← Back to Patent Explorer
US4208097A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Reflecting target for electronic distance measuring

Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
•
Filing: 1978-09-18
•
Granted: 1980-06-17
•
Expires: 1998-09-18
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A target is disclosed for intended use with light-emitting, including laser-emitting, electronic distance measuring equipment. The target includes a body having a substantially spherical surface to which a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements are fixed. A plurality of guard pegs are interspaced between the reflective elements and extend outward from the surface of the body substantially beyond the outer surface of the reflective elements for protecting the reflecting surfaces from abrasion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Phillip Yorgensen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 14:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01C; G01C15/00; G01C15/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 73 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising, a body having a generally spherical surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the said body, and a plurality of discrete guard means interspaced between the said reflective elements and extending outward from the spherical surface of the body beyond the said reflective elements for protecting the reflective element surfaces from abrasion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 73 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising, a body having a generally spherical surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the said body, and a plurality of discrete guard means interspaced between the said reflective elements and extending outward from the spherical surface of the body beyond the said reflective elements for protecting the reflective element surfaces from abrasion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The target of claim 1 further comprising attachment means for attaching a line or rod to the body of the target to therewith manipulate the target.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the plurality of reflective elements cover a major portion of the surface of the target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the plurality of reflective elements each further comprise an adhesive backing layer fixing the element to the body of the target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the guard means comprises a plurality of hard yet resilient pegs extending radially outward substantially beyond the outermost surface of the reflective elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 35 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the guard means comprises a plurality of elastomeric rings, one encompassing the periphery of each reflective element and extending outward substantially beyond the outermost surface of the reflective element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 10 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the body is spherical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 10 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the body is bulbous.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the body is constructed of foamed plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The target of claim 1 wherein the body is hollow and constructed of a light weight metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 107 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising a lightweight shock resistant body having a substantially spherical surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the body, the elements covering a major portion of the surface, a plurality of hard yet resilient guard pegs interspaced between the reflective elements and extending radially outward from the surface of the body substantially beyond the outermost surface of the reflective elements for protecting the reflecting elements from abrasion, and attachment means for attaching a line or rod to the body of the target to therewith manipulate the target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 107 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising a lightweight shock resistant body having a substantially spherical surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the body, the elements covering a major portion of the surface, a plurality of hard yet resilient guard pegs interspaced between the reflective elements and extending radially outward from the surface of the body substantially beyond the outermost surface of the reflective elements for protecting the reflecting elements from abrasion, and attachment means for attaching a line or rod to the body of the target to therewith manipulate the target.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 115 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising: a lightweight shock resistant body having a substantially pear-shaped surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the body so as to exhibit superior reflecting characteristics over a preferred vertical angular range, a plurality of elastomeric rings, one encompassing each of the reflective elements and extending outward substantially beyond the outermost surface of each reflective element to protect the reflective element from abrasion, and attachment means fixed to each end of the body coincident with a major axis of rotation of the body for attaching a line or rod thereto and therewith manipulate the target.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 115 words
A target for use with a light-emitting electronic distance measuring apparatus, the target comprising: a lightweight shock resistant body having a substantially pear-shaped surface, a plurality of discrete multi-faceted return reflective elements fixed to the surface of the body so as to exhibit superior reflecting characteristics over a preferred vertical angular range, a plurality of elastomeric rings, one encompassing each of the reflective elements and extending outward substantially beyond the outermost surface of each reflective element to protect the reflective element from abrasion, and attachment means fixed to each end of the body coincident with a major axis of rotation of the body for attaching a line or rod thereto and therewith manipulate the target.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2646638A Cited
US2866971A Cited
US3192529A Cited
US3274888A Cited
US3252376A Cited
US3573954A Cited
US3781111A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-06-17 1983-12-17 1984-06-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-06-17 1987-12-17 1988-06-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-06-17 1991-12-17 1992-06-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag