US2425713A - Stereoscopic range and height finder with adjustable reticles - Google Patents

Description

8- 7- L. M. APPLEGATE 2,425,713

STEREOSCOPIC RANGE AND HEIGHT FINDER WITH ADJUSTABLE RETICLES Filed July 30, 1943 Lindaqy M-A 1egn ca $2, a. a/Mum M machine known as a director.

, Patented Aug. 19, 1947 PATENT OFFICE STEREOSCOPIC RANGE AND HEIGHT FINDER wrrn ADJUSTABLE BETICLES Lindsay M. Applegate, Portland, Oreg.

Application July 30, 1943, Serial No. 496,700

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 6 Claims.

' relayed or transmitted, together with other infomation such as present azimuth and present angular height, target velocity, etc., to a computing The target data, including the range as determined by the stereoscopic range finder, is entered into the director, together with such known data as muzzle velocity of the gun. From these given data the director automatically determines the set forward position or future position of the target (1. e., the position at which the target traveling at the determined velocity will be hit by the projectile fired from the gun of known ballistic characteristics) from this automatic determination of the set-forward position, the director yields the information required to properly train the gun to cause its projectile to hit the target at the said future position, this information being principally lateral lead, superelevation, and fuse time setting.

The object of this invention is to provide a fire control apparatus which is combined with the stereoscopic range finder, and which is implemented with means for establishing the set-forward or future position of the target within the stereoscopic or three-dimensional view of the improved fire-control range finder. That is the observer not only manipulates the stereoscopic device to make stereoscopic contact between the target-image and the reticle of the device, in the usual manner, but also, by means fully described herein, shifts the reticle ahead of the targetimage to bring the reticle to the future or predicted position of the target. For this purpose the reticle is not fixedf On the contrary, the reticle .of the improved fire-control device is capable of being moved so that its image within the three-dimensional view may be made to move in three spatial directions. The device is provided with certain manual knobs, fully described subsequently, for so shifting the reticle-image spatially to the set-forward or predicted position of the target-image, The manipulation of the manual knobs in shifting the reticle-image to the future target position, also function to operate computing mechanism similar to the computing instrumentalities of the director (briefly described above) to yield the same information as that gotten from the director, namely, lead, superelevation etc.

For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects as may appear or be pointed out herein I have shown one embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the optic train of the improved fire control device of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the aforementioned manual knobs for controlling the spatial shifting of the reticle-image to the predicted target position.

Before describing the improved fire control means of this invention, the conventional stereoscopic range finder will be first briefly outlined. Referring to Fig. 1, rays I and II emanating from the target enter the instrument, with rays l (which schematically represent the binocular View of the target as seen from the left side) entering the instrument at the left, at end reflecting surface 2; rays l I, which schematically represent the binocular view of the target as seen from the right side, enter the instrument at the right, at end refleeting surface l2. The left rays I and right rays l l, upon reflection from their respective end reflectors 2 and i2, are again reflected, at 3 and I3, and directed axially inwardly to central prisms, respectively, left prism I and right prism [1. Between the end reflectors, 3 and I3, and the central prisms, 1 and H, the left and right rays successively pass through objective lenses, respectively, 4 and I4, collective lenses, 5 and I5, and erecting lenses, 6 and IS. Following a shift at the central prisms, 1 and 11, the left and right rays are directed through collective lenses, respectively, 8 and. I8, and eye lenses, 9 and I9.

The left eye of the observer is placed before left eye lens 9, with his right eye before right eye lens l9, so that the left eye can see only the rays I representing the binocular view of the target as seen from the left, and. so that the right eye can see only the rays ll representing the binocular view of the target as seen from the right. Both left and-right rays are fused'in the brain of the observer so that what is actually seen is a three-dimensional or solid view of the object or target. The conventional range finder is implemented with means for shifting the distance plane of the target as viewed in the instrument, so that the distance plane will appear to be nearer to, or further away from, the observer. This shifting of the distance plane is achieved bychanging the lateral distance between corresponding points in the'two pictures viewed; for this purpose there is provided in either the left ray or the right ray path-in the right ray path, as shown in Fig. la pair of complementary measuring wedges lfl. These are a pair of oppositely or complementarily beveled pieces of optic glass, which are rotatively adjustable to cause the image-the right image, as shown in Fig. lto be shifted laterally. Thus by laterally image can-be--varied to cause ashifting of the distance plane (as explained above).

One type of known range finder is provided with hair-line guide marks or reticles which areusually associated with the collective lenses -5-- That is, identical reticletmarks i and I5, Fig. 1.

are provided on both the left collective lensi5 A and the right collective lens l5, so that the 010-" server sees a single fused reticle in the three-- dimensional view, which serves-as -a reference point in determining the range: of: the-target;-

What an observer sees when looking through a stereoscopic trangefinder is a fusedorv three-dimensional image of, the target. ,andflof the petiole.-

By rotating the measuring wedges j 0. the target i e and the reticle image are .made to be i in.

the same distance .plane, at whichacoincidence stereoscopic ,c ontactf is said to be estab1ished...

