Laser line generating device with swivel base

• US 7,278,218 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2003
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levine, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett; G. Bradley
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, AMY COHEN
• Application Number:
  US10/612,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20040258126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 332/86, 33D/IG.21, 332/85, 332/27, 332/28, 33/1.N, 33/1.D, 332/81, 332/82, 332/83, 333/54, 333/47, 333/70, 333/71, 333/72, 333/73, 333/74, 333/75, 333/76, 248/542, 248/683, 248/558, 248/458, 248/467, 248/130, 248/131, 248/425, 248/429, 248/371, 248/349.1, 248/943, 248/183.2
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/26 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, having a first surface that includes a connection structure to receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto, and a second surface including a nonmechanical attachment structure.

Claims

1. A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a first portion having a planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim, the rim having a pocket formed therein, and a concave recess formed in the planar surface; and

a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion having a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion,

wherein the first portion is adapted to removably mount a light generating device or a leveling device to the first portion along the planar surface,

wherein the first portion is both pivotable and rotatable relative to the second portion.

2. The base of claim 1, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure comprises an adhesive.

3. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive protrudes from the second portion.

4. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive further comprises a liner.

5. The base of claim 2, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive comprising;

an inner portion attached to the second portion, and an outer portion releasably attached to the inner portion.

6. The base of claim 2, further comprising a second adhesive.

7. The base of claim 1, further comprising a retainer having a flat surface and a convex surface opposite the flat surface, the retainer being disposed in the concave recess with the convex surface adjacent the concave recess.

8. The base of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes an outwardly curved surface opposite the planar surface, and the second portion includes an inwardly curved surface opposite the nonmechanical attachment structure, the outwardly curved surface being received by the inwardly curved surface.

9. The base of claim 8, wherein the outwardly curved surface is swivelably mounted to the inwardly curved surface.

10. The base of claim 1, wherein the first portion is adapted to removably mount the laser generating device or the leveling device by one of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

11. A light generating device with a base, comprising:

base comprising;

a first portion having a first planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim, the rim having a pocket disposed therein, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface; and

a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion having a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion;

wherein the light generating device is removably mounted to the first portion along the first planar surface, at least a portion of the light generating device being disposed in the pocket, and the first portion is both pivotable and rotatable relative to the second portion.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the light generating device comprises a housing with at least one flat surface and the fan substantially lies within a second plane that intersects a plane defined by the at least one flat surface at an angle.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the light generating device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the noninechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the light generating device is removably mounted to the first portion with one of a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein the light generating device includes a latch.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein the first portion includes a latch.

21. The device of claim 11, wherein the first portion includes a magnet or a material that is magnetically attractive to a magnet.

22. A leveling device with a base, comprising:

the base comprising;

a first portion having a first planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim, the rim having a pocket disposed therein, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface; and

a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion having a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion;

wherein the leveling generating device removably mounted to the first portion along the first planar surface, at least a portion of the light generating device being disposed in the pocket, and the first portion is both pivotable and rotatable relative to the second portion.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the leveling device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the leveling device is removably mounted to the first portion by one of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the leveling device includes a latch.

27. The device of claim 22, wherein the first portion includes a magnet or a material that is magnetically attracted to a magnet.

28. A movable base for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a first portion having a planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim having a pocket, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface, the planar surface being adapted to removably receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto; and

a second portion mounted to the first portion, the second portion including a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion,

wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion opposite the light generating device or leveling device and the first portion is both pivotable and rotatable relative to the second portion.

29. The base of claim 28, wherein the first portion includes a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device or leveling device being mounted to the first portion.

30. The base of claim 28, wherein the first portion includes a curved inner surface and the second portion includes a curved outer surface that receives the curved inner surface of the first portion when the first and second portions are attached to one another.

31. The base of claim 28, further comprising a retainer and a fastener for joining the first and second portions.

32. The base of claim 28, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure comprises an adhesive.

33. The base of claim 32, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive.

34. The base of claim 32, wherein the adhesive protrudes from the second portion.

35. The base of claim 32, wherein the adhesive further comprises a liner.

36. The base of claim 28, wherein the first portion includes one of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, a recess, and a latch.

37. A method of aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a light generating device into a movable base, the movable base including a first portion having a planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim having a pocket, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface, the light generating device being removably mounted to the first portion along the planar surface with a portion of the light generating device being disposed in the pocket, the movable base further including a second portion that includes a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion, the second portion pivotably and rotatably mounted to the first portion;

attaching the light generating device and movable base to a wall surface with an adhesive;

orienting the light generating device in at least one plane using at least one bubble level and a movable feature on the light generating device; and

aligning at least one object on the wall surface.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising removing the light generating device and the movable base from the wall surface and discarding the adhesive.

40. A method of aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a leveling device into a movable base, the movable base including a first portion having a planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim having a pocket, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface, the leveling device being removably mounted to the first portion along the planar surface with a portion of the light generating device being disposed in the pocket, the movable base further including a second portion that includes a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion, the second portion pivotably and rotatably mounted to the first portion;

attaching the leveling device and movable base to a wall surface with an adhesive;

orienting the leveling device in at least one plane using at least one bubble level and a movable feature on the leveling device; and

aligning at least one object on the wall surface.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising removing the leveling device and the movable base from the wall surface and discarding the adhesive.

43. A kit for a light generating device, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a base positioned within the volume of space, the base comprising;

a first portion having a planar surface at least partially surround by a rim having a pocket, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface;

a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion including a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion and, the second portion pivotably and rotatably attached to the first portion; and

a light generating device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the base, wherein the planar surface is adapted to removably mount the light generating device to the first portion, such that a portion of the light generating device is disposed in the pocket.

44. The kit of claim 43, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

45. The kit of claim 44, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

46. The kit of claim 43, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

47. The kit of claim 46, wherein the light generating device comprises a housing with at least one flat surface and the fan substantially lies within a second plane that intersects a plane defined by the flat surface at an angle.

48. The kit of claim 43, wherein the light generating device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

49. The kit of claim 43, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

50. The kit of claim 43, wherein the light generating device is removably mounted to the first portion with one of a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

51. The kit of claim 43, wherein the light generating device comprises a latch that engages the first portion.

52. The kit of claim 43, wherein the planar surface includes a magnet.

53. The kit of claim 43, wherein the planar surface includes a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device.

54. A kit for a leveling device, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a base positioned within the volume of space, the base comprising;

a first portion including a planar surface at least partially surrounded by a rim having a pocket, and a concave recess disposed in the planar surface; and

a second portion pivotably and rotatably attached to the first portion, the second portion including a nonmechanical attachment structure opposite the first portion; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the base, wherein the planar surface is adapted to removably mount the leveling device to the first portion, such that a portion of the leveling device is disposed in the pocket.

55. The kit of claim 54, wherein the leveling device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

56. The kit of claim 54, wherein the nonmechanical attachment structure is an adhesive.

57. The kit of claim 54, wherein the leveling device is removably mounted to the first portion with one of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

58. The kit of claim 54, wherein the leveling device includes a latch.

59. The kit of claim 54, wherein the leveling device further comprises an automatic leveler selected from the group consisting of a pendulum, a cantilevered tilt mechanism, an electronic leveler, and a shaft held between journals.