Patent ID: 8559119

Claim:
A microscope stage ( 14 ), comprising: a platform ( 16 ); a holder ( 42 ) adapted for holding an objective ( 38 ), the holder ( 42 ) being pivotally mounted to the platform ( 16 ) about a bearing axis ( 46 ) that is substantially parallel to an optical axis, the holder ( 42 ) being mounted movably along the bearing axis ( 46 ); an operating element ( 50 ) coupled to the holder ( 42 ), the operating element ( 50 ) being pivotable about the bearing axis ( 46 ) and movable along the bearing axis ( 46 ) with the holder ( 42 ) for positioning in an operating position; and a locking mechanism ( 60 ) actuatable by the operating element ( 50 ) for fixing the holder ( 42 ) in a fixed position relative to the platform ( 16 ) when the operating element ( 50 ) is in the operating position; wherein the operating element is a lever ( 50 ) which is pivotable in a first plane within a first pivoting range for pivoting the holder ( 42 ) about the bearing axis ( 46 ) and which is pivotable in a second plane within a second pivoting range for moving the holder ( 42 ) along the bearing axis ( 46 ), wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane; and wherein the locking mechanism ( 60 ) comprises: a receptacle ( 68 ) mounted to the platform ( 16 ); and a locking element ( 70 ) coupled to the lever ( 50 ) via an articulated chain ( 74 ), the locking element being pivotable into the receptacle ( 68 ) by pivoting the lever ( 50 ) within the first pivoting range, wherein tightening the locking element in the receptacle by pivoting the lever ( 50 ) beyond the second pivoting range fixes the holder ( 42 ) to the platform ( 16 ).