Abstract:
The invention relates to a laser apparatus as construction laser apparatus ( 10 ) comprising a light source accommodated inside a housing ( 12 ). For providing an increased protection of the apparatus and for adjusting the housing and thus the laser plane to the desired extent with constructive simple measurements, it is suggested that the housing ( 12 ) is enclosed by a receiving means ( 14 ), along which said housing ( 12 ) of the laser is arranged in adjustable manner.

Description:
The invention herein relates to a laser apparatus, such as a construction laser apparatus, comprising a light source accommodated inside a housing. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Construction laser apparatus—also referred to as construction lasers—can be used to exactly determine lines extending along the appropriate planes on buildings, for example, on ceilings or walls, or in rooms. Such construction lasers comprise a housing accommodating a laser for the emission of light to create lines or dots. In doing so, the laser beam may optionally be emitted in a rotating manner, for example, with the use of a prism. 
   Frequently, it is necessary to bring the light emitted by the laser to a predetermined intensity level in order to transfer existing projection marks or to achieve a fixed-distance measurement for simple manipulation. To do so, the height adjustment may be achieved by placing the housing of the laser on the crank-operated center column of a stand. Crank-operated columns have the disadvantage that they are relatively expensive. 
   Furthermore, there is the disadvantage that the housing can be adjusted only in vertical direction but not horizontally. If horizontal movement is required, the housing must be moved together with the stand. 
   It has been found that, in particular when used on construction sites, a laser apparatus may be damaged by being inadvertently tipped over, even if the laser housing consists of metal. 
   Document DE 299 14 299 U1 discloses a laser-leveling device. This instrument comprises a main housing which can be aligned with three coordinate directions that are offset by 90° relative to each other. 
   Document CH 688 902 discloses a portable measuring instrument for aligning a rail, said instrument comprising a housing that is located on a rod-shaped vertical support for alignment in horizontal direction. 
   Document DE 197 57 957 discloses a leveling system on a revolving table to improve positioning accuracy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is to solve the problem of modifying a laser apparatus of the aforementioned type in such a manner that on one hand better protection of the apparatus is ensured, and that on the other hand adjustment of the housing, and hence the laser plane, is possible by means of simple design measures. 
   In accordance with the invention herein, this problem has been solved essentially in that the housing of the laser apparatus is at least partially enclosed by a receiving frame, along which the housing of the laser can be arranged in a movable manner. 
   Therefore, in accordance with the invention herein, the housing which encloses the light source is, in turn, enclosed by a type of second housing or frame configured as a receiving means, thus providing added protection. At the same time, this receiving means offers the option of adjusting the housing in its longitudinal direction so that, depending on the position of said receiving means relative to a stand, for example, a vertical or horizontal adjustment of the housing is possible, without requiring an adjustment to the stand itself. Furthermore, this does not require a crank-operated central column. 
   The receiving means may comprise two mounting elements, such as threaded connections for a stand, whereby their longitudinal axes extend in a vertical direction relative to each other. In conjunction with this, a special feature is that the receiving means comprises a base plate from which, or from an extension of which, extends a mounting element such as the threaded connection. 
   Further developments of the invention provide that a plate-shaped mounting support is arranged in such a manner that it can be moved along the receiving means, in which said mounting support the housing of the laser apparatus is supported, in particular in a manner so that it can be pivoted or panned. 
   To do so, a bottom-side section of the housing, configured at least partially as a spherical section or cap-shaped section, can come into engagement with an appropriately adapted recess or seat of the mounting support. 
   In particular, the mounting support consists of a shell having the shape of a hollow cylinder which represents the external section and of an insert accommodating the housing which represents the internal section provided with noses which extend in the direction of the housing for engagement in a preferably peripherally extending recess, such as a groove of the spherical section or cap-shaped section of the housing, in order to permit a rotation of the housing about its longitudinal axis without creating the risk of tipping over the apparatus. 
   To do so, the noses may extend from strip-shaped sections of the insert, said strip-shaped sections extending along the longitudinal direction of the receiving means. As a result of this, sufficient flexibility is provided, allowing that the housing can optionally be tilted to the desired degree, whereby the noses are not in engagement with the specifically peripheral groove of the housing. In doing so, the strip-shaped sections represent, in particular, cutouts of the insert. 
   Preferably, the receiving means comprises rods or at least one bracket extending from the base plate, whereby said rods or said at least one bracket form a frame which protects the housing of the laser apparatus. 
   If one bracket is used—preferably two brackets are used—said bracket or brackets act as a handle. 
   Independent thereof, each bracket has the geometric configuration of a U-shape with lateral legs extending from the base plate and with a transverse leg following a circular arc. In doing so, at least one cushioning element, such as a rubber element, may extend from or enclose the transverse leg, which provides cushioning of shock-like effects which occur when the laser apparatus is dropped. 
   The mounting support that accommodates the housing can be moved along rods or longitudinal legs and fixed in position relative to said rods or legs. 
   If two brackets extend from the base plate, the arrangement is such that one longitudinal leg of one bracket extends directly adjacent to one longitudinal leg of the other bracket. In doing so, the adjacent longitudinal legs forming a pair of legs, as well as the additional longitudinal legs, extend along the edges of a three-square column, specifically a roof prism. 
   The longitudinal legs or the pair of legs extend through the mounting support of the housing and can be fixed in position relative to said legs by means of a locking element such as a screw. 
   The base plate itself may be provided with support feet. Furthermore, the base plate may be enclosed by cushioning elements such as rubber elements in some areas, specifically in the areas of the support feet, in order to achieve shock absorption. 
   In accordance with an alternative suggestion, the receiving means has the geometric configuration of a U-shaped element, such as an appropriately shaped aluminum element which partially encloses the housing of the laser apparatus. However, instead of the U-shape, a section configured as a hollow cylinder, which is open on the periphery, can be used. 
   The structural element should have a longitudinal hole extending in longitudinal direction, whereby a locking element such as a screw comes into engagement with said hole and is used to fix the housing in position. Furthermore, guides for the housing may extend from the internal walls, for example, whereby said guides may have the form of studs that come into engagement with appropriately adapted recesses of the housing, or vice versa. 
   Regardless of whether or not the receiving means is configured as a frame or as a partially closed structural element, said receiving means should enclose the housing of the laser apparatus—at least partially—in a coaxial or in an approximately coaxial direction in order to provide adequate protection. 
   Additional details, advantages and features of the invention herein can be learned from the claims, the features—by themselves and/or in combination—as disclosed by the claims, as well as by the following description of preferred examples of embodiment with reference to the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     They show: 
       FIG. 1  a perspective illustration of a laser apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  the laser apparatus in accordance with  FIG. 1 , with the housing in a raised position; 
       FIG. 3 . a detail of the laser apparatus in accordance with  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  another embodiment of the laser apparatus in accordance with  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5  a second example of embodiment of a laser apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a laser apparatus  10  in the form of embodiment of a construction laser apparatus—hereinafter referred to as a construction laser—which comprises a housing  12  accommodating a light-emitting laser. In order to protect housing  12 , said housing is enclosed by a frame described as a receiving means  14  as shown by the example of embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , in order to protect housing  12  when construction laser  10  tips over, for example. 
   Receiving means  14  consists of a base plate  15  with U-shaped brackets  16 ,  18  extending from said base plate. In doing so, each bracket  16 ,  18  consists of two longitudinal legs  20 ,  22  and  24 ,  26 , as well as of a transverse leg  28 ,  30  following a circular arc, whereby, in the example of embodiment, said legs are enclosed by shock-absorbing elements such as rubber elements  32 ,  34 . Said elements themselves are structured and, consequently, may function as handles. 
   Support feet which, in turn, are also enclosed by shock-absorbing elements, such as rubber elements  36 ,  38 ,  40  extend from base plate  15  which consists of plastic material or a die-cast part. In addition, the support feet are connected with longitudinal legs  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  of brackets  16 ,  18 . 
   Furthermore, a mounting element, such as a threaded connection  41  for a stand, extends from base plate  15 , namely from the center of said base plate. To do so, base plate  15  may itself comprise a base, or a frame acting as base plate  15 , which is configured as a hollow cylinder with studs extending on the inside toward the center, in order to accommodate threaded connection  41  or an element performing the same function. 
   As illustrated by the drawings, brackets  16 ,  18  are arranged in such a manner that two longitudinal legs  20 ,  24  extend directly adjacent each other and form a pair of legs which extends along one of the edges of a three-square column or a roof prism. The remaining longitudinal legs  22 ,  26  extend along the other edges. 
   Longitudinal legs  22 ,  26  or leg pair  20 ,  24  extend through a support  42  which can be moved (arrow  44 ) along longitudinal legs  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . Mounting support  42 , in turn, consists of an external section, forming a shell  44  and an insert  46  accommodated by the latter and forming an internal section, which, in turn accommodates housing  12  of the laser, i.e., a spherical section or cap-shaped section  48 . The external geometric configuration of section  48  of housing  12  is adapted on the inside to insert  46 , so that housing  13  can be tilted and/or pivoted or panned. 
   However, in order to permit the housing to rotate about its own axis—without superimposing a tilting operation—strip-shaped sections  54 ,  56  extending from insert  46  have nose-shaped projections  50 ,  52  which can come into engagement with a peripheral groove  58  in section  48  of housing  12 . Sections  54 ,  56  are cutouts in insert  46  which are resilient in such a manner that, when housing  12  is tilted, nose-shaped projections  50 ,  52  may slide out of groove  58  without resulting in any damage. 
   Housing  12  may be fixed in position as desired by means of set screw  60  inserted in mounting support  42 . 
   Mounting support  42 , in turn, may be fixed in position relative to brackets  16 ,  18 , i.e., relative to their directly adjacent longitudinal legs  22 ,  24 , by means of set screw  62 . This fixing in place is effected preferably by clamping, in that screw  62  is tightened to mounting support  42 , whereby, at the same time, a clamping element  64 , extending on the outside along longitudinal legs  22 ,  24 , is pressed against said legs. 
   In one form of embodiment, receiving means  14  can be connected with a stand, for example, not only by means of internal thread  41  extending along the center of base plate  15 , said internal thread&#39;s longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of receiving means  14 , but also by means of another second internal thread  66  extending perpendicularly to internal thread  41 , so that receiving means  14  can be aligned in vertical as well as in horizontal direction. Second internal thread  46 , or a mounting means having the same function, extends preferably in an extension  68  of base plate  15 , whereby said extension  68  extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of receiving means  14 . Of course, it would also be possible to have the second internal thread start directly at base plate  15 , in that said thread extends through the exterior wall. As a result of the fact that receiving means  14  can be arranged horizontally as well as vertically, housing  12  can be adjusted in vertical direction as well as in horizontal direction. 
     FIG. 5  basically shows another form of embodiment of a receiving means  72  enclosing a housing  70  of a laser apparatus. In accordance with the example of embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 4 , this receiving means  72  of  FIG. 5  also encloses housing  70  on it periphery so that said housing is protected against outside influences, in particular against shock or against being dropped. If the receiving means in  FIGS. 1 through 4  is a frame comprising brackets  16 ,  18  of steel, for example, receiving means  72  is made of a U-shaped structure consisting in particular of aluminum, as a result of which the periphery of housing  70  is covered completely or almost completely with the exception of the front side  74  where the laser light passes. In order to be able to move housing  70  in longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis of the structural element or receiving means  72 , stud-like projections  78 ,  80  extend from internal wall  76  of structural element  72 , said projections coming into engagement with appropriately adapted longitudinal grooves  82 ,  84  of housing  70  of the laser. In order to fix housing  70  in place, a longitudinal hole  86  extends in structural element or receiving means  72 , into which hole a locking element, such as a screw element  88 , can be inserted and screwed to housing  70 . Consequently, housing  70  also can be clamped in position relative to receiving means  72 . 
   Instead of a structure having the geometric configuration of a U, it is of course possible to use a structure having the shape of an open hollow cylinder, for example, in order to function as a protection for housing  70 . 
   Furthermore, structural element  72  comprises at its bottom at least one mounting element, such as an internal thread for a stand. Furthermore, support feet should extend from the base area which—in accordance with the explanations of FIG.  1 —may be jacketed by a shock-absorbing material, such as rubber. Furthermore, the outside of structural element  72  may be provided with shock absorbers, such as rubber elements. 
   As an alternative to the form of embodiment shown by  FIG. 5 , a modified embodiment need not have studs  78  and  80 . The clamping element is configured as a spherical section and, in doing so, the clamping operation and the tilt-angle adjustment are combined in one system, whereby the clamping operation could take place independently from the height adjustment or tilt-angle adjustment.