Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Telescope
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2002-07-23
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Telescope
C359S421000, C359S411000, C359S415000, C408S0010BD
Reexamination Certificate
active
06424462
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a binocular in which an interpupillary adjustment is carried out by a biaxial interlock mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is known a type of binocular which has an interpupillary adjustment function. The distance between the eyes of different users of binoculars varies. By carrying out the interpupillary adjustment function, a distance between optical axes of a pair of eyepieces can be adjusted so as to suit for the distance between the eyes of any user. There are two types of interpupillary adjustment function. One is a uniaxial type, and the other is a biaxial type.
In the uniaxial type binocular, each of a pair of telescopic optical systems is respectively rotated around an axis, which is parallel to optical axes of the telescopic optical systems and is equal distant from each telescopic optical system. Namely, there is one axis for rotation of the telescopic optical systems in order to adjust the distance between the optical axes of the telescopic optical systems. In the biaxial type binocular, the telescopic optical systems have respective Porro prisms as erector prismatic systems, respective objective optical systems and respective eyepieces whose optical axes are displaced out of alignment with those of the objective optical systems. Each of a pair of eyepieces and Porro prisms are respectively rotated around an optical axis of a corresponding objective optical system and the rotations of the eyepieces are interlocked. Namely, there are two axes of rotation of the eyepieces for adjusting the distance between the optical axes of the eyepieces.
In the biaxial type binocular, the objective optical systems are free of the rotation of the eyepieces at all times. Thus, holding members which hold the objective optical systems and holding members which hold the eyepieces are respectively supported by different supporting members.
In a manufacturing process of binoculars, operations such as centering of the optical axis and an adjustment of direction of optical axes are performed, with respect to optical axes of left and right telescopic optical systems. The centering of the optical axis is a process by which an optical axis of an eyepiece and an optical axis of an objective optical system become coaxial in each of the left and right telescopic optical systems. The adjustment of direction of optical axes is a process by which optical axes of the left and right telescopic optical systems become parallel. These processes are carried out, after the objective optical systems and the eyepieces are respectively mounted on the holding members, for example the lens barrels, and the holding members are assembled.
As described above, in the biaxial binocular, the holding members of the eyepieces with Porro prisms and the objective optical systems are respectively supported by different supporting members. With respect to each of the left and right telescopic optical systems, the manner in which the objective optical system and the eyepiece are held in their holding members should be adjusted such that the above-mentioned centering is achieved. Also, the angular relationship between the holding members should be adjusted so that the optical axes of the left and right telescopic optical systems are parallel. Namely, the adjustment of the positional relationship between the holding members, and the alignment of the positions of,the eyepieces and the objective optical systems in the holding members, are achieved simultaneously.
However, a degree of disagreement of the optical axes of the objective lens and the eyepiece subtly varies with each product. Also, the optical axes of the left and right telescopic optical systems are not parallel, subtly varying with each product. As a result, in the manufacturing process of the biaxial type binoculars the above-mentioned adjustments are difficult to achieve requiring a great deal of labor and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a biaxial type binocular in which the adjustment of optical axes is facilitated in the manufacturing process.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binocular, in which an interpupillary distance is adjusted by rotating each of a pair of eyepieces around corresponding optical axis of optical axes of a pair of objective optical systems, comprising: a pair of rotating members that are rotatable for an interpupillary adjustment, each of the rotating members holding a corresponding eyepiece of the pair of eyepieces; and a mounting base. The mounting base includes a rotating member holding portion that holds the pair of rotating members; an objective optical systems holding portion that holds the pair of objective optical systems; and a connecting portion that is unitarily formed with the rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion, connecting the rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion such that the rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion are parallel.
The rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion are a flat board-shaped member.
First openings are formed in the rotating member holding portion. Each of the rotating members is mounted in each of the first openings.
Second openings are formed in the objective optical systems holding portion. Each of the objective optical systems is mounted in each of the second openings.
The first openings and the second openings are formed such that: an axis line, perpendicular to the rotating member holding portion, on which a geometric center of gravity of one first opening of the first openings lies, an axis line, perpendicular to the objective optical systems holding portion, on which a geometric center of gravity of one second opening of the second openings corresponding to the one first opening lies, and an optical axis of one objective optical system of the objective optical systems which is mounted in the one second opening, are coincident; and an axis line, perpendicular to the rotating member holding portion, on which a geometric center of gravity of another first opening of the first openings, an axis line, perpendicular to the objective optical systems holding portion, on which a geometric center of gravity of another second opening of the second openings corresponding to the another first opening, and an optical axis of another objective optical system of the objective optical systems, which is mounted in the another second opening, are coincident.
Preferably, the connecting portion is a flat board-shaped member, which is parallel to a plane perpendicular to the rotation member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion.
Preferably, the first openings and the second openings are circularly formed.
Optionally, a radius of the first openings is shorter than a radius of the second openings.
Preferably, movable optical systems are provided in a space between the rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion. The movable optical systems are disposed on the connecting portion.
Optionally, the movable optical systems are correcting optical systems which correct a focused image tremble. The movable optical systems is two-dimensionally driven on a plane which is perpendicular to the optical axes thereof.
Optionally, a sectional shape of the mounting base, which is taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotating member holding portion and the objective optical systems holding portion, is almost U-shaped.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binocular, which includes a right telescopic optical system and a left telescopic optical system, comprising: a right rotating member that holds a right eyepiece group of the right telescopic optical system and is rotatable around a right optical axis of a right objective system of the right teles
Denpo Atsushi
Hirunuma Ken
Tsukamoto Shinji
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Maxie Christopher S.
Spyrou Cassandra
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