Kurt W Schaeffer

US Patent:

7454264, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Nov 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/605222

Inventors:

Kurt William Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B24B 51/00
B24B 1/00
G02C 7/00

US Classification:

700164, 700172, 700182, 451 5, 451 43, 351177

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a machine programmed to edge an ophthalmic lens blank. The machine includes an edger device for forming a bevel in a peripheral edge of the lens blank, a central processing unit operably associated with the edger device for controlling operation thereof, and a computer program stored on a medium in communication with the central processing unit. The computer program includes a first instruction set operably causing the edger device to form a bevel in a peripheral edge of a lens blank. A second instruction set operably causes the edger device to form a step in the peripheral edge intermediate an apex of the bevel and an interface between the peripheral edge and a major surface of the lens blank. A method of controlling an edger device for edging an ophthalmic lens blank and a computer program are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7463944, Dec 9, 2008

Filed:

Aug 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/511431

Inventors:

Kurt William Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700164, 700159, 451 5, 451 43

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method of controlling an edger device, and a machine programmed to edge a lens blank. A lens blank and an edger are provided. The edger device is capable of forming a groove in a peripheral edge of the lens, and forming at least one hole extending from a first major surface of the lens to a second major surface. A CPU is provided, which is operably associated with the edger device for controlling operation of the edger device. Processing instructions are transmitted from the central processing unit to the edger device. The processing instructions comprise: forming a groove in a peripheral edge of a lens blank; and forming at least one hole in the lens blank extending from the first major surface to the second major surface.

US Patent:

7643899, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Nov 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/272065

Inventors:

Kurt William Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B24B 51/01
B24B 1/00
G02C 7/00

US Classification:

700164, 700172, 700182, 451 5, 451 43, 351177

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a machine programmed to edge an ophthalmic lens blank. The machine includes an edger device for forming a bevel in a peripheral edge of the lens blank, a central processing unit operably associated with the edger device for controlling operation thereof, and a computer program stored on a medium in communication with the central processing unit. The computer program includes a first instruction set operably causing the edger device to form a bevel in a peripheral edge of a lens blank. A second instruction set operably causes the edger device to form a step in the peripheral edge intermediate an apex of the bevel and an interface between the peripheral edge and a major surface of the lens blank. A method of controlling an edger device for edging an ophthalmic lens blank and a computer program are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7874079, Jan 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/027002

Inventors:

Daniel E. Andrews - Charlottesville VA, US
David W. Gerding - Barboursville VA, US
Kurt W. Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G01B 1/00

US Classification:

33507, 33200

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.

US Patent:

7970487, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606036

Inventors:

Kurt William Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B23B 35/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700174, 408 1 R, 451 42

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating drill depth of an ophthalmic processing device. A number of drill cycles are selected for drilling an expected number of holes in a lens blank. The selected number of drill cycles is performed. The drill depth of each consecutive drill cycle varies incrementally. An actual number of locations the drill bit contacted the lens blank during the drill cycles is compared to the expected number of holes. The drill depth is adjusted depending on the compared values. A method of calibrating drill hole size is also disclosed.

US Patent:

8091244, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Jan 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/012941

Inventors:

Daniel E. Andrews - Charlottesville VA, US
David W. Gerding - Barboursville VA, US
Kurt W. Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

A61B 3/10
G01B 1/00

US Classification:

33200, 33507, 702168

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.

US Patent:

8322042, Dec 4, 2012

Filed:

Jan 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/347165

Inventors:

Daniel E. Andrews - Charlottesville VA, US
David W. Gerding - Barboursville VA, US
Kurt W. Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G01B 1/00
A61B 3/10

US Classification:

33507

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.

US Patent:

8386068, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Jun 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/169477

Inventors:

Kurt William Schaeffer - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

National Optronics, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B23B 35/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700174, 408 1 R, 451 42

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating drill depth of an ophthalmic processing device. A number of drill cycles are selected for drilling an expected number of holes in a lens blank. The selected number of drill cycles is performed. The drill depth of each consecutive drill cycle varies incrementally. An actual number of locations the drill bit contacted the lens blank during the drill cycles is compared to the expected number of holes. The drill depth is adjusted depending on the compared values. A method of calibrating drill hole size is also disclosed.