Patent ID: 6940642
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for stabilizing an optical tube, comprising: (a) a base having a sideboard, (b) a mounting member adapted to engage the optical tube, (c) an attachment member adapted to attach the mounting member to the sideboard such that the mounting member is operable to pivot with respect to the sideboard about an axis of rotation, and (d) a tension adjuster comprising a thrust ball bearing positioned to circumscribe the axis of rotation and aligned to bear thrust substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the thrust ball bearing is adjacent the sideboard, the tension adjuster being operable to adjust the friction force between the sideboard and the mounting member, whereby the tension adjuster may be operated to adjust the friction force to retain the optical tube in a desired disposition and the optical tube may subsequently be rotated about the axis of rotation without necessitating that the tension adjuster be operated to readjust the friction force.