| US 7,520,062 B2 | ||
| Light-plane projecting apparatus and lens | ||
| Jay Munroe, Watseka, Ill. (US); Haizhang Li, Orlando, Fla. (US); and Yaping Liu, Newark, Del. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Mount Prospect, Ill. (US) | ||
| Filed on Oct. 25, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/585,931. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/742532, filed on Dec. 06, 2005. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0124947 A1, Jun. 07, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01C 15/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 33—286 [33/DIG. 21] | 41 Claims |
| 1. An optical device comprising:
a frame;
a first light generator;
a first lens disposed in a first light path generated by the first light generator and defining a Cartesian (x,y,z) coordinate
system, the first lens having first and second surfaces with x,y coordinates that are independent of z over at least a portion
of the z direction length of the first lens, the second surface defining a multiple-radius curve in an x,y plane, the lens
converting light generated by the first light generator into a first light plane that includes a light arc; and
a self-leveling mechanism mounted to the frame, the self-leveling mechanism tending to orient the first light plane into a
predetermined angle relative to horizontal,
wherein the first lens is shaped and oriented relative to the first light path so as to direct more intense light toward distal
ends of the arc than at a central portion of the arc, and
wherein the first light generator and first lens are constructed and positioned to transmit light generated by the first light
generator through the first and second surfaces to create the first light plane.
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