US PATENT SUBCLASS 359 / 642
LENS

Current as of: June, 1999
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359 /   HD   OPTICS: SYSTEMS (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION) AND ELEMENTS

642LENS {32}
643  DF  .~> Eyepiece {4}
648  DF  .~> With field curvature shaping {1}
652  DF  .~> With graded refractive index {2}
656  DF  .~> Microscope objective {5}
662  DF  .~> High distortion lens (e.g., f0, etc.)
663  DF  .~> Telecentric system
664  DF  .~> Spherical
665  DF  .~> Fluid {2}
668  DF  .~> Anamorphic {3}
672  DF  .~> Selective magnification by exchanging or adding a lens component {3}
676  DF  .~> With variable magnification (e.g., zoom type ) {6}
707  DF  .~> Diffusing
708  DF  .~> Including a nonspherical surface {10}
720  DF  .~> Asymmetric (e.g., prismatic or eccentric, etc.)
721  DF  .~> Plural focal length
722  DF  .~> Selective wavelength transmitting or blocking {1}
724  DF  .~> Annular zonal correcting
725  DF  .~> Panoramic
726  DF  .~> With reflecting element {3}
737  DF  .~> With diverse refracting element
738  DF  .~> With light limiting or controlling means {1}
741  DF  .~> With multipart element {1}
744  DF  .~> Afocal (e.g., Galilean telescopes, etc.)
745  DF  .~> Telephoto {3}
749  DF  .~> Reverse telephoto {4}
754  DF  .~> Multiple component lenses {6}
796  DF  .~> Single component with multiple elements {1}
798  DF  .~> With viewed object or viewed field illumination {4}
804  DF  .~> With viewed object support {3}
808  DF  .~> With lens casing
809  DF  .~> Combined with diverse art tool, instrument or machine {1}
811  DF  .~> With support {6}

DEFINITION

Classification: 359/642

LENS:

(under the class definition) Subject matter including either a single transparent mass of refractive material having opposed refracting surfaces or a plurality of such masses arranged along an optical axis with their opposed refracting surfaces disposed transversely of such axis, the said opposed surfaces being so shaped and spaced that the mass or plurality of masses are capable of producing, from light rays passing therethrough from an object external to the mass or masses, a single image of that object at a focal point.

(1) Note. The plurality of masses of material act upon light rays proceeding from an object in a manner similar to that in which the single mass of material acts upon such rays; i.e., no real image is formed between the front most and rear most axially spaced refracting surfaces of either the single mass or the plurality of masses.

(2) Note. Of the opposed refracting surfaces provided on each lens mass, one is usually spherical and the other is usually spherical or planar, but there may be deviations from such shapes in which any or all of the surfaces depart from

the spherical shape or the planar shape.

(3) Note. The lens masses referred to above will be designated hereafter as lens "components" or lens "elements" depending on the design of the lens.

(4) Note. The term "component" as applied to a lens designates either a single transparent mass of refractive material having two opposed refracting surfaces or a grouped plurality of such masses arranged in series along the optical axis of the lens with their adjacent refracting surfaces either in full overall contact or in spaced parallel relation with the spacing being of such small magnitude that it does not enter into the lens computations, the two refracting surfaces of the single mass and the two axially extreme refracting surfaces of the plurality of masses having at least a portion thereof axially air-spaced from all other adjacent refracting surfaces that may be present in the lens. The axial dimension of the air-spacing between either the opposed surfaces of the single mass or the axially extreme surfaces of the grouped plural-ity of masses and the other adjacent refracting surfaces that may be present in the lens must be of sufficient magni-tude to enter into the lens computations in order to limit the axial extent of the lens component.

(5) Note. The term "element" as applied to a lens designates any single transparent mass of refractive material having two opposed refracting surfaces, which surfaces are disposed transversely of the optical axis of the lens and spaced therealong, i.e., any one of the masses in the above component definition regardless of its spacing from adjacent refracting surfaces that may be present in the lens.

(6) Note. A correcting plate such as that used in the "Schmidt type lens" to correct the aberrations of a spherical mirror is considered a lens component under this subclass definition. (7) Note. The optical system of a Galilean telescope is considered a lens under this subclass definition, since no image is formed between the objective and eyepiece of the telescope.

(8) Note. This subclass also includes, especially in subclasses 726+, 737, and 738+, combination of a lens or lenses with other than nonlens optical elements which reflect, control or deflect light passing through the lens and which are not provided for above.

(9) Note. This subclass further includes in subclasses 811+ lens supports and mountings for maintaining the various lens components in proper alignment and spacing for intended operation of the lens.

(10) Note. Compound lens systems in which one lens is employed to examine the image formed by another lens will be

found in this class, subclasses 362+.

(11) Note. This is the residual subclass for lenses. See the search notes below for classes where lenses peculiar to particular applications such as signalling, illu-minating, and ophthalmic may be found.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

355+, for lenses peculiarly adapted for opera-tion within the nonvisible spectrum.

362+, for compound lens systems. See also (11) Note above.

440+, for scale-reading systems involving lenses.

462+, for plural optical paths including lenses or lenses with plural optical paths.

503+, for lens-spacing structure. 591+, for natural light directing systems.

611+, for lens shades.

619+, for surfaces composed of lenticular elements.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,

159+, for ophthalmic lenses or blanks.

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,

124+, for lens or reflective image-former testing devices and subclasses 128+ for refraction test devices generally.

362, Illumination,

317+, for illuminating refractor lenses.

425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for a molding apparatus used to shape or reshape a nonmetal; see especially

808, for a cross-reference digest of such apparatus including a lens mold.