Abstract
A microscope toy includes a base (108) and a stand (117). The base (108) has a bottom surface (115), a pair of opposing side walls (101), and a pair of opposing end walls (103), the pair of opposing side and end walls (101, 103) extending upwardly from the bottom surface (115) and defining an interior space (105). The stand (117) has a base surface (110) sized to couple with the base (108) and configured to cover an opening of the interior space (105) of the base (108), an arm (112) extending upwardly from the base surface (110), and a body tube (136) comprising a lens configured to magnify an object, the body tube (136) configured to detachably couple with the arm (112).
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A microscope toy comprising: a base having a bottom surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a pair of opposing end walls, the pair of opposing side and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface and defining an interior space; a stand having: a base surface sized to couple with the base and configured to cover an opening of the interior space of the base, an arm extending upwardly from the base surface, and a body tube comprising a lens configured to magnify an object, the body tube configured to detachably couple with the arm; a power source; and a light source disposed adjacent the power source, wherein the light source is contained within the body tube such that when the body tube is detached, the microscope toy is a functional illuminating device.
17. The microscope toy of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a separating wall extending from a first side wall to a second side wall, the separating wall defining a first compartment and a second compartment within the interior space.
18. The microscope toy of claim 16, wherein the base surface defines a recess.
19. The microscope toy of claim 18, wherein the recess is a hexagonal recess having six walls extending downwardly from the base surface.
20. The microscope toy of claim 19, wherein the recess comprises a tab extending from a surface of a wall of the six walls.
21. The microscope toy of claim 16, wherein the arm comprises a guide rail, and the body tube defines an elongated slot configured to receive the guide rail.
22. The microscope toy of claim 21, wherein the arm comprises a pinion gear, and the body tube comprises a gear rack configured to cooperate with the pinion gear to slidably translate the body tube along a vertical direction.
23. The microscope toy of claim 22, wherein the arm comprises a focus knob operatively coupled with the pinion gear, wherein the focus knob is a coarse adjustment focus knob configured to focus an image.
24. The microscope toy of claim 16, wherein the lens is a first lens, and the microscope toy further comprises a second lens and an ocular lens.
25. A microscope toy comprising: a base having a bottom surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a pair of opposing end walls, the pair of opposing side and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface and defining an interior space; and a stand having: a base surface sized to couple with the base and configured to cover an opening of the interior space of the base, an arm extending upwardly from the base surface, and a body tube comprising a lens configured to magnify an object, the body tube configured to detachably couple with the arm, wherein the base surface defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end of the base surface.
26. The microscope toy of claim 25, wherein the body tube is configured to be disposed directly above the channel when coupled with the arm.
27. A microscope toy comprising: a base having a bottom surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a pair of opposing end walls, the pair of opposing side and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface and defining an interior space; a stand having: a base surface sized to couple with the base and configured to cover an opening of the interior space of the base, an arm extending upwardly from the base surface, and a body tube comprising a lens configured to magnify an object, the body tube configured to detachably couple with the arm; and a fine adjustment sliding lever configured to focus an image.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microscope toy kit including a microscope toy, a slide wheel, and a microscope specimen holder.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the microscope toy.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a side view of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0052] FIG. 4A is a partial top, perspective view of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0053] FIG. 4B is a partial front view of the microscope toy of FIG. 2, with the body tube omitted.
[0054] FIG. 4C is a rear view of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0055] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0057] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional, exploded view of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0058] FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the sliding lever of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0059] FIG. 7C is a partial perspective cross-section view of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2, showing a lower portion of the body tube in a retracted position.
[0060] FIG. 7D is a partial perspective cross-section view of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2, showing a lower portion of the body tube in an extended position.
[0061] FIG. 7E is a partial perspective rear view of the body tube of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0062] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the slide wheel of the microscope toy kit of FIG. 1.
[0063] FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a recess defined by the stage of the microscope toy of FIG. 2.
[0064] FIG. 8C is a partial exploded view of the stand, slide wheel, and rotational indexing mechanism.
[0065] FIG. 8D is a partial bottom view of the rotational indexing mechanism of FIG. 8C.
[0066] FIG. 9A is a side view of the microscope specimen holder of the microscope toy kit of FIG. 1.
