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US3947188A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Variable conjugate optical system

Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1974-11-11
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-11-11
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Abstract

Abstract An optical system for projecting an image of an object, operating between fixed object and image planes. Both the object conjugate and the image conjugate are variable to vary the magnification in the system. This is accomplished without moving the optical axis by means of a first roof mirror on the object side of the lens and a second roof mirror on the image side of the lens. These mirrors each fold the optical axis by 90° and are movable along a locus at 45° to the optical axis to change the object and image distances.

Inventors

  • 👤 George R. Simpson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 23:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/041; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/24; G02B17/00; G02B17/02; G02B17/023; G02B27/00; G02B27/18; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/522; G03B27/525; G03B27/528

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 91 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, and a double reflector to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis, whereby said optical axis is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 91 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, and a double reflector to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis, whereby said optical axis is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A variable magnification optical system as defined in claim 1 in which said projection lens is movable along said optical axis to accommodate change in magnification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 187 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, an object double reflector on the object side of said lens to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said object double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis between said object plane and said lens is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement, and an image double reflector on the image side of said lens to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said image double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis between said lens and said image plane is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement, whereby object and image distances relative to said lens are varied to suit the requirements of different image magnifications.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 187 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, an object double reflector on the object side of said lens to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said object double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis between said object plane and said lens is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement, and an image double reflector on the image side of said lens to deflect said optical axis by 90°, said image double reflector being movable as a unit along a path which bisects said 90° deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis between said lens and said image plane is varied in length and held from lateral and angular displacement, whereby object and image distances relative to said lens are varied to suit the requirements of different image magnifications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
A variable magnification system as defined in claim 3 in which said lens is movable in addition to said double reflectors to suit the requirements of different image magnifications.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 110 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, and a double reflector unit to deflect said optical axis and including two planar reflective surfaces disposed relative to each other at an angle therebetween, said double reflector unit, including said two reflective surfaces, being integrally movable on a path bisecting the angle of deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis is varied in length and concurrently held from lateral and angular displacement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 110 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis and including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, and a double reflector unit to deflect said optical axis and including two planar reflective surfaces disposed relative to each other at an angle therebetween, said double reflector unit, including said two reflective surfaces, being integrally movable on a path bisecting the angle of deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis is varied in length and concurrently held from lateral and angular displacement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 21 words
The variable magnification optical system of claim 5, wherein said angle is 45° and said optical axis is deflected by 90°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The variable magnification optical system of claim 5 wherein said acute angle is 45° and said optical axis is deflected by 90°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 125 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, said projection lens being movable along said optical axis to accommodate a change in magnification, and a double reflector unit to deflect said optical axis and including two planar reflective surfaces disposed relative to each other at an acute angle therebetween, said double reflector unit, including said two reflective surfaces, being integrally movable on a path bisecting the angle of deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis is varied in length and concurrently held from lateral and angular displacement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 125 words
A variable magnification optical system for projecting an image along an optical axis including the following disposed along said optical axis: a fixed object plane, a fixed image plane, a projection lens to project an image from said object plane to said image plane, said projection lens being movable along said optical axis to accommodate a change in magnification, and a double reflector unit to deflect said optical axis and including two planar reflective surfaces disposed relative to each other at an acute angle therebetween, said double reflector unit, including said two reflective surfaces, being integrally movable on a path bisecting the angle of deflection of said optical axis whereby said optical axis is varied in length and concurrently held from lateral and angular displacement.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3489494A Cited
US3604795A Cited
US3792926A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-03-30 1979-09-29 1980-03-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-03-30 1983-09-29 1984-03-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-03-30 1987-09-29 1988-03-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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