Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2001-10-16
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Microscope
C359S390000, C359S392000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304375
ABSTRACT:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of the following priority application is herein incorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No. 11-188660 filed Jul. 2,1999
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an upright microscope.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 11
is a side elevation presenting a sectional view of a portion of an upright microscope in the prior art. This upright microscope
101
comprises a base unit
110
, a stand unit
120
and a focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
. The base unit
110
is formed in an inverted U shape. The bottom of the base unit
110
is closed off by a base plate
110
a
. A light source lamp
113
is provided inside a space S formed by the base plate
110
a
. The light source lamp
113
is set on the optical axis of an objective lens
121
.
The light source lamp
113
is mounted at a lamp socket
112
supported by a socket retaining plate
111
. The socket retaining plate
111
is secured to an access hatch
115
constituting a portion of the base plate
110
a
with a screw (not shown) or the like. One end of the access hatch
115
is rotatably supported by the base plate
110
a
via a pin
116
, and its other end is secured to the base unit
110
with a screw
117
. A condenser lens unit
130
provided at an upper surface
110
d
of the base unit
110
is set on the optical axis of the objective lens
121
.
The stand unit
120
is located at the end of the base unit
110
and is provided with focusing knobs
153
for driving the focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
. The focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
is supported by a linear guide mechanism such as a cross roller race, a ball race or a dovetail groove (not shown) along the stand unit
120
in such a manner that it can move vertically, and is provided with a stage
166
. The focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
is connected to the focusing knobs
153
via a rack and pinion (not shown) and the stage
166
is caused to move vertically by rotating the focusing knobs
153
.
When replacing the light source lamp
113
when it burned out in this upright microscope
101
, it is necessary to pull out the lamp socket
112
(the lamp
113
) from the space S by (1) laying down the upright microscope
101
rearward or sideways, (2) removing the screw
117
retaining the access hatch
115
and (3) opening the access hatch
115
.
Thus, the replacement of the light source lamp
113
is a complicated process and furthermore, there is a risk of striking the stage
166
, the focusing knobs
153
, a lens barrel
124
, the power cord or the like by mistake against the desk when the upright microscope
101
is laid down, causing them damage.
In addition, since the focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
, the focusing knobs
153
, the condenser lens unit
130
, the lamp socket
112
and the like must be mounted at the stand unit
120
and the base unit
110
in a specific order, the assemblability (productivity) is poor.
Moreover, since the focusing vertical motion mechanism
140
and the focusing knobs
153
are provided at the stand unit
120
, the focusing knobs
153
are set at a high position distanced from the desk surface further rearward relative to the stage handle (not shown). As a result, it is difficult for the user to operate the focusing knobs
153
and the stage handle while keeping his hands on the desk, and therefore the operability is poor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an upright microscope that facilitates light source lamp replacement and achieves outstanding productivity and operability.
The upright microscope according to the present invention comprises a microscope main body having a base unit and a stand unit extending upright from the base unit, an observation optical system located at the stand unit including at least an objective lens through which a test piece is observed, a lamp set on the optical axis of the objective lens inside the base unit, which emits light for illuminating the test piece and a lid member detachably provided at an upper portion of the base unit that conceals the lamp inside the base unit.
Simply by detaching the lid member from the upper portion of the base unit, the lamp provided inside the base unit can be exposed. Thus, lamp replacement is facilitated.
The base unit may be constituted as a roughly U-shaped recessed portion with its opening facing upward. By providing the roughly U-shaped recessed portion, the strength of the base unit is improved without having to increase the thickness. It is desirable to set the lamp at the recessed portion of the base unit and to conceal the lamps by covering the recessed portion with the lid member.
A lid member attachment device can be provided at the recessed portion of the base unit. This attachment device may be constituted of a pair of rails, i.e., an upper rail and a lower rail. At least one of them is formed from a material having a spring property. Between the upper and lower rails, a specific gap is created along the direction extending from the front to the rear of the microscope. A slider that is slidably clamped by the pair of rails, the upper and the lower rails, is provided at the lid member.
It is desirable to provide a condenser unit at the lid member to condense light emitted by the lamp. A socket at which the lamp is mounted is provided inside the base unit concealed by the lid member, and it is particularly desirable to provide the socket at the recessed portion.
When the lamp burns out, the socket located inside the base unit can be exposed simply by detaching the lid member provided with the condenser unit.
The upright microscope according to the present invention further comprises an elevator unit that raises and lowers a stage upon which the test piece is placed, with focusing knobs. The elevator unit is provided in the space above the base unit between the lid member and the stand unit in such a manner that it can travel up and down. The elevator unit may be constituted of a stationary portion which is fixed to the stand unit and rotatably supports the focusing knobs axially and an elevator portion that is raised or lowered relative to the stationary portion by the rotation of the focusing knobs. In addition, a bearing that guides the elevator portion while allowing it to move up and down may be provided at the stationary portion.
Since the elevator unit, as well as the lid member, can be constituted as a unit separate from the stand unit and can, therefore, be assembled separately from the microscope main body, assemblability is improved. In addition, by setting the elevator unit closer to the user relative to the stand unit at a lower position, it becomes possible for the user to perform a focusing operation while leaving his hands on the desk, where the microscope is placed, to achieve good operability. It is to be noted that by providing the focusing knobs and the stage knobs at positions symmetrical to each other, a further improvement in operability is achieved.
Another upright microscope according to the present invention comprises a microscope main body having a base unit and a stand unit extending upright from the rear end of the base unit, an observation optical system provided at the stand unit including at least an objective lens through which a test piece is observed, an elevator unit that raises and lowers the stage upon which the test piece is placed with focusing knobs, a lamp that illuminates the test piece from below the stage and a lid member detachably provided at an upper portion of the base unit, which conceals the lamp inside the base unit. The elevator unit is constituted of a stationary portion which is secured to the stand unit and rotatably supports the focusing knobs axially and an elevator portion that is raised and lowered relative to the stationary portion by the rotation of the focusing knobs. A guide surface that guides the elevator portion while allowing it to move up and down may be provided at the stationary portion.
REFERENCES
Nikon Corporation
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Robinson Mark A.
Spyrou Cassandra
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