US3642352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pivoted mirror for elbow joint in light tube
Assignee: NAT RES DEV
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Filing: 1969-12-09
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1989-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A mirror is mounted so that a light beam directed on to it with a given alignment relative to one of two relatively rotatable members is reflected with a fixed alignment relative to the other member as the two members are rotated. This requires half-rate relative rotation of the mirror, which is achieved by connecting it to balls or like rollable bodies arranged to roll in circular paths between surfaces on the two members. The device may be used in a laser beam manipulator, for example for surgery.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan David Beach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:58
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/10; G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/20; G02B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An optical apparatus comprising: two members mounted for rotation relative to each other about a given axis, said two members respectively having formed on them two surfaces which face each other and which are each in the form of at least part of a surface of revolution about said given axis; at least one rollable body arranged in rolling contact with said two surfaces and constrained to roll, when said two members are rotated relative to each other, in a path such that a given point on the axis of rotation of the body moves along a circle centered on said given axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to said given axis equidistant from and between the positions at which the body respectively bears on said two surfaces; a mirror having a planar reflective surface disposed with said given axis lying in the plane of the reflective surface; and means connecting the mirror to said at least one rollable body so that the mirror is rotated about said given axis synchronously with the motion of said given point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical apparatus comprising: two members mounted for rotation relative to each other about a given axis, said two members respectively having formed on them two surfaces which face each other and which are each in the form of at least part of a surface of revolution about said given axis; at least one rollable body arranged in rolling contact with said two surfaces and constrained to roll, when said two members are rotated relative to each other, in a path such that a given point on the axis of rotation of the body moves along a circle centered on said given axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to said given axis equidistant from and between the positions at which the body respectively bears on said two surfaces; a mirror having a planar reflective surface disposed with said given axis lying in the plane of the reflective surface; and means connecting the mirror to said at least one rollable body so that the mirror is rotated about said given axis synchronously with the motion of said given point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, in which said rollable body is a sphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 2, in which said two surfaces are planar surfaces disposed perpendicular to said given axis and spaced apart by a distance equal to the diameter of the sphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spindle, rotatable about said given axis, on which the mirror is mounted and on which said two members are independently journaled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 4, in which the means connecting the mirror to said at least one rollable body comprises a cage mounted on the spindle and arranged to constrain said at least one rollable body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, in which said two members respectively comprise two tubes respectively having longitudinal axes which are disposed to intersect said given axis perpendicularly at a common point on said reflective surface and to make equal angles with said reflective surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical apparatus comprising: two members mounted for rotation relative to each other about a given axis and having formed on them a plurality of pairs of surfaces, the surfaces of each pair facing each other and being respectively formed on said two members, the different pairs of surfaces being spaced apart along the length of said given axis and each of the surfaces being in the form of at least part of a surface of revolution about said given axis; a plurality of sets of rollable bodies corresponding to said plurality of pairs of surfaces, each body of each set being arranged in rolling contact with the pair of surfaces corresponding to the set and constrained to roll, when said two members are rotated relative to each other, in a path such that a given poiNt on the axis of rotation of the body moves along a circle centered on said given axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to said given axis equidistant from and between the positions at which the body respectively bears on the relevant pair of surfaces; a mirror having a planar reflective surface disposed with said given axis lying in the plane of the reflective surface; and means connecting the mirror to said rollable bodies so that the mirror is rotated about said given axis synchronously with the motion of said given point for each of the rollable bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical apparatus comprising: two members mounted for rotation relative to each other about a given axis and having formed on them a plurality of pairs of surfaces, the surfaces of each pair facing each other and being respectively formed on said two members, the different pairs of surfaces being spaced apart along the length of said given axis and each of the surfaces being in the form of at least part of a surface of revolution about said given axis; a plurality of sets of rollable bodies corresponding to said plurality of pairs of surfaces, each body of each set being arranged in rolling contact with the pair of surfaces corresponding to the set and constrained to roll, when said two members are rotated relative to each other, in a path such that a given poiNt on the axis of rotation of the body moves along a circle centered on said given axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to said given axis equidistant from and between the positions at which the body respectively bears on the relevant pair of surfaces; a mirror having a planar reflective surface disposed with said given axis lying in the plane of the reflective surface; and means connecting the mirror to said rollable bodies so that the mirror is rotated about said given axis synchronously with the motion of said given point for each of the rollable bodies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |