US3698799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cross cylinder flip mechanism
Assignee: Leica Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-22
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-07-22
Abstract
Abstract In an ophthalmic refractor improved cross cylinder flip mechanism comprises a cross cylinder lens rotatably mounted in a loupe by means including a pinion meshed with a face gear, the latter being rotatable to achieve a flip, rotation of the face gear being actuated from a handgrip located adjacent the cylinder lens axis control knob, thereby minimizing the attention which a practitioner must give to frequent shifts of his hand from one such handgrip to the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Pitchford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/02; A61B3/028; A61B3/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In vision analysis apparatus including: a viewing tube; means for interchanging a plurality of cylinder lenses across said viewing tube; means responsive to a control knob for aligning the cylinder axes of said lenses to a predetermined angle across said viewing tube; and cross cylinder means including a cross cylinder lens, a mounting loupe, and means responsive to said control knob for synchronizing the flip axis of said cross cylinder means with said predetermined angle of said cylinder lens axis, improved flipping means for said cross cylinder means including flip actuating means proximate to said cylinder lens axis control knob, comprising: a. a lens mount for said cross cylinder lens having a protrusion journaled in a wall of said loupe; b. a pinion affixed to said lens mount; c. a face gear mounted rotatably relative to said loupe and in meshing contact with said pinion; and d. actuating means proximate said cylinder lens axis control knob and drivably connected to said face gear for rotating said face gear while in mesh with said pinion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In vision analysis apparatus including: a viewing tube; means for interchanging a plurality of cylinder lenses across said viewing tube; means responsive to a control knob for aligning the cylinder axes of said lenses to a predetermined angle across said viewing tube; and cross cylinder means including a cross cylinder lens, a mounting loupe, and means responsive to said control knob for synchronizing the flip axis of said cross cylinder means with said predetermined angle of said cylinder lens axis, improved flipping means for said cross cylinder means including flip actuating means proximate to said cylinder lens axis control knob, comprising: a. a lens mount for said cross cylinder lens having a protrusion journaled in a wall of said loupe; b. a pinion affixed to said lens mount; c. a face gear mounted rotatably relative to said loupe and in meshing contact with said pinion; and d. actuating means proximate said cylinder lens axis control knob and drivably connected to said face gear for rotating said face gear while in mesh with said pinion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a power train, inclUding: a shaft coaxial with said axis control knob; a handgrip member affixed to said shaft and proximate said knob; a first wheel affixed to said shaft; and direct drive means connecting said first wheel with said face gear for flipping said cross cylinder lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said direct drive means comprises a chain engaged with protrusions on said first wheel and further engaged with protrusions on said face gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said direct drive means comprises a timing belt engaged with protrusions on said first wheel and further engaged with protrusions on said face gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said direct drive means comprises wire means connected to said first wheel and further connected to said face gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein said direct drive means comprises a gear train connected to said first wheel and further connected to said face gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said lens mount is connected to said loupe by first detent means defining positions of said cross cylinder lens transverse to said viewing tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said lens mount is connected to said loupe by first detent means responsive to positions of said cross cylinder lens transverse to said viewing tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said loupe is connected to a second wheel coaxial with said cylinder lens axis control knob by direct drive means, said second wheel being detentably connected by second detent means to said knob for transmitting axis changing movements of said knob synchronously to both said cylinder lenses and to said cross cylinder means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said loupe further comprises handgrip means adapted for receiving a rotational manipulation transmissable to said loupe, said direct drive means and said second wheel; said second detent means including means yieldable to such rotational manipulation so transmitted to break said detentable connection of said second detent means, for rotation of said loupe independently of said cylinder lens axis control knob''s rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
In vision analysis apparatus including: a viewing tube; means for interchanging a plurality of cylinder lenses across said viewing tube; means responsive to a control knob for aligning the cylinder axes of said lenses to a predetermined angle across said viewing tube; and cross cylinder means including a cross cylinder lens, a mounting loupe, and means responsive to said control knob for synchronizing the flip axis of said cross cylinder means with said predetermined angle of said cylinder lens axis, improved flipping means for said cross cylinder means, comprising: a. a lens mount for said cross cylinder lens said mount including means journaled in a wall of said loupe; b. a pinion coaxial with said flip axis and drivably connected to said lens mount; c. means for rotating said pinion; and d. actuating means for said pinion rotating means, said actuating means being disposed adjacent said cylinder lens axis control knob.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
In vision analysis apparatus including: a viewing tube; means for interchanging a plurality of cylinder lenses across said viewing tube; means responsive to a control knob for aligning the cylinder axes of said lenses to a predetermined angle across said viewing tube; and cross cylinder means including a cross cylinder lens, a mounting loupe, and means responsive to said control knob for synchronizing the flip axis of said cross cylinder means with said predetermined angle of said cylinder lens axis, improved flipping means for said cross cylinder means, comprising: a. a lens mount for said cross cylinder lens said mount including means journaled in a wall of said loupe; b. a pinion coaxial with said flip axis and drivably connected to said lens mount; c. means for rotating said pinion; and d. actuating means for said pinion rotating means, said actuating means being disposed adjacent said cylinder lens axis control knob.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |