Mounting system for optical controls

Claim 1

Standardized housing and mounting means for photoelectric control systems using any one of through-beam, proximity and reflex scanning modes and containing at least one of a light-emitter and a light detector component: (a) an outer housing of generally rectangular configuration on the exterior thereof and provided on the interior with retainer socket means having two opposed and spaced apart partial spherical engagement surfaces to define a partial ball socket, said outer housing also including cavity means therein for containment of electrical circuitry and further including a front opening therein to accommodate the passage of photoelectric light beams into and out of the interior of said housing, (b) spherical mounting means comprising at least a partial spherical member received in said partial ball socket and having sufficient spherical surface to coact with said partial ball socket in said outer housing to enable said partial spherical member to swivel a predetermined amount, said partial spherical member also having a generally flat planar front lens engaging surface registering with said housing opening, said lens engaging surface being inside said housing such that a portion of said spherical engagement surfaces are engageable by lens means, said spherical mounting means having cavity opening means to said lens engaging surface for receiving said at least one of a light emitter and a light detector component, (c) lens means engageable with said lens engaging surface and also engageable with said spherical engagement surfaces inside said housing and alignable with said cavity opening means, (d) detachable securing means for holding said partial spherical member firmly in place within said retainer socket means; and (e) said partial spherical member being comprised of a pair of mating, at least partial half-sphere members of which each may be provided with cavity opening means.