Medical binocular loupe device

Abstract

We propose a binocular magnifying glass device that allows for focus adjustment according to the wearer's eyesight and physical condition. [Solution] The left and right magnifying glass sections 3, supported by a connecting section attached to the head-mounted section, consist of an eyepiece barrel member 22 having an eyepiece lens 31 and an objective lens barrel member 23 having an objective lens 41 positioned opposite the eyepiece lens 31. The first threaded section 32 of the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the second threaded section 42 of the objective lens barrel member 23 are screwed together so that they can be screwed relative to each other in the front-back direction. This configuration allows for focus adjustment by changing the distance between the eyepiece lens 31 and the objective lens 41 by screwing the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the objective lens barrel member 23 relative to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a binocular loupe device that is worn on the head of a wearer, enabling the wearer to view an object in an enlarged manner.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a loupe for use in medical settings. Such a conventional configuration includes a pair of support portions provided on an eyeglass frame, and a loupe body detachably fixed to the support portions via a fixing mechanism. The loupe body is composed of an eyepiece tube and an objective tube, and incorporates a magnifying lens system having a predetermined focal length.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The conventional magnifying glass described in Patent Document 1, mentioned above, uses a magnifying glass body with a fixed focal length that is fixed to the support part of an eyeglass frame. Therefore, it may be necessary to change the magnifying glass body depending on the user's condition. For example, medical professionals use magnifying glasses when performing high-precision manual work, and since there are individual differences in the distance to the object they are working on, they need a magnifying glass body that matches this distance. Also, since human eyesight changes depending on physical condition and fatigue, it is necessary to change the magnifying glass body according to the medical professional's condition, and it may also be necessary to change the magnifying glass body depending on changes in physical condition or fatigue during use. Furthermore, there are cases where the eyesight differs between the left and right eyes, or where changes in eyesight due to physical condition or fatigue differ between the left and right eyes, and it may be necessary to change the magnifying glass body accordingly. As a result, the conventional configuration described above has the problem of requiring the preparation of multiple magnifying glass bodies and the problem of complicating work during use because it is necessary to change the magnifying glass body depending on the user's condition.

[0005] This invention proposes a binocular magnifying glass device that can be adjusted to suit the wearer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is a binocular magnifying device comprising a connecting part connected to a head-mounting part that is mounted on the wearer's head, and a pair of left and right magnifying parts supported by the connecting part and positioned in front of the wearer's eyes, wherein each of the left and right magnifying parts comprises an eyepiece tube member having an eyepiece lens and a substantially cylindrical first screw-tube part, and an objective lens tube member having an objective lens positioned opposite to the eyepiece lens and a substantially cylindrical second screw-tube part that is screwed into the first screw-tube part so as to be screwable in the front-rear direction, wherein one of the eyepiece tube member and the objective lens tube member is supported by the connecting part, and the other is provided so as to be rotatable by the wearer, and is screwed in the front-rear direction relative to the other by the wearer's rotational operation.

[0007] In this configuration, the eyepiece barrel member and the objective lens barrel member can be moved relative to each other in the front-to-back direction, and the distance between the eyepiece lens and the objective lens (hereinafter referred to as the inter-lens distance) changes with this movement, thereby allowing for focus adjustment. Furthermore, this focus adjustment can be easily performed by the wearer's rotational operation. As a result, this configuration allows for focusing on different objects when the distance to the object is different, and also allows for focus adjustment in response to changes in visual acuity due to physical condition or fatigue. Moreover, since focus adjustment can be performed on the left and right magnifying glass sections separately, even if the visual acuity differs between the left and right eyes, or if the visual acuity changes differently between the left and right eyes, the focus can be adjusted to match the visual acuity of each eye. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, focus adjustment can be easily performed according to the wearer's condition, making it easier for medical professionals to perform high-precision manual work and dramatically increasing the efficiency of such manual work.

[0008] In the binocular magnifying glass device of the present invention described above, the magnifying glass portion is configured such that the objective lens barrel member is supported by the connecting portion, and the eyepiece barrel member is screwed forward and backward relative to the objective lens barrel member by the wearer's rotational operation.

[0009] In this configuration, by screwing the eyepiece barrel member backward, the eyepiece lens moves closer to the wearer's eye, allowing the object to be enlarged through focus adjustment. This makes it easier for medical professionals to perform the aforementioned manual tasks.

[0010] The second aspect of the present invention is a binocular magnifying device comprising: a head-mounted portion that is mounted on the wearer's head and has a shield portion that covers both of the wearer's eyes; and a pair of left and right magnifying portions provided on the shield portion so as to be positioned in front of both of the wearer's eyes, wherein each of the left and right magnifying portions comprises an eyepiece tube member fixed to the shield portion and an objective lens tube member having an objective lens positioned opposite to the eyepiece lens and a substantially cylindrical second screw tube portion that is screwed onto the first screw tube portion so as to be screwable in the front-rear direction, wherein the objective lens tube member is provided so as to be rotatable by the wearer and is screwed into the eyepiece tube member in the front-rear direction by the wearer's rotational operation.

[0011] In this configuration, the objective lens barrel member can be moved in the front-to-back direction relative to the eyepiece barrel member, and as the distance between the lenses changes with the movement of the objective lens barrel member, the focus can be adjusted. Furthermore, this focus adjustment can be easily performed by the wearer's rotational operation. For these reasons, the configuration of this second invention can achieve the same effects as the configuration of the first invention described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the binocular magnifying glass device of the first invention described above, the wearer can individually adjust the focus of the left and right magnifying glasses while wearing the device, allowing for easy focus adjustment to suit differences in left and right vision, as well as the wearer's physical condition. Therefore, its use by medical professionals can dramatically improve work efficiency.

[0013] The binocular magnifying glass device of the second invention described above provides the same effects and advantages as the configuration of the first invention described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the binocular magnifying glass device 1 of Example 1 attached to protective glasses 101. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the binocular magnifying glass device 1 attached to the safety glasses 101. [Figure 3] They are (A) a front view, (B) a side view, and (C) a rear view showing the loupe unit 3. [Figure 4] It is a vertical cross-sectional view of the loupe unit 3. [Figure 5] It is an exploded side view showing the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the objective barrel member 23. [Figure 6] It is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view showing the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the objective barrel member 23. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the binocular loupe device 51 of Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the binocular loupe device 51. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments 1 and 2 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Embodiments 1 and 2, the anterior-posterior direction refers to the anterior-posterior direction of the wearer, and the left-right direction similarly refers to the left-right direction of the wearer. Furthermore, in the embodiments, the terms "front surface" and "front" are used interchangeably, and the terms "rear surface" and "rear" are used interchangeably. EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The binocular loupe device 1 of Embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is used by being attached to protective glasses 101 that are worn on the wearer's head. Here, the protective glasses 101 include a frame portion 102 to be hung on both ears of the wearer and a transparent (or light-transmissive) shield portion 103 covering both eyes. When the protective glasses 101 are worn on the wearer's head, the shield portion 103 is arranged in front of both eyes of the wearer. Since the protective glasses 101 can adopt a general structure, detailed description thereof is omitted. In Embodiment 1, the protective glasses 101 correspond to a head-mounted portion according to the present invention.

[0017] The binocular loupe device 1 includes: a connecting part 2 detachably attached to a frame part 102 of the protective glasses 101; a pair of left and right loupe parts 3, 3 disposed in front of a shield part 103 of the protective glasses 101 via the connecting part 2; and a light part 4 arranged between the loupe parts 3, 3. The connecting part 2 includes: a clip part 11 detachably attached to the protective glasses 101; a movable part 12 provided on the clip part 11 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction; and a support rod part 13 extending leftward and rightward from the movable part 12. The loupe parts 3, 3 are supported on both left and right side portions of the support rod part 13. In this binocular loupe device 1, in a state where the binocular loupe device 1 is attached to the protective glasses 101, the left and right loupe parts 3, 3 and the light part 4 can be integrally rotated in the vertical direction by the movable part 12. Accordingly, the height position of the loupe parts 3, 3 can be appropriately changed, and the vertical inclination angle of the loupe parts 3, 3 can be appropriately changed. Further, the light part 4 is disposed on the movable part 12, and the light part 4 is provided with a cable 5 that supplies electric power from a battery (not shown).

[0018] The support rod part 13 of the connecting part 2 is fixed to the movable part 12 at a central portion in the left-right direction, and elongated holes (not shown) penetrating vertically are symmetrically formed on both left and right side portions of the support rod part 13. A screw rod part 25 (see FIG. 3) provided on the loupe part 3 is inserted into each elongated hole from below, and a fixing part 26 is screwed onto an upper portion of the screw rod part 25, whereby the left and right loupe parts 3, 3 are supported by the support rod part 13.

[0019] In the binocular loupe device 1 of the first embodiment, in a state where the binocular loupe device 1 is mounted on the protective glasses 101, the left and right loupe parts 3, 3 are arranged so as to be inclined inward relative to each other (see FIG. 2). This is because the binocular loupe device 1 is a medical device mainly used by doctors and the like, and is intended for magnifying and observing an object located at a closer distance than general binoculars.

[0020] Next, the main part of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the magnifying glass section 3 is composed of an eyepiece barrel member 22 on which an eyepiece lens 31 is disposed, and an objective lens barrel member 23 on which an objective lens 41 is disposed, with the eyepiece barrel member 22 being screwed onto the rear of the objective lens barrel member 23. In other words, the magnifying glass section 3 in this embodiment is composed of two members: the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the objective lens barrel member 23.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4-6, the objective lens barrel member 23 is integrally formed with a cylindrical second threaded barrel portion 42 into which the eyepiece barrel member 22 is screwed, an inclined barrel portion 43 that expands in diameter forward from the second threaded barrel portion 42, and a ring-shaped lens holding portion 44 provided in front of the inclined barrel portion 43. The objective lens 41 is disposed in the lens holding portion 44. The second threaded barrel portion 42 has male threads (not shown) formed on its outer circumferential surface. A support base portion 45 is provided on the upper part of the lens holding portion 44, and the threaded rod portion 25, which is inserted into the elongated hole of the support rod portion 13, protrudes upward from the support base portion 45.

[0022] The eyepiece barrel member 22 is provided concentrically and integrally with a cylindrical first threaded barrel portion 32 that is screwed into the second threaded barrel portion 42 of the objective lens barrel member 23, and a cylindrical inner barrel portion 33 disposed inside the first threaded barrel portion 32, with the eyepiece lens 31 disposed in the inner barrel portion 33. A female thread (not shown) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first threaded barrel portion 32 that is screwed into the male thread of the second threaded barrel portion 42. A gap 35 is provided around the first threaded barrel portion 32 and the inner barrel portion 33, allowing the second threaded barrel portion 42 to be screwed in. In other words, the eyepiece barrel member 22 has a double structure in which the inner barrel portion 33 is disposed inside the first threaded barrel portion 32 with the gap 35 in between. Furthermore, an O-ring 36 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the inner barrel portion 33. The O-ring 36 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second threaded cylinder portion 42 when the first threaded cylinder portion 32 and the second threaded cylinder portion 42 are screwed together. As a result, when the first threaded cylinder portion 32 and the second threaded cylinder portion 42 are rotated relative to each other (screwed in the forward and backward direction), the O-ring 36 acts as resistance, and this resistance stops the rotation. Therefore, even if the eyepiece barrel member 22 is rotated vigorously, the rotation can be stopped, preventing the screwing between the first threaded cylinder portion 32 and the second threaded cylinder portion 42 from being disengaged by continued rotation without stopping.

[0023] Furthermore, the eyepiece barrel member 22 has anti-slip portions 37, 37 that protrude intermittently in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the first screw-type barrel portion 32. These anti-slip portions 37 allow the wearer to easily rotate the eyepiece barrel member 22 without having to look at their hands.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the magnifying glass section 3 of this embodiment is formed by screwing together the first threaded section 32 of the eyepiece barrel member 22 and the second threaded section 42 of the objective lens barrel member 23. In this magnifying glass section 3, the eyepiece lens 31 and the objective lens 41 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction, and the eyepiece barrel member 22 can be screwed forward relative to the objective lens barrel member 23 by rotating it, thereby changing the distance between the eyepiece lens 31 and the objective lens 41 (the distance between the lenses). In this embodiment, the female thread of the first threaded section 32 and the male thread of the second threaded section 42 are formed with a relatively narrow pitch. Specifically, this pitch distance is less than 1 mm (preferably 0.5 mm or less). This makes it easy to fine-tune the distance between the lenses, allowing for high-precision focus adjustment to match the wearer's visual acuity.

[0025] As described above, the magnifying glass portion 3 of this embodiment 1 is attached to the connecting portion 2 by inserting the screw rod portion 25 from below into the elongated hole provided in the support rod portion 13 of the connecting portion 2 and screwing in the fixing portion 26 (see Figure 1). The left and right magnifying glass portions 3, 3, which are attached to the left and right elongated holes of the support rod portion 13 respectively, can be positioned and fixed by tightening the fixing portion 26, and their left and right positions can be changed by releasing the tightening.

[0026] In the binocular magnifying glass device 1 of this embodiment 1, when attached to protective glasses 101, the protective glasses 101 are worn on the wearer's head, and the left and right magnifying glass units 3, 3 are positioned in front of both of the wearer's eyes, allowing the wearer to magnify an object. The wearer can then focus on the object by rotating the eyepiece barrel members 22, 22 of the left and right magnifying glass units 3, 3, respectively, while looking at the object. This focus adjustment can be performed individually for the left and right magnifying glass units 3, 3, and can also be adjusted according to the distance from the objective lens 41 to the object (the so-called working distance). In other words, with the configuration of this embodiment, if the visual acuity of the left and right eyes differs, the focus can be adjusted according to each eye, and the focus can also be adjusted according to the working distance used by the wearer. For example, when used by a doctor, the focus can be adjusted according to the visual acuity of each eye and the distance to the object that is easy for the doctor to use. Furthermore, since the focus adjustment can be performed by rotating the eyepiece barrel member 22, the focus can be easily adjusted even during use, depending on one's physical condition or fatigue.

[0027] Furthermore, the magnifying glass section 3 is configured such that the objective lens barrel member 23 is supported by the connecting section 2, and the eyepiece barrel member 22 is screwed in by a rotational operation. Therefore, the focus can be adjusted by moving the eyepiece barrel member 22 back and forth behind the objective lens barrel member 23. As a result, when adjusting the focus, moving the eyepiece barrel member 22 backward brings the eyepiece lens 31 closer to the wearer's eye, allowing the wearer to see the object in a larger size. This has the advantage of making it easier for medical professionals (doctors) to perform close-up work.

[0028] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the O-ring 3 prevents the eyepiece barrel member 22 from rotating due to the resistance of the O-ring 36, thereby preventing the eyepiece barrel member 22 from accidentally detaching from the objective lens barrel member 23. In addition, the O-ring 36 closes the space between the objective lens 41 and the eyepiece lens 31, which has the excellent advantage of preventing dust and other debris from entering this closed space.

[0029] The configuration of this embodiment 1 is detachable from the protective glasses 101, and therefore can be attached to and used with various types of glasses. For example, it can be attached to the wearer's personal corrective glasses. Furthermore, in the configuration of embodiment 1, since the magnifying glass part 3 is detachable from the connecting part 2, it is possible to replace the magnifying glass part 3 with one equipped with objective lenses and eyepiece lenses of different magnifications. [Examples]

[0030] In the binocular magnifying glass device 51 of Example 2, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, it comprises protective glasses 101 worn on the wearer's head and a pair of left and right magnifying glass sections 53, 53 attached to the shield section 103 of the protective glasses 101. The configuration of Example 2 is the same as that of Example 1 described above, and is for medical use, mainly used by doctors and the like. In Example 2, as in Example 1, the front, back, left, and right directions will be defined and explained.

[0031] The protective glasses 101 of Example 2 are equipped with a frame portion 102 and a shield portion 103, similar to those of Example 1 described above. The shield portion 103 has openings 65, 65 formed directly in front of the wearer's eyes, and the magnifying glass portions 53, 53 are fixed to each of the openings 65, 65. Here, since the binocular magnifying glass device 51 of Example 2 is for medical use, the left and right magnifying glass portions 53, 53 are attached to the shield portion 103, respectively, so that they are tilted inward and downward relative to each other. In Example 2, the protective glasses 101 corresponds to the head-mounted portion according to the present invention.

[0032] The magnifying glass section 53 is composed of two members: an eyepiece barrel member 62 and an objective lens barrel member 63, with the objective lens barrel member 63 being screwed into the eyepiece barrel member 62. The objective lens barrel member 63, like the embodiment 1 described above, includes a second screw-type barrel section 42, an inclined barrel section 43, and a lens holding section 44, with the objective lens 41 disposed in the lens holding section 44 (see Figures 3-6). The objective lens barrel member 63 of this embodiment 2 is the same as that of embodiment 1 except that it does not have a support base section and a screw rod section, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their descriptions are omitted.

[0033] The eyepiece barrel member 62, like the first embodiment described above, comprises a first threaded barrel portion 32 and an inner barrel portion 33, with the eyepiece lens 31 and O-ring 36 disposed in the inner barrel portion 33 (see Figures 3-6). Furthermore, the eyepiece barrel member 62 of the second embodiment is provided with a substantially cylindrical mounting barrel portion 64 extending rearward from the rear end of the first threaded barrel portion 32. This mounting barrel portion 64 is formed in a substantially oblique-cut cylindrical shape (a shape in which a cylinder is cut substantially obliquely with respect to the central axis) with a rear end opening edge that conforms to the surface shape of the shield portion 103, and this rear end opening edge is fitted into and fixed in the opening 65 of the shield portion 103. Note that the eyepiece barrel member 62 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the mounting barrel portion 64, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their descriptions are omitted.

[0034] In the binocular magnifying glass device 51 of this embodiment 2, the left and right magnifying glass sections 53, 53 are positioned in front of the wearer's eyes when the protective glasses 101 are attached to the wearer's head. In this state, the wearer can magnify and view an object. The wearer can then focus on the object by rotating the objective lens barrel members 63, 63 of the left and right magnifying glass sections 3, 3, respectively, while viewing the object. In this embodiment 2, as in embodiment 1, the focus can be adjusted individually for the left and right magnifying glass sections 53, 53, and the focus can also be adjusted according to the distance to the object (working distance). Therefore, focus adjustment can be performed in the same way as in embodiment 1. Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment 2, since an O-ring 36 is provided, the resistance of the O-ring 36 can stop the rotation of the objective lens barrel member 63, thereby preventing the objective lens barrel member 63 from accidentally detaching from the eyepiece barrel member 62. Furthermore, it has the excellent advantage of preventing dust and other debris from entering the enclosed space between the objective lens 41 and the eyepiece lens 31.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the dimensions and shapes of each part in the embodiments described above can be changed as appropriate.

[0036] In Example 1, the objective lens barrel member is supported at the connecting portion, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the eyepiece barrel member can also be supported at the connecting portion.

[0037] In Example 1, the safety glasses were equipped with a detachable connecting part, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the connecting part may be fixed to the frame of the safety glasses. Alternatively, the connecting part may be fixed to the head belt that is worn on the wearer's head.

[0038] In Example 2, the protective glasses may be equipped with a light.

[0039] In Examples 1 and 2, the eyepiece barrel member is provided with a female screw in the first threaded section and the objective lens barrel member is provided with a male screw in the second threaded section. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the second threaded section is provided with a female screw and the first threaded section is provided with a male screw may also be used.

[0040] Example 1 illustrates a configuration that attaches to safety glasses, but as mentioned above, it can be attached to various types of glasses other than safety glasses. Similarly, in Example 2, the magnifying glass part may be attached to various types of glasses other than safety glasses (for example, prescription glasses, etc.). [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1.51 Binocular Magnifying Glass Components 2 Connecting part 3.53 Magnifying glass section 22,62 Eyepiece barrel member 23,63 Objective lens barrel component 31 Eyepiece 32 First threaded tube part 41 Objective lens 42 Second threaded tube part 101 Safety glasses (head-mounted part) 103 Shield section

Claims

1. A connecting part connected to a head attachment part that is attached to the wearer's head, Supported by the aforementioned connecting portion, a pair of left and right magnifying glass sections are positioned in front of each of the wearer's eyes. It is equipped with, The aforementioned left and right magnifying glass sections are, An eyepiece tube member having an eyepiece lens and a substantially cylindrical first threaded tube portion, An objective lens barrel member having an objective lens positioned opposite to the eyepiece lens in front of it, and a substantially cylindrical second threaded tube portion that is screwed into the first threaded tube portion so as to be able to screw in the front-rear direction. Each is equipped with, A binocular magnifying glass device characterized in that one of the eyepiece barrel member and the objective lens barrel member is supported by the connecting portion, and the other is provided so as to be rotatable by the wearer, and the other screwes forward and backward relative to the other when rotated by the wearer.

2. The magnifying glass section is The binocular magnifying glass member according to claim 1, characterized in that the objective lens barrel member is supported by the connecting portion, and the eyepiece barrel member is screwed forward and backward relative to the objective lens barrel member by the wearer's rotational operation.

3. A head attachment unit that is attached to the wearer's head and has a shield portion that covers both of the wearer's eyes, A pair of left and right magnifying glass sections are provided on the shield so as to be positioned in front of each of the wearer's eyes. Equipped with, The aforementioned left and right magnifying glass sections are, An eyepiece tube member having an eyepiece lens and a substantially cylindrical first threaded tube portion, fixed to the shield portion, An objective lens barrel member having an objective lens positioned opposite to the eyepiece lens in front of it, and a substantially cylindrical second threaded tube portion that is screwed into the first threaded tube portion so as to be able to screw in the front-rear direction. Each is equipped with, A binocular magnifying glass device characterized in that the objective lens barrel member is provided so as to be rotatable by the wearer, and the wearer's rotational operation causes it to screw forward and backward relative to the eyepiece barrel member.

Images