Focusing Or Relatively Sliding Barrels Patents (Class 359/425)
  • Patent number: 11921279
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a viewing optic. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an integrated display system for generating images that are projected into the first focal plane of an optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SHELTERED WINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Calen Havens, Will Lowry, Ian Klemm, Samuel Hamilton, Garrison Bollig, Craig Schultz, Andrew Carlson, Jason Lyle, David M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11726307
    Abstract: A camera module having a high resolution, high optical performance, and a reduced size, an optical apparatus including the camera module, and a method for manufacturing a camera module 1 are provided. The camera module 1 mounted on an optical apparatus such as a camera 60 includes an unit optical system UL including a primary reflection mirror 12 as a first reflection member and a secondary reflection mirror 13 as a second reflection member sequentially from an object side along an optical axis and configured to form an image of an object, an image sensor 14 configured to capture the image formed by the unit optical system UL, and a plurality of unit blocks 10 each including the unit optical system UL and the image sensor 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Iwane
  • Patent number: 11693225
    Abstract: A monocular telescope and an adjustable optical mechanism thereof are provided. The monocular telescope includes a housing module, a monocular module, and a camera. The housing module includes an outer tube assembled to the camera and a manipulation assembly that is assembled to the outer tube. The monocular module is movably assembled to the outer tube and includes an inner tube, a gear rack fixed to the inner tube and engaged with the manipulation assembly, and a plurality of optical lenses that are spacedly fixed in the inner tube and that jointly define a central optical axis. The manipulation assembly is configured to drive the gear rack to move the monocular module relative to the housing module along a direction parallel to the central optical axis back and forth, so that the camera can be allowed to focus a predetermined object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Ching-Chou Yang
  • Patent number: 11422352
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to system for transferring a substrate, such as a microscope slide, and holding the substrate within at least one device. The system includes a holder for holding the substrate and a gripper for transferring the substrate, such as between a cassette or stack and the holder. A method is also discussed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: RareCyte, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Quarre, Edward Shafer, David Stewart, Joel Smith
  • Patent number: 10481382
    Abstract: The invention concerns an image-inverting system for a sighting telescope, where the image-inverting system has at least two lenses which are each held in a bearing with at least one tappet and are mutually displaceable parallel to an optical axis of the image-inverting system, where the displacement of the at least two displaceable lenses modifies a reproduction scale at which an image projected onto a first image plane of the image-inverting system is shown on a second image plane of the image-inverting system, and a guide rod with at least two curved guide channels, where the tappets engage in the guide channels, and at least a reinforcing ring which is arranged touching or affixed to the circumference of the guide rod for increasing the mechanical stability of the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventors: Peter Öttl, Rudolf Nagiller
  • Patent number: 9726908
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical device for restoring eyesight, which includes a first tube configured such that a first convex lens having a first focal length is installed to an inner peripheral surface of a fore-end thereof, a second tube inserted into the first tube so as to move forward and backward within the first tube while a first concave lens having a second focal length and a second concave lens having a third focal length are installed to an inner peripheral surface of a fore-end thereof, a third tube configured such that a third concave lens having a fourth focal length and a fourth concave lens having a fifth focal length are installed to an inner peripheral surface of a fore-end thereof, a fixing unit for fixing the second tube to the third tube, and a fourth tube fixed to the fixing unit to cover the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Wonjong Yang
  • Patent number: 9719756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sighting device having an optical reversing system (12) and a target mark as well as a ballistics computer for computing data that is relevant in terms of ballistics, the reversing system (12) being adjustable mechanically and the target mark being adjustable electronically and at least one adjusting device (13) being provided for adjusting the reversing system (12) and the target mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventor: Andreas Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20150015945
    Abstract: A long-range optical apparatus includes an optical unit defined by lenses and an eyepiece and has at least one manually operable adjusting device for adjusting an optical unit defined by the lenses. With the adjusting device, the optical unit can be adjusted relative to a mounting device. The adjusting device is mechanically coupled to at least one optical element or the mounting device. The optical apparatus has an electronic unit including a memory and the electronic unit performs an electronic function in dependence upon a setting parameter stored in the memory. The adjusting device is coupled with a position detection unit so that actuation of the adjusting device triggers an electrical signal of the position detection unit as a function of the position of the adjusting device. The electronic unit stores or changes a setting parameter in the memory in response to the electrical signal of the position detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Carsten Berlips
  • Patent number: 8867129
    Abstract: A sighting telescope has two image planes situated between an objective and an ocular. A first such plane is situated closer to the objective and a second image plane is closer to the ocular. A reversal system is situated between the first and second image planes containing reversing lens elements. The reversing lens elements for a first and for a second adjustment distance can be adjusted by an adjustment means in a manner that the image in the second image plane shall be parallax-free between the target image and the target mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schmidt & Bender GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Manuela Tesmar, Helke Karen Hesse, Christoph Hilmar vom Hagen
  • Patent number: 8836843
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is arranged to receive from a lens unit a predetermined signal for indicating whether or not a focus lens is movable by a mount of movement corresponding to first information within a predetermined time, if the received predetermined signal indicates that the focus lens is movable by the amount of movement corresponding to the first information within the predetermined time, make first information on the basis of a focus signal generated from an image signal corresponding to charges accumulated during a first period, and if the received predetermined signal indicates that the focus lens is not movable by the amount of movement corresponding to the first information within the predetermined time, make the first information on the basis of a focus signal generated from the image signal corresponding to the charges accumulated during a second period after the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8810908
    Abstract: The binoculars of the present invention comprise two optical units; one optical unit for each eye. Each optical unit comprises a first reflector element and a second reflector element, wherein at least one of the reflector elements is a micromirror array reflector. The binoculars of the present invention provide focusing and/or zoom functions without or with minimal macroscopic mechanical lens movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Stereo Display, Inc., Angstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Hye Young Kim, Jin Young Sohn, Gyoung Il Cho, Cheong Soo Seo
  • Patent number: 8760759
    Abstract: Focusing devices and methods for controlling a focal position of an objective lens assembly in a night vision optical device are provided. The focusing device includes an objective lens assembly positioned at a first or second focus position from an imaging device and a binary focus controller, coupled to the objective lens assembly, configured to translate the objective lens assembly relative to the imaging device to either the first or second focus position. The objective lens assembly is translated to either the first or second focus position in response to an orientation of the night vision optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Blair Reuben Dobbie
  • Publication number: 20140160561
    Abstract: An adjusting device for linearly displacing an assembly has a rotary knob rotatable in first and second rotary directions. A gear unit rapidly displaces the assembly in a first linear direction when the rotary knob is rotated in the first rotary direction and slowly displaces the assembly in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction when the rotary knob is rotated in the second rotary direction over a defined rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Schlierbach, Dirk Luthardt, Sebastian Kulessa
  • Publication number: 20140111852
    Abstract: A telescope having an axially movable optical assembly, in particular, a focusing device and an adjustment device for actuating the optical assembly. A force transmission path from the adjustment device to the optical assembly is formed at least partially by a multitude of force transmission elements arranged abutting on one another in a force transmission channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Armin SCHLIERBACH
  • Patent number: 8693092
    Abstract: A focusing module for long focal length telescope which includes a sliding plate, a fixing sleeve, and a fixing bolt is disclosed. The drawtube is disposed on the sliding plate for sliding forward or backward to focus. The fixing sleeve and the fixing bolt form a connecting mechanism. When screwing the fixing sleeve to clamp the sliding plate from the bottom, the fixing bolt will be driven to clamp the sliding plate from the top simultaneously. This prevents the main tube and the drawtube from being displaced, and the target can be kept in the field of view of the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Hsi Chiang
  • Patent number: 8643763
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged to detachably mount a lens unit including a focus lens, controls such that if the focus lens is movable by the amount of movement within a predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided on the basis of a first focus signal extracted from an image signal corresponding to charges accumulated in a focus detection area at a first timing, and if the focus lens is not movable by the amount of movement amount within the predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided after completion of the movement of the focus lens on the basis of a second focus signal extracted from the image signal corresponding to the charges accumulated in the focus detection area at a second timing at which the focus lens is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20130329286
    Abstract: A method for correcting the thermoelastic effects on performance parameters of a telescope on board a space satellite, comprises a first step prior to the flight of the satellite consisting in determining, a priori, a correction of the thermoelastic effects by using a prior model of variations of the thermoelastic effects on the orbital scale and an algorithm for determining correction fed by programming data of the space satellite, and a second step carried out in flight, based on the correction determined a priori, consisting in establishing control messages of correction means for correcting the performance parameters of said telescope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jean-Francois BLANC, Olivier CHANAL, Arnaud LIOTARD, Damiana LOSA, Catherine CHARBONNEL, Christophe DEVILLIERS
  • Patent number: 8599481
    Abstract: A method of making a rifle scope that makes use of a longitudinal base plate piece and a mating, closure housing piece. Optical assemblies are attached to the longitudinal base plate and the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the longitudinal base plate and the housing piece and base plate are fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kruger Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Thomas, Mitchell Thomas, Forrest Babcock
  • Patent number: 8449131
    Abstract: An optical sight of the present invention may aim at an object via a cross. The optical sight has a focusing adjuster for focusing and a brightness adjuster for adjusting luminance on a cross. The focusing adjuster and the brightness adjuster are made at the same position that user may operate the optical sight more conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Chi Tang, Chi-Shiuan Hsien
  • Publication number: 20130056628
    Abstract: Mass spectrometers ionize samples by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The samples are located on a moveable support plate, and irradiated by a pulsed laser. A fast positional control of laser spots is provided via a system of rotatable mirrors to relieve strain on a support plate motion drive. If the spot position is finely adjusted by the mirror system and follows the movement of the sample support plate, the intermittent movement of the sample support can be replaced with a continuous uniform motion. The fast positional control allows more uniform ablation of a sample area. Galvo mirrors with low inertia may be used between the beam generation and a Kepler telescope in the housing of the laser. The positional control can also provide a fully automatic adjustment of MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometers, at least if the ion-optical elements are equipped with movement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Armin Holle, Andreas Haase, Jens Hoehndorf
  • Patent number: 8325415
    Abstract: A binocular telescope with internal focusing and two cylindrical barrel tubes, each fastened to a bridge and accommodating an objective lens, a focusing lens, a prism system for image inversion and an eyepiece. The prism system is configured so that the optical axis of the eyepieces is offset relative to the optical axis of the objective lenses. The bridge is provided with two cylindrical apertures in which the barrel tubes are mounted parallel to one another, each rotatable about the optical axis of its objective. Each barrel tube comprises a rotary sleeve, an objective tube and an eyepiece tube. The bridge is one piece and has a small length compared to the barrel tube length. The rotary sleeves are inserted into the apertures and the objective tubes and eyepiece tubes are connected to the rotary sleeves such that they lie rotatable on the upper and lower sides of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Minox GmbH Optische und Feinmechanische Werke
    Inventors: Alfred Hengst, Jens Kohlhase
  • Publication number: 20120195023
    Abstract: An optical sight of the present invention may aim at an object via a cross. The optical sight has a focusing adjuster for focusing and a brightness adjuster for adjusting luminance on a cross. The focusing adjuster and the brightness adjuster are made at the same position that user may operate the optical sight more conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC.
