With Tubular Sighting Means (e.g., Telescope, Etc.) Patents (Class 33/292)
  • Patent number: 10436901
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10), in particular a laser scanner, is provided having a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a scanning beam (16) into a monitored zone (20); having a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal from the scanning beam (22) remitted by objects in the monitored zone (20); having a movable deflection unit (18) for a periodical deflection of the scanning beam (16, 22) in order to scan the monitored zone (20) in the course of the movement; having an evaluation unit (34) that is configured to recognize whether there are objects in at least one detection field within the monitored zone (20) with reference to the received signal; and having a projector (42) for visualizing information of the sensor (10) in the monitored zone (20). In this respect, the projector (42) is configured to visualize the detection field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Boris Baldischweiler, Olaf Steinborn
  • Patent number: 10139224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring device, which comprises a leveling unit, a measuring device main body provided on the leveling unit, a control unit, a first tilt angle measuring device for detecting a horizontality with high accuracy, and a second tilt angle measuring device for detecting a tilt angle in a wider range than a range of the first tilt angle measuring device and having a higher responsiveness than a responsiveness of the first tilt angle measuring device, wherein the control unit, the first tilt angle measuring device and the second tilt angle measuring device are provided in the measuring device main body and wherein the control unit drives the leveling unit based on a detection result of the second tilt angle measuring device, performs a rough leveling until a tilt angle detected by the second tilt angle measuring device reaches within a range in which the first tilt angle measuring device is capable of detecting and levels the measuring device main body horizontally based on a detec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kamiki, Goro Iwasaki, Shinji Yamaguchi, Satoshi Yanobe, Eiji Takeuchi, Yosuke Okudaira
  • Patent number: 9885541
    Abstract: A riflescope aiming system that includes a telescopic sight, a multiple-zero-point elevation turret and a ballistics reference system. The multiple-zero-point elevation turret includes a rotatable indicator carrier and a plurality of indicator pins secured to the indicator carrier, each indicator pin corresponding to a predetermined target distance. The ballistics reference system is operably coupled to the objective housing of the telescopic sight and displays ballistics data indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Meinert, William P. Atwood, Thomas Kramer, Brent R. Cook
  • Patent number: 9377296
    Abstract: A laser based measuring apparatus for measuring a position of a distant target is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a laser tracker for detecting the position and the orientation of a measuring aid The laser-based measuring apparatus may include a base, a support, a telescope unit means, a first bearing apparatus, and a second bearing apparatus. In some embodiments the first bearing apparatus is in the form of a fixed/loose bearing apparatus, having a shaft, the longitudinal axis of which runs coaxially with the tilt axis, a fixed bearing and a loose bearing, and/or the second bearing apparatus is in the form of a fixed/loose bearing apparatus, having a shaft, the longitudinal axis of which runs coaxially with the vertical axis, a fixed bearing and a loose bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Markus Fäs, Veroljub Maksimovic
  • Publication number: 20150040411
    Abstract: An electronic level which receives a reflection light from a pattern marked on a staff and determines a height of sighting position and a distance to the staff, comprising an electronic level main unit, a sighting optical system accommodated in the electronic level main unit for sighting the staff and a sighting device provided on an upper surface of the electronic level main unit, wherein the sighting device can be sighted at least in two directions, and an angle formed by two directions is equal to or approximately equal to a field angle of the sighting optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Takayuki Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8839526
    Abstract: A sighting device includes an objective unit, an image unit, a transmitter for emitting measurement beams as transmitted beams and/or a receiver for capturing measurement beams as received beams, and at least one optical deflection means for coupling the transmitted beams into the optical beam path of the sighting device. The at least one lens comprises a cylindrical recess around the optical axis, the recess extending in the direction of the optical axis. Furthermore, the deflection means comprises a cylindrical fastening section that extends inside the recess such that a gluing gap is created between the outer lateral surface of the fastening section and at least a portion of an inner lateral surface of the lens defined by the recess, and the deflection means is fastened to the at least one lens, mediated by an adhesive located in the gluing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Laurent Stauffer, Frank Saupe, Jochen Scheja
  • Patent number: 8800154
    Abstract: The telescopic sight alignment tool is used to align the horizontal and vertical axes of the scope with corresponding axes of the firearm upon which the scope is mounted. The tool comprises a unitary structure having a plate with a vertical crosshair alignment slit, with an ocular seat extending forward from the lower portion of the plate. Upper and lower alignment indicators extend from the plate. Alternative embodiments provide variations upon the alignment indicators. The tool is placed upon the ocular of the scope and secured adjustably thereon with an elastic band. The tool is rotated to align the slit precisely with the vertical crosshair of the scope. The scope is then rotated in its mounts until at least one of the indicators of the tool is aligned with an element of the firearm, e.g., front sight, tang of the action, etc., and the mounts tightened to secure the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Gerald Lee Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8539685
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: TRIMBLE Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Miguel Amor
  • Patent number: 8539686
    Abstract: A leveling device having a sighting device that defines an alignment axis, an imaging system, spatially separated from the sighting device, having an imaging lens to which a lens primary plane is allocated and a detector having a recording surface lying in an image plane and an evaluation device that is connected to the detector. A visual field of the imaging system is defined by the imaging lens and the detector as the maximum angle range within which points can be registered by the imaging lens by means of the recording surface of the detector. The imaging lens and the detector are designed and arranged relative to one another and to a lens plane comprising the alignment axis such that all points of the lens plane within the visual field are simultaneously imaged in focus on the recording surface of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Josef Lais
  • Patent number: 8411285
    Abstract: A method of stationing an unleveled optical total station includes placing the unleveled optical total station at a first station. At the first station, positions of at least three non-collinear measurement points in an instrument coordinate system are determined using the unleveled optical total station. The method also includes obtaining positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in a local coordinate system. A transformation is computed between the instrument coordinate system and the local coordinate system using the positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in the instrument coordinate system and the positions of the at least three non-collinear measurement points in the local coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Sharp
  • Publication number: 20120198712
    Abstract: A sighting device includes an objective unit, an image unit, a transmitter for emitting measurement beams as transmitted beams and/or a receiver for capturing measurement beams as received beams, and at least one optical deflection means for coupling the transmitted beams into the optical beam path of the sighting device. The at least one lens comprises a cylindrical recess around the optical axis, the recess extending in the direction of the optical axis. Furthermore, the deflection means comprises a cylindrical fastening section that extends inside the recess such that a gluing gap is created between the outer lateral surface of the fastening section and at least a portion of an inner lateral surface of the lens defined by the recess, and the deflection means is fastened to the at least one lens, mediated by an adhesive located in the gluing gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Laurent Stauffer, Frank Saupe, Jochen Scheja
  • Patent number: 8225518
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a manual surveying instrument that allows easily performing a collimating operation and allows performing a high precision measurement in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sokkia Topcon Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanobe, Yutaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7996998
    Abstract: An optical device capable of measuring a condition such as deflection of a cylindrical body such as utility pole or cylindrical column precisely and rapidly is provided. The optical device has a telescope with a projection plate. The projection plate has a reference scale made of a plurality of full or substantially full circles arranged concentrically about a central axis of the telescope or a plurality of circular arcs arranged symmetrically about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Kansai Kouji Sokuryou Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Nakaniwa
  • Patent number: 7958620
    Abstract: A method of determining the eccentricity of an encoder scale member of a rotary encoder includes taking an encoder scale blank having a geometric center and mounting the encoder scale blank centered about a second center. A scale can then be produced on the encoder scale blank thereby forming an encoder scale member. The scale of the encoder scale member is centered about the second center. Any eccentricity between the geometric center and the second center is measured by, for example, measuring any change in the apparent radius of the encoder scale member. The encoder scale member may then be mounted in a working location wherein it is rotated about a third axis. The eccentricity when mounted in the working location may be matched to that measured during manufacture thereof and/or the eccentricity errors arising from both manufacture and mounting of the encoder scale member may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20110131824
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a manual surveying instrument that allows easily performing a collimating operation and allows performing a high precision measurement in a short time, [Solution Means] The manual surveying instrument includes a collimation assist device (70) having a collimation light transmitting system that emits a collimation light (R) along a collimation axis (O) toward a target installed at a measurement point, an area sensor (80) that obtains an image of a scene captured within a field of view of a collimating telescope (3), a display unit (48) that displays the image, a collimation light detecting unit (82) that detects the target as a result of receiving the collimation light reflected on the target by the area sensor, and an arithmetic control unit (46) that displays an area (94) being within a predetermined deviation from the collimation axis and where distance measurement is possible and a symbol indicating the target on the display unit as an animation image, judges that collimation has been
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SOKKIA TOPCON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanobe, Yutaka Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110119938
    Abstract: A device for determining level of a surface, the device comprising a plurality of level vials configured to indicate orientation of the device, the plurality of level vials disposed at distinct locations on the device. The device including a radius bottom formed in an object contact surface at substantially the latitudinal center of the contact surface and extending longitudinally the length of the surface. The device further including a joint recess disposed centrally along the longitudinal axis of the device and extending latitudinally across the device. The device also includes one or more user controllable light sources coupled to the plurality of level vials for illuminating the level vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Kildevaeld
  • Patent number: 7731709
    Abstract: A leveling device for determining the zero pressure point of an external draining system with respect to a patient is provided. The leveling device generally includes a body having a viewing element defining a field of vision, and a reference point indicator spaced apart from the viewing element and disposed within the line of vision. The viewing element and the reference point indicator define a line of sight. The device further includes a horizontal level indicator mated to the body and oriented parallel to the line of sight established by the viewing element and the reference point indicator. The horizontal level indicator is effective to indicate the horizontal alignment of the body with respect to a particular reference point viewed through the viewing element and indicated by the reference point indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Ferrer Wilson
  • Patent number: 7669340
    Abstract: A surveying apparatus is provided that includes a telescope block, a support block, and an imaging unit. The telescope block includes a sighting telescope and is rotatably supported about a first axis. The support block rotatably supports the telescope block about the first axis. The imaging unit is provided inside the telescope block. The imaging unit comprises an image-display device and at least one of an image data output device and an image data recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Pentax Industrial Instruments Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Matsuo, Homu Takayama, Takanori Yachi, Masatoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7243434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laser theodolite device and kit for converting a new or pre-existing theodolite into a laser theodolite. More specifically, in one embodiment, the laser theodolite device comprises a theodolite having a visible and/or reflective laser source integrally mounted within the theodolite telescope for generating a laser line along the centerline portion of the telescope line of sight. The kit for assembling a laser theodolite from a new or pre-existing theodolite includes a universally mountable bracket with a laser source secured thereto. The universal bracket is constructed and arranged to be mounted at a forward end of a theodolite telescope housing with the laser source being positioned at about a right angle with respect to the telescope centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Fred Zucker
  • Patent number: 7200946
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes a central leg element and one or more secondary support leg elements in operative communication with the central leg element for providing support thereto. A sighting device rotatably attached to the central leg element includes an optical device having at least one optical element therein for permitting a user to view an area of interest in the direction of an optical device axis of sight and a laser-emitting device for emitting a laser beam along a laser axis of projection. The laser axis of projection is parallel to the optical device axis of sight. A method of aligning an underground structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest C. Ritenour
  • Patent number: 7055253
    Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a surveying instrument body rotatable about each of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis; and a first collimator optical system and a second collimator optical system each of which is positioned in the surveying instrument body to collimate the surveying instrument relative to a survey point, a viewing angle of the second collimator optical system being smaller than a viewing angle of the first collimator optical system. A first collimating operation is performed with the first collimator optical system before a second collimating operation is performed with the second collimator optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6643940
    Abstract: A device for horizontal and vertical adjustment in geodetic devices comprises within its housing, a horizontal adjusting system comprising a first fine adjustment drive for rotation of the device about a vertical standing axis and a vertical adjusting system comprising a second fine adjustment drive for the movement of a telescope which is mounted in the support of the device so as to be swivelable about a horizontal tilt axis. A coaxial drive, known per se, is arranged at the support of the device and has two coaxially mounted shafts, each having a rotating knob, for initiating the rotation and/or movement of the respective parts and subassemblies. Each of the two fine adjustment gear units comprises a worm and a worm gear with a friction clutch and can be actuated jointly from a location for generating movement in two movement directions running vertical to one another or at an angle to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: ZSP Geodaetische Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Donath, Wieland Feist, Wolfgang Hahn, Steffen Laabs, Werner Marx
  • Patent number: 6625895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for leveling at least one output light beam in a construction tool. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a laser optical assembly for producing output light beams that define plumb, level, and right angle beams for use in construction applications. The optical assembly is mounted on an optical platform which permits tilting about “slip-stick” joints that define two perpendicular axes of rotation. Such joints allow the optical platform to change its angle of tilt in response to an applied torque and to maintain the changed angle of tilt until further torque is applied. Also, the “slip-stick” mechanism prevents substantial movement or oscillation of the optical platform in the absence of the applied torque. The embodiment further includes a sensor element for determining whether the output beams are level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, Zinovy Dolgonosov
  • Patent number: 6622391
    Abstract: An incremental rotary encoder includes a rotary portion, a first sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors being arranged so as to be opposite from each other with respect to the axis of the rotary portion. The second sensor is offset from the first sensor so that the phase of output voltage of the second sensor advances or delays with respect to the phase of output voltage of the first sensor by &pgr;/X, wherein “X” represents a real number of one or more than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: Pentax Corporation, Pentax Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Shirai, Masato Noguchi, Katsuhiko Kenjo
  • Patent number: 6389709
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking elevation between reference markers. The apparatus includes a measuring device (e.g., a tape measure) that can measure the distance from an elevated location to the ground immediately below the location. A sighting device and a leveling device (e.g., a hand level) are secured to the distance-measuring device so that a remote reference marker can be sighted. The distance-measuring device is calibrated such that it measures the distance from the ground to the centerline of the sighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Enthios Corporation
    Inventor: Scott M. Lunde
  • Patent number: 6354010
    Abstract: A surveying instrument is provide with a telescope which is movably supported, an auto-focusing system. Based on a movement of the telescope, a moving status of the telescope is determined from among a rough sighting status, a fine sighting status, and a suspended status. A controlling system is further provided, which controls the auto-focusing system to perform the auto-focusing operation in accordance with the moving status detected by the movement detection system. If the status is the fine sighting status, the auto-focusing operation is continuously performed. If the status is the rough sighting status, then the auto-focusing operation is not executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Shirai
  • Publication number: 20010039740
    Abstract: A surveying instrument having an AF apparatus, provided with a focusing lens and a collimation telescope, includes a focus detector for detecting a focus state through the collimation telescope, and a controller for moving the focusing lens of the collimation telescope to a focal position, based on the focus state detected by the focus detector. The surveying instrument includes a single focus mode at which only one detection of the output of the focus detector and only one control operation of the controller based on the detected output are carried out, and a continuous focus mode at which a plurality of detections of the output of the focus detector and a plurality of control operations of the controller based on the detected outputs are sequentially carried out, the single focus mode and the continuous mode being selectively performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI SEIMITSU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Kaneko, Tadahisa Hoshino, Shinichi Suzuki, Homu Takayama, Takanori Yachi, Masayuki Ueno, Masahiro Sakurai, Go Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6314651
