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Light beam sensor

  • US 6,730,902 B2
  • Filed: 04/11/2002
  • Issued: 05/04/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A light beam sensor which is an optical sensor equipped with an optical unit having an optical element,the light beam sensor comprising:

  • an adjuster which is joined with the optical unit and whose outer circumferential surface is threaded to give a threaded portion, the adjuster being held to be rotatable around a central axis of the threaded portion and to be movable in a direction of changing a posture of the optical unit; and

    a restriction member which restricts movement of the adjuster by latching in a thread groove in the threaded portion, and which is capable of climbing over a thread ridge in the threaded portion when the adjuster receives an external force applied in a direction of allowing the restriction member to climb over the thread ridge, wherein the light beam sensor is capable of carrying out;

    a first adjustment operation for stepped adjustment of the posture of the optical unit, in which the adjuster is allowed to move in such a manner that the restriction member can climb over the thread ridge in the threaded portion; and

    a second adjustment operation for stepless adjustment of the posture of the optical unit, in which the adjuster is allowed to move in cooperation with its rotation around a central axis thereof, with the restriction member keeping a latched engagement with the thread groove in the threaded portion.

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