WO2024182575A2

WO2024182575A2 - Apparatus, system and method for a single driver two position gonio stage

Info

Publication number: WO2024182575A2
Application number: PCT/US2024/017788
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeroen Bosboom
Original assignee: Jabil Inc.
Priority date: 2023-03-01
Filing date: 2024-02-29
Publication date: 2024-09-06
Also published as: WO2024182575A3

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method for providing a two stage system for manufacturing of glasses including an eye frame and two lenses. Included are a base stage including base slides; an upper sled stage including a platen for receiving the eye frame, at least one pivot pin and pin socket, and upper slides suitable to mate with the base slides to enable the upper slides to slide along the base slides to thereby impart lateral movement of the upper sled stage along the base stage; at least two stops along distal ends of the upper slides, wherein the lateral movement of the upper sled stage ceases upon reaching a first one of the at least two stops; and an air cylinder that imparts the lateral movement and which, upon continued application of air pressure at the air cylinder at the cessation of the lateral movement, effects a pitching of the upper stage sled about the pivot pin until a pitch stop one of the at least two stops is reached.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SINGLE DRIVER TWO POSITION GONIO STAGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63/449,190, entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SINGLE DRIVER TWO POSITION GONIO STAGE,” filed on March 01 , 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to headset manufacturing, and, more particularly, to an apparatus, system, and method for a single driver two position gonio stage.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The assembly of virtual reality (“VR”) headsets generally requires installation of viewer lenses / screens in an eyeglass-style frame. The lenses are generally complex electrical devices that have multiple functions. Within the frame, the lens angles are typically canted toward each other by about 20 degrees. To facilitate higher production rates, a stage that alternates between plus or minus about 10 degrees, and that can traverse between two centralized positions, is usually needed. [0004] The tooling for this stage, which is typically used to assemble these VR headset lenses, is generally comprised of a servo-driven linear stage, and a servodriven goniometric stage atop the linear stage. This multi-stage design and tooling facilitates the proper positioning and alignment of the hybrid lens/ display screens in the frame.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0005] More specifically, the servos position the X and gonio-yaw axis for one of the left or the right lens, such that each lens is presented planar to a vision camera above the frame. The vision camera may rotate clear of the target area to allow a robot space to install each lens, and the primary linear stage is used to toggle between the camera field of view when it is swung over the stage, thereby reducing the number of cameras needed.

[0006] The servos also position the gonio-tooling horizontally for loading. This loading determines where the frame is in relation to the placement robot. That is, the loading of the frame determines the X-0 positioning for the lens installation. Of further note, these compound stages must withstand press loads imposed by the robot so that pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are activated by the press loads.

[0007] A significant disadvantage to this approach is the scarcity of gonio stages that are capable of the high payload capability necessary to activate the PSA used for initial curing. It’s not uncommon that 14 kg or more of press force is required per lens assembly.

[0008] Further, gonio stages that do provide sufficient payload capability typically use crossed roller bearings, which require precise preloaded alignment to function.

Since the roller bearings don’t re-circulate, numerous repetitions of the stage positions and the loading lead to indents/witness marks in the raceways over time, which causes unwanted positioning errors and wear. Yet further, since the gonio stage is screw driven, the screw assembly develops lash and loose repeatability.

[0009] In order to facilitate the twin servo positioning, a servo stack using a robust primary axis and suitable gonio axis with a servo controller and software are

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) required for each assembly machine. Due to the repetitive left or right yaw and traverse nature of the stage positions, the stages’ wear accumulates in specific positions. In sum, the servo driven stage assembly requires many expensive mechanical and electrical components and programming resources to function, and suffers from high levels of wear and tear.

[0010] Accordingly, the need exists for a method, system and apparatus for a single driver two stage gonio stage.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011 ] The embodiments provide an apparatus, system and method for providing a two stage system for manufacturing of glasses including an eye frame and two lenses. Included are a base stage including base slides; an upper sled stage including a platen for receiving the eye frame, at least one pivot pin and pin socket, and upper slides suitable to mate with the base slides to enable the upper slides to slide along the base slides to thereby impart lateral movement of the upper sled stage along the base stage; at least two stops along distal ends of the upper slides, wherein the lateral movement of the upper sled stage ceases upon reaching a first one of the at least two stops; and an air cylinder that imparts the lateral movement and which, upon continued application of air pressure at the air cylinder at the cessation of the lateral movement, effects a pitching of the upper stage sled about the pivot pin until a pitch stop one of the at least two stops is reached.

[0012] Thus, in satisfaction of the aforementioned need, the embodiments provide a method, system and apparatus for a single driver two stage gonio stage.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figure(s). The figure(s) may, alone or in combination, illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Elements illustrated in the figure(s) are not necessarily drawn to scale. Reference labels may or may not be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate aspects of the embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0018] FIGs. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0021 ] FIG. 8 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0026] FIG. 13 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 16 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 17 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0031 ] FIG. 18 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 19 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 20 illustrates aspects of the embodiments; and

[0034] FIG. 21 illustrates aspects of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical similar devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. But because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0037] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. That is, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0039] The embodiments provide a lower cost and a decreased wear solution capable of the same end-to-end and yaw positions, as well as the central load position, over the known art. The embodiments eliminate the need for the servo-based hardware, electronics and software. More particularly, the low cost gonio stage of the embodiments uses a single, double acting pneumatic cylinder that controls both the primary axis and the tooling plate yaw positions for left- and right-hand frame positioning. Only two control outputs are thus needed for the stage positions, and two control outputs may be used for the clamp tooling as well.

[0040] Yet more particularly, in the embodiments a tooling plate/platen for receiving the frame (and lenses) may be mounted atop a rocker sled riding on dual linear rails. The modular eye frame support tooling may be swapped for different products, and may, for example, be 3D printed, such as in order to follow complex eye frame geometry. The tooling plate may receive a frame front face up or down. In some embodiments, the stage platen may pivot on low-cost, high-capacity plastic bushings and a hard anodized shaft.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0041 ] Shrouding may be provided on the platen, such as to serve as a safety cover. Shrouding may also serve as an airflow deflector, such as to keep particles contained inside the stage.

[0042] The rocker stage/sled may, for example, ride on two ordinary linear bearing rails. The speed and stabilization of the stage may be flow-controlled at the air cylinder. The rocker sled allows the centering of the eye piece while simultaneously presenting it planar to the vision system and lens press.

[0043] Further, the rocker sled travel may extend beyond the eye frame central point, such as to shuttle the tooling between two or more processing stations.

Additionally, the rocker sled may have stacked levels, such as to position a compound angle eye frame. Yet further, the rocker sled may, by way of example, be mounted on a theta axis, such as to allow correction for eye frame angle.

[0044] The rocker stage/sled has end stops that determine where the linear stage travel ends. The tooling plate yaw is also capable of translating until it meets a travel stop in either direction. These movement limits for the linear and yaw translations correspond to the same end of travel positions of the prior art’s servo stage stack.

[0045] If the stage is linearly pushed or pulled, it travels to its stop-defined limit, but the yaw continues until reaching its respective stop. Thus, the precise positioning for the traverse is controlled by adjustable hard stops, and any play is taken up at the end of travel since the cylinder has not come to the end of its stroke in either direction when the travel stop is reached.

[0046] The rocker-sled design of the embodiments allows the centering of the eye piece position while simultaneously presenting it planar to the vision system and

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) lens press robot / actuator. Key to the functionality provided is the ability to use one centrally-positioned vision camera and PSA press envelope. Sharing of components in this manner reduces cost.

[0047] To load the VR headset (or similar product), a horizontal tooling plate is preferred. It is for this reason that the rocker stage may have an internal spring-loaded leveling actuator that returns the tooling plate to horizontal when the air cylinder pressure is released, such as at either end of the rail travel, or at any point in the stage travel if the pressure is released. The actuator also has a compact single axis dual piston design, thereby shrinking the sled footprint.

