Abstract: An object-finder-mounting apparatus comprises: a base for mounting the object-finder-mounting apparatus to an optical instrument; an object-finder-holder assembly coupled to the base and comprising one or more object-finder holders for removably holding an object finder; a projection plate moveably coupled to the base and/or the object-finder-holder assembly for movement between first and second positions; and a shadow-casting member. The object-finder-mounting apparatus is convertible between first and second working modes. In the first working mode, the projection plate is moved to the first position which permits use of the object finder held by the object-finder holders to locate objects. In the second working mode, the object finder is removed from the object-finder holders and the projection plate is moved to the second position. In the second working mode, the shadow-casting member casts a shadow onto the projection plate when the optical instrument is directed toward a luminous object.

Abstract: A container for housing optical instruments is described. The container includes a case having an interior surface shaped to define a container cavity for holding an optical instrument. The interior surface is further shaped to define a plurality of ball-receiving concavities which open into the container cavity. Each ball-receiving concavity is shaped to have an opening at its edge and an interior region. The container also includes a plurality of elastically deformable balls, each ball located in a corresponding ball-receiving concavity and projecting from the interior region of the corresponding ball-receiving concavity through the opening and into the container cavity such that the balls are deformed to accommodate the optical instrument in the container cavity.

Abstract: An alt-az mount for supporting and orienting optical instruments comprises: a generally horizontally extending arm couple to a level surface by an azimuthal pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the horizontally extending arm with respect to the level surface about a vertical azimuthal axis; a generally vertically extending arm pivotally coupled to the horizontally extending arm by an inter-arm pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the vertically extending arm with respect to the horizontally extending arm about a vertical inter-arm axis; and an instrument coupling mechanism for coupling the mount to an optical instrument, the instrument coupling mechanism comprising an altitude pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the optical instrument with respect to the vertically extending arm about a horizontal altitude axis.

Abstract: A continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod is provided. The continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod includes a connecting base, at least three legs, an adjusting cap, and a supporter. The adjusting cap and the supporter are disposed on and under the connecting base, respectively. Each of the legs is peripherally distributed around the supporter. Upper ends of the legs are movably connected to the connecting base. Distances between the adjusting cap, the connecting base and the supporter are adjustable along a vertical direction, and can be relatively fixed at anywhere therebetween. Meanwhile, a bottom of the adjusting cap and the supporter clamp and fix the legs, so that an angle of each of the legs relative to the horizontal plane can be arbitrarily adjusted in a range from 0° to 90° in accordance with variations of relative positions of the adjusting cap, the connecting base, and the supporter.

Abstract: A continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod is provided. The continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod includes a connecting base, at least three legs, an adjusting cap, and a supporter. The adjusting cap and the supporter are disposed on and under the connecting base, respectively. Each of the legs is peripherally distributed around the supporter. Upper ends of the legs are movably connected to the connecting base. Distances between the adjusting cap, the connecting base and the supporter are adjustable along a vertical direction, and can be relatively fixed at anywhere therebetween. Meanwhile, a bottom of the adjusting cap and the supporter clamp and fix the legs, so that an angle of each of the legs relative to the horizontal plane can be arbitrarily adjusted in a range from 0° to 90° in accordance with variations of relative positions of the adjusting cap, the connecting base, and the supporter.