US971499A - Optometer. - Google Patents

Description

I. FOX.

OPTOMETBR. APPLIOATION FILED JAN.14, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

1H.: Nunms PETERS co., wnsmvcrom n c FEED @AFE% lPtAFiltl @i IVAN FOX, F MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FOX OPTICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

OPTOMETER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVAN FOX, citizen of the United States, residing at Media, in the county ot' Delaware, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ptometers, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in optometers and particularly to optometers ot the construction shown in the United States patent to Villiam and Archibald G. Thomson, No. 843,503.

One or" the objects of my invention is to provide a construction in which the scale and the pointer or indicator are maintained in accurate registration and in which there is practically no likelihood of accidental displacement of one in respect to the other.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved means for occasioning and .effecting relative adjustment between the lenses entering into the construction of an optometer, such for instance as that shown in the Thomson patent to which reference has been made.

Other objects of my invention will more tully appear in the tollo'wiug detailed description of my invention.

A convenient embodiment ol my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication, but it is to be understood that changes may be made in the details oi construction without departing from my invention.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation of an optometer embodying my invention, the support or standard therefor being omitted; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a portion of an optometer embodying my invention; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an inner tube constituting a part of my invention; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4; of F ig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. l; Fig. G is a section showing a detail of the construction; and Fig. 7 is av view showing a modified construction of the inner tube corresponding to the tube shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the outer tube of an optoineter and 2 designates a holder for eye pieces or glasses of known construction such for instance as that shown in the patent to Thomson, No. 843,502.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 14, 1908.

Patented Sept. 2"?, 12M).

Serial No. 410,770.

Although not shown it will be understood that an eye lens is secured within the tube or equivalent device l at the end adjacent to the holder 2. As my invention relates to other parts of the device, it is deemed unnecessary that such lens be shown in the drawings.

3 designates a revoluble tube or equivalent device located and secured within the outer tube l and which is shorter than the said outer tube as shown in Fig. 2 of t-he drawings.

The inner tube or equivalent device is provided with a shoulder or enlargement at its outer end as indicated at il, which is provided with a circular groove 5. A projection from holders or clips 8 which are secured by screws 9 to the outer tube l, extends into the groove 5 so that the inner tube 3 is held revolubly in the tube l. Revolution of the tube 3 is occasioned by means of a gear wheel l0, in engagement with a circular gear ll, secured to the end of the tube The gear 'll may be formed integrally with the tube S or may be constructed separately and atteruuird secured by soldering or otherwise to the end of the tube 3. The gear wheel 10 is supported at one side ot' the tube l and the outer end of the tube 3, adjacent to the gear 11, upon the end of a shaft 12 which is supported in a bearing 13 projecting laterally from a member or holder l5, secured by screws 1G to the side ot the tube l. The outer end ot the holder or member 15 is provided with a recess or hollowed-out portion in which the gear wheel l0 is located, such wheel being protected from dust, etc. by the surrounding walls of the recess.

The shaft 12 is'rota-ted when desired by means ot a thumb or finger piece 20, upon it-s outer end. A scale 2l is located upon the surface of a circular plate 22, which is connected by means of screws, one of which is shown at in Fig. 2, to the gear ll and thus to the end oi the inner tube 3. A lens carrier consisting of a tube or equivalent device carrying a lens 3l is located in- Vteriorly of the tube or similar device 3.

In order that there may be longitudinal movement of the tubes Stand 30 relatively to each other, they are connected by means of guide slots 32, provided in the tube or equivalent device 30, into which the elongated guides 33 secured to the interior ot the tube or equivalent device 3, project. From an inspection ot Fig. 2 et the drawings, it is obvious that such connection permits the tube or equivalent device to move longitudinallywithin the tubes or equivalent devices l and To etlfectV this longitudinal movement of the tube or equivalent device 3G, l have termed integrally therewith or otherwise secured thereto,the curved guides 35, separated a short distance from each other, forming a guide-wav 36. Located in this guide-way between the guides is a pin orbolt et() carrying a revoluble guide ring f-l-l, projecting into the guide-way 3G. The gin or bolt ii() is stationarily connected to the tube l in any suitable manner as may be desired. in the construction shown the pin or bolt Ll() has screw-threaded connection with the bloclt or carrier 42, which is secured by means o1 screws it?) to the side of the tube or similar device l.

