GB2062276A

GB2062276A - Miniature Microscope

Info

Publication number: GB2062276A
Application number: GB7934330A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Tang Fun Kee Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tang Fun Kee Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1979-10-03
Filing date: 1979-10-03
Publication date: 1981-05-20

Abstract

A convenient pocket size microscope, the size of a packet of cigarettes, and having an inbuilt light source comprises eyepiece and objective lenses 7, 12; a body 2 having a compartment for accepting a battery 10 to power means 9 for illuminating an object to be viewed; and a lens tube 1 pivotal from a stowed position to a viewing position. The pivotal movement may activated the illuminating means 3 via a switch 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Minature Microscope The invention relates to a minature batterypowered microscope, particularly one which is of such a size and shape that it may be conveniently kept in a pocket but which nevertheless provides good magnification.

It is a disadvantage of conventional microscopes that they are generally bulky and awkward to carry, especially when an integral light source is included.

The present invention seeks to mitigate these problems and provides a minature microscope assembly which comprises eyepiece and objective lenses; a body having a compartment for accepting a battery to power means for illuminating an object to be viewed; and a lens tube pivotal from a stowed position to a viewing position.

Generally, the lens tube comprises the eyepiece lens although it is conceivable that it might also include the objective, either alone or together with the eyepiece.

By arranging the lens tube to pivot from the upright position wherein the lenses are co-linear, it is possible to combine a long distance between eye and objective lens (for good magnification) with a compact size, preferably pocket size. The overall shape of the microscope is preferably flat and rectangular so as to avoid awkward protrusions. A convenient pocket size is substantially the size and shape of a packet of twenty cigarettes, when the lens tube is stowed.

To achieve this, the lens tube preferably folds flush along the top of the microscope body.

Preferably, the viewing plane within which an object may be brought into focus coincides with the bottom of the body, which is preferably flat, so that the microscope may be stood on the object e.g. for examining a sheet of paper, material or other flat object.

Although the object to be viewed is illuminated by the inbuilt illurination means, it is advantageous il a transparent shroud is provided beneath the object lens for allowing the object to be also illumination by ambient light. This shroud may be removable so that objects of irregular shape may be positioned beneath the objective.

For efficient illumination, the illuminating means is preferably a prefocus electric bulb focussed at the viewing plane.

For convenience, a switch may be provided which is arranged to switch off the illuminating means when the lens tube is in the stowed position, so that moving the lens tube to the upright position switches the light on. Focussing is preferably by means of a focussing barrel rotatable to move the objective lens.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a minature microscope prior to unfolding the lens tube; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the microscope ready for use; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of the microscope ready for use.

The microscope comprises a lens tube 1 hinged to a body 2 having a focussing barrel 3 and detachable transparent shroud piece 4.

As shown in Figure 1, the lens tube 1 is folded flush against the body 2 and clipped in place by cooperating lugs 5, 6 on the tube and body, respectively. With the lens tube 1 in the stowed position the microscope has substantially the size and shape of a packet of twenty cigarettes, and is thus conveniently kept in a pocket.

Figure 2 shows the lens tube 1 in a position ready for use such that eyepiece lens 7 is colinear with lenses within the body 2.

In the stowed position, lens tube 1 bears against switch 8, keeping it in the off position.

However, when the lens tube is raised the switch switches on a light bulb 9 powered by a battery 10 (Figure 3).

Figure 3 shows the construction in more detail.

Lens tube 1 houses eyepiece lens 7 and a further lens 1 which are held in place by sleeves 14, 1 4a. Objective lens 12 is mounted in a housing 1 3 movable for focussing by rotating focussing barrel 3.

Removable shroud 4 is clipped onto body 2 by means of a foot 21 which engages complementary slots in the body.

Illumination of an object placed beneath transparent perspex shroud 4 e.g. by standing the microscope on the object, is by means of bulb 9 in a holder 1 9. Electrical contact with the battery 10 is achieved via metallic strips 15, 1 6 and 17.

When the switch 8 is depressed (when the lens tube is stowed) it breaks the contact between strips 1 5 and 16. A cover 18 slideable in a groove is provided for removal of the battery from its compartment 20 and subsecluent replacement.

The path of the light rays from the bulb and reflected off the object through the lenses is shown in a dotted line. The battery is conveniently of type AA which has a length of about 5cm. The magnification of the microscope is 30-40 times.

Claims

1. A minature microscope assembly which comprises eyepiece and objective lenses; a body having compartment for accepting a battery to power means for illuminating an object to be viewed; and a lens tube pivotal from a stowed position to a viewing position.

