Patents by Inventor Frank D. Sorrells

Frank D. Sorrells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4535575
    Abstract: An adapter for holding a lens blank and lens block assembly in a fining and polishing apparatus includes an adapter body having a non-circular socket extending inwardly thereof from one face for receiving a correspondingly shaped projection on a lens block. A central recess in the other face of the adapter body receives a pin on a spindle pressure arm. The non-circular socket provides a reference axis corresponding to the base line for the lens block. Guide rods extend outwardly from the outer periphery of the adapter body parallel to the reference axis for cooperation with a locating rod in a fining and polishing apparatus for maintaining the proper orientation of the lens blank during processing. Apparatus for mounting lens blanks in a desired rotated position includes a plate attached to a spindle pressure arm and having a guide arm extending outwardly therefrom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4468896
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck assembly associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that a desired optical center axis in the lens blank and the tailstock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes means for selectively rotating and/or canting the lens blank relative to the tailstock to accommodate desired axis and prism settings as prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, additional operations are performed thereon for producing a finished optical lens while the lens block remains affixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4419849
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck assembly associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that a desired optical center axis in the lens blank and the tailstock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes means for selectively rotating and/or canting the lens blank relative to the tailstock to accommodate desired axis and prism settings as prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, additional operations are performed thereon for producing a finished optical lens while the lens block remains affixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4382351
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that the lens blank frame center axis and the tail stock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes means for selectively adjusting and rotating the lens blank relative to the tailstock for accommodating any desired decentration, axis setting and prism prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, the blank and associated lens block are mounted and processed first in surface fining apparatus and then in peripheral edge contouring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4358913
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that the lens blank frame center axis and the tail stock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes apparatus for selectively adjusting and rotating the lens blank relative to the tailstock for accommodating any desired decentration, axis setting and prism prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, the blank and associated lens block are mounted and processed first in surface finishing apparatus and then in peripheral edge contouring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4341045
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that the lens blank frame center axis and the tail stock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes means for selectively adjusting and rotating the lens blank relative to the tailstock for accommodating any desired decentration, axis setting and prism prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, the blank and associated lens block are mounted and processed first in surface fining apparatus and then in peripheral edge contouring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4267672
    Abstract: A chucking method and apparatus for processing a lens blank in a manner requiring only a single mounting of the blank to an associated lens block. The lens block is mounted to the convex lens blank surface by a hot melt type of adhesive so as to extend outwardly thereof substantially coaxial with the lens blank frame center axis. The lens blank and lens block are releasably mounted in a chuck associated with lens surface generating apparatus such that the lens blank frame center axis and the tail stock of the generating apparatus are coaxial. The chuck includes means for selectively adjusting and rotating the lens blank relative to the tailstock for accommodating any desired decentration, axis setting and prism prescribed for the finished lens. Following generation of the desired optical characteristics in the lens blank, the blank and associated lens block are mounted and processed first in surface fining apparatus and then in peripheral edge contouring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Cole National Corporation
    Inventor: Frank D. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 3994047
    Abstract: Fibers are air laid on a twin-wire machine to form a composite pad. A pair of endless foraminous carriers are passed through a forming chamber where fibers suspended in air are directed between the carriers. A layer of fibers is built up on each of the carriers by applying pressure differential across the carriers in the chamber to force air from the suspension through the carriers. In one form of the invention the air is directed through the respective carriers in different patterns to form a respective fiber layers of different cross section. The carriers converge within the chamber in their direction of motion to join the facing surfaces of the respective layers to form a composite pad of non-uniform cross section. According to one aspect of the invention, excess fibers are removed from the facing surfaces just prior to their being joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Lee, Frank D. Sorrells