STAGE WELL

• US 20050002093A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Bonaventura, Russell
• Granted Patent: US 6,989,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/391
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/26 Stages; Adjusting means therefor

Abstract

A new arrangement for the revolving stage of a polarizing microscope is presented. A stage well adapted to be removably fitted into and attached to the center of a revolving stage is provided with a housing, an inner sleeve adapted to fit within the housing and to move vertically within the housing, and a sample platform. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve also moves rotationally. The stage well extends below the upper surface of the revolving stage with sufficient clearance to avoid interference with condenser and/or other components present below the revolving stage. Also presented is a microscope stage assembly comprising a revolving stage and a stage well attached to a center opening in the microscope revolving stage.

Claims

1. A stage well for a microscope comprising:

a housing;

an inner sleeve fitting within said housing such that it rotates within said housing; and

,

a shelf extending transversely within said inner sleeve.

2. The stage well as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a flange.

3. The stage well as recited in claim 2 wherein said flange defines at least one hole adapted to receive a fastener.

4. The stage well as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a groove defined by a wall of said housing; and

,

a handle extending through said groove, wherein said handle is secured to said inner sleeve.

5. The stage well as recited in claim 4 wherein said groove is vertical.

6. The stage well as recited in claim 4 wherein said groove is helical.

7. The stage well as recited in claim 4 wherein said handle is threadably secured to said inner sleeve.

8. The stage well as recited in claim 1 wherein said shelf further comprises a center indicator.

9. A microscope stage assembly comprising:

a revolving stage, said revolving stage having a center opening; and

,

a stage well placed within said center opening, said stage well having;

a housing;

an inner sleeve fitting within said housing such that it rotates within said housing; and

,

a shelf extending transversely within said inner sleeve.

10. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said housing further comprises a flange.

11. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said flange defines at least one hole adapted to receive a fastener.

12. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 9 further comprising:

a groove defined by a wall of said housing; and

,

a handle extending through said groove, wherein said handle is secured to said inner sleeve.

13. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said groove is vertical.

14. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said groove is helical.

15. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said handle is threadably secured to said inner sleeve.

16. The microscope stage assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said shelf further comprises a center indicator.