1. A microscope, comprising:
a base,
a support arm attached to and extending upwardly from the base, the support arm including a secondary stage height adjuster;
a head attached to the support arm, the head including a lens;
an eyepiece attached to the head and in optical communication with the lens;
a stage releasably attached to the support arm between the head and the base, where:
the stage is releasably attachable to the support arm at a plurality of locations between the head and the base providing a plurality of working distances between a lower surface of the head and an upper surface of the stage, and
when the stage is attached to the support arm at a location, a working distance between the lower surface of the head and the upper surface of the stage is further adjustable to an either greater or lesser working distance using the secondary stage height adjuster; and
an illuminator positioned between the base and the stage.
2. The microscope of claim 1, wherein:
the head includes a first distal objective lens and a second distal objective lens, only one of which is in optical communication with the eyepiece at a given time; and
the stage can be releasably attached to the support arm in a first position such that when the first distal objective lens is in optical communication with the eyepiece, microscopic viewing is provided with magnification exceeding 45\xd7 and a working distance of 10 millimeters or less, and the stage can be releasably attached to the support arm in a second position such that when the second distal objective lens is in optical communication with the eyepiece, macroscopic viewing is provided with magnification less than 45\xd7 and a working distance exceeding 10 millimeters.
3. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising:
at least three legs attached to the base.
4. The microscope of claim 3, wherein the at least three legs are pivotable between at least an open position, wherein the legs support the microscope in a substantially vertical position and a closed position.
5. The microscope of claim 3, wherein each of the at least three legs include a foot pivotable about a point at which a foot attaches to a respective leg.
6. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the illuminator is battery-powered, the microscope further comprising:
a battery electrically connected to the illuminator.
7. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises at least one LED.
8. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the secondary stage height adjuster includes a rack and pinion mechanism for further adjusting the upper surface of the stage to either a greater or lesser working distance when the stage is attached to the support arm at a location.
9. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the support arm includes a handle.
10. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the stage comprises a substantially transparent container including an interior region configured to contain a specimen.
11. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the stage comprises a frame and a container releasably attached to the frame.
12. A microscope, comprising:
a base,
a support arm attached to and extending upwardly from the base;
a head attached to the support arm;
an eyepiece attached to an upper portion of the head;
at least two distal objective lenses attached to a lower portion of the head;
a lens changer positioned within the head and between the eyepiece and the distal objective lenses, the lens changer:
rotatable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to an optical path,
including a plurality of lenses arranged radially about the axis,
rotatable between a plurality of positions, such that in a position one or more lenses of the plurality of lenses is in an optical path extending from the eyepiece to an upper surface of a stage and including one of the distal objective lenses;
a stage attached to the support arm between the head and the base and positionable to provide a plurality of working distances between a distal objective lenses and an upper surface of the stage, wherein the stage can be positioned in a first position such that when a first distal objective lens is in an optical path with the eyepiece, microscopic viewing is provided with magnification exceeding 45\xd7 and with a working distance of 10 millimeters or less, and wherein the stage can be positioned in a second position such that when a second distal objective lens is in an optical path with the eyepiece, macroscopic viewing is provided with magnification less than 45\xd7 and with a working distance exceeding 10 millimeters; and
an illuminator positioned between the base and the stage.
13. The microscope of claim 12, wherein microscopic viewing is provided at a plurality of magnification levels between approximately 50\xd7 and 200\xd7 with an approximate working distance of 5 millimeters.
14. The microscope of claim 12, wherein macroscopic viewing is provided at a plurality of magnification levels between approximately 5\xd7 and 40\xd7 with approximate working distances between 70 and 80 millimeters.
15. The microscope of claim 12, wherein:
the support arm includes a secondary stage height adjuster; and
the stage is releasably attachable to the support arm at a plurality of locations between the head and the base providing a plurality of working distances between a distal objective lens and an upper surface of the stage, and when attached to the support arm at a location, a working distance between a distal objective lens and the upper surface of the stage is further adjustable using the secondary stage height adjuster to an either greater or lesser working distance.
16. The microscope of claim 12, further comprising:
at least three legs attached to the base.
17. The microscope of claim 16, wherein the at least three legs are pivotable between at least an open position, wherein the legs support the microscope in a substantially vertical position and a closed position.
18. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the illuminator is battery-powered, the microscope further comprising:
a battery electrically connected to the illuminator.
19. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the illuminator comprises at least one LED.
20. The microscope of claim 12, further comprising a rack-adjustment mechanism for further adjusting the upper surface of the stage to either a greater or lesser working distance when the stage is attached to the support arm at a location.
21. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the support arm includes a handle.
22. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the stage comprises a substantially transparent container including an interior region configured to contain a specimen.
23. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the stage comprises a frame and a container releasably attached to the frame.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system for repelling birds, the system comprising:
a base unit, the base unit comprising an air compressor, a reservoir containing a bird repellent fluid, a precision pump and a controller, the precision pump operatively connected to the controller and operation of the precision pump controlled by the controller; and
a spray head coupled to the base unit and supported by a mast, the spray head having an air solenoid in fluid communication with the air compressor, the spray head having a holding tube in fluid communication with the air solenoid, in fluid communication with the precision pump and in fluid communication with at least one nozzle, the air solenoid operatively connected to the controller;
whereas the precision pump is adapted to deliver a metered amount of the bird repellent fluid from the reservoir to the holding tube responsive to the controller and whereas the metered amount of the bird repellent fluid is forced from the holding tube out through the at least one nozzle responsive to activation of the air solenoid by the controller.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mast is a telescoping mast.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a level sensor operatively coupled to the reservoir, the level sensor signaling to the controller a level of the bird repellent fluid in the reservoir.
4. The system of claim 3, whereas responsive to detecting a low level of bird repellent fluid in the reservoir, the controller initiates a phone call.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the precision pump comprises:
an air cylinder, an air piston disposed within the air cylinder;
a fluid cylinder, a fluid piston disposed within the fluid cylinder, the fluid cylinder having an input port fluidly coupled to the reservoir and the fluid cylinder having an output port fluidly coupled to a check valve, the check valve allowing the bird repellent fluid to flow in one direction out of the precision pump and into the holding tube within the spray head;
a shaft coupling the air piston to the fluid piston;
a first air valve interfaced between the air compressor and a chamber of the air cylinder distal from the fluid cylinder, the first air valve operatively coupled to the controller; and
a second air valve interfaced between the air compressor and a chamber of the air cylinder closer to the fluid cylinder, the second air valve operatively coupled to the controller;
whereas activation of the first air valve provides compressed air from the air compressor into the chamber of the air cylinder distal from the fluid cylinder, thereby pushing the air piston towards the fluid cylinder and thereby pushing the fluid piston and pushing the bird repellent fluid from the fluid cylinder through the check valve and into the holding chamber, and whereas activation of the second air valve provides compressed air from the air compressor into the chamber of the air cylinder closer to the fluid cylinder, thereby pushing the air piston away from the fluid cylinder and pulling the fluid piston and thereby pulling the bird repellent fluid from the reservoir into the fluid cylinder.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressor includes an air tank.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is one nozzle.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is mounted upon a plurality of wheels.
9. A method of repelling birds, the method comprising:
providing a system for repelling birds, the system comprising:
a base unit, the base unit comprising an air compressor, a reservoir containing a bird repellent fluid, a precision pump and a controller, operation of the precision pump controlled by the controller;
a spray head coupled to the base unit and supported by a mast, the spray head having an air solenoid in fluid communication with the air compressor, the spray head having a holding tube in fluid communication with the air solenoid, in fluid communication with the precision pump and in fluid communication with at least one nozzle, the air solenoid operatively connected to the controller;
whereas the precision pump is adapted to deliver a metered amount of the bird repellent fluid from the reservoir to the holding tube responsive to the controller and whereas the metered amount of the bird repellent fluid is forced from the holding tube out through the at least one nozzle responsive to activation of the air solenoid by the controller;
the controller energizing the precision pump;
responsive to the controller energizing the precision pump, the precision pump delivering the metered amount of the bird repellent fluid to the holding tube;
the controller de-energizing the precision pump;
the controller energizing the air solenoid;
responsive to the controller energizing the air solenoid, the high-pressure air forcing the metered amount of the bird repellent fluid from the holding tube through the at least one nozzle; and
the controller de-energizing the air solenoid.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mast is a telescoping mast.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising a level sensor operatively coupled to the reservoir, the level sensor signaling to the controller a level of the bird repellent fluid in the reservoir.
12. The method of claim 11, whereas responsive to detecting a low level of bird repellent fluid in the reservoir, initiating a phone call by the controller.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the precision pump comprises:
an air cylinder, an air piston disposed within the air cylinder;
a fluid cylinder, a fluid piston disposed within the fluid cylinder, the fluid cylinder having an input port fluidly coupled to the reservoir and the fluid cylinder having an output port fluidly coupled to a check valve, the check valve allowing the bird repellent fluid to flow in one direction out of the precision pump and into the holding tube within the spray head;
a shaft coupling the air piston to the fluid piston;
a first air valve interfaced between the air compressor and a chamber of the air cylinder distal from the fluid cylinder, the first air valve operatively coupled to the controller; and
a second air valve interfaced between the air compressor and a chamber of the air cylinder closer to the fluid cylinder, the second air valve operatively coupled to the controller;
whereas activation of the first air valve provides compressed air from the air compressor into the chamber of the air cylinder distal from the fluid cylinder, thereby pushing the air piston towards the fluid cylinder and thereby pushing the fluid piston and pushing the bird repellent fluid from the fluid cylinder through the check valve and into the holding chamber, and whereas activation of the second air valve provides compressed air from the air compressor into the chamber of the air cylinder closer to the fluid cylinder, thereby pushing the air piston away from the fluid cylinder and pulling the fluid piston and thereby pulling the bird repellent fluid from the reservoir into the fluid cylinder.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the compressor includes an air tank.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one nozzle is one nozzle.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein the base unit is mounted upon a plurality of wheels.
17. A system for repelling birds, the system comprising:
a base unit, the base unit comprising a means for generating high-pressure air, a reservoir for containing a bird repellent fluid, a means for pumping a metered amount of the bird repellent fluid and a means for controlling operation of the system; and
a spray head coupled to the base unit and supported by a mast, the spray head having a means for selectively coupling the high-pressure air into a holding tube within the spray head, the holding tube in fluid communication with the means for pumping and the holding tube in fluid communication with at least one nozzle, the means for selectively coupling operatively connected to the means for controlling;
whereas the means for pumping is adapted to deliver a metered amount of the bird repellent fluid from the reservoir to the holding tube responsive to the means for controlling and whereas the metered amount of the bird repellent fluid is forced from the holding tube out through the at least one nozzle responsive to activation of the means for selectively coupling by the means for controlling.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for pumping comprises:
a means for converting the high-pressure air into linear motion under control of the means for controlling; and
a means for converting the linear motion into a fluid pressure.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is one nozzle.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is mounted upon a plurality of wheels.