GB2208725A

GB2208725A - Simple microscope comprising a transparent sphere

Info

Publication number: GB2208725A
Application number: GB8816162A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Garcia Diaz Nicolas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-17
Filing date: 1988-07-07
Publication date: 1989-04-12
Also published as: MX169966B; IT8867580A0; PT8925T; DE3824692A1; CN1031430A; ES1005242Y; BR8803474A; AU1885488A; PT87829A; BE1002288A4; FR2619635B3; GB8816162D0; FR2619635A1; IT8853236V0; NL8801868A; ES1005242U; CH677038A5; JPH01287524A

Abstract

A simple microscope comprises a transparent spherically shaped magnifying element 3, which may be supported by a sheet 1 containing a hole 2, provided between a pair of transparent sheets 4. The thickness of one of the sheets 4 is such that an object 5 to be viewed and placed on the surface of the transparent sheet 4 remote from the magnifying element 3 lies at the focal point of the element 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SIMPLE MICROSCOPES 2208725) The present invention, as expressed by the

title of this specification, refers to a simplified microscope comprising a series of relevant characteristics as opposed.to other known and complex devices with the same object and with an equivalent number of magnifications.

As it is well-known, classical microscopes comprise a magnifying-lens support structure, besides a strong support base and slide focusing and lighting means, in order to obtain a sharp View. Due to these characteristics, their peculiar handling, transport fragility, apart from their high cost, limit their use to laboratories and to certain educational centres wherein pupils seldom have the opportu nity to use them.

Other disadvantage of the classical microscope, due to its weight and its difficulty to be transported, is that it can not be used in certain types of observations, speci fically in those to be conducted in specific sites and at the precise moment.

Contrarily, the simplified microscope according to the present invention has a high simplicity and a very reduced size, which makes its transport easier and makes it available to the most modest economy, with the advantages it involves for research, for spreading this observation means and for education.

The basic characteristic on which the invention is based consists of making use of the magnifying power of a small transparent sphere with which surprising magnifications can be achieved, higher and higher as its diameter is more reduced.

This small-diametered sphere is located in a corres ponding cavity provided in a narrow rectangular support sheet and protected by transparent sheets adhered to both sides of the'sheet.

Because of achieving the desired number of magnifications with a sphere having the consequent diameter, the focal distance is constant and depends upon the curvature. thereof. with which the object to be observed can be Placed in contact with one of the transparent protection sheets, with an adequate thickness to achieve that focal distance, the microscope construction thereby being reduced and simplified.

In a more complete but not complicated.thoughlway of embodiment, an also laminar slide can be incorporated in to said sphere support, on which slide the object to be observed is laid, either in contact with or very near the sphere protection transparent sheet, this small distance being defined by the thickness of the glass covering the ob ject. - Observation is carried out by looking through the sphere towards a lighting means, such as a bulb or the like, or towards the natural light, the object becoming evident highly magnified and with a very sharp image, since it is located at the correct focal distance.

For an easier comprehension of the characteristics of the invention and as an integral part of this speeifica tion, a sheet of drawings is attached hereto in which figu res, with an illustrative and not-limiting character, the following has been represented:

Figure l.- It is a longitudinal elevational partial section,, on an enlarged scale, of the simplified microscope according to the invention, also schematically showing a light focus towards which the observer must look and the pa sition. occupied by the object to be observed.

Figure 2.- It is-a ground view of the simplified mi croseope, in a primary way of construction.

Figure 3.- It is a longitudinal elevational section as per the out line AB of figure 2.

Reference being made to the numeration indicated in the figures, it can be seen how the simplified microscope proposed by the invention is reduced to a preferably ree- i f i 1 1 tangular narrow sheet, generally referred to with number _, provided with a hole 2 whereinto the transparent sphere 3s which has a reduced diameter, is located. The sphere 3 is protected by the transparent sheets 4 colateral to sheet 1, and immobilized in its tight location as shown in figure 1.

The object 5 to be observed is directly situated on the outer surface of one of the transparent sheets 4, the observation being carried out when looking from the other sheet 4, through the hole 2 and towards an outer light point 6.

The object 5, surprisingly magnified, can be sharply observed, since it is positioned at the exact focal distance, defined by the thickness of sheets 1 and 4 with respect to the diameter of the sphere 3 used in the assembly.

The natural aberrations of sphericity can be avoid ed9 if desired, by using only the central part of the sphere and, in case some remains, it will have no importance for most observations to be carried out.

In the given case of a construction wherein sheet 1 comprises a slide, not represented in the figures and above referred to, so that the object is more protected during observation and above all in case of using the microscope for educational purposes, said object must be placed at the correct focusing distance corresponding to the sphere 3. This is achieved by adequately dimensioning the thickness both of the transparent sheets 4 and of the corresponding one of the slide, this construction not being represented in the figures.

It is also possible to use a same sheet 1 as support for different spheres of different diameter, the latter be ing located in corresponding holes regularly distributed along it, in order to gather on the same unit different maZ nification degrees.

The sphere or spheres may constitute together with the support a single element and the support may include other additional elements which make luminosity and/or focusing easier.

Claims

- 4CLAIMS

1 1. A SIMPLIFIED MICROSCOPE, characterized in that the magnifying element is constituted by a transparent sphere of reduced diameter, whichdiameter is adequate for the desired magnification, such a sphere being mounted on a suitable support so that,through it, an object situated at the corresponding focal distance can be observed.

2. A SIMPLIFIED MICROSCOPE, according to claim 1, characterized in that several spheres of different magnifications can be mounted on the same support.

3. A SIMPLIFIED MICROSCOPE, according to the preced ing claims, characterized in that the sphere or spheres are defined as transparent elements having one or several partial spherical surfaces.

4. A SIMPLIFIED MICROSCOPE, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the sphere or spheres and the support may constitute a single element.

5. A-SIMPLIFIED MICROSCOPE, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said support may incorporate other additional elements for an easier luminosity or focusing.

6. A simple microscope comprising a substantially spherical magnifying element having a diameter corresponding to a desired magni- fication, which element is supported within a cavity provided in a substantially lamina support and held therein by means of transparent sheets on either side of the cavity, wherein the thickness of at least one of the sheets is such that an object placed on the side remote from the element lies at the focal point of the element.

7. A simple microscope substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1985 a,9rne- Patent Office. State House 6C5 -1 P.:-- HcCt= London WC1R 4TP- Further copies ma-'. be obtained from The Patent Office Sales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpington. Kent BR5 3RD- Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Crky. Kent. Con. 1,87.

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