Abstract:
The present invention has a body with front and back surfaces, top and bottom sides, and two opposed ends. A display panel is on the front of the body. A processor is housed within the body. A dial can be connected to the front end of the body. The dial can have a head with an opening therein for allowing a laser beam to be projected from the head. A grid can be on the head for manually determining the angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the head. The processor can electronically determine the angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the head. The head can project forward from the front surface of the body. A side of the body can abut the side of a piece of material to be cut. A laser line can then be projected onto the material surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a laser tool, and more particularly to a laser tool that is useful in measuring an angle and for projecting a laser line onto a surface at a predetermined angle from the longitudinal axis of the laser tool. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Professional carpenters and homeowners alike frequently need to measure angles and draw chalk lines onto surfaces so that the material can be cut to the measured angle. One situation in particular where people need to measure angles is when cutting drywall, or paneling, to complete the wall of room having a cathedral ceiling. Certainly it will be appreciated that there are many more situations for which the measurement of an angle is necessary. However, for illustrative purposes, this situation in particular will be described. 
   Several methods have been used in order to determine and cut drywall at a desired angle. Perhaps the simplest way is to make an estimate, or guess. This however, may lead to unintended problems and inefficiencies. For example, the person may guess that an angle is larger than it really is. In such an event, the person would have to re-cut the drywall to a more appropriate size. This is both time consuming and wasteful. Alternatively, the person may guess that an angle is smaller than it really is. In such an event, the person will cut the drywall to too small of angle. The person will then need to cut a new sheet of drywall having more appropriate dimensions, or will need to use an undesired amount of drywall compound to complete the task. The process of cutting additional sheets of drywall is wasteful. Using more effort and drywall compound than necessary to finish a wall is both wasteful and time consuming. 
   Given the inherent drawbacks associated with guessing, some people use a conventional protractor to assist them in determining the angle between the ceiling and the wall. This method works well for its intended purpose. However, it is not without some limitations in its own regard. For example, a conventional protractor typically has relatively short arms that intersect at a pivoted connection. The arms can be used to contact two surfaces from which the angle there between needs determining. Yet, sometimes there are not two surfaces for which to contact the arms against. Also, the angle at the intersection of two surfaces may not be accurate of the true angle between the two surfaces a given distance from the intersection. 
   Still further, when using the conventional protractor, the user must still mark a chalk line or manually draw a cut line onto the surface of a piece of material to be cut. When the angle is even slightly incorrect, the error in the cut line will become more significant as the length of the line increases. Such an event can become prevalent when cutting sheets of material measuring 4 feet by 8 feet. Also, a person can forget or become confused as to the proper angle to be cut. Further, the confusion can become more likely to occur if the person is to remember multiple angles. Of course, the person can write down the angles. However, the person must carry a writing utensil and paper or an alternative writing surface if they elect to write angles down. 
   A further limitation of conventional protractors is that a person can bump or move one arm with respect to the other. This could happen before the person reads the angle, causing the person to misread the proper angle. Further, frequent blows or even a substantial single blow could cause damage to the arms or rotatable pivot. 
   A device is sold by Kell-Strom under the model PRO 360/3600 Digital Protractor and KS5589 Laser Modul Attachment. This Kell-Strom device purports to allow for defining distant angles, reference datums, sectional planes and waterlines. This product may work well for its intended purposes, but it is not without limitations. For example, the Kell-Strom device has a body with a laser being emitted from one end of the body, and has an arm that is rotatably connected to the body at one end of the bottom of the body. One limitation is that it may be difficult to use the Kell-Strom device in tight spaces, such is in attics to find the angles of the truss. 
   A further limitation of the Kell-Strom device is, like conventional protractors, that the arm may be damaged if it is hit. This could lead to both inaccurate readings and premature failure of the device. 
   A still further limitation of the Kell-Strom device is that the laser projects a beam from an end of the body. It appears that the laser projects from a plane that is between the plane in which the front lies in and the plane in which the back lies in. It appears that it is not possible to abut the Kell-Strom device against the side of an object to be cut in order to project a line onto the surface of the object to be cut. Apparently, the person needs to lift the device to an appropriate level to allow the laser to mark a line across the top surface of an adjacent piece of material. Such a limitation causes less than optimal stability and can lead to inaccurate results. 
   A still further limitation yet of the Kell-Strom device is that the laser projects from a point remote from the axis of rotation of the arms. Such a limitation could manifest itself when attempting to determine a cut line relatively close to the axis of rotation, when the laser is more distal than the desired start of the cut line. 
   A still further limitation yet of the Kell-Strom device is that it is unidirectional. The device can only be used to determine angles that lie in one direction away from the main body. Coupled with the size limitations, the person may have difficulty using the Kell-Strom device in certain applications. Further, the arm in the Kell-Strom device is incapable of a full 360 degrees of rotation relative to the body. 
