Construction Layout Apparatus with Rotatable Measuring Instrument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current construction layout methods, including the use of total stations, are time-consuming and require significant expertise, as they involve converting scaled floor plans into hundreds or thousands of points on a construction site, which lack descriptive information about the purpose or features of each point, leading to inefficiencies in locating and marking wall lines.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a marker base with a rotatable measuring instrument and a prism assembly, along with a method that includes establishing a reference point, receiving offset distances and descriptions from an electronic surveying instrument, and marking wall locations based on these descriptions to efficiently locate and mark wall lines during construction layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual construction layout methods using builder's level and tape measure are used, then wall lines can be accurately located on the construction site, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant expertise and at least two people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools (builder's level, tape measure) with an electronic surveying instrument that uses electronic distance measurement and automated angle measurement to determine wall line locations. The instrument electronically calculates and displays offset distances, eliminating the need for manual measurement and calculation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic surveying instrument performs automated calculations of offset distances and provides direct visual guidance to the operator through an display device. The system self-calculates the necessary measurements and presents ready-to-use information, eliminating the need for operators to manually compute distances and interpret scaled floor plans.
2Productivity
If total station electronic surveying equipment is used, then construction layout can be performed more efficiently, but the floor plan must be converted into hundreds or thousands of defined points which lack descriptive information about purpose or features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential wall line location information from the complete set of defined points generated by the total station. Instead of working with hundreds or thousands of points, the system identifies and extracts the specific offset distance information needed for wall line placement, filtering out unnecessary data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that translates the raw coordinate data from the total station into meaningful offset distance information relative to the floor plan. This intermediary layer converts abstract point coordinates into practical construction measurements that include directional and dimensional context.
3Measurement precision
If prism stake with manual leveling is used with total station, then accurate readings can be obtained, but the prism must be completely level above the point being located, requiring precise manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an automatic level integrated into the electronic surveying instrument that self-adjusts and maintains the required horizontal alignment. The instrument automatically compensates for any tilt or misalignment, eliminating the need for manual leveling operations by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical leveling process with an electronic automatic leveling system that uses sensors and automated adjustment mechanisms to maintain precise horizontal alignment without human intervention.
4Manufacturing precision
If scaled floor plan relationships are manually transferred to full size on construction site, then wall lines can be established, but the process of reading and transferring references from blueprints is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual scaling and measurement transfer processes with electronic distance measurement and automated calculation systems. The electronic surveying instrument directly computes full-scale distances from the stored floor plan data without requiring manual scaling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-stores the floor plan data and all necessary dimensional information in the electronic surveying instrument before construction begins. This preliminary preparation allows all subsequent measurements and calculations to be performed automatically without reference to physical blueprints during the layout process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for accurate and efficient marking of wall lines on a construction site, reducing the time and expertise required, as it provides detailed information about wall orientation and thickness, enabling single-user operation and direct marking of wall lines without needing to locate each defined point directly.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic surveying equipment measures the amount of time the light takes to reflect back to the total station from the prism
Implementation Method 2
a laser-light may be projected downward from a tripod that the prism is mounted on, and the laser-light will indicate the point over which the prism is located
Data Source
AI summary
A floor plan is fit to a foundation and points are defined at relevant locations on the floor plan. The points are defined based on the location of the point and the features associated with the point. Walls are laid out at full scale on a construction site based on the floor plan. The walls are located by defined points and with a point marker base, prism assembly, and electronic surveying equipment. The prism assembly is mounted to the point marker base, and the point marker base provides a reference point from which an offset distance to the defined point is determined. A rotatable measuring instrument is secured to the point marker base and measures the offset distance. Wall lines are located based on the defined point and annotations.