Abstract: The invention is directed to an angle-measuring instrument such as a theodolite, tacheometer or the like having a coarse-fine drive arrangement for presetting a circle part of a graduated circle to a predetermined read-out value. In a preferred embodiment, a coaxial coarse-fine drive arrangement is actuated by a single control knob which is part of an adjustable drive which can be operated in two positions. In the first position, the adjustable drive functions as a coarse drive and includes a spur gear that meshes with a gear on the carrier of the graduated circle to permit adjusting the circle part to obtain a coarse setting thereof. When the control knob and adjustable drive are moved into the second position, the drive becomes completely disengaged from the carrier and functions as a fine drive that operates on a plane-parallel plate pivotally mounted in the read-out optical transmission path of the instrument to finely adjust the light rays passing therealong.

Abstract: An elongated wheeled bench is provided for predetermined aligned positioning beneath a stationary jack stand supported vehicle body to be straightened and includes, supported therefrom at one end, a vertically adjustable horizontally elongated mount extending transversely of the bench. The mount has a light beam generating head mounted thereon for adjustable positioning therealong and also for angular displacement relative thereto about a first axis paralleling the mount and a second axis disposed normal to the first axis. The head is operable to generate a narrow light beam disposed normal to the second axis and scales are provided to indicate angular positioning of the head about the first and second axes and also longitudinal positioning of the head along the mount.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a method of calibration (FIG. 1) for determining the distance (base length E.sub.b) between two angle-measuring instruments (theodolites 1, 2) used for triangulating measurement of coordinates of given points on larger objects.For this purpose, a horizontal measurement bar (3) is fixedly set up between the measuring instruments (1, 2). The bar mounts at least three spaced target marks (4, 5, 6) in the form of balls which can be sighted from both sides, i.e., by both angle-measuring instruments (1, 2). The base length is calculated from the predetermined distance between the marks (4, 5, 6), and from difference in angles measured for each sighting.Precise alignment of the bar (3) is not necessary, since inclination of the bar to the line connecting the theodolites can be calculated from the measured angles, for sightings made upon different pairs of marks (4/5 and 5/6, respectively).

Abstract: A dual axes multiple prism optical system is disclosed having first and second pairs of 45.degree.-90.degree. prisms mounted on orthogonal substrates operative in one embodiment as an autocollimator and in another embodiment as a directionally sensitive light detector. In both embodiments, the first prism pair provides an azimuthal variation detection capability and the second prism pair provides an elevational variation detection capability. The prisms are so positioned on the substrates that light traveling in a reference direction is incident to the prisms at the critical angle and is totally internally reflected therethrough. Light traveling in a direction which deviates about either the elevational or the azimuthal planes about the reference direction is incident on corresponding ones of the prisms at below the critical angle and is refracted therethrough and collected by an end array matrix of fiberoptic cables mounted to the prisms.

Abstract: An optical system of a theodolite has an altitude angle scale plate having an altitude scale, a horizontal angle scale plate having a horizontal angle scale, a light path combining member for combining the light paths from the two scale plates, a rectangular prism member provided between one of the two scale plates and the light path combining member and having slant faces orthogonal to each other, the light beam from said one of the two scale plates being reflected by the inner surfaces of the orthogonal slant faces of the rectangular prism and thereafter reaching the light path combining member, an objective lens disposed at the exit side of the light path combining member to form the images of the scales on the two scale plates and a focusing screen on which the images of the scales by the objective lens are formed.

Abstract: In an arrangement for adjustably mounting an optical direction indicator, such as a sighting telescope (1) with associated base (4) on a substructure (8), the base (4) is provided with three attachment points (5, 6, 7), which are adjustable to give the direction indicator a prescribed direction in relation to the substructure. All three attachment points (5, 6, 7) are ball points. The ball (11) of the first attachment point is rigidly mounted. The ball (22) of the second attachment point (6) is movable in an arc about the first attachment point (5). The ball (31) of the third attachment point (7) is movable in the plane of the base (4) and at right angles thereto. There are two adjusting screws at the third attachment point (7), one for adjusting in the plan of the base (4) and one for adjusting at right angles thereto.

Abstract: A multi-directional light source includes a ground ball made from non-expanded polystyrene, fitted and glued to the clear extremity of an optical fiber contained inside a rigid metal tube and an outer plastic body tooled after being moulded.

Abstract: A viewing angle measuring device for automotive vehicles. The measuring device includes an elliptical template representing a so-called visual ellipse. The template is arranged in the vehicle in a prescribed position with respect to a driver's seat regarding a center position and an axial inclination. A measuring beam projector may be guided with its optical axis and/or with a measuring beam tangentially along a governing curve of the elliptical template. A goniometer, continuously indicating the viewing angle, is connected to the measuring beam projector to determine the beam direction with respect to a reference plane as a measure of the viewing angle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aiming a missile firing weapon, such as a mortar, including a sighting device including a transit type aiming device with a mount means adapted to carry a reference plate rotatable in a generally horizontal plane on the mount means where the reference plate includes pivot means, generally centrally located thereon, aiming plate means superposed on the reference plate for rotation in a horizontal plane about the pivot means, releasable lock means to secure the aiming plate for rotation with the reference plate, vernier plate means superposed on the aiming plate for rotation about the pivot means where sight mount means are carried by the vernier plate means, lock means to secure the vernier plate for rotation with the aiming plate means; adjusting means to selectively rotate the vernier plate about the pivot means relative to the aiming plate, tubular sight means carried by the vernier plate to determine an aiming line of sight and missile firing weapon means having weapon sight means

Abstract: Azimuth and elevation adjustments in a geodetic instrument are provided by systems which include coaxial locking and two-speed adjustment control knobs. In each such system, the control knobs are accessible at both the front and rear of the instrument to facilitate operation in either of the forward- or back-sighting mode.

Abstract: An optical plummet azimuth reference assembly having a rigid, horizontal support containing a centerline inscribed therein and a pair of upstanding elements mounted on the support located at each end of the centerline. Each upstanding element has a vertical reticle co-planar with the centerline and a horizontal reticle, the vertical and horizontal reticles forming a cross therebetween. By mounting the azimuth reference assembly directly on an optical plummet with the centerline of the azimuth reference assembly co-planar with the centerline reticle of the optical plummet, the azimuth reference line of an object aligned with the centerline reticle of the optical plummet can be accurately and quickly ascertained.

Abstract: A radiation shadow indicator having a sight tube for sighting shadow-casting objects along a sighting axis. The indicator includes a system of gimbals mounting the tube for angular movement so that the sighting axis thereof may be caused to follow the apparent diurnal movement of celestial objects at various seasons of the year. Position indicators are provided for instantaneous read-out of angular positions of the gimbal device which, in turn, correspond to positions of the sighting axis at given seasons and/or times of day in relation to the location of the indicator on the surface of the earth.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a device for locating celestial bodies by reference to Right Ascension and Declination, and the device is intended to locate using either, R. A. with Declination, or Azimuth with Altitude, or both. However, the use of R. A. and Declination is its primary asset due to the accuracy of its use. The device includes a support platform with orientation indicators, and a pivotal inclined platform is positioned a right ascension-azimuth dial and a right ascension indicator-declination scale piece, both joined about a common axis for rotation. The right ascension indicator-declination scale piece has a support arm disposed thereon for support of a telescope which serves as a viewing means for the celestial body which is located. The device is simply configurated, extremely accurate, and highly effective for use by astronomers generally.

Abstract: The corrected values to compensate for errors in instrumental levelling of a theodolite and similar instruments are found by determining angles of elevation and/or horizontal directions, measuring the instrumental levelling errors, and calculating the error free values of the instrument.

Abstract: An angle measuring device comprises a base, a telescope seated thereupon for rotation about an axis, a graduated circle having a line division, a micrometer for subdividing said line division, and photoelectric scanners for detecting angular values from said line division and from said micrometer. A graduated plate provided with a reticle is located in said telescope. Said reticle has a zone limited by two line marks which are arranged in parallel and symmetrically to and on either side of one of the reticle lines. Said two lines are spaced from said reticle line by a width which is at least double the size of one division interval of the graduated circle line division.

Abstract: Telescope elevation controls in a geodetic instrument include coaxially mounted control knobs which respectively effect positive clamping of a lever arm member to the telescope axle, and fine adjustment drive of telescope elevation. Kinematic bearing means are also provided along with telescope plumb line adjustment means capable of effecting true vertical telescope axle adjustment.