JPH08136822A - Binoculars - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable eye width adjustment while maintaining the specified postures and positional relation of right and left noncircular visual fields, to improve operability and to avert increasing of a size by applying a control means for eye width adjustment using a base shaft. CONSTITUTION: A lens barrel 2a is assumed to be turned by an angle 61 with the base shaft 7 and to be moved from a position 2aA to a position 2aB. An arm 4 is turned by its turning. The lens barrel 1a turns clockwise together with a visual field frame 8a via an idle gear 5 according to turning of this arm 4. The turning angle θ2 thereof is half the turning angle θ1 of the lens barrel 2a. On the other hand, the lens barrel 2a turns counterclockwise via the idle gear 6 according to relative turning of the arm 4 with the arm 3 together with the visual field frame 8b. The relative turning angle θ3 thereof with the base shaft 7 is half the turning angle θ1 of the lens barrel 2a. Then, the lines along the longitudinal direction of the right and left visual field frames 8a, 8b are aligned to an eye width direction line L2 connecting optical axes 01 and 02 even in the case of the narrower eye width.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to binoculars, and more particularly to an eye width adjusting mechanism for binoculars.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art US Pat. No. 4,013,34 has been proposed as a binocular having a non-circular field of view.
There are binoculars disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 0 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-34486. None of these binoculars has a base axis that serves as a reference axis when adjusting the interpupillary distance, and the entire left or right lens barrel or a part thereof is moved in parallel to adjust the interpupillary distance. Further, the binoculars disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-155820 have a scale (reticle) for distance measurement arranged in the field of view. In addition, the actual exploitation Sho 59-12119
The binoculars disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication dimming a part of the peripheral part of the visual field,
Alternatively, the binoculars are provided with a light amount adjusting member that blocks light.

[0003]

The above-mentioned USP-4,0.
In the binoculars disclosed in JP-A No. 13,340 and JP-A No. 57-34486, the left and right visual fields are constant if the left and right lens barrels having a non-circular visual field are moved in parallel in the left and right direction to adjust the interpupillary distance. Since the posture and positional relationship are maintained, 1
There is one solution. However, as a problem of the parallel movement type, it is necessary to provide an exterior member on the outside of the state where the left and right lens barrels have the maximum interpupillary distance, so that the outer dimension particularly in the left and right direction becomes large. There was a problem. Furthermore, as another problem, when performing the interpupillary adjustment,
Since the operation members other than the left and right lens barrels have to be operated, there is also a problem that the operability is poor. On the other hand, in the eye width adjustment type in which the base shaft is applied, the left and right lens barrels themselves are rotated to adjust the eye distance, so that there is no problem in the operability.

When the pupil distance adjusting mechanism is applied to the binoculars with a reticle for distance measurement disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-155820, a correction mechanism for keeping the reticle position constant is required. And the structure becomes complicated.

If the pupil distance adjusting mechanism is applied to the binoculars disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-12119, which has a non-circular light-shielding structure, a correction mechanism for keeping the field frame in a fixed direction is required. After all, the structure becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in the interpupillary adjustment type binoculars having a non-circular visual field, the posture and positional relationship of the visual field are maintained by the interpupillary adjustment. So, the mechanism is easily configured,
One of the objects is to provide a product that is easy to operate and that can be prevented from becoming large. In the same manner, in the interpupillary-adjustment type binoculars, there is no displacement of the index in the visual field due to the interpupillary adjustment, and moreover, the mechanism is simply configured, the operability is good, and the enlargement can be avoided. It is another purpose to provide.

[0007]

One of the binoculars of the present invention comprises left and right lens barrels having a non-circular visual field, left and right lens barrel holding members for holding the left and right lens barrels, and the left and right mirrors. Even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are relatively rotated to adjust the interpupillary distance, the non-circular visual field of the left and right lens barrels. Is provided with a control means for controlling so as to maintain a fixed posture and positional relationship. In the above binoculars, even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are relatively rotated to adjust the interpupillary distance, the visual fields of the left and right lens barrels maintain a constant posture and positional relationship.

In another one of the binoculars of the present invention, the left and right lens barrels having a non-circular visual field, the left and right lens barrel holding members respectively holding the left and right lens barrels, and the left and right lens barrel holding members are respectively rotated. The non-circular field of view of the left and right lens barrels is constant in conjunction with the rotation support means for movably supporting the lens barrel and the relative rotation of the left and right lens barrel holding members for adjusting the interpupillary distance. It is provided with a mechanical control means for controlling so as to maintain the posture and the positional relationship. In the above-mentioned binoculars, the mechanical control means operates in conjunction with the relative rotation of the left and right lens barrel holding members to keep the posture and positional relationship of the visual fields of the left and right lens barrels constant.

Still another one of the binoculars of the present invention is a left and right lens barrel having a predetermined index in at least one field of view, a left and right lens barrel holding member for holding the left and right lens barrels, and the left and right lens barrels. Even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are relatively rotated to adjust the interpupillary distance, the rotation support means for rotatably supporting the lens barrel holding members of the above-mentioned lens barrel holding members can be predetermined within the field of view of the lens barrel. It is equipped with a control means for controlling so as to maintain the index in a constant posture and position. In the above-mentioned binoculars, even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are relatively rotated to adjust the interpupillary distance, the position shift of the index in the visual fields of the left and right lens barrels is eliminated.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 2 of the binoculars showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a developed view in which a part of the binoculars of the present embodiment is cross-sectionally displayed, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are front views at the maximum and minimum interpupillary distances.

The binoculars of this embodiment have a base shaft 7 as one rotation support member which serves as a reference shaft for rotation, and the base shaft 7 has arms 3, 4 as left and right lens barrel holding members. Is rotatably fitted and supported. Further, left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a are rotatably supported at the other ends of the arms 3 and 4, respectively. The arm gears 3 and 4 are integrally provided with sector gear-shaped sun gears 3a and 4a on the base shaft 7 side. In addition, the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a
Planetary gears 1e and 2e are integrally provided on the outer peripheral portion of each. The idle gear 5 rotatably supported by the arm 3 is interposed between and meshes with the sun gear 4a and the planet gear 1e. The idle gear 6 rotatably supported by the arm 4 is interposed between the sun gear 3a and the planet gear 2e and meshes therewith.

The sun gear 3a, the idle gear 6, the planet gear 2e, and the sun gear 4a, the idle gear 5, and the planet gear 1e are planetary gear trains as mechanical control means for controlling the relative rotation of the lens barrel. Is forming. When the number of teeth of the sun gear 3a and the planet gear 2e is Z3a, Z2e, and the number of teeth of the sun gear 4a and the planet gear 1e is Z4a, Z1e, the gear ratio between them is Z3a / Z2e = 1/2. ……… (1) Z4a / Z1e = 1/2 ……… （2）.

The left lens barrel 1a is provided with a lens barrel left objective lens 1d, a left erecting prism 1c, and a left eyepiece lens 1b, and has a non-circular, in this case, a left visual field which gives an oval visual field. The frame 8a (see FIG. 2) is fixed. Further, the right lens barrel 2a is provided with a right objective lens 2d, a right erecting prism 2c, and a right eyepiece lens 2b, and a non-circular, in this case, a right visual field frame 8b (which gives an oval visual field). 2) is fixed. Note that, as shown in the front view of the maximum eye width state of FIG. 2, the lines along the longitudinal direction of the left and right oval field frames 8a and 8b are the optical axes O of the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a.
It is assumed to be on the eye width direction line L1 connecting 1 and O2.

