Ball and socket mount for optical sensing system source and/or detector devices

Abstract

A ball and socket mount (13) for supporting the housing (11) of a light source and/or detector device is disclosed. The ball and socket mount (13) includes: a ball (23) affixed to one end of the housing (11); and, a socket formed by a collar that surrounds the ball. The collar comprises two identical U-shaped pieces (31a and 31b). When joined, the two collar pieces (31a and 31b) define an aperture having a spherical inner surface that mates with the spherical outer surface of the ball (23). The ball (23) includes a circumferential groove (29) oriented so as to be surrounded by the collar. A pair of mounting bolts (39) pass through the aligned holes in the collar pieces and the groove. The width of the groove (29) is substantially greater than the diameter of the bolts (39). As a result, the ball (23) and, thus, the photoelectric device is alignable in three dimensions when the bolts are loose. Specifically, the groove ( 29) allows rotation through 360.degree. in one plane and the size difference between the groove (29) width and the bolt diameter allows angular rocking motion or canting in two other planes orthogonal to one another and both orthogonal to the plane of rotation. When the desired (optically aligned position is reached, the bolts (39) are tightened to lock the housing in position. The ball includes a threaded central aperture for attachment to the end of an electrical conduit and the distance between the pair of mounting bolts is that required by industry standards.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.