Patent ID: 7110194
Filing Date: 2006-09-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical element mount for a ball mounted retro-reflector having an apex of the retro-reflector aligned with the absolute center of the ball and a circular aperture in the surface of the ball, said optical element mount configured to seat said ball mounted retro-reflector in a conical nest; said optical element mount located below said ball mounted retro-reflector and configured to permit said ball mounted retro-reflector to orient within said conical nest to a maximum negative illumination acceptance angle below an upper surface of said optical element mount, said negative illumination acceptance angle delimited by said conical nest and said ball mounted retro-reflector; and said optical element mount further configured to permit unimpeded light acceptance to said ball mounted retro-reflector at said delimited negative illumination acceptance angle.