Laser level
A laser level includes a housing, a pendulum pivotably mounted to the housing, and a laser diode assembly disposed on the pendulum. A gimbal assembly is employed for pivotably mounting the pendulum to the housing. The gimbal assembly includes a frame connected to the housing, a first pair of bearings disposed on the frame, an axle extending through the first pair of bearings, a body disposed on the axle and pivotably supporting the pendulum, and a second pair of bearings disposed between the body and the pendulum. The first pair of bearings is disposed on one side of the second pair of bearings.
1. A laser level comprising:
a housing;
a pendulum assembly located within the housing having a center of gravity,
a laser diode assembly in the housing supported by the pendulum assembly; and
a window mounted to the housing to allow laser beams generated from the laser diode assembly to exit the housing,
wherein the laser diode assembly is aligned to generate a planar beam such that a laser line is projected through the window and extends behind the center of gravity of the pendulum assembly on a surface.
2. The laser level of claim 1 , wherein the laser diode assembly comprises:
a first laser diode assembly that is aligned to generate a vertical planar beam such that a vertical laser line is projected through the window on a surface; and a second laser diode assembly that is aligned to generate a horizontal planar beam such that a horizontal laser line is projected through the window on the surface.
3. The laser level of claim 2 , wherein the first laser diode assembly is aligned to generate a vertical planar beam such that a vertical laser line is projected through the window and extends behind the center of gravity of the pendulum assembly on a surface.
4. The laser level of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a horizontal axis and the window is mounted to the housing at an angle relative to the horizontal axis.
5. The laser level of claim 4 , wherein the window is disposed at a substantially acute angle of from the horizontal axis.
6. The laser level of claim 4 , wherein the window is disposed at an angle of substantially 55 degrees from the horizontal axis.
7. The laser level of claim 1 , wherein the window is mounted to the housing using an overmolded layer of material disposed on the housing.
8. The laser level of claim 7 , wherein the overmolded layer of material includes an elastomeric material.
9. The laser level of claim 7 , wherein the overmolded layer covers substantially the entire housing.
10. The laser level of claim 9 , wherein the overmolded layer further comprises a plurality of feet, wherein the feet provide stability to the housing as well provide an anti-slip function.
11. A method for assembling a laser diode assembly for a laser level comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting a laser diode into one end of a laser barrel;
(b) inserting a first lens holder having a first lens into the other side of the laser barrel;
(c) pivotally attaching a second lens holder having a second lens to a barrel connector, having a longitudinal axis, via a pin;
(d) disposing the barrel connector on the laser barrel;
(e) rotating the second lens holder around the pin until the desired orientation is met; and
(f) rotating the barrel connector around its longitudinal axis until the desired orientation is met.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein step (a) further comprises the step of: (1) affixing the laser diode to the laser barrel.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the laser diode is affixed to the laser barrel by one of a press fit, a locking compound, or a fastener.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein step (b) further comprises the step of: (1) affixing the first lens holder to the laser barrel.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first lens holder is affixed to the laser barrel by one of a press fit, a locking compound, or a fastener.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first lens is a collimating lens.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (1) affixing the second lens holder to the barrel connector.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second lens holder is affixed to the barrel connector by one of a press fit, a locking compound, or a fastener.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second lens is a cylindrical lens.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein step (f) further comprises the step of: (1) affixing the barrel connector to the laser barrel.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the barrel connector is affixed to the laser barrel by one of a press fit, a locking compound, or a fastener.