Patent US5774274A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5774274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Variable focus lens by small changes of the equatorial lens diameter
Assignee: PC LENS CORP A Corp OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1995-05-12
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2015-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A variable focus lens is constructed by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of an elastically deformable lens. The lens may be deformed by radial tension exerted in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The radial tension may be exerted by radially acting mechanical apparatus or by means of rings embedded or attached at the equator of the lens, whose diameter can be altered by heating, or by imposition of electrical or magnetic fields.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Schachar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:38
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/06; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0875; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/06112; F03G7/06114; F03G7/0614; F03G7/06147; G02B3/00; G02B3/12; G02B3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A variable focus lens comprising a synthetic elastically deformable lens body comprising two transparent webs intersecting an optical axis and meeting in an elastically expandable periphery surrounding said optical axis, said webs and said periphery defining a cavity, said cavity being filled with a transparent fluid or deformable solid medium, and expanding means for expanding said periphery in a plane generally perpendicular to said optical axis, wherein said expanding means applies radially outward directed forces immediately to said periphery of said lens symmetrically in each meridian of said lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A variable focus lens comprising a synthetic elastically deformable lens body comprising two transparent webs intersecting an optical axis and meeting in an elastically expandable periphery surrounding said optical axis, said webs and said periphery defining a cavity, said cavity being filled with a transparent fluid or deformable solid medium, and expanding means for expanding said periphery in a plane generally perpendicular to said optical axis, wherein said expanding means applies radially outward directed forces immediately to said periphery of said lens symmetrically in each meridian of said lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The variable focus lens of claim 1 wherein said webs are comprised of a synthetic polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The variable focus lens of claim 2 wherein said synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and silicone resins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The variable focus lens of claim 1 wherein said cavity is filled with a gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The variable focus lens of claim 4 wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of air, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and sulfur hexafluoride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The variable focus lens of claim 1 wherein said cavity is filled with a liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The variable focus lens of claim 6 wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions of water-soluble inorganic and organic solids, organic liquids, mixtures of water and water-miscible organic liquids and silicone oils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The variable focus lens of claim 7 wherein said aqueous solution is selected from the group consisting of solutions of water-soluble inorganic salts having halogen anions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The variable focus lens of claim 7 wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, halogen substituted hydrocarbons, glycols and polyethylene glycols.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The variable focus lens of claim 7 wherein said mixture of water and a water-miscible organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of water with glycols or polyethylene glycols.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The variable focus lens of claim 7 wherein said liquid is a silicone oil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The variable focus lens of claim 1 wherein said expanding means comprises tension means coupled to said periphery for exerting tension on said periphery in a radially outward direction from said optical axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises screws oriented radially outward from said optical axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises solenoids oriented radially outward from said optical axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises hydraulic cylinders oriented radially outward from said optical axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises pneumatic cylinders oriented radially outward from said optical axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises at least one cam and cam follower.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The variable focus lens of claim 12 wherein said tension means for exerting tension on said periphery in a radially outward direction comprises means for exerting tension in a direction other than radially outward operatively coupled to means for redirecting said tension to act radially outward on said periphery.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The variable focus lens of claim 18 wherein said means for exerting tension in a direction other than radially outward is selected from the group consisting of screws, solenoids, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, and cams and followers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The variable focus lens of claim 18 wherein said means for redirecting said tension to act radially outward on said periphery is selected from the group consisting of tendons working over pulleys, cranks, and a peripheral flange integral with said lens and an anvil.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The variable focus lens of claim 1 wherein said expanding means comprises an expandable ring coupled to said periphery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said ring is bonded to said periphery.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said ring is embedded in said lens body adjacent to said periphery.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said ring is a thermally expandable metal ring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The variable focus lens of claim 24 additionally comprising an electric heating element positioned in thermally conductive association with said thermally expandable metal ring.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said expandable ring comprises at least one bimetallic strip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The variable focus lens of claim 26 additionally comprising an electric heating element positioned in thermally conductive association with said bimetallic strip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said expandable ring is comprised of a shape memory alloy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The variable focus lens of claim 28 additionally comprising an electric heating element positioned in thermally conductive association with said expandable ring comprised of a shape memory alloy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said expandable ring is discontinuous and is provided with electrodes for passing an electric current therethrough.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The variable focus lens of claim 30 wherein said expandable ring is in the shape of a coil.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said expandable ring is comprised of a piezoelectric material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable focus lens of claim 21 wherein said expandable ring is comprised of a magnetostrictive material.
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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) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |