US2246687A - Eye exercising machine - Google Patents

Description

EYE 'EXERCISINQ MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 48. 1934 3 Sheets-Shbt 1 ATTORNEYl JMW@ MW MM.; H. mm

YE EXERCISING MACHINE l:

original Film Nov. a, 19m swam-sheet 2` INVENTOR.

I Herma/ZJ@ A TTORNEY June gli; 19411. y H. Kmz

original Filed Nov. s, 1934 3 shams-sheet 3 n 72 INVENTOR.

a Her/nig?? l mf r d4 7% ATTORNEY Patented June 24, 1941 EYE EXERCISING MACHINE Herman Katz, Oakland, Calif.

Application November 8, 1934, Serial No.' 752,082 Renewed September 27, 1937 (Cl. 12S-76.5)

12 Claims.

The invention relates to machines arranged for exercising and thereby strengthening and developing the eye muscles and the various eye functions.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described which will afford a movable target for attracting the eyes over a variety of courses of movement which will fully and completely call upon and exercise all of the eye muscles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eye `exercising machine of the character described which will simultaneouslyY exercise the focus or accommodation and the convergence functions of the eyes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an eye exercising machine of the above character which shall afford a stereoscopic arrangement to separate the vision of the eyes one from the other and to simultaneously exercise the eyes individually both as to angle or convergence and accommodation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described-Which may through a variance of light intensity on the object to which the eyes are attracted, exercise and develop the muscles and nerves controlling the dilation and closing of the iris.

The invention possesses other objects andreatures of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted Within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a front View of an eye exercising machine constructed in accordance with my invention and with the front plate thereof removed to show portions of the inner controlled mechanism.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View of the machine shown in Figure 1 taken substantially on the plane of the line 2--2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the plane oi the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line l--l of Figure 3. Y

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a part of the machine shownin Figure l.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the exercising machine adapted for stereoscopic exercise.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in Figure.

Figure is a plan view of the machine parts shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is aback elevational view of the illumination switch means used in connection with the machine of my invention and shown with the back plate thereoi removed.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the plane of the line Iil-l of Figure 9.

Figure l1 is a schematic wiring diagram for the complete electric circuit used in connection with the machine.

The eye exercising means of the present invention consists of an observation unit such as arbi'nocular eye-piece and atarget and a supporting and motivating meansA for said targetfor moving the same in a plurality oi predetermined paths relative to the observation unit. The latter means in accordance with the present invention is capable of reciprocating the target either longitudinally of the lines of sight of the eye-piece or across such lines of sight either horizontally or vertically or obliquely or along substantially any other line intersecting or paralleling or inclined to saidlines of sight. Further the targetY supporting and motivating means is capable of moving said target through rotary or spiral paths with substantially any desired positioning of the plane of' said paths relative to saidlines of sight and being further effective to maintain a constant facing of said target during the course of itsfmov'ement through any of the aforesaid paths. Asanother feature where stereoscopic binocular vision is desired, I provideior a septum which is so arranged and mounted relative to the eyepiece and target to move at one end with said target so as to maintain separated vision of the eyes and to divide the target proper into a pair of spaced target portions on which may be provided stereograms or the like. In this latter instance a pair of targets adapted for stereoscopic fusion are preferably provided on such portions.

In one of the important adaptations of the present machine, the plane of the target member is positioned-at substantially right angles to the lines of sight of the observation unit anda stereoscopic binocular eye-piece is used for obtaining singlebinocular fusion of two targets carried on the target member and the target member is set in a rotary motion around the aforesaid lines of sight so as tosimultaneouslyjmove the target in the same direction and to the same extent at all times through closed paths. At the same time, the orienting means for the target described in the foregoing is effective to prevent the targets from rocking relative to each other and from overturning during movement thereof, so that they are normally maintained in a pre-selected position relative to each other, and are caused to move in such a manner that any straight line drawn on the surface of either target will move into successive positions which are parallel with each other at all times, so that single binocular vision thereby may be maintained.

