Wide angle binocular system with variable power capability

• US 5,499,140 A
• Filed: 11/09/1994
• Issued: 03/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ellis Betensky
• Original Assignee: BenOpcon, Inc.
• Inventors: Betensky, Ellis I.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN
• Application Number:
  US08/336,413
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 359/656, 359/661, 359/684, 359/795, 359/894, 359/407, 359/432
• US Class Current: 359/656
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/14 by axial movement of one or more lenses or groups of lenses relative to the image plane for continuously varying the equivalent focal length of the objective
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices

Abstract

Binoculars designed to provide a large aided static field of view are provided. The binoculars are characterized by S/D ratios of above 2.8, where S is the binoculars'"'"' aided static field of view calculated by multiplying the binoculars'"'"' magnifying power by the binoculars'"'"' semi field of view in object space and D is given by tan^-1 [(R_ex +1.5)/13], where R_ex is the radius of the binoculars'"'"' exit pupil and where R_ex and the constants 1.5 and 13 are measured in millimeters. As a result of the increased S/D ratio, the binoculars of the invention minimize the sensation of tunnel vision which normally occurs when binoculars are used and reduce the user'"'"'s apprehension of missing activities in his or her peripheral vision. In certain embodiments, a movable field lens unit is employed to provide variable power and a negative corrector lens unit is employed for aberration correction and to minimize the size of the binoculars. The binoculars are suitable for mass production and general consumer use.

Claims

1. An objective for use in a viewing system of the monocular or binocular type which forms an image of an object, said objective forming an intermediate image of the object and comprising in order from the object end of the viewing system:

(a) a positive lens unit,

(b) reverting and inverting means for causing the intermediate image when formed to be reverted and inverted, and

(c) a fixed negative lens unit before the intermediate image.

2. The objective of claim 1 wherein (i) the positive lens unit has a focal length;

(ii) the positive lens unit and the negative lens unit have a combined focal length; and

(iii) the ratio of the focal length of the positive lens unit to the combined focal length of the positive lens unit and the negative lens unit is less than about 0.75.