Laser alignment device

• US 6,763,596 B1
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Chicago Steel Tape Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Davenport, John, Wilson, Duard, Puri, Ash, Huff, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US10/226,407
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 332/86, 332/27, 332/81, 332/82, 332/83, 332/85, 332/90, 332/94, 33D/IG.21, 335/35, 332/91
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/02 Means for marking measuring points
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/105 Optical plumbing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

This invention is directed to a novel, portable, self-powered laser alignment device which can simultaneously generate plumb, square and level laser reference points. The laser alignment device is comprised of a main body that is pendulously suspended from a unit housing. The main body is adapted to house a plurality of orthogonally oriented laser diodes that, when energized, produce a plurality of orthogonal output beams to allow the operator to easily mark plumb, square and level reference points. The laser alignment device is self-leveling, which eliminates the time consuming calibration previously required for instrument setup. The movement of the main body is dampened by use of a magnetic dampening system that is comprised of a non-magnetic metallic plate, which is passed through a permanent magnetic field. The housing of the laser alignment device contains the main body, the laser diodes, the dampening system and a power supply to energize the diodes.

Claims

1. A self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device comprising:

a main body, pivotable about a first and a second axis of rotation;

a plurality of laser diodes, each adapted to produce a separate output beam, positioned within said main body, said laser diodes oriented orthogonal with respect to each said adjacent diode such that each output beam is orthogonal to said adjacent output beams;

a power source for supplying power to said laser diodes;

a dampening mechanism attached to said main body and adapted to dampen pendular movement of said main body, said dampening mechanism including a non-ferrous metallic plate attached to said main body with an opening positioned to permit an output beam from a laser diode to pass therethrough.

2. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism connected to said housing adapted to electrically connect said power source to said laser diodes when said switch mechanism is in an on position.

3. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism associated with said switch mechanism and adapted to secure said main body in a fixed position when said switch is in an off position.

4. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 1, wherein said main body includes a plurality of orthogonally oriented posts, said posts each having a chamber adapted to accept one of said laser diodes.

5. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 1, wherein said main body further includes a plurality of weighted adjustment screws adapted to allow balancing of said main body.

6. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 1, wherein said main body is pivotally connected to an inner gimbal to allow said main body to pivot about said first axis of rotation.

7. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 6, wherein said inner gimbal is pivotally connected to an outer inner gimbal to allow said main body to pivot about said second axis of rotation.

8. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 1, wherein said non-ferrous metallic plate attached to said main body is adapted to pass through a magnetic field producing a resistance force to dampen the movement of said main body.

9. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 8, wherein said plate is made from copper.

10. The self-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 8, wherein said plate is made from aluminum.

11. An auto leveling multi-beam laser alignment device comprising:

a main body, pivotable about a first and a second axis of rotation;

a plurality of laser diodes, each adapted to produce a separate output beam, positioned within said main body, said laser diodes oriented orthogonal with respect to each said adjacent diode such that each output beam is orthogonal to said adjacent output beams;

a power source for supplying power to said laser diodes;

a dampening mechanism attached to said main body and adapted to dampen pendular movement of said main body,

a switch mechanism connected to said housing adapted to electrically connect said power source to said laser diodes when said switch mechanism is in an on position; and

a locking mechanism associated with said switch mechanism and adapted to secure said main body in a fixed position when said switch is in an off position.

12. The auto-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 11, wherein said laser instrument includes a plurality of posts having an orthogonal relationship with respect to each other adjacent posts, said posts each having a chamber adapted to accept one of said laser diodes.

13. The auto-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 11, wherein said laser instrument further includes a plurality of weighted adjustment screws adapted to allow balancing of said laser instrument.

14. The auto-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 11, wherein said pendulously suspended laser instrument is suspended by pivotally connecting said laser instrument to an inner gimbal to allow said laser instrument to pivot about said first axis of rotation.

15. The auto-leveling multi-beam laser alignment device of claim 14, wherein said inner gimbal is pivotally connected to an outer gimbal to allow said pendulously suspended laser instrument to pivot about said second axis of rotation.

16. A self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device comprising:

a main body, pivotable about a first and a second axis of rotation;

a plurality of laser diodes, each adapted to produce a separate output beam, positioned within said main body, said laser diodes oriented orthogonal with respect to each said adjacent diode such that each output beam is orthogonal to said adjacent output beams;

a power source for supplying power to said laser diodes;

a dampening mechanism attached to said main body and adapted to dampen pendular movement of said main body;

said main body further includes a plurality of weighted adjustment screws adapted to allow balancing of said main body.

17. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 16, further comprising a switch connected to said housing and adapted to engage an electric switch to electrically connect said power supply to said laser diodes when said switch is in an on position.

18. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism associated with said switch and adapted to secure said main body in a fixed position from moving when said switch is in an off position.

19. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 16, wherein said main body includes a plurality of orthogonally oriented posts, said posts each having one of said openings adapted to accept one of said laser diodes.

20. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 16, wherein said pendulous suspension of said main body is accomplished by pivotally connecting the main body to an inner gimbal to allow said main body to pivot about said first axis of rotation.

21. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 20, wherein pendulous suspension of said main body is further accomplished by pivotally connecting said inner gimbal to an outer gimbal to allow said main body to pivot about said second axis of rotation.

22. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 16, wherein said dampening mechanism includes a non-ferrous metallic plate that is attached to said main body and adapted to pass through a magnetic field producing a resistance force to dampen the movement of said main body.

23. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 22, wherein said plate is made from copper.

24. The self-leveling multiple beam laser alignment device of claim 22, wherein said plate is made from aluminum.