US3572889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting and alignment mechanism for microscope stage
Assignee: Leica Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-21
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Granted: 1971-03-30
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Expires: 1989-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for quickly mounting and aligning any one of a variety of stages on a microscope stand in such a manner that automatic mechanical and optical alignment between the objective nosepiece and each different stage is assured.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G Bloomfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/24; G02B21/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
Mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage comprising: a microscope base; a movable stage carrying slide mounted upon said microscope base; an elongated mounting plate; a first pair of spaced inclined and coplanar abutment surfaces formed along one side of said plate near the ends thereof, the outer exposed edges of said surfaces being colinear with each other and being alignable parallel with the optical axis of the objective of the microscope, adjustable means for fixing said plate on said slide in parallel alignment with said axis; a stage support bracket whereon a wall is formed extending contiguously parallel to and substantially coextensive with said plate; a second pair of spaced and coplanar abutment surfaces which are formed in said bracket complementary to the first said abutment surfaces and which are inclined to lie against said first pair of abutment surfaces when the bracket is assembled on the plate, the second pair of abutment surfaces having corresponding side edges which are colinear and which are alignable parallel with an optical axis which extends through an optical condenser carried by said bracket; and interlocking holding surfaces formed in cooperatively laterally spaced position from the first and second pair of abutment surfaces on the plate and bracket, at least one of the holding surfaces being positioned at a vertically converging wedging angle to said first and second pair of abutment surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
Mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage comprising: a microscope base; a movable stage carrying slide mounted upon said microscope base; an elongated mounting plate; a first pair of spaced inclined and coplanar abutment surfaces formed along one side of said plate near the ends thereof, the outer exposed edges of said surfaces being colinear with each other and being alignable parallel with the optical axis of the objective of the microscope, adjustable means for fixing said plate on said slide in parallel alignment with said axis; a stage support bracket whereon a wall is formed extending contiguously parallel to and substantially coextensive with said plate; a second pair of spaced and coplanar abutment surfaces which are formed in said bracket complementary to the first said abutment surfaces and which are inclined to lie against said first pair of abutment surfaces when the bracket is assembled on the plate, the second pair of abutment surfaces having corresponding side edges which are colinear and which are alignable parallel with an optical axis which extends through an optical condenser carried by said bracket; and interlocking holding surfaces formed in cooperatively laterally spaced position from the first and second pair of abutment surfaces on the plate and bracket, at least one of the holding surfaces being positioned at a vertically converging wedging angle to said first and second pair of abutment surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the other of said holding surfaces being conically formed on a member which is fixed on the stage bracket in operative engagement with the wedging surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by: the conically formed member having a flat lateral clamping surface on which it rests; a smooth cylindrical surface defining a bore extending through said member parallel to the axis of the conically formed surface and eccentrically offset therefrom; and a clamping bolt slidably fitted into said bore and threaded into said bracket to provide a clamping fit between the inclined clamping surfaces and the opposite conically surfaced clamping member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
A mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by: the conically formed member having a flat lateral clamping surface which intersects the smaller diameter of the conical surface and whereon the member rests; a bore and a contiguous shouldered counterbore extending through the conical member and being eccentric to said conical surface; a counterbored sleeve member slidably fitted within said bore and counterbore, said sleeve member having an inner cylindrical surface formed eccentrically therethrough defining an inner bore; means for rotating said sleeve member in the counterbore; and a clamping bolt fitted to said inner surface and having a head which is seated in the counterbore of said member and threaded into said bracket to clamp the conical member in a proper lateral operating position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
197 words
Mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage comprising: a stage carrying slide mounted for vertical movement on said microscope; a mounting plate secured adjustably to said slide; a wedge shaped support member secured adjustably to said plate with the widest portion of the wedge lowermost; two dovetail shaped inclined surfaces formed along the convergent sides of said support member, one of which is vertical and is aligned parallel with the optical axis of the objective of the microscope by adjustment of said mounting plate with respect to said slide; a stage support bracket and a condenser lens member adjustably carried thereon, said bracket having a vertical rear wall; a pair of convergent holding surfaces which are formed complementary to said dovetail shaped surfaces and lying in contact therewith, said surfaces forming two boundaries of a convergent opening in said bracket and one of said surfaces being vertical and being aligned parallel with the optical axis of said condenser member; and whereby assembly of the stage on the microscope is effected by engagement of the two pairs of convergent surfaces and optical alignment of the condenser member with the optical axis of said objective is simultaneously affected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
197 words
Mounting and alignment mechanism for a microscope stage comprising: a stage carrying slide mounted for vertical movement on said microscope; a mounting plate secured adjustably to said slide; a wedge shaped support member secured adjustably to said plate with the widest portion of the wedge lowermost; two dovetail shaped inclined surfaces formed along the convergent sides of said support member, one of which is vertical and is aligned parallel with the optical axis of the objective of the microscope by adjustment of said mounting plate with respect to said slide; a stage support bracket and a condenser lens member adjustably carried thereon, said bracket having a vertical rear wall; a pair of convergent holding surfaces which are formed complementary to said dovetail shaped surfaces and lying in contact therewith, said surfaces forming two boundaries of a convergent opening in said bracket and one of said surfaces being vertical and being aligned parallel with the optical axis of said condenser member; and whereby assembly of the stage on the microscope is effected by engagement of the two pairs of convergent surfaces and optical alignment of the condenser member with the optical axis of said objective is simultaneously affected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for mounting and demounting interchangeable members of a microscope and for aligning said members to an optical axis thereof, comprising: a. a base; b. adjustment means on said base for driving a movable slide member of said microscope along said optical axis; c. a first vertical plate; d. adjustable connecting means connecting said first vertical plate to said movable slide member for aligning an edge of said first vertical plate parallel with said optical axis; e. a second vertical plate demountably interlocked with said first vertical plate and having means for laterally urging an edge of said second vertical plate against said aligned edge of said first vertical plate for aligning said edge of said second vertical plate parallel with said optical axis, said means for urging an edge of said second vertical plate against said aligned edge of said first vertical plate comprising an inclined member on one of said vertical plates engageable with a protrusion of the other of said vertical plates; and f. adjustable connecting means connecting one of said interchangeable members to said second vertical plate for aligning such member with said optical axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for mounting and demounting interchangeable members of a microscope and for aligning said members to an optical axis thereof, comprising: a. a base; b. adjustment means on said base for driving a movable slide member of said microscope along said optical axis; c. a first vertical plate; d. adjustable connecting means connecting said first vertical plate to said movable slide member for aligning an edge of said first vertical plate parallel with said optical axis; e. a second vertical plate demountably interlocked with said first vertical plate and having means for laterally urging an edge of said second vertical plate against said aligned edge of said first vertical plate for aligning said edge of said second vertical plate parallel with said optical axis, said means for urging an edge of said second vertical plate against said aligned edge of said first vertical plate comprising an inclined member on one of said vertical plates engageable with a protrusion of the other of said vertical plates; and f. adjustable connecting means connecting one of said interchangeable members to said second vertical plate for aligning such member with said optical axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second vertical plates are dovetailed to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said aligning edge of said first vertical plate comprises two colinear portions disposed respectively above and below a point at which said urging means is engaged.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-29 | 1974-09-28 | 1975-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-29 | 1978-09-28 | 1979-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-29 | 1982-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |