GB2129153A - Telescope mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

An azimuthal mounting for a sightable device 2 that has pivoting means facilitating transversing and elevating movement of the device. The position of the geometrical axis 4' of the transversing pivoting means 4, 16 relative to a user of the device is such that, when the user uses the device, the geometrical axis 4' substantially passes through at least some of the cervical vertebrae of the user. Several embodiments suited to different positions of the observer, Figs. 3-7 (not shown), and a portable, collapsable shelter, Figs. 8, 9 (not shown), are also described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Telescope mounting The present invention relates to an azimuthal mounting for a sightable device such as a terrestial telescope. It further relates to a portable, collapsible observation shelter incorporating such a mounting.

Larger telescopes, whether monocular or binocular, such as used by armed forces for observation, battle and fire control etc., cannot be supported by hand, not only because of their relatively great weight, but primarily because of the high magnification which will cause the slightest tremor of the telescope to move an object right out of the field of vision. Such telescopes are therefore always provided with a mounting known as "azimuthal" mounting (as distinct from the "aequatorial" mounting of astronomical telescopes) which, while firmly supporting them, permits them to swivel in a horizontal plant ("traversing") and to tilt in a vertical plane ("elevating") about a horizontal axis.

The physical design of this mounting is very simple, comprising a fork-shaped support serving as gimbal mounting for a pair of trunnions which constitute the axis for elevation and are attached to the telescope body. The axis for traversing is constituted by a pinion or shaft attached to the center of the form and rotatably mounted in a stand or tripod. The "azimuth" of an object, i.e., the deviation of the line-of-sight from the telescope to the object with respect to a reference line, e.g., the N-S direction, can often be read off an angular scale moving together with the traversing shaft.

These prior-art azimuthal telescope mountings, however, suffer from a serious drawback: The axis for traversing being in the conventional mounting rather remote from the eyepiece or eyepieces, the observer, when traversing, is compelled to move about a great deal, as illustrated in Fig. 1 , where the arrow A indicates the extent to which the observer has to move when traversing the telescope 2 from object Or to object 02. Seen are also the pivot shaft for traversing 4, its geometrical axis 4', the gimbal-mounting fork 6, the trunnions 8 and the azimuth scale 10. This continual movement -- bearing in mind that an observer may be on duty for several hours - is a cause of fatigue which, in its turn, may impair the observer's alertness and capability to concentrate.

Another disadvantage of the prior art telescope mountings resides in the fact that, due to the above-mentioned facts, the observation post must be large enough to provide room for the observer on at least three sides of the telescope which, at least with military observation posts, increases the problem of camouflage, sandbagging, etc. Also there is no possibility of carrying out the observation work next to a stationary writing surface and drawer for such auxiliaries as maps, paper, pencils, rulers, protractor, etc.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior-art telescope mountings and to provide a mounting that enables the observer to assume a stationary position behind the telescope and to follow the traversing telescope by merely turning his head and/or torso from side to side (for traverses of up to about 1 80c) or using a swiveling seat (for 3600-traverses).

This the present invention achieves by providing an azimuthal mounting for a sightable device comprising pivoting means facilitating traversing and elevating movement of said device, wherein the position of the geometrical axis of the traversing pivoting means relative to a user of said device is such that, when the user uses said device, said geometrical axis substantially passes through at least some of the cervical vertebrae of said user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable, collapsible observation shelter incorporating a telescope mounting being free of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art mountings.

This the present invention achieves by providing a portable, collapsible observation post, comprising: a central cross member to both ends of which are articulatedly connected two profile frames, one on each side of said cross member, which frames are substantially horizontal in the erected state of said post and, for the collapsing thereof, are folded downwards; four telescopically extendable and adjustable corner legs, each leg articulately connected to one of the outer corners, of said frames, which legs are substantially vertical in the erected state of said post, and for the collapsing thereof, are folded upwards;; An azimuthal mounting for a sighting device comprising pivoting means facilitating traversing and elevating movement of said device, wherein the pivoting means for the traversing movement is fixedly attached to the underside of said cross member and wherein the position of the geometrical axis of the traversing pivoting means relative to the user of said device is such that, when said user uses said device, said geometrical axis substantially passes through at least some of the cervical vertebrae of said user.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention.

In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view representing a prior art telescope mounting; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the geometry of the mounting according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of the mounting, permitting a telescope traverse of about 1800; Fig. 4 schematically shows another embodiment of the mounting, permitting a telescope traverse of 3600; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the mounting suitable for a 3600 traverse; Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate two embodiments for use in the prone position; Fig. 8 represents the observation shelter in the erected state, and Fig. 9 shows the observation shelter according to the invention as carried in the collapsed state.

Referring now to the drawings, there is seen in Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the geometry of the mounting. The telescope 2 is supported by its trunnions 8 by the gimbal-mounting fork 6, to the deepest point 12 of which there is rigidly connected an arm 14, the other end of which is fixedly attached to a bearing sleeve 1 6 smoothly rotatable about the traversing pivot 4 which is anchored in a roof slab 1 8. A shoulder 20, fixedly attached to the pivot 4 prevents the sleeve 1 6 from slipping off the axis 4'. It is immediately seen that this arrangement brings the traversing pivot 4 far beyond the exit pupil of the telescope eyepiece 22, to be more precise, by a distance a.Now, this distance a (about 100 mm) is such that, with the observer at the proper viewing distance from the eyepiece 22, the geometrical axis 4' of the traversing pivot 4 will pass through, or at least close to, the first two cervical vertebrae (also known as "Atlas" and "Axis"). As a consequence of this, the observer will be able to follow a telescope traverse by simply turning his head from side to side without need to move about (comp.

