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US5168993A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical pellicle holder

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-08-26
•
Granted: 1992-12-08
•
Expires: 2011-08-26
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for holding an optical pellicle made up of a pellicle frame and a pellicle membrane is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid, planar member having a centrally disposed window for removably receiving an optical pellicle. The inner dimension of the window is only slightly greater than the outer dimension of the pellicle such that a frictioned fit between the planar member and the pellicle is achievable. The planar member includes an inwardly extending shoulder against which the pellicle can be seated. The shoulder extends inwardly no further than the thickness of the pellicle frame. The planar member also includes a biasing portion facing inwardly toward the window for yieldably holding the pellicle in place.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yung-Tsai Yen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/62; H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/10; H10P72/18; G03F1/64; G03F1/66; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/708; G03F7/70858; G03F7/70866

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 115 words
An apparatus for holding an optical pellicle made up of a pellicle frame and a pellicle membrane, the apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid, planar member defining a centrally disposed window for removably receiving an optical pellicle, the inner dimension of the window being only slightly greater than the outer dimension of the pellicle such that a frictioned fit between the planar member and the pellicle is achievable; the planar member including an inwardly extending shoulder against which the pellicle can be seated, the shoulder extending inwardly no further than the thickness of the pellicle frame; the planar member further including a biasing portion facing inwardly toward the window for yieldably holding the pellicle in place.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 115 words
An apparatus for holding an optical pellicle made up of a pellicle frame and a pellicle membrane, the apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid, planar member defining a centrally disposed window for removably receiving an optical pellicle, the inner dimension of the window being only slightly greater than the outer dimension of the pellicle such that a frictioned fit between the planar member and the pellicle is achievable; the planar member including an inwardly extending shoulder against which the pellicle can be seated, the shoulder extending inwardly no further than the thickness of the pellicle frame; the planar member further including a biasing portion facing inwardly toward the window for yieldably holding the pellicle in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the planar member has a pair of opposed cut-out portions which reveal the pellicle frame from the outer side thereof, to permit the pellicle frame to be grasped for removal purposes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further defining at least a pair of opposed alignment holes disposed outwardly of the window to permit the apparatus and a pellicle held thereby to be precisely mounted in place.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biasing portion comprises a pair of resilient arms extending in a direction generally parallel to the pellicle frame to be in contact therewith, but biased slightly inwardly to hold the pellicle in the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the resilient arms comprise an integral part of the planar member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 143 words
A holder-mounted optical pellicle comprising: an optical pellicle including a membrane and a peripheral frame; and an alignment holder in the form of a substantially rigid, planar member, defining a centrally disposed window for removably receiving the pellicle, the inner dimension of the window being only slightly greater than the outer dimension of the pellicle frame such that a friction fit exists between the planar member and the pellicle frame, the planar member including an inwardly extending shoulder against which the pellicle can be seated, the shoulder extending inwardly no further than the thickness of the pellicle frame so that the planar member does not extend over the membrane which extends inwardly from the pellicle frame, the planar member further including a resilient portion facing and in contact with the outer portion of the pellicle frame for yieldably holding the pellicle in place.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 143 words
A holder-mounted optical pellicle comprising: an optical pellicle including a membrane and a peripheral frame; and an alignment holder in the form of a substantially rigid, planar member, defining a centrally disposed window for removably receiving the pellicle, the inner dimension of the window being only slightly greater than the outer dimension of the pellicle frame such that a friction fit exists between the planar member and the pellicle frame, the planar member including an inwardly extending shoulder against which the pellicle can be seated, the shoulder extending inwardly no further than the thickness of the pellicle frame so that the planar member does not extend over the membrane which extends inwardly from the pellicle frame, the planar member further including a resilient portion facing and in contact with the outer portion of the pellicle frame for yieldably holding the pellicle in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 50 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the biasing portion comprises a pair of resilient arms extending in a direction generally parallel to the pellicle frame in contact therewith, but biasing slightly inwardly to hold the pellicle in the holder, the resilient arms comprising an integral part of the planar member.

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) 1995-12-08 1996-06-08 1996-12-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-12-08 2000-06-08 2000-12-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-12-08 2004-06-08 2004-12-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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