Patent Publication Number: US-2021190948-A1

Title: Measuring tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention refers to the field of measuring tools, in particular, to a compact and portable measuring tool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Infrared levels, laser levels, laser distance meters, etc., are widely used in the fields of building construction, engineering monitoring, engineering decoration, furniture fittings, or the like. A laser level also refers to as a laser line maker, or a laser line level, which uses a semiconductor laser to form one or more highlighted laser lines by beam expansion, and projects the laser lines to an object to produce projection lines, then a user can use the projection lines to cut, or align the object, or do something else. A laser distance meter is an instrument for measuring the distance to an object by modulating some parameter of the laser. The laser distance meter could be divided into two categories: phase distance meters and pulse distance meters. A pulse distance meter, in operation, sends a pulse laser beam or a sequence of short pulse laser beams towards the object, receives the laser beam(s) reflected off the target by a photoelectric element, and measures the time taken by the laser beam from sending to reception, then calculates the distance from the observer to the object; while a phase distance meter measures a distance by detecting the phase difference between emitted lights and reflected lights propagating in space. The laser distance meter is light, compact, and simple to operate, with high speed and accuracy, whose error is only one fifth to one-several-hundredths of that of other optical distance meters. Currently, in the existing scene of building construction, a laser level and a distance meter are usually used in combination, and operated individually to project lines and measure distance, however, owing to the certain volume of the two kinds of instruments, inconvenience will be caused during both carriage and placement. 
     In view of this, aiming to enable the two instruments to be more convenient in use, the present invention provides a compact and portable measuring tool, including a small-scale laser level and a small-scale distance meter, which can not only be employed individually for implementing their respective function, but also combined and matched to project lines and measure distance at the same time, thereby achieving unexpected beneficial effects. 
     SUMMARY 
     The objective of the present invention is to provide a measuring tool to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems. 
     The present invention discloses a measuring tool comprising a laser level and a distance meter; the measuring tool comprises a limit means located on one of the laser level and the distance meter, and employed for the superposition of the laser level and the distance meter. 
     When located on the laser level, the limit means comprises protruding strips on the two lateral edges of the laser level, wherein the distance between the protruding strips is equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the distance meter, such that the distance meter is caught between the protruding strips. 
     When located on the distance meter, the limit means comprises protruding strips on the two lateral edges of the distance meter, wherein the distance between the protruding strips is equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the laser level, such that the laser level is caught between the protruding strips. 
     Preferably, when the limit means locates on the laser level, the protruding strips are provided along the edge contours of two lateral surfaces of the laser level, and rounded at corners. 
     Preferably, the protruding strips are provided along the axial edges of two lateral surfaces of the laser level. 
     Preferably, the distance meter is provided with guiding rails outwards at the axial edges thereof, the protruding strips is provided with rail slots inwards for fitting with the guiding rails, and the distance meter slides in between the protruding strips along the rail slots. 
     Preferably, when the limit means locates on the distance meter, the protruding strips are provided along the edge contours of two lateral surfaces of the distance meter, and rounded at corners. 
     Preferably, the protruding strips are provided along the axial edges of two lateral surfaces of the distance meter. 
     Preferably, the laser level is provided with guiding rails outwards at the axial edges thereof, the protruding strips are provided with rail slots inwards for fitting with the guiding rails, and the laser level slides in between the protruding strips along the rail slots. 
     Preferably, when the limit means locates on the laser level, the limit means comprises protruding strips with notches on the two lateral edges of the laser level, and the notches have a width equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the distance meter, and accommodate the distance meter therein, such that the distance meter and the laser level are placed perpendicularly. 
     Preferably, when the limit means locates on the distance meter, the limit means comprises protruding strips with notches on the two lateral edges of the distance meter, and the notches have a width equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the laser level, and accommodate the laser level therein, such that the distance meter and the laser level are placed perpendicularly. 
     Preferably, when the limit means locates on the laser level, the direction of the notches is set parallel to the radial direction of the laser level. 
     Preferably, the laser level comprises a first laser module and a leveling module; 
     the first laser module locates at the end with the laser level&#39;s light-emitting surface, and is provided to face the laser level&#39;s light-emitting surface; 
     the leveling module locates at the opposite end of the laser level&#39;s light-emitting surface; 
     the distance meter comprises a second laser module, a distance measuring module, and a data display module; 
     the second laser module locates at the end with the distance meter&#39;s light-emitting surface, and is provided to face the distance meter&#39;s light-emitting surface; 
     the distance measuring module locates behind the second laser module; 
     the data display module locates on the outer housing of the distance measurement. 
     After employing the above-mentioned technical solution, the beneficial effects compared with the prior art are as follows: 
     1. the laser level and the distance meter are far less in size than that of the ordinary products in the market, and so compact that it can be conveniently carried in pocket. 
     2. the distance meter and the laser level can be used individually to implement their respective basic functions. 
     3. the distance meter and the laser level can be used in combination, that is, the line projection and the distance measurement can be implemented at the same time, so as to achieve unexpected convenient effects. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the inside structure of the laser level according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the inside structure of the laser level according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic views of the inside structure of the laser level according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10 -measuring tool; 
       11 -laser level; 
       111 -first laser module;  112 -leveling module;  113 -first button module;  114 -first power module; 
       12 -distance meter; 
       121 -second laser module;  122 -distance measuring module;  123 -data display module;  124 -second power module; 
       13 -protruding strip; 
       14 -notch. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter the advantage of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. 
     The measuring tool  10  provided by the present invention includes a laser level  11  and a distance meter  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , it is a schematic view of the inside structure of the laser level according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The laser level  11  comprises a first upper housing, a first lower housing, a first laser module  111 , a leveling module  112 , a first button module  113 , and a first power module  114 , wherein the first laser module  111  locates at the end of the first lower housing with the laser level&#39;s light-emitting surface, and is provided to face the laser level&#39;s light-emitting emitting surface; the leveling module  112  locates at the opposite end of the first lower housing with the laser levels&#39; light-emitting surface, and is provided to face the upper housing; the first button module  113  locates at a lateral surface of the laser level  11 , of course, it could be provided at any surface of the outer housing of laser level; and the first power module  114  locates among the first laser module  111 , the leveling module  112 , and the first lower housing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , they are schematic views of the inside structure of the distance meter according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The distance meter comprises a second upper housing, a second lower housing, a bracket, a second laser module  121 , a distance measuring module  122 , a data display module  123 , a second button module, and a second power module  124 , wherein the second laser module  121  locates at the end of the bracket with the distance meter&#39;s light-emitting surface, and is provided to face the distance meter&#39;s light-emitting surface; the distance measuring module  122  locates behind the second laser module  121  on the bracket, and between the second laser module  121  and the second power module  124 ; the data display module  123  locates on the second upper housing; the second button module could be provided at any surface of the outer housing of the distance meter, and the second power module  124  locates behind the distance measuring module  122  on the bracket. 
     First, based on the aforementioned construction, the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are far less in size, volume, weight and the like, than that of the ordinary products in the market, and can be carried in pocket, very suitable for use in the scene of civilian building construction. Moreover, both the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  provided by the present invention are of a cube-shaped (cuboid-shaped) structure, which is convenient not only for package, but also for carriage. 
     Second, the small-scaled distance meter  12  and the small-scaled laser level  11  can be used individually to implement their respective basic functions. The distance meter  12  is of small volume, light, highly integrated, of high speed, easy to operate, and safe to human eyes, therefore it is capable of being widely employed in daily production and life, such as for wild hunting, golf hole ranging, or indoor scale measuring. 
     More importantly, the small-scaled distance meter  12  and the small-scaled laser level  11  can be used in combination, that is, the line projection and the distance measurement can be implemented at the same time, so as to achieve unexpected convenient effects. Similarly, both the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  provided by the present invention are of a cube-shaped (cuboid-shaped) structure, which is more convenient for mounting, and for fitting in use. Furthermore, the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  match with each other in size, for instance, the width of the upper and lower surfaces of the laser level  11  is equivalent to that of the distance meter  12 , and the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are superposed; the laser level  11  is provided with a limit means, and when the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are superposed, the limit means of the laser level  11  secures the distance meter  12  at one side of the laser level  11 ; or the distance meter  12  is provided with a limit means, and when the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are superposed, the limit means of the distance meter  12  secures the laser level  11  at one side of the distance meter  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in the first combination way of the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12 , one instrument can be placed on top of the other, and there is provided with a certain limit means on the outer housing ensuring the parallel placement of the two instruments, such that the emitting directions of lasers thereof are identical. Hence, in operation, while the laser level  11  projects lines upon a wall surface, the distance meter  12  can measure the distance between the work point and the wall surface. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the limit means includes protruding strips  13  on the two lateral edges of the laser level  11 , which are similar to two protruding frames. The distance between the protruding strips  13  is equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the distance meter  12 , such that the distance meter  12  can be caught between the protruding strips  13 . Hence, the laser level  11  can be put quickly in an accurate position, and when in position, the laser level  11  locates exactly in the protruding strips  13 , without easy displacement. 
     In this embodiment, both the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  provided by the present invention are of a cube-shaped (cuboid-shaped) structure, and they are placed horizontally, superposed, and set in parallel, wherein the distance meter  12  is placed on the top of the laser level  11 . The distance meter  12  and the laser level  11  match with each other in size, the width of the upper and lower surfaces of the laser level  11  is slightly larger than that of the distance meter  12 , and the laser level  11  are provided with protruding strips  13  on the two lateral edges thereof, wherein the distance between the protruding strips  13  is equivalent to the width in the radial direction of the distance meter  12 , such that the distance meter  12  can be caught between the protruding strips  13 , without easy displacement in the radial direction. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the laser level  11  is provided with two protruding strips  13  along the whole edge contours of two lateral surfaces, and the protruding strips  13  are rounded at the eight corners of the cuboid. 
     In another embodiment, the protruding strips  13  could be only provided along the axial edge contours of two lateral surfaces of the laser level  11 , with the length thereof just equivalent to that of the axial edge contour, and corners rounded. Of course, depart from the two aforementioned ways, the protruding strips  13  can also be provided at intervals, for example, with short sections distributed uniformly along the axial edge contours, or only provided with one short section along the axial edges of the two lateral surfaces thereof. On the basis of the aforementioned provision of the protruding strips  13  along the axial edges of the two lateral side surfaces of the laser level  11 , and the distance meter  12  caught in the protruding strips  13  to limit the radial displacement of the distance meter  12 , protruding strips  13  can also be provided at the front and rear edges of the laser level  11 , and the provision of the protruding strips  13  can likewise refer to the aforementioned forms, so as to limit the axial movement of the distance meter  12 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, based on the aforementioned protruding strips  13 , the laser level  11  can also be provided with rail slots in the protruding strips  13  in opposite directions at the axial edges of the two lateral surfaces, and correspondingly, the distance meter  12  is provided with guiding rails outwards at the axial edges thereof fitting with the rail slots, such that the distance meter  12  is able to slide between the protruding strips  13  along the rail slots. 
     It should be understood that the relative position in vertical direction of the distance meter  12  and the laser level  11  are not limited to the aforementioned position. Rather, it can also be that the width of the upper and lower surfaces of the laser level  11  is slightly smaller than that of the distance meter  12 , and when in this situation, the laser level  11  is placed on top of the distance meter  12 , and caught into a limit means of the latter, wherein the shape, position and structure of the limit means can likewise refer to the aforementioned forms, and no more details thereof will be given herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , in the second combination way of the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12 , one instrument can be placed on top of the other, and there is provided with a certain limit means on the outer housing ensuring the perpendicular placement of the two instruments, such that the emitting directions of lasers thereof are perpendicular to each other. Hence, in operation, while line projection upon a wall surface is implemented, the distance between the work point and the left and/or right wall surface(s) can be measured. For instance, when it is necessary to refer to the projections of dots or lines at intervals on a target wall, a user can quickly finish the work in this combination way. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the limit means includes protruding strips  13  with notches  14  on the two lateral edges of the laser level  11 . The width of the notches  14  is equivalent to the length in the axial direction of the distance meter  12 , and the distance meter  12  is accommodated therein, such that the distance meter  12  and the laser level  11  can be placed perpendicularly. Hence, the laser level  11  can likewise be put quickly in an accurate position, and when in position, the laser level  11  locates exactly in the protruding strips  13 , without easy displacement. 
     In this embodiment, both the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are of a cube-shaped (cuboid-shaped) structure, the distance meter  12  are placed vertically, and the laser level  11  are placed horizontally, wherein they are superposed perpendicularly, and the distance meter  12  is placed on the top of the laser level  11 . The laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  match with each other in size, and the width of the distance meter  12  is smaller than the axial length of the laser level  11 ; furthermore, the laser level  11  are provided with protruding strips  13  with notches  14  on the two lateral edges thereof, the distance between the notches  14  of the protruding strips  13  is equivalent to the height of the distance meter  12 , such that the distance meter  12  can be caught there between, without easy displacement. 
     Similarly, the protruding strips  13  could be provided with reference to the mentioned above, that is, along the whole edge contours of two lateral surfaces of the laser level  11 , or only along the axial edge contours of two lateral surfaces of the laser level  11 , or at intervals along the axial edge contours thereof, for example, with short sections distributed uniformly, or with only a short section along the axial edges of the two lateral surfaces thereof, as long as the width of the notches  14  of the protruding strips  13  is equal to the height of the distance meter  12 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, the notches  14  are provided parallel to the radial direction of the laser level  11 . In this situation, the distance meter  12  is placed vertically, the laser level  11  is placed horizontally, and they are superposed perpendicularly, such that the emitting directions of their lasers are perpendicular to each other. In another preferred embodiment, the notches  14  are provided at an angle to the radial direction of the laser level  11 . In this situation, the distance meter  12  is placed vertically, the laser level  11  is placed horizontally, and they are superposed at an angle, such that the emitting directions of their lasers are at an angle likewise. 
     Moreover, it is also possible that the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  are placed horizontally, superposed, and crossing with each other, such that the emitting directions of their lasers are at an angle. The laser level  11  is provided with protruding strips  13  with notches  14  on the two lateral edges, and the notches  14  of the protruding strips  13  are provided to have a width equal to that of the distance meter  12 , and to have an angle to the radial direction of the laser level  11 , so as to accommodating the distance meter  12  in the notches  14 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, the measuring tool  10  further includes a base, with which the laser level  11  can be connected adjustably by screw threads. The laser level  11  is provided with a threaded hole connected with the screw threads of the base, and when the operation plane does not assume a horizontal state, the laser level  11  can be used for fitting with the base to adjust the operation plane to be horizontal. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12  employ rechargeable batteries, and are provided with charging interfaces. The charging interfaces could be USB interfaces, and provided in the opposite side to the laser-emitting surface of the laser level  11  and the distance meter  12 . 
     It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are of good operability, but not for constituting any limitation to the protection scope thereof. Any person skilled in the art can make alterations or modifications to the embodiments by the aforementioned technical contents, to form an equivalent and effective embodiment. Any amendments, equivalent changes and modifications to the above-mentioned embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, shall belong to the scope defined by the technical solutions of the present invention.