The invention relates to a microscope having a lens holder into which lenses can be inserted.
The invention also relates to a locking device for a lens holder into which the lenses can be inserted.
Most commercially available microscopes are designed in such a way that, depending on the requirements of the preparation to be examined, different lenses can be inserted into the optical path. For this purpose, there is a thread into which different lenses can be screwed. Microscopes often comprise means in which several lenses are screwed in or stored and which allow a simple insertion of the lenses into the optical path of the microscope. Devices of this type are usually configured as lens turrets.
Microscopes with lenses that can be screwed out and that are fitted with a laser such as, for instance, laser scanning microscopes or microscopes with a laser device for specimen manipulation entail the disadvantage that hazardous laser radiation might escape in an undesired and uncontrolled manner if the lens is inadvertently removed.
Microscopes with interchangeable lenses also have the drawback that the relatively small, although usually expensive, lenses can be easily removed or can be easily lost. This aspect is of particular relevance in the case of microscopes employed in schools.
Japanese patent JP 2000221408 A2 discloses a lens turret with a cylindrical protective ring that is affixed with screws and that encompasses all lenses, thus making unauthorized removal more difficult. The protective ring, however, greatly limits the space around the lenses, which has a very detrimental impact when it comes to bringing laboratory devices such as, for example, manipulators or micropipettes, close to the specimen. Besides, authorized replacement of the lenses can only be carried out with considerable effort, namely, by dismantling the specimen stage or the microscope stand.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a microscope which largely prevents loss of the lenses and, if a laser is an integral part of the microscope, also prevents the uncontrolled release of laser radiation while still allowing full utilization of the microscope.
The the present invention provides a microscope including a lens holder for receiving a lens, and a locking device. The locking device affixes the received lens so that the lens cannot be removed without authorization.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a locking device for a lens holder which largely prevents the loss of the lenses while still allowing full utilization of the microscope.
The present invention also provides a locking device for a lens holder in which a lens can be received. The locking device includes an affixing device for affixing a lens received by the lens holder so that the lens cannot be removed without authorization.
The invention entails the advantage that it prevents the loss or theft of the lenses. Moreover, the invention has the advantage that it prevents the release of hazardous laser radiation from microscopes that are fitted with lasers.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking device affixes the inserted lenses in such a way that they can only be removed using a tool, the latter preferably being a special tool.
In another embodiment, the lens holder has a thread into which the lenses can be screwed, whereby the locking device prevents the screwed-in lens from turning inside the thread. The locking device comprises at least one screw, preferably a stud, which blocks the thread by a locking action.
In another embodiment, the locking device comprises a lock.
Another embodiment is characterized in that the locking device only allows the lens to be removed after executing a certain clockwise or counterclockwise turning combination by a predefined angle. For this purpose, there is preferably a catch mechanism into which the lens latches after it has been rotated by a definable angle.
In a very particularly preferred embodiment relating to microscopes having a light source, especially lasers, said light source can be automatically switched off, shielded, or blocked by removing the lens.
In another embodiment, electronic circuitry is provided that releases the locking device only after a secret code has been entered, for instance, via a keypad present on the device, via a remove control or via computer input. With this embodiment, instead of studs, electromagnetically sliding blocking pins are provided as part of the locking device.
In a preferred embodiment, a coin receptacle is provided that only releases the locking device once a deposit coin has been inserted; there is preferably a separate coin receptacle for each lens.
The drawing schematically depicts the subject matter of the invention and will be described below with reference to the figures, whereby elements having the same function are designated with the same reference numerals. The following is shown:
FIG. 1—a microscope according to the invention which is configured as a laser scanning microscope;
FIG. 2—a section through the lens turret of a microscope according to the invention;
a—a locking device according to the invention in the unlocked state;
b—a locking device according to the invention in the locked state; and
FIG. 4—a locking device according to the invention in a locked state.
b illustrates how the locking mechanism works (locked state). After the screw 45 has been inserted and carefully screwed into the thread 41 using the special tool 47, the clamp is actuated. This causes a threaded leaf spring to be pressed against the outer thread of the lens. In this context, the screw 45 and the clamp 43 have to be actuated in such a way as not to cause any damage to the outer thread of the lens. The locking device can be subsequently released only by means of the special tool 47.
The invention was described with reference to an embodiment. Of course, changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the claims presented below.
1 light source
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
101 42 229 | Aug 2001 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP02/09588 | 8/28/2002 | WO | 00 | 2/27/2004 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO03/021328 | 3/13/2003 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1406315 | Whittaker | Feb 1922 | A |
2616475 | Koza | Nov 1952 | A |
3981562 | Anthon | Sep 1976 | A |
4126392 | House | Nov 1978 | A |
4215915 | Freiberg | Aug 1980 | A |
4328713 | Lund | May 1982 | A |
4372650 | Lisfeld et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
5528879 | Louy et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5581415 | de Graffenried | Dec 1996 | A |
5684624 | Wieber et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
6327080 | Brinkmann et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6328269 | Krautloher | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6744575 | Andrews | Jun 2004 | B1 |
20030035229 | Willis | Feb 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
916915 | Sep 1954 | DE |
3923355 | Jan 1991 | DE |
4323129 | Feb 1994 | DE |
0407861 | Jan 1991 | EP |
2819057 | Jul 2002 | FR |
1139217 | Jan 1969 | GB |
2000221408 | Aug 2000 | JP |
8001512 | Jul 1980 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040207937 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |