Horizontal Angle Measurer Patents (Class 33/285)
  • Patent number: 11549800
    Abstract: A self-leveling laser transmitter is provided. The laser transmitter comprises a rotation head and an accelerometer mounted on the rotation head. An acceleration signal is received from the accelerometer and one or more tilt adjustment signals for adjusting a tilt of the rotation head to a leveled orientation are generated based on the acceleration signal. One or more actuators adjust the tilt of the rotation head based on the one or more tilt adjustment signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolay V. Khatuntsev
  • Patent number: 11415415
    Abstract: An effective inexpensive, compact and easy-to-use self-leveling laser level capable of projecting at least two laser beams at any desired angle dialed on a 360-degree format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: David Uribe
  • Patent number: 10634488
    Abstract: A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Brian M. Cejka
  • Patent number: 10620007
    Abstract: A laser marker in one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a laser light generator, a main body, and a pack attachment portion. The pack attachment portion is configured such that a battery pack, which is chargeable and dischargeable and supplies electric power to the laser light generator, is slidably attached to an outer surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goshi Ishikawa, Yuki Kawai, Kazuki Oguchi, Shinji Hirabayashi, Shinsuke Okuda
  • Patent number: 10590725
    Abstract: A method for aligning a pump with a wellhead begins with the steps of attaching a target assembly to the pump and attaching an emitter assembly to the wellhead. The method continues with the step of emitting a beam of light from the emitter assembly to the target assembly. The method concludes with the step of determining the position of the pump with respect to the wellhead by evaluating the projection of the light beam on the target assembly. Based on this determination, the pump can be accurately aligned with the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Heath Whitaker
  • Patent number: 10261174
    Abstract: A laser radar device includes a laser diode and a photodiode. An optical isolator is disposed so as to tilt with respect to the optical axis of a laser beam by a predetermined angle, transmits a laser beam, and reflects reflected light toward the photodiode. A reflecting mirror is rotatably disposed around a center axis extending along the optical axis of the transmitted laser beam. A rotatable deflector, rotated by a motor, deflects a laser beam by the reflecting mirror toward the external space, and reflects reflected light from an object toward the optical isolator. When the side where the laser diode is disposed in the center axis direction is defined as the first side and the side opposite to the first side is defined as the second side, the motor is disposed at a position closer to the first side than the reflecting mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kouji Sakabe
  • Patent number: 9733081
    Abstract: Method for determining, with geodesic precision, the position of a target point on a target object by using a geodesic measuring device, said method comprising a sighting device which comprises at least one objective unit that defines an optical line of sight, an electronic distance measuring unit, and a thermal imaging camera for recording a thermal image in the direction of the optical line of sight. An angle measuring function is provided for recording the line of sight alignment, and a control unit is provided for controlling the angle measuring function, the thermal imaging camera. In a thermal imaging mode when a measurement procedure is triggered, position data of the sighted target point which are determined in said measurement procedure are linked to temperature information which is read out from the thermal image for the target point at which the line of sight is aimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Jan Zimmermann, Norbert Kotzur, Bernd Möller, Stefan Sieber, Vincent Legrand
  • Patent number: 9541391
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for a geodetic instrument comprising a scanning head, a reflecting optical element, a radiation source, a control unit and an electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit. The scanning head is rotatable about a first axis. The reflecting optical element mounted in the scanning head and rotatable about the same first axis. The radiation source is adapted to emit light to be output along a light beam path from the geodetic instrument via light reflection against the reflecting optical element. The control unit is adapted to adjust an angular displacement profile of the reflecting optical element about the first axis relative to an angular displacement profile of the scanning head such that an angular displacement of the light beam path about the first axis as a function of time presents a stair-like profile. The EDM unit is adapted to determine a distance to a target during a flat portion of the stair-like profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble AB
    Inventor: Ulf Berg
  • Patent number: 9284950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for installing at least one sensor device within a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A first substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade. Finally, at least one second substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade, wherein the plane of the first planar light beam is oriented at a predetermined angle to the plane of the second planar light beam. Further, the planes of the first and second planar light beams are aligned on the blade flange of the rotor blade. At least one sensor device is subsequently aligned in reference to the planar light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Thorbjörn Buck, Lars Hoffmann, Mathias Müller, Rolf Wojtech
  • Patent number: 9229217
    Abstract: An optical measurement system comprises a first housing body and a second housing body which can be rotated relative to the first housing body about a second axis of rotation, wherein the second housing body contains a measurement telescope, an inner roller bearing support fixed to the second housing body and protruding into the first housing body; an outer roller bearing support fixed to the first housing body; a drive disc fixed to the inner roller bearing support; wherein a motor having a motor shaft is attached to the first housing body in such a way that the motor shaft or a wheel fixed to the motor shaft is positioned on the drive disc and is pressed against said disc by a spring force orientated transversely to the second axis of rotation, and wherein the motor shaft or the wheel is coupled to the drive disc in a frictional fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Laabs, Michael Vogel, Wolfgang Hahn, Thomas Korn, Mario Fischer, Michael Kötzing
  • Publication number: 20150000144
    Abstract: A multifunction laser leveling tool (1) is provided. The multifunction laser leveling tool (1) comprises: a housing (2); a pendulum (28) supported by the housing (2) via a universal joint so that the pendulum (28) is pivotable with respect to the housing (2) around a first axis (24) and a second axis (26) perpendicular to the first axis (24); a locking means (4) which is able to fixedly lock the pendulum (28) to the housing (2) and to release the pendulum (28) therefrom, wherein when the pendulum (28) is released, the pendulum (28) is in a plumb orientation and the first and second axes (24,26) lie in a horizontal plane; a first laser beam emitter (36) attached to the pendulum (28) for emitting a first laser plane; an angle sensing means (44) attached to the pendulum (28) for measuring the orientation of the pendulum (28); a display module having two sections (6,8) attached to the housing (2) for displaying the measured orientation of the pendulum (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch Company Limited
    Inventors: Eric Hung-Ying Yuen, Wah Pong Chan, Yat Wah Lam
  • Publication number: 20140283397
    Abstract: A construction laser system includes a rotation laser and a laser receiver. To determine a direction in which the laser receiver lies in sight of the rotation laser, a digital code respectively assigned uniquely to the respective rotation angle ranges includes a state value sequence based on a defined sequence of states relating to the laser beam. In the respective rotation angle ranges, the corresponding sequence of states is respectively generated by successively occurring crossings of the respective rotation angle range. On the receiver side, an output signal is generated as a function of incidence of the laser beam. With the aid of an output signal sequence of successively generated output signals, which is acquired by the evaluation unit, the state value sequence corresponding to the acquired output signal sequence is identified, permitting final determination of the corresponding rotation angle range in which the laser receiver lies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thilo FESSLER, Bernd STÖCKEL
  • Patent number: 8407903
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotating construction laser (1), in particular a self-compensating construction laser. The construction laser (1) comprises a base (2,115) and a laser unit (3,114) for emitting a laser beam (11,83) rotating around an axis (18) of rotation so that the rotating laser beam (11,83) defines a laser plane. Therein, the laser unit (3,114) is built and tiltably arranged to the base (2,115) in such a way, that the axis (18) is tiltable in at least one direction. Furthermore, a tilt sensor (19,96,109) is present for measuring the tilt of the axis (18). According to the invention, the tilt sensor (19,96,109) is supported by a sensor platform being pivotable with respect to the laser unit around the axis (18) between at least two defined pivoting-positions (54,55,70-22) in such a way, that the tilt of the axis (18) is measurable by the tilt sensor (19,96,109) in the at least two pivoting-positions (54,55, 70-22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Christopher Koleszar, Martin Winistoerfer
  • Patent number: 7966739
    Abstract: A rotary laser projecting device comprising a reference plane forming unit that projects two or more fan-shaped laser beams, a distance measuring unit that projects distance measuring light, a rotator for projecting the fan-shaped laser beams and the distance measuring light by rotary irradiation, a horizontal angle detecting unit, a photodetection unit for receiving the reflected fan-shaped laser beams and the reflected distance measuring light, a storage unit, and a control arithmetic unit is disclosed. The control arithmetic unit measures elevation angle of the object reflector from time difference of photodetection between the two or more laser beams, measures horizontal angle of the object based on the result of detection of the horizontal angle detecting unit when at least one of the reflected fan-shaped laser beams and the reflected distance measuring light is received and the distance measuring unit measures a distance to the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kamizono, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7874077
    Abstract: The device (12) comprises a laser (14) which is attached to the tool (2). During operation a laser beam (16) is emitted onto an optical lens (20) which is of cylindrical shape. The lens (20) is suspended to swivel freely, e. g. by means of a swivel arm (24) which is operatively connected to the tool (2). Thus, the main axis (28) of the lens (20) is kept vertically by the gravity force when the tool (2) is moved or tilted. The shape of the laser marker (I1 II, III) generated on a workpiece (8) is an indication for the user of the tool (2) concerning an inclination (x, y) of the tool (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gianni Borinato
  • Publication number: 20100229409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surveying system, comprising a rotary laser irradiation device 1 installed at a known point and used for projecting two or more fan-shaped laser beams 3 with at least one of the fan-shaped laser beams tilted and for forming a laser reference plane, a photodetection device 4, which is mounted on a mobile support member 9, for receiving the laser beam and for calculating an elevation angle at a photodetecting position, and a monitor photodetection device 11 installed at a known position within the laser reference plane, wherein the monitor photodetection device has a monitor photodetection sensor for sensing and detecting the laser beam, a storage unit for storing a reference value of the laser reference plane, an arithmetic control unit for calculating positional changes over time of the laser reference plane based on the result of photodetection by the monitor photodetection sensor and on the reference value, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the positional changes ov
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Kunihiro Hayashi, Fumihiko Kamizono
  • Patent number: 7610687
    Abstract: The invention relates to both a method for determining the horizontal position of an object which is to be oriented toward a height reference plane in a highly precise manner; while using at least one rotating laser, as well as to the rotating laser itself. The rotating laser comprises a rotating unit, a laser source for emitting a laser radiation into a rotating, horizontal direction of emission, and means for affecting at least one radiation parameter of the laser radiation with an item of angle-dependent information from which the direction of emission can be derived so that the direction of emission is associated with the direction from the rotating laser toward the object that receives the laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Peter A. Stegmaier
  • Publication number: 20090217538
    Abstract: A gauge for determining the angle of sloped ground includes a panel, having a transparent window located in it, which can be held by a user so that the sloped ground can be viewed through the window. The panel has a spatial reference associated with it which allows the panel to be oriented properly with respect to the horizontal or vertical. Inscribed on the window are a positioning indicia and a plurality of lines which radiate outwardly from the positioning indicia at specific angles with respect to the horizontal. In use the panel is held such that the positioning indicia is located on the slope. The user can then determine which one of the lines overlies the slope. The angle associated with that line is the angle of the slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Tim Marcum
  • Publication number: 20090165313
    Abstract: The device (12) comprises a laser (14) which is attached to the tool (2). During operation a laser beam (16) is emitted onto an optical lens (20) which is of cylindrical shape. The lens (20) is suspended to swivel freely, e. g. by means of a swivel arm (24) which is operatively connected to the tool (2). Thus, the main axis (28) of the lens (20) is kept vertically by the gravity force when the tool (2) is moved or tilted. The shape of the laser marker (II II, III) generated on a workpiece (8) is an indication for the user of the tool (2) concerning an inclination (x, y) of the tool (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Gianni Borinato
  • Publication number: 20090158604
    Abstract: An electronic leveling apparatus for optically measuring a height difference relative to a leveling staff comprises a telescope, a camera fixed to the telescope, a first actuator for rotating both said telescope and said camera in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis of the apparatus, and a controller. The camera has a depth of focus that is at least twice a depth of focus of the telescope. The controller uses a first output signal from said telescope to output a leveling signal representing a detected height difference. The controller uses a second output signal from said camera to identify a representation of a leveling staff and to control the first actuator based on the identified representation of the leveling staff. Furthermore a method for optically measuring a height difference of an electronic leveling apparatus relative to a leveling staff is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: TRIMBLE JENA GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Donath, Thomas Marold
  • Publication number: 20090106989
    Abstract: There are provided a rotary laser projecting device 1 and an object reflector 9, said rotary laser projecting device 1 comprises a reference plane forming unit 3 for forming a reference plane by projecting fan-shaped laser beams 5 which spread in vertical direction and have two or more laser beams including at least one thereof tilted, a distance measuring unit 4 for measuring distance by projecting distance measuring light 6, a rotator 10 for projecting said fan-shaped laser beams and said distance measuring light in horizontal direction by rotary irradiation, a horizontal angle detecting unit 21 for detecting horizontal angle of the rotator, a photodetection unit for receiving the reflected fan-shaped laser beams 5? and the reflected distance measuring light 6?, a storage unit 13, and a control arithmetic unit 12 for controlling said reference plane forming unit, said distance measuring unit and said rotator, and said object reflector 9 reflects said fan-shaped laser beams and said distance measuring light
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kamizono, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090100691
    Abstract: The utility model relates to a kind of laser straight liner, including a foundation and a base, wherein said foundation is provided with batteries and said base is provided with at least one laser projection module. Said base and said foundation are connected in the way that is 360 degrees rotatable. One side of said foundation that faces said base is provided with the anode and cathode conduction rings that can connect batteries, and one side of said base that faces said foundation is provided with two contact pieces that can connect various laser projection modules and also can touch the anode and cathode conduction rings, thus realizing the conduction-wire-free connection between said laser projection modules and said batteries. This utility model makes said laser projection modules freely rotatable on said foundation, and thus the rotated angle during marking can be accurately controlled, ingenious and reasonable in design and convenient in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Jianhong Lu
  • Publication number: 20080244920
    Abstract: The invention relates to both a method for determining the horizontal position of an object (1), particularly of a mobile machine tool, which is to be oriented toward a height reference plane in a highly precise manner, while using at least one rotating laser (2), as well as to the rotating laser (2) itself. The rotating laser (2) comprises a rotating unit (3), a laser source (4) for emitting a laser radiation (5) into a rotating, horizontal direction of emission (a), and means for affecting at least one radiation parameter of the laser radiation (5) with an item of angle-dependent information from which the direction of emission (a) can be derived so that the direction of emission (a) is associated with the direction from the rotating laser (2) toward the object (1) that receives the laser radiation (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Peter A. Stegmaier
  • Patent number: 7418786
    Abstract: A marking device is disclosed which efficiently reduces damage affecting the gimbal mechanism even when such is used under sever conditions and is dropped from a high position. A marking device has a support mounted inside a housing, a light source unit holder swingably suspended by the support through a gimbal mechanism, and a light source unit mounted on the light source unit holder so as to diffuse a light flux only in a single direction to radiate a line of light. The support is coupled with said housing 1 through dampers with upper portion and lower portion formed of an impact absorber, and when outside impact is applied, the damper absorbs impact energy to prevent the impact force from being transmitting to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Mitsuo Miyata
  • Publication number: 20080120852
    Abstract: A roof pitch measuring device (10) is made of relatively lightweight, transparent plastic. Roof pitches can be determined from a point remote from the roof in a simple, easy to learn manner. The measuring device has a base with spirit level (22), an adjustable pivot arm (30) and a scale (52). The spirit level should be visible from each side of the base. The pivot arm is pivotably attached to the base at a pivot point (40). The roof pitch gauge is preferably utilized by a user standing at least 36 feet from the roof whose pitch is being measured, lining up the pivot point of the pivot arm with the peak of the roof, leveling the device, moving the pivot arm to match the angle of the roof and then reading the roof pitch from the scale that is printed upon the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey RAMSEY
  • Patent number: 7099000
    Abstract: A laser levelling apparatus includes a platform, a base assembly, a body assembly, a head assembly and a laser assembly. The body assembly is rotatable about a body axis relative to the base assembly, the head assembly is rotatably supported by the body and rotatable about a head assembly axis transverse to the body axis and the laser assembly supported by the head assembly and rotatable about a laser assembly axis which is transverse the head assembly axis. The laser assembly has a laser diode and focusing elements and laser collimator the laser beam with the laser assembly. The head assembly is mounted between a first shaft end mounted at a first position of the body and a second shaft end mounted at the second position of the body opposed to the first position. A head assembly collimator is used to adjust the axis of rotation of the head assembly. A base assembly leveller is used to adjust the level of the base relative to the platform in at least two transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Connolly
  • Patent number: 7081824
    Abstract: The alignment of railway tracks may be monitored using an accelerometer (36) mounted on a bogie (24) of a railway vehicle to detect lateral accelerations, and a displacement transducer (38) to monitor the lateral displacements of a wheelset (27) relative to the bogie. The acceleration signals are digitised, and processed corresponding to double integration, so as to deduce the lateral displacements of the bogie, and in conjunction with the signals from the displacement transducer hence to determine the effective lateral displacements of the track. This can provide a more useful indication of the lateral positions of the rails than measurements of the gauge faces. Such equipment (16) may be installed in a service vehicle, and operate automatically, downloading resulting data to a remote base station at regular intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: AEA Technology PLC
    Inventor: David Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7051445
    Abstract: An improved apparatus generating light illuminated line provides a possibility to produce and propagate the light line along the reference surface under any desirable angle. The improved apparatus generating light illuminated line includes a circular scale means comprising a degree scale and two projections, each of which includes an aperture intended for an appropriate fixing means. Each fixing means comprises a handle rigidly connected to a pin and a back-moving spiral spring located in a spring opening of the appropriate projection. Also, the improved apparatus generating light illuminated line includes a pivotable light line generating portion hingedly coupled with the circular scale means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Armen Karapetyan
  • Patent number: 7031367
    Abstract: A laser level disposable on a reference surface includes a housing, a pendulum pivotably connected to the housing, a first laser diode disposed on the pendulum for emitting a first laser beam along a first path, a first lens disposed on the pendulum in the first path for converting the first laser beam into a first planar beam, the first planar beam forming a first line on the reference surface, a second laser diode disposed on the pendulum for emitting a second laser beam along a second path, and a second lens disposed on the pendulum in the second path for converting the second laser beam into a second planar beam, the second planar beam forming a second line on the reference surface, wherein the first and second lines are substantially perpendicular and non-intersecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko
  • Patent number: 6996910
    Abstract: A laser leveling device includes a laser instrument having a base rotatably received in a cavity of a housing and having a light emitting device to generate a light beam, such as a line-shaped light beam. One or more batteries may be used to energize the light emitting device. The light beam generated by the light emitting device may be rotated relative to the housing when the light emitting device of the laser instrument is rotated relative to the housing. The housing includes two conductors, and the laser instrument includes two terminals to electrically couple to the conductors of the housing when the laser instrument is rotated relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ying Chou Liao
  • Patent number: 6912792
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a level surface includes a housing having a plurality of apertures and a power supply source disposed therein. A plurality of laser beam supply sources are operably controlled by the plurality of switches. A plurality of reflecting members spaced from the plurality of laser beam supply sources and receive a plurality of laser beams having respective first paths and reflect same away in corresponding second paths. A plurality of angle-adjusting members receive the plurality of laser beams and direct same along a third path and out of the housing via the plurality of apertures, respectively. A plurality of control dials are operably connected to the plurality of angle-adjusting members for positioning same to thereby establish the respective third angles of the plurality of laser beams. A plurality of leveling devices are attached to the housing and help position the apparatus at a substantially level position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Uthman T. Shareef
  • Patent number: 6873420
    Abstract: An automated lane surface measuring device comprising a controller for operating a drive mechanism for propelling the measuring apparatus and one or more sensors operated by the controller to measure topographical parameters of the bowling lane surface. In one embodiment the apparatus measures bowling lane surface elevation by measuring bowling lane height with respect to the measuring apparatus in selectable increments along the surface of the bowling lane. The measuring apparatus may also measure crosswise tilt along the width of a bowling lane in selectable increments. The measuring apparatus may also measure lengthwise tilt of the length of the lane surface in selectable increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kegel, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Davis, Anthony Crews, John Davis, Mark Davis
  • Patent number: 6782034
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser-plumbing leveler with adjustable height of the horizontal line, which comprises a laser emitting device, a laser line (plane) projecting optical system, and a laser line (plane) rotating and/or moving unit, wherein the laser line (plane) projecting optical system comprises a horizontal laser unit, a vertical laser unit and/or inclined laser unit and so forth. The laser-plumbing leveler according to the invention can be used in building decoration or the like for positioning at different height in horizontal, vertical and inclined directions, and has the advantages of easy use, reliable leveling, simple construction and low price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Chuying Li
  • Patent number: 6710319
    Abstract: A novel system for facilitating the work for setting the horizontal direction of a guide laser beam is disclosed. The guide laser beam (P) can be radiated in vertical and lateral directions from the horizontal direction as a reference by a guide laser beam radiator (20). The reference horizontal direction position of the guide laser beam radiator (20) is detected by a first GPS unit (75). A pole (81) has a second GPS unit (76) for detecting a horizontal position. A reference horizontal direction position of the guide laser radiator (20) is detected by the first GPS unit (75). A first horizontal direction position is detected by the second GPS unit (76) of the pole (81) set up at a first position (83), thereby specifying the direction Z1 in which the guide laser beam (P) is to be radiated from the reference horizontal direction position as an origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Satoshi Hirano, Ray O'Connor, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6694630
    Abstract: A multiple axis laser emitter (1) comprising an optical beam splitter (4) having at least two reflectively coated mirror surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) oriented perpendicular to each other and each oriented at an angle of 45° to a collimated main beam (H) of a laser light source (6) and at an angle of 90° to each other, wherein, in the beam path, an optical wedge (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) is arranged downstream to at least one of the component beams (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td) deflected by the mirror surfaces (7) at an angle of 90° to the main beam (H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lieu-Kim Dang, Erwin Bünter, Karsten Brandenburg
  • Patent number: 6679609
    Abstract: A laser beam irradiation device, comprising a light source for emitting a laser beam, a cylindrical lens, an optical system for entering the laser beam to the cylindrical lens perpendicularly with respect to a center line of the cylindrical lens, and a luminous flux rotating means for rotating the incident laser beam around an optical axis of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Jun-ichi Kodaira
  • Patent number: 6625895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for leveling at least one output light beam in a construction tool. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a laser optical assembly for producing output light beams that define plumb, level, and right angle beams for use in construction applications. The optical assembly is mounted on an optical platform which permits tilting about “slip-stick” joints that define two perpendicular axes of rotation. Such joints allow the optical platform to change its angle of tilt in response to an applied torque and to maintain the changed angle of tilt until further torque is applied. Also, the “slip-stick” mechanism prevents substantial movement or oscillation of the optical platform in the absence of the applied torque. The embodiment further includes a sensor element for determining whether the output beams are level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, Zinovy Dolgonosov
  • Patent number: 6618950
    Abstract: A projection apparatus has a frame having a top seat, a main body and a light source module. The main body includes a hanging mechanism that is pivotable about the top seat with respect to a first axis direction and a second axis direction, and a connection seat having an adjustment mechanism that is coupled to the hanging mechanism in a manner that allows for adjustment of the inclination angle between the connection seat and the hanging mechanism. The light-source module is coupled to the connection seat and projects a light plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Quarton, Inc
    Inventors: Chao-Chi Huang, Sheng-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 6487781
    Abstract: A bore path alignment system for accurately determining a desired bore pitch for a ground-boring device. The bore path alignment system includes a first pole, a first tube adjustably positioned upon the first tube, a guide tube with a pitch instrument pivotally attached to the first tube, a second pole, and a second tube including a spotter strip adjustably positioned upon the first tube. The user positions the first pole into the ground surface where boring is to begin and the second pole above a location where a specific depth is required. The user positions the second tube containing the spotter strip according to the depth in the second location. The user then adjusts the angle of the guide tube until the spotter strip is aligned thereby allowing the user to determine the required boring pitch by the pitch instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Clifford C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020138994
    Abstract: A bore path alignment system for accurately determining a desired bore pitch for a ground-boring device. The bore path alignment system includes a first pole, a first tube adjustably positioned upon the first tube, a guide tube with a pitch instrument pivotally attached to the first tube, a second pole, and a second tube including a spotter strip adjustably positioned upon the first tube. The user positions the first pole into the ground surface where boring is to begin and the second pole above a location where a specific depth is required. The user positions the second tube containing the spotter strip according to the depth in the second location. The user then adjusts the angle of the guide tube until the spotter strip is aligned thereby allowing the user to determine the required boring pitch by the pitch instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Clifford C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6449856
    Abstract: A laser plumbing device including a laser beam emitting device; a supporting device for supporting the laser beam emitting device and allowing swinging movements of the laser beam emitting device in a first direction X1 and a second direction Y1; a two-direction drive device for swinging the laser beam emitting device in the first and second directions X1 and Y1; an inclination angle detecting device for detecting an inclination angle of the laser beam emitting direction with respect to the vertical direction; and a controller for controlling the position of the laser beam emitting device by the two-direction drive device so as to change the laser beam emitting direction toward the vertical direction based on the angle detected by the inclination angle detecting device. The long member plumbing device and method utilizing the laser plumbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Matsumotokoumuten
    Inventors: Yuuji Matsumoto, Tatsusei Minami, Osamu Yoda, Akira Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20020073561
    Abstract: A laser level includes a main frame having at least one monovial embedded in a surface of the main frame and a second frame is received in an end of the main frame. The second frame having a first tube for receiving a laser beam generating device therein, and a second tube for receiving a polariscope therein. A plurality of grooves are defined in an inner periphery of the second tube and a ridge extends from an outer periphery of the polariscope so that the ridge can be engaged with on of the grooves in the second tube to adjust the polariscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Ying Chou Liao
  • Publication number: 20020069542
