US5235459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inverted microscope with integrated ray paths
Assignee: GARL-ZEISS-STIFTUNG
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Filing: 1992-05-14
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Granted: 1993-08-10
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Expires: 2012-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an inverted microscope with a housing having multiple integrated ray paths leading from the specimen being examined to (a) the viewer/operator and (b) one or more auxiliary ports used for image recording and/or measurement by accessories such as cameras and video recorders. The microscope lens is positioned below the specimen stage; and, positioned below the lens, is a simple reflector which deflects the combined rays from the lens diagonally upward toward the viewer at exactly the same angle at which the viewer looks into the microscope's binocular eyepieces. The position of this simple reflector is the lowest point in the unit's paths of rays, thereby significantly lowering the lens turret and, therefore, the specimen stage to a relatively low, ergonomically-appropriate position. The optical arrangement is simple and compact, minimizing the number of deflections in the path of the viewing rays. Further, light from the microscope lens is deflected along the second path to the auxiliary port and the recording camera by an optical element which is positioned above the reflector in the diagonally-upward path of rays, thereby providing ample room at the auxiliary port to permit use of a recording camera having an automatic-rewind housing. The invention also includes removable and interchangeable tubes which include viewing binoculars and/or an additional auxiliary image port positioned along a vertical path of rays and/or a further additional auxiliary image port positioned along a horizontal path of rays.
Inventors
- 👤 Manfred Meyer
- 👤 Walter Geis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/24; G02B21/0004; G02B21/0088; G02B21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An inverted microscope for permitting a viewer to observe objects positioned on a specimen stage, said microscope including a housing having integrated therein a first ray path for directing light from a lens below said specimen stage to said viewer, said first ray path being deflected diagonally upward in the direction of said viewer, and a second ray path for light deflected from said first ray path, said second ray path leading to an auxiliary image port used for image recording and measurement purposes, said inverted microscope further comprising: a reflector positioned below said lens for deflecting said first ray path in said diagonally-upward direction, a tube lens for forming a first intermediate image in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path, an optical element positioned in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path for deflecting light from said first ray path to said second ray path, an interchangeable tube positioned on one side of said housing in said diagonally-upward portion of the first ray path, and further imaging means provided in said diagonally-upward path behind said first intermediate image for creating a telecentric path of rays leading to said interchangeable tube, said optical element being positioned in at least one of the locations (a) between said reflector and said first intermediate image and (b) in proximity to the plane of said first intermediate image, and said further imaging means being positioned behind said optical element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
An inverted microscope for permitting a viewer to observe objects positioned on a specimen stage, said microscope including a housing having integrated therein a first ray path for directing light from a lens below said specimen stage to said viewer, said first ray path being deflected diagonally upward in the direction of said viewer, and a second ray path for light deflected from said first ray path, said second ray path leading to an auxiliary image port used for image recording and measurement purposes, said inverted microscope further comprising: a reflector positioned below said lens for deflecting said first ray path in said diagonally-upward direction, a tube lens for forming a first intermediate image in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path, an optical element positioned in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path for deflecting light from said first ray path to said second ray path, an interchangeable tube positioned on one side of said housing in said diagonally-upward portion of the first ray path, and further imaging means provided in said diagonally-upward path behind said first intermediate image for creating a telecentric path of rays leading to said interchangeable tube, said optical element being positioned in at least one of the locations (a) between said reflector and said first intermediate image and (b) in proximity to the plane of said first intermediate image, and said further imaging means being positioned behind said optical element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inverted microscope of claim 1 wherein said optical element is a beam-splitting prism through which said first ray path travels in a straight line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The inverted microscope of claim 2 wherein said beam-splitting prism deflects light to said second ray path by multiple reflection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The inverted microscope of claim 3 wherein said second ray path, to which light is multiply-reflected by said beam-splitting prism, is horizontal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The inverted microscope of claim 2 wherein said beam-splitting prism is mounted on a movable element having two adjustment positions, and wherein in one of said adjustment positions light is passed only along said first ray path in the direction of the viewer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inverted microscope of claim 2 wherein said beam-splitting prism is comprised of glass having an index of refraction of at least 1.55.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inverted microscope of claim 2 wherein said first ray path extends diagonally upward in the direction of the viewer at an angle of 45° to the vertical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inverted microscope of claim 1 wherein said interchangeable tube further comprises an eyepiece and a second tube lens for generating a further intermediate image in said eyepiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The inverted microscope of claim 1 further comprising another imaging means along said second ray path for projecting said first intermediate image in an image plane positioned along said second ray path in proximity to said auxiliary image port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
267 words
In an inverted microscope for permitting a viewer to observe objects positioned on a specimen stage, said microscope including a housing having integrated therein a first ray path for directing light from a lens below said specimen stage to said viewer, said first ray path being deflected diagonally upward in the direction of said viewer, and a second ray path for light deflected from said first ray path, said second ray path leading to an auxiliary image port used for image recording and measurement purposes, the improvement comprising: a reflector positioned below said lens for deflecting said first ray path in said diagonally-upward direction, a tube lens for forming a first intermediate image in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path, an optical element positioned in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path in proximity to the plane of said first intermediate image for deflecting light from said first ray path to said second ray path, an interchangeable tube positioned on one side of said housing in said diagonally-upward portion of the first ray path, and further imaging means provided in said diagonally-upward path behind said first intermediate image for creating a telecentric path of rays leading to said interchangeable tube, said optical element being mounted on a movable element having two adjustment positions so that, in one of said adjustment positions, light is passed only along said first ray path in the direction of the viewer, and said movable element including means for facilitating image recording and measurement, said facilitating means being moved into said intermediate image plane by movement of said movable element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
267 words
In an inverted microscope for permitting a viewer to observe objects positioned on a specimen stage, said microscope including a housing having integrated therein a first ray path for directing light from a lens below said specimen stage to said viewer, said first ray path being deflected diagonally upward in the direction of said viewer, and a second ray path for light deflected from said first ray path, said second ray path leading to an auxiliary image port used for image recording and measurement purposes, the improvement comprising: a reflector positioned below said lens for deflecting said first ray path in said diagonally-upward direction, a tube lens for forming a first intermediate image in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path, an optical element positioned in the diagonally-upward portion of said first ray path in proximity to the plane of said first intermediate image for deflecting light from said first ray path to said second ray path, an interchangeable tube positioned on one side of said housing in said diagonally-upward portion of the first ray path, and further imaging means provided in said diagonally-upward path behind said first intermediate image for creating a telecentric path of rays leading to said interchangeable tube, said optical element being mounted on a movable element having two adjustment positions so that, in one of said adjustment positions, light is passed only along said first ray path in the direction of the viewer, and said movable element including means for facilitating image recording and measurement, said facilitating means being moved into said intermediate image plane by movement of said movable element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inverted microscope of claim 10 wherein said optical element is a beam-splitting prism through which said first ray path travels in a straight line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The inverted microscope of claim 11 wherein said beam-splitting prism deflects light to said second ray path by multiple reflection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The inverted microscope of claim 12 wherein said second ray path, to which light is multiply-reflected by said beam-splitting prism, in horizontal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The inverted microscope of claim 10 wherein said facilitating means comprises a reticle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The inverted microscope of claim 10 further comprising a further image plane positioned along said second ray path in proximity of said auxiliary image port, and wherein said facilitating means comprises an aid for focusing light on said further image plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inverted microscope of claim 11 wherein said beam-splitting prism is comprised of glass having an index of refraction of at least 1.55.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inverted microscope of claim 11 wherein said first ray path extends diagonally upward in the direction of the viewer at an angle of 45° to the vertical.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inverted microscope of claim 10 wherein said interchangeable tube further comprises an eyepiece and a second tube lens for generating a further intermediate image in said eyepiece.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The inverted microscope of claim 10 further comprising another imaging means along said second ray path for projecting said first intermediate image in an image plane positioned along said second ray path in proximity to said auxiliary image port.
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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) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |