Lens surfacing pad

Abstract

A lens pad for use in surfacing a lens work piece, one side of which pad provides a working surface and the other side of which pad provides micro formations spread out substantially uniformly over that other side of the pad. When the lens pad is in use, it is attached to a surface of a lens surfacing tool. The latter surface provides micro formations spread substantially uniformly over that surface of the lens surfacing tool. The micro formations of the pad interengage or interlock with those of such a surface of such a lens surfacing tool when the pad is in use. Also, such a lens surfacing tool, a combination of such a pad attached to such a tool, and a lens surfacing machine having such a tool, or such a combination.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A lens pad for use in surfacing a lens work piece, one side of which pad provides a working surface and the other side of which pad provides micro formations spread out substantially uniformly over that other side of the pad, for attachment, when the lens pad is in use, to a surface of a lens surfacing tool which surface provides micro formations spread substantially uniformly over that surface of the lens surfacing tool, so that the micro formations of the pad interengage or interlock with those of such a surface of such a lens surfacing tool when the pad is in use. 
     
     
         2 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , wherein individual ones of the micro formations are in the form of a stem with a head. 
     
     
         3 . A lens pad according to  claim 2 , wherein the head is a mushroom-shaped head. 
     
     
         4 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro formations on the lens pad comprise loops. 
     
     
         5 . A lens pad according to  claim 4 , wherein the loops are provided by a polyamide velour. 
     
     
         6 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro formations on the lens pad comprise hooks. 
     
     
         7 . A lens pad according to  claim 6 , wherein the hooks are provided by a polyester or polypropylene material. 
     
     
         8 . A lens pad according to  claim 6 , wherein the hooks have a length or height in the range from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A lens pad according to  claim 8 , wherein the hooks are substantially 0.4 mm high. 
     
     
         10 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , having an overall thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A lens pad according to  claim 10 , wherein the overall thickness of the pad is substantially 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the pad is in the range from 3 cm to 7 cm. 
     
     
         13 . A lens pad according to  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the pad is substantially 4.5 cm. 
     
     
         14 . A lens pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is circular, in the form of a disc. 
     
     
         15 . A lens work piece surfacing tool for use in the surfacing of a lens work piece, a surface of which tool provides micro formations substantially uniformly spread over that surface, to which surface is attached a lens surfacing pad when the tool is in use, one side of which pad provides a working surface and the other side of which is provided with micro formations spread substantially uniformly over the said other side of the lens pad, so that the micro formations of such a pad interengage or interlock with those of the said surface of the lens surfacing tool when the tool is in use. 
     
     
         16 . A lens work piece surfacing tool according to  claim 15 , wherein the tool comprises a block of a synthetic plastics foam material which is yieldable and resilient, the surface to which such a lens pad is attached being across the top of the said block. 
     
     
         17 . A lens work piece surfacing tool according to  claim 16 , wherein the base of the said block is provided with a rigid connector, which may be of a synthetic plastics material, for connecting the lens tool to a lens tool holder of a lens polishing machine. 
     
     
         18 . A lens work piece surfacing tool as claimed in  claim 15  wherein one side of said lens pad provides a working surface and the other side of said pad provides micro formations spread out substantially uniformly over said other side of the pad, said lens pad being attached to a surface that provides micro formations spread substantially uniformly over the surface so that the micro formations of the pad interengage or interlock with those of said surface. 
     
     
         19 . A lens surfacing machine having a lens work piece surfacing tool as claimed in  claim 15 . 
     
     
         20 . A lens surfacing machine comprising a lens work piece surfacing tool for use in the surfacing of a lens work piece, a surface which tool provides micro formations substantially uniformly spread over that surface, to which surface is attached a lens surfacing pad when the tool is in use, one side of which pad provides a working surface and the other side of which is provided with micro formations spread substantially uniformly over the said other side of the lens pad, so that the micro formations of such a pad interengage or interlock with those of the said surface of the lens surfacing tool when the tool is in use, wherein one side of said lens pad provides a working surface and the other side of said pad provides micro formations spread out substantially uniformly over said other side of the pad, said lens pad being attached to a surface that provides micro formations spread substantially uniformly over the surface so that the micro formations of the pad interengage or interlock with those of said surface.