    Inventors: CHIA-CHI TANG, Chi-Shiuan Hsien
  • Publication number: 20120175459
    Abstract: A projectile, air vehicle or submersible craft with a spinning or rolling fuselage, rotating on its axis, has a collar which can be positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile using aerodynamic forces. Aerodynamic surfaces, such as lift-producing surfaces, for example tails or canards, are coupled to the collar, and rotate with the collar. An actuator system or mechanism controls orienting of the lift-producing surfaces, such as tilting of the lift producing surfaces, to direct the collar into a desired position relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile, and to maintain the collar in that position. With such a control the projectile is able to be steered using bank-to-turn maneuvering. The actuator system may use any of a variety of mechanisms to move the lift-producing surfaces, thereby positioning the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stevie Alejandro, Paul Vesty
  • Patent number: 8054545
    Abstract: A lens hood for a camera lens has a mounting barrel and a holding ring. The mounting barrel is hollow, is movably mounted around the camera lens and has an internal surface, a front end, a rear end, a sliding recess and at least one detent. The sliding recess if formed in the internal surface of the mounting barrel and has two ends. The at least one detent is formed adjacent to, communicating with and deeper than the sliding recess; two detents may be formed respectively at the ends of the sliding recess. The holding ring is resilient, is mounted securely around the cameras lens, is mounted in and presses the sliding recess and is selectively mounted in the at least one detent to allow the holding ring to relax and prolong usage lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Chung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110255158
    Abstract: A focusing module for long focal length telescope is disclosed. The focusing module comprises a sliding plate, a fixing sleeve, and a fixing blot. The drawtube is disposed on the sliding plate for sliding forward or backward to focus. The fixing sleeve and the fixing blot form a connecting mechanism. When screwing the fixing sleeve to clamp the sliding plate from the bottom, the fixing bolt will be driven to clamp the sliding plate from the top simultaneously. This prevents the main tube and the drawtube from being displaced, and the target can be kept in the field of view of the telescope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ching-Hsi CHIANG
  • Patent number: 7911691
    Abstract: Binoculars include first and second lens barrels. A bridge interconnects the lens barrels. First and second optical systems are accommodated in respectively the lens barrels. First and second focus lenses are included in respectively the first and second optical systems, for focus adjustment by moving in an optical axis direction. An operation barrel is secured to the bridge, and externally rotatable and movable in the optical axis direction between a focus adjusting position and a diopter adjusting position. A focus adjuster with gear teeth and screw threads moves the first and second focus lenses simultaneously in the optical axis direction when the operation barrel is rotated in the focus adjusting position. A diopter adjuster, including gear teeth, an intermediate rod and screw threads, moves the second focus lens in the optical axis direction when the operation barrel is rotated in the diopter adjusting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Takaharu Kobayashi, Takemi Seo
  • Patent number: 7864417
    Abstract: A telescope having a focus display includes a tube assembly, a sensor and a focus display. The tube assembly has a first tube and a second tube connected within the first tube. The first tube has an opening. The sensor is provided on the second tube. The focus display is provided in the opening of the first tube. The focus display is provided with a screen, a processing unit and an electromagnetic sensing unit. The electromagnetic sensing unit, the processing unit and the screen are electrically connected with each other. When the first tube is telescopically moved with respect to the second tube, the electromagnetic sensing unit receives and senses the change in the electromagnetic field of the sensor. The processing unit then calculates the displacement and displays the data on the screen, so that the user can focus the telescope to obtain the clearest image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: William Yang
  • Publication number: 20100214655
    Abstract: A multi-functional telescopic device is disclosed which can be used as an optical telescope for general long-distance observation and astronomical observation or as a magnifying glass. More particularly, the telescopic device allows for rapidly switching a terminal eyepiece between long-distance observation and a horizontal eyepiece for astronomical observation. The telescopic device is characterized in that a rapidly switching reflective mirror is provided to an end of the terminal eyepiece and the horizontal eyepiece, so that a user can directly rotate an external switching knob to selectively switch the terminal eyepiece and the horizontal eyepiece. As a result, the user can not only observe remote objects conveniently, but also watch the stars directly through the horizontal eyepiece without having to look upwards at a large elevation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Su-Min Kung
  • Patent number: 7706065
    Abstract: A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in a user's hand. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick R. Regan, Rodney H. Otteman, Erik R. Halverson
  • Patent number: 7706063
    Abstract: An image capturing device with a focusing assembly comprises a case formed by an upper casing and a lower casing; a cover for sealing the lower casing; an lower side of the cover having an opening for capturing images of outside objects; a base installed at a connection between the upper casing and the lower casing; an image sensor installed at a lower side of the base for capturing images through an opening of the front cover; a focus adjusting unit including an object lens, an adjusting wheel, an inner tube and an outer adjusting tube; the outer adjusting tube being located within the lower casing and has a longitudinal retaining groove at an inner side thereof; the inner tube being received in the outer adjusting tube; the inner tube having a helical groove; an outer side of the adjusting wheel having a post for driving the adjusting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Vast Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Backer Chou
  • Publication number: 20090109528
    Abstract: A rifle scope has a front end receiving light and a rear end passing light to the user eye. The rifle scope has an elevation adjustment; an inside body is hollow and tubular and fitting inside a middle body which is also hollow and tubular shaped and a top angle focus adjustment mounted on the inside body in front of the elevation windage. The top angle focus adjustment has a top angle focus knob, a focus shaft mounted to the focus knob, and a top angle gear mounted to the focus shaft. The top angle focus knob and the focus shaft and the top angle gear are fixed so that they rotate together on an axis of the focus shaft. The inside body focus gear housing has an inside body focus gear meshing with the top angle gear, and the top angle gear rotation rotates the inside body focus gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: John Wu
  • Publication number: 20090080070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a distant light source at an enhanced resolution is provided. An evanescent field generator an evanescent field generator that receives an incident electromagnetic field representing at least one distant light source and restores high spatial frequency components to the incident electromagnetic field, resulting in an evanescent field. A negative refractive index lens assembly focuses the evanescent field onto a focal plane. A photodetector assembly located in the focal plane detects the focused evanescent field as an image of the at least one distant light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Jack May, Stephen D. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20080259449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a telescope which is used to inject and/or to extract, by reflection, emitting and/or capturing bundles of beams. According to the invention, at least one deflecting means is joined to the planar surface by means of at least one lens of the telescope objective unit, which is embodied as a plan convex or plan concave lens. The lens is used as a lens of the objective unit and as a holder for the deflection means. The number of optical components in the telescope about one of the holders is reduced due to the dual function thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Fruhmann, Thomas Pozivil, Jurg Hinderling
  • Patent number: 7375881
    Abstract: A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in the palm of a user's hand so that the spotting scope can be held at eye level with one hand in an ergonomic arm and wrist position for steady support. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick R. Regan, Rodney H. Otteman, Erik R. Halverson
  • Patent number: 7359131
    Abstract: An improved lens mount and related lens and lens barrel positioning methods are provided. In one example, a lens mount for use with a miniature camera can include a ring member having a substantially cylindrical interior surface defining a substantially cylindrical interior space. A plurality of elongate ribs are disposed on the interior surface of the ring member and are adapted to exert pressure against an external surface of a lens barrel received by the ring member. In another example, a method of positioning a lens barrel includes inserting a lens barrel into a ring member having a substantially cylindrical interior surface. Pressure can be exerted against an external surface of the lens barrel from a plurality of elongate ribs disposed on the interior surface of the ring member. The pressure can prevent rotation of the lens barrel along at least three axes of rotational freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Siimpel Corporation
    Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet
  • Patent number: 7352387
    Abstract: To provide a camera that is suited to shoot both a demagnified image and a magnified image. The camera includes a housing body 11 containing a CCD 15, and a lens barrel 12. An abutted member 20 having an objective lens 40 therein is engaged with the lens barrel 12 and a rotatable manually-controlled member 30 is fitted around that lens barrel. The abutted member 20 moves back and forth in the direction of an optical axis K in response to the rotation of the manually-controlled member 30. A user moves the objective lens 40 back and forth by moving the abutted member 20 back and forth to shoot either a demagnified image or a magnified image. A demagnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 contained in the lens barrel 12. A magnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 projected from the lens barrel 12. An end of the abutted member 20 is positioned so that the focal point of the objective lens 40 falls on the center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Scaler Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7277223
    Abstract: A telescope capable of motorized focus and/or collimation. The telescope includes control electronics capable of correcting the focus and/or collimation based on identified information, such as, for example, information about optical or other elements of the telescope, information about a user or imaging device, or the like. In various embodiments, such identified information is acquired through radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies. In other embodiments, an automated system controls the actuators based at least in part upon identification information, such as through user or device recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Baun, Brian Tingey, Ghassan El-Khatib
  • Patent number: 7259910
    Abstract: A focal device for a telescope includes an eyepiece tube, a main body, a fixing washer, a direction restricting member, a focus adjusting ring, a focus adjusting tube, an eyepiece, an eyepiece clamping member and a tightening ring. The eyepiece-clamping member is fixed with the eyepiece and with the focus adjusting tube, having male threads at the other end. The focus adjusting tube and the eyepiece have the same axial line and are able to shift axially only for restricted by the direction-restricting member. The focus adjusting ring engages with the focus adjusting tube, having the same axial line as the focus adjusting tube does, limited to rotate at its site for activating the focus adjusting tube to shift axially. All the axial lines of the eyepiece and the telescope overlap with each other, enabling focusing absolutely precise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Paul Kuo
  • Patent number: 7207937
    Abstract: When examining a living organism exhibiting dynamic behavior such as pulsing, the dynamic behavior is suppressed and clear images are acquired. The invention provides an objective lens unit including a lens barrel for supporting optical components, wherein an end surface of the lens barrel is disposed farther towards the distal side than an optical component at the extreme distal end, and channel-shaped indented portions extending in the diametrical direction are formed in the end surface of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Chika Nakajima, Yoshihisa Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 7196844
    Abstract: An imaging optical device, in particular binoculars or a telescope, comprises, in addition to a casing, an optical system with at least two optical components, the distance of which relative to one another is adjustable for focus setting of the optical system. This adjustment is effected by an adjusting device, which is coupled with at least one of the two components. The position of the optical components relative to each other is detected and, by the aid of a processor, converted into a focal length of the optical system and then outputted as a focal length via an output device. In this way, the distance of an object sighted by the optical device can be determined conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Steiner-Optik GmbH
    Inventor: Carl Steiner
  • Patent number: 7102817
    Abstract: An objective lens for a microscope has a casing, a telescopic tube assembly and a cap. The casing is tubular and has a through hole and a window. The telescopic tube assembly has an outer tube, an inner tube and an objective lens. The outer tube is mounted rotatably in the casing and has an inner thread and an annular knob aligned with the window. The inner tube mounted rotatably and moveably in the outer tube. The objective lens is mounted in the inner tube. The cap is mounted on the casing and has two guides mounted between the casing and the cap and slidably engaging the inner tube so the inner tube can move along the guides. The magnification and focal length of the microscope changes when the inner tube with the objective lens moves in the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Anmo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Wu
  • Patent number: 7088506
    Abstract: A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in the palm of a user's hand so that the spotting scope can be held at eye level with one hand in an ergonomic arm and wrist position for steady support. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick R. Regan, Rodney H. Otteman, Erik R. Halverson
  • Patent number: 7061675
    Abstract: A focusing optic can be axially displaced along the optical axis in a housing with the aid of coarse and fine drives. The coarse drive includes a coarse belt drive by which the coarse drive and the focusing optic cooperate actively with one another and the fine belt drive is provided for connecting the fine drive and the focusing optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hensoldt AG
    Inventors: Dirk Luthardt, Myron Javorsky
  • Patent number: 6937391
    Abstract: In an optical viewer instrument with a photographing function, there is provided a telescopic lens system for observing objects, and a digital camera system including a solid-state image sensor and a photographing lens system associated with each other such that an object is formed as a photographed image on the solid-state image sensor through the photographing lens system. A manually-operable focussing mechanism is associated with the telescopic lens system and the photographing lens system such that the object is brought into focus through the telescopic lens system, and such that the object is brought into focus through the photographing lens system. Optical parameters are selected such that predetermined conditions are fulfilled, whereby the focussing of the telescopic lens system and the focusing of the photographing lens system can be suitably and properly performed by the focussing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Hirunuma, Atsumi Kaneko, Shuji Yoneyama, Moriyasu Kanai, Gouji Funatsu
