AU2005232270B1

AU2005232270B1 - A Laser Leveling System

Info

Publication number: AU2005232270B1
Application number: AU2005232270A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kevin James Moller; William Richard Theodore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-10
Filing date: 2005-11-10
Publication date: 2006-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-10
Also published as: WO2007053888A1

Description

o A LASER LEVELING SYSTEM Field of the Invention.

Z This invention is directed to a laser system that can replace string lines especially on O roadworks, embankments et cetera.

O Background Art.

ci In roadworks, it is extremely important to have levels accurately determined. For en instance, a road needs to have a taper running from the middle of the road to each side '4Th such that water can run off the road and into road gutters.

01 Conventionally, surveyors will survey the road, and hammer pegs at particular positions to show where road excavation etc needs to take place. A string line is tensioned between a particular peg on one side of the road and another peg on the other side of the road. A road grader or other road equipment can then grade the road to the required level. Of course, the string line needs to be removed every time the road grader passes past the string line and replaced thereafter. Also, roads are graded in successive layers with the layers being compacted. The string lines therefore need to be continually adjusted.

Once the road has been initially levelled, a taper needs to be cut in each side to allow water to run off the road. Using a string line for such a taper is difficult.

Embankments also need to be levelled. To do so, a surveyor will peg the top of the embankment with two spaced apart pegs (typically about 40 cm apart) and will then nail an angled crosspiece between the pegs with the angle showing the taper of the embankmrent, An excavator can then cut the embankment to the desired angle.

Sometimes, it is necessary to run a string line from the top of one of the pegs to the bottom of the embankment to see if the taper is correct.

There are many disadvantages with the use of string lines. One disadvantage is that the string line need to be dropped and raised as a road grader etc passes along the road. Another disadvantage is that the string line will sag especially if it is strung over a relatively long distance (for instance 10-20 mn or more). The string line presents a 0 continual tripping hazard. The string line cannot be used at night-time or under low light conditions. In most cases, the string line requires two people, one on each side 0 Z of the road. Another disadvantage is the repetition required in adjusting the string o line. For instance, as the road is formed, the height of the string line may need to be adjusted many times. The string line can be quite easily damaged or cut. Strong winds ocan also cause vibrations in the string line.

en It is known to use a dumpy level to assist in levelling. These devices have a telescope in attached to a tripod. While the device is quite accurate, the main disadvantage is that 0 a person always needs to look through the telescope to determine if a level is being achieved.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to use a laser levelling system for use in roadworks and particularly to replace the string line system and which may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a system for use in roadworks, the system comprising a laser positioned on one side of the roadworks and adapted to emit a laser beam across the roadworks, and a target board or similar device that typically has calibrations and which can be placed on the roadworks, the position of the laser beam striking the target board providing information about the road level.

Thus, instead of a string line, a laser can be positioned to shine a laser beam across the area where levelling is required. A person can then walk across the area with a target board, and the position where the laser beam strikes the target board will tell the person if the level is too high, too low, or correct.

The target board will typically comprise a board member containing calibration lines, o or other types of calibration means, and a pole or post or stake or similar member to which the board member is attached and which can be placed on the road.

O

Z Alternatively, the target board may comprise a sensor which, emits an audio signal or o a visual signal when struck by the laser beam.

O In another form, the invention resides a levelling system for use in roadworks, the i system comprising placing a peg on each side of the road, placing a control level or Cfl control levels on the pegs, providing a laser which emits a laser beam from a desired control level on one of the pegs to a desired control level on the other of the pegs, and a target board or similar device that typically has calibrations and which can be placed on the roadworks, the position of the laser beam striking the target board providing information about the road level.

In this particular form of the invention, a surveyor will typically peg each side of the road with pegs. Then, the surveyor will set control levels on the pegs, and these control levels can be markings on the pegs. A laser beam can then be positioned to go from the control level on the peg on one side of the road to hit the peg on the other side of the road and on the particularly desired control level. The laser beam will therefore provide a level. The target board can then be used to see if the road is at the desired level. Typically, these control levels are positioned higher than the desired level of the road such that the laser beam will be some distance above the desired level of the road (typically 10-100 cm) to make it easier for the person holding the target board.

In another form, the invention resides in an adjustable laser assembly for use with roadworks, the laser assembly comprising a stake member which can be pushed into the ground, an arm member that is adjustably mounted to the stake member, an angle adjustment member that is supported by the arm member and which can be adjusted to various angles, a laser which is supported by the angle adjustment member such that adjustment of the member adjusts the angle of the laser beam emitting from the laser.

This assembly can be used with the system described above. The assembly is relatively simple and robust in design and can be easily adjusted for height, beam o angle and the like.

Z The stake member can be made of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, o fibreglass, wood, composite materials and the like. The stake member may be hollow or solid, may be cylindrical, as a rectangular cross-section, an oval cross-section, may o be plate like and the like. The stake member will typically have a length of between Cl 0.5-2 m. It is considered that this length will be suitable for most roadwork and cfl embankment uses. The stake member may contain a pointed end to assist in pushing tfl the stake member into the ground. Alternatively, some form of pointed end can be attached to the otherwise plain end of the stake member. The stake member may contain graduations, indicia and the like if required.

An arm member can be adjustably mounted to the stake member. The arm member may be fixed to or relative to a collar that can slide along the stake member. The collar may contain a camping of fixing screw that can lock the collar to the stake member at a particular position. If desired, a plurality of collars can be provided.

Some of these collars or similar members can be used as a depth indicator of the stake member in the ground.

The arm member may have a length of between 50-200 mm. and should be long enough and strong enough to support the laser. The arm member may comprise a rod, a plate, a tube and the like.

An angle adjustment member can be supported by the arm member. The angle adjustment member may comprise an elongate member and may particularly comprise a U-shaped channel that can be made of any suitable material such as metal (steel or aluminium), plastic, composite materials and the like. The channel may comprise a pair of sidewalls connected by a bottom wall. The bottom wall may be attached to or relative to the arm member. The angle adjustment member may comprise a second member which may also comprise a U-shaped channel that can be made of materials similar to that described above. The second member will typically be attached to an elongate pin that spans the first U-shaped channel and which can rotate/tilt/rock relative to the first U-shaped channel such that when the second U-shaped channel is Ic)

O

o attached to the pin, rotation of the pin will rotate/tilt/rock the second U-shaped channel. If desired, adjustment means can be provided to adjust the angle (the 0 Z rotation) of the pin. The adjustment means may comprise a threaded bolt and the like.

0 The laser may be attached to or relative to the second U-shaped channel. Typically, o the laser will be positioned within a housing, and the housing can be attached to the ,I second U-shaped channel.

VIf desired, a protective cover/weather shield can be positioned to protect the laser.

o In a power source may be provided to power the laser. The power source may comprise a portable power source such as a battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:.

Figure 1. Illustrates an adjustable laser assembly.

Figure 2. Illustrates a close-up of the upper part of the adjustable laser assembly of figure 1.

Figure 3. Illustrates the adjustable laser assembly from the side.

Figure 4. Illustrates use of the adjustable laser assembly.

Best Mode.

Referring to the figures and initially to figures 1-3, there is illustrated an adjustable laser assembly. The assembly comprises a stake member or support post 10 which can be made of aluminium tube closed at the bottom end and also pointed at the bottom end to enable the stake to be more easily inserted into the ground. The support post will typically have a length of between 40-120 cm, and a diameter of between 100 mm.

Attached to the post 10 is an adjustable and removable clamp 11 which in the particular embodiment comprises a collar which can slide along post 10 and which o contains a threaded bolt that can be tightened to clamp the collar on the post. The collar can be entirely removed from the post if desired. Collar 11 functions to provide 0 Z extra support to the laser device which is also attached to post 10 (see below) and can o also function as a depth marker giving a consistent insertion point into the ground.

o Also attached to post 10 is another adjustable clamp 12 which can be similar to collar 11 in that it also can slide along post 10 and can be clamped into position by a en threaded bolt.

Attached to clamp 12 is an arm member 13 which is best illustrated in figure 2. The arm member 13 comprises a small extension rod or tube that can be attached to clamp 12 and the arm member will typically have a length of between 50-200 mm. As clamp 12 can swivel around post 10, the arm member can also swivel about the post by being attached to clamp 12.

An angle adjustment member is supported by arm member 13. In the particular embodiment, the angle adjustment member comprises a U-shaped channel 14 (see figure 2) typically formed from aluminium. The U-shaped channel will have a length of between 50-250 mm. The U-shaped channel contains a bottom wall, and opposed 2 0 sidewalls.

