Method and apparatus for providing a laser detector clamp apparatus with reversible jaw adapter

• Main Authors: Conner, Robert G, Snyder, Chris W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.06.2002

The present invention relates generally to construction and surveying equipment and is particularly directed to a clamping apparatus of the type which holds a laser light detector to a structural member. The invention is specifically disclosed as a laser detector clamp apparatus that includes a reversible jaw adaptor which allows a single clamp apparatus to be attached to virtually all shapes and sizes of structural members and rods typically found on a construction job site. A hand-held laser detector clamp apparatus is provided for use in attachment against virtually all available sizes and shapes of members found on construction sites and in surveying applications. A reversible jaw adapter that contains both a "flat" face and a "ramped" face is attached to a travelling clamp jaw with a clamp lead screw. The reversible jaw adapter can be used with either its flat face out or its ramped face out. A detector bracket and detector screw are also provided as part of the clamp apparatus to hold a hand-held laser detector in place. If the flat face of the reversible jaw adapter is oriented so as to be "out," then the clamp apparatus will generally be most useable in attaching to flat surfaces, such as rectangular rods or boards. When the ramped face of the reversible jaw adapter is "out," then the clamp apparatus can be used for attachment against a variety of different member shapes, such as round rods, oval rods, and certain sizes of rectangular rods. To use the reversing feature of the clamp apparatus, the travelling clamp jaw is backed away using the clamp lead screw from whatever surface or member that the clamp apparatus is presently attached against. After the clamp apparatus has become free, the adapter screw is loosened to an extent that the reversible jaw adapter becomes free from the travelling clamp jaw. After that has occurred, the orientation of the reversible jaw adapter is manually reversed, then the adapter screw is tightened to hold the reversible jaw adapter in place against the travelling clamp jaw. Now the clamp apparatus is ready for use in clamping against a different size or shape of member.