Abstract: A fixture for use in adjusting a laser type leveling instrument has a cradle mounted on a base and operative to support the instrument with its normally vertical axis disposed horizontally. A pentaprism is mounted on a rotable platform on the base to reflect a laser beam, emitted by an instrument in the cradle and impinging on the pentaprism, in a horizontal path. The rotatable platform for the pentaprism permits movement of the pentaprism from a first position in which the beam is directed forwardly and a second position in which the beam is reversed and reflected rearwardly.

Abstract: The telescope of the level-transit includes two mirrors at 45.degree. to the light path. A first mirror is fixed in the telescope housing by screws which thread into the mirror support to pull it tight against a datum surface established by a cover. The other mirror is mounted for pendulating action to automatically compensate the instrument for deviation from level within the design range. When the instrument is used as a transit the telescope is free to tilt up and down to measure vertical angles. At that time the pendulum is locked in center position. When the instrument is used as a level, the telescope is locked against elevation or depression. The locking mechanism actuates a device which frees the pendulum for operation to automatically compensate the level. The bottom of the pendulum weight has an inverted conical member fixed therein. The conical portion passes through an elongated hole in a leaf spring fixed in the telescope to flex about an axis transverse the mirror pivot axis.

Abstract: The optical sighting instrument uses the image of a floating bubble in a spirit level as a self-compensating index mark to indicate a reference line of sight at a given angle to the earth's normal surface.