Split image measuring device for a microscope

Claim 2

A split image-type of measuring device for use on a microscope between the objective and eyepiece thereof comprising the combination of: a first beam divider optically aligned to receive the image beam from said objective and produce therefrom a reflected beam and a transmitted beam, a derotation prism optically aligned on the optical axis of said microscope between the objective and beam divider, rotatable mounting means for said prism for providing angular motion about said axis, means for rotating said mounting means, means operatively formed on said mounting means for indicating the amount of said angular motion, a first movable mirror optically aligned to receive said transmitted beam and deflect said beam parallel to the aforesaid reflected beam, a second movable mirror optically aligned to receive the aforesaid reflected beam and reflect it parallel to said transmitted beam, a second beam divider optically aligned to receive said reflected and transmitted beams and direct the emergent beams outwardly therefrom, said second beam divider being positioned substantially coplanar with said first beam divider and movable mirrors, means for directing said emergent beams into said eyepiece, a bar whereon said movable mirrors are fixed in spaced relation to each other, means for pivotally mounting said bar so as to swing the movable mirrors in the plane of the beam dividers to vary the distance between said beams, and means for measuring the arcuate movement of said bar.

Claim 3

A split image-type of measuring device for use on a microscope between the objective and eyepiece thereof comprising the combination of: a derotation prism optically aligned on the optical axis of said microscope between said objective and eyepiece, means for rotating said prism about said axis, means for indicating the amount of rotation of said prism, a fixed first beam divider optically aligned to receive the image beam from said prism and produce therefrom a reflected beam and a transmitted beam, an afocal aperture controlling optical system optically aligned between said prism and said beam divider, said system being composed of two similar positive lenses separated from each other by the sum of their focal lengths, a first movable mirror optically aligned to receive said transmitted beam and deflect said beam parallel to the aforesaid reflected beam, a second movable mirror optically aligned to receive and reflect the aforesaid reflected beam, a second fixed beam divider optically aligned to receive said reflected and transmitted beams and direct the emergent beams outwardly therefrom, said second beam divider being positioned substantially coplanar with said first beam divider and movable mirrors, means for directing said emergent beams into said eyepiece, a bar whereon said movable mirrors are fixed in spaced relation to each other, means for pivotally mounting said bar so as to swing the movable mirrors in the plane of the beam dividers to vary the distance between said beams, and means for measuring the arcuate movement of said bar.

Claim 4

A split image-type of measuring device for use on a microscope between the objective and eyepiece thereof comprising the combination of: a derotation prism optically aligned on the optical axis of said microscope between said objective and eyepiece, means for rotating said prism about said axis, means for indicating the amount of rotation of said prism, a fixed first beam divider optically aligned to receive the image beam from said prism and produce therefrom a reflected beam and a transmitted beam, an afocal aperture controlling optical system optically aligned between said prism and said beam divider, said system being composed of two similar positive lenses separated from each other by the sum of their focal lengths, a first movable mirror optically aligned to receive said transmitted beam and deflect said beam parallel to the aforesaid reflected beam, a second movable mirror optically aligned to receive and reflect the aforesaid reflected beam, a second fixed beam divider optically aligned to receive said reflected and transmitted beams and direct the emergent beams outwardly therefrom, said second beam divider being positioned substantially coplanar with said first beam divider and movable mirrors, means for directing said emergent beams into said eyepiece, a bar whereon said movable mirrors are fixed in spaced relation to each other, means for pivotally mounting said bar so as to swing the movable mirrors in the plane of the beam dividers to vary the distance between said beams, and means for measuring the arcuate movement of said bar.

Claim 5

In microscopes having means for measuring the sizes of objects and particles in the field of view thereof, of the kind wherein split images are measurably offset from a superimposed image view to a view wherein two images of a particle are seen tangent to one another, the improvement comprising: an image-rotation optical member rotatably mounted and aligned along the optical axis between the objective and the eyepiece of said microscope for rotating the axis of tangency of said images of a particle without the necessity of rotating the microscope stage.

Claim 6

In microscopes having means for measuring the sizes of objects and particles in the field of view thereof, of the kind wherein split images are measurably offset from a superimposed image view to a view wherein two images of a particle are seen tangent to one another, the improvement comprising: an image-rotation optical member rotatably mounted and aligned along the optical axis between the objective and the eyepiece of said microscope for rotating the axis of tangency of said images of a particle without the necessity of rotating the microscope stage.

Claim 7

A split image measuring device for use on a microscope between the objective and eyepiece thereof, comprising the combination of: a. an image-rotation optical member rotatably mounted and aligned along the optical axis of said microscope between said objective and said eyepiece; b. first and second beam dividers between said objective and said eyepiece for dividing and recombining, respectively, a light beam carrying the microscope image; c. first and second mirrors between said first and second beam dividers, said first mirror directing one of said divided image-carrying beams toward said second beam divider and said second mirror directing the other of said divided image-carrying beams toward said second beam divider, said mirrors being mounted as a unit on a pivotal member for controllably separating said divided image-carrying beams; and d. means drivably connected to said pivotal member for measurably displacing said pivotal member to separate said divided image-carrying beams.

Claim 8

A split image measuring device for use on a microscope between the objective and eyepiece thereof, comprising the combination of: a. an image-rotation optical member rotatably mounted and aligned along the optical axis of said microscope between said objective and said eyepiece; b. first and second beam dividers between said objective and said eyepiece for dividing and recombining, respectively, a light beam carrying the microscope image; c. first and second mirrors between said first and second beam dividers, said first mirror directing one of said divided image-carrying beams toward said second beam divider and said second mirror directing the other of said divided image-carrying beams toward said second beam divider, said mirrors being mounted as a unit on a pivotal member for controllably separating said divided image-carrying beams; and d. means drivably connected to said pivotal member for measurably displacing said pivotal member to separate said divided image-carrying beams.