    Abstract: The system according to the present invention comprises means for irradiating a plurality of laser beams by separating the laser beams in a vertical direction and means for forming a plurality of laser beam reference planes by rotary irradiation of said plurality of laser beams. Because a plurality of reference planes are formed at the same time, operation can be carried out at the same time at different working sites, and the tilt reference line as desired can be promptly obtained without performing tilt setting operation for the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6163294
    Abstract: A combined satellite positioning and electro-optical total station system including a satellite navigation receiver and a reference oscillator with a reference frequency output that can be related to precision time standards obtained from orbiting navigation-satellite transmissions. Such time standards are output by the satellite navigation receiver and are highly precise. An electronic distance meter (EDM) is included and has an EDM-transmitter for launching an out-bound signal to a distant target, and an EDM-receiver for receiving a reflected signal from the distant target. A phase measurement device is connected to the reference oscillator, and also to both the EDM-transmitter and EDM-receiver. It provides for a measurement of the difference in the number of cycles of the reference frequency between the out-bound signal and the reflected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas C. Talbot
  • Patent number: 6138367
    Abstract: A tilt predictor incorporated into a total station to predict the degree of tilt of the rotational alidade portion of a total station corresponding to the rotational orientation of the rotational alidade portion. In one embodiment, the present invention defines the plane of rotation for the rotational alidade portion with the rotational alidade portion disposed in a first rotational orientation. The rotational alidade portion is then rotated to the desired rotational orientation. This embodiment then predicts the degree of tilt of the rotational alidade portion at the desired rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Peter Raby
  • Patent number: 6129641
    Abstract: A scope which is positioned over a golf ball which is on a green in position for putting has a housing with a mirror and which functions as a periscope. A vertical alignment guide and a horizontal alignment guide are viewable from above the housing. The scope is positioned over the ball and the crossing point of the alignment guides is aligned with the flag stick in the golf cup. The horizontal alignment guide indicates the slope of the terrain. A horizontal level indicates the level of the ground at the ball position, and a slope level indicates the slope of the ground immediately in front of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Brian Burch
  • Patent number: 6108919
    Abstract: An automatic optical plumbing instrument includes: an objective telescopically mounted at a front portion of a telescopic housing adjacent to an object to be observed, an ocular telescopically mounted at a rear portion of the housing adjacent to an observer's eye, and a transparent plumbing protractor defining a plumbing line thereon and mounted in the housing between the objective and the ocular, whereby upon entrance of a vertical line (or plane) of the object into the instrument to form an image therein, a verticality of the vertical line (or plane) of the object can be checked whether the vertical line is aligned with the plumbing line marked on the protractor, thereby providing a plumbing instrument for calibrating a verticality of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Chyi-Yiing Wu, Lin Chin Hsiung
  • Patent number: 6076266
    Abstract: A theodolite that includes a stand, a telescope, a friction gear and a worm gear. The telescope is pivotally secured to the stand. The clutch plate is secured to the telescope for at least limited rotational movement upon pivoting of the telescope. The friction gear is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate. The worm gear is mounted to the stand and is in constant mesh with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear. A device engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a frictional force. The frictional force is adjustable to allow for adjustment of the telescope separately from the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Michael Beckingham, Michael C. Detro
  • Patent number: 6044567
    Abstract: A geodetic device is described, especially on a theodolite or a tachymeter which is provided with an arrangement for adjustment over a ground point or base point. It comprises a leveling base in which a bushing provided with a continuous center bore hole can be fastened and an upper part or alidade with a telescope which is pivotable about a horizontal tilting axis. Further, a first apparatus is provided for leveling the device in a horizontal plane and for displaying this plane, and a second apparatus is provided which comprise an objective imaging the ground point on a sensor arrangement. The arrangement for adjustment over a ground point is arranged between the leveling base and the upper part and is fixedly connected with the leveling base. It comprises a vertical spindle bushing with a hollow vertical spindle which is mounted therein and carries the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventor: Wieland Feist
  • Patent number: 5960551
    Abstract: A rotary laser irradiating system, comprising a laser projector for performing rotary irradiation of a laser beam, a collimating telescope having a collimation axis in a projecting direction of the laser beam, and a rotation base where the collimating telescope can be rotated around an axial line running perpendicularly to the collimation axis and can be fixed at a predetermined position, whereby the collimating telescope is used for the setting of a tilting direction, and the collimating telescope is rotated when necessary, and collimation can be performed at least in two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Masayuki Nishi, Satoshi Hirano
