Survey setting point indicating device

A survey setting point indicating device comprises a support member 3 which can be tilted with respect to a vertical direction, a connecting member which can be freely tilted with respect to the support member and hangs vertically downward by gravity, a laser pointer 7 which is provided at a lower end of the connecting member, is concentric with an axis of the connecting member and emits a laser beam vertically downward, and a reflector 5 provided such that the axis of the connecting member passes through a center of the reflector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a survey setting point indicating device used for a survey work, for instance, an operation such as a determination of a survey setting point or the like.

In a survey work, for example, a survey setting work for driving a pile in a survey setting point, a surveying instrument is set in a known point, and the surveying instrument indicates the survey setting point (coordinates) and communicates an information of the survey setting point to a worker (hereinafter a pile driving worker) who drives a pile in the survey setting point.

The pile driving worker supports a survey setting point indicating device, and the surveying instrument measures a position of the survey setting point indicating device and communicates, to the pile driving worker, a deviation between the current position of the survey setting point indicating device and the survey setting point. The pile driving worker supports the survey setting point indicating device in a position in which deviation comes to be eliminated and determines a point indicated by the survey setting point indicating device as the survey setting point.

As a conventional survey setting point indicating device, there is a pole fitted with a prism. A lower end of the pole indicates a survey setting point, and a surveying instrument measures the position of the prism. When a value measured by the surveying instrument coincides with a value of the survey setting point in a state in which the pole is vertically supported, the survey setting point is determined.

Therefore, the pole is provided with a tilting detector such as a bubble tube or the like to check whether the pole stands vertically or not.

For this reason, even when the value measured by the surveying instrument coincides with the value of the survey setting point, if the pole is tilted, it is necessary to correct the pole to stand vertically (perform leveling). When a tilting of the pole is adjusted from this condition, the position of the prism is displaced in a horizontal direction and is deviated from the survey setting point. Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust further the position of the survey setting point indicating device. Therefore, setting an accurate survey setting point has required troublesome operations, in which adjusting of the position of the survey setting point indicating device and leveling are repeated.

Incidentally, as the survey setting point indicating device in which a pole is equipped with a prism, there is a survey setting point indicating device disclosed in JP-A-2009-204557.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a survey setting point indicating device which can mark a survey setting point immediately if a position of a prism is determined.

To attain the above object, a survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention comprises a support member which can be tilted with respect to a vertical direction, a connecting member which can be freely tilted with respect to the support member and hangs vertically downward by gravity, a laser pointer which is provided at a lower end of the connecting member, is concentric with an axis of the connecting member and emits a laser beam vertically downward, and a reflector provided such that the axis of the connecting member passes through a center of the reflector.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, the support member is a rod-like member which can be rotated torsionally with a lower end of the support member as a center, a prism support part extends from the support member in a horizontal direction, and the connecting member is supported by the prism support part.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, the reflector is an omnidirectional prism which is fixed to the support member and has a space at a center portion, a spherical body is rotatably accommodated in the space, and the connecting member hangs down from the spherical body.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, at a top portion of the spherical body, a reflection part or a non-reflective part corresponding to a tilting limit of the connecting member is provided, a photosensor is provided so as to face the reflection part or the non-reflective part, and the tilting limit of the connecting member is detected by detecting a boundary of the reflection part or the non-reflective part by the photosensor.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, a first contact is provided on the connecting member, a second contact is provided on the omnidirectional prism in a portion facing the first contact, and a voltage is applied between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein when the connecting member is tilted and the first contact makes contact with the second contact, the tilting limit of the connecting member is detected.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, a hood is provided at a lower end of the omnidirectional prism, and the laser pointer is surrounded with the hood.

Further, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, the connecting member is provided in such manner that the connecting member can be freely tilted with respect to the support member, the reflector is an omnidirectional prism having a space at a center portion, the connecting member passes through the space, and the reflector is fixed to the connecting member.

Furthermore, in the survey setting point indicating device according to the present invention, at an upper end of the connecting member, another laser pointer is provided, and a laser beam is emitted upward from the another laser pointer.

