Addressograph Multigraph Corporation

Alexander Jesensky

Robert C Patzke

Frederick D Meller

Gilbert W Willey

Kenneth J Fedesna

Thomas V De Ryke

An optical device for a micro-image viewer or a micro-image viewer-printer machine receives a projected image of an illuminated micro-image, adjusts the spatial disposition of the projected image in an image plane and transmits the adjusted projected image to a viewing screen for viewing or to an exposure station for reproduction purposes. The optical device, in a preferred embodiment, includes a pechan prism positioned in a micro-image viewer-printer machine for receiving a projected image from a projection lens assembly. The pechan prism is rotatable about the illumination path or optical axis of the viewer-printer machine to enable the spatial disposition of the projected image to be rotated at least from 0 degrees to 180 degrees in an image plane. The pechan prism is mounted in the optical axis of the viewer-printer machine by a novel mounting assembly that enables both the controllable rotational movement of the pechan prism about the optical axis and the controllable longitudinal movement of the pechan prism along the optical axis. Additionally, the novel mounting assembly enables the pivotal movement of the pechan prism into and out of the optical axis to provide access to the projection lens assembly for the adjustment, repair, removal and replacement of the projection lens assembly.

Optical device

An optical device for a micro-image viewer or a micro-image viewer-printer machine receives a projected image of an illuminated micro-image, adjusts the spatial disposition of the projected image in an image plane and transmits the adjusted projected image to a viewing screen for viewing or to an exposure station for reproduction purposes. The optical device, in a preferred embodiment, includes a pechan prism positioned in a micro-image viewer-printer machine for receiving a projected image from a projection lens assembly. The pechan prism is rotatable about the illumination path or optical axis of the viewer-printer machine to enable the spatial disposition of the projected image to be rotated at least from 0.degree. to 180.degree. in an image plane. The pechan prism is mounted in the optical axis of the viewer-printer machine by a novel mounting assembly that enables both the conrollable rotational movement of the pechan prism about the optical axis and the controllable longitudinal movement of the pechan prism along the optical axis. Additionally, the novel mounting assembly enables the pivotal movement of the pechan prism into and out of the optical axis to provide access to the projection lens assembly for the adjustment, repair, removal and replacement of the projection lens assembly.

A transport mechanism for successively positioning micro-images disposed on one of two elongated film cards in an illumination path of a viewer printer machine includes a carriage assembly moveable between first and second positions in a first direction of travel having mounted thereon a film holder assembly moveable in a second direction of travel angularly disposed with respect to said first direction of travel. First independently actuable apparatus is provided for transporting the carriage assembly between first and second positions to align one of the elongated film cards in the illumination path, and second independently actuable apparatus is provided for incrementally transporting the holder to successively align the micro-images on one of the film cards in the illumination path. The first transporting apparatus utilizes an electric drive motor for transporting the film holder from its first position to its second position, and a spring motor to return the film holder to its first position upon deenergization of the electric motor. An electric clutch is employed for coupling the film holder to the electric motor, the clutch being disengageable upon deenergization of the electric motor to reduce the drag on the spring motor. The second transporting apparatus utilizes an elongated slotted rack and a motor driven rotatable disc having pins disposed thereon for engaging the slots in the rack and incrementally transporting the carriage upon rotation of the disc. A second electric motor is mechanically coupled to the holder by a slip clutch to provide a preloading force between the rack and the pins and for returning the holder to a predetermined position upon the disengagement of the rack and the pins. Remote vernier adjustment of the position of the holder is provided to permit accurate centering of each micro-image within the illumination path, and a three dimensional adjustment of the illumination source is provided. Logic circuitry is provided to control the operation of the first and second transporting apparatus to permit the alignment of a predetermined one of the micro-images within the illumination path, or to provide sequential alignment of the micro-images of one or both of the film cards within the illumination path.

Growing community of inventors

Barrington, IL, United States of America

Alexander Jesensky