Abstract:
An articulate laser degree finder tool and attachments for use in establishing a precise level line ranging from the horizontal to a vertical position in degrees for use in the construction industry.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to laser measuring devices. More specifically, the invention is a versatile mountable measuring tool and attachments for its use on various substrates in establishing a precise point or a level line in directions ranging from a horizontal to a vertical position in precise degrees for use in the construction industry. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The relevant art of interest describes various laser measuring devices but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an angular measurement device in the construction industry which can be placed in any position on a pipe, ground, etc. and yet accurately measure angular positions. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention. 
     U.S Pat. No. 4,988,192 issued on Jan. 29, 1991, to Ronald A. Knittel describes an electronically controlled laser theodolite comprising a horizontally and vertically movably supported laser which is mounted in a forked carrier and tripod so as to be rotatable 360° about a tilt axis which extends at right angles to the laser exit beam and which intersects this beam in the manner of a theodolite. The laser theodolite is distinguishable for its radically different structure including an electronically controlled (by at least two motors) forked carrier for the laser requiring at least two microscopes with deflecting mirrors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,956 issued on Feb. 4, 1999, to Dawei Dong describes a laser level line and plumb line combination device for construction use comprising stacking (by virtue of centered posts) at least two combined square alloy rulers, each ruler unit having 1.5 volt batteries and two bubble levels to level in all directions. A line generator is mounted in front of a laser diode module. The housing of the ruler unit must be machined with an accurate plane structure and vertical angles. The device is usable for hardwood layout and cutting, carpet cutting, installing drop ceilings, mounting cabinets, laying tiles, installing doors and windows, building outdoor decks, and the squaring of any plane object. The combination device is distinguishable for requiring electrical power, accurately planed and vertical angled housings, and two levels on the same horizontal surface of a housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,990 issued on Jul. 30, 1996, to Mike Le describes a three-dimensional optical levelling, plumbing and angle-calibrating instrument device comprising three lasers in a holder connected to a large battery containing housing to establish a plumb line in a C-shaped holder. The lasers are arranged with two lasers mounted one above the other with the third laser mounted at a right angle to the other lasers. Each laser has at least one cylindrical or prism collimating lens to form two perpendicular intersecting lines with the first two lasers on one wall and a vertical line on an adjoining wall with the third laser. The device is distinguishable for its lack of leveling devices and angle measuring scales. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,487 issued on Sep. 1, 1992, to William H. Hersey describes a portable, battery powered laser tool for simultaneously indicating level, plumb and square alignment. One laser diode emits light which are divided into five beams leaving the gimbal mounted tubular projection unit. The housing is box-shaped with a box-shaped nose portion to be placed on a flat surface. A rechargeable battery is encased. The laser tool is distinguishable for its multi-beam output structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,851 issued on Apr. 3, 1990, to Joseph F. Rando et al. describes a battery operated level/plumb indicator device with a tilt compensation up to about 5° off level and a manual selector element for shifting the beam from vertical to horizontal orientation. Two single mirrors and a two-mirror right-angle deflector mirror are used to focus the laser light in a rectangular box housing. The device is distinguishable for its required mirror structure and tilt compensation element. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,483 issued on Sep. 9, 1980, to Joseph F. Rando describes a battery operated laser beam level instrument which is box-shaped to attach to a tripod. A bubble level is mounted on top and two manually adjustable screws are positioned on the base plate. The laser diode is directed vertically downward to emit light collimated by a pendulous, positive lens and rotatable mirrors. A glass plate positioned between the laser and lens is tiltable in two orthogonal degrees of adjustment for fine tuning. The instrument is distinguishable for its tiltable glass plate, pendulous positive lens and rotatable mirrors structure for focusing the laser light. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,585 issued on May 7, 1991, to Charlie J. DiMaggio describes a laser plumb-bob apparatus to be attached to various walls and ceiling of a room. The apparatus comprises a focusing lens on a telescopic housing of a topmost cylindrical housing containing an on/ff switch. An objective lens is positioned at the junction with a spherical housing which also contains a laser oscillator at the junction with the bottommost cylindrical housing containing a battery pack housing. The spherical housing has a ring support with tripod legs. The laser plumb-bob apparatus is distinguishable for its dissimilar structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,889 issued on May 25, 1993, to Heinrich Lysen describes a motor operated (battery) plumb device to determine verticals and horizontals, in which a direction determination unit with a laser is suspended from a universal joint so that it is freely usable, so that after leveling out in the equilibrium state, a directional light beam indicates the vertical direction. A lower fixed and concave portion of the movable joint is rigidly connected to a stand by means of a housing. The lower joint part has a lubricant supply line through which a lubricant and gases can be introduced to a groove located on the upper joint part and positioned so as to be between the upper and lower joint parts. A bubble level is positioned above the pentaprism and the convex joint lens body. The plumb device is distinguishable for its pentaprism, and the convex joint lens body requiring lubrication and gases. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,616 issued on Mar. 7, 1995, to Douglas Claxton describes a laser positioning device comprising a torpedo level having a protractor and mounting magnets. The battery operated laser is positioned on one end of the vertical protractor. The device is distinguishable for its torpedo level and mounting magnets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,770 issued on Jun. 15, 1993, to Noriyuki Toga describes a surveying machine for construction work comprising a rotating projector adapted for rotational projection of at least a pair of laser beams in perpendicular planes. The device is distinguishable for requiring at least a pair of lasers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,907 issued on Jun. 1, 1999, to Fumio Ohtomo et al. describes a laser leveling system. A rectangular box-shaped main unit has an operation panel under a rotating unit which houses a laser. The automatic angle compensation comprises a multiplicity of mirrors, lens and prisms to divide the laser beam to two orthogonal beams emitted from the rotating unit. The main unit housing has a first bubble level on one wall and a second bubble level in the leveling base (FIG.  1 ). The leveling base in FIG. 7 has another pair of bubble levels arranged orthogonally with level adjusting knobs on the same horizontal surface. The main unit can be attached in either a vertical or horizontal position. The device is distinguishable for its multiple bubble levels and a rotating laser unit. 
     EPO Patent Application No. 0 162 734 A2, published on Nov. 27, 1985, for Satoshi Hirano et al. describes a laser surveying instrument comprising a first Porro prism in a detachable and rotatable housing rotated by a motor and pulley system in a boxed housing containing in alignment a first glass pane, projection lens, a second glass pane, a second Porro prism, and a semiconductor laser. The first prism in its rotatable housing is supported by a bearing element attached by four ribbons to the bottom of the boxed housing. Two leveling knobs level the boxed housing relative to an adjustable table. A battery box containing batteries is attached to one side of the boxed housing having an on/off switch to operate the motor. The surveying instrument is distinguishable for its multiple lens requirement and motor drive. 
     Japan Patent No. 2-132,320 issued on May 21, 1990, to Noriyuki Toga describes a surveying instrument for simultaneously defining points by a laser on four stakes spaced at the corners of a square or rectangle. The instrument has an optical system containing four reflecting mirrors and four half-mirrors. The surveying instrument is distinguishable for its simultaneously projected four separate beams. 
     PCT Patent Application No. WO 92/20998 published on Nov. 26, 1992, for Ulf Ogren describes a spirit level device containing a horizontal and vertical bubble levels, a laser for emitting a flashing light (by a circuit board), and batteries. The spirit level device is structured with conventional top and bottom abutment surfaces or flanges containing a centered T-channel. A cavity with a circular cross-section is positioned proximate the bottom flange. The device is distinguishable for lacking leveling elements and attachment elements. 
     EPO Patent Application No. 0 759 538 A2 published on Feb. 26, 1997, for Fumio Ohtomo et al. describes a laser system used for surveying which includes an optical fiber, a heat sink and isolation of the laser heat from the optical system. The optical fiber inputs the laser beam into a rotatable body tube having a collimator lens. The laser system can be incorporated in either a theodolite or rotary laser irradiating device. The laser system is distinguishable for its required optical fiber, heat sink and isolation of the laser generated heat from the optical system. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, an articulate laser degree finder system solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a tool and attachments for use in establishing a precise level line in either a horizontal or vertical position in degrees for use in the construction industry. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an articulate laser degree finder system. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an articulate laser degree finder system for laying out piping or foundations for a building. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an articulate laser degree finder system which utilizes existing piping as bases for measurement. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an articulate laser degree finder system which utilizes a photographer&#39;s tripod as a base. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an articulate laser degree finder device with a first embodiment of a main base block having an inverted V channel according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laser element used with the degree finder device. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a laser retainer jacket. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a laser adapter block. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pivot block. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pivot retainer block. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main base extension block. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main base block. 
     FIGS. 9A,  9 B are top plan views of angle measurement dials. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a compass. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vertical/horizontal clamp as a third embodiment of a clamping means. 
     FIG. 12 is an elevational view of an adjustable chain strap clamp as a second embodiment of a clamping means. 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a two-piece clamp for attaching to a photographer&#39;s tripod as a fourth embodiment of a clamping means. 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded elevational view of a clamp for a large bore pipe as a fifth embodiment of a clamping means. 
     FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a sliding ruler for a sixth embodiment of an articulate laser degree finder device. 
     FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a base for the sliding ruler of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention having a vertically positioned ruler. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to a versatile laser tool which can measure angles of deviation from either horizontal or vertical bases by providing various attachment bases which can attach to pipes, horizontal surfaces and vertical surfaces. 
     In FIG. 1, a schematic front elevational view of a first embodiment of an articulated laser degree finder device  10  is illustrated for use on an installed pipe to locate exact positions of installing other pipes in a building. A laser element  12  depicted in FIG. 2 having an integral battery power source (hidden) and an on/off switch  14  is frictionally fitted inside the cavity  15  of a laser retainer jacket  16  shown in FIG. 3. A horizontal adjustment key  18  and a vertical adjustment key  20  are provided on the cylindrical laser element  12  (FIG.  2 ). The laser retainer jacket  16  has a pair of apertures  22  on each side of the shoulders  17  aligning the centered slot  19  for inserting fasteners  21  (FIG. 1) to fasten the laser retainer jacket to the upper four apertures  22  (a pair on each side) in a rectangular adapter block  24  shown in FIG.  4 . The adapter block  24  has chamfered or beveled top edges  25 . The adapter block  24  has a centered throughbore  26  for attachment of the block to a centered blind bore  28  in a pivot block  30  shown in FIG. 5. A pair of shallower blind bores  32  in the pivot block  30  aligned on the bottom on either side of the center blind bore  28  also coincide with a pair of blind bores  32  in the adapter block  24  for accurate alignment of these blocks by pins (not shown). 
     The pivot block  30  has an arcuate edge  34  with a throughbore  36  traversing the pivot block. The pivot block  30  is held in a pivotable position in a slot  38  of a pivot retainer block  40  shown enlarged in FIG. 6 by a fastener  42  (FIG. 1) in a pair of throughbores  44 . The pivot retainer block  40  has one leg  46  which is thinner than the opposite leg  48 . The thinner leg  46  is also arcuately shaped proximate the bottom face  50  which has a groove  52  with inclined sides  54 . 
     A main base extension block  56  shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 has a centered tongue element  58  for attaching it to the pivot retainer block  40  by another fastener  42  in another pair of lower horizontal through-bores  44  (FIG.  1 ). A centered throughbore  57  in the main base extension block  56  permits the anchoring of the entire structure above to a main base block  60  (FIGS. 1 and 8) by a bolt  59 . A notoh  61  is provided in the rear for a dial  68  (FIG.  9 A). 
     FIG. 1 (front view) and FIG. 8 (rear view) show the main base block  60  as a first embodiment of a base which has a planar top surface  62  with a centered circular depression  64  having a centered throughbore  66  to retain a horizontal angle measurement dial  68  shown in FIG. 9A revolving about the pivot pin  70  inserted in the centered throughbore  66 . Another retainer throughbore  72  is positioned in the rear portion of the top surface  62 , actually in the front of the main base block  60  (see FIG. 1) to receive the bolt  59  anchoring the main base extension block  56 . Two blind bores  74  are formed along a right side edge in FIG. 8 (but actually on a left side edge in FIG. 1) for anchoring a chain clamp  76  as a second attachment embodiment shown in FIG. 12 to be explained below. A compass  78  shown in FIG. 10 is positioned on a right-angled bracket  79  and attached by pins (not shown) into two of the three aligned blind bores  80  formed in the left side (on the right side in FIG. 1) and proximate the top surface  62  of the main base block  60 . A clamp retaining hook  81  (FIG. 1) is inserted in the third blind bore  80 . The front face  82  has a pair of pins  84  to be used for attachment to a vertical adjustment stand  108  as another embodiment shown in FIG.  11 . One critical feature of the main base block  60  is the longitudinal notoh  88  having inclined sides  89  and a flat apex portion  90  for positioning the reticulated laser degree finder device  10  on a base pipe. 
     The FIG. 1 device  10  can now be placed on a cylindrical or oval pipe by strapping with the W-shaped chain clamp  76  of FIG. 12 by inserting the curved ends  92  into the pair of blind bores  74  in the main base block  60 . The opposite bent portions  94  of the chain clamp provide for attachment of a pair of springs  96  which are connected at their opposite ends to a ring  98  having a link chain  100 . The distal end of the chain  100  is wrapped around the pipe used as a base and attached snugly to the clamp retaining hook  81  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The device  10  is leveled on the pipe radially by utilizing the bubble level  102  of the horizontal angle measurement dial  68  having two 90° scales (FIG. 9A) . If the base pipe is already level, the bubble level  102  of the vertical angle measurement dial  104  having the same scales on a pivot pin  70  (FIG. 9B) can be utilized to check the horizontal level. If the base pipe is not level in a longitudinal direction, the bubble level  102  of the vertical angle measurement dial can be used to level the device  10 . If the next pipe is to be located at a perpendicular angle along a wall, the laser element  12  can be switched on and cause the laser light to illuminate a height on the opposite wall at the same level above the floor as the laser element  12  of the device  10 . This technique can be used to locate different parallel levels on a wall for library shelves or inside a large tank for piping and the like. 
     If a vertical pipe on a cylindrical large volume tank is to checked for alignment or added, the device  10  can follow an existing pipe upward on the tank or mark the alignment on the tank as the laser element  12  is elevated. 
     The compass  78  in FIG. 10 has a cover  106  hinged to a compass body  108 . The compass  78  is utilized when the device  10  is level to locate angular deviations and determine angles relative to true North. 
     A third embodiment of a vertical/horizontal clamping base  108  is illustrated in FIG. 11. A bar clamp  110  is used as a base for an adjustable slide  112  apertured at its ends  114  to slide along the bar clamp  110  but fixed by a set screw  116 . The slide  112  supports two standards  118  fixed at their distal ends by a stabilizer block  120  containing a pair of knob screws  122  at each end. A pair of adjustable slide clamps  124  are positioned on the standards  118  to hold the device  10  by the two pins  84  (FIG.  1 ). This clamping base  108  can now be clamped around a block (not shown) for further adjusting the height of the articulated laser degree finder device  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is drawn to the fourth embodiment of an attachment base system  126  for a tripod (not shown). An upper main block  128  with a commensurate length and a trapezoidal cross-section has a large throughbore  130  at one end for attachment of a threaded stud (not shown) to connect the main base block  60  of the articulated laser degree finder device  10 . A set of three threaded blind bores comprising a center blind bore  132  with two side blind bores  134  which align with a threaded throughbore  136  and two side throughbores  138  of a smaller tripod adapter block  140  having truncated pyramidal structure. A bolt  142  is provided to connect the tripod to the tripod adapter block  140  and the upper main block  128 . This arrangement permits the device  10  to be located on conventional tripod support. 
     FIG. 14 is drawn to a fifth embodiment for providing an extended base clamp  144  for supporting the device  10  on large bore or diameter pipes with an inverted V-shaped adapter element  145  with planar sides  146 . A threaded throughbore  148  is provided on the apex proximate one end for attaching the device  10  with a threaded stud  150  and a threaded round nut  152 . 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a sixth embodiment device  154  for finding the center position at the end of a large pipe and a tie-in to a 45° or 90° elbow connection. The base  156  (FIG. 15B) 6 inches long with planar legs  158  extending 4 inches is positioned at the end of a large pipe. A longitudinal, centered groove  160  on top accommodates the sliding ruler  162  (FIG. 15A) provided with British and metric units on opposite edges and a tongue portion  164 . The two feet long sliding ruler  162  also contains Bluebook indicia  166  for determining the take-off to the center of the pipe by utilizing Grave&#39;s Bluebook of Pipe Fitting, 1999. A rotatable 360° dial  168  with a bubble level  102  is located at the front of the ruler  162 . A tongued bracket  169  on the dial  168  supports the laser device  10  of FIG. 1, but excluding the remainder from the main base extension block  56 . The base  156  has a hook  170  on one planar leg  158  and two widely separated holes  172  on the opposite leg  158  for utilizing the chain clamp  76  of FIG. 12 to clamp the device  154  onto a large diameter pipe. 
     Two small diameter blind bores  174  are positioned on the front face of the base  156  to mount an upright ruler  176  and offset in FIG. 16 as a seventh embodiment device  178 . The centered and threaded large diameter blind bore  180  is also provided in the front end of the base  156  for attachment of the upright ruler  176  by a roundheaded screw  182  via the centered column of larger apertures  184 . The pins  84  of the main base block  60  of the reticulated laser degree finder device  10  fit into the two columns of apertures  186  and another roundheaded screw  182  secures the device  10  to the lower portion of the upright ruler  176 . This embodiment device  178  is used to determine any vertical or horizontal tie-in point from the center of the pipe used as a base. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.