Universal sphere mount

A mount for a spherically mounted retro-reflector having a radius and an apex of the spherically mounted retro-reflector aligned with the absolute center of the spherically mounted retro-reflector and an aperture in surface of the spherically mounted retro-reflector, said mount configured to receive the spherically mounted retro-reflector, said mount comprising:

• a conical nest receiving the spherically mounted retro-reflector;
• a body beneath said nest, said body having a top surrounding said nest and an outer diameter, said top having a diameter less than said outer diameter;
• a base beneath said body, generally round having a bottom, and an outer diameter, said base, said body, and said nest being coaxial;
• wherein said body locates beneath the spherically mounted retro-reflector and has a configuration to permit the spherically mounted retro-reflector to orient upon said conical nest and said body to a maximum negative acceptance angle delimited by said conical nest and the spherically mounted retro-reflector;
• wherein said body has a further configuration of the spherically mounted retro-reflector attaining its maximum negative acceptance angle at any angle of rotation around the circumference of said body;
• wherein said mount has a further configuration that permits unimpeded light acceptance to the spherically mounted retro-reflector at any negative angle up to and including its maximum negative acceptance angle;
• and,
• said mount positioning the spherically mounted retro-reflector within 0.0005 inch of a centerline of said mount and within 0.0005 inch vertically.

A mount for a spherically mounted retro-reflector having a radius and an apex of the spherically mounted retro-reflector aligned with the absolute center of the spherically mounted retro-reflector and an aperture in surface of the spherically mounted retro-reflector, said mount configured to receive the spherically mounted retro-reflector, said mount comprising:

• a base generally round and having a bottom surface and an outer diameter;
• a body centered upon said base and generally opposite said bottom, said body having a top generally opposite said base and a circumference, said top having a diameter less than said base;
• a conical nest formed in said body opposite said base and within said top, said nest receiving the spherically mounted retro-reflector;
• said conical nest having at least three equally spaced contact points and at least three clearance areas alternating with said contact points about the circumference of said body, said contact points defining an included angle of said conical nest about the circumference of said body and each of said clearance areas extending outwardly and below each of said contact points;
• said body extending upwardly from said base and having a lesser diameter than said base forming a groove parallel to said base, said body having a diameter similar to that of said base above said groove, then said body having a beveled surface upon its circumference extending upwardly and inwardly to said top;
• wherein said body locates beneath the spherically mounted retro-reflector and has a configuration to permit the spherically mounted retro-reflector to orient upon said conical nest and said body to a maximum negative acceptance angle delimited by said conical nest and the spherically mounted retro-reflector;
• said beveled surface cooperating with said nest wherein said spherically mounted retro-reflector reaches its maximum negative acceptance angle at any rotation upon the circumference of said body;
• wherein said mount has a further configuration that permits unimpeded light acceptance to the spherically mounted retro-reflector at any negative angle including its maximum negative acceptance angle;
• and,
• said mount positioning the spherically mounted retro-reflector within 0.0005 inch of a centerline of said mount and within 0.0005 inch vertically.