Patent ID: 6937392
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A telescope comprising an elongate telescope tube having a central longitudinal axis; a mount supporting said telescope tube for altitude and azimuth positioning, said mount comprising an azimuth assembly and an altitude assembly supported on said azimuth assembly, said azimuth assembly comprising a horizontal platform rotatable about a vertical azimuth rotation axis, a pair of vertical bearing holders supported on said platform in parallel spaced relation, said altitude assembly comprising a pair of vertical bearings interconnected in parallel spaced relation, said bearings being supported on said bearing holders for rotation about an altitude rotation axis perpendicular to said azimuth rotation axis; and a clamp assembly disposed between said bearings and comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamp members selectively pivotal between open and closed clamp positions and an actuating mechanism for pivoting said clamp members between said open and closed clamp positions, each of said clamp members having an aperture through which said telescope tube extends, said telescope tube being movable longitudinally along said central longitudinal axis and being rotatable about said central longitudinal axis within said apertures when said clamp members are in said open clamp position, said telescope tube being prevented from moving longitudinally along said central longitudinal axis and being prevented from rotation about said central longitudinal axis within said apertures when said clamp members are in said closed clamp position, said actuating mechanism including an actuating member interconnecting said clamp members for pivotal movement between said open and closed clamp positions and an operating member for operating said actuating member to move said clamp members between said open and close clamp positions.