US3628869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Autocollimator including a retroflector element
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-03-06
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A collimator is disclosed which may be energized by a light source such as a laser and which includes means having a large field of view for expediting the finding of the light reflected from a reflecting surface to be oriented. The collimator includes means having a small field of view for making final adjustments in orienting the reflector, there being no moving parts in or between these two means. A built-in, sturdy reference device is provided which is independent of small errors in adjustment of parts of the collimator.
Inventors
- 👤 Burton R Clay
- 👤 Wilfred A Strickland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/02; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/02; G02B23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A collimator comprising: means for projecting light from a source onto a target reflector to be oriented, said target lying on an axis in the direction of projection of the light from said source to said target reflector; first reflecting means located along said axis and between said source and said target for reflecting from one side of said first reflecting means a portion of the light from said source at a given angle with respect to said axis; a retroreflector positioned at one side of said first reflecting means and said axis to return that portion of light from said source reflected by said first reflecting means along a path coincident with the arrival path thereof at said retroreflector; a first viewing means, positioned at the opposite side of said first reflecting means and said axis and responsive to said portion of light returned from said retroreflector and to a portion of light reflected by the other side of said first reflecting means; a second reflecting means located along said axis between said first reflecting means and said target and positioned at predetermined acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target; and a second viewing means, positioned at one side of said second reflecting means and said axis, said second viewing means being responsive to said portion of light reflected by said second reflecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A collimator comprising: means for projecting light from a source onto a target reflector to be oriented, said target lying on an axis in the direction of projection of the light from said source to said target reflector; first reflecting means located along said axis and between said source and said target for reflecting from one side of said first reflecting means a portion of the light from said source at a given angle with respect to said axis; a retroreflector positioned at one side of said first reflecting means and said axis to return that portion of light from said source reflected by said first reflecting means along a path coincident with the arrival path thereof at said retroreflector; a first viewing means, positioned at the opposite side of said first reflecting means and said axis and responsive to said portion of light returned from said retroreflector and to a portion of light reflected by the other side of said first reflecting means; a second reflecting means located along said axis between said first reflecting means and said target and positioned at predetermined acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target; and a second viewing means, positioned at one side of said second reflecting means and said axis, said second viewing means being responsive to said portion of light reflected by said second reflecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The collimator according to claim 1 wherein said first and second reflecting means comprise first and second semimirrors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The collimator according to claim 2 wherein said retroreflector comprises a lens system and a mirror, The portion of light from said source reflected by said first semimirror impinging on said lens system first and said mirror second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
288 words
A collimator for positioning a target reflector with respect to an axis along the direction of the projection of light from a source to said target comprising: a converging lens system positioned along said axis between said source and said target; an aperture at the focus of said converging lens system; a first semimirror located along the axis and positioned at an acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light from said source impinging on one side thereof and for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target impinging on the other side thereof; a retroreflector positioned at one side of said first semimirror and said axis to return that portion of light from said source reflected from said one side of said semimirror along a path coincident with the arrival path thereof at said retroreflector; a first viewing means, having a certain field of view, positioned at the opposite side of said first semimirror and said axis and responsive to said portion of light returned from said retroreflector and to said portion of light reflected by said other side of said semimirror; a diverging lens system positioned along said axis between said first semimirror and said target; a second semimirror located along said axis between said diverging lens system and said target and positioned at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target; and a second viewing means, having a field of view larger than said certain field of view positioned at one side of said second semimirror and said axis, said second viewing means being responsive to said portion of light reflected by said second semimirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
288 words
A collimator for positioning a target reflector with respect to an axis along the direction of the projection of light from a source to said target comprising: a converging lens system positioned along said axis between said source and said target; an aperture at the focus of said converging lens system; a first semimirror located along the axis and positioned at an acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light from said source impinging on one side thereof and for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target impinging on the other side thereof; a retroreflector positioned at one side of said first semimirror and said axis to return that portion of light from said source reflected from said one side of said semimirror along a path coincident with the arrival path thereof at said retroreflector; a first viewing means, having a certain field of view, positioned at the opposite side of said first semimirror and said axis and responsive to said portion of light returned from said retroreflector and to said portion of light reflected by said other side of said semimirror; a diverging lens system positioned along said axis between said first semimirror and said target; a second semimirror located along said axis between said diverging lens system and said target and positioned at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said axis for reflecting a portion of the light returning from said target; and a second viewing means, having a field of view larger than said certain field of view positioned at one side of said second semimirror and said axis, said second viewing means being responsive to said portion of light reflected by said second semimirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The collimator according to claim 4 wherein said retroreflector comprises a lens system and a mirror, the portion of light from said source reflected by said first semimirror impinging first on said lens system and then said mirror.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |