Studfinder and laser line layout tool

• US 20050078303A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Murray, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,237,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/138
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A layout tool includes an object detector constructed and arranged to detect the location of a vertically extending edge portion of an object hidden from view behind a generally vertically extending wall surface, a light source that is capable of projecting a line of light along the wall surface, and an angular orientation mechanism operably coupled to the light projection mechanism. The angular orientation mechanism is operable to establish that the line of light is vertical. The light source and the object detector are operatively interengaged such that when a vertically extending edge is detected by the object detector, a vertically extending line of light projected on the surface by the light source indicates the location of a vertically extending edge portion of the hidden object.

Claims

1. A construction tool, comprising:

a body;

an object detector constructed and arranged to detect the location of a vertically extending object hidden from view behind a generally vertically extending wall surface;

a light source that is capable of projecting a line of light along the wall surface; and

an angular orientation mechanism operably associated with said light source, said angular orientation mechanism operable to establish that the line of light is vertical;

said light source and said object detector being oriented with said body such that when a vertically extending edge is detected by said object detector and said angular orientation mechanism establishes that said light is vertical, said line of light projected on said surface extends along said surface so as to indicate the location of the vertically extending hidden object behind the surface.

2. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said angular orientation mechanism is a bubble vial.

3. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said angular orientation mechanism is an inclinometer.

4. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said angular orientation mechanism is a pendulum.

5. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said line of light is a single continuous line of light.

6. A construction tool according to claim 1, said discontinuous line of light comprising a dashed or dotted line of light.

7. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said light source is movable relative to said body and is capable of being directed to project said line of light in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the line of light that previously indicated the location of the vertically extending object.

8. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said vertically extending object is the edge of a vertical stud behind said wall surface.

9. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said light source also projects an orthogonal line of light to form a cross pattern on said surface.

10. A construction tool according to claim 9, wherein said cross pattern is generated by a single laser and a beam splitter, which together constitute said light source.

11. A construction tool according to claim 9, wherein said light source comprises two lasers, one for projecting an associated one of the lines forming the cross pattern.

12. A construction tool according to claim 9, wherein the distance said orthogonal line of light is spaced from said tool is adjustable.

13. A construction tool according to claim 1, further comprising an anchor mechanism operable to removably mount said layout tool on the vertically extending wall surface, said anchor mechanism being storable on said housing.

14. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said object detector further includes at least one of an audible or visual indicator that indicates to a user that the object has been detected.

15. A construction tool according to claim 1, wherein said line of light extends continuously from said light source onto the surface.

16. A construction tool, comprising:

a body;

an object detector carried by said body constructed and arranged to detect the location of an object hidden from view behind a surface;

a light source carried by said body, said light source being capable of projecting a line of light along the surface; and

an angular orientation mechanism operably associated with said light source, said angular orientation mechanism operable to establish that the line of light is disposed in a desired orientation; and

adjusting means operatively associated to said light source and operable to change an orientation of said line of light relative to the surface.

17. A construction tool according to claim 16, wherein said adjusting means comprises surface engaging structure carried by said body, the surface engaging structure being constructed and arranged to engage the wall surface and which can be adjusted to change an angle between the surface and said body and hence an orientation of said light source relative to the surface.

18. A construction tool according to claim 16, wherein said adjusting means comprises surface engaging structure carried by said body, said surface engaging structure being constructed and arranged to engage the wall surface and which can be adjusted to change a distance between the surface and said body and hence an orientation of said light source relative to the surface.

19. A construction tool according to claim 16, wherein said adjusting means comprises a movable mount on which the light source is mounted, said movable mount enabling said light source to selectively project said line of light in a multitude of directions along the surface.

20. A construction tool according to claim 19, wherein said movable mount is selectively lockable at one of a plurality of different orientations relative to said body.

21. A construction tool according to claim 20, wherein said angular orientation mechanism is operable to establish that the line of light is at least one of horizontal or vertical.

22. A construction tool according to claim 19, wherein said movable mount is selectively lockable to lock said light source at one of a plurality of different orientations, including at least one horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation when said body is disposed such that a longitudinal axis thereof is vertically disposed.

23. A construction tool, comprising:

a body;

an object detector carried by said body, said detector operable to detect an object hidden from view behind a generally horizontal surface;

a light source carried by said main body and operable to project a plane of light that manifests as a line of light along the horizontal surface;

an angular orientation mechanism operably associated with said light source, said angular orientation mechanism operable to establish that the plane of light is plumb; and

adjusting means carried by said body for adjusting an orientation of said light source relative to the surface.

24. A construction tool according to claim 23, wherein said adjusting means comprises surface engaging structure operable to adjust the orientation of said light source relative to the surface in the event that the surface deviates from horizontal in order to ensure that the plane of light is plumb.

25. A construction tool according to claim 23, wherein said adjusting means comprises surface engaging structure operable to change a height or angle of said light source relative to the surface.

26. A construction tool according to claim 23, wherein said adjusting means comprises a pivoted body portion on which said light source is carried, said pivoted body enabling said light source to selectively project the line of light in a multitude of directions along the surface.

27. A construction tool according to claim 23, wherein the line of light is also projected on an adjacent vertically extending wall.

28. A construction tool, comprising:

a body;

an object detector carried by said body constructed and arranged to detect the location of an object hidden from view behind a surface;

a light source carried by said body, said light source being capable of projecting a line of light along the surface; and

an angular orientation mechanism operably associated with said light source, said angular orientation mechanism operable to establish that the line of light is disposed in a desired orientation; and

a movable mount on which said light source is mounted and operable to change an orientation of said line of light relative to said body.

29. A device, comprising:

a body;

an object detector carried by the body;

a laser carried by the body; and

a level vial carried by the body;

said level vial and said laser being oriented with respect to said body to enable the user to determine when said body is oriented such that said laser projects a vertical line of light.

30. A device for determining a location of a stud edge hidden behind a surface, comprising:

a body having a surface engaging portion adapted to engage the surface behind which the stud is located;

a stud detecting circuit carried by the body and constructed and arranged to indicate a location of a vertical stud edge;

a laser oriented on said body so as to project a line of light on said surface when said surface engaging portion is engaged with said surface; and

means carried by said body to establish that said line of light is vertical;

said light source and said stud detecting circuit being oriented with respect to said body such that where a stud edge is detected said established vertical line of light projects on said surface along a linear path behind which the stud edge is generally located.

31. A device comprising:

a body having a reference surface for engaging surface behind which a hidden object is located;

an object detector carried by said body, said object detector capable of detecting the location of the object hidden behind the surface;

a light source carried by said body, said light source capable of projecting an image on the surface behind which the object is located; and

an angular orientation mechanism carried by said body, said angular orientation mechanism operable to establish that the image is disposed in a desired orientation, said light source and said object detector being oriented with said body such that when said object is detected by the object detector and the angular orientation mechanism establishes that the light is in the desired orientation, said image projected on the surface is in a desired relationship with respect to the object hidden behind the surface.