Adjustable stand for an optical viewing apparatus
US5492296A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32614
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention is directed to an adjustable stand for an optical viewing apparatus such as a surgical microscope pivotable about a pivot axis. The adjustable stand and the optical viewing apparatus conjointly define a center of gravity which can shift to produce an unwanted unbalancing torque when accessories are added to the microscope and/or when there is angular movement about the axis. The adjustable stand includes a mounting bracket for attaching the stand at a desired location; a pivot shaft defining the pivot axis; a carrier holding the pivot shaft and an elastically deformable energy storage device mounted on the shaft for releasing stored torque energy in response to the shift to balance the unwanted unbalancing torque. An adjusting device is provided for loading the storage means with a predetermined torque.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.