US3749479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clamshell type optical mounting
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-27
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical mounting having a pair of clamshell type elements preformed to hold a specific array of optical components between the elements in precise optical alignment, without the need for individual spacers, lock rings and the like. Portions of the mounting elements have limited deformability to accomodate reasonable discrepancies in thickness and diameter of lenses and other optical components. Low cost, easily formed plastic material is used for the mounting elements, the assembly being held in an enclosing sleeve or barrel as a secure optical unit.
Inventors
- 👤 P Kempf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An optical mounting comprising, an outer barrel, at least two resilient coacting and mating half-cylindrical shells forming a substantially circular, tubular unit fitting closely in said barrel, said tubular unit having an axial bore with internal integral locating portions projecting radially inwardly into said bore for holding and axially positioning optical components within the bore, said locating portions including at least one aligned radial recess in each of said shells for receiving an optical component, said recess having opposing sides that bear against each side of the optical component, with one of said sides of said recess being less resilient than said other side, said less resilient side locating the optical component in longitudinal and radial alignment in the bore, and the optical component having a thickness longitudinally to the bore that is greater than the width of said radial recess, whereby the more resilient side of said recess resiliently biases the optical component against said less resilient side, longitudinally and axially aligning the component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optical mounting comprising, an outer barrel, at least two resilient coacting and mating half-cylindrical shells forming a substantially circular, tubular unit fitting closely in said barrel, said tubular unit having an axial bore with internal integral locating portions projecting radially inwardly into said bore for holding and axially positioning optical components within the bore, said locating portions including at least one aligned radial recess in each of said shells for receiving an optical component, said recess having opposing sides that bear against each side of the optical component, with one of said sides of said recess being less resilient than said other side, said less resilient side locating the optical component in longitudinal and radial alignment in the bore, and the optical component having a thickness longitudinally to the bore that is greater than the width of said radial recess, whereby the more resilient side of said recess resiliently biases the optical component against said less resilient side, longitudinally and axially aligning the component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein, said optical component comprises a lens, and said locating portions include a radially inwardly projecting shoulder providing a seat for one side of the lens, and a bevelled rib, convergent away from said shoulder for peripheral engagement of the lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 and including a substantially radial wall integral with each of said shells and having a light limiting axial aperture therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein, said recess including a circular outer surface for contacting without compression the outer radial surface of said optical component, said locating portions including a radially inwardly projecting less resilient shoulder providing a seat for one side surface of said optical component, and a radially inwardly projecting axially resilient flange for engagement with the other side surface of said optical component that resiliently forces said optical component along said outer radial surface and against said less resilient shoulder, axially positioning said optical component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1, wherein, said half-cylindrical shells having at one end a first external flange section of greater diameter than the internal diameter of said barrel and the outer diameter of said mated shells, said first external flange section being substantially rigid and non-deformable, said half-cylindrical shells having at their other end a second external flange section of greater diameter than the internal diameter of said barrel and the outer diameter of said mated shells, said second flange section having a thin deformable construction for being deformed sufficiently for passage through the barrel and resiliently return to the original diameter upon completion of passage through the barrel and abutting the eNd of the barrel arresting longitudinal movement of the half-cylindrical shells within said barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein said locating portions include axially spaced opposed shoulders between which a lens is held, said shells having channels extending radially outwardly beyond the edge of the lens leaving a resilient outer peripheral wall portion between said opposed shoulders to resiliently bias the lens to substantially longitudinal and radial optical alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein said barrel has a partially closed end against which one end of said half cylindrical shell assembly is axially seated, the other end of said shell assembly having an axially resilient compressible portion, and retaining means entirely positioned in said barrel for engaging said other end portion in axial clamping securement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein said barrel has at least one annular internal groove that solely extends circumferentially to said barrel, and said shells having integral radially projecting stop means for seating in said groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein, said barrel has a partially closed end means for axially retaining one end of said shell element assembly, the other end of said shell assembly has an axially resilient compressible bellows, first means in said shell assembly for retaining a first lens between said compressible portion and said one end, second means in said shell assembly for retaining a second lens between said compressible portion and said other end, and retaining means for coacting with said barrel and said other end of said shell assembly and exerting force on said other end to compress said compressible portion and control the distance between said first and second lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1, wherein said half cylindrical shells have integral external axially extending ribs, with resilient limited deformability for frictional engagement with the interior of the barrel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein said locating portions include a bore portion having integral internal axially extending ribs, with limited deformability, to resiliently grip lenses of slightly different diameters and bias the lenses to radial optical alignment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein said locating portions include a radially inwardly projecting shoulder providing a seat for one side of a lens, and an inwardly projecting axially resilient flange for engagement with the other side of the lens to cooperatively position and adjust the lens to longitudinal and radial optical alignment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical mounting according to claim 1 wherein, said compressible portion comprises a bellows structure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |