Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1886
Complete Left, 13th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 19th July, 1887.
RESERVE
I, LOUIS COURLANDER, of 42, North End, Croydon, in the County of Surry
Manufacturing Jeweller and Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of an improved optometer, by means of
which the optical requirements of those in need of spectacles or similar instruments
for improving or supplementing imperfect visual organs, can be successfully gauged
and indicated.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a pair of upright cases in which are
formed a pair of sight orifices, to which I add, on the front side, cups by means of
which the eyes of the individual under test may be more easily held in position, while
the necessary optical indications are being taken.
Behind the pair of cases, and at a suitable angle therewith, I provide a graduated
bar upon which the test piece can be fixed at the distance from the cases at which the
individual is in the habit of holding or fixing his work.
The two cases above mentioned are capable of being approached or distanced for
the purpose of ascertaining the exact distance from pupil to pupil. A suitable index
is provided for the purpose of registering this distance.
A pair of indicating temple-gauges is fixed upon the face of the cases, by means of
which the width of the individual's face can be easily ascertained before the head is
moved away from the sight orifices.
Within each case there is a travelling band, or its equivalent. These two bands
carry pairs of lenses of various powers. Both series of lenses are moved together past

page_text: the sight orifices until the proper ones are found, when their power is read off through
suitable apertures in the case.
The gear by which the two series of lenses are traversed may be disconnected, for
the purpose of testing one eye at a time, when the other sight orifice will be closed.
The bands are furnished also with a pair of holders without lenses, in which can be
fitted a pair of spare cups to hold deep lenses if required, also for prism and
astigmatism.
My invention can also be used for indicating the "sight” of a lens by a process of
neutralization.
1
1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Optometer.
I, LOUIS COURLANDER, of 42, North End, Croydon, in the County of Surrey, 1
Manufacturing Jeweller and Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to the construction of an improved optometer by means of
which the optical requirements of those in need of spectacles or similar instruments
for improving or supplementing imperfect visual organs can be successfully gauged
and indicated in respect of width of the face, distance between the pupils, relative
power of each eye and power of both.
I attain the aim of my invention by means of the mechanism illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of this specification and read i
therewith, and in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation, embracing an interior view of one case.
Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of one case.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of a case, and

page_text: Fig. 4 is a perspective view of my improved optometer in working position.
A, A' are a pair of upright cases upon a suitable base or foot B. Both cases are
connected to the base in such a way that they shall be capable of a slight oscillatory
movement to and from each other thereon.
A
C is an adjusting screw working in a socket c upon the top of the case A'. Two
collars c, c¹ prevent the screw from moving laterally. It engages in a nut c² on the
top of the case A for the purpose of adjusting the distance between the two cases.
gauge d and an index d' are provided for the purpose of registering the exact distance
between the axes of the sight orifices, i.e.; the distance between the pupils.
The inner opposite edges of the cases are indented at e to afford room for the nose
of the person whose visual powers are being gauged.
F, F are the sight orifices, one on each case, and exactly opposite each other.
They are formed at a convenient height, and are conveniently provided with cups f by
means of which the eyes of the individual under test may be more easily held in
position while the necessary optical indications are being taken. Each sight orifice is
furnished with a shutter f by which the light can be excluded from it when only one
eye is being tested.
The internal mechanisms of the two cases are identical with each other, and consist
of a pair of pulleys and a set of lenses of different powers arranged in order, and
linked together to travel round said pulleys.
G, G¹ are a pair of pulleys and g, g, the lenses held respectively in rings g¹ fixed
upon an endless band H led around the pulleys.
I do not confine myself to the use of a band and rings as illustrated, inasmuch as
I may use a chain in the links of which the lenses are fixed. With such a chain the
peripheries of the pulleys would be modified accordingly. The object of the
arrangement of lenses illustrated is that they may be presented seriatim at the sight
orifices in order of their respective focal lengths, and provided that this condition is
complied with, the method of mounting and carrying the lenses may be varied. Both
bands have, each, one ring without a lens. This pair of rings is furnished with spare
cups to hold deep lenses if required for testing prismatic or astigmatic cases.
The power of each lens is marked on the ring of the one opposite it, and can
therefore be read off at the opening z in the edge of the case.
The pulleys are rotated by a shaft J. This is preferably in a line with the centres
of the bottom pulleys. Milled heads, j, are provided by which it can be readily
rotated from either side of the optometer, and pairs of mitre wheels, j', by which its
motion can be communicated to the chains of lenses.
I provide studs or pins y upon the pulleys G³, which engage in corresponding holes
in the band H for the purpose of preventing them slipping upon the pulleys. A
click or detent is fitted to one pulley of each pair which automatically engages
therewith at the moment that a lens is opposite the sight orifice. The click is audible,
and therefore announces the fact of a lens being in sighting position, while the
engagement of the detent keeps the lens stationary until the rotation of the shaft
disengages the detent.
I may use any other suitable device for regulating the motion of the bands.
The shaft J has a loose joint k formed in it for the purpose of allowing the cases to
be moved to or from each other without interfering with the gear of the two wheels
of either pair; and also to allow of only one chain of lenses being moved at a time, as
when the respective powers of the eyes are to be gauged separately.
L, L are a pair of indicating folding temple gauges by means of which the width
of the face can be easily ascertained before the head is moved away from the sight
orifices.
M is a graduated bar. One end of it is forked, and the other provided with a foot m.
The forked end engages in eyes m' upon the back of the cases A, A¹.
N is a holder which can be adjusted upon the graduated bar M at any point
thereof for the purpose of carrying a printed card or the like at the normal distance
by which the eyes under test are separated from their work.

page_text: By placing a lens, spectacle or folder at the back of the optometer against a sight
orifice, and rotating the lenses in the instrument until the relative strength of the one
neutralizes the strength of the other, the exact focus of any lens may be determined,
on reference to the index.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
--
1. The combination of vertical hollow case and a series of lenses on an endless band
or chain passed round a pair of pulleys and moved seriatim past a sight orifice in said
case, substantially as and for the purpose described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
2. The combination of two vertical cases, two series of lenses, and two pairs of
pulleys around which the lenses are carried seriatim past their respective sight orifices,
substantially as and for the purpose described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. The combination of a series of lenses connected together chain-wise, or to an
endless band, a pair of pulleys around which the said series of lenses is led, and which
pulleys are rotated by the motion of an external shaft, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination of a series of lenses connected together chain-wise, or to an
endless hand, a pair of pulleys around which the said series of lenses is led, and which
pulleys are rotated by the motion of an external shaft, and devices for preventing slip
of the chain or band on the pulleys, and for arresting the motion of the latter
whenever a lens is axially opposite a sight orifice, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
DL: 19th Jove of Tu 1987
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.