US3909135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microscope comparator
Assignee: Government of the United States of America
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Filing: 1974-03-21
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Microscope comparator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a point source of light which may be a laser source or other light source in combination with suitable optic devices to provide the point source. The light is reflected from two mirrors and then to a microscope image. Means are provided to move these mirrors in such a manner that the pin point light source can be moved to any desired position on the microscope image. Means are also provided to sense a given position of the pin point source on the image. This sensed position information may be fed to a computer to compute measurement information about the microscope image.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry I Lipkind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/04; G01B11/00; G01B11/002; G01B7/00; G01B7/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A microscope comparator comprising: a light source producing a very narrow beam of light; first movable means positioned in the path of said very narrow light beam for reflecting said very narrow light beam a first time; second movable means placed in the path of said light following said first movable means for reflecting said very narrow light beam a second time; first moving means operatively associated with said first movable means for moving said first movable means to thereby move said very narrow light beam in a first direction as said very narrow light beam is reflected said first time; second moving means operatively associated with said second movable means for moving said very narrow light beam in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction as said very narrow light beam is reflected said second time; directing means following said second movable means in the path of said very narrow light beam for directing said very narrow light beam onto a microscope image; first sensing means for providing an output indicative of the position of said very narrow light beam on said microscope image with respect to said first direction; and second sensing means for providing an output indicative of the position of said very narrow light beam on said image with respect to said second direction whereby each time said first and second movable means are moved by their respective moving means to thereby move the position of said very narrow light beam on said image, said first and second sensing means provide outputs indicating the position of said very narrow light beam on said image for each position of said first and second movable meanS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A microscope comparator comprising: a light source producing a very narrow beam of light; first movable means positioned in the path of said very narrow light beam for reflecting said very narrow light beam a first time; second movable means placed in the path of said light following said first movable means for reflecting said very narrow light beam a second time; first moving means operatively associated with said first movable means for moving said first movable means to thereby move said very narrow light beam in a first direction as said very narrow light beam is reflected said first time; second moving means operatively associated with said second movable means for moving said very narrow light beam in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction as said very narrow light beam is reflected said second time; directing means following said second movable means in the path of said very narrow light beam for directing said very narrow light beam onto a microscope image; first sensing means for providing an output indicative of the position of said very narrow light beam on said microscope image with respect to said first direction; and second sensing means for providing an output indicative of the position of said very narrow light beam on said image with respect to said second direction whereby each time said first and second movable means are moved by their respective moving means to thereby move the position of said very narrow light beam on said image, said first and second sensing means provide outputs indicating the position of said very narrow light beam on said image for each position of said first and second movable meanS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first movable means is a first mirror having one edge mounted to a hinge and wherein said second movable means is a second mirror having one edge mounted to a hinge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 2 wherein said first moving means is a first threaded shaft associated with said first mirror in such a manner that said first mirror is rotated on its hinge by moving said first threaded shaft and wherein said second moving means is a second threaded shaft associated with said second mirror in such a manner that said second mirror is rotated on its hinge by moving said second threaded shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 3 wherein said first sensing means is a first encoder which senses the position of said first threaded shaft and wherein said second sensing means is a second encoder which senses the position of said second threaded shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 4 wherein said means to direct said very narrow light beam onto a microscope image is a lens barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second mirrors, said light source and one end of said lens barrel are enclosed by a housing and wherein one end of said first threaded shaft extends into said housing with its other end extending outside said housing and one end of said second threaded shaft extends into said housing with its other end extending outside said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 6 wherein a knob is secured to said other end of said first threaded shaft and said threaded shaft is moved manually by rotating said knob secured thereto and wherein a knob is secured to said other end of said second threaded shaft and said second threaded shaft is moved by manually rotating said knob secured thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 6 wherein said first threaded shaft is moved by a first small electric motor operatively coupled to said other end of said first threaded shaft, said first small electric motor rotating said first threaded shaft clockwise and counterclockwise, and wherein said second threaded shaft is moved by a second small electric motor operatively coupled to said other end of said second threaded shaft, said second small electric motor rotating said second threaded shaft clockwise and counterclockwise.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 7 wherein said light source is a laser light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 8 wherein said light source is a laser light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first movable means is a mirror fixedly mounted along one edge and said second movable means is a second mirror fixedly mounted along one edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
183 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 11 wherein said first moving means is a first threaded shaft associated with said first mirror in such a manner that said first threaded shaft bends said first mirror, said first threaded shaft increasing the degree of said bending of said first mirror as said first threaded shaft is moved in the direction toward said first mirror and decreasing the degree of said bending of said first mirror as said first threaded shaft is moved in the direction away from said first mirror, thereby moving said first mirror; and wherein said second moving means is a second threaded shaft associated with said second mirror in such a manner that said second threaded shaft bends said second mirror, said second threaded shaft increasing the degree of said bending of said second mirror as said second threaded shaft is moved in the direction toward said second mirror and decreasing the degree of said bending of said second mirror as said second threaded shaft is moved in the direction away from said second mirror, thereby moving said second mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 12 wherein said first sensing means comprises first straIn gauge apparatus operatively associated with said first mirror and said second sensing means comprises second strain gauge apparatus operatively associated with said second mirror, said first strain gauge apparatus sensing the degree of said bending of said first mirror and said second strain gauge apparatus sensing the degree of said bending of said second mirror, whereby said first strain gauge apparatus and said second strain gauge apparatus provide output signals indicative of the position of said very narrow light beam on said microscope image for any given degree of bending of said first and second mirrors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 13 wherein said means to direct said very narrow light beam onto a microscope image is a lens barrel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 14 wherein said first and second mirrors, said light source and one end of said lens barrel are enclosed in a housing and wherein one end of said first threaded shaft extends into said housing with the other end extending outside said housing and one end of said second threaded shaft extends into said housing with its other end extending outside said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 15 wherein a knob is secured to said other end of said first threaded shaft and said threaded shaft is moved manually by rotating said knob secured thereto and wherein a knob is secured to said other end of said second threaded shaft and said second threaded shaft is moved by manually rotating said knob secured thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 15 wherein said first threaded shaft is moved by a first small electric motor operatively coupled to said other end of said first threaded shaft, said first small electric motor rotating said first threaded shaft clockwise and counterclockwise, and wherein said second threaded shaft is moved by a second small electric motor operatively coupled to said other end of said second threaded shaft, said second small electric motor rotating said second threaded shaft clockwise and counterclockwise.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 16 wherein said light source is a laser light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microscope comparator as defined in claim 17 wherein said light source is a laser light source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |