Abstract: A collimator solid state laser light source is spun at a very high speed to generate a reference plane for use in the construction industry. The drive housing and the laser light source are extremely compact, light and portable, and can be mounted to a surveyor's transit and telescope. Within the housing is a drive shaft which has the laser light source attached at precisely 90 degrees to the spin axis of the drive shaft. A logic circuit is also attached to the drive shaft so that the logic circuit board, the drive shaft, and the laser light source are all rotated as a unit. An electric motor and a motor control board card are positioned within the housing for rotating the drive shaft. The operator first calibrates the transit so that it is horizontal and positioned in plumb above the reference point.

Abstract: A radiation mast such as a periscope has a head end 10 incorporating a radiation receiver in the form of a top mirror 12, the lower end 11 of the mast being physically separated by a considerable distance from end 10 and being provided with an information station, for example, in the form of viewing optics (E) and/or a video monitor 17. The radiation image formed at the receiver 12 is viewed at the information station in accurate superimposition with a reference pattern which is electronically generated by generator 19 and which is stabilized in space with respect to at least pitch, roll and yaw movements of the vehicle on which the mast is mounted. The pattern is also stabilized with respect to such disturbance factors as are effective on the information relaying means, for example, optics in path B, C, D, whereby the radiation image can be visually referenced to the electronically generated pattern, unwanted relative movements having been eliminated.

Abstract: A system for generating a spatially stable, small diameter light beam (18) which serves as a straight reference line over long distances may use the direction of propagation of light and one fixed point (11, 12) or may be between two fixed points (12, 21). In either instance, a light source (1) emits a beam (2) which is expanded, collimated and spatially filtered (3, 4). In the first instance, the collimated light wave (11) produced is diffracted by a sphere (12) to produce the small diameter light beam (18) which is constituted by a continuum of spots (16) which, in turn, produces a Poisson's spot (16) on a detector (21) which spatially samples the intensity of the spot (16). The resultant voltage (22) from each active detection are sent to a center locating electronics/computer (24) which processes the voltages (22) to give the position of the detector (21) relative to the straight reference line (18).

Abstract: An electronic sight having a horizontal field of view greater than the vertical field of view. The electronic sight is mounted to pivot about two axes to provide windage and elevational adjustment. A windage adjustment screw includes a windage adjustment disk that extends from a base slot into a sight tube slot. The slot in the base is elongated in a first direction and the slot in the sight tube is elongated in a second transverse direction. Rotating the windage adjustment screw moves the windage disk to cause the sight tube to pivot about a vertical axis. An elevation jack raises and lowers the sight tube to pivot the sight tube about a horizontal axis. The sight tube has a raised rail on the top that acts as a key for aid in attaching and adjusting the battery assembly and light source relative to the sight tube lens. The sight tube includes grooves on an inner surface to aid in reducing the effect of glare from ambient light.

Abstract: An optical instrument has a low powered light point source mounted on a tube for orienting light point source along a predetermined viewing axis for one eye of an observer. An optical void surrounds the point light source, including the tube. The light point source is coherent and/or collimated so as to be substantially free of autokinesis effects. The tube is mounted on orientable support structure for the predetermined viewing axis for one eye of an observer whereby when said observer is viewing a scene through his other eye an optically fused image is presented to the observer with said predetermined viewing axis including the point in said scene wherein said point source appears.

Abstract: Boundary setting device for binocular visioned observers, including a low powered light source having a predetermined configuration for defining the boundary of a zone of a scene. A sighting tube defines a viewing axis for the light source, including an optical void around said light source means. When the low powered light source means is viewed through one eye of said observer and a scene containing a section to be encompassed within said boundary is viewed by the other eye of said observer, an optically fused image is presented to the observer with said light source means having a predetermined configuration bounding said section to be encompassed in said scene.

Abstract: A sight for a firearm or other article which is intended to be aimed at a target or the like comprises a collimator which is mounted for universal pivotal movement on a mount mounted in turn on an adaptor adapted to mount the sight on a firearm or other article. The collimator contains a light unit located at its front end and arranged to emit a light spot towards the rear of the collimator which has an opening covered by a transparent lens. The light unit is surrounded by a transparent casing which extends in front of the collimator and has a closed end through which extends a jack pin. The pin extends into a chamber in a housing projecting from the mount and provided with adjusting screws for adjusting the angular position of the collimator relative to the mount. A locking screw is provided for locking the collimator in position once a desired adjustment has been achieved.In use, an observer looks into the sight with one eye while viewing the whole target area with the other eye.

Abstract: An autocollimating alignment telescope automatically turns a lamp on in the autocollimating operational mode, and automatically turns the lamp off in the alignment telescope operational mode. The telescope has reticles which are replaceable in the field, as well as eyepiece and lamp housings whose mountings are interchangeable. The telescope also has an assembly for preventing jamming of the traveling lens assembly of the telescope, as well as independently operable coarse and fine adjustments for the traveling lens assembly.

Abstract: A sight such as a gunsight for a helicopter comprises a movable assembly including a reticle generator and a single optical component which is both semireflecting and capable of collimating the image of the reticle. The movable assembly is driven by drive means under servo control to superpose the image of the reticle at an aiming point on a landscape. The aiming point may be computed to make corrections for the behaviour of a ballistic weapon. The single optical component may comprise a hologram physically in the shape of a portion of a surface of a sphere, but acting optically like a portion of the surface of a paraboloid. The optical component may be fixed to the reticle generator by mechanical fixing means which mask the field of view around the optical component very little.

Abstract: A retro-reflective prism assembly for use with electronic distance measuring instruments in surveying and other civil engineering applications. The unique structure permits tilting and plunging the assembly without requiring a separate tiltable bracket. A novel housing and sealing arrangement positions and seals the prism for limiting shock and preventing water leakage while obviating any need for coating the rear surfaces of the prism. An eccentric tilting knob simplifies angular tilt setting while a convenient transit knob simplifies azimuth adjustment. Vertical sighting holes in the yoke of the assembly provide for convenient plumbing of the assembly. A uniquely configured dust cover is designed for convenient storage on the back of the prism housing during use of the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of sweeping a substantially flat optical plane substantially perpendicular to an incident laser beam is disclosed. A penta-prism, optical detector and adjustment means are disposed in a housing adapted to be mounted on a rotatable spindle. When so mounted, the penta-prism is disposed a predetermined distance from the point of intersection of the axis of rotation of the spindle and the axis of a properly oriented laser beam. The optical detector determines whether the axis of the incident laser beam intersects the point of intersection and the adjustment means translates the incident laser beam until its axis substantially intersects the point of intersection in response to the output of the detector means. When this is accomplished, the penta-prism will produce a substantially flat optical plane when the housing is rotated on the spindle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sweeping a flat optical light plane perpendicular to a primary input laser beam for use in precise alignment applications includes rotatably mounting a penta prism onto a spindle such that the laser beam intersects the entrance face of the penta prism. In addition, the path of the laser beam intersects the actual axis of rotation of the spindle at a designated point which is positioned as a function of the geometry of the penta prism, and the first relfecting surface of the penta prism is located intermediate the laser device and said designated point. In operation, rotation of the penta prism about the spindle results in the development of a flat, true optical light plane.

Abstract: The reticle is composed of two adjacent parts, each of which comprises a circular periphery with one cross hair extending across the circular periphery. The cross hair on one part is disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to the cross hair on the other part to form the reticle aiming point. Each part is made by a chemical machining method.

Abstract: A laser beam pointing aid for field testing of breadboard laser systems and tilizing a hollow housing with apertures at each end and with crosshairs at one end of the housing and a telescope adjustably mounted to the hollow housing and being positionable relative to an output beam from a laser system to allow one to utilize the last mirror of the laser system and the laser beam pointing aid to accurately point the laser beam to a target.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizable optical gun sight including an optical system having an eye piece and an objective lens and between the eyepiece and objective lens, two optical wedges which are arranged to be driven differentially and together in order to deflect the line of sight through the optical system in response to servo control signals applied to the driving means.

Abstract: A pivotally-mounted laser or other collimated light beam source is maintained in a level position by means of a thermal motor capable of precise small movements. Actuation of the motor is accomplished by a control amplifier whose inputs are responsive to the output of a level-sensitive transducer. Pre-selected grades may be established and maintained by means of a second thermal motor which is employed to change the angular relationship between the pivotally mounted laser or light source and the level-sensitive transducer.

Abstract: A sighting device completely devoid of any lenses for use in pistol target shooting has a one-piece elongated outer tube having at least one saddle integrally formed on the outer tube and located proximal to one of the ends of said main tube. The saddle has two holes in it passing through the saddle into the interior of the main tube which provide access into the interior of the main tube. The holes are placed on the saddle 90 degrees apart from each other. Located on the saddle over each of the holes is a turret member. A portion of each of the turret members passes through each of the holes into the interior of the main tube. Mounted within the interior of the main tube is at least one elongated inner tube. The inner tube is pivotally mounted within the main tube such that one of its ends is free to move within the interior of the main tube.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sweeping a flat optical light plane perpendicular to a primary input laser beam for use in precise alignment applications includes rotatably mounting a penta prism onto a spindle such that the laser beam intersects the entrance face of the penta prism. In addition, the path of the laser beam intersects the actual axis of rotation of the spindle at a designated point which is positioned as a function of the geometry of the penta prism, and the first reflecting surface of the penta prism is located intermediate the laser device and said designated point. In operation, rotation of the penta prism about the spindle results in the development of a flat, true optical light plane.

Abstract: An optical device for use as a gunsight, telescope or viewfinder is disclosed, the device being capable of indicating the distance of the target from the user. This is accomplished by a reticle in, or associated with, the sighting device, the reticle being calibrated to give the viewer an instant indication of range without requiring mechanical adjustments.

Abstract: A simple and compact testing device is disclosed for enabling the boresight alignment of a laser designator to be quickly and readily checked. The device includes a tubular housing having a closed end and an open end adapted to be attached to the designator. A target disk and a converging meniscus lens provided with a reflective coating on its surface facing the target disk are snugly disposed within the housing adjacent to its closed and open ends, respectively, with a tubular spacer member interposed between and abutting the target disk and the lens. A portion of the laser light emitted from the designator is directed by the lens toward the target disk such that after a predetermined number of reflections from the target disk and the coating on the lens this laser light is focused to a small area on the target disk. The target disk emits visible light which travels back into the designator to provide an indication of the location of the spot of impingement of the laser light on the target disk.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the angles formed between a line-of-sight and the normal to a planar surface intersected thereby. A solid piece of optically transparent material having a relatively large index of refraction is geometrically shaped to have a planar base surface, with a reference mark theron, and a curvilinear viewing surface with scale marks to designate angular orientations. The exterior surfaces are optically polished to create mirrored surfaces for internal reflection. To accentuate contrast, the planar surface containing the reference mark is coated with a layer of contrasting opaque material. Angles are measured by placing the planar base surface of the device on the planar surface intersected by the line-of-sight and aligning the reference mark with the point of intersection. When viewed from the observation point defining the line-of-sight, an image of the reference mark appears on the scaled surface at a location representing the line-of-sight angle.

Abstract: A variable power telescopic gunsight is shown with an automatic correction factor for elevation and/or drift. As the magnification is adjusted by a rotatable means on the gunsight which typically moves a pair of lens in response to camming action, a third longitudinal movement is provided in the gunsight in response to the rotation with appropriate camming surfaces to compensate for normal drop of the bullet by providing elevation of line of sight of the scope up or down. The same rotation action used to change the magnification can provide another longitudinal movement of another camming surface to compensate for drift by changing the line of sight of the scope to the right or left.

Abstract: An improved impersonal eyepiece for astronomic positioning is affixed to an optical viewing device to provide a means for observing the position of a celestial object at timed intervals. The viewing device produces a source image of the celestial object and a light source in the eyepiece is energized at timed intervals by a control circuit to illuminate a reticle mask and to thereby superimpose a reticle reference image on the source image during each of the timed intervals. The position of the celestial object with respect to the illuminated reticle is noted during each timed interval and the data so obtained is used to define a reference position.

Abstract: Means for centering a reticle on the optical axis of a telescope comprises, within the telescope body, a split collar tapped to accommodate two pairs of diametrically opposed adjustment screws which bear upon rectilinear surfaces of a centrally located reticle mount. The arrangement provides a dust-proof seal for the telescope interior and ensures against stresses tending toward reticle misalignment.

Abstract: A variable optical transmitter includes a light emitting element which prcts a very compact beam of light. The transmitter is constructed to be adjustable so that the light beam may be transmitted at any desired azimuth angle around a vertical axis. By directing the light beam vertically toward a fixed reflector, projection of the beam in any desired horizontal direction may be achieved by a very slight deflection of the beam source from the vertical. The apparatus may also include a receiving portion which will detect the direction of receipt of an incoming light beam. The device may thus be used to transmit a light beam precisely in the direction from which a signal was received.

Abstract: A symbol plate for an artillery collimator and an artillery gun sight has a vertical center line across the plate and symbols arranged in a row symmetrically in relation to the center line. The symbols are formed of digits which are arranged to indicate numeral values proportionally variable with the distance to the center line, the digits being arranged with opposite inclination on opposite sides of the center line.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the angular deviation of a movable object from a pre-selected target, wherein an objective lens projects an image of the target in a first focal plane and projects an image of the movable object in a further focal plane. A prism divides the images, with the target image being tramsmitted to an ocular and the movable object image being transmitted to a detector.

Abstract: A sighting lens has a refraction displacement of the image such that upon selected positioning of the lens on a weapon, such as an archery bow, and using a reference point therewith, a novel sighting procedure for hunting animals can be used which comprises aiming a selected distance below the image of the animal as it appears in the lens. Prisms are included to correct the line of sight which may not be true because of offset mounting of the sighting device. Increments of distance are provided on the lens for assisting the archer in aiming at a distance which is beyond normal shooting limits of that particular sight.

Abstract: An optical sighting device consists of a hood with two windows which can transmit radiation within predetermined wavelength ranges to a rotatable reflecting device. The reflecting device receives radiation from one or other of the windows and the hood is rotatable subject to the rotation of the reflecting device. The radiation reflected by the reflecting device is received by two dichroic mirror plates which are suitable for transmitting or reflecting thermal infra-red radiation, visible radiation and near infra-red radiation towards suitable corresponding detectors.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in compensating for gun sighting errors due to misalignment between the muzzle axis of a gun and the optical axis of an associated gun sighting system is described, comprising a marker and a collimator mounted on the gun remotely from the muzzle and in fixed relation to one another, a reflector fixed to the muzzle portion of the gun barrel so as to be capable of reflecting into the collimator an uncollimated marker beam emanating from the marker, and means for defining an initial coincidence mark whose position is fixed in relation to the said optical axis so that after leaving the collimator the reflected marker beam can form a marker image superimposed upon the said initial coincidence mark, whereby any subsequent deviation of the muzzle axis from the said optical axis results in a corresponding movement of the marker image away from the initial coincidence mark.

Abstract: An optical assembly is provided which comprises a light source, preferably a laser, and a particularly compensated prism unit, the laser and the prism unit being mounted on a common holder or base. The beam emitted from the laser is reflected 90.degree. by the prism unit, and although this unit is only approximately aligned with the laser the reflected beam will always form a right angle to the incident beam with an extreme accuracy, the deviation from 90.degree. being less than half an angular minute. The accuracy in reflexion independently of prism unit setting is attributed to the compensated prism unit, which comprises a quadrangular prism composed of two semi-quadrangular prisms, a reflecting surface being mounted, preferably in an adjustable position, adjacent one side of the prism.

Abstract: A reference plane producing method and system wherein a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation, for example, a laser beam, is reflected to simultaneously disperse the beam in different directions to form a thin plane of such radiation which can be used, for example, as a construction reference line. In a preferred embodiment a primary cone having its apex projecting towards the incident beam and its optical axis coaxial with the incident beam is used to reflect the beam of light. Various embodiments of a basic apparatus having integral or separate collimating and leveling devices are described. The preferred source of radiant energy is a laser, most preferably a second-mode laser having a donut or annular shaped beam and is projected against an axially aligned conical reflecting surface. The conical surface can be a female cone formed by axially drilling into a transparent transmission tube, such as the emission end of a fiber-optic transmission system.

Abstract: An optical sighting device for firearms, more particularly hand guns and the like, geodesic instruments and the like comprising a telescope-type optical system with an objective and an ocular, or eyepiece, element and provided with a target mark, such as a reticle, positioned within the optical system, which is projected onto infinity, such as to be seen in the same plane as the plane of viewing of the target. The optical system consists of a massive cylindrical lens body of transparent material which has its opposite end surfaces formed as optically effective surfaces of symmetrical curvature, the surface of the objective being convex for converging the parallel light rays emitted from the target, and the surface of the ocular being concave for re-aligning the transmitted light rays to a beam of parallel rays.

Abstract: An optical alignment device, having a first optical path and a second optl path intersecting the first optical path, includes a positioning means to assure that the first optical path is perpendicular to a radiation sensitive surface at a point when positioned on the surface. The method includes positioning the optical alignment device on the radiation sensitive surface, viewing along the second optical path and adjusting the position of a source of radiation until the source appears centered on the first optical path.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reticle for riflescopes and the like having crossed filaments defining the aiming reference, the center sections of such wires being flattened in a direction parallel to the viewing axis.

Abstract: A system for providing exact centering of an art work target at a given point to thereby provide exact positioning of a printed circuit board to be drilled, by way of example, combines visual as well as automatic electronic means for effecting the centering. The art work target in the form of an annular opaque pad with a clear center is projected onto a rear projection screen on which there are provided X and Y orthogonal axes the intersection point of which defines the exact point for centering of the art work target. Elongated photo cells are positioned quadrilaterally about the intersection point on the orthogonal axes, part of each of the photo cells lying in the opaque area of the target and the remaining portions lying in the clear center portion of the target. Shadows cast by these photo cells are visible on the rear projection screen so that a viewer can observe precisely what the photo cells "see.

Abstract: A sight for determining the direction and distance from a viewer to a target employs a transparent panel containing a hologram of a line of light on a plain background. The line extends from one side of the field of view, near the viewer, away from the hologram, and terminates at its far end in the central portion of the field of view. A coherent light source illuminates the panel to reconstruct a three-dimensional virtual image of the line superimposed on the scene viewed through the hologram. By moving the panel and source relative to the viewer the line may be moved and by adjusting the angle of incidence of the reconstructing wavefront and the position of their source relative to the panel, the extension of the line from the viewer may be manipulated.

Abstract: A collimated gun sight having a fluorescently illuminated reticle. The sight is contained in a single tube and is sized so as to be capable of being mounted on the muzzle of a gun.

Abstract: A light reference system for generating .[.a collimated beam of light and converting.]. and projecting .[.the same as.]. a relatively intense fan-shaped or diverging plane of light from an operator manipulatable device on a machine or a vehicle to an object or opening which may be positionally referenced to the device in a selected predetermined relation by operator control of the machine or vehicle and manipulatable device, thus enabling the operator to observably locate a sharply defined resulting line of light so as to establish such selected relation. The light reference system is capable of a number of different embodiments or forms, a few of which are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment of the machine or vehicle with which such a system is combined herein is of a fork lift truck vehicle on which the light reference system in various forms is mounted on the elevatable load handling device or fork carrier for generating .[.a collimated beam of light and for converting the same into.].