Importance

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Abstract

A pair of binoculars includes a compact focusing mechanism providing an open reach-through space between the body tubes of the binoculars with an enhanced area for the user to grasp and hold each body tube. The focusing mechanism further provides for adjustment of the body tube spacing without affecting focusing. The focusing mechanism includes a compact focusing knob structure situated on an outside of an articulated bridge connecting the body tubes and used for adjusting and maintaining a desired distance between the tubes. The focusing mechanism includes respective arms extending from the focusing knob to each of the body tubes, the ends of the levers riding on the inside of a conically shaped plunger coaxial with a pivot point of the bridge so that adjusting a spacing between the body tubes does not affect focusing. When positioned inwardly, the focusing knob produces a longitudinal movement of the plunger to effect focusing of both focusing elements simultaneously. When pulled out, the focusing knob causes movement of an eccentric used to radially translate a pivot point of one or both of the levers thereby effecting the position of the single focusing element and providing a diopter adjustment. If desired, a second pivoted bridge may be included, longitudinally spaced from the first bridge along the body tubes so that a substantially contiguous opening is provided for grasping of the binoculars. The binoculars may use a variety of optical components including roof prisms, Porro prisms or be configured as field glasses.

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First Claim