# US 5,708,748 A · Target device for a laser

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,708,748 A
- Document ID: US5708748A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/592,384
- Filed: 1996-02-01
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1994-07-02
- Assignees: Topcon Corporation
- Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo; Kunihiro Hayashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5708748A

## CPC

- G02B 5/0236: {the diffusion taking place within the volume of the element}
- G01C 15/02: Means for marking measuring points
- G02B 5/0257: {creating an anisotropic diffusion characteristic, i.e. distributing output differently in two perpendicular axes}
- G02B 5/0278: {used in transmission}
- G02B 6/3628: {for mounting fibres to supporting carriers (G02B6/3608, G02B6/3616 take precedence)}
- Y10S 385/901: Illuminating or display apparatus
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a target device for laser and particularly aims at providing a target device for laser provided with a plurality of fiber members, using at least one face as a diffusing surface and thereby capable of improving visibility at a light place. In the present invention, a diffusing member transmits and diffuses visible light, a transmitting plate transmits the visible light, and an optical member is formed on at least one face side of the transmitting plate, the optical member comprising a plurality of fiber members which are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are approximately parallel to each other. Consequently, the passing position of light can be represented on a diffusing plate, and the light which has passed through the target device is influenced by diffusion and becomes no longer glaring, whereby the visibility can be improved even at a light place.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A target device for a beam of laser light having an axis of propagation, comprising a row of substantially parallel elongated optical members, each optical member having an axis of elongation and an outer surface shaped to refract light in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of elongation, and the axis of elongation being transverse to the axis of propagation of the beam of laser light, whereby the beam of laser light, on passing through one or more optical members, is expanded in a direction generally perpendicular to both the axis of elongation and the axis of propagation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, further comprising a planar transparent member for transmitting visible light positioned on at least one side of the row of optical members.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, further comprising two parallel transparent plates for transmitting visible light with the row of optical members positioned between the two plates.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The target device of claim 3, further comprising a diffusing sheet between the two transparent plates.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, further comprising a transparent plate for transmitting visible light having a first refractive index, and the row of optical members being molded within the transparent plate and having a second refractive index different than the first refractive index.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The target device of claim 5, in which the first refractive index is greater than the second refractive index.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2, 3)

The target device of claims 2, 3, or 5, further comprising a planar diffusing member on at least one face of the transparent plate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, in which the optical members are cylindrical lenses.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, in which the optical members are columnar lenses of non-circular cross-section.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, in which the optical members are part of an optical fiber sheet.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, further comprising a planar diffusing member for diffusing visible light positioned on at least one side of the row of optical members.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, further comprising a reflecting mirror positioned on the side of the row of optical members opposite the side on which the beam of laser light is incident on the optical members.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The target device of claim 1, in which the optical members are optical fibers.