Abstract: A golf swing guide apparatus includes: a coupling body coupled to a shaft of a golf club; at least one display panel spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and disposed at a position where a user is able to visually check whether a position and direction of the golf club are correct in at least one of a plurality of golf swing stages when the user swings the golf club; and at least one connecting body coupling the at least one display panel to the coupling body.

Abstract: An automated weapon system is comprised of a plurality of weapon subsystems; a targeting subsystem; a sensing subsystem; a decision subsystem; a device selection subsystem; and, trigger activation logic. The plurality of weapon subsystems each capable of firing a munition therefrom towards a respective selected target at a respective firing time. The targeting subsystem has a field of view in a target area and provides for identifying at least one said target in the field of view as a selected target. The sensing subsystem provides sensing of the selected target and tracking of location of the selected target through environment in the target area. The decision subsystem, determines where the selected target is located at a firing time responsive to the sensing subsystem. The device selection subsystem determines which of the plurality of weapon subsystems is the selected weapon subsystem in a best position for having munitions fired therefrom to strike the selected target.

Abstract: A golf putter that enables dual configuration, namely sighting & play modes whereby the golfer can view both the ball and the hole by means of a mirrored surface, but which is reversible so that the golfer can play within tournament rules. A removable mirrored training aid has a reflective side and can be removed, flipped to a non-reflective side, or simply replaced with a same-weighted non-reflective plate, for use in actual (non-practice) golf play. The golfer can practice his or her stroke while observing the image of the ball and hole in the mirror, and thereby imprinting the correct stroke mechanics into muscle memory. Then, after the golfer has reversed the re-attachable mirrored surface plate to present its non-reflective side, the golfer can use the putter in a round of golf.

Abstract: A golf putter alignment system for viewing an orientation of a putter face relative to a putting line. A mirrored viewing surface is retained at a viewing angle by a selective, adjustable mounting system with an engaging portion, a pivot joint for angular adjustment, and a sliding joint for lateral position adjustment. The pivot joint can be a sleeve joint with an outer sleeve pivotable about a longitudinal axis relative to a core member. The sliding joint can be formed with the viewing surface slidable in relation to an elongate member, such as by being retained by a housing that is slidable in relation to the elongate member. A scope surface with an alignment scope can be retained in spaced relation to the viewing surface. In embodiments, the viewing surface can be disposed within the putter head, and a block of transparent material can have a face forming the putter face.

Abstract: A golf putter alignment system for viewing an orientation of a putter face relative to a putting line. A mirrored viewing surface is retained at a viewing angle by a selective, adjustable mounting system with an engaging portion, a pivot joint for angular adjustment, and a sliding joint for lateral position adjustment. The pivot joint can be a sleeve joint with an outer sleeve pivotable about a longitudinal axis relative to a core member. The sliding joint can be formed with the viewing surface slidable in relation to an elongate member, such as by being retained by a housing that is slidable in relation to the elongate member. A scope surface with an alignment scope can be retained in spaced relation to the viewing surface. In embodiments, the viewing surface can be disposed within the putter head, and a block of transparent material can have a face forming the putter face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Abstract: A device for use with a target viewing device comprising a collet comprising having a central opening defined by a first part and a second part. The second part is rotatably coupled to the first part such that the second part rotates relative to the first part. An attaching member fixedly couples the first part proximate to the target viewing device such that the central opening does not obstruct an image provided to and from the target viewing device. A mirror is pivotally coupled to a planar body so that the mirror may pivot about a hinge to position the mirror relative to the target viewing device to provide a reflection of an image provided by the target viewing device to the user when the device is positioned behind the target viewing device, and to provide a reflection of an image to the target viewing device when the device is positioned in front of the target viewing device.

Abstract: A targeting apparatus for a gun comprises a mirror assembly, a mounting base and a sighting device. The mirror assembly includes a single utilized mirror having a target imaging surface. The mounting base has the mirror assembly moveably attached thereto. The single utilized mirror is movable between a sighting device use position thereof with respect to the mounting base and a mirror use position thereof with respect to the mounting base. The sighting device is attached to the mirror assembly. The sighting device includes a sighting member configured for being aligned with a mating alignment member of a companion sighting device when the single utilized mirror is in the sighting device used position thereby enabling precision aiming through combined use of said sighting devices. The sighting member is independently adjustable for windage and for elevation.

Abstract: A Golf Green Reader is disclosed. The device is available in two versions—one that is elongated, is sized similar to the length of a golf umbrella and allows the user to site the putt line while standing, and a second version that is handheld. The device includes optics to provide the user with the ability to site along a laser-pointer line and focus, zoom and obtain a wide-angle view of the cup from the ball location. The device further overlays an image that aids the user in holding the device in a level position while siting along the putt line. The image overlay includes symbology that indicates current spacial orientation of the device, the desired spacial device orientation and the direction to correct the device orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing an object (such as a coating overspray accumulation) disposed in a difficult to view area (such as the underside of a lower trough or weir of a cleaning apparatus) and for measuring a distance between first and second points on the object. The apparatus includes a laser, a mirror and a measuring instrument. The mirror reflects a laser beam generated by the laser such that the laser beam is divided into first and second portions that are disposed at a right angle to each other. The laser is moved along a measurement path to a first measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the first point on the object. The laser is then moved along the measurement path to a second measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the second point on the object.

Abstract: A single-mirror target viewing apparatus configured for enabling a gun to be fired at a desired target from a cover position in an aimed manner. The target viewing apparatus comprises a mirror assembly, a mounting base and a sighting device. The mirror assembly includes a single utilized mirror that provides a target imaging surface. The mounting base is configured for being attached to a gun and having the mirror assembly moveably attached thereto. The single utilized mirror is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and is rotatable between a plurality of rotational positions when in the deployed position. The sighting device is attached to a non-viewing portion of the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A single-mirror target viewing apparatus configured for enabling a gun to be fired at a desired target from a cover position in an aimed manner. The target viewing apparatus comprises a mirror assembly and a mounting base. The mirror assembly includes a single utilized mirror that provides a target imaging surface. The mounting base is configured for being attached to a gun and having the mirror assembly moveably attached thereto. The single utilized mirror is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and is rotatable between a plurality of rotational positions when in the deployed position. When in the at least one of the rotational positions, the target imaging surface is in a skewed orientation with respect to at least one of a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the gun and an axis that extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deviation detecting device that detects a deviation angle of a rotary unit of a laser light projector relative to a projector body. The deviation detecting device (190) includes a light emitter (193) attached to the projector body of the laser light projector for emitting laser light, a reflector (195) attached to the rotary unit of the laser light projector for reflecting light emitted from the light emitter, and a light receiving unit (194) attached to the projector body of the laser light projector for receiving the light reflected by the reflector. In the deviation detecting device, a position at which the light reflected by the reflector is incident upon the light receiving unit is utilized to determine a deviation angle of the rotary unit relative to the projector body.

Abstract: A device for leveling a laser transmitter is provided. An optical position sensor is used to measure the position of a compensator assembly. The compensator assembly automatically adjusts the position of the laser beam once the compensator assembly is within a specified range of level. Once the compensator assembly is within the specified range, the compensator assembly optically adjusts the laser beam so that it is plumb. A leveling device may be used to level the laser transmitter in response to the position of the compensator assembly as measured by the position sensor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mounting assembly for an image intensifier tube in an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mounting assembly (152) may include a housing (154), a retainer (158) and a locking device (177). The housing (154) may be mounted to an optical bench (60). The retainer (158) may engage an image intensifier tube (150) and be coupled to the housing (154). The image intensifier tube (150) may be rotatable relative to the optical bench (60). The locking device (177) may selectively secure the image intensifier tube (150) relative to the optical bench (60).

Abstract: A reflector is constituted by a right pseudo-dihedral, a ridge (C) of which is in the form of a portion of a helix so as to provide a calibrator or a beacon.

Abstract: A strapped down astro-inertial navigator includes a roll outer gimbal, a pitch inner gimbal and a platform coupled to the inner gimbal. An instrument cluster which includes X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis ring laser gyros (RLGs) and associated accelerometers is mounted to the platform. Also hard mounted to the platform is a stellar sensor which includes a telescope and a solid state focal plane array which views stellar reference objects. In an astro-inertial mode of operation one or more stellar objects are tracked for a period of time. The roll and the pitch gimbals are employed to point the telescope and, periodically, to observe and average out the effects of star sensor and horizontal accelerometer errors. The star sensor error observability is accomplished by periodically rotating the inner and outer gimbals through 180.degree. and the stellar objects once again tracked. Due to the 180.degree. rotation boresight errors within the stellar tracker are observed and compensated for. The 180.degree.

Abstract: A guidance type placement apparatus for placing and mounting integrated circuit (IC) components or devices, especially fine pitch integrated circuit devices (FPD), in aligned combination with printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes a mechanical positioning subsystem, an image acquisition/processing subsystem, a master control subsystem, and optionally, a heater array subsystem. The mechanical positioning subsystem is sequentially operative to position the circuit board and IC device for the generation of images thereof, to align the IC device with a designated placement site on the board, and to mount the IC device in aligned combination with the board. The image acquisition subsystem is operative to generate images of at least one pair of diagonally opposed corners of the placement site and IC device from the same optical perspective. Images generated by the image acquisition subsystem provide feedback control to regulate the placement process to attain and verify lead-to-pad alignment.

Abstract: An arrangement for stabilizing the line of sight in an optical tracking system by isolating the line of sight from angular vibration induced by the coarse positioning system. The tracking error of the coarse positioning system is transformed from its existing coordinate system onto the line of sight (scene) coordinates and this transformed error is utilized for stabilization.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for locating in the sky celestial objects, using a telescope, wherein two guide stars and the celestial object are represented, according to their respective locations, on a disc which is able to rotate with respect to the telescope around an axis, orthogonal to the telescope axis, and passing through the representation of the celestial objects. The images of the two guide stars are projected in the sky and the telescope and the disc are moved until the images of the guide stars are superposed with the respective actual guide stars in the sky.The guide stars form a triangle with the celestial object. The telescope is preferably provided with a alt-azimuth type mounting. The guide stars are represented on the disc by small holes. A light source placed under the disc creates light dots which are projected in the sky using a plano convex lens optically aligned with the disc rotation axis, and a semi-transparent mirror inclined at 45 degrees on the rotation axis.

Abstract: A golf green indication means is set forth for visual reflection of a golf green surface and visually illustrate slope and obstructions associated in the path of a ball proximate a putting hole. A reflective lens is fastened to a housing to present an acute angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the golf green surface. An associated handle to the housing enables easy transport of the device in use.

Abstract: A finder or sighting scope for use with an astronomical telescope, the finder scope having a target member or reticle located at the common focus of the scope objective and the eyepiece. The target member or reticle may be seen as a magnified telescope view when viewed through the eyepiece and as a target or star image against the backdrop of the sky as viewed by a naked eye, the target or star image being projected into the viewer's line of sight by the objective and a mirror and beamsplitter.

Abstract: An auto-ranging sight includes an optical viewer that includes a reticle within the viewer. The reticle is a liquid crystal display having a plurality of horizontal lines which can individually be selected to be visible. A distance measuring device is provided for measuring distance from the sight to a target. Parameter information is input to a microprocessor to describe the flight of a projectile. The microprocessor also receives the distance information. The microprocessor then determines the required elevation for the optical viewer and attached weapon. It then selects one of the horizontal lines as the visible horizontal cross-hair. The operator then aligns the horizontal and vertical cross-hairs seen through the viewer such that the projectile can be accurately directed to the target. Optionally, a group of liquid crystal display vertical lines can be provided to accommodate windage adjustment for aiming the target.

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: An optical instrument for measuring the divergence of two approximately colinear optical axes comprises an afocal telescope having a comparator disposed transversely to its longitudinal axis, the comparator comprising a beam splitter, an eyepiece and a graticule. The instrument is used in conjunction with a mirror disposed orthogonally with respect to one of the optical axes, the telescope being approximately aligned with the other optical axis and disposed so that light rays passing through it are reflected back by the mirror to the beam splitter and hence to the eyepiece. The instrument is insensitive to small inaccuracies in telescope alignment and is particularly applicable to testing the accuracy of a gun sight, in which application it may be hand held.

Abstract: Instrument for measuring the distances of points from a plane or a straight line defined by means of the instrument. The instrument may also be used in marking output points from a plane or a straight line.The instrument functions by forming at least two mirror images of a measuring object in such a manner that these images are differently oriented when viewed. This is accomplished in the simplest embodiment of the instrument by a prism whose front face is semi-reflecting whereas the other faces are perpendicular to each other and totally reflecting. If the measuring object is not on the defined plane or line this will show up as a displacement of the differently oriented mirror images in relation to each other.The substantial novelty of the instrument is that all the images the relative displacement of which are employed for the read-out are mirror images of the measuring object and are formed without the need for focussing optical components such as lenses and concave mirrors.

Abstract: A method of aiming or aligning in which two overlapping fields of view fixed with respect to each other are produced, one of which is inverted and reversed with respect to the other and superimposed thereon. Given a target in the overlapping fields of view, movement of the fields of view to cause a given point on the target in the two images thereof provided by the two fields of view to overlie each other will cause such points to lie on an axis having a fixed relation to the axes of two fields of view. Optical and electronic devices for practicing the method are described.

Abstract: A base board device for detachably mounting a measuring instrument such as a transit. The base board device has a centering telescope for locating the base board directly above a point on the ground. The centering telescope has a mark in the eyepiece which defines a viewing axis directed vertically downwardly. In order to determine whether or not the viewing axis as defined by the mark is directed accurately downwardly, the centering telescope is used. To facilitate that use, the base board is formed at the center thereof with an aperture so as to make it possible to observe the vertically downward point through the centering telescope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire control assembly wherein a first sighting device is spaced from at least one weapon and a second sighting device is mounted for joint movement with the weapon. Each sighting device has a field of view and the two sighting devices are positioned sufficiently close to one another so as to neglect the relative parallax effect on the fields-of-view. A reticule mounted in the second sighting device is automatically positioned such that its line of sight intercepts the present position of the moving target only when the line-of-fire of the weapon intercepts the projected path of the target.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an instant position finder and course plotter. A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a three arm protractor which includes a circular base member, a fixed central arm and a movable left and right arm. Each arm of the protractor includes a sight at each extreme end which work in conjunction with a central sight in the circular base portion to permit an individual to accurately align the three arms of the protractor with three visible charted objects. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to an instant position finder and course plotter which utilizes sextant type mirrors to reflect the right and left objects being viewed onto target mirrors positioned on the apex of the base. The center object is sighted over the two target mirrors through a scope mounted at the rear of the instrument. The second embodiment of the present invention enables an individual to see all three objects simultaneously.

Abstract: A passive opto-electric rangefinder with remotely controllable index mirr independently rotatable about normal axes, each axis perpendicular to the line-of-sight.

Abstract: A three-axis stellar sensor comprising a conventional stellar sensor for detecting the presence of light from a radiant body. The stellar sensor is mounted on a stable member located in a vehicle. The axis of the telescope of the sensor is parallel to a first line of sight to a first radiant body and a silvered mirror located at an angle of 45.degree. to the axis of the telescope provides a means to measure light from a second radiant body along a second line of sight 90.degree. displaced from the first line of sight. Additional means are provided to rotate and measure the mirror angle.

Abstract: An optical instrument for locating the focal point of a smooth surface concave reflector of a signal lamp unit. The optical instrument includes a cylindrical metallic base member for insertion into the electrical socket of a light bulb. A translucent sighting target member is carried by the base member and includes a reticle for focusing in a distant image whereby the filament of a light bulb will be located at the focal point of the concave reflector for maximizing the illuminative efficiency of the signal lamp unit.

Abstract: A method of locating the filament of a light bulb at the focal point of a parabolic reflector comprising the steps of placing an optical instrument into the electrical socket for the light bulb, positioning the electrical socket and optical instrument until a reticle of the optical instrument is situated at the focal point of the parabolic reflector, and replacing the optical instrument by a light bulb.

Abstract: A folding sighting device to define and then to relocate the point where the user is placed, said device allowing the user to simultaneously identify linearly opposite reference points to establish a first reference line, and to subsequently fix and record linearly opposite reference points to establish a second reference line which intersects the first reference line. The sighting device or site relocator has an elongated base member with coordinating sighting elements at the opposite ends so that an eye sighting can be made to identify a reference point at a distance from the user. The sighting device or site relocator likewise has a foldable and pivotable sighting member which is likewise elongated and having at least one planar surface towards the user. A mirror with an index line is mounted to the top of the sighting member so when unfolded a reference point is visualized in the mirror simultaneously as with the alignment of the reference point by the coordinated sighting elements on the base member.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a reference line for surveying, pipelaying and related purposes includes a laser source, means for automatically leveling the beam from the laser source, regardless of the orientation of the entire instrument, and means for deflecting the leveled beam to a desired angle relative to horizontal, also regardless of the orientation of the entire instrument.

Abstract: A device to provide a ship's navigator with information day and night, as to the altitude of celestial bodies on a CRT display with digital display of the altitude and time on the CRT and/or LED read-out.