Lens cap retention arrangement

• US 20050105187A1
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Flora, Lapthe Chau
• Granted Patent: US 6,971,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/611
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/16 Housings; Caps; Mountings; Supports, e.g. with counterweight

Abstract

Vision enhancing apparatus includes a lens and tethered lens cap which protects the lens when the apparatus is not in use. The apparatus also includes a protrusion having a shape complementary to the lens cap for retaining the latter when the apparatus is in use.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A nigh vision assembly comprising:

an image intensifier device including a housing and a lens assembly operatively arranged therewith for receiving low intensity light;

a mounting adapter secured to said housing, said adapter being adapted to be secured to an accessory;

a lens cap configured to be removably retained on said lens assembly to protect a lens operatively associated with said lens assembly when said device is not in use;

a fastener on one of said device or said adapter, said fastener having an enlarged head with a shape complementary to said lens cap so that said lens cap can be removed from said lens assembly and retained on said head with an interference fit when said assembly is in use.

8. A night vision assembly according to claim 7 wherein said fastener secures said adapter to said device.

9. A night vision assembly according to claim 8 wherein said lens cap and said head have cross-sectional circular configurations with slightly different diameters to provide the interference fit.

10. A night vision assembly according to claim 8 wherein said fastener is a threaded screw.

11. A night vision assembly according to claim 7 wherein said lens assembly has a cylindrical portion extending from said housing and wherein said cylindrical portion and said head have the same configuration and diameter for retaining said lens cap.

12. A night vision assembly according to claim 7 wherein said lens cap is tethered to said device.

13. A night vision monocular comprising:

an image intensifier housing having a cylindrical portion extending beyond said housing and having a first cross-sectional diameter, an objective lens carried in said cylindrical portion for receiving low intensity light, said housing also carrying an eyepiece for viewing a visible image;

a lens cap tethered to said housing and having a circular cross-section having a diameter slightly different from said first diameter so that said lens cap can be removably retained on said cylindrical portion of said housing with an interference fit to cover and protect said objective lens when said monocular is not in use;

a mounting adapter secured to said housing by a fastener, said adapter also including a bracket operative to secure said adapter to an accessory;

said fastener having an enlarged head with a circular cross-section having a diameter substantially equal to said first diameter whereby said lens cap can be removably retained on said enlarged head with an interference fit when said monocular is in use.

14. (canceled)

15. A night vision assembly comprising:

an image intensifier device including a housing with a lens assembly having a generally cylindrical portion extending therefrom, said lens assembly arranged for receiving low intensity light;

a lens cap configured to be removably retained on said generally cylindrical portion with an interference fit to protect a lens operatively associated with said lens assembly when said device is not in use;

a fastener operatively associated with said device, said fastener including an enlarged head having substantially the same cross-sectional shape and dimension as said generally cylindrical portion so that said lens cap can be removed from said generally cylindrical portion and retained on said head with an interference fit when said device is in use.

18. A night vision assembly according to claim 15 wherein said fastener is a threaded screw.

19. A night vision assembly according to claim 15 wherein said lens cap is tethered to said assembly.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)