Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a microscope comprises a condenser lens for condensing beams of illumination light from a light source and a pin-hole stop. The pin-hole stop has a pin-hole, provided on an optical axis, for transmitting only strong light beams from a central portion of the light source among the illumination light beams condensed by the condenser lens. The pin-hole stop also has a light reducing/illumination area, disposed around the pin-hole in symmetry with respect to the optical axis, for illuminating the periphery of an on-specimen portion illuminated with the light beams passing through the pin-hole with a quantity of light exhibiting a predetermined ratio to a quantity of the light passing through the pin-hole. The same apparatus also comprises an objective lens for converging the illumination light beams passing through this pin-hole stop on a specimen. The pin-hole stop is located in a position substantially conjugate to a pupil plane of the objective lens.

Abstract: An upright microscope comprises a microscope main body constituted of a base unit and a stand unit extending upright from the rear end of the base unit. An observation optical system comprising an objective lens and an eyepiece lens is provided at the microscope main body. A stage on which a test piece is placed is assembled into an elevator unit which is caused to move up and down by focusing knobs as an integrated part. The test piece is illuminated by a lamp from below the stage. A recessed portion is formed at the base unit and the lamp is disposed at the recessed portion. The lamp is concealed by a lid member that is attached/detached by sliding over the recessed portion. When the lid member is slid and moved off the base unit, the lamp becomes exposed. As a result, the lamp can be replaced easily.

Abstract: A microscope is capable of changing over a magnification of an objective lens with a simple construction and by a simple changeover operation without operating a focusing handle when observing a sample within a chamber. The microscope includes an objective lens change unit for holding a plurality of objective lenses and selectively disposing the objective lenses on an observation optical path of the microscope. The objective lens change unit has a first objective lens holding member which holds a first objective lens among the plurality of objective lenses, and a second objective lens holding member which holds a second objective lens a working distance of which is shorter than that of the first objective lens. The first objective lens holding member is fixed to the objective lens change unit. The second objective lens holding member is so provided in the objective lens change unit as to be movable in an optical axis direction of the second objective lens.

Abstract: In a rectilinear guide apparatus wherein a female guide is disposed outside a male guide and four rows, for example, of rollers are interposed between the two guides and the male guide is rectilinearly movable relative to the female guide, rollers in two of the four rows are oriented in the same direction and all rollers in the other two rows are inclined so as to be substantially orthogonal to the rotation center axes of the rollers in the first-mentioned two rows. This rectilinear guide apparatus provides an effect similar to a combination of two rows of cross rollers, but provides higher strength and simplifies working of the rolling surfaces of the rollers.

Abstract: A microscope has an objective optical system coupled to an observation optical system with parallel optical axes. A stage, which holds a sample, rectilinearly moves in a direction toward and away from the observation optical axis, which is perpendicular to the plane of the stage. The objective optical system rectilinearly moves in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the stage. The microscope thus permits viewing of a large sample with a small stroke of the stage, whereby a compact and lightweight structure may be achieved.

Abstract: A high sensitivity microscope is applicable to observe a dark specimen image or an image of a specimen unsuitable for irradiation by strong illumination light, through the use of an image intensifier capable of being inserted into a viewing optical system. The viewing optical system comprises an objective and an eyepiece, and an image intensifier may be disposed in the viewing optical system such that an acceptance plane thereof is located at an image plane of the objective and such that an optical output plane thereof is conjugate with an image plane of the eyepiece. Also, an optical path switch mechanism may be provided to guide light from the objective selectively through an optical path including the image intensifier or through an optical path not including the image intensifier. Alternatively, the image intensifier or a relay lens may be selectively inserted into the viewing optical system.

Abstract: A lens barrel for a microscope comprises an eyepiece barrel provided for rotation relative to a barrel body, a reflecting mirror holder for holding on the rotational center axis of the eyepiece barrel a reflecting mirror having a reflecting surface for reflecting light from an objective lens, and rotating the reflecting mirror about the rotational center axis, first and second circumferential surfaces having a ratio of outer diameters of approximately 1 to 2 and formed on the eyepiece barrel and the reflecting mirror holder, respectively, about the rotational center axis, a pulley rotatably supported on the barrel body, and a connecting member for connecting the first circumferential surface of the eyepiece barrel and the second circumferential surface of the reflecting mirror holder together through the pulley.

Abstract: A manually operable device for displacing movable stages includes first and second assemblies each comprising a main handle and a sub handle. A first pinion shaft is extended through both the handle assemblies and its lower end is fixedly secured to a sub handle of the first handle assembly. A second pinion shaft is rotatably provided about the first pinion shaft and its lower end is made integral with a main handle of the second handle assembly. Pinions provided at the upper ends of each shaft mesh with racks for displacing a movable stage in first and second orthogonal directions. The first and second pinion shafts have a threaded part at their lower end parts. The threaded part of the first pinion shaft is threadably engaged to a sub wheel of the first handle assembly, whereas the threaded part of the second pinion shaft is threadably engaged to a sub wheel of the second handle assembly.