  • Patent number: 6924933
    Abstract: A mechanism for focal adjustment and dipotric deviation adjustment in binoculars. The mechanism includes: a first focal adjustment lens system; a second focal adjustment lens system; a focal adjustment shaft that performs a focal adjustment by causing the first focal adjustment lens system and the second focal adjustment lens system to move along optical axes thereof; and a dioptric deviation adjustment shaft that performs a dioptric deviation adjustment by causing the first focal adjustment lens system to move along the optical axis. The focal adjustment shaft and the dioptric deviation adjustment shaft both are housed within a bridge casing set between the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel. The dioptric deviation adjustment shaft is linked with the first focal adjustment lens system. The focal adjustment shaft is linked with the second focal adjustment lens system and the dioptric deviation adjustment shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6870669
    Abstract: A pair of variable-powered binoculars include a pair of objective lens systems; a pair of prism systems, each of the prism system inverting an image that advances through the corresponding objective lens systems, from an inverted image to an erecting image; a pair of concave adjusting lenses, each of the concave adjusting lenses placed between a focus formed by the corresponding objective lens system and the corresponding prism system, so that each of the concave adjusting lenses is movable along the optical axis formed by the corresponding objective lens system and the corresponding prism system; and a pair of ocular lens systems, each of the ocular lens systems placed on the optical axis, so that each ocular lens system is movable along the optical axis closer to or away from the corresponding concave adjusting lens, synchronizing with a movement of the corresponding concave adjusting lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kamakura Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naomi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6816305
    Abstract: A pre-assembled pivoting lens unit is disclosed that includes a pivot cartridge capable of being at least partially received by an optical sighting device housing, along with a pivot tube defining a first end movably coupled to the pivot cartridge and a second end capable of moving transversely to the longitudinal axis of the device housing. Disposed in the pivot tube between the first and second ends is a lens assembly capable of focusing an image when the lens unit is at least partially received by the device housing. A fastener is used to secure the pivot cartridge to the first end of the pivot tube, and a resilient member interposes the fastener and pivot tube first end to enable relative pivoting movement of the pivot tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick R. Regan, John A. Karge
  • Publication number: 20040169918
    Abstract: A focusing optic can be axially displaced along the optical axis in a housing with the aid of coarse and fine drives. The coarse drive includes a coarse belt drive by which the coarse drive and the focusing optic cooperate actively with one another and the fine belt drive is provided for connecting the fine drive and the focusing optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Dirk Luthardt, Myron Javorsky
  • Publication number: 20040150882
    Abstract: An optical corrector system optical system comprising two components, a first housing supporting therein a telenegative-type lens, and a second housing supporting therein a positive-type lens. The first housing is adapted to be coupled to a telescope in a manner so that the telenegative lens intercepts the image plane provided by the telescope. The second housing is adapted to be coupled to an image input portion of a remote viewing device. Opposite ends of the first and second housings are adapted to be coupled to each other in a manner so that the distance between the telenegative lens in the first housing and the positive lens in the second housing results in the intercepted image plane being repositioned from a viewing position at the telescope, to a viewing position at the remote viewing device. In a preferred embodiment, the remote viewing device comprises a binocular viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Russell Drew Lederman, Clamore William Dankmeyer
  • Patent number: 6768587
    Abstract: A first frame holds a second frame which holds two correction lenses. Two guide pins, fixed on the first frame, pierce through two guide holes extending in a lengthwise direction. A first actuator including a motor and a shaft moved in the lengthwise direction in accordance with the rotation of the motor moves the first frame in the lengthwise direction. One of the guide pins is in contact with one end of the shaft. The tip end of a pressing member mounted on another of the guide pins is in point-contact with another end surface of the shaft, pressing the shaft to the another guide pin. In accordance with the movement of the shaft, the first frame moves in the lengthwise direction being guided by the guide pins and holes. A second actuator for moving the second frame in the lateral direction is structured similarly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Hirunuma, Koji Tsuda