Binocular body for microscope permitting variation of interpupilary distance without compensating lenses

Claim 2

In a microscope binocular assembly having a pair of members pivotable about a common axis and each carrying an eyepiece holder to provide accommodation for interpupilary distance, one eyepiece holder being mounted to rotate about its axis, the improvement comprising a rigid link fixed to said one eyepiece holder and slidably engaging the other eyepiece holder so that said one eyepiece holder will rotate during movement to accommodate interpupilary distance and maintain orientation of a reticle in an eyepiece held therein.

Claim 3

A binocular eyepiece assembly adapted to provide interpupilary adjustment for a microscope comprising, a frame including a first elongated eyepiece carrier having a pivot member fixed to one end thereof, said pivot member having a pivot axis extending transverse to the length of said first eyepiece carrier, a first eyepiece holder rotatably mounted on the other end of said first eyepiece holder and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said pivot axis, a second elongated eyepiece carrier pivotably mounted at one end to said pivot member to permit arcuate movement thereof, a second eyepiece holder mounted on the other end of said second eyepiece carrier, an internally threaded member connected to said other end of each eyepiece carrier, said threaded members being threaded in opposite directions, a manually rotatable shaft having externally threaded portions engaging said internally threaded members to vary the distance between said first and second eyepiece holders, first and second eyepieces carried by said first and second eyepiece holders respectively, a link rigidly mounted on the first eyepiece holder and extending toward said second eyepiece holder, said link slidably engaging said second eyepiece holder to prevent rotation of said first eyepiece holder relative to said second eyepiece holder so that a reticle in the first eyepiece has a consistent orientation to an image therein in any position of adjustment for interpupilary distance.

Claim 4

A binocular eyepiece assembly adapted to provide interpupilary adjustment for a microscope comprising, a frame including a first elongated eyepiece carrier having a pivot member fixed to one end thereof, said pivot member having a pivot axis extending transverse to the length of said first eyepiece carrier, a first eyepiece holder rotatably mounted on the other end of said first eyepiece holder and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said pivot axis, a second elongated eyepiece carrier pivotably mounted at one end to said pivot member to permit arcuate movement thereof, a second eyepiece holder mounted on the other end of said second eyepiece carrier, an internally threaded member connected to said other end of each eyepiece carrier, said threaded members being threaded in opposite directions, a manually rotatable shaft having externally threaded portions engaging said internally threaded members to vary the distance between said first and second eyepiece holders, first and second eyepieces carried by said first and second eyepiece holders respectively, a link rigidly mounted on the first eyepiece holder and extending toward said second eyepiece holder, said link slidably engaging said second eyepiece holder to prevent rotation of said first eyepiece holder relative to said second eyepiece holder so that a reticle in the first eyepiece has a consistent orientation to an image therein in any position of adjustment for interpupilary distance.

Claim 5

The binocular eyepiece assembly of claim 2 wherein said link has a pair of parallel fingers extending on opposite sides of said second eyepiece holder.

Claim 6

The binocular assembly of claim 2 wherein said frame further includes a first complimentary member, said first complimentary member being rigidly spaced from said first eyepiece carrier, one end of said first complimentary member being fixed to said pivot, and a second complimentary member being rigidly spaced from second eyepiece carrier and pivotably mounted at one end to said pivot member.

Claim 7

The binocular assembly of claim 4 further including a beam splitter and beam deflector mounted on one complimentary member and a pair of beam deflectors mounted on the other complimentary member so that light directed along an optical axis toward said beam splitter is presented to both eyepieces.