An elongate pin 15 is journalled between the sidewalls of the U-shaped channel and therefore can rotate relative to the channel about a substantially horizontal axis.

A second U-shaped channel 16 is welded or otherwise fixed to the main body of elongate pin 15 such that rotation of the pin causes rocking of the U-shaped channel 16.

An adjustment knob 17 is provided that extends through an opening in the bottom wall of U-shaped channel 14 and engages with the second U-shaped channel 16.

Thus, rotation of adjustment knob 17 will ultimately cause the second U-shaped channel 16 to tilt upwardly or downwardly.

0 o A laser beam housing 18 is attached to the second U-shaped channel 16. The housing is made from machined aluminium hollow cylinder which can be completely removed 0 Z for easy access to the laser emitter (bulb) and power lead. The hollow cylinder O contains an end cap which can be removed to access the laser emitter etc. Housing 18 can be screwed or otherwise attached to U-shaped channel 16. In the particular O embodiment, an adjustable bolt 20 is used to clamp housing 18 into position on C, channel 16.

t Inside housing 11 is a laser emitter which may be of conventional manufacture. The 0 emitter passes a laser beam through a small opening in the front of housing 18.

A weather shield/cover 21 is positioned on top of housing 18.

Power leads (not illustrated) pass from inside housing 11 to a power source which may be a battery, generator, mains power etc.

Referring to figure 4, in use, the adjustable laser assembly 23 is placed adjacent a surveyors peg 24. Another peg 25 is positioned by the surveyor on the other side of road 26. The surveyor would have marked each peg with control levels in the usual 2 0 form. The laser assembly 23 is adjusted such that the laser beam 27 passes across the road and from one control level (on peg 24) to the other control level (on peg Thus, the laser beam correctly marks the level of the road.

A target board 28 can then be "walked" along the road by a person. The target board will typically comprise a flat target formed with graduations which will identify if the road level is correct. If not, additional road base can be placed on the road (or removed) until the level is correct.

When the correct road level has been achieved, the next step is to create a taper on each side of the road. The present invention allows this to be done quite conveniently by adjusting the laser assembly 23 to shine the laser beam 29 downwardly to mark a taper 30. To create a taper on the other side of the road (31) the laser assembly 23 is now placed adjacent peg 25 and shone downwardly.

It-) The system according to the present invention provides many advantages. Firstly,

O

Z there is a significant time-saving by speeding up and improving work production.

O Less staff are required. There is a significant safety improvement especially around working machines. There is less disruption on job site. The system can be used at O night time. The system can be used on slopes and will prevent undercutting of the N batter slope.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining levels in roadworks comprising the steps of placement of at least one survey peg on each side of the road, the pegs being placed and marked by a surveyor, placement of a laser emitter relative to the survey pegs such that the laser emitter directs a laser beam across the roadworks and at an angle which is consistent with the marking on the survey pegs set by the surveyor, and using N a target board or similar device that typically has calibrations and which can be Nt placed on the roadworks, the position of the laser beam striking the target board providing information about the road level.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target board is a board member containing calibration lines, or other types of calibration means, and a pole or post or stake or similar member to which the board member is attached and which can be placed on the road.

3. The method of claims 1 or 2, wherein the laser emitter comprises a stake member which can be pushed into the ground, an arm member that is adjustably mounted to the stake member, an angle adjustment member that is supported by the arm member and which can be adjusted to various angles, a laser which is supported by the angle adjustment member such that adjustment of the member adjusts the angle of the laser beam emitting from the laser.

4. A method for levelling a road and tapering the road surface, the method comprising placement of survey pegs on each side of the road by a surveyor, the surveyor also placing at least one control level on each peg, placement of a laser emitting assembly such that a laser beam passes across the road and from the control level on the peg on one side of the road to the control level on the peg on the other side of the road, using a target board to determine the correct road level, adjusting the laser emitting assembly such that the laser beam points downwardly for a taper on one side of the road, using a target board to determine the correct taper, placing the laser emitting assembly on the other side of the road such that the laser beam points downwardly for a taper on the other side of the road, and using a target board to determine the correct taper. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described. DATED this 22 nd day of June 2006 Kevin James Moller William Richard Theodore By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.