Patent ID: 8220167

Claim:
A method of preparing a panel for fitting to a structure with a cable measuring and laser projection device comprising: a cable including: a supply end; a midsection; and a free end for placement on points of the structure; a base unit including: measuring means coupled to the cable for measuring direction and distance to each point and for producing measurement signals indicative thereof; a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base so as to be rotatable about a first axis; a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage so as to be rotatable about a second axis; a first motor coupled to the first carriage for rotating the first carriage about the first axis; a second motor coupled to the second carriage for rotating the second carriage about the second axis; first carriage measuring means on the base unit for measuring the rotational position or change of rotational position of the first carriage relative to the base and for producing a first carriage signal indicative thereof; second carriage measuring means attached to the base unit for measuring the rotational position or change of rotational position of the second carriage relative to the first carriage and for producing a second carriage signal indicative thereof; and a laser pointer mounted on the second carriage; and a computer including a program and memory; the computer including a first input mode for receiving the measurement signals and for producing a digitized design of the structure therefrom; the computer including an output mode for projecting portions of the produced design on the panel by the laser pointer by rotating the first carriage with the first motor responsive to the first carriage signal and rotating the second carriage with the second motor responsive to the second carriage signal; the method comprising the steps of: producing a digitized design of the structure by placing the cable free end seriatim on a sufficient number of points of the structure to define the structure with the computer in the first input mode; positioning the base unit and panel at known relative position; and switching the computer to output mode.