IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MINIATURE MICROSCOPES, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE OBJECTS USED THEREWITH
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
MINIATURE MICROSCOPES, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE OBJECTS USED
THEREWITH." A communication from Adolphe L. Chouippe, M.D.,
resident at Paris.
-
Scaled the 30th July 1861, and dated the 4th June 1861.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition and Declaration, on the 4th June 1861, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
5 TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 39,
Rue de l'Ecbiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF MINIATURE MICROSCOPES, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE
OBJECTS USED THEREWITH," (communicated to me by Dr. A. L. Chouippe, a
person resident at Paris,) and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the
same, and made solemn declaration that it is a communication.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine Francois Mennons, do
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and
seal fully describes and ascertains the nature of the Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the Figures
of the accompanying Drawing, and to the letters marked thereon, that is to
sary:-
The aim of these improvements is the production of a magnifying combina-
tion (termed by its Inventor the "microscope revolver "), comprising in a
limited volume a large number of independent objects, which may be suc-
cessively presented.to the lens without removing the instrument from the eye,
and be replaced by new collections as often as desired. In its simplest form
this instrument is composed,-
1stly, of a bi or plano-convex lens formed of a solid rod of glass, as seen in
Figure 1, in which A represents the eye piece, and B, the objective surface.
2dly, of a moveable glass disc, Figure 2, serving as object plate; the
thickness of this disc is shewn by the cross section, Figure 3. Figure 4
represents the manner in which the microscopic objects are distributed on one
or both surfaces of this disc.
3dly, of a tube in metal, ivory, or other suitable matter, divided into two
parts, in one of which, Figure 5, is lodged the lens enclosed in a metallic or
other sheath, while the other, Figure 6, serves as receptacle for the object
disc. The extremities E, E', of this section of the tube are so guaged as to fit
exactly (either one or other) on the free extremity D of the lens section,
Figure 5, the degree of insertion being of course determined by the focal
range of the lens. The letters F, F', indicate the position of the object disc
secured in its setting by two annular stops, one of which is fixed in the tube,
while the other is left free to be withdrawn at will.
Figures 4, 7, 8, represent the manner in which the microscopic objects are
distributed on this disc. These objects which may comprise microscopic photo-
graphs, sections of different animal and vegetable tissues, and specimens of
organic or inorganic matters in general, possessing a sufficient degree of
transparency, are ranged circularly on one or both faces of the disc, their
under surfaces being in the latter case applied to the glass on each side as
nearly as possible one over the other, so that the objects forming each pair in
the collection are set back to back, and separated only by the thickness of the
glass. The surface spacing between each couple is determined by the number
and dimensions of the objects, the position of which is so-calculated that each
corresponds with the focus of the lens in the rotation of the dise to which they
are applied.

page_text: both simple and effective, but is liable to lose its precision in the wear and tear
of constant use. To obviate this defect as far as possible, a small curved
groove should be formed in the lens section of the tube, as in H, H', Figure 12,
with a lateral slot, to permit the entry of the stud E, mounted on the object
tube, Figure 13. By this arrangement, which forms a species of free bayonet
joint, the object section of the tube is prevented from deviation during the
rotatory movement. To increase still further the precision of the adjustment,
a small conical and slightly inclined stop is adapted to the tube, Figure 12, and
is maintained by the spring I on the line of the joint. This stop glides freely
in the movement of rotation until checked by one of the small cavities ranged
round the outer circumference of the disc tube, as seen in the end section,
Figure 14, the spacing of these cavities being so regulated that at each stop a
new object takes up position exactly in the axial line of the lens. Or, again,
the same end may be attained by the application to the tube joints of the well-
known Breguet's watch-key mechanism, distributed in such a way as to carry
an object within range of the lens at the passage of each notch.
Figure 15 represents a double lens combination intended to be used with
dises, comprising a double circle of objects on each face, as in Figure 16. In
this combination the lenses are arranged in such a position as to correspond cach
with one of the circles of objects. On the same principle the number of lenses
and corresponding circles of objects may be tripled, quadrupled, quintupled, or
in fact increased to any extent so long as the dimensions and proportions of
the instrument admit of such increase without over obscuring the object
surfaces.
Figure 17 represents a combination, also intended to be used with discs,
comprising more than one circle of objects, and in which the multiplication of
the lenses is rendered unnecessary. a, b, is a single lens enclosed in a metallic
sheath and set between two vertical guide pieces fitted to the interior of the
tube; c is a small screw, one extremity (d) of which is fixed to the sheath of
the lens, while the other, passing through the tapped collar e, is provided with
a small milled head f at the exterior of the tube. The plate g, by which the
latter is closed in front, is pierced with eye orifices, corresponding in number
and position with the number and position of the object circles on the disc.
Figure 18 is an end section of the mechanism. With this arrangement a
simple turn of the screw c suffices to bring the lens in line with one or other
circle of the disc, according to the position of the objects to be viewed.
Figures 19, 20, represent in side and end section a multi-lensular combina-
tion, comprising a number of lenses equal to the number of objects applied to
cach face of the disc. This arrangement is only noted as one of the possible

page_text: applicatious of the Invention, but will not as a general rule be found to offer
advantages equivalent to the extra cost of production.
Figure 21 represents an arrangement in which the rotation of the object
disc is effected by a rack and pinion mechanism. In this combination the
glass object triplet is replaced by a metallic disc, through which is pierced a
circular row of cavities, as seen in Figure 22. In each of these cavities is
lodged a miniature triplet containing a microscopic object, and secured by a
bezel or other convenient setting. A small metallic pinion ȧ, Figure 21, filed
square at the inner extremity, is fitted in a cavity formed in the centre of tho
object disc, while its other extremity rounded off turns freely in the centre of
the plate, by which the tube is closed at the eye piece. On this pinion is
mounted a toothed circle b, cogging with a second circle c, fitted to a horizontal
arbor, on which is set a small watch spring d. This spring, wound up by the
key e, communicates to the object disc a slow rotatory motion, which may be
suspended as desired by the check piece f.
This arrangement is too complicated and expensive for ordinary purposes,
but will serve as an example of the mechanical means by which the rotation of
the objects may be effected.
In the different Figures of the annexed Drawing the microscope and its
detached parts are represented on a medium scale, which may be increased or
decreased according to circumstances. As a general rule, however, the thick-
ness of the lens from C to D, Fig. 1, should seldom be less than 25th of an
inch, nor its length from A to B below th of an inch; but these dimensions
may of course be increased, according to the proposed applications of the
instrument.
From the preceding examples it will be understood that the general details
of the mechanism may be varied to an almost indefinite extent, without devi-
ating from the principle on which the Invention reposes, and which mainly
consists in the application of the revolving plate, having on one or both sides
a collection of objects, which by the movement of rotation are successively
carried within range of the lens. It is equally obvious that microscopes con-
structed on this principle may either be employed in their substantive form, as
seen in the Drawing, or be adapted to an infinity of articles in every-day use,
such as watch bars, keys, and chains, seals, signet rings, brooches, bracelets,
eye glasses, pen and pencil holders, and, in short, to all articles of utility or
ornament, the form and dimensions of which may admit of the insertion or
application of the lens and revolving object disc.
Having now described the nature of the said improvements and some of the
most obvious methods of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood

page_text: that I do not confine myself to the general details of construction, dimensions,
or proportions above enumerated, as these may, I repeat, be varied to an
almost indefinite extent, without deviating from the principles or characteristic
features of the Invention; I would remark, on the other hand, that I do not
claim the application of fixed microscopic lenses and objects to pieces of
jewellry and other articles of utility and ornament, such applications having to
my knowledge been already made in different parts of Europe to rings, watch
keys, and similar trinkets; but what I do claim and desire to protect by Letters
Patent, is, the construction, substantially as described and represented in the
Drawing, of a miniature microscope, comprising a plurality of independent
objects, which, distributed in circular range or ranges on one or both faces of a
moveable plate are successively presented to the focus of the lens by the rotation
either of a jointed section of the completo instrument or of the object plate
alone.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one
M. F. MENNONS. (L.S.)