Patent Application
20180239165
This invention relates to spectacle frames and, more particularly, to spectacle frames with adjustable nose pads.
There are basically two types of loupe assemblies for surgical, medical and dental professionals: (1) the flip-up type, which provides for multiple degrees of adjustment freedom, and (2) the through-the-lens (TTL) types, wherein separate loupes are cemented into the eyeglass lenses. With flip-up styles, adjustments such as interpupillary distance and declination angle are readily provided. With TTL loupes, however, adjustments of interpupillary distance and declination angle require more careful consideration.
Another aspect of TTL loupe design involves the distance between the oculars and the wearer's eyes.
The need remains, therefore, for a TTL loupe product with a nose bridge that can be adjusted in the field, preferably with a mechanism that does not interfere with ornamental appearance.
This invention alleviates problems associated with prior-art devices by providing an adjustable nosepiece assembly for a set of eyeglass frames having a bridge portion between lenses. The assembly comprises a nosepiece component configured for coupling to the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames, the nosepiece component being adapted for resting on a wearer's nose when wearing the eyeglass frames, and a plurality of spacer components configured for placement between the nosepiece component and the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames to adjust the distance between the nosepiece component and the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames.
In the preferred embodiment the nosepiece component is an inverted-V shape with two angled leg portions extending downwardly and away from an upper portion coupled to the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames through one or more of the spacer components. The two angled leg portions may be formed with a flexible, pliable and/or soft material over a bendable wire frame or scaffold enabling the leg portions to be bent for adjustment purposes.
The spacer components may facilitate adjustment of the distance between the nosepiece component and the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames in a range of 1 mm to 1.5 cm or more. The lenses of the eyeglass frames may include through-the-lens oculars or loupes, in which case the placement of the spacer component(s) between the nosepiece component and the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames may be used to adjust the distance between the TTL loupes and facial features of a wearer such as the cheeks, eyelashes, and so forth.
A method of custom-fitting a nose pad in accordance with the invention comprises the steps of:
providing a set of eyeglass frames including an upper bridge portion between lens portions, each lens portion including a through-the-lens (TTL) loupe;
providing a nosepiece component configured for coupling to the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames;
providing a plurality of spacer components, each with a different thickness;
placing the eyeglass frames on a wearer, and observing the distance between the TTL loupes and facial features of the wearer; and
installing one or more of the spacer components between the nosepiece component and the bridge portion of the eyeglass frames to achieve a desired distance between the TTL loupes and facial features of the wearer.
This invention improves upon the prior art by providing spectacle frame nose pads that are truly adjustable, thereby facilitating fit and comfort for a wide variety of uses. In particular, when used with eyeglass frames including through-the-lens (TTL) loupes, the invention facilitates a graduated adjustment of the distance. Note that although the Figures show the invention mounted on particular set of eyeglass frames, it should be understood that the invention is applicable to any type of frames, with or without loupes, TTL or otherwise.
The spacer components are preferably be constructed of a hard and/or rigid plastic material, held in position to the bridge portion of the frames with glue or fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, the spacers may be attached to the bridge portion of the frames through opposing fasteners 409, 412, which may or may not protrude all the way through the bridge portion. If longer screws or bolts are used, the added length may be used to engage with optional structures such as 408 to the mounting of other devices such as headlamps, video cameras, and so forth.
A plurality of different spacer components may be provided to allow for adjustments in the range of 1 mm to 1.5 cm or more. Multiple spacers may also be stacked if necessary to achieve a desired spacing, as indicated with the broken line in
Nose piece 402 preferably comprises an inverted V shape with ribs 403 or other texture to reduce slippage. This component is preferably made by overmolding a soft, pliable polymeric material such as silicone over a metal wire scaffold allowing the legs of the component to be bent apart and toward one another to assume a comfortable fit. The nose piece is preferably attached to the spacer component with a more central screw or other fastener 405.
In accordance with the invention, the space between the oculars and the eyes can be optimized. As such, most fitting problems can be eliminated. The best performing loupes are the ones that fit the best, both with how the frames fit the face, and how the oculars are placed relative to the eyes. When these characteristics are optimized, the clinician has the clearest and sharpest view of their target, with the added bonus of a comfortable, all-day fit. The adjustable nose pad design allows for greater adjustability and fine tuning, so the clinician can truly customize their fit and comfort, and get the most out of their loupes.
Thanks to the invention, the clinician will enjoy the optimum space between their eyes and the oculars, which provides the best balance between optical field and peripheral vision. Clinicians with long eyelashes will not experience the uncomfortable and annoying touching of their eyelashes to their oculars. The wider opening between the face and the oculars provides better ventilation between the clinician's face and loupes, and the problem of fogging and sweating is greatly reduced. Sports frames, which can be difficult to fit to some people, are now easily adjustable for anyone to wear.
The wider opening between the face and the oculars provides additional advantages. In particular, the wider spacing enables additional lenses to be positioned between the oculars and the eyes of the wearer.