Next, the eye width adjusting operation of the binoculars of the present embodiment constructed as described above will be explained. FIG.
In the binoculars of this embodiment, is the base shaft 7 and the left lens barrel 1a.
FIG. 7 is an operation state diagram when the eye width is adjusted from the maximum state to the minimum state with reference to the position 1aA of FIG. In the state where the eye width is maximum, the field frame 8a of the left lens barrel 1a is located at the position 8aA
Further, the field frame 8b of the right lens barrel 2a is located at the position 8aB. In the maximum eye width state, the line along the longitudinal direction of the visual field frames 8a and 8b coincides with the line L1 connecting the two.
Then, the center P0 of the base axis 7 and the center P0 of the visual field frames 8a and 8b
The angles formed by the L1 line with respect to the line connecting 1 and P2 are equal to each other, and the angle is θ0.

From the above-mentioned state, the distance between the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a is narrowed to narrow the interpupillary distance. When considering the lens barrel 1a as a reference, the lens barrel 2a is attached to the base shaft 7 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, it is assumed that the position is rotated by an angle θ1 and moved from the position 2aA to the position 2aB. The rotation causes the arm 4 to rotate.
With the rotation of the arm 4, the lens barrel 1a rotates clockwise with the field frame 8a via the idle gear 5. The rotation angle θ2 is 1/2 of the rotation angle θ1 of the lens barrel 2a because the gear ratio is 1/2 in the equation (2).

On the other hand, the lens barrel 2a, together with the field frame 8b, rotates counterclockwise via the idle gear 6 as the arm 4 rotates relative to the arm 3. The relative rotation angle .theta.3 with respect to the base shaft 7 is 1/2 of the rotation angle .theta.1 of the lens barrel 2a because the gear ratio of the above formula (1) is 1/2. That is, the field frames 8a and 8b of the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a rotate in the opposite directions by the same angle.

Therefore, even when the interpupillary distance including this interpupillary state is narrowed, the left and right visual field frames 8 as shown in FIG.
The lines along the longitudinal direction of a and 8b coincide with the eye width direction line L2 connecting the optical axes O1 and O2. That is, in the binoculars of the present embodiment, the left and right visual field frames 8a and 8b are always in the longitudinal direction line of the visual field frames 8a and 8b regardless of the state from the maximum eye width state to the minimum eye width state. It coincides with the interpupillary direction line connecting the axes O1 and O2, and its posture does not change.

According to the binoculars of this embodiment, since the above-mentioned base shaft is used as the interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism and the adjusting mechanism driven via the planetary gear train is applied, the binoculars have a non-circular visual field. The eye width can be adjusted without changing the posture of the field of view, that is, the posture and the positional relationship, and the mechanism itself for that purpose has a simple structure, and the enlargement of the outer shape can be avoided. In addition, the operability is good,
It is possible to provide a product with a view that is easy to see.

Further, in the binoculars of the present embodiment, the shape of the field frame is oval as described above, but other than that, it may be rectangular or elliptical field frame shape. Compared with the circular visual field frame, the binoculars can have a wider visual field in the lateral direction, and have a natural and easy-to-see visual field closer to the human visual field.

Further, the binoculars of this embodiment may have a structure in which only the field frames 8a and 8b are rotated integrally with the lens barrel. Further, if the structure is such that the objective lens, the eyepiece lens, the prism and the like are interlocked with the field frame at the same time, for example,
The outer shape of the lens and the outer shape of the lens barrel can be made non-circular as described above, and further miniaturization and thinning can be realized. Further, the base shaft as the rotation support means in the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to the shaft member, and a mechanism or the like that is rotationally driven along the guide groove or the like may be applied as the rotation support means.

In the binoculars of this embodiment, indexes such as a reticle for distance measurement are in the field of view of the lens barrel.
Although not particularly provided, a modification in which a reticle as an index is arranged within the field of view of the lens barrel is also possible. With respect to the posture and position of the index line of the reticle in the visual field, even if the pupil distance is adjusted as described above, no rotational deviation occurs. Also in the cases of the second and third embodiments described below, it is possible to provide the reticle in the field of view as described above in a state where there is no rotational deviation.

As a specific example of the reticle in the visual field, the reticle index 8 provided on the visual field frame 80 as shown in FIG.
There is 0a. The binoculars of the above-described modification can be applied to the case where it is not necessary for the reticle index 80a to be rotationally displaced during the interpupillary adjustment.

Next, binoculars showing a second embodiment of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. Figure 6 above
FIG. 7 is a development view in which a part of the binoculars of the present embodiment is cross-sectionally displayed, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are front views at the maximum and minimum interpupillary distances. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

In the binoculars of this embodiment, two base shafts 9a and 9b as a rotation support member which serve as a rotation reference shaft and base shafts 9c and 9e rotatably mounted on the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a. And 9d and 9f. Then, the base axes 9a, 9b,
Further, the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a are supported by two sets of four-barrel link structures which are lens barrel holding members with the base shafts 9c and 9e and the base shafts 9d and 9f as fulcrums.

The four-bar link structure, which is the lens barrel holding member for supporting the left lens barrel 1a, pierces the base shafts 9a and 9b in a freely drivable manner, and the link 14 connecting the base shafts 9a and 9b, and the base shaft 9a. , 9b are rotatably supported via links 14, and are rotatably supported by a base shaft 9c or 9f.
It is composed of two U-shaped arms 10 and 12.

The four-bar link structure, which is the lens barrel holding member on the side that supports the right lens barrel a, shares the link 14,
It is rotatably supported by the base shafts 9a and 9b via the link 14 and the boss portions of the arms 10 and 12, and is supported by the base shaft 9d or 9
two U-shaped arms 11 rotatably supported by f,
It is composed of 13.

A gear 15 as drive control means is fixed to the hollow shaft portion of the arm 11 on the base shaft 9a side, and the hollow shaft portion of the arm 12 on the base shaft 9b side is fixed to the hollow shaft portion.
A gear 16 as a drive control means is fixed. The gears 15 and 16 mesh with each other. The gears 15 and 16 have the same number of teeth. The U-shaped arms 10, 11, 12, 13 and the link 14
Is divided into two members on each of the base shafts 9a and 9b, but they are fixed after assembling and integrated with each other.

The left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a are provided with the first
As in the case of the embodiment, the lens barrel left objective lenses 1d and 2d,
The left erecting prisms 1c and 2c and the eyepieces 1b and 2b are arranged, and the left visual field frames 8a and 8b (see FIG. 7) that give a non-circular visual field are fixed to the lens barrel. It is arranged.

Next, the eye width adjusting operation of the binoculars of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. In the binoculars of the present embodiment, in the state in which the interpupillary distance is maximum in FIG. 7, the lines along the longitudinal direction of the left and right visual field frames 8a and 8b are
It coincides with the eye width direction line L3 connecting the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a optical axes O1 and O2.

When the distance between the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a is narrowed from the above state, the eye width of the lens barrel becomes narrower as shown in FIG. In the adjusted state, the two sets of four-bar links are interlocked by a gear serving as a control unit, whereby the lens barrel 1
a and 2a are moved while maintaining the parallel state. Therefore, even in the state after the interpupillary adjustment, the left and right visual field frames 8 are
Lines along the longitudinal direction of a and 8b are the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a.
It coincides with the interpupillary direction line L4 connecting the optical axes O1 and O2,
It never changes.

In the binoculars of this embodiment, two 4-bar linkage mechanisms that interlock as a lens barrel width adjustment mechanism are applied,
Since they rotate in opposite directions via gears, it is possible to adjust the pupil distance without changing the posture and positional relationship of the field frame.
The mechanism also has a simple structure, and the outer shape does not become large.

Next, binoculars showing a third embodiment of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. Figure 1 above
0 is a development view in which a part of the binoculars of the present embodiment is displayed in cross section, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views seen from the front side at the maximum and minimum eye widths. FIG. 13 shows A- of FIG.
FIG.

In the binoculars of this embodiment, a base shaft 17a serving as a rotation supporting member serving as a reference shaft for rotation and left and right lens barrels 1a, 2 are provided.
It has base shafts 17b and 17c rotatably attached to a. Then, a U-shaped arm 1 as a lens barrel holding member
8 and 19 are rotatably attached to the base shaft 17a and the base shafts 17b and 17c. Further, a guide shaft 20 as a guide control means is slidably mounted between the lens barrels 1a and 2a. The U-shaped arm 18
Although it is divided into two members on the base shaft 17a, it is fixed and integrated after assembly.

The left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a are provided with the first
As in the case of the embodiment, the lens barrel left objective lenses 1d and 2d,
The left erecting prisms 1c and 2c and the eyepieces 1b and 2b are arranged, and the left and right visual field frames 8a and 8b (see FIG. 11) which give a non-circular visual field are fixed to the lens barrel. Are arranged.

Next, the operation for adjusting the pupil distance in the binoculars of the present embodiment constructed as described above will be explained. In the binoculars of the present embodiment, when the eye width is maximum in FIG. 11, the lines along the longitudinal direction of the left and right visual field frames 8a and 8b are
It coincides with the eye width direction line L5 connecting the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a optical axes O1 and O2.

When the distance between the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a is narrowed from the above state, the eye width of the lens barrel becomes narrower as shown in FIG. In the adjusted state, the lens barrels 1a and 2a move while maintaining the parallel state by the action of the guide shaft 20 as the control means. Therefore, even after the interpupillary adjustment, the lines along the longitudinal direction of the left and right visual field frames 8a and 8b coincide with the interpupillary direction line L6 connecting the left and right lens barrels 1a and 2a optical axes O1 and O2. It does not change.

In the binoculars of this embodiment, since the lens barrel width adjusting mechanism uses the rotatable arm and the guide shaft together, the posture of the field frame is not changed, that is, the posture and positional relationship are not changed. It is possible to adjust the interpupillary distance, its mechanism is a mechanism of simple structure, and the outer shape does not become large.

(Appendix) Based on the embodiment described above, it is possible to propose binoculars having the following configuration. That is, (1) the binoculars having left and right lens barrels having a non-circular visual field, left and right arms respectively holding the lens barrels, and at least one base axis rotatably connecting the arms are used to adjust the interpupillary distance. The binoculars are provided with a means for interlocking the left and right lens barrels so that the non-circular visual fields of the left and right lens barrels always maintain a constant posture and positional relationship when the arm is rotated. According to the above-mentioned binoculars, it is possible to adjust the interpupillary distance while maintaining a fixed posture and positional relationship in the left and right non-circular visual fields, and with a mechanism of a simple configuration, in addition, it is possible to avoid enlargement of the outer shape, and further, operability is also provided. It is possible to provide a product with a good visual field.

(2) The binoculars in which only the left and right visual field frames are interlocked with each other in the above-mentioned supplementary note (1). According to the binoculars described above, since only the field frame has a rotatable structure, the size can be further reduced.

(3) Binoculars in which the left and right eyepiece systems including the visual field frame are interlocked with each other in the above-mentioned supplementary note (1). According to the above-mentioned binoculars, since the field frame and the eyepiece lens have a rotatable structure, these members can be downsized.

(4) The binoculars in which the left and right objective lens systems including the field frame are interlocked with each other in the above-mentioned supplementary note (1). According to the binoculars described above, the field frame and the objective lens have a rotatable structure, so that the size of these members can be reduced.

(5) The binoculars in which the entire left and right lens barrels including the field frame are interlocked with each other in the above-mentioned additional statement (1). According to the binoculars described above, since the entire lens barrel is linked, it is possible to reduce the size of those members.

[0043]

As described above, in the binoculars according to the first aspect of the present invention, by applying the control means for the interpupillary distance adjustment using the base axis, conventionally, only the parallel movement type can be realized. In addition, it is possible to adjust the interpupillary distance while maintaining a constant posture and positional relationship in the left and right non-circular visual fields, and a mechanism with a simple configuration, and avoiding an increase in external size.
It is possible to provide a product that has good operability and has a visual field that is easy to see.

In the binoculars according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the mechanical control means as described above is used for adjusting the interpupillary distance, the non-circular visual field is maintained and the fixed posture and positional relationship are maintained. It is possible to realize a device capable of adjusting the interpupillary distance while maintaining the above, and the mechanism is a mechanism having a simple structure, which can prevent an increase in the size of the outer shape, and has a good operability and a visual field which is easy to see.

In the binoculars according to claim 3 of the present invention, the control means as described above is applied for adjusting the interpupillary distance,
The index in the visual field can be maintained in a fixed posture and position during the adjustment of the interpupillary distance, and the mechanism is a simple structure, so that enlargement of the outer shape can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a development view of binoculars showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the binoculars of FIG. 1 when the pupil distance is maximum.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the binoculars of FIG. 1 when the interpupillary distance is minimum.

4 is an operation state diagram when the interpupillary distance is adjusted from the maximum state to the minimum state in the binoculars of FIG.

5 is a view showing an example of a modification of the binoculars shown in FIG. 1 and showing an example of reticle indexes arranged in the visual field.

FIG. 6 is a development view of binoculars showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a front view of the binoculars of FIG. 6 when the pupil distance is maximum.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the binoculars of FIG. 6 when the interpupillary distance is minimum.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a development view of binoculars showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view of the binoculars of FIG. 10 as viewed from the front when the pupil distance is maximum.

12 is a cross-sectional view of the binoculars of FIG. 10 as viewed from the front when the eye width is minimum.

13 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a ……………… Left lens barrel (lens barrel) 1e, 2e …… Planet gears (control means, mechanical control means) 2a ……………… Right lens barrel (lens barrel) 3, 4 …… ... Arm (lens barrel holding member) 3a, 4a ... Sun gear (control means, mechanical control means) 5, 6 ... idle gear (control means, mechanical control means) 7, 9a, 9b, 17a, 17b ............ Main axis (rotating support member) 8a, 8b, 80 ...... Field of view frame (non-circular field of view) 10, 11, 12, 13, 17b, 17c ...... Arm (lens barrel holding member) 14 ............ Link (lens barrel holding member) 15, 16 ...... Gear (control means, mechanical control means) 20 ............ Guide shaft (control means, mechanical control means) 80a ...... Reticle index (index)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Left and right lens barrels having a non-circular field of view, left and right lens barrel holding members respectively holding the left and right lens barrels, and a rotation support for rotatably holding the left and right lens barrel holding members, respectively. Means for controlling the non-circular visual fields of the left and right lens barrels to maintain a constant posture and positional relationship even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are rotated relative to each other to adjust the interpupillary distance. Binoculars comprising: 2. A left and right lens barrel having a non-circular visual field, a left and right lens barrel holding member respectively holding the left and right lens barrels, and a rotation support for rotatably supporting each of the left and right lens barrel holding members. And a non-circular visual field of the left and right lens barrels maintain a constant posture and positional relationship in association with the relative rotation of the left and right lens barrel holding members for adjusting the interpupillary distance. A binocular comprising: a mechanical control unit for controlling. 3. Left and right lens barrels having a predetermined index in at least one field of view, left and right lens barrel holding members respectively holding the left and right lens barrels, and the left and right lens barrel holding members are rotatable. Even if the left and right lens barrel holding members are relatively rotated in order to adjust the interpupillary distance, the predetermined index within the field of view of the lens barrel is maintained in a constant posture and position. Binoculars characterized by comprising: