US 6,659,606 B1 · Alignment apparatus for an eyeglass hinge assembly and method employing same

Abstract

An alignment apparatus establishes alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly. The eyeglass hinge assembly includes an attachment member attachable to an eyeglass frame, a first hinge element secured to a temple member, a second hinge element secured to the attachment member, and a hinge spring disposed between the temple member and the first hinge element to permit flexion of the temple member. The hinge spring movably attaches a single, central hinge ring to the temple member. The alignment apparatus secures a temple member in a clamp having opposing first and second clamp elements. Adjustable extending means on a rotating arm secured to the second clamp element extends to engage and displace the single, central hinge ring to deform the hinge spring establishing alignment with a pair of spaced-apart, opposing hinge rings on the second hinge element. An associated method is provided.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An aligning apparatus for establishing alignment of an eyeglass hinge assembly located between a temple member having a first hinge element and a frame of a pair of eyeglasses, said frame having an attachment member with a second hinge element, said eyeglass hinge assembly including a fastener for pivotally connecting said first and second hinge elements and a hinge spring disposed between said temple member and said first hinge element to permit flexion of said temple member in relation to said frame, said alignment apparatus comprising:

a clamp having opposing first and second clamp elements and a tightening mechanism having open and closed positions, said tightening mechanism secured to said second clamp element;
said clamp being structured to secure said temple member between said first and second clamp elements when said tightening mechanism is closed;
a rotating arm pivotally attached to said first clamp element by a fastener;
an adjustable extending means disposed on said rotating arm;
and
said adjustable extending means being structured to deform said hinge spring to establish alignment of said eyeglass hinge assembly.

3 more elements

A method for aligning an eyeglass hinge assembly comprising:

providing a temple member having a first hinge element, an eyeglass frame, an attachment member attachable to said frame, said attachment member having a second hinge element, a fastener for pivotally connecting said first and second hinge elements, and a hinge spring disposed between said temple member and said first hinge element to permit flexion of said temple member in relation to said frame;
providing an alignment apparatus, said alignment apparatus having a clamp with opposing first and second clamp elements, a rotating arm with an adjustable extending means pivotally coupled to said first clamp element, and a tightening mechanism having open and closed positions disposed on said second clamp element;
inserting said temple member between said first and second clamp elements of said clamp;
tightening said tightening mechanism until it is in the closed position so as to secure said temple member within said clamp;
extending said adjustable extending means;
deforming said hinge spring by engaging and displacing said first hinge element with said adjustable extending means;
aligning said first and second hinge elements;
and
performing an operation on said eyeglass hinge assembly selected from the group consisting of assembly, repair, and adjustment.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Alignment apparatus for an eyeglass hinge assembly and method employing same

Life of this patent

Alignment apparatus for an eyeglass hinge assembly and method employing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27