Beta Frames LLC

Other

Cvi/beta Ventures, Inc.

The Beta Group, Inc.

Altair Holding Company

Beta Golf, Inc.

Robert B Zider

John F Krumme

David C Plough

Brian A Thompson

Darel E Hodgson

John R Zider

John J Krumme

A hinged connection between first and second members () which makes use of a fixation pin (). The fixation pin () has a first configuration which enables the pin to be inserted through a first hole in a first member (), through an aligned intermediate hole in the second member () and through an aligned second hole in the first member (). The fixation pin () does not have a screw thread on its exterior surface. The fixation pin () after it has been inserted is subject to a treatment which changes it to a second configuration, or the fixation pin spontaneously changes, while it is being inserted through the holes or immediately thereafter, to a second configuration. In the second configuration, part or all of the fixation pin contacts the wall of at least one of the holes, so that the first and second members are connected together at a hinged connection. The invention is particularly useful when the hinged connection is part of an eyeglass assembly, wherein the temple member or the frame member is the first member () and the other is the second member ().

Hinged connections

An airflow indicator providing a visually observable measure of relative airflow through a wind musical instrument which facilitates evaluation proximate the end of the instrument. This allows airflow to traverse the majority of the length of the instrument and particularly to traverse the valve section, so that actions of a player in operating the valves which impair the airflow may be seen. Some examples may be configured to minimize differences in pitch between the wind musical instrument with the airflow indicator in place, relative to the wind musical instrument without the airflow indicator.

Airflow indicator for wind musical instruments

An endoscopic surgical instrument for removing tissue or bone, the instrument comprising (1) a generally tubular component (2) a cutting device which is housed in the distal end member and part of which protrudes beyond the window in the distal member, and (3) a means for operating the cutting device. The tubular component comprises a distal end member containing a cutting device, a proximal member, and between the distal member and the proximal member a hollow, generally tubular intermediate member which deforms elastically when the angle between the distal member family proximal member is changed. The intermediate member can for example be composed of a nickel titanium alloy, and/or can be slotted, and/or can be in the form of an accordion, and/or be in the form of a coil.

Surgical devices

Eyeglass assemblies include an eyeglass lens having an engaging portion. The junction between the body portion of the lens and the engaging portion can consist essentially of smoothly curved surfaces. The engaging portion can be extend from the periphery of the lens or can be a recess in the lens. In some assemblies, under typical conditions of use, the engaging portion is maintained in contact with an eyeglass frame member by means of a removable bonding member (RBM). Under selected atypical ambient conditions, the RBM changes so that the engaging portion and the frame member can be separated. The RBM can be a suitable adhesive (RBA), or a component composed of a shape memory metal (RBSMA) or a material which softens when subjected to heat or other atypical condition.

Eyeglasses

Eyeglass assemblies including an eyeglass lens having an engaging portion. Under typical conditions of use, the engaging portion is maintained in contact with an eyeglass frame member by means of a removable bonding member (RBM). Under selected atypical ambient conditions, the RBM changes so that the engaging portion and the frame member can be separated. The engaging portion can extend from the lens, or can be a recess in the lens. The RBM can be a suitable adhesive (RBA), or a component composed of a shape memory metal (RBSMA) or a material which softens when subjected to heat or other atypical condition. The engaging portion can be shaped and treated to reduce stresses therein. Similarly, the open ends of an eyeglass rim can be maintained in contact with each other under typical conditions of use by an RBA or an RBSMA so that the rim is positioned around an eyeglass lens, but can be released under selected atypical ambient conditions.

An eyeglass assembly which comprises In one method, the assembly is produced by applying a securing member, generally a laminar member, to exposed surfaces of the engaging portion and of the frame member fitted to the engaging portion, and securing the securing member to those exposed surfaces by an adhesive. In another method, the assembly is produced by heating and deforming part of the engaging portion of the lens so that it spreads out over adjacent surfaces of the frame member, thus forming a melt bonded securing member. In another method, the assembly is produced by supplying a polymeric precursor to adjacent surfaces of the engaging portion and the frame member, and heating and deforming the polymeric precursor so that it is melt-bonded to the engaging portion and the frame member.

Eyeglass frames

A pair of spectacles which comprises (A) a pair of lenses, each lens having an engaging portion on its periphery, and (B) a pair of temple arms, each of which comprises (1) a side member, (2) an auxiliary member, and (3) a return member which comprises an attachment portion fitted to an engaging portion of a lens; the auxiliary member (i) being connected to the side member and to the front of the return member, and (ii) providing a front surface of the temple arm.

An eyeglass assembly comprising a frame member comprising a tubular terminal portion (), and eyeglass lens () having an engaging portion () to which the frame member is fitted, and a composition () 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 () 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.

A system for attaching optical frames and lenses is described which provides positive, reversible attachment without rims, cords, or screws. The mating is performed with a mechanical closure onto a receiving portion of the lens which has been formed as the mating piece for the closure device. Lenses may be changed and adjusted in a straightforward manner and the resulting device presents a clean, fashionable appearance without the need for structural rims, cords, or screws.

System for removably attaching lenses to eyeglass frame

A magnetic mounting arrangement for removably attaching auxiliary eyeglasses to an eyeglass frame. The mounting arrangement includes a male part having a projection thereon and a female part having a recess therein. The male and female parts are permanently attached to the auxiliary eyeglasses and the eyeglass frame such that the projection engages the recess when the auxiliary eyeglasses are attached to the eyeglass frame. The male and female parts can be of a magnetic or magnetizable material. The male part can include a stepped surface which mates with a stepped surface of the female part when the projection is fitted within the recess. The auxiliary eyeglasses can be various types of lenses such as sunglasses, computer glasses, fish tying readers, or magnifying glasses.

Auxiliary eyeglasses with magnetic clips

A golf club head is provided with an impact surface formed of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is selected to have a transformation temperature applicable for the range of normal golf playing temperatures, that is in the range between about 0 and 15 degrees C. This selection of the transformation temperature of the impact surface provides an effective variation of the stiffness of the golf club head that compensates for changes of the stiffness of a golf ball with changing temperatures.

Temperature compensated golf club head

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.

Wide-body aircraft having efficient utilization of interior space and

Eyeglass frames fabricated from shape-memory alloys which have optimized elasticity properties which exhibit a combination of shape-memory and elastic properties, which utilize the shape-memory property of these alloys in fastening elements, or which utilize the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the martensite state of the alloys as a hinge element are disclosed.

Eyeglass frame including shape-memory elements

Eyeglass frames fabricated from shape-memory alloys which have optimized elastic properties, which exhibit a combination of shape-memory and elastic properties, which utilize the shape-memory property of these alloys in fastening elements or which utilize the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the martensite state of the alloys as a hinge element.

Growing community of inventors

Portola Valley, CA, United States of America

Robert B Zider