Patent US5033834A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5033834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microscope specimen mount converter
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-30
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Granted: 1991-07-23
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Expires: 2009-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus to convert a single-mount SEM microscope stage into a multi-mount SEM microscope stage. The apparatus interfits onto the conventional center-aperture SEM microscope stage, and provides a mounting face having apertures for multiple-specimen mounts. The device is able to provide top or side views of the specimen with only a 45° rotation of the microscope stage from its starting point.
Inventors
- 👤 Loren D. Corder
- 👤 Burgess G. Gudmundson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/24; G02B21/26; G02B21/0004; G02B21/002; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/20; H01J2237/00; H01J2237/20; H01J2237/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for converting a single-specimen microscope mount into a multiple-specimen microscope mount, for mounting onto a microscope stage having a planar operative surface, said multiple-specimen microscope mount comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount to the microscope stage; b a mounting face disposed at an acute angle to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; c. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart within the mounting face, and having a first axis therethrough; and d. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for converting a single-specimen microscope mount into a multiple-specimen microscope mount, for mounting onto a microscope stage having a planar operative surface, said multiple-specimen microscope mount comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount to the microscope stage; b a mounting face disposed at an acute angle to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; c. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart within the mounting face, and having a first axis therethrough; and d. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the microscope stage is provided with a specimen-retaining aperture and means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount comprises a pin adapted to fit with said specimen-retaining aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting face is aligned at an inwardly inclusive acute angle relative to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of mounting apertures are aligned such that the first axis therethrough is aligned at an angle of about 45o relative to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the specimen holder comprises a planar mounting surface and means to attach the specimen holder to the mounting face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the means to attach the specimen holder to the mounting face comprises a pin fitting into the mounting apertures in the mounting face, said planar mounting surface being disposed adjacent the mounting face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
In combination, an adjustable microscope stage having a planar operative surface and a multiple-specimen microscope mount, said combination comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount onto said microscope stage; b. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart about the periphery of the multiple-specimen microscope mount, each of said mounting apertures having a first longitudinal axis therethrough aligned at an angle of about 45° relative to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; and c. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of mounting apertures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
In combination, an adjustable microscope stage having a planar operative surface and a multiple-specimen microscope mount, said combination comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount onto said microscope stage; b. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart about the periphery of the multiple-specimen microscope mount, each of said mounting apertures having a first longitudinal axis therethrough aligned at an angle of about 45° relative to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; and c. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of mounting apertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the microscope stage is provided with a specimen-retaining aperture and the means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount comprises a pin adapted to fit into said specimen-retaining aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein the multiple-specimen microscope mount is provided with a mounting face disposed at an acute angle to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination of claim 9, wherein the mounting face is aligned with an inwardly inclusive acute angle relative to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 10, wherein the plurality of mounting apertures are provided in the mounting face.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for converting a single-specimen microscope mount into a multiple-specimen microscope mount, for mounting onto a microscope stage having a planar operative surface, said multiple-specimen microscope mount comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount to the microscope stage; b. a mounting face disposed at an inwardly acute angle to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; c. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart within the mounting face, and having a first axis therethrough defining an angle of about 45° with the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; and d. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of apertures.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for converting a single-specimen microscope mount into a multiple-specimen microscope mount, for mounting onto a microscope stage having a planar operative surface, said multiple-specimen microscope mount comprising: a. means to attach the multiple-specimen microscope mount to the microscope stage; b. a mounting face disposed at an inwardly acute angle to the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; c. a plurality of mounting apertures radially oriented and equally spaced apart within the mounting face, and having a first axis therethrough defining an angle of about 45° with the planar operative surface of the microscope stage; and d. a plurality of specimen holders adapted to fit within said plurality of apertures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the microscope stage is rotatable around a second axis aligned perpendicular to the planar operative surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the microscope stage is provided with ratchet means to rotatably align each specimen holder with an electron beam.
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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) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |