Abstract: Eyeglass assemblies comprise (1) a shear pin which secures a frame member (1, 12) to a lens (11) or two frame members to each other, and/or (2) components which are substantially more transparent to ultraviolet radiation than the lens material, and/or (3) auxiliary members (14) which extend upwards from the lenses and facilitate correct positioning of the eyeglass assembly.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly comprising a frame member comprising a tubular terminal portion (2), and eyeglass lens (11) having an engaging portion (112) to which the frame member is fitted, and a composition (219) which (i) provides at least part of an interface between the engaging portion and the frame member and (ii) extends at least part way into a passage (215, 115) which passes from the interface to an exposed face of the frame member or of the lens. The composition can be a UV-cured adhesive which can be weakened by heat so that the assembly can be easily disassembled.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly comprises a lens and a frame member. One of the lens and the frame member has a recess formed in it which has a generally constant cross-section when viewed from one end along at least part of its length. The recess is defined by a pair of opposed arms with reentrant portions at their ends which define a longitudinal opening between them extending along at least part of the length of the recess, and it has an opening at one end. The other of the lens and the frame member bears a head portion. The recess and the head portion are configured so that the head portion can be fitted into the recess by sliding it through the opening at the said end of the recess, and so that the head portion is prevented by the reentrant portions of the arms from being withdrawn from the recess through the longitudinal opening.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly which comprises a lens and a frame member, in which the lens has a lug at one edge. The assembly includes a connector by which the frame member is fastened to the lug. The connector comprises a hoop formed from a shape memory alloy which has (a) been treated so that the hoop shrinks inwardly when it is heated to a temperature at which the alloy transforms from martensite phase to austenite phase, and (b) been exposed to an increase in temperature so that the phase of the alloy changes from the martensite phase to the austenite phase and so that the connector hoop shrinks inwardly to grip the lens lug.

Abstract: A hinge connection for a temple piece of an eyeglass frame having a hinge pin extending from a portion thereof. The temple piece includes a resilient portion biased against the hinge pin so as to attach the temple piece to the eyeglass frame. The temple piece is rotatable about the hinge pin and the resilient portion provides a tight hinge connection with the hinge pin and compensates for wear between the hinge pin and temple piece over extended use of the eyeglass frame.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired "feel" to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using "pixels" such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as superelastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striking face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The superelastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a retainer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the shank. The retainer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a tube or wire of Ni--Ti and cutting the retainer out of the tube/wire. The retainer accommodates wear in moving parts held together by the retainer and pin assembly.

Abstract: An intra-luminal expander assembly for use with a catheter comprises an expandable tubular expander element having openings, for example slots, formed in it, and first and second fixation portions located at or towards its ends. The expander element is disposed around a core element which comprises a shape memory alloy which has been treated so that, when the temperature of the alloy is increased above its A.sub.s temperature, it displays a shape memory effect and the length of the core element decreases. The expander element is attached to the core element through the first fixation portion and oriented so that, as the length of the core element decreases when its temperature increases, the first fixation portion is caused to move relative to the second fixation portion in a direction towards the second fixation portion, and the second fixation portion being restrained against movement with the first fixation portion so that the length of the expander element decreases and its transverse dimension increases.

Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a belleville washer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the washer. The washer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a sheet of Ni-Ti and cutting or stamping the washer out of the sheet. The washer is also plastically deformed into a conical shape.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved wide-body aircraft. The aircraft has a fuselage, a main deck and a lower deck, each deck extending substantially the entire length of the fuselage. Each of the decks is vertically spaced apart such that each of the decks is equally suitable for carrying passengers or cargo. Further, the main deck may be situated so that it is above the center line of the fuselage. There is also disclosed a method of improving the utilization of space in a wide-body aircraft.