Abstract: The binocular bridge system is configured to couple two night vision monoculars together, effectively providing the user with a binocular night vision system. An example binocular bridge system comprises a bridge, two hinged arms, and two dummy battery inserts. Each dummy battery insert is configured to be positioned within the battery compartment of a night vision monocular and conductively connect it to a power source housed within the bridge. In some implementation, each hinged arm of the binocular bridge system includes an objective alignment ring. The hinged arms of such a binocular bridge system, in conjunction with the objective alignment rings, are configured to mechanically collimate the night vision monoculars secured thereto.

Abstract: A rotating shaft mechanism includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, a central shaft rotatably connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and an adjusting unit disposed on the central shaft. The adjusting unit includes an adjusting ring disposed around the central shaft, a first washer disposed around the central shaft and configured to generate a force to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion. A position of the adjusting ring with respect to the central shaft is axially adjustable for adjusting the force so that the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion is rotatable or fixed relative to the central shaft.

Abstract: An operation dial is disposed so as to swing between two barrels. The operation dial has a plurality of finger gripping portions that protrudes so as to be inclined with respect to the two barrels. The operation dial is urged by a torsion coil spring to a state in which the two finger gripping portions have the same tilt angle with respect to the two barrels. A reception member is pushed by rotation of the operation dial in one direction and rotation of the operation dial in the other direction due to a swing operation for the finger gripping portions. A switch main body is opened or closed by the pushing of the reception member.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a first optical module and a second optical module. A tensioned element includes an upper segment attached to the first optical module and a lower segment attached to the second optical module. Movement of the tensioned element thus generates opposing movement of the first and second optical modules, the first optical module moving in a direction parallel to a direction of movement of the upper segment, and the second optical module moving in a direction parallel to a direction of movement of the lower segment.

Abstract: The auto-centering of an optical element within a barrel is provided. The optical element is mounted in a cavity of the barrel. A first surface of the optical element engages a seat provided in the cavity. A retaining ring is threaded on the barrel, through complementary barrel and ring threads. The retaining ring engages a peripheral region of a second surface of the optical element, thereby securing the optical element between the seat and the retaining ring. The profile of the barrel threads and the spatial profile of the peripheral region of the second surface are selected in view of an auto-centering condition whereby any decentering of the retaining ring and a corresponding tilt of the retaining ring have counterbalancing effects on the centering of the optical element. Optical assemblies and a mounting method are provided.

Abstract: An optical magnification device for varying the distance between an observer's eye (1) and an object (7), e.g., for a binocular magnifier or a microscope, in which focusing onto the object (7) is accomplished by means of progressive and/or multifocal lenses (3) displaceable perpendicular to the observation beam(s) (2).

Abstract: A binocular includes a right and left lens barrels respectively having a right and left telescope optical systems. The right and left telescope optical systems include focus arrangement structures in which both eyepiece lenses are simultaneously moved the same distance with respect to each objective lenses. There are provided two diopter correction structures independently and separately in the right and left telescope optical systems. In one diopter correction structure, a left objective lens is adjusted with respect to a right objective lens to correct a diopter difference between the two telescope optical systems on a manufacture process. In the other diopter correction structure, the location of the right objective lens is adjusted along the optical axis direction on an usual operation by an observer.

Abstract: A gear is formed on the outer circumference of the disk unit 20a of the zoom operating member 20 and on the outer circumference of the right zoom drive member 18, and an intermediate gear 19 that engages and connects with each of these gears is located between them. In other words, the zoom operating member 20 and the right zoom drive member 18 are connected to each other in a non-integrated fashion. When the zoom operating member 20 is manually rotated around the eye distance adjustment axis 22, the right zoom drive member 18 rotates via the intermediate gear 19 and the left zoom drive member 21 simultaneously rotates via the connecting member 11.

Abstract: A binocular includes a hood, an eyepiece lens panel, and an objective lens panel. The hood has top, left side, and right side portions that are integrally formed. The left and right side portions have free edges that extend downwardly from the top to form an open bottom. The open bottom of the hood allows the hood to flex when an outwardly directed force is applied so that the left and right sides can be further separated from one another. This separation allows the eyepiece lens panel and the objective lens panel to be inserted within the hood during assembly of the binoculars to be held by the hood. The eyepiece lens panel has a flat plate frame and two lenses that are integrally formed as a one piece construction. The objective lens panel also has a flat plate frame and two lenses that are also integrally formed as one piece. The hood may further include alignment members to secure and align the eyepiece lens panel.

Abstract: An optical device having a dioptric correction device comprises a reference image display unit which is placed in the optical path extending from an object image to the optical system. The reference image is used for dioptric correction. The left and right reference images are different and are displayed on the left and right reference image display units when dioptric correction is performed. The reference image display unit is placed at a predetermined position between the optical system and an image display unit. Since the reference image is positioned at the predetermined position, both of the image of the image display unit and the reference image may be seen clearly.

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.

Abstract: A binocular telescope includes adjustable optical components. The telescope has at least two telescope halves, respectively having an optical axis passing through an ocular and an objective. The adjustable optical components lie between the ocular and objective in a respective housing tube. The telescope has, between the two telescope halves, an axis that is essentially aligned parallel to the two optical axes, and in which a shaft body is arranged. The shaft body has a longitudinal slot in which an adjusting body, displaceable in the longitudinal axis of the shaft body, is arranged. This adjusting body is adjustable in the longitudinal direction from outside the telescope, its axial movement being coupled with the movable optical components for common focusing. A separate drive knob is arranged to change the axial position of one optical component in one telescope half to compensate for visual defects.

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.

Abstract: Binoculars having a central device for focusing and diopter adjustment wherein the diopter adjusting wheel is integrated into the face of the focusing drive wheel, whereby the focusing and the diopter adjustment can be performed independently of each other.

Abstract: Binoculars capable of simultaneous individual focus and simultaneous individual focus mechanisms therefor are discussed. The binoculars of the present invention are preferably offset hinged in the bridging portion to accommodate various users and for compactness. In addition, the binoculars of the present invention simulate the ease of center focus and combat parallax that results from misalignment of the optical axis and the mechanical axis of each binocular tube.

Abstract: A pair of binoculars in which the ocular abridgements are connected through a bridge and can be activated through a center drive. The center drive comprises a rotatable knurled element and a guide pin, whereby the center drive serves customary adjustment of the focus. A Fix-Focus-Adjustment is provided by a knurled ring of the guide pin, whereby conventional focus adjustment is released by way of a knurled ring and the stop is neutralized with a stop ring.

Abstract: In a binocular, an operating knob member is provided for operating an adjusting mechanism such as a diopter difference adjusting mechanism by rotation thereof. The operating knob is arranged to be shiftable between two positions in which the amount of the externally protruded portion of the knob is relatively small and large, respectively. When the operating knob is operated, it is positioned at its largely protruded position, while when the operating knob is not necessary, it is positioned at its less protruded position.

Abstract: Binoculars of the center focus type having a pair of bodytubes connected together through an axis shaft comprise a focus adjusting rotational member rotatably supported on the axis shaft, a moving member supported on the axis shaft in proximity to the rotational member and provided for axial movement along the axis shaft, a mechanism for arbitrarily moving the moving member only axially, and a lock mechanism responsive to the movement of the moving member to preclude the rotation of the rotational member.

Abstract: A binocular or other optical viewing instrument dedicated for eyeglass-wearing users. An extended optical eye relief, as compared to binoculars for those without glasses, provides an eyeglass-wearing user with an optimal wide field of view. A pair of soft rubber eyeglass guards cushion the binocular against the user's eyeglasses, both protecting the eyeglass lenses and blocking a substantial portion of the ambient light from striking the eyeglass lenses.

Abstract: A focusing device for a binocular instrument can include a single focusing drive means provided between right and left ocular lenses so as to simutaneously move the right and left ocular lenses forward and backward in a direction of an optical axis to effect focusing. The focusing device also includes a pair of right and left guide holes formed in a body of the binocular instrument which extend from the ocular side to the portion of the binocular body accommodating Porro prisms or Porro mirrors. The guide holes extend in coaxial relation to respective ocular optical axes. A pair of right and left ocular tubes respectively support the ocular lenses and are received respectively in the guide holes so as to be slidable along the respective ocular optical axes. A connecting means connects each of the ocular tubes to the focusing drive means.