Patents by Inventor Daniel E. Andrews

Daniel E. Andrews 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: 8656602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 8322042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20120117811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 8091244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20110113639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel E. ANDREWS, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7874079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releasably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20080186451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, David W. Gerding, Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6846078
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a system and method for aligning reference marks defining the optical center or major reference point on a lens blank with a series of alignment marks, or “fiducials”. The fiducials comprise first and second alignment bars displayed on a display operably associated with a computer, and overlay the reference marks, also displayed on the display. The fiducials may be adjusted to accurately precisely align the lens blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Jennifer Snyder Shanks
  • Patent number: 6618952
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: National Optronics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Guenter G. Fietzke, David L. Kountz, Andrew W. Doan, Kimber W. Rarick, Don S. Wills, Martin A. Moon, Ryan J. Davis, John T. Rathbone
  • Publication number: 20020166247
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Guenter G. Fietzke, David L. Kountz, Andrew W. Doan, Kimber W. Rarick, Don S. Wills, Martin A. Moon, Ryan J. Davis, John T. Rathbone
  • Patent number: 6243960
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: National Optronics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Guenter G. Fietzke, David L. Kountz, Andrew W. Doan, Kimber W. Rarick, Don S. Wills, Martin A. Moon, Ryan J. Davis, John T. Rathbone
  • Patent number: D505141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Jennifer Snyder Shanks
  • Patent number: D435053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: National Optronics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Andrew W. Doan, David L. Kountz, Guenter G. Fietzke