US3591262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical apparatus for regulating the combination and separation of reflected luminous beams
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract An optical system for combining or dividing two light beams for constant illumination of an image for observation and for instantaneous illumination for its photographic recording, excludes a reflecting member at the intersection of the beams. The system is of particular value in an ocular biomicroscope to combine beams from a flashing light source with that from a constant light source to provide a flat beam projected into the eye forming an image of a slit. The system also separates the beam from the image into two beams of appropriate intensities for viewing and recording respectively. The reflecting member for combining beams is a rectangular prism with a narrow, rectangular, inner totally reflecting inclined surface engaging only a part of the nonreflected beam. The reflecting surface for separating two beams is of elliptical shape. A partially reflecting surface in the prism can be moved into position replacing the totally reflecting surface and engaging the whole beam. The composite beam is a central flat beam from the flashing source and a beam separated into two lateral beams from the constant source, fused accurately in the slit image by the objective. A collecting lens is interposed between the reflecting surface and the slit.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Frederic Marie Gambs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/14; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/0012; G02B21/18; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/1066; G02B27/14; G02B27/143; G02B27/144; G03B19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An optical system for observation and photography, said system comprising: a permanent illumination source for providing a prolonged optical beam; a flashing illumination source for providing an instantaneous optical beam; first means for directing said instantaneous optical beam at said prolonged optical beam to intersect and combine therewith; second means for directing the combined prolonged and instantaneous optical beams in a prescribed common path; said first means including two spaced at least partially transparent elements, and a reflecting element interposed therebetween, said reflecting element being adapted for reflecting said instantaneous optical beam in a prescribed direction and for dividing said prolonged optical beam into two spaced prolonged beams passing one through one of each of said transparent elements in said prescribed direction, to them combine with said reflected instantaneous optical beam, said reflected instantaneous optical beam thereby constituting the central portion of the combined beam; and third means in said prescribed path for receiving the combined beam; said third means including an inner reflecting portion, and an outer portion being at least partially transparent, said inner portion being adapted for separating and reflecting said central portion from the combined beam to provide instantaneous illumination for photography, and said outer portion being adapted for transmitting the prolonged illumination of the remaining portion of the combined beam to an observer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An optical system for observation and photography, said system comprising: a permanent illumination source for providing a prolonged optical beam; a flashing illumination source for providing an instantaneous optical beam; first means for directing said instantaneous optical beam at said prolonged optical beam to intersect and combine therewith; second means for directing the combined prolonged and instantaneous optical beams in a prescribed common path; said first means including two spaced at least partially transparent elements, and a reflecting element interposed therebetween, said reflecting element being adapted for reflecting said instantaneous optical beam in a prescribed direction and for dividing said prolonged optical beam into two spaced prolonged beams passing one through one of each of said transparent elements in said prescribed direction, to them combine with said reflected instantaneous optical beam, said reflected instantaneous optical beam thereby constituting the central portion of the combined beam; and third means in said prescribed path for receiving the combined beam; said third means including an inner reflecting portion, and an outer portion being at least partially transparent, said inner portion being adapted for separating and reflecting said central portion from the combined beam to provide instantaneous illumination for photography, and said outer portion being adapted for transmitting the prolonged illumination of the remaining portion of the combined beam to an observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflecting element of said first means includes a surface which is inclined relative to the path of optical reflection of the instantaneous beam reflected thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner reflecting portion of said third means includes a surface which is inclined relative to the path of optical reflection of the instantaneous beam reflected thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said surface of said reflecting element of said first means is rectangular having a length, and a width being substantially smaller than said length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said surface of said inner reflecting portion of said third means is elliptical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means and said third means each include a respective prism of rectangular cross section internally of each of which is supported said reflecting element and said inner reflecting portion respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said prism is slidably supported for removing the reflective surfaces of said first and third means from the path of the beams, and each said prism includes a partially transparent surface movable into the path of the beams to replace the reflecting surfaces of said first and third means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of sAid partially transparent elements of said first means are rectangular and are operatively associated with the rectangular reflecting element interposed therebetween for combining said instantaneous and prolonged beams into a combined rectangular beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second means includes focusing means for accurately fusing said central portion of the combined beam with the outer portions thereof into a combined narrow rectangular beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second means includes a slit adjusting means spaced opposite said focusing means at the focal point thereof for adjusting the width of said combined narrow rectangular beam passing therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1003260A
Cited
GB1069407A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |