Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8149507?dq=6,373,753
Timestamp: 2014-07-13 10:43:00
Document Index: 331906429

Matched Legal Cases: ['application no. 10', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 10']

Patent US8149507 - Binocular - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsBinoculars have two tubes connected to each other via a folding bridge and an Abbe-K�nig prism system is arranged in each tube and the Abbe-K�nig prism systems are provided for image reversal of respective visual viewing beam paths. Each Abbe-K�nig system includes an isosceles prism and a roof prism...http://www.google.com/patents/US8149507?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8149507 - BinocularAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8149507 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/318,803Publication dateApr 3, 2012Filing dateJan 8, 2009Priority dateJan 8, 2008Also published asDE102008003414A1, DE502008001638D1, EP2078975A1, EP2078975B1, US20090174939Publication number12318803, 318803, US 8149507 B2, US 8149507B2, US-B2-8149507, US8149507 B2, US8149507B2InventorsChristof Heintz, Volker Tautz, Norbert MuellerOriginal AssigneeCarl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbhExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (18), Referenced by (1), Classifications (16), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetBinocularUS 8149507 B2Abstract Binoculars have two tubes connected to each other via a folding bridge and an Abbe-K�nig prism system is arranged in each tube and the Abbe-K�nig prism systems are provided for image reversal of respective visual viewing beam paths. Each Abbe-K�nig system includes an isosceles prism and a roof prism adjacent thereto. A laser transmitter (21) in the first tube (3 a) and a corresponding laser receiver (22) in the second tube (3 b) can be changed in parallel with respect to the distance to each other by means of the folding bridge (37). One of the two prisms (9, 10) of each Abbe-K�nig prism system (6) is configured with a splitter layer (12, 12′, 12″) or is connected via a cement layer for splitting the viewing beam (7) and laser beam (24) into separate beams with the beams (7, 24) running part way in common in the respective tubes (3 a , 3 b).
What is claimed is: 1. A binocular for viewing an object, the binocular comprising:
first and second tubes conjointly defining a distance therebetween;
first and second Abbe-K�nig prism systems arranged in said first and second tubes, respectively, for image inverting a visual viewing beam in the tube corresponding thereto;
each of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems including an isosceles prism and a roof prism disposed one behind the other;
each of said tubes having a forward lens forward of the Abbe-K�nig prism system and a rearward lens rearward of the Abbe-K�nig prism system;
said forward and rearward lenses of each of said tubes defining an optical axis passing through the corresponding Abbe-K�nig prism system disposed therebetween;
each one of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems being configured to offset the corresponding optical axis passing therethrough in a range from a zero offset to a predetermined offset value;
a laser transmitter defining a laser beam outgoing therefrom to said object and being disposed in said first tube;
a laser receiver being disposed in said second tube;
said laser receiver being assigned to said laser transmitter with said laser beam being reflected at said object to become an incoming laser beam to said laser receiver;
a folding bridge connecting said first and second tubes so as to permit varying said distance between said first and second tubes and therewith varying a spacing between said laser transmitter and said laser receiver parallel to each other;
one of said isosceles prism and said roof prism of each of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems defining a splitter arrangement for splitting the visual viewing beam and the laser beam, which run part way in common in the corresponding tube, into separate beams;
one of said isosceles prism and said roof prism being configured to include a splitter layer defining said splitter arrangement for splitting the visual viewing beam and the laser beam into separate beams;
wherein one of said isosceles prism and said roof prism comprises a first component prism and a second component prism conjointly defining a partition interface whereat said first and second component prisms are connected to each other; and,
a coating disposed at said interface to define said splitter layer for splitting said visual viewing beam and said laser beam, which run part way in common in the corresponding tube, into separate beams by reflection of a defined wavelength range.
2. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said laser transmitter is configured as a laser diode and/or said laser receiver is configured as a photodiode.
3. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said coating is a dielectric coating.
4. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said splitter layer is disposed in said isosceles prism or in said roof prism.
5. The binocular of claim 1, wherein the forward lens in each of said tubes is an objective defining the optical axis corresponding thereto; and, each one of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems is configured for said laser beam being close to said optical axis.
6. The binocular of claim 5, wherein said laser beam and said optical axis conjointly define an angle of equal to or less than 0.3�.
7. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said isosceles prism and said roof prism are cemented to each other.
8. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said isosceles prism and said roof prism are wrung together in optical contact.
9. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said isosceles prism and said roof prism are mounted with an air gap therebetween of 0 to 5 mm.
10. The binocular of claim 9, wherein said air gap is 0.5 to 2 mm.
11. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said isosceles prism and said roof prism conjointly define a gap therebetween.
