Coupler for joining optical devices

Claim 1

A coupler for joining optical devices, one of which carries a peripheral flange with a shoulder, said coupler comprising: a plurality of retainer studs, each retainer stud including a post and a shoulder on said post; a body having an axis, a socket at least in part defined by a base disposed normal to said axis, and a sidewall, a plurality of apertures through said sidewall, a plurality of substantially radially-extending guide slots, each aligned with a respective aperture, one of said posts being slidably fitted into each of said guide slots, and an observation port through the base; an actuating ring rotatably mounted to the body and including a plurality of ramp slots, one respective to each of said guide slots, each said ramp slot being disposed obliquely relative to its respective guide slot when viewed in plane and also obliquely to a plane normal to the guide slot, the ramp slots and guide slots overlaying one another in pairs with the respective posts passing through both of them at their projected intersection, rotation of the actuating ring moving the projected intersection of the slots radially inward or outward, depending on the direction in which the ring is turned, the posts moving correspondingly and, when the posts are at their innermost radial location, their shoulders project through respective apertures to overhang the shoulder carried by said one optical device to hold the optical devices together, and when the actuating ring is turned to move the posts radially outward, withdrawing the shoulders of the retainer studs so they clear the shoulder on the said one optical device.