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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an instrument which combines means for both
illuminating a work area and magnifying its image, and is capable of being
adjusted and hand held by a single hand.
In applicant's prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,960, issued Apr. 11, 1972,
there is disclosed an instrument useful in the graphic arts where there is
a continuous requirement for making detailed corrections to negatives,
plates and art work by removal of unwanted portions, adding images not
present in the original work, repairing portions which were not properly
produced in the original. While applicant's prior device has been most
suitable for such purposes, experience with the apparatus has indicated
that it may be useful in many other fields, e.g. in the medical field it
may be used for minor surgery, such as operations on warts, callouses,
splinters, imbedded pieces of glass and even for removal of objects from
the eye. For such critical paths, the prior art apparatus has certain
limitations, which the present improvement overcomes. The improved
apparatus disclosed hereinafter has also wide application in other fields
and has been found successful for preparing electron microscope slides for
use as a dissecting tool in biology labs and in the assembly of components
in the electronic and mechanical fields.
The improved device disclosed hereinafter is provided with a much more
convenient adjusting means facilitating one hand operation and also has
provision for varying the intensity of the illumination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there has been provided an
instrument comprising an elongated support member having a cavity therein.
A light emitting device, such as a small incandescent bulb, is positioned
at one end of the cavity. The remainder of the cavity being adapted to
contain a battery for energizing the light device or, in the alternative,
a battery simulator, which replaces the battery and is energized from a
conventional AC power source through a transformer and a rheostat so that
the apparatus may be plugged into a conventional wall outlet yet permit
variation of the light intensity without interference with the handling
characteristics of the tool. A light transmitting means is affixed to one
end of the support member and contains a light emitting device such as the
incandescent lamp and a tool holding means. A magnifying lens is supported
by a rack & pinion system for adjustable positioning of the magnifying
means relative to the work area.
A tool such as a brush, pen, cutting knife, scribe or other instrument is
inserted in the tool holding means, which may be the slip-chuck of
conventional design.
The second end of the light transmitting means has an inner concave surface
which focuses the light transmitted through the light transmitting means
from the light emitting device therein substantially corresponding with
the tip of the tool. The magnifying lens, which may be translated parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the core member and also pivoted in any
direction of one or more universal joints, is positioned by the user so
that the work is illuminated at all times.
The above description, as well as further objects, features and advantages
of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to
the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but
nonetheless illustrative, embodiment in accordance with the present
invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a battery simulator in conjunction with a
schematic drawing of an electrical supply for energizing the apparatus;
FIG. 4 shows a battery with switch means, which may be used in place of the
AC power supply.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing, the instrument comprises of an elongated hollow
electrically conducting metal cylinder 10 having an internally threaded
end portion 12 and a second threaded end 13. A cylindrical light
transmitting lens element 14 is provided with a thread 15 which mates with
thread 13. A cavity 16 receives a light bulb 18, sleeve 19 of the bulb
makes electrical contact to metal cylinder 10 through metal disc 20 in
which the sleeve 19 sits in a contact relationship.
The outer end of the lens 14 is provided with a roughened face surface so
that the light transmitted through the body of the lens is directed
outwardly. This is a characteristic of many light transmitting resins such
as Polymethylmethacrylate. On the other hand, the end of the lens may be
polished in the shape of a concave disc so as to direct the light forward.
At the center of the lens a bore 22 is provided, preferably of a tapered
configuration, for receiving tapered shanks 23 of tools 24. In order to
energize the incandescent lamp, two batteries 25, 25' in series such as
shown in FIG. 4 may be employed wherein the positive contact 26 of the
forward battery 25' makes contact with the center contact 27 on the bulb
18 and the conventional negative terminal of the rearward battery 25 makes
contact to spring 28 connected to threaded metal portion 30 and, in turn,
to the case 10. Within knob 32 there is provided a switch (shown
schematically) and actuated by contact button 34.
In FIG. 2, however, there is shown a battery simulator of FIG. 4 which
consists of a non-conductive tube 40 which terminates in a metal contact
button 42 having a central portion 44 surrounded by insulation 46. One
lead runs from member 42 to one side of the secondary 47 of transformer
48, shown schematically.
Another lead is connected to metal terminal member 50 through a rheostat
52, which permits adjusting the voltage applied to the bulb whereby the
intensity of the illumination provided may be varied.
The Primary 54 of transformer 48 is connected through a conventional power
cord 56 and plug 58, to a conventional source of line current. Thus, it
will be appreciated, that the apparatus may be used either with batteries
or from an AC source.
Mounted onto the elongated metal cylinder 10, there is provided a housing
60, which contains a drive wheel 62 extending to the side of the
instrument, whereby the user holding the instrument in his hand can
readily actuate the device, the drive wheel, with his thumb. On a common
shaft with the drive wheel 62 there is provided a pinion 64 which engages
a rack 66, which lies in a groove 68 in the housing 60.
Shaft 70 terminates at both ends in a ball configuration which is secured
by ball joint clamping means 72 and 74, permitting adjustment of the
magnifying means 76, attached to member 72 to be adjusted to any desired
configuration or position.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental
novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment
thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions
and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its
operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited
only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
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