IP Library Granted Patent US 7,233,435
Granted Patent B2
US 7,233,435 · App. 10/711,188 · Granted Jun 19, 2007

Microscope

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,233,435
App. No.
10/711,188
Granted
Jun 19, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention concerns a microscope 1 . The microscope 1 encompasses a microscope stand 2 , an objective 4 having an optical axis 5 , a microscope stage 6 serving to receive a specimen 7 , and a focusing device 20 serving to focus the specimen 7 . With the focusing device 20 , the objective or the microscope stage 6 is positionable relative to the microscope stand 2 in the direction of the optical axis 5 of the objective 4 . The focusing device 20 comprises at least one operating element 8 with which an operator controls the positioning of the objective 4 or of the microscope stage 6 . For adaptation of the spatial arrangement of the operating element 8 to the needs of an operator, the microscope 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that the spatial arrangement of the operating element 8 relative to the microscope stand 2 is modifiable.

Claims (21)

1. A microscope, comprising:

a microscope stand comprising a sidewall that is defined by the microscope and includes

an elongated opening;

a microscope stage;

at least one objective that, in a working position, defines an optical axis; and

a focusing device having at least a first shaft and at least one operating element that is provided on the microscope stand, wherein the operating element generates a relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis and the operating element sits on the first shaft of the focusing device and the side wall, and wherein the focusing device is modifiable in terms of its position within the microscope stand in such a way that the spatial arrangement of the at least one operating element on a side wall of the microscope stand is adjustable substantially in the vertical and horizontal direction by means of a curved elongated hole.

2. The microscope as defined in claim 1 , wherein the focusing device is equipped with a pivot axis about which the focusing device is pivotable, together with the at least one operating element, in such a way that the position of the operating element on the at least one side wall of the microscope stand is adjustable.

3. The microscope as defined in claim 2 , wherein a second shaft arranged substantially coaxially with the pivot axis is provided, and is embodied in such a way that a rotary motion of the first shaft is transferable by way of the operating element to the second shaft.

4. The microscope as defined in claim 3 , wherein the rotary motion is transferable between the first shaft of the operating element and the second shaft in positively engaged fashion.

5. The microscope as defined in claim 4 , wherein at least two gears are provided, one of the gears preferably being respectively arranged nonrotatably on each shaft, and the gears being in meshing engagement with one another.

6. The microscope as defined in claim 5 , wherein the rotary motion of the second shaft is transferable in positively engaged fashion to a mechanism which generates the relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis of the objective.

7. The microscope as defined in claim 6 , wherein at least one further intermediate shaft is provided which serves for positively engaged transfer of the rotary motion of the first shaft to the mechanism which generates the relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis of the objective.

8. The microscope as defined in claim 6 , wherein the mechanism comprises a toothed rack that is in meshing engagement with the second shaft or with the axis associated with the support carriage.

9. A microscope, comprising a microscope stand; a microscope stage; at least one objective that, in a working position, defines an optical axis; a focusing device having at least one operating element that is provided on the microscope stand, wherein the operating element generates a relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis and the operating element sits on a first shaft of the focusing device and a side wall is defined by the microscope, wherein the focusing device is modifiable in terms of its position within the microscope stand in such a way that the spatial arrangement of the at least one operating element on the side wall of the microscope stand is adjustable substantially in the vertical and horizontal direction by means of a curved elongated hole.

10. The microscope as defined in claim 9 , wherein the focusing device is equipped with a pivot axis about which the focusing device is pivotable, together with the at least one operating element, in such a way that the position of the operating element on the at least one side wall of the microscope stand is adjustable.

11. The microscope as defined in claim 10 , wherein a second shaft arranged substantially coaxially with the pivot axis is provided, and is embodied in such a way that a rotary motion of the first shaft is transferable by way of the operating element to the second shaft.

12. The microscope as defined in claim 11 , wherein the rotary motion is transferable between the first shaft of the operating element and the second shaft in positively engaged fashion.

13. The microscope as defined in claim 12 , wherein at least two gears are provided, one of the gears preferably being respectively arranged nonrotatably on each shaft, and the gears being in meshing engagement with one another.

14. The microscope as defined in claim 13 , wherein the rotary motion of the second shaft is transferable in positively engaged fashion to a mechanism which generates the relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis of the objective.

15. The microscope as defined in claim 14 , wherein at least one further intermediate shaft is provided which serves for positively engaged transfer of the rotary motion of the first shaft to the mechanism which generates the relative motion between the objective and the microscope stage in the direction of the optical axis of the objective.

16. The microscope as defined in claim 14 , wherein the mechanism comprises a toothed rack that is in meshing engagement with the second shaft or with the axis associated with the support carriage.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Apr 26, 2006
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS WETZLAR
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 017575/0731 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2005
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS WETZLAR GMBH
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 016561/0412 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2005
From: GILBERT, MANFRED; PFEIFER, GERHARD; KOLB, HANS-JOACHIM
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS WETZLAR GMBH
Reel/Frame 015559/0291 →