Mount for an Optical Structure and Method of Mounting an Optical Structure Using Such Mount

• US 20070295155A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PLX Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PLX Incorporated
• Inventors: Bleier, Zvi
• Granted Patent: US 8,092,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/594.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1805 for prisms G02B7/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2164 Cranks and pedals

Abstract

An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening. Tightening of the tightening mechanism into the third opening causes the ends of the head portions to draw toward each other so that the first opening of the upper element tightens around the at least a portion of the protruding member.

Claims

1. A mount for an optical structure, comprising:

a protruding member extending from a surface of said optical structure;

a base element having a mounting structure for mounting said mount to another structure;

an upper element extending from said base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of said protruding member, said first opening defining first and second arms, each of said arms comprising a head portion and each of said head portions ending at an end;

a second opening in said upper element extending through one of said head portions and said end of said one of said head portions in a direction toward said other head portion;

a third opening in said upper element through said end of said other head portion which third opening is substantially opposite said second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through said second opening can be received into said third opening;

wherein tightening of said tightening mechanism into said third opening causes said ends of said head portions of said first and second arms of said upper element to draw toward each other so that said first opening of said upper element tightens around said at least a portion of said protruding member.

2. A mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said ends of said head portions do not touch each other thereby defining a gap therebetween.

3. A mount as recited in claim 1, said protruding member having a substantially circular shape.

4. A mount as recited in claim 1, said protruding member being of any geometric shape.

5. A mount as recited in claim 1, said third opening being threaded for receipt therein of a correspondingly threaded end of said tightening mechanism.

6. A mount as recited in claim 5, at least a portion of said second opening being threaded.

7. A mount as recited in claim 1, said upper element and said base element being integrally formed.

8. A mount as recited in claim 7, said integrally formed upper and base elements of said mount being of a metal alloy having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

9. A mount as recited in claim 8, said metal alloy being aluminum.

10. A mount as recited in claim 8, said metal alloy being INVAR.

11. A mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical structure is taken from the group consisting of:

hollow retroreflectors, solid retroreflectors, mirror panels and roof mirrors.

12. A mount as recited in claim 11, said optical structure comprising at least one mirror panel having a reflective surface and a back surface, said back surface extending in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of said reflective surface.

13. A mount as recited in claim 12, said protruding member integrally formed with said back surface of said at least one mirror panel.

14. A mount as recited in claim 12, said protruding member bonded to said back surface of said at least one mirror panel.

15. A mount as recited in claim 14, wherein said bonding of said protruding member to said back surface is fusing.

16. A mount as recited in claim 14, wherein said bonding of said protruding member to said back surface is adhering.

17. A mount as recited in claim 12, said protruding member and said optical structure made of fused quartz or annealed Pyrex.

18. A mount as recited in claim 1, said mounting structure comprising a threaded member extending from said another structure for cooperative screwed attachment within a threaded opening in said base element.

19. A mount as recited in claim 1, said mounting structure comprising a threaded member extending from said base element for cooperative screwed attachment within a threaded opening in said another structure.

20. A method of mounting an optical structure, comprising the steps of:

forming an optical structure comprising at least one mirror panel, said at least one mirror panel having at least one reflective surface and at least one back surface substantially opposite said reflective surface, wherein said back surface has a protruding member extending therefrom, said protruding member being part of a mount for mounting said optical structure;

forming an upper element of said mount comprising a first opening extending therethrough, such first opening forming two arms in said upper element, each of said two arms having a head portion and ending at an end thereof,

sliding said first opening of said mount over at least a portion of said protruding member;

tightening said first opening of said upper element of said mount around said at least said portion of said protruding member by inserting a tightening mechanism into a second opening located through one of said head portions of said upper element and by further inserting and tightening said tightening mechanism into a third opening in said other head portion of said upper element so that said tightening mechanism draws said two ends of said head portions toward each other.

21. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of integrally forming said protruding member with said at least one mirror panel.

22. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of bonding said protruding member to said back surface of said at least one mirror panel.

23. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 22, said bonding comprising fusing.

24. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 22, said bonding comprising adhering.

25. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of forming a base element of said mount with said upper element of said mount.

26. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 25, said base element being formed integrally with said upper element.

27. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 25, further comprising the step of forming supporting means for said base element of said mount for securing said optical structure to a support structure.

28. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 27, wherein said supporting means comprising a threaded member extending from said support structure for cooperative screwed attachment within a threaded opening in said base element.

29. A method of mounting an optical structure as recited in claim 27, wherein said supporting means comprising a threaded member extending from said base element for cooperative screwed attachment within a threaded opening in said support structure.