[0067] FIG. 9B is a partial perspective view of the microscope specimen holder of FIG. 9A.
[0068] FIG. 9C is a perspective exploded view of the microscope specimen holder of FIG. 9A.
[0069] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0070] FIG. 1 illustrates a microscope toy kit 100 that can be used by a preschooler (e.g., between three and five years of age) for play and/or educational purposes. The microscope toy kit 100 includes a microscope toy 102, a slide wheel 104, and a microscope specimen holder 106. The microscope toy 102 includes a stand 117 and a base 108. The stand 117 includes a base surface 110, an arm 112, and a detachable module 114.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, the stand 117 and the base 108 are configured to reversibly couple with each other. For example, the stand 117 and base 108 have perimeter edges that have complementary shapes and sizes such that stand 117 can serve as a lid to the base 108. The base 108 has a bottom surface 115, a pair of opposing side walls 101, and a pair of opposing end walls 103. The pair of opposing side and end walls 101, 103 extend upwardly from the bottom surface 115 and defining an interior space 105. The base 108 further includes a separating wall 116 that is integrally formed with the base 108 and extend from a first side wall 101 to the opposing second side wall 101. The separating wall 116 defines a first compartment 118 and a second compartment 120 within the interior space 105. The interior space 105 can serve as a storage space for the user. The first compartment 118 is sized to accommodate and receive one or more slide wheels 104 that are included in the microscope toy kit 100. The second compartment 120 is sized to accommodate and receive one or more microscope specimen holders 106 that are also included in the microscope toy kit 100. For example, the first compartment 118 has a larger volume and surface area than the second compartment 120. The pair of opposing side walls 101 each define an indentation 122 at a bottom surface portion of the walls. The indentations 122 are concave, substantially rectangular in shape, and are sized to be used as handles for the base 108. The indentations 122 are centered within bottom surface portions of the side walls 101.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base surface 110 of the stand 117 is sized to couple with the base 108 and configured to cover an opening of the interior space 105 of the base 108. The base surface 110 is substantially rectangular in shape. A stage 124 is integrally formed with the base surface 110 and is disposed proximal to the arm 112. As further described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the stage 124 defines a recess 126 configured to receive the slide wheel 104. The arm 112 extends upwardly from the base surface 110 and is configured to support the detachable module 114. The detachable module 114 includes a body tube 136, an eyepiece 128, and a battery compartment 148. The body tube 136 is configured to detachably couple with the arm 112. The body tube 136 includes a tubular housing having a central aperture. The body tube 136 is configured to house and hold three lenses, as described in detail below with respect to FIG. 6. The lenses are configured to magnify an object (e.g., a specimen sample). The eyepiece 128 is an annular eyepiece disposed at the upper end 145 of the body tube 136. The eyepiece 128 has a central aperture 149 that is coaxially aligned with the central aperture of the body tube 136.
[0073] The microscope toy 102 further includes a power source that is configured to power a light source 177, as further described in detail below with respect to FIG. 5. The power source includes one or more batteries that are operatively coupled to the light source. The batteries are configured to be housed in the battery compartment 148 that is secured to a distal portion 151 of the body tube 136. The light source 177 is disposed within the body tube 136, near a lower end 147 of the body tube 136. The body tube 136 includes a switch 134 (e.g., a button) that turns the light source 177 on or off and is configured to be activated or deactivated by the user. For example, the switch 134 can be a button that can be activated or deactivated by having a user depress it. The light source 177 is contained within the body tube 136 such that when the body tube 136 is detached is a functional illuminating device.
[0074] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the stage 124 defines a channel 150 extending from a first end 152 of the stage 124 to a second end 154 of the stage 124. When coupled to the arm 112, the body tube 136 is disposed directly above the channel 150. The channel 150 is elongated and sized to slidably receive the microscope specimen holder 106. The channel 150 defines a circular depression 156 centered within the channel. The depression 156 is configured to align with a depression defined by the microscope specimen holder 106. Alternatively, the depression 156 can hold a specimen sample for viewing under the objective lens.
[0075] The microscope toy 102 includes a fine adjustment mechanism and a coarse adjustment mechanism. The detachable module 114 incudes a sliding lever 130 that is configured to function as the fine adjustment mechanism. The sliding lever 130 protrudes from an aperture 153 defined by a proximal portion s of the body tube 136. As further described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 7A-7E, the sliding lever 130 is configured to raise and lower the objective lens at a fine adjustment speed, thereby allowing a user to adjust the fine focus the image (e.g., of the specimen sample) being viewed through the eyepiece 128.
[0076] The coarse adjustment mechanism includes a rack-and-pinion mechanism that is configured to raise and lower the objective lens at a coarse adjustment speed. The coarse adjustment speed is greater than the fine adjustment speed and allows a user to quickly focus the image being viewed through the eyepiece 128. The arm 112 is formed by a vertical portion 140 that is integrally connected to a horizontal portion 138. The horizontal portion 138 of the arm 112 includes a pair of focus knobs 132 disposed at a proximal end of the horizontal portion 138 and configured to raise and lower the detachable module 114 via the rack-and-pinion mechanism.
[0077] The focus knob 132 that is a coarse adjustment focus knob configured to focus the image being viewed. The arm 112 includes a pinion gear, and the body tube 136 includes a gear rack 144 configured to cooperate with the pinion gear to slidably translate the body tube 136 along a vertical direction. The proximal end portions 146 of the arm 112 are received by a pair of elongated slots 142 defined by the outer surface of a distal portion 151 of the body tube 136. For example, the elongated slots 142 can be defined by the outer, side surfaces of the battery compartment 148 that is secured to the body tube 136.
[0078] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate the coarse adjustment mechanism in more detail. Referring specifically to FIG. 4A, the proximal end portion 146 of the arm 112 includes a pair of opposing guide rails 158 that are configured to slidably couple with the elongated slot 142. The guide rails 158 are elongated and longitudinally extend in a vertical direction, parallel to the vertical portion 140 of the arm 112. The elongated slots 142 are defined at opposing edges of the battery compartment 148. The gear rack 144 is disposed between the opposing, elongated slots 142. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the pair of focus knobs 132 is operatively coupled with the pinion gear 162. The pinion gear 162 is disposed between the focus knobs 132 and between the pair of guide rails 158 on the horizontal portion 138 of the arm 112. FIG. 4C is a partial rear view of the microscope toy 102, which excludes a portion of the rear housing of the horizontal portion 138 of the arm 112 to show the gear rack 144 engaged with the pinion gear 162. The two focus knobs 132 extend transversely to the vertical portion 140 of the arm 112. The gear rack 144 has teeth that are configured to cooperate and engage the teeth of the pinion gear 162 to translate the rotational movement of the focus knobs 132 into the linear, vertical translation of the detachable module 114.
[0079] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the body tube 136. The body tube 136 includes the eyepiece 128 at an upper end 145 and disposed above an ocular lens 160, which is disposed above a lens barrel 182 further disposed above an electronic board 175. The components of the body tube 136 are arranged vertically within the housing 181. The lens barrel 182 includes a lower portion 173 that encloses a first lens 166 and a second lens 168, as described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 7A-7E. The lower portion 173 is received by and is configured to vertically travel through a hole 193 defined by the electronic board 175. A sliding lever 130 is connected to the lens barrel 182 and configured to raise and lower the first and second lenses 166, 168. The electronic board 175 includes a pair of light sources 177 (e.g., light emitting diodes) that are operatively connected to a portable power source (e.g., one or more batteries) in the battery compartment 148. The electronic board 175 includes a switch element 183 that is configured to be contacted by the switch 134 (e.g., a button) to turn the light sources on or off. The electronic board 175 is disposed below the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182 such that the light sources are configured to provide light to the first and second lenses 166, 168. The body tube 136 includes a shield 179 at the lower end 147. The shield 179 is composed of a transparent material that is configured to enable light (e.g., external light or light generated by the light sources 177) to reflect and reach the first and lenses objectives 166, 168. The shield 179 can also be configured to provide physical protection to the first and second lenses 166, 168.
[0080] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the detachable module 114 showing the arrangement of the ocular lens 160 (also shown in FIGS. 4A and 5), the first lens 166, and the second lens 168. The ocular lens 160 is disposed at an upper end 145 of the body tube 136, directly below and connected to the eyepiece 128. The ocular lens 160 is a convex lens that the user looks through to view the specimen sample under the objective lens. The ocular lens 160 is typically made of glass and is the last lens in the optical path of the microscope toy 102 before reaching the eye(s) of the user. Therefore, the ocular lens 160 magnifies the image that is being focused on by the objective lenses. The first lens 166 is directly below and coaxially aligned with the ocular lens 160. The second lens 168 is directly below and coaxially aligned with the first lens 166. The second lens 168 is also coaxially aligned with the ocular lens 160. The first and second lenses 166, 168 are objective lenses. The first and second lenses 166, 168 are also typically made of glass. The first and second lenses 166, 168 are the first lenses in the optical path and are the optical elements that gather light from the object being observed (e.g., a specimen) and focus the light rays to produce a real image.
[0081] During play, the viewer (e.g., a preschooler) looks through the ocular lens 160, which is mounted on the eyepiece 128 at the upper end 145. Light (e.g., generated by the light source of the microscope toy 102 or light found in the environment) illuminates a specimen sample located below the body tube 136 and resting on the stage 124 (e.g., in the depression 156 of the channel 150). Light then enters the microscope toy 102 and the optical path. The light then passes first through the second lens 168, then through the first lens 166, and finally hits the ocular lens 160. The ocular lens 160 bends the light and magnifies the image of the specimen sample, which then allows the viewer to see a magnified image of the specimen sample through the ocular lens 160.
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fine adjustment mechanism includes a lens barrel 182, including the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182 (shown, e.g., in FIG. 5), and a sliding lever 130. The lens barrel 182 encloses and houses the ocular lens 160 and the first and second lenses 166, 168. The lens barrel 182 is a tubular structure that is contained within the body tube 136. The lens barrel 182 defines a diagonal slot 184, which is upwardly angled. The lens barrel 182 also includes six tabs 176 affixed to the surface of its tubular structure. The tabs 176 couple the sliding lever 130 with the lens barrel 182. The tabs 176 are arranged in two opposing groups of three, where a set of three tabs 176 protrude from each of two opposing elongated supports 164, which also secured to the surface of the lens barrel 182. The diagonal slot 184 is defined between the two opposing elongated supports 164.
[0083] The sliding lever 130 extends outwardly from a proximal surface 159 of a plate 172. The plate 172 is sized and shaped to be slightly larger than the aperture 153 such that the sliding lever 130 and plate 172 are unable to be removed through the the aperture 153 (shown in FIG. 2). The plate 172 has a substantially convex, rectangular shape, such that it conforms to the curved structure of the lens barrel 182. The plate 172 defines six slots 174 arranged in two opposing sets of three, such that a first set of three slots 174 is defined by an upper edge 178 of the plate 172, and a second set of three slots 174 is defined by a lower edge 180 of the plate 172. The slots 174 are configured to receive the tabs 176 to couple the plate 172 with the lens barrel 182.
[0084] The sliding lever 130 further includes a protrusion 170 extending through the plate 172 and contacting the distal surface 161 of the plate 172. The protrusion 170 is a diagonal, elongated, pin structure that is configured to be received by and reversibly and slidably translate within the diagonal slot 184 when the user moves the sliding lever 130 in a horizontal direction (e.g., from left to right or vice versa).
[0085] Referring specifically to FIGS. 7C and 7D, the diagonal slot 184 has a substantially square cross-section having an upper wall 185 and a lower wall 187. The sliding lever 130 is configured to be laterally and reversibly slid from a first position (e.g. a leftmost position) to a second position (e.g., a rightmost position). In other words, the sliding lever 130 is configured to be slid from left to right and right to left. Such lateral movement of the sliding lever 130 causes the protrusion 170 to slidably travel within the diagonal slot 184.
[0086] As the sliding lever 130 is slid from the first position (e.g., a leftmost position) to the second position (e.g., to the rightmost position) within the diagonal slot 184, the protrusion 170 contacts the lower wall 187 and exerts a vertical downward force or pushes the lens barrel 182 vertically down, thereby lowering the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel, including the first and second lenses 166, 168, closer to the stage and/or specimen sample.
