Method and apparatus for indicating a pattern of intersection using a light column

A method for indicating a pattern of intersection between a receiving component and a component to be joined with the receiving component, which comprises:

• (a) forming a column of light that represents physical characteristics of one of the components, wherein the forming step comprises:
• (i) forming a plane of light extending radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis;
• (ii) directing the plane of light against a projector surface angled at 45° relative to the axis to thereby reflect the plane of light into a cylindrical column of light;
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• (b) projecting the column of light formed in step (a) at least partially onto a surface of the other component such that at least a portion of the pattern of intersection is represented on the surface of the other component by the outline of that portion of the light column which contacts the surface of the other component.

An apparatus for indicating a pattern of intersection between a receiving component and a component to be joined with the receiving component, which comprises:

• (a) an illuminator assembly for projecting a column of light that represents one of the components, wherein the illuminator assembly comprises:
• (i) a light plane source for emitting a plane of laser light radially from an axis;
• (ii) a projector cone around the light plane source for intercepting and reflecting the plane of light emitted by the light plane source, the projector cone having a light intercepting and reflecting inner surface that is arranged at 45° relative to the axis to convert the plane of light into a cylindrical column of light;
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• (iii) a diverting cone within the projector cone and located to intercept the cylindrical column of light projected from the projector cone, the diverting cone being shaped to convert the cylindrical column of light into a conical column of light;
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• (b) a support stand for adjustably carrying the illuminator assembly to allow the column of light projected by the illuminator assembly to be projected onto the other component at a desired spot and in a desired direction, whereby the intersection pattern is represented by the outline of the column of light on a surface of the other component.

An apparatus for indicating a pattern of intersection between a receiving component and a component to be joined with the receiving component, which comprises:

• (a) an illuminator assembly for projecting a column of light that represents one of the components, wherein the illuminator assembly comprises:
• (i) a light plane source for emitting a plane of laser light radially from an axis;
• (ii) a projector cone around the light plane source for intercepting and reflecting the plane of light emitted by the light plane source, the projector cone having a light intercepting and reflecting inner surface that is arranged at 45° relative to the axis to convert the plane of light into a cylindrical column of light;
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• (iii) wherein the light plane source is adjustable along the axis relative to the projector cone to vary the diameter of the cylindrical column of light being created thereby;
• and
• (b) a support stand for adjustably carrying the illuminator assembly to allow the column of light projected by the illuminator assembly to be projected onto the other component at a desired spot and in a desired direction, whereby the intersection pattern is represented by the outline of the column of light on a surface of the other component.

An apparatus for indicating a pattern of intersection between a receiving component and a component to be joined with the receiving component, which comprises:

• (a) an illuminator assembly for projecting a column of light that represents one of the components, wherein the illuminator assembly comprises:
• (i) a light plane source for emitting a plane of laser light radially from an axis;
• (ii) a projector cone around the light plane source for intercepting and reflecting the plane of light emitted by the light plane source, the projector cone having a light intercepting and reflecting inner surface that is arranged at 45° relative to the axis to convert the plane of light into a cylindrical column of light;
• and
• (iii) a central light pointer on the axis of the illuminator assembly;
• and
• (b) a support stand for adjustably carrying the illuminator assembly to allow the column of light projected by the illuminator assembly to be projected onto the other component at a desired spot and in a desired direction, whereby the intersection pattern is represented by the outline of the column of light on a surface of the other component.

An apparatus for indicating a pattern of intersection between a receiving component and a component to be joined with the receiving component, which comprises:

• (a) an illuminator assembly for projecting a column of light that represents one of the components, wherein the illuminator assembly comprises:
• (i) a light plane source for emitting a plane of laser light radially from an axis;
• (ii) a projector cone around the light plane source for intercepting and reflecting the plane of light emitted by the light plane source, the projector cone having a light intercepting and reflecting inner surface that is arranged at 45° relative to the axis to convert the plane of light into a cylindrical column of light;
• (b) a support stand for adjustably carrying the illuminator assembly to allow the column of light projected by the illuminator assembly to be projected onto the other component at a desired spot and in a desired direction, whereby the intersection pattern is represented by the outline of the column of light on a surface of the other component;
• and
• (c) a set of projector cones of different sizes representing different working diameter ranges, and wherein only one of said set of projector cones is used at a time in the illuminator assembly representing a selected one of said working diameter ranges.