Laser alignment device

• US 6,643,019 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2000
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jack D. Jeanneret
• Original Assignee: Jack D. Jeanneret
• Inventors: Jeanneret, Jack D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUCHMAN, LAYLA G
• Application Number:
  US09/548,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 356/399, 356/248, 356/250, 356/153, 332/86
• US Class Current: 356/399
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/105 Optical plumbing

Abstract

A laser alignment device is described in which a first pipe cap includes an open pipe receiving end formed about a central axis. A laser mount is provided on the first pipe cap, and a second pipe cap is releasably mounted to the first pipe cap. A mounting access is provided on the second pipe cap that is substantially coaxial with the central axis.

Claims

1. A laser alignment device, comprising

a first pipe cap including an open pipe receiving end formed about a central axis;

a laser mount on the first pipe cap;

a second pipe cap releasably mounted to the first pipe cap; and

a mounting access on the second pipe cap and substantially coaxial with the central axis.

2. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, further comprising a reducer sleeve releasably joining the first and second pipe caps.

3. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, further comprising a reducer sleeve releasably joining the first and second pipe caps and wherein the reducer sleeve is removable from both first and second pipe caps.

4. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the second pipe cap includes a base end and wherein the mounting access is formed on the base end of the second pipe cap.

5. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the mounting access is formed as a hole formed through the base end of the second pipe cap.

6. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the mounting access is formed as a hole formed through the base end of the second pipe cap and wherein the hole is substantially centered on the central axis.

7. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the second pipe cap is slidably mounted to the first pipe cap.

8. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the base includes a mounting surface that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

21. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the first pipe cap defines a periphery, and the first pipe cap is configured to receive a portion of an external structure within the periphery for mounting the laser alignment device to the external structure.

22. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the open pipe receiving end of the first pipe cap is configured to receive a pipe.

23. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 1, wherein the mounting access is configured to provide mounting of the laser alignment device to a structure external of the laser alignment device.

9. A laser alignment device, comprising:

a first pipe cap including closed end and an open pipe receiving end formed about a central axis;

a laser mount in fixed position on the closed end, substantially coaxial with the central axis;

a laser mounted to the laser mount, and operable to produce a light beam that is substantially coaxial with the central axis;

a reducer sleeve slidably received in the open pipe receiving end of the first pipe cap;

a second pipe cap having a base end and an open collar slidably received over the reducer sleeve; and

a mounting access on the second pipe cap.

10. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the base is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

11. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the mounting access is comprised of a hole formed through the base.

12. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the reducer sleeve is removably mounted to the first and second pipe caps.

13. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the laser mount is integral with the first pipe cap.

14. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, further comprising an on-off switch on the laser disposed within the open pipe receiving end of the first pipe cap.

24. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the first pipe cap defines a periphery, and the first pipe cap is configured to receive a portion of an external structure within the periphery for mounting the laser alignment device to the external structure.

25. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the open pipe receiving end of the first pipe cap is configured to receive a pipe.

26. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 25, wherein the reducer sleeve is configured to receive an other pipe.

27. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 9, wherein the mounting access is configured to provide mounting of the laser alignment device to a structure external of the laser alignment device.

15. A laser alignment device, comprising:

a first pipe cap including a substantially closed end and an open pipe receiving end formed about a central axis, the open end being defined by a pipe receiving collar;

a laser mount in fixed position on the first pipe cap and shaped to receive and fixedly support a laser in a selected angular orientation;

a reducer sleeve slidably received within the pipe receiving collar of the first pipe cap;

a second pipe cap having a base end and an open collar slidably received over the reducer sleeve; and

a mounting access on the second pipe cap.

16. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the mounting access is defined by a hole formed through the base end of the second pipe cap.

17. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the first and second pipe caps are formed of plastic and wherein the open collars are dimensioned to slidably receive plumbing pipe ends.

18. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the laser mount is comprised of an open laser receiving sleeve on the first pipe cap.

19. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the laser mount is comprised of a laser receiving sleeve on the first pipe cap that is coaxial with the central axis and open at opposed ends.

20. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the base of the second pipe cap is flat and substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

28. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the first pipe cap defines a periphery, and the first pipe cap is configured to receive a portion of an external structure within the periphery for mounting the laser alignment device to the external structure.

29. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the open pipe receiving end of the first pipe cap is configured to receive a pipe.

30. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the reducer sleeve is configured to receive a pipe.

31. A laser alignment device, as defined by claim 15, wherein the mounting access is configured to provide mounting of the laser alignment device to a structure external of the laser alignment device.