According to the present invention, the survey setting point indicating device comprises a support member which can be tilted with respect to a vertical direction, a connecting member which can be freely tilted with respect to the support member and hangs vertically downward by gravity, a laser pointer which is provided at a lower end of the connecting member, is concentric with an axis of the connecting member and emits a laser beam vertically downward, and a reflector provided such that the axis of the connecting member passes through a center of the reflector. As a result, a center of the reflector is attached downward by the laser beam regardless of a state of the support member and a determination of a survey setting point becomes easy.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, the support member is a rod-like member which can be rotated torsionally with a lower end of the support member as a center, a prism support part extends from the support member in a horizontal direction, and the connecting member is supported by the prism support part. As a result, it is possible to adjust easily a position projected by the laser beam by a tilting or a twist of the support member.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, the reflector is an omnidirectional prism which is fixed to the support member and has a space at a center portion, a spherical body is rotatably accommodated in the space, and the connecting member hangs down from the spherical body. As a result, it is possible to make the configuration compact and to attach a center of the omnidirectional prism vertically downward regardless of a posture of the omnidirectional prism.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, at a top portion of the spherical body, a reflection part or a non-reflective part corresponding to a tilting limit of the connecting member is provided, a photosensor is provided so as to face the reflection part or the non-reflective part, and the tilting limit of the connecting member is detected by detecting a boundary of the reflection part or the non-reflective part by the photosensor. As a result, it is possible to prevent an attached position of the laser beam from being adjusted outside of a tilting limit of the connecting member.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, a first contact is provided on the connecting member, a second contact is provided on the omnidirectional prism in a portion facing the first contact, and a voltage is applied between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein when the connecting member is tilted and the first contact makes contact with the second contact, the tilting limit of the connecting member is detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent the attached position of the laser beam from being adjusted outside of the tilting limit of the connecting member.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, a hood is provided at a lower end of the omnidirectional prism, and the laser pointer is surrounded with the hood. As a result, the laser pointer is prevented from swinging by the wind, and it is possible to perform a stable survey setting work.

Further, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, the connecting member is provided in such manner that the connecting member can be freely tilted with respect to the support member, the reflector is an omnidirectional prism having a space at a center portion, the connecting member passes through the space, and the reflector is fixed to the connecting member. As a result, an axis of the connecting member passes through the center of the omnidirectional prism, and, when the connecting member is supported vertically, the laser beam reliably attaches the center of the omnidirectional prism.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the survey setting point indicating device, at an upper end of the connecting member, another laser pointer is provided, and a laser beam is emitted upward from the another laser pointer. As a result, it is possible to attach the survey setting point vertically upward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description will be given below on an embodiment of the present invention by referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1shows a surveying system provided with a survey setting point indicating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral1denotes a survey setting point indicating device, and reference numeral2denotes a surveying instrument, which is set in a known point. The survey setting point indicating device1and the surveying instrument2are provided with communication units which can send and receive an information necessary to perform a survey setting work.

The surveying instrument2measures a position of the survey setting point indicating device1(measurement coordinates), compares the measurement coordinates with a position in which pile driving is performed (pile driving coordinates), and sends a guidance information to a survey setting point indicating device1side so that the measurement coordinates coincide with the pile driving coordinates.

Description will be given below on a first embodiment of the survey setting point indicating device1according to the present invention by referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

Reference numeral3denotes a rod-like support member. From an upper end of the support member3, a prism support part4extends in a horizontal direction and an omnidirectional prism5is attached to a tip of the prism support part4.

The omnidirectional prism5is formed of a plurality of triangular pyramid-shaped prisms5a, which are assembled together in a radial fashion. The prisms5aare held by a prism holder6, and the prism holder6is fixed to the prism support part4.

A space is formed at a center portion of the omnidirectional prism5, and a laser pointer7is installed vertically from the space.

As shown inFIG. 3, a spherical body8is accommodated in the space, and the spherical body8is supported by a spherical seat9provided in the space. A center of the spherical body8coincides with a center of the omnidirectional prism5or approximately coincides with the center of the omnidirectional prism5while being displaced therefrom by an amount, which presents no problem for a measurement. A connecting member11with rod-like shape hangs down from the spherical body8, and the laser pointer7is attached to a lower end of the connecting member11. The connecting member11has a rigidity which can maintain a straight state.

An axis of the laser pointer7coincides with an optical axis13of a laser beam12emitted from the laser pointer7, and the optical axis13is set so as to pass through the center of the spherical body8. Moreover, in a state in which the spherical body8is supported by the spherical seat9, the center of the spherical body8is configured to coincide with the center of the omnidirectional prism5.

The spherical body8and the spherical seat9are members with a low frictional resistance, and a low-viscosity silicon grease or the like is applied to the spherical seat9.

The laser pointer7forms a plumb-bob structure in which the laser pointer7itself serves as a weight, and the laser beam12emitted from the laser pointer7always points downward in a vertical direction. Moreover, length of the connecting member11is set at a length in such manner that the laser pointer7can serve as a weight.

At lower end of the prism5, a hood14with tubular shape is provided and covers the laser pointer7. The presence of the hood14prevents the laser pointer7from swinging by the wind. Moreover, a lower end of the hood14may be covered with a transparent member such as a transparent glass or a transparent synthetic resin or the like to have a liquid-tight structure. It is to be noted that, in a case where the survey setting point indicating device1is used in a state not being affected by the wind, the hood14may be omitted or removed.

On an upper surface of the prism support part4, a guiding device15is provided. Incidentally, a position in which the guiding device15is provided is not limited to the upper surface of the prism support part4and may be a vertical portion of the support member3. Moreover, the guiding device15may be made portable and is attached by means of a clip and it may be so designed that the guiding device15can be attached to and detached from the support member3appropriately in accordance with a usage state.

As shown inFIG. 4, the guiding device15has a display unit16, a first control arithmetic unit17, a storage unit18, and a first communication unit19. Moreover, the surveying instrument2comprises a distance measuring/angle measuring unit21, a second control arithmetic unit22, and a second communication unit23.

To the second control arithmetic unit22, the coordinates of the survey setting point are input in advance. The position (the measurement coordinates) of the omnidirectional prism5is measured by the distance measuring/angle measuring unit21, a measurement result is compared with the coordinates of the survey setting point, and the measurement result and an information regarding the coordinates of the survey setting point are sent to the guiding device15via the second communication unit23in real time by wireless communication.

The guiding device15receives the measurement result and the information regarding the coordinates of the survey setting point via the first communication unit19. The first control arithmetic unit17displays on the display unit16, the received coordinates of the survey setting point and the current position of the support member3, that is, the current position of the omnidirectional prism5. Or the first control arithmetic unit17calculates an amount of deviation between the current position and the coordinates of the survey setting point, a moving direction to make the amount of deviation be zero, or the like and displays the amount of deviation, the moving direction, or the like on the display unit16.

The pile driving worker sets the survey setting point indicating device1in the survey setting point while checking the display of the display unit16, marks the survey setting point on the ground, and further, drives a pile.

Moreover, the survey setting point indicating device1, for example, the guiding device15may have a notification means such as a buzzer or the like and in a case where the position of the omnidirectional prism5coincides with the coordinates of the survey setting point or falls within an error range, the notification means produces a notifying sound or vibrates, and may notify the worker that the position of the omnidirectional prism5coincides with the survey setting point.

The surveying instrument2may be a surveying instrument with a tracking function or a surveying instrument without a tracking function. By the surveying instrument with a tracking function, one worker can perform pile driving.

Next, description will be given on a case in which a survey setting work is performed by using a survey setting point indicating device1according to the first embodiment and a surveying instrument2with a tracking function, such as a total station by referring toFIG. 5.

(STEP01) An information regarding a survey setting point is set and input to the surveying instrument2.

(STEP02) The surveying instrument2is directed toward the survey setting point, and the survey setting point indicating device1is held in a direction of the survey setting point.

(STEP03) The surveying instrument2is operated and made to start tracking the omnidirectional prism5. Concurrently with starting tracking the omnidirectional prism5, the surveying instrument2continuously measures a distance to the omnidirectional prism5and the angles (a horizontal angle and a vertical angle) of the omnidirectional prism5. A measurement result and coordinate data of the survey setting point are transmitted to the survey setting point indicating device1.

(STEP04) In the survey setting point indicating device1, an amount of deviation between the current position and the survey setting point is calculated based on the information transmitted from the surveying instrument2, and the amount of deviation is displayed. It is to be noted that, the amount of deviation is displayed as the XY coordinate values or an arrow indicating a direction of deviation, and length of the arrow may be varied depending on the amount of deviation.

(STEP05, STEP06) When the omnidirectional prism5gets closer to the survey setting point and the position of the omnidirectional prism5nearly coincides with the survey setting point, a support member3is made to stand upright on the ground.

(STEP07) A position of the omnidirectional prism5is checked based on the measurement result of the surveying instrument2and is determined whether or not the omnidirectional prism5is positioned vertically above the survey setting point.

(STEP08) In a case where the omnidirectional prism5is not vertically above the survey setting point, the support member3is tilted with respect to a vertical direction with a lower end of the support member3as a center or is rotated (twisted) with an axis of the support member3as a center, and the position of the omnidirectional prism5is adjusted so that the position of the omnidirectional prism5becomes vertically above the survey setting point.

