Intersecting laser line generating device

• US 7,469,481 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nash, Derek J., Williams, Michael, Smith, John C., Spanski, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BENNETT, GEORGE B
• Application Number:
  US11/949,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 332/73, 332/76, 332/77, 332/78, 332/79, 332/80, 332/82, 332/83, 332/85, 332/86, 332/90, 332/91, 333/98, 33D/IG.21
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0052 the light source comprising a laser diode coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0938 Using specific optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/004 Manual alignment, e.g. micromanipulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

A line generating device generates two fan-shaped beams of light at an angle to each other, and projects the beams onto an adjacent surface, where the beams are visible as lines on the surface. A user has access to the intersection of the lines, so that the intersection can be marked or otherwise used in combination with the lines, such as in aligning objects.

Claims

1. A laser beam generating device comprising:

a housing having a base, the base defining a base plane;

a laser light generator mounted within the housing;

a lens mounted in the housing, the lens receiving laser light from the laser light generator and projecting a first beam of laser light outside the housing;

a cutout portion of the housing defined by a volume of space between an area defined by a perpendicular projection of a perimeter of the housing onto the base plane and the housing;

wherein the first beam is projected through the cutout portion and onto a working surface adjacent the base, at least a portion of the first beam remaining within the cutout portion from the point where the first beam exits the housing until the first beam intersects the base plane.

2. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the lens projects a first fan-shaped beam of laser light.

3. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the lens projects the first beam of laser light substantially perpendicular to the base plane.

4. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the lens projects a second beam of laser light outside the housing.

5. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the lens projects a second fan-shaped beam of laser light.

6. The laser beam generating device of claim 5 wherein the lens projects the second fan-shaped beam substantially perpendicular to the first beam.

7. The laser beam generating device of claim 6 wherein the lens projects the second beam substantially parallel to the first beam.

8. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the cutout portion has an arcuate-shape.

9. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the laser light generator is pivotably mounted within the housing.

10. The laser beam generating device of claim 9 wherein the lens is pivotably mounted within the housing.

11. The laser beam generating device of claim 9 comprising a magnetic damper that dampens oscillations of the laser light generator and lens.

12. The laser beam generating device of claim 11 comprising a lock-out device that prevents the laser light generator and the lens from pivoting within the housing.

13. The laser beam generating device of claim 11 wherein the laser light generator and lens are pendulously suspended from a pivot point in the housing and the laser light generator and lens self level when the laser beam generating device is within approximately 10 degrees of plumb when mounted on a substantially vertical surface.

14. The laser beam generating device of claim 1 wherein the lens projects a third beam of laser light outside the housing.

15. A laser beam generating device comprising:

a housing having a base, the base defining a base plane;

a laser light generator mounted within the housing, the laser light generator projecting a first beam of laser light; and

a first beam exit disposed in the housing, the beam exit being spaced apart from and facing the base plane;

wherein the first beam is projected through the first exit and onto a substantially horizontal surface within the base plane, the first beam being projected from above the surface and normal to the surface.

16. The laser beam generating device of claim 15 wherein the laser light generator projects a fan-shaped first beam of laser light.

17. The laser beam generating device of claim 15 wherein the laser light generator projects a second beam of laser light through a second beam exit disposed in the housing.

18. The laser beam generating device of claim 17 wherein the laser light generator projects a fan-shaped second beam of laser light.

19. The laser beam generating device of claim 17 wherein the laser light generator projects the second beam substantially perpendicular to the first beam.

20. The laser beam generating device of claim 17 wherein the laser light generator projects the second beam substantially parallel to the first beam.