WO2002093233A1 - Portable periscope - Google Patents
Portable periscope Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002093233A1 WO2002093233A1 PCT/US2002/015026 US0215026W WO02093233A1 WO 2002093233 A1 WO2002093233 A1 WO 2002093233A1 US 0215026 W US0215026 W US 0215026W WO 02093233 A1 WO02093233 A1 WO 02093233A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- periscope
- barrel
- segment
- segments
- present
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
- G02B23/02—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors
- G02B23/08—Periscopes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to precision optical instruments, and more specifically, to a portable periscope, especially a portable peritelescope.
- Telescopes are often preferred to binoculars as, for a given magnification, telescopes may be fashioned to be portable. Few are not acquainted with the telescoping telescopes used by pirates, Figure 1 , which when used may be more than a meter in length 10a, but for transport are collapsed to as small as 30 cm in length 10b.
- a periscope 12 can be considered to be a telescope bent in a way so that only a periscope head 14 (equivalent to a telescope objective lens) is exposed to an observed object 16, Figure 2.
- a first deflecting element 18 (often a mirror or prism) directs light 20a entering periscope head 14 through periscope barrel 22 to a second deflecting element 24.
- Second deflecting element 24 deflects light through an eyepiece 26 to direct light 20c to an observer 28. Since light from object 16 travels a non-linear path 20a-20b- 20c observer 28 can remain hidden while observing object 16. By deflecting the light, observer 28 is displaced from the line of sight 29 to object 16. The magnitude of displacement is dependent on the length of barrel 22 of periscope 12.
- periscopes are mounted in structures such as houses, vehicles or submarines but are only rarely deployed in portable implementations. Since a barrel of a periscope must be relatively long to be useful, a useful periscope is rarely compact enough to be truly portable. Navir SNC (Buccinasco, Italy) manufactures an expanding periscope toy. This is a non-precision optical instrument roughly based on the teachings of "pirate ship" telescope depicted in Figure 1. The barrel of the periscope is made of three parts, which can be telescoped apart extending the length of the periscope by roughly 60%.
- U.S. 6,122,100 teaches of a periscope configured for use as headgear and allows simultaneous line of sight and displaced periscope observation.
- U.S. 6,122,100 are also described two methods to extend the length of a periscope barrel.
- the first method includes having the barrel of the periscope made of a flexible material with accordion pleats.
- the second method includes using a plurality of telescoping elements to extend and collapse the barrel. Both methods described are useful in changing the magnitude of displacement from line of sight that can be attained by a periscope, but are limited in the extent to which the periscope can be collapsed for transport.
- the mechanisms required are difficult to manufacture precisely and are subject to damage. Since many implementations of a foldable periscope require ruggedness (e.g.
- U.S. 6,122,100 are of limited usefulness. Further, as is clear to one skilled in the arts, a periscope constructed according to the teachings of U.S. 6,122,100 cannot implement optics having a Newtonian configuration.
- a portable periscope with precision optics. It would be exceptionally advantageous that such a periscope be configured as a peritelescope having Newtonian configuration optics.
- a portable periscope for the observation of an object by an observer made up of: a) a periscope barrel, b) a periscope head functionally associated with the periscope barrel configured to deflect light from the object into the periscope barrel and c) a periscope elbow functionally associated with the periscope barrel configured to deflect light traveling through the barrel to the observer, wherein the periscope barrel is configured to be collapsible into at least two segments and wherein, when assembled (not collapsed) the periscope barrel is configured to define a path for the deflected light.
- the periscope of the present invention is portable in that the periscope barrel can be disassembled into a plurality of separate segments.
- the periscope of the present invention is articulated in that the periscope barrel can be collapsed into a plurality of segments, the segments being mutually connected with hinges.
- the motion of the hinges connecting the segments can be coplanar or non-coplanar.
- the periscope is equipped with a plurality of lenses and filters, transparent to some or all wavelengths of light.
