Microscope with body tube formed of complemental shell halves

Claim 2

In a microscope having an arm; a body tube secured to the arm and having a length dimension; a stage supported by the arm; a mechanism for effecting relative movement between the body tube and the stage along the optical axis of the microscope; an ocular mounted in the body tube; an objective turret carrying a plurality of objectives and supported by the body tube eccentrically with respect to the optical axis; and a mechanism for rotating the objective turret for aligning a selected one of the objectives with the optical axis; the improvement wherein the body tube is constituted by two complemental shell halves adjoining one another along a direction that is substantially parallel to said length dimension.

Claim 3

A microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein said arm has a length dimension and is constituted by two complemental shell halves adjoining one another along a direction that is substantially parallel to the length dimension of said arm.

Claim 4

A microscope as defined in claim 2, wherein each body tube shell half forms an integral, one-piece part with the one and the other arm shell half.

Claim 5

A microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein said shell halves are joined to one another with a mating rib-and-shoulder fit.

Claim 6

A microscope as defined in claim 1, further comprising reinforcing ribs integral with said shell halves and arranged in the inside of said body tube.

Claim 7

A microscope as defined in claim 1, including means for holding together said shell halves.

Claim 8

A microscope as defined in claim 6, wherein said means includes a microscope component passing through said shell halves.

Claim 9

A microscope as defined in claim 6, wherein said means include tightening screws.

Claim 10

A microscope as defined in claim 6, wherein said means includes a welded bond.

Claim 11

A microscope as defined in claim 6, wherein said means includes a glued bond.

Claim 12

A microscope as defined in claim 6, wherein said means includes a soldered bond.

Claim 13

A microscope as defined in claim 1, further comprising a support bearing formed on said shell halves and arranged in the inside of said body tube, said turret being held in said body tube by said support bearing.

Claim 14

In a microscope having an arm; a body tube secured to the arm and having a length dimension; a stage supported by the arm; a mechanism for effecting relative movement between the body tube and the stage along the optical axis of the microscope; an ocular mounted in the body tube; an objective turret carrying a plurality of objectives and supported by the body tube eccentrically with respect to the optical axis; and a mechanism for rotating the objective turret for aligning a selected one of the objectives with the optical axis; the improvement wherein the body tube is constituted by two complemental shell halves adjoining one another along a direction that is substantially parallel to said length dimension; the improvement further comprising a support bearing formed on said shell halves and arranged in the inside of said body tube for holding said turret in said body tube; said support bearing forming a three-point support engaging said turret, two support points of said three-point support being constituted by projections forming part of one shell half; one support point of said three-point support being constituted by a spring held in the other shell half.

Claim 15

In a microscope having an arm; a body tube secured to the arm and having a length dimension; a stage supported by the arm; a mechanism for effecting relative movement between the body tube and the stage along the optical axis of the microscope; an ocular mounted in the body tube; an objective turret carrying a plurality of objectives and supported by the body tube eccentrically with respect to the optical axis; and a mechanism for rotating the objective turret for aligning a selected one of the objectives with the optical axis; the improvement wherein the body tube is constituted by two complemental shell halves adjoining one another along a direction that is substantially parallel to said length dimension; the improvement further comprising a support bearing formed on said shell halves and arranged in the inside of said body tube for holding said turret in said body tube; said support bearing forming a three-point support engaging said turret, two support points of said three-point support being constituted by projections forming part of one shell half; one support point of said three-point support being constituted by a spring held in the other shell half.

Claim 16

A microscope as defined in claim 13, further including means forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves in said objective turret, said grooves being oriented parallel to the optical axis and being identical in number to that of said objectives; and a lug provided on said spring; said lug being aligned with and snapping into a groove when any of said objective is in alignment with the optical axis.