With Clamp Or Grip Patents (Class 359/818)
  • Publication number: 20100328788
    Abstract: A lens holder of a stacked lens module and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. A stacked lens submodule is used as a molded molding insert to be set into a mold cavity. The molding insert is aligned in the alignment fixture and the clamp of the mold by injection molding or press molding. After molding process, a lens module included the stacked lens submodule as well as the lens holder is formed. Thereby the manufacturing method of conventional lens assemblies or lens modules is improved. Moreover, the processes are simplified and the yield rate is increased. Furthermore, the molded lens module is packed into the lens more easily so that it is suitable to be applied to camera lenses, small lenses and mobile phone lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: San-Woei SHYU, Huang-Chang CHEN, Chih-Peng WANG, Te-Cheng LIN
  • Publication number: 20100302655
    Abstract: An iris rod clamp, and lens drive motor mount using the clamp, is employed for attaching equipment such as lens motors to various movie/video cameras via the different sized iris rods used by these movie/video cameras. The clamp includes jaws with clamping surfaces that have multiple, parallel concave cylindrical profiles matching the different sizes of iris rods. The lens drive motor mount uses clamps and support arms with flat sides to keep alignment perpendicular to the lens. A D-clamp slides along a support arm to adjust location of the lens drive motor and a rosette rotates relative to the D-clamp to adjust angular position of the lens drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Jerry Paul Hill
  • Publication number: 20100296182
    Abstract: The optical element position adjusting mechanism includes a holding member for holding an outer periphery of an optical element, a fixing portion for pivotally fixing the holding member to adjust the position of the optical element, a clamping portion capable of fixing or releasing the holding member against the fixing portion, a driving section for driving the holding member fixed to the fixing portion by the clamping portion in a pivot direction, and a flexure that is interposed between the clamping portion and the holding member and elastically deforms to guide the holding member driven by the driving section in the pivot direction about the clamping portion. The holding member positioned by the pivot is released from the fixing portion by the clamping portion to restore the flexure to the state prior to being elastically deformed, whereby it is again fixed to the fixing portion by the clamping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 7808689
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus in which light fluxes emitted from at least two light sources are brought close to one another to be allowed to enter the rotating reflector 35 to be allowed to scan the photoreceptor 39, the cylindrical lens presser spring 12 provided on the cylindrical lens supporting member 10 is positioned such that the lens presser spring 12 pushes the cylindrical lens at a position so that the light fluxes enter the cylindrical lens at ranges extending toward both strides from the lens presser spring 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Nakai, Hideki Sugimura
  • Publication number: 20100157447
    Abstract: A monocular with attachment points has a tubular frame with a hard point attached to its exterior an optical axis defined by its center axis. A clip may have one end connected to the hard point. There may be two hard points attached to the frame's exterior, and the clip may be operable to detach from and reattach to either of the hard points. The hard points may be arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the frame's exterior. There may be a hand strap operable to detach from and reattach to any of the pairs of hard points. There may be a mounting surface rigidly connected to the frame's exterior. The mounting surface may be parallel to the optical axis and operable to receive a tripod mount and a picatinny rail mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel J. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20100118550
    Abstract: A LED lens and a LED package using the LED lens are disclosed. The LED lens includes a holder and a lens. The holder has a frame and a plurality of arms extending from bottoms of the frame. The lens is mounted on the frame of the holder. In particular, the holder is capable of clasping a mounting base of the LED assembly by the arms when the holder is placed upon the LED assembly and rotated with respect to the LED assembly by an angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Hung-Pin Kuo
  • Patent number: 7693417
    Abstract: The optical option attachment ring of the present invention includes a rotator having an abutting surface that projects inward from the inner circumferential surface of the ring body and abuts the front end of the lens barrel as well as an arcuate portion that follows the upper end of the abutting surface. The optical option attachment ring further includes a resilient member that applies an urging force to the rotator to rotate in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned rotation direction and a stopper that abuts at least one of the one end and the other end so as to restrict the rotation caused by the urging force of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7643230
    Abstract: An optical mount for holding an optical element, such as a laser rod, in which two or more contact blocks are biased into contact with two faces of the optical element and with a base supporting the optical element. The optical mount maintains good thermal contact with the optical element to minimize thermal gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ellex Medical Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Dmitri Feklistov
  • Patent number: 7616392
    Abstract: A lens barrel that configures an imaging apparatus by being detachably attached to an imaging apparatus main body includes a lens barrel in which an imaging lens is formed and a connecting section to the imaging apparatus main body is formed on one end side in an optical axis direction of the imaging lens and a grip section provided on a side surface of the lens barrel and gripped by a camera operator during imaging. The grip section projects from the side surface of the lens barrel further to a side surface of the apparatus main body than an end face on the connecting section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ei Igarashi, Hibiki Yoshikawa, Yoshiyuki Kamata, Keisuke Ishii
  • Patent number: 7605962
    Abstract: A clamping spring (70) formed of a sheet of resilient material having an interconnected plurality of alternating first and second tabs disposed around the periphery thereof is disclosed. The first tabs (72) being angled upwardly and having mounting slots (73) therein. The second tabs (74) being angled downwardly. A force applied to the first tabs provides a consistent controlled clamping force at the second tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson
    Inventors: Mark Alan Yoder, Scott Allen Bottler
  • Patent number: 7586697
    Abstract: A lens device comprises a lens element having round depressions formed in the back thereof and a lens barrel provided with round projections formed correspondingly in position to the round depressions each of which has an axial length shorter than an axial depth of the round depression and an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the depression. The lens element is held in the lens barrel with the round projections received in the round depressions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuto Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7564636
    Abstract: In a device for preventing the creeping of an optical element, in particular a lens or a mirror, the optical element is connected to a mount via connecting members arranged on the circumference of the optical element. The position of the optical element in an objective (PL) deviates from the vertical axial position. In order to compensate the dead weight at least of the optical element at least one holding element via which the optical element is held on a housing part of the objective (PL) is provided in addition to the connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Christian Zengerling, Armin Schoeppach, Ulrich Weber
  • Patent number: 7561349
    Abstract: Providing a telescope capable of preventing aesthetic external appearance thereof from losing. The telescope has a hole 33 on an outer surface of a lens barrel 3. A lens cap 5 for protecting an objective lens of the telescope includes a lens cap body 51, an extending portion 59 extending from the lens cap body 51, and connecting member 52 capable of removably attaching to the hole 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Nikon Vision Co., Ltd., Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Aikawa
  • Publication number: 20090059397
    Abstract: A lens barrel that configures an imaging apparatus by being detachably attached to an imaging apparatus main body includes a lens barrel in which an imaging lens is formed and a connecting section to the imaging apparatus main body is formed on one end side in an optical axis direction of the imaging lens and a grip section provided on a side surface of the lens barrel and gripped by a camera operator during imaging. The grip section projects from the side surface of the lens barrel further to a side surface of the apparatus main body than an end face on the connecting section side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ei Igarashi, Hibiki Yoshikawa, Yoshiyuki Kamata, Keisuke Ishii
  • Patent number: 7492535
    Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and positioning optical components. The apparatus includes a substrate, one or more mounting slots, and one or more springs. The one or more mounting slots are formed in the substrate, and each mounting slot includes a mounting slot wall. At least one of the mounting slots is adapted to receive an optical component. At least one of the mounting slots is coupled to one of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Michael Descour, Russell Dupuis, Eric Anslyn, Rebecca Richards-Kortum
  • Publication number: 20080278830
    Abstract: A bracket for releasably attaching a finder to a binocular with a single, tool-free operation. The bracket is configured to releasably receive a finder. The bracket also is configured to clamp onto a center rail of binoculars. The bracket includes a first member that is selectively biased toward a second member. The distal ends of the first and second members are configured to engage the binoculars such that the ends of the first and second members clamp onto the binoculars. In one embodiment, the first and second members are biased apart by a spring and a third member engages the first and second members to bring the first and second members together to clamp the binoculars' rail. In one embodiment, the two members are spring biased to clamp onto the binoculars' rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: William C. Burgess
  • Publication number: 20080239270
    Abstract: An optical element module comprising a plurality of module components is provided. The module components comprise an optical element, an optical element holder and a contact element. The optical element has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical element holder holds the optical element via the first contact element and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one of the module components is adapted to provide at least a reduction of forces introduced into the optical element upon a thermally induced position change in the relative position between the optical element and the optical element holder, the position change resulting from a temperature situation variation in a temperature situation of the plurality of module components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bischoff, Hagen Federau, Willi Heintel, Bernd Wuesthoff, Jochen Wieland
  • Publication number: 20080225403
    Abstract: A variable focus lens package (2) comprises an annular body (10) having a through-hole (11), which is closed off by means of lens members (30, 70), and which is sealed by means of sealing rings (50, 60). The through-hole (11) is filled with quantities of water (86) and oil (87), which are separated by a meniscus (88). The various lens package elements are fixed with respect to each other by means of clamping units (20a, 20b). By this arrangement, a very compact and robust lens package (2) is obtained. A portion of the surface of the body (10) is covered with an electrically conducting layer (16). The shape of the meniscus (88) is variable under the influence of a voltage between this electrically conducting layer (16) and the water (86). In this way, the meniscus (88) is applicable as a lens having an adjustable focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONIC, N.V.