Fig. 1). The two vertebrae will accommodate a total swivel of about 1200; for larger traverses, this range is easily augmented to about 2000 by swiveling also the torso.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is limited to a traverse of about 1 800. It consists of a rigid upright 24 anchored in the ground and a cantilever 26 attached to the top of the upright 24, which cantilever 26 carries the traversing pivot 4. The telescope 2 and its elevating trunnions 8 are supported by the fork 6, the arm 14 and are rotatable about the pivot 4 with the aid of the sleeve 1 6 prevented from slipping off the pivot 4 by means of a shoulder 20. Once trained onto a certain object, further traversing can be prevented by tightening an arresting screw 28 (Similar arresting means, not shown, are also provided for the elevating motion). An azimuth scale 10 is attached to the traversing pivot 4 and can be read with the aid of a pointer 30 moving together with the arm 14.The scale 10 can be zeroed with respect to the cardinal points of the compass with the aid of a setting screw 32. There is also provided an adjustable seat 34 for greater convenience, but this embodiment (provided the upright 24 is high enough) is also suitable for observation in the standing position.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 is suitable for traverses of 3600. Here the upright 24 is not anchored in the ground as in Fig. 3, but is mounted on a stationary block 36 provided with a suitably dimensioned bushing 38 in which is rotatably inserted the traversing pivot 4 solidly connected to the base 40 of the upright 24. Axial pressure is of course taken up by an axial bearing not shown.

Similarly adapted for traverses of 3600 is the embodiment of Fig. 5, designed for permanent observation posts such as those located along borders or the like. Such posts have a solid roof 42 to which the traversing pivot 4 is fixedly attached.

The upper part of this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment of Fig. 3, except that the azimuth scale extends over 3600. The observer sits on a proper, adjustable chair 44 and has in front of him a desk 46 for such auxiliaries as maps, drawing utensils and the like.

Figs. 6 and 7 represent embodiments of the mounting to be used in the prone position, such as required in forward observation posts. In Fig. 6 there is seen a stand 48 on which is fixedly mounted the traversing pivot 4 about which rotates the sleeve 1 6 connected to the arm 14 and the fork 6. A still lower profile is possible with the embodiment of Fig. 7, in which, as is clearly seen, the observer lies on a base board 50, a portion of which also serves as bearing for the traversing pivot 4.

The collapsible, portable observation post or shelter shown in Fig. 8 in the erected state comprises a cross member 60 to both ends of which are articulatedly connected two profile frames 62, one on each side of the cross member.

In the erected state of the shelter, these frames 62 are substantially horizontal and for collapsing they are folded downwards, as indicated by the arrows A, by about 900. Four telescopically extendable and adjustable corner legs 64, 66 are each articulately connected to one of the outer corners of the frames 62 and, in the erected state of the shelter, are substantially vertical. For collapsing of the shelter, these legs, reduced to their minimum length, are folded upwards as indicated by arrows B, by about 2700. For greater rigidity, there are also provided two telescopically extendable and adjustable central legs 68, 70, each leg fixedly connected to one of the ends of the cross member 60. These legs 68 are not folded for collapsing.

The traversing pivot 4 is attached to the underside of the cross member 60. Not shown in Fig. 8 is a canvas roof attachable to the structure.

The collapsed shelter is shown in Fig. 9. There are provided carrying straps 72 which hook into the trunnion bearings of the fork 6 that, provided with suitable padding (not shown) serves as shoulder support. The telescope itself is of course carried in a separate case.

To allow for individual differences in human anatomy, it is possible to provide means, such as a telescopically adjustable arm 14, to alter and adjust the distance a (Fig. 2).

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (9)

1. An azimuthal mounting for a sightable device comprising pivoting means facilitating traversing and elevating movement of said device, wherein the position of the geometrical axis of the traversing pivoting means relative to a user of said device is such that, when the user uses said device, said geometrical axis substantially passes through at least some of the cervical vertebrae of said user.

2. The mounting as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sightable device is a terrestrial telescope.

3. The mounting as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an azimuth scale attachable to said traversing pivoting means and a pointer moving together with said device when traversing for reading the azimuth of objects sighted by said device.

4. The mounting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said traversing pivoting means is located above the head of said user.

5. The mounting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said traversing pivoting means is located below the head of said user.

6. A portable, collapsible post, comprising a central cross member to both ends of which are articulatedly connected two profile frames, one on each side of said cross-member, which frames are substantially horizontal in the erected state of said post and, for the collapsing thereof, are folded downwards; four telescopically extendable and adjustable corner legs, each leg articulatedly connected to one of the outer corners, of said frames, which legs are substantially vertical in the erected state of said post and, for the collapsing thereof, are folded upwards;; an azimuthal mounting for a sighting device comprising pivoting means facilitating traversing and elevating movement of said device, wherein the pivoting means for the traversing movement is fixedly attached to the underside of said cross member and wherein the position of the geometrical axis of the traversing pivoting means relative to a user said device is such that, when said user uses said device, said geometrical axis susbtantially passes through at least some of the cervical vertebrae of said user.

7. The post as claimed in claim 6, further comprising two telescopically extendable and adjustable central legs, each leg fixedly connected to one of the ends of said central cross member.

8. The post as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a covering made of a flexible material which covering, in the erected state of said post, constitutes a susbtantially tight roof therefor.

9. An azimuthal mounting for a sightable device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Fig. 2, or Fig. 3, or Fig. 4, or Fig. 5, Fig. 6, or Fig. 7, or Figs. 8 and 9, of the accompanying drawings.