Theodolite with a disengageable adjustment mechanism
AssigneeTrimble Navigation Limited
InventorsMichael Beckingham, Michael C. Detro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A theodolite that includes a stand, a telescope, a friction gear and a worm gear. The telescope is pivotally secured to the stand. The clutch plate is secured to the telescope for at least limited rotational movement upon pivoting of the telescope. The friction gear is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate. The worm gear is mounted to the stand and is in constant mesh with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear. A device engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a frictional force. The frictional force is adjustable to allow for adjustment of the telescope separately from the worm gear.
Claims14
A theodolite which includes:
- a stand;
- a telescope which is secured for movement to the stand;
- a gear assembly that can move the telescope relatively to the stand;
- and
- a clutch plate that can couple and de-couple the gear assembly to and from the telescope.
A theodolite which includes:
- a stand;
- a telescope which is secured to the stand for at least limited rotational movement;
- a clutch plate which is secured for at least limited rotational movement upon rotation of the telescope;
- a friction gear which is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate;
- a worm gear which is mounted to the stand and meshes with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear;
- and
- a device which engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a variable amount of frictional force.
A theodolite which includes:
- a stand;
- a telescope which is secured to the stand for at least limited rotational movement;
- a friction gear which is secured for at least limited rotational movement upon rotation of the telescope;
- a clutch plate which is secured to the stand;
- a worm gear which is mounted to the telescope and meshes with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear;
- and
- a device which engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a variable amount of frictional force.
A method of operating a telescope which includes the step of:
- varying a frictional force which couples the telescope with a geared adjuster for the telescope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.