Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a virtual heads up display in a vehicle simulator include a vehicle simulator. The vehicle simulator includes a visual projector including visual system optics, a virtual heads up display (VHUD) projector mounted within the visual system optics of the visual projector and a projection screen configured to project images generated by the visual projector and the VHUD projector. The vehicle simulator also includes a VHUD eye reference frame mounted within the vehicle simulator, the VHUD eye reference frame configured to allow viewing therethrough of the projected images.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for arranging passenger seats and passenger service units in aircraft cabins as well as locating devices used in these methods. These methods and devices provide fast and efficient ways for directly referencing the position of each passenger service unit relative to a corresponding passenger seat. For example, a passenger seat is positioned on a seat rail using rail markers. Each set of markers corresponds to a different seating configuration. A locating device is then placed on the passenger seat such that the device datum contacts the seat cushion. A locator of the locating device determines a reference, in an overhead compartment, for installing a passenger service unit, corresponding to this seat. The reference is based on an angle between the datum and the locator, which is adjustable in some examples.

Abstract: A visual targeting variable range adjusting apparatus, including at least some of a housing having an optical cavity defined at least partially within the housing, wherein the optical cavity extends from an incoming image aperture to an outgoing image aperture; two or more rotationally adjustable lens holders, wherein each rotatably adjustable lens holder is rotatably positioned within at least a portion of the optical cavity, wherein at least a portion of each of the rotationally adjustable lens holder comprises a reflective surface, and wherein adjustment of at least one of the rotationally adjustable lens holders adjusts the reflective surfaces such that a target image entering the incoming image aperture is reflected by the reflective surfaces, so as to exit the outgoing image aperture at a determined offset.

Abstract: An improved reticle piece for use in an optical sight, placed at either the first or second focal plane, and an associated method of manufacturing. The reticle piece includes a first portion having a front face, a second portion having a back face disposed opposite the front face, a housing, a reticle pattern on the second portion, and a moveable leveling indicator. The housing includes a spacing element that forms a cavity extending between the first and second portions, the cavity having a perimeter that defines a viewable area of the reticle piece. The moveable leveling indicator is within the cavity and capable of moving along at least a portion of the perimeter of the cavity, possibly moving along the entire perimeter of the cavity.

Abstract: A reticle piece for use in an optical sight includes a generally cylinder-shaped body having a front face and a back face opposed therefrom. The reticle piece includes a reticle pattern and a level indicating device positioned between the front face and the back face of the body. The level indicating device includes a moveable leveling indicator.

Abstract: A laser projection module with a conical reflector supported by thin walls comprises: an upper mounting plate, a lower mounting plate with an aperture set in the center and a conical reflector which is provided on the upper mounting plate corresponding to the aperture, wherein at least three thin-walled supporting slices surrounding the conical mirror, are provided between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate there are provided. The disclosure has a compact structure. With the support of the thin walls, the laser divided is self-assembled and the mechanical principle that side faces of the thin-walled slices have high resistance is satisfied, so that reliability and precision of the use of the conical mirror in a laser projection apparatus with the conical mirror are guaranteed. The support pattern of the conical mirror by thin walls is also applicable to various conical mirrors in other application occasions.

Abstract: An angle finder method is disclosed. Said angle finder method comprises aligning a cross-point of a plurality of adjustable reticles with a vertex of an angle in an object, rotating said adjustable reticles from an initial angle to an aligned angle matching said angle in said object, and transferring said aligned angle to a transfer medium. Wherein, said plurality of adjustable reticles are held within a view window and an angle finder comprises said view window and said adjustable reticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges

Abstract: All or some of the component parts of a firearm are made of synthetic diamond materials. Some firearms include a specially designed trigger capable of verifying a user's identity so that only an authorized user can discharge the firearm. Some firearms include a diamond barrel designed to impart a unique pattern of grooves to any bullet leaving the barrel, thereby facilitating reliable identification of the firearm that fired a particular bullet.

Abstract: A method of determining a position of a point in a local coordinate system using a survey instrument comprising an integrated optical total station and digital level includes measuring an angle associated with the point. The angle may be measured about a vertical axis of the survey instrument, and the vertical axis may be substantially aligned with a local gravity vector. The method also includes determining a distance between the survey instrument and the point using an electronic distance measuring device and measuring a difference in height between a horizontal axis of the survey instrument and the point using a leveling staff positioned relative to the point. The horizontal axis may be substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis. The method also includes determining the position of the point in the local coordinate system using the angle, the distance, and the difference in height.

Abstract: An optical bench configured to hold two or more sources of collimated light utilizes prisms that when rotated generate rings of possible angular directions of light that overlap at one or more locations at which the two or more beams are coaligned.

Abstract: An instrumented fastener (e.g., a “tack” fastener) includes one or more light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes) configured to produce a light beacon that includes encoded information regarding the instrumented fastener (e.g., part number), wherein the direction of the light beacon can be used to align external and/or internal assembly systems to the instrumented fasteners. The light beacon may be activated automatically, or via an instruction received from an external system. Once aligned, the assembly system may, for example, proceed with installing permanent fasteners between neighboring tack fasteners.

Abstract: A cross laser device for installing plate- or board-shaped floor covering elements on a flat substrate includes a housing which can be positioned on the substrate by feet, and at least one first and one second laser disposed within the housing, by which first and second laser beams emerging through first and second front light exits of the housing can be generated for the formation of first and second marking lines on the substrate, which marking lines intersect at right angles at an intersection point spaced apart from the light exits. An underside of the housing is spaced apart from the substrate such that first and second clearance zones beneath the housing extend continuously from first and second side edges of the housing up to first and second vertical planes, respectively, the first and second laser beams being located in the first and second vertical planes, respectively.

Abstract: A laser reference device includes at least one planar or flat surface and an internal laser light source for generating a laser light beam. A lens inside the device may convert the laser light into a fan-shaped beam, and project the beam adjacent the planar or flat surface of the housing. The fan-shaped beam thus projects along that surface of the housing. If the laser leveling device is placed with the flat surface on a table or floor, for example, the fan-shaped beam will be in a level plane. This allows a user to place the laser leveling device on a surface and generate a laser light to align surfaces or objects, such as objects on a wall.

Abstract: A trigonometric teaching aid for providing students with real life applications for the principles of trigonometry includes a transit assembly having a sight tube with cross hairs, a level and an upper protractor pivotally connected to an upper end of a vertical scale, and a base assembly including a lower protractor pivotally connected to a lower end of the scale member. By leveling the transit assembly and measuring the angles of inclinations at the protractors, student using trigonometric formulas, tables and classroom lessons can determine physical measurements of real life objects.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a visual tag to determine an angle. During operation, the system observes the visual tag from an observation point, wherein the visual tag includes an angle-sensitive image which changes in appearance when observed from different angles. Next, the system uses the appearance of the angle-sensitive image (as observed from the observation point) to determine the angle between the visual tag and the observation point. In a variation on this embodiment, the system uses the determined angle along with supplemental information to determine the physical location of the observation point.

Abstract: An object locator sight aiding a first person to communicate the location of a distant object to a second person provides a laterally elongate base, carrying upstanding forward and spacedly adjacent rearward panels. The forward panel is perpendicular to the base and defines objective sight elements inwardly adjacent each end portion. The rearward panel is parallel to the forward panel and defines ocular sight elements inwardly adjacent each end portion. A sight line passing through the aligned first ocular sight element and the first objective sight element is intersected by a sight line passing through the second ocular sight element and the second objective sight element.

Abstract: A dartboard positioning device and method includes a housing that has a back wall, a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The back wall is arcuate and abuttable against an edge of a dartboard. A center mark indicator is positioned on the first side wall. A distance measuring assembly is positioned in the housing and is adapted for determining a distance from the center mark indicator to a selectable point. A laser pointer mounted on the first side wall defines the center mark indicator and is adapted for directing a point of light away from the housing. The laser pointer is angled with respect to the housing so that the point of light strikes a floor surface spaced 7? 9.25? from the first side wall when the center mark indicator is positioned 5? 8? above the floor surface.

Abstract: A laser indicator has a laser mechanism having three laser generators generating laser beams perpendicular to each other. Each of the three laser generators is electrically coupled to a separate laser control motor for independent control of the beam of the corresponding laser generator. The laser indicator further includes an adjusting mechanism including a control circuit module, a frame having an adjustment support associated therewith, and a plurality of level control motors disposed in the frame. The laser indicator also includes a laser generator adjuster and tightener.

Abstract: This device is a handheld, battery-operated instrument that utilizes light beams to project visible lines for increasing the accuracy in determining angles. A linear potentiometer is incorporated at the pivot point between the two diodes and measures a voltage change based on the angle between the arms of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for projecting a reference plane. The invention features emitting a light beam, splitting the light bean into two or more resulting beams, and converting the resulting beams into respective projected lines. The projected lines can be used to indicate a reference plane that substantially spans greater than 90 degrees from a reference point. The invention also features at least two lasers configured and arranged to emit a laser beam. An optical element corresponds to each laser to convert each laser beam into an output line that are projected to form only a single reference plane.

Abstract: A scaling device projects a known optical pattern into the field of view of a camera, which can be employed as a reference scale in a resulting photograph of a remote object, for example. The device comprises an optical beam projector that projects two or more spaced, parallel optical beams onto a surface of a remotely located object to be photographed. The resulting beam spots or lines on the object are spaced from one another by a known, predetermined distance. As a result, the size of other objects or features in the photograph can be determined through comparison of their size to the known distance between the beam spots. Preferably, the device is a small, battery-powered device that can be attached to a camera and employs one or more laser light sources and associated optics to generate the parallel light beams. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single laser light source is employed, but multiple parallel beams are generated thereby through use of beam splitting optics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical measuring devices and method of using the device. The optical measuring device utilizes a plurality of lasers attached to a plurality of interconnected legs to optically determine CENTER, LEVEL, LENGTH, DISTANCE, and PLUMB related to a measured object. In an exemplary embodiment, a user can sight reference laser beams at a first and second point on an object. A mechanical interrelationship between the interconnected legs of the device orientates a laser beam emitted from the center laser at a point, which is equidistance between the reference laser beams. The optical measuring device can include a level, a distance finding attachment, and or an electronic system 500. Electronic system 500 functionality can include, but is not limited to, data processing, data communications, GPS enabled applications, user interface, and distance and angle determination interfaces. The optical measuring device is preferably compact, pocket sized, and portable.

Abstract: A laser protractor comprising two laser pointers fixed in a body to point exactly 90° apart in the same plane and a third laser pointer mounted on a movable arm rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the intersection of the first two laser pointers (as extended). The laser protractor includes leveling bubbles and degree scales on the body permitting the protractor to be accurately positioned with both fixed lasers in a horizontal plane, in a vertical plane or in any other plane as required. The laser protractor, because of its simple rugged construction, can be made inexpensively with simple off-the-shelf pointers, each battery powered with inexpensive batteries.

Abstract: An aligning and measuring device having a framing square with inner and outer converging edges connected by opposing upper and lower surfaces having a certain dimension. One or more laser beam generators providing one or more laser beams along a line in a plane transverse to the opposing surfaces and through one or more of said edges for aligning said edges directly relative to a surface engaged by the device hereof.

Abstract: An indicator has two radiation sources supported in a housing and directed to two perpendicular directions to generate two light beams and to indicate a right angle. A semi-transparent mirror is engaged in the housing, the light beam generated by one radiation source has a portion transmitted through the mirror and another portion reflected by the mirror to indicate another right angle, and to indicate two opposite points far spaced from each other. A cover has three windows aligned with the light beams for allowing the light beams to be transmitted out of said cover.

