Patent ID: 6222671
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical element switching device for an optical equipment having an optical path, the device comprising:a movable member having a holding section for holding a plurality of optical elements, said movable member being adjustable to place one optical element among the plurality of optical elements in the optical path;a fixed member having a mounting section for movably holding said movable member; anda restricting device for controlling the movable member for operation in one mode enabling said movable member to place any one of the plurality of optical elements in the optical path and in another mode restricting a moving range of said movable member to limit a number of the plurality of optical elements to be placed in the optical path,wherein said restricting device includes a restricting pin and a restricting member, said restricting pin being mounted on one of said movable member and said fixed member, and said restricting member being mounted on the other of said movable member and said fixed member, said restricting pin and said restricting member being relatively movable along a moving direction of said movable member, said restricting member having at least one cutout for restricting a range of the relative movement, and the moving range of said movable member being restricted by inserting said restricting pin into said cutout,wherein said restricting pin is movable in the direction almost orthogonal to the moving direction of said movable member, andwherein said restricting member has a plurality of said cutouts of different lengths along the moving direction of said restricting pin.