Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for positioning a finder on the guide telescope and adjusting the finder without introducing bending stresses on the guidescope which cause distortion of the tube holding the optics of both the guidescope and the main telescope, which finder permits the user to manual adjust the finder to any position by relative movement of an x-axis adjustment and a y-axis adjustment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/319,031 filed Dec. 14, 2001 hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   This invention is a device that is specifically designed to address the need for finding guidestars, for autoguiding equipment, on an auxiliary telescope. This device further permits taking mosaic images if desired. The unit has two axes of motion, by means of fitted components, which are positioned by screws. These screw-actuated components allow for the precise positioning of stars onto the charge-coupled device (CCD) chip, and conversely these motions of fine adjustment allow the precise composure of astronomical objects, imaging sessions, as well as composing mosaics. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   Currently there is no known device, which attaches to a telescope and allows the positioning of a imaging device across the field of view. Currently the only way to move an imaging device from one object to another or from one star to another star, requires physical adjustment the telescope&#39;s position. An operator must either manually or electronically re-position the telescope to align it on the next target. With auxiliary telescopes, ie. a small telescope attached on top of a larger telescope, for locating target stars, one must adjust the mounting bracket to which the auxiliary scope is attached. Adjusting the smaller auxiliary telescope or guidescope in this way creates differential flexure. The guidescope is no longer aligned with the optical axis of the main telescope; and, therefore, the optical principal optical axis of the guidescope guiding the main telescope will not be parallel to optical axis or optical plane of the main telescope. This misalignment results in star trails in the edges of the image being photographed or viewed through the main scope. Once the unit is attached to the guidescope for purposes of autoguiding, or on the main scope for purposes of imagining, turning one of two screws, adjusts the position for the ccd camera in the x or horizontal axis and turning another adjusts the position in the y or vertical axis. 
   Also a special plasticized hood is provided that wraps around the device. This hood is to prevent stray light from entering into the imaging camera. There are two variations of the XY Finder. One model provides a retro-fit of the focuser, by bolting or otherwise affixing directly onto the flip mirror focuser. The other model of the XY Finder is a more generic design capable of permitting the attachment of any type of device. 
   The XY Finder apparatus of the present invention for mounting to the guidescope and other attachments of an optical system provides a first plate providing a dovetail groove or tenon for slideable movement in a single direction; a second plate providing another groove or tenon for slideable movement in a single direction; a base plate having a groove or mortise on a side for mateable engagement of the groove on the first plate and a groove or mortise, perpendicular to the front-side groove or mortise axis, on its obverse side for mateable engagement of the groove tenon on the second plate; and means for selective and controlled movement of each plate in each groove or mortise of the base plate to positioning attachments made to each plate relative to each other. As may be readily appreciated, each moveable plate could alternatively provide a mortise or groove for accepting a tenon or mateable body protrusion on the base plate without departing from the spirit or intent of the disclosed invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a silhouette view of the XY Finder retro-fitted onto a flip mirror focuser and the flip mirror focuser is retro fitted onto a autoguider attached to a guidescope attached on a larger or main telescope. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the XY Finder attached to a guidescope. The guidescope knobs hold the XY Finder securely in place. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inserting and removing the XY Finder from the guidescope, and this is illustrated by the arrow  110 . The guidescope has a receptacle or port item  10  that has knobs or thumbscrews which allow the user to insert either eyepieces or other equipment into the guidescope. And on the XY Finder is a similar component  110  that is circular in shape but smaller in size that item  10  of the guidescope. 
       FIG. 4  is a silhouette view of the XY Finder, generic version. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the XY Finder, generic version showing the insertion, and removing of the XY Finder from the guide scope, and the insertion and the removing of the flip mirror focuser-autoguider assembly, from the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the front side of the XY Finder, flip mirror focuser model. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the backside of the XY Finder, flip mirror focuser model. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the flip mirror focuser, which illustrates the retro fitting procedure for the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 9  is a silhouette view of installing the XY Finder onto the flip mirror focuser. 
       FIG. 10  is a silhouette view of the retro fitted version of the XY Finder attached to the flip mirror focuser. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the retro fitted version of the XY Finder attached to the flip mirror focuser. 
       FIG. 12  is a silhouette view of the XY Finder generic version and the flip mirror focuser, which illustrates the insertion and removing of the flip mirror focuser-autoguider assembly. 
       FIG. 13  is a silhouette view of the XY Finder generic version attached to the flip mirror focuser-autoguider assembly. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the XY Finder generic version attached to the flip mirror focuser-autoguider assembly. 
       FIG. 14A  is a silhouette view of the XY finder generic version and an autoguider assembly. 
       FIG. 14B  is a silhouette view of the XY finder generic version connected to an autoguider assembly. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded, perspective view of the front of the retro fit version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded, perspective view of the back of the retro fit version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded, perspective view of the front of the generic version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 18  is an exploded, perspective view of the back of the generic version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the front of the retro fit version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the back of the retro fit version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the front of the generic version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the back of the generic version of the XY Finder. 
       FIG. 23  is a first alternative embodiment of the XY finder shown attached to a CCD camera. 
       FIG. 24  is a second alternative embodiment of the XY finder shown attached to a CCD camera. 
       FIG. 25  is a silhouette view of the XY finder of  FIG. 23  attached to a CCD camera and a camera lens. 
       FIG. 26  is an exploded, perspective view of the XY finder assembly of FIG.  25 . 
       FIG. 27  is a third alternative embodiment of an XY finder shown attached to a guidescope and a CCD camera. 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view drawing of the third alternative embodiment of the XY finder assembly of FIG.  27 . 
       FIG. 29  is an exploded perspective view drawing of the XY finder assembly of FIG.  28 . 
       FIG. 30  is a perspective view drawing of a fourth alternative embodiment of the XY finder assembly with attached accessories. 
       FIG. 31  is an exploded perspective view drawing of the fourth alternative XY finder assembly of FIG.  30 . 
       FIG. 32  is an alternative perspective view of the exploded XY finder assembly of FIG.  31 . 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view drawing of the a fifth alternative embodiment of the XY finder assembly having a bayonet mount. 
       FIG. 34  is an alternative perspective view of the XY finder assembly of FIG.  33 . 
       FIG. 35  is an exploded, perspective view drawing of the XY finder assembly of FIG.  33 . 
       FIG. 36  is a perspective view drawing of a sixth alternative embodiment of the XY finder. 
       FIG. 37  is an alternative perspective view drawing of the XY finder of FIG.  36 . 
       FIG. 38  is an exploded perspective view drawing of the XY finder of FIG.  36 . 
       FIG. 39  is a perspective view drawing of a seventh alternative embodiment of the XY finder. 
       FIG. 40  is an alternative perspective view drawing of the XY finder of FIG.  39 . 
       FIG. 41  is an exploded perspective view drawing of the XY finder of FIG.  39 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As previously noted, there are no known devices that attach to a telescope and allow the cross travel of the imaging device or eyepiece across the field of the view. The XY Finder, both versions, satisfies these needs. Each is made from stock aluminum, but could be formed with any number of lightweight sturdy materials. After machining, all parts are de-burred and then black anodized. Standard commercially available components are utilized as well, such as bowed E-clips, knobs, machine screws, DELRON® washers, DELRON® spacers, thrust bearings, and ball plungers. The method for inserting and using the device is shown  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . 
     FIG. 3  shows the device being inserted into the guide scope receptacle  10  providing a standard eyepiece holder. The guide scope receptacle  10  can be provided with a plurality of guidescope knobs or thumbscrews  11 ,  12  that lock or fasten the eyepiece to the barrel  110 . This arrangement is generally sufficient for holding most accessories onto the small auxiliary scope or guide scope of the telescope system. 
   Also, as noted on  FIG. 3  the direction for insertion and removing is reflected by movement direction  110 A illustrating the attachment of the XY Finder of the present invention and flip mirror focuser autoguider assembly onto a guide scope. Sliding barrel  110  into receptacle  10 , then tightening the guide scope knobs  11 ,  12  completes the attachment. Also shown is a 35 MM single lens reflex camera (SLR) on the main telescope which shows the relative spacing of the XY Finder with the focal plane of the main scope. The use of SLR or CCD devices are well known in the industry. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  further illustrate the assembly and use of the XY Finder  200 , generic version.  FIG. 4  shows the attached unit  200  inserted in the guide scope, and the attached flip mirror focuser  30  and/or autoguider on the XY Finder  200 .  FIG. 5  shows the direction for insertion and removal of the XY Finder  200  from the guide scope. For inserting the XY Finder  200  into the guide scope, barrel  110  slides into receptacle  10  as previously described, and the knobs  207  are tightened on the guide scope. For attaching the CCD camera or flip mirror focuser, barrel  31  similarly slides into the interior receptacle on the XY Finder  220  with the tightening of the knobs as previously described. 
     FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the XY Finder body  100 . The barrel  110  that attaches to guide scopes or telescopes is moved in the x and y-axes by knob  170 , the X axis knob assembly, and knob  180 , the Y axis knob assembly. 
     FIG. 7  shows the back side of the XY Finder body  100 . Adapter  120  is a custom-fabricated part that will retro fit onto a flip mirror focuser. By providing for this adapter plate, any number of formats of mirror bodies may be accommodated with the XY Finder. The protruding tabs or bosses  120 A have tapped threads  120 B. The clearance hole or light entrance hole is shown in the plate at  120 C. Adapter  120  has the same exact dimensions as the tabs on tube assembly  32 , shown in FIG.  8 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , the flip mirror focuser Autoguider assembly  30  is illustrated with the barrel assembly  32  removed. Threaded to this assembly  32  is adapter barrel  31  which slides into a guidescope eyepiece holder, such as receptacle  10  in FIG.  3 . Screws  33  are removed from their location at  33 A and  33 B from plates  34  and  35  which form the flip mirror assembly in a manner well known to those in this industry. 
     FIG. 9  shows the XY Finder  100 , being positioned onto autoguider/mirror assembly  30 . Once the screw holes  120 B which are on the tabs  120 A are aligned with the clearance holes  33 A and  33 B on plates  34  and  35 , then machine screws  33  are inserted into the threaded holes  120 B on tabs  120 A of part  120  of the XY Finder Item  100 . Once the screws are tightened then assembly  100  becomes securely attached to the flip mirror focuser, autoguider assembly,  30 . 
     FIG. 10  is a silhouette view of the assembled XY Finder unit  100 , and the flip-mirror/autoguider assembly  30 .  FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the assembled XY Finder  100  and mirror/autoguider assembly  30 . 
     FIG. 12  is a silhouette view of XY Finder, generic version  200 , also showing assembly  30  with an autoguider. Inserting flip mirror-autoguider assembly  30  into XY Finder  200  is done by sliding barrel  31  of the flip mirror focuser  30  into receptacle  220 . On receptacle  220  are a plurality of knobs,  207  that secure barrel  31  to the receptacle  220  and therefore to the XY Finder  200 . The direction of insertion and removal of the flip mirror focuser  30  is shown in the arrow in FIG.  12 .  FIG. 13  is a assembled view of the entirety of the mirror/autoguider assembly  30  attached to XY Finder  200 , while  FIG. 14  is another perspective view of attached the same from a different vantage point.  FIGS. 14A and 14B  show the XY Finder  200  detached and attached to an autoguider assembly. 
     FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the front of the XY Finder base  100 . The major components are the X-Y base support plate  150 , which is a machined part that has twin inside dove cuts, [a 45 degree angled cut]  150 A. These dove cuts are perpendicular to one another. Also through support plate  150  is a passageway or hole to allow the unobstructed passage of light  150 B. Shown in  FIG. 16 , an exploded perspective view of the back of the XY finder are threaded holes  140 A in plate  150 . These threaded holes are for ball plunger screws  140 . A ball plunger screw is similar in appearance to a common set screw, but provides a ball plunger a miniature ball and spring. The spring provides force on the ball, such that the ball provides a smooth constrained force on the moving surfaces. Ball plunger screws  140  are utilized in both versions of The XY Finder. The ball plunger screws are used on the moving parts X-plate  110 , and Y-plate  120 , and also frustroconical adapter  220  shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Base plate  150  also has threaded holes  33 B for machine screws  33 , shown in FIG.  17 . There are  4  end plates,  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  which bolt onto plate  150 . 
   These end plates serve two purposes. First, they act as stops, for the moving parts X-plate  110  and Y-plate  120 , and also for the part barrel  220  in the XY Finder, generic version. Second, these end plates also hold the positioning screw assemblies. End plates  102  and  104  hold the screw assembly, support knob  170  and limit the travel of the X-plate  110 . Plates  101  and  103  hold the screw assembly, support knob  180  and limit the travel of the Y-plate  120  (and alternative version, barrel  220 ). On all four end plates, there are clearance holes  140 B for the ball plunger screws  140 , and also clearance holes  33 A for the machine screws  33 , which are illustrated in  FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18 . 
   In  FIG. 16 , the screw assembly clearance hole  170 A for side plate  102  is shown, and also for opposing side plate  104 . Screw clearance hole  180 A is shown in  FIG. 16  in the upper and lower plates  101  and  103 . 
   As previously noted, plate or slide  110  moves in the X direction. It provides a large clear interior passageway for the passage of light  110 A. Also plate or slide  110  has outside 45 degree angle profile  110 B to engage the profile of the base plate  150 . Plate or slide  110  shown in  FIG. 15  has a circular boss that protrudes from the base of the part. This circular diameter boss is the same size of eyepiece barrels will insert into and mate with the receptacle of standard telescopes. Also on slide  110  are threaded holes  140 A for the ball plunger screws  140 . Plate or slide  110  also provides the threaded hole that is in the side of the base for the positioning screw  167 , which is part of the screw assembly  170 . The base of plate or slide  110  is perpendicular to face for the hole  170 B. In  FIG. 16 , for part, Y-plate or slide  120 , travels in the Y axis direction. Plate or slide  120  again is provided with a passageway or hole  120 C for the passage of light. The tabs  120 A provide threaded holes at each distal end  120 B for bolting or attachment to the flip mirror focuser assembly  30 , which was previously discussed. 
   Also on slide or plate  120 , there are threaded screw holes  140 A for ball plunger screws  140 . These threaded holes are located on the face of the part. In  FIG. 15 , slide or plate  120  has a threaded screw hole  180 B to accommodate the shaft  177  of y-axis adjustment knob  180 , which is shown in FIG.  16 . Similar to its x-axis cooperating plate, y-axis plate or slide  120  has outside 45 degree angled cuts on both sides to match and engage the angled cut in base plate  150 . Threaded screw hole  180 B located through plate  120  parallel to the face of the slide. 
   The adjustment knobs are each inserted to provide the x-axis and y-axis movement as may be readily appreciated from the drawings. For example, in  FIG. 15 , x-axis knob  170  and screw assembly is composed of five parts. Knob  169  threads onto screw  167  which is supported by DELRON® washer  168 . Another small DELRON® washer  166  supports the distal end of screw  167  against the base support plate  150 , and is retained by bowed E-clip. 165 . On the screw  167 , a notch is cut into the screw for the bowed E-clip  165  in a manner well known to those in this art. 
   In  FIG. 16  the screw assembly  180 , is likewise composed of five parts. Knob  179  threads onto the screw  177  and is similarly supported by DELRON® washer or spacer  178 . Another smaller DELRON® washer  176  is secured to the distal end of screw  177  by bowed E-clip  175 . On the y-axis screw  177 , a notch is likewise cut into the distal end of the screw to retain the bowed E-clip. 
     FIG. 17  is an exploded view in perspective of the front of the XY Finder, generic version,  200 . These two units, The XY Finder, and The XY Finder generic version are identical in all of the parts and components except for one part, the frustroconical barrel  220 . This barrel  220  has a large inside diameter clearance hole for the passage of light  220 B and as previously noted has a outside 45 degree angled cut on both sides of the Y-slide assembly  220 A to mate with the dove tail cuts of the base plate  150 . The assembly and method of use of both XY Finders is otherwise the same. 
     FIG. 18  is a exploded view in perspective of the back of the XY Finder generic version and shows the second clearance hole  220 C which is larger than the clearance hole  220 B, both of the clearance holes are concentric thereby forming a frustroconical passageway therethrough. The larger clearance hole accepts the insertion of eyepiece-like size barrels from other devices such as CCD cameras, and eyepieces. Barrel  220  has  3  threaded screw holes  207 A spaced 120 degrees apart and are on the outside large diameter of the part for the knobs  207  to compressively engage the barrel of any device inserted therein. Barrel assembly  220  moves in the Y-axis. 
     FIG. 19  is a uncluttered perspective front view of Item  100 .  FIG. 20  is a uncluttered perspective rear view of Item  100 . 