    Inventors: Johannus Wilhelmus Weekamp, Edwin Maria Wolterink, Kornelis Renkema
  • Publication number: 20080225255
    Abstract: Clamps are disclosed for holding an optical element relative to a support. An exemplary clamp includes first and second arms and a member connecting the arms such that a portion of a mounting feature of the optical element is between the first and second arms. The first arm applies a clamping force toward a respective portion of the mounting feature, and the second arm includes a seat. The seat has at least upper and intermediate portions. The upper portion engages the respective location on the mounting feature. The intermediate portion is situated between the upper portion and the second arm and has a lateral thickness less than the lateral thickness of the upper portion. The intermediate portion exhibits elastic and plastic deformability sufficient for any moment applied by the clamp to the mounting feature to be limited to less than a designated peak moment, while maintaining substantially full engagement of the upper portion with the respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher S. Margeson, Douglas C. Watson
  • Patent number: 7417805
    Abstract: An exemplary camera device includes a barrel holder having a first central axis, a barrel having a second central axis, an image sensor disposed in the barrel holder, and at least one lens disposed in the barrel. The barrel is engaged in the barrel holder. The barrel holder includes a base and a plurality of spaced resilient clamping members. The clamping members substantially perpendicularly extend from the base. Each of the clamping members includes a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. The protrusions protrude towards the first central axis. The barrel includes a plurality of engaging members formed on an outer surface thereof. The engaging members extend along a direction parallel to the second central axis. Each of the engaging members defines a plurality of grooves engaged with the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Publication number: 20080130144
    Abstract: An exemplary camera device includes a barrel holder having a first central axis, a barrel having a second central axis, an image sensor disposed in the barrel holder, and at least one lens disposed in the barrel. The barrel is engaged in the barrel holder. The barrel holder includes a base and a plurality of spaced resilient clamping members. The clamping members substantially perpendicularly extend from the base. Each of the clamping members includes a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. The protrusions protrude towards the first central axis. The barrel includes a plurality of engaging members formed on an outer surface thereof. The engaging members extend along a direction parallel to the second central axis. Each of the engaging members defines a plurality of grooves engaged with the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng CHANG
  • Patent number: 7379253
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens holding frame 10 that holds a lens 30, on the periphery of which a first pair of restricting members composed of convex members 101 and 102 are provided at at least two places; and a circuit board 20 that connects the lens holding frame 10 with a camera main body electrically. The circuit board 20 includes a flexible substrate 21 with wiring that establishes electrical connection, and a reinforcing plate 22 fixed to a part of the flexible substrate 21. The circuit board 20 is fixed to the lens holding frame 10, such that at least a part of the reinforcing plate 22 is disposed between the first pair of restricting members, and that both ends of the part of the reinforcing plate 22 disposed between the first pair of restricting members are restricted by the first pair of restricting members. Consequently, it is possible to provide a camera that is easy to manufacture or to provide a camera that causes little flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kawamura, Kenji Sasaki, Fumio Shinano, Naoto Yumiki
  • Patent number: 7304812
    Abstract: An exemplary clamping fixture (100) for washing optical members (60) includes a base (10), two clamping elements (20, 30), and a securing member (40). The base defines a plurality of holding grooves (13) configured for holding a first portion (61) of each of the optical members therein. The clamping elements are disposed at two sides (12) of the base. Each of the clamping elements has a plurality of holding slots (22) defined therein. The holding slots are configured for holding a second portion (62) of each of the optical members. The securing member is configured for securing the clamping elements and the optical members together in such a manner that the optical members can be removed from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20070139797
    Abstract: An exemplary clamping fixture (100) for washing optical members (60) includes a base (10), two clamping elements (20, 30), and a securing member (40). The base defines a plurality of holding grooves (13) configured for holding a first portion (61) of each of the optical members therein. The clamping elements are disposed at two sides (12) of the base. Each of the clamping elements has a plurality of holding slots (22) defined therein. The holding slots are configured for holding a second portion (62) of each of the optical members. The securing member is configured for securing the clamping elements and the optical members together in such a manner that the optical members can be removed from the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HSIN-HO LEE
  • Patent number: 7187507
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical component for fixing a lens comprising a base, a holder, and a fastener. The base has a concave side surface and at least one first hole. The holder has a cylindrical shape and has a second hole penetrating through a center portion of at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface thereof. The lens is sandwiched between the holder and the part of the base which extends from the edge of the side surface to the inner side and which corresponds to the inner part of a circle drawn so as to circumscribe all the insertion holes. The base and the holder are fastened by the fasteners inserted in the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotada Oishi, Tomoaki Moriwaka
  • Patent number: 7184227
    Abstract: In an optical unit having a holding structure which brings a junk ring or the like into contact with an optical surface of a lens, the optical surface suffers from a serious elastic deformation leading to deterioration of optical performance. Upon holding the lens, therefore, a face other than the optical surface is provided on the lens so that the lens is held by applying a force to the face from element holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kiasha
    Inventor: Setsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7161749
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided. The image pickup apparatus permitting a conversion lens to be mounted and dismounted, wherein a lens hood is composed of a base portion on the mounting side and a tubular portion on the front side, the base portion and the tubular portion are detachably coupled to each other, and another lens is contained in the inside of the lens hood when the another lens is mounted on the front side of an optical system, whereby even when the conversion lens is being used, the lens hood can be used as it is, and the incident light contracting function of the lens hood can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumasa Sakurai, Yukio Yamada, Kaizo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7156523
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector can include an illumination device that outputs illumination light, a color separation system that divides the illumination light output from the illumination device into blue light, red light, and green light and guides the blue light, red light, and green light to first to third optical paths, respectively, and first to third light modulation devices disposed in the first to third optical paths to be illuminated by the blue light, red light, and green light. In the projector, a distance from the illumination device to the third optical modulation device can be longer than a distance from the illumination device to the first optical modulation device and a distance from the illumination device to the second optical modulation device, a relay system having a first lens disposed at the light incident side, a second lens disposed at the light exit side, and a third lens disposed between the first and second lenses can be provided in the third optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemasa Yamakawa, Joji Karasawa, Masafumi Sakaguchi, Kanji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7154684
    Abstract: An optical element holding apparatus provided with a holding portion for holding a flange portion of an optical element. The holding portion includes a bearing surface block having a bearing surface, which contacts the flange portion, and a bearing surface block support mechanism, which rotatably supports the bearing surface block about a tangential axis of the optical element. This structure holds the optical element with the optical element holding apparatus in a kinematical manner and maintains satisfactory imaging performance in the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 7042660
    Abstract: A lens barrel holding apparatus includes a first holding member, a second holding member attached to the first holding member in an openable/closable manner for fastening a lens barrel in cooperation with the first holding member to hold the lens barrel and a fastening mechanism for applying a force for fastening the lens barrel, to the second holding member. The fastening mechanism includes an engagement surface provided on the second holding member and a fastening member provided on the first holding member, adapted to move straightly toward/away from the engagement surface, and having a contact surface that can be in contact with the engagement surface. At least one of the contact surface and the engagement surface is slanted with respect to the movement direction of the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Sugita, Mitsuru Shinohara, Shigeki Sato
  • Patent number: 7006308
    Abstract: A retainer includes a plurality of support members for supporting an optical element, and a plurality of elastic members arranged between the plurality of support members, each elastic member applying an elastic force to the optical element in a direction perpendicular to a gravity direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Sudoh
  • Patent number: 6982841
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mirror holding system by which aberration resulting from deformation or positional deviation of an optical member, causing degradation of imaging performance, can be reduced whereby a desired optical performance is assured. Also disclosed is an exposure apparatus and a device manufacturing method based on such mirror holding system. The holding system includes a supporting member for supporting the optical element at a plurality of supports which are movable along an approximately radial direction about a predetermined point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kino, Yoshinori Miwa, Masanori Honda
  • Patent number: 6977783
    Abstract: A lens module has a module body and a mating receptacle. The module body has a lens unit and an image sensing and processing unit, the image sensing and processing unit receiving light beams from the lens unit and producing an image signal. The mating receptacle is made of insulating material, which is detachably engaged with the module body and has conductive terminals formed therein for transmitting the image signal. An assembling method of the lens module includes the following steps. First, the mating receptacle is installed on a printed circuit board of an electronic device by a surface mounting technology. Second, the module body is installed in the mating receptacle to implement electrical interconnection between the module body and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Premier Image Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chien-Lih Lung
  • Patent number: 6957893
    Abstract: A projection device is provided with a locking device to couple a first optical component to a second optical component that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component to define an optical path. The locking device includes a latch mechanism and an alignment system. The latch mechanism may be coupled to the second component and may be configured to enable a user to manually couple the second component to the first component and to manually release the second component from the first component. The alignment system and the latch mechanism may be configured to cooperatively and releasably couple the second component to the first component in a predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Dennis Basey
  • Patent number: 6909493
    Abstract: A correction member for correcting a gravity deformation of an optical element includes a first unit for applying an elastic force to the optical element substantially in an anti-gravity direction, and a second unit, arranged opposite to the first unit through the optical element, for applying an elastic force to the optical element substantially in a gravity direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Sudoh
  • Patent number: 6888673
    Abstract: A portable optical magnifying device (1), for observing specimens within a specimen-vessel having a transparent flat wall, comprises an eyepiece (4) and an objective (3), a light-path being defined therebetween. The device (1) includes a spacer (7) arranged at least partly around the objective (3) and which is adapted in use to seat the device (1) against the flat wall of the specimen vessel with the objective (3) closely adjacent but spaced therefrom, and with its optical axis normal thereto. The device (1) further includes means (9) for releasably attaching the device (1) to the flat wall, with the space (7) bearing against the flat wall of the specimen vessel. Attachment is achieved by evacuation of the space between objective lens, spacer and flat wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Barry Thomas Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6878042
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for holding an optical element in an optical column with reduced stress (e.g., thermal stress) to the optical element. The devices and methods are especially useful for holding reflective optical elements in an optical column of an optical system used for extreme ultraviolet lithography. The devices allow the elements to be mounted and detached readily from the column. In an embodiment, the device includes multiple anchoring members that attach to respective locations on the optical element. The anchoring members are, in turn, mounted in a mounting frame by a releasable attachment mechanism. Each anchoring member has at least a compliant region configured to prevent transmission of stress to and from the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Oshino
  • Patent number: 6876503
    Abstract: A protective cover for removable attachment to an objective lens housing of a draped surgical microscope has a primary, annular retainer of such size as to encircle and engage the lens housing. The retainer has an external frusto-spherical surface and an internal surface capable of seating on and snugly engaging the lens housing. The retainer removably supports a transparent shield for protecting the lenses in the lens housing. A secondary annular retainer encircles the primary retainer and has an internal surface which seats on and is supported by the external surface of the primary retainer. The secondary retainer removably accommodates a second transparent shield forming a closure for the secondary retainer. The second retainer is axially, rotatably, and rockably adjustable relative to the primary retainer for minimizing the transmission of glare to the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Contour Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Weaver, Joseph M. Wright, Nathan M. Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 6873478
    Abstract: A kinematic lens mount for kinematically mounting an optical element has a holder structure and three clamping units, each affixed to the holder structure and kinematically clamping a peripheral portion of the optical element. Each of these clamping units includes a flexure mount affixed to the holder structure and a spring assembly including a resilient member contacting the optical element. A lens seat is formed integrally with or attached to the flexure mount for supporting the peripheral portion of the optical element thereon. The flexure mount includes a pair of flexure devices. One end of each of these flexure devices is affixed to the holder structure. Each of these flexure devices may be of a pivot type, having an axis along which it is stiff and the axes of this pair of flexure devices intersect each other inside the peripheral portion of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Watson
  • Patent number: 6842299
    Abstract: An individual carrier for an optical lens comprising, in a plastics one-block single part as directly molded: a globally ring-shaped base (1) with a central axis (100) and a median plane perpendicular to such a central axis, at least three plots (2, 3, 4; 52, 53, 54) projecting from the internal edge (5) of the base (1) for holding the lens through its edge, at least one (4) of such plots being resiliently moveable in translation along a radial direction (101) relative to said axis, between an internal rest position and a range of active external positions, a spring (6, 7) arranged between the moveable plot (4) and the base (1) for exerting a resilient return stress of the moveable plot (4) towards its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Duon, Jorge Couto, Claude Fritsch
  • Patent number: 6778338
    Abstract: A shield assembly for a built-in lens set is introduced to a lens set built in a housing, in which the lens set has an optical head and the housing provides an aperture with respective to the optical head. A protrusive enclosure surrounding the aperture protrudes toward the optical head and is spaced from the optical head by a variable slim spacing. The shield assembly includes a shield ring for sleeving both the optical head and the protrusive enclosure and an elastic connecting unit for bridging the shield ring and the housing. By providing the shield ring to enclose always the spacing and the elastic connecting unit to engage elastically the lens set with the housing, the lens set can be prevented from dust-contaminating through the aperture, aged axial offsetting problem, and poor focus-adjusting performance caused by backlash existing in a driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Liu, Chang-Chein Li
  • Publication number: 20040051978
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an optical scanning or observation system. The apparatus comprises a drawer for receiving, in use, a sample carrier to be scanned or observed. A first clamp member, engages, in use, with one surface of a sample carrier in the drawer. A second clamp member is arranged to engage, in use, with the side of the sample carrier opposite to that of the first clamp member, the second clamp member having an optical window formed therein to enable viewing, in use, of a sample carrier. The first and second clamping members are arranged in use to move the sample carrier out of engagement with the drawer so that the sample carrier is supported solely on the clamping members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Withers, David Billington, John Cassells
  • Patent number: 6700714
    Abstract: A device for beam guiding a laser beam with at least one optical element, which is positioned with a retaining element to a supporting section, and with a clamping element, which fixes the optical element to the supporting section of a housing section, wherein the housing section having the supporting section has a fastening section on which the clamping element engages for the central introduction of a retaining force and positions the optical element to the supporting section with the interposition of at least one retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Trumpf Lasertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Zeller
  • Patent number: 6661588
    Abstract: An objective lens anti-shock adjustment device comprises a holder that is capable of fixedly holding an objective lens via at least a fastening element. The holder is mounted in a casing by means of a plurality of resilient elements and a plurality of adjuster screws. The resilient elements connect the holder to the casing and the adjuster screws engage through the casing and abut against the holder opposite to the resilient elements in order to allow the adjustments of a vertical positioning and a horizontal orientation of the objective lens. The holder and the casing are provided with respective openings that expose a slot formed on the objective lens. By the external engagement of a tool through the openings into the slot, the objective lens is slid in the holder in order to adjust the depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Umax Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yin-Chun Huang, Shu-Ya Chiang
  • Patent number: 6654186
    Abstract: An arrangement for fixing an optical component part in position in a device housing, comprising a holder which is connected to a housing and which presses the component part into a cutout in the housing accompanied by pretensioning. The holder is fashioned in one piece from elastic material and is provided with clamps that are formed integral with it, at least one of which clamps presses the component part against a reference plane in direction of one of the coordinates X, Y, Z accompanied by pretensioning, and fastening elements are formed integral with the holder for securing it to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Ullrich Klarner, Nico Correns, Werner Hoyme, Felix Kerstan
  • Patent number: 6641878
    Abstract: An optical pickup device-holding container, which is formed from a resin composition comprising a poly(arylene sulfide) (A) and an inorganic filler (B) and having a thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/mK; and an optical pickup device in which at least a light source, an objective lens and a light-receiving part are held in the holding container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Suzuki, Masahito Tada
  • Patent number: 6603613
    Abstract: A reflection mirror support structure, applied to support a reflection mirror of an optical scanner. Using three points or a single point and a line to construct a plane, projecting rib and projecting point are formed on a carrier to hold the reflection mirror. The image distortion caused by bending the reflection mirror and twist deformation because of structures not being parallel to each other is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Umax Data Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yin Chen
  • Publication number: 20030103263
    Abstract: A microscope objective that comprises an objective housing and contains several lens elements, at least one lens element being arranged displaceably in motor-driven fashion within the objective housing, is disclosed. A microscope and a method for imaging a specimen are additionally disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Engelhardt, Rafael Storz
  • Patent number: 6560045
    Abstract: Elastic lens holder with a lens mount and a lens, an annular groove being constructed on the circumferential surface of the lens, and there being present at the lens mount elastic segments whose free ends engage radially under pretension in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Jenoptik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Schletterer
  • Publication number: 20030076602
    Abstract: A flange portion is provided to at least a part of the periphery at the center position in the direction of the optical axis of a lens. The lens is held with clamping members and a lens holding metallic part, with the flange portion pressed by the clamping members. The portion where the flange portion is provided, suffers no compressive strain and tensile strain due to the bending of the lens, and is a part of the periphery of a neutral plane, which is the farthest plane from the optical surface of the lens. Therefore, the influence of the clamping force on the flange portion acting on other portions of the lens is reduced to the utmost, and the deformation of the optical surface due to the force acting on the flange portion is reduced to a minimum. As a result, the deterioration of the optical properties of the lens can be suppressed to the utmost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Nishikawa