GB2133573A - Viewer - Google Patents

Abstract

A viewer (10) for inclusion in, on or with an item of fancy goods such as a keyring, plaque, purse, toy, wallet, trinket or the like, comprising a body (11) which permits light to pass therethrough from one end to the other, a magnifying lens (14) at or adjacent one end of the body (11), a transparency (16) at or adjacent the other end (15) of the body (11), separate from the lens (14) so that light can enter the body (11) at said other end (16) and pass through the transparency (16) and the lens (14), to provide a magnified image of the transparency (16). The end (15) of the body may be closed by a transparent or translucent cover (19). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Viewer This invention relates to a viewer for inclusion in, on or with an item of fancy goods such as a keyring, plaque, purse, toy, wallet, trinket or the like, the purpose of the viewer being solely to provide an attractive addition to the item. Such a viewer will hereinafter be referred to as "of the kind specified".

According to one aspect of the invention, we provide a viewer of the kind specified having a body which permits light to pass therethrough from one end to the other, a magnifying lens at or adjacent one end of the body, a transparency, at or adjacent the other end of the body, separate from the lens. Thus light can enter the body at said other end, and pass through the transparency and the lens, to provide a magnified imagine of the transparency.

Preferably the transparency is spaced from the lens whereby a gap is provided between the lens and the transparency.

Preferably, the length of the viewer between said one and other ends is not more than 20mm, but more preferably the viewer is less than 12mm long. The width of the viewer at its widest point is preferably less than 8mm, and more preferably less than 6mm, whereby the body is elongate.

The body may be cylindrical in which case the maximum width dimensions specified above will correspond to the diameter ofthe body. Howeverthe viewer can be of any other shape as required.

In one embodiment, the body comprises a tubular cylinder, the walls of which are impervious to light, within which cylinder the lens and transparency may be mounted. Alternatively, the walls may be translucent.

The walls of the tube may be thin whereby the lens and transparency each extend over substantially the entire width of the body. The transparency may be spaced inwardly slightly from said other end of the body and said other end may be closed by a transparent, or at least translucent, cover, which admits light, the transparency thereby being protected from the egress of dirt etc. into the body, and the lens may close said one end of the body.

Instead ofthe body comprising a tubular cylinder, if desired the body may be made as an integral moulding in plastics material, with the lens, the body having means to mount the transparency and transparent or translucent cover, where provided separate and/or spaced from the lens.

However, even where the body comprises a tubular cylinder, the lens and/or cover for said other end, where provided, may be made as a moulding or mouldings in plastics material.

Means may be provided to permit the viewer to be attached to or mounted in or on the item of fancy goods.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic side section of one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a viewer 10 comprises a body 11 having a tubular cylindrical wall 12 impervious to light, the walls of the cylinder being thin.

Within the body 11 at one end 13 thereof, a magnifying lens 14 is mounted which may be a bi-convex lens as shown, or uni-convex as required. The lens 14 extends across substantially the entire diameterd of the body 11.

As shown, the lens 14 projects slightly from the end 13, although if required may be only adjacent to the end 13 and not project therefrom.

Spaced slightly inwardly of the other end 15 of the body 11, is a transparency 16 which may be a picture or photograph for examples, and may have writing thereon if required.

The transparency 16 is spaced and separate from thelens 14andthusagap 17 isprovided betweenthe inner side 18 of the lens 14 and the transparency 16.

The end 15 of the body 11 is closed by a transparent cover 19 which protects the transparency 16 from the egress of dirt etc. However, as the cover 19 only needs to admit light, it would be possible to provide a cover which is translucent only.

It can be seen that the lens 14 closes the end 13 of the body 11 thus dirt etc. is prevented from entering the body 11 from both ends 13, 15.

The length / of the body 11 between the ends 13, 15, is short, that is less than 20mm long, although even more preferably, the body is less than 12mm long. In the example shown, the body is only 10mm long.

The diameter d of the body 11 is preferably less than 8mm, or more preferably less than 6mm. In the example shown, the diameter of the body is only 4.5mm.

Where the body 11 is not of cylindrical shape but of another shape, preferably the widest dimension does not exceed the width values specified above.

In the example described, the lens 14and cover 19 are both made as mouldings in plastics material. The body may also be made in plastics material and the parts assembled by adhesion, welding or the like.

Alternatively, the body 11 and lens 14 may be integrallymoulded,thetransparency 16and cover 19 being secured to mounting means ofthe body subse quest to moulding. Further alternatively, the lens 16, cover 19 and body 11 may be moulded about the transparency 16. Any other method of fabrication could alternatively be used.