[0087] As the sliding lever 130 is slid from the second position (e.g., a rightmost position) to the first position (e.g., to the leftmost position) within the diagonal slot 184, the protrusion 170 contacts the upper wall 185 and exerts a vertical upward force or pushes the lens barrel 182 vertically up, thereby raising the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182, including the first and second lenses 166, 168, closer to the stage. The raising and lowering of the first and second lenses 166, 168 enables fine focusing of an image of a specimen sample to be viewed.
[0088] FIG. 7C shows the sliding lever 130 in a position between the first and second positions (e.g., between the leftmost and rightmost positions) at about the center of the diagonal slot 184. Here, it can be seen how the protrusion 170 is contacting the lower wall 187, and the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182 is in a retracted position 189 (e.g., at a distance that is greater than the minimum distance between the second lens 168 and the stage and/or specimen sample). For example, when the sliding lever 130 is in the first position (e.g., a leftmost position) within the diagonal slot 184, the second lens 168 is at a distance away from the stage and/or specimen sample that is greater than a distance of the electronic board 175 from the stage and/or specimen sample. When the sliding lever 130 is between the first position (e.g., a leftmost position) and the second position (e.g., the rightmost position) within the diagonal slot 184, the second lens 168 is at a distance x away from the stage and/or specimen sample that is about equal than a distance y of the electronic board 175 from the stage and/or specimen sample, as shown in FIG. 7C. In other words, at the retracted position 189 of the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182, the second lens 168 is farthest away from the stage and/or sample.
[0089] FIG. 7D shows the sliding lever 130 in the second position (e.g., the rightmost position) within the diagonal slot 184. Here, it can be seen how the protrusion 170 contacts the upper wall 187, and the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182 is in an extended position 191 (e.g., at a minimum distance between the second lens and the stage and/or specimen sample). When the sliding lever 130 is at the second position (e.g., the rightmost position) within the diagonal slot 184, the second lens 168 is at a distance x away from the stage and/or specimen sample that is less than a distance y of the electronic board 175 from the stage and/or specimen sample, as shown in FIG. 7D. In other words, at the extended position 191 of the lower portion 173 of the lens barrel 182, the second lens 168 is closest to the stage and/or sample.
[0090] Referring specifically to FIG. 7E, a rear portion 195 of the body tube 136, adjacent the battery compartment 148, defines a pair of elongated tracks 197. Each of the elongated tracks 197 slidably receives an elongated rail 203 protruding from a proximal wall of the housing of the battery compartment 148. Lateral movement of the sliding lever 130 within the diagonal slot 184, enables the elongated rails 203 to slidably and vertically travel within the elongated tracks 197 in a vertical direction (e.g., transverse to the stage and parallel to the gear rack 144.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the microscope toy kit 100 further includes one or more slide wheels 104. The slide wheel 104 includes a first circular plate 188 fixed to an opposing second circular plate 190. The first and second circular plates 188, 190 define twelve apertures 186 arranged circumferentially about the center of the first and second circular plates 188, 190. The apertures 186 are circular, through apertures. For example, the apertures 186 are defined by each of the first and second circular plates 188, 190. The slide wheel 104 includes a slide film (e.g., a photographic film) disposed between the first and circular plates 188, 190 and viewable through the apertures 186. The slide film includes one or more images that are enclosed within a rim of each aperture 186, such that when coupled to the stage 124 of the microscope toy 102, each aperture 186 is configured to be viewed as a sample specimen under the objective lens. The images that the slide film contains can include images of an object or an animal. For example, the images viewable through each aperture 186 can include sets of objects of diverse sizes and scales (e.g., images of objects in the centimeter range juxtaposed with images of objects in the meter range). Such juxtaposition of objects in these images may increase the user's awareness of the scale of objects in the world. The slide film can further include images of animals (e.g., mammals, insects, reptiles, etc.). The slide film is double-sided; for example, the set of images viewed when the first circular plate 188 faces a viewer is different than the set of images viewed when the second circular plate 190 faces a viewer.
[0092] The slide wheel 104 further includes a first projection 194 extending upwardly from a surface 163 of the first circular plate 188, and a second projection extending downwardly from a surface of the second circular plate 190. The first and second projections 194 are hexagonal in shape and each have six walls 165 extending upwardly from the surface at the center of the first circular plate 188 or downwardly from the surface at the center of the second circular plate 190, respectively. Each of the walls 165 of both first and second projections 194 define a slot 196.
[0093] Referring specifically to FIG. 8B, the stage 124 defines the recess 126 having a hexagonal structure that is sized to receive the first or second projections 194. The recess 126 has six inner walls 199 extending downwardly from the surface of the stage 124. Each of the inner walls 199 include a tab 198 extending from a surface of the inner walls 199. The slots 196 are configured to be received (e.g., via a snap fit connection) by the tabs 198 of the inner walls 199 when a user inserts the first or second projections 194 into the recess 126 to view the slide film of the slide wheel 104. The circular rim of the slide wheel 104 defines a plurality of notches 192 that may help a user to rotate the slide wheel 104 about the first projection 194 when the slide wheel 104 is coupled to the stage 124 of the microscope toy 102. Because the slide wheel 104 includes first and second projections 194 and a double-sided slide film, the user can couple the second projection 194 to the recess 126 to view a first side of the slide film containing a first set of images, where the first side of slide film is framed by the apertures of 186 defined by the first circular plate 188. Furthermore, the user can couple the first projection 194 to the recess 126 to view a second side of the slide film containing a second set of images, where the second side of slide film is framed by the apertures of 186 defined by the second circular plate 188. Given that the first and second set of images are different, the user can advantageously view 24 distinct images or groups of images (e.g., corresponding to the 24 total apertures) within a single slide wheel 104.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, the stand 117 and slide wheel 104 include a rotational indexing mechanism 205. The rotational indexing mechanism 205 may facilitate use of the slide wheels 104 as the slide wheels 104 automatically position themselves into place without requiring additional adjustment from the user.
[0095] The rotational index mechanism 205 includes a socket 207 that is received by a hole 209 defined by the stage 124. An upper portion 211 of the socket 207 defines the recess 126 having a hexagonal structure that is sized and shaped to receive the first or second projections 194 of the slide wheel 104. The socket 207 is coupled with a housing 213 of the stage 124 under the stage. The rotational index mechanism 205 automatically locates the apertures 186 of the slide wheel 104 directly in the centerline of the microscope optics. The benefit of this may be that the user can click the slide wheel 104 into place, and as they turn the slide wheel 104, every image in the slide film will be centered automatically when viewing through the eyepiece 128 of the microscope toy 102. The user may not need to manually rotate the slide wheel 104 small amounts to center the images in the slide film within their view through the eyepiece 128 of the microscope toy 102. The rotational index mechanism 205 also provides a light amount of resistance such that the slide wheel 104 and the images in the slide film do not move unintentionally while viewing through the eyepiece 128 of the microscope toy 102.
[0096] Referring specifically to FIG. 8D, the rotational indexing mechanism 205 further includes an indexing disc 213 that is rotatably displaceable and engages the socket 207. The indexing disc 213 has a bottom surface 217 lined with notches 219 arranged circumferentially about a central portion 221 of the indexing disc 213. The indexing disc 213 is configured to couple with the slide wheel (e.g., via the recess 126 shown in FIG. 8B) and is configured to rotate freely. The socket 207 is fixed to the stage and cannot rotate. Each socket 207 has a pair of indexing arms 215 operable to engage and disengage the notches 219 when the indexing disc is rotated as a result of the user rotating the slide wheel 104. The notches 219 are separated from one another by a series of inwardly pointing projections 223. Each arm 215 of the socket 207 has a rounded edge 225 configured to slidably interact and engage with the notches 219 and the projections 223 as the indexing disc 213 rotates. The arms 215 of the socket 207 are formed of resilient flexible material that allows the arms 215 to flex or bend radially inwardly toward the center of the socket 207 in response to contact between the rounded edges 225 and the projections 223. When the rounded edges 225 engage the innermost sections of projections 223, the arms 215 bend inwardly under stored energy. As the indexing disc 213 rotates and the rounded edges 225 align with the notches 219, the arms 215 snap outwardly and return to a relaxed state with the rounded edges 225 positioned in the notches 219 (as shown in FIG. 8D). The twelve notches 219 are positioned along the same circular pattern as the apertures defined on either the first or second plates (e.g., sides) of the slide wheel.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the microscope toy kit includes the microscope specimen holder 106 that is configured to be used as a portable microscope slide that includes a cover to protect a specimen sample contained within a depression defined by the slide. The microscope specimen holder 106 includes a cover portion 107, a slide portion 109, and a spring 111. The cover and slide portions 107, 109 are made of a transparent material and generally arranged as opposing jaws of a spring clip. The slide portion 109 has a first end 129 and a second end 125 and a planar surface 167 extending therebetween. The slide portion 109 defines a circular depression 113 at the second end 125. The depression 113 is configured to receive and hold a specimen sample for viewing under the objective lens. As discussed above, the depression 113 is also configured to align with a depression 156 defined by the channel 150 when the microscope specimen holder 106 is slidably inserted into the channel 150. The slide portion 109 is integrally formed with a first finger tab 121, which is adjacent to the first end 129. As shown in FIG. 9C, the first finger tab 121 has a pair of first opposing walls 135 extending upwardly from opposing edges of the first finger tab 121. Each wall of the pair of opposing walls 135 defines a first hole.
