Back to results
US 12,723,710 B2Granted
Vertical support arrangement for an optical system
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorMartin Zanni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support arrangement positions an optical system in a generally vertical plane. The support arrangement may include an optical support panel that can be arranged in an upright position. At least one mounting surface of the optical support panel may be arranged vertically so that its entire surface area is within an arms-length distance or freely accessible to a standing or seated user. An unobstructed zone may be defined immediately adjacent to the mounting surface(s), which is substantially devoid of any supporting or other structures as mechanical barriers to the vertical mounting surface(s). The optical support panel may be rotationally and/or height adjustably mounted within a frame. A control system may facilitate remote height and/or angular position adjustments of the optical support panel.
Claims7
A support arrangement for an optical system comprising:
- a frame;
- an optical support panel that defines a planar mounting surface and is supported in the frame for movement between an upright position and a sideways position, wherein;
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally vertical plane when the optical support panel is in the upright position;
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally horizontal plane when the optical support panel is in the sideways position;
- an array of mounting holes is provided at the planar mounting surface and configured to secure at least one optical device against the planar mounting surface;
- when the optical support panel is in the upright position, the at least one optical device extends generally horizontally outwardly from the mounting surface;
- when the optical support panel is in the sideways position, the at least one optical device extends generally vertically upwardly from the mounting surface;
- a rotation drive that:
- is mounted between the frame and the optical support panel;
- is configured to selectively rotate the optical support panel between the upright and sideways positions;
- and
- includes an electric motor that can be energized to rotate the optical support panel between the upright and sideways positions.
9 more elements
A support arrangement for an optical system comprising:
- a frame;
- an optical support panel that defines a planar mounting surface and is supported in the frame for movement between an upright position and a sideways position, wherein:
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally vertical plane when the optical support panel is in the upright position;
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally horizontal plane when the optical support panel is in the sideways position;
- an array of mounting holes is provided at the planar mounting surface and configured to secure at least one optical device against the planar mounting surface;
- when the optical support panel is in the upright position, the at least one optical device extends generally horizontally outwardly from the mounting surface;
- and
- when the optical support panel is in the sideways position, the at least one optical device extends generally vertically upwardly from the mounting surface;
- a height drive that:
- is mounted between the frame and the optical support panel;
- is configured to selectively move the optical support panel between a minimum height position and a maximum height position;
- and
- includes a linear actuator that can be energized to drive vertical movement of the optical support panel.
10 more elements
A support arrangement for an optical system comprising:
- a frame;
- an optical support panel that defines a planar mounting surface and is supported in the frame for movement between an upright position and a sideways position, wherein:
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally vertical plane when the optical support panel is in the upright position;
- the planar mounting surface is oriented in a generally horizontal plane when the optical support panel is in the sideways position;
- an array of mounting holes is provided at the planar mounting surface and configured to secure at least one optical device against the planar mounting surface;
- when the optical support panel is in the upright position, the at least one optical device extends generally horizontally outwardly from the mounting surface;
- when the optical support panel is in the sideways position, the at least one optical device extends generally vertically upwardly from the mounting surface;
- and
- wherein the optical support panel is mounted to the frame for support from above by a ceiling structure.
6 more elements
A support arrangement for an optical system comprising:
- a frame;
- an optical support panel supported in the frame for movement between an upright position in a generally vertical plane and a sideways position in a generally horizontal plane, the optical support panel including:
- a first primary wall that includes:
- a first planar mounting surface;
- a first array of mounting holes defined by threaded bores that extend into the first planar mounting surface and are configured to receive fasteners that hold at least a first optical device;
- a second primary wall parallel to first primary wall spaced from the first primary wall by a distance that corresponds to a thickness dimension of the optical support panel and that includes:
- a second planar mounting surface;
- a second array of mounting holes defined by threaded bores that extend into the second planar mounting surface and are configured to receive fasteners that hold at least a second optical device;
- a height drive that is:
- mounted between the frame and the optical support panel;
- and
- configured to selectively move the optical support panel between a minimum height position and a maximum height position;
- a rotation drive that is:
- mounted between the frame and the optical support panel;
- and
- configured to selectively rotate the optical support panel between the upright and sideways positions.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.