FR2622309A1 - Rear-view mirror incorporated into spectacles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved pair of spectacles. It includes: an integrated rear-view mirror, an elongate channel 40 in one of the said sides 13, 14, an elongate rod 32 having a first end defining a first mirror-articulation element, a second end and an extended locking element which interacts with the channel. A mirror 30 has a second mirror-articulation element interacting with the said first mirror-articulation element in order to attach the said mirror to the said first end of the said elongate rod pivotally. A spring 45 inserted into the said channel presses the said rod into a forward position.

Description

MIRROR MIRROR INCORPORATED INTO EYEGLASSES
The present invention relates, in general, to optical glasses, and in particular, rear-view mirror structures for use with these glasses.

For many years, many people have found it desirable or
necessary to wear optical glasses of various types. Although the structure of these optical glasses varies considerably, the majority of them include a pair of optical glasses which are connected to a common piece placed on the nose, adapted to be placed on the upper part of the user's nose. A pair of branches, comprising elongated, often curved, elements is
hinged on the outer parts of the glasses or on the support frame of the latter, and these branches are carried on the temples and the head of the user, and extend behind the ears thereof. are tinted to serve as sunglasses, allowing the user's wishes to withstand intense light.

In many fields of activity where he wears glasses, it appears necessary to provide the user also with the possibility of rearward visibility. People such as bodyguards or security guards often need to see backwards. In addition, approved or other people, having difficulty moving their heads in certain activities, could use with
more glasses to see towards the rear. Finally, certain activities such as cycling can gain safety by preventing the user from turning his head to look back.

The need for rear visibility, in conjunction with prescription glasses and sunglasses, prompted specialists in this field to create various structures
which include one or more mirror devices carried by the frame or the arms. A structure of this type is described in US Pat. No. 4,105,183 of 8
August 1978, presenting a set of rear-view mirror consisting of a pivoting rear-view mirror, mounted in sliding, removable, usable on the branches of conventional eyeglasses. The structure shown comprises a mirror pivotally mounted on a cylindrical element, which is in turn fixed on a support element having a U shape, at the temples. The position of the mirror is pivotable to allow angular adjustment and it can slide on the branches to adjust the position forwards or backwards.

Another structure presented in US Patent 4,603,944 of August 5, 1986 describes an optical device for an individual, which is a device for mounting either a mirror or a magnifying glass in a predetermined position
facing the eyes of the user of optical glasses, the mirror or glass can be adjusted according to different positions of use, The elongated branches include a group of fingers extending downward, adapted to receive and surround a portion of the branches of glasses. The branches include an upper articulated part whose elongated arm is mounted in
articulation, using a spherical pivot, at the far end which in turn carries a mirror.

US Patent 3,423,150, of January 21, 1969, describes a spectacle frame with adjustable rear-view mirrors, which includes a pair of prescription glasses in which the arms are adapted to include a shape channel
lengthened over a significant part of their length. The branches are further adapted to extend beyond the articulated part, and an elongated mirror support is adapted to penetrate the channel of the branches, and the sliding part.

One end of the elongated element carries a pivotally mounted mirror, while the other end carries a button used in the sliding of the parts
elongated relative to the branch to adjust the position of the mirror.

Italian patent 594,364 dated June 1959 describes a mirror for rear view mirror which comprises a device intended to be fixed on a pair of conventional glasses, in which supports are fixed to the arms and to parts of frame of the glasses. The supports include vertical parts to which
is fixed a pair of elongated rods, so as to extend inward and above the glasses. A connecting rod having length adjustment means is attached to the inwardly extending rods. A pair of mirrors is attached to the end portions of the extension rods and extends downward toward the user's field of vision. The position of the mirrors is adjusted by the connecting rod.

The US patent. 4,349,246 of September 14, 1982 describes a rear-view mirror with a clip-on clamp attachment which includes a rear-view mirror usable on conventional glasses, comprising a clip attachment suitable for being mounted on a branch. The clip includes a crocodile clip type structure from
which an elongated rod portion extends outward and ends in a pivotable spherical joint. A mirror is coupled to the ball joint and the position of the mirror is adjusted by pivoting the ball joint.

US patent 3 gus8,058 of October 26, 1976 describes a mirror device
mirror for attachment to user accessories, which includes a mirror assembly for mounting on various types of devices such as spectacle frames, the tip of a cap, a helmet, and others. The device includes a body having a U-shaped fastener and an outwardly extending rod portion. The part of. rod ends in a base
which receives a U-shaped element, having a fitting connection at each of its ends. The U-shaped element is pivotally mounted on the socket fitting of the rod and carries a mirror on the other socket fitting.

The French patent 935 711, of February 9, 1948, describes a rear-view mirror for glasses consisting of an elongated rod carrying a pair of flanges adapted to
attach a pivotally mounted mirror to the temples of the frame of a pair of glasses. The position of the mirror is adjusted by sliding the support along the branches and by pivoting the mirror.

te US patent. 2,175,896, October 10, 1939, describes a rear-view mirror for spectacles having several possible configurations for attaching a mirror to the
temples or to the frame of classic glasses. The attachment includes a sliding rod which carries a pivotally mounted mirror.

French patent 2,532,070, of February 24, 1984, describes a rear-view mirror for glasses which comprises an elongated support rod provided with clamp means for fixing to the arms of the glasses. The elongated stem ends at its
Avent end, in an articulated part to which is fixed in articulation an arm extending downwards. The downwardly extending arm carries a mirror in a pivoting manner.

Although the prior art structures described above have been successful in providing the ability to fit a rear view mirror
on glasses or others, their mechanical structure is often bulky and complicates the use of glasses. In addition, the majority of the structures shown to date do not easily resolve the assembly of the branches in the closed position when the glasses can be in a pocket or a glasses case, as for their normal use without these mirrors.

 this results in a need for an improved moven for fixing a mirror device for rear-view glasses, which facilitates their transport in the closed position.

 Consequently, the general objective of the present invention is to propose an improved rear-view mirror for eyeglasses. A particular objective of the present invention is to provide a rear-view mirror incorporated into the glasses, which facilitates the folding of the glasses in the closed position and therefore, facilitates their transport.

According to the invention, a rear-view mirror incorporated in the glasses is proposed, in which the branch piece of the telescope defines a channel
inside and in which is carried an elongated rod. The rod extends beyond the channel in the branch and carries an articulated fixing mirror. A spring installed inside the channel presses the rod towards an advanced position in which the mirror is worn in front of the glasses. The elongated rod is rotatable between positions in which the mirror extends downward or inward and
locking means cooperate to allow the rod to be pulled into the channel and to carry the mirror in a position very close to the spectacle lenses.

The present invention therefore provides a rear-view mirror integrated with a pair of prescription glasses, comprising a pair of optical lenses, a pair of arms and articulation means coupling said said
branches to said glasses, said incorporated rear view mirror being characterized in that it comprises:
an elongate channel defined in one of said branches having a closed end and an open end near said articulation means, and a notch therebetween;
an elongated rod having a first end defining a first mirror hinge member, a second end, and an extended locking member comprised between said first and second ends; said elongated rod being inserted into said channel so that said first end extends outward from said channel through said open end and is movable between the advanced and retracted positions;
a mirror having a second mirror hinge member cooperating with said first mirror hinge member for pivotally fixing said mirror to said first end of said elongated rod; and
a spring inserted in said channel, interposed between said second end of
said elongated rod and said closed end of said channel, pressing said elongated rod towards said position. advanced.

The rear-view mirror is further characterized in that said mirror is pivotable between a viewing position generally parallel to said glasses and a position of not seen, generally perpendicular to said glasses; that said
a locking member is inserted into said notch to hold said elongated rod in said retracted position; that said notch and said locking member are positioned with respect to said mirror so that said locking member rotates said elongated rod and said mirror when it enters said notch; that said locking member defines a front edge and
that said notch further defines a cavity designed to receive said front edge.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawings in which the same numerical indices designate identical parts, and in which the figures represent:
Figure 1: a perspective view of a rear view mirror integrated in prescription glasses, designed according to the present invention;
Figure 2: a side view of the rear view mirror integrated in eyeglasses, designed according to the present invention, in the advanced position;
figure 3: rear-view mirror integrated in sunglasses, designed according to the
present invention. in the closed position;
Figure 4: a top view of a portion of the rear view mirror integrated in sunglasses, designed according to the present invention;
Figure 5: a top view of a portion of the rear view mirror integrated in sunglasses, designed according to the present invention; and
FIGS. 6A and 6B: sectional views of part of the rear-view mirror integrated in prescription glasses, designed according to the present invention, follow lines 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the integrated rear-view mirror according to the present invention, in which a pair of glasses designated by the
reference numeral lOcomprend a frame 11, carrying a pair of optical lenses 21 and 22 and defining an upper portion 23 of bridge on the nose. A pair of joints 15 and 20 is coupled to the frame 11 according to the usual manufacturing techniques. A branch 13 designed according to the usual manufacturing techniques for spectacles includes a curved portion 24 for
the ear. The articulation 15 fixes the branch 13 to the frame 1 1 according to a pivoting or articulated fixing, which, according to the usual manufacturing techniques, allows the branch 13 to present the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, or well, to be folded internally and rest against the frame 11 for storage or transport.

