Patent GB-384236-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in object stages for microscopes
IPC: G03B21/10
Filed: 1932-07-13
Abstract: 384,236. Microscopes. ZEISS, C. [Firm of], Carl- Zeiss- Strasse, Jena, Germany. July 13, 1932, No. 19751. Convention date, July 18, 1931. [Class 97 (i).] A longitudinally-displaceable object stage for a microscope for rapidly examining a number .of objects mounted on a single slide, such as a number of meat specimens in a compressorium, is provided with ratchet-wheel mechanism connected to the device for moving the stage, this mechanism permitting free movement of the stage in one longitudinal direction and restricting to a definite length the movement in the opposite direction. The Figures show the application of the invention to a projection microscope for use with a compressorium 42 having two rows of specimens a .. o and a<1> ..o<1>, the ratchet wheel being in this case provided with two reversely-acting pawls, and the appropriate pawl being automatically brought into operation by the transverse movement of the stage. The stand 1 carries the illumination tube 2 with an upwardly-directed exit aperture 5. Slidably mounted on the tube 2 is a sleeve 6 bearing a plate 7 which carries a guide 9 for a slide 10 to which is secured the object carrier 11, in which the compressorium 42 is to be mounted. The slide 10 carries a rack 13 engaged by a pinion 14 secured to a spindle 15 provided with a knurled head 16 and having bearings 17, 18 in the guide 9 and plate 7. The pinion 14 is connected to a ratchet wheel 19 which cooperates with a pawl mounted on a pivot 21 and having reversely-acting arms 22, 23. The pawl is controlled by a member 24 also mounted on the pivot 21 and having pins 25, 26, Fig. 3, entering slots 27, 28 in the arms 22, 23, and also carrying a spring 30 which urges the pawl towards the wheel 19. A pin 31 on the member 24 enters a cam slot 32 in a member 33 secured to the stand 1, so that transverse movement of the stage produces rotation of the member 24 about its pivot 21 and thereby brings the appropriate pawl arm into operation. An arm 34 secured to the stand carries the microscope objective 35 and also carries an adjustable stop 36 co-operating with a stop 37 secured to the slide 10, the length of the stop 37 being such that it will remain in engagement with the stop 36 to prevent transverse movement of the stage until the latter has reached one or other end of its longitudinal travel. A plate 39 bearing against the edge of the compressorium is mounted on an arm 38 carried by the plate 7 in such a position that the compressorium can only be removed when the stage is at the forward extremity of its travel. The specimens are inspected in the order a .. o, o<1> .. a<1>, the stage being first displaced transversely by moving the head 16 to the right and the stop 36 being adjusted to engage the left-hand edge of the stop 37. The spaces a .. o are then brought successively into the field by rotating the head 16, and at the end of this series the stopp 36, 37 disengage to allow the stage to be displaced transversely by moving the head 16 to the left. The stop 36 is then readjusted to engage the right-hand edge of the stop 37 and the spaces o<1> .. a<1> are examined successively by again rotating the head 16. When all the specimens have been examined the compressorium can be removed from the carrier 11.