US 5,852,493 A · Self-aligning laser transmitter having a dual slope grade mechanism

Abstract

A self-aligning laser transmitter having a dual slope grade mechanism is provided. The laser transmitter includes a light source coupled to a frame which is suspended from a gimbal mechanism. The gimbal mechanism and the frame are coupled to a rotatable base. X and Y axes leveling devices are coupled to the gimbal mechanism and the frame to level the light source. A grade arm having two level sensors mounted at ninety degrees to one another is coupled to the frame. The grade arm is pivoted along the X or Y axes by a grade arm pivoting device. The X and Y axes leveling devices reposition the light source so that the level sensors are level thereby introducing a slope to the light source corresponding to the amount of pivot of the grade arm. The base may be rotated for a dual slope capability. The laser transmitter may be self-aligned automatically by aligning the laser transmitter with a target positioned at a reference location. A digital processor may be used to control the rotating device so that the laser transmitter is automatically aligned with the target. The digital processor may control a directional indicator which indicates a direction to rotate the laser transmitter so that the laser transmitter is manually aligned with the target.

Claims39

Dependent claims

An apparatus for projecting laser light in a plane having predetermined slopes with respect to an X-axis and with respect to a Y-axis, said Y-axis being orthogonal to said X-axis, said apparatus comprising:

a housing;
a base rotatably coupled to said housing;
a gimbal mechanism coupled to said base and adapted for pivotal movement about said X-axis;
a frame coupled to said gimbal mechanism and adapted for pivotal movement along said Y-axis;
an optical device coupled to said frame and including a light source to generate said laser light which rotates about a first axis and an optical projecting device to project said laser light in said plane which is orthogonal to said first axis;
an X-axis leveling device coupled to said gimbal mechanism to control an angular orientation of said gimbal mechanism about said X-axis with respect to a Z-axis, said Z-axis being substantially orthogonal to said X and Y axes;
a Y-axis leveling device coupled to said gimbal mechanism and said frame to control an angular orientation of said frame about said Y-axis with respect to said Z-axis;
a grade arm rotatably coupled to said frame and including a first level sensor adapted to sense said angular orientation of said gimbal mechanism and a second level sensor adapted to sense said angular orientation of said frame;
a grade arm pivoting device coupled to said grade arm to control a predetermined angular orientation of said grade arm with respect to one of said X or Y axes;
a rotating device coupled to said base to adjust an angular orientation of said base with respect to a reference axis, said base being rotated about said Z-axis;
and
a processor programmed to set said predetermined angular orientation of said grade arm and said angular orientation of said base based on said predetermined slopes, said processor adapted to control said X-axis leveling device and said Y-axis leveling device so that said first and second level sensors are substantially level and said plane of light has said predetermined slopes.

9 more elements

An apparatus for projecting laser light in a plane having predetermined slopes with respect to an X-axis and with respect to a Y-axis, said Y-axis being substantially orthogonal to said X-axis, said apparatus comprising:

a base;
a gimbal mechanism coupled to said base and adapted for pivotal movement about said X-axis;
a frame coupled to said gimbal mechanism and adapted for pivotal movement along said Y-axis;
an optical device coupled to said frame and including a light source to generate said laser light which rotates about a first axis, an optical projecting device to project said laser light in said plane which is orthogonal to said first axis, and a photodetecting system;
an X-axis leveling device coupled to said gimbal mechanism to control an angular orientation of said gimbal mechanism about said X-axis with respect to a Z-axis, said Z-axis being substantially orthogonal to said X and Y axes;
a Y-axis leveling device coupled to said gimbal mechanism and said frame to control an angular orientation of said frame about said Y-axis with respect to said Z-axis;
a grade arm rotatably coupled to said frame and including a first level sensor adapted to sense said angular orientation of said gimbal mechanism and a second level sensor adapted to sense said angular orientation of said frame;
a grade arm pivoting device coupled to said grade arm to control a predetermined angular orientation of said grade arm with respect to one of said X or Y axes;
a reflective target that is positioned at a desired location from said apparatus;
a directional indicator;
and
a processor;
wherein said photodetecting system detects reflected laser light from said reflective target and generates a signal representative of said location, said processor is adapted to receive said signal and programmed to set said predetermined angular orientation of said grade arm and to control said directional indicator to indicate a direction to rotate said base about said Z-axis so that said plane of light has said predetermined slopes.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-aligning laser transmitter having a dual slope grade mechanism

Life of this patent

Self-aligning laser transmitter having a dual slope grade mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39