US4969707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optics viewing device
Assignee: ARCHER FRANK E
•
Filing: 1987-06-19
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2007-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A high quality fiber optic viewing device is provided which includes a fiber optic bundle having two ends, each end being cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers and highly polished. At the input end of the device a lens system presents a wide angle view to the bundle. The output end is able to be viewed directly or by a television camera. The device is particularly suited for use in moving vehicles, security systems and inspection of dangerous or hard to reach objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph C. Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/20; B60R1/22; B60R1/23; B60R1/26; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A fiber optic viewing device comprising: at least one lens for focusing a field of view in only one direction therethrough into a parallel light path, a fiber optic bundle having an input end and an output end, each of said ends occupying a plane cut perpendicular to the direction of said fiber optic bundle and polished to have a smooth surface, all of said optical fibers being substantially parallel to one another throughout their lengths, said input end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented with respect to said at least one lens such that parallel light path enters said input end of said fiber optic bundle, and said output end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented so as to present at a desired location an image transmitted by said fiber optic bundle from said input end, said output end being arranged for direct viewing by an observer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A fiber optic viewing device comprising: at least one lens for focusing a field of view in only one direction therethrough into a parallel light path, a fiber optic bundle having an input end and an output end, each of said ends occupying a plane cut perpendicular to the direction of said fiber optic bundle and polished to have a smooth surface, all of said optical fibers being substantially parallel to one another throughout their lengths, said input end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented with respect to said at least one lens such that parallel light path enters said input end of said fiber optic bundle, and said output end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented so as to present at a desired location an image transmitted by said fiber optic bundle from said input end, said output end being arranged for direct viewing by an observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle including at least one of said fiber optic viewing devices as in claim 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicle as in claim 2 in which said at least one said fiber optic viewing device comprises only two fiber optic viewing devices, each having a 90° field of vision.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vehicle as in claim 2 in which said two fiber optic viewing devices have said input ends mounted near upper rear corners of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle as in claim 4 in which the normal to the principal plane of said at least one lens is directed to make an angle of at least ten degrees with a horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A vehicle as in claim 4 in which the normal to the principal plane of said at least one lens is directed to make an angle of about forty degrees from a vertical plane running from front to back through the center of the vehicle, the normal toward its respective one of the rear corners of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vehicle as in claim 4 in which said lenses include means for shielding said lenses from above.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle as in claim 4 in which said two fiber optic viewing devices have their output ends mounted so as to be viewable by a driver of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle as in claim 8 in which said output ends are mounted side by side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted on a dash board of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted in a dash board of said vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted near the top of a windshield of said vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An aircraft further including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An aircraft as in claim 13 in which said at least one said fiber optic viewing device comprises four fiber optic viewing devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
An aircraft as in claim 14 in which two of said four fiber optic viewing devices have their input ends mounted near two rear corners of said aircraft, one on the top of said aircraft and one on the bottom of said aircraft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aircraft as in claim 15 in which said output ends are mounted so as to be viewable by a pilot of said aircraft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A security system including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A security system including a plurality of fiber optic viewing devices as in claim 1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A security system as in claim 18 in which output ends of said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices are scanned by at least one television camera which in turn provide video signals to at least one television screen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A security system as in claim 19 in which said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices are scanned by a plurality of television cameras which in turn provide video signals to a plurality of corresponding television screens.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A security system as in claim 19 in which said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices and said at least one television camera are located above a false ceiling in a building where said security system is located.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A nuclear power plant including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A nuclear power plant as in claim 22 in which said at least one fiber optic viewing device comprises multiple fiber optic viewing devices having their input ends mounted to view locations in said nuclear power plant which require inspection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A clean room including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A clean room as in claim 24 in which said at least one fiber optic viewing device comprises multiple fiber optic viewing devices having their input ends mounted to view locations in said clean room which require inspection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-11-12 | 1994-05-14 | 1994-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-12 | 1998-05-14 | 1998-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-12 | 2002-05-14 | 2002-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |