Microscope apparatus

Claim 2

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertical sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 3

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for Engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising screw adjustment means manually rotatable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said screw adjustment means.

Claim 4

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for Engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising screw adjustment means manually rotatable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said screw adjustment means.

Claim 5

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; means for detachably securing said eyepiece to said frame back portion, said detachably securing means comprising a headed bolt passed through said eyepiece and received in said frame, and mating formations on said bolt and frame whereby said bolt is releasably anchored in said frame; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 6

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; means for detachably securing said eyepiece to said frame back portion, said detachably securing means comprising a headed bolt passed through said eyepiece and received in said frame, and mating formations on said bolt and frame whereby said bolt is releasably anchored in said frame; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 7

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight unitary frame of generally solid walled, hollow, annular construction and comprising a supporting base portion; a generally cylindrical waist portion continuous with said base portion, said waist portion being somewhat smaller, in outside dimension, than said base portion; an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said waist portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associAted with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 8

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight unitary frame of generally solid walled, hollow, annular construction and comprising a supporting base portion; a generally cylindrical waist portion continuous with said base portion, said waist portion being somewhat smaller, in outside dimension, than said base portion; an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said waist portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associAted with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 9

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical bearing slot in said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said frame back portion for vertical slding movement of said stage in said slot, said engaging means and slide stage conformantly interfitting said frame back portion within and adjacent, and for biaxial support of said stage by, said bearing slot; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 10

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical bearing slot in said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said frame back portion for vertical slding movement of said stage in said slot, said engaging means and slide stage conformantly interfitting said frame back portion within and adjacent, and for biaxial support of said stage by, said bearing slot; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 11

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; means for detachably securing said eyepiece to said frame back portion, said detachably securing means comprising a headed bolt passed through said eyepiece and received in said frame, and mating formations on said bolt and frame whereby said bolt is releasably anchored in said frame; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage In opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 12

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; means for detachably securing said eyepiece to said frame back portion, said detachably securing means comprising a headed bolt passed through said eyepiece and received in said frame, and mating formations on said bolt and frame whereby said bolt is releasably anchored in said frame; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage In opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 13

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, a compact, lightweight unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising resilient means stressed between said slide stage and said frame to bias said slide stage in one direction along said guide slide, and fine adjustment means manually manipulable for driving said slide stage in the opposite direction along said guide slide, said fine adjustment means comprising a thumb nut at least partially exposed for said manual manipulating, and a rod through said thumb nut and secured in said frame, said rod threaded matingly to said thumb nut over the length thereof required for the turning of said thumb nut to effect said any focal length positioning of said platform.

Claim 14

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, a compact, lightweight unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising resilient means stressed between said slide stage and said frame to bias said slide stage in one direction along said guide slide, and fine adjustment means manually manipulable for driving said slide stage in the opposite direction along said guide slide, said fine adjustment means comprising a thumb nut at least partially exposed for said manual manipulating, and a rod through said thumb nut and secured in said frame, said rod threaded matingly to said thumb nut over the length thereof required for the turning of said thumb nut to effect said any focal length positioning of said platform.

Claim 15

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising resilient means stressed between said slide stage and said frame to bias said slide stage in one direction along said guide slide, and fine adjustment means manually manipulable for driving said slide stage in the opposite direction along said guide slide, said fine adjustment means comprising an internally threaded thumb nut, a mating, at least partially threaded rod slidably receiving said slide stage and mounting said thumb nut in push driving relation to said slide stage, and a spacer tube slidingly received over said rod and engaged between said slide stage and said thumb nut.

Claim 16

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising resilient means stressed between said slide stage and said frame to bias said slide stage in one direction along said guide slide, and fine adjustment means manually manipulable for driving said slide stage in the opposite direction along said guide slide, said fine adjustment means comprising an internally threaded thumb nut, a mating, at least partially threaded rod slidably receiving said slide stage and mounting said thumb nut in push driving relation to said slide stage, and a spacer tube slidingly received over said rod and engaged between said slide stage and said thumb nut.

Claim 17

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portiOn and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; tie means extending from said fitting eyepiece portion to an anchoring frame portion, said tie means manipulable for removably securing it to said anchoring frame portion, and thereby for detachably mounting said eyepiece on said frame back portion; and means engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means carried on said tie means and oppositely manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 18

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portiOn and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; tie means extending from said fitting eyepiece portion to an anchoring frame portion, said tie means manipulable for removably securing it to said anchoring frame portion, and thereby for detachably mounting said eyepiece on said frame back portion; and means engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means carried on said tie means and oppositely manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 19

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within said vertical guide slide, through and for biaxial support of said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said eyepiece on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said thumb nut.

Claim 20

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within said vertical guide slide, through and for biaxial support of said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said eyepiece on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said thumb nut.

Claim 21

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging sAid stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within sad vertical guide slide, through said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said fitting eyepiece portion on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage upwardly and downwardly, and spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly.

Claim 22

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging sAid stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within sad vertical guide slide, through said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said fitting eyepiece portion on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage upwardly and downwardly, and spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly.

Claim 23

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within said vertical guide slide, through said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said fitting eyepiece portion on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage upwardly and downwardly, said frame apertured below said guide slide to receive said thumb nut and to partially expose that for its said opposite manual manipulating, spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide downwardly, and a spacer sleeve on said bolt between said thumb nut and said slide stage, said spacer sleeve supporting said slide stage against its downward biasing by said compressed spring means, and positioning said platform by said manipulation of said thumb nut.

Claim 24

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece having a portion fitting said frame back portion, said eyepiece further having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a bolt through said fitting eyepiece portion, within said vertical guide slide, through said slide stage, and into said frame, said bolt manipulable for removably securing it to said frame and thereby for detachably mounting said fitting eyepiece portion on said frame back portion; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising a thumb nut threaded on said bolt and oppositely manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage upwardly and downwardly, said frame apertured below said guide slide to receive said thumb nut and to partially expose that for its said opposite manual manipulating, spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide downwardly, and a spacer sleeve on said bolt between said thumb nut and said slide stage, said spacer sleeve supporting said slide stage against its downward biasing by said compressed spring means, and positioning said platform by said manipulation of said thumb nut.

Claim 25

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, a heel extending upwardly of, and defining a back stop for slides received on, said platfOrm, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 26

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, a heel extending upwardly of, and defining a back stop for slides received on, said platfOrm, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 27

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, oppositely extending ears at the back of said platform, said ears extending outwardly to protect a slide of standard length and upwardly to function also as a nose guard, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 28

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, oppositely extending ears at the back of said platform, said ears extending outwardly to protect a slide of standard length and upwardly to function also as a nose guard, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 29

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion, said supporting base portion interiorly through passaged along the microscope sight line, and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unIt and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 30

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion, said supporting base portion interiorly through passaged along the microscope sight line, and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unIt and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 31

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening extending into the microscope sight line; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said side opening; said base portion further having a top opening intersecting said side opening and whereby said mirror assembly in orientable to reflect light admitted through said side opening upwardly along said sight line; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 32

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening extending into the microscope sight line; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said side opening; said base portion further having a top opening intersecting said side opening and whereby said mirror assembly in orientable to reflect light admitted through said side opening upwardly along said sight line; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 33

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising a mirror, and axle formations mounting said mirror, said axle formations rotatably engaging in and also releasable from said side opening, said axle formations also press fitting said frame base portion, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between Said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 34

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising a mirror, and axle formations mounting said mirror, said axle formations rotatably engaging in and also releasable from said side opening, said axle formations also press fitting said frame base portion, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between Said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 35

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising a mirror, axle formations mounting said mirror, said axle formations rotatably engaging in and also releasable from said base portion side opening, and shoulders on said axle formations, said axle formation shoulders arranged to press fit said frame base portion upon the positioning of said mirror assembly in said side opening, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said ase portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 36

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising a mirror, axle formations mounting said mirror, said axle formations rotatably engaging in and also releasable from said base portion side opening, and shoulders on said axle formations, said axle formation shoulders arranged to press fit said frame base portion upon the positioning of said mirror assembly in said side opening, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said ase portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 37

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; opposite, annular, bearing notches in said side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, and comprising annular axle formations closely fitting in said bearing notches, said axle formations also press fitting said frame base portion about said opposite bearing notches, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back porTion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjutment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 38

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; opposite, annular, bearing notches in said side opening; a mirror assembly positioned in said side opening, and comprising annular axle formations closely fitting in said bearing notches, said axle formations also press fitting said frame base portion about said opposite bearing notches, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back porTion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjutment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 39

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; notch bearings in the opposite walls of said hollow base portion at said side opening therein; a mirror assembly in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising axles closely fitting in said notch bearings, and shoulders on said axles, said shoulders frictionally engaging said opposite base portion walls, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 40

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; notch bearings in the opposite walls of said hollow base portion at said side opening therein; a mirror assembly in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising axles closely fitting in said notch bearings, and shoulders on said axles, said shoulders frictionally engaging said opposite base portion walls, whereby said mirror assembly is both damped in its rotation in, and held against fall out from, said frame, and in any orientation of said microscope; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 41

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said plaTform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide.

Claim 42

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said plaTform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide.

Claim 43

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide, for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, said upward movement limiting means comprising bosses on said stage and eyepiece.

Claim 44

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide, for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, said upward movement limiting means comprising bosses on said stage and eyepiece.

Claim 45

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projecting and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, said upward movement limiting means comprising bosses on said stage and eyepiece, said bosses receiving the opposite ends of said spring means.

Claim 46

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projecting and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, said upward movement limiting means comprising bosses on said stage and eyepiece, said bosses receiving the opposite ends of said spring means.

Claim 47

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youtH as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, and the fully collapsed length of said spring means being less than said spacing.

Claim 48

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youtH as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at different desired focal lengths between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said slide stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, manually manipulable means for driving said slide stage upwardly, and means for limiting the upward movement of said slide stage by said manually manipulable means to a spacing from said eyepiece not less than the thickness of a specimen bearing slide, and the fully collapsed length of said spring means being less than said spacing.

Claim 49

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably engaged in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising an adjusting knob manually manipulable from without said frame, and means on said adjusting knob for indicating the orientation of said mirror assembly; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 50

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably engaged in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising an adjusting knob manually manipulable from without said frame, and means on said adjusting knob for indicating the orientation of said mirror assembly; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 51

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably engaged in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising an adjusting knob manually manipulable from without said frame, and a raised rib on said adjusting knob fOr indicating the orientation of said mirror assembly; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 52

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a hollow, supporting base portion, said base portion having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably engaged in said side opening, said mirror assembly comprising an adjusting knob manually manipulable from without said frame, and a raised rib on said adjusting knob fOr indicating the orientation of said mirror assembly; an integral frame back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 53

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing, an adjusting sleeve received over said housing, a compound lens tube slidably interfitting said adjusting sleeve, and a lens seated in said tube; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 54

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing, an adjusting sleeve received over said housing, a compound lens tube slidably interfitting said adjusting sleeve, and a lens seated in said tube; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 55

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing, and a retaining ring removably received in said housing and over said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 56

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing, and a retaining ring removably received in said housing and over said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 57

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 58

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 59

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being parabolic, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjUstment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 60

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being parabolic, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjUstment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 61

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being reflectorized at its bottom surface, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 62

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being reflectorized at its bottom surface, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 63

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being reflectorized at its top surface, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 64

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit comprising a lens, said lens received in said housing and comprising a magnifying section and surrounding that a reflecting section, said reflecting section being reflectorized at its top surface, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 65

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base Portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a parabolic reflective surface facing said slide stage; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 66

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base Portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection, said lens unit comprising a parabolic reflective surface facing said slide stage; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 67

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection; a lens unit, said lens unit comprising a lens recieved in said lens housing, an adjusting sleeve received on said lens housing and having a lower portion snugly overfitting the housing and an upper portion enlarged from said lower portion, a compound lens tube, said lens tube slidably interfitting said adjusting sleeve, received in said upper adjusting sleeve portion, and formed with a lens-seating recess dimensioned similarly as and for lens interchangeability with said lens housing, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 68

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens housing on said eyepiece projection; a lens unit, said lens unit comprising a lens recieved in said lens housing, an adjusting sleeve received on said lens housing and having a lower portion snugly overfitting the housing and an upper portion enlarged from said lower portion, a compound lens tube, said lens tube slidably interfitting said adjusting sleeve, received in said upper adjusting sleeve portion, and formed with a lens-seating recess dimensioned similarly as and for lens interchangeability with said lens housing, and means removably received in said housing over and retaining said lens; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 69

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means Engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said lens housing, a compound lens tube engaged over said lens housing, and a lens received in said tube; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 70

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means Engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion; a lens housing on said eyepiece; a lens unit, said lens unit comprising a lens received in said lens housing, a compound lens tube engaged over said lens housing, and a lens received in said tube; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 71

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line, said projection having a central top recess defining therewithin a lens unit housing; a lens unit engaged to said housing; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 72

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line, said projection having a central top recess defining therewithin a lens unit housing; a lens unit engaged to said housing; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 73

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line, said projection having a central top recess stepping said eyepiece projection down from the main eyepiece body to minimize obstruction of view of said slide stage, and a central top rim formed within said recess, said rim projecting within the thickness of said main eyepiece body; a lens unit engaged to said rim; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal lengTh between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 74

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line, said projection having a central top recess stepping said eyepiece projection down from the main eyepiece body to minimize obstruction of view of said slide stage, and a central top rim formed within said recess, said rim projecting within the thickness of said main eyepiece body; a lens unit engaged to said rim; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal lengTh between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 75

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; said frame having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said frame; said frame further apertured whereby said mirror assembly is orientable to reflect light passing through said side opening so as to illuminate slides received on said stage; a pen light source associated with said frame and directed at said mirror assembly; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 76

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; said frame having a side opening; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said frame; said frame further apertured whereby said mirror assembly is orientable to reflect light passing through said side opening so as to illuminate slides received on said stage; a pen light source associated with said frame and directed at said mirror assembly; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 77

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line, said lens unit comprising a parabolic reflective surface facing said slide stage; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 78

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line, said lens unit comprising a parabolic reflective surface facing said slide stage; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 79

In a microscope oF the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said frame; said frame having a side opening, and further apertured whereby light received through said side opening may be reflected by said mirror assembly to illuminate slides received on said stage; a light source associated with said frame and directed through said opening at said mirror assembly; a bracket supporting said light source from said frame, said bracket comprising means for releasably securing said light source in different desired positions of angular adjustment; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 80

In a microscope oF the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; a mirror assembly rotatably supported in said frame; said frame having a side opening, and further apertured whereby light received through said side opening may be reflected by said mirror assembly to illuminate slides received on said stage; a light source associated with said frame and directed through said opening at said mirror assembly; a bracket supporting said light source from said frame, said bracket comprising means for releasably securing said light source in different desired positions of angular adjustment; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 81

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 82

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 83

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an inTegral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage, said self-powered, artifically illuminating means comprising a battery housing, a battery, a bulb, a cover mounting said bulb and engaged over said housing, means resiliently biasing said battery to contact said bulb, and switch means finger-tip manipulable to make-break the circuit between said battery and said cover; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fringe adjustment means.

