Interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in binocular telescope

• US 5,734,499 A
• Filed: 08/03/1995
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Tomikawa, Fumio, Matsumoto, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THONG Q
• Application Number:
  US08/510,918
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 359/399, 359/407, 359/409, 359/411-418, 359/480-482
• US Class Current: 359/417
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/12 Adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs

Abstract

An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope, having a pair of lens-barrels which contain lens optical systems, respectively, and are placed in parallel with each other. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism further has first and second guide shafts, which slidably guide the pair of lens-barrels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the optical axes of the lens optical systems, interpupillary distance adjusting springs for pushing the pair of lens-barrels in a sliding direction, and an interpupillary distance adjusting cam which can adjust an interpupillary distance by sliding the pair of lens-barrels along the guide shafts as the result of undergoing a pushing force from the interpupillary distance adjusting spring, of converting a part of the pushing force in a direction which intersects the sliding direction, and of moving the pair of lens-barrels by pushing the pair of lens-barrels against the first guide.

Claims

1. An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope having a pair of lens-barrels having their optical axes disposed in parallel with each other, comprising:

guide shaft means for guiding the pair of lens-barrels to slide along a path transverse to said optical axes selective to move the pair of lens-barrels or apart closer together;

pushing means for exerting pushing forces on the pair of lens-barrels from directions of axes of the guide shaft means; and

interpupillary distance adjusting means for converting a part of the pushing force acting on the pair of lens-barrels into a force component acting in a direction in which each of the pair of lens-barrels is pushed against the guide shaft means, while moving each of the pair of lens-barrels in directions, in which the pair of lens-barrels move away from or nearer to each other, by simultaneously pushing each of the pair of lens-barrels against the guide shaft means.

2. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, which comprises at least two guide shaft means parallel to each other, wherein the pushing means is provided in one of the guide shaft means.

3. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of lens-barrels has a fitting portion fitted into the guide shaft means.

4. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the lens-barrels has a projection portion provided on a peripheral surface thereof, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting means converts a part of the pushing force undergone through the projection portion into the force acting in the direction in which each of the pair of lens-barrels is pushed against the guide shaft means.

5. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the pushing forces of the pushing means are set in such a manner that acting directions, in which the pushing forces of the pushing means act, respectively, are opposite to one another and that the pushing forces of the pushing means have strengths, which are nearly equal to one another, respectively.

6. An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope having a pair of lens-barrels disposed in parallel with each other, comprising:

guide shaft means for guiding the pair of lens-barrels to slide in directions in which the pair of lens-barrels move away from or nearer to each other;

pushing means provided on an axis of the guide shaft means for exerting pushing forces urging said pair of lens barrels toward one another; and

interpupillary distance adjusting means for converting a part of the pushing forces acting on the pair of lens-barrels into a force component acting in a direction in which each of the pair of lens-barrels is pushed against the guide shaft means, while moving each of the pair of lens-barrels in a direction, in which the pair of lens-barrels move away from or nearer to each other, by simultaneously pushing each of the pair of lens-barrels against the guide shaft means.

7. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 6, wherein each of the pair of lens-barrels has a projection portion, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting means is rotatably mounted on a body of the binocular telescope, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting means has a pair of cams, each of which comes in contact with the projection portion of each of the pair of lens-barrels, wherein the pair of cams slidably contact the projection portions and convert a part of the pushing force undergone through the projection portion into a force in a direction in which each of the pair of lens-barrels is pushed against the guide shaft means.

8. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the pushing means are provided in such a manner that acting directions, in which the pushing force components of the pushing means act, respectively, are opposite to one another and that the pushing force components of the pushing means have strengths, which are nearly equal to one another, respectively.

9. A binocular telescope comprising:

a first lens-barrel containing a first optical system;

a second lens-barrel containing a second optical system disposed in such a manner that an optical axis of the second optical system is parallel to an optical axis of the first optical system;

supporting means, aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axes of the first and second optical systems, for guiding the first and second lens-barrels in such a manner as to be able to slide in directions in which the first and second lens-barrels move away from or nearer to each other;

a first pushing means provided in the supporting means, normally urging the first lens-barrel toward the second lens-barrel;

a second pushing means, provided in the supporting means, for normally urging the second lens-barrel toward the first lens-barrel; and

an interpupillary distance adjusting member rotatably mounted on the body of the binocular telescope, the interpupillary distance adjusting member having a pair of cam means, each of which undergo pushing forces exerted from the first and second pushing means through the first and second lens-barrels, respectively, the interpupillary distance adjusting member converting a part of the pushing forces into force components which push the first and second lens-barrels against the supporting means, while the lens-barrels are moved, by the adjustment member, in directions, in which the lens-barrels move away from or nearer to each other, by being pushed against the supporting means.

10. A binocular telescope according to claim 9, wherein said first and second lens barrels contain optical means movable along their respective optical axes;

distance adjusting means for simultaneously moving said movable optical means in said first and second lens barrels to adjust for distance; and

said distance adjustment means including coupling means coupled to said movable optical means to permit movement of the first and second lens barrels by said interpupillary distance adjusting member independently of said movement of said first and second movable optical means by said distance adjustment means.

11. A binocular telescope according to claim 10 wherein said coupling means comprises coupling members each having an elongated slot aligned parallel to said supporting means and a pair of pins each slidably arranged in one of said slots;

said pins each being joined to one of said axially movable optical means and said distance adjustment means and said coupling members being coupled to another whereby movement of the first and second lens barrels in a direction perpendicular to said optical axes independent of the distance adjustment means is obtained due to sliding of each pin within its associated elongated slot, said pins moving said movable optical means when said coupling means are moved by said distance adjusting means independent of movement of the lens barrels in the direction perpendicular to said optical axes.

12. A binocular telescope comprising:

a pair of lens-barrels disposed in parallel with each other, which contain lens optical systems, respectively;

a guide member for guiding the pair of lens-barrels to slide along a path substantially perpendicular to optical axes of the lens optical systems;

a pushing member for normally urging the pair of lens-barrels toward one another;

an adjusting member slidably engaging the lens barrels for adjusting a separation distance between the pair of lens-barrels by moving the pair of lens-barrels apart against a force exerted by the pushing means, said adjusting member converting a part of the pushing force into a force component acting in a direction transverse to the sliding direction to aid in maintaining parallel alignment of the lens barrels, said force component maintaining the pair of lens-barrels in sliding contact with the guide member.

14. The binocular telescope according to claim 12, wherein the adjusting member is a rotatable cam, wherein a center of rotation of the rotatable cam is located in a vicinity of the guide member.

15. The binocular telescope according to claim 12 or 14, wherein the pushing member is disposed in a vicinity of the adjusting member.

16. The binocular telescope according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pushing member is an elastic body.

17. The binocular telescope according to claim 16, wherein the elastic body is a coiled spring.

18. The binocular telescope according to claim 16, wherein the elastic body is a plate spring.

19. The binocular telescope according to claim 18, wherein the plate spring is made of a metal.

20. The binocular telescope according to claim 18, wherein the plate spring is made of a resin.

21. The binocular telescope according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the lens-barrels are made of a metal.

22. The binocular telescope according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the lens-barrels are made of a resin.

13. A binocular telescope comprising:

first and second lens-barrels disposed in parallel with each other, which contain lens optical systems, respectively;

a guide member for guiding the first lens barrel to slide in a direction which intersects substantially perpendicularly to directions of optical axes of the lens optical systems;

a pushing member for pushing the first lens barrel in the sliding direction toward the second lens barrel;

an adjusting member slidably engaging the first and second lens barrels for adjusting a distance between the first and second lens barrels by urging the first lens barrel along the guide member against a pushing force exerted by the pushing means through the first lens barrel, said adjusting member converting the pushing force into a force component acting in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the first lens barrel, whereby first lens barrel is pushed against the guide member by said force component as the first lens barrel is moved.

23. A binocular telescope comprising:

a pair of lens-barrels, through which an object is observed, the pair of lens-barrels respectively having optical axes parallel to each other;

a guide shaft aligned perpendicular to the two optical axes, the pair of lens-barrels being guided along the guide shaft;

a pushing member, provided on the guide shaft, exerting a force for pushing the pair of lens-barrels in directions in which the pair of lens-barrel move nearer to each other; and

an interpupillary distance adjusting member engaging said lens barrels for adjusting a distance at which the pair of lens-barrels are spaced apart from each other against the force of the pushing member acting on said lens barrels.

24. The binocular telescope according to claim 23, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting member is a cam means.

25. The binocular telescope according to claim 23, which further comprises a pushing support member, wherein the pushing support member supports an end of the pushing member, wherein another end of the pushing member engages the pair of lens-barrels.

26. The binocular telescope according to claim 23, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting member is provided in a vicinity of the guide shaft.

27. A binocular telescope comprising:

a pair of observation optical systems, through which an object is observed, the pair of observation optical systems respectively having optical axes parallel to each other;

guide means aligned perpendicular to the two optical axes, the pair of observation optical systems being guided along the guide means;

pushing means, provided on the guide means, provide forces for pushing the pair of observation optical systems in directions in which the pair of observation optical systems move nearer to each other; and

interpupillary distance adjusting means engaging the observation optical systems for adjusting a distance at which the pair of observation optical systems are spaced apart from each other against the forces of the pushing means acting on the optical systems.

28. The binocular telescope according to claim 27, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting means is constituted by cam means.

29. The binocular telescope according to claim 27, wherein the pushing means further comprises a spring member and a pushing support member, wherein the pushing support member supports an end of the spring member, wherein another end of the spring member pushes against the pair of observation optical systems.

30. The binocular telescope according to claim 27, wherein the interpupillary distance adjusting means is provided in a vicinity of the guide means.

31. A binocular telescope comprising:

a pair of lens barrels respectively containing a pair of observation optical systems, the pair of observation optical systems respectively having a pair of optical axes parallel to each other;

guide means for guiding the pair of lens barrels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pair of optical axes;

pushing means exerting forces for pushing the pair of lens barrels toward one another along the guide means; and

adjusting means engaging the lens barrels for adjusting a distance between the pair of optical axes, the adjusting means converting a pushing force of the pushing means into a force component exerted in a predetermined direction intersecting the guiding direction and pushing the pair of lens barrels against the guide means in a plane parallel to a plane containing the pair of optical axes.

32. The binocular telescope according to claim 31, wherein the distance adjusting means comprises cam means.

33. The binocular telescope according to claim 32, wherein the pushing force of the pushing means is converted by the cam means into a first force containing a component which is directed in a first direction along the optical axes, wherein the first force obtained as a result of converting the pushing force is applied to one of the lens-barrels, and wherein the pushing force of the pushing means is converted by the cam means into a second force containing the component force which is directed in a second direction along the optical axes and opposite said first direction, and wherein the second force obtained as a result of converting the pushing force is applied to another of the lens-barrels.

34. The binocular telescope according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the cam means is disposed at a position midway between the pair of lens-barrels, wherein the pushing means pushes the pair of lens-barrels in directions in which the pair of lens-barrels come nearer to each other.

35. The binocular telescope according to claim 31, wherein the pushing means is placed in a vicinity of the guide means.

36. The binocular telescope according to claim 31, wherein the guide means is a guide shaft, wherein the pushing means is a coiled spring, wherein the coiled spring is placed concentrically with the guide shaft.

37. A binocular telescope comprising:

a pair of observation optical systems, through which an object is observed, the pair of observation optical systems respectively having optical axes parallel to each other;

guide means containing a single guide shaft, the optical axes of the pair of observation optical systems being maintained in parallel with each other by the single guide shaft, the pair of observation lens systems being guided along the guide means;

interpupillary distance adjusting means for adjusting relative positions of the pair of observation optical systems;

driven means provided on said pair of observation optical systems at positions near said guide shaft, the driven means engaging the adjusting means and being moved by the interpupillary distance adjusting means;

pushing means, provided along the guide shaft, for holding the relative positions of the pair of the observation optical systems and for maintaining the interpupillary distance adjusting means in abutting engagement with the driven means, whereby the interpupillary distance adjusting means adjusts a relative distance between the pair of observation optical systems against a force exerted by the pushing means upon the observation optical systems.

38. An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope, comprising:

a pair of lens-barrels, through which an object is observed, the pair of lens-barrels respectively having a pair of optical axes parallel to each other;

guide means for guiding the pair of lens-barrels in a direction perpendicular to the pair of optical axes;

pushing means, disposed in a vicinity of the guide means, exerting a force for pushing the pair of lens-barrels along the guide means in directions in which the pair of lens-barrels are made to move nearer to each other; and

cam means engaging the lens barrels for adjusting an interpupillary distance by spacing the pair of lens-barrels apart from each other against the pushing force of the pushing means, wherein a change in the deformation of the pair of lens-barrels due to a variation in pushing force of the pushing means, which is caused by adjusting the interpupillary distance by means of the cam means, is substantially negligible.