The viewer 10 is intended to be included in an item of fancy goods such as a keyring, plaque, purse, toy, wallet, trinket or the like, in which case the body 11 may be provided with mounting means (not shown) to enable the viewer to be secured in, on or to said item.

In use, the viewer 10 is held buy a usersothatthe end 13 of the body 11 is close to the eye, and so that light can enter the body 11 through the cover 19.

The light can thus pass through the cover 19, transparency 16 and lens 14to provide a magnified image of the transparency in the user's eye.

Although as described, the walls ofthe body 11 are impervious to light, if desired the walls may be made translucent or even transparent. The method of mounting the viewer 10 may if necessary, prevent light entering the viewer 10 through the walls.

Further, as described, the lens is separate and spaced from the transparency. If required, the transparency may be mounted adjacent the lens, but still separate therefrom.

CLAIMS (Filed on 6.12.83) 1. A viewer of the kind specified having a body which permits light to pass therethrough from one end to the other, a magnifying lens at or adjacent one end of the body, a transparency, at or adjacent the other end of the body, separate from the lens.

2. A viewer according to Claim 1 wherein the transparency is spaced from the lens whereby a gap is provided between the lens and the transparency.

3. A viewer according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the length ofthe viewer between said one and other ends is not more than 20mm.

4. A viewer according to Claim 3 wherein the viewer is less than 12mm long.

5. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the width of the viewer at its widest point is less than 8mm.

6. A viewer according to Claim 5 wherein the width of the viewer is less than 6mm.

7. Aviewer according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the body is cylindrical.

8. Avieweraccordingto Claim 7 whereinthe body comprises a tubular cylinder, the walls of which are impervious to light, within which cylinder the lens and transparency are mounted.

9. A viewer according to Claim 8 wherein the walls of the tube are thin whereby the lens and transparency each extend over substantially the entire width of the body.

10. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the transparency is spaced inwardly slightly from said other end of the body and said other end is closed by a transparent, or at least translucent, cover, which admits light.

11. A viewer according to Claim 10 wherein the lens closes said one end of the body.

12. AvieweraccordingtoanyoneofClaimsl to8 wherein the body is made as an integral moulding with the lens in plastics material, the body having means to mount the transparency and a transparent ortranslucent cover, where provided separate and/or spaced from the iens.

13. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the lens and/or cover for said other end, where provided, is made as a moulding or mouldings in plastics material.

14. A viewer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to permit the viewer to be attached to or mounted in or on an item of fancy goods.

15. A viewer substantially as herinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. spaced from the transparency. If required, the transparency may be mounted adjacent the lens, but still separate therefrom. CLAIMS (Filed on 6.12.83)

1. A viewer of the kind specified having a body which permits light to pass therethrough from one end to the other, a magnifying lens at or adjacent one end of the body, a transparency, at or adjacent the other end of the body, separate from the lens.

2. A viewer according to Claim 1 wherein the transparency is spaced from the lens whereby a gap is provided between the lens and the transparency.

3. A viewer according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the length ofthe viewer between said one and other ends is not more than 20mm.

4. A viewer according to Claim 3 wherein the viewer is less than 12mm long.

5. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the width of the viewer at its widest point is less than 8mm.

6. A viewer according to Claim 5 wherein the width of the viewer is less than 6mm.

7. Aviewer according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the body is cylindrical.

8. Avieweraccordingto Claim 7 whereinthe body comprises a tubular cylinder, the walls of which are impervious to light, within which cylinder the lens and transparency are mounted.

9. A viewer according to Claim 8 wherein the walls of the tube are thin whereby the lens and transparency each extend over substantially the entire width of the body.

10. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the transparency is spaced inwardly slightly from said other end of the body and said other end is closed by a transparent, or at least translucent, cover, which admits light.

11. A viewer according to Claim 10 wherein the lens closes said one end of the body.

12. AvieweraccordingtoanyoneofClaimsl to8 wherein the body is made as an integral moulding with the lens in plastics material, the body having means to mount the transparency and a transparent ortranslucent cover, where provided separate and/or spaced from the iens.

13. A viewer according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the lens and/or cover for said other end, where provided, is made as a moulding or mouldings in plastics material.

14. A viewer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to permit the viewer to be attached to or mounted in or on an item of fancy goods.

15. A viewer substantially as herinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawing.