US3730632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope providing an image of an observed object and a scale by which the true size of the object can be determined from the image
Assignee: Machida Endoscope Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-06-25
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope is provided with apparatus for indicating the actual size of an observed object, the apparatus comprising a scale indicating portion in which the length of a bright or shaded portion is varied by movement of a shading plate in correspondence with relative movement effected between an object lens housing and an image conducting member to form a sharp image on an image viewing surface of the image conducting member. The indicating portion is adjacent the image viewing surface and the length of the bright or shaded portion represents a predetermined dimension, e.g. 10 mm and by comparing the size of the actual image of the object to the length of the bright or shaded portion, the actual size of the object can be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 T Chikama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/26; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An endoscope comprising an object lens assembly positioned to face an object to be observed to produce an image thereof, an image conducting member facing said object lens assembly to transmit said image to an image viewing surface of the conducting member, means for providing relative movement between said object lens assembly and said image conducting member to focus the image in said viewing surface, and scale indicating means adjacent said viewing surface and having a length measurement which varies in response to said relative movement, said scale indicating means serving as a measure of the true size of the object by comparison of the size of said image with said length measurement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An endoscope comprising an object lens assembly positioned to face an object to be observed to produce an image thereof, an image conducting member facing said object lens assembly to transmit said image to an image viewing surface of the conducting member, means for providing relative movement between said object lens assembly and said image conducting member to focus the image in said viewing surface, and scale indicating means adjacent said viewing surface and having a length measurement which varies in response to said relative movement, said scale indicating means serving as a measure of the true size of the object by comparison of the size of said image with said length measurement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said length measurement of said scale indicating means is constituted by an illuminated portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said length measurement of said scale indicating means is constituted by a shaded portion of an illuminated length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said scale indicating means comprises an elongated indicator, a shading plate adjacent said indicator, and means to move said shading plate in correspondence with said relative movement between the object lens assembly and said image conducting member to progressively vary exposure of said elongated indicator to light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 comprising means to illuminate said indicator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 wherein said shading plate progressively covers said indicator whereby said length measurement is constituted by a shaded part of the illuminated indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 wherein said shading plate progressively exposes said indicator to light whereby said length measurement is constituted by an illuminated part of a non-illuminated indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 comprising an exposure scale extending along the elongated indicator and correlated therewith to provide a measure of the Degree of illumination of the object based on said length measurement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 comprising a distance scale extending along the elongated indicator and correlated therewith to provide a measure of the distance of the object from said object lens assembly based on said length measurement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 comprising an exposure scale extending along the elongated indicator and correlated therewith to provide a measure of the degree of illumination of the object based on said length measurement, a distance scale extending along the elongated indicator and correlated therewith to provide a measure of the distance of the object from said object lens assembly based on said length measurement.
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) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |