Importance

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Abstract

A night vision monocular that includes an objective lens subassembly for receiving low intensity and/or infrared light. The objective lens subassembly focuses the light onto an image intensifier tube that converts the light into a visible image. The visible image passes through a collimator subassembly that collimates the visible image. Finally, the collimated image is viewed through an eyepiece subassembly. The objective lens subassembly, image intensifier tube, collimator subassembly and eyepiece subassembly are each separately manufactured subassemblies that are encased in subhousings and are ready to be assembled into a larger optical device. The housing of the present invention night vision monocular is a two piece structure, having a first half and an opposite second half. Partitions extend inwardly from a plurality of locations on both halves of the housing. The partitions are contoured and positioned to abut against and retain the various subassemblies within the night vision device. At least two partitions from each half of the housing abut against and support the objective lens subassembly, the image intensifier tube, the collimator subassembly and the eyepiece subassembly. The partitions within the housing are the only elements of positioning and optically aligning the various subassemblies. Consequently, no adhesive or mechanical fasteners are needed to retain components within the housing. The housing itself need not be precision machined, consequently, a night vision device is provided that is easy to manufacture and is well suited for a low-cost mass-production manufacturing environment.

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First Claim