Laser Centering Tool for Surface Areas

• US 20130167384A1
• Filed: 01/04/2013
• Published: 07/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chris Olexa
• Original Assignee: Chris Olexa
• Inventors: Olexa, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 9,127,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/227
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• 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

Abstract

A laser centering tool for surface areas used to find the center point of a surface. The laser centering tool uses single or multiple laser sources to project a plurality of lines on a horizontal or vertical surface. It may comprise of multiple lasers, rotational plates, prism, beam splitter, gear housing, and/or a gear mechanism. At least one center laser line remains stationary between at least two edge laser lines. The edge lasers may be moved to outline the edge of a surface. At least one center laser projects a beam that indicates the center point of the edge lasers. The edge laser lines may be moved by rotational plates, a set of mirrors, or prism.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a housing;

a center light source mated to the housing configured to generate a center reference light line projected onto a surface;

a left light source configured to generate a left reference light line projected onto the surface wherein the left light source is connected to a left rotational element;

a right light source configured to generate a right reference light line projected onto the surface wherein the right light source is connected to a right rotational element;

a power source for providing power to the center light source, left light source, and right light source;

a gear system within the housing which controls the rotation of the left rotation element and right rotational element configured to move the left rotational element and right rotational element in unison and in opposite rotational directions; and

wherein the movement of the left rotational element and right rotational element cause the left reference light line and the right reference light line to move in equal increments away from or towards the center reference light line.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the center light source, wherein the reflected light signal can be used to determine the distance from the device to the reflecting surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the determined distance can be used in combination with the degree of rotation of at least one of the rotational elements to determine the distance between the center reference light line and the left reference light line or the right reference light line.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a left sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the left light source and a right sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the right light source, wherein the left and right reflected light signals can be used to determine a left side distance and a right side distance of the respective light from the reflecting surface.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the system can notify the user when the left side distance and right side distance are equal indicative of the device being parallel to the surface.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a mounting element for mounting to a stand.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes an adjustment dial for the user to adjust the angular rotation of the left rotational plate and right rotational plate.

8. The device of claim 3 further including a display for displaying one or more determined distances.

9. A device comprising:

a housing;

a center light source mated to the housing configured to generate a center light beam;

a power source for providing power to the center light source;

at least one beam splitter for splitting the center light source into a center beam, a left beam and a right beam, wherein the center beam projects a center reference light line onto a surface;

a left mirror configured to reflect the left beam producing a left reference light line on the surface wherein the left mirror is connected to a left rotational element;

a right mirror configured to reflect the right beam producing a right reference light line on the surface wherein the right mirror is connected to a right rotational element;

a gear system within the housing which controls the rotation of the left rotation element and right rotational element and is configured to move the left rotational element and right rotational element in unison and in opposite rotational directions; and

wherein the movement of the left rotational element and right rotational element cause the left reference light line and the right reference light line to move in equal increments away from or towards the center reference light line.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device further includes a sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the center light source, wherein the reflected light signal can be used to determine the distance from the device to the reflecting surface.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the determined distance can be used in combination with the degree of rotation of at least one of the rotational elements to determine the distance between the center reference light line and the left reference light line or right reference light line.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the device further includes a left sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the left beam and a right sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the right beam, wherein the left and right reflected light signals can be used to determine a left side distance and a right side distance of the respective light from the reflecting surface.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the system can notify the user when the left side distance and right side distance are equal indicative of the device being parallel to the surface.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the device has a mounting element for mounting to a stand.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the device further includes an adjustment dial for the user to adjust the angular rotation of the left rotational plate and right rotational plate.

16. The device of claim 11 further including a display for displaying one or more determined distances.

17. A device comprising:

a housing;

a center light source mated to the housing configured to generate a center light beam;

a power source for providing power to the center light source;

at least one beam splitter for splitting the center light source into a center beam, a left beam and a right beam, wherein at least one of the at least one beam splitter is mounted to a moveable plate and wherein the center beam projects a center reference light line onto a surface;

a left mirror configured to reflect the left beam producing a left reference light line on the surface;

a right mirror configured to reflect the right beam producing a right reference light line on the surface;

a mechanism within the housing which controls the movement of the moveable plate so that the left beam and right beam reflect off of the left mirror and right mirror respectively at different locations on the mirrors; and

wherein the movement of the moveable plate causes the left reference light line and the right reference light line to move in equal increments away from or towards the center reference light line.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further includes a sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the center light source, wherein the reflected light signal can be used to determine the distance from the device to the reflecting surface.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the determined distance can be used in combination with the displacement of the moveable plate to determine the distance between the center reference light line and the left reference light line or right reference light line.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further includes a left sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the left beam and a right sensor for receiving a reflected light signal from the right beam, wherein the left and right reflected light signals can be used to determine a left side distance and a right side distance of the respective light from the reflecting surface.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the system can notify the user when the left side distance and right side distance are equal indicative of the device being parallel to the surface.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the device has a mounting element for mounting to a stand.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the device further includes an adjustment dial for the user to adjust the movement of the moveable plate.

24. The device of claim 19 further including a display for displaying one or more determined distances.