# US 7,611,240 B2 · Frame for spectacles having arms that can be opened out resiliently > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,240 B2 - Document ID: US7611240B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/663,235 - Filed: 2004-09-27 - Published: 2008-04-24 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-27 - Assignees: Safilo Società Azionaria Fabbrica Italiana Lavorazione Occhiali S.P.A. - Inventors: Vittorio Tabacchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611240B2 ## CPC - G02C 5/2245: {comprising a sliding box containing a spring} - G02C 2200/24: Coil spring pulled upon actuation - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) ## Abstract A frame for spectacles having arms that can be opened out resiliently includes at least one lug and at least one arm which is articulated to the lug by a tie rod hinged to the lug and slidingly associated with the arm, a resilient device is active between the arm and the tie rod in order to urge the arm towards the lug. The resilient device includes at least one helical spring extending along a substantially longitudinal axis (K), corresponding to the direction of application of the resilient urging, and axes (L) of the turns of the spring are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (K) in order to confer on the spring a substantially flattened configuration transverse to the longitudinal axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame for spectacles having arms that can be opened out resiliently, comprising at least one lug and at least one arm which is articulated to the lug by a tie rod hinged to the lug and slidingly associated with the arm, resilient means being active between the arm and the tie rod to urge the arm towards the lug, and the resilient means comprise at least one helical spring extending along a substantially longitudinal axis (K), corresponding to the direction of application of the resilient urging, and axes (L) of the turns of the spring being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (K) to confer on the spring a substantially flattened configuration transverse to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis (K) of the spring is substantially parallel with the direction of the axial extension of the corresponding arm, and arm portion affected by the spring having an overall transverse space requirement which is reduced owing to the flattened configuration of the spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The frame according to claim 2, wherein the spring has opposite axial ends constructed as eyelet portions for engaging respective coupling formations provided in the tie rod and in the arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The frame according to claim 2, wherein the tie rod comprises a head arranged for hinging to the lug, and a stem extending from the head and having a slot-form opening, the opening being engaged by a bush element, rising transversely from the arm, in such a manner that the bush element can slide to a limited extent, one of the opposite ends of the slot-form opening constituting means for limiting the pivoting permitted to the arm beyond the normal opening position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring has opposite axial ends constructed as eyelet portions for engaging respective coupling formations provided in the tie rod and in the arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The frame according to claim 5, wherein axes of the eyelet portions are directed in parallel with each other and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (K) of the spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring is produced in metal wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod comprises a head arranged for hinging to the lug, and a stem extending from the head and having a slot-form opening, the opening being engaged by a bush element, rising transversely from the arm, in such a manner that the bush element can slide to a limited extent, one of the opposite ends of the slot-form opening constituting means for limiting the pivoting permitted to the arm beyond the normal opening position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The frame according to claim 8, comprising a box-shaped casing for accommodating the spring, which casing is arranged to be fixedly joined to the arm by means of a pair of through-holes engaged by a first screw element and a second screw element which are secured to the arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The frame according to claim 9, wherein the first screw element is screw-engaged in the bush element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The frame according to claim 9, wherein the end of the spring remote from the tie rod is coupled to the second screw element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The frame according to claim 11, wherein the end of the spring remote from the tie rod is coupled to a second bush element which rises transversely from the arm and in which the second screw element is screw-engaged. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The frame according to claim 9, wherein the box-shaped casing is provided with feet and abuts the lug at the location of surfaces of the feet that are capable of locating respective cam profiles of the lug. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The frame according to claim 13, wherein the feet extend symmetrically with respect to the head, and the cam profiles are defined on an edge of respective wings extending from the lug, the wings being capable of accommodating the head when the latter is hinged to the lug. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring has a flattened configuration in the direction transverse to an axis (Y) for hinging the arm to the lug. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the arm has at least one portion having a tubular structure, and the spring being accommodated axially in a cavity of the arm portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The frame according to claim 16, wherein the tie rod is guided slidingly in the tubular cavity of the arm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The frame according to claim 16, wherein the tie rod comprises a portion engaged in such a manner that it can slide to a limited extent in a guide element fixedly joined to the arm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The frame according to claim 18, wherein there are provided on said portion of the tie rod a pair of projections which are axially opposed and which are capable of interfering with the guide element to constitute means for limiting the axial sliding of the tie rod and the guide element relative to each other. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The frame according to claim 16, wherein a support is provided for coupling the end of the spring that is more remote with respect to the lug to the tubular portion of the arm, the support being constrained on the arm by welding or by screwing.