Patent ID: 7180689

Claim:
A lens tube of a microscope comprising a plurality of observation ports and optical path switching means having optical elements for switching an optical path to said observation ports, wherein: said optical path switching means comprises: at least one lower holding member for holding said optical elements; a lower guide shaft for supporting said lower holding member to be movable; lower moving means for moving said lower holding member along said lower guide shaft; at least one upper holding member provided above said lower holding member to hold the optical elements; an upper guide shaft for supporting said upper holding member to be movable in the same direction as said lower holding member; upper moving means for moving said upper holding member along said upper guide shaft; and respective driving means for driving said lower moving means and said upper moving means; and wherein said lower moving means comprises a lower cam follower which is disposed on said lower holding member and a lower cylindrical cam having a lower cam groove which is engaged with said lower cam follower; and said upper moving means comprises an upper cam follower which is disposed on said upper holding member and an upper cylindrical cam having an upper cam groove which is engaged with said upper cam follower.