[0048] The internal spring-loaded leveling actuator may keep the platen level until the linear and angle stops are reached. It then compresses against a ramp to the left or right. Releasing the air cylinder pressure will thereby result in a level tooling platen and the tooling plate levels to a horizontal position.

[0049] The platen tooling may also include clamp arms having a clamping pad or pads. It is challenging to clamp onto complex organic shapes that are common in eyewear. The disclosed spherical clamp pads optimize the load vector between the eye wear frame and support tooling. Because of this, the pad contact alignment is no longer a critical adjustment due to the spherical pad offering contact over a wider range of angles.

[0050] Minimizing the clamping pad size is critical to keep the pad clear of the eye frame “pocket” features. That is, a small pad size enables the eye frame to be clamped without obscuring the lens well or interfering with lens insertion.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0051 ] The embodiments may use a spherical rubber ball pad mounted to a symmetrically curved shaft. The diameter of the spherical ball may be kept small, and may land centered between the left and right side of the frame. The spherical nature of the ball may allow for radial contact points without the need to mechanically rotate the contact pad.

[0052] However, the ball pad may be laterally shifted as well as rolled on its axis. As the ball pad contact meets the convexly curved frame face, the load vector stays close the center (the radial centered) of the ball pad, and thus better optimizes the alignment between the two faces than would a flat face pad. The shaft mounted ball levers also allow additional contact points, such as in the nose bridge area. The ball pad levers may be driven via a rocker arm from each side, which keeps the levers compact and below the tooling on the platen.

[0053] In sum, the embodiments hold the VR eye frame in a very similar manner to the prior art’s servo-driven versions. However, the disclosed non-servo embodiments are cheaper, more compact in size, and the necessary tooling, controls and software are greatly simplified.

[0054] As referenced throughout, in the known art two stages, one linear stage and one pitching stage, were used to process an eye frame that was horizontally placed into one of the stages by angularly pitching the eye frame back and forth, and dragging the eye frame into and out of position so that a viewing camera can see where to place a lens into each side of the eye frame. Servos were employed in the known art for each of these stages in order to perform these functions. Due to the repeated dragging and pitching by the servos, ruts often formed at the points of stage movement in the known

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) art, due in part to the pressure needed on the moving stages to have the adhesive tack the lenses to the frame.

[0055] As illustrated in Figure 1 , the embodiments address these issues by using a modular upper stage 10 having tooling capable of providing both linear (along a base stage 12) and pitching motion to the upper stage. As illustrated in Figure 1 , this upper stage 12 includes a tooling platen 14 suitable to hold an eye frame 16, such as including tooling and clamping to grip the eye frame 16. The base/lower stage may include slides and stops that enable both linear movement and movement in angular pitch based on an actuation of a single air cylinder, as shown.

[0056] Now, with additional reference to Figure 2, the upper stage/tooling 10 (and platen 14) may be modular, and as such may be removable for replacement with tooling and/or a platen for a different work item. As shown more particularly in Figure 2, a chain element 102 may additionally be present, such as within an enclosed curved guide 102a, to enable the movements disclosed herein. Nevertheless, only the single air cylinder 104 shown may preferably be necessary to provide the degrees of movement, i.e. , linear and pitch movement, along multiple axes as disclosed throughout.

[0057] As shown more particularly with respect to Figures 3A and 3B, the pitch/tilt and linear movement may be singularly imparted by the air cylinder 104 enabling movement of the upper stage 10. As illustrated in Figure 3A, as the air cylinder 104 extends the upper stage 10 transversely along the lower stage 12 to the left (as shown), the upper stage 10 eventually reaches a linear stopping point, at which point the upper stage 10 begins to pitch from left to right, as shown, until the pitch also hits a stop, or until the air cylinder 104 hits its full stroke.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0058] The converse is shown in Figure 3B, in which the upper stage 10 is transversely retracted to move the upper stage 10 to the right (as shown), and this movement to the right may continue after the linear movement has stopped to accomplish the tilting motion from right to left. Thereby, a single overhead camera 202 may service the frame and lens system 16, and the frame and lens system 16 may also be served by a singular robot. Of course, multiple cameras may be used if a longer distance of linear movement from left to right and right to left is enabled.

