Each Separately Adjustable Patents (Class 33/280)
  • Patent number: 11629958
    Abstract: A process for determining and indicating an incremental point on a target surface comprises independently rotating a first laser to project a first laser point on the target surface; independently rotating a second laser to project a second laser point on the target surface; measuring an angle of rotation for each of the first laser and the second laser; and based on the measured angle of rotation for each of the first laser and the second laser, calculating a target angle of rotation corresponding to an incremental point between the first laser point and the second laser point on the target surface. A third laser is independently rotated until it reaches the target angle of rotation and projects a third laser point at the incremental point on the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael G. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10900781
    Abstract: A device for measuring an increment on a surface comprises a housing having a left light source, a right light source and center light source each configured to project a light beam onto a target surface. Each light source is independently rotatable, and in communication with a rotation measuring element configured to measure a degree of rotation of each respective light source. A computing unit is configured to receive a measured degree of rotation value from the rotation measuring element for each of the left light source and the right light source, and to calculate a rotation target value for the center light source corresponding to a desired incremental point on the target surface between a projected left light beam from the left light source and a projected right light beam from the right light source, such that the center light source can be rotated according to the rotation target value and project a center light beam at the desired incremental point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Michael G. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10749327
    Abstract: A utility pole assembly includes an elongated structure and sensors mounted on the elongated structure for detecting and determining deflection and/or tilt. The elongated structure has a first end configured to be fixed into a ground and a second end that is free and located opposite the first end. A first sensor is positioned on the elongated body at or near the second end, and a second sensor is positioned on the elongated body between the first tilt sensor and the first end of the elongated body. The first and second sensors each include sensor circuitry configured for measuring movements in tilt values in at least two axes, which can be converted to tilt angles. The first and second tilt sensors, in combination, are configured for determining and distinguishing between elastic deflection of the elongated body and tilt of the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Greco
  • Patent number: 9151608
    Abstract: An apparatus, tool, and method for modifying a portion of a floor plan based on measurements made by one or more sensors. The apparatus comprises a correction unit for compensating the sensor measurements for instrument errors and a layout unit for improving the conformity of the portion of the floor plan to a set of layout rules. The apparatus may also comprise the sensors that made the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventors: Francis Ruben Malka, Gilles Jean Desforges
  • Patent number: 8943701
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Kevin M. Morrissey, Ayman Hajmousa, Brandon Scott Bayer, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 8752304
    Abstract: An angle finder method is disclosed. Said angle finder method comprises aligning a cross-point of a plurality of adjustable reticles with a vertex of an angle in an object, rotating said adjustable reticles from an initial angle to an aligned angle matching said angle in said object, and transferring said aligned angle to a transfer medium. Wherein, said plurality of adjustable reticles are held within a view window and an angle finder comprises said view window and said adjustable reticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: James Rodney Getman
  • Patent number: 8745884
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with three-dimensional laser position systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes first and second vertical laser plane transmitters and a horizontal laser plane transmitter. The first and second vertical laser plane transmitters are configured to emit first and second vertical laser planes, respectively, that are each rotatable about rotational axes. The horizontal laser plane transmitter has a fixed position relative to the rotational axis of the second vertical laser plane transmitter and emits a horizontal laser plane that is rotatable to position the horizontal laser plane at a pitch angle. The system is configured to translate between a three dimensional coordinate and positions of the first and second vertical laser transmitters and the horizontal laser transmitter, respectively, that will cause the first and second vertical laser planes and the horizontal laser plane to intersect at a the three dimensional coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: James N. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8595946
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20130111769
    Abstract: An angle finder method is disclosed. Said angle finder method comprises aligning a cross-point of a plurality of adjustable reticles with a vertex of an angle in an object, rotating said adjustable reticles from an initial angle to an aligned angle matching said angle in said object, and transferring said aligned angle to a transfer medium. Wherein, said plurality of adjustable reticles are held within a view window and an angle finder comprises said view window and said adjustable reticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: James Rodney Getman
  • Patent number: 8281495
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface to between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120203502
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder, Kevin M. Morrissey, Ayman Hajmousa, Brandon Scott Bayer, Eric Keith Unger
  • Patent number: 8087176
    Abstract: A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. The laser light planes also project lines that will intersect along the ceiling at a point that is truly plumb above the crossing point on the floor. The laser planes also provide an “implied” plumb line that is projected in space, which is visible along a solid vertical surface between the intersecting floor and ceiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd
    Inventors: James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7146739
    Abstract: A laser-guiding coordination device for a drilling machine has a C-base, two laser-line projectors oppositely and adjustably embedded inside the C-base. Each laser-line projector has a first adjuster, a second adjuster perpendicularly and rotatably mounted inside the first adjuster, and a laser generator accommodated inside the second adjuster to generate laser lines. By rotating the first and second adjusters, two laser-lines projected to a workpiece are moved in parallel or rotation to adjust and to define a precise laser mark without need for physically drawing lines on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Ku, Eric Lo
  • Patent number: 5864956
    Abstract: A combination of square alloy rulers with precisely machined planes, each ruler unit having two 1.5v batteries and two bubble levels to level in all directions. A line generator is mounted in front of a laser diode module. This basic laser line ruler unit can produce an accurate laser level line or plumb line after it is calibrated. By adjusting the calibrating knob, the laser line ruler will produce a precise level line or plumb line when the level bubbles are centered. Putting a properly aligned level line unit and a properly aligned plumb line unit together will produce a cross line in front of the combination. Adding at least one more laser line ruler, that is combining three or more line units, will produce 90.degree. lines, 45.degree. lines, and 180.degree. lines, as well as 270.degree. lines up and down or on the right and left sides by simply adjusting the position of the relevant ruler. The housing of the ruler unit is machined with accurate planes and vertical angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Dawei Dong
  • Patent number: 5839199
    Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Yohei Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5606802
    Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such an arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient is emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Yohei Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5488777
    Abstract: A small, portable, lightweight device enabling one person to quickly and accurately measure the angle of a utility line at a given pole consists of a protractor rotatable about a central axis divided into quadrants with a rotatable pointer mounted on the face having front and rear sights for visual alignment mounted upon a frame to which two perpendicularly oriented levels both disposed in a plane parallel to that of the protractor are also mounted. The frame has a vertical component from which a pair of positioning pins and a vertically offset plumb adjustment extend forward and are biased against a pole. The axis of one level is disposed parallel to the axis through the contact points of the two positioning pins with the pole and facilitates horizontal positioning of the pins against the pole which is maintained with manual biasing of the device against the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: William Erdesky
  • Patent number: 5442863
    Abstract: Stereoscopic sighting apparatus includes a support plate supporting a pair of sighting members of identical open loop configuration in laterally spaced side-by-side relation to one another at a distance approximating the spacing between a users eyes for generating an overlapping coincident central image of the sighting member when viewing a distant target with both eyes open. A plurality of distance indicator pairs are supported by the sighting members for enabling the user to compensate for distance to target. The sighting members and distance indicators provide an unobstructed view of the target in the coincident central image while maintaining accuracy. Side-mount mounting hardware enables the apparatus to be mounted to a longitudinal midsection of a bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Khosro Fazely
  • Patent number: 5046259
    Abstract: Measuring systems for making underwater measurements of relative positions and distances between a plurality of objects positioned on an ocean or lake floor basically include (a) at least one laser or other light source capable of projecting a collimated light beam therefrom, (b) a pan and tilt unit for moving the source light beam both angularly in vertical planes and in horizontal arcs, (c) a protractor or equivalent for measuring vertical angles through which the longitudinal axis of the light beam is moved by the pan and tilt unit, and (d) a compass unit for determining bearings of vertical plane positions of the light beam relative to magnetic or true north or other azimuth position. The system may include a plurality of lasers and a variety of methods of making measurements with both single and plural laser containing systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Tusting