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US3904277A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical hand scanner optical assembly

Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1974-03-20
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-03-20
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Abstract

Abstract This disclosure concerns a mounting assembly for a spherical lens in a light pen. The pen receives the spherical lens at one end thereof, where the lens is rotatably supported by a seat which minimizes friction therebetween. Proper contact is made between the spherical lens and the wall of the light pen to achieve self cleaning of the lens.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard R Phillips
  • 👤 Robert G Peterson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 14:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/027

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 172 words
An optical light pen for use in the reading of an encoded record member, the combination comprising: A. a housing having a longitudinally extending opening and an apex at one end thereof; B. an annular seat member received within said opening and secured within said housing: C. a ring member securely received within said housing coaxially with and adjacent said annular seat member; D. a spherical transparent lens rotatably received within said opening at the apex and supported by said seat member; E. the apex of the housing having a curvilinear portion which engages the spherical lens to firmly hold the spherical lens against itself and against said annular seat; F. a first fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for conveying light from said housing through said lens; and G. a second fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for receiving said sensing light passing through said lens into said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 172 words
An optical light pen for use in the reading of an encoded record member, the combination comprising: A. a housing having a longitudinally extending opening and an apex at one end thereof; B. an annular seat member received within said opening and secured within said housing: C. a ring member securely received within said housing coaxially with and adjacent said annular seat member; D. a spherical transparent lens rotatably received within said opening at the apex and supported by said seat member; E. the apex of the housing having a curvilinear portion which engages the spherical lens to firmly hold the spherical lens against itself and against said annular seat; F. a first fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for conveying light from said housing through said lens; and G. a second fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for receiving said sensing light passing through said lens into said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The light pen of claim 1 wherein the material of said seat is the same material as the spherical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The light pen of claim 1 wherein said annular seat is made of aluminum oxide impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The light pen of claim 1 wherein said spherical lens is selected from the group consisting of sapphire and ruby and said seat is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The light pen of claim 1 wherein said seat is made of a platable material having a nickel-phosphorus coating thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The light pen of claim 1 wherein said annular seat is integral with said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 194 words
An optical light pen for use in the reading of an encoded record member, the combination comprising: A. a generally longitudinally extending housing having an opening at one end thereof; B. an apex member having an opening therein secured to said housing with the opening of the housing being confluent with the apex member opening; C. an annular seat member received within said opening and secured within said apex member; D. a ring member securely received within said housing coaxially with and adjacent said annular seat member; E. a spherical, transparent lens rotatably received with said apex member opening and supported by said seat member; F. the end of the apex opposite said housing having a curvilinear configuration which engages the spherical lens to firmly hold the spherical lens against said seat; G. a first fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for conveying light from said housing through said lens; and H. a second fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for receiving and sensing light passing through said lens into said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 194 words
An optical light pen for use in the reading of an encoded record member, the combination comprising: A. a generally longitudinally extending housing having an opening at one end thereof; B. an apex member having an opening therein secured to said housing with the opening of the housing being confluent with the apex member opening; C. an annular seat member received within said opening and secured within said apex member; D. a ring member securely received within said housing coaxially with and adjacent said annular seat member; E. a spherical, transparent lens rotatably received with said apex member opening and supported by said seat member; F. the end of the apex opposite said housing having a curvilinear configuration which engages the spherical lens to firmly hold the spherical lens against said seat; G. a first fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for conveying light from said housing through said lens; and H. a second fiber optics bundle received within the opening of said ring member and extending longitudinally within said housing for receiving and sensing light passing through said lens into said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The light pen of claim 7 wherein the material of said seat is the same material as the spherical lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
The light pen of claim 7 wherein said annular seat is made of aluminum oxide impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
The light pen of claim 7 wherein said spherical lens is selected from the group consisting of sapphire and ruby and said seat is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
The light pen of claim 7 wherein said seat is made of a platable material having a nickel-phosphorus coating thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
The light pen of claim 7 wherein said annular seat is integral with said housing.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2536124A Cited
US3145249A Cited
US3584779A Cited
US3784794A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-09-08 1979-03-10 1979-09-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-09-08 1983-03-10 1983-09-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-09-08 1987-03-10 1987-09-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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