US3765766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerial survey
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-30
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Target positioning apparatus for use in aerial surveying has a viewing device and a laser alignment device for respectively approximately and accurately positioning a helicopter above a predetermined point on a terrain, and a height measuring device and horizontal distance measuring equipment which are automatically operated by the laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Connell F Mc
- 👤 G Jason
- 👤 N Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C15/00; G01C15/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Target positioning apparatus for use in aerial surveying comprising a helicopter, means mounted on said helicopter enabling the pilot thereof to view the terrain beneath the helicopter when it is airborne, and laser alignment means for indicating when said helicopter is positioned vertically over a point on the terrain whose location it is desired to fix by survey, said laser alignment means including a laser capable of projecting a laser beam directed vertically between said helicopter and said point, a laser detector for detecting the laser beam, one of said laser and said laser detector being mounted on said helicopter, means for indicating to the pilot when the laser beam is aligned with said laser detector, and a distance measuring apparatus associated with said helicopter capable of determining the distance between the helicopter and said point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Target positioning apparatus for use in aerial surveying comprising a helicopter, means mounted on said helicopter enabling the pilot thereof to view the terrain beneath the helicopter when it is airborne, and laser alignment means for indicating when said helicopter is positioned vertically over a point on the terrain whose location it is desired to fix by survey, said laser alignment means including a laser capable of projecting a laser beam directed vertically between said helicopter and said point, a laser detector for detecting the laser beam, one of said laser and said laser detector being mounted on said helicopter, means for indicating to the pilot when the laser beam is aligned with said laser detector, and a distance measuring apparatus associated with said helicopter capable of determining the distance between the helicopter and said point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Target positioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser detector is mounted on said helicopter, and further comprising electric circuit means connected to said laser detector for providing an output signal in response to alignment of the laser beam with said laser detector, said distance measuring apparatus comprising horizontal distance measuring apparatus operable in response to the output signal of said electric circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
Target positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said laser detector comprises first and second laser sensing cell means responsive to said laser beam for providing first and second signals, respectively, controlling said electric circuit means, said electric circuit means including means for initiating and discontinuing operation of said distance measuring device in response to said first and second signals, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
Target positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser detector is mounted on said helicopter, and further comprising electric circuit means connected to said laser detector for providing an output signal in response to alignment of the laser beam with said laser detector, said distance measuring device comprising a height measuring device operable in response To said output signal for measuring the distance of said helicopter above said point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
Target positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said laser detector comprises first and second laser sensing cell means responsive to said laser beam for providing first and second signals, respectively, controlling said electric circuit means, said electric circuit means including means for initiating and discontinuing operation of said distance measuring device in response to said first and second signals, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Target positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said distance measuring aparatus comprises a height measuring device for measuring the distance of said helicopter above said point.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of surveying the location of a predetermined point on a terrain, which comprises the steps of viewing the terrain below the helicopter and to facilitate manoeuvering of the helicopter into a position generally above said point, projecting a laser beam vertically between said helicopter and said point, positioning said helicopter accurately over said point by reference to said laser beam, and taking survey measurements while said helicopter is accurately positioned over said point.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of surveying the location of a predetermined point on a terrain, which comprises the steps of viewing the terrain below the helicopter and to facilitate manoeuvering of the helicopter into a position generally above said point, projecting a laser beam vertically between said helicopter and said point, positioning said helicopter accurately over said point by reference to said laser beam, and taking survey measurements while said helicopter is accurately positioned over said point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said laser beam is projected vertically downward from said helicopter, and said helicopter is positioned accurately over said point by observation of the location of said beam relative to said point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 7, which includes initiating the operation of distance measuring equipment associated with said helicopter in response to a signal generated by a laser detector on said helicopter indicating that the helicopter is accurately positioned over said point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, which includes subsequently discontinuing operation of the distance measuring equipment by using said laser detector to sense when said helicopter has moved from over said point.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |