ADJUSTABLE MIRROR MOUNT

• US 3,814,365 A
• Filed: 07/03/1972
• Issued: 06/04/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald Reeve Mackenzie
• Original Assignee: Donald Reeve Mackenzie
• Inventors: Mackenzie, Donald Reeve
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US05/268,724
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 248/278,284,279,280,274,276,183 350/288,81,321 308/2A
• US Class Current: 248/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1825 made by screws, e.g. for laser mirrors

Abstract

An adjustable mount for rotatably orienting a structure, such as an optical element, about two orthogonal axes comprises first and second orthogonal cross spring pivots and respectively associated first and second coarse-fine adjustment mechanisms. Each cross spring pivot includes a first member and a second member which is rotatable relative to the first member, these two members being connected by first and second interleaved flat leaf springs which intersect along the respective axis of rotation. Application of a torque to the second member, which has the optical element mounted thereon, causes rotation thereof relative to the first member about the axis of rotation. Utilizing at least five interleaved spring portions provides substantially improved mechanical stability.

Claims

1. A mount for rotatably orienting a structure about first and second predetermined axes, said mount comprising:

a first member including first and second flat surfaces intersecting at a first predetermined angle of substantially 90*;

a second member including third and fourth flat surfaces also intersecting at said first predetermined angle;

first and second flat springs each including a body portion and a plurality of outwardly extending portions for connecting the first and second surfaces of said first member to the third and fourth surfaces of said second member, said springs being interleaved to form the letter X, the center of said X defining said first predetermined axis, and the total cross-sectional areas of the outwardly extending portions on said first and second springs being equal;

a third member including fifth and sixth flat surfaces intersecting at a second predtermined angle of substantially 90*;

a fourth member including seventh and eighth flat surfaces also intersecting at said second predetermined angle, said structure being attached to said fourth member;

third and fourth flat springs each including a body portion and a plurality of outwardly extending portions for connecting the fifth and sixth surfaces of said third member to the seventh and eighth surfaces of said fourth member, said third and fourth springs being interleaved to form the letter X, the center of said X defining said second predetermined axis, the total cross-sectional areas of the outwardly extending portions on said third and fourth springs being equal, and said third member being attached to said second member such that said second predtermined axis is perpendicular to said first predetermined axis, application of a torque to said second member causing simultaneous rotation of said second, third, and fourth members about said first predetermined axis and application of a torque to said fourth member causing rotation thereof about said second predetermined axis, a first lever arm having one end attached to said second member, the longitudinaL axis of said first arm being perpendicular to said first predetermined axis, first coarse adjustment means for loading said first arm at its second end along a first direction substantially as a cantilever beam, and first fine adjustment means for loading said first arm at its center along the direction opposite to said first direction substantially as a simply supported beam;

a second lever arm having one end attached to said fourth member, the longitudinal axis of said second arm being perpendicular to said second predetermined axis, second coarse adjustment means for loading said second arm at its second end along a second direction substantially as a cantilever beam, and second fine adjustment means for loading said second arm at its center along the direction opposite to said second direction substantially as a simply supported beam.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including means including rotation of said second member about said first axis beyond its initially assembled position for effecting linear alignment of the bisectors of said first and second angles.