     FIG. 21  is a uncluttered perspective front view of Item  200 .  FIG. 22  is a uncluttered perspective rear view of Item  200 . 
   Furthermore, the XY finder of  FIGS. 1-22  can be modified to exhibit different mounting alternatives and accessory items. The XY finder of  FIGS. 1-22  consisted of 2 sliding sieve mounting components. Alternative embodiments shown in subsequent  FIGS. 23-41  can be fabricated of alternative connection systems to provide more mounting options. A tripod adapter block to allow the XY finder to be mounted to a camera tripod is shown. A lens holder barrel is also shown with a bayonet mount to allow the mounting of a camera lens on one side of the XY finder. 
   FIG.  23 . shows the a first alternative XY finder  6  mounted to a CCD camera  3  and a camera lens  4 . The XY finder is bolted onto a small bracket  5  and the bracket is mounted onto a telescope  1 . A camera  2 , or other imaging device, is attached to the telescope. 
     FIG. 24  shows a second alternative XY finder  6  mounted to a telescope  1  with a camera  2 . XY finder  6  of  FIG. 24  includes a small lens holder barrel  7  to hold small lens  22  in place with thumb screws  23 . XY finder  6  of  FIG. 24  also includes a receptacle barrel  8  that allows the insertion of a CCD camera  9 . CCD camera  9  is held in place by thumb screws  21 . 
     FIGS. 25 and 26  show the XY finder  6  of  FIG. 23  in more detail. In these figures, a CCD camera  3  and a camera lens  4  are attached to the XY finder  6 . A principal feature of the XY finder of  FIGS. 23 ,  25 - 26  is the threaded sliding parts. The sliding component  35  of the XY finder  6  of  FIG. 26  has inside threads  13 . The assembly uses a two piece coupling unit that includes clamp  14  and hub  11  connected together by screws  17 . Clamp  14  threads into CCD camera  3  and hub  11  threads into internal threads  13  of XY finder  6 . 
     FIG. 27  shows a third alternative embodiment of the XY finder  6  attached to a guidescope  18  and a CCD camera  9 .  FIGS. 28-29  are close-up perspective and exploded views of the XY finder  6  of FIG.  27 . XY finder  6  of  FIGS. 27-29  includes a flanged barrel  19  with an outside diameter thread  12  for threading barrel  19  into item  35  of XY finder  6 . A receptacle  8  includes outside threads  12 , of the same designation as those of barrel  19  and is likewise threaded into the other side of item  35  of XY finder  6 . Receptacle allows the attachment of CCD camera  9  into an opening  20  and tightened with screws  21 . 
     FIGS. 30-32  show a fourth alternative embodiment of the XY finder  6  with an accessory tripod mount  10  and a small diameter lens holder  7  attached. XY finder of  FIGS. 30-32  includes a lens holder  7  that includes a receptacle  24  and thumbscrews  23  for holding small diameter lenses. Tripod adapter  10  is bolted onto the side of XY finder  6  with machine screws  25   FIGS. 33-35  show a fifth alternative embodiment of the XY finder  6  with a standard SLR camera lens bayonet mount mounted directly to sliding component  35  of XY finder  6 . This embodiment includes a sliding component  29  with a receptacle opening  30  and securing screws  31 . 
     FIGS. 36-38  show a sixth alternative embodiment of the XY finder  6 , an embodiment that includes a two piece coupling unit of FIG.  26  and accessory mounts  16  and  115  that are threaded directly onto the XY finder  6 . 
   Finally,  FIGS. 39-41  show a seventh alternative embodiment of the XY finder  6  that uses an tube  34  with external threads  12 . XY finder assembly  6  also includes washers  32  and an o-ring  33  that are combined with tube  34  and inserted into the threaded region of XY finder and into the threaded region of a CCD camera or other imaging device. The use of threaded tube  34  allows a low-profile coupling to be achieved. O-ring  33  allow for a compressed, but flexible, fit when compressed between washers  32 . Such a compressed, but flexible, fit will allow an attached CCD camera to be rotated about the center optical axis to permit the desired orientation of the CCD chip relative to the field of view. It should also be understood that a similar mechanical compressed fit can be achieved through the use of a bevel washer, a spiral washer, or wave spring washer in place of the o-ring.