Ed West

US Patent:

20030106226, Jun 12, 2003

Filed:

Oct 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/279754

Inventors:

Christopher Tacklind - Palo Alto CA, US
Aragon Burlingham - Burlingame CA, US
Daniel Adams - Menlo Park CA, US
Mark Diel - Palo Alto CA, US
Zinovy Dolgonosov - San Francisco CA, US
Brian Lamb - Menlo Park CA, US
Jean-Pierre Krauer - San Jose CA, US
Helen Shaughnessy - Menlo Park CA, US
Ed West - Half Moon Bay CA, US
Leung Fai - Fanling, HK
Derek Tong Kai Chun - Kowloon, HK
Yung Lam - Kowloon, HK
Fong Ming - Yuen Long, HK
Kwan Shan - Laguna City, HK
Chan Keung - Kowloon, HK
Lam Cheung - Kowloon Bay, HK

International Classification:

G01C015/00

US Classification:

033/286000

Abstract:

An alignment device provides one or more references, such as laser lines and planes in horizontal and vertical orientations. One version of the alignment device includes an optics mounting assembly situated in a pivot socket on a frame to provide an output beam. A spring system and one or more alignment assemblies align and secure the optics mounting assembly in the socket. As a result, the output beam has a desired orientation with respect to true level. The spring system holds the optics mounting assembly in communication with the alignment assemblies to reduce system backlash. One implementation of the pivot socket has a surface in the form of a sphere's interior surface. A set of support members on the optics mounting assembly rest on the pivot socket's spherical surface—causing the output reference beam to extend from the center of a sphere including the socket's spherical surface. This reduces the translation of the output reference beam's origin when the optics mounting assembly pivots in the socket.