Abstract:
A portable level and square laser alignment tool comprising a base and a separable L-shaped square. The base serves as an adjustable mounting surface upon which the L-shaped square is removably secured via a dual cam mechanism. The L-shaped square comprises two legs positioned at ninety degrees from each other thereby serving as a square to draw and/or test inside or outside right angles. Carried on each leg is a bubble level for providing a means to level the L-shaped square and/or the base. Additionally, a battery powered laser is attached to and is positioned in-line with each leg. The L-shaped square can be utilized alone or in conjunction with the base.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present non-provisional patent application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/174,633, filed on Jan. 5, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Two of the most essential tools utilized in the construction of buildings and other structures are the level and the square. Typically, a level generally comprises an encased, liquid-filled tube having an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is level or set on an even plane. A square typically is a T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles. For instance, a square is often utilized to draw a perpendicular cut line on a construction member.  
           [0003]    Previously, it was common to use a level to ensure that a construction member was on an even plane (level with the ground) and then to use a square to ensure that another member or cut was at a ninety degree angle from the first member. However, the need for two separate tools is both cumbersome and inefficient. As a result, level/square combination devices have been designed wherein a square typically has a level built into at least one leg of the square. For relatively close-proximity leveling or squaring, these designs were reasonably sufficient. However, in many construction settings there is a need to align a specified surface or point with a distant surface or point, and/or to create a parallel or perpendicular reference line from a specified surface or point. Consequently, due to the short range capabilities of a level/square combination, such a prior art device, alone, is inadequate.  
           [0004]    In an attempt to overcome these deficiencies, a multitude of leveling and guiding tools utilizing laser beams to produce a parallel or perpendicular reference point have been proposed. Examples of such devices may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,993 to Tager et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,911 to Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,031 to Green, U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,487 to Hersey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,637 to Genho and U.S. Pat. No. D363,679 to Spencer. While these prior art decisions may be laudable, they still allow room for improvement.  
           [0005]    For instance, many of the above designs are difficult to use on uneven surfaces. Additionally, the above designs are generally limited to substantially horizontal surfaces and many are not easily adapted for use on tripods.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, a new and improved multi-versatile portable level and square laser alignment tool is needed that is very versatile and is capable of being used on horizontal and vertical surfaces. It is thus, to the provision of such an improvement that the present invention is primarily directed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Briefly described, in a first preferred form, the present invention both overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, and meets the recognized needs for such device, by providing a portable level and square laser alignment tool comprising generally a base and a separable square. The base serves as an adjustable mounting surface upon which the square is removably secured.  
           [0008]    The square preferably comprises two legs positioned at ninety degrees from each other thereby serving as a square to draw and/or test both inside and outside right angles. Preferably, carried on each leg is a bubble level for providing a means to level the L-shaped member and/or the base when used in the attached position. Additionally, a battery powered laser is attached to and in line with each leg via a laser mounting member.  
           [0009]    In use, the square can be utilized alone or in conjunction with the base. Via the rotation of any one of a plurality of leveling screws positioned preferably at each corner of the base and extending through the base to the underside of the base, the base may be raised or lowered to compensate for an uneven underlying surface, thus allowing the leveling of the base by observing the bubble level. Once a level base is established, the L-shaped member can be utilized to determine a parallel or perpendicular reference point by activating the respective laser. Because of the characteristics of lasers, perpendicular and/or parallel laser beams may be visible up to 400 yards away.  
           [0010]    To provide additional versatility in the present invention, magnets preferably are attached to the base to allow the base to be mounted on a metal wall in a vertical position or any other magnetic surface. Additionally, a tripod throughhole is formed on the bottom of the base to facilitate the connection of the base to a tripod.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool wherein the level/square tool is separable from the leveling base.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool that utilizes lasers to create parallel and perpendicular laser beams.  
           [0013]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool having dual bubble-levels.  
           [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool which can having an adjustable base, wherein leveling screws carried at each of corners allow the present invention to be utilized on uneven surfaces.  
           [0015]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool which can be easily attached in a vertical or horizontal position to magnetic surfaces.  
           [0016]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable level and square laser alignment tool having  180 -degree marking capabilities. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0017]    The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a preferred operating position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as shown in an alternate operating position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a top view of a base portion of the apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a rear side view of the base portion of FIG. 4.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a front view of an L-shaped square portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a top view of the L-shaped square portion of FIG. 7.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a side view of the L-shaped square portion of FIG. 7.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a side view of a part of a cam lock assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is an end view of the cam lock assembly part of FIG. 9.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cam and the cylindrical shaft of the cam lock assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is an end view of a laser mounting bracket portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 is a top view of the laser mounting bracket of FIG. 12. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected.  
         [0032]    Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIGS.  1 - 13  show a device or apparatus  10  according to a preferred form of the invention. The device  10  generally comprises an L-shaped square  20  and a base  100 .  
         [0033]    More specifically, base  100  serves as an even leveling surface for mounting L-shaped square  20  thereon, such that base  100  can be adjustably leveled to provide an accurate and stable horizontal or vertical surface for L-shaped square  20 , as more fully described below. Base  100  generally comprises an elongated rectangular-shaped horizontal member  102  and an elongated rectangular-shaped vertical member  140 . Vertical member  140  is perpendicular to an upper surface  104  of base member  102  along an edge thereof. Vertical member  140  can be formed as an integral part of horizontal member  102 , or preferably vertical member  140  and horizontal member  102  can be two separate parts attached together by any one of many well-known securing means such as bolts, rivets or screws.  
         [0034]    Preferably, recessed areas  114  are formed at each end of horizontal member  102  and generally centered with each respective end. Approximately centered within recessed areas  114  are throughholes  112  that extend through the bottom surface  106  of horizontal member  102 , wherein a bolt, screw or other well-known securing means is inserted therethrough to provide an additional means for securing base  100  to a surface. The recessed areas  114  are provided to ensure that the head of the bolt, screw or other securing means does not interfere with upper surface  104 . In an alternate embodiment, additional recessed areas  114  may be formed along the sides of horizontal member  102  to provide additional securing points.  
         [0035]    Positioned at approximately the four corners of horizontal member  102  and extending from upper surface  104  to and through bottom surface  106  are threaded bores  108 . Bolts  109  are dimensioned to be rotatably engaged within bores  108 . Each bolt  109  preferably has a circular head  110  having vertical grooves or other well known gripping means formed on its circumferential side to aid the user in gripping circular head  110 . The length of bolts  109  is chosen such that the bolt will extend through horizontal member  102  and past bottom surface  106 . Each of bolts  109 , via circular heads  110 , may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise as needed to level base  100 . For instance, if the surface upon which base  100  is placed is not level or has surface imperfections, bolts  110  can be independently rotated to raise or lower a given corner to compensate for the uneven underlying surface.  
         [0036]    To provide an additional means for securing base  100  to a multitude of surfaces, preferably recessed areas  180  are formed on bottom surface  106  of horizontal member  102  for receiving magnets (not shown) dimensioned to be received therein. The magnets may be secured within recessed areas  180  via any of many well known adhesive materials. As such, base  10  may be secured on a metal wall in a generally vertical position or on a metal table or other magnetically conductive surface. Depending on the weight of device  10 , additional recessed areas  180  having additional magnets therein may be utilized to provide adequate support.  
         [0037]    To allow device  10  to be operated on a standard tripod platform, a threaded bore  190  is formed preferably at the center of horizontal member  102  in bottom surface  106 . Threaded bore  190  is dimensioned for receiving the mounting bolt of a standard tripod.  
         [0038]    To provide a means for removably securing L-shaped member  20  to base  100 , preferably bores  126 ,  128  are horizontally formed through vertical member  140  generally proximal to the ends of vertical member  140 . Dimensioned to be received within bores  126 , 128  are sleeves  132 , 134 , respectively. Partially extending through sleeves  132 ,  134  are cam lock assemblies  115 ,  118 , respectively. Each cam lock assembly  115 ,  118  preferably comprises circular head portions  120 ,  122 , respectively, elongated cylindrical shafts  136 , 138 , respectively, and cylindrical cams  142 ,  144 , respectively. Preferably, a plurality of indentions or grooves are formed around the circumferential side of circular head portions  120 ,  122  to provide a gripping means for the user during rotation of circular head portions  120 ,  122 , as more fully described below.  
         [0039]    Shafts  136 ,  138  are formed on and extend generally perpendicular from circular head portions  120 ,  122 , respectively, through sleeves  132 , 134 , respectively, and through and beyond vertical member  140 .  
         [0040]    Eccentrically fixed to the distal end of shafts  136 ,  138  are cams  142 ,  144 , respectively. Cams  142 , 144  are preferably cylindrically shaped and have a diameter greater than bores  126 ,  128 , thus preventing cam lock assembly  115 ,  118  from inadvertently being removed from bores  126 ,  128 , respectively. There is sufficient radial distance between shafts  136 , 138  and the internal portion of sleeves  132 , 134 , and sufficient linear distance between cams  142 ,  144  and vertical member  140  to allow the rotation of circular head portions  120 ,  122  and thus shafts  136 ,  138 , respectively, and cams  142 ,  144 , respectively. As will be discussed more fully below, cams  142 ,  144  extend through either first mounting throughhole  26  and second mounting throughhole  28 , respectively, or second mounting throughhole  28  and third mounting throughhole  30 , respectively, of L-shaped member  20 . Because cams  142 ,  144  are attached off-centered or eccentrically to shafts  136 ,  138 , respectively, when circular head portions  120 ,  122  are rotated, cams  142 ,  144  will produce a caming affect on a portion of the radial wall of the respective mounting throughholes  26 ,  28  or  30 , thus producing a frictional wedge to lock L-shaped member  20  to base  100 .  
         [0041]    L-shaped member  20  generally comprises preferably first leg  22 , second leg  24 , first laser mounting member  34 , second laser mounting member  36 , first laser  50 , second laser  52 , first bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62 . First leg  22  and second leg  24  are preferably rectangular shaped. First leg  22  is formed perpendicular with second leg  24 , thus forming a squaring device for drawing and testing right angles. All surfaces of first leg  22  and second leg  24  are smooth and on an even plane having small manufacturing tolerances, thereby allowing L-shaped member  20  to be utilized as an accurate inside or outside positioned square. To provide a closer and more accurate alignment of L-shaped member  20  with a given object (i.e., stud, board, joist, etc.) when the given object is positioned between first leg  22  and second leg  24 , channel  32  is formed at the inside point of contact between first leg  22  and second leg  24 . Preferably, channel  32  is a half-circular cutout portion. In use, one of the corners of an object rest within channel  32  thus allowing the sides of the object to rest substantially flush with first leg  22  and second leg  24 , thereby reducing inaccurate measurements caused by flawed corners.  
         [0042]    To provide a means for removably attaching L-shaped member  20  to base  100 , mounting throughholes  26 , 30  are formed preferably centered at the distal ends of first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively, and mounting throughhole  28  is formed preferably centered at the junction between first leg  22  and second leg  24 . As discussed above, mounting throughholes  26 ,  28 ,  30  are dimensioned for receiving and engaging with cams  142 , 144  of base  100 . More specifically, L-shaped member  20  is slid onto base  100 , wherein cam  142  aligns with and is inserted into mounting throughhole  26 , and wherein cam  144  aligns with and is inserted into mounting throughhole  26 . When circular head portions  120 ,  122  of base  100  are rotated, cams  142 , 144 , respectively, rotate and cause a counter camming affect within mounting throughholes  26 , 28 , respectively. In other words, cams  142 , 144  contact the internal walls of mounting throughholes  26 ,  28 , respectively, and urge L-shaped member  20  in the direction of the caming affect; however, each cam  142 ,  144  within each mounting throughholes  26 ,  28 , restricts movement of L-shaped member  20  thereby resulting in a frictional lock of L-shaped member  20  with base  100 . Slight rotation of circular head portions  120 ,  122  will disengage cams  142 ,  144  sufficiently to allow L-shaped member  20  to be slid off and removed from base  100 . This cam design allows for a quick and easy means for separating or securing L-shaped member  20  with base  100 , thus allowing L-shaped member  20  to be utilized with or without base  100  as desired by the user. In an alternate mode of operation, L-shaped member  20  may be rotated ninety degrees, wherein cam  142  aligns with and is inserted into mounting throughhole  28 , and wherein cam  144  aligns with and is inserted into mounting throughhole  30 .  
         [0043]    Preferably mounted on the same side of first leg  22  and second leg  24  are first laser mounting member  34  and second laser mounting member  36 , respectively. First laser mounting member  34  and second laser mounting member  36  serve as a securing mount for lasers  50 ,  52 , respectively. First laser mounting member  34  and second laser mounting member  36  preferably comprise rectangular-shaped mounting platforms  38 ,  42 , respectively, and securing blocks  40 ,  44 , respectively, formed thereon. Mounting platforms  38 ,  42  have a width equal to or less than the width of first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively, to prevent mounting platforms  38 ,  42  from interfering with operation of device  10 . Mounting platforms  38 ,  42  are preferably secured approximately at the center of each respective leg via four known and widely available hex head bolts positioned proximal to each of the four corners of mounting platforms  38 ,  42 . It should be noted that one skilled in the art will recognize that additional means for securing mounting platforms  38 ,  42  to the respective leg may be utilized.  
         [0044]    Extending perpendicular from mounting platforms  38 , 42  are securing blocks  40 ,  44 , respectively. Securing blocks  40 ,  44  are preferably cylindrically-shaped blocks having a bore formed therethrough at the center of each securing block  40 ,  44 . Each bore is dimensioned for snugly receiving a laser  50 ,  52 . Lasers  50 ,  52  are preferably well known and widely available battery-powered hand-held cylindrically-shaped lasers having an activation button extending slightly past the circumferential exterior wall of lasers  50 ,  52 , wherein lasers  50 ,  52  are activated by pressing and holding the activation button (such lasers are typically of the class IIIa laser diode type capable of beam ranges up to  400  yards). To allow the insertion of lasers  50 ,  52  into the bores of securing block  40 ,  44 , respectively, without inadvertently pressing the respective activation button and thus inadvertently activating the laser, preferably half-circular channels  54 ,  56 , respectively, dimensioned for receiving the activation button is formed longitudinally within each bore. Channels  54 ,  56  are preferably located such that the respective activation buttons are positioned directly opposite mounting platforms  38 ,  42 , respectively. Additionally, channels  54 ,  56  are formed only partially along the length of securing blocks  40 ,  44 , respectfully, such that the end of channels  54 ,  56  serve as a seating surface or stop for the activation button. As such, knobs  57 , 58  are threaded through a threaded bore formed directly aligned with the end of channels  54 , 56 , respectively, and thus are perpendicular and aligned with the respective activation buttons. Additionally, lasers  50 ,  52  are positioned such that the laser light emitted projects parallel with first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively, and away from second mounting throughhole  28 . To activate lasers  50 ,  52 , knobs  57 ,  58 , respectively, are rotated clockwise until knobs  57 ,  58  press against the respective activation buttons. To deactivate lasers  50 ,  52 , knobs  57 ,  58 , respectively are rotated counter-clockwise until knobs  57 ,  58  cease pressing against the respective activation button.  
         [0045]    First bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62  are attached to first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively, to provide a means for leveling device  10 . Recessed areas  64 ,  66  are formed in first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively, for receiving first bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62 , respectively, wherein first bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62  are inline with first leg  22  and second leg  24 , respectively. First bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62  are secured within the respective recessed areas via screws, bolts or any other well known securing means. Preferably, recessed area  64  is formed on the inside wall of first leg  22 , and recessed area  66  is formed on the outside wall of second leg  24 , such that when L-shaped member  20  is utilized in its preferred position (i.e., cam  142  secured within second mounting throughhole  28  and cam  144  secured within third mounting throughhole  30 ), both first bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62  may be observed by the user. First bubble level  60  and second bubble level  62  are well known and widely available bubble-type levels.  
         [0046]    To provide an additional alignment means, alignment grooves  70  are formed on the ends of each leg  22 ,  24 , wherein alignment grooves  70  are parallel with the respective leg  22 ,  24 . Alignment grooves  70  may be utilized as a sight reference marker or as an alignment reference marker for lasers  50 ,  52 , wherein alignment grooves  70  are inline with the respective lasers  50 ,  52  thus creating a means for marking an initial reference point.  
         [0047]    To ensure the accuracy of device  10 , in the preferred form, all edges of device  10  are chamfered and all surfaces are flat. Additionally, all angles and portions of device  10  are precision machined with preferably zero tolerance. It should be noted that aluminum is the preferred material for device  10 ; however, a multitude of other known materials may be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic, wood, graphite composite, other metals and other composite-type material. The material however must be rigid to prevent deflection during use and thus, inaccurate measurements.  
         [0048]    Having thus described the preferred forms of the present invention, those skilled in the art will additionally recognize that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.