Claim 84

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an inTegral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage, said self-powered, artifically illuminating means comprising a battery housing, a battery, a bulb, a cover mounting said bulb and engaged over said housing, means resiliently biasing said battery to contact said bulb, and switch means finger-tip manipulable to make-break the circuit between said battery and said cover; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fringe adjustment means.

Claim 85

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a battery housing, a battery, a bulb, a cover mounting said bulb and engaged over said housing, means resiliently biasing said battery to contact said bulb, and switch means finger-tip manipulable to make-break the circuit between said battery and said cover; said housing having notches extending and undercut below said cover, and said switch means comprising a can interposed between said resiliently biasing means and said battery and having manipulating pins adapted to be pressed and rotated into said notches; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 86

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; self-powered means supported within said frame for artificially illuminating said slide stage, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a battery housing, a battery, a bulb, a cover mounting said bulb and engaged over said housing, means resiliently biasing said battery to contact said bulb, and switch means finger-tip manipulable to make-break the circuit between said battery and said cover; said housing having notches extending and undercut below said cover, and said switch means comprising a can interposed between said resiliently biasing means and said battery and having manipulating pins adapted to be pressed and rotated into said notches; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 87

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprisng a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 88

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprisng a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 89

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; means for rotating said pivot bearing means and thereby angularly positioning said artificially illuminating means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sightline; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 90

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; means for rotating said pivot bearing means and thereby angularly positioning said artificially illuminating means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sightline; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 91

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vErtical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a housing seatable on said transverse pivot bearing means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 92

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vErtical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a housing seatable on said transverse pivot bearing means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 93

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame, said transverse pivot bearing means comprising oppositely extending, annular trunnions; self-powered means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a housing seatable on said transverse pivot bearing means, said housing comprising conformant bearing arms projecting and received over said trunnions; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 94

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame, said transverse pivot bearing means comprising oppositely extending, annular trunnions; self-powered means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform, said self-powered, artificially illuminating means comprising a housing seatable on said transverse pivot bearing means, said housing comprising conformant bearing arms projecting and received over said trunnions; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 95

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holDing specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said transverse pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; means for rotating said transverse pivot bearing means and thereby angularly positioning said self-powered, artificially illuminating means; means for releasably securing said artificially illuminating means in any angular position in which it is placed by the manipulating of said rotating means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 96

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holDing specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along, and for biaxial support of said slide stage by, said guide slide; transverse pivot bearing means in said frame; self-powered means supported on said transverse pivot bearing means for artificially illuminating said specimen slides on said platform; means for rotating said transverse pivot bearing means and thereby angularly positioning said self-powered, artificially illuminating means; means for releasably securing said artificially illuminating means in any angular position in which it is placed by the manipulating of said rotating means; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising fine adjustment means oppositely manually manipulable to urge and permit shifting of said slide stage in one and the opposite direction along said guide slide, and resilient means engaged between said slide stage and said frame and biasing said slide stage in opposition to said fine adjustment means.

Claim 97

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, and manually manipulable means for driving said stage upwardly.

Claim 98

In a microscope of the class described, suitable for recreational and educational use by the youth as well as the adult population, in combination, a compact, lightweight, unitary frame, said frame comprising a supporting base portion and an integral back portion projecting upwardly of said base portion and clear of the microscope sight line; a vertical guide slide formed on said frame back portion; a slide stage, said slide stage comprising a transverse platform, means for engaging and holding specimen slides on said platform, and means engaging said slide stage to said guide slide for vertical sliding movement of said slide stage along said guide slide; an eyepiece mounted on said frame back portion, said eyepiece having a projection overhanging forwardly of said frame back portion and extending across said sight line; a lens unit carried by said eyepiece projection and located on said sight line; and means associated with said frame and engaging said vertically sliding slide stage for positioning said platform at any desired focal length between said lens unit and said frame base portion, said platform positioning means comprising spring means compressed between said stage and said eyepiece to bias said slide stage downwardly, and manually manipulable means for driving said stage upwardly.