Through-the-lens (TTL) loupes with improved declination angle

• US 9,465,235 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Scientific Corporation (VISTA Information Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Scientific Corporation (VISTA Information Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Byung J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Thomas K
• Assistant Examiner(s): OESTREICH, MITCHELL T
• Application Number:
  US14/554,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20150146290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 359/481, 359/480, 351/158
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/00 Eyepieces; Magnifying glasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/088 Lens systems mounted to spectacles

Abstract

Dental/medical/surgical loupes have an improved declination angle to reduce neck and back strain. Eyeglass frames are provided with carrier lenses having bottom edges. A hole is provided in each carrier lens, each hole having an outer periphery that extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens, resulting in a pair of opposing pointed ends. A pair of ocular devices are cemented in a respective one of the holes, such that a portion of the ocular body also extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens. Each ocular is then cemented or otherwise permanently affixed into position to achieve a desired declination angle. For added stability, a pair of holes may be formed into the body of each ocular, each pair of holes being physically aligned with the two opposing pointed ends of the carrier lens associated with that ocular.

Claims

1. Loupes with an improved declination angle, comprising:

eyeglass frames with carrier lenses, each carrier lens having a lower edge;

a hole formed in each carrier lens, each hole defining an outer edge that intersects with the lower edge of its respective carrier lenses, such that each carrier lens has a gap devoid of lens material between opposing spaced apart points of lens material oriented toward one another;

a pair of loupes, each having a body cemented in a respective one of the holes, such that a portion of each loupe also extends below the bottom edge of its respective carrier lens; and

wherein each loupe is cemented in position to achieve a desired declination angle.

2. The loupes of claim 1, further including a pair of holes formed into the body of each loupe, each pair of holes being physically aligned with the two opposing pointed ends of the carrier lens associated with that loupe, such that the cement also enters into each pair of holes to provide additional structural stability.

3. The loupes of claim 1, wherein:

the loupes are frusto-conical; and

the hole formed in each carrier lens is circular, semi-circular or oval shaped.