- vided on the part of the connection element 28 connecting the first coupling element 29 to the remaining angularly folded part of the connection element 28. The connection element 28 will thus be able to be placed in the recesses 18, 20 at the outsides of the spectacles in a manner similar to the mounting of the nose bridge 3. Since the first cou- pling elements 29 also have a slot (not shown) connecting the circumferential slot at the inside of the frame elements 2, the lens will not only retain the nose bridge 3 but also retain the connection elements 28 after a lens has been pressed into the frame ele- ments 2.

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment in which the individual steps for mounting a nose bridge 3 in two frame elements 2 are illustrated. In this embodiment, the frame ele- ments 2 are shown with a mounting opening 27 for nosepieces.

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of spectacles in which the nose bridge 3 is mounted from the back of the frame elements 2, so that the plane end parts 1 1 are not visible to an observer. Fig. 11 shows views seen from the front, respectively from above.

Fig. 12 show's images corresponding to Fig. 11. Here, it can be seen that the nose bridge 3 is mounted at the front of the frame elements 2. Hereby, the plane end parts 11 of the nose bridge 3 are visible to an observer.

Figs. 11 and 12 show' that a nose bridge may be located with its middle part 10 roughly planar with the front of the frame elements 2, such as shown in Fig. 11, or may be lo- cated with the middle part 10 in a plane located in front of the front of the frame ele- ments 2, such as shown in Fig. 12.

By designing the curvature of the nose bridge 3, it is thus possible to take into account different anatomies of the nose. The middle part 10 of the nose bridge 3 may be given greater or lesser curvature, which is adapted to a larger or smaller nose. Fig. 13 illustrates the details of a frame element 2. The frame element comprises a first recess 18 and a second recess 20, located at the back of the frame element 2. In this embodiment, recesses 18, 20 have been provided both for a nose bridge and for a con- nection element 28 for attachment of a spectacle side-piece.

Sectional view A-A is a cross-section through frame element 2 and shows the slot 19 according to arrows A-A. Sectional view B-B is a cross-section through the frame ele- ment according to arrows B-B and illustrates a cross-section of the frame element in which the nose bridge 3 is mounted. In addition to the slot 19, it can also be seen that the frame element is fitted with a second recess 20, which allows for receiving the plane end part 11 of the nose bridge (not shown in Fig. 13).

Cross-section C-C according to arrows C-C illustrates the location of the recesses 18 and 20 both at the position for receiving a nose bridge and at the position for receiving a connecting element 28.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above, which schematically serve to clarify specific embodiments of the invention.