    Abstract: A chain saw accessory that enables the operator to quickly and easily cut equal length segments of a log. The accessory includes a discernible marking path source capable of providing a discernible mark on the log in proximity to the cut end of the log, and an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the location of the discernible mark on the log.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Musacchia
  • Patent number: 6314651
    Abstract: The system according to the present invention comprises means for irradiating a plurality of laser beams by separating the laser beams in a vertical direction and means for forming a plurality of laser beam reference planes by rotary irradiation of said plurality of laser beams. Because a plurality of reference planes are formed at the same time, operation can be carried out at the same time at different working sites, and the tilt reference line as desired can be promptly obtained without performing tilt setting operation for the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6279239
    Abstract: An integral apparatus having laser sighting means embodied in a pocket sized device, for use in determining end points along ceilings and wall perimeter edges to more accurately size drywall pieces to be installed in generally non-rectangular perimeter sections of ceilings and walls. The sighting apparatus, comprises a housing having a longitudinally elongated base member and a longitudinally elongated column member, said base member and column member being at right angles to one another and joined longitudinally to one another, said base member and column member having opposing parallel and substantially flat longitudinal faces and an edge surface extending between the longitudinal faces, thereby defining at least one rail having two longitudinal perpendicular surfaces; a laser module and batteries. In a preferred embodiment, laser modules are provided at each axial end of the housing to enable beams to be selectively projected in either longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Edward Astudillo
  • Patent number: 6253457
    Abstract: A laser beam direction correcting optical system for a surveying instrument comprises a laser light source (1) for emitting a laser beam, an exit angle correcting system (17) for correcting an exit angle of the laser beam emerging therefrom in accordance with an inclination of an instrument main body so that the laser beam is oriented in a specific direction, and an incident angle correcting system provided between the laser light source (1) and the exit angle correcting system (17) to correct an incident angle of the laser beam incident upon the exit angle correcting system in accordance with the inclination of the instrument main body. The exit angle correcting system (17) comprises an objective lens (19), the objective lens (19) being constituted by a variable-focus lens in which a position of a principal plane thereof on an optical axis thereof is fixed and also which can vary a position at which an image of the laser beam is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Ikuo Ishinabe, Jun-ichi Kodaira
  • Patent number: 6212782
    Abstract: A device for the measurement/layout of angles when using surveyor's stakes to locate reference points and erect building lines for construction of a structure. Capable of being used to determine one angle at a time for non-regular polygons, or for the simultaneous determination of multiple angles for the layout of regular polygons such as hexagons and octagons, this device provides a greatly simplified solution to the very first problem in construction, which is how to effect the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Gary W. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 6101728
    Abstract: A plumb system for construction projects having a laser module embedded within includes a spring or the like device acting as a connecting device to a tripod or the like apparatus for projecting a vertical laser beam to a vertical end point, from the floor to a certain top point. Conversely, a spring or the like device mounted to the opposite end of the laser module of the plumb can be mounted to a certain high point for projecting a top to bottom laser beam for determining an end point at the floor. An optional horizontal base designed to horizontally receive the plumb for projecting a horizontal laser beam. A horizontal level indicator mounted onto the horizontal base can ensure a true horizontal plane. An optional self standing horizontal block can be used to determine the intermediate points of the horizontal laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hai Lin Keng
  • Patent number: 6082013
    Abstract: For leveling an object, in particular a suspended ceiling, which is to be attached to mounting members, such as suspension wires, the latter are cut off or provided with a suited mark. A device with a detector for detecting a reference level is used for this purpose. The device is pushed over the mounting member. As soon as the detector determines that the device is at the appropriate position, the mounting member is cut off by means of a cutter or worked in another suitable way for generating a reference mark thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Dieter Peterhans
  • Patent number: 6076266
    Abstract: A theodolite that includes a stand, a telescope, a friction gear and a worm gear. The telescope is pivotally secured to the stand. The clutch plate is secured to the telescope for at least limited rotational movement upon pivoting of the telescope. The friction gear is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate. The worm gear is mounted to the stand and is in constant mesh with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear. A device engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a frictional force. The frictional force is adjustable to allow for adjustment of the telescope separately from the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Michael Beckingham, Michael C. Detro