Abstract: A microscope support foot (10) includes a central portion (14) and two lateral portions (15, 16), which form receiving chambers (19, 20, 21) by means of separating walls (17, 18) extending as far as a base plate (23). The optical components for an illumination arrangement (28) are disposed in receiving chamber (20) so as to be protected from dust by a seal (25), and the electronic components are disposed in a heat-dissipating manner in the receiving chamber (21), so that the heat-emitting components are in contact with the base plate (23) which is made of heat-dissipating material. This base plate and the lateral portion (16) have ventilation slits (42, 42'). A drive unit (36) for the adjustment of the successviely arranged aperture stop and light field stop (30, 31) is secured in the receiving chamber (19) in such a manner that the adjusting arrangement is accessible from outside and is disposed at a convenient distance from a focussing arrangement (13).

Abstract: The drive has a manual coarse/fine focusing device using a gear drive and additional fine focusing using a motor. The latter is effected through an eccentric cam, rotatingly supported in a guide plate and coupled with the motor. A ball bearing rigidly joined with the object holder and the microscope stage rests on the eccentric cam. During operation of the motor, only the ball bearing and, thus, the microscope stage are raised or lowered; the gear drive for manual focusing remains stationary.

Abstract: A microscope condenser housing having an annular slit to receive filter slides, which during their insertion are arrested in two defined positions. A locking device effective against the outward motion of the filter slides and additionally locking the filter slides in at least one of the defined positions is provided. Incorrect inverted insertion of the filter slides is also prevented. The locking by the locking device is readily released manually by means of a locking lever projecting from the condenser housing.

Abstract: An adjusting device for the specimen stage of an optical instrument such as a microscope or vernier measuring instrument comprising a pair of superposed slides mounted for movement in two mutually perpendicular coordinate directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the instrument with coaxial drive means for effecting fine adjustments of the positions of the slides and with a single, common release mechanism for simultaneously disengaging both drive means to facilitate rapid manual displacement of the slides to an approximate desired position.

Abstract: A microscope objective mount is described for screwing onto a microscope, said microscope having a tube which is rotatable around the mount and is held onto the mount. The mount is distinguished in that the tube extends over approximately the entire length of the mount, with the tube and mount being releasably connected together by a catch connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope adapted for accepting one or more attachment illuminating devices, which have different dimensions and are designed to be supplied with electric power either from a source within the microscope or external to the microscope. The microscope comprises a microscope stand comprising a base and a vertical support member; at least one source of electrical energy located inside of the stand for powering an illuminating device; and first means, associated with the stand, for connecting any of a variety of attachment illuminating devices which have different dimensions and are designed to be supplied with electric power either from the electrical energy source or from an electrical energy source external to the microscope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope stand which permits a lens turret and an eyepiece mounted on the stand to be mounted close enough together to eliminate the necessity of an intervening tube lens. In permitting this mounting of the lenses, a recess is provided in the stand which substantially weakens the mounting structure. Vertical webs are provided in the preferred embodiment which extend adjacent the recess and external to the lens turret which strengthen the microscope stand and mounting structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the position of a field stop with respect to a microscope substage illuminator includes a carrier for slidably mounting the field stop on the illuminator so as to move in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the illuminator. An annular element controlling the aperture of the field stop is pivotally mounted within the carrier and is coupled to a knurled ring projecting radially and upwardly from the diaphragm carrier. The knurled ring is in turn pivoted within the diaphragm carrier and preferably carries a circular line inscribed thereon which is concentric with the field stop in order to facilitate adjustment of the field stop.

Abstract: A universal microscope condenser includes a supporting member having a fixed lens mounted thereon. A pivot arm is pivoted to the supporting member and a first lens member mounted on the pivot arm for movement by the pivot arm into optical alignment with the fixed lens. The supporting member also includes a carrier slide which has a second lens member mounted thereon. The first and second lens members can be switched in and out of optical alignment with the fixed lens to vary the aperture and luminous field of the universal microscope condenser. Also included is a variable aperture stop disposed between the first and second lens members. Preferably, the first lens member moves along an arcuate path which intersects the optical axis of the fixed lens and the second lens member moves along a path which is tangent to the arcuate path of the first lens member when the first lens member is aligned with the optical axis of the fixed lens.

Abstract: A novel and advantageous microscope objective mount is provided. Said mount can be screwed to a microscope and more particularly to the objective turret or nosepiece. It is provided with a rotatable outer sleeve held on the mount, the sleeve being held by an elastically deformable ring which engages, at least in part, by force-locking. Due to the construction of the mount of this invention, attachment of the sleeve thereto is considerably facilitated and improved with respect to the axial play as compared with known mount assemblies. There is practically no radial clamping of the holding ring against the mount.

Abstract: A semi-automatic coarse-fine focusing apparatus for microscopes adjusts the focus of a microscope through rotation of a shaft which rotates a pinion that drives a rack to reciprocate. The rack carries a specimen being observed by the microscope. The shaft which rotates the pinion is in turn driven by a gear that is meshed with a helix formed on a cylinder by a helical thread disposed therearound. The helix is non-rotatably mounted on another shaft that includes a knob which is manually turned to turn the helix and thus rotate the gear for coarse adjustment. The helix is preferably rigidly mounted on the shaft and the shaft is slidable. One arm of a bell crank engages an end face of the helix to reciprocate the helix and thus rotate the gear for fine adjustment. The other arm of the bell crank is engaged by a cam which pivots the bell crank according to the position of the cam. The position of the cam is determined by an electric motor which is preferably controlled by signals that vary with image contrast.