Binocular method utilizing monocular devices

• US 6,788,459 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Holmes, Roy H., Bryant, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US10/754,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20040141233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 359/409, 359/410, 359/411, 359/480, 359/481, 359/815, 359/816, 359/900, 351/155, 351/156, 2/62, 2/63, 242/2, 242/3, 245/2
• US Class Current: 359/411
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/18 for binocular arrangements focusing binocular pairs G02B7/06; adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs G02B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A mounting assembly for mounting two monocular devices to form a binocular device. A method of collimating the monocular devices, so that the binocular device is collimated.

Claims

1. A method of collimating first and second monocular devices for use in a binocular device, comprising the steps of:

rotating the eyepieces of both monocular devices by the same predetermined amount in the same direction with respect to a fixed reference point on the monocular device;

providing a mounting means having a right mounting position for a monocular device and a left mounting position for a monocular device opposite the right position;

securing the first monocular device to the mounting means at either the right mounting position or the left mounting position in such rotative orientation that if in the right position an object in the center of field of view of the monocular device is located slightly left in azimuth and centered in elevation, and if in the left position an object in the center of field of view is located slightly right in azimuth and centered in elevation; and

securing the second monocular device in the mounting means in the opposite position from the first monocular device in a rotative orientation 180°

displaced from the rotative orientation of the first monocular device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second monocular devices have offset optical and mechanical axes.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of rotating the eyepieces comprises slightly offsetting an image in azimuth and centering it in elevation with respect to a fixed orientation of the monocular.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the monocular devices have mounting projection including a flat surface, wherein the step of rotating the eyepieces comprises rotating the eyepieces with the flat surface in a horizontal position facing downwardly, and wherein the image in azimuth is offset to be slightly left of center.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the mounting means is structured so that when identical monocular devices are mounted in the right and left mounting positions respectively, they are constrained to be in rotative orientations which are displaced by 180°

from each other.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the monocular devices have mounting areas and wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of arms having respective mounting blocks for interfacing with respective mounting areas of the monocular devices, and the arms are bent such that the respective mounting blocks face each other to thereby determine relative rotative orientation of the monocular devices.