Patent US4669058A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4879991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1987-11-10
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2007-11-10
Abstract
Abstract The outer periphery including the peripheral edge of the front end surface of a hard tip member in which an image forming device and illuminating light emitting device are contained and fixed on the tip side of an elongated insertable part is covered with a soft cover member so that the shock of striking the tip part may be absorbed to protect the contents.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisao Ogiu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An endoscope comprising: an elongated insertable part having a tip at an insertable front end thereof; a hard tip member having apertures for containing and fitting elements at said tip; an illuminating means having an illuminating optical system fitted in a first aperture of said hard tip member; an observing means having an image forming optical system fitted in a second aperture of said hard tip member; and a cover made of a soft elastic flexible material, said cover being disposed around and covering a peripheral edge part of an insertable front end surface of said hard tip member and the front end surface of said hard tip member for protecting said hard tip member from shock while retaining the overall diameter of said insertable front end, said cover having a plurality of apertures aligned with said apertures of said hard tip member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An endoscope comprising: an elongated insertable part having a tip at an insertable front end thereof; a hard tip member having apertures for containing and fitting elements at said tip; an illuminating means having an illuminating optical system fitted in a first aperture of said hard tip member; an observing means having an image forming optical system fitted in a second aperture of said hard tip member; and a cover made of a soft elastic flexible material, said cover being disposed around and covering a peripheral edge part of an insertable front end surface of said hard tip member and the front end surface of said hard tip member for protecting said hard tip member from shock while retaining the overall diameter of said insertable front end, said cover having a plurality of apertures aligned with said apertures of said hard tip member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said observing means further includes a solid state imaging device having its imaging plane arranged in the focal plane of said image forming optical system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said observing means further includes an image guide having its incident end surface arranged in the focal plane of said image forming optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An endoscope according to any of claims 1 to 3 further including a curvable part attached to a rear end of said hard tip member, said curvable part is covered with a tube and a front end of said tube is fixed to a conical outer surface of said hard tip member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscope according to claim 4 wherein the outer peripheral surface of the front end of said tube covering said curvable part is fixed to said conical outer surface by a ring-like fixing member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An endoscope according to claim 5 wherein said ring-like fixing member is comprised of a length of thread wound in the form of a conical ring on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of said tube covering the conical outer surface of said hard tip member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope according to claim 5 wherein said ring-like fixing member is comprised of an annulus formed of a thermocontracting form memorizing material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscope according to claim 5 wherein said ring-like fixing member is formed of a tube that contracts when heated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscope according to claim 5 wherein said ring-like fixing member is comprised of a metal ring pressing the outer peripheral surface of the front end of said tube by calking.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said cover member is formed of a soft elastic synthetic rubber having an elasticity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said soft cover member is formed of a synthetic resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride resins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said cover member for covering said hard tip member is coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscope according to claim 12 wherein said film is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein a front end surface of said image forming optical system is fitted in a position on a rear side of a plane defined by the front end surface of said soft cover member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein a front end surface of said image forming optical system is fitted in one of said apertures in said cover member and a peripheral edge of said front end surface is in the same plane as the front end surface of said cover member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said elongated insertable part is covered with a tube made of a soft elastic flexible material and said cover is formed as a portion of said tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |