Itt Corporation

Itt Industries, Inc.

Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Itt Defense, Inc.

Gary L Palmer

George M Williams, Jr

John D Popow

William K Forsythe

A night vision binocular assembly ( ) capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly ( ) includes at least one objective lens assembly ( ), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly ( ) and diopter cell assembly ( ) encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing ( ). The objective lens assembly ( ), image intensifier tube ( ), collimator lens assembly ( ) and diopter cell assembly ( ) are all supported by a common base structure ( ) within the housing ( ). As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls ( ) are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly ( ). The button controls ( ) are disposed on a common circuit board ( ). An elastomeric structure ( ) is disposed between the circuit board ( ) and the interior of the binocular housing ( ). The circuit board ( ) is affixed to the interior of the binocular housing ( ) in a manner that compresses the elastomeric structure ( ) against the binocular housing ( ) to provide a water tight seal. The elastomeric structure ( ) has switch membranes or domed portions which extend through apertures ( ) in the housing ( ) creating both a fluid impermeable seal with the housing ( ) and a means for the tactile engagement of the switches on the below lying circuit board ( ).

Night vision binoculars

A night vision binocular assembly (,) capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly (,) includes at least one objective lens assembly (,), image intensifier tube (,), collimator lens assembly (,) and diopter cell assembly (,) encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing (,). The objective lens assembly (,), image intensifier tube (,), collimator lens assembly (,) and diopter cell assembly (,) are all supported by a common base structure (,) within the housing (,). As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls (,) are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly (,). The button controls (,) are disposed on a common circuit board (,). An elastomeric structure (,) is disposed between the circuit board (,) and the interior of the binocular housing (,). The circuit board (,) is affixed to the interior of the binocular housing (,) in a manner that compresses the elastomeric structure (,) against the binocular housing (,) to provide a water tight seal. The elastomeric structure (,) has switch membranes or domed portions which extend through apertures (,) in the housing (,) creating both a fluid impermeable seal with the housing (,) and a means for the tactile engagement of the switches on the below lying circuit board (,).

A modular night vision device for universal use with various types of camera devices. The night vision device has an image intensifier module for intensifying light images which can be removably coupled to a lens mount aperture of a camera device, and a separate power supply control module which can be removably coupled to a remotely located surface of the camera device and electrically coupled to an externally-located power jack of the camera device. The power supply control module is provided for receiving any DC voltage produced by the camera device which falls within a predetermined range of DC voltages and converting the voltage into a plurality of operating voltages which are useable to power the image intensifier module. The night vision device also has a cable for transmitting the operating voltages from the power supply control module to the image intensifier module.

Modular night vision device and power supply for a television camera

A lightweight night vision device that can be used by itself or can be selectively attached to either the objective lens assembly or ocular lens assembly of an existing optical device. The night vision device includes an image intensifier tube for amplifying low intensity light to produce a visible image. The image produced by the image intensifier tube is inverted. A prism assembly is positioned proximate to the image intensifier tube to reinvert the image in a space and cost efficient manner. The image intensifier tube, the power supply for the image intensifier tube and the reinverting prism are all contained within a house just large enough to accommodate these components. The housing has an objective port and an ocular port. Both ports are adapted to be joined to other optical components. As a result, a large variety of optical devices can be attached to either the object port or ocular port of the night vision device, thereby providing night vision capabilities to the optical device.

Compact night vision device

A mounting bracket assembly for mounting a night vision device to a headmount apparatus, made up of an attachment member, a mounting bracket and a hinge. The attachment member attaches the mounting bracket assembly to the headmount. The mounting bracket is generally U-shaped for holding a night vision device. The mounting bracket includes a coupling pad disposed at an end of the mounting bracket for receiving a coupling member attached to the night vision device, and a spring clip attached to the coupling pad for locking the coupling member of the night vision device to the coupling pad. The hinge couples the mounting bracket to the attachment member, and includes a pivot mechanism for allowing articulated movement of the mounting bracket relative to the attachment member.

Mounting bracket assembly for a night vision device

A night vision binocular assembly (10) capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly (10) includes at least one objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing (16). The objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) are all supported by a common base structure (80) within the housing (16). As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls (28, 30, 31) are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly (10). The button controls (28, 30, 31) are disposed on a common circuit board (38). An elastomeric structure (36) is disposed between the circuit board (38) and the interior of the binocular housing (16). The circuit board (38) is affixed to the interior of the binocular housing (16) in a manner that compresses the elastomeric structure (36) against the binocular housing (16) to provide a water tight seal. The elastomeric structure (36) has switch membranes or domed portions which extend through apertures (37) in the housing (16) creating both a fluid impermeable seal with the housing (16) and a means for the tactile engagement of the switches on the below lying circuit board (38).

A portable signal beacon adapted to be worn on the body so as to provide a discernable signal to a remote observer during low light conditions. The signal beacon includes a lightweight housing containing a light source, such as a bank of infrared LEDs. A signal generating device is also contained within the housing, wherein the signal generating device controls the activation of the light source and provides the light source with one of a plurality of different flashing sequences. At least one selection switch is provided that enables the user of the beacon to select which of the plurality of flashing sequences will be transmitted by the light sources.

Programmable infrared signal beacon

A combined collimator/diopter cell subassembly for use in a monocular optical device. The subassembly has its own housing, wherein the subassembly housing is a two part structure that joins together in a clam shell like fashion. The subassembly housing defines a plurality of reliefs that engage and retain the various lens elements that comprise the collimator and the diopter cell. The subassembly housing also defines slots that retain mirrors, creating a folded optical path whereby light enters the collimator and exists the diopter cell. Since the subassembly housing is shaped to hold the various lenses and mirrors in a predetermined relationship, the amount of labor required to both produce the collimator and diopter and position them within the optical deice is greatly reduced.

Collimator/diopter assembly with folder optics for a night vision

Light shield for a television camera or similar article

Modular night vision device for a television camera

A beam splitter device is disclosed for a collimator assembly which includes a housing having optics to collimate light. The beam splitter includes a base member having a tent-like structure which includes two inclined surfaces. A mirror element is supported by each of the inclined surfaces and a mechanism is included for securing the beam splitter to the housing.

Beam splitter for an optical collimator assembly

Bracket for holding a flashlight

An apparatus and associated method of coupling a night vision device to a CCD camera, thereby providing the CCD camera with low light capabilities. The apparatus includes a tubular adaptor element having a first end region and an opposite second end region. The first end region of the adaptor element is threaded and threads onto the objective lens assembly of the CCD camera, thereby joining the adaptor element to the CCD camera. The second end region of the adaptor element is not threaded, but rather is sized so that a segment of the ocular lens assembly of the night vision device can pass into the second end region. A bracket assembly extends from the adaptor element. The bracket attaches to the tripod mount on the night vision device, thereby providing support to the night vision device. As such, the bracket assembly retains the night vision device in a set orientation where the ocular lens assembly extends into the adaptor element and is optically aligned with the objective lens assembly of the CCD camera. Although the bracket assembly retains the night vision device so that the ocular lens assembly of the night vision device extends into the adaptor element, the ocular lens assembly is not physically joined to the adaptor element. Consequently, the night vision device can be held in optical alignment with the CCD camera regardless to the presence or absence of an attachment coupling on the ocular lens assembly.

Mounting device for joining a night vision device to a surveillance

A night vision monocular that includes an objective lens subassembly for receiving low intensity and/or infrared light. The objective lens subassembly focuses the light onto an image intensifier tube that converts the light into a visible image. The visible image passes through a collimator subassembly that collimates the visible image. Finally, the collimated image is viewed through an eyepiece subassembly. The objective lens subassembly, image intensifier tube, collimator subassembly and eyepiece subassembly are each separately manufactured subassemblies that are encased in subhousings and are ready to be assembled into a larger optical device. The housing of the present invention night vision monocular is a two piece structure, having a first half and an opposite second half. Partitions extend inwardly from a plurality of locations on both halves of the housing. The partitions are contoured and positioned to abut against and retain the various subassemblies within the night vision device. At least two partitions from each half of the housing abut against and support the objective lens subassembly, the image intensifier tube, the collimator subassembly and the eyepiece subassembly. The partitions within the housing are the only elements of positioning and optically aligning the various subassemblies. Consequently, no adhesive or mechanical fasteners are needed to retain components within the housing. The housing itself need not be precision machined, consequently, a night vision device is provided that is easy to manufacture and is well suited for a low-cost mass-production manufacturing environment.

Growing community of inventors

Vinton, VA, United States of America

Gary L Palmer