By associating the measuring wedges with a cali,,-.. brated scale, an observer, blestablishing-stereo.-

scopic contact with a target, can byjconsultingscale determine th'erange tosthe e \ca ra d 7 target. H t, V

In the aforesaid known stereoscopic range finder the reticles, left,'5,-and right,15,7are fixed. .In

the fire control device of, this inventiomon .Ithe other ;hand, the left :and, right reticlesl may be t adjusted; in, v arious ways which will now be de. scribed; Whereas in the ,Opel'ation .of'the stereo;-

scopic rangefinder stereoscopic contact'is esta b-.

lishedby bringingthetarget imageand th'e r.e ticlej-i mage' into,;coincidence,yin the fire control d evice of this invention, the, reticles, 5 and I5, are adjusted, as well as-the measuring wedges H], which control the,distance plane of the target image; so as ,to,' advance the. reticle image ahead of the present'target positionto the future or predicted set-forward position of the target.

Prediction is accomplished by what in effect is. visually estimating -in the; stereoscopic or threedimensional view; the futureposition ',of the tar-s get, byadvancing the reticle- (i; -e., thefused image-therefrom as; seen inthe three-dimensional view) to tha-t position. It should he noted that the reticle is-shifted1oradvanced in three directions, namely; horizontal-1y or vertically laterally in a g-iven distanceplaneor in a" direction nor-'- mal to the said lateralmovementsy-ornormal; to the distance-planes,- the latter movement bee. ing ineffectfrom onejdistanceplane-to another.

For-convenience the said first two-directions will be refer-recite as;horizontal-lateral and vertical-latera-l;- and the said third direction will be.

referredto as distance-plane.

The following mechanism; shown in Fig. 2,

maybe employed foradjusting the left reticle '25 and the -right;reticle35, sopthat the fused' image ofthe-reticle mambeshifted in the said threedirectionswLeft reticle 25 is secured at "the" 1 left end of-a rod 24 which' is telescopically r'ee.

ceived in=a -tubular rodor-slide 34-at-the right endof==which is-secured'the-right reticle 35. As

explainedabove in -connection with the; convenbracket-'36 is securedto the tubular rod orslide 34, as bya. set screw -or the like-31. Bracket 36 provides bearings for amanipulative rod 31 at one endof which isa knob- 311 and at-theother end of which is a gear 32 which clears through a slot 33. provided in the tubular-- rod 34, to mesh with rack'teeth providedalong the right end portion of inner rod 24.

..Th'e tubular rod .34 is supported for an extent i of longitudinalimovement in a left bearing member 45'and a right bearing member 45' which are integrally united-by a horizontal brace bar 44. Orr-brace bar 44 is provided an upstanding hearing 43 for a manipulative rod 4|. At one end of manipulative rod 4| is a knob 40 and at the other endqis secured=augear 42 which meshes with a rack 38 secured to the underside of the tubular rod 34. Rotations of knob 40 is effective to move the tubu1ar-rod- 34to the left and right, thus moving together or as a unit, the right ret icle; 35,- -Which is secured atthe right end of tubular rod 34, and the left reticle 25 whichis' secured :at the-left end of inner rod 24 which is carriedby-the outer tubular-rod'34; --'I-hus rota tion of knob 40- is elfective toimpart horizonta1- lateral movements .to the reticles- 2535; andtotheir fused image asseen in -the-stereoscopic VieWpH. .z. v i

Left bearing member 45 is mounted for an extent= of .vertical sliding movement ina--lefttrackway 6.5 provided at the leftofa-frame plate 6|. .At.the. "right ..of..frame iplate 6li is -aright trackway 65 inlwhich slides the right-bearing member 45 of the unit 454445, for. an extent of'vertical'movement. The left bearing member- 45 is provided with a rack 46 while arack 46' is provided on the right bear-ing member 45'.

Meshing with the. two vertically-disposed racks 46 and 46 are gears, respectively, "55' and 56 which are secured on a horizontal shaft154 which is mounted on end bearings64 left end 64", right, provided: on the frame pIate-GI-QmOre particularly, projecting laterally from. the'said end slidetracks, respectively, 65 and '65. Al'sosecuredhn horizontal rod 54 is'a bevel "gear '53 whichmeshes with-a bevel gear '52 which. is "secured at one end of a manipulative rod 5|." The frame plate 6! is provided with an angle bracket "62 which serves as bearings "for the manipulative "rod 5| and the horizontal shaft 54. At'the'oth'ei end of manipulative rod5l i's'aknob-5'0.- Rotation of knob -50 'is' effective to rotate horizontal shaft '54 andits gears 56"and 56' and'thereby to elevate the frame -454445' 'an'd" thusthe *telesc'opi'c rods-24' and 34; which are'm'ounted inthe bear ing members 45 211161 45) as described above. Thus the knob 5fl is effective to 'move'the' reticles 25,

35, in the-said vertical-lateral direction." To recapitulate, manipulative knob "30 is adjusted to shift the reticle'inthe said distanceplane direction; manipulative-knob 4B is adjust-" ed to shift the reticle'in' the said horizontal-lat eraldirection manipulative knob" 50 is 4 adjusted" to shift the reticle in thesaidwertical lateral di rectionf By operating the knobs30, 4Uia'nd' 50" perelevation, and fuse setting.

Ic'laimt' 1. In a device for determining, from the present position ofa' moving target, theda'tarequired for training a gun of known characteristics to cause projectiles therefrom to hit the said target at a predicted future position, the combination of a stereoscopic range finder having left and right eyepieces and left and right optic trains including a left and a right collective lens adapted to form a three-dimensional image of a target and to shift the distance-plane thereof, a left and a right reticle associated with the said collective lenses and adapted to be formed as a threedimensional image of the reticle, means for altering the distance between the left and the right image of the target to cause stereoscopic contact between the distance-plane of the target and the distance-plane of the reticle by relative movement thereof in the distance-plane direction, means for altering the distance between the said pair of reticles to advance the distance-plane of the reticle image ahead of its said present position, in the said distance-plane direction, to the said predicted future position, and means for moving the said pair of reticles in unison, maintaining their said distance apart, to shift the lateral position of the said reticle image of the said predicted future position of the target both vertically and horizontally in the said adjusted distance plane of the reticle image.

I 2. In a device for determining, from the present position of a moving target, the data required for training a gun of known characteristics to cause projectiles therefrom to hit the said target at a predicted future position, the combination of a. stereoscopic range finder having left and right eyepieces and left and right optic trains adapted to form a three-dimensional image of a target and to shift the distance-plane thereof, a left and a right reticle associated with the said optic trains and adapted to be formed as a three-dimensional image of the reticle, means for altering the distance between the left and the right image of the target to cause stereoscopic contact between the distance-plane of the target and the distanceplane of the reticle by relative movement thereof in the distance-plane direction, means for altering the distance between the said pair of reticles to advance the distance-plane of the reticle image ahead of its said present position, in the said distance-plane direction, to the said predicted future position, and means for moving the said pair of reticles in unison, maintaining their said distance apart, to shift the lateral position of the said reticle image of the said predicted future position of the target both vertically and horizontally in the said adjusted distance plane of the reticle image.

3. In a device for determining, from the present position of a moving target, the data required for training a gun of known characteristics to cause projectiles therefrom to hit the said target at a predicted future position, the combination of a stereoscopic range finder having left and right eyepieces and left and right optic trains adapted to form a three-dimensional imag of a target and to shift the distance-plane thereof, a pair comprising left and a right reticles associated with the said optic train and adapted to be formed as a three-dimensional image of the reticle, means for altering the distance between the said pair of reticles to advance their distanceplane to an estimated predicted future position, and means for moving the said pair of reticles in unison, maintaining their said distance apart, to shift the lateral position of the said reticle image of the said predicted future position of the target both vertically and horizontally in the distance plane of the reticle image.

4. A stereoscopic range finder of the type having right and left groups of optical elements arranged along an axis and adapted to provide a stereoscopic image of a distant object when viewed through right and left eyepieces cooperating with said groups respectively, comprising a frame, a bearing member guided for translation by said frame in a first direction normal to said axis, a first slide carried by said bearing member for translation in a second direction parallel to said axis, a second slide carried by said first slide for translation in said second direction, means connecting said slides for equal and opposite movement relatively to said bearing member, and a reticle carried by each said slide, each reticle being interposed in a respective group of elements and on said axis.

5. A stereoscopic range finder having right and left groups of optical elements arranged along an optical axis and right and left eyepieces into which said groups are adapted to project an image of a target when viewed through said eyepieces, a pair of reticles each interposed in a respective group of said elements along said axis, first means connecting said reticles for equal and opposite translation along said axis, second means mounting said first means for translation whereby said reticles may be moved as a unit along said axis, and third means mounting said first and second means for translation to effect movement of said reticles as a unit transversely of said axis.

6. A stereoscopic range finder having groups of optical elements adapted to project images of a target along a common axis into right and left eyepieces for fusion in a first distance plane by an observer looking into said eyepieces, comprising a pair of reticles each interposed in 9, respective group of optical elements along said axis for fusion by said observer in a second distance plane, first means mounting said reticles for conjoint movement in and along said axis to vary the apparent separation of said planes, and second means mounting said first means to move said reticles transversely of said axis whereby operation of said two means effects apparent movement of said reticle in three dimensions relatively to the image of said target, as viewed through said eyepieces.

LINDSAY M. APPLEGATE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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