Self-leveling mechanism

• US 7,591,075 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: McCracken, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson; Amy Cohen
• Application Number:
  US11/528,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20080078091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 332/82, 332/83, 332/85, 332/86, 332/90, 332/91, 332/27, 332/28, 33D/IG.21, 333/74, 333/75, 333/91, 333/95, 333/97, 248/278.1, 74/52.2, 74/59
• US Class Current: 33/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

A level, particularly a laser level is provided with a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity and a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis. The chassis carries a first light source for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane and a second light for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane.

Claims

1. A self-leveling light level device comprising:

a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity;

a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis;

a stationary bearing operatively connected to the chassis and having an outer portion fixed to the housing and an inner race rotatable with respect to an outer portion of the stationary bearing;

a first light source provided on the chassis for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane;

a second light source provided on the chassis for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane;

wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted from the housing in the same direction;

a bracket having a first end and a second end to define a longitudinal axis and with each end connected to a respective arm; and

a shaft transversely mounted on the bracket and carrying an inner bearing, wherein the bracket includes a first wall spaced from a second wall, with each wall having an aperture to receive a part of the shaft carrying the inner bearing.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first plane and the second plane are in different directions.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially orthogonal.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the chassis has a pair of arms operatively connected to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the chassis includes a chassis housing for carrying each of the first light source and second light source.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the inner bearing is operatively connected to the chassis and operates transverse to the stationary bearing.

7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising

an inner bearing holder having a first portion fixed to the inner bearing and a second portion fixed to the inner race of the stationary bearing.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the housing is a clamshell housing including a first and a second half that when assembled define a front of the device.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the housing has a spaced apart top and bottom defining a longitudinal axis.

10. The invention of claim 9 further comprising a base associated with the housing.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the housing is rotatable with respect to the base.

12. The invention of claim 10 wherein the housing is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

13. The invention of claim 10 wherein the housing is movable with respect to the base along the longitudinal axis.

14. The invention of claim 10 further comprising a mounting assembly.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein the mounting assembly includes a vacuum mounting arrangement.

16. The invention of claim 8 further comprising a mounting assembly.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the mounting assembly includes a vacuum mounting arrangement.

18. A self-leveling light level device comprising

a chassis with a top, a bottom, and a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the top of the chassis;

a bracket extending between the arms;

a cylindrical inner bearing mounted to the bracket and having an axis orthogonal to the bracket to allow the chassis to rotate with respect to the inner bearing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the bearing;

the inner bearing having an outer annular surface fixedly mounted in an inner bearing holder;

an outer cylindrical bearing having an axis orthogonal to the axis of the inner cylindrical bearing, the outer bearing having an inner race rotatably fixed to the inner bearing holder and being rotatable with respect to a stationary outer annular surface such that the chassis is simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity; and

,

a first light source provided on the chassis for emitting a first light beam along a first plane,

wherein the bracket includes a first wall spaced from a second wall, with each wall having an aperture to receive a part of a shaft carrying the inner bearing.

19. The invention of claim 18 further comprising a second light source provided on the chassis for emitting a second light beam along a second plane.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein the first light beam and the second beam are emitted in the same direction.

21. The invention of claim 18 wherein the inner bearing holder is disposed between the first and second wall of the bracket.

22. The invention of claim 21 wherein the inner bearing holder has an H-shape.

23. The invention of claim 19 wherein the first plane and the second plane are in different directions.

24. The invention of claim 19 wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially orthogonal.

25. The invention of claim 18 further comprising:

a counterweight extending from the bottom of the chassis and an adjustment screw disposed between the counterweight and the bottom of chassis, the adjustment screw being rotatable to adjust a center of gravity of the chassis.

26. A self-leveling mechanism comprising:

a chassis with a top, a bottom, and a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the top of the chassis;

a bracket extending between the arms;

a cylindrical inner bearing mounted to the bracket and having an axis orthogonal to the bracket to allow the chassis to rotate with respect to the inner bearing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the bearing;

the inner bearing having an outer annular surface fixedly mounted in an inner bearing holder; and

,

an outer cylindrical bearing having an axis orthogonal to the axis of the inner cylindrical bearing, the outer bearing having an inner race rotatably fixed to the inner bearing holder and being rotatable with respect to a stationary outer annular surface such that the chassis is simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity,

wherein the bracket includes a first wall spaced from a second wall, with each wall having an aperture to receive a part of a shaft carrying the inner bearing and wherein the inner bearing holder is disposed between the first and second wall of the bracket.