US3574468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical bench assembly
Assignee: Data Optics Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-25
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1990-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for setting up and investigating optical systems which have an elongated base portion adapted to be leveled and a flat plate on which optical mounts are positioned for movement in the longitudinal direction. The flat plate supports a guide bar or fail for guiding movement of the mounts. The guide bar carries a rack which is restricted to longitudinal movement along the length of the guide bar. The mounts can be positioned along the guide bar for facing in either longitudinal direction and have pinions in mesh with the rack, and means for turning such pinions so that the mounts can move relative to the rack. Each mount also has means for locking the rack against movement relative to the guide bar, so that when the rack is locked by one mount, each of the other mounts can be advanced or retracted from the locked mount or with respect to one another, merely by the turning of its pinion. Also, when the rack is free to travel and one mount is locked to the guide bar, then by turning the pinion of the locked mount any other mount locked to the rack is moved relative to the locked mount.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S Herman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/02; G01M11/04; F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/02; F16C29/10; F16C29/12; F16C29/123; F16C29/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An optical bench assembly comprising an elongated box beam, a plurality of leveling cross feet supporting said box beam along its length, an elongated flat plate mounted lengthwise on said box beam and supported for vertical adjustment thereon by vertical adjustment means, a longitudinal guide bar fixed on the upper surface of said flat plate having a reference surface on one side along its length, and a plurality of optical mounts slidably supported on said flat plate, each of said mounts having a reference surface for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar and having holding means for retaining the reference surface of the mount against the reference surface of the guide bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An optical bench assembly comprising an elongated box beam, a plurality of leveling cross feet supporting said box beam along its length, an elongated flat plate mounted lengthwise on said box beam and supported for vertical adjustment thereon by vertical adjustment means, a longitudinal guide bar fixed on the upper surface of said flat plate having a reference surface on one side along its length, and a plurality of optical mounts slidably supported on said flat plate, each of said mounts having a reference surface for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar and having holding means for retaining the reference surface of the mount against the reference surface of the guide bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 1, wherein the guide bar reference surface defines with said upper surface an acute angle, and each mount reference surface defines with said upper surface the corresponding supplementary angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 2, wherein said guide bar has a second reference surface on its other side, said second reference surface defining with said upper surface an acute angle of the same size as that associated with said one side, whereby each of said mounts can be positioned on the flat plate with its reference surface in engagement with either reference surface of the guide bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 3, wherein said holding means comprises a clamping-screw mechanism threadedly supported in the mount to be screwed in one direction into engagement with said second reference surface so that when the guide bar is clamped between the screw mechanism and the mount reference surface, components of force will urge the mount downwardly against said flat surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 4, wherein said clamping screw mechanism includes a spring-urged plunger having a first position for initially engaging said second reference surface when the mechanism is screwed in said one direction so as to yieldingly hold said guide bar to permit sliding movement of said mount on the first reference surface, said plunger having a limited stroke so that when said mechanism is screwed further in said one direction said plunger will have a second position holding said guide bar firmly against said first reference surface to prevent movement of said mount relative to said guide bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises a plurality of leveling screws positioned between said flat plate and said box beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal guide bar has a rack extending lengthwise thereof, and each of said mounts has a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning said pinion to provide relative movement between said mount and said rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal guide bar has a rack mounted thereon for longitudinal movement relative to said guide bar, and each of said mounts has a positioning mechanism comprising a pinion in mesh with said rack, means for turning said pinion, and means for optionally clamping it to said rack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said mounts has a means for clamping it to said guide bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated flat plate, a longitudinal guide bar fixed on the upper surface of said flat plate between the sides thereof and having a reference surface on one side along its length, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said guide bar and resting in sliding engagement on said upper surface, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on an inner side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar, and holding means for retaining the reference surface of the mount against the reference surface of the guide bar and for concurrently urging the mount against said upper surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated flat plate, a longitudinal guide bar fixed on the upper surface of said flat plate between the sides thereof and having a reference surface on one side along its length, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said guide bar and resting in sliding engagement on said upper surface, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on an inner side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar, and holding means for retaining the reference surface of the mount against the reference surface of the guide bar and for concurrently urging the mount against said upper surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the optical bench assembly according to claim 10, wherein said guide bar has a cross section conforming to an inverted isosceles trapezoid so as to provide similar reference surfaces on its sides, said mounts each having their reference surfaces inclined to fit against either of the guide bar reference surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the optical bench assembly according to claim 11, wherein said holding means includes a mechanism for yieldably holding the mount reference surface against one of the guide bar reference surfaces, said mechanism being movable to a second position for locking said mount reference surface against said one guide bar reference surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical bench assembly according to claim 12, wherein said longitudinal guide bar has a rack extending lengthwise thereof, and each of said mounts has a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning said pinion to provide relative movement between said mount and said rack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the optical bench assembly according to claim 13, wherein said rack is longitudinally movable relative to said guide bar, and each of said mounts has a means for optionally clamping itself to said rack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member defining along its length a guide bar portion having a reference surface and below the guide bar portion and on both sides thereof a supporting surface portion, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said guide bar portion and resting in sliding engagement on said supporting surface portion, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on an inner side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar portion, said guide bar portion having a rack extending lengthwise thereof, and each of said mounts having a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between each mount and said rack.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member defining along its length a guide bar portion having a reference surface and below the guide bar portion and on both sides thereof a supporting surface portion, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said guide bar portion and resting in sliding engagement on said supporting surface portion, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on an inner side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface of the guide bar portion, said guide bar portion having a rack extending lengthwise thereof, and each of said mounts having a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between each mount and said rack.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
In an optical bench assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of said mounts has a holding means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member against longitudinal sliding movement relative to the bench member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an optical bench assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of said mounts has a means for locking its pinion against turning relative to said rack.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an optical bench assembly according to claim 15, wherein said rack is longitudinally movable relative to said bench member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
In an optical bench assembly according to claim 15, wherein said rack is longitudinally movable relative to said bench member, and each of said mounts has a means for optionally clamping the mount to said rack.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an optical bench assembly according to claim 19, wherein each of said mounts has a holding means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member against longitudinal movement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member having a reference surface and a supporting surface, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said reference surface and resting in sliding engagement on said supporting surface, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on a side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface, said bench member havIng a rack extending lengthwise thereof and supported for longitudinal movement, each of said mounts having (1) a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between the mount and the rack, (2) means for locking the pinion against turning relative to the rack, and (3) means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member to hold the mount against longitudinal sliding movement relative to the bench member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
144 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member having a reference surface and a supporting surface, and a plurality of optical mounts having spaced leg members straddling said reference surface and resting in sliding engagement on said supporting surface, each of said mounts having a reference surface located on a side of the straddling leg members for engagement with the reference surface, said bench member havIng a rack extending lengthwise thereof and supported for longitudinal movement, each of said mounts having (1) a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between the mount and the rack, (2) means for locking the pinion against turning relative to the rack, and (3) means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member to hold the mount against longitudinal sliding movement relative to the bench member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member having a rack extending lengthwise thereof and supported for longitudinal movement, and a plurality of optical mounts supported on said bench member for longitudinal sliding movement, each of said mounts having (1) a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between the mount and the rack, (2) means for selectively preventing relative movement between the mount and the rack so that the mount is movable with the rack, and (3) means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member to hold the mount against longitudinal sliding movement relative to the bench member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an optical bench assembly, an elongated bench member having a rack extending lengthwise thereof and supported for longitudinal movement, and a plurality of optical mounts supported on said bench member for longitudinal sliding movement, each of said mounts having (1) a pinion in mesh with said rack and means for turning the pinion to provide relative movement between the mount and the rack, (2) means for selectively preventing relative movement between the mount and the rack so that the mount is movable with the rack, and (3) means for selectively securing the mount to the elongated bench member to hold the mount against longitudinal sliding movement relative to the bench member.
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) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |