Endoscope connecting device

• US 4,576,144 A
• Filed: 04/19/1985
• Issued: 03/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Ishii, Fumiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Application Number:
  US06/724,938
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4-8, 362/32, 362/226, 362/804, 352/198, 352/200, 352/203, 354/62, 354/176, 354/132, 339/31 R, 339/31 M, 339/154 A, 339/166 R, 339/170
• US Class Current: 600/132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00121 Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports

Abstract

A connecting device mechanically and electrically connects a first endoscope having a connector including contact pins projecting at the end surface thereof in an insertion direction and a second endoscope having a connector including contact pins projecting at the outer peripheral surface thereof to a socket of a power source. The connecting device includes an adapter at the endoscope side capable of mechanically connecting to the connector of the second endoscope and an adapter at the power source side provided at the socket of said power source, capable of being selected to mechanically and electrically connect to the connector of the first endoscope and the adapter at the endoscope side. The second endoscope is electrically connected to the socket of the power source through the adapters.

Claims

1. A connecting device for selectively connecting a first endoscope and a second endoscope to the same socket of a power source mechanically and electrically, said first endoscope having a connector including contact pins projecting at an end recessed surface thereof in a direction in which the pins can be inserted into the socket and said second endoscope having a connector with a flat end surface and including contact pins projecting at an outer peripheral surface thereof comprising:

a first adapter constructed such that it is capable of mechanically being connected to the connector of said second endoscope; and

a second adapter constructed such that it is capable of being connected to the socket of said power source, said second adapter being also constructed such that it it capable of being selectively connected to said connector of said first endoscope and said connector of said second endoscope with said first adapter thereon mechanically and electrically, said second adapter being formed in a cylindrical shape and comprising a body capable of receiving therein said first adapter and the connector of said second endoscope; and

said second adapter comprises first terminal boards elastically projecting from inner peripheral surfaces thereof and located to be electrically connected to the contact pins of said second endoscope when said second adapter is connected to said second endoscope and second terminal boards elastically projecting from inner peripheral surfaces of said second adapter electrically connected to said first terminal boards; and

said first adapter comprises a cylinder having an outer diameter substantially smaller than the inner diameter of said second adapter, first terminal pins projected from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder to be electrically connected to said second terminal boards of said second adapter when said second adapter is connected to said first adapter and second terminal pins projected from one end surface of the cylinder electrically connected to said first terminal pins of said first adapter to be electrically connected to the socket when said second adapter is connected to said socket and first adapter; and

the body of said second adapter comprises a plurality of guide grooves formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof and extending along an axial direction, the first terminal pins of said first adapter being slidable along the guide grooves in the grooves upon insertion of the first adapter into the second adapter, and the second terminal boards of said second adapter projecting into the guide grooves.

2. The connecting device acccording to claim 1, wherein the body of said second adapter comprises a rear case, a front case connected to said rear case, and an insulating terminal base of cylindrical shape connected to said cases and provided at a predetermined interval from the inner peripheral surfaces of said cases, and said terminal boards being respectively secured to the terminal base so that both ends are inwardly and outwardly projected.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises locking means for locking the mechanical connection of said second adapter and said first adapter.

4. The connecting device according to claim 3, wherein said locking means comprises an engaging pin projected to said first adapter, a member having an engaging hole engaged with said engaging pin when said second adapter is connected to said first adapter, and an operating member capable of releasing the engagement of said engaging pin with said engaging hole by moving said member.

5. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a pressing member projected from said second adapter for holding said second adapter in contact with said power source, said pressing member moving telescopically by rotating same with respect to said second adapter.

6. A connecting device for respectively connecting a first endoscope and a second endoscope to the same socket of a power source mechanically and electrically, said first endoscope having a connector including contact pins projecting at an end recessed surface thereof in a direction in which the pins can be inserted into the socket, and said second endoscope having a connector with a flat end surface and including contact pins projecting at an outer peripheral surface thereof comprising:

a first adapter capable of mechanically being connected to the connector of said second endoscope, a second adapter provided at the socket of said power source capable of being selectively connected to said connector of said first endoscope and said first adapter mechanically and electrically, said second adapter being formed in a cylindrical shape and comprising a body capable of receiving therein said first adapter and the connector of said second endoscope, said first adapter comprising a cylinder having an outer diameter substantially smaller than the inner diameter of said second adapter, first and second terminal boards elastically projecting from inner peripheral surfaces of said second adapter, said first terminal board being electrically connected to a contact pin of said second endoscope and said second terminal board being electrically connected to said first terminal board, a first terminal pin projected from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the first adapter and electrically connected to said second terminal board, a second terminal pin projected from one end surface of the cylinder of the first adapter and electrically connected to said first terminal pin and capable of being electrically connected to the socket, and said body of said second adapter comprising a plurality of guide grooves formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof and extending along an axial direction, the first terminal pin of said first adapter being slidable along a guide groove in the groove upon insertion of the first adapter into the second adapter, and the second terminal board of said second adapter projecting into the guide groove.