CN1979092B - Laser planometer with suction mounting struction - Google Patents

Abstract

A laser leveling device with a suction installation structure includes a casing and an installation seal extending from the lower part of the casing. The mounting seal together with the attachment surface forms a suction mounting area therebetween. The suction mounting structure works together with the mounting seal to maintain a vacuum pressure seal in the suction mounting area. A laser source mounted within the housing in planar relation to the attachment surface includes at least one diode that projects an alignment beam through an aperture in the housing indicating a reference plane along the attachment surface.

Description

Laser Leveling Device with Suction Mounting Structure

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a laser leveling device having a suction mounting structure for fixing the leveling device on an attachment surface.

Laser alignment products are commonly used as tools in residential construction and the general construction industry. Laser leveling has replaced chalk lines and torpedo levels as the preferred tool for forming and displaying horizontal lines on surfaces. These tools are commonly used in interior finishing work, such as hanging pictures and installing wood furniture, and on-site exterior work, such as bricklaying and deck assembly. Laser levels are easy to set up and generate an alignment beam without damaging the mounting surface.

Current laser leveling products are either mounted on an adjustable frame or secured to the mounting surface with fasteners. These laser levels consist of a laser source housed in a housing. The laser source is housed in a housing that can be rotated so that the beam can be emitted horizontally or vertically. One disadvantage of current laser alignment devices is that the laser level cannot be easily repositioned on the surface once installed. Many laser leveling devices have either a pin, or a fastener, to mount the level on a vertical surface to create an alignment line. If the laser level is not properly positioned on the wall, the user must remove the unit and reinstall it in place, placing additional marks and holes in the repaired surface.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a laser leveling and alignment device with a suction mount structure for easily mounting and leveling a level on an attachment surface without damaging the finish of the surface. There is also a need to provide a vacuum generating mechanism that works in conjunction with the suction mounting structure of the laser leveling device to monitor the vacuum mounting seal to ensure that the device is properly secured to the surface.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, a laser leveling device having a suction mounting structure includes a housing and a mounting seal extending from a lower portion of the housing. A mounting seal extends from the lower portion of the housing around the cavity and cooperates with the attachment surface to form a suction mounting area therebetween. The power supply is housed in the housing. In one aspect of the invention, the power source includes a removably mountable battery pack or battery. In another aspect of the invention, the power source is a rechargeable battery fixedly mounted within the housing.

The laser leveling device includes a suction mount structure designed to secure the laser leveling device to an attachment surface. A first aspect of the suction mount includes a vacuum generating mechanism disposed within the laser level housing for evacuating air from the suction mount area. The vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor connected to a power source and a pump driven by the motor. A sensor is installed near the cavity to monitor the vacuum seal of the suction installation area and activate the pump if the sensor detects a loss of pressure. A pump is used to evacuate the air from the suction mounting area through the holes in the cavity, thus securing the laser level housing to the attachment surface.

A second aspect of the suction mount structure of the laser leveling device includes a manually operated pump that cooperates with the suction mount structure to secure the laser level to the attachment surface. The suction mounting structure includes a manually operated pump that cooperates with the mounting seal and serves to expel air from the mounting area through holes in the housing to secure the housing to the attachment surface.

A third aspect of the suction mount includes a lever for actuating the vacuum pad and creating an air pocket or suction between the device and the device mounting surface.

A laser source is housed within the housing in fixed relation to the attachment surface and is operatively connected to a power source. A laser source comprising at least one diode emits an alignment beam through an aperture in the housing, indicating a reference plane along the attachment surface. A lens is mounted in the end wall of the housing and cooperates with at least one diode to direct a collimated beam of light along the attachment surface.

The laser source consists of a single diode that projects an alignment beam through the end wall of the laser level housing. In one aspect of the invention, the laser source includes a pair of opposing diodes positioned in a coplanar relationship that project collimated beams through opposing end walls of the laser level housing. In another aspect of the invention, the laser source includes a first diode that emits a first collimated beam through an aperture in the end wall of the housing, and a second diode that emits a first collimated beam through an aperture in the housing side wall. The aperture in the wall emits a second alignment beam substantially perpendicular to the first alignment beam.

