Laser detector for flexible measuring tools
AssigneeThumbline, LLC
InventorRobert Gage Pabst
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is configured to employ with a retractable tape measure including a flexible measuring tape. The apparatus includes an electronic system including a laser receiver and a body configured to house the electronic system therein. The laser receiver is configured to detect a laser projected in at least one of a red wavelength and a green wavelength. The body includes an arcuate-shaped cavity configured to receive the flexible measuring tape in a sliding engagement, and a top surface oriented to face in a direction from which the flexible measuring tape is read with the flexible measuring tape received in the cavity. The top surface includes a port configured to align with the laser receiver.
Claims18
An apparatus configured to employ with a retractable tape measure including a flexible measuring tape having a first edge and a second edge that is parallel to the first edge, the apparatus comprising:
- an electronic system including a laser receiver configured to detect a laser projected in at least one of a red wavelength and a green wavelength;
- and
- a body configured to house the electronic system therein, the body including an arcuate-shaped cavity configured to receive the flexible measuring tape in a sliding engagement, and a top surface oriented to face in a direction from which the flexible measuring tape is read with the flexible measuring tape received in the cavity,
- wherein the top surface includes a port configured to align with the laser receiver.
A method of employing a flexible measuring tape with a laser level, the flexible measuring tape including a first edge and a second edge that is parallel to the first edge, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus including a body and an electronic system having a laser receiver configured to detect a laser projected in at least one of a red wavelength and a green wavelength, the apparatus provided in a handheld pocket-size form factor;
- configuring the body to include each of:
- an arcuate-shaped cavity configured to receive the flexible measuring tape in a sliding engagement;
- a top surface oriented to face in a direction from which the flexible measuring tape is read with the flexible measuring tape received in the cavity;
- and a port formed in the top surface;
- and
- locating the electronic apparatus within the body such that the laser receiver is aligned with the port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.