(STEP09) In a state in which it is confirmed that the omnidirectional prism5is vertically above the survey setting point, a laser beam12emitted from a laser pointer7is projected on the survey setting point.

(STEP10) The survey setting point is marked (a pile is driven). One survey setting work is completed, and the procedure proceeds to the determination of a next survey setting point.

In the above-described survey setting point determination work performed by using the survey setting point indicating device1, regardless of a posture (a tilting or a twist) of the support member3, the laser pointer7always projects a laser beam on an area vertically below the center of the omnidirectional prism5. Accordingly, since the worker does not pay attention to maintain a vertical posture of the support member3and it is enough for the worker to concentrate on making a position illuminated by the laser pointer7coincide with the survey setting point. Therefore, the workability is improved greatly.

Incidentally, the information of the survey setting point may be set and input to a storage unit18of a guiding device15in advance.

In the second embodiment, a laser pointer7is provided at a lower end of a connecting member11, a laser pointer7′ is provided at an upper end of the connecting member11, a laser beam12is emitted vertically downward from the laser pointer7, and a laser beam12′ is emitted vertically upward from the laser pointer7′. The connecting member11passes through a center of an omnidirectional prism5.

A spherical body8is provided in an upper part of the connecting member11, preferably, near the upper end of the connecting member11, a spherical seat9is provided in a prism support part4, and the spherical body8is supported by the spherical seat9in such manner that the spherical body8can be freely tilted in all directions. Therefore, a relation between the connecting member11and the prism support part4is that the connecting member11passes through the prism support part4in up-and-down direction and the connecting member11is supported by the prism support part4in such manner that the connecting member11can be freely tilted in all directions.

Moreover, the omnidirectional prism5is provided in a lower portion of the connecting member11, preferably, near the lower end of the connecting member11, and the omnidirectional prism5serves as a weight of the connecting member11, and the axis of the connecting member11is always vertical. Therefore, the laser beams12and12′ emitted from the laser pointers7and7′ always emit vertically downward and vertically upward, regardless of the tilting of the support member3and transfer the position of the center of the omnidirectional prism5in a vertical direction.

It is to be noted that, in the second embodiment, in a case where there is no need to emit the laser beam12′ upward, the laser pointer7′ may be omitted.

Moreover, the omnidirectional prism5reflects a distance measuring light from a surveying instrument2. Therefore, instead of the omnidirectional prism5, a reflector having the function of reflecting the distance measuring light will suffice and it is not limited to an omnidirectional prism. For example, the omnidirectional prism5is replaced with a retroreflective sheet and an optical axis13of the laser beam12may be present on a surface (reflection surface) of the sheet.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the support member3is tilted and a position projected by the laser beam12is adjusted, and a tilting limit of the support member3is required to be within a tilting limit of the connecting member11.

Therefore, a detecting means for detecting the tilting limit of the connecting member11may be provided.

FIG. 7AandFIG. 7Bshow a first detecting means. A circular reflection part25is formed at a top portion of the spherical body8, and a photosensor26is provided so as to face the top portion of the spherical body8(seeFIG. 7A). The photosensor26emits a detection light. The photosensor26receives and detects a reflected detection light which is reflected from the reflection part25.

When a range in which the reflection part25is provided is corresponded with the tilting limit of the connecting member11by the fact that the photosensor26detects a boundary of the reflection part25, it is possible to detect the tilting limit of the connecting member11. Therefore, when the photosensor26does not receive and detect the reflected detection light, it is judged that the connecting member11exceeds the tilting limit, that is, the support member3exceeds the tilting limit (seeFIG. 7B).

Incidentally, a predetermined range of the top portion of the spherical body8may be formed as a non-reflective part which does not reflect the detection light and the other part may be made to reflect the detection light, and it may be judged that the connecting member11exceeds the tilting limit when the reflected detection light is detected.

In the second detecting means, a first contact28in the shape of a ring is provided on the connecting member11, and a second contact29is provided on the prisms5ain positions facing the first contact28as to surround the first contact28. A predetermined voltage is applied to the first contact28and the second contact29. When the connecting member11is tilted and an amount of tilting exceeds a required amount, the first contact28and the second contact29come into contact with each other, and an electric current passes between the first contact28and the second contact29, and it is determined that the connecting member11exceeds the tilting limit.

It is to be noted that, in the embodiments described above, the support member3is one rod-like member. However, the support member3may be formed as a bipod or tripod support member. In this case, each leg is formed as a telescopic leg, and the support member3is made inclinable by making the leg telescope, and a support point of the omnidirectional prism5can be displaced in a horizontal direction.