GB2544719A - An improved configuration for spectacle counterbalance - Google Patents

Abstract

A counterweight for spectacles attaches to the spectacle temples, or side arms, by way of a flexible sleeve. The counterweight has a series of grooves or sunken depressions so it may be more easily bent and has circumferential ridges or arrow-shaped protrusions where it engages with the flexible sleeve. The interior profile of the sleeve may be triangular or star-shaped to prevent the counterweight rotating.

Description

AN IMPROVED CONFIGURATION FOR SPECTACLE

COUNTERBALANCES TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE NASAL

DAMAGE INTRODUCTION PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

To improve the configuration of spectacle counter balances as shown and explained in UK patent GB 2444807 B dated 24/06/2009. That configuration resulted in problems as follows. 1. Slipping out of the retaining tube into which it was inserted and often becoming lost without the wearer's awareness. 2. Catching the wearer's long hair upon putting on or taking off the spectacles, making it unacceptable for woman. 3. Being difficult for the user to custom bend or shape it to the head size or shape as a result of being too rigid curvature adjustments were not possible. 4. Twisting clockwise or counter clockwise about the axis of the elastic plastic or rubber retaining tube located on the posterior of the temple above the ear of the wearer. 5. Not being long enough to provide a sufficient counterbalance to the weight of front heavy spectacles especially for patients with strong lenses. 6. Not being heavy enough to provide a balance between the spectacle lenses at the front and the counter balance behind the fulcrum area above the user's ears. 7. Silver, copper, and brass were not malleable enough to adjust the inward or outward curves without using pliers thus leaving marks.

The Drawings on pages 5,6 & 7 of this application illustrate the improved configuration and other short comings solutions to the above deficiencies of the first spectacle counter balances referred to above. Figure 8 on page 6 shows an enlarged view.

Figures 1, 2 & 3 shows the approximate actual shape, length and side profile which overcome problems referred to in page one. Figure 1 and 8 show three thickness reductions A on each side to enable the user to easily bend it to fit the contours on the sides of the head if desired. Delivering it flat reduces hair tangling tendencies, particularly with women, so there is no problem donning or doffing the spectacle. Ladies will not tolerate having their hairdo interfered with in any way. Two to four or more grooves or alternative types of grooves to that which is illustrated could also achieve a similar alternate thickening and thinning cross section idea shown in this application so as to be easily bent.

Figure 2 shows arrow head like ridges B both from top and side views at the anterior end which function to securely anchor the above described new configuration in to the securing plastic or rubber tubes thus eliminating the possibility of slipping out and becoming lost. The tube may have an triangular or figure S I, star shaped inside which improves elasticity Figure 5 G, so as to enable two sizes to fit most spectacle side pieces and also to prevent rotation about the tube axis thus keeping it away from and always in one position relative to the sides of the wearer's head and the hair. For wearers with short or no hair it would be easy for them to adjust the overall shape from flat to curved Figure 5 so as to be aligned with the head contour by the use of finger pressure.

The anterior portion has both sides concave (E) & Figures 3 and 8.

Hole C is for production purposes for easy wire insertion for possible painting, plating, or powder coating special finishes and / or colours.

Figure 2 shows the anterior portion inserted into the above referred to securing tube D which is located on the posterior of the spectacle side pieces above the ears.

Figure 3 shows a top view perspective of the device which may be flat or curved. It may alternatively be provided in an average curvature for those preferring to have it made pre bent so they do not have to bend it themselves. They may easily still adjust also that curvature for comfort if such should be needed.

Figure 4 shows a posterior end view of the device.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the anterior portion with a long groove E or slot on both sides for the purpose of receiving the spectacle temple wire F snugly on either spectacle side piece which is also contained inside the above described and illustrated tube Figure 6, Figure 7 illustrates the spectacle structure in the folded position when it is not being worn.

This groove will act in unison with the inside of the tubes to prevent the rotation problem by compression thus keeping the device in a stable position at all times relative to the spectacles and the user's head.

The frontal spectacle weight is better counter balanced by lengthening the counter balances by approximately 25% which also results in increasing the weight also by about that amount as compared to the first patent of 2009 with a new total weight of 8 to 22 grams. The overall size may be varied from the size shown depending on how much weight is needed for lighter or heavier spectacles. Heavy metals such as silver or gold with double or more specific gravity than pewter could be made much smaller and / or thinner and still have the same weight. The metal of choice at present which resulted after years of limited production and sale of the counter balances is a tin alloy commonly named pewter. Unlike silver it does not tarnish over a few months' time, is non toxic, has a suitable specific gravity, an attractive silvery colour and is ideally malleable so it easily bent to a desired shape by hand with finger pressure over the full length as a result of the grooves Figure 2A, or any other type or number of sunken depressions in which could achieve the same purpose as illustrated and described as this application for patent. Alloys similar to pewter with like features as above could be future alternatives. Even rigid metals such as silver or brass could be easily reshaped by further deepening the grooves or depressions thus thinning down the thin places even more.

Figure 6 shows the method of application onto the rear of any spectacles in the same way as EU UK patent GB 2444807 B dated 24/06/2009. The small Hole U at the bottom of the receiving tube could be optionally omitted but doing so may reduce the anti twist feature.

Key for Reference Letters A. Thinning grooves on sides B. Arrow head securing ridges C. Hole for finishing. D. Connecting tube for spectacle attachment. E. Side grooves to receive spectator temples. F. Spectacle temple side piece connection area above ears. G. Star shaped inner hole. H. Concave sides of anterior portion designed to fit snugly against the spectacle sidepiece within the tube D. I. Alternate triangular elastic stretchable tube.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A solution to the rigidity problem of prior models by means of a unique series of sunken grooves or depressions on either or both sides of the posterior of the optical counter balances as described and illustrated in order to improve bendability.

2. Claim 1 as above with a unique configuration in order to prevent looseness and resulting loss of the counter balances by means anterior side grooves and an arrow head like shape and / or ridges as described and illustrated after being inserted in the tube at the rearward position on the spectacle temple member above the wearer's ears.

3. Claims 1 and 2 as above with the option of not needing to reshape the overall curves by providing the counter balances in a straight or flat shape from top view in order to prevent the hair tangling or catching tendency of curved counter balances.

4. Claims 1, 2, &3 as above by casting the product of a more easily bendable metal such as non toxic pewter or similar alloys as well as harder, heavier, and / or other less bendable more rigid metals by deepening the depressions described and illustrated, of which then can also be as easily bent with normal finger pressure as is pewter.

5. Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 as above with an anti-twist combination of a different cross section of the anterior portion when inserted in a rubber like tube optionally with a triangular or star shaped innar surface which work cooperatively together to prevent twisting about the tube axis so as to maintain a constant fixed position relative to the wearer's head.

6. Claims 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 as above with an increase of length of approximately 25% over the prior patent already granted.

7. Claims 1,2,3,4, 5 and 6 as above with an overall weight increase over the prior counter balance also in the region of 25% which results from the overall length increase as in above with the resulting much increased leverage.

8. Claims 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 with the overall size being variable depending on the specific gravity of the metal being used so as to achieve the amount of total weight needed for lighter or heavier spectacles especially when other alternate metals may be used.