Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Jacob D Hadfield

Samuel A Gould

Gregory R Strommen

Benjamin T Jones

Richard J LaSota

Andrew Kenneth Dorscheid

Christopher R Millane

Christopher Frederick Boehme

Samuel J Howard

Adam J Sargis

Garrett E Schoonover

Max D Mutza

John Norbert Winkler

An end cap for a grade rod and a method of using the same is provided. The end cap has a body that includes a bottom wall and a front wall perpendicular to the bottom wall. An outer surface of the bottom wall is substantially planar. A projection extends outwardly from the front wall. A bottom surface of the projection is substantially planar and substantially aligns with the outer surface of the bottom wall. In specific embodiments, the end cap is attached to an end of a grade rod. To reference the end of a recessed surface, such as a pipe, the end cap body is attached to a lower end of the grade rod. The grade rod is then positioned perpendicular to the ground at an open end of the recessed surface, such that the bottom surface of the projection rests on an interior portion of the recessed surface.

Grade rod with end cap and related method of use

Various laser level designs including the ability to physically/mechanically mask light emitted from the laser level are shown. In one example, the laser level includes physical barriers that can be moved between open and closed positions to selectively block or mask a desired portion of the projected laser plane.

Rotary laser with mechanical mask

Various laser level designs and targets are shown. In one example, a laser level emits one or more lasers that can be self-leveled via an internal leveling mechanism. The one or more lasers can be rotated and adjusted in response to commands received from a user. One or more laser levels described project target lights at predetermined distances on a surface, such as a ceiling.

Laser level systems and controls

A laser projection device with compact frame is provided, as is a corresponding frame or mount for one or more laser projection devices. In one embodiment the frame or mount includes a coupling interface that permits multiple coupling positions with respect to a laser projection device, such as at 90 degree intervals.

Laser projection tools and mounting accessories

Various laser level designs and remote controls are shown. In another example, the remote control for a laser level receives a plurality of interface protocols configured to control one or more laser levels, and subsequently selects one of the interface protocols when initiating control of a laser level. In another example, the relative positions a remote control with respect to a laser level are determined, and subsequently a visual representation is presented at the remote control based on the relative positions.

Laser level interface and control

An automatic process and structural features for accurately producing levels is provided. The process enables more rapid production of levels, less operator work or error, and the ability to quantify errors and tolerances in the manufacture of the level. Coupling a level datum plane formed on the endcaps of a vial with a level datum plane of a frame ensures accurate construction of a level that can be automated and toleranced. Ensuring that the level datum plane created at the endcaps remains parallel (or at some other predesigned angle) to the measuring surfaces of the level reduces labor to manufacture the level and ensures measurement accuracy.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Jacob D Hadfield