IP Library Granted Patent US 9,464,895
Granted Patent B2
US 9,464,895 · App. 14/259,865 · Granted Oct 11, 2016

Remote leveling and positioning system and method

Inventors: Richard S. Schubert (Vashon Island, WA); Robert P. Donker (Burton, WA)
Assignee: OTL DYNAMICS LLC
G01C15/004G01C9/06G01C9/10G01C9/24G01C15/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,464,895
App. No.
14/259,865
Granted
Oct 11, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for remote leveling and positioning. An embodiment includes a leveling device assembly. Another embodiment provides a system including a leveling device assembly and a plurality of audio devices. Further embodiments provide for systems having a plurality of leveling device assemblies and appliances that are configured to couple with the leveling device assembly.

Claims (38)

1. A leveling device assembly comprising:

a rigid housing comprising:

a pair of opposing sidewalls that are substantially parallel to each other;

a first and second end substantially square to the opposing sidewalls;

an elongated sloped trench disposed between the sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end and including a central apex substantially equidistant between the sidewalls;

a substantially planar squaring plate disposed at a base opposing the elongated sloped trench and substantially square to the sidewalls; and

an elongated coupling slot disposed at the central apex of the sloped trench and;

at least one device cavity defined by the housing, and

a leveling device disposed within the at least one device cavity, the leveling device operable to detect the level status of at least one axis defined by at least one of the faces or ends.

2. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sloped trench comprises a central apex substantially equidistant between the sidewalls.

3. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an elongated coupling slot on at least one sidewall.

4. The leveling device assembly of claim 3 , wherein the elongated coupling slot extends substantially from the first end to the second end.

5. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the squaring plate is slidably coupled at the base and operable to move perpendicular to the sidewalls.

6. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 ,

wherein the squaring plate is operable to assume a stowed position wherein the squaring plate is disposed between the sidewalls, and

wherein the squaring plate is configured to assume an extended position wherein the squaring plate extends perpendicular to and past a face of at least one sidewall.

7. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a base-lip disposed at the base that that extends from the first end to the second end and defines a portion of a sidewall.

8. The leveling device assembly of claim 7 , wherein the base-lip is substantially the same thickness as the squaring plate.

9. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a respective elongated coupling slot on each of the sidewalls.

10. The leveling device assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a generally U-shaped coupling apparatus configured to be removably coupled within either of the elongated coupling slots.

11. The leveling device assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a generally C-shaped coupling apparatus configured to be removably coupled within either of the elongated coupling slots.

12. The leveling device assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an elongated coupling apparatus having:

a first end configured to be removably coupled within either of the elongated coupling slots,

a second end configured to be removably coupled within either of the elongated coupling slots, and

elongated strap member extending between the first and second ends.

13. The leveling device assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an elongated coupling apparatus having a first end configured to be removably coupled within either of the elongated coupling slots, a second end configured to be removably coupled to the face of a surface.

14. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a laser assembly configured to project a laser coincident to an axis of the leveling device assembly housing.

15. The leveling device assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a laser assembly configured to be removably coupled within an elongated coupling slot disposed at the central apex of the sloped trench.

16. A leveling device assembly comprising:

a rigid housing comprising:

a pair of opposing sidewalls that are substantially parallel to each other;

a first and second end substantially square to the opposing sidewalls;

an elongated sloped trench disposed between the sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end;

a substantially planar squaring plate disposed at a base opposing the elongated sloped trench and substantially square to the sidewalls;

a base-lip disposed at the base that that extends from the first end to the second end and defines a portion of a sidewall, the base-lip being substantially the same thickness as the squaring plate; and

at least one device cavity defined by the housing, and

a leveling device disposed within the at least one device cavity, the leveling device operable to detect the level status of at least one axis defined by at least one of the faces or ends,

wherein the base-lip and squaring plate define a substantially contiguous base-face that extends between the sidewalls and between the first and second ends.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2014
From: SCHUBERT, RICHARD S; DONKER, ROBERT P
To: OTL DYNAMICS LLC
Reel/Frame 032740/0467 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 13212989 · Aug 18, 2011
Continuation In Part 12724326 · Mar 15, 2010
Provisional Application 61159968 · Mar 13, 2009
Related Publication 20140237833A1 · Aug 28, 2014