Trimble Navigation Limited

Trimble Inc.

Kevin Marc Morrissey

Jason A Schaefer

Michael A Stickelman

Chris William Snyder

Ayman Hajmousa

James Nelson Hayes

Timothy John Litvin

Eric Keith Unger

Steve Curtiss

Brandon Scott Bayer

Jamin Michael Turner

An automatic point layout system identifies points and their coordinates using vertical planes of laser light. Laser controllers aim vertical laser light planes that will cross at any desired point on the jobsite floor. The user views a virtual jobsite illustration on a remote controller touchscreen display, and selects a point of interest. Commands are sent to the two laser controllers, which aim their laser transmitters at that point of interest, showing visible laser light lines that intersect directly at the point of interest, for staking. The user selects a second point of interest on the touchscreen display, commanding the laser transmitters to rotate to a new set of coordinates. The user performs these functions seamlessly; the remote controller allows the user to quickly move from one point of interest to the next, without having changing to any other operating mode between the identifying and staking of each new point.

Automatic point layout and staking 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. 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

A reference beam generator has first, second, and third projection turrets for projecting first, second, and third fan beams of laser light, respectively. The first, second, and third fan beams of laser light are oriented normal to each other. The turrets may be rotated such that each of said fan beams can each be rotated about an axis that is normal to the plane in which the fan beam is projected. The generator may be used to project a number of reference points and lines on multiple surfaces.

Reference beam generator and method

A laser beam transmitter and a method of calibrating such a transmitter result in a beam of laser light that is projected in a desired direction with respect to a transmitter body. The transmitter and a beam target are positioned such that a properly calibrated beam will illuminate a desired point on the target, such as for example the target center. The transmitter is activated and the offset of the point illuminated on the target from the target center measured. A plurality of optical wedge correction elements having varying wedge angles is provided, and the appropriate one of these optical wedge correction elements that will correct for the measured offset is selected. The selected optical wedge correction element is positioned in the transmitter body in the path of the beam. The optical wedge correction element is rotated until the beam is substantially aligned to illuminate the target center. The optical wedge element is then affixed in place in the transmitter body.

Optical correction of a laser beam

A system to produce orthogonal beams includes a laser diode operating in conjunction with a collimating lens, with or without an aperture, and a simple compact optic. At least one collimated beam is directed toward an optic comprised of components that are bonded together. Beams are reflected from at least one optical components at right angles to produce a plumb beam. Additionally, a beam is reflected from the optic at a right angle, as well as transmitted through the optic, to produce square and level beams. All beams are orthogonal to each other, have relatively equal power, and are aligned and oriented so as to appear to be originating from a coincident point. An optional orthogonal beam may be produced. An optic in the shape of a cuboid comprised of six small components is also disclosed.

Optical system providing several beams from a single source

The level device includes a level body having a pair of orthogonal reference surfaces. A vial carrier on the level body holds the level vial such that it can be calibrated with respect to the reference surfaces by rotation about a pair of orthogonal axes, each of the orthogonal axes being perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the level vial. Adhesive fixes the position of the level vial with respect to the vial carrier and fixing the position of the vial carrier with respect to the level body. The vial carrier includes a vial support and a pivot for engaging the level body. When the vial is calibrated, it is rotated about a first axis perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the level vial, and about a second axis perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the level vial and perpendicular to the first axis.

Level device and method of calibrating a level vial

Method and apparatus for optical correction of a laser beam

A system to produce orthogonal beams includes a laser diode operating in conjunction with a collimating lens, an aperture, and a simple compact optic. Three collimated beams are directed toward an optic comprised of components that are bonded together. Beams are reflected from two optical components at right angles to produce plumb beams. Additionally, a beam is reflected from the optic at a right angle, as well as transmitted through the optic, to produce square and level beams. All four beams are orthogonal to each other, have relatively equal power, and are aligned and oriented so as to appear to be originating from a coincident point. Optionally, a fifth orthogonal beam may be produced. An optic in the shape of a cuboid comprised of six small components is also disclosed.

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Xenia, OH, United States of America

Kevin Marc Morrissey