The housing of the laser level includes a handle formed on the top of the housing. A pump activation switch is located near the handle on the side wall of the enclosure. When the laser level is positioned on the attachment surface, the pump activation switch acts in conjunction with a vacuum generating mechanism or a hand pump to expel air from the suction mounting area. A switch protruding from the housing allows the user to activate the laser source when the laser level is attached to the attachment surface.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 represents the laser leveling device with the vacuum installation structure of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the bottom perspective view of the laser level of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of a laser leveling device having a feature of a suction mounting structure along line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the second feature of the suction mounting structure of the laser leveling device of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second feature of the suction mounting structure of the laser leveling device of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing another feature of the laser level generator of the laser leveling device of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a side view showing the second embodiment of the laser leveling device of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention having a manually operated vacuum attachment;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 7 with the laser part removed;

Figure 10 is a side perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 7 with the laser portion removed and schematically showing the operation of the level and vacuum pad.

Detailed ways

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a laser leveling device 10 with a suction mounting structure for fixing the device 10 on an attachment surface 12 . The laser level 10 includes a housing 14 having a suction cup or mounting seal 16 at a lower portion 18 of the housing 14 . 1-3 show the housing 14 as a single piece. It can be understood that the two-piece housing shown in FIG. 7 can also be used to achieve the same purpose. A cavity 20 is formed in the lower part 18 of the housing 14 . A suction cup or mounting seal 16 , preferably a rubber seal, extends in the lower portion of housing 14 around cavity 20 . Other elastic materials may also be used for the purpose of being deformable to provide a seal. Suction cup 16 cooperates with attachment surface 12 and cavity 20 of housing 14 to form a suction mounting area 22 therebetween.

A first aspect of the suction mount structure for use with the laser leveling device 10 according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 3 . The laser level 10 includes a vacuum generating mechanism 24 cooperating with the mounting seal 16 for creating a vacuum in the suction mounting area 22 . The vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor 25 disposed within the laser level housing 14 . A vacuum pump 26 operatively connected to the motor 25 is housed within the housing 14 adjacent the motor 25 . It is also understood that the motor 25 and pump 26 may be assembled into a unit. A hose 28 connects an inlet 30 of the pump 26 and a bore 32 of the cavity 20 . Pump 26 cooperates with mounting seal 16 to create a vacuum between attachment surface 12 and cavity 20 to mount laser level 10 in fixed relation to attachment surface 12 .

A laser source 34 producing an aiming beam 36 is housed within the housing. Laser source 34 is rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the housing, or pivot 31 on vacuum generating mechanism 24 , allowing the user to adjust the position of laser source 34 when securing laser level housing 14 to attachment surface 12 . The laser source 34 can also be mounted on the inner wall of the laser level housing, or firmly fixed on a part of the vacuum generating mechanism.

Laser source 34 includes at least one diode 33 that emits an alignment beam 36 through an aperture 38 in end wall 40 of laser level housing 14 . In one aspect of the invention, aperture 38 houses lens 42 coacting with at least one diode 33 to focus and align light beam 36 . It will be appreciated that the alignment beam 36 may exit through a standard aperture in the housing 14 for indicating a reference plane along the attachment surface 12 .

A laser source activation switch 44 extends through an elongated slot 46 in the housing 14 . A power supply 48 in the laser level housing 14 powers the motor 25 and the laser source 34 . In one aspect of the invention, the power source 48 is a rechargeable battery pack, such as a lithium-ion cell or a nickel-cadmium cell, securely contained within the housing 14 . Alternatively, the power source 48 is a removable alkaline battery.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the laser level 10 includes a handle portion 50 formed on a top surface 52 of the housing 14 . One or more bubble levels 54 are arranged on the top 52 of the laser level housing 14 . Bubble level 54 assists the operator in positioning laser level 10 on attachment surface 12 to ensure that aiming beam 36 traverses surface 12 at a desired angle. In one aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 3 , a single bubble level 54 indicates the alignment of the level 10 on the surface 12 . In another aspect of the laser leveling device 56 shown in FIG. Align information vertically.

One aspect of the suction mount structure of the laser leveling device includes a pump activation switch 66 which may be mounted adjacent the handle 50 in operative connection with the pump 26 . A user activates switch 66 when contacting mounting seal 16 with attachment surface 12 , causing pump 26 to expel air from suction mounting area 22 formed between attachment surface 12 , seal 16 and cavity 20 through aperture 32 .

There is a sensor 68 adjacent to the cavity 20 for monitoring the pressure of the suction installation area 22 . When the sensor 68 detects a loss of vacuum pressure in the area 22 between the mounting seal 16 and the attachment surface 12 , the sensor 68 activates the pump 26 to evacuate air from the suction mounting area 22 . Loss of vacuum pressure in the suction mounting area 22 may be due to imperfections in the attachment surface 12 , such as gaps or cracks, which limit the effectiveness of the mounting seal 16 . Sensor 68 allows pump 26 to compensate for surface imperfections, ensuring a proper seal between laser level 10 and attachment surface 12 .

