Method and apparatus for determining reference levels and flatness of a surface
AssigneeRobotoolz, Ltd.
InventorChristopher Tacklind
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are presented for a laser tool used for direct indication of a level surface. This embodiment may also be used to transfer a level elevation from one level surface to a neighboring surface. The device may also be used to indicate the degree of flatness of a surface by direct observation. An alternative embodiment can provide a direct indication of plumb surfaces.
Claims19
An apparatus for providing a visual indication of level characteristics relative to a subject surface, comprising:
- a housing configured to be supported by a horizontal surface and having at least one opening for emitting light;
- a leveling assembly located in said housing;
- at least one laser source supported by said leveling assembly and configured to emit at least first and second laser fans of light that are directed onto the subject surface, said first and second laser fans of light being oriented at an angle relative to one another in a V shaped configuration relative to the subject surface, wherein the bottom of said V is located at a predetermined position relative to the subject surface.
A laser device for providing a visual indication of the flatness of a surface, comprising:
- a housing operatively supported by the surface;
- a laser generating assembly for emitting at least a pair of fans of light that are directed onto a length of the surface, said fans of light being oriented in a V shaped configuration with the bottom of the V being located at a predetermined position relative to the subject surface and substantially parallel thereto;
- said V shaped fans of light impinging on the surface and producing a pair of lines that are parallel to one another if the surface is flat and producing diverging lines if the surface is not flat.
A laser device for providing a visual indication of the level characteristics and flatness of a surface, comprising:
- a housing operatively supported by the surface;
- a laser generating assembly for emitting at least a pair of fans of light that are directed onto a length of the surface, said fans of light being oriented in a V shaped configuration with the bottom of the V being located at a predetermined position relative to the subject surface;
- and
- a self-leveling mechanism in said housing for controlling said laser generating assembly so that said fans of light produce lines on the subject surface that are parallel to one another when the subject surface is level and flat.
A method of using a laser device to directly transfer the horizontal elevation of a surface to another location in a room without compensating for any offset, the laser device being of the type which has a self-leveling laser generating assembly for emitting a pair of fans of light oriented in a V shaped configuration with the bottom of V being located at the subject surface, comprising the steps of:
- placing the device on the surface having the horizontal elevation that is to be transferred;
- activating the device and directing fans of light to a vertical surface adjacent to where the horizontal elevation is to be transferred;
- and
- recording the location on the vertical surface where the fans of light cross one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.