Geometrical instruments – Straight-line light ray type – Alignment device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-03-06
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Straight-line light ray type
Alignment device
C033S451000, C033SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195902
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a laser extender, and more particularly to a level extension apparatus which is easy to use and has multipurpose uses.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In the construction industry, drawing an extension line from a reference line is usually done by applying a ruler or using an ink-string box. The reference line can be corner lines, fence lines, or any horizontal or vertical line defined by a square-beam leveler or other device.
When applying a ruler to draw the extension line, one side of the ruler is used to be aligned with the reference line and the extension line can be formed by using a second ruler as an extension of the aforesaid ruler to elongate the reference line. Though this method can be accurate, this accuracy is only limited to short distances.
The ink-string box in the art comprises a box for carrying a roller at one half and ink at another half. The roller is pivoted on top of the box, and an extension string rolled around the roller. The extension string has a free end that is pulled over the ink and away from the box. While applying the ink-string box to draw an extension line of a reference line, the string is pulled out from the roller and mixed with the ink during the pulling operation, then aligned with the reference line, and then the extension line is formed by flipping the extended inked string to drop the ink lengthwise. Even though the ink-string box is suitable for use in medium or long distance applications, the operation of flipping the inked string is quite human-dependent and may need to be done in segments if a substantial length of string is to be pulled. Thus, a unique straight extension line may sometimes be difficult to achieve by applying the ink-string box and may be subject to human error.
Thus, there remains a need for a line-extension tool that provides accurate alignment and is effective for use in distances of all ranges, yet is easy to use and can be used quickly and efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laser extender, which can be used in accurately elongating a reference line in many applications.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a laser extender, which can be provided with a conventional beam leveler for enhancing the measurement capability of the leveler.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a convenient laser extender, which is convenient to use and which can be used for a wide variety of distances.
A laser extender in accordance with the present invention includes a housing, a battery set, and a laser unit. The housing has an external basic flat plane for resting upon a flat surface, a straight edge, an internal accommodating space, and a plurality of through holes for accessing the internal accommodating space from the exterior of the housing. The battery set is provided inside the internal accommodating space. The laser unit, utilizing power provided by the battery set, is located inside the internal accommodating space, for generating a spanning plane laser beam perpendicular to the basic flat plane of the housing and having an extension line covering the straight edge.
In one embodiment of the laser extender, the housing can include an extension located above the basic flat plane for receiving the laser unit therein, and the extension has a hole through which the spanning plane laser beam can exit.
In one embodiment of the laser extender, the laser unit can be adjustable through a plurality of adjustable screws, with each screw accessible at one end from the exterior of the housing to contact the exterior of the laser unit at another end for adjusting the pressure of the screw onto the laser unit.
In one embodiment of the laser extender, the laser unit can further include a switch for controlling ON/OFF of the power from the battery set. The switch is accessible from the exterior of the housing through one of the through holes, and can further have an additional switch cap placed on top of the switch.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a beam leveler can engage the laser extender for enhancing the leveling ability of the laser extender. The beam leveler can have an open end for receiving the laser extender, a base plane thereon for resting upon a flat surface, and a leveling unit for inspecting the leveling status of the base plane. The base plane of the beam leveler can further include a main edge. When the beam leveler and the laser extender are combined, the base plane of the beam leveler is coplanar with the basic flat plane of the laser extender, and the main edge of the beam leveler is aligned with the straight edge of the laser extender.
According to one embodiment of the beam leveler, the leveling unit can be a spirit bubble, for determining either the perpendicular status of the spanning plane laser beam or the leveling status of the base plane, or the leveling unit can include separate spirit bubbles for both the perpendicular and the leveling purposes.
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patent: 6012229 (2000-01-01), Shiao
Chen Tony Kuo-Ti
Jan Der-Shyang
Fulton Christopher W.
Quarton Inc.
Sun Raymond
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