Apparatus and method for providing multiple reference laser beams
US4770480A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C15/004
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for projecting a laser beam to provide multiple reference beams includes a beam diverting assembly rotatably mounted at an end of a housing from which emerges a laser beam generated within the housing, and a pentaprism assembly disposed stationarily at the housing end outwardly of the beam diverting assembly. The beam diverting assembly receives the laser beam and splits it into orthogonally-disposed transmitted and reflected beam components. Rotation of the beam diverting assembly about the axis of the transmitted beam component causes rotation of the reflected beam component to define a reference plane. The pentaprism assembly receives the transmitted beam component from the diverting assembly and deflects it to define a stationary reference line disposed in a generally parallel spaced relationship to the reference plane defined by the rotating reflected beam component. Also, an end cap mounts the pentaprism assembly at the housing end and a sighting telescope outwardly of and adjacent to the pentaprism assembly for facilitating alignment of the reference line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.