Structure and method for face form retention in plastic eyeglasses and eyeglass frames
Structure and method for face form retention in eyeglasses and eyeglass frames for substantially preventing creep from altering the face form. The method comprises providing an eyeglass frame front having a space in the bridge region for receiving a metallic strip, providing the metallic strip having a width approximately matching the width of the space in the eyeglass frame front and a thickness that is less than its width, and fastening the metallic strip in the space in the bridge region so that the width of the metallic strip rigidifies the eyeglass frame front to retain its face form. Various specific methods and structures are disclosed.
1. A method of rigidifying an eyeglass frame front comprising:
providing an eyeglass frame front having a space in the bottom of the bridge region for receiving a metallic strip;
providing the metallic strip having a width approximately matching the width of the space in the eyeglass frame front and a thickness that is less than its width, and
fastening the metallic strip in the space in the bottom of the bridge region so that the width of the metallic strip rigidifies the eyeglass frame front.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the space is in the bottom of the bridge of the eyeglass frame front.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the metallic strip is fastened in the space in the bridge region using a cement.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the metallic strip is encapsulated by the cement.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the cement is a room temperature curing epoxy.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising finishing the exposed surface of the cement to conform to the shape of the bridge.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the metallic strip is provided with open areas circumscribed by border regions.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the open areas of the metallic strip define a truss structure within and integral with the border regions.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the metallic strip is fabricated by photo-chemical machining.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the metallic strip is fabricated by stamping.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the eyeglass frame front is fabricated from cellulose acetate.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the space is machined into the bridge region of the eyeglass frame front.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the face form is developed by hot pressing the eyeglass frame front before the metallic strip is fastened in the space in the bridge region.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the face form is developed by hot pressing the eyeglass frame front after the metallic strip is fastened in the space in the bridge region.
15. A method of rigidifying an eyeglass frame to retain its face form comprising:
providing an eyeglass frame front having a space in the bottom of the bridge region;
providing a metallic strip having a width approximately matching the width of the space in the eyeglass frame front, the metallic strip including open areas circumscribed by border regions, the open areas of the metallic strip defining a truss structure within and integral with the border regions;
encapsulating the metallic strip in the space in the bridge region with a cement so that the face form is retained by the width of the metallic strip; and
finishing the exposed surface of the cement to conform to the shape of the bridge.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the cement is a room temperature curing epoxy.
17. A method of rigidifying an eyeglass frame to retain its face form comprising:
providing a cellulose acetate eyeglass frame front having a space in the bottom of the bridge region;
providing a metallic strip having a width generally matching the width of the space in the eyeglass frame front, the metallic strip including open areas circumscribed by border regions, the open areas of the metallic strip defining a truss structure within and integral with the border regions;
encapsulating the metallic strip in the space in the bridge region using a clear, room temperature curing epoxy cement so that the width of the metallic strip rigidifies the eyeglass frame to retain its face form; and
finishing the exposed surface of the cement to conform to the shape of the bridge.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the metallic strip is fabricated by photo-chemical machining.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the metallic strip is fabricated by stamping.
20. A creep resistant eyeglass frame front comprising:
a plastic eyeglass frame front having a pair of rims integrally joined by a bridge region;
the underside of the bridge region having a metallic strip encapsulated therein.
21. The creep resistant eyeglass frame front of claim 20 wherein the metallic strip includes open areas circumscribed by border regions, the open areas of the metallic strip defining a truss structure within and integral with the border regions.
22. The creep resistant eyeglass frame front of claim 20 wherein the metallic strip is encapsulated in the underside of the bridge region by cement.
23. The creep resistant eyeglass frame front of claim 20 wherein the metallic strip is encapsulated in the underside of the bridge region by epoxy cement.
24. A creep resistant eyeglass frame front comprising:
a cellulose acetate eyeglass frame front having a pair of rims integrally joined by a bridge region;
the underside of the bridge region having a metallic strip encapsulated therein with a epoxy cement, the metallic strip having open areas circumscribed by border regions, the open areas of the metallic strip defining a truss structure within and integral with the border regions.
25. A creep resistant eyeglass frame front comprising:
an eyeglass frame front having a space in the bottom of a bridge region of the frame front;
a sheet metal truss structure being secured in the space with a cement.
26. The creep resistant eyeglass frame front of claim 25 wherein the cement is a clear cement.
27. The creep resistant eyeglass frame front of claim 25 wherein the eyeglass frame front is a cellulose acetate eyeglass frame front.