A boss or projection le termed integrally with or otherwise secured. to the block or carrier il2, is located between the said block or carrier and revoluble ring al. The latter is held upon the pin or rod 40 by the up-set portion 45 ot the latter. rlhe boss or projection #le is located in an opening el@ in the side of the tube or equivalent device l.

By reason of the connection described between the tube or'equivalent device 3 and the tube or equivalent device 30, rotation or revolution of the former occasions revolution of the latter. Revolution of the latter occasions longitudinal movement thereof, by reason of the projection of the pin or rod 40 into the curved guide-way 36, between the guides It will be understood that the direction of longitudinal movement ot the tube or equivalent device 30, will depend upon the direction ot its revolution.

In the use of the optometer the person whose eyes are being tested looks through the instrument from the end provided with the eye-piece holding trame 2, and by turning the gear wheel l0 occasions revolution of the interior tubes or equivalent devices 3 and 30 and thus occasions a longitudinal adj ustment of the tube or equivalent device 30. Then an adjustment is reached which produces the clearest vision t'or the person lool;- ing through the instrument, the point of such clearest vision is noted by examining the scale Q1 and noting the position of the pointer or indicator 5() in relation thereto. Such pointer and scale indicate whether a positive or negative lens will be required to correct the detect ot vision and will also indicate to one skilled in the art, the amount of correction necessary.

ln Fig. T l have shown a modiiied construction ot` tube 30, in which the guides 35 are omitted and a curved guide slot 56 is provided in the tube 55, by cutting out the material thereot- When a tube of this construction is employed, the operation is eX- actly the same as has been described in connection with my preferred form ot' construction shown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive.

The device may be connected to any suitable support in any convenient and desirable manner. l have shown a projection GO from one side ot' the tube or equivalent device l, provided with a hole 61, by means ot which the device may be connected to its support.

Having thus described my invention I claim l. In an optometer, the combination of a tube, a lens carrier movably supported in the said tube, means supported upon the said tube and having connection with the said lens carrier and being adapted to occasion revoluble movement thereof, a gear connected to the said means, a gear-wheel supported independently of the said means in engagement with the said gear, and means for causing longitudinal movement of said lens carrier.

Q. ln an optometer, the combination of a tube, a lens carrier revolubly mounted in the said tube, means for occasioning longitudinal movement between the said lens carrier and the said tube when the said carrier is given a movement of revolution, means supported upon the said tube and having connection with the said lens carrier for occasioning revolution of the latter, a gear connected to the said means, and a gear-wheel supported independently of the said means in engagement with the said gear.

3. In an optometer the combination of an outer tube or similar device, a tube or similar device located interiorly ot' the said outer tube or similar device, a lens carrier operatively connected to the second named tube or similar device, the said lens carrier being provided with a guide-way extending spirally thereof, means for occasioning revolution of the interior tube or similar device and the lens carrier, and means projecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the lens carrier simultaneously with its movement of revolution.

In combination, an outer tube or similar device, an inner tube or similar device having a guide located upon its inner surface, a lens carrying tube or similar device having a guide-way into which the said guide projects, means for occasioning revolution of the inner and lens carrier tubes or similar devices, and the lens carrying tube being provided wit-h guide-way extending spirally thereof, and means projecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said spiral guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrying tube or similar device simultaneously with its movement of revolution.

5. In combination, an outer tube or similar device, an inner tubeor similar device having guides located upon its inner surface, a lens carrying tube or similar device having guide-ways into which the said guides project, means for occasioning revolution of the inner and lens carrier tubes or similar devices, and the lens carrying tube being provided with a guide-way extending spirally thereof, and means projecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said spiral guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrying tube or similar device with its movement of revolution.

6. In an optometer, the combination of a tube or similar device, a lens carrying tube or similar device situated in the said tube or similar device, and the said lens carrying tube or similar device being provided with guides extending spirally thereof to torm a spiral guide-way, means for occasioning revolution ot the said lens carrying tube or similar device, and means projecting from the tirst named tube or similar device into the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrying tube or similar device.

7. In an optometer, the combination ot a tube, a tube located interiorly ot the tirst named tube, means :tor securing the last named tube within the first. named tube, the said means permitting revolution ot the said second named tube, means supported upon the first named tube and cooperating with means upon the second named tube to occasion revolution of the latter. a lens carrying tube operatively connected to the second named tube, the said lens carrying tube being provided with a guide-way extending spirally thereof and stationary means engaging the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrying tube.

8. In an optometer, the combination oit a revoluble tube, a lens carrying tube operatively connected to the said revoluble tube and revolving therewith, the said lens carrying tube being provided with a guide-way extending spirally thereof, means for oceasioning revolution of the said tubes, and relatively stationary means projecting into the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrying tube.

9. In an optometer, the combination et a tube, a revoluble tube located interiorly ot the iirst. named tube, a lens carrying tube operatively connected to the second named tube and adapted to revolve therewith and to move longitudinally thereof. a gear wheel supported upon the tirst named tube, a gear' operatively connected to the second named tube and which has engagement with the said gear wheel whereby revolution ot the said second named tube may be occasioned, and relatively stationary means located in the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement et the said lens carrying tube when it is revolved.

10. In an optometer, the combination ot' a supporting carrier, a lens carrier situated in the said supporting carrier, the said lens carrier being provided with a guide-way, means operatively connected to the said lens carrier to occasion revolution thereof, a scale operatively connected to the said lens carrier and revolving therewith, an indicator cooperating with the said scale, and means projecting into the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carrier simultaneously with its movement of revolution.

11. In an optometer, the combination of a hollow supporting member, a lens carrier movably supported in the said member, means having connection with the said lens carrier and adapted to occasion movement thereot', a gear connected to the said means, and a gear-wheel supported upon the said simporting member in engagement with the said gear to occasion rotation thereof.

12. In an optometer, the combination of a supporting member, a revoluble lens carrier support-ed by the said supporting member, a gear operatively connected to the said revoluble lens carrier, a. bracket-like member supported upon the saidlsupporting member, a gear wheel supported upon the said bracket-like member and being in engagement with the said gear and adapted to occasion revolution thereof whereby revolution et the said lens carrying member is occasioned, and means interposed between the said lens carrier and the said supporting member to occasion longitudinal movement et the said lens carrier simultaneously with its movement of revolution.

13. In an optometer, the combination ot an outer supporting tube, an inner rotatable tube having a gear operatively connected thereto, a gear wheel supported upon the outer supporting tube and being in engagement with the said gear, means for oceasioning rotation ot the said gear wheel whereby rotation of the said gear and the inner tube connected thereto may be occasioned, a lens carrying tube connected to the said inner tube so as to rotate therewith, the said lens carrying tube being provided with a spiral guide-way, a guide projecting from the said outer supporting tube into the said guide-way, the said guide-way and the said guide cooperating to occasion longitudinal movement of the lens carrying tube simultaneously with its movement otl rotation.

14. In an optometer, the combination of an outer supporting tube, an inner rotatable tube having a gear connected to its outer end and also having a groove extending around its outer end portion, a device secured to the outer tube and having a projection extending into the Said groove to Secure the outer and inner tubeS together, a pinion supported upon the outer tube and having engagement with the gear upon the inner tube, means for occasioning rotation of the said pinion whereby rotation of the said gear and the inner tube connected thereto may be occasioned, a lens carrying member connected to the said inner tube and being provided with a spiral guide-Way, a guide projecting from the outer' supporting tube into the said guide-Way, the said guide-Way and the said guide cooperating to occasion longitudinal movement ot the lens carrying member.

In testimon7 that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this eleventh day of January A. D. 1908.

S. SALONE BROOKE, CARRiE E. KLEINFELDER

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