[0098] The cover portion 107 is disposed opposite the slide portion 109. The cover portion 107 is configured to align with and contact the slide portion 109 and is identical in size to the slide portion 109. A second finger tab 119 is integrally formed with the cover portion 107 and is adjacent to the first end 127. The second finger tab 119 has a pair of second opposing walls 131 extending downwardly from opposing edges of the second finger tab 119. Each wall of the pair of second opposing walls 131 defines a second hole 133. The second hole 133 is aligned with the first hole defined by the pair of opposing walls 135. The microscope specimen holder 106 further includes a rod 137 extending through the first holes and the second holes 133. The cover portion 107 is configured to pivot about the rod 137. The microscope specimen holder further includes a hollow cylindrical support piece 139 defining a longitudinal channel 171 that is configured to concentrically receive the rod 137.
[0099] The spring 111 urges the cover portion 107 from an open position, away from the slide portion 109, to a closed position, where the cover portion 107 contacts the slide portion 109. The spring 111 urges movement of the cover potion 107 from the open position to the closed position about a pivot axis 201 extending through the rod 137. The spring 111 has a hollow pear shape and defines a first opening 141 and a second opening 143. The first opening 141 is sized and configured to receive the hollow cylindrical support piece 139. The spring 111 is configured to contact the inner surfaces of the first and second finger tabs 119, 121. When the inner surfaces of the first and second finger tabs 119, 121 are in contact with each other, the cover portion 109 covers the depression 113. In some embodiments, the cover portion 109 seals the depression 113. In a decompressed state, the second opening 143 of the spring 111 is undeformed and has its original shape shown in FIGS. 9A-9C. Also in the decompressed state, the cover and slide portions 109, 107 contact each other (e.g., the microscope specimen holder 106 is in a closed state). In a compressed state (e.g., when a user applies a force and pinches the first and second finger tabs 119, 121 together), the second opening 143 of the spring 111 is longitudinally deformed along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the planar surfaces 167, 169. Consequently, the cover and slide portions 109, 107 move apart from each other (e.g., the microscope specimen holder 106 is in an open state), thereby allowing access to the depression 113. As soon as the user stops applying the force and releases the first and second finger tabs 119, 121, the spring 111 goes back to its decompressed state and the cover and slide portions 109, 107 contact each other again.
[0100] The spring 111 is formed of a flexible, elastic, and/or resilient material (e.g., a flexible, elastic, and/or resilient plastic). Non-limiting examples of a flexible, elastic, and/or resilient materials include thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and silicone. The spring 111 has fast recovery, high resilience, and/or good snap back properties. These properties can be assessed based on how long it takes for a material to return to its original shape after being deformed. For example, a material with fast recovery, high resilience, and/or good snap back quickly returns to its original shape after being deformed, once the force is released. The spring 111 is also a unitary molded structure. Such design may be safer than conventional springs (e.g., metal springs). For example, the spring 111 does not pose a choking, aspiration, or ingestion hazard to children (e.g., preschoolers) during use and/or play of the microscope specimen holder 106.
[0101] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.
