Mechanical coupler for eyepieces
US5406418A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7061
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A mechanical coupler for connection to the eyepiece of an optical device. The coupler includes a body with an axially extending cylindrical wall that forms a socket with a spanning portion of the body. The cylindrical wall and body center and axially align the coupler and the eyepiece. A C-shaped clamping member has a central portion that is affixed to the wall and essentially tangentially extending free end portions that produce a side opening structure. When an eyepiece is inserted from the side, it wedges the free ends of the clamping member axially thereby producing internal restoring forces in the clamping member. When the eyepiece is seated in the socket, the free ends return toward a relaxed position and produce a clamping force that affixes the coupler axially to the eyepiece while permitting relative rotation between them.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.