[0059] As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, a typical eye frame 16 has curves, which make the eye frame 16 difficult to land a clamp upon and grasp robotically. Figure 4 illustrates a clamp and gripping assembly 302 suitable to receive an eye frame 16 to the disclosed upper stage platen 14 in the embodiments. The clamp assembly actuators 302a at the lower right side and the lower left side (as shown) may open and close the clamps 302b at the top side of the stage 10 in proximity to the placed eye frame 16. The eye frame 16 may be placed for clamping, by way of example, robotically or manually.

[0060] The clamp arms 302b are shown in the open position in accordance with the position dictated by the clamp assembly actuators 302a on the right and left sides. Further illustrated at the distal most point of the clamp arms from the clamp assembly are one or more spherical rubber pads 302c to optimize clamp contact with the eye frame. The radial surface provided by these spherical ball pads at the ends of the clamp arms allows for the clamp to properly land on the eye frame, irrespective of its initial position with respect to the eye frame, and enables gripping of the eye frame without damaging the eye frame or pushing it out of position.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0061 ] Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D illustrate gripping of an exemplary eye frame by the clamp arms of the clamp assembly. As shown in Figures 5, the clamp assembly actuators 302a are extended, thereby closing the clamp arms 302b upon the eye frame. The spherical ball pads 302c at the ends of the clamp arms 302b allow for gripping of the eye frame 16 at multiple points outside the work area in which the lenses must be placed and pressure-adhered to the eye frame. In the example shown, the eye frame is gripped at an upper portion of the eye frame at both the right and left outer-upper portions, at the upper center of the nosepiece of the eye frame, and on the curved lower portion of the eye frame on each lens side. Again of significant note, the clamp pads as shown have landed but do not obscure the camera viewing of the frame, nor placement of the lens within the frame.

[0062] It will further be appreciated in light of the discussion herein that the clamps may be initially landed unevenly, and may be located, such as through a camera viewed control of the clamping assembly, to slide to improve the landing location. Accordingly, the clamp assembly may be capable not only of linear clamp arm adjustment, but additionally, among other adjustments, a roll adjustment. Also of note with respect to Figures 5, the tool ing/support platen under the eye frame may be unique and/or uniquely shaped to each type of eye frame, or to any other gripped object. As such, the support platen may be 3D printed, by way of non-limiting example, as it is easier to impart a curve to a mold through additive manufacturing rather than by machining.

[0063] Figure 6 illustrates with greater particularity a dual-level, enclosed clean room harness chain 102 connected to the upper stage 10. The dual chamber and

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) enclosure 102a of the harness chain allows for better control of the operational environment in which the harness chain operates, and additionally prevents particulate shedding from the harness chain contaminating, for example, adhesive placed upon the lenses on the upper stage. Of further note with respect to Figure 6, a leveling actuator discussed herein throughout may return the upper stage 10 to the horizontal position in order to make loading of the eye frame easier.

[0064] Figure 7 provides an exploded view of the base stage 12 of the disclosed assembly. Illustrated in the figure are the slides 502 that allow for linear movement of the upper stage 10 from left to right and right to left responsive to the air cylinder 104, as well as the pivot block 504 with pivot pins 506 that allows for tilting of the upper stage 10 from left to right and right to left. More particularly, hard anodized pivot pins 506 are provided to allow for imparting of the tilt to the upper stage. The use of pivot pins with bushings is a cleaner manner of operation than the use of ball bearings, and additionally the pivot pins are less likely to experience significant wear and tear over time than are ball bearings.

