Patent ID: 6937800

Claim:
An adjustable positioning mechanism for positioning an optical element relatively to a second element, said mechanism comprising: a reference plate having a predetermined shaped socket providing a reference mating surface; a mobile member for holding said optical element, said mobile member having a shaped mating portion at least part of which is defined by a spherical surface adapted for fitting into said shaped socket of said reference plate and abutting against said reference mating surface, thereby providing a pivot type of joint between said reference plate and said mobile member; a deformable maintaining element connected to said mobile member acting against said reference plate and adapted to rotatively hold said mobile member and said reference plate together in cooperation with said pivot type of joint; a releasable non-deformable securing element connected to said mobile member frictionally acting against said reference plate for rigidly securing said mobile member and said reference plate together when said securing element is in a locked position; and non-deformable tilt adjustment means connected to the mobile member and pressing against the reference plate, said tilt adjustment means providing a controlled angular movement of the mobile member relative to the reference plate when the securing element is in an unlocked position.