Self-leveling mechanism

• US 20080078091A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: McCracken, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,591,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

A level, particularly a laser level is provided with a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity and a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis. The chassis carries a first light source for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane and a second light for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane.

Claims

1. A self-leveling light level device comprising:

a. a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity;

b. a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis;

c. a first light source provided on the chassis for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane; and

,

d. a second light source provided on the chassis for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted from the housing in the same direction.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted from the housing in different directions.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first plane and the second plane are in different directions.

6. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially orthogonal.

7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a stationary bearing operatively connected to the chassis, wherein the stationary bearing has an inner race rotatable with respect to an outer portion of the stationary bearing.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the outer portion of the stationary bearing is fixed to the housing.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the chassis has a pair of arms operatively connected to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

10. The invention of claim 7 further comprising an inner bearing operatively connected to the chassis and operating transverse to the stationary bearing.

11. The invention of claim 7 further comprising:

a. a bracket having a first end and a second end to define a longitudinal axis and with each end connected to a respective arm;

b. a shaft transversely mounted on the bracket and carrying an inner bearing, and,

c. an inner bearing holder having a first portion fixed to the inner bearing and a second portion fixed to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

12. The invention of claim 9 wherein the chassis includes a chassis housing for carrying each of the first light source and second light source.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein the housing is a clamshell housing including a first and a second half that when assembled define a front of the device.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein the housing has a spaced apart top and bottom defining a longitudinal axis.

15. The invention of claim 14 further comprising a base associated with the housing,

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein the housing is rotatable with respect to the base.

17. The invention of claim 15 wherein the housing is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

18. The invention of claim 15 wherein the housing is movable with respect to the base along the longitudinal axis.

19. The invention of claim 13 further comprising a mounting assembly.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein the mounting assembly includes a vacuum mounting arrangement.

21. The invention of claim 15 further comprising a mounting assembly.

22. The invention of claim 21 wherein the mounting assembly includes a vacuum mounting arrangement.

23. A self-leveling light level device comprising

a. a stationary bearing having an inner race rotatable with respect to a stationary outer portion;

b. a chassis having a pair of arms operatively connected to the inner race of the stationary bearing;

c. an inner bearing operatively connected to the chassis and operating transverse to the stationary bearing such that the chassis is simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity; and

,

d. a first light source provided on the chassis for emitting a first light beam along a first plane.

24. The invention of claim 23 further comprising a second light source provided on the chassis for emitting a second light beam along a second plane.

25. The invention of claim 24 wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted in the same direction.

26. The invention of claim 24 wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted in different directions.

27. The invention of claim 24 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel.

28. The invention of claim 24 wherein the first plane and the second plane are in different directions.

29. The invention of claim 24 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially orthogonal.

30. The invention of claim 23 wherein the chassis has a pair of arms operatively connected to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

31. The invention of claim 23 further comprising:

a. a bracket having a first end and a second end to define a longitudinal axis and with each end connected to a respective arm;

b. a shaft transversely mounted on the bracket and carrying an inner bearing, and, ‘

c. an inner bearing holder having a first portion fixed to the inner bearing and a second portion fixed to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

32. A self-leveling mechanism comprising:

a. a stationary bearing having an inner race rotatable with respect to a stationary outer portion;

b. a chassis having a pair of arms operatively connected to the inner race of the stationary bearing; and

,

c. an inner bearing operatively connected to the chassis and operating transverse to the stationary bearing such that the chassis is simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity.

33. The invention of claim 34 further comprising:

a. a bracket having a first end and a second end to define a longitudinal axis and with each end connected to a respective arm;

b. a shaft transversely mounted on the bracket and rotatably mounted in the inner bearing, and,

c. an inner bearing holder having a first portion fixed to an outer portion of the inner bearing and having a second portion fixed to the inner race of the stationary bearing.