With Adjustable Interocular Distance Patents (Class 359/412)
  • Patent number: 5949575
    Abstract: A binocular telescope provided with a pair of left and right lens-barrels respectively containing optical systems, a first guide shaft for supporting these lens-barrels in such a manner that the lens-barrels can slide in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes of the optical systems and can rotate, a second guide shaft for restraining the relative tilt of the lens-barrels around this first guide shaft in such a manner that the optical axes of the left and right optical systems become parallel to each other, a first rib for holding both ends of the first guide shaft by fitting upper and lower covers to each other, and a second rib for restraining the tilt of the optical axes of the entire lens-barrels around the first guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5923467
    Abstract: Optical loupes comprise a frame supporting two optical devices, each of which has an ocular and an objective. The frame has side arms or stems and a bridge for enabling the frame to be worn like a pair of spectacles, whereby the optical devices are located immediately in front of the eyes of the viewer. The ocular and the objective each have an optical axis. The optical axis of the ocular and the optical axis of the objective intersect at an angle of about 135.degree., and a Schmidt prism redirects light from the objective to the ocular in each case. A light source is provided on the frame between the optical devices and provides a gradually diverging light beam to illuminate an object being reviewed. The optical axes of the respective objectives converge at the object being reviewed. The loupes allow the user to observe at a level below his or her normal line of sight while maintaining the head in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: Ljubomir Pericic, Gerard W. Crock, Hugh R Taylor
  • Patent number: 5903387
    Abstract: Binoculars which can adjust the optical axes of optical systems by moving at least one lens groups of objective lens groups and eye piece groups in a plane approximately perpendicular to the optical axes of the lens groups and further independently adjust the optical axes of the optical systems in a linear direction and in the direction approximately perpendicular to the linear direction by moving, one lens groups of the objective lens groups and the eye piece groups on the plane approximately perpendicular to the optical axes of the lens groups approximately in the linear direction and moving the other lens groups of the objective lens groups and the eye piece groups on the plane approximately perpendicular to the optical axes of the lens groups approximately in the linear direction, whereby the optical axis between a pair of the right and left optical systems of the binoculars can be easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Tomikawa, Yasuo Yamazaki, Tetsuhisa Asai
  • Patent number: 5886814
    Abstract: A folded image intensifier viewer with an asymmetric viewing system and a single image intensifier and two eyepieces able to regulate the mutual distance between the eyepieces, after a beam splitter which divides the beam path into two extremely asymmetric parts, for each eyepiece a lens system is provided with at least one having at least two lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Simrad Optronics A/S
    Inventor: Sven-.ANG.ke Afsenius
  • Patent number: 5822115
    Abstract: Binoculars having a fixed lens mount, a movable lens mount which is movable straight in a direction as approaching or moving away from the fixed lens mount to adjust their distance to viewer's eyes, a cover member for concealing a space formed between the fixed lens mount and the movable lens mount in accordance with a moving state of the movable lens mount. To the fixed lens mount is attached a first guide engaging with the movable lens mount to slidably guide the movable lens mount as well as a second guide engaging with the cover member so that the cover member is slidable along the second guide together with the movement of the movable lens mount. The binocular further includes a focus adjusting system between both lens mounts to move an objective lens incorporated in each lens mount in a direction of an optical axis, and an erect prism unit including a roof prism in each lens mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignees: Iiyama-Cosina Co., Ltd., Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Umeda, Kiyoshi Nishitani, Naoki Ishihara, Kesaji Sato, Muneo Kubota
  • Patent number: 5734499
    Abstract: An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope, having a pair of lens-barrels which contain lens optical systems, respectively, and are placed in parallel with each other. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism further has first and second guide shafts, which slidably guide the pair of lens-barrels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the optical axes of the lens optical systems, interpupillary distance adjusting springs for pushing the pair of lens-barrels in a sliding direction, and an interpupillary distance adjusting cam which can adjust an interpupillary distance by sliding the pair of lens-barrels along the guide shafts as the result of undergoing a pushing force from the interpupillary distance adjusting spring, of converting a part of the pushing force in a direction which intersects the sliding direction, and of moving the pair of lens-barrels by pushing the pair of lens-barrels against the first guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsumoto, Fumio Tomikawa
  • Patent number: 5729384
    Abstract: A telescope has an objective lens system, an eyepiece optical system, and a third lens system between the objective lens system and the eyepiece optical system. The objective lens system is provided with a circular shape lens whose upper and lower portions are cut off. The eyepiece optical system is also provided with a circular shape lens whose upper and lower portions are cut off. The third lens system is provided with a circular shape lens which is disposed in a position where a light beam formed by the objective lens system has a smaller cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishitani, Yasumasa Sugihara
  • Patent number: 5640271
    Abstract: A binocular has the right and left optical systems. A distance between these optical systems is variable for an adjustment of the pupil distance. A protecting member is arranged to protect objective lenses and eyepieces of the optical systems by sheltering them when the binocular is housed. The protecting member is movable to release the sheltering condition to expose the lenses and the eyepieces when the binocular is used. The protecting member is driven in liaison with an operation of the adjustment of the pupil distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishitani, Yasumasa Sugihara, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5633753
