Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A laser beam level instrument comprising: a frame a platform, means for suspending said platform from said frame so that said platform moves freely under the force of gravity, a laser light source mounted on said platform and emitting a vertical beam, means for transmitting power to the laser light source without interfering with the movement of said platform, and rotatable prism means mounted on said frame for redirecting the vertical beam to a substantially horizontal direction; wherein said means for suspending includes a plurality of thin, flexible strips and wherein said flexible strips are made of Mylar or equivalent and wherein said strips are twisted; wherein said instrument is powered by a d.c. voltage source and wherein the means for transmitting power to said laser light source includes, an electrically conductive material applied to said flexible strips, means connected between the d.c. voltage source and said flexible strips for converting d.c. to a.c. voltage, and means on said platform and connected between said flexible strips and said laser light source for converting a.c. to d.c. voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A laser beam level instrument comprising: a frame a platform, means for suspending said platform from said frame so that said platform moves freely under the force of gravity, a laser light source mounted on said platform and emitting a vertical beam, means for transmitting power to the laser light source without interfering with the movement of said platform, and rotatable prism means mounted on said frame for redirecting the vertical beam to a substantially horizontal direction; wherein said means for suspending includes a plurality of thin, flexible strips and wherein said flexible strips are made of Mylar or equivalent and wherein said strips are twisted; wherein said instrument is powered by a d.c. voltage source and wherein the means for transmitting power to said laser light source includes, an electrically conductive material applied to said flexible strips, means connected between the d.c. voltage source and said flexible strips for converting d.c. to a.c. voltage, and means on said platform and connected between said flexible strips and said laser light source for converting a.c. to d.c. voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for converting d.c. to a.c. includes an inverter and a step-up transformer, and wherein said means for converting a.c. to d.c. includes a rectifier and a step-down transformer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strips are hold plated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 3, wherein said platform includes a bottom portion, and wherein said frame includes a stop cup encircling said bottom portion of said platform so that swinging movement of said platform is limited.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 6, and including control means for shutting off power to said laser light source when said bottom portion of said platform contacts said stop cup, and means for thereafter turning on the power to said laser light source in response to said stop cup losing contact with said platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument according to claim 3 and further comprising collimating means adjustably attached to said frame above said laser light source and below said prism means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 6, wherein said collimating means includes an adjustable focal length lens adjustably positioned at the focal length of said lens from said light source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument as set forth in claim 7 and further concluding an optical flat positioned between said laser light source and said lens, and means attached to said frame for adjusting the tilt of said optical flat.