  • Patent number: 5949548
    Abstract: A measurement device has a telescope supported by a main body of a total station so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis. A vertically extending light-passing hole is formed in the main body, so that a distance measuring light wave, which is emitted through the telescope from a light-emitting element provided in the main body, can pass. A prism unit having a corner cube prism is placed on a base point. A centering operation is carried out by rotating the telescope vertically downward. Then, a distance measurement is carried out by radiating the distance measuring light wave onto the corner cube prism through the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Shirai, Atsumi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5894344
    Abstract: An elevation measurement instrument including a support ruler, an optical instrument and a bracket pivotally coupling the optical instrument to the support ruler. The optical instrument includes a first ocular mount having a telescope with a horizontal crosshair and a second ocular mount having a horizontal alignment level device. The bracket couples the optical instrument to the ruler along a horizontally balanced axis. The bracket includes a position indicator colinearly aligned with the horizontal crosshair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Tamez Construction
    Inventors: Daniel Tamez, Ana Tamez
  • Patent number: 5887353
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a telescope of a theodolite. The mechanism includes a worm gear that is coupled to a friction gear of the theodolite. The friction gear is coupled to the telescope so that any rotation of the gear will induce a corresponding movement of the scope. The worm gear is coupled to a linear screw and an outer sleeve. The linear screw has a shaft that can push the worm gear and rotate the friction gear to provide a fine movement of the telescope. The linear screw also has a stop that engages an arm of the sleeve. Continued rotation of the linear screw rotates the engaged sleeve and the worm gear to provide a coarse movement of the telescope. The linear screw is connected to a knob which can be rotated by an operator. The operator can induce a coarse movement of the telescope by turning the linear screw so that the stop engages the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael Beckingham
  • Patent number: 5878504
    Abstract: A rifle scope vertical alignment apparatus includes first and second plates, each with a bottom surface shaped as an inverted V. A vertically oriented elongate slot is formed in one of the first and second plates and a receiving channel is formed in one of the first and second plates to slidably engage the other of the first and second plates. A level is positioned on one of the first and second plates such that it is visible from a rear surface of the apparatus. A threaded screw extends through the slot and into a threaded bore on the other of the first and second plates so that the plates can be held in a selected position relative to each other with the inverted V bottom surfaces aligned. The alignment method involves positioning the inverted bottom V of the first plate of the alignment apparatus atop the rifle barrel just in front of the objective end of the scope, placing the inverted V bottom surface of the second plate atop the scope barrel and then tightening the threaded screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Harms
  • Patent number: 5711080
    Abstract: The encoder disc rotating device for a surveying instrument comprising a vessel-shaped cover member 30 rotating coaxially with a rotating axis 22 of an encoder disc rotating knob 21 and having an opening formed at the arcuate lateral side for protruding to expose the encoder disc rotating knob 21, in which the encoder disc rotating knob 21 is protruded to expose or concealed by the rotation of the cover member 30. The cover member can ensure a large space for arranging the operation system without changing the machine height and cover the encoder disc rotating knob for preventing erroneous operation without hindering the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sokkia Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Yamada
  • Patent number: 5689892
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a telescope of a theodolite. The mechanism includes a worm gear that is coupled to a friction gear of the theodolite. The friction gear is coupled to the telescope so that any rotation of the gear will induce a corresponding movement of the scope. The worm gear is coupled to a linear screw and an outer sleeve. The linear screw has a shaft that can push the worm gear and rotate the friction gear to provide a fine movement of the telescope. The linear screw also has a stop that engages an arm of the sleeve. Continued rotation of the linear screw rotates the engaged sleeve and the worm gear to provide a coarse movement of the telescope. The linear screw is connected to a knob which can be rotated by an operator. The operator can induce a coarse movement of the telescope by turning the linear screw so that the stop engages the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael Beckingham
  • Patent number: 5406733
