US2460568A

US2460568A - Unipod for optical instruments

Info

Publication number: US2460568A
Application number: US676015A
Authority: US
Inventors: Buehner Oswald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-06-11
Filing date: 1946-06-11
Publication date: 1949-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1966-02-01

Description

0. B UEHNER UNIPOD FOR OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS .Feb. 1, 1949. I

Filed June 11, 1946 INVENTOR wa/d Bue/mer ATTORNEY lllll Patented Feb. 1, 1 949 srA'r ZAiiM-IGS 3. Claim. (i. 248-216) My invention relates to portable supports for observation or recording apparatus, particularly for optical instruments such as cameras, telescopes and so forth. lVi-ore specifically, the invention is concerned with improvements in supporting devices'adapted for outdoor use, of the type which may be secured. to fence posts, telegraph poles, or other suitable structures conveniently available as a base.

It has already been proposed to provide a camera with a detachable unipod comprising a universal joint of the ball-and-socket type, and to taper and thread the remote end of the unipod in such a manner that it may be readily screwed into a wooden surface serving as a base. A set screw provided in the socket was to enable the operator to adjust his instrument in any desired position relative to the supporting surface, over an angle determined by the construction of the joint.

One disadvantage of the known device is the fact that the angle of adjustment is always substantially less than 180, in any direction, since the ball must be enclosed beyond its greatest section in order to prevent it from dropping out of the socket. Also, the pressure which the point of the set screv. may exert upon the convex ball surface may not be adequate to secure the apparatus in its selected position.

It is an object of my invention to provide a detachable support, for optical instruments or the like, which is to enable such instrument to be rotated into any desired azimuth and inclination over an angle of 369 in both directions.

It is another object of my invention to provide a support, of the type described, which may be readily disassembled into conveniently portable parts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a support permitting free rotation of the instrument within a given horizontal, vertical or inclined plane.

Additional objects and features of my invention will subsequently appear as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a supporting device in accordance with the invention, screwed horizontally into an upright post and carrying a telescope in inclined position.

Fig. 2 shows the transverse portion of the device.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the transverse portion of the device, together with a portion of the tapered shank secured thereto.

. 4 shows the assembly of Fig. 3, in different relative position of the parts.

5 shows the assembled device in vertical position, screwed into a horizontal plank surface.

As illustratec. in the drawing, the supporting device according to the invention principally consists of the tapered shank i and the perforated, transverse piece 2. The latter comprises a plurality of

cylindrical bores

3, 4 and 5, or" which the first two may be parallel to each other and the third one perpendicular thereto. shank i has a threaded end portion 5, best shown in Fig. 5, which may be screwed into any conveniently accessible surface such as post i, Fig. l, or plank 8, Fig. 5. The piece 2 further contains two threaded holes 9 and ill, communicating respectively with the single bore 3 and with bores h, to receive the adjusting screws ii and i2. Either of the transversely arranged cores :3 and 5 may accommodate the supporting rod is which may be an integral or detachable part of a telescope, such as outlined at M, or of any other instrument associated with the device. The rod is may be provided with a terminal screw to to prevent it from sliding out of the member 2 during the adjustment of screw 12. The shank i may also be provided with a circumierential groove iii and, spaced therefrom, an indentation i'i adapted to receive the tip of screw ii. Preferably, the bores 3, i and 5 are of equal diameter, and the screws ii and 9'2 may likewise be interchangeable. As shown in the drawing, the top of shank i may be flush with the upper surface of the piece 2 in the assembled condition shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

If it be desired to adjust the instrument to a plurality of horizontal and vertical angles, this can be readily accomplished by inserting the shank i into the bore 3 and the instrument rod to into the bore 5. In the position shown in Fig.1, selection of the azimuth angle is done by means of screw i2 and adjustment of the angle of inclination by means of screw ii. If the supporting device is to be mounted vertically, as in Fig. 5, then the said angles may be determined in analogous manner.

Again, it may be desired to leave the angle of inclination fixed and turn the instrument horizontally, as for scanning the horizon, or else the observer may want to follow the course of, say, an airplane at a particular angle to a plane of reference. This may conveniently be achieved by keeping one of the screws, such as I2, fixed and letting the other, H, slide loosely in the made to engage notch i! so as to keep both parts fixed with respect to one another. 7

By inserting the rod i3 into bore 4 of piece 2, the shank i can be adapted to serve as a longitudinal extension of that ro'd whereby the 1m strument may raised above its normal position; It will also be noted that the transverse piece 2, if fastened to shank I by means of screw ll cooperating with notch I1, will constitute a convenient handle by virtue of which the taper 3 may be readily screwed into its base.

While I have described and illustrated a particular embodiment, departures may be made from the precise construction and appearance thereof withoutexceedi ng the scope and spirit of my invention. Thus, by foregoing some of its adjustability, the device may be consolidated into a single piece substantially combining parts i and 2, screw 5! having been dispensed with. What I consider novel, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is the following:

A support for optical instruments, comprising a post member having a tapered wood-screw thread at one end; a head member having three holes, two of said holes being at right angles having intersecting axes, the third hole being parallel to one of the others, said post member being rotatably fastened in said third hole of said head member, and fastening" means whereby the instrument to be supported is held in one of said intersecting holes.

OSWALD BUEHNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Dingman V Apr. 20, 1920