US1032986A - Range-finder. - Google Patents

Description

J. S. BOYUM.

RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEBA, 1907. RENEWED MAY 2,1912.

1,032,986. Patented Jul 16, 1912. 5 SHBETSSHBET'1. I;

J. S. BOYUM.

RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED EEB.4, 1907. RENEWED MAY 2,1912.

1,032,986. Patented July 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. S. BOYUM.

RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED mum, 1907. RENEWED MAY 2,1912.

1,032,986. Patented July 16,1912.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

J. S. BOYUM.

RANGE FINDER.

v APPLIOATIQN EILED PEB.4 1907. RENEWED MAY 2, 1912. 1,032,986.

Patented July 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Jar/674507: Z @70j7Z-A513Wl67;

J. S. BOYU M.

RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED EEB.4, 190-7. RENEWED MAY 2, 1912.

1,032,986, Patented July 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

MZZZCLSIS 6J5 (70 fizz L9. .Bgga/fl UNITED STATES]. PATENT OFFICE.

- JOHN s. noYUM, or NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

RANGE-FINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 4; 1907, Serial-N0. 855,680. Renewed May '2, 1912. Serial N0.694',715.

my invention can be* advantageously utili zed that is to find the range of an enemy.

While the instrument may be used either at sea or on land, that form of embodiment thereof hereinafter described. is particularly adapted for use on shipboard.

The instrument is simple in construction and accurate from. v

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, I illustrate in detail one form of embodiment of the ini vention which to enable those skilled in the art to practice said inventionwili be fully set forth in the following description, while the novelty of the invention will be included in l the claims succeeding such description. Y

My invention does not consistin the particular structure illustrated and hereinafter fully described, for I may employ in certain instances devices equivalent in function to those thus illustrated-and described.

Referring to said drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional top plan view of the intermediate portion of the casing of the in strument'andcertain parts associated there with. -Fig. 2 is a. longitudinal vertical section of the' parts shown in the preceding view and looking toward the front- Fig. 3

isa transversasectional view of said casing,

, yoke and saddle connected therewith. Fig.

32 is an elevation on a large scale, with certain parts broken away, of the tape, tape spools-and certairr cooperative devices hereinafter more'particularly described. Fig. 4.-

is a horizontal sectional-top plan view of the end portion of one of the arms or branches of the casing. 'Fig. 4: is a detail view of a reflector mounting hereinafter more particularly described. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the instrument. Fig. 6 is a ragmentary detail of a portion of the casing showing a sight opening therein through which the symbols of the indicating means can be read.

results can be obtained'there- Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the instrument and certain meansassociated therewith for support-mg the same from the human body.

Patented July 16, 1912.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of tensioning means hereinafter more particularly described. Fig; 9 is a diagrammatic viewof several reflectors and images with a portion of' the indicating means, this figure being intended to illustrate the procedure followed in obtaining infinity adjustment. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are similar views of the optical field of the eye-piece and show different results to which allusion will hereinafter be made obtained in securing said'infinity ad- .justment. Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9, and illustrating the modus operandi of the instrument in actual use. Figs. 14 and 15 are views corresponding, substantially to Figs. 10 and 12 and illustrate certain results obtained in range finding. Fig. 16 is a face view of a testing target.

Like characters refer to like throughout the several figures.

It is preferred to inclose certain of the parts operative parts ofthe device in a casing such as that denoted in a general way by 2.

.- This casing is represented as consisting of a central or body portion 3 and oppositely extending branches or arms 4 of substantially duplicate formation. The said body portion 3 and oppositely extending branches or arms 4; may, except at the extreme-outer ends of the branches, be of double tubular orjacketed construction and I may if desired surround the inner section with some suitable heat outer ends of said casing 2 are closed as at 5, and said casing has front openings as 6 (see Fig. 4), through which the light rays can be projected'into the interior of the easmg 2. I e

While I do not restrict myself toany particular way of using the instrument I prefer that it be portable as contra-distinguished to a range-finder, which is fastened to a part of a ship or which is otherwise fixedly mounted. I provide for the support of the devicefrom the body so that, the handler thereof can move about from place to place. on the ship and the article will be so mounted that both the hands of the individual are left wholly free for the manipulation of certain parts. This may be done by means of a yoke as 7 and a saddle as 20 to fit the shoulders of the operator, both hereinsulating medium. The.

inafter more fully described. To the under side of the casing 2 I may rigidly connect in some suitable way the forward portions of the sides of a yoke as 7, the cross or 5 transverse portion of the yoke being equipped with a rearwardly extending arm as 8 carrying a counterweight as 9 which serves to counter-balance in a measure the weight of the casing 2 and certain parts 10 therein, said casing being atone side of the point of support of the instrument, while the weight is at the opposite side of said point. To the exterior of the casing-2 l fasten in some suitable way a handle as 10 5 by which the instrument can be lifted or easily handled and this handle 10 may have near one end an opening as 11, through which the free portion of a cable as 12 extends. I use the word cable in a broad sense to include not only the article so known, but to cover other devices which will serve the same purpose as the part thus commonly known. This statementapplies, of course, to other designations used by me. This cable extends in a downward direction from the handle and through a substantially arcuate passage in the head piece 13 and then upward to the arm 8 and it is rigidly united with said arm. From the head piece 13 there extend downward the divergent bars 14 which are united in some suitable way with the foot piece 15. The .arcuate passage in the head piece 13 is intersected by a lateral aperture in which is movable the brake shoe 16, from which it will be understood that said brake shoe can have a movement transversely of said passage. The shank or body of said brake shoe 16 is supported for vertical sliding movement by the intermediate bar of the three bars 14 and it has connected therewith one leg of a substantially U-shaped spring as 17, the other leg of the spring being connected with a slide or pressure bolt at 18 which extends through the foot piece 15 and which terminates at its lower end in an enlargement 19. The foot piece15 is shaped to fit the bottom of a shoe and the enlargement 19 to which I have referred extends below what isnormally the lowest surface of the foot piece. It will be assumed that the instrument is supported from the body of a user and that the enlargement 19 is against the deck of a ship. On the depression of the foot piece toward the deck the slide or bolt 18 is in effect thrust upward so as to cause the shoe 16 to bite against the cable 12 and thereby applytension to the cable for holding the rear portion thereof in a taut condition. This e0 provides a simple means of reducing the vertical vibration. of the instrument to a minimum.

To support the instrument Tmay employ a saddle as 20 which is approximately of U-form as will be clearly evident upon aninspection of Fig. 5. This saddle'is provided at its rear with a convex portion 21 which is adapted to bear against the neck of the operator. The saddle practically straddles the shoulders and the sides there of may be hollowed out or cut away as at 22 and these cavities 22 provide clearance for the operators collar bones.

The saddle 20 may be operatively associated in any desirable way with the yoke 7 for example, the branches of the saddle near the forward end thereof maybe provided with upwardly extending arms'as 23 terminating in rings or collars as 24: slidable on the branches of said yoke; From t-his'it will be apparent that the saddle can be moved toward and from the'casing 2 so as to adapt the apparatus to persons of'various sizes. The weight of the casing 2 and its inclosed parts is sufficientto apply considerable power to yoke 7 where the collars 24 encircle the same, and to obviate any tendency to fracture the yoke at such places I provide upon the saddle 2O lateral extensions or project-ions as 25 which are adapted to bear against the sides of the yoke 7 The saddle 20 in addition to serving as an effective means for supporting the casing 2 and the parts housed within the same also presents a simple way of lifting the instrument from the deck of a ship or from any other part upon which it may rest so that a seaman or other person can easily pass his head between the sides of the saddle in such a way that his neck can bear against the convex portion 21 to lift the apparatus as a whole excepting, of course, the foot iece 15 and the parts immediately associated therewith, from said de'ck.

Those of the operating parts of the instrument which are contained within the easing 2 may be supported by a base plate as 26 which isshown as horizontally disposed, and as located within the central or intermediate portion 3 of said casing. This plate may be connected rigidly with the inner shell of said intermediate portion in any desirable way and in. use is preferably horizontally disposed. There is shown as mounted on the upper side of said plate 26 a divided nut or split boxing as' 27.which receives for rotary movement the rear threaded end of a spindle as 28, the forward end of said spindle being plain or nonthreaded and turning in a lug as 29 rising from the upper side of said base plate. Between its ends, the spindle 28 is provided with a threaded portion 3 0 cotiperative with the nut 31 (see Fig. 3), on the carriage 31 (see Fig. 1), which carriage 31 is supported by suitable ways upon the base plate 26 for horizontal movement crosswise of the casing 2. lit follows, therefore, that when the spin-' I dle 28 is turned in one direction the carriage 31 will he moved toward the front of the thereof in any suitable manner.

turned in the opposite direction said carriage will be moved toward the rear of the casing. In connection with this traveling carriage Iprefer to provide reflecting means and this reflecting means may be of any desirable character; for example, it may con:

sist of the two reflectors. 32 and 33 placed in angular relation to each other. I Said refiectors may be connected with the traveling carriage so as to partake of the movement- It will be seen for example, upon inspection of Fig. 2,

that I place the two reflectors 32,and 33 side byside instead of'in superposed order, by

reason of which I can cast in exact duplicate adapted to mesh with a wide face pinion as 25 the base-plate 26. The gear 34 moves with the carriage 31 and the teeth of the pinion are made sufliciently wide to insure mesh at all times between the said pinion and gear. In addition to the pinion 35 the shaft 36 may be equipped with a beveled pinion as 37, the teeth of which are adapted to mesh with a master bevel gear as 38 fastened in some desirable way with the hollow'shaft 39 supported by a bracket as 40 fastened to and hanging from the under side of the base plate 26. It is my preference to make the shaft 39' in sect-ions and to extend the outer section thereof freely through an opening in the casing and to provide it at its outer end with ahand-wheel or equivalent appliance as 41 by which said shaft can be turned. It

follows that when the hand-wheel 41 is rotated the reflector supporting carriage 31 is also operated. The'shaft 39 is made in sections as stated, this being for facility of as-' 'lation. The best symbols of which'I know at this time are numerals and the casin as willhereina fter appear, will be provlded with a sight opening through which these numerals can be seen.

The tape is denoted by 42"(see Figs. 1, 2

and 3, for example). The tape also appears 28 a toothed.

in Figs. 6, 9 and 13 on an enlarged scale andin Figs. 6 and 13 the numerals to which reference has been made are shown. Thesenumerals can be seen through a sight opening as 43 in the body portion 3 of the casing.

The sight opening as will hereinafter appear, is normally covered or closed so as to avoidconfusion during therange finding operation or during adjustment. When the range, however,'has been obtained the said sight opening will be uncovered so that the figures indicating the measurement of the distance between the observer and the object can be readily seen. The tape 42 travels fro-1n an upper spool 44 to a lower spool 45 and vice versa, being woundon said spools. The shafts of these spools are supported by the sides of a framemember as 46 connected with the base plate 26.

' -I provide spring mechanism as willnow appearcondition, and this mechanism includes in its makeup a coiled spring as 47 so related with the two spools 44 and 45 as to apply its effect to both of them. The spring 47 is situated between the duplicate gear wheels 48 and 49, the gear wheel 48 being fastened to a tubular or hollow shaft 50 while the companion gear Wheel 49] isia'stened to a shaft as ,51 partially inclosed by said hol-.

low shaft 50. Said shaft 50 isfsimply supported by shaft 51, while the latter is sustained by the opposite dies of the frame member 46 as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

The spring 47 is coiled about that end of the shaft 51 which is not inclosed by the tu-' bular shaft- 50 and one end thereof is suitably connected with said shaft 51, while the.

otherend thereof is connected with the gear Wheel 48 near the periphery thereof. The gear wheel 48 meshes with a pinion as 52 on the shaft of the upper spool 44, while the gear Wheel 49 meshes with a pinion as 53 on the shaft of the lower spool 45, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, for example. By reason of this construction the two gear wheels 48 and 49 are permitted to turn in opposite directionsand the spring between the same can apply its power to both the tape spools so as to preven sagging or slipping of the tape 42. In the present instance the tape 42 moves inunison with the movablecarriage 3-1 which it will be remembered for maintaining the tape in a taut which meshes with a beveled pinion as 55 on the inner end of. the shaft 56 supported by siiitable bearings below the base plate 26 (see Fig. 2, for-example). The outer end,of said shaft 56 is equipped with a spur gear as 57 (see Fig. 3) which meshes with a similar gear as 58 fastened to the shaft of a sprocket when the hand-wheel 41 outside the casing 2 is turned the carriage 31 and sprocket wheel 59 will be simultaneously operated, the direction of motion-of these two parts depending upon the direction in which the hand wheel 41 is turned.

The tape 42 is preferably engaged by' means acting against the same at points diametrically opposite each other with respect to the sprocket wheel 59 and which serve to prevent overrunning of the tape or slippage thereof and said means may be. of any desirable character; for example, the same may consist of two like wheels 60 each having two sets of circumferential teeth which bear against the tape at the points indicated to insure movement in unison of the tape 42 and sprocket wheel 59.

I prefer to provide holding or brake mechanism which is operable at the will of the operator and which may be utilized to maintain the indicating mechanism in a set position while the infinity standardizing or par- .allelizing adjustment hereinafter described is being obtained or which may be utilized to hold said tape set after an observation has been made and T will now describe the brake mechanism shown for this purpose. T deem it desirable at this point to remark that I am not the first to obtain an infinity adjustment in a range finding instrument, for I believe that .all instruments of this character for a long time have'had such an adjustment. It isobtained in various ways. T obtain such an infinity adjustment, but in a different way than my predecessors in this art.

The hanger 40 supports a rock shaft as 61 and there is fastened to and extending forward from said rock shaft an arm or lever as 62, and the forward portion of this arm 62 is operable by a sleeve as 63 vertically slidable upon the upper section of the divided shaft 39. The arm 62 is situated near theouter end of the shaft 61, while there is attached to said shaft near the inner end there of a brake member as 64 coiiperative with the inner surface of the gear 57 The brake member 64 is normally held out of engagement with said gear 57 by a spring as 65 acting against the shaft 61 and arm 62 for such purpose. The tendency of the spring 65 is to constantly force the arm'62 downward to move the brake member 64 out of contact with the gear 57. When, however, said arm 62 is thrust upward the gear member 64 will be lowered so as to carry the shoe or effective portion thereof into contact with intense the said gear 57 to positively lock the latter and thereby the tape 42, spools 44 and 45 and other elements of the indicating mechanism per se.

The hollow or tubular lower section of the shaft-39 houses an actuating member as 66, the lower portion of which extends outward beyond said, shaft so as to be readily accessible by the thumb or finger of the hand grasping the wheel 41. The spherical head of the actuating member 66 coacts vwith a pin'as 67 longitudinally movable in the upper or inner portion of said divided shaft and connected with th sleeve or colin 63 by a cross pin as 68. It will be apparent that when the actuating member 66 is moved upward the pin 67 is moved in a corresponding direction, whereby through the intermediate parts the brake member 64 can be set, it being thus shown in Fig.

The flap for controlling the sight opening 43 is designated by 69 (see Fig. 2, for example), and the same constitutes a connection between the companion segments 76 (see for example Figs. 2 and 3) supported for rocking motion by the frame member 46. The segment 70 in the foreground in Fig. 3 has a tail piece shown as connected by a rod 71 with the brake member 64. Normally the brake member 64 will be out of contact with the gear wheel 57, it following naturally that the flap or closure 69 at this time covers the inner side of the sight opening 43. Should the instrument be employed in making an observation or in finding a range, an officer on deck for example cannot see the moving tape 42 which dur ing the range findin operation is being moved back and fort as in case he did there might be created confusion in his mind. This is possible by virtue of the shutter 43. When, however, the range is obtained by the handler of the instrument the actuating member 66 is thrust upward to open the flap or closure 69 and to simultaneously hold the tape 42. I might state in explanation that it is not necessary for a person possessing technical skill to operate the instrument for this function can be secured by seamen of average intelligence who obtain the range which may be read off by an oilicer.

Light rays are projected from opposite ends of the casing 2 against the two reflectors 32 and 33 and for expediting all adjustments I prefer to cut off the rays thrown against one of these reflectors, for example, the reflector 32 andfor this purpose I may employ a pivotally mounted shutter as 72 having a crank arm as 73 connected with one end of the thrust rod 74, s'aid rod extending through the casing 2 and its outer end being operable by a lever as 75 pivotally supported between its ends by the handle 10. Tn obtaining either the infinity adjustment or in finding a range it is necessary' that the image in duplicate should, be

. the operations pointed out it is necessary;

to move the carriage 31 backward and 'forward, and, if I know at the start in which direction the carriage should be moved, I- can the more readily and quickly obtain the infinity adjustment or secure-the range. I" cannot tell with certainty and rapidity at the inception of either of these operations the direction in which I should move said carriage unless I shut out one of these flector 32. .By moving the upper branch of the lever .75 inward the rod 74 can be images, and I have described a mechanismi for doing'this. :Iprovide a spring as .76; 'which constantly urges the said rod .74 outward so as [to normallyhold the shutter 72 in the position shown in .Fig. 1 or in such a. way that it will not .normally intercept the light rays projected against said re-f thrust inwardso as to swing the shutter 72 across the light rays for the purpose. of

intercepting .the latter and preventing their. being cast upon said reflector 32. It will be obvious, "therefore, that I obscure the? light rays pmjected toward said reflector 32, and for this purpose the shutter to which I have just referred is opaque.

mount-reflectors as .77 which in the .present case areadjustable, said reflectors being setf angularly and their reflecting surfaeesbe-i ing so placed as shown .for example in Fig. f4. as to receive light-rays entering the openings 6. Between the said reflectors 7.7 and the-reflectors 32 and 33 I interpose substan-.

tially similar-object lenses as 78 inclosed in tubes as.v 79 supported by carriers as 80.

Said tubes .79 are disposed longitudinally of the casing 2, and are fitted in the tapered portions thereof. They project through openings in @the'diaphragms 81 suitably fastened in place within the said tapered portions. Each carrier consists of two. seetionscnernovable with respect to the other,

the inner sections being operable by screws as 82 to vertically adjust the lenses 78, while the outer sections are .operable by screws as 83 .to horizontally adjust the said lenses. 1 have .described briefly one means for vertically and horizontally adjusting the two object lenses. It is not essential that both object lenses be adjustabl-y mounted.

On the rear side of the body'3 there is shown as mounted a hollow or chambered sections 86 and 87, the latter being of .greater magnifying power than the former, said compound .eye ,piece may be carried upon a plate as 88 supported against the exterior of thesaid body 3 for sliding movementagainst the exterior of the body 3 in such a Way as to bring either of the eye pieces 86.and '87'into register with the tube 89,.the optical field ,portion of the eye pieces being within said tube 89. This is mentioned simply as an illustration. I may connect-with the compoundeye piece a shank or stemas 90v which extendsout of the chambered offset or breast 84 and which terminates in a finger piece to provide for the ready operation 0f the said compound eye piece.

The breast 8.4 has an opening as 91 with which the sections of the compound eye 1 'against the reflectors 32 and 33 which project said .rays to point of focus forming I images in side by side relation in the opti Within the outer ends of the casing 2 .1:

cal rfield which as stated in the ;present case is within :the tube 89. Theparts preferably are so proportioned that when the range is had the two images should exactly coincide and -'with a well defined outline. In other words, the margins or boundaries of the duplicate images apparently appear at the focal point in exact coincidence'or as seemingly occupying the same space. NVhen they are .not in registry this indicates that the range has not been obtained. To obtain the range it is, therefore, necessary .to turn the ,hand-wheel 41 and to determine quickly in which direction said wheel shall be turned it :is necessary to intercept the rays ,projected a ainst the reflector 32 by the ope'ration'of t eshutter 72 as previously described. After this has been determined the shutter is released and is returned to its initial position by 'the power'of the spring 76. The hand-wheel 41 is then turned to operate the carriage 31 and thereby the reflectors 32and 33 so as to cause the exact registration of the duplicate ima es. When this result is accomplished it is "own that the range .is .found. "As the carriage 31 is operated the tape 42 is operated in unison therewith so that when therregistry of the images is seen the range can be read upon the tape 42. When the range is obtained the brake member 64 is operated as previously described and simultaneously therewith the flap 69 uncovers the sight opening 43 so that the numeral showing the range on the tape 42 can be easily and readily read through said sight opening and at a distance as I prefer to make the numerals somewhat large.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I show the optical field as it appears, producing imagesin Fig. 14

at a distance and in Fig. 15 at not such a adjustment standardizes the instrument and it can be obtained at any time. Ordinarily range finders arestandardized at the factory and if in use this standardization is interfered with, the accuracy of the instrument is seriously afi'ected. By virtue, however, of the said infinity adjustment I can standardizethe instrument at any time.

The tape 42 has on it a symbol 93 such as that represented in Fig. 9 indicating infinity point and this symbol may be of any desirable character. For example, it may consist as shown of two parallel heavy lines against one of which the apex of two converging lines abuts. This is only an example of an infinity indicating symbol. In obtaining the infinity adjustment and this is the first thing I ordinarily do in using the apparatus, I initially turn the hand-Wheel 41. so as to bring the symbol 93 opposite the sight opening 43. I then lock the tape by the operation of the actuating member 66 brake member 64 which operates the through the intermediate connections. I then sight the instrument upon my testing target the length of which equals the optical base of the instrument. It is not essential that the target be at a known distance as will be seen by referenceto Figs. 10, 11 and 12. When the target is within the range of the instrument the light rays from the same are projected against the reflectors 77 and by them through the lenses 78 being refracted by the latter against the reflectors 32 and 33 which reflect the refractions of the image in duplicate in the optical field at po-intof focus. The parts are so proportioned that I may varythe relation of the duplication of the image or target but I prefer that the infinity point should be reached at that time when the duplicate images are in horizontal alinement and in lateral abutment as shown for example in the right hand sections of Figs. .10, 11 and tal alinement.

osaeee 12. If one image is higher than the other it is necessary to vertically adjust one or it may-be necessary to vertically adjust both of the lenses 78 so as to bring them in horizonimages in horizontal alinement, it is essen t-ial that they should be in lateral abutment and to obtain this abutment it is necessary that one or may be both of the lenses 78 should be horizontally adjusted by means of one of the screws 83 if only one lens is thus adjusted, or by both of said screws, if both of them are adjusted. The lenses 7 S are, therefore, relatively horizontally adjusted to bring the duplicate reflected images into exact abutment and when this relation is obtained it is known that infinity adjust-mentis secured or that the instrument is standardized. The operation is one that can be performed in a very short space of 85 time with facility and ease and when it is concluded it is conclusively known that the instrument is accurately set. I/Vhen obtaining the infinity adjustment the carriage 31 and the tape 42 are not operated, the infinity indicating symbol 93 being at this time opposite the sight opening. Une or both of the lenses 78 are, however, adjusted so as to get the duplicate reflected images in horizontal alinement with their sides abutting. 95

When this adjustment is obtained the instrument is in readiness for actual range finding use. In Fig. 10 I have shown in the left but one of the images, the other being cut out by the operation of the shutter 7 2, this being to aid the user in knowing how to adjust the lenses 78 with respect to each other. When said shutter is returned to its primary position the images will be seen in duplicate as in the right hand section of Fig.

10 and the lenses 7 8 can be so operated as to bring the two images in the relation shown in the right hand section of said Fig.10. Figs, 11 and 12 are exact duplicates of Fig.

10 except that the target is nearer the ob- 11d server, the target in Fig. 12 being much nearer the user than in Fig. 11.

I may obtain ordinary adjustments by the operation of one or both lenses 7 8 or by the operation of the carriage 31 which it will be remembered carries the 'cotiperative refieotors 32 and 33; however, where the range of adjustment of these parts is not sufficient for my purposes;

for example, as when a ship is in action some of'the parts between the two reflectors 77 may be so arranged as to interfere with the adjustments and in such a case as this said adjustments maybe obtained by the operation' of said reflectors 77 which are so mounted as to secure universal adjustment thereof. This universal adjustment may be obtained in any desirable way; for example, and as shown, by providing what might be considered a tripod mounting for 133 In addition to having the 70 There may be times,

ject.

frame, while the outer screws of each series bear only against said frame The three series of screws, therefore, are associated with the frame 95 at three difl'erent places and by manipulating them I can obtain the adjustment referred to which is a universal adjustment. In some cases it may be necessary to operate but one, screw-of one of the reflectors, while it is possible, although not-- likely, that all thescrews of both reflectors may have to be thus operated. There is provision, therefore, for considerable range of adjustment.

The range-finding means shown in the drawings includes two reflectors such as those designated by 77 and I prefer to sepa rate these a known distance andthe intervah ,between the same presents an optical baseline. In combination with the rangafinding means I employ a testing target, as'96 the length of the efi'ective portion of which equals that of said optical base line and such a target is shown in each of Figs. 10,

11 and 12. By virtue of this relation I can insure the so-called infinity adjustment or parallelism of the light rays which emanate from the two ends of the target. It is not essential that the target be at a known distance from the casing 2, but it is requisite that the length of the effective portion of the target should equal that of the optical base line. When the instrument is properly adjusted at the infinity point with the symbol 93 or some equivalent mark on the tape 42 opposite the sight opening 43, the two outer ends of the target areoptically transposed, causing the outer ends of. the testing tar et to appear in abutment at the cente of t e duplicate image.

It 'will'be apparent that the instrument has primary reflectors such as 77 which initially receive the light rays from anob- In addition to these primary reflectors there are provided secondary reflectors such as-32 and 38. I interpose lenses as 78 between the respective primary and secondaryreflectors and which serve to refract the light'rays from the primary reflectors on to the secondary reflectors. The latter in the present case are positioned angularlv and they serve to project such rays with the central lines not only towardthe focal point but in a converging relation and not in parallelism, as shown for example in Figs. 9 and 13. By virtue of this relation I\c'an obtain more light and a complete picture or reproduction of the image.

- against the-reflector 101.

It will be remembered that the instrument involves a compound eye-piece as 85, composed in the present instance of a finding section 86 and an observing section 87. I provide such an arrangement of reflectors and lenses in the finding section 86 that the imagesformed in the tube 89 can be prop.-

erly seen by the 'observers eye opposite the sight opening 91. I prefer to so relate the lenses and reflectors of the section 86 that the light rays traversing said section 86 follow a bent path and not a straight path, as in the latter event it would be necessary for the observer to shift his head rearward some distance. .If the lightrays projected through the lenses of the finding section 86 and observing section 87 each followeda straight path, it would be necessary to place the lastor outer lens of the finding section some distance to the rear of the last or outer lens of the observing section. In case this were done it would benecessar'y in getting a range, for the operator to shift his head back and forth. The-innermost reflector of thesection 8-6 is denoted by 97, and this reflects light rays through the lens 98 which refracts the same on to the reflector 99, which in turn projects said rays through the lens 100, which refracts said rays Said reflector 101 projects the raysthrough the lens 102 which refracts the same against the reflector 103, which finally reflects them through the lens 104. I therefore avoid the necessity of the observer shifting his head while alternately using the finding and magnifying sections. It will be clear that the finding section 86 has the capacity of magnifying, but the observing section 87 is of greater magnifying power. The section 87 may consist of the ordinary four lens terrestrial eye-piece.

It will be obvious from what has been stated that the finding section 86 is used for finding an object and that the section 87- is used for making observations in determining the range of such object, for which reason I have termed the two as finding and observing sections, 'respectively.

What I claim as new is:

. 1. The" combination of range finding means, indicating mechanism cotiperative with the range findingmeans and involving an endwise movable tape and spools to receive said tape, and means for prevent-ing slack in said tape.

2. The combination of range finding means, indicating mechanism cc-tiperative with the range finding means and involving an endwise movable tape and spools to receive said tape, and a spring for applying its effect to saidf spools to take up the a tape and spools to receive the tape, two wheels disposed oppositely to each other, spring means acting oppositely against said wheels, and means for transferring the effect of the wheels to said spools.

hln a machine of the class described, the combination of range finding means, a

pair of spools, an endwise movable tape on the spools, a wheel between the spools and around which the tape is passed, other.

wheels cooperative with the first-mentioned wheel and bearing against the tape at substantially opposite points on said first-ment-ioned wheel to prevent slippage of the tape relative thereto, and means for causing the first-mentioned wheel to move in unison with the range finding means.

6. The combination of range finding means, a tape, spools on which the tape is wound, a sprocket wheel, the tape being perforated to receive the pins of the sprocket wheel, means cooperative with the -ange finding means to cause the sprocket wheel to move in unison with said range finding means, and two toothed wheels acting against the sprocket wheel at substantially opposite points to prevent slippage of the tape with respect to said sprocket wheel.

7. The combination of range finding means, indicating mechanism movable in unison therewith, a casing for containing said range finding means and indicating mechanism and having a sight opening through which the indicating mechanism may be seen, a-tlap normally covering said opening, and mechanism for locking the indicating mechanism and for simultaneously opening said flap.

8. The combination of range finding means, indicating mechanism movable in unison therewith, a casing for containing said parts and having a sight opening through which the indicating mechanism can be read, a tap normally covering said sight opening, a brake member for governing the action of the indicating mechanism, a manually operable member, and means for transferring the effect of the said manually operable member to said brake member and flap to sinniltaneously set said brake memher and open said flap.

9. The combination of range finding means, indicating mechanism movable in unison therewith, a casing for inclosing said parts and having sight opening through which the indicating mechanism can be oaaese read, a flap to cover said sight opening, and means to operate said flap'to cause it to uncover said sight opening.

10. The combination of range finding means involving a movable reflector, a hand wheel, connections between the hand wheel and movable reflector for operating the latter, indicating means, means actuated when the wheel is operated for moving the indicating mechanism in unison with said reflector, a manually operable member, the hand wheel having a hollow shaft to support said manually operable member, a brake member cooperative with the indicating mechanism, and means actuated by said manually operable member for setting the brake member to lock the indicating mechanism.

11. The combination of range finding means involving two reflectors, means operable at the will of an operator for rendcr ing one of the reflectors temporarily ineffective, and a compound eye-piece having sections of different magnifying power and movable to bring said sections thereof alternately into cooperative relation with the range finding means.

12. The combination of a casing, range finding means in said casing, a compound eye-piece supported upon the exterior of the casing, said eye-piece having sections of different magnifying power and being slidable. to bring said sections alternately into working relation with the range finding means, and indicating mechanism cotiperattive with the range finding means.

13. in a range finder, the combination of range-finding means, indicating mechanism involving an endwise movable tape bearing characters indicating directly the different ranges, and means operatively connecting the range-finding means and the indicating mechanism for adjusting the tape according to the different ranges.

i l. An instrument of the class described having a pair of angularly placed reflectors, each to receive light rays from an object in front of the same and to reflect, the same toward the intermediate portion of the instrument, a pair of reflectors angularly placed with respect to each other and located between the first mentioned reflectors, a pair of object lenses situated between the respec tive first. mentioned and second mentioned reflectors and adapted to refract light rays received from said first mentioned reflectors on to the second mentioned reflectors, and means movable at the will of an operator between one first mentioned reflector and one second mentioned reflector for the purpose of obscuring the light rays thercbctween.

15. 'i he combination in range two reflectors, each normally adapli, multancously receive light ran from an object, indicating means, new tor simultaneing means, and means operable at the will of an operator for obscuring the light rays projected toward one of'said reflectors.

16. The combination of a casing, range finding means in said casing involving 'a movable carriage having two independent reflectors, a handle attached to the casing for lifting the same, a shutter for intercepting the light rays projected toward one of the reflectors, means for normally holding the. shutter in the non-intercepting position, a manually operable member on said handle, and means for transferring the eifect of said manually operable member to said shutter for the purpose of moving the same into its light ray intercepting position.

17 In an instrument of the class described, a casing, range finding means in said casing, a yoke connected with the casing, a saddle connected with the yoke and to be supported by the shoulders of' the human body, a cable connected to said yoke at the rear of the saddle, and means for applying tension to said cable.

18. In an instrument of the class described, a casing, range finding means in said casing, a yoke connected with. the casing, means carried by said yoke for supporting the instrument from the human body, a cable connected with the yoke at the rear of the place of support'thereof, a foot piece, a head piece connected with the foot piece and having a passage to receive said cable, a shoe, a bolt extending through the'foot piece and below the same, and a spring connecting the bolt and shoe.

19. In an instrument of the class described, range-finding means, and a compound eyepiece cooperating with said range-finding means and shiftable to bring either section thereof into working relation with the said range finding means, one section of said eyepiece having a series of lenses and reflectors to cause the light rays from the focal field to follow a broken path.

- 20 An instrument of the-class described having a casing, primary reflectors in said casing to initially receive the light rays from an object, secondary reflectors also insai'd casing, lenses also in'the casing, to refract the rays from the primary reflectors on to the secondary reflectors, and standardizing means accessible from the exterior of the casing for universally adjusting said lenses transversely of their optical axes.

21. The combination of range-finding mechanism, range-indicating mechanism including an endwise movable tape bearing characters corresponding to difierent ranges, means operatively connecting the range-finding and indicating mechanisms whereby said tape is adjusted according to the different ranges, and means for storing the tape.

22. The combination of range finding means, a tape, spools on whichthe tape is wound, a sprocket wheel, the tape being perforated to receive the pins of the sprocket wheel, means cooperative with the range finding means to cause the sprocket wheel to move in unison with said vrange finding means, and means acting against the sprocket .wheel to prevent slippage ofthe tape with respect to the said sprocket wheel.

23. The combination of range finding means, an end-wise movable tape, means for receiving the tape, a sprocket wheel, the tape being perforated to receive the pins of the sprocket wheel, means cooperative with the range finding means to cause the sprocket wheel to move in unison with said range finding means, and means acting against the sprocketwheel to prevent slippage of the tape with respect to the sprocket wheel.

, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN s. BoYnM.

Witnesses:

CHAs. S. HYER, JAMES L. Nomus, Jr.

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