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US RE37,318 E1Granted
Tribrach device
AssigneeSite Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorSonny J. Porter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved tribrach device for attaching an optical sighting instrument to a support such as a tripod. The tribrach device includes a pivotable locking ring for securing the legs of the sighting instrument to the tribrach. The locking ring is biased towards its locked position and is easily unlocked when desired. A laser beam is projected upwardly and downwardly along a vertical axis.
Claims22
A tribrach device comprising:
- (a) an upper body member including a plurality of apertures extending vertically therethrough;
- and wherein said upper body member also includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (b) a lower body member attached to said upper body member;
- wherein said lower body member includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (c) a locking ring disposed between said upper and lower body members;
- wherein said locking ring includes a plurality of outwardly-extending lugs corresponding to the number and position of said apertures;
- wherein said locking ring is pivotable in a manner such that said lugs move between a locking position and a retracted position;
- wherein when said locking ring moves toward said retracted position said lugs move away from said apertures, and when said locking ring moves toward said locking position said lugs move toward said apertures;
- and further including biasing means for biasing said locking ring toward said locking position;
- and
- (d) a laser beam generator between said upper and lower body members for generating a visible light beam;
- and further including means for directing said light beam upwardly and downwardly along a vertical axis through said light beam openings in said upper body member and said lower body member.
9 more elements
A combination comprising:
- (a) an optical sighting instrument having downwardly extending legs;
- (b) a tribrach device comprising:
- (i) an upper body member including a plurality of apertures extending vertically therethrough;
- and wherein said upper body member also includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (ii) a lower body member attached to said upper body member;
- wherein said lower body member includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (iii) a locking ring disposed between said upper and lower body members;
- wherein said locking ring includes a plurality of outwardly-extending lugs corresponding to the number and position of said apertures;
- wherein said locking ring is pivotable in a manner such that said lugs move between a locking position and a retracted position;
- wherein when said locking ring moves toward said retracted position said lugs move away from said apertures, and when said locking ring moves toward said locking position said lugs move toward said apertures and further including biasing means for biasing said locking ring toward said locking position;
- and
- (iv) a laser beam generator between said upper and lower body members for generating a visible light beam;
- and further including means for directing said light beam upwardly and downwardly along a vertical axis through said light beam openings in said upper body member and said lower body member;
- wherein said legs of said instrument are received in said apertures and are secured by said lugs on said locking ring.
11 more elements
A tribrach device comprising:
- (a) an upper body member including a plurality of apertures extending vertically therethrough;
- and wherein said upper body member also includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (b) a lower body member attached to said upper body member;
- wherein said lower body member includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (c) a locking ring disposed between said upper and lower body members;
- wherein said locking ring includes a plurality of outwardly-extending lugs corresponding to the number and position of said apertures;
- wherein said locking ring is pivotable in a manner such that said lugs move between a locking position and a retracted position;
- wherein when said locking ring moves toward said retracted position said lugs move away from said apertures, and when said locking ring moves toward said locking position said lugs move toward said apertures;
- and further including biasing means for biasing said locking ring toward said locking position.
6 more elements
A tribrach device comprising:
- (a) an upper body member including a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (b) a lower body member attached to said upper body member;
- wherein said lower body member includes a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (c) a laser beam generator between said upper and lower body members for generating a visible light beam;
- and further including means for directing said light beam upwardly and downwardly along a vertical axis through said light beam openings in said upper and lower body members.
2 more elements
A tribrach device comprising:
- (a) an upper body member including a light beam opening extending vertically therethrough;
- (b) a lower body member attached to said upper body member;
- wherein said lower body member includes a light beam opening and a plurality of bolt openings extending vertically therethrough;
- wherein said lower body member is attached to said upper body member by means of a plurality of threaded bolts extending through said bolt openings;
- wherein each said bolt includes a ball-shaped end which is received in one of said bolt openings.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.