12. The binocular of claim 1, wherein each one of said roof prisms is a cemented prism having a cement layer defining said splitter arrangement for splitting the viewing beam and the laser beam into separate beams.
13. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said offset value lies in a range of 0 to 10 mm.
14. The binocular of claim 1, wherein said offset value lies in a range of 4 to 9 mm.
15. A binocular for viewing an object, the binocular comprising:
one of said isosceles prism and said roof prism of each of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems defining a splitter arrangement for splitting the visual viewing beam and the laser beam, which run part way in common in the corresponding tube, into separate beams; and,
wherein each one of said roof prisms comprises two prism parts conjointly defining an interface therebetween whereat said two prism parts are cemented to each other; and, said splitter arrangement is disposed at said interface.
16. The binocular of claim 15, wherein said laser beam and said optical axis conjointly define an angle of equal to or less than 0.3�.
17. The binocular of claim 15, wherein said offset value lies in a range of 4 to 9 mm.
18. A binocular for viewing an object, the binocular comprising:
said roof prism of each of said Abbe-K�nig prism systems defining a splitter arrangement for splitting the visual viewing beam and the laser beam, which run part way in common in the corresponding tube, into separate beams;
said isosceles prism and said roof prism conjointly defining a gap therebetween;
each one of said roof prisms comprising two prism parts conjointly defining an interface therebetween whereat said two prism parts are cemented to each other; and,
said splitter arrangement being disposed at said interface.
19. The binocular of claim 18, wherein said laser beam and said optical axis conjointly define an angle of equal to or less than 0.3�.
20. The binocular of claim 18, wherein said offset value lies in a range of 4 to 9 mm. Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority of German patent application no. 10 2008 003 414.2, filed Jan. 8, 2008, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a binocular having two viewing beams and a folding bridge. Each viewing beam is arranged in an assigned tube and each tube includes an Abbe-K�nig prism system for image inversion of the corresponding viewing beam. Each Abbe-K�nig prism system includes an isosceles prism and a roof prism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of Porro prisms of the 2nd type is known for binoculars from German patent publications 285,646; 288,468; and, 800,438. German patent publication 944,223 B discloses a Porro-like prism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,314 discloses the use of an Uppendahl prism.
In various optical systems, especially binoculars, the use of an Abbe-K�nig prism system is known as, for example, in Zeiss Victory binocular 8�40 B T*.
An Abbe-K�nig prism system is a reflection prism system via which an image is erected. A vertical reversal as well as a lateral reversal takes place. This prism system comprises two prisms which are cemented to each other or are arranged one behind the other at a small distance. An axis offset can be effected by the two prisms. The optical axis of the entry ray when entering into the Abbe-K�nig prism system lies parallel to the optical axis of the exit beam from the Abbe-K�nig prism system. When used in binoculars, the magnitude of the offset is typically 4 to 9 mm. The magnitude can be optimized in the optic design to a desired value, for example, between 0 and 10 mm.
Up to now, a light beam, especially a laser light beam has not been coupled in or coupled out because of the tight structural space of a modern slim binocular having Abbe-K�nig prism systems and a folding bridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a compact integration of a laser distance measuring device into a binocular having a folding bridge while utilizing Abbe-K�nig prism systems.
The binocular of the invention includes: first and second tubes conjointly defining a distance therebetween; first and second Abbe-K�nig prism systems arranged in the first and second tubes, respectively, for image inverting a viewing beam in the tube corresponding thereto; each of the Abbe-K�nig prism systems including an isosceles prism and a roof prism disposed next to the isosceles prism; a laser transmitter defining a laser beam outgoing therefrom and being disposed in the first tube; a laser receiver being disposed in the second tube; the laser receiver being assigned to the laser transmitter with the laser beam being an incoming laser beam to the laser receiver; a folding bridge connecting the first and second tubes so as to permit varying the distance between the laser transmitter and the laser receiver parallel to each other; one of the isosceles prism and the roof prism of each of the Abbe-K�nig prism systems defining a splitter arrangement for splitting the viewing beam and the laser beam, which run part way in common in the corresponding tube, into separate beams.
This binocular includes Abbe-K�nig prism systems for image inversion of the viewing beams. Each Abbe-K�nig prism system comprises an isosceles prism and a roof prism cemented thereto or disposed at a short distance therefrom. The distance can typically be 0 to 5 mm and is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. A laser transmitter and a laser receiver are provided. The laser transmitter is assigned to the first viewing beam and the laser receiver is assigned to the second viewing beam. One of the two prisms of each Abbe-K�nig prism system is configured with a splitter layer or is connected via a cement layer whereby, in the particular tube, a splitting of the viewing beam and the laser beam takes place.
Because of the adjustment tolerances, it is conceivable that the axis beam does not impinge mathematically exactly perpendicular but only essentially perpendicular, for example with a deviation of �2�.
FIG. 4 is a schematic of an Abbe-K�nig prism system;
FIG. 5 is a schematic of an Abbe-K�nig prism system according to FIG. 2;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a schematic of a binocular half 1 having a laser transmitter 21 or a laser receiver 22 of a laser distance measuring device ahead of an object 4. The object 4 is viewed by an observer 5 through the binocular 2 shown in FIG. 6 and the distance of the object can be determined with the laser distance measuring device. The binocular has an Abbe-K�nig prism system 6 in each of the binocular halves.
A viewing beam 7 runs from an objective 8 through an isosceles prism 9 and a roof prism 10 to the ocular 11 and is shown by solid lines. The roof prism 10 is mounted rearwardly of the isosceles prism 9. The isosceles prism 9 and the roof prism 10 conjointly define the Abbe-K�nig prism system 6. Three rays 7 a, 7 b and 7 c of the viewing beam are shown. The solid line in the interior of the roof prism 10 defines the forward lower roof edge 17 c. The first prism 9 viewed from the light incident from the left comprises two parts 9 a and 9 b. The two prism parts 9 a and 9 b are cemented to each other. The common surface of the two prism parts 9 a and 9 b is configured as a beam splitter. A splitter layer 12 is preferred and applied to one of the two surfaces to be cemented in advance of cementing and this splitter layer is especially a dielectric splitter layer. This splitter layer 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as a broken line.
The splitter layer 12 is so configured that the wavelength range is reflected wherein an infrared laser diode operates including a band of approximately �50 nm, for example, 850 to 950 nm. A reflection starting at approximately 800 nm is also conceivable. An infrared laser diode can, for example, operate at 905, 1060 or approximately 1500 nm wavelength. The remaining wavelengths, especially the visual range, are passed.
After the beam 7 has passed the objective 8, the beam passes through the entry surface 13 into the isosceles prism 9 and the portion of the beam in the visual wavelength range passes through the splitter layer 12. Passing through the splitter layer should take place uninfluenced in such a manner that no or only a minimally perceptible color distortion is generated, for example, ΔRed<3 and ΔGreen<3 according to ISO 14490-5 Annex B Clause B.2. The beam thereafter incidents upon the reflection surface 14 and is reflected thereby via total internal reflection (TIR) to the exit surface 15. The exit surface 15 is cemented to the entry surface 16 of the roof prism 10.
On the other hand, the isosceles prism and the roof prism can be wrung together in optical contact. Alternatively, an air gap can be provided between the exit surface 15 and the entry surface 16. The viewing beam exits from the isosceles prism 9 perpendicularly through the exit surface 15 and enters again at entry surface 16 of the roof prism 10 and is thereafter totally reflected at the roof surface pair 17 a and 17 b and at the reflection surface 19 in order to reach from there the exit surface 18 and thereafter the ocular 11. The entry surface 16 corresponds to the reflection surface 19.
The roof ridge or roof edge, which is formed by the two roof surfaces, is identified by reference numeral 17. Reference numeral 17 c identifies the lower edge of the roof surface 17 a. The roof surface 17 b as well as the lower edge corresponding thereto is covered by the forward roof surface.
The surfaces of total internal reflection are identified by TIR in FIG. 1 for the two prisms of the Abbe-K�nig prism system.
The laser beam and the optical axis conjointly define an angle of equal to or less than 0.3�.
Three component rays 24 a, 24 b and 24 c of the laser beam 24 are shown by broken lines in FIG. 1.
The passed-through laser rays 24 (represented by rays 24 a, 24 b and 24 c) are reflected at a first reflecting surface 32 and a second reflecting surface 33 and so reach the laser receiver 22 via an exit surface 34 and an optional filter 30. The reflecting angles are so selected that the optical axis of the laser receiver 22 runs parallel to the optical axis of the objective whereby the adjustment of the laser receiver 22 is facilitated. It is also conceivable to provide only one reflection surface 32 or more than two reflection surfaces 32 and 33. In this way, a more or less compact structural shape can be achieved.
The laser rays 24 can, for example, have a wavelength of 905 nm�10 nm.
The roof prism 10 comprises two prism parts 10 a and 10 b cemented to each other. A splitter layer 12″ is arranged at the boundary surface between the two prism parts 10 a and 10 b. This splitter layer 12″ is so configured that the laser beam 24 is again reflected and the remaining rays 7 are passed. The laser beam 24 then exits through the surface 19. The angle of the exiting laser beam 24 is selected so steep that, this time, no total internal reflection can occur for the laser beam. This means that the surface 19 is used as a transmission and reflection surface. Thereafter, the laser beam passes through an optional filter 30, with which residual disturbing light can be filtered out, and then impinges upon the laser receiver 22.
FIG. 4 shows an Abbe-K�nig prism system 6 comprising an isosceles prism 9 and a roof prism 10. Both prisms are arranged at a narrow spacing with respect to each other. Only a narrow air gap separates the exit surface 15 from the entry surface 16. A light beam 7 enters on the optical axis via the entry surface 13 into the isosceles prism 9 and is there totally reflected at the reflection surface 14 and leaves the isosceles prism 9 via the exit surface 15. The beam 7 then enters into the roof prism 10 via the entry surface 16. The beam 7 is first totally reflected at the roof surfaces 17 a and 17 b and then at the reflection surface 16 and leaves the roof prism via the exit surface 18.
FIG. 5 shows a modified Abbe-K�nig prism system corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 2. Here, a splitter layer 12′ is arranged on the lower side of the isosceles prism 9 and this splitter layer splits the beam into two component beams 7 and 24.
FIG. 6 shows a binocular 2 according to the invention having two binocular halves (1 a, 1 b) and a folding bridge 37. In the first binocular half 1 a, a laser transmitter 21 is arranged and a laser receiver 22 is arranged in the second binocular half 1 b. Laser transmitter 21 is arranged within the tube 3 a and laser receiver 22 is arranged within tube 3 b. The two binocular halves 1 a and 1 b are connected by the folding bridge 37. In this way, the distance of the tubes 3 a and 3 b to each other can be varied.
If the receiver side (binocular half 1 b) and the center axis 51 in the binocular of the invention are held fixed and only the transmitter side (binocular half 1 a) is folded, then the laser beam moves relative to the receiver visual field 50. The mechanical center axis 51 and the visual field axis 55 of the laser receiver 22 remain spatially fixed. Reference numerals 54 and 56 identify, for example, the new position of the laser beam.
For example, an adjusting tolerance of the target line (laser beam axis) 52 of �2′ is provided for the mechanical center axis 51. The same applies to the axis of the receiver beam path 55 to the mechanical center axis 51, that is, the two axes (transmitter to receiver) can, in the above example, only stand apart by a maximum of 4′. The receiver axis 55 is the center point of the above-mentioned visual field 50 of 12′ diameter (6′ radius). Of the 6′, a maximum of 4′ is therefore used as axis deviation (all axes on one line). The laser spot itself has still a diameter (elongated ellipse, orientation as desired) of 4′ to 6′. In an unfavorable case, that is, all crosses lie on the same line and half the diameter of the laser spot, then 2′+2′+3′=7′ applies, that is, 1′ of the ellipse lies outside of the large circle.
It is also provided that the precision with which the transmitter and receiver axes are adjusted to each other is matched to a region of few arc minutes. In one embodiment, the range is <�10′ or <�5′, especially <�2′.
REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST Binocular half 1 a, 1 b Binocular 2 Tube 3 a, 3 b Object 4 Observer 5 Abbe-K�nig prism system 6 Viewing beam/beam 7 Objective 8 Isosceles prism 9 First prism part 9 a Second prism part 9 b Roof prism 10 First prism part 10 a Second prism part 10 b Ocular 11 Splitter layer 12, 12′, 12″
Reflection surface 14 Exit surface 15 Entry surface 16 of the roof prism
Roof ridge (roof edge) 17 First roof surface 17 a Second roof surface 17 b Lower edges 17 c and 17 d Exit Surface 18 Second reflection surface 19 Laser transmitter 21 Laser receiver 22 Deflecting prism 23 Laser beam 24 First passthrough surface 25 Reflection surface 26 Second passthrough surface 27 Laser passthrough surface 28 Optical axis 29 Filter 30 Ancillary lens 31 First reflection surface 32 Second reflection surface 33 Laser passthrough surface 34 Base surface 35 Shoulder 36 Folding bridge 37 Center drive 38 Visual field 50 of the laser receiver 22 Mechanical center axis 51 Laser beam axis 52 of the laser transmitter 21 Surface of the laser beam 53 Surface of the laser beam in new position 54 Visual field axis 55 of the laser receiver 22 Laser beam axis in new position 56 Deflection prism 90 Intermediate image plane Z
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