    Abstract: Light weight, low-cost, compact binoculars intended to be sold at retail locations and popular attractions, such as stadiums, arenas, tourist destinations, and theme parks. The binoculars utilize high reflectance mirrors to fold light and lengthen distance between the objective lens and the field lens to correct the orientation of the image. The binoculars are very light because they are made with mirrors and lightweight, injection molded acrylic plastic lenses. They are pocket sized and compact, yet adjustable for individual interocular distance. The field view is rectangular in format and the IP adjustment is by way of sliding action between nested housings made possible by virtue of the fact that the inversion and reversion functions in its separate housings are in opposite order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Mobi Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Fantone, Arthur P. Becker, Benjamin A. Wells
  • Patent number: 5604631
    Abstract: A sliding binocular body has two optical assemblies which slide on an intermediate plate to adjust for intraocular distance and which slide closed. Two shells are joined to form one assembly. Front and back contour plates cover the assembly. A field and eye lens holder slides into the box through the back plate. An eye piece is attached to the lens holder. Inward horizontal surfaces have inward extending rails, which engage outward facing grooves on the intermediate plate. The two shells are secured together and joined to the intermediate plate before mirrors are slid and clamped into place. The objective lenses are placed in position, and the contour plates are sealed in place. The eye lens and field lens are inserted in the holders before the holders are inserted in the assemblies. The assemblies hold and clamp mirrors against fixed reference surfaces. Objective lens holders formed in the assemblies permit vertical or horizontal adjustment of an objective lens before its fixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignees: Bnox, Inc., John A. Gelardi, Anthony L. Gelardi
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Anthony L. Gelardi, Arthur P. Becker, Benjamin A. Wells
  • Patent number: 5589978
    Abstract: Pseudoscopic, dual-path optical systems employing plane mirror arrangements for cross coupling the optical paths to reverse the left and right perspectives of object space are provided. Advantageously, the cross coupled path arrangements permit the systems to be manufactured inexpensively because low-cost reflective components can be used and assembled with alignment requirements that are significantly relaxed compared with customary requirements found in uncoupled systems utilizing high-cost prisms or mirror arrangements for similar purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Mobi Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Fantone
  • Patent number: 5541767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a user who wears spectacles including at least one lens having a positive magnification factor, to view a distant object through both the lens of the spectacles and a telescope. The method comprises the step of positioning a lens in the optical path of the telescope. The lens placed in the optical path of the telescope is adapted to cancel the positive magnification factor of the lens of the spectacles to maintain the afocal characteristic of telescope. The apparatus comprises at least one afocal telescope defining an optical path having a first lens oriented in the optical path for magnifying a distant object to be viewed through the afocal telescope system. The telescope further comprises a second lens oriented in the optical path for cancelling the positive magnification factor of the lens to maintain the afocal characteristic of the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Designs for Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Murphy, Richard E. Feinbloom
  • Patent number: 5495364
    Abstract: A night vision binocular assembly capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly includes at least one objective lens assembly, image intensifier tube, collimator lens assembly and diopter cell assembly encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing. The objective lens assembly, image intensifier tube, collimator lens assembly and diopter cell assembly are all supported by a common base structure within the housing. As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly. The button controls are disposed on a common circuit board. An elastomeric structure is disposed between the circuit board and the interior of the binocular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5469293
    Abstract: Pseudoscopic, dual-path optical systems employing plane mirror arrangements for cross coupling the optical paths to reverse the left and right perspectives of object space are provided. Advantageously, the cross coupled path arrangements permit the systems to be manufactured inexpensively because low-cost reflective components can be used and assembled with alignment requirements that are significantly relaxed compared with customary requirements found in uncoupled systems utilizing high-cost prisms or mirror arrangements for similar purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mobi Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Fantone
  • Patent number: 5446585
    Abstract: An ANVIS 6 type of binocular night vision device includes a pair of night vision monocular scopes which adjustably depend from a support frame in front of a user's eyes. The support frame includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism which allows placement of the monocular scopes to better achieve binocular vision with depth perception. The image quality of binocular vision afforded by the device is improved and made more durable by providing the monocular scope mounts with a dirt-shedding dry threaded engagement with their respective interpupillary adjustment shafts, as well as providing a laterally extended threaded engagement of these mounts with the adjustment shafts. As a result, wobble of the monocular scope mounts relative to the frame is significantly reduced, and wear of the component parts which over time contributes to increased wobble is also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland M. Morley, Timothy R. Goebel
  • Patent number: 5410436
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing the coordinated rotation of two interrelated components (12, 14) includes first and second cam segment lobes (20, 22) each respectively associated with the interrelated components (12 14), the cam segment lobes (20, 22) are urged into rotatable contact with each other such that when the components (12, 14) are subjected to a torque the lateral distance therebetween is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Gabor Devenyi
  • Patent number: 5361162
    Abstract: A binocular night vision device includes a pair of night vision monocular scopes which adjustably depend from a support frame in front of a user's eyes. The support frame includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism which allows non symmetrical placement of the monocular scopes to better achieve binocular vision with depth perception. Also, the adjustment mechanism allows adaptive duplicative use of identically the same component parts of the device on both the left and right sides of the support frame so that the number of different parts required for the device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Goebel
  • Patent number: D394664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Konno