[0065] Figure 8 illustrates an underside view of the upper stage of the disclosed assembly. The air cylinder is associated with the tilt pin/pivot bushing assembly 602 as shown, to thereby allow the upper stage to pitch when it reaches a travel stop on either side of the linear movement of the upper stage. As such, the lateral distance and pitch angle of the upper stage can be fine-tuned using the travel stops disclosed. That is, when the sliding sled encounters a stop, the stop can either impart a lateral movement stop, a pitch movement stop, or both.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0066] Of additional note in Figure 8 and as referenced throughout, the loading of an eye frame is simplified by horizontal leveling of the tooling platen that receives the eye frame. This is accomplished using actuation of a leveler 604 by the disclosed horizontal leveling actuator 604, such as the illustrated cam plates of Figure 8.

[0067] Figure 9 is a more particular illustration of a spring-actuated 702 selfleveler 604. As shown, the spring-actuation 702 of the self-leveler 604 requires no power, and will level the upper stage 10 for receipt of an eye frame into the tooling platen, for example, upon depowering of the air cylinder. This spring-loaded nature 702 of this exemplary leveling actuator 604 is shown with more particularity in the exploded view of Figure 10.

[0068] Figure 11 is a further illustration of the embodiments in which are included sensors 710, such as extend and retract sensors 710. These sensors 710 may serve multiple functions, as the sensors may be triggered not only by the extend and retract motion imparted by the air cylinder, but additionally slot sensors may be triggered for pitch modifications as the air cylinder continues to impart movement to the upper stage. [0069] Figure 12 illustrates with greater particularity the disclosed clamping mechanism and assembly. The clamp actuation 302a is shown at the right most portion of the exploded view, and the clamp rocking assembly 302d that opens and closes the arms 302b responsive to the clamp actuator 302a is shown at the center portion of the exploded clamp view. At the leftmost portion of the exploded clamp view are illustrated clamp arms 302b having spherical rubber clamp balls 302c at the ends thereof, as discussed throughout. Of note, the clamp actuator 302a may be a double-acting air

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) cylinder, by way of non-limiting example, which may additionally include a scavenge port in order to remove dust from the work space.

[0070] Figure 13 illustrates an actuation of the air cylinder 104 pulling the sled of the upper stage to an angled right-most stop 750, at which point the right side, as shown, of the upper stage 10 begins to pitch upward. Also illustrated in Figure 13 is the loading of the centering/leveling spring actuator 704 at the end of the air cylinder stroke. [0071 ] Figure 14 is a magnified view of the air cylinder 104 actuation also described in Figure 13. As shown, adjustable cam plates 750 may be provided with an angled upper portion thereof to provide the linear and pitch stops at the right and left side (as shown) of the air cylinder stroke. The leveling actuator spring 704 loads at the end of the stroke of/hitting the stop 750 due to the cylinder piston 104a from either direction. Release of the cylinder pressure thus causes the spring 704 to expand and the upper stage 10 to thus level from either the extended or retracted positions of the air cylinder as the leveling spring actuator 704 unloads.

[0072] Figure 15 illustrates the actuation and release of the air cylinder 104. As indicated, release of the air cylinder pressure causes the spring leveler 704 to also unload, which provides a horizontal and level state of the upper stage. This allows for easier work-piece loading, such as of the eye frame, into the upper stage.

[0073] Figure 16 is a magnified view of the horizontally level upper stage 10 discussed throughout. The cylinder pressure has been released, thereby deloading the spring leveling actuator 704 to thus level the upper stage 10 from either the extended or retracted position.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0074] Of additional note in Figure 16, the angles of the stops 750 may vary, such as in order to vary the desired pitch of the upper stage at portions of the process. Also of note, the stops may travel with the upper sled as it moves along the base stage, such as in order to vary the position of the linear stop, or vary the amount of the pitch, of the upper stage.

[0075] Figure 17 illustrates the tooling platen 14 for receipt of the eye frame atop the upper stage. As shown, an eye frame sensor or sensors 802, and a lens sensor or sensors 804, may be provided, such as embedded within the tooling platen. Also evident in Figure 17 is the presence of the clamp arms and pads outside of the work area.

[0076] Figure 18 illustrates the movement of pitch stops 750 along with the upper stage “sled” 10 moving along the base stage 12. In this embodiment, dual tilt and travel stops 750 may be provided, and these or any travel stops or rest stops disclosed throughout may be, for example, threaded 750 (as shown) to allow for variability in placement of the stops.

[0077] Figure 19 again shows the use of the stops 750 for the upper stage 10. In contrast to Figure 18, the stops in Figure 19 are at the other side of the base stage such that the linear and pitch stops occur at the other end of the air cylinder actuation.

[0078] Figure 20 is an illustration of the prior art’s servo-driven gonio stage embodiment (top view 902a, side view 902b) to perform the functions described throughout, and of the disclosed embodiments (top view 904a and side view 904b).

The illustration is a comparison of the prior art with the embodiments disclosed, in which

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the disclosed embodiments provide air cylinder-actuated pneumatic positioning of the gonio stage. This comparison is again shown from a different view in Figure 21.

[0079] Of note with respect to Figures 20 and 21 , the compact nature of the disclosed embodiments as compared to the prior art is very evident. This decreased need for work space for the disclosed assembly is significant in a manufacturing environment. Further, the lack of a need for the servo motors and the numerous other mechanical features of the prior art in the disclosed embodiments substantially decreases the cost of the disclosed embodiments. Yet further, the firmware and software necessary to operate the disclosed embodiments is greatly simplified as compared to the prior art’s need to control multiple servo motors to obtain the precise positioning necessary to create a VR glasses assembly.

[0080] Also of note, the embodiments allow for greatly simplified use of a central camera through the simplicity of movement of the upper stage in the disclosed embodiments. This is the most efficient manner of manufacturing a VR glasses, assembly, and additionally eliminates any “noise” that might occur in prior art embodiments in which multiple cameras are used. Finally, rather than the disclosed embodiments affirmatively leveling the tooling platen to receive the eyeglass frame as is done in the known art, the embodiments instead employ gravity and spring forces to passively level the tooling platen to receive the eye frame. This eliminates the possibility of errors in eye frame placement due to a non-level upper stage at increased efficiency and with decreased costs.

[0081 ] In the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of clarity and brevity of the

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments require more features than are expressly recited herein. Rather, the disclosure is to encompass all variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments that would be understood to the skilled artisan in light of the disclosure.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A two stage system for manufacturing of glasses including an eye frame and two lenses, comprising: a base stage including base slides; an upper sled stage including a platen for receiving the eye frame, at least one pivot pin and pin socket, and upper slides suitable to mate with the base slides to enable the upper slides to slide along the base slides to thereby impart lateral movement of the upper sled stage along the base stage; at least two stops along distal ends of the upper slides, wherein the lateral movement of the upper sled stage ceases upon reaching a first one of the at least two stops; and an air cylinder that imparts the lateral movement and which, upon continued application of air pressure at the air cylinder at the cessation of the lateral movement, effects a pitching of the upper stage sled about the pivot pin until a pitch stop one of the at least two stops is reached.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the eye frame is a virtual reality eye frame.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a single camera suspended above the platen and capable of monitoring the eye frame over a full range of the lateral movement.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the platen further comprises at least one sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the platen further comprises two clamps at an outer periphery thereof.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the clamps grip the eye frame at points outside an attachment area for the two lenses.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein grip points of the clamps include spherical rubber balls.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two stops reside on the base stage.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two stops reside on the upper sled stage.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two stops are threaded to enable placement at multiple locations.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the two lenses are pressure-adhered to the eye frame.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a self-leveler physically associated with at least the pivot pin and responsive to the air pressure.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the self-leveler horizontally levels the upper sled stage from the pivot upon removal of the air pressure.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the self-leveler is passive.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the self-leveler is spring driven.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)