Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Spectacles having two frames magnetically coupled together, the first frame having a pair of temples, and the second frame, located behind the first frame having nosepads. The bridge of the first frame has a rear opening cavity to accept and keep in alignment, the bridge of the second frame. Magnetic means within the rear opening cavity holds the two frames together.

Abstract: A magnetically attached spectacle lens wherein magnets are embedded in the rear surface of the lens in a circumferential groove near the periphery of the lens. The magnets are spaced around the periphery of the lens, and are held in the groove by preferably a wicked in cyanoacrylate adhesive. The spaces between the magnets are preferably filled with a light activated potting compound. Prior to installation of the magnets, the inside of the groove is painted, preferably by spraying, with an opaque paint whereby the magnets are hidden from the view of onlookers. During fabrication, after magnet installation, any overspray from the painting step is removed by using a solvent preferably applied by moistened swabs or cloth.

Abstract: Adjustable focus eyeglasses where the range of adjustment can be moved. That is, if a pair of adjustable focus eyeglasses have a range of 0 diopters to 2.75 diopters (to provide a 2.75 D ADD for reading for an emmetrope), this invention could, for example, permit the user to move the range from 0 D to 2.75 D to 2.00 D to 4.75 D so as to accommodate a short term change in the user's distance vision requirement. Each eye can be adjusted independently.

Abstract: A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, the lens including a plurality of magnets in a groove on its rear surface for holding the lens to the spectacles. An interlocking boss keeps the lens from sliding off the spectacles, and a locating tab provides a means for assuring that the lens is installed on the correct side of the spectacles and with the proper orientation.

Abstract: Variable focus spectacles which comprise i) a focus module that includes two variable focus lens sections, said sections each including a first fixed plastic lens and an adjustable focus liquid lens, and ii) a second fixed plastic lens that preferably includes most or all of the optical power needed by the intended wearer to correct his/her distance vision. The second fixed plastic lens is preferably attached to the focus module by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A detachable lens for variable focus spectacles, the lens including a plurality of magnets in a groove on its rear surface for holding the lens to the spectacles. An interlocking boss keeps the lens from sliding off the spectacles, and a locating tab provides a means for assuring that the lens is installed on the spectacles with the proper orientation.

Abstract: Variable focus spectacles which comprise i) a focus module that includes two variable focus lens sections, said sections each including a first fixed plastic lens and an adjustable focus liquid lens, and ii) a second fixed plastic lens that preferably includes most or all of the optical power needed by the intended wearer to correct his/her distance vision. The second fixed plastic lens is preferably attached to the focus module by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focus lens units. The mechanism mounts on the spectacle bridge; and includes two elongated drive levers mounted near opposite ends of the bridge, each extending toward the other end of the bridge. The free end of each driving lever is connected to its corresponding lens unit through a linkage. The driving levers are caused to rotate simultaneously, but in opposite directions, by a cam that is driven by a sliding member that slides along the bridge. By positioning the sliding member as desired, the spectacles wearer causes the cam to rotate, thereby causing the driving levers to rotate, and both lens units to change focal length.

Abstract: A magnetically affixed attachment for spectacles, including a preferably non-magnetic eyewire having front and rear regions. An auxiliary ens is held in the front region, and the rear region contains a plurality of micromagnets. Each micromagnet, preferably of the rare earth type, is located on the inner periphery of the rear region, and is thereby protected from physical abuse. The inner periphery of said eyewire has the same shape, but preferably is slightly larger than the outer periphery of the spectacle rim to which it is intended to attach, hence allowing maximum contact between each micromagnet and the spectacle rim, which rim is fabricated of, or includes, magnetic material.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for spectacles which include two variable focal length lens units. Each lens unit is fitted with a coupling member which extends from the lens unit into the bridge of the spectacles. A linearly-movable finger-operated slider, having a finger pad extending above the bridge, causes a cam within the bridge to rotate as it is moved, the cam being coupled to the coupling members causing them to move and the focal length of the lens units thereby to change.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focal length lens of the type which has a distensible membrane as one of the lens surfaces, and a membrane support member to support the perimeter of the free area of the membrane. By using a membrane support member having a toroidally shaped portion, the membrane is supported such that it has a circular free area irrespective of the shape of the perimeter of the lens. The cross sectional shape of the toroidal portion of the support member is preferably approximately an arc of a circle, and the perimeter of the free area of the membrane is maintained tangent thereto.