Abstract: An integral apparatus having laser sighting means embodied in a pocket sized device, for use in determining end points along ceilings and wall perimeter edges to more accurately size drywall pieces to be installed in generally non-rectangular perimeter sections of ceilings and walls. The sighting apparatus, comprises a housing having a longitudinally elongated base member and a longitudinally elongated column member, said base member and column member being at right angles to one another and joined longitudinally to one another, said base member and column member having opposing parallel and substantially flat longitudinal faces and an edge surface extending between the longitudinal faces, thereby defining at least one rail having two longitudinal perpendicular surfaces; a laser module and batteries. In a preferred embodiment, laser modules are provided at each axial end of the housing to enable beams to be selectively projected in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A laser level includes a transparent container, a buoy with a built-in laser component, and a support frame. The center of gravity of the buoy is always at the center of the buoy. One end of the buoy emits horizontal laser beams, the other end thereof emitting vertical laser beams. Two spindles respectively extend from both sides of the center of the buoy such that the spindles are perpendicular to the body of the buoy. The distance between the distal ends of the spindles is equivalent to the internal width of the container. Brackets are disposed on the inner wall of the container at a suitable height. The buoy is mounted on the brackets by means of the spindles to achieve balance and stability. The container is supported on the support frame so that it can be placed on surfaces of any uncertain plane.

Abstract: A laser crossline device suitable for construction includes at lease a first and a second laser beam produced by diode modules. The diode modules revolve around a horizontal axis so as to form a 360.degree. laser scanning plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the module. The plane can be adjusted with a bubble level and an adjustment screw. The two modules are situated so as to generate planes that intersect at a right angle. The line of intersection forms a plumb line. If desired, a third orthogonal plane can be added to the device. A single rotary motor drives all of the diode modules.

Abstract: A laser beam projection apparatus includes a light source, a vessel containing a transparent liquid which transmits a light beam from the light source and has a free liquid surface, a condensing optical member for condensing the light beam transmitted through the vessel and the liquid to form a secondary source of the light source, and a first optical member for collimating the light beam from the secondary source into a parallel beam. The focal lengths of the condensing optical member and the first optical member are set in accordance with the refractive index of the liquid. Preferably, the focal lengths are set in accordance with the refractive index of the liquid such that the parallel beam from the first optical member emerges in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A combination of square alloy rulers with precisely machined planes, each ruler unit having two 1.5v batteries and two bubble levels to level in all directions. A line generator is mounted in front of a laser diode module. This basic laser line ruler unit can produce an accurate laser level line or plumb line after it is calibrated. By adjusting the calibrating knob, the laser line ruler will produce a precise level line or plumb line when the level bubbles are centered. Putting a properly aligned level line unit and a properly aligned plumb line unit together will produce a cross line in front of the combination. Adding at least one more laser line ruler, that is combining three or more line units, will produce 90.degree. lines, 45.degree. lines, and 180.degree. lines, as well as 270.degree. lines up and down or on the right and left sides by simply adjusting the position of the relevant ruler. The housing of the ruler unit is machined with accurate planes and vertical angles.

Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.

Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such an arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient is emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.

Abstract: An optical alignment system for aligning a multiple gap tape head assembly of a tape drive, including a cartridge plate insertable in a tape drive and having a first surface mirror that is parallel to a reference plane for the drive when the plate is inserted in the drive, a microscope objective imaging lens for providing images of the head gaps of the tape head assembly, a video camera and display for providing an operator viewable display of the output of the imaging lens, translation apparatus for moving the imaging lens, and an interferometer cooperating with the first surface mirror for maintaining the imaging lens at a constant distance relative to the first surface mirror as the translation apparatus moves the imaging lens from one head gap to another, such that the imaging lens moves in a plane parallel to the reference plane for the drive.

Abstract: In the surveying for construction work carried out prior to actual construction to set up new stations serving as references of the construction work, measurements to set up various angles are contemplated, but it will be readily understood, from the viewpoint of many buildings or structure being based on the right angles, that most angle measerments are made to set up the right angles. A surveying machine for construction work is provided with a rotating projector adapted for rotational projection of at least a pair of laser beams in planes being perpendicular to each other so that new stations in a vertical plane, new station in another vertical plane being perpendicular to the first-mentioned vertical plane or new stations in a horizontal plane may be easily set up merely by observing the pair of laser beams intersecting perpendicularly to each other.

Abstract: A chalk line assembly includes a housing formed with a cavity therewith to receive powdered chalk, with a chalk line wound within the housing about a central spool. A crank handle is directed into the housing to effect winding and reeling of a chalk line relative to the housing about the spool. A mounting plate is secured to a rear wall of the housing, with the mounting plate including a ferromagnetic member mounted to the mounting plate projecting rearwardly of the mounting plate. The mounting plate further includes a support aperture directed therethrough to receive fasteners permitting vertical mounting of the apparatus to ferrous and non-ferrous supports in directing a vertical chalk line. A modification of the invention includes a fiber optic housing structure mounted to the housing for projecting illumination and alignment with the chalk line and orthogonally oriented relative to the chalk line for measurement in a construction environment.

Abstract: A transit includes two identical transit elements oriented at 90.degree. with respect to each other. Each transit element includes an objective end and a viewing end and be focused on a distant point. The transit is mounted on top of an intersection of two elements, and the elements can be moved to be at a right angle with respect to each other. Once the right angle is set, other portions of a polygonaly figure, such as a rectangle or a square, can be set.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for materializing in space a point whose coordinates in a system of reference axes are known, comprising:an optical aiming apparatus, occupying a pre-determined position with respect to said system of axes and making it possible to determine, in said system of axes, the coordinates of any point aimed at, anda tooling assembly comprising a stand, one part at least of which is movable with respect to said system of axes and a hemispherical ball joint mounted in a spherical concave seat fixed to said movable part of the stand, the center of said ball joint being marked so as to be visible by said aiming apparatus.

Abstract: There is described a navigation aid for use in sailing vessels. The navigation aid comprising a casing having at least one side wall, the side wall having an aperture, and at least one end wall, the end wall also having an aperture. The casing encloses at least one reflective surface such as a mirror movably mounted on a linked frame in the form of an elongate member formed with two end sections, and a central section, the central section being formed to receive the reflective surface. Light entering the aid via the aperture in the side wall will be reflected off of the reflected surface through the aperture in the end wall. Thus an object positioned at the side of the casing can be viewed through the aperture in the end wall. The aperture in the side wall comprises a static marker which may be aligned with objects viewed through the aid for a range of pre-set angles, between the reflective surface and the central axis of the casing.

Abstract: A relocation device has a housing, a first sight tube having a viewing opening through which a user can look to sight an object substantially along a first line of sight, a second sight tube having a viewing opening through which a user can look to sight a second object substantially along a second line of sight, and structure for mounting the first and second sight tubes to the housing so that the first and second lines of sight are at a fixed acute angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: A precision optical square instrument for accurately determining lines and planes respectively perpendicular to reference lines and planes comprising, a substantially hollow housing containing first and second reflectors arranged at different vertical positions for viewing first and second marker positions outside the housing which are substantially at right angles to each other. The images of the two marker positions are projected onto a third reflector which is viewed by a user, such that the user can determine when the two marker positions are located perpendicularly, by the alignment of the images viewed in the third reflector.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing automatic alignment of beam devices having an associated structure for directing, collimating, focusing, reflecting, or otherwise modifying the main beam. A reference laser is attached to the structure enclosing the main beam producing apparatus and produces a reference beam substantially parallel to the main beam. Detector modules containing optical switching devices and optical detectors are positioned in the path of the reference beam and are effective to produce an electrical output indicative of the alignment of the main beam. This electrical output drives servomotor operated adjustment screws to adjust the position of elements of the structure associated with the main beam to maintain alignment of the main beam.

Abstract: A method for aligning pieces of equipment on board a vehicle, particularly on board an aircraft is disclosed. The method assumes the use of at least one computer on board the vehicle working in connection with the pieces of equipment.

Abstract: An optical inspection system includes a thin optical probe having spaced parallel viewing surfaces on opposite sides and image reflecting elements within for transmitting images from the viewing surfaces to viewing optics including optical paths aligned with the edge of the probe to receive and magnify images from the viewing surfaces. The apparatus permits insertion of the probe for inspection and measurement of areas not readily accessible by conventional means. The probe is preferably used as part of a system and method for optical alignment verification of double sided floppy disk transducer head assemblies, wherein the probe is inserted between the heads, with their read/write gaps adjacent the viewing surfaces. Measurement apparatus is provided to permit measurement of the relative positions of the read/write gaps for the two heads.

Abstract: The "Cruiser's Crutch" is a slope correcting basal area angle gauge to be used in variable plot sampling for determining basal area in square feet per acre. It incorporates the critical angle for the 10, 20, 30 and 40 basal area factors. This gauge enables the forester or timber cruiser to make the same basal area measurements that would normally require a critical angle gauge for each factor chosen and at the same time compensates for slopes of from zero to ninety percent. The user selects the factor desired and then holds the instrument a fixed distance from his eye, as determined by the larger balls on the attached charin. The larger ball nearest the angle gauge is for 40 factor measurements; the next larger ball, 30 factor; the third, 20 factor and the last for ten factor measurements. (Other basal area factors between 10 and 40 can be easily added if desired.) User then rotates 360.degree. around a point, keeping his eye over the point at all times and the gauge perpendicular to the slope.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an instant position finder and course plotter. A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a three arm protractor which includes a circular base member, a fixed central arm and a movable left and right arm. Each arm of the protractor includes a sight at each extreme end which work in conjunction with a central sight in the circular base portion to permit an individual to accurately align the three arms of the protractor with three visible charted objects. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to an instant position finder and course plotter which utilizes sextant type mirrors to reflect the right and left objects being viewed onto target mirrors positioned on the apex of the base. The center object is sighted over the two target mirrors through a scope mounted at the rear of the instrument. The second embodiment of the present invention enables an individual to see all three objects simultaneously.

Abstract: A precision optical square instrument for use in optical tooling to accurately determine lines and planes at right angles to each other, such as horizontal and vertical lines and planes. The instrument employs focusable telescopes mounted at right angles to each other and supported between spaced arms of a standard rotatably mounted on a spindle connected to a base, such as for rotation about a vertical axis. The standard has opposed arms with trunnions therein supporting a first telescope for rotation about an axis, such as horizontal, for creating a first plane of view and positioned perpendicularly of the axis of rotation of the standard about the spindle. The optical axis of a second telescope perpendicularly crosses the optical axis of the first telescope at the juncture of rotative axis of the spindle with the first telescope and is rotatable orthogonally to the optical axis of the first telescope for creating a second plane of view perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: A device useful for setting up a baseball diamond which comprises a central prong and two secondary prongs, which are positioned in such a manner so as to facilitate the positioning of first, second, and third bases as well as the pitcher's rubber on a baseball diamond.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an instant position finder and course plotter. A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a three arm protractor which includes a circular base member, a fixed central arm and a movable left and right arm. Each arm of the protractor includes a sight at each extreme end which work in conjunction with a central sight in the circular base portion to permit an individual to accurately align the three arms of the protractor with three visible charted objects. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to an instant position finder and course plotter which utilizes sextant type mirrors to reflect the right and left objects being viewed onto target mirrors positioned on the apex of the base. The center object is sighted over the two target mirrors through a scope mounted at the rear of the instrument. The second embodiment of the present invention enables an individual to see all three objects simultaneously.

Abstract: A handheld optical sighting device having a sighting means for direct forward observation and reflective surfaces that enable images of two objects, one directly ahead of and one directly to the rear of an observer to coincide when the device is aligned with and between the two objects. The device includes two reflective surfaces for reflecting light rays from the rear object by 180 degrees.