US4529264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for sharp-edge illumination of an observation field lying in a preselectable plane
Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
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Filing: 1983-02-25
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Granted: 1985-07-16
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Expires: 2003-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A device for sharp-edge uniform illumination of an observation field lying in a preselectable plane is adapted to utilize light from a remote source, via a flexible fiber-optic connection having a glass-rod termination for producing a uniformly illuminated light-exit surface. The glass rod is insertably connected to the device via clamping mechanism (9, 10) in such manner that its light-radiating surface is immediately adjacent to a diaphragm (7). In front of the diaphragm (7), a collector (2, 3) is fixedly positioned, to focus the diaphragm as a real image in the observation plane. The diaphragm (7) (together with the glass rod) is displaceable axially with respect to the collector (2, 3), thus enabling sharp adjustment for different distances from the observation plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Schmidt
- 👤 Karl Grunvogel
- 👤 Lothar Rubl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B25/00; G02B25/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for sharp-edge, uniform illumination of a field of observation lying in a preselectable plane by means of a light source and an associated fiber-optical light guide, wherein a glass rod terminates the free end of the light guide, characterized by the fact that a diaphragm (7) is arranged directly in front of the radiating end surface of said glass rod and that, for the formation of a real image of this diaphragm in the observation plane, a collector (2, 3) is arranged at variable distance from the diaphragm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for sharp-edge, uniform illumination of a field of observation lying in a preselectable plane by means of a light source and an associated fiber-optical light guide, wherein a glass rod terminates the free end of the light guide, characterized by the fact that a diaphragm (7) is arranged directly in front of the radiating end surface of said glass rod and that, for the formation of a real image of this diaphragm in the observation plane, a collector (2, 3) is arranged at variable distance from the diaphragm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said diaphragm has an adjustable aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said diaphragm is of constant aperture and that said collector is developed as an optical system of continuously variable focal length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said collector (2, 3) is fixedly positioned in a cylindrical housing (1), that a structural part (6) includes said diaphragm (7) and is mounted for axial displacement in said housing (1), that clamping mechanism (9, 10) is connected to said structural part for clamping the light guide in a position in which the radiating end surface of the glass rod connected to the light guide is directly adjacent the diaphragm (7), and that the cylindrical housing (1) is surrounded by a knurled ring (11) which serves for selective axial displacement of the diaphragm with respect to the collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical housing (1) carries a prism (4) for deflecting the illuminating ray path passing through the collector (2, 3).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 5, and including mounting structure (5) adapted for detachable mounting of said device, said mounting structure being connected to said cylindrical housing (1).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A field-illumination device adapted to receive input light from the exit plane of a rod-terminated optical fiber, said device including a tubular housing and collector-lens means fixedly mounted therein, collet means having a fixed internal stop and associated diaphragm for releasably clamping an inserted rod at said stop, with the exit end of the rod immediately adjacent the diaphragm, and an adjustment mechanism coacting between said collet means and said housing for selectively varying the axial offset of said collector-lens means from said diaphragm, whereby the diaphragm is sharply imaged at selectively varied observation distance from said device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A field-illumination device adapted to receive input light from the exit plane of a rod-terminated optical fiber, said device including a tubular housing and collector-lens means fixedly mounted therein, collet means having a fixed internal stop and associated diaphragm for releasably clamping an inserted rod at said stop, with the exit end of the rod immediately adjacent the diaphragm, and an adjustment mechanism coacting between said collet means and said housing for selectively varying the axial offset of said collector-lens means from said diaphragm, whereby the diaphragm is sharply imaged at selectively varied observation distance from said device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1425097A
Cited
US3669524A
Cited
US4153333A
Cited
US4234910A
Cited
US4264122A
Cited
US4215937A
Cited
US4415240A
Cited
US4365864A
Cited
US4363532A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |