Fine position adjustment for optical receiver or other sensor

Details Fine position adjustment for optical receiver or other sensor Fine position adjustment for optical receiver or other sensor

2000-01-18

2001-09-04

King, Anita (Department: 3632)

Supports

Stand and bracket

Having adjustable bracket

C248S406100, C248S423000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06283420

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to mechanical positioning devices, and more particularly to a device capable of providing a fine (vertical) position adjustment for an optical receiver used to detect a laser beam in, for example, a laser grading system, laser screed, or any other laser guided piece of equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The operating height of surface finishing equipment such as graders or screeds is increasingly being controlled by lasers or other optical systems. Typically, a remotely-located optical transmitter such as a laser focuses a beam of optical energy towards an optical receiver mounted atop a piece of finishing equipment. The optical receiver is usually clamped to a support pole extending from the finishing equipment. During set-up, the optical receiver is moved (e.g., raised or lowered) for optimum signal reception. To do this, an operator un-clamps the optical receiver from its support pole, slides the clamp on the support pole, re-clamps the optical receiver at a new position on the support pole, and tests the optical system to see if such re-positioning achieves optimum signal reception. However, this trial-and-error method is time consuming. It is also difficult for the operator to achieve fine position adjustments in this manner. Further, continuous handling of the (delicate) optical receiver increases the risk of damage thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fine position adjustment mechanism for an optical receiver or other sensor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fine position adjustment mechanism for an optical receiver or other sensor that minimizes handling of the receiver or sensor.
In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable support for a sensor has a first support defining a first end and a second end. A first clamp is fixedly coupled to the first support between the first and second end thereof. The first clamp has an adjustable coupling for selective fixation to a support platform. A second support is adjustably coupled to the first support. Specifically, means are fixedly coupled to the first and second end of the first support to support the second support therebetween, facilitating selective movement of the second support relative to the first support in one dimension, and facilitating fixation of the second support relative to the first support after the selective movement. A second clamp is adjustably coupled to the second support so that a sensor fixedly coupled to the second clamp can be moved relative to the second support and fixed thereto by the second clamp.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2531925 (1950-11-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 4030691 (1977-06-01), Fleshman
patent: 5556226 (1996-09-01), Hohmann, Jr.
patent: 5648846 (1997-07-01), Douine et al.

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