- the lenses are attached in the periscope head, the periscope elbow and/or in the periscope barrel, specifically in some or all of the individual segments making up the barrel.
- one or more of the segments of the periscope barrel can include a field lens.
- the lenses are arrayed in a Newtonian configuration.
- a periscope is a general term for a device that allows an observer to be situated not in line of sight of an object.
- a peritelescope is a periscope having magnifying optics.
- periscope will be used to refer to both periscopes and peritelescopes.
- FIG. 1 (prior art) is a depiction of a telescoping "pirate ship" telescope
- FIG. 2 (prior art) is a schematic depiction of a periscope
- FIG. 3A is a depiction of a first embodiment of the present invention, a portable periscope, in a disassembled state
- FIG. 3B is a depiction of a first embodiment of the present invention, a portable periscope, in an assembled state
- FIG. 4A is a depiction of a second embodiment of the present invention, an articulated periscope, folded inside a carrier bag;
- FIG. 4B is a depiction of a second embodiment of the present invention, an articulated periscope, folded outside a carrier bag;
- FIG. 4C is a depiction of a second embodiment of the present invention, an articulated periscope, during an unfolding process
- FIG. 4D is a depiction of a second embodiment of the present invention, an articulated periscope, fully unfolded and ready for use;
- FIG. 4E is a close-up depiction of a joint of a second embodiment of the present invention, an articulated periscope, showing details of a hinge and a locking mechanism;
- FIG. 5 is a depiction of a first segment of a periscope of the present invention having a polarizing filter preventing entry of contamination into the segment;
- FIGS. 6 are cutout depictions of two afocal middle segments of a periscope with Newtonian optics of the present invention.
- a portable periscope 30 is depicted.
- periscope 30 is depicted in a disassembled state.
- periscope 30 is depicted fully assembled for use.
- barrel 34 of periscope 30 is composed of top segment 36, middle segment 38 and bottom segment 40.
- Each one of segments 36, 38 and 40 is of substantially tubular cross section.
- Bottom rim 42 of top segment 36 is configured to be rigidly attachable to top rim 44 of middle segment 38 with a first attaching mechanism 45.
- Bottom rim 48 of middle segment 38 is configured to be rigidly attachable to top rim 50 of bottom segment 40 with a second attaching mechanism 51.
- First attaching mechanism 45 and second attaching mechanism 51 can be realized using a large number of mechanisms and devices with which one skilled in the art is well-acquainted. Such devices can include constricting bands or locking devices. Exceptionally advantageous are attaching mechanisms such as used to attach lenses to SLR (single-lens reflex) camera bodies. SLR-type attaching mechanisms are precise, rigid, quick and suitable for precision optic implementations. Also suitable for implementation in a periscope of the present inventions are threaded (screw-on) mechanisms.
- first attaching mechanism 45 and second attaching mechanism 51 preparation for use of periscope 30 is substantially the same.
- Bottom rim 48 of middle segment 38 is contacted with top rim 50 of bottom segment 40.
- Second attaching mechanism 51 is used to rigidly connect bottom segment 40 to middle segment 38.
- Bottom rim 44 of top segment 36 is contacted with top rim 44 of middle segment 38.
- First attaching mechanism 45 is used to rigidly connect top segment 36 to middle segment 38.
- folding head 58 is attached to top segment 36 with a lockable head hinge 60 that is lockable in two states: closed ( Figure 3A) and open ( Figure 3B).
- a lockable head hinge 60 that is lockable in two states: closed ( Figure 3A) and open ( Figure 3B).
- When a user chooses to open folding head 58 it is necessary to release the locking mechanism of lockable head hinge 60 or to overcome an initial mechanical resistance. Movement of folding head 58 from the closed to the open state occurs smoothly with little resistance.
- folding head 58 When folding head 58 reaches the open state it "clicks" into place and is rigidly held in an orientation and angle that is appropriate for periscope operation (for periscope 30, 45°).
- a protrusion 62 is configured to prevent folding head 58 from being opened beyond the appropriate orientation.
- lockable head hinge 60 is configured to prevent movement towards the closed state when folding head 58 is in the open state. In order to move folding head 58 from the open state to the closed state it is necessary to release the locking mechanism of lockable head hinge 60 or to overcome an initial mechanical resistance.
- Folding head 58 is configured including a light deflecting element (analogous to first deflecting element 18 depicted in Figure 1) that deflects light from an observed object through barrel 34 when barrel 34 is assembled as in Figure 3B.
- periscope 30 in Figures 3 is depicted having a folding head 58, it is often advantageous that there be a non-folding head instead.
- Bottom segment 40 is attached to an elbow 64. It is possible to configure bottom segment 40 to be easily detachable from elbow 64 if so desired. To elbow 64 is attached eyepiece 66.
- Elbow 64 is made in accordance with the teachings known to one skilled in the art and is configured to deflect and direct light passing coaxially through bottom segment 40 to eyepiece 66. Deflection and direction of light is most conveniently achieved through the use of a prism or mirror.
- Eyepiece 66 is a made in accordance with the teachings of the prior art and advantageously includes a system of lenses and/or filters.
- Lenses in eyepiece 66 include eye lenses and field lenses for magnification and focusing of an image observed through eyepiece 66.
- Filters in eyepiece 66 include polarization filters or wavelength specific filters.
- eyepiece 66 includes lenses (as opposed to being simply hollow or having only filters), it is necessary that an objective lens be found somewhere in barrel 34 (or in some non-depicted embodiments, in a periscope head).
- Many optical configurations including an eye lens and an objective lens are known.
- a periscope of the present invention has optics with a Newtonian configuration. The advantages of implementing Newtonian optics in a periscope of the present invention are discussed in full, hereinbelow.
- FIGs 3 are apparent two support handles 68.
- Support handles 68 are attached to elbow 64 by handle hinges 70.
- Handle hinges 70 are lockable in two positions: in place, as depicted in Figure 3B, and folded, as depicted in Figure 3A.
- barrel 34 of periscope 30 is fully assembled and ready for use, support handles 68 are unfolded and locked in place.
- a user can conveniently hold periscope 30 and direct the field of view of periscope 30 as desired.
- support handles 68 are folded upwards and held substantially flat against bottom segment 40.
- support handles 68 are folded upwards by releasing the locking mechanisms of handle hinges 70 until support handles 68 are locked into a folded position.
- the locking mechanism of periscope head hinge 60 is released and periscope head 58 is folded downwards to a closed position. Locking mechanisms of hinges 46 and 52 are released and barrel 34 is disassembled.
- an articulated periscope 31 is depicted.
- periscope 31 is depicted in a folded state within a carrier bag 32.
- periscope 31 is depicted in a folded state after having been removed from carrier bag 32.
- periscope 31 is depicted during the process of unfolding.
- periscope 31 is depicted fully unfolded and ready for use.
- a close-up view of part of periscope 31 is depicted.
- barrel 34 of periscope 31 is composed of top segment 36, middle segment 38 and bottom segment 40.
- Each one of segments 36, 38 and 40 is of substantially tubular cross section and all three are of substantially the same length.
- Bottom rim 42 of top segment 36 is connected to top rim 44 of middle segment 38 with a first lockable hinge 46.
- Bottom rim 48 of middle segment 38 is connected to top rim 50 of bottom segment 40 with second lockable hinge 52.
- first lockable hinge 46 and the motion of second lockable hinge 52 are coplanar. As seen from Figures 4, the coplanarity of the motion of hinges 46 and 52 allows periscope 30, when folded, to be highly compact. The motion of second lockable hinge 52 is free and unhindered. During unfolding of periscope 31, when bottom segment 40 approaches colinearity with middle segment 38, and top rim 50 approaches bottom rim 48, locking mechanism 54 of second lockable hinge 52 is engaged. Although not necessary, a locking mechanism such as 54 can be configured to produce some resistance to motion until actually locked. Once locked, as depicted in Figure 4D, second lockable hinge 52 cannot be moved and middle segment 38 and bottom segment 40 are rigidly attached to each other.
- first lockable hinge 46 is free and unhindered.
- a locking mechanism (not depicted) of first lockable hinge 46 is engaged. Once locked, as depicted in Figure 4D, first lockable hinge 46 cannot be moved and middle segment 38 and top segment 36 are rigidly attached to each other.
- locking mechanisms that can be used to lock hinges such as 46 and 52 unmovably so as to prevent articulation or folding of articulated periscope 31.
- Some locking mechanisms are integral parts of a hinge whereas others are only associated with a hinge.
- locking mechanism 54 is associated with hinge 52.
- Locking mechanism 54 includes a locking ridge 94 with a gap 96 at the top of bottom segment 40.
- Locking mechanism 54 also includes a rotating locking ring 90 with a locking lip 92 attached to the bottom of middle segment 38 and configured to engage locking ridge 94.
- locking ring 90 is depicted rotated in such a way so that locking lip 92 engages the bottom of locking ridge 94 holding middle segment 38 and bottom segment 40 firmly together.
- locking ring 90 is rotated rightwards so as to move locking lip 92 over gap 96.
- Bottom segment 40 is rigidly attached to an elbow 64.
- eyepiece 66 To elbow 64 is attached eyepiece 66.
- Bottom segment 40 of periscope 31 in Figures 4 is as described hereinabove and in Figures 3 for portable periscope 30.
- periscope 31 is removed from carrying case 32, Figure 4B.
- Locking mechanisms on hinges 46 and 52 are unlocked and segments 36, 38 and 40 are moved about hinges 46 and 52 until rims 42 and 48 are in contact with rims 44 and 50, respectively.
- Mechanisms (such as 54) are locked (either automatically or by an action of a user) so that barrel 34 is substantially a rigid tube.
- the locking mechanism of hinge 60 of periscope head 58 is released and periscope head 58 is moved and locked in place in an open position.
- Support handles 68 are attached to elbow 64 by handle hinges 70.
- handle hinges 70 are lockable in two positions: in place, as depicted in Figure 4D, and folded, as depicted in Figure 4C.
- Support handles 68 of periscope 31 in Figures 4 are as described hereinabove and in Figures 3 for portable periscope 30.
- an articulated periscope of the present invention such as 31, can be designed based upon the teachings hereinabove, the embodiment exemplified by Figures 4 represents one of the more preferred embodiments.
- the width of segments 36, 38 and 40, the length of eyepiece 66 together with the coplanarity of the motion of hinges 46 and 52 allows periscope 31, when folded, to have a substantially rectangular shape (Figure 4B) that is exceptionally convenient for carrying, increasing the portability of periscope 31.
- Figure 4B substantially rectangular shape
- FIG. 4 shows periscope 31 with a three-segment two-hinged articulated barrel. It is clear that an articulated periscope of the present invention where the barrel is divided to two, four or even more segments, is easily implementable. Further, although the embodiment of the present invention depicted in Figures 4 shows articulated periscope 31, where the respective motions of the two hinges 52 and 46 are coplanar, it is possible to provide a periscope of the present invention where the hinges about which the periscope barrel folds are not coplanar.
- Segments 36, 38 and 40 of barrel 34 as depicted hereinabove for both periscopes 30 and 31 have been considered as substantially hollow tubes. It is clear to one skilled in the art that in some embodiments of the present invention it is preferable to attach optical elements that are substantially transparent to some or all frequencies of light to segments 36, 38 and 40. Such transparent elements can prevent the entry of contamination to barrel 34.
- polarization filter 70 attached to rim 50 of bottom segment 40. Polarization filter 70 physically protects optical elements in elbow 64 and eyepiece 66 from contamination and at the same time polarizes light traveling through barrel 34 before it is deflected by elbow 64 to eyepiece 66.
- a periscope of the present invention is preferably equipped with optics having a Newtonian configuration.
- optics having a Newtonian configuration gives a real image with a real pupil, and magnification and field-of-view that are not limited.
- optics having a Newtonian configuration allows the use of a zoom lens in place of an objective lens.
- optics having a Newtonian configuration allow that eyepiece 66 be configured for attachment of various optical devices such as cameras, electronic video cameras, FLIR (far-looking infrared) detectors and light amplifiers such as "starlight scopes". Also, it is possible to configure eyepiece 66 so as to be easily attachable and detachable from elbow 64. This allows various configurations of eyepiece 66 with many and varied lenses and filters to be used for various purposes.
- barrel segments such as 36, 38 and 40 can include an afocal set of optical lenses.
- Each segment having lenses includes an objective lens, a field lens and an eye lens.
- Each such segment can be configured with a set of optical lenses to have a desired degree of magnification.
- FIG 6 are depicted two middle segments 38A and 38B, useable with a portable periscope 30 as depicted in Figures 3.
- Both 38A and 38B have a polarizing filter 70 to prevent contamination from entering the segment itself, as well as an objective lens 72, a field lens 74 and an eye lens 76.
- the lenses of middle segment 38A are chosen so that middle segment 38A has a 2x-magnification.
- the lenses of middle segment 38B are chosen so that middle segment 38B has a 4x-magnification.
- middle segment 38A or 38B the user of a periscope 30 chooses to use either middle segment 38A or 38B.
- the image observed is clear and sharp.
- the user can choose to stack middle segments 38A and 38B one on top of the other, simultaneously using both 38A and 38B to achieve an 8x magnification.
- a user making use of a periscope 30 as depicted in Figures 3 can have two or more stackable middle segments with no magnification.
- the user stacks as many middle segments to make a barrel 34 as long as desired.
- the image observed is clear and sharp.
- a periscope of the present invention has optics with a Newtonian configuration, virtually any number of afocal segments can be added if a user so desires.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/477,828 US20040136062A1 (en) | 2002-05-13 | 2002-05-13 | Portable periscope |
IL15889102A IL158891A0 (en) | 2001-05-16 | 2002-05-13 | Portable periscope |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29095601P | 2001-05-16 | 2001-05-16 | |
US60/290,956 | 2001-05-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002093233A1 true WO2002093233A1 (en) | 2002-11-21 |
Family
ID=23118201
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/015026 WO2002093233A1 (en) | 2001-05-16 | 2002-05-13 | Portable periscope |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
IL (1) | IL158891A0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002093233A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3450457A (en) * | 1963-03-11 | 1969-06-17 | Serge Clave | Extensible periscope |
GB2272146A (en) * | 1992-10-23 | 1994-05-11 | Sonja Begley | Periscope cap |
US5428520A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1995-06-27 | Skief; Mark W. | Adjustable protable utility light stand |
US6122100A (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2000-09-19 | Miller; Robert D. | Headgear apparatus for viewing in a periscopic direction and a forward direction simultaneously |
-
2002
- 2002-05-13 WO PCT/US2002/015026 patent/WO2002093233A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-05-13 IL IL15889102A patent/IL158891A0/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3450457A (en) * | 1963-03-11 | 1969-06-17 | Serge Clave | Extensible periscope |
GB2272146A (en) * | 1992-10-23 | 1994-05-11 | Sonja Begley | Periscope cap |
US5428520A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1995-06-27 | Skief; Mark W. | Adjustable protable utility light stand |
US6122100A (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2000-09-19 | Miller; Robert D. | Headgear apparatus for viewing in a periscopic direction and a forward direction simultaneously |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IL158891A0 (en) | 2004-05-12 |
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