# US 6,724,471 B2 · Arrangement for the vertical orientation of a geodetic instrument

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- Number: US 6,724,471 B2
- Document ID: US6724471B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/947,999
- Filed: 2001-09-06
- Published: 2002-03-28
- Granted: 2004-04-20
- Earliest claimed: 2000-09-07
- Assignees: ZSP Geodaetische Systems GmbH
- Inventors: Wieland Feist; Wolfgang Hahn; Lawrence Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6724471B2

## CPC

- G01C 15/105: {Optical plumbing}
- 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)

## Abstract

An arrangement for the vertical orientation of a geodetic instrument over a ground point, comprises an optical observation device for visual sighting of the ground point with a target beam, a laser device for generating a laser beam, and an optical in-coupling element by which the laser beam and the target beam can be coupled into a target axis impinging vertically on the target point. In this way, an exact orientation of the geodetic instrument can be achieved under all light conditions. The geodetic instrument retains its compact dimensions. In addition, a laser in a lower hazard class can be used.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An arrangement for the vertical orientation of a geodetic instrument over a ground point, comprising:
an optical observation device for visual sighting of the ground point by a target beam;
a laser device for generating a laser beam; and
an optical in-coupling element by which the laser beam and the target beam can be coupled into an optical target axis impinging vertically on the ground point.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the optical in-coupling element is switchable between a first position in which the target beam is coupled into the target axis and a second position in which the laser beam is coupled into the target axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the in-coupling element is a prism which has a first reflection surface for coupling the target beam into the target axis and a second reflection surface for coupling the laser beam into the target axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the observation device and the laser device are arranged together in a sleeve with the prism disposed therebetween, wherein the sleeve is movable along its longitudinal axis and is oriented in a definite manner relative to the target axis in two end positions of its adjustment path.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the target beam and the laser beam are oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and the target axis takes on a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the in-coupling element is a mirror which is swivelable about an axis of rotation and which couples either the target beam or the laser beam into the target axis at a first adjustment angle and directs the other respective beam into the target axis at a second adjustment angle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the in-coupling element is an optical deflecting device which is oriented so as to be stationary with respect to the geodetic instrument and has an optically selective coating, wherein the coating either transmits daylight in the visible range which impinges at an oblique incident angle, but reflects laser light impinging at this incident angle, or reflects light in the visible range which impinges at an oblique incident angle, but transmits incident laser light.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the target beam and the target axis are arranged orthogonal to one another.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the laser beam and the target axis are arranged orthogonal to one another.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a reticle mark to be oriented to the ground point is arranged in the target beam.