Zircon Corporation

Norman LaVar Krantz

John Robert Stauss

Barry Wingate

Charles E Heger

Anthony J Rossetti

Lawrence F Miller

Larry F Miller

Donald D Kook

Charles J Stauss

Jeffrey A Fox

An implementation of a system, device and method for projecting a visual indicator against a surface is provided. A display projection system in a handheld sensor device (e.g. a handheld wall scanner) projects a static or computer-controlled dynamic pattern of light onto a surface being scanned to indicate a specific feature, such as existence of solid structures of wood, metal or plastic, electric or magnetic fields, or a disturbance of a field. The projected light may be controlled by a computer via an aperture to allow flexibility in what is projected, such as icons, lines, graphics, characters and colors.

Dynamic information projection for a wall sensor

An ergonomically designed metal detector is provided. The metal detector allows for operation of the metal detector between two modes of operation while maintaining an operator's hand position relative to the surface.

Dual orientation metal scanner

A sensor such as a stud sensor having a capacitor plate coupled with a spring to a head to provide a floating head. In other versions, the sensor has an on-switch coupled between a head and a body of a sensor; a head detachable from a body of the sensor; a marking instrument coupled with a lever to a body of a sensor; and a body having one or more low compression and/or low resistance slider pads.

Stud sensor with floating head

Given a situation where a projected laser line appears to have terminated or faded as it intersects with a work-surface (e.g., a wall), a fan-out redirecting means is used to capture and redirect energy radiating above and parallel to, or radiating away from the given work-surface area, where the captured energy is from a line projector mounted to the surface. The radiation capturing and redirecting means aims the captured energy at a greater angle towards the work-surface so that the redirected light is thereafter reflected back to a user to give the perception that a line of enhanced intensity or reborn existence is being created on the work-surface or on a reflective overlayer placed against the work-surface. The radiation capturing and redirecting means may include one or both of optically refractive means and optically reflective means (e.g., lens and mirrors) for performing the capturing and/or redirecting functions.

Methods and devices for enhancing intensity of on-surface lines cast by laser line projectors or the like

A light emitting module and a modular light emitting system with leveling capability. The system relates to light-based (e.g. lower-based) layout tools of the type used in the construction industry. More specifically, the system relates to a modular light emitting system for projection visible patterns, such as dots, lines, cross-lines and other patterns, on one or more distant surfaces for purposes of alignment, construction, verification and the like.

Modular laser layout system

A spherically rotatable support for a light image projector has level and/or plumb indicators for leveling or plumbing a central reference frame of its spherical rotation. A projected light image, such as a laser line segment of relatively short length may be successively stepped across a long wall while maintaining its level or plumb condition. A low powered laser or other light source may be used to generate the short-length, line segment in place of a more high powered light source that would otherwise be needed to illuminate the full length of the wall or other such surface.

Laser line projector with spherically rotatable support and level/plumb indicators for the support

A self-leveling tool for projecting a line of light along a wall or other vertical surface at one of a plurality of predetermined angles. The tool self-aligns to emit a plane of light at one of the predetermined angles (e.g., 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees), thereby projecting a line on the wall in a desired direction (e.g., right, up, left or down).

Multi-angle self-leveling line generation

A fluid-actuated level device for use, for instance, in the building trades, discovers points lying on a horizontal plane with a reference point. The level device has a tube with a referenceend and a working-end, and a housing unit attached to the reference-end. Electrodes in the housing unit measure fluid-levels in the reference-end. When the fluid-level in the working-end is positioned in the horizontal plane containing the reference point, then the level device emits a signal; in one embodiment, this signal is a single continuous sound. When the working-end is positioned slightly higher than the reference point, a second signal is emitted; in one embodiment, this signal is an intermittent sound. The second intermittent sound notifies the worker that the fluid-level in the working-end is too high relative to the reference plane, i.e., the worker has &ldquo;overshot&rdquo; the reference plane. Also provided are embodiments having a tube window, an alignment window, and a slidable backing assembly. The tube window provides visual access to the electrodes in the tube. The alignment window enables the reference markers to be in close proximity on adjacent sides of the tube at the reference-end. A slidable backing assembly enables the housing unit to be slidably adjusted along a continuous vertical line after it is affixed to a reference point. Lastly, a method for using a non-transparent tube is provided.

Fluid-actuated level device

Hand-held scanning tool

A display in a portable detector unit (e.g., a handheld &ldquo;stud sensor&rdquo;) projects a pattern of light onto a surface beneath which a hidden object is located. The pattern represents the location of a sensed characteristic of the object with respect to the surface. The pattern may include a single line or a plurality of lines, and may be projected in one or more directions.

Projected display for portable sensor indicating the location of a detected hidden object behind a surface

An improved hand-held sensor having a recessed LED array for indicating the location of an object behind a wall surface. The array displays in an arrow shaped format the location of the sensor relative to the object. The LED's can be offset both laterally and in depth from the surface of the sensor exterior case and are recessed from the surface. The sensor includes a soft feeling slip-resistant gripping surface for the user. One form of the sensor includes a slide switch actuator, which is retained in one wall of the sensor case to enable actuation of a switch mechanism without physical loading on the switch mechanism.

Hand held sensor and display

An ultrasonic distance measuring device for use, for instance, in the building trades, conventionally measures distance by projecting a sonic beam towards the target and detecting the reflection from the target. Also provided is an associated co-axial laser pointer which provides a visual indication of where the sonic beam is pointed. This laser pointer provides a laser beam which illuminates the target. However, the laser beam is not a typical laser beam, but instead is diffracted so that it covers an area at the target approximately the same size and shape as the area covered by the sonic beam. This provides a clear indication to the user that the sonic beam is not a single point beam but instead is possibly reflecting from any one of a number of points on the target. This provides a better indication to the user than does the single point beam of what possible locations are being measured on the target The laser beam pattern is, for instance, a circular area, a pattern of lines or rings, or a set of dots including a bright central dot.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Norman LaVar Krantz