Patent Abstract:
A lighted lens housing is provided, having led(s) placed in progression around a lens opening. The light generated from led(s) is directed to a desired focal point by means of deflector ring found adjacent the outer edge of led(s). A central lens channel is provided for the insertion and placement of a desired lens. A threaded opening at one end of lens channel for attachment to a typical jewelers loupe. Electrical power is provided by button cell battery.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is based on, and claims priority from, provisional application Ser. No. 60/797588, Filed May 4, 2006, entitled “LIGHTED LENS HOUSING FOR JEWELLERS LOUPE”, which is incorporated herein in it&#39;s entirety by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     N/A  
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX  
       [0003]     N/A  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates generally to a lens housing and more specifically to a lens housing which incorporates illumination with intent to provide a 360-degree use of light in conjunction with an inserted magnification lens from a Jewelers loupe and attachment to the same.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Illumination in conjunction with magnification has always been an issue since the inception of the magnification lens. The limitations imposed by daylight hours and available light, have encouraged those concerned to seek alternate and more effective means of illumination. The introduction of incandescent bulbs and the like, as illumination in conjunction with an available power source has been a large contributor in dictating various parameters concerning size and application. There have been an array of hand held loupes using incandescent bulbs first, and more recently led(s) (light emitting diode(s) to introduce light to the subject to be viewed. These magnifiers are normally hand held and have one led (light emitting diode) addressing one area. This of course is very limited because a large part of the viewing area goes un-addressed. Up till now no man made light sources in conjunction with a hands free jewelers loupe has been unavailable. Hands free visors utilizing magnification have been introduced with and without a light source. Those hands free visors, which are illuminated, normally have a light source in the center of the visor or at the corners, which again leave a substantial portion of the viewing area un-addressed. Up to now a typical hands free jewelers loupe has been used completely with ambient light. Because this typical jewelers loupe is to be held in place by the muscles and skin surrounding the eye, it is imperative that it be as lightweight as possible to avoid displacement. Therefore there exist a need to provide an extremely light weight illumination means which would be capable of providing a completely addressed viewing area and be used in conjunction with a typical hands free jewelers loupe.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the invention is to provide an effective illumination means for a hands free jewelers loupe.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide 360 degrees of light directed at the focal point of a desired lens.  
         [0010]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an extremely lightweight lens housing, illumination means and power source to work in conjunction with the typical jeweler&#39;s loupe and not adversely affect its ability to be held in place.  
         [0011]     Still another object of the present invention is to reduce, if not eliminate dark spots and shadows concerning the objects being viewed and to address all areas available through the lens with illumination.  
         [0012]     And still another object of the present invention is for its manufacture to be cost effective and to easily attach to a typical jewelers loupe while accepting a desired lens.  
         [0013]     These objects as well as others are achieved by providing a lighted lens housing according to the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a lighted lens housing having a main body capable of receiving led(s) and exposing the lighted portion of the led(s) in progression around the lens opening. A light deflector ring capable of adjusting the light convergence to a desired focal point. A lens receiving channel, so that a lens from a jeweler&#39;s loupe may be installed and rest within the channel next to the exposed led(s).  
         [0014]     A main body cover provided with a threaded opening for attachment to a typical jewelers loupe and a switching means provided with a small but effective power source.  
         [0015]     These as well as other feature are discussed in complete detail in the foregoing description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a side cut-away view of a preferred embodiment in relation to a typical jewelers loupe and Lens.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  reveals a side view and rear interior details of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an interior and exterior view of a rear cover.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  shows a side cut-away view of a lighted housing with an exterior view of an installed lighted housing in conjunction with a typical jewelers loupe.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cut-away side view of a lighted housing in relation to a side view the housing installed on a typical jewelers loupe.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  shows interior details of an 8 led lighted housing and rear view of back.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  reveals the inside of the back or lower housing.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary view revealing cut-away of a lighted housing in relation to a single lens jewelers loupe.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a frontal view of a typical lighted housing.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of a lighted housing.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view revealing a method of assembly of a lighted housing.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of a lighted housing together with a cut away of a rear cover.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 8, 8A ,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  8 E,  8 F,  8 G, and  8 H, illustrates a variation of lighted housings shown in cut-away with various diversifications of detail.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 9 and 9 A shows a cut-away side view and cut-away rear views of a single led lighted housing.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9B  reveals a cut away of a rear portion of a single led housing showing an off center lens channel.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  shows interior details of the lighted housing with a variation of battery cell and led placement.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows a cut-away side view with a variation of modified led(s).  
         [0033]      FIG. 11A  illustrates an assortment of side views of modified led(s).  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a side, interior and rear view and modified details of back and lower housing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     The foregoing is a description in detail of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown in the drawings housing  4  of which is comprised of two parts: upper housing  4  and the back and lower housing  21 , both of which would be fabricated of a light weight suitable plastic, resin or appropriate material for housing a light source and compatible with circuitry. The upper housing  4  is provided with chamber(s)  50 , which are adapted to receive led(s) (light emitting diode(s)  2  as best seen in  FIG. 6 , when multiple led(s) (light emitting diode(s) are employed, chamber(s)  50  are spaced apart. Also seen in  FIG. 1  within upper housing  4  and better seen in  FIG. 6 , is recess  78 , which is fashion to receive positive contact member  9  and negative contact member  8  when fully assembled. Positive contact member  9  and negative contact member  8  would be made of a suitable material for conducting electrical current and also allow for a modicum amount of flexibility, (it must also be stated that these contacts both  9  and  8  and they&#39;re placement are part of typical circuitry). The upper housing  4  further provides lens channel  15  for the receiving and placement of a desired lens  32  as seen in  FIG. 1A , the upper housing  4  further utilizes terminal stop platforms  77  for the purpose of holding the installed battery cell  6  in a biased position adjacent positive contact member  9  and to cooperate with movable instruction member  75  as best seen in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 1A  upper housing  4  is shown with light deflection ring  3  as integral part formed in unison with housing  4  (ring  3  will be discussed in further detail later). Referring to  FIG. 1A  upper housing  4  and lower housing  21  are shown in cross section revealing the placement of the led(s)  2  in cooperation with lens receiving channel  15 . Lower housing  21  as seen in  FIG. 1A , utilizes movement slots  56  which allow outward movement of anchors  72  with intent to rest within selection channel  100  as best seen in  FIG. 2A , after which would allow lower housing  21  to move laterally in rotation acting as switch to complete the circuit thereby urging the led(s)  2  to light.  FIG. 1A  further shows threads  17  of upper housing  4  adapted to communicate with threads  18  of lens spacer  10  of the typical jewelers loupe. Referring to  FIG. 1A  there is shown a typical two-lens jewelers loupe in sections, eye piece  12 , first lens  33 , lens spacer  10  and second lens  32 .  FIG. 2  also shows a topical view revealing the inside of lower housing  21  with instruction members  75  and anchors  72  visible, also shown here are movement slots  56  in relation to anchors  72 .  FIG. 2A  reveals a cross section of upper housing  4  and lower housing  21  after adjoinment with anchors  72  securely resting within selection channels  100  awaiting lateral rotation. This lateral movement is best achieved by employing the serrated exterior of upper housing  4  affording a more sufficient grip, which would assist in accomplishing the desired movement. The lateral movement is restricted by the terminal stops  60  of selection channel  100  as best seen if  FIGS. 4A and 6 . Once again  FIG. 2A  reveals a side view of a conjoined upper housing  4  and lower housing  21  resulting in a fully assembled lighted housing in cooperation with the typical two-lens jewelers loupe. Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4A  there is shown the present invention adapted to respond to a single lens jewelers loupe. In  FIG. 3A  is shown the upper body  4  fashioned with eight leds  2  instead of the six as in  FIG. 1 . Also seen in  FIG. 3A  is the back of lower housing  21 .  FIG. 3A  shows a cross sectional view of upper housing  4  and lower housing  21  similar to that seen in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 3  further shows lens  32  and eyepiece  12  of a typical single lens jeweler&#39;s loupe and relation of assembly with lighted housing.  FIG. 4  shows the interior details of lower housing  21  with instruction members  75  in number to cooperate with an eight led  2  assembly.  FIG. 4A  reveals the exterior side portion of the upper housing  4  revealing entrance  99  of selection channel  100  and its position. Again  FIG. 4A  showing the lighted housing fully assembled and in cooperation with the typical single lens jewelers loupe. Referring to  FIG. 5  there is shown a typical frontal view of the lighted housing revealing approximate placement of six led(s)  2  in correspondence with an installed lens  32  and light deflection ring  3 .  FIG. 5A  shows upper housing  4  in perspective view revealing placement of entrance  99  of selection channel  100 .  FIG. 6  shows in perspective the relationship of the led  2  lamp assembly and recess  78  and with upper housing  4  and led chamber(s)  50 , the led lamp assembly consist of the leds  2 , a positive contact  9  and the negative contact  8 , the leads of the led(s) would of course be attached in succession (when more than one were used) to contacts  9  and  8  by means of solder  40  (as seen in  FIG. 9B ) or the like, it must also be noted that the typical lengthy leads of the led(s) as seen in  FIG. 11  could also serve as contacts  9  and  8  as best seen in  FIG. 10A  by cutting and crimping them together, there by also eliminating the need for customary soldering.  FIG. 6  also shows instruction platform  77  and entrance  99  of selection channel  100 . It must also be mentioned at this point that selection platform  77  is adapted to cooperate with the back of battery cell  6  to securely hold it in a biased fashion against the flat of positive contact member  9 , this platform  77  also acts in cooperation with instruction member  75  to limit its movement resulting in positive terminal stops both inward and in a lateral fashion. Lower housing  21  shown here in  FIG. 7  is slightly modified over the previous to include secondary grip collar  22  as means to facilitate disassembly in the process of battery cell  6  replacement, this modification can also aid in the manual rotation during the on and off process. Referring to  FIG. 8  there is shown an array of upper housing(s)  4  with variations in light deflection rings  3  and the placement of led(s)  2 . Also in  FIG. 8  is shown a single led housing  4  with the led  2  placed lower than in previous  FIGS. 1A, 3A  and  FIG. 2 . The actual placement of the led  2  is a matter concerned directly with a particular desired result in lighting effect.  FIG. 8A  shows a more straight light deflector ring  3 , this is for use with lower powers of magnification, because the led light focal point would need to converge at a greater distance from lens  32  thereby needing a lesser angle of redirection. The more powerful the loupe or magnification, the closer outer lens  32  needs to be in relation to the object being studied, therefore, the greater the angle of deflection.  FIGS. 8B, 8C ,  8 E,  8 G and  8 H show a much sharper angle in the light deflection ring  3  because the light convergence needs to be much closer in front of the outer lens  32  in order to adequately illuminate the object being studied. Now go to  FIG. 8D , There is shown the complete lack of light deflection ring  3 , this is because of a low magnification loupe, which would mean that the object being view would be at a substantial distance from lens  32 .  FIG. 8B  shows a slight curvature of inner surface  28  of light deflection ring  3 . This of course as stated before would be for accomplishing a desired light pattern, diffusement/or effect. Again with  FIGS. 8F, 8G , and  8 H showing a pattern in this inner face  28  of reflection ring  3  in order again to obtain a particular effect. It must also be mentioned that this inner face  28  can be a natural color and reflect and adequate amount of light, but as this area is modified by color such as white, silver, chrome, or another highly reflectant shade this can greatly affect the amount of light reflected, thereby magnifying the available light and achieving a variation of significant results. This modification is not only restricted to the inner surface of deflection ring  3 , but can also include the exterior surface  44  of inner ring  1  which is found adjacent the installed lens  32  as best seen in  FIG. 8E . Referring to  FIG. 9  there is shown a single led housing  4  revealing the cooperation of battery cell  6  with positive contact member  9  and the placement and cooperation of instruction member  75  with shaped flat  91  of negative contact member  8  awaiting contact with the rear negative surface of battery cell  6  upon lateral rotation of instruction member  75  which would occur naturally during rotation of lower housing  21 .  FIG. 9A  shows contact being made with the rear surface of the negative side of battery cell  6  and shaped flat  91  of negative contact member  8  thereby completing the circuit and adding power to led(s)  2  resulting in light. This contact is put in play by the progressional placement of instruction member  75  during rotation of lower housing  21  thereby urging this contact and completing the circuit.  FIG. 9B  also shows a single led housing  4  utilizing two-battery cells  6  in succession.  FIG. 9B  further reveals an off center lens placement ring  15  which would allow for a larger led and a larger power source internally without having to attach in an external fashion as seen in  FIG. 10A , but would of course require modification of lower housing  21  in order to work as intended.  FIGS. 9B and 10  shows a variation of led(s)  2  with battery cell  6  placement, which can determine the number of battery cell  6  needed and the life span of the same, all shown in parallel circuit with slight differences.  FIG. 10A  further shows the aforementioned external battery-holding chamber  25  with switch cap  23  utilizing spring  24  and selector contact  26  instead of the lateral movement of lower housing  21  and instruction members  75 .  FIG. 11  shows a cross sectional view of upper housing  4  utilizing a slightly modified led  2 , this could be employed for two main reasons, one of which as seen in  FIG. 11A  would get reflector bowl  82  of the led  2  closer to the surface of the reflector ring  3  and the exterior of the lens  32 , and secondly this modification could assist in cooperation with deflector ring  3  to afford a greater level of focal point convergence.  FIG. 11  further shows a typical led  2  with typical lead frame assembly  87  with typical lengthy leads (cathode  84  and anode  85 ).  FIG. 11A  shows a variation of modified led(s)  2  which could be employed if the application warranted it, and if it were deemed necessary to modify the led(s)  2  from the norm in order to create a better or desired result. Referring back to  FIG. 11  the typical led  2  consist of cathode  84  and anode  85 , reflector bowl  82  and lead frame  87 . In  FIG. 11A  the modifications vary from concerns with the shape of the exterior epoxy and the angle of reflection bowl  82 , if this angle were changed it could drastically affect the angle or shape of the light deflection ring  3 .  FIG. 12  shows a slightly modified lighted lens housing  4  with lower body  21  affixing to secondary lens spacer  10  by means of threads  17  instead of upper housing  4  attaching directly to secondary lens spacer  10  as seen earlier in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In this  FIG. 12  lower housing  21  has an integral internal lens spacer  27  to hold an installed lens  32  in place and should snap onto upper housing  4  similarly as before, allowing for lateral rotation thereby acting as a switch.  FIG. 12A  shows the interior details of lower housing  21  revealing a similar placement of instruction members  75 .  FIG. 12A  also reveals the rear view of lower housing  21  showing the placement of threads  17  for attachment to secondary lens spacer  10 . The aforementioned description of the preferred embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is apparent that the above described invention could be affixed to and work in conjunction with a desired microscope and magnification lens, used in cooperation with a camera lens, combined with a variety of surgical and dental tools, used with lasers, incorporated in hand held magnifiers and the like. Therefore it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that certain modification of descriptions, the combining of parts, changes in assembly, changing of geometrical shapes, size and/or proportions and minor details of construction with the intent for accomplishing the same or similar action in conjunction with an array of application, all of which could be accomplished and still remain in the scope and the spirit of the present invention without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6