Patent US4706773A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4706773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle guidance system particularly for use in agriculture
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1986-01-30
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for guiding a vehicle along a pre-determined rectilinear path which comprises a vehicle having a laser fixed thereon so as to direct a laser beam along the direction of motion of the vehicle towards a target carrying beam reversing means positioned on the vehicle path so as to direct the beam back to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy F. Reinaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B69/00; A01B69/001; G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0238; G05D1/024; G05D1/0242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for guiding a vehicle along a predetermined rectilinear path on a substantially horizontal plane, which system comprises a vehicle having a laser fixed thereon so as to direct a laser beam along the direction of motion of the vehicle towards a target, beam reversing means comprising an array of corner cubes carried by said target and positioned on the vehicle path so as to direct the beam back to the vehicle, and means for spreading the laser beam substantially solely transverse to said plane, said spreading means being coupled to said vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for guiding a vehicle along a predetermined rectilinear path on a substantially horizontal plane, which system comprises a vehicle having a laser fixed thereon so as to direct a laser beam along the direction of motion of the vehicle towards a target, beam reversing means comprising an array of corner cubes carried by said target and positioned on the vehicle path so as to direct the beam back to the vehicle, and means for spreading the laser beam substantially solely transverse to said plane, said spreading means being coupled to said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein electronic detection means mounted on the vehicle for sensing the returning beam is provided and the electronic detection means is coupled to means controlling the direction of motion of the vehicle so that the vehicle may be steered automatically towards the target.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the vehicle is an agricultural tractor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for guiding a vehicle along a predetermined rectilinear path which comprises a vehicle having a laser fixed thereon so as to direct a laser beam along the direction of motion of the vehicle towards a target, beam reversing means comprising an array of corner cubes carried by said target and positioned on the vehicle path so as to direct the beam back to the vehicle and means for spreading the laser beam comprising a rotating reflection device, said spreading means being mounted on said vehicle and spreading said beam from 1-10 degrees in a substantially vertical plane, and further including receiving means, mounted on said vehicle, for receiving the beam reversed by said beam reversing means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for guiding a vehicle along a predetermined rectilinear path which comprises a vehicle having a laser fixed thereon so as to direct a laser beam along the direction of motion of the vehicle towards a target, beam reversing means comprising an array of corner cubes carried by said target and positioned on the vehicle path so as to direct the beam back to the vehicle and means for spreading the laser beam comprising a rotating reflection device, said spreading means being mounted on said vehicle and spreading said beam from 1-10 degrees in a substantially vertical plane, and further including receiving means, mounted on said vehicle, for receiving the beam reversed by said beam reversing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotating reflection device is a mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotating reflection device is a prism.
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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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |