anyone recognize this frame manufacturer by the hinge?

[EdgeOptical]

I think its an avant garde but i cant tell.

there are no other markings or anything, they all have worn off, or been "eroded" away as the frame has in some places

guy is rough on his glasses so he was hoping for something with this same kind of hinge, and it is distinctive, so hopefully possible.

best picture under the circumstances.

[rdcoach5]

Any pictures of the front?

[EdgeOptical]

no, none of the front, there was nothing remarkable there at all. it was a tear drop aviator. similar but smaller than a classic ray ban. but flatter.

no other marks, logos, emblems, etc.

i know i have seen this hinge, alot. as the spring hinge is extended you can see part of it moving in the case. the mechanism isnt fully enclosed.

i was thinking old safilo as well, but they pretty deeply stamped their name into the hinges from what i can remember, and this is missing any stampings completely.

[Uncle Fester]

pm sent

[Judy Canty]

A picture of the front makes it much easier to identify the manufacturer, since we are more apt to recognize a front than a hinge.

[Uncle Fester]

How thick are the top middle and bottom barrels?

I want to say I saw this on old Aristars(?) but they're different now with the mechanism all enclosed.

The pm suggestion still holds. Ya never know.

Reminds me of the old 3mm center barrel spring hinge Cottets. But not an exact match.

[Chris Ryser]

Eyegass hinges have never been made by a frame manufacturer. The same applies for scews.

There are hinge manufacturers that make and supply them. You will see the same hinges on most available frames.

Here is an example of a hinge producer: http://www.tailiglassesparts.com/eyeglass_hinges.html

[rdcoach5]

Chris, didn't Safilo invent the spring hinge? I know that doesn't mean they didn't out-source the production of the part but originally didn't they make it?

[scriptfiller]

Wanting to say it's a Kenmark

[Chris Ryser]

Chris, didn't Safilo invent the spring hinge? I know that doesn't mean they didn't out-source the production of the part but originally didn't they make it?

I have personally been through quite a few major frame factories when frames were still made in Europe. But I have never seen one of them making hinges which all came out of I believe, 2 supplier companies.

I am not quite sure who did invent the flexible hinge.. First was the flexible temple by Sferoflex from Italy in the 1950s and only much later the flexible hinges turned up. As usually patents expire after 20 years, anybody can copy them and only some unique improvements could be patented.

[EdgeOptical]

i havent seen this hinge mechanism in many years, and even then it wasnt common. the frame company that used it was common though.

possibly aristar, i will have to look into those again. thanks!

[optical-addict]

Zyloware?? Maybe an old Stetson

[sharpstick777]

Is this the type where the metal spring case actually slides against the temple?