CA2100689A1 - Tube mounted laser beam emitting device to be used as a level for sightings and tracings - Google Patents

Tube mounted laser beam emitting device to be used as a level for sightings and tracings

Info

Publication number
CA2100689A1
CA2100689A1 CA 2100689 CA2100689A CA2100689A1 CA 2100689 A1 CA2100689 A1 CA 2100689A1 CA 2100689 CA2100689 CA 2100689 CA 2100689 A CA2100689 A CA 2100689A CA 2100689 A1 CA2100689 A1 CA 2100689A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tube
axis
level
laser
emitting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2100689
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Breda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2100689A1 publication Critical patent/CA2100689A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01CMEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C15/00Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
    • G01C15/002Active optical surveying means

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Device associating a laser with a spirit level in order to perform sightings and tracings in particular, characterized by the fact that it includes a calibrated tube (2) inside which a solid-type laser emitting component (1) is mounted in such a way that the optical emitting axis coincides with the axis of the tube, means (8) of reflecting the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to said axis, and means of rotating the tube on said axis.

Description

: `
2~0~9 Construction and public works often use laser beam emitting devices, especially as levels to perform sightings, tracings and measurements.
The devices usually associate a gas laser emitter to a spirit level mounted on the outside of the emitter housing; the whole assembly is rather cumbersome and does not always meet the conditions of use associated with the extreme variety of applications and situations.

This invention covers a device of this type, the basic architecture of which has been designed to minimize its dimensions and make it easy to mount on a wide range of supports, while ensuring the best possible precision of the horizontal and vertical sighting lines.
According to the invention, this device associates a laser with a spirit level in order to perform sightings and tracings in particular. ~t is characterized by the fact that it includes:
- a calibrated tube inside which a solid-type laser emitting component is mounted in such a way that the optical emitting axis coincides with the mechanical axis of the tube, - means of reflecting the laser beam in a given direction to sald axis, and - means of rotating the tube on said axis.
Based on a preferred mode of execution, the device associating a laser with a spirit level in order to perform sightings and tracings in particular is characterized by the fact that it includes a calibrated tube inside which are coaxially mounted a solid-type laser emitting component and a 21~89 cylindrical spirit level, the bubble of the level being visible from the outside through a window in the wall of the tube, the component's electronic control circuitry and power batteries being located inside the tube as well, preferably on either side of a median area containing the level, and interconnected by wires running through grooves cut into said area.
Based on an additional unique characteristic, the end of the tube closest to the laser component is designed to ensure the collimation of the beam and to accept interchangeable end pieces bearing different optical systems, while the other end receives an on/off switch.
As an added bene~it, one of said end pieces includes at its end a spherical level mounted coaxially and a mirror set at a 45 angle which reflects the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube.
Another characteristic unique to the invention deals with the fact that the emitting tube is mounted in a support with two articulations perpendicular to each other.
In a more specific form of execution, the emitting tube is mounted coaxially inside a vertical column equipped with a step motor which rotates said tube on its axis and has an optoelectronic remote control device.
Other unique characteristics as well as the benefits of the invention will be made clear in the following description.
In the attached Figures:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a execution mode for a laser emitting tube in accordance with 2100~89 the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation in (a) and (b) of two interchangeable end pieces to be mounted on the emitting tube in Figure 1;
Figures 3 and 4 are an elevation and top view respectively of an emitting tube mounting system with two cylindrical articulations perpendicular to each other;
Figures 5 and 6 represent, in elevation and plan views respectively, a motorized support to step the emitting tube in rotation on its axis; and Figure 7 represents, in perspective, an emitting tube support system which includes two sliding tubes supported on a tripod.
The same reference numbers designate homologous elements in the various figures.
Figure 1 shows a solid-type laser diode 1 emittiny both visible and invisible light, for example in the 400 -1,100 nm frequency range. This small diode is mounted at one end of a metallic tube 2 which contains three 1.5-V miniature 2~ batteries 3a-3b-3c connected to an electronic control circuit 4 which regulates the optical power of the diode.
The electrical contacts 41 - 42 of the circuit are connected to contacts 31 - 32 of battery 3a (32 is a spring-loaded contact) by shielded wires running through grooves (not visible in the diagram) out into the median portion of the body of thP tube which houses a cylindrical spirit level 5. The latter is moun~ed coaxially to the tube and the bubble of the level is visible through a window in the wall of the tube.

2 1 ~

A waterproof switch 6, sealed with resin into a housing located at one end of the tube, starts and stops the light emission.
The other end of the tube is in the shape of a nose 21 which can accommodate interchangeable end pieces.
The nose 21 contains a beam collimation optical assembly 7 with focus adjustment.
In (a~, Figure 2 shows a straight end piece designed to create a light dot focused on the axis of the tube.
It is obvious that the cylindrical level 5 coaxial to the tube provides a very simple and precise definition of the horizontal position of said axis, thus that of the emitted beam, the optical axis of the emitter coincides with its geometrical axis. And the integration o~ the level and the various components into the tube makes for a laser emitter which is compact and easy to mount on various types of supports for spatial orientation purposes.
This architecture of the emitter makes it easy to interchange laser diodes and control circuits depending on the desired beam optical quality, etc.
No end piece is required in order to emit a beam.
The end piece outlined in (b) o~ Figure 2 has a mirror 8 set at a 45 angle which deflects the beam perpendicularly to the axis of the tube through side window 9. It bears at its end a spherical level 100 mounted coaxially in order to determine a horizontal plane.
Other end pieces (not shown) can be used, in a manner that is well known, to form light strokes or a series 21~0689 of light dots (by using a holographic network incorporated into the end piece).
It is also possible to use an end piece in order to form both a light beam perpendicular to the axis of the tube and a li~ht beam parallel to the axis of the tube thanks to a translective blade or plate. Such blades can be installed in series or in parallel in order to create a curtain made up of a number of parallel beams.
Figures 3 and 4 show a mechanical support which allows manual orientation of the emitting tube along any spatial direction.
This support includes mainly a cylindrical column 11 into which engages a rotating head with a cylindrical bore which accepts a rotating sleeve 15 with a graduated knob 151 to set its angular position. The emitting tube 1 engages into this sleeve, in a fixed position relative to it.
The angular position of head 14 relative to arm 13 is given by a vernier 141. ~-In the execution mode of Figures 3 and 4, the column is attached with screws (not shown) to a platen 16 which can in turn be attached to a horizontal surface with screws such as 161 to 163, which ensure perfect horizontality. When this platen is horizontal, column 11 and head 12 are vertical and arm 13 is horizontal.
This means head 14 pivots in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of arm 13, an axis which itself can be positioned in ay direction in the horizontal plane.
Tube 1 can also sweep a vertical plane with an adjustable azimuth. A spherical level 121, integrated to the end of head 12 and coaxial to it, permits checking its verticality ~obtained with screws 16 - 163).
The positions of the cylindrical articulations are locked with locking-screws 111-112.
Since, thanks to vernier 141, the tilt angle of tube 1 relative to the horizontal plane is known precisely, the device can be used to take angular measurements. The azimuth position of the vertical plane in which tube 1 pivots is given by vernier 123.
As an alternative, head 12 could be parallelepiped-shaped, so it could integrate a second spherical level visible on a side perpendicular to that on which level 121 is visible.
This second level would indicate the horizontal position of column 11, equipped with an end piece 10 of the type shown in (b) of Fi~ure 2, i.e. of a type that reflects the beam at 90 in a horizontal plane defined by a coaxial spherical level.

Tube 1 is coaxially mounted in a motorized vertical column 17 equipped with a motor which can operate in step or continuous mode to rotate the tube on its axis. A remote control device 18 is associated to column 17 through a mounting device 19 and electrically connected to the motor through connector 170 and junction wire 180.
This device includes an infrared receiver 181 which workds with a remote emitter. The operator can thus control remotely both motor rotation and start/stop laser emission, either by pulses, in continuous mode or by variable speed pulse trains.

2~0~689 A connector 20 is used to mount the assembly onto a supporting tube.
The system described above is especially simple and precise, and the execution of the usual laser beam tracing operations is made much simpler by the remote step control in various modes. The system can also function in sensor mode for angular measurements, in a manner that is well known.
Just as the motorized assembly in Figures 5 and 6, the manual assembly of Figures 3 and 4 can be mounted on different types of supports other than platen 16.
Figure 7 shows the mounting of a manual orientation assembly of the same type as the one shown in Figures 3 and 4 onto a system 21 of two sliding tubes equipped with a rack-and-pinion assembly and supported on a tripod 22, where the position can be adjusted using screws such as 220 to ensure the verticality of system 21.
The manual assembly which sets emitting tube 1 in a horizontal or vertical position has a parallelepiped-shaped head 12a as described above. A double-metre tape 210 can travel along the tubes to provide a reference level adjustable through two rings 2100-2101.
Thanks to a series of support devices including, for example, a mounting tube for the emitting tube, which comes with a supporting foot or can be attached to a wall using fasteners connected to end rings, tha device described can be adapted to the widest variety of applications and situations. The types of supports described and shown are only provided as an indication.
It goes without saying that the invention is not 2~ 0068~

limited to the modes of execution described above. For example, the spherical spirit levels could just as well be replaced with monoaxial or multiaxial levels, which could be electronic.
An the verniers could be replaced with sensors associated with electronic measuring circuits.

_ 9

Claims (11)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A device comprising a laser with a spirit level in order to perform sightings and tracings, characterized by including:
- a calibrated tube (2) inside which a solid-type laser emitting component (1) is mounted in such a way that the optical emitting axis coincides with the axis of the tube, - means (8) of reflecting the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to said axis, and - means of rotating the tube on said axis.
2. A device comprising a laser with a spirit level in order to perform sightings and tracings, characterized by including a calibrated tube (2) inside which are coaxially mounted a solid-type laser emitting component (1) and a cylindrical spirit level (5), the bubble of the level being visible from the outside through a window in the wall of the tube, the component's electronic control circuitry and batteries being located inside the tube as well, preferably on either side of a median area containing the level, and interconnected by wires running through grooves cut into said area.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end (21) of the tube closest to the laser component is designed to ensure the collimation of the beam and accept interchangeable end pieces (2a, 2b) bearing different optical systems, while the other end receives an on-off switch (6).
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the end pieces has a spherical spirit level (100) mounted coaxially to the tube at its end and a mirror (8), which could be translective, and reflects the laser beam in at least one predetermined direction.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, at least one spherical spirit level is mounted on the axis of the tube or an axis perpendicular to it.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1 characterized by an emitting tube (1) mounting support with at least two articulations perpendicular to each other, said articulations bearing monoaxial or multiaxial levels on their unused side.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the relative angular position of the two elements of each articulation is defined by a vernier (141) or a graduated knob (151).
8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the relative angular position of the laser tube (1) is pinpointed through measurement means such as a vernier or a sensor associated to an electronic measuring circuit.
9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emitting tube (1) is mounted coaxially inside a vertical column (17) equipped with a step or continuous motor which rotates said tube on its axis and has an optoelectronic remote control device (18-181).
10. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the emitting tube (1) support (12) with monoaxial or multiaxial level is mounted on a system (21) of two sliding tubes equipped with a rack-and-pinion assembly and supported on a tripod (22) which defined an adjustable contact plane (screw 220), a double-meter tape (210) travelling along the sliding tubes to provide an adjustable reference level (rings 2100-2101), where the travel could be measured through an electronic measuring system.
11. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emitting tube is itself mounted in such a way it slides in a holding tube associated to a supporting foot or which can be attached to a wall with fasteners connected to end rings.
CA 2100689 1992-07-20 1993-07-16 Tube mounted laser beam emitting device to be used as a level for sightings and tracings Abandoned CA2100689A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9209122 1992-07-20
FR9209122A FR2693794B1 (en) 1992-07-20 1992-07-20 Device emitting a laser beam mounted in a tube and intended to serve as a level and to aim and trace.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2100689A1 true CA2100689A1 (en) 1994-01-21

Family

ID=9432206

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2100689 Abandoned CA2100689A1 (en) 1992-07-20 1993-07-16 Tube mounted laser beam emitting device to be used as a level for sightings and tracings

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2100689A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2693794B1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001090800A1 (en) * 2000-05-22 2001-11-29 Mortlach Holdings Pty Ltd Battery holder and laser unit incorporating same
CN109781078A (en) * 2018-10-14 2019-05-21 沈向安 A kind of cost laser level meter
CN112648887A (en) * 2020-12-16 2021-04-13 航天科工微电子系统研究院有限公司 Photoelectric tracking and control method based on common-frame radar composite detection

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2698961B3 (en) * 1992-12-03 1995-02-17 Bhm Ste Civile Rech Device emitting a laser beam capable of serving as a level.
NL1016425C2 (en) * 2000-10-18 2002-04-22 Leonard Cornelis Wieteler Eye investigation or treatment device, projects light source onto surface behind device operative for non investigated or treated eye of patient to focus on
CN118031069B (en) * 2024-04-15 2024-06-14 日照新彩建设工程有限公司 Intelligent laser scanning equipment for building structure mapping

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH663467A5 (en) * 1984-02-28 1987-12-15 Wullschleger Ag A Spirit level
EP0401815B1 (en) * 1989-06-09 1993-10-27 Lawa Gmbh Spirit level
WO1991002217A1 (en) * 1989-08-01 1991-02-21 Ralf Hinkel Angular straightedge
DE9115184U1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1992-01-30 Wollbrecht Technische Innovations GmbH, 5804 Herdecke Laser scale

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001090800A1 (en) * 2000-05-22 2001-11-29 Mortlach Holdings Pty Ltd Battery holder and laser unit incorporating same
US6794850B2 (en) 2000-05-22 2004-09-21 Mortlach Holdings Pty Ltd Battery holder and laser unit incorporating same
AU2001258059B2 (en) * 2000-05-22 2006-04-13 Mortlach Holdings Pty Ltd Battery holder and laser unit incorporating same
CN109781078A (en) * 2018-10-14 2019-05-21 沈向安 A kind of cost laser level meter
CN112648887A (en) * 2020-12-16 2021-04-13 航天科工微电子系统研究院有限公司 Photoelectric tracking and control method based on common-frame radar composite detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2693794A1 (en) 1994-01-21
FR2693794B1 (en) 1994-10-14

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