INSTRUMENT FOR OBTAINING A REFERENCE LINE

Abstract: Instrument for obtaining a reference line to realize, in correspondence of this line, working points, said working points being preferably situated in correspondence of a working surface. The instrument includes: a laser ray emitting device (1), a supporting body (13), connecting means which attach it to a fixed reference surface. These connecting means include a hinge element (2) which enables to orientate the supporting body (13) and direct the laser ray and to keep it fixed in the desired direction in such a way that with the line defined by the laser ray it is possible to find the working points.

Description: Description INSTRUMENT FOR OBTAINING A REFERENCE LINE Technical Field The present invention regards an instrument for obtaining a reference line to realize, in correspondence of this line, working points, said working points being preferably situated in correspondence of a working surface. Background of the Invention Presently, different instruments exist which use the rotation of a laser ray to project a laser ray on a surface. The single illuminous point on the surface is the measuring point. Disclosure of the Invention The instrument hereinafter illustrated is based on a different concept which does not use a ray of light projected on a wall in order to define a single illuminated point of measurement but uses the laser ray to obtain an entire reference line for a plurality of working points. The present instrument is disclosed in claim 1. In the present case the laser ray instrument is fixed, preferably as close as possible to the wall, with a particular fixing system which enables a regulation in order to obtain a real ray of light as a reference line. By the presently shown preferred embodiment of the instrument, it is also possible to cut down sensibly on prices which derive from complicated pivoting systems of the prior art and as it is mounted directly on the reference surface also the tripod support costs are eliminated. A system is provided which enables to resolve problems which all installers encounter when they have to mount in an alined way any type of apparatus or structure. The dependent claims disclose particular and advantageous embodiments of the present invention. To explain the use of the present system, it is described the practic use of the instrument which hereinafter will be refered to as "laser line". Decription fo the Drawings The preferred embodiment of the instrument and its preferred use are here described with reference to the enclosed drawings in which: - Figure 1 A is a side view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 1 B is an exploded view of the present instrument; - Figures 2A, 2B,- 2C are views of the present instrument in working conditions. Description of the Illustrative Embodiment Supposing that an electrician has to mount an external tube along a wall in order to be able to feed an electric socket, he has to make several holes and mount the attachments in order to substain the tube, and lastly mount the box which houses the socket; everything correctly lined up. Previously, to obtain what above said, it was necessary to carry out different measurments from different points of reference and make a lot of signs on the wall where the holes have to be made. Otherwise, according to the present "laser line" it is only necessary to make a first hole, mount the first stopper and fix the "laser line" on it. The instrument can thereafter be directed in the desired direction, with the emitted laser ray which define a line in correspondence of which the working points can be found. By the present particular system, as illustrated in figures 2A, 2B, 2C, it is possible to direct the laser ray L in the desired direction, and eventually towards a point which is intended to be reached, while simoultaneously keeping the ray close to (and when needed eventually parallel) the wall or working surface 20. On this wall 20 it is possible to make holes or other signs of reference, by the user of the present instrument just in correspondence of the line defined by the laser ray. The laser ray should be kept at a few centimetres from the reference surface By this it is easy to obtain alined working holes as the point of the drill or other instrument is illuminated by the laser ray and this means that everything is perfectly alined. When drilling, it is also possible to keep the position of the point under control avoiding the usual innconvenience of the drill moving at the beginning of said operation. All of this enables a remarkable saving of time and a precise mounting. The system has been provided with two water levels 7, 4 in order to direct the ray in a parallel or perpendicular way with regard to the ground. More in detail, as illustrated in figures 1A and 1 B, an alluminium bar 13 is the supporting body of the laser emitting device 1 , on which also the two water levels 7 and 4 are mounted. Said levels provide or stabilize the perpendicularity or parallelism with respect to the ground of the ray of light emitted from the laser emitting device 1 or laser diode. As it is evident from the figures, said laser ray has a virtual origin from the centre of the hinge or ball 2 defining the hinge. In fact, the centre of this hinge or ball 2 is alined with the ray emitted from the laser device 1. The ball or sphere 2 enables the connecting of the supporting body 13 of the device 1 emitting the ray of light to a fixed reference surface (in this case the wall 20) providing a hinge element which enables, as illustrated by the dotted lines in figures 2A, 2B, 2C, to direct a laser ray substantially in all the spatial directions. The connecting hinge 2 enables to orientate and mantain orientated the supporting body 13 in order to direct the laser ray and to keep the stated direction fixed, so that to trace, by the laser ray, the reference line along which the working points can be found. The laser device 1 is mounted on the supporting body 13 (by a two-component resin). The device comprises also a lens which focuses the laser ray emitted by the laser diode. A miniature battery feeding system 9 is provided for feeding the laser emitting device 1. Logically the resin will be introduced only after a careful regulation of the position of the laser system. The hingedly connecting ball 2 is inserted in the supporting body 13 in respect of which it is mobile with friction, due to the fact that it is held in a cavity 23 of the supporting body 13 by suitable means defined by two bushes or washers in nylon (6 and 5) opposite to each other. The bushes or washers (6 and 5) are fixed to the supporting body 13 of the instrument by means of connecting screws 12, or in other suitable ways. The supporting body 13 can be attached to the fixed reference by means of the hinge element or ball 2 with any kind of fixation means. Pivoting means are provided for connection of the hinge element 2 to the fixed reference. The pivoting means have in the centre of the hinge or ball 2 a hole 22 in which a fixation screw 21 , or other adapt fixation device, is inserted, in such a way to attach the present instrument to the fixed surface ( in this case the wall 20). The ball 2 being free to rotate in all positions and spatial directions, eventually only in a plane, and being held with friction by the two bushes and cavity 23, enables to direct and regulate the direction of the laser ray in substantially all the spatial, or planar, directions desired. The switch 8 is inside the body of the laser line in such a way that it cannot be accidentally operated. The batteries 9 are two normal 1 ,5 volt ones and the taps 10 and 11 close the instrument at the ends of the body 13. As shown, the hinge element 2 is provided in the vicinity of one end of the support body 13.

Claims: Claims 1) Instrument used to obtain a reference line in order to make in corrispondence of this line working points, said working points being preferably made on a working surface (20), characterized in that it comprises: a device (1) for emitting a ray of laser light, a supporting body (13) for said emitting device (1), means (2, 22) for the connection of the supporting body (13) of the laser ray emitting device (1) to a fixed reference surface (20), said means (2, 22) of connection comprising a hinge element (2) which enables to orientate the supporting body (13) in order to direct the laser ray in the desired direction, in such a way to trace with the laser ray a reference line along which the working points can be found. 2) Instrument according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting means enable to direct the laser ray parallel to the working surface on which the working points are to be found. 3) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that said connecting means are such to enable to direct the laser ray at a close distance from the working surface (20) on which the alined fixed points are to be found. 4) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connecting hinge element (2) is a ball (2) mobile with friction in respect to the supporting body (13). 5) Instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the supporting body (13) presents a cavity (23) for the ball (2), means being provided for holding the mobile ball (2) with friction inside the cavity (23) in the supporting body (13). 6) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the holding means of the ball (2) include two bushes (5, 6) which are opposite each other, said bushes (5,6) being fixed to the body in correspondence to the cavity (23) and enclosing the mobile ball (2). 7) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, in order to connect the hinge element (2) to the fixed reference surface (20), pivoting means are used to connect the hinge element (2) to the fixed reference surface (20). 8) Instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivoting means include a central hole (22) in the hinge element (2) in order to receive suitable attachment means which attach the instrument to the fixed reference surface (20), said central hole (22) being alined with the laser ray emitted by the laser emitting device (1). 9) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the o connecting hinge element (2) is situated in the vicinity of one end of the supporting body (13). 10) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, on the supporting body (13), means are provided to stabilize the directing of the ray emitted by the laser emitting device (1). s 11) Instrument according to claim 10, characterized in that said means stabilizing the directing of the supporting body include at least one of two water levels (7, 4) attached to the supporting body (13) in order to draw out respectively a horizontal and a vertical alinement lines. 12) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that o batteries (9) for feeding the laser emitting device (1 ) are provided and in that a on/off switch (8) for controlling the laser device is provided. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 6 October 1998 (06.10.98) original claims 1-12 replaced by new claims 1-14 (3 pages)] 1 ) Instrument used to obtain a reference line in order to make in corrispondence of this line working points, said working points being preferably made on a working surface (20), said instrument comprising a device (1 ) for emitting a ray of laser light, a supporting body (13) for said emitting device (1), means (2, 22) for the connection of the supporting body (13) of the laser ray emitting device (1 ) to a reference surface (20), said means (2, 22) of connection comprising hinge means (2) which enables to orientate the supporting body (13) in order to direct the laser ray in the desired direction, in such a way to trace with the laser ray a reference line along which the working points can be found, characterized in that said connecting hinge means comprise a ball (2) on which said supporting body (13) is mobile with friction. 2) Instrument according to claiml or according to the precharacterizing part of claiml , characterized in that the centre of rotation of the hinge means is substantially alined with the laser ray emitted by the laser emitting device (1 ). 3) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that said connecting means are such to enable to direct the laser ray at a close distance from the working surface (20) on which the alined fixed points are to be found. 4) Instrument according to the foregoing claims, characterized in that the supporting body (13) presents a cavity (23) for the ball (2), means being provided for holding the ball (2) with friction inside the cavity (23) in the supporting body (13). 5) Instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding means of the ball (2) include two bushes (5, 6) which are opposite each other, said bushes (5,6) being fixed to the body in correspondence to the cavity (23) and enclosing the ball (2). 6) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the precharacterizing part of claiml , characterized in that pivoting means are used to attach the hinge means (2) to the reference surface (20). 7) Instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivoting means include a central hole (22) in the hinge means (2) in order to receive suitable attachment means which attach the instrument to the reference surface (20). 8) Instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that said attachment means comprise a pivoting element (21 ) which is inserted into the centrale hole (22) of the hinge means (2) and is attachable to the reference surface. 9) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connecting hinge means (2) is situated in the vicinity of one end of the supporting body (13). 10) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, on the supporting body (13), means (7, 4) are provided for orientating the ray emitted by the laser emitting device (1) in a desired direction. 11 ) Instrument according to claim 10, characterized in that said means for orientating the ray in a desired direction comprises at least one of two water levels (7, 4) attached to the supporting body (13) in order to draw out respectively a horizontal and/or a vertical alinement line. 12) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that batteries (9) for feeding the laser emitting device (1 ) are provided and in that a on/off switch (8) for controlling the laser device is provided. 13) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the precharacterizing part of claiml , characterized in that said hinge means are means for orientating the laser ray in spatial direction. 14) Instrument according to any of the foregoing claims 7 to 13 or according to the precharacterizing part of claiml , characterized in that attaching means provided for attaching the instrument to a reference surface are means which resist to traction suitable for avoiding a freely sliding or falling of the instrument.

Inventors: MORETTI MASSIMO, MORETTI, MASSIMO
Applicants: MORETTI MASSIMO, MORETTI, MASSIMO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G01C15
IPC codes: G01C15