Abstract: A wall form aligning tool includes a tool for determining a straight line along which wall forms may be constructed. Inner wall forms are positioned between a pair of corner wall forms. The device comprises a target attachment for selective attachment to one of the upper edges of the wall forms. A sight attachment is selectively attached to another one of the upper edges. A sight may be removably attached to the sight attachment. The target attachment is positioned on one of the corner wall forms and the sight attachment is positioned on another one of the corner wall forms. The sight is aligned with the panel. The target attachment may be moved along inner wall forms positioned between the corner wall forms such that the inner wall forms may be aligned along a line formed by the sight.

Abstract: A system for aligning a hub/mast with a soffit penetration point uses an insert that is similar in shape to a terminal adapter that is threadably received within a hub of a meter base. An opening within the insert receives a laser such that when the insert is received within the terminal adapter, the laser beam emitted by the laser, corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the terminal adapter, illuminates the proper penetration point on the soffit of a building from which an electrical conduit holding an electrical conductor should extend.

Abstract: Building panels are provided, for applying panels, such as siding, roofing or the like to studs, to roofing rafters, or the like, wherein indicia is provided along a panel, giving spaced-apart markings, for guiding one who is applying panels to a building surface, to the location of a next support capable of supporting the panel when a fastener is applied thereto, a fixed or pre-set distance from a support such as stud, roofing rafter or the like. Thus, when adjacent studs, rafters, or the like, are spaced apart a known distance, the indicia will serve to guide the installer to a location where a fastener will engage a support to which the panel is to be applied, even if the visual location of the underlying support is visually obscured, such as by means of a sheet building material between the structural support and the panel. The indicia may take on various forms.

Abstract: Orbiting sight includes a pivotable sight-mounting member; and, attached in a pivoting relationship to said member, a sighting unit. The sighting unit can remain positioned in a fixed orientation in relation to an axis. The orbiting sight can be attached to a projectile-type weapon, especially, an archery bow. Provided also, in a projectile-type weapon other than an archery bow, the improvement of an orbiting sight including a pivotable sight-mounting member, which heed not necessarily be, but advantageously is, such that it remain positioned in a fixed orientation to an axis; and, attached to it, a sighting unit.

Abstract: A multifunction acoustic/audio assistant includes a hand-held device body, a ruler, and all observation device. A rear side of the hand-held device body is provided with a measure face defined thereon to measure an intersection angle of microphones. The ruler is mounted onto a side face of the hand-held device body proximate to the measure face in order to measure the distance between the respective diaphragms of the microphones. The observation device is mounted onto the hand-held device body to determine the sound dispersion area and remotely observe distant events. The different tools demanded by an acoustic/audio specialist are thus integrated into the hand-held device.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method of sighting and a sighting apparatus which can operate during the day and/or night. The subject device can be used on projectile type weapons such as guns and archery products. The subject method and device can be utilized with these various weapons such that a user can use the weapon during the day and/or night and sight under essentially all lighting conditions.

Abstract: An aiming apparatus for a slingshot. The aiming apparatus comprises a light projecting device adapted to project a light beam. A mounting apparatus is adapted to support the light projecting device on the slingshot and disposes the light projecting device with the light beam directed toward a target of a user of the slingshot.

Abstract: An adjustable mount is provided for mounting a bow sight to an arm extending from an archery bow to allow the sight to be moved in two generally perpendicular axes. The mount includes a first slide mounted to the arm and a second slide slideable along the first slide. The sight is slideable along the second slide. The first slide is a generally horizontal slide, and the second slide is a generally vertical slide. However, the orientation of the two slides could be reversed. Each slide includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion of the first slide is mounted to the arm, and the fixed portion of the second slide is mounted to the first slide movable portion. The fixed portion includes a track defining a generally T-shaped channel. A generally T-shaped block is received in the channel to be movable along the track. The block includes a first hole which is generally parallel to the axis of the channel and a post which extends from the block of the channel.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method of sighting and a sighting apparatus which can operate during the day and/or night. The subject device can be used on projectile type weapons such as guns and archery products. The subject method and device can be utilized with these various weapons such that a user can use the weapon during the day and/or night and sight under essentially all lighting conditions.

Abstract: A device for determining the range/height of distant objects using the triangulation method. The device includes a palm-sized housing having merely four main components; (1) a retractable tape measure; (2) a sighting slot; (3) a pendulum and (4) a calibrated graph. A reel is disposed on the rear wall of the housing to provide means for retracting the tape measure. The calibrated graph is imprinted on the face of a thin sheet, which sheet is attached to the front wall of the housing. A transparent cover is disposed to protect the face of the sheet. An offset portion on the sheet functions to prevent the pendulum from swinging freely when the device is not in use. The sighting slot is positioned at the top of the housing.

Abstract: A positioning device for a power tool. A tool, such as a drywall screw gun, is equipped with a projector which projects two light rays, which form a “V.” The axis of a screw driven by the gun lies in the plane of the “V,” as by bisecting the “V.” If the two rays are positioned so that they illuminate a framing member, such as a 2×4 stud, then this axis will intersect that stud. In effect, (1) the stud becomes the horizontal base of a triangle, (2) the legs of the “V” become the sides, and (3) the axis becomes the altitude. The altitude (axis) necessarily intersects the base (stud). This intersection occurs whether or not a sheet of material, such as drywall, covers part of the stud, provided extremeties of the stud are exposed for the illumination described above. Thus, the location of the concealed part of the stud can be determined, despite the fact that a sheet of material obscures that part.

Abstract: Chain saws and similar wood cutting equipment are equipped with a measuring device that permits accurate cutting of multiple pieces of equal length. The device is a non-expanding beam of focused light directed away from the saw at an angle relative to the cutting portion of the saw, and its use is achieved by positioning the saw at a location at which the light beam intersects the end of the length to be cut, the angle of the light beam determining the length.

Abstract: A trailer hitch positioning system that provides a visual and an audible indication to a vehicle driver of the position of the trailer ball with respect to the tongue of the trailer. The trailer hitch positioning system includes a pinpoint light source assembly, a light beam sensing array assembly, and a passenger compartment display unit wherein a pinpoint beam from the pinpoint light source assembly strikes and activates light beam sensors within the light beam sensing array assembly, the activations of the light beam sensors being detected by a digital controller within the display unit which then provides a corresponding positional information output to the vehicle driver through an LED display and an audible alerting buzzer.

Abstract: A trailer alignment backing aid for vehicles that includes a target sticker and a hitch ball attachable aiming tube assembly. The target sticker has aiming indicia provided on a front surface thereof and an adhesive covered back surface having a peel off backing cover. The hitch ball attachable aiming tube assembly includes a ball attachment tube and an extender tube. The ball attachment tube includes two ball insertion flaps at a lower end thereof, a trailer tongue insertion window adjacent to the ball insertion flaps, and incremental measuring marks along the length thereof. The two ball insertion flaps are sized and spaced to resiliently grip the ball of a ball hitch and maintain the hitch ball attachable aiming tube assembly in an upright position during use.

Abstract: A visual display with an alignment structure for visually determining a correct display angle and lateral displacement, top to bottom and left to right, for accurate color viewing. A first fixed pattern is located on a surface near a border of the display and a spacer supports a plate, elevated above the first pattern, having a second pattern around a throughole in the plate. The dimensions of the first and second patterns, the elevation of the second, and the throughole diameter are such that when viewed at the intended display angle the image of the first pattern is concentric with the image of second pattern. Alternatively, the spacer may be formed of a transparent member with the second pattern on a planar surface above and parallel to the first fixed pattern. A first and a second alignment structure may be located symmetrically about either side of the display to enable determination of lateral alignment as well as angle of the display.

Abstract: The timepiece (42) includes within the case (44) an electronic compass and a sighting device formed of two sighting marks (14, 15) arranged in the upper portion of the case (44) diametrically opposite each other and defining a reference axis of the case (44). The optical means formed by three light emitting diodes (54, 55, 56) are arranged on the surface of the case (44) in a peripheral region situated at six o'clock for warning or informing a user performing a sighting that the reference axis of the sighting device is aligned with a given azimuthal direction. In another embodiment, instead of the optical means, acoustic means or a buzzer are provided, capable of providing a vibration which is audible or perceptible by a user's body.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a structure such as a bridge has been severely damaged by an earthquake or other disturbance such as a flood. The method is designed to be carried out by unsophisticated persons immediately after such disturbance so that unnecessary delays will not be caused by the closing of bridges and the like which are not severely damaged. The method involves affixing a target to one portion of the structural member such as a span and affixing a pointer on another structural member such as a column. Preferably the target and pointer are positioned in such a way that a safe or unsafe determination can be easily made by the viewer.

Abstract: An alignment system and method of use provide significant improvement in the accuracy of a golf stroke or putt. The alignment system may be incorporated into or attached to the head or shaft of a golf club such as a putter or a chipper. One component of the alignment system is a sighting alignment system which includes a turning mirror that is attached to the club head or shaft or may be integral to the top or rear portion of the golf club head. While viewing the reflection of the ball and target through the mirror, the golfer obtains visual feed-back that is very sensitive to club positioning and aiming. The other component is another optical alignment system in which parallax is removed to put the golfer's eye in the proper plane to assure alignment over the golf club head. When both alignments are maintained in the reflected image during the golfer's stroke, the accuracy of the stroke is dramatically improved.

Abstract: A gunsight device for a rotating-wing aircraft having a hollow rotor hub (1), on which there are radially mounted blades constituting said rotating wing, and which is connected to the main transmission box (2) by a drive shaft coaxial with the rotor of the aircraft. The device includes a nonrotating gunsight head (3) mounted, by means of a support (4), at the free upper end (5a) of a nonrotating mast (5) arranged coaxially inside the hub (1) and the drive shaft of the rotor, the other end (5b) of which mast is fixed into the main transmission box (2), a rolling contact bearing (6) coaxial with the rotor axis being provided between the hub (1) and the mast (5). A suspension (7), intended to filter out the excitations in roll and in pitch to which said gunsight head (3) is subjected, is provided between the base (4a) of the support (4) of the gunsight head (3) and the upper end (5 a) of the mast (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the degree of grade ( slope ) upon which an earth moving machine is operating wherein a movable sighting device is mounted on the machine in such manner that the forces of gravity cause the device to move such that an operator looking at external reference objects may control and confirm the angle of grade ( slope ) of the earth being worked upon.

Abstract: A training device for encouraging proper body characteristics during the striking of a ball, such as a baseball or a golf ball. In particular, the training device encourages immobility of the head during ball striking and swinging, and also aids in attaining proper head alignment to the ball. A frame mounted upon a cap visor includes spaced ends, and reference elements formed of a thin material are mounted upon the frame ends and define closed loops. The reference elements are located within the wearer's line of sight while viewing the ball to be struck, and the proximity of the reference elements to the wearer's eyes cause the closed loops to appear to define an enclosed alignment target in which the ball may be located during striking. The particular configuration of the alignment target is determined by the configuration of the reference elements' loops.

Abstract: An optical drill guide and a drill guide support for electric hand drills. The drill guide consists of a front sight aperture framed with a light color and a rear sight aperture formed by a translucent ring. The line of sight through the guide is arranged to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the drill. The drill guide is used in conjunction with a mirror placed on the work surface so that when the guide is aligned a reflected image of the front sight surrounds the translucent ring. The guide is adapted to be integral with or detachable from the electric hand drill. When detachable, a drill guide support is provided which includes mounting means the ends of which are resiliently biased towards each other and adapted to be received in the housing of the drill to align the guide with the axis of the drill.

Abstract: A log gauge for a chain saw is provided which enables an operator to repeatedly cut approximately equal lengths of firewood logs with only a minimal amount of effort being required to visually measure the logs. This accomplished by a mirror that is affixed to one leg of a frame member while the other leg is secured to the handle of the chain saw. The mirror is adjusted by an adjusting bolt so the operator can align on a visual indicator relative to the image of the end of the log in the mirror with respect to a scribed line on the mirror. One embodiment of the frame is formed by utilizing a unitary flexible plastic frame with a C-shaped bridge having a reduced cross sectional area that allows one leg to flex relative to the other thereby allowing the operator to adjust the mirror for different lengths of logs.

Abstract: An electro-optical spin measurement system for a spin model in a spin tunnel includes a radio controlled receiver/transmitter, targets located on the spin model, optical receivers mounted around the perimeter of the spin tunnel and the base of the spin tunnel for receiving data from the targets, and a control system for accumulating data from the radio controlled receiver and receivers. Six targets are employed. The spin model includes a fuselage, wings, nose and tail. Two targets are located under the fuselage of the spin model at the nose tip and tail, two targets are located on the side of the fuselage at the nose tip and tail, and a target is located under each wing tip. The targets under the fuselage at the nose tip and tail measure spin rate of the spin model, targets on the side of the fuselage at the nose tip and tail measure angle of attack of the spin model, and the targets under the wing tips measure roll angle of the spin model. Optical receivers are mounted at 90.degree.

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 and apparatus are provided for controlling the working depth of a bucket for an excavating machine having an outreach boom which is pivotally attached at one end to the machine, a downreach boom pivotally attached to the opposite end of the outreach boom, a digging bucket pivotally attached to the end of the downreach boom opposite to that to which the outreach boom is attached, and hydraulic power cylinders for moving the pivotally interconnected elements. A laser beam is projected at a reference height and a beam sensor mounted on the outreach boom of the machine detects the beam by means of a plurality of individual sensor locations. The angular orientation of the downreach boom relative to vertical is detected and a microprocessor controller connected to the beam sensor and the angle sensor repetitively defines, as a function of the angular orientation of the downreach boom, one of the plurality of individual sensor locations as an on-grade sensor location.

Abstract: A system for monitoring changes in shape of a structure employs a laser source attached to the structure and a set of beam splitters mounted at various locations on the structure and arranged to route portions of a laser beam produced by the laser source into various video cameras also mounted on the structure. Each video camera includes a photodetector array and produces an output signal indicating the intensity of light detected by each photodetector of the array, thereby indicating the beam intensity distribution in a corresponding plane of interest. The video output signal of each camera is digitized and stored as an intensity data array in the memory of a digital computer. The computer calculates from the intensity data array the position of the centroid of the beam with respect to a reference point on the plane of interest using a least squares fit of the intensity data to a two-dimensional Gaussian intensity distribution.

Abstract: This method for axially aligning an assembly for implanting a parietal probe through an orifice provided in the wall of a reducing-smelting furnace is applicable to an assembly comprising a tightness device equipped with a sealing off member and a tightness member, a chassis fixed to the furnace and supporting the tightness device and a frame equipped with a probe-holding carriage. The assembly further comprises means for adjusting the position of the frame and means for temporarily fixing coaxially to the tightness device first a telescope directed towards the orifice in order to align the axis of the tightness device with the axis of said orifice, and then a light beam source directed onto a target carried by the carriage in order to align the axis of the probe with the axis of the tightness device.

Abstract: A detector for checking the symmetry of a helicopter rotor while it is rotating has a scanner (11) which scans vertically a field of view (15) and the view is interrupted by a vertical strip on the blade tip (16). A slot (18) in the strip gives a characteristic signal as at (L.sub.2). The position of the signal (L.sub.2) in a scanning cycle gives an indication of the height of the blade tip and also the circumferential spacing between blades.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a target device for marking inaccessible measuring points on industrial objects such as, for example, an airplane fuselage which is to be measured for coordinates of certain points on its surface, using a pair of theodolites.The target device consists of a rod-shaped holder (1) on which two spherical target marks (4, 5) are so arranged that the measurement point lies on the extension of the line connecting the target marks, and at known offset from the measurement point.For attachment to the object (12) to be measured, the holder (1) employs removable adapters, such as threaded bolts (3).

Abstract: A boat keel tool which is designed to check the alignment of a keel with the center line of a boat and simultaneously measure and check the cross sectional surface of a boat keel from the lead edge of the keel to the trailing edge of the keel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for regulating position of a mining apparatus comprising the steps of transmission of a plurality of signals from a position detection device, interception of said signals at an edge of a mine at a distance away from the position detection device, and adjustment of the position of the mining apparatus to form an intersection between at least two signals at the edge of the mine.

Abstract: A sighting device attachment for a chain saw allows an operator to measure desired lengths to be cut which are substantially greater than the size of the attachment, and allows adjustment to provide a wide variety of lengths.

Abstract: An alignment sight for hand drills utilizes a pair of sights, preferably a fixed tool, a unitary sheet, for mounting onto the exterior surface of an electrical hand tool of the hand drill variety. The sights are arranged so that the sight line extends perfectly parallel to the longitudinal axis located in the center of the chuck of the hand drill. In use, a user marks a spot on the work piece a fixed distance from the center of the hole to be drilled. Positioning the tip of the drill bit at the location of the hole, and locating the drill bit so that it extends substantially normal to the plane of the work piece, permits the user to maintain the sights aligned with the mark thereby forever maintaining the longitudinal axis of the drill bit perfectly normal to the surface of the work piece, providing thereby, a hole extending at right angles to the surface of the work piece.

Abstract: A slingshot for hunting, target shooting, or the like, and which includes an adjustably mounted aiming device optimumly located between the slingshot prongs for accurate and selective alignment of the projectile trajectory's range and horizontal placement. The elastic band is releasably mounted to the ends of the slingshot prongs, so that the band protrudes in alignment therewith, thereby reducing the danger of the projectile striking the slingshot or the user's hand, while permitting the mounting of the aiming device between the prongs and making possible rapid and convenient interchange of elastic bands. A slingshot handle, having a cross-sectional dimension parallel to the projectile's trajectory greater than the perpendicular dimension, is also provided for improved safety, accuracy, and facility of use.

Abstract: A self-retracting sight is mounted on the shaft of an arrow to facilitate sighting and aiming of the arrow and thus improve accuracy either in target shooting or in bow hunting. The arrow mounted sight is attached at a point forward of the feathers and has a notch or a peepsite hole cut in a top portion to facilitate sighting. The sight is curved to match the curvature of the shaft of the arrow and is lightweight so that it falls back against the shaft when the bowstring is released by the archer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for facilitating the calibration and setting of the inclination angle of a luminaire by sighting from the rear of the luminaire to a set of points such as the opposite curb of a roadway. The device may be placed on or permanently secured to the luminaire and is settable according to a derived calibrated table, either empirically derived or calculated, based on such factors as pole height, distance of pole from highway, width of the roadway, and the like.

Abstract: A drill sight for visually estimating the angle at which an electric hand drill is oriented relative to the surface drilled, the drill sight is mounted to the top of the electric drill and has a tubular casing with a hollow bore with internal wall markings and with a cross hair at one opening. By projecting a line of sight normal to the surface drilled and through the cross hair to a selected wall marking, the orientation of the drill can be determined.

Abstract: An alignment system and method of use provide significant improvement in the accuracy of a golf stroke or putt. The alignment system may be incorporated into or attached to the head or shaft of a golf club such as a putter or a chipper. One component of the alignment system is a sighting alignment system which includes a turning mirror that is attached to the club head or shaft or may be integral to the top or rear portion of the golf club head. While viewing the reflection of the ball and target through the mirror, the golfer obtains visual feed-back that is very sensitive to club positioning and aiming. The other component is another optical alignment system in which parallax is removed to put the golfer's eye in the proper plane to assure alignment over the golf club head. When both alignments are maintained in the reflected image during the golfer's stroke, the accuracy of the stroke is dramatically improved.