Today’s hinge designs help frames last longer, look better, and work better at the dispensing table and in the consumer’s world

By Amy Spiezio

Each of the components of a frame is developed using a blend of science and artistry. As l.a. eyeworks co-founder Barbara McReynolds pointed out at International Vision Expo East’s Frame Style session, “glasses are an industrial design translated into fashion.” Eyewear has dozens of patented points that provide unique solutions to technical issues while keeping style in mind. In the first part of our Smart & Beautiful series, we look at hinges.

TIMELY PROCESS
For the first 500 years of eyewear, the only hinge involved was a rivet at the nasal hinge that held together two lens mountings. While it doesn’t take centuries to develop innovative new hinges, it can take hours at the drawing board. Alain Mikli’s Biolink technology for Starck Eyes took 20,000 research hours. The end result was a biomechanical creation that was based on the human micro-clavicle with screw-free articulation that keeps the pressure off of the temples and provides a wide range of motion.
Chris Maling, founder and CEO, and Marc Sanford, director of product development and design took two years to develop Framescape’s mechanical spring hinge. Created to minimize repairs, the hinge was inspired by frequent frame damage Maling experienced while interacting with his special needs son. If the frames are put under excessive stress, the temple pops out and can be put back together.
Mykita’s hinge from Collection No. 1 came about a decade after Philipp Haffmans and Harald