Plotter for construction sites and method

• US 6,064,940 A
• Filed: 05/15/1996
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Appalos Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Appalos Corporation
• Inventors: Thornley, William T., Rodgers, Edwin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/648,429
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/26, 701/201, 701/205, 701/207, 701/208, 701/217, 701/223, 701/300, 701/302, 342/357, 342/450, 342/451, 342/457, 324/323, 324/329, 340/990, 340/903, 340/943
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/02 Means for marking measuring points

Abstract

A plotter and method for laying out computerized construction plans on a construction site includes a mobile applicator (A) carrying a locator (B) for supplying location data to a central processing unit (C) which stores the construction plans, and provides an output signal to an actuator (D) for initiating marking of the site by the applicator. An operator manually traverses the mobile applicator over a path calculated to cover the entire construction site, and the actuator causes the applicator to progressively mark the site responsive to signals from the central processing unit, so that the marks on the site correspond with the construction plans.

Claims

1. A plotter for laying out construction ground and floor plans on a construction site comprising:

a platform carried on wheels for traversing a construction site;

an applicator on said platform for marking said construction site according to said construction plans;

a locator for continuously providing data indicative of a current location of said applicator upon said construction site relative to said construction plans;

a central processing unit for storing computerized construction plan data, receiving said data indicative of current location of said applicator, and providing output signals responsive thereto at predetermined locations;

said locator including a laser signal transceiver carried by said applicator;

a plurality of spaced reflectors serving as reference points on the construction site to reflect said laser signals;

a manually operated handle for guiding the the platform and wheels on a selected path traversing the construction site responsive to manual manipulation of the handle during marking; and

a hand gripping means on said handle for moving the applicator responsive to manual force during marking; and

an actuator for operating said platform responsive to said output signals from central processing unit;

whereby said computerized construction plans may be marked upon a construction site by a mobile applicator responsive to output signals from a central processing unit.

2. A method of laying out construction plans onto a construction site comprising the steps of:

providing an applicator on a platform carried on wheels for traversing a construction site for marking said said construction site according to said construction plans;

guiding said applicator through manual manipulation of a handle on said platform during laying out of the site;

traversing said mobile applicator systematically over said construction site by manually moving said applicator in a pattern over the site;

continuously determining a current applicator location relative to said construction site;

comparing said current applicator location with said construction plans to determine where to apply marks; and

progressively marking said construction site as said mobile applicator traverses over said construction site, so that said marks correspond with said construction plans;

whereby construction plans are accurately marked upon a construction site by systematically traversing a mobile applicator over the construction site.

3. The method set forth in claim 2 including the step of progressively traversing said applicator over each level of a building upon construction of each successive level.

4. The method set forth in claim 2 including the step of marking different colors on said construction site indicating separate construction plans for different trades.

5. A method of laying out construction plans onto a construction site comprising the steps of:

providing an applicator on a platform carried on wheels for traversing a construction site for marking said construction site according to said construction plans;

traversing said applicator systematically over said construction site by manually guiding said applicator;

guiding said applicator through manual manipulation of a handle on said platform during laying out of the site;

utilizing a locator for continuously providing data indicative of a current location of said applicator relative to said plans;

comparing said data indicative of a current location of said applicator with said plans to determine where to apply marks to said construction site as the applicator is manually guided over the site; and

marking said construction site corresponding with said plans;

whereby construction plans are accurately marked on a construction site by systematically traversing a mobile applicator over the construction site.