Abstract: A machine for cutting/grinding ophthalmic lenses has a lens spindle aligned on a vertical longitudinal axis and a tool spindle aligned on an angled axis in relation to the vertical axis. The lens blank is chucked on the upper end of the lens spindle and a tool is mounted on a lower end of the tool spindle. One motor rotates the lens spindle and the lens blank about the longitudinal axis and a second motor vertically reciprocates the lens spindle and the lens blank. A third motor rotates the tool spindle and the tool about the angled axis and a fourth motor linearly horizontally reciprocates the tool spindle and the tool. A microprocessor coordinates the rotation and reciprocation of the spindles to cause the tool to cut/grind the lens blank to a predetermined contour. The tool has a spherical grinding surface of diameter approximating but not greater than twice the radius of the steepest lens curvature to be cut/ground.

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.