   Thus there exists a need for a laser tool that solves these and other problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a laser tool, and more particularly to a laser tool that is useful in measuring an angle and for projecting a laser line onto a surface at an angle equal to the measured angle. The present invention has a body with a front side with a front side area and a back side, a top side and a bottom side, and two opposed ends. A display panel can be on the front of the body. A processor can be housed within the body. A dial can be connected to the front end of the body and can be operable in the front side area. The dial can have a head with an opening therein for allowing a laser beam to be projected from the head. A grid can be on the head for manually determining the angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the dial. The processor can electronically determine the angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the dial. The head of the dial can project forward from the front surface of the body. A side of the body can abut the side of a piece of material to be cut. A laser beam can be projected from the head onto the surface of the piece of material because the head is forward of the front surface of the body. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, the user can place the tool against a surface and the tool can determine the angle of the longitudinal axis of the tool with respect to a selected reference plane. To accomplish this, a set button can be provided to allow the user to toggle between reference planes, and therefore determine the proper level angle relative to the desired reference plane, which could be a vertical wall or horizontal floor. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the dial or hub of the present invention operates within the area of the front surface. The present invention eliminates the need for a separate arm for determining angles. Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the risk of damage to an arm. Further, elimination of the arm, coupled with an elongated body having a height substantially less than the length, allows the present invention to be used in relatively tight spaces. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the laser is projected from an area within the front surface of the present invention. The laser line starts at or near the edge of a surface on which the laser is projected onto. This eliminates segments on the surface of the material that is unmarked by the laser line. 
   According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the head of the dial extends forward from the front surface of the present invention. The laser line is then fanned downward and outward starting at the location forward of the front surface. The side surface of the body can be abut the side of the surface of the material to be cut. The laser line is then projected across all, or nearly across all, of the surface to be cut. 
   According to a still further aspect of the present invention, the dial is rotatable a full 360 degrees with respect to the main body. The present invention is usable in many situations while the display is viewable to the user. 
   Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an obtuse angle. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an obtuse angle. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an obtuse angle. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an obtuse angle. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an acute angle. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an acute angle. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an acute angle. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment making an angle determination of an acute angle. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment projecting a laser line onto the surface of a sheet of material. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an intended environment projecting a laser line onto the surface of a sheet of material. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1–4 , a laser tool  70  is provided. The laser tool  70  has a longitudinal axis  71 . The laser tool  70  has a body  80 . The body  80  has a front side or surface  81  and an opposed rear side or surface  82 . A top side  83  and bottom side  84  are also provided. The body has a first end  85  and a second end  86 . The front and rear surfaces  81  and  82  are preferably generally rectangularly shaped, and preferably define respective surface areas that are preferably approximately 2 feet long by 2.5 inches tall. The first end  85  of the front surface is preferably rounded. The front surface  81 , rear surface  82 , top side  83 , bottom side  84  first end  85  and second end  86  define the outside surface of the body  80 . The body  80  has an interior (not shown). It will be understood that the dimensions provided are preferred dimensions and that the dimensions can be changed without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
   A display panel  90  is preferably connected to the front surface  81  of the body. The display panel  90  can have electric displays, such as one or more level displays  91 , one or more laser displays  92 , one or more buttons  93  and one or more indicators  94 . One button  93  is preferably a hold button  95 . A user can use the hold button  95  to lock or hold the reading on the level display  91 . Further, the display panel  90  can comprise a set button  96 . Pressing the set button  95  toggles or changes between reference planes. Accordingly, the level display  91  will display the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  of the tool  70  and the selected reference plane. In preferred uses, the level display  91  can display the angle of the longitudinal axis  71  relative to a horizontal floor or a vertical wall. The laser display  92  can display the angle between a laser beam (discussed later) and the longitudinal axis  71  of the laser tool  70 . A processor (not shown) is preferably housed within the body  80  and is in electrical communication with the display panel  90 . The processor is preferably capable of executing instructions inputted from the buttons  93 , determining angles, storing angles, and outputting information to the appropriate display. The level display  91  and laser display  92  preferably display angles to one tenth of a degree. 
   A first manual level  97  is provided for manually determining whether the longitudinal axis  71  is horizontal. The first manual level  97  is preferably located along the bottom of the front surface  81  intermediate the first end  85  and second end  86 . A second manual level  98  is also provided for manually determining whether the second end  86  of the tool  70  is horizontal. The second manual level  98  is preferably located at the second end  86  of the tool  70 . 
