DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0063] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] [Constitution]

[0065] In FIG. 1 , reference numeral 1 denotes a frame shape measuring device (lens shape data measuring device) which reads out lens shape information (θi, ρi) as a lens shape data and a data on position of a hole for fixing a point frame from a lens frame shape of an eyeglass frame F, a template thereof, or a lens model or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a lens grinding processing apparatus (lens grinder) which grinds and processes a natural lens or the like to make an eyeglass lens ML (including a rimless lens) based on the lens shape data of the eyeglass frame inputted by a transmission or the like from the frame shape measuring device. By the way, since a publicly known frame shape measuring device can be used as the frame shape measuring device 1 , explanation of its detailed structure or a method for measuring data or the like will be omitted.

[0066] Also, the data on position of the hole for fixing the point frame can be obtained with a measuring method of either a non-contact type or a contact type by an area sensor or a member for measuring the position of the fixing hole (aperture) or the like described in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. H8-15594 or No. 2001-166269.

[0067] The measured data on position of the hole for fixing the point frame is, as described later, stored in a data memory 82 with the lens shape information (θi, ρi) of the lens shape data of the lens model (lens for a demonstration which the hole for fixing the point frame is provided).

[0068] <Lens Grinding Processing Apparatus 2 >

[0069] The lens grinding processing apparatus 2 has an apparatus main body (main body case) 3 . At an upper part of the apparatus main body 3 , as shown in FIG. 1 , an upper surface (inclining surface) 3 a is provided which inclines to an upper side as going from a near side to a back side, and a processing chamber 4 is formed which opens at a front part side (lower part side) of the upper surface 3 a.

[0070] The processing chamber 4 is provided to be opened and closed by a cover 5 fixed to the apparatus main body 3 capable of sliding and controlling upwardly and downwardly on a slant. The cover 5 is composed of one colorless transparent or colored transparent (for example, gray colored transparent or the like) panel made of a glass or a resin and is slid forward and backward in the apparatus main body 3 .

[0071] In addition, at the upper surface 3 a of the apparatus main body 3 , an operation panel 6 which is located at a side part of the processing chamber 4 and an operation panel 7 which is in U-shape located at a back part side from an upper part opening of the processing chamber 4 are provided. Also, at the upper surface 3 a , a liquid crystal display device (display device) 8 is provided as displaying means for displaying operational conditions of the operation panel 6 and the operation panel 7 located at a back part from a lower part side of the operation panel 7 which is in L-shape.

[0072] (Operation Panel 6 )

[0073] As shown in FIG. 2 A, the operation panel 6 is provided with a “clamp” switch 6 a for clamping the eyeglass lens with a pair of lens rotating shafts (lens retaining shaft) 23 and 24 which are described later; a “left” switch 6 b and a “right” switch 6 c for specifying the processing of the eyeglass lens for a right eye or a left eye or for carrying out a switching over of a displaying thereof; “move grinding stone” switches 6 d and 6 e for moving the grinding stone in right and left directions; a “refinish/test” switch 6 f for refinishing in a case that a finishing process of the eyeglass lens is insufficient or a tentative grinding in a case that the grinding is tentatively carried out; a “rotate lens” switch 6 g for a lens rotating mode; and a “stop” switch 6 h for a stop mode. This is for reducing a burden of work of an operator by arranging such switches necessary for the actual lens processing near the processing chamber 4 .

[0074] (Operation Panel 7 )

[0075] The operation panel 7 has, as shown in FIG. 2B, a “screen” switch 7 a for switching over a displaying condition of the liquid crystal display device 8 ; a “memory” switch 7 b for memorizing settings or the like relating to the processing displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 ; a “data request” switch 7 c for loading the lens shape information (θi, ρi); a seesaw type “−+” switch 7 d which is used in a numerical correction or the like (“−” and “+” switches may be provided separately); and a “∇” switch 7 e which is used for a cursor pointer, which are arranged at a side part of the liquid crystal display device 8 . In addition, function keys F1 to F6 are arranged at a lower part of the liquid crystal display device 8 .

[0076] The function keys F1 to F6 are used when carrying out the setting regarding the process of the eyeglass lens ML, as well as are used in a response or a selection for a message displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 during the grinding process.

[0077] As for the function keys F1 to F6, in the setting with regard to the processing (layout screen), the function key F1 is used for inputting a kind of lens; the function key F2 for inputting a processing course; the function key FS for inputting a lens material; the function key F4 for inputting a kind of frame; the function key F5 for inputting a kind of chamfering process; and the function key F6 for inputting a mirror finishing process.

[0078] For the kinds of lens inputted by the function key F1, there are “mono-focal”, “ophthalmic prescription”, “progressive”, “bi-focal”, “cataract” and “tsubokuri” or the like. By the way, the “cataract” generally means a plus lens having a high diopter, and the “taubokuri” means a minus lens having a high diopter in the eyeglass world.

[0079] As the processing course inputted by the function key F2, there are “auto”, “test”, “monitor”, and “frame change” or the like.

[0080] As the materials of the lens to be processed which are inputted by the function key F3, there are “plastic”, “high index”, “glass”, “polycarbonate” and “acrylic” or the like,

[0081] As the kinds of eyeglass frame F inputted by the function key F4, there are “metal”, “cell”, “optyl”, “flat”, “grooving (thin)”, “grooving (middle)”, “grooving (thick)”, “point: front attachment”, “point: rear attachment” and “point: combined attachment” or the like.

[0082] By the way, each “grooving” indicates a V-groove that is a kind of the V-groove processing. Also, when the “point: front attachment” is inputted, a drilling process is applied to the eyeglass lens from a front side of a refractive surface side, and when the “point: rear attachment” is inputted, the drilling process is applied to the eyeglass lens from a rear side of the refractive surface side. In addition, when it is the “point: combined attachment”, the drilling process is applied to the eyeglass lens from the front side of the refractive surface side to one part of a nose pad side and an end piece side, and the drilling process is also applied to the eyeglass lens from the rear side of the refractive surface side to the other part of the nose pad side and the end piece side so as to fix the point frame at the nose pad side and the end piece side of the eyeglass lens. As just described, direction that the drilling process is applied to the eyeglass lens varies depending on the kinds of point frame.

[0083] The “front attachment” stands for a point frame Pf 1 which is in a front attachment fixed type fixed to a front side refractive surface rf of the eyeglass lens ML as shown in FIG. 23 A, and the “rear attachment” stands for a point frame Pf 2 which is in a rear attachment fixed type fixed to a rear side refractive surface rb of the eyeglass lens as shown in FIG. 23B . The point frames Pf 1 and Pf 2 have a bridge attachment Ba fixed to the nose pad side of the eyeglass lens ML and an attachment of the end piece side E for rotatably fixing a temple (not shown) of the end piece side.

[0084] In addition, for the “combined attachment”, there are “a case that the point frame Pf 1 which is in the rear attachment fixed type is fixed to the nose pad side and the point frame Pf 2 which is in the front attachment fixed type is fixed to the end piece side” as shown in FIG. 23 C, and “a case that the point frame which is in the front attachment fixed type is fixed to the nose pad side and the point frame which is in the rear attachment fixed type is fixed to the end piece side” as contrary to Fig, 23 C.

[0085] As the kinds of chamfering process inputted by the function key F5, there are “none”, “small”, “middle”, “large” and “special” or the like.

[0086] As the kinds of mirror finishing process inputted by the function key F6, there are “non-perform”, “perform” and “mirror finishing of chamfer part” or the like.

[0087] Note that modes, types and an order of the above-described function keys F1 to F6 are not particularly limited. Moreover, for selection of tabs TB1 to TB4 which are described later, function keys for selecting “layout”, “in processing”, “after processing”, “menu” and the like may be further provided, and the number of keys is not limited.

[0088] (Liquid Crystal Display Device 8 )

[0089] In the liquid crystal display device 8 , the display device is changed over by a “layout” tab TB1, an “in processing” tab TB2, an “after processing” tab TB3 and a “menu” tab TB4. The liquid crystal display device 8 has function display sections H 1 to H 6 which correspond to the function keys F1 to F6 at a lower part thereof. By the way, colors of the tabs TB1 to TB2 are independent from each other. In changing over the selection of the tabs TB1 to TB2, the color of the background of the display screen other than areas E 1 to E 4 , which will be described later, is simultaneously changed to the same color as that of the selected tab.

[0090] For example, the “layout” tab TB1 and the entire display screen (background) attached with the tab TB1 are displayed in blue; the “in processing” tab TB2 and the entire display screen (background) attached with the tab TB2 in green; the “after processing” tab TB3 and the entire display screen (background) attached with the tab TB3 in red; and the “menu” tab TB4 and the entire display screen (background) attached with the tab TB4 in yellow.

[0091] In such a manner, since each of the tabs TB1 to TB4, which are classified for each operation depending on color, and the background of the display screen are displayed in the same color, the operator can easily recognize or confirm the current operation that is being performed.

[0092] In the function display sections H 1 to H 6 , necessary objects are displayed accordingly. In a non-display state, images, numerical values, conditions or the like different from displays corresponding to the functions of the function keys F1 to F6 can be displayed. In addition, when each of the function keys F1 to F6 is being operated, display such as a mode display may be changed over for each click of the function key F1, for example, during the operation of the function key F1. For example, a list of modes corresponding to the function key F1 may be displayed (pop-up display) whereby the selecting operability can be improved. The list in the pop-up display may be shown with characters, diagrams, icons or the like.

[0093] While the “layout” tab TB1, the “in processing” tab TB2 or the “after processing” tab TB3 are being selected, the display screen is displayed to be sectioned into an icon display area E 1 , a message display area E 2 , a numerical value display area E 3 and a state display area E 4 . While the “menu” tab TB4 is being selected, the display screen is displayed as one menu display area as a whole. By the way, while the “layout” tab TB1 is being selected, the “in processing” tab TB2 and the tab TB3 are not displayed, and the tab TB2 and the tab Tb3 may be displayed at the time when the layout setting is completed.

[0094] Since the layout setting by use of the above described liquid crystal display device 8 is similar to that in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-287040 or 2000-290864, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0095] <Grinding Processing Section 10 >

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4 , a grinding processing section 10 which has the processing chamber 4 as mentioned above is provided in the apparatus main body 3 . The processing chamber 4 is formed within a peripheral wall 11 which is fixed in the grinding processing section 10 .

[0097] The peripheral wall 11 has left and right side walls 11 a and 11 b , a rear wall 11 c , a front wall 11 d and a bottom wall 11 e as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4 . In addition, on the side walls 11 a and 11 b , arc-shaped guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 are formed respectively (see FIG. 3A ). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 A, the bottom wall 11 e has an arc-shaped bottom wall (slanted bottom wall) 11 e 1 extending downward in an arc shape from the rear wall 11 c to a near side, and a lower bottom wall (not shown) extending from a front lower end of the arc-shaped bottom wall 11 e 1 to the front wall 11 d . The lower bottom wall is provided with a drain pipe (not shown) in the vicinity of the arc-shaped bottom wall 11 e 1 and the drain pipe extends to a waste water tank (not shown) at a lower part.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the grinding processing section 10 has a tray 12 fixed to the apparatus main body 3 and a base 13 disposed on the tray 12 . Also, the grinding processing section 10 has a base drive motor 14 fixed to the tray 12 , a support section 12 a which is raised from the tray 12 , and a screw shaft (feed screw) 15 which is interlocked with an output shaft (not shown) of the base drive motor 14 and which has a tip rotatably retained by the support section 12 a . In addition, a pulse motor is used for the base drive motor 14 .

[0099] The grinding processing section 10 further comprises a rotation drive system 16 for the eyeglass lens ML, grinding means 17 for the eyeglass lens ML and a lens thickness measuring system (lens thickness measuring means) 18 for the eyeglass lens ML.

[0100] (Base 13 )

[0101] The base 13 is, as shown in FIG. 5 , formed by a rear support section 18 a extending along a rear edge of the tray 12 in transverse direction and a side support section 13 b extending from a left end of the rear support section 13 a to the front side so as to be formed in substantially V-shape. Shaft support sections 13 c and 13 d , which are in V-shaped blocks, are respectively fixed on right and left end parts of the rear support section 13 a , and a shaft support section 13 e , which is in a V-shaped block, is fixed on the side support section 13 b.

[0102] Also, in the apparatus main body 3 , a pair of parallel guide bars 19 and 20 extending in transverse direction are disposed in parallel on the front and rear sides.

[0103] The left and right ends of the parallel guide bars 19 and 20 are attached to the left and right parts in the apparatus main body 3 . Furthermore, the side support section 13 b of the base 13 is pivotally supported by the parallel guide bars 19 and 20 so as to advance and retract right and left in an axis direction of the guide bars 19 and 20 .

[0104] Moreover, a guide section 13 f is integrally formed on the base 13 . A screw shaft (feed screw) 15 is screwed in the guide section 13 f . The base drive motor 14 is operated to drive the screw shaft 15 rotatively, whereby the guide section 13 f is advanced and retracted in the axis direction of the screw shaft 15 , and then the base 13 is moved along with the guide section 13 f integrally. At this time, the base 13 is guided by the pair of the parallel guide bars 19 and 20 to displace along the axes thereof.

[0105] (Carriage)

[0106] Also, both ends of a carriage swing shaft 21 extending in a transverse direction are disposed on V-grooves on the shaft support sections 13 c and 13 d . Referential numeral 22 denotes a carriage attached to the carriage swing shaft 21 . The carriage 22 is composed of arm sections 22 a and 22 b for attachment of shafts, a connecting section 22 c and a support projecting section 22 d to be formed in a bifurcate shape. The arm sections 22 a and 22 b are positioned on the left and right sides with an interval therebetween and extended forward and rearward. The connecting section 22 c is extended in a transverse direction and connects the rear ends of the arm sections 22 a and 22 b . The support projecting section 22 d is provided in a center of the connecting section 22 c in a transverse direction to project rearward. The arm sections 22 a and 22 b and the connecting section 22 c form a horseshoe. The peripheral wall 11 forming the processing chamber 4 is disposed between the arm sections 22 a and 22 b.

[0107] The carriage swing shaft 21 penetrates the support projecting section 22 d and is held by the support projecting section 22 d , while the carriage swing shaft 21 freely rotates with respect to the shaft support sections 13 c and 13 d . Accordingly, a front end part of the carriage 22 can swing around the carriage swing shaft 21 up and down. By the way, th carriage swing shaft 21 may be fixed to the shaft support sections 13 c and 13 d , and the support projecting section 22 d may be held by the carriage swing shaft 21 so as to swing with respect to the carriage swing shaft 21 and so as not to move in the axis direction thereof. (Lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 )

[0108] The carriage 22 is provided with a pair of the lens rotating shafts (lens shafts) 23 and 24 which extend in a transverse direction and clamp the eyeglass lens (unprocessed circular eyeglass lens, that is, circular lens to be processed) ML on the same axis.

[0109] The lens rotating shaft 23 penetrates the tip of the arm section 22 a in a transverse direction, and is held thereon so as to rotate around the axis and so as not to move in the axis direction. The lens rotating shaft 24 is held by the tip of the arm section 22 b in a transverse direction so as to rotate around the axis and adjust the movement in the axis direction. The lens rotating shaft 24 is advanced and retracted in an axis direction actuated by a feed screw mechanism SM described hereinunder as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0110] At an end part and an opposite side to the lens rotating shaft 23 of the lens rotating shaft 24 , a circular member 24 H of the feed screw mechanism SM is integrally formed as shown in FIG. 12 . The circular member 24 H is retained at a head part 24 b of a feed screw 24 a rotatably around an axis and incapable of moving in an axis direction. Accordingly, the lens rotating shaft 24 is retained rotatably relative to the feed screw 24 a and incapable of moving in the axis direction.

[0111] The head part 24 b is restricted to rotate around the axis of the lens rotating shaft 24 and the feed screw 24 a by a key 24 b 1 and a key groove 24 b 2 . In addition, the feed screw 24 a is screwed In a female screw tube 24 c . The female screw tube 24 c is fixed to an output shaft 24 d 1 of a pulse motor (drive motor) 24 d . When the female screw tube 24 c is normally rotated by normally rotating the pulse motor 24 d , the feed screw 24 a is moved to a left part in FIG. 12 , and when the female screw tube 24 c is reversed by reversely rotating the pulse motor 24 d , the feed screw 24 a is moved to a right part in FIG. 12 . In addition, a spline section 24 e is formed at the lens rotating shaft 24 . The pulse motor 24 d and the feed screw 24 a or the like are retained by a cover CA which covers the carriage 22 .

[0112] As described above, the lens rotating shaft 24 is adjustably moved in the axis direction by the feed screw mechanism SM structured as shown by reference numerals 24 a to 24 H.

[0113] (Rotation Drive System 16 for Lens Rotating Shafts 23 and 24 )

[0114] The rotation drive system 16 for the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 has, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 12, a lens rotating shaft drive motor 25 fixed to the carriage 22 by fixing means which is not shown, a power transmission shaft (drive shaft) 25 a which is rotatably retained by the carriage 22 and is interlocked with an output shaft of the lens rotating shaft drive motor 25 , a drive gear 26 which is provided at a tip of the power transmission shaft 25 a and a driven gear 26 a geared with the drive gear 26 and attached to one lens rotating shaft 23 . In this case, a worm gear is used for the drive gear 26 , and a worm wheel is used for the driven gear 26 a.

[0115] The rotation drive system 16 further comprises a pulley 27 fixed to an outer end part (opposite end part to the lens rotating shaft 24 ) of one lens rotating shaft 23 ; a power transmission mechanism 28 provided at the carriage 22 and a pulley 29 rotatably retained on an outer end part (opposite end part to the lens rotating shaft 23) of the other lens rotating shaft 24 .

[0116] The pulley 29 is, as shown in FIG. 12 , spline-fitted to the spline section 24 e of the lens rotating shaft 24 and is provided incapable of moving in extending direction of the axis of the lens rotating shaft 24 by movement restricting means which is not shown. Accordingly, the pulley 29 is provided capable of moving relative in the axis direction to the lens rotating shaft 24 and is set so as a position in the axis direction is not changed when the lens rotating shaft 24 is adjusted to move in the axis direction.

[0117] The power transmission mechanism 28 has transmission pulleys 28 a and 28 b , and a transmission shaft (power transmission shaft) 28 c which has the transmission pulleys 28 a and 28 b fixed on both ends thereof. The transmission shaft 28 c is disposed parallel to the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 and rotatably retained by the carriage 22 with a bearing which is not shown. Also, the power transmission mechanism 28 further comprises a driving side belt 28 d bridged between the pulley 27 and the transmission pulley 28 a , and a driven side belt 28 e bridged between the pulley 29 and the transmission pulley 28 b.

[0118] When the lens drive motor 25 is operated to rotate the power transmission shaft 25 a , the rotation of the power transmission shaft 25 a is transmitted through the drive gear 26 and the driven gear 26 a to the lens rotating shaft 23 , so that the lens rotating shaft 23 and the pulley 27 are rotatively driven together. On the other hand, the rotation of the pulley 27 is transmitted through the drive side belt 28 d , the transmission pulley 28 a , the transmission shaft 28 c , the transmission pulley 28 b and the driven side belt 28 e to the pulley 29 , and then the pulley 29 and the lens rotating shaft 24 are rotatively driven integrally. At this time, the lens rotating shaft 24 and the lens rotating shaft 23 are integrally rotated in synchronization to each other.

[0119] (Lens Absorption Device 300 and Lens Retainer 320 )

[0120] In addition, at an opposed end part of the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 , fixing holes 23 m and 24 m are respectively formed, and a lens absorption device 300 and a lens retainer 320 are each fixed to the fixing holes 23 m and 24 m as shown in FIGS. 13 A and FIG. 14 .

[0121] Lens Absorption Device 300

[0122] The lens absorption device (lens holding section) 300 has, as shown in FIGS. 13 A and FIG. 14 , an adjustable joint (universal joint) 301 and a lens absorption board 302 . The adjustable joint (spheroid joint, that is, spheroid connection) 301 has, a fixing shaft section 303 which one end is fitted to the fixing hole 23 m of end part of the lens rotating shaft 23 , a first hemispheric member 304 which is slippery and rotatably engaged with a hemispheric hole 303 a provided at the other end of the fixing shaft section 303 , and a second hemispheric member 305 which is slippery and rotatably engaged with a hemispheric hole 304 a of the first hemispheric member 304 .

[0123] In addition, a key groove 303 b which extends radially is formed at the hemispheric hole 303 a , and a key groove 304 b which extends radially and in perpendicular to the key groove 303 b is formed at the hemispheric hole 304 a . Moreover, a key 304 c which is provided in protruding condition to an outer surface of the hemispheric member 304 is engaged to the key groove 303 b , and a key 305 a which is provided in protruding condition to an outer surface of the hemispheric member 305 is engaged to the key groove 304 b . Meanwhile, the hemispheric member 305 has a hole section 305 c which is continuously provided to a hemispheric hole 305 b and a hemispheric hole 305 b.

[0124] By such a structure, rotation of the first hemispheric member 304 in extending direction of the key groove 303 b is permitted, and the rotation other than the extending direction of the key groove 303 b is restricted. Similarly, rotation of the second hemispheric member 305 in extending direction of the key groove 304 b is permitted, and the rotation other than the extending direction of the key groove 304 b is restricted.

[0125] At center of the first hemispheric member 304 and the second hemispheric member 305 , penetrated holes 304 d and 305 d are respectively formed. Also, inside of the fixing shaft section 303 , a fixing pin 306 which is penetrated center of the hemispheric hole 303 a and the penetrated holes 304 d and 305 d and protruded into center of the hemispheric member 305 is provided. Reference numeral 306 a denotes a head section of the fixing pin 306 . To the fixing pin 306 , a hemispheric pulled out restricting member 307 which an outer surface is slippery and rotatably engaged with the hemispheric hole 305 b is fixed by a screw which is not shown. By this structure, the hemispheric members 304 and 305 are retained without gap between the hemispheric hole 303 a and the hemispheric outer surface of the pulled out restricting member 307 and are retained rotatably in arbitrary direction through the head section 306 a and the pulled out restricting member 307 , and are set so as not to be removed from the fixing shaft section 303 . Accordingly, between the hemispheric hole 303 a and the hemispheric member 304 , and between the hemispheric member 304 and the hemispheric member 305 are mutually engaged with certain degree of friction, and the hemispheric members 304 and 305 are rotated in the above mentioned extending directions of the key grooves 303 b and the 304 b when force exceeding a predetermined level is acted.

[0126] By the way, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B , a groove 303 e is formed at an end surface of the fixing shaft section 303 , and in the fixing hole 23 m which is inside of the lens rotating shaft 23 , a convex section 23 b engaged with the groove 303 e is formed. The groove 303 e and the convex section 23 b are positioning the fixing shaft section 303 and the lens rotating shaft 23 in circumferential direction.

[0127] Furthermore, the lens absorption board 302 has a shaft portion 302 a which is made of metal fitted to the hole section 305 c of the hemispheric member 305 , and an absorption cup 302 b which is made of rubber connected to the shaft portion 302 a . A rotation restricting pin 302 c is protrudedly provided at a circumferential surface of the shaft portion 302 a , and a rotation restricting groove 305 e is formed at the hole section 305 e . In addition, the rotation restricting pin 302 c is engaged to the rotation restriction groove 305 e so that a relative rotation of the shaft portion 302 a and the hemispheric member 305 are restricted. Meanwhile, one end of the rotation restricting groove 305 e is opened to an end surface of the hemispheric member 305 .

[0128] Lens Retainer 320

[0129] The lens retainer 320 (lens holding section) 320 has, as shown in FIGS. 13 A and FIG. 14 , an adjustable joint 321 (universal joint) and a lens retain member 322 . The adjustable joint (spheroid joint, that is, spheroid connection) 321 has, a fixing shaft section 323 which one end is fitted to the fixing hole 24 m of an end part of the lens rotating shaft 24 , and a hemispheric member 324 which is slippery and rotatably engaged with a hemispheric hole 323 a provided at the other end of the fixing shaft section 323 . At center of the hemispheric member 324 , a penetrated hole 324 a is formed. Also, inside of the lens fixing shaft 24 , a fixing pin 325 which is penetrated center of the hemispheric hole 323 a and protruded into center of the hemispheric member 324 is provided. Reference numeral 325 a denotes a head section of the fixing pin 325 .

[0130] To the fixing pin 325 , a hemispheric pulled out restricting member 326 which an outer surface is slippery and rotatably engaged with the hemispheric hole 324 a is fixed by a screw which is not shown. By this structure, the hemispheric member 324 is retained without gap between the hemispheric hole 323 a and the pulled out restricting member 326 and is retained rotatably in arbitrary direction through the head section 325 a and the pulled out restricting member 326 , and is set so as not to be removed from the fixing shaft section 323 .

[0131] Accordingly, the hemispheric hole 323 a and the hemispheric member 324 are mutually engaged with certain degree of friction, and the hemispheric member 324 is provided capable of rotating when force exceeding a predetermined amount is acted. By the way, it is recommended that the hemispheric member 304 and the hemispheric member 324 are provided as one part of an identical spherical member as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 . In addition, although the hemispheric member 305 is protruded from the hemispheric member 304 by the above mentioned way, it can be disposed inside of the hemispheric member 304 so that it is not protruded from the hemispheric member 304 . Although the hemispheric member 305 is not shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 , they are showing examples of the hemispheric member 305 being disposed inside of the hemispheric member 304 so as not to be protruded from the hemispheric member 304 .

[0132] (Arrangem nt of Lens Rotating Shafts 23 and 24 in Processing Chamber 4 )

[0133] The guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 of the above described peripheral wall 11 are formed in arc shapes around the carriage swing shaft 21 . The opposed end sections to each other of the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 , which are held by the carriage 22 , are inserted into the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 . Accordingly, the opposed end sections of the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 are projected into the processing chamber 4 surrounded by the peripheral wall 11 .

[0134] As shown in FIG. 3 A, an are-shaped guide plate P 1 having a hat-shaped section is attached on the inner wall surface of the side wall 11 a , and as shown in FIG. 4 , an arc-shaped guide plate P 2 having a hat-shaped section is attached on the inner wall surface of the side wall 11 b (see FIG. 3B ). In the guide plates P 1 and P 2 , guide slits 11 a 2 ′ and 11 b 2 ′ extending in an arc shape are formed so as to correspond to the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 respectively.

[0135] In addition, a cover plate 11 a 2 for closing the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 a 2 ′ is disposed between the side wall 11 a and the guide plate P 1 so as to move forward and rearward and up and down, and a cover plate 11 b 2 for closing the guide slits 11 b 1 and 11 b 2 ′ is disposed between the side wall 11 b and the guide plate P 2 so as to move forward and rearward and up and down. Also, the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 slidably penetrate the cover plates 11 a 2 and 11 b 2 respectively. Accordingly, the cover plates 11 a 2 and 11 b 2 are attached to the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 so as to move relatively in the axis direction respectively.

[0136] Moreover, in the guide plate P 1 , arc shaped guide rails Ga and Gb are provided, which are positioned above and below the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 a 2 ′ along the upper and lower edges of the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 a 2 ′, and the guide plate P 2 is provided with arc-shaped guide rails Gc and Gd respectively positioning above and below the guide slits 11 b 1 and 11 b 2 ′ to follow the upper and lower edges of the guide slits 11 b 1 and 11 b 2 ′.

[0137] The cover plate 11 a 2 can be guided in the guide rails Ga and Gb at the upper and lower edges thereof to move up and down while drawing an arc, and the cover plate 11 b 2 can be guided in the guide rails Gc and Gd at the upper and lower edges thereof to move up and down while drawing an arc.

[0138] Additionally, the lens rotating shaft 23 of the carriage 22 slidably penetrates the arc-shaped cover plate 11 a 2 so as to facilitate assemblies of the lens rotating shaft 23 , the side wall 11 a , the guide plate P 1 and the cover plate 11 a 2 . The lens rotating shaft 24 of the carriage 22 slidably penetrates the arc-shaped cover plate 11 b 2 so as to facilitate assemblies of the lens rotating shaft 24 , the side wall 11 b , the guide plate P 2 and the cover plate 11 b 2 .

[0139] Also, a space between the cover plate 11 a 2 and the lens rotating shaft 23 is sealed by seal members Sa and Sa, and the cover plate 11 a 2 is held by the lens rotating shaft 23 through the seal members Sa and Sa. Moreover, a space between the cover plate 11 b 2 and the lens rotating shaft 24 is sealed by seal members Sb and Sb, and the cover plate 11 b 2 is held by the lens rotating shaft 24 through the seal members Sb and Sb so as to relatively move in the axis direction. Accordingly, when the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 rotate along the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 a 2 ′, and 11 b 1 and 11 b 2 ′ while drawing an are, the cover plates 11 a 2 and 11 b 2 can also move up and down together with the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 integrally. By the way, the seal members Sa and Sa may be held by the cover plate 11 a 2 , or the circumferential parts thereof m y be disposed between the cover plate 11 a 2 and the side wall 11 a , and between the cover plate 11 a 2 and the guide plate P 1 so that the seal members Sa and Sa cannot move in the axis direction of the lens rotating shaft 23 when the lens rotating shaft 23 moves in the axis direction. Similarly, the seal members Sb and Sb may be held by the cover plate 11 b 2 , or the circumferential parts thereof may be disposed between the cover plate 11 b 2 and the side wall 11 b , and between the cover plate 11 b 2 and the guide plate P 2 so that the seal members Sb and Sb cannot move in the axis direction of the lens rotating shaft 24 when the lens rotating shaft 24 moves in the axis direction.

[0140] The side wall 11 a and the guide plate P 1 are close to the arc-shaped cover plate 11 a 2 so as to contact thereto tightly, and the side wall 11 b and the guide plate P 2 are close to the arc-shaped cover plate 11 b 2 so as to contact thereto tightly.

[0141] Furthermore, each of the guide plates P 1 and P 2 in the processing chamber 4 is provided to extend to the vicinities of the rear wall lie and the lower bottom wall (not shown) and is designed to have the upper end cut on the side of a measuring element 41 and the lower end cut in the upper vicinity of a grinding stone 35 , whereby the upper and lower ends of the guide plates P 1 and P 2 are opened within the processing chamber 4 . Accordingly, grinding fluid is flown along the inner surfaces of the side walls 11 a and 11 b , so that the grinding fluid does not stay between the side wall 11 a and the guide plate P 1 , and between the side wall 11 b and the guide plate P 2 .

[0142] In addition, when the carriage 22 is swung up and down around the carriage swing shaft 21 and the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 are moved up and down along the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 , the cover plates 11 a 2 and 11 b 2 are moved up and down together with the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 . Accordingly, the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 are always closed by the cover plates 11 a 2 and 11 b 2 , as a result, the grinding fluid or the like within the peripheral wall 11 does not leak to the outside of the peripheral wall 11 . By the way, the eyeglass lens ML is close to or apart from the grinding stone 35 with the upward and downward movement of the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 .

[0143] At the time of loading of a natural lens or the like of the eyeglass lens ML to the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 , and unloading thereof after the grinding process, the carriage 22 is positioned in the center of the swinging in the vertical direction such that the lens rotating shafts 23 and 24 are positioned in the middle of the guide slits 11 a 1 and 11 b 1 respectively. Also, at the time of measuring the lens thickness and the grinding process, the carriage 22 is controlled and swung upward and downward to be slant in accordance with a grinding processed amount of the eyeglass lens ML.

[0144] (Grinding Means 17 )

[0145] The grinding means has main lens peripheral edge grinding means and auxiliary lens peripheral edge processing means.

[0146] Main Lens Peripheral Edge Grinding Means

[0147] The main lens peripheral edge grinding means has, as shown in FIG. 4, a grinding stone drive motor 30 fixed to the tray 12 ; a transmission shaft 32 to which drive of the grinding stone drive motor 30 is transmitted through a belt 31 ; a grinding stone shaft section 33 to which rotation of the transmission shaft 32 is transmitted, and the grinding stone 35 fixed to the grinding stone shaft section 33 . The grinding stone 35 includes a rough grinding stone, a grinding stone for a V-groove and a finishing grinding stone or the like, of which reference numerals are omitted. The rough grinding stone, the grinding stone for the V-groove and the finishing grinding stone are arranged side by side in the axis direction.

[0148] Auxiliary Lens Peripheral Processing Means

[0149] In addition, the auxiliary lens peripheral processing means has, as shown in FIG. 3 A and FIG. 4, a drilling processing device 200 and an auxiliary processing device 201 . The drilling processing device (drilling means) 200 and the auxiliary processing device 201 have, as shown in FIG. 7, a processing device sustention mechanism 202 which is shared and processing device driving means 203 which is partially shared.

[0150] <Processing Device Sustention Mechanism 202 >

[0151] The processing device sustention mechanism 202 has, as shown in FIG. 7, a swing arm 204 (see FIG. 8 A and FIG. 4 ) fixed swingably to the side wall 11 a , and swing driving means (rotation driving means) 205 for swinging (upward and downward rotation) the swing arm 204 .

[0152] (Swing Arm 204 )

[0153] The swing arm 204 is arranged in one side part of the processing chamber 4 of the lens grinding processing apparatus. Moreover, the swing arm 204 has an arm main body 206 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 . The arm main body 206 has a space 206 a which is opened to one surface. Also, at one end part (upper end part as a free end part) of the swing arm 204 , that is, at one end part (free end part) of the arm main body 206 , a hollow arm section 207 for fixing a drill protruded from an outer surface of a side wall 206 b is provided as shown in FIG. 9 , and inside of the arm section 207 , a space 207 a which is opened in the same direction with the space 206 a is formed. The spaces 206 a and 207 a are mutually communicated through a communicating passage 208 .

[0154] Also, as shown in FIG. 7 , the swing arm 204 has a lid body 209 which is fixed attachably and detachably to an opening of the arm main body 206 and closes the space 206 a , and a lid body 210 which is fixed attachably and detachably to an opening of an arm portion 208 and closes the space 207 a . Furthermore, at one end part of the lid bodies 209 an