PAINT-STRIPING LASER GUIDANCE SYSTEM AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY

• US 20150330039A1
• Filed: 05/12/2015
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LaserLine Mfg., Inc.
• Original Assignee: LaserLine Mfg., Inc.
• Inventors: Vanneman, Robert W., Treichler, Timothy A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,644,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/122 with power-driven tools, e.g. oscillated hammer apparatus hand-held breakers: percussion tools B25D
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/163 for marking-out the location of the markings; Guiding or steering devices for marking apparatus, e.g. sights
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/22 by spraying E01C23/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/222 specially adapted for automatic spraying of interrupted, individual or variable markings
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/518 formed in situ, e.g. by painting, by casting into the road surface or by deforming the road surface
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices

Abstract

A system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a paint-striping machine having a carriage, an outrigger operably connected to the carriage, and a downwardly oriented nozzle carried by the outrigger. The carriage moves along pavement while the nozzle dispenses paint, thereby forming a paint stripe on the pavement. The system further includes a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine. The guidance system includes a light-emitting device and a mounting and containment assembly that provides an adjustable connection between the light-emitting device and the paint-striping machine. The light-emitting device forms a planar light region having a vertical orientation. The mounting and containment assembly includes an adjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine, thereby changing a yaw angle of the planar light region.

Claims

1. A paint-striping system, comprising:

a paint-striping machine including;

a carriage configured to move along pavement, and

a downwardly oriented nozzle configured to dispense paint and thereby form a paint stripe on the pavement as the carriage moves along the pavement; and

a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine, wherein the guidance system includes;

a light-emitting device configured to form a planar light region having a vertical orientation, and

a mounting and containment assembly configured to provide an adjustable connection between the light-emitting device and the paint-striping machine, wherein the mounting and containment assembly includes an adjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine and thereby change a yaw angle of the planar light region.

2. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein:

the mounting and containment assembly includes a housing;

the light-emitting device includes;

a laser disposed within the housing, and

a lens operably associated with the laser; and

the light-emitting device is configured to emit light from the laser via the lens to form the planar light region.

3. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein:

the paint-striping machine includes;

an outrigger operably connected to the carriage, wherein the outrigger includes an elongate rod, and

a coupler configured to provide a releasable connection between the nozzle and the rod, wherein the coupler is repositionable along a length of the rod to change a height of the nozzle relative to the pavement;

the mounting and containment assembly includes;

a housing,

a support carrying the housing, and

a clamp configured to grip the rod and thereby releasably secure the support to the outrigger; and

the light-emitting device includes a laser disposed within the housing.

4. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein:

the paint-striping machine includes;

a first outrigger carrying the nozzle, and

a second outrigger carrying the light-emitting device; and

the second outrigger is rearwardly positioned relative to the first outrigger.

5. The paint-striping system of claim 1 wherein the adjustment mechanism is slidably operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine and thereby change the yaw angle of the planar light region.

6. The paint-striping system of claim 5 wherein:

the adjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism; and

the mounting and containment assembly includes a second adjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine and thereby change a pitch angle of the planar light region.

7. The paint-striping system of claim 6 wherein the second adjustment mechanism is rotatably operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine and thereby change the pitch angle of the planar light region.

8. A guidance system, comprising:

a light-emitting device configured to form a planar light region having a vertical orientation, wherein the light-emitting device includes a laser; and

a mounting and containment assembly configured to provide an adjustable connection between the light-emitting device and an elongate rod, wherein the mounting and containment assembly includes;

a housing containing the laser,

a support carrying the housing,

a clamp operably connected to the support, wherein the clamp includes;

a frame extending laterally from the support,

a gripper inset within the frame, wherein the gripper is configured to releasably grip the rod, and

a clasp at which the frame is rotatably connected to the gripper, wherein rotating the frame relative to the gripper at the clasp changes a roll angle of the planar light region,

a first adjustment mechanism slidably operable to move the housing relative to the support and thereby change a yaw angle of the planar light region, and

a second adjustment mechanism rotatably operable to move the housing relative to the support and thereby change a pitch angle of the planar light region.

9. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:

the support is positioned to be at a first side of the rod when the gripper releasably grips the rod; and

the clasp is positioned to be at an opposite second side of the rod when the gripper releasably grips the rod.

10. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:

the gripper conforms to a transverse cross-sectional shape of the rod; and

the gripper is removable and replaceable with a different gripper that conforms to a different transverse cross-sectional shape of a different elongate rod.

11. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein the support includes a platform carrying the housing.

12. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:

the clasp includes a threaded axle at which the frame is rotatably connected to the gripper; and

the threaded axle is rotatable to increase a force exerted by the gripper against the rod.

13. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein the rod is a vertical rod.

14. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:

the light-emitting device includes a lens operably associated with the laser; and

the light-emitting device is configured to emit light from the laser via the lens to form the planar light region.

15. The guidance system of claim 8 wherein:

the gripper includes a first jaw and an opposing second jaw; and

the frame includes a swing arm hingedly connected to the support, wherein the swing arm carries the first jaw toward and away from the second jaw to transition the clamp between a closed state and an open state.

16. A method for operating a paint-striping system, the method comprising:

positioning a paint-striping machine at a first location, wherein a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine is above a first end portion of a path for a planned paint stripe on pavement when the paint-striping machine is at the first location;

moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement from the first location toward a second location while dispensing paint from the nozzle onto the pavement to form a paint stripe along the path, wherein the nozzle is above an opposite second end portion of the path when the paint-striping machine is at the second location;

emitting, from a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine, a planar light region having a vertical orientation while moving the paint-striping machine, wherein emitting the planar light region forms a visible guidance line; and

guiding further movement of the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second location based on an alignment of the guidance line with a stationary reference while dispensing paint from the nozzle onto the pavement to continue the paint stripe along the path.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

moving the paint-striping machine includes moving the paint-striping machine toward a portable target having a reflective surface facing toward the paint-striping machine; and

emitting the planar light region includes emitting the planar light region such that the planar light region forms the visible guidance line on the reflective surface.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein:

moving the paint-striping machine includes moving the paint-striping machine toward a mark on the pavement designating the second end portion of the path; and

emitting the planar light region includes emitting the planar light region such that the planar light region forms the visible guidance line on the pavement.

19. A method for calibrating a paint-striping system, the method comprising:

positioning, a first time, a paint-striping machine at a first location on pavement such that a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine is above a first end portion of a straight path on the pavement;

moving, a first time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward an opposite second end portion of the path after positioning the paint-striping machine the first time;

emitting, a first time, a planar light region having a vertical orientation from a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine while moving the paint-striping machine the first time, wherein emitting the planar light region the first time forms a visible guidance line;

further moving, a first time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path while maintaining, a first time, the guidance line in alignment with a stationary reference;

detecting a misalignment of the nozzle with the path after further moving the paint-striping machine the first time;

adjusting the guidance system to change a yaw angle of the planar light region after detecting the misalignment;

positioning, a second time, the paint-striping machine at the first location after adjusting the guidance system;

moving, a second time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path after positioning the paint-striping machine the second time;

emitting, a second time, a planar light region from the guidance system while moving the paint-striping machine the second time, wherein emitting the planar light region the second time forms the visible guidance line;

further moving, a second time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path while maintaining, a second time, the guidance line in alignment with the stationary reference; and

detecting an alignment of the nozzle with the path after further moving the paint-striping machine the second time.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein:

further moving the paint-striping machine the first time includes further moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path a first distance of at least 75% of a total distance from the first end portion of the path to the second end portion of the path while maintaining the guidance line in alignment with the stationary reference; and

further moving the paint-striping machine the second time includes further moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path a second distance of at least 75% of a total distance from the first end portion of the path to the second end portion of the path while maintaining the guidance line in alignment with the stationary reference.

21. A method for calibrating a paint-striping system, the method comprising:

positioning, a first time, a paint-striping machine at a first location on pavement such that a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine is above a first end portion of a straight path on the pavement;

moving, a first time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward an opposite second end portion of the path after positioning the paint-striping machine the first time;

emitting, a first time, a planar light region having a vertical orientation from a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine while moving the paint-striping machine the first time, wherein emitting the planar light region the first time forms a visible guidance line;

further moving, a first time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path while maintaining, a first time, the nozzle in alignment with the path;

detecting a misalignment of the guidance line with a stationary reference after further moving the paint-striping machine the first time;

adjusting the guidance system to change a yaw angle of the planar light region after detecting the misalignment;

positioning, a second time, the paint-striping machine at the first location after adjusting the guidance system;

moving, a second time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path after positioning the paint-striping machine the second time;

emitting, a second time, the planar light region from the guidance system while moving the paint-striping machine the second time, wherein emitting the planar light region the second time forms the visible guidance line;

further moving, a second time, the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path while maintaining, a second time, the nozzle in alignment with the path; and

detecting an alignment of the guidance line with the stationary reference after further moving the paint-striping machine the second time.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein:

further moving the paint-striping machine the first time includes further moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path a first distance of at least 75% of a total distance from the first end portion of the path to the second end portion of the path while maintaining the nozzle in alignment with the path; and

further moving the paint-striping machine the second time includes further moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second end portion of the path a second distance of at least 75% of a total distance from the first end portion of the path to the second end portion of the path while maintaining the nozzle in alignment with the path.