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  Combination router-end mill cutter tool, edger with combination tool, and method of edging eyeglass lensesUSPTO Application #: 20060084366Title: Combination router-end mill cutter tool, edger with combination tool, and method of edging eyeglass lenses Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for shaping and polishing an edge of an eyeglass lens. The tool includes a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof, with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion, and includes a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second blade defines a second diameter less than the first diameter. The present invention also relates to an edger having the disclosed tool, and a method of edging. (end of abstract)
Agent: Berenato, White & Stavish, LLC - Bethesda, MD, US Inventor: David W. Gerding USPTO Applicaton #: 20060084366 - Class: 451043000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Abrading, Abrading Process, Glass Or Stone Abrading, Lens, Edging The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084366. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a tool for shaping and polishing an edge of an eyeglass lens. The tool includes a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof, with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion. The first cutter has a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second blade defining a second diameter less than the first diameter. The present invention is also directed to an edger having the disclosed tool, and a method of edging a lens. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Prescription eyeglass lenses are curved in such a way that light is correctly focused onto the retina of a patient's eye, improving vision. Such lenses are formed from glass or plastic lens "blanks" having certain desired properties to provide the correct prescription for the patient. The blanks are usually circular and of substantially larger dimension, for example 70 mm in diameter and 10 mm, compared to the relatively smaller finished lenses assembled into eyeglass frames. Therefore, a lens blank must be edged to fit an eyeglass frame selected by the patient. [0003] Ophthalmic laboratory technicians cut, grind, edge, and polish blanks according to prescriptions provided by dispensing opticians, optometrists, or ophthalmologists. In addition, the large diameter blank is sized and shaped to fit into the frame selected by the patient. The lens blank may be shaped using an edger, such as the lens edger disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,409 to Kennedy et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The blank is edged so that the periphery of the finished lenses fit into the openings on the frames. [0004] Edging of a lens blank typically requires the application of a block to a surface thereof. The block is releasably secured to a clamp assembly, so that rotation of the clamp assembly causes corresponding rotation of the lens blank. As the blank is rotated, the periphery of the blank may be cut to a desired size using a router tool. The lens periphery may also be polished using a polishing tool. A bevel is often formed about the lens, particularly adjacent the wearer. [0005] The finished lens may then be assembled with the selected eyeglass frames. The frames include two spaced openings in which the finished lenses are mounted. The frame openings frequently have a bevel or a tongue, which interlocks with a complementarily shaped bevel or groove, respectively, formed about the peripheral edge of the lens. The interlock between the complementary bevel and groove helps to secure the lens within the opening. The router and polishing tools on the edger form the bevel or groove about the lens. [0006] The configuration of the bevel or groove that is edged into the peripheral edge of the lens may vary depending on the configuration of the bevel or tongue in the frame openings. Therefore, various router and polishing tools are provided for forming different bevel or groove configurations. In addition, some frame designs are secured to protrusions extending from the peripheral edge of the lens. Such protrusions are often difficult to form using router blades having a relatively large diameter. Instead, the protrusions may be formed using an end mill cutter. [0007] The router tools, polishing tools and end mill cutters are interchangeably secured on the edger via a shaft and chuck assembly. Thus, the technician must change the tool each time a different configuration of the lens edge is needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a tool for shaping and polishing a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens. The tool includes a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof. The body has a proximal portion securable to a shaft and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion, and includes a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. The polishing hub has a coating for polishing the edge of the lens. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second blade defining a second diameter less than the first diameter. [0009] The present invention is also directed to an edger for shaping a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens. The edger includes a first table moveable in a first direction, and a first drive motor for controllably moving the first table in the first direction. A lens clamping and rotating assembly is secured to the first table and is moveable therewith. The rotating assembly controllably rotates a lens about a first axis extending generally transverse to the first direction. A second table is moveable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the first axis. A second drive motor controllably moves the second table in the second direction. A router tool is mounted to the second table and is moveable therewith. The router tool is rotatable on a second axis parallel to the first axis. [0010] The tool comprises a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof. The body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion, and has a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. The polishing hub has a coating for polishing the edge of the lens. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second blade defines a second diameter less than the first diameter. A high-speed motor rotates the tool at a speed of up to 20,000 RPM. [0011] An edger for shaping an edge of an eyeglass lens according to another embodiment is also disclosed. The edger according to the second embodiment includes a base plate, first and second tables, a lens clamping and rotating assembly, and a router tool. The first table is secured to the base plate and moveable in a first direction. A first drive motor controllably moves the first table in the first direction. The second table is secured to the first table and moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A second drive motor controllably moves the second table in the second direction. The lens clamping and rotating assembly is secured to the second table and moveable therewith. The rotating assembly controllably rotates a lens about a first axis extending generally parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction. The router tool is mounted to the base plate and rotatable on a second axis parallel to the first axis. The tool comprises a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof. The body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion and has a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. The polishing hub has a coating for polishing the edge of the lens. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second cutter has a second diameter less than the first diameter. A high-speed motor rotates the tool at a speed of up to about 20,000 RPM. [0012] A method for edging a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens is disclosed. A lens blank having an edge is provided. A router tool is provided. The router tool has first and second cutters. The first cutter has a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens, and the first cutter defines a first diameter. A second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens, and the second blade defines a second diameter less than the first diameter. The blank is rotated about its geometric axis thereof. A technician selects one of the first and second cutters for shaping the edge of the blank. The edge of the blank is then engaged with the selected cutter while the router tool is rotating up to 20,000 RPM, thereby shaping the edge to one of the first and second configurations corresponding to the selected blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the housing of an edger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially in schematic, of the edger; [0015] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; [0016] FIG. 3A is a plan view, partially in schematic, of an edger according to a second embodiment; [0017] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a router tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 5 is an assembly view of the router tool of FIG. 4; [0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective assembly view of a router tool according to another embodiment, with portions shown in phantom; [0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Continue reading... 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