Alignment device utilizing components responsive to gravity
US6694631B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T408/21
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A level indicator utilizing an alignment device, together with a power tool utilizing such a level indicator to determine when such a tool is held in a horizontal or vertical plane. An alignment device (10) has a first component part (12) with an arcuate track (14) with a track following member in the form of a ball bearing (28) to follow the track under the influence of gravity to seek an equilibrium position. The body has a signal input (18) and a signal output port (20) and the second component part has an alignment member axially mounted within the body in restraining engagement with the track following member (28) so as to be rotationally displaceable within the body in response to displacement of the track following member (28) whereby alignment between the alignment member and the input and output ports in response to displacement of the alignment member by the ball bearing, effects operation of an indicator means to provide an indication that such alignment between the alignment member and the alignment ports has been achieved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.