    Abstract: A flip-up leveling device is designed to be easily attached to an existing hand-held firearm. The purpose of the device is to eliminate sideways tilting or canting of the firearm during aiming. The device can be attached directly to the firearm or to a telescopic sight which is mounted to the firearm. A bubble spirit level is mounted on a pivoted carrying arm so it can be pivoted upward to an easily visible use position or downwardly to a protected storage and transport position. The device does not interfere with the field of view of the existing sight system it supplements. The device does not require any modification of the existing sight system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventors: A. Mac Tarlton, Enoch M. Elton, Donald L. Vader, Roger D. Walton
  • Patent number: 5400515
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus having a high water-proof property has water-proof rings rotatably disposed about outer peripheries of a horizontal shaft and a vertical shaft bearing. Gaps between the rings and the peripheries of corresponding openings in a housing are blocked by respective deformable elastic water-proof members which secure the rings to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kyoji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5163229
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for accurately and precisely locating specific points on ceilings or, alternatively, on the the same horizontal plane. A light emitting means, a pendulum, a support, and two cylindrical rods act in concert to provide a light beam that is always plumb or always horizontally level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Giovanni F. Cantone
  • Patent number: 5159760
    Abstract: A device for centering geodetic instruments over defined ground marks or defined position marks is described, in which a visible light beam is projected onto a ground mark or position mark. In an advantageous additional feature, the light beam of the invention can be used to measure the distance between the sighting line of the geodetic instrument and the sighted ground mark or position mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Leica Heerbrugg AG
    Inventors: Armin Spiegel, Wolfgang Rebhandl
  • Patent number: 4943149
    Abstract: A bearing bush with a side opening is mounted within a telescope barrel. The telescope thus may be easily mounted on a tilting axis by simply inserting an axle into the bush. Mounting and adjustment of the tilting axis within its bearings and of angular measuring systems is thus independent of mounting of the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Erika Wahlen, Dieter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4907882
    Abstract: The surveying instrument contains a component part (1) for the optical imaging of a target and a camera (2) for the electronic acquisition of the image produced in the optical instrument part. A reference mark (20) is located in the optical part (1) of the instrument, and this is outside that region of this instrument part through which the optical axis passes. The image of the target is projected into the region located within the reference mark. Connected to the camera is a circuit arrangement which can detect both the effective center of the image of the reference mark and the effective center of the image of the target and which can determine not only the length, but also the direction of the distance between the two effective centers. The surveying of an object or a region can be carried out automatically by means of this instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Wild Heerbrugg AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Waibel, Werner Dieckow
  • Patent number: 4691444
    Abstract: A surveyor's instrument such as a surveyor's level (10) and method is disclosed wherein a constant instrument height may be provided during repeated set ups of a tripod (22) at different locations at a job site. An adjustable elevating device (24) is provided which mounts a surveyor's level (10) in a manner that its vertical position is changed. The elevating device includes an adaptor base cap (30) which adapts to a tripod collar (20) having a hollow sleeve (32). A shaft (28) which carries an adapter collar (26) is slideably received in the sleeve (32) and set in a desired vertical position by set screw (38) or a gear drive (50, 46, 40). The surveyor's level (10) is affixed to an adapter collar (26) by a level base cap (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Grover Capps
  • Patent number: 4459758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a topographical surveying instrument, comprising:a horizontal table bearing a shaft perpendicular to the plane of the table,a device adapted to rotate on the shaft and comprising:a generator of a light beam perpendicular to the axis of the shaft,a measuring tape unwindable parallel to the beam,a ruler for plotting on the table.The invention is more particularly applicable to an apparatus for surveying conspicuous points inside premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Sarl: Infomain
    Inventor: Pascal Halle
  • Patent number: 4367436
    Abstract: Active manual designation system combining the inertial stability of velocity loop systems with the use of the reflex movement of the operator for control purposes. It comprises a control member fixed to a support of the sight unit parallel to the aiming line and whose output signals are the nominal information values for the loops for regulating the rotation velocities about the azimuth and elevation axes. The operator holds the member in his right hand, places his right eye on the aiming line and keeps himself against the turret by means of a handle on which there is a correct sighting button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Roger Arnichand, Jacques Coeuillet, Jean Darnet, Pierre Sbalchiero