As illustrated in the drawings, the eye exercising machine of my invention comprises a standard I6 upon which is mounted for rotation a hollow arm I1 which in turn carries a target I8 for attracting the eyes. As here shown, the

arm is mounted on the standard by interengaged bearing portions I9 and ZI secured to the arm and standard respectively and is rotatably driven by a motor 22 which is mounted on the top of the standard and which is provided with a gear 23 which engages a ring gear 24 on the arm.

As an important feature of my invention, the target is caused on rotation thereof with the arm to automatically turn as the same rotates so as to remain constantly upright or in other adjusted angular position at all times. rThus, notwithstanding the rotation of the target with the arm,

any indicia or character carried by the target will at all times be maintained right side up and facing the patient for viewing. The means for so automatically turning the target, as may be best seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4, consist of a drive shaft 26 which extends lengthwise in the hollow portion of the arm I1 and which is rotated one complete revolution about its axis, on rotation of the arm I1 through one complete revolution, and the unit revolution of the shaft 26 is communicated to the target supporting shaft 21 by means of engaged bevel. gears 28 and 29 having a one to one gear ratio. As here shown, rotation of the shaft 26 in conformi-ty to the rotation of the arm I1 is effected, as may best be seen in Figures 1 and 2, by means of engaged bevel gears 3| and 32 having a one to one gear ratio and which are secured to the radially inner end of the shaft 26 and to the standard I6 at the axis of rotation of the arm respectively. Preferably the target I3 is secured to the supporting shaft 21 therefore by means of a hinge 33 which permits of the positioning of the target to face either parallel to the plane of rotation of the arm as shown in Figure 6 or at right angles thereto as shown in Figure 2. Thus, by reason of this arrangement and as will be readily understood, with the target arranged as shown in Figure 2 and with the patient seated approximately in the plane of rotation of the arm I1, the eyes of the patient will be attracted up and down vertically while the accommodation function of the eyes will be ever changing to focus the target at its constantly varying distance to the eyes. On the other hand with the target turned to face parallel to the plane of rotation of the arm I1 and with the patient positioned to the front of the machine, it will be clear that the eyes of the patient will be attracted to follow a circular path of the target, thus exercising both the transverse and vertical eye deflecting muscles while subjecting the focal length of the eye to but a small change.

As a further and important feature of my invention, the target I8 is arranged to be disposed at various radial positions on the arm I1 so as to 75 vary the course of movement of the eyes and is further arranged to be uniformly reciprocally moved over the length of the arm so as to inscribe further and advantageous courses of movement. The means for moving the target along the length cf the arm in the present machine comprises a carriage 35 which provides a bearing support for the target supporting shaft 21 and which is guided for longitudinal movement along the arm by means of a pair of spaced side guide rails 34 and which is arranged to be positively driven in its movement by a pair of threaded shafts 36 and 31. As may be best seen from Figure 1, the shafts 36 and 31 are driven through an appropriate gear mechanism 38 by means of an electric motor 39 carried at the inner end of the arm I1. A feature of the gear mechanism 38 is its arrangement as here shown to drive the shafts 36 and 31 in opposite directions and means are provided for causing the operative engagement of the carriage with first the shaft 36 for moving the carriage inwardly and then disengaging the shaft 36 and engaging the shaft 31 for moving the carriage outwardly. In the present embodiment, and as may be best seen from Figures 3 and 4, this means comprises a lever 4I which has a pivotal connection 46 intermediate its ends to the carriage and which is provided at each opposite end with a threaded nut segment 42 for threaded engagement with the shafts 36 and 31, and becomes so engaged as the lever is oscillated in opposite directions about the pivot 46, by a spring pressed toggle mechanism 43 mounted on the carriage. Means for deflecting the toggle member 43 to either side of the pivotal connection 46 of the lever so as to engage one of the segments 42 with one of the shafts 36 or 31 is here provided in the form of a pair of beveled projections 44 which extend in opposite longitudinal directions from the opposite ends of the lever 4I and Which are positioned to engage and to be raised by a pair of adjustable stop members 46 carried on the guide rail 34. As will be seen from Figure 4, each of the members 46 are provided With a roller 45 which on approach of the carriage thereto engages and displaces the beveled end of the projections 44 to rock the lever about the pivot 46. This pivoting of the lever disengages the nut segment 42 from the screw 36 and causes the movement of the toggle mechanism to the other side of the pivotal point 4.6 to engage the opposite nut segment 42 with the screw 31 to start the outward movement of the carriage. Similarly as the carriage approaches the stop member 46 at the outer end of the arm the co-action of the projection 44 at the other side of the lever and the roller on the stop member d6, causes a reverse pivoting of the lever and the re-engagement of the nut 42 with the screw 36 to start the inward movement of the carriage. As will be thus understood, the stop members 46 in this manner define the end of the movement of the carriage 35 so that as great or as small a reciprocating movement of the target as is desired may be effected by merely spacing the stop members 46 an appropriate longitudinal distance from each other.

In order that the target may be caused to continue to turn in proportion to the rotation of the arm i1 so as to maintain a constant facing of the target as above explained and still be capable of longitudinal movement over the arm, I prefer to mount the bevel drive gear 29 for the target shaft 21 on the shaft 26 in a manner permitting slidable movement of the gear together With the carriage 35 while causing the gear torotate with thelshaft 26. This provision has been here effected, as may benoted from Figures 3 and 4', by`

shaping the shaft 26 fiat sided and by mounting the gear 29 on a sleeve 41 carried by the carriage and which while slidable on the shaft 26 is arranged to rotate therewith.

Preferably and as here shown, the inner operating mechanism in the arm I1 is covered and protected by a removable front plate 52 which, as may be noted from Figure 5, is providedwith longitudinally slotted portions 53, 54, and 56 opposite the guide rails 34 and the centrally disposed shaft 26 for the extension through such slotted portions of the adjustable stop members 46 and the target supporting shaft 21.-

In many instances it is desirable to conneithe movement of the target so as to exercise but a single set of eye muscles. For this purpose, I prefer to hold the arm I1 in some fixed angular position and simply cause the longitudinal reciprocal movement of the target along the arm. For instance, the arm I1 may be fixed in avertical position and the target moved up and down thereon so as to cause a simple raising and-lovv ering of the eyes in following the target, or `the armmay be fixed in a horizontal or some inclined position so as to cause the eyes to be movedtransversely either horizontally or obliquely. In the present machine I may provide suchan angular holding of the arm I1 against rotation by mountingv on the standard I6 a spring pressed detent member 4B which releasably engagesin a-pluralty of circumferentially arranged openings 49 provided in an annular ring plate 5I mounted on the arm I1.

As an additional feature o-f the present machine,` I prefer to construct the standard I6 with a hinged joint 51 adjacent the upper endthereof so as to permit the movement of the plane of rotationof` the arm I1 from vertical, as shown in Figure 2, to a horizontal or intermediate position. This arrangement as will be understood;l provides for all of the various movements of the target explained in connection with the vertical plane ofrotation of the arm I1, also in a horizontal or intermediate obliquely disposed plane. Also in order to adjust the height of the center of rotation of the arm to approximately eyelevel` of the patient, I prefer to construct the standard I6 with telescopically engaged sections 58 and 59 for adjustably raising or lowering the centerv of rotation of the arm to suit various sized patients.

It` will now be clear that among the various movements of the target, the same may be caused to rotate in a plurality of different sized circles varying in radius over the length of the armv by leaving the motor 39 idle and energizing the motor 22. If in addition the motor 39 is ener` gized, the target will be' caused to move both radially and circumferentially to inscribe a plurality of spiral paths. Or if the motor 22V is stopped and remainsl idle the arm may be set in substantially any angular position by means of the detent member 48 and the target caused to reciprocate over the length of the arm or portions thereof desired with a simple reciprocating movement. Also, as will be clear, the target in each instance of revolutionof the arm I1 will be caused to automatically turn to maintain the facing and angular relation thereof constant with respect to the patient.

A further and important feature of mymachine is the` provision thereof for affording a stereo- Scopic exercising off the eyes. This exercise-con sistsin the use of a septum for separating the vision of the eyes and providing for the separate and independent exercising of the eyes along the lines hereinbefore described). 'Ifhe general arrangement of this feature of the invention is shown` in Figure 6 of the drawings and includes a. stereoscopic binocular eye piece 6I, which. is supported on the standard I6 by means of a vertically. adjustable supporting bracket 62 and Which isi-connected to the center ofthe target I8 by means of an expansible septum 63 so as to define a pair of separate target portions I8' Which may" bein the form of or may support stereograms or the like adapted for stereoscopic fusion. Preferably, the member I8 is in the form of a casing or frame, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 for the receipt of various indicia bearing cards, and stereograms and the like upon adjustment as conventional, a fusion of the targets is afforded. In order to prevent the septum from buckling or otherwise distorting during the movement of the end thereof connected to the target, the septum is preferably connected to the stationary eye piece 6I and rthe movable target I8 by means of horizontally and vertically pivoted members 64 which afford a modified universal connection between the eye piece and the target. Normally in the use of the stereoscopic exercise, the target I8 is moved through but a small displacement so that the expansion required by the septum 63 is but slight. Preferably the eye piece 6I is attached to the brackets 62 by means of a swivel connection 66 for enabling universality of adjustment of the eye piece with respect to the arm I1.

As previously mentioned, one of the important uses of the machine is afforded by adjusting the target I8 eccentrically of the axis of rotation of the arm and turning the plane of the target l parallel` to the plane of rotation, as illustrated in Figure 6, and rotating the arm while the targets If are under stereoscopic observation as illustrated in Figure 3. In this manner binocular fusionlis obtained of the two targets in the eyes ofthe patient, and the targets are moved simultaneously in the same direction and to the same extent at all times through closed paths. Further, the targets are held in upright position throughout the course of their movement so that single binocular vision may be maintained. In addition, the rate of movement of the targets may be simultaneously controlled by means of a rheostat 86 in the elecrtic circuit of the motor, see Figure 10. If at any time it is desired to vary the path of movement of the targets, the motor 39 may be energized to move the targets along the arm-during rotation to inscribe spiral or other non-circular or eccentric paths generated by a combined circular and radial displacement.

As Will of course be clear the binocular eye piece 6I. may if desired be supported independently of the standard It In` other instances Whereit is advantageous to associate phorometer head with the machine for examining the eyes with different lenses, a phorometer head may be interchanged with the stereoscopic head in the bracket 66 or supported on a similar or other mounting assembly.

In addition to the exercising of the Various muscles used invconnection with the moving and focusing of the eyes, I provide also in the present machine for the exercising of the muscles and nerves which control the dilation and contraction ofl theiris. This is here effected by causing a'periodic variance of the light intensityon` the target. tothereby produce a resulting changing of the light opening in the iris of the eye. In the present invention I may illuminate the target by means of a pair of lamps 61 mounted at the top of the target and which are energized as desired by means of an interrupter and control mechanism 68 here shown mounted adjacent the top of the standard H5. The mechanism 68 is illustrated in detail in Figures 9 and 10 and as here shown include a pair of electric switches each having a xed and trip contact 69 and 1| which are arranged to be moved intoY and. from engagement by means of a cam 12. As here shown the cam 12 is mounted for rotation on a disc member 13, driven by a motor 14, and which presents a segmental spirally shaped area for engagement with the trip contact 1| for movement thereof into engagement with the contact 69. With reference to Figure 9 it will be noted that by reason of the shape of the cam the closer the contact members 1| are moved to the center of the disc 13 the longer will be the period of contact between the contact members 1| and 69. To provide then for a variable period of closure of the electric circuit through the contacts 69 and 1| I provide for the selective advancement of the contact 1i in direction of the center of the disc. This is here provided by means of transversely extending screws 16 which are threaded through an end of the contact members 1i and which on rotation carry the contact members 1I across the face of the disc 13 on a pair of guide members 11. In accordance with the present invention the contact switches 69 and 1| are connected in series with the lamps 61 so as to periodically energize and disconnect the lamps to illuminate or darken the target. It will be noticed that by means of the individually adjustable switches the period of illumination and darkness of the lamps may be controlled independently of each other. This is of importance when used in connection with the stereoscopic exercise as it aiords an individual control over the dilation and contraction of the iris of each eye. As a further feature of this arrangement, I provide through the use of rheostats 18 for the individual control of the intensity of the lamp 61 and I provide further through the use of a rheostat 19 for the speeding up or slowing down of the interrupter motor 14.

The complete electric circuit for the machine is illustrated in a schematic diagram shown in Figure 11. As here shown the electric circuit connectors 8| and 82 are brought in through the base of the standard of the machine and connected in series with a master switch 83 and with the motor 22 and the switch and rheostat therefor 8d and 85. A branch circuit defined by the connectors 81 and 88 is connected to the light control mechanism 88 and energizes the breaker motor 'id and the rheostat and switch therefor 19 and 89. The connector 81 further connects in parallel each of the breaker switches including the contacts S9 and 1I and the rheostat 18 and continues therefrom to the slip rings 9| and 92 provided on the arm i1 about the center of rotation thereof. From the slip rings 9| and 92 conductors 93 and @d extend through the arm and to slip rings Qt and 91 provided in the carriage 35 about the target supporting shaft 21. (See Figure 4.) From the slip rings 96 and 91 conductors 98 and 99 lead through the arm 21 and to the lamps 61 mounted at the top of the target and a return conductor leads from the lamp back to a slip ring |82 mounted coincidentally with the slip rings S9 and 91. From the slip ring |02, a conductor |83 extends to a slip ring IM mounted coincidentally with the slip rings 9| and 92 and then back to the conductor 8S for completion of the lighting circuit. Energization of the motor 39 which causes reciprocation of the target along the length of the arm is arranged to be effected on the one side by a conductor |96 which connects at the inside of the arm to the conductor |03. The other side of the motor is connected through a rheostat and switch therefor |01 and |08 to a slip ring E69 which is mounted coincidentaly with the slip rings 9|, 92 and |04, and is then connected by a connector ||0 to the line 82 for completion of the electric circuit therethrough.

I claim:

1. An eye exercising machine comprising, a support, an arm rotatably carried by said support, a target carried by said arm, and drive means connecting said target and arm and support for automatically turning said target relative to said arm on rotation of said arm and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said arm.

2. An eye exercising machine comprising, a support, an arm pivoted thereto for rotation, motor means for rotating said arm, a target carried by said arm, means for moving said target lengthwise on said arm comprising, a screw extending lengthwise on said arm, motor means carried by said arm for rotating said screw, a carriage supporting said target and engageable with said screw.

3. An eye exercising machine comprising, a support, an arm pivoted thereto for rotation, motor means for rotating said arm, a target carried by said arm, means for moving said target lengthwise on said arm comprising, a pair of screws extending lengthwise on said arm, motor means carried by said arm for rotating said screws, means connecting said motor and screws for rotating the latter in opposite directions, a carriage supporting said target and movable into and from engagement with each of said screws alternately, and an automatically reversing mechanism arranged to hold said carriage in engagement with one of said screws for movement thereof thereover and then disengage said carriage from said screw and engage the same with the other screw.

4. An eye exercising machine comprising, a support, a member rotatably mounted on said support, a target rotatably carried by said member eccentrically to the axis of rotation of said member, and drive means connecting said target and member and support effective on rotation of said member to rotate said target in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of said member.

5. In an eye exercising machine, a target, a supporting arm movably carrying said target, a rst driving means carried by said arm and adapted when operatively applied to move said target relative to said arm in a rst direction, a second driving means carried by said arm and adapted when operatively applied to move said target relative to said arm in a direction opposite to said rst direction, motive means connected to impel each of said driving means, and reversing means operative to alternately successively operatively apply said rst and second driving means for reciprocating said target on said arm.

6. In an eye exercising machine, a target, a supporting arm movably carrying said target,

said target being provided with engaging means adapted to engage driving means, a first driving means carried by said arm, a second driving means carried by said arm, motive means connected to impel each of said driving means, and reversing means for causing said engaging means to alternately successively engage said first and said second driving means, said first driving means being adapted when engaged to displace said target in a first direction relative to said arm, and said second driving means being adapted when engaged to displace said target in a direction opposite to said iirst direction.

7. In an eye exercising machine, a target, a supporting arm movably carrying said target, a first driving means carried by said arm and adapted when operatively applied to move said target relative to said arm in a rst direction, a second driving means carried by said arm and adapted when operatively applied to move said target relative to said arm in a direction opposite to said iirst direction, motive means connected to impel each of said driving means, and reversing means operative to alternately successively operatively apply said first and second driving means for reciprocating said target on said arm, said reversing means being adjustable for actuation by the travel of said target to adjustably determined terminal positions on the path of travel of said target relative to said arm. 8. In an eye exercising machine, a target, a supporting arm movably carrying said target, said target being provided with engaging means adapted to engage driving means, a first driving means carried by said arm, a` second driving means carried by said arm, motive means connected to impel each of said driving means, and reversing means for causing said engaging means to alternately successively engage said first and said second driving means, said rst driving means being adapted when engaged to displace said target in a rst direction relative to said arm, and said second driving means being adapted when engaged to displace said target in a direction opposite to said first direction, said reversing means comprising adjustable terminal stop means adjustably positioned along the path of travel of said target and adapted to cause said alternate engagement of said engaging means when said target has reached the positions of said stop means in its path of travel relative to said arm.

9. In an eye exercising machine, a fixed suppourt, an arm rotatably carried by said support, a target having indicia and being rotatably mounted on said arm, and an orienting means comprising mechanical. connections connecting said arm, said support, and said target, for positively holding said target in successive positions wherein the indicia on said target occupy successive parallel positions as said target rotates with said arm.

10. An eye exercising machine comprising a fixed support, an arm, arm-rotating driving means for rotatably carrying said arm on said support, a target having indicia, target-rotating driving means for rotatably carrying said target on said arm, and coordinating means connecting said arm-rotating means and said target-rotating means for continuously rotating said target at the same rate and in the opposite sense as the rotation of said arm, whereby the indicia on said target occupy successive parallel positions on said target as said target rotates with said arm.

11. An eye exercising machine comprising a fixed support, an arm, arm-rotating driving means for rotatably carrying said arm on said support, a target having indicia, target-rotating driving means for rotatably carrying said target on said arm, coordinating means connecting said arm-rotating means and said target-rotating means for continuously rotating said target at the same rate and in the opposite sense as the rotation of said arm, a binocular stereoscopic eyepiece, and an expansible septum pivotally connecting said eye-piece and said target and positioned between the respective lenses of said binocular eye-piece and to divide said target into separate visible parts.

12. Apparatus for the treatment of the eyes, comprising a supporting frame; a target rotatably mounted thereon; an actuating motor operatively connected to said target to rotate it; a supplementary target eccentrically mounted on said first target; and means connecting said supplementary target with said frame whereby said supplementary target is held from rotation on its axis as its axis revolves about the axis of said rst target, wherein said connecting means comprises an epicyclic train of gears wherein the rst and last gears have the same number of teeth, carried by said rst target and revolving around the fixed gear concentric with the :rst target.

HERMAN KATZ.

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