GB1603599A

GB1603599A - Telescope with compass

Info

Publication number: GB1603599A
Application number: GB2558878A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-31
Filing date: 1978-05-31
Publication date: 1981-11-25

Description

(54) TELESCOPE WITH COMPASS (71) I, SHOICHI NAGAE, of 7 Yokohama-cho Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, a Japanese citizen, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described, in and by the follow ing statement: The present invention relates to an optical device in whose view-finder is indicated the compass direction of an object at which the device is being pointed.

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical device for obtaining a magnified image of a distant object, the device comprising a compass and means for observing through the same eye-piece an image of a distant object at which the device is being directed and an indication from the compass of the direction of the distant object, the observing means giving the indication at angles of inclination for the object of about 0 and others.

The compass, which may be housed in a transparent casing, can take the form of an immersion magneto-compass, a disc magneto-compass, or a gyro compass. Means for illuminating a direction-indicating portion of the compass can be provided in the form of a lamp connected to one or more batteries.

In one embodiment, the observing means includes an objective lens positioned adjacent the compass, a Porro prism or a roof prism, and a smaller prism on the back of the Porro or roof prism, though other constructions are possible.

The optical devices of the present invention can be constructed for example as a pair of binoculars, a telescope mounted on a support frame, or a telescope which is to be manually held.

Specifically preferred forms of the otpical devices of the invention are as follows: 1) A pair of binoculars provided with a compass whose direction indicating portion always maintains a constant angle to the ground, regardless of whether the body tube of the binoculars is moved in a vertical direction to any degree. In order to direct to the eye the image of the direction detected by this compass, a member is provided between the objective lens and an ocular lens of the binoculars. This pair of binoculars indicates within the field of vision the compass direction at which it is pointed.

2) A telescope provided on a stand has a gyro-compass which is attached to the arms supporting the body tube. The indication of the gryocompass can appear at a luminous diode or liquid crystal indication means viewable through the eye-piece and mounted in the body tube of the telescope.

The gyroscope is provided on the arms which support the body tube and moves in the same direction as the body tube. Therefore, the compass direction in which the body tube of the telescope is pointed is indicated.

3) In a telescope provided on a stand, the direction is indicated in the eye-piece by the card-surface of a large magnetocompass on the arms supporting the body tube of the telescope. The card surface of the magnetocompass is detected by a fiberscope whose opposite end leads into the body tube of the telescope.

More generally the invention provides an optical device which can give both a magnified image of the object and also its direction simultaneously, and which is of simple structure.

The device can readily be designed to be compact and portable telescope and give a magnified image of the external view and its accurate direction regardless of whether the device is moved in a vertical direction. In this compact device, particularly one which is held by hand, a type of compass can be provided which always maintains a constant angle to the ground; even if the viewing angle of the device is changed in a vertical direction to any degree.

Particularly for a telescope on a stand it is possible to give simultaneously a precise, magnified image of the object and an accurate direction in which the telescope is pointed. This may be accomplished by using a luminous diode or other indication means for indicating the compass direction.

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partially sectioned perspec tive view of a pair of binoculars with an attached immersiOn compass: Figure 2 is a top plan view of the immersion compass of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of an immersion compass taken along the lines III - III in Figure 2 and incorporating a partially cut away section of a compass directionindicating globe; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration showing the manner of direction indication within the field of vision of the binoculars; Figure S is a schematic illustration showing the state of the compass directionindicating globe when the pair of binoculars is inclined; Figure 6 is a plan view showing the general structure of the pair of binoculars shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a plan view of a second pair of binoculars embodying the invention Figure 8 is a plan view of a third pair of binoculars embodying the invention; Figure 9 is a side elevation of a telescope embodying the invention and mounted on a stand; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an arm section of the telescope of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic view showing the condition of compass direction indication at the periphery of the field of vision of the telescope of Figures 9 and 10 Figure 12 is a partially perspective view of a second telescope embodying the invention and mounted on a stand; and Figure 13 is a vertical section of a disctype magneto-compass employed in the telescope of Figure 12.

Figure 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the invention. A pair of binoculars 1 is provided with Porro prisms 2 in right and left body tubes 3,3'. Incident light through an objective lens 4 is reflected four times in the Porro prism 2, and is focused by oculars 5 and 13, and results in an erect image at the focal pointf as seen through ocular 5 located in an eye-piece 6.

A case 8 for containing a compass 7 is formed between the body tubes 3, 3', and a lamp 9 for illuminating the compass 7 is provided in the case 8. The case 8 is formed at the tips of hollow arms 3a,3a' extending from the right and left body tubes 3 3'. The tips of the arms 3a, 3a' both comprise hemispherical portions which fit together so as to be movable to function as a freely rotatable universal joint, centering around the hemispherical portions. Thus when the pair of binoculars 1 is bent, the arms 3a,3a' pair of binoculars 1 is be pivot centering around these hemispherical portions, and the pair of binoculars can be adjusted to suit any user.

The lamp 9 is connected to a power source 11, such as a mercury battery through a switch 10. A small prism 12 (Figure 6) is provided on a part of the reflecting surface of the Porro prism 2, and as a result an image of the scale of the compass 7 is formed at the focal point F through the objective lens 14, a reflection 14a, the small rectangular prism 12, ocular 13, and ocular 5.

The compass 7is a so-called "immersion type magneto-compass," which is comprised of a hollow, spherical case 7a and a compass direction-indicating globe 7b as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The compass direction- indicating globe 7b contained in the spherical case 7a floats in a liquid 7c, such as oil, so that it can rotate. A bar magnet 7e serves to rotate the compass direction-indicating globe by responding to the terrestrial magnetism. Compass direction indications of the compass scale are inscribed on the surface of the direction-indicating globe 7b from the top of the globe down. Therefore, even if the body tubes 3,3' are inclined at an angle to the ground, as shown in Figure 5, the direction indication is still given because of the righting action of a weight 7d and of the weight of the bar magnet 7e at the bottom of the globe 7b.

In addition, the compass direction indication of the immersion compass 7 can be illuminated not only by the lamp 9, but also by external light D.L. Due to the introduction of external light, the lamp 9 need be turned on only when required, for example at night, and thus consumption of the battery 11 can be minimized. In this case, it is obviously necessary to form at least part of the case 8 from a transparent material; it is clear that the compass direction indication of the compass 7 can then be read not only through the eye-piece, but also directly from outside, due to this transparency.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention (like parts are marked with the same reference numeral for all the embodiments). The characteristics of this embodiment are as follows. Instead of forming the small, rectangular prism with the Porro prism, a small, independent prism 12' is provided behind objective lens 14, and also a mirror body 15 is provided in the body tube 3.. An image of the direction indication is formed at the focal point through the objective lens 14, the small prism 12', the mirror body 15, and the Porro prism 2. The image is perceived together with the image of the external view in the same plane through the oculars 13 and 5.

Here, if the case 8 is made transparent, battery illumation is not required. The compass used is an immersion compass identical to the compass used in the abovedescribed embodiment.

Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the invention, which is a pair of roof prism binoculars. An image of the compass direction indication obtained from an immersion type magneto-compass is formed by light reflecting from the reflecting surface R of a roof prism 16.

Figures 9 to 11 show an embodiment which is a telescope on a stand. The telescope has a body tube 20, an objective lens 21, an ocular 22, and erect optical system 23, a diaphragm 24 for the field of vision, a luminous diode indication means 25 provided at the diaphragm for the field of vision 24, a base 26 for the telescope, arms 27 which are supported by bearings at the base and which are attached to the body tube, a base plate 28 fixed to the arms, a gyrocompass 29 attached to the base plate 28, and a conductor 30 which conducts the indication signal from the gyrocompass to the luminous diode indication means 25.

ln this embodiment, when the body tube 20 pivots horizontally, the arms 27 and the base plate 28 also pivot to the same angle.

Then the gyrocompass 29 attached to the base plate detects the compass direction in which the body tube is pointed, and an vindication signal is sent through the conductor 30 to the luminous diode indication means 25. Thus the direction obtaining at the time is indicated. When the eye is at position El, the external view is perceived.

However, if the eye is moved to the position E2, the compass direction of the object can be obtained. Indeed, the image of the direction indication coming from the luminous diode indications means 25 through an erect lens 23 and the ocular 22 can be perceived at the periphery of the field of vision of an eye-piece 32, as illustrated in Figure 11.

Another form of telescope, shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13, is a telescope on a stand 34 which uses a so-called "disc type magneto-compass" 35 and a fibrescope 36.

The magneto-compass 35 is placed on a base plate 37 fixed to arms 38, which move with the body tube 33 in the same direction. One end of the fibrescope 36 is positioned at the direction indicating surface of the magnetocompass 35, and the opposite end of the fibrescope 36 is positioned in the same plane as the focal point of the objective lens (indicated at 39) in the body tube 33. Thus the magneto-compass 35 moves according to the direction in which the objective lens 39 of the telescope is pointed. The viewer can then also perceive in the eye-piece 33' through the fibrescope 36 the direction of the external view from the surface of the magneto-compass 35 where the direction is indicated.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An optical device for obtaining a magnified image of a distant object, the device comprising a compass and means for observing through the same eye-piece an image of a distant object at which the device is being directed and an indication from the compass of the direction of the distant object, the observing means giving the indication at angles of inclination for the object of about 0 and others.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the compass is an immersion magneto- compass.

3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the compass is a disc magnetocompass.

4. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the compass is a gyrocompass.

5. A device according to any on of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the compass is housed in a transparent casing.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the device includes a lamp connected to one or more batteries as a means for illuminating a directionindicating portion of the compass.

7. A device according to any one preceding claim, wherein the observing means includes an objective lens positioned adjacent the compass, a Porro prism or a roof prism, and a smaller prism on the back of the Porro or roof prism.

8. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the observing means includes an objective lens, a reflector, and a prism or reflector.

9. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the observing means includes a fibrescope.

10. A device according to Claim 1, which includes an optical system in which the image from an objective lens opposed to the object and an image of said indication of direction from the compass are in a plane substantially at right angles to the ax s o light in the device.

11. A device according to any one preceding Claim which is a telescope.

12. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 which is a pair of binoculars.

13. A telescope according to Claim 11 mounted on a support frame.

14. A telescope according to Claim 11 which is to be manually held.

15. An optical device substantially as

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. indication is formed at the focal point through the objective lens 14, the small prism 12', the mirror body 15, and the Porro prism 2. The image is perceived together with the image of the external view in the same plane through the oculars 13 and 5. Here, if the case 8 is made transparent, battery illumation is not required. The compass used is an immersion compass identical to the compass used in the abovedescribed embodiment. Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the invention, which is a pair of roof prism binoculars. An image of the compass direction indication obtained from an immersion type magneto-compass is formed by light reflecting from the reflecting surface R of a roof prism 16. Figures 9 to 11 show an embodiment which is a telescope on a stand. The telescope has a body tube 20, an objective lens 21, an ocular 22, and erect optical system 23, a diaphragm 24 for the field of vision, a luminous diode indication means 25 provided at the diaphragm for the field of vision 24, a base 26 for the telescope, arms 27 which are supported by bearings at the base and which are attached to the body tube, a base plate 28 fixed to the arms, a gyrocompass 29 attached to the base plate 28, and a conductor 30 which conducts the indication signal from the gyrocompass to the luminous diode indication means 25. ln this embodiment, when the body tube 20 pivots horizontally, the arms 27 and the base plate 28 also pivot to the same angle. Then the gyrocompass 29 attached to the base plate detects the compass direction in which the body tube is pointed, and an vindication signal is sent through the conductor 30 to the luminous diode indication means 25. Thus the direction obtaining at the time is indicated. When the eye is at position El, the external view is perceived. However, if the eye is moved to the position E2, the compass direction of the object can be obtained. Indeed, the image of the direction indication coming from the luminous diode indications means 25 through an erect lens 23 and the ocular 22 can be perceived at the periphery of the field of vision of an eye-piece 32, as illustrated in Figure 11. Another form of telescope, shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13, is a telescope on a stand 34 which uses a so-called "disc type magneto-compass" 35 and a fibrescope 36. The magneto-compass 35 is placed on a base plate 37 fixed to arms 38, which move with the body tube 33 in the same direction. One end of the fibrescope 36 is positioned at the direction indicating surface of the magnetocompass 35, and the opposite end of the fibrescope 36 is positioned in the same plane as the focal point of the objective lens (indicated at 39) in the body tube 33. Thus the magneto-compass 35 moves according to the direction in which the objective lens 39 of the telescope is pointed. The viewer can then also perceive in the eye-piece 33' through the fibrescope 36 the direction of the external view from the surface of the magneto-compass 35 where the direction is indicated. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An optical device for obtaining a magnified image of a distant object, the device comprising a compass and means for observing through the same eye-piece an image of a distant object at which the device is being directed and an indication from the compass of the direction of the distant object, the observing means giving the indication at angles of inclination for the object of about 0 and others.