Stable ocular mounting assembly

Details Stable ocular mounting assembly Stable ocular mounting assembly

2000-05-26

2001-12-25

Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Compound lens system

Telescope

C359S407000, C359S417000, C351S158000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06333814

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ocular mounting assemblies and, in particular, to an improvement providing rotational stability to such assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telemicroscopic instruments are used for magnifying the work area during precision work such as microsurgery, dental work, inspection of circuit board solder joints, and assembly of miniature parts. Such instruments, typically including a pair of microscopic loupes, are adjustably mounted to an eyeglass frame or head mount by an ocular mounting assembly.
As one example, the ocular mounting assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,263 allows the mounting of a pair of ocular devices to an eyeglass frame, or head mount, and is linearly or rotationally adjustable through five degrees of freedom. An adjustable ocular support assembly with slidably extendable arms provides interpupillary distance, convergence angle and view adjustment of the ocular devices, which are rotatable attached to the support. An adjustable clamp assembly is rotatably attached to the ocular support assembly and provides height and view angle adjustment of the ocular devices. When the slidable arms of the ocular support assembly are extended, however, some rotating motion may occur, in particular with heavier oculars and with fully extended support arms. The rotating motion causes vertical misalignment, or divergence, of the axes of the ocular devices. Excessive divergence can cause eyestrain, discomfort and even headaches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention stabilizes ocular mounting assemblies against twisting motions, while preventing rotational misalignment of the slidable support arms. In a disclosed example, the ocular support assembly includes a box-section ocular support assembly housing, a pair of ocular support arms slidably disposed within the housing and an interpupillary adjustment knob that causes the arms to slide in and out of the housing for adjustment of the interpupillary distance of the ocular devices. When the arms of the ocular support are completely retracted, the sections of the arms inside the housing engage with one another and provide stable rotational support. As the arms extend, some of this support is lost.
The improvement resides in the inclusion of two rotational stabilizing structural members disposed in the housing which provide stability against undesirable twisting and rotation, even when the arms are fully extended.
In one embodiment, the rotational stabilizers preferably comprise two L-shaped members, which are anti-symmetrically disposed in the ocular support assembly housing, and which are either an integral part of the housing or separate members adhesively bonded to the housing. In an alternate embodiment, a pair of balls are used inside the assembly housing having an interference fit with the support arms and the housing. Two retaining holes in the assembly housing create a relief area for each stabilizing ball. The size of the diameter of the retaining holes controls the amount of interference. The end of each support arm incorporates a recess cut-out, into which the respective ball recedes when the support arms are fully closed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5381263 (1995-01-01), Nowak et al.
patent: 5604631 (1997-02-01), Gelardi et al.
patent: 5640271 (1997-06-01), Nishitani et al.
patent: 5896209 (1999-04-01), Funatsu
patent: 6064520 (2000-05-01), Nowak et al.

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