Range finding fiberscope

• US 4,191,468 A
• Filed: 06/21/1978
• Issued: 03/04/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner Lambert Technologies Inc (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: American Optical Corporation
• Inventors: Scully, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rosenberger, R. A.
• Application Number:
  US05/917,612
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 356/1, 356/3, 356/9, 356/17, 356/18
• US Class Current: 356/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 3/12 with monocular observation at a single point, e.g. coincidence type G01C3/20 takes precedence

Abstract

A range finding fiberscope for measuring the distance of a point in space from a reference plane. The device is adaptable to use in confined spaces and has a variety of applications including industrial, medical and photographic.

Claims

1. A range finding instrument comprising:

a pair of image-conducting bundles of optical fibers each having a distal image-receiving face and a proximal image-emitting face, said proximal faces being juxtapositioned and said distal faces being fixedly spaced a predetermined distance apart in a first plane with axes thereof extending substantially parallel to one another;

light deflecting means in aligned spaced relationship with a first of said distal faces, said deflecting means intersecting the axis of said first face, the point of said intersection being in a second plane parallel to said first plane, said second plane establishing a reference from which range finding measurements may be made;

a first objective lens means axially aligned between said deflecting means and said first distal face for focusing an image of a remote object upon said first face;

second objective lens means axially aligned with the second of said distal faces for focusing an image of said same remote object upon said second face, centering of said image on said second face being accomplished by movement of said instrument;

means for independently angularly adjusting said light deflecting means relative to said first distal face to center said image of said remote object upon said first distal face; and

means for determining extent of angulation of said light deflecting means for determination of range of said object from said second plane.

2. A range finding instrument according to claim 1 including reference means on each of said distal image receiving faces relative to which images formed upon said faces by said respective first and second objectives may be centered.

3. A range finding instrument according to claim 1 wherein said means for angularly adjusting said light deflecting means is operatable remotely of said light deflecting means.

4. A range finding instrument according to claim 3 wherein said means for angularly adjusting said light deflecting means is disposed adjacent said proximal image-emitting faces of said bundles of optical fibers.

5. A range finding instrument according to claim 1 wherein said means for angularly adjusting said light deflecting means includes a dial, said dial affording a reading of mechanical increments of angular adjustment of said light deflecting means.

6. A range finding instrument according to claim 5 wherein said dial of said means for adjusting said light deflecting means is disposed remotely of said light deflecting means adjacent said proximal image-emitting faces of said image-conducting bundles and operatively interconnected with said light deflecting means by cable.

7. A range find instrument according to claim 6 wherein said image-conducting bundles and cable are flexible.

8. A range finding instrument according to claim 1 wherein said image-conducting bundles are combined as a unit adjacent said proximal image-emitting faces.

9. A range finding instrument according to claim 1 wherein said image-conducting bundles are flexible intermediately of said image receving and emitting faces thereof.

10. A range find instrument according to claim 7 wherein said image-conducing bundles are contained within a flexible sheath.