Image projecting device

• US 5,477,283 A
• Filed: 08/15/1994
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan F. Casey
• Original Assignee: Alan F. Casey
• Inventors: Casey, Alan F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dowling, William C.
• Application Number:
  US08/290,541
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 353/11, 353/22-24, 353/28, 353/42-43, 353/62, 353/84-85, 353/87, 353/119, 353/DIG. 3, 362/418-419, 362/427, 362/430, 33/614-616
• US Class Current: 353/62
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/00 Accessories or implements for use in connection with painting or artistic drawing, not otherwise provided for hand tools for applying liquids, e.g. paints, to surfaces B05C17/00, implements for finishing work on buildings, other than painting, E04F21/00; Methods or devices for colour determination, selection, or synthesis, e.g. use of colour tables colorimetry G01J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0025 for optical correction, e.g. distorsion, aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/32 Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 1/90 prepared by montage processes

Abstract

An optical projecting device accurately aligns figures, letters and symbols using images, and grid lines projected on a work area during such tasks as graphic design layout. Prior art solutions to the problem of eliminating penciled guide lines to improve such graphic design layout involve the projection of reference lines. But one drawback is that there is no provision for moving, repositioning, or partially rotating, the images and reference lines relative to the work piece during the design layout operation. Another is that they include no provision for changing the image sizes when required during the progress of the work. A different technology as well as different illumination precepts overcome prior art drawbacks. The unit is the type which includes a housing, a light source within the housing, and an image bearing transparent panel. But the transparent panel is carried in a retainer adapted to be rotated. In addition swivel and pivotal means are provided for raising, lowering and moving the projecting unit.

Claims

1. A device for projecting guide lines on a work surface, the device including (1) a projecting apparatus, (2) an apparatus base adapted to be attached to a table, wall or ceiling, (3) a connecting arm, (4) means for pivotally attaching one end of the connecting arm to the apparatus base, (5) means for swivelly connecting the other end of the connecting arm to the projecting apparatus, the pivotal means permitting the projecting unit to be moved vertically and horizontally relative to the base, the swivel means permitting the projecting apparatus to be rotated, the projecting apparatus (1) including (a) a housing, (b) a light source within the housing, (c) a transparent panel spaced therefrom so that light passes therethrough, and (d) a focusing lens carried by the housing so that the lens is between the transparent panel and the work surface, a retainer adapted to hold the transparent panel, means for rotating the transparent panel so that lines can be projected on the work surface at any angle, the transparent panel having on its surface a set of lines to be projected on the work surface, the lines being a set of nonparallel lines configured to correct for lens aberrations so that the lines are projected on the work surface as parallel guide lines.

2. The projecting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focusing lens is a variable focal length lens.

3. The projecting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focusing lens includes an adjustable aperture adapted to control the lens opening and hence the light passing through said lens.

4. A device for projecting guide lines on a work surface, the device including (A) a projecting apparatus, (B) an apparatus base adapted to be attached to a table, wall or ceiling, (C) a connecting arm, (D) means for pivotally attaching one end of the connecting arm to the apparatus base, and (E) means for swivelly connecting the other end of the connecting arm to the projecting apparatus, the pivotal means (D) permitting the projecting unit to be moved vertically and horizontally relative to the base, the swivel means (E) permitting the projecting apparatus to be rotated, the projecting apparatus (A) including (1) a housing, (2) a light source within the housing, and (3) a lens unit, the lens unit (3) including (a) a lens adapter, (b) a transparency seat within said lens adapter, and (c) a focusing lens fixed in the lens adapter and spaced therein so that the lens is between the transparent panel seat and the work surface, a transparent panel disposed in the transparency seat, the transparent panel having on its surface a set of lines to be projected on the work surface as guide lines, a retainer adapted to hold the transparent panel in said seat, and means rendering the lens adapter, and hence the transparent panel, rotatable so that the guide lines can be projected on the work surface at any angle.