SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIDDEN OBJECT DETECTOR WITH LEVEL

• US 20080110038A1
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sergyeyenko, Oleksiy P.
• Application Number:
  US11/936,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20080110038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/334
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/26 Details

Abstract

A detector level system for use with a work-piece is provided. The system can include a clam shell housing with a first shell and a second shell that define a set of lateral walls and a cavity. The set of lateral walls can define two parallel planes. The system can include a hidden object detector retained within the cavity and operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece. The system can further include at least one bubble level retained in the cavity. The at least bubble level can be disposed between the parallel planes and visible through apertures formed in the set of lateral walls. The system can include at least one magnet coupled to one of the first shell, or second shell. The at least one magnet can be operable to enable the detector level system to be coupled to a metallic material.

Claims

1. A detector level system for use with a work-piece comprising:

a clam shell housing with a first shell and a second shell that define a set of lateral walls and a cavity, the set of lateral walls defining two parallel planes;

a hidden object detector retained within the cavity and operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece;

at least one bubble level retained in the cavity, the at least one bubble level being disposed between the parallel planes and visible through apertures formed in the set of lateral walls; and

at least one magnet coupled to one of the first shell or second shell, the at least one magnet operable to enable the detector level system to be coupled to a metallic material.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a metal support structure coupled to the first shell and the second shell such that at least a portion of the support structure is positioned within the cavity and at least one longitudinally extending groove defined by the support structure has a pair of transverse surfaces as viewed in a cross-section that is taken perpendicular to the longitudinally extending groove.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the support structure includes a mount, and the housing defines at least one level support.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one bubble level further comprises:

a first bubble level coupled to a first one of the at least one level support such that the first bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one bubble level further comprises:

a second bubble level coupled to a second one of the at least one level support such that the second bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one indicator in communication with and responsive to the hidden object detector to indicate to a user that the object is hidden by the work-piece.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one indicator comprises at least one visual indicator, at least one audible indicator and combinations thereof.

8. A detector level system for use with a work-piece comprising:

a clam shell housing with a first shell, a second shell and a support structure that define a cavity and a uniform marking surface when assembled;

the support structure coupled to the first shell and the second shell such that at least a portion of the support structure is positioned within the cavity.

a hidden object detector received in the housing, the hidden object detector operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece; and

a first bubble level coupled to at least one of the first shell, the second shell and the support structure such that the first bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell, the first bubble level being visible through apertures formed in at least one of the first shell, the second shell and the support structure.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the support structure is composed of a metal or metal alloy.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the support structure further comprises at least one longitudinally extending groove that has a pair of traverse surfaces as viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinally extending groove.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second bubble level coupled to at least of the first shell, second shell and support structure such that the second bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one indicator in communication with and responsive to the hidden object detector to indicate to a user that the object is hidden by the work-piece, the at least one indicator comprising at least one visual indicator, at least one audible indicator and combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one magnet coupled to one of the first shell, second shell or support structure, the magnet operable to enable the detector level system to be coupled to a metallic material.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein when the clam shell housing is assembled, the uniform marking surface is formed adjacent to at least one of the first bubble level and the second bubble level.

15. A detector level system for use with a work-piece comprising:

a clam shell housing with a first shell and a second shell that define a cavity and a first level support;

a metal support structure coupled to the housing and at least partially disposed within the cavity;

a hidden object detector received in the housing, the hidden object detector operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece; and

a first bubble level coupled to the first level support such that the first bubble level is disposed within the housing.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the housing defines a second level support and the system further comprises:

a second bubble level coupled to the second level support such that the second bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the support structure further comprises at least one longitudinally extending groove that has a pair of transverse surfaces as viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinally extending groove.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

at least one indicator in communication with and responsive to the hidden object detector to indicate to a user that the object is hidden by the work-piece, the at least one indicator comprising at least one visual indicator, at least one audible indicator and combinations thereof.

19. A detector level system for use with a work-piece comprising:

a clam shell housing with a first shell and a second shell that define a cavity and at least one level support;

a metal support structure coupled to the housing and at least partially disposed within the cavity, the support structure having a mount, at least one level support and a longitudinally extending groove, at least a portion of the longitudinally extending groove having a pair of transverse surfaces as viewed in a cross-section that is taken perpendicular to the longitudinally extending groove;

a hidden object detector received in the mount, the hidden object detector operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece; and

at least one bubble level coupled to the at least one level support such that the at least one bubble level is disposed within the housing.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one bubble level further comprises:

a first bubble level coupled to a first one of the at least one level support such that the first bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one bubble level further comprises:

a second bubble level coupled to a second one of the at least one level support such that the second bubble level is disposed between the first shell and the second shell.

22. A detector level system for use with a work-piece comprising:

a clam shell housing with a first shell and a second shell that define a cavity, a first level support and a second level support, the first shell and the second shell define a uniform marking surface when assembled;

a metal support structure coupled to the housing and at least partially disposed within the cavity, the support structure having a mount, and at least one groove;

a hidden object detector received in the mount, the hidden object detector operable to detect an object hidden by the work-piece;

a first bubble level coupled to the first level support such that the first bubble level is disposed within the housing; and

a second bubble level coupled to the second level support such that the second bubble level is disposed within the housing.