Reflector telescope with an adjustable secondary mirror assembly

Abstract

A reflector telescope ( 10 ) includes at least one moveable secondary mirror assembly, thereby allowing control over the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors. A preferred telescope tube assembly includes a plurality of frame elements, between which is defined an optical path. An inner end of the telescope tube assembly supports a primary mirror assembly ( 200 ). In a preferred version of the reflector telescope, an inner secondary mirror assembly ( 300 ) and an outer secondary mirror assembly ( 400 ) are carried by the telescope tube assembly. Each secondary mirror assembly includes a secondary mirror and optical equipment such as an eyepiece. The secondary mirror assemblies can be slid along the frame elements of the telescope tube assembly, allowing the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors to be controlled. Controlling the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors allows the use of any given focuser and eyepiece assembly to be used in the secondary mirror assembly; allows the focuser tube of each secondary mirror assembly to be kept substantially out of the telescope tube assembly, while still allowing the eyepiece associated with the secondary mirror assembly to be focused; and results in sharp focus over a substantially greater range of distance than conventional reflector telescopes, and in particular allows focus on extremely close objects.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A reflector telescope, comprising: 
 a telescope tube assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube assembly defining an optical path;    a primary mirror assembly adjacent the distal end;    a first secondary mirror assembly disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the secondary mirror assembly having an enclosure;    a first secondary mirror disposed within the enclosure;    a bearing structure between the secondary mirror assembly and the telescope tube assembly, the bearing structure allowing the first secondary mirror assembly to move along the optical path relative to the primary mirror assembly, the first secondary mirror assembly being moveable along the optical path between the primary mirror assembly and the distal end.    
     
     
         2 . The reflective telescope of  claim 1 , further comprising a second secondary mirror assembly disposed between the first secondary mirror assembly and the proximal end.  
     
     
         3 . A reflector telescope, comprising: 
 a telescope tube assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube assembly defining an optical path;    a primary mirror assembly adjacent the distal end;    a first secondary mirror assembly disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the secondary mirror assembly having an enclosure;    a first secondary mirror disposed within the enclosure;    a means for moving the first secondary mirror assembly along the optical path relative to the primary mirror assembly, the first secondary mirror assembly being moveable along the optical path between the primary mirror assembly and the distal end.    
     
     
         4 . The reflective telescope of  claim 3 , further comprising a second secondary mirror assembly disposed between the first secondary mirror assembly and the proximal end.