Laser line generating device with swivel base

• US 20040258126A1
• Filed: 07/01/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levine, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/109
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/26 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, having a first surface that includes a connection structure to receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto, and a second surface including a nonmechanical attachment structure.

Claims

1. A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a first surface that comprises a connection structure to receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto; and

a second surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure.

2. The base of claim 1, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure comprises an adhesive.

3. The base of claim 1, further comprising an outer portion that includes a bottom surface, and an inner portion movably mounted to the outer portion.

4. The base of claim 3, further comprising a retainer and a fastener for joining the outer and inner portions.

5. The base of claim 3, wherein the outer portion comprises a curved inner surface, and the inner portion comprises a curved outer surface that receives the connection structure.

6. The base of claim 5, wherein the curved outer surface is swivelably mounted to the curved inner surface.

7. The base of claim 1, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

8. The base of claim 7, wherein the connection structure further comprises a recess.

9. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive protrudes from the bottom surface.

10. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive further comprises a liner.

11. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive comprising:

an inner portion attached to the second surface, and an outer portion releasably attached to the inner portion.

12. The base of claim 2, further comprising a second adhesive.

13. A light generating device with a base, comprising:

a base comprising;

a first surface that comprises a connection structure; and

a second surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure; and

a light generating device mounted to the first surface via the connection structure.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the light generating device comprises a housing with the at least one flat surface extending along a first planar surface and the fan substantially lies within a second plane that intersects the first planar surface at an angle.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch, and wherein the light generating device further comprises a structure mating with the connection structure.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure comprises a latch.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet or a material that is magnetically attractive to a magnet.

24. A leveling device with a base, comprising:

a base comprising;

a first surface that comprises a connection structure; and

a second surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure; and

a leveling device mounted to the first surface via the connection structure.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the leveling device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

28. The device of claim 24, wherein the leveling device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

29. The device of claim 24, wherein the connection structure comprises a recess.

30. The device of claim 24, wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet or a material that is magnetically attracted to a magnet.

31. A movable base for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a first portion that comprises a connection structure to removably receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto; and

a second portion movably mounted to the first portion.

32. The base of claim 31, wherein the second portion is swivelably mounted to the first portion.

33. The base of claim 31, wherein the connection structure further comprises a recess.

34. The base of claim 31, wherein the connection structure further comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device or leveling device being mounted to the first portion.

35. The base of claim 31, wherein the first portion comprises a curved inner surface and the second portion comprises a curved outer surface that receives the connection structure.

36. The base of claim 31, further comprising a retainer and a fastener for joining the first and second portions.

37. The base of claim 31, wherein the attachment structure comprises an adhesive.

38. The base of claim 37, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive.

39. The base of claim 37, wherein the adhesive protrudes from the second portion.

40. The base of claim 37, wherein the adhesive further comprises a liner.

41. The base of claim 31, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, a recess, and a latch.

42. A method of aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a light generating device into a movable base, the movable base comprising an outer portion that comprises a connection structure to receive and mount the light generating device thereto and an inner portion that comprises an attachment structure, the inner portion movably mounted to the outer portion;

attaching the light generating device and movable base to a surface with an adhesive;

orienting the light generating device in at least one plane using at least one bubble level and a movable feature on the light generating device; and

aligning at least one object on the surface.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising removing the light generating device and the base from the surface and discarding the adhesive.

45. A method of aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a leveling device into a movable base, the movable base comprising an outer portion that comprises a connection structure to receive and mount the leveling device thereto and an inner portion that comprises an attachment structure, the inner portion movably mounted to the outer portion;

attaching the leveling device and movable base to a surface with an adhesive;

orienting the leveling device in at least one plane using at least one bubble level and a movable feature on the leveling device; and

aligning at least one object on the surface.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising removing the leveling device and the base from the surface and discarding the adhesive.

48. A kit for a light generating device with a base, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a base positioned within the volume of space, the base comprising;

a first surface that comprises a connection structure; and

a second surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure; and

a light generating device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the base, wherein the connection structure can be used to mount the light generating device to the first surface.

49. The kit of claim 48, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

50. The kit of claim 49, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

51. The kit of claim 48, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

52. The kit of claim 51, wherein the light generating device comprises a housing with the at least one flat surface extending along a first planar surface and the fan substantially lies within a second plane that intersects the first planar surface at an angle.

53. The kit of claim 48, wherein the light generating device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

54. The kit of claim 48, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

55. The kit of claim 48, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

56. The kit of claim 48, wherein the light generating device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

57. The kit of claim 48, wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet.

58. The kit of claim 48, wherein the connection structure comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device.

59. A kit for a leveling device with a base, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a base positioned within the volume of space, the base comprising;

a first surface that comprises a connection structure; and

a second surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the base, wherein the connection structure can be used to mount the light generating device to the first surface.

60. The kit of claim 59, wherein the leveling device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

61. The kit of claim 59, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

62. The kit of claim 59, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

63. The kit of claim 59, wherein the leveling device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

64. The kit of claim 59, wherein the leveling device further comprises an automatic leveler selected from the group consisting of a pendulum, a cantilevered tilt mechanism, an electronic leveler, and a shaft held between journals.