Importance

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Abstract

A zoom mechanism particularly for a compact zoom binocular, comprises right and left ring gears which respectively surround right and left light beams passing through right and left eye lenses of the binoculars. The eye lenses are pivotally connected to each other about a machine shaft for adjusting the width between light beams and adjustment elements are provided for adjusting the magnification of the eye lenses. Right and left intermediate gears are respectively engaged with the right and left ring gears and disposed between the ring gears. The intermediate gears are connected to the magnification elements for adjusting magnification and for rotating the ring gears. An engagement assembly is provided between the intermediate gears which is either in the form of a central gear or a belt and pulley combination so that rotation of one intermediate gear is transmitted to the other intermediate gear. The engagement assembly is concentric with the machine shaft axis. A small gear is fixed to one of the intermediate gears and is provided for rotation about the axis of the one intermediate gear. A drive gear is mounted for concentric rotation about the axis of one of the ring gears but is rotatable independently of that ring gear. A zooming lever is connected to the drive gear for rotating the drive gear which in turn rotates the small gear to adjust magnification. The drive ratio between the drive gear and the small gear are selected so that a small rotation of the drive gear results in a large rotation of the small gear.

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