Rolling ball element mount and barrel interface for zooming
US5162948A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B7/10
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rolling ball element mount and barrel interface comprises a barrel and an element mount sharing a common lateral (X, Y, Z) and angular (.THETA..sub.X, .THETA..sub.Y, .THETA..sub.Z) frame of reference located at a center of said barrel, the element mount adapted to fit inside the barrel axially along Z. A first component, including at least two rolling balls, is disposed between and adapted for contact with the element mount and the barrel for (i) constraining the element mount in lateral positions X and Y and angular positions .THETA..sub.X and .THETA..sub.Y and (ii) moveably coupling the element mount and the barrel in the axial direction. A second component, including at least one rolling ball, is disposed between and adapted for contact with the element mount and the barrel for (iii) constraining the element mount in angular position .THETA..sub.Z in cooperation with the first component and (iv) moveably coupling the element mount and the barrel in the axial direction. Lastly, a third component is selectively positioned between the element mount and barrel with respect to the first and second components for loading the element mount against the barrel to maintain the first and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.