Abstract: A lens projector is provided for use with a lens blocking device having an LCD target display plane disposed beneath a work surface and a tower having an upper portion extending above the work surface with a eyepiece therethrough. The lens projector includes a bracket fixed to the tower proximate the eyepiece with a light source rigidly seated on the bracket above the work surface. A viewer mounted in the eyepiece is aligned on a sight line substantially normal to and centered on the work center of the LCD target display plane. An at least partially transmissive mirror intersects the sight line and is fixed to the viewer at an angle such that light emitted from a center of the light source is reflected along the sight line toward the work surface so as to project an image of a multi-focal segment or a lens marking onto the graphic display. A shield fixed to the bracket and extending between the light source and the tower protects the tower from heat dissipated by the light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the generation of ophthalmic products from blanks comprises a mechanism for rotating the blank about an axis of rotation. A cutter tool imparts a desired surface configuration onto the rotating blank. A first moving mechanism moves the cutter tool in a first direction oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the blank. A second moving mechanism moves the cutter tool in a second direction oriented transverse to the first axis. A digital electronic system controls the angular displacement of the blank with respect to a reference plane containing the blank, and controls the movements of the cutter tool in the first and second directions. The movements of the cutter tool in the first and second directions, and the angular displacement of the blank about the axis of rotation are all controlled independently of one another by the digital electronic system.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a holder is provided for an eyeglass frame having a pair of lens rims spaced apart by a bridge. A pair of supports are fixed in spaced apart relationship on a base plate and a cradle is journalled between the supports to rock beneath an axis spaced from and parallel to the base plate. A pair of jaws transversely mounted on the cradle in relation to the axis is biased toward closing and has a mouth accessible from above the axis. One or both of the jaws inwardly tapered from the mouth to a narrow passage and outwardly tapered from the narrow passage to a throat. The throat has inwardly extending seats. Thus, when a frame is inserted transversely into the mouth toward the throat with its upper rims against one of the jaws and its lower rims against the other of the jaws, the jaws open against bias to pass the frame through the narrow passage and then close under bias to secure the frame in the throat and on the seats.

Abstract: An initial curvature is cut into a lens blank in a lens making machine, such as a lathe, and the curvature is subsequently finished by a finishing tool. The finishing tool has curve characteristics which correspond to those of a prescription within a prescribed tolerance. The curvature of the finishing tool is measured on a digital gauge, and those measurements are fed to a digital controller which actuates the lathe. As a result, an initial curvature is cut into the lens blank having characteristics which correspond to those of the finishing tool. The finishing operation can thus be performed more quickly, since less material needs to be removed from the initial curvature during the finishing operation.

Abstract: A computer is used to calculate the location of a target, customize the target to conform to the lens, frame and patient characteristics of each individual job and automatically compensate for parallax in the apparatus. A convenient open work surface is provided for the operator to position the lens blank on a non-skid surface. The block is applied at a constant limited force in a manual or automatic mode of operation on either frame or optical center. The offsets for positioning the lens blank are calculated within the blocker based upon frame and patient data. This data can be input directly or can be downloaded from a database. These offsets determine the location of the target relative to the optical markings on the lens blank. The amount the target is offset is scaled automatically to compensate for the fact that the lens blanks are on a work surface above the electronic display. A customized target is displayed.

Abstract: A lens grinding apparatus is capable of generating, in a lens blank, a power curve less than three diopters and having both a base characteristic and a cross curve characteristic. A plate is pivotably mounted on a base means, a first slide is slidably mounted on the plate, a second slide is pivotably mounted on the first slide, and a tool is mounted on the second slide for rotation about a tool axis of rotation. During a sweep of the tool across a lens blank, the position of the tool relative to the lens blank is continuously sensed to control a micro-processor. Under the control of the micro-processor, the first slide is continuously slid along the plate, and the second slide is continuously pivoted about an axis relative to the first slide. This is performed so that the sweep radius and the real head angle of the tool are continually changed in a manner maintaining a constant radius of curvature of the curve, and a constant effective head angle of the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and shaping a material is disclosed which includes securing means for securing an adaptor having a lens blank or a semi finished lens is fixed thereto to apparatus for working. The securing means comprises a generally cylindrical housing having first and second ends and a throughbore, the first end having a plurality of axial slots defining a plurality of finger-like members which can act as a collet. A piston is disposed within the throughbore and is axially movable therein, the piston being connected to a sleeve member which is mounted so that it surrounds the plurality of finger-like members. The securing means further comprises means for moving the piston relative to the housing and means for defining a sealed fluid chamber between the piston and the piston moving means.

Abstract: Quick-change methods and apparatus enable the cutting tool of a lens cutting machine to be exchanged with minimal down time of the machine. A replacement cutting tool is gauged in an off-machine gauging mechanism while the machine is able to continue an on-going lens cutting operation. A stop surface of the replacement tool is adjusted in the gauging mechanism in order to reset the cutting edge, whereby subsequent insertion of the replacement tool in the machine assures that the cutting edge will be located in a predetermined reference plane of the machine.

Abstract: Quick-change methods and apparatus enable the cutting tool of a lens cutting machine to be exchanged with minimal down time of the machine. A replacement cutting tool is gauged in an off-machine gauging mechanism while the machine is able to continue an on-going lens cutting operation. A stop surface of the replacement tool is adjusted in the gauging mechanism in order to reset the cutting edge, whereby subsequent insertion of the replacement tool in the machine assures that the cutting edge will be located in a predetermined reference plane of the machine.

Abstract: Quick-change methods and apparatus enable the cutting tool of a lens cutting machine to be exchanged with minimal down time of the machine. A replacement cutting tool is gauged in an off-machine gauging mechanism while the machine is able to continue an on-going lens cutting operation. A stop surface of the replacement tool is adjusted in the gauging mechanism in order to reset the cutting edge, whereby subsequent insertion of the replacement tool in the machine assures that the cutting edge will be located in a predetermined reference plane of the machine.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a lens by grinding a lens blank with a tool in a working position calls for a diamond tool to be disposed only angularly, the lens being moved in an X,Y relationship so that the relative cutting position is properly maintained. The angular disposition and X,Y relationship of the tool and the lens are pre-calculated by a computer, and the digital data thus obtained are converted to analog data for controlling a servo system. In accordance with the invention, when a certain range of curves is entered via a digital keyboard, a computation is made by computer to determine if an interference between the spindle holding the diamond tool and lens will exist, or if an interference between the lens and a chuck will exist. If an interference will exist, the chucked lens is caused to rotate around the optic axis by precisely 180.degree.

Abstract: A lens grinding machine includes a grinding tool mounted on a tool support, and a lens holder mounted in a tailstock assembly. The lens is positioned for grinding by advancing the tailstock assembly into engagement with the tool support. A push-back member carried by a housing of the tailstock assembly is actuated to displace the tailstock housing to a predetermined spacing from the tool reference axis. A dial carried by the tailstock housing and operably connected to the lens holder is rotated to bring a desired lens thickness-related value on one scale into alignment with a lens diopter-related value on an adjacent scale, whereupon a precise grinding position of the lens is attained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blocked lens thickness gauge for measuring the thickness of a semi-finished lens that is blocked for surfacing of the concave side thereof. A lens contacting sensor shaft is supported between two sets of orthogonally mounted ball bearings and a needle shaft, the latter being supported on spring-loaded bearings such that the needle shaft is urged toward the lens contacting sensor shaft by the spring loading. A slipping clutch is also provided to allow the needle shaft to absorb inertia forces resulting from abnormal shocks.

Abstract: A prepolymerization step prior to casting reduces shrinkage during polymerization of a composition containing diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate) with up to 40% of a vinyl ester, preferably vinyl acetate, and one or more free radical type initiators. The prepolymerization step includes adding a small amount of free radical type initiator, which may be the same or different than that used just prior to casting, and heating to a temperature higher than one hour half-lifetime temperature of the initiator. In this manner, most of the added initiator is consumed and the prepolymerization produces the highest possible conversion while preventing overpolymerization. High yield of lenses of ophthalmic quality is obtained.

Abstract: A dynamically variable oscillating adjustment assembly including a frame and a first link means pivotally connected at one end to the frame and an adjustment mechanism positioned intermediate the one end of the first link means and the frame to adjustably position the first link means with respect to the frame. A second link means pivotally connected at one end to the other end of the first link means and pivotally connected at the other end to a first arm of a bell crank pivotally mounted upon the frame. A second arm of the bell crank is operable to oscillate in response to oscillation of the other end of the first link means. An adjustment mechanism may be interposed between the frame and the intermediate pivot of the bell crank such that the position and stroke of the other arm of the bell crank may be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for polishing the edges of lenses, such as eyeglass lenses. The apparatus includes a lens holder, a motor for rotating the lens holder, a hand screw mechanism for opening and closing the lens holder, a polishing pad, a motor for rotating the polishing pad, a hand pivot mechanism for pivoting the polishing pad towards and away from the lens holder, a container for polishing abrasive, and a hand screw mechanism for translating the the polishing pad axially to bring different portions of the polishing pad into engagement with lenses gripped by the lens holder.

Abstract: A small autoclave for bonding composite lenses comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel adapted to contain therein a lens tray for holding optical lenses aligned horizontally in a vertical array.

Abstract: A method of minimizing distortion and preventing wrinkles in optical plastic-glass composites utilizing a lens-laminating mechanism wherein stretched synthetic fabric is disposed between a plunger and the plastic-glass composite wherein the stretched synthetic fabric transfers some of the plunger forces toward the perimeter of the plastic-glass composite during contact of the plunger with the composite.