Universal night vision goggle adapter

A universal night vision goggle adapter (38) is provided for mounting a pair of night vision goggles (40) to a Special Purpose Test Set (10). The adapter (38) comprises slidably adjustable clamps (61 and 62) which are adjusted by a rotating rod (46). The rod (46) is rotationally supported by a bearing housing (44) which is in-turn fixed to a platform (42). The rod (46) is threadably attached at one end to a first bar (48) and threadably attached at another end to a second bar (50). The first and second bars (48 and 50) are fixed to the adjustable clamps (61 and 62) in such a fashion that as the rod (46) is rotated, the bars (48 and 50) are moved closer together or farther apart to adjust the clamps (61 and 62).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates in general to optical devices, and in particular to 
a universal night vision goggle adapter. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Night vision goggles, as well as other optical devices, often need to be 
fixed or held onto test equipment to conduct tests and make appropriate 
adjustments. Night vision goggles, which are adapted for use by the 
military, are field tested on a device known as a Special Purpose Test 
Set. The Special Purpose Test Set is a portable test set, and is used in 
the field to check resolution, collimation and other optical parameters of 
the night vision goggle. 
As a result of the manufacture of various generations of night vision 
goggles as well as different manufacturers thereof, the Special Purpose 
Test Set cannot conveniently grasp or hold all currently available models 
of night vision goggles. The Test Set has a pair of receptacles into which 
the binocular night vision goggles are inserted for testing, and since the 
various types of night vision goggles are dimensionally different, the 
receptacles require bushing adapters to accept the various goggles. 
The adapters typically comprise bushings that fit around the inserted 
portion of the night vision goggles and have an outside diameter the same 
as the inside diameter of the Test Set receptacles. Due to the various 
versions of night vision goggles, a different bushing is required to adapt 
each goggle version to the Test Set. All the bushings must be carried 
along with the Test Set to be able to test any of the various pairs of 
night vision goggles that are currently available. Therefore, it is 
necessary to either carry all the bushings in bags which are carried with 
the Test Set equipment, or tether each bushing to the receptacles in order 
to make them readily available. The bags and the individual bushings are 
easy to lose, while the use of tethers allows the bushings to become 
easily entangled and therefore adds undesireable clutter to the Test Set. 
Whichever method is chosen to store the bushings, confusion and loss of 
parts frequently occur. Thus, a need has arisen for a universal adapter to 
grasp all versions of night vision goggles to allow testing on the Special 
Purpose Test Set, and to eliminate the requirement of bushing adapters. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention disclosed herein comprises a method and apparatus for 
universally adapting night vision goggles to a Special Purpose Test Set 
which substantially eliminates or reduces problems associated with prior 
adapters. The present invention allows the adaptation of the various sized 
night vision goggles to the Special Purpose Test Set without the need for 
adapter bushings. 
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, disclosed is a universal 
optical device adapter for use with general purpose optical device test 
sets. First and second adjustable clamps are spaced apart a convenient 
distance to match the spacing between the lenses of a binocular optical 
device. An adjusting portion for cooperatively adjusting the clamps about 
a common axis is secured to a platform which positions and fixes the 
clamps to the optical test set. 
In a further aspect of the present invention, each adjustable clamp 
comprises slidable engageable first second clamping portions which are 
generally C-shaped. As the clamping portions slidably engage, a generally 
oval-shaped opening is formed for holding the optical device. Integral 
with the C-shaped clamp portions are flanges for supporting the optical 
device so that the goggle is accurately positioned over the optical test 
equipment of the Test Set. 
The adjusting portion comprises a bearing housing positioned between the 
clamps. A threaded rod passes therethrough on a transverse axis and is 
rotatably supported therein. The rod has right hand threads on one end and 
left hand threads on the other end and is threaded through two parallel 
bars, one on each end thereof. As the rod is rotated in the bearing 
housing, the threads cause the parallel bars to move, and thus move both 
of the clamps in unison. 
A technical advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the 
need for a plurality of various sized bushings to adapt different optical 
devices to a Test Set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In FIGS. 1 through 5, like items are identified by like and corresponding 
numerals for ease of reference. Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a portable 
Special Purpose Test Set 10 as typically utilized by the military to test 
night vision goggles. The Special Purpose Test Set 10 is designed to 
conduct tests for checking resolution, collimation and other optical 
parameters. The Test Set comprises a base 12 and a cover 14 which is 
attached to the base 12 by hingeable clamps 16 and clamp holders 18. A 
seal 20 may be provided around the perimeter of the base 12 to seal the 
lid 14 to the base 12. 
Various tests on the Test Set 10 are performed utilizing manual controls, 
such as a filter knob 22, and others. A pair of collimation receptacles 24 
are secured to the base 12 by respective bolt plates 26. The tubular parts 
of a binocular goggle are aligned along optical axis 23 and 25 and held 
fixed with respect to the collimation receptacles 24 so that the goggle 
can be tested. Optical axes 23 and 25 are perpendicular to the base 12 and 
pass through the center of collimation receptacles 24. For monocular 
devices, only a single receptacle would be utilized. Due to the various 
types of night vision goggles, as well as various versions of each type, 
the outside diameter of the tubular lens portion thereof varies, and thus 
makes it difficult to conveniently hold the goggle to the Test Set 
receptacles. 
As a result of the variations in the outside diameter of the goggle lens 
portions, according to the prior art, adaptor bushings 28, 30 and 34 are 
provided. Bushings 28, 30 and 34 are each dimensioned at one end thereof 
to fit a particular goggle lens portion, and dimensioned of the other end 
with an outside diameter matching the inside diameter of the receptacles 
24. A different bushing adapter must be provided for each different type 
of goggle device. In addition, the bushing adapters include an open end 
for insertion of the goggle, and thus cannot be clamped tightly to the 
goggle. 
Due to the transportability of the Test Set 10, it is essential that the 
adapter bushings 28, 30 and 34 are maintained in a fashion that will 
prevent their loss. Typically, the bushings 28, 30 and 34 are tethered to 
the receptacles 24 by a line 36 which may comprise, for example, a wire or 
string. Alternatively, the bushings 28, 30 and 34 may be inserted into a 
carry-along pouch. Whichever method is chosen for carrying the bushings 
28, 30 and 34, confusion of the operator and loss of the bushings 28, 30 
and 34 frequently occur. 
In operation under the prior art, a night vision goggle (either a binocular 
type or a monocular type) is fitted with the appropriate bushing. The 
night vision goggle is then inserted into the receptacles 24 along optical 
axes 23 and 25 and tests are conducted. It is an objective of the present 
invention to eliminate the plurality of bushings which may be lost. 
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a universal adapter 38 constructed in 
accordance with the present invention. The universal adapter 38 is 
positioned over the collimation receptables 24 and secured thereto by any 
appropriate device such as fastening clips, not shown. A binocular pair of 
night vision goggles 40, as indicated by dashed lines, is secured within 
the universal adapter 38 in a manner as will be subsequently described in 
more detail. The adaptability of the universal adapter 38 can be realized 
by its ease of operation. A pair of adjustable size openings are provided 
to accommodate the various sized of goggle devices. A single manually 
adjustable knob is also provided for varying the size of the adapter 
openings, and for clamping the goggle therein. The universal adapter 38 of 
the invention thereby holds the goggle in a more positive manner, is 
easily and quickly adjustable to any of a number of goggle types and 
avoids the necessity of bushing adapters. 
Referring to FIG. 3a the universal adapter 38 is shown in plan view in 
detail. The adapter 38 comprises a base plate 42 which is dimensioned to 
fit over the collimation receptacles 24 as will be subsequently described 
in more detail. Fixed to support plate 42 is a bearing housing 44. 
Supported by and rotationally passing through bearing housing 44 along a 
transverse axis 45 is threaded rod 46. Threaded rod 46 is threaded into 
first and second generally L-shaped (FIG. 3b) parallel bars 48 and 50. The 
threads on rod 46 are right hand threads on one end and left hand threads 
on the other end to allow the parallel bars 48 and 50 to be brought 
together or pushed apart in unison by the turning of rod 46. 
Rod 46 has a stop 52 and a turning knob 54 attached to opposite ends 
thereof. The stop 52 prevents overturning of the rod 46 which would result 
in removal of bar 50. Turning knob 54 provides a stop to prevent removal 
of bar 48 as well as a device for turning the rod 46. 
Guides 56 and 58 are fixed to bar 48 and bar 50 respectively by any 
appropriate method such as set screws (shown as phantom lines 60). Guides 
56 and 58 assist in holding the goggles 40 laterally within the universal 
adapter 38. 
First and second adjustable clamps, generally identified by the reference 
numerals 61 and 62, respectively, are fixed to first and second bars 48 
and 50 by any appropriate method, such as bolts 64. First and second 
clamps 61 and 62 are spaced apart along a common axis 65 which is 
perpendicular to and passes through optical axes 23 and 25 (shown on FIG. 
3a as dots 23 and 25) a convenient distance corresponding to the Test Set 
Receptacles 24. First and second clamps 61 and 62 comprise two pairs of 
generally C-shaped slidably engageable clamp portions 66 and 68. Clamp 
portions 66 and 68 may comprise, for example, plastic or aluminum. 
Clamp portions 66 and 68 further include flanges 70 and extensions 72. 
Flanges 70 and extensions 72 assist in holding an optical device from 
falling through the adapter openings until the clamping portions 66 and 68 
are appropriately adjusted to tightly clamp the optical device in place 
for testing. Additionally, extensions 72 assist in guiding the sliding 
adjustment of clamp portions 66 and 68 as will be subsequently described 
in more detail. 
Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of clamping portions 66 and 68 is 
provided. The extension 72 of one clamp portion 66 fits into receiving 
slot 74 of the other clamp portion 68. A recessed portion 76 is formed on 
each clamp portion 66 and 68 to cooperatingly fit with one or the other of 
L-shaped bars 48 and 50. Holes 78 pass through recessed portion 76 for 
insertion of bolts for attachment to the bars 48 or 50. Thus when bars 48 
and 50 are brought closer together, clamping portions 66 and 68 slide 
together by the insertion of the extensions 72 into the slots 74. 
In operation, an optical device is placed on the flanges 70 and extensions 
72 of the clamps 61 and 62. The turning knob 54 is turned to rotate rod 46 
in a direction to move parallel bars 48 and 50 closer together. As bars 48 
and 50 move closer together, clamping portions 66 and 68 are also brought 
closer together equally about optical axes 23 and 25 until the optical 
device is securely gripped therein. The optical device may then be tested 
as required on the Test Set. 
Referring to FIG. 5, the platform 42 is shown in plan view with all other 
components of adapter 38 removed. The platform 42 is provided with holes 
82 passing therethrough for mounting to collimation receptacles 24. 
Platform 42 is placed on collimation receptacles 24 and removably fixed 
thereto by any appropriate method such as collars 84 which are fixed to 
platform 42. Set screws 80 which pass through collar 84 may be used to 
secure the platform 42 to the receptacle 24. 
Although not shown, it is to be understood that an adapter utilizing the 
same principals as herein disclosed may be provided as a single clamp 
rather than as a double clamp device. In such a case, the single clamp 
would be used with a monocular device or in individual pairs for a 
binocular device. 
Although the present invention has been described with respect to a 
specific embodiment thereof, various changes and modifications may be 
suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present 
invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the 
scope of the appended claims.