US3771876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Producing a plane or conical optical reference surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-17
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1991-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing a plane or conical optical reference surface by deflection of a primary light beam provided by a light source, with a beam being deflected by a rotatable light deflecting means. The light source is suspended as a pendulum and directs the light beam in a vertical direction towards the light deflecting means. The deflected light beam exists through a conical cylindrical prism if redeflection to produce a conical reference surface is desired. The light source is suspended by a flexible means comprising at least two members which are respectively flexible in directions perpendicular to each other, thereby permitting the pendulating of the light source means in any direction and providing also for the energization of the light source through the flexible means which may be electrically conductive. A method of initially aligning the primary light beam with the vertical axis is also shown, where a free liquid surface such as mercury is used to retroreflect the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 E Ljungdahl
- 👤 L Ekstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C15/00; G01C15/002; G01C15/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for producing an optical reference surface by deflection of a primary light beam, said apparatus comprising a rotatable light deflecting means, a light source means for producing said primary light beam, flexible means for suspending said light source means as a pendulum directing said light beam towards said light deflecting means substantially vertically in the position of rest of said pendulum, and said flexible means comprising at least two members which are respectively flexible in a perpendicular relationship to one another for pendulating said light source means sideways in any direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for producing an optical reference surface by deflection of a primary light beam, said apparatus comprising a rotatable light deflecting means, a light source means for producing said primary light beam, flexible means for suspending said light source means as a pendulum directing said light beam towards said light deflecting means substantially vertically in the position of rest of said pendulum, and said flexible means comprising at least two members which are respectively flexible in a perpendicular relationship to one another for pendulating said light source means sideways in any direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 incorporating an electrically powered light source means and in which said flexible means are electrically conductive for serving as electric lead-in lines for said light source means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 in which each of said members comprises a thin leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 in which said light deflecting means is a 90* reflecting prism rotatable on an axis in substantial alignment with said pendulum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to claim 4 in which said pendulum is mounted in a casing and said prism is supported by said casing separately from said pendulum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, in which said pendulum is mounted in a casing, and magnetic means are provided in said casing for damping the oscillations of said pendulum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 in which said pendulum is mounted in a casing, and electromagnet means mounted in said casing deflects said pendulum from the vertical line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, in which said pendulum is mounted in a tubular external casing and a conically cylindrical prism is mounted on said casing about said rotatable prism for deflecting said light beam from the substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for producing an optical reference surface by deflection of a primary light beam, said apparatus comprising a rotatable light deflecting means, a light source means for producing said primary light beam, flexible means for suspending said light source means as a pendulum directing said light beam towards said light deflecting means substantially vertically in the position of rest of said pendulum, and said flexible means comprising laterally spaced electriCal conductors pendulating said light source means sideways in any direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for producing an optical reference surface by deflection of a primary light beam, said apparatus comprising a rotatable light deflecting means, a light source means for producing said primary light beam, flexible means for suspending said light source means as a pendulum directing said light beam towards said light deflecting means substantially vertically in the position of rest of said pendulum, and said flexible means comprising laterally spaced electriCal conductors pendulating said light source means sideways in any direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement according to claim 9 in which said flexible means comprise at least two laterally spaced conductors, said conductors being adapted to flex in a perpendicular relationship to one another.
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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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |