Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.

Gerber Optical, Inc.

Jonathan M Dooley

Jeffrey J Murray

Michael J Goulet

Lawrence S Wolfson

Douglas J Roberts

Alexander Flavio Incera

Daniel J Harris

Glenn E Bowley

Paul R Estabrooks

Peter A Wilcox

Southanou Senethep

David J Logan

Kenneth O Wood

Robert J Pavone

John E Ladue

Ken Davidson

Richard P Tinson

In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms. In its non-solid form the conformable substance permits movement of the work surface relative to the base surface to conform to the curvatures of any one of a plurality of ophthalmic lens curvatures within the predetermined range of curvatures, and in its solid form the substance fixes the work surface in a position conforming to the curvature of a selected lens surface and retains the conforming position during finishing of the lens surface.

Apparatus for finishing optical surfaces, including a pad compensation device

A retainer for retaining an abrasive pad on a lens making machine and an abrasive pad adapted to such retention comprises a retainer nestable with a lap of a lens making machine wherein when such retainer is nested, a pad placed upon said lap before nesting will be trapped in the desired position. The pad of the invention includes radially outwardly extending members beyond the working area of the pad whose purpose is to be trapped by the retainer. The invention enables automatic loading and unloading of pads on the lens making machine.

Device for retaining abrasive pad on lap in eyeglass lens making apparatus

A retainer for retaining an abrasive pad on a lens making machine and an abrasive pad adapted to such retention comprises a retainer nestable with a lap of a lens making machine wherein when such retainer is nested, a pad placed upon the lap before nesting will be trapped in the desired position. The pad of the invention includes radially outwardly extending members beyond the working area of the pad whose purpose is to be trapped by the retainer. The invention enables automatic loading and unloading of pads on the lens making machine.

Lap having a layer conformable to curvatures of optical surfaces on lenses and a method for finishing optical surfaces

A quick change lap retaining device uses radially displaceable blades to engage a groove in the underside of a lap and thereby hold the lap in position. The device fails in the engaged position to prevent inadvertent movement of the lap. Removal of the lap occasioned by disengagement of the blades is preferentially by pneumatic drive but can also be manual.

Retaining mechanism for lapping device

A system for enhancing lens preparation which allows for error compensation to provide nearly error-free lens fining and/or polishing. The system employs a flexure to allow three degrees of freedom for a lens being prepared. The system also employs a Hall effect circuit board to monitor movement of the flexure to account for error, provide feedback to a controller so that compensation for such error can be effected and so that proper force may be maintained. The flexure and the sensor feedback subsystem enable nearly error-free lens surfaces.

Tactile feedback system

In an apparatus for performing work operations on a surface of one or more lenses, a frame and a mounting bracket adapted to releasably support at least one lens blank are provided. At least three pairs of articulated supports are also included with a first end of each of the supports being bendably coupled at a first end to a mounting bracket adjacent to the other articulated support in the pair. The articulated supports are each coupled at a second end to a point on the frame with the supports in each of the pairs diverging away from each other between the mounting block and the frame. A drive is associated with each of the articulated supports and moves each support, and thereby the mounting, individually between a raised and a lowered position in response to commands issued from a controller having data corresponding to a particular lens prescription stored therein. A machining surface is also provided and during operation, as the mounting bracket moves in response to the action of the articulated supports, the lens is engaged with and moves over the machining surface thereby performing a work operation on the lens.

Method and apparatus for performing work operations on a surface of one

Finishing block

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying a finishing block to a lens. An imaging screen for imaging an alignment pattern representing characteristics of the lens and reference data on the lens is provided. The lens is positioned in the apparatus with the pattern and the data aligned. With the lens in this position, the apparatus automatically attaches the finishing block to the lens in registration with the reference data.

Apparatus and method for attaching a finishing block to a lens

An apparatus for blocking an ophthalmic lens blank for working the lens includes an alignment station for supporting and aligning the lens blank relative to a target image and a transport means for moving the lens from the alignment station to a blocking station while maintaining lens orientation. The blocking station includes a support for a lens block, support for the lens, and a mechanism for injecting heated liquid bonding material between lens and block which solidifies on cooling to join the lens and block.

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Bolton, CT, United States of America

Jonathan M Dooley