Michael A Wachala

US Patent:

6445498, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/427385

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA
John E. Smith - Mission Viejo CA
Michael A. Wachala - Riverside CA
Brian G. Tingey - Fountain Valley CA
Brent G. Duchon - Garden Grove CA
Stanley H. Dewan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation - Irivne CA

International Classification:

G02B 2300

US Classification:

359430, 359429

Abstract:

A telescope system facilitates easy upgrading from friction lock mounting to manual worm drive, and from manual worm drive to motor drive. Vibration isolation provides a steady field of view for enhanced observation and photography. A telescope mount facilitates enhanced below the horizon and zenith viewing. A tripod has detents which hold the legs thereof in a deployed position during handling of the tripod. A cam lock reliably maintains a desired length of telescoping tripod legs. An X-Y adjustable finder scope facilitates easy alignment thereof with the telescope.

US Patent:

20030058531, Mar 27, 2003

Filed:

Jun 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/180952

Inventors:

Kenneth Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA, US
John Smith - Mission Viejo CA, US
Michael Wachala - Riverside CA, US
Brian Tingey - Fountain Valley CA, US
Brent Duchon - Garden Grove CA, US
Stanley Dewan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

International Classification:

G02B023/00

US Classification:

359/430000, 359/399000, 359/408000

Abstract:

A telescope system facilitates easy upgrading from friction lock mounting to manual worm drive, and from manual worm drive to motor drive. Vibration isolation provides a steady field of view for enhanced observation and photography. A telescope mount facilitates enhanced below the horizon and zenith viewing. A tripod has detents which hold the legs thereof in a deployed position during handling of the tripod. A cam lock reliably maintains a desired length of telescoping tripod legs. An X-Y adjustable finder scope facilitates easy alignment thereof with the telescope

US Patent:

20030156324, Aug 21, 2003

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358754

Inventors:

Kenneth Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA, US
John Smith - Mission Viejo CA, US
John Hoot - San Clemente CA, US
Michael Wachala - Riverside CA, US
Brian Tingey - Fountain Valley CA, US
Brent Duchon - Garden Grove CA, US
Stanley Dewan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation

International Classification:

G02B023/00

US Classification:

359/430000, 359/399000, 359/405000, 359/409000

Abstract:

A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to the celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.

US Patent:

20040047036, Mar 11, 2004

Filed:

Feb 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/357912

Inventors:

Kenneth Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA, US
John Smith - Mission Viejo CA, US
John Hoot - San Clemente CA, US
Michael Wachala - Riverside CA, US
Brian Tingey - Fountain Valley CA, US
Brent Duchon - Garden Grove CA, US
Stanley Dewan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation

International Classification:

G02B023/00

US Classification:

359/430000

Abstract:

A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to the celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.

US Patent:

63043769, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Apr 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/551332

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Baun - Trabuco Canyon CA
John E. Smith - Mission Viejo CA
John E. Hoot - San Clemente CA
Michael A. Wachala - Riverside CA
Brian G. Tingey - Fountain Valley CA
Brent G. Duchon - Garden Grove CA
Stanley H. Dewan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Assignee:

Meade Instruments Corporation - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G02B 2300
H02P 100
G05G 500
G05B 500

US Classification:

359429

Abstract:

A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to be celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.