Trimble Navigation Limited

Spectra-physics Laserplane, Inc.

Spectra Precision, Inc.

Spectra-physics Gmbh

James Nelson Hayes

Chris William Snyder

Ayman Hajmousa

Eric Keith Unger

Michael F Glantz

Brian Christopher Kemp

John P Dugan

Steve M Elliott

Joseph F Rando

Frank Beard Douglas

Kevin Marc Morrissey

Brandon Scott Bayer

Robin Mccarty

A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.

Point layout system using single laser transmitter

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.

Automated layout and point transfer system

An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a 'beacon mode' to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.

Two way omnidirectional lens

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.

Three dimensional layout and point transfer system

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.

Two dimension layout and point transfer system

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.

The transmitter has a generally flat, circuit board stator, a rotor including a plurality of magnets mounted in a ring around a central opening, and a bearing, supporting the rotor for rotation about an axis that extends through the central opening, A pentaprism assembly including an optics holder is mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith. The pentaprism assembly receives a beam of laser light through the central opening and redirects at least a portion of the laser light outward in a direction normal to the rotation axis. A laser source, mounted on the stator, provides a beam of laser light through the central opening to the pentaprism assembly. The beam of laser light is aligned with the rotation axis. The laser source includes a collimating lens positioned within the rotor. A shield plate of magnetic material beneath the stator exerts a force on the rotor in conjunction with the magnets, taking play out of the bearing. The transmitter uses Hall effect sensors on the stator to control switching current to coils on the stator. The transmitter also uses the outputs of the Hall effect sensors and a timer output to control dithering of the laser beam.

Rotating laser transmitter

A damping system and method for a pendulously supported crossline generator is disclosed. The crossline generator comprises a support body pendulously supported and having ear portions and a paddle. A rotation damping device having cages each with a magnet set is provided, wherein the ear portions extend into respective ones of the cages. A pitch damping device having a damping housing and a ring magnet supported in the damping housing is also provided. The paddle has a plate portion situated below the ring magnet.

Damping system and method for a pendulously supported crossline generator

An arrangement for use in a light beam projection device for adjusting an orientation of a projected light beam is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a base frame, a support platform adapted to set the orientation of the projected light beam, and a pivot member pivotally mounting the support platform relative to the base frame. A tilting motor is provided to the base frame and has a pair of output shafts influencing the orientation of the support platform, whereby rotation of the output shafts in a first direction tilts the support platform only along a first axis, and rotation of the output shafts in a second direction tilts the support platform only along a second axis. A power supply is provided for driving the tilting motor.

Growing community of inventors

Urbana, OH, United States of America

James Nelson Hayes