A second aspect of the suction mounting structure for use with the laser leveling device 10 of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4-5. The laser source 34 is rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the laser level housing 14. When the laser level housing 14 is fixed on the attachment surface 12, the user is allowed to adjust the position of the laser source 34 and irradiate the aiming beam on the surface through the lens 42.

Laser source activation switch 70 extends through slot 72 of housing 14 . A power source 48 disposed in the laser level housing 14 powers the laser source 34 . A suction cup or mounting seal 74 extends from a lower portion 76 of the laser level housing 14 . It will be appreciated that the suction cup 74 may be formed in different geometries to accommodate various housing shapes. Mounting seal 74 cooperates with attachment surface 12 to form suction mounting area 22 therebetween.

A pump 78 is operatively connected to a bore (not shown) in the lower portion 76 of the housing 14 . The pump 78 acts in conjunction with the mounting seal 74 to create a vacuum between the attachment surface 12 and the lower portion 76 of the laser level housing 14 to form the suction mounting area 22 . A pump activation switch 80 is operatively connected to the pump 78 adjacent the lower portion 76 of the housing 14 and the mounting seal 74 . The user activates switch 80 after contacting mounting seal 74 with attachment surface 12 , causing pump 78 to expel air from suction mounting area 22 when the user detects a loss of vacuum pressure in area 22 . It can be understood that the switch 80 can be mounted on the housing 14 of the laser level along the horizontal or vertical direction.

FIG. 6 shows another laser source incorporated in the laser leveling device 10 of the present invention. Laser level 10 includes a laser source 82 having a pair of diodes 84 in coplanar relationship that emits an alignment beam 86 through aperture 38 in end wall 40 of laser level housing 14 . It can also be designed that the laser source can include a first diode and a second diode, the first diode emits a first alignment beam through a first hole in the end wall or side wall of the housing, and the second diode A second alignment beam substantially perpendicular to the first alignment beam is emitted through a second aperture in the housing end wall or side wall.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the second embodiment of the laser leveling device with vacuum mounting structure of the present invention will be described. The laser level 56 includes a lower housing 63 and a rotatably mounted upper housing 64 , the lower housing 63 has a rubber mounting seal 88 extending from the bottom of the lower housing 63 , and the upper housing 64 houses a laser source that emits an alignment beam 90 . The upper housing 64 is rotatable around the support 92 relative to the lower housing 63 . Strut 92 includes detents (not shown) that allow the user to position upper housing 64 relative to lower housing 63 in discrete angular increments, for example, 15° angular increments, thereby allowing the user to position laser level 56 when securing laser level 56 to attachment surface 94. , quickly reposition the laser source in the upper housing 64.

Referring now to Figures 8-10, another embodiment of the device of the present invention having a manual suction mounting structure is shown. In this embodiment, the housing 14 incorporates the mounting seal 16 described in the other previously described embodiments. Mounting seal 16 has a top surface 200, a bottom surface 202, and a wall 204 extending from top surface 200 to contact attachment surface 12 and form a seal, as described below.

A lifting mechanism 210 mounted on the mounting seal top surface 200 cooperates with the bottom surface 202 to form the cavity 20 when the lifting mechanism 210 is operated to lift the bottom surface 202 . Lift mechanism 210 may have a lever 212 protruding from a portion of housing 14 such that movement of lever 212 will actuate lift mechanism 210 . As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the lever 212 is rotated from a first position (counterclockwise) to a second position (in a counterclockwise direction) in which there is no suction and in a second position where there is suction or vacuum while cavity 20 is formed.

Preferably, the lever 212 is fixed in the first or second position until manually moved to the other position. As shown in FIG. 9 , lift mechanism 210 may include a cam 220 operably connected to bottom surface 202 such that when lever 212 is turned, cam 220 is actuated to move bottom surface 202 toward top surface 200 to form cavity 20 .

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (23)

1. A laser leveling device, comprising: a. Shell; b. a mounting seal extending from the lower portion of the housing, said mounting seal together with the attachment surface forming a suction mounting area therebetween; c. Suction mounting structure, the suction mounting structure maintains the suction mounting area together with the mounting seal, wherein the suction mounting structure includes a vacuum generating mechanism, the vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor and a pump, the motor is connected to the a power connection within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor and configured to exhaust air from the suction mounting area to secure the housing to the attachment surface; d. A power source housed within the enclosure; and e. a laser source disposed within the housing and operatively connected to a power source, said laser source being rotatably mounted on an inner wall of the housing to allow a user to rotatably adjust the position of the laser source, said laser source comprising at least one diode, via An alignment beam emerges from an aperture in the housing, indicating a datum plane along the attachment surface. 2. The laser leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a cavity is formed in the lower part of the housing, forming a suction mounting area together with mounting sealing and attachment surfaces. 3. The laser leveling device of claim 1, wherein the laser source comprises opposing diodes positioned in a coplanar relationship, emitting aligned beams in opposite directions. 4. The laser leveling device according to claim 1, wherein the laser source comprises a first diode and a second diode, and the first diode emits a first alignment beam through a first hole of the housing , the second diode emits a second alignment beam substantially perpendicular to the first alignment beam through the second hole of the housing. 5. The laser leveling device of claim 1, further comprising a switch extending through the slot in the housing to allow a user to activate the laser source when the laser leveling device is positioned on the attachment surface. 6. The laser leveling device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a detachably mounted battery. 7. The laser leveling device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable power source housed in the housing. 8. The laser leveling device according to claim 1, wherein the suction installation structure includes a vacuum generating mechanism, the vacuum generating mechanism is electrically connected to a power supply and mounted on the inner surface of the housing, and the vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor and a pump driven by said motor for exhausting air from the suction mounting area through holes in the housing to secure the housing to the attachment surface. 9. The laser leveling device of claim 8, further comprising a sensor mounted adjacent to the hole in the lower portion of the housing to activate the pump if said sensor detects a loss of pressure in the suction mounting area. 10. The laser leveling device of claim 8, further comprising a switch disposed on a side wall of the housing operatively connected to the pump activation switch to allow a user to activate the vacuum generating mechanism. 11. The laser leveling device of claim 8, wherein the laser source is mounted on the vacuum generating mechanism so as to position the at least one diode in a coplanar relationship with respect to the attachment surface. 12. The laser leveling device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable strut between the upper and lower portions of the housing includes a detent that allows a user to rotatably position the laser source in discrete angular increments. 13. A laser leveling device with a vacuum mounting structure, the vacuum mounting structure is used to detachably fix the laser leveling device on an attachment surface, the laser leveling device comprising: a. a housing having a lower portion comprising a cavity formed in a bottom surface and an upper portion, said upper portion being rotatably mounted on said lower portion; b. a mounting seal extending from the lower portion of the housing around the cavity, said mounting seal together with the attachment surface forming a suction mounting area therebetween; c. The power supply placed in the shell; d. Suction mounting structure, the suction mounting structure maintains the suction mounting area together with the mounting seal, wherein the suction mounting structure includes a vacuum generating mechanism, the vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor and a pump, the motor is connected to the a power connection within the housing, the pump being driven by the motor and configured to exhaust air from the suction mounting area to secure the housing to the attachment surface; and e. A laser source disposed within the upper portion of the housing operatively connected to a power source, said laser source comprising a diode projecting an alignment beam through an aperture in the housing indicating a reference plane along the attachment surface. 14. The laser leveling device of claim 13, wherein the laser source comprises opposing diodes positioned in a coplanar relationship, emitting aligned beams in opposite directions. 15. The laser leveling device according to claim 13, wherein the laser source comprises a first diode and a second diode, and the first diode emits a first alignment beam through a first hole of the housing , the second diode emits a second alignment beam substantially perpendicular to the first alignment beam through the second hole of the casing. 16. The laser leveling device of claim 13, further comprising a switch extending through the housing slot to allow a user to activate the laser source when the laser leveling device is positioned on the attachment surface. 17. The laser leveling device of claim 13, wherein the power source comprises a removably mounted battery. 18. The laser leveling device of claim 13, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable power source contained within the housing. 19. The laser leveling device according to claim 13, wherein the suction mounting structure includes a vacuum generating mechanism, the vacuum generating mechanism is electrically connected to a power source and mounted on the inner surface of the housing, and the vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor and a pump driven by said motor for exhausting air from the suction mounting area through holes in the housing to secure the housing to the attachment surface. 20. The laser leveling device of claim 19, further comprising a sensor mounted adjacent the aperture in the lower portion of the housing to activate the pump if said sensor detects a loss of pressure in the suction mounting area. 21. The laser leveling device of claim 19, further comprising a switch disposed on a side wall of the housing operatively connected to the pump activation switch to allow a user to activate the vacuum generating mechanism. 22. The laser leveling device of claim 19, wherein the laser source is mounted on the vacuum generating mechanism so as to position the at least one diode in a coplanar relationship with respect to the attachment surface. 23. The laser leveling device of claim 13, wherein the rotatable strut between the upper and lower portions of the housing includes a detent that allows a user to rotatably position the housing relative to the lower portion of the housing in discrete angular increments. upper part.

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