Abstract: A tracer is provided for tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, a lens or a lens pattern. The tracer comprises an object engager and an actuator. The object engager is adapted to engage the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern. The actuator is adapted to move the object engager into contact with and then along the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern in such a way that during movement therealong, the object engager remains against the object being traced even when the shape thereof includes high wrap. Preferably, the tracer has a shift mechanism adapted to shift the object engager from alignment with the lens mount to alignment with a second lens mount of the eyeglass frame. The actuator preferably is further adapted to trace the second lens mount in substantially the same way as the first. The actuator further includes a rotator and a pivot mechanism. The rotator is adapted to rotate the object engager along the object being traced.

Abstract: A lens pad is provided for use on a lens clamp. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which, in turn, has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally thereon. The lens-engaging surface thus is annular. Alternatively, the lens-engaging surface is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no recess or variation in resiliency. Also provided is a clamp pad assembly. The clamp pad assembly includes a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The clamp pad assembly also may include a swivel member which is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto, in which case, the lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting therewith.

Abstract: A lens pad is provided for use on a lens clamp. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which, in turn, has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally thereon. The lens-engaging surface thus is annular. Alternatively, the lens-engaging surface is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no recess or variation in resiliency. Also provided is a clamp pad assembly. The clamp pad assembly includes a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The clamp pad assembly also may include a swivel member which is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto, in which case, the lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting therewith.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a pivotally actuated tracer which traces an object (e.g., a frame mount of an eyeglass frame, a lens, or a lens pattern) while the object is held in a more-vertical-than-horizontal orientation. The control system comprises a trace control element and a gravity compensation element. The trace control element applies control signals to the pivotally actuated tracer. In response, the object engager of the tracer is pivotally actuated against and along the object to be traced with a biasing force toward the object. The gravity compensation element is adapted to compensate for the effects of gravity on the object engager by causing a varying pivoting force to be exerted on the object engager. The pivoting force varies depending on the rotational orientation of the object engager to keep the biasing force substantially constant along the object. Also provided is a data acquisition system for the tracer.

Abstract: A tracer is provided for tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, a lens or a lens pattern. The tracer comprises an object engager and an actuator. The object engager is adapted to engage the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern. The actuator is adapted to move the object engager into contact with and then along the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern in such a way that during movement therealong, the object engager remains against the object being traced even when the shape thereof includes high wrap. Preferably, the tracer has a shift mechanism adapted to shift the object engager from alignment with the lens mount to alignment with a second lens mount of the eyeglass frame. The actuator preferably is further adapted to trace the second lens mount in substantially the same way as the first. The actuator further includes a rotator and a pivot mechanism. The rotator is adapted to rotate the object engager along the object being traced.

Abstract: The machine is designed for the specific purpose of cutting plastic lenses such as acrylic and polycarbonate types. The machine itself includes a table carrying a lens cutter and lens pattern engaging cam in coaxial alignment. A head carrying a plastic lens to be cut and lens pattern in coaxial alignment is coupled to the table for movement towards and away from the axis of the lens cutter and lens pattern engaging cam. The lens cutter engages the periphery of the lens to be cut. The lens pattern defines the finished contour of the lens and engages the cam after a slight radial cut is initially made into the periphery of the lens. Subsequent rotation of the lens and pattern simultaneously results in a cutting of the lens out of the lens material by the lens cutter as opposed to grinding away the periphery of the lens. The machine also incorporates controls for automatically effecting a beveling operation on the lens after the rough cut has been completed.