2. A microscope according to claim 1, wherein the lens tube comprises eyepiece lens.

3. A microscope according to either preceding claim, wherin the lens tube folds from a stowed position flush with the body to an upright position wherein the lenses in the microscope are colinear.

4. A microscope according to any preceding claim having in the stowed position substantially the size and shape of a packet of twenty cigarettes.

5. A microscope according to any preceding

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Minature Microscope The invention relates to a minature batterypowered microscope, particularly one which is of such a size and shape that it may be conveniently kept in a pocket but which nevertheless provides good magnification. It is a disadvantage of conventional microscopes that they are generally bulky and awkward to carry, especially when an integral light source is included. The present invention seeks to mitigate these problems and provides a minature microscope assembly which comprises eyepiece and objective lenses; a body having a compartment for accepting a battery to power means for illuminating an object to be viewed; and a lens tube pivotal from a stowed position to a viewing position. Generally, the lens tube comprises the eyepiece lens although it is conceivable that it might also include the objective, either alone or together with the eyepiece. By arranging the lens tube to pivot from the upright position wherein the lenses are co-linear, it is possible to combine a long distance between eye and objective lens (for good magnification) with a compact size, preferably pocket size. The overall shape of the microscope is preferably flat and rectangular so as to avoid awkward protrusions. A convenient pocket size is substantially the size and shape of a packet of twenty cigarettes, when the lens tube is stowed. To achieve this, the lens tube preferably folds flush along the top of the microscope body. Preferably, the viewing plane within which an object may be brought into focus coincides with the bottom of the body, which is preferably flat, so that the microscope may be stood on the object e.g. for examining a sheet of paper, material or other flat object. Although the object to be viewed is illuminated by the inbuilt illurination means, it is advantageous il a transparent shroud is provided beneath the object lens for allowing the object to be also illumination by ambient light. This shroud may be removable so that objects of irregular shape may be positioned beneath the objective. For efficient illumination, the illuminating means is preferably a prefocus electric bulb focussed at the viewing plane. For convenience, a switch may be provided which is arranged to switch off the illuminating means when the lens tube is in the stowed position, so that moving the lens tube to the upright position switches the light on. Focussing is preferably by means of a focussing barrel rotatable to move the objective lens. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a minature microscope prior to unfolding the lens tube; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the microscope ready for use; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of the microscope ready for use. The microscope comprises a lens tube 1 hinged to a body 2 having a focussing barrel 3 and detachable transparent shroud piece 4. As shown in Figure 1, the lens tube 1 is folded flush against the body 2 and clipped in place by cooperating lugs 5, 6 on the tube and body, respectively. With the lens tube 1 in the stowed position the microscope has substantially the size and shape of a packet of twenty cigarettes, and is thus conveniently kept in a pocket. Figure 2 shows the lens tube 1 in a position ready for use such that eyepiece lens 7 is colinear with lenses within the body 2. In the stowed position, lens tube 1 bears against switch 8, keeping it in the off position. However, when the lens tube is raised the switch switches on a light bulb 9 powered by a battery 10 (Figure 3). Figure 3 shows the construction in more detail. Lens tube 1 houses eyepiece lens 7 and a further lens 1 which are held in place by sleeves 14, 1 4a. Objective lens 12 is mounted in a housing 1 3 movable for focussing by rotating focussing barrel 3. Removable shroud 4 is clipped onto body 2 by means of a foot 21 which engages complementary slots in the body. Illumination of an object placed beneath transparent perspex shroud 4 e.g. by standing the microscope on the object, is by means of bulb 9 in a holder 1 9. Electrical contact with the battery 10 is achieved via metallic strips 15, 1 6 and 17. When the switch 8 is depressed (when the lens tube is stowed) it breaks the contact between strips 1 5 and 16. A cover 18 slideable in a groove is provided for removal of the battery from its compartment 20 and subsecluent replacement. The path of the light rays from the bulb and reflected off the object through the lenses is shown in a dotted line. The battery is conveniently of type AA which has a length of about 5cm. The magnification of the microscope is 30-40 times. Claims

5. A microscope according to any preceding claim, wherein there is disposed beneath objective lens a detachable transparent shroud to allow illumination by ambient light of the object to be viewed.

6. A microscope according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means comprises a prefocus electric bulb focussed at a viewing plane for said object.

7. A microscope according to any preceding claim, which further comprises a switch arranged to switch off the illuminating means when the lens tube is in the stowed position.

8. A microscope according to any preceding claim, which further comprises a focussing barrel rotatable so as to move the objective lens.

9. A minature microscope assembly substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.