Rapid centering and leveling tripod

Abstract

The invention relates to a rapid centering and leveling tripod which is suitable for engineering surveying and various activities needing to erect a measuring instrument. The tripod is composed of tripod supporting legs, a holder and a locking buckle. The cradle head is composed of a cradle head base, a cradle head top seat, a connecting piece and a locking buckle. The edge of the pan-tilt base is connected with the tripod supporting legs, the middle area of the pan-tilt base is attached to the middle area of the pan-tilt footstock, the connecting piece is connected with the bottom of the pan-tilt base and the top of the pan-tilt footstock, and the locking buckle is connected with the top of the connecting piece and located in the middle area of the top of the pan-tilt footstock. The number of the locking buckles is three, and the locking buckles are used for fixing the measuring instrument to the holder footstock after the measuring instrument is placed on the upper surface of the holder footstock. The triangular support has the advantages that the triangular support is novel in structure, one-time centering and rapid leveling can be achieved, the triangular support erecting time is saved, the working precision and efficiency can be effectively improved, and the triangular support is simple in structure, convenient to use and particularly suitable for beginners to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention patent relates to a quick centering and leveling tripod, which is suitable for engineering surveying and various activities that require the installation of measuring instruments. Background Art

[0002] During engineering surveying and construction, high-precision measuring equipment such as levels and total stations require a stable, horizontal support or platform to ensure measurement accuracy. However, due to limited conditions during field data collection and layout, a tripod is the preferred support for various measurement activities.

[0003] When measuring data using a total station, the centering accuracy of the measuring station is a significant factor in measurement system errors. Therefore, reducing centering errors during instrument setup is beneficial for improving overall data accuracy.

[0004] Furthermore, the platform (pan / tilt head) that supports the instrument base on a traditional tripod cannot be absolutely level during setup, as it is affected by the surveyor's skill level and the terrain. After the instrument is set up, it must be leveled by adjusting the leveling mechanism on the instrument. At a single installation site, multiple leveling and centering operations are often required to complete the instrument setup. This adjustment is time-consuming, and the instrument's centering point can shift during leveling. The limited size of the center opening on a traditional tripod's pan / tilt head limits the range of movement of the instrument on the pan / tilt head. Consequently, a tolerance for centering errors is typically not set (in conventional measurements, centering deviation is less than 3mm). Increased instrument centering errors can affect the accuracy of measurement data and increase cumulative error.

[0005] To address the difficulty of centering and leveling tripods during teaching and practice, the inventors have improved the pan / tilt head portion of traditional tripods. This improvement allows for precise centering with a single centering operation during tripod setup. Subsequent operations require only leveling of the pan / tilt head. This already-adjusted tripod is already centered and leveled, allowing measurement instruments to be placed directly onto the tripod pan / tilt head for measurement, eliminating the need for secondary leveling. Summary of the Invention

[0006] 1. Problem to be solved

[0007] The problem to be solved by the patent of this invention is that after the tripod is set up, the tripod can be quickly centered and leveled, and there is no need to perform centering and leveling operations on the measuring instrument.

[0008] This patented invention designs a quick-centering and leveling tripod. This tripod replaces the traditional tripod structure, where the instrument-carrying platform and tripod legs are integrated into a single structure. The tripod invented in this patented invention incorporates a leveling mechanism. Once the tripod is set up and centered, simply adjust the platform to a horizontal position to achieve centering and leveling. This eliminates the need to adjust the tripod legs and move the measuring instrument on the platform for centering and leveling, as is the case with traditional tripods.

[0009] 2. Technical solution

[0010] This patented invention relates to a fast-centering and leveling tripod. Its technical principle exploits the fact that the distance from the center of a sphere to every point on its surface is equal, and that the centers of concentric spheres remain constant. By fastening two hemispheres with the same center together, once the center is determined, the center remains unchanged regardless of the rotation of the two spheres. By fixing one hemisphere, the center position is also fixed. Therefore, regardless of the rotation of the other hemisphere, its center remains unchanged. A plane is placed on the rotatable hemisphere, which is then rotated to adjust the plane horizontally. The perpendicular center of this adjusted horizontal plane passes through the center of the hemisphere and points vertically downward. A laser transmitter is placed at the center of the hemisphere, pointing vertically to the ground. The beam emitted by the laser transmitter serves as the plumb line for the device. Using this solution, the tripod can be centered before the tripod head is leveled during setup, effectively achieving both centering and leveling. This eliminates the need for leveling and centering the instrument after installation.

[0011] The patent of this invention is a quick centering and leveling tripod, which consists of tripod legs, a pan head and locking buckles. The tripod legs are similar to the legs of a traditional tripod. The pan head is composed of 4 parts, including: a pan head base, a pan head top seat, a connector, and a locking buckle. The edge of the pan head base is connected to the tripod legs, the middle area of ​​the pan head base fits with the middle area of ​​the pan head top seat, the connector is respectively connected to the bottom of the pan head base and the top of the pan head top seat, and the locking buckle is connected to the top of the connector, which is located in the top middle area of ​​the pan head top seat. There are three locking buckles, which are used to fix the measuring instrument to the pan head top seat after placing it on the upper surface of the pan head top seat.

[0012] Preferably, the gimbal base is made of aluminum alloy. The gimbal is hexagonal in shape, with an upwardly convex hemispherical interior that is hollow at the bottom. A portion of the top of the hemispherical surface is cut away to form a circular opening. At the center of the hemispherical surface, a rotatable laser emitter is located that can emit a laser beam toward the ground under the action of gravity.

[0013] The hexagonal shape around the head has a pair of holes on each of the three alternate sides for attaching to the tripod legs. When the head base is connected to the three tripod legs, it forms a stable support structure, similar to a traditional tripod.

[0014] The laser emitter at the center of the sphere is free to rotate. Because it's located at the center of the hemisphere, gravity forces it to emit a laser beam toward the ground. The point where the laser beam strikes the ground is the vertical projection of the center point of the hemisphere. This determines the tripod's center point, allowing for subsequent leveling by simply adjusting the head's top mount. This eliminates the need for repeated centering adjustments of the tripod legs and measuring equipment required with traditional tripods.

[0015] The upward convex hemispherical surface of the inner area is designed to fit easily with the concave surface of the concentric sphere on the top of the gimbal, so that the two spheres can slide between them without changing their center.

[0016] A portion of the top of the hemisphere is cut away to create a circular opening. This opening allows for the connector to pass through, connecting the gimbal base to the gimbal top. This opening provides space for the connector to move, and also provides effective space for the gimbal top to move.

[0017] Preferably, the gimbal top is made of aluminum alloy. The upper surface of the gimbal top is a triangular plane (the three corner areas are arc-shaped), and the shape of the upper surface is similar to that of the gimbal top of a traditional tripod. The edge area of ​​the upper surface of the gimbal top has two mutually perpendicular cylindrical vials. The center area of ​​the upper surface of the gimbal top is a sunken circle with a through hole in the center of the circle. The lower center area of ​​the gimbal top has a concave spherical surface.

[0018] The top surface of the tripod is an arc-shaped triangle, designed to match the bases of various measuring instruments on the market. Its size is consistent with the corresponding measuring instrument. When the tripod is leveled and the measuring instrument is mounted and fixed, the center point of the measuring instrument and the tripod's center point are aligned on the same vertical line.

[0019] The vial is embedded in the top edge of the head mount, preventing it from interfering with the installation of the measuring instrument. The vial is cylindrical, and the two vials are perpendicular to each other. This design, similar to the principle of precise leveling on traditional measuring instruments, assists in precise leveling.

[0020] The sunken circular area in the center of the top surface of the gimbal mount is used to accommodate the locking buckle, while the through-hole in the center provides a passage for the connecting parts. When the locking buckle does not lock the gimbal base and the gimbal mount, the connecting parts allow the gimbal base and the gimbal mount to slide relative to each other without separating, allowing the two balls to be concentric. When the locking buckle locks the gimbal base and the gimbal mount, the two cannot slide relative to each other, which means the gimbal is leveled when setting up and using measuring instruments. At this time, the locking buckle is locked, with the locking buckle as a whole falling within the sunken circular area in the center of the top surface of the gimbal mount, and the locking buckle will not protrude from the sunken circular area. Installing the measuring instrument at this time will not affect the installation and use of the instrument.

[0021] The lower center of the head's top seat features a concave spherical surface, which forms a concentric circle with the raised spherical surface of the head's base. This design ensures that when the two spheres slide relative to each other, their centers are aligned. With this design, leveling the tripod requires only adjusting the head's top seat (i.e., sliding the two spherical surfaces relative to each other) until its top surface is level (i.e., the liquid bubbles of both cylindrical vials are centered). At this point, the perpendicular bisector of the top surface of the head's top seat is collinear with the laser beam emitted from the center of the head's base.

[0022] Preferably, the connector is made of aluminum alloy. The lower portion of the connector is a spherical ring, concentric with the spherical surface of the gimbal base. The outer surface of the ring mates with the inner surface of the hemispherical portion of the gimbal base. The upper portion of the connector is a connecting rod, which passes through a through hole in the gimbal base and enters a sunken circular area in the center of the upper surface of the gimbal base. Within this circular area, it is connected to a locking buckle via a latch.

[0023] The connector is designed to keep the two spherical surfaces of the gimbal base and top seat in contact and concentric with each other. When the locking buckle is tightened, the connector presses the two spherical surfaces of the gimbal base and top seat together, preventing them from sliding and securing the entire gimbal.

[0024] Preferably, the locking buckle is made of aluminum alloy. The locking buckle is wedge-shaped as a whole, and the wide end is connected to the end of the connecting rod on the upper part of the connector by a pin. The locking buckle uses the principle of eccentric circle. By rotating the locking buckle and pulling the connector, the two spherical surfaces of the pan-tilt base and the pan-tilt top seat are pressed together, so that the various components of the pan-tilt cannot slide, thereby fixing the entire pan-tilt. When the locking buckle locks the pan-tilt base and the pan-tilt top seat, the locking buckle is horizontal and just submerged in the sunken circular area of ​​the pan-tilt top seat. It will not affect the installation of the measuring instrument.

[0025] Preferably, the locking buckle is made of aluminum alloy. The locking buckle is in a "C" shape. There is a screw hole at the lower part of the "C" shape for screwing in a screw rod, which serves to fix the measuring instrument and the upper surface of the panhead together.

[0026] The main inventive content of this invention is the quick centering and leveling of the tripod. There is no fixing device designed between the upper surface of the panhead and the measuring instrument. Therefore, this invention patent designs a locking buckle to fix the measuring instrument and the tripod panhead together. In subsequent improvements, the issue of the fixation between the measuring instrument and the tripod will be focused on.

[0027] 3. Beneficial effects

[0028] The quick centering and leveling tripod provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] (1) This tripod has a novel structure, can achieve one-time centering and quick leveling, save the time for setting up the tripod, and can effectively improve the working precision and efficiency.

[0030] (2) This tripod has a simple structure and is easy to use, especially suitable for beginners. Description of the drawings

[0031] The following further illustrates this invention in conjunction with the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 It is the structure diagram of the pan base of this invention;

[0033] Figure 2 It is the upper part structure diagram of the panhead of this invention;

[0034] Figure 3 It is the lower part structure diagram of the panhead of this invention;

[0035] Figure 4 It is the structure diagram of the connecting member of this invention;

[0036] Figure 5 It is the structure diagram of the locking buckle of this invention;

[0037] Figure 6 It is the structure diagram of the locking buckle of this invention;

[0038] Figure 7 It is the structure diagram after the pan base and the panhead of this invention are assembled;

[0039] Figure 8 It is the structure diagram after the whole tripod is assembled;

[0040] In the figure: (1) pan base, (2) panhead, (3) connecting member, (4) locking buckle, (5) locking buckle, (6) tripod leg, (1-1) laser emitter, (2-1) spirit level. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Example: Set up a tripod at a known measuring station and install a total station device to conduct measurement.

[0042] The first step is to find a known measuring station, adjust the tripod legs (6) to an appropriate length, and separate the tripod legs (6) of the tripod to form an equilateral triangle. The height is suitable for the observer to operate the measuring instrument.

[0043] Turn on the laser emitter (1-1) at the bottom of the pan-tilt base ((1)) and let the laser beam illuminate the ground (be careful not to let the laser beam illuminate people's eyes). Adjust the tripod so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emitter (1-1) can aim at the measuring station and make the tripod pan-tilt base (1) roughly horizontal.

[0044] The second step is to loosen the locking buckle (4) to allow the pan / tilt base (1) and the pan / tilt top seat (2) to slide.

[0045] Adjust (slide) the platform top seat (2) by hand and observe the two level bubbles (2-1) on the edge of the upper surface of the platform top seat (2) to make them both in a horizontal state (i.e. the liquid bubbles in the two level bubbles are both in the middle position of the cylinder).

[0046] Then, hold the top seat (2) with one hand and use the other hand to move the locking buckle (4) to lock the top seat (2) and the base (1) of the pan / tilt head.

[0047] Note: Because the tripod needs to be locked between the base (1) and the top (2) during use, although the base (1) and the top (2) are concentric spherical surfaces, the contact surface between them is not very smooth and has a certain friction resistance. Therefore, in the second step, holding the top (2) with one hand will not cause the horizontal state to be destroyed.

[0048] The tripod centering and leveling work is completed.

[0049] The third step is to take the total station out of the instrument box and carefully place it on the upper surface of the pan / tilt top seat (2).

[0050] Align the edge of the total station base with the edge of the upper surface of the pan / tilt head mount (2).

[0051] Note: As described in the invention content, the upper surface of the pan / tilt top seat (2) is an arc-shaped triangle. In order to match the bases of various measuring instruments on the market, its size is consistent with the corresponding measuring instruments.

[0052] Take out the "C"-shaped locking buckle (5) and distribute it on the three sides of the total station base, and fix the measuring base of the total station to the top base (2) of the cloud platform to ensure the stability and safety of the total station.

[0053] Step 4: The total station is set up and the measurement work begins.

[0054] Note:

[0055] (1) For the tripod of the present invention, once it is set up, the tripod itself has completed the centering and leveling of the measuring station. After the total station is installed on the tripod, the center of the measuring instrument is collinear with the center of the top base (2) of the tripod's cloud platform. Therefore, when the tripod is centered and leveled, the total station does not need to be adjusted anymore.

[0056] However, it should be noted here that since the total station itself also has a leveling device, it is still necessary to check the horizontal state of the total station after installing the total station on the tripod. This is to prevent any adjustments that may have been made during its previous use on other traditional tripods.

[0057] (2) When using the present invention patent, only centering and leveling operations need to be performed during the setup of the tripod. There is no need for multiple leveling and centering operations as in the setup of traditional tripods.

[0058] Attachment:

[0059] Taking the total station measurement as an example, during traditional measurement, the process of setting up the tripod and centering and leveling operations is as follows:

[0060] I. Set up the tripod

[0061] 1. Open the tripod and place it above the measuring station. The three legs of the tripod are roughly separated to form an equilateral triangle, and the height should be appropriate for the observer to operate (usually near the chest).

[0062] 2. Tighten the fixing screws of the tripod to prevent the legs from sliding. At this time, there is no need for precise centering, just ensure that the tripod head is roughly level and the measuring station is roughly below the center of the tripod head.

[0063] II. Install the total station

[0064] Take out the total station from the box, carefully place it on the tripod head, and fix the instrument with the central connecting screw on the tripod. Note that do not tighten it too tightly first, leaving a little room for movement for subsequent centering.

[0065] III. Centering operation (make the center of the instrument coincide with the measuring station)

[0066] Rough alignment: Observe the plummet (or plumb bob) below the tripod head, loosen the fixing screw of one of the tripod legs, slightly move the leg position, align the plummet crosshairs (or plumb bob tip) roughly with the measuring station, and then tighten the screw.

[0067] Fine alignment: Rotate the instrument's centering screw (some instruments require loosening the center connecting screw first), carefully adjust using the plummet until the center of the crosshairs completely coincides with the measuring station point, and then tighten the center connecting screw.

[0068] 4. Leveling operation (making the instrument level)

[0069] 1. Observe the circular level of the instrument, loosen the horizontal brake screw, and rotate the instrument's sighting part so that the bubble of the circular level is directly above the line connecting the two foot screws.

[0070] 2. Rotate the two screws at the same time (in opposite directions) to center the bubble.

[0071] 3. Rotate the alidade of the instrument 90 degrees. The bubble of the circular level is now directly above the third screw. Rotate the screw to center the bubble.

[0072] 4. Repeat the above steps until the bubble in the circular level remains centered when the instrument is rotated to any direction, completing the rough leveling.

[0073] 5. Check the tube level: Rotate the sighting part so that the tube level is parallel to the line connecting the two foot screws. Adjust the two foot screws to center the bubble in the tube level. Then rotate the sighting part 180 degrees. If the bubble is still in the center, the fine leveling is completed. If there is any deviation, fine-tune the foot screws until the bubble is centered in any direction.

[0074] After completion, check the alignment again. If there is any deviation, repeat the centering and leveling steps to ensure that both meet the requirements.

[0075] Comparing the patented device with traditional measurement processes reveals that the patented device only requires one alignment and one leveling to meet measurement needs. Compared with traditional methods, this reduces instrument setup time and improves measurement accuracy and efficiency.

Claims

1. A quick centering and leveling tripod, characterized in that: It is composed of a tripod leg (6), a platform and a locking buckle (5); the platform is composed of a platform base (1), a platform top seat (2), a connecting piece (3) and a locking buckle (4); The edge of the pan-tilt base (1) is connected to the tripod legs (6); the middle area of ​​the pan-tilt base (1) fits in the middle area of ​​the pan-tilt top seat (2); the connecting piece (3) is connected to the bottom of the pan-tilt base (1) and the top of the pan-tilt top seat (2) respectively; the locking buckle (4) is connected to the top of the connecting piece (3) and is located in the middle area of ​​the top of the pan-tilt top seat (2). There are three locking buckles (5) for fixing the measuring instrument to the pan-tilt top seat (2) after placing it on the upper surface of the pan-tilt top seat (2); The inner area of ​​the pan / tilt base (1) is an upwardly convex hemispherical surface, the lower part is hollow, and a portion of the top area of ​​the hemispherical surface is cut off crosswise to form a circular opening; the upwardly convex hemispherical surface is fitted with the concave surface of the concentric sphere of the pan / tilt top seat (2); the formed circular opening is used to connect the pan / tilt base (1) and the pan / tilt top seat (2) together using a connecting piece (3); At the center of the hemisphere, there is a freely rotatable laser transmitter (1-1), which emits a laser beam toward the ground under the action of gravity; The edge area of ​​the upper surface of the platform top seat (2) has two mutually perpendicular cylindrical level bubbles (2-1); the central area of ​​the upper surface of the platform top seat (2) is a sunken circle with a through hole in the center of the circle; the lower central area of ​​the platform top seat has a concave spherical surface; the mutually perpendicular cylindrical level bubbles are embedded in the upper surface of the platform top seat (2); the through hole is a channel provided for the connecting piece (3); the concave spherical surface and the raised spherical surface of the platform base (1) are concentric spheres; The lower part of the connecting member (3) is a spherical ring, which is concentric with the spherical surface of the pan / tilt base (1), and the outer surface of the ring fits with the inner surface of the semi-sphere of the pan / tilt base; the upper part of the connecting member (3) is a connecting rod, which enters the sunken circular area in the center area of ​​the upper surface of the pan / tilt base (2) through the through hole of the pan / tilt base (2), and is connected to the locking buckle (4) through a pin in the circular area; The locking buckle (4) is wedge-shaped as a whole, and the wide end is connected to the end of the connecting rod on the upper part of the connecting member (3) through a pin; the locking buckle (5) utilizes the principle of eccentric circle, and by rotating the locking buckle and pulling the connecting member (3), the two spherical surfaces of the pan-tilt base and the pan-tilt top seat are pressed together, so that the various components of the pan-tilt can not slide.

Images