According to the invention, the branch 14 comprises an ear piece 25 having a curved part similar to the piece 24. Unlike the piece 24, however, the piece 25 is significantly shorter and it is connected to the front part 34 by the connector 33. The front part 34 and the ear piece 25 together form the branch 14 which, in a similar manner to the edge 13, is fixed to the
mount 1 1 by the articulation 20. In a similar way,
The articulation 20 allows the branch 14 to be folded inwards, against the frame 11, for easy transport. According to an important aspect of the present invention, the front part 34 defines an elongated inner channel 40 extending over a large part of the lifter and defining a notch 41
facing outward. The front part 34 further defines an opening 42.

An elongated rod 32, the structure of which is shown below in more detail, is situated inside the channel 40 and extends outwardly through the opening 42. The rod 32 ends in a hinge 31 and defines a tab 35 rising upwards which extends beyond the channel 40 of the front part 34. A
mirror 30 is coupled to articulation 31 and it is carried by rod 32.

According to the invention, the mirror 30 is movable around the articulation 31 relative to the rod 32. In the position shown in Figure 1, the glasses 10 are presented in the configuration which allows them to be worn by the 'user.

Also in the position shown in Figure 1, the mirror 30 is carried in
the position which allows the rear view for the wearer of the glasses 10.

FIG. 2 represents a side view of the glasses 10, in the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the frame 11 carries the lenses 22 and is articulated on the branch 14. As described above, the branch 14 comprises the ear piece 25 and the front part 34. As also described
above, the ear piece 25 and the front part 34 are connected to the junction 33. A pair of longitudinal retaining pins 43 and 44 extends through the part 25 and the part 34 in order to fix them with a rigidly. shown below in more detail. The tab 35 extends upwards above the front portion 34 and beyond the channel 40. The rod 32 extends forward from the portion
frontal 34 and supports the mirror 30 by the articulation 31 in the position shown. According to an important aspect of. In the present invention, the mirror 30 can pivot around the articulation 31 in the direction indicated by the arrow 29 to occupy the horizontal position shown in dotted lines and designated by mirror 30A.

The position of the mirror 30 represented by the dotted lines 30A forms the
position of non-use of the rear-view mirror according to the present invention, when no reflection is visible by the wearer of the glasses 10 in the mirror.

As shown in Figure 2, the tab 35 and the rod 32 extend forward in the channel 40.

FIG. 3 represents a side view of the glasses 10 of. Figure 2, in
which branch 14 comprising the ear piece 25 and the front part 34 are supported relative to the frame 11 and the lenses 22 in the same positions as those shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, unlike the position of the Figure 2, Figure 3 shows the position of the rear view mirror according to the present invention in the retracted position. As a result, paw 35
has been withdrawn backwards, inside the channel 40, up to the notch 41. The tab 35 is then turned 900 to penetrate the notch 41 and occupies the position shown in FIG. 3. even, the rotation of the tab 35 rotates the rod 32 which in turn rotates the articulation 31 and the mirror 30. Thus, the mirror 30 is locked in the position shown in FIG. 2, which, as described more
far, allows the mirror 30 to be positioned so as to allow the branch 14 to be folded inwards against the frame 11, to facilitate transport.

Figures 4 and 5 show the rear-view mirror part of the present invention in more detail, and seen from above. FIG. 4 represents the relative positions of the branch 14 comprising the ear piece 25 and the front part 34
in the position shown in FIG. 3. Consequently, the tab 35 enters the notch 41 and the rod 32 is withdrawn in the channel 40. As a result, the mirror 30, which is pivoted 900 inwards, in accordance with the rotation of the tab 35, directly covers the lenses 22 inside the frame 11. As mentioned, the frame 11 and the front part 34 are fixed by a hinge 20. According to the invention, the channel 40 defines one end 50 near the junction 33 and one end 51 near the joint 20. As can be seen. the end 51 constitutes a path limit for the tab 35 inside the channel 40 and thus limits the extension towards the outside of the rod 32. A spring 45 penetrates inside the channel 40 and is held between the end 50 of channel 40 and
the end 52 of the rod 32. As described below in more detail, the spring 45 is held in the channel 40 under compression, and thus presses the end 52 and therefore the rod 3; 2 away from them. 'end 50, thus pressing the rod 32 towards the advanced position. In the locked position shown in Figures 4 and 5, however, the cooperation of the tab 35 and the notch 41 resists this force of
spring and keep the rod 32 in the locked position.

5 shows the position of the glasses 10 shown in Figure 4, except that the branch 14 is folded against the frame 11 in the so-called transport or storage position. In addition, and according to an important aspect of the invention, the mirror 30 is pivoted in the position shown against the frame 1 1 for
facilitate the transport of glasses 10.

Figures 6A and 6B show a sectional view of the rear view mirror according to the present invention, for eyeglasses, along lines 6-6 of Figure 1. In particular, Figure 6A shows the sectional view of the front part 34 in which the tab 35 is placed in its advent position, against
the end 51 of the channel 40. Consequently, in the position shown, the rod 32 extends outwardly through the opening 42 to its maximum distance, and the mirror is supported as described above by the hinge 31. As also described above, the spring 45 is inserted into the channel 40 between the end 50 of the latter and the end 52 of the rod 32. The compression force of the spring 45
maintains the tab 35 against the end 51. It can also be seen that the points 43 and 44 pass through the part 25 and the front part 34 to ensure firm attachment to the junction 33.

Figure 6B shows the rod 32 and the tab 34 in the rotated position shown in Figure 4. As can be seen, the spring 45 is
compressed to a greater extent than that shown in the position of Figure 6A, due to the change in position of the rod 32.

The specialist will easily understand that, if the structure according to the present invention shown in the preceding descriptions, uses a two-part assembly for the branch 14, a branch molded in one piece can be
adjusted to the channel 40 and to the rod 32, so as to function according to the invention described above.

 Although particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, the specialist will readily understand that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

 1. Rear-view mirror integrated into a pair of eyeglasses (10) comprising a pair of optical glasses (21,22) a pair of arms (13,14) and articulation means (120) coupling said arms to said lenses, said integrated rear-view mirror being characterized in that it comprises:  an elongate channel (40) defined in one of said branches (13,14) having a closed end and an open end near said articulation means (15,20}, "and a notch (41} therebetween;  an elongated rod (72) having a first end defining a first mirror hinge, a second end, and a member  extended locking between said first and second ends; said elongated rod being inserted into said channel so that said first end extends outward from said channel through said open end and is movable between the advanced and retracted positions;  a mirror (30> having a second cooperating mirror articulation element  with said first mirror hinge member for pivotally fixing said mirror to said first end of said elongated rod; and  a spring (45) inserted in said channel, interposed between said second. end of said elongated rod and said closed end of said channel, pressing said elongated rod towards said advanced position.  2. Integrated rear-view mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said mirror is pivotable between a view position generally parallel to said glasses and a position of not seen, generally perpendicular to said glasses.  3. Integrated rear view mirror according to claim 2, characterized in that said locking element is inserted into said notch to maintain said elongated rod in said retracted position.  4. Integrated rearview mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that said notch and said locking element are positioned relative to said mirror so that said locking element rotates said elongated rod and said mirror when it enters said notch.  5. Integrated rearview mirror according to claim 4, characterized in that said locking element defines a front edge and that said notch further defines a cavity designed to receive said front edge.  6. Spectacles characterized in that they include:  a frame;  a pair of lenses mounted in said frame;  a pair of branches each defining an elongated channel, a notch and a front opening;  a pair of joints fixing said arms to said frame;  a pair of elongated rods inserted into said elongated channels inside said branches, in an advanced or retracted position, and having portions extending outwardly through said front openings and defining locking tabs;  a pair of mirrors;  a pair of mirror joints securing said mirrors in articulation to said outwardly extending portions of said elongated rods; and  a pair of springs inserted into said channels and placed therein so as to press said elongated rods towards their advanced position.