Protective cap

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective cap for a lens or ocular end of an optical device, such as an observation device, with an end wall and with a tubular cap casing extend around at least certain regions of the end wall. The end wall comprises at a first layer in at least certain regions and an insert part made separately from it, and the material of the first layer or insert part has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the cap casing.

1 . Protective cap for a device, in particular a lens or ocular end of an optical device, such as an observation device, with an end wall and with a cap casing disposed around at least certain regions of the external circumference of the end wall, wherein the end wall comprises a first layer or a separate insert part formed therefrom in at least certain regions, and the material of the first layer or insert part has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the cap casing. 
   
   
       2 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a partial portion of the end wall comprises several layers. 
   
   
       3 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein another one of the layers of the end wall is made from the same material as the cap casing. 
   
   
       4 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein a retaining shoulder which is L-shaped as viewed in axial section is disposed adjoining the cap casing, which in co-operation with its two legs and the cap casing bounds a preferably circumferentially extending housing compartment. 
   
   
       5 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one projection is disposed on an external face of the cap casing projecting radially out from the cap casing. 
   
   
       6 . Protective cap according to  claim 5 , wherein the projection extends around the circumference of the cap casing. 
   
   
       7 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one cut-out is disposed on the cap casing on its external face, which extends in the axial direction from an end face of the cap casing facing the end wall as far as the end wall. 
   
   
       8 . Protective cap according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one other cut-out is provided on an internal face of the leg of the retaining shoulder spaced at a distance radially outwards from the cap casing, which extends in the axial direction from a terminal end face of the leg as far as the first leg ( 6 ) of the retaining shoulder. 
   
   
       9 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer or insert part has a modulus of elasticity with a lower limit of 2000 MPa and an upper limit of 210000 MPa. 
   
   
       10 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer or insert part is made from a material selected from the group comprising plastic, metal, metal alloys, wood or a timber-like material, glass, ceramic. 
   
   
       11 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer or insert part is surrounded by the material used to form the second layer in at least certain regions, in particular is embedded in the second layer. 
   
   
       12 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer or insert part is joined to the material of the second layer in at least certain regions, in particular is injection molded or molded onto the second layer. 
   
   
       13 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer or insert part also has a tubular shoulder and the shoulder is embedded in the cap casing. 
   
   
       14 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first layer or insert part is cambered as viewed in axial section, starting from an external circumference to a center on the side facing the optical device to be protected, in particular is arcuately curved. 
   
   
       15 . Protective cap according to  claim 1 , wherein a rib is provided on the first layer or on the insert part on the side facing the optical device to be covered. 
   
   
       16 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer or insert part of the end wall is disposed on the side facing the optical device to be covered. 
   
   
       17 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer or insert part has at least one orifice at its center through which the material of the second layer extends. 
   
   
       18 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer or insert part of the end wall is disposed on the side facing away from the optical device to be covered. 
   
   
       19 . Protective cap according to  claim 18 , wherein the first layer or insert part has at least one projection which extends into the material of the second layer. 
   
   
       20 . Protective cap according to  claim 19 , wherein the projection is disposed at the center of the first layer or insert part. 
   
   
       21 . Protective cap according to  claims 18 , wherein the first layer or insert part is of a flat design and also has a flange in its external circumferential region projecting out from the tubular shoulder and the flange extends into the L-shaped retaining shoulder. 
   
   
       22 . Protective cap according to  claim 18 , wherein the material of the second layer is disposed in the region of an end face of the insert part or an end face of the flange facing away from the center disposed at a distance radially apart from it. 
   
   
       23 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the second layer of the end wall, the cap casing and the retaining shoulder constitute a single cohesive main body and it is made from an elastomeric material such as silicone (synthetic polymers), in particular silicone 70 Shore A for example, or silicone caoutchouc or silicone rubber, rubber such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, in particular nitrile rubber (NBR) or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). 
   
   
       24 . Protective cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the second layer has a Shore hardness A with a lower limit of 50 and an upper limit of 80.