   A dial  100 , or hub, is provided. The hub has a head  105 , or housing, with an opening  106  there through. The head preferably extends away from the front surface  81  of the body  80 . A fanning laser beam  107  can be projected through the opening  106  in the head  105  along a laser beam line  108 . The dial can further have a grid  110  having angle markings. The dial can rotate along a dial rotational axis  111 . Rotational axis  111  is preferably generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  71  of the tool. In this regard, the dial  100  can be used to measure angles in a plane  112  that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The dial is rotatable a full 360 degrees about the rotational axis  111 . It is preferable that the dial  100  be operable completely within the surface area of the front surface  81  of the body. In this regard, no part of the dial  100  preferably extends beyond the edges of the front surface. 
   A reference marking  115  is preferably on the front surface  81  of the body  80 . The marking  115  will allow the user to manually determine the angle between a projected laser beam  107  and the longitudinal axis  71  of the laser tool  70 . 
   A laser generator (not shown) is preferably located within the housing. In a preferred manufacturing detail, the laser generator projects a laser generally along the longitudinal axis. A mirror (not shown) can be provided at a 45 degree angle to deflect the laser from the longitudinal axis to a beam along the rotational axis of the dial. Then another mirror can be located in the head  105  to deflect the beam out through the opening  106  in the head  105 . In this regard, at any angle that the dial  100  is rotated to, the laser beam  107  is projectable from the head  105  in a plane  112  that is parallel to the plane of the front surface  81  of the body  80 . The processor can determine the angle between the laser beam  107  and the longitudinal axis  71  by determining the amount of rotation of the dial  100 . 
   The two mirrors (not shown) can be spaced any given amount, and they can have different angles so long as a beams before and after the two mirror deflections will be parallel and offset. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a preferred use of the present invention is shown wherein the laser tool  70  is used to measure an obtuse angle, alpha. Accordingly, the tool  70  can be used in a room  10  having a first wall  11 , a second wall  12  and a cathedral ceiling  13 . In  FIG. 5 , the second wall  12  is on the left side of the room. To determine the angle between the second wall  12  and the ceiling  13 , the user can place the bottom side  84  of the tool  80  against the second wall  12  with the second end  86  of the tool  70  at the intersection between the wall  12  and the ceiling  13 . Then, the user can rotate the dial so that it projects a laser beam  107  parallel to the ceiling  13 . The processor determines the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107 , and can also determine how far the laser tool  70  is from level. The user can read the angle off from the laser display  92 , or can alternatively manually determine the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107  by viewing the grid  110  on the dial  100  in comparison to the reference point  115  on the body  80 . Alternatively, the body  80  can be placed against the ceiling  13  and the laser beam  107  could be projected down parallel to wall  12  to determine the angle. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 6 , another preferred use of the present invention is shown wherein the laser tool  70  is used to measure a second obtuse angle, beta. Accordingly, the tool  70  can be used in a room  20  having a first wall  21 , a second wall  22  and a cathedral ceiling  23 . In  FIG. 6 , the second wall  22  is on the right side of the room. To determine the angle between the second wall  22  and the ceiling  23 , the user can place the top side  83  of the tool  80  against the second wall  22  with the second end  86  of the tool  70  at the intersection between the wall  22  and the ceiling  23 . Then, the user can rotate the dial so that it projects a laser beam  107  parallel to the ceiling  23 . The processor determines the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107 , and can also determine how far the laser tool  70  is from level. The user can read the angle off from the laser display  92 , or can alternatively manually determine the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107  by viewing the grid  110  on the dial  100  in comparison to the reference point  115  on the body  80 . Alternatively, the body  80  can be placed against the ceiling  23  and the laser beam  107  could be projected down parallel to wall  22  to determine the angle. 
   Calling attention now to  FIG. 7 , a further preferred use of the present invention is shown. In  FIG. 7 , the top side  83  of the tool  70  abuts the ceiling  13 . The user then presses the set button  96  to toggle between reference planes and select the vertical reference plane parallel to the wall  12 . When the vertical reference plane is selected and the correct angle is displayed on the level display  91 , the user can then press the hold button  95  to lock the measured angle on the level display  91 . 
   The use of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 8  is similar to the use illustrated in  FIG. 7  except that the tool  70  is in a different orientation with respect to the room  10  wherein the bottom side is against the ceiling  13 . Yet, to determine the angle between the ceiling  13  and wall  12 , the user simply needs to toggle between the reference planes until the correct measurement is displayed on the level display  91 . 
   It is understood that while button  96  can toggle between any preset angle relative to the longitudinal axis  71 , it is preferable that the preset toggle amounts at least include 90 degree increments. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 , a further preferred use of the present invention is shown wherein the laser tool  70  is used to measure an acute angle, phi, such as when measuring the angle of an attic truss. Accordingly, the tool  70  can be used in an attic  30  having a truss  31  with a floor member  32  and a roof member  33 . In  FIG. 9 , the intersection of the floor member  32  and the roof member is on the left side. To determine the angle between the floor member  32  and the roof member  33 , the user can place the bottom side  84  of the tool  80  against the floor member  32  with the second end  86  of the tool  70  at the intersection between the floor member  32  and the roof member  33 . Then, the user can rotate the dial so that it projects a laser beam  107  parallel to the roof member  33 . The processor determines the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107 , and can also determine how far the laser tool  70  is from level. The user can read the angle off from the laser display  92 , or can alternatively manually determine the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107  by viewing the grid  110  on the dial  100  in comparison to the reference point  115  on the body  80 . Alternatively, the body  80  can be placed against the roof member  33  and the laser beam  107  could be projected parallel to the floor member  32  to determine the angle. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 10 , a still further preferred use of the present invention is shown wherein the laser tool  70  is used to measure an acute angle, theta, such as when measuring the angle of an attic truss. Accordingly, the tool  70  can be used in an attic  40  having a truss  41  with a floor member  42  and a roof member  43 . In  FIG. 10 , the intersection of the floor member  42  and the roof member  43  is on the right side. To determine the angle between the floor member  42  and the roof member  43 , the user can place the top side  83  of the tool  80  against the floor member  42  with the second end  86  of the tool  70  at the intersection between the floor member  42  and the roof member  43 . Then, the user can rotate the dial so that it projects a laser beam  107  parallel to the roof member  43 . The processor determines the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107 , and can also determine how far the laser tool  70  is from level. The user can read the angle off from the laser display  92 , or can alternatively manually determine the angle between the longitudinal axis  71  and the laser beam  107  by viewing the grid  110  on the dial  100  in comparison to the reference point  115  on the body  80 . Alternatively, the body  80  can be placed against the roof member  43  and the laser beam  107  could be projected parallel to the floor member  42  to determine the angle. 
   Calling attention now to  FIG. 11 , a further preferred use of the present invention is shown. In  FIG. 11 , the top side  83  of the tool  70  abuts an angled roof member  33  of a truss  33 . The user then presses the set button  96  to toggle between reference planes and select the horizontal reference plane parallel to the floor members  32 . When the horizontal reference plane is selected and the correct angle is displayed on the level display  91 , the user can then press the hold button  95  to lock the measured angle on the level display  91 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 12  in situations where the angle is particularly acute, the tool  70  can abut the roof member  33  anywhere along its length to determine the angle of the roof member  33  relative the horizontal floor member  32 . 
   It is noted that in  FIGS. 5–12 , the present invention has been shown in four environments measuring obtuse and acute angles from the left and from the right, and that in each preferred environment, the display panel  90  has been viewable to the user. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 13 , the present invention  80  is illustrated in relation to a sheet of material  50  having a first end  51 , a second end  52 , a first side  53 , a second side  54  and a top surface  55 . The present invention can fan a laser line  108  across the top surface  55  of the material  50 . To accomplish this, the top side  83  of the tool  80  is abutted against side  54  of the material  50  at a selected location along the length of the side of material so that the longitudinal axis  71  of the tool  70  is parallel with the side  54  of the material. Then, the dial  110  is rotated to a selected angle, an obtuse angle alpha in  FIG. 13 , which can also sill be displayed on the level display  91 . The laser beam  107  is then projected through the opening  106  in the head  105  and a fanning line  108  is struck across the top surface  55  of the material  50  at the selected angle. In the preferred environment, when the side  54  of the material  50  abuts or contacts the side  83  of the body  80 , the front surface  55  of the sheet of material  50  is located between the front surface  81  and the back surface  82  of the tool. It is understood that the head  105  of the dial  100  could need to extend further or shorter from the front surface  81  of the body depending on the application. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 14 , the present invention  80  is illustrated in relation to another sheet of material  60  having a first end  61 , a second end  62 , a first side  63 , a second side  64  and a top surface  65 . The present invention can fan a laser line  108  across the top surface  65  of the material  60 . To accomplish this, the top side  83  of the tool  80  is abutted against side  64  of the material  60  at a selected location along the length of the side of material so that the longitudinal axis  71  of the tool  70  is parallel with the side  64  of the material. Then, the dial  110  is rotated to a selected angle, an acute angle phi in  FIG. 10 . The laser beam  107  is then projected through the opening  106  in the head  105  and a fanning line  108  is struck across the top surface  65  of the material  60  at the selected angle. In the preferred environment, when the side  64  of the material  60  abuts or contacts the side  83  of the body  80 , the front surface  65  of the sheet of material  60  is located between the front surface  81  and the back surface  82  of the tool. It is understood that the head  105  of the dial  100  could need to extend further or shorter from the front surface  81  of the body depending on the application. 
   Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a laser tool that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.