Abstract: An actuating system for liquid-filled variable focus lenses of the type where the focus is adjusted by changing the spacing between a rigid lens and a distensible membrane. The actuating system involves a finger-operated positioner which drives an elongated flexible actuating member, i.e., a thin band, which is supported in a channel to prevent buckling. The band drives one or more actuating mechanisms which are located around the periphery of the lens and which provide a mechanical advantage so that the motion of the finger-operated positioner is in a comfortable range.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focus lens unit, particularly useful in eyeglasses, comprised of a generic variable focus capsule to which a fixed-focus rigid lens is attached. The capsule has a preestablished optical power at its distance setting, which may be the same for all capsules of a given style, and a variable optical addition. The rigid lens, which is attached to a completed capsule, includes a surface having a shape related to the visual acuity of an intended user so that the combination of a generic capsule and the rigid lens results in a lens unit having a net optical power which matches the refractive prescription of the intended user at all distances.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens whose peripheral shape can be arbitrarily specified, for use in spectacles, which includes a rigid lens to provide the wearer's distance correction, and a liquid-filled lens bounded by a stretched distensible elastomeric membrane to provide a variable near addition. The liquid, which has a fixed volume, is stored in the field of view between the elastomeric membrane and the rigid lens. Variation of the optical power of the liquid filled lens is achieved by displacement of a membrane support to which the outer periphery of the stretched elastomeric membrane is attached. The shape of the distended membrane is kept substantially spherical, despite the circumference of the membrane being non-circular, by making the free area of the membrane circular. This is accomplished by supporting the membrane on a transparent spacing member which has substantially the same refractive index as the liquid and which includes a circular opening which defines the free area of the membrane.

Abstract: A non-circular variable focal length lens, for use in spectacles, which includes a rigid lens to provide the wearer's distance correction, and a liquid-filled lens bounded by a distensible stretched elastomeric membrane to provide a variable near addition. The liquid, which has a fixed volume, is stored in the field of view between the elastomeric membrane and the rigid lens. Variation of the optical power of the liquid filled lens is achieved by displacement of a membrane support to which the outer periphery of the stretched elastomeric membrane is attached. The shape of the distended membrane is kept substantially spherical, despite the circumference of the membrane being non-circular, by allowing the membrane support to bend in a predetermined controlled manner as it is moved.

Abstract: A plain paper facsimile receiver using a reciprocating shuttle, and, preferably, an ink jet printhead having one or more columns of ink jet nozzles. The printhead is mounted on the shuttle carriage at an angle so as to result in a line density of twice the line density specified in the facsimile standard used. In a first embodiment, the control circuitry is arranged so that dots formed by any nozzle can be formed only in alternate dot columns of the printed image, and dots formed by adjacent nozzles cannot be formed in the same dot column. In a second embodiment, a denser image is formed by printing an even number of dots in each pel corresponding to a picture element of the original facsimile image.

Abstract: A hand held printer and guiding means which maintains the printer in a fixed angular orientation with respect to an article to be printed, such as an envelope, and which constrains the printer to move linearly in a series of parallel line segments whereby an address can be printed on the envelope. Also disclosed is a printer and printer control system which utilizes a two dimensional position encoder using a ball which rolls on the surface to be printed to control the printing of data stored in a RAM memory in the printer.

Abstract: A method for replicating solvent-sensitive images, such as those comprised of fused toner. An original image is copied on to a label by wetting the image to be copied and the label with solvent (after placing the label and the image in contact). Solvation of the image causes a likeness of the image to migrate to the label. The solvent is preferably applied by breaking solvent-filled microcapsules which are in contact with the label and/or the item which bears the original image. After solvation of the image, the label, bearing a copy of the image, can be removed from the original image bearing surface and attached to a receiving surface. The invention has particular application to the addressing of envelopes for letters printed by laser printers. In this application, a copy of the address of an intended recipient of a letter can be replicated on an envelope without destroying the original address which appears on the letter.