Stud finder

• US 7,013,570 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levine, Steven R., Gist, Leslie D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): COURSON, TANIA C
• Application Number:
  US10/612,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 332/86, 336/66, 333/79, 333/81, 333/82, 333/54, 333/32, 324/67, 324/326, 200 6141- 6142, 200/47, 200/61.58 R
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A stud finder for a light generating device, having a surface and a connection structure on the surface to removably mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto.

Claims

1. A stud finder for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a surface; and

a connection structure on the surface to removably mount either the light generating device or the leveling device thereto;

wherein the stud finder is operable when either the light generating device or the leveling device is mounted thereto and wherein a portion of the connection structure is pivotably movable relative to the surface.

2. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising a marking feature.

3. The stud finder of claim 2, wherein the marking feature is selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin, and a spring-biased marking pin.

4. The stud finder of claim 1, wherein the surface has at least one orifice for receiving at least one of a marking pin and a touch switch.

5. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising a switch on the surface for activating the stud finder.

6. The stud finder of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a flat surface and a recess for holding either the light generating device or the leveling device.

7. The stud finder of claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a latch for releasably holding the light generating device or the leveling device.

8. The stud finder of claim 1, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

9. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring-loaded marking pin and an actuator for the pin.

10. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure for a power source, a capacitive sensor for detecting objects, a marking device, and at least one light for indicating a status of the stud finder.

11. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising a capacitive sensor for detecting objects behind walls.

12. The stud finder of claim 1, further comprising a housing adapted for receiving and retaining the light generating device or the leveling device and for retaining components of the stud finder;

and

a controller, and a switch, a capacitive sensor and at least one light source connected to the controller.

13. A device comprising:

a stud finder comprising;

a connection structure; and

a surface; and

a light generating device removably attached to said stud finder via said connection structure,

wherein the stud finder is operable with the light generating device attached thereto.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure further comprises a latch for capturing a portion of the light generating device.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection structure comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the light generating device further comprises at least one retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

22. The device of claim 13, further comprising a normally-open switch protruding through the surface.

23. The device of claim 13, further comprising at least one LED.

24. The device of claim 13, further comprising a marking device selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin, and a spring-biased marking pin.

25. A device comprising:

a stud finder comprising;

a connection structure;

a surface; and

a leveling device removably attached to said stud finder via said connection structure,

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device attached thereto and wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the connection structure further comprises a latch for capturing a portion of the leveling device.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the leveling device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

30. The device of claim 25, further comprising a normally-open switch protruding through the surface.

31. The device of claim 25, further comprising at least one LED.

32. The device of claim 25, further comprising a marking device selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin, and a spring-biased marking pin.

28. A device comprising:

a stud finder comprising;

a connection structure;

a surface; and

a leveling device removably attached to said stud finder via said connection structure,

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device attached thereto and wherein the connection structure comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the leveling device.

29. A device comprising:

a stud finder comprising;

a connection structure;

a surface; and

a leveling device removably attached to said stud finder via said connection structure,

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device attached thereto and wherein the leveling device further comprises at least one retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

33. An accessory attachment for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a structural detector having a surface that comprises a connection structure to receive and removably mount either the light generating device or the leveling device thereto; and

a marking feature at least partially enclosed within the structural detector,

wherein the structural detector is operable with either the light generating device or the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein a portion of the connection structure is pivotably movable relative to the surface.

34. The attachment of claim 33, wherein the structural detector further comprises a stud finder device.

36. The attachment of claim 33, wherein the marking feature is actuatable to extend from the surface of the structural detector.

37. The attachment of claim 33, wherein the marking feature is selected from a group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin, and a spring-biased marking pin.

38. The attachment of claim 33, wherein the marking feature is actuatable by an actuator on the light generating device or the leveling device.

39. The attachment of claim 33, further comprising a switch protruding through the surface of the structural detector.

40. The attachment of claim 33, wherein the surface of the structural detector has at least one orifice for receiving at least one of a marking pin and a switch.

35. An accessory attachment for a light generating device or a leveling device, comprising:

a structural detector having a surface that comprises a connection structure to receive and removably mount either the light generating device or the leveling device thereto; and

a marking feature at least partially enclosed within the structural detector,

wherein the structural detector is operable with either the light generating device or the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein the connection structure further comprises a magnet for securing the light generating device or the leveling device to the structural detector.

41. A method for finding a concealed feature and aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a leveling device into a structural detector, the structural detector comprising;

a connection structure adapted to removably mount the leveling device thereto; and

an exterior surface wherein a portion of the connection structure is pivotably movable relative to the exterior surface;

placing the exterior surface against a wall;

locating at least one concealed feature behind the wall using the structural detector while the leveling device is mounted thereto; and

marking the wall along a line defined by the leveling device.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of marking the wall using a marking device attached to the structural detector.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the marking device is selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin, and a spring-biased marking pin.

42. A method for finding a concealed feature and aligning objects on a surface, the method comprising:

inserting a leveling device into a structural detector, the structural detector comprising;

a connection structure adapted to removably mount the leveling device thereto; and

an exterior surface;

placing the exterior surface against a wall;

locating at least one concealed feature behind the wall using the structural detector while the leveling device is mounted thereto; and

marking the wall along a line defined by the leveling device and wherein the leveling device comprises a light generating device.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the light generating device generates the laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising sighting on a distant object using light from the light generating device before the step of marking the wall.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising connecting a battery to at least one of the structural detector or the light generating source.

50. A kit for a light generating device with a stud finder, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a stud finder positioned within the volume of space, the stud finder comprising;

a surface; and

a connection structure; and

a light generating device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the stud finder, wherein the connection structure can be used to removably mount the light generating device to the surface, and

wherein the stud finder is operable with the light generating device mounted thereto.

51. The kit of claim 50, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam.

52. The kit of claim 51, wherein the light generating device generates a laser beam with an asymmetric intensity.

53. The kit of claim 50, wherein the light generating device generates light in the shape of a fan.

54. The kit of claim 53, wherein the light generating device comprises a housing with a surface that extends along a first planar surface and the fan substantially lies within a second plane that intersects the first planar surface at an angle.

55. The kit of claim 50, wherein the light generating device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

56. The kit of claim 50, wherein the connection structure comprises a latch.

57. The kit of claim 50, wherein the light generating device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

58. The kit of claim 50, wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet.

59. The kit of claim 50, wherein the connection structure comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the light generating device.

60. A kit for a leveling device with a stud finder, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a stud finder positioned within the volume of space, the stud finder comprising;

a surface; and

a connection structure; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the stud finder, wherein the connection structure can be used to removably mount the leveling device to the surface, and

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein a portion of the connection structure is pivotably movable relative to the surface.

62. The kit of claim 60, wherein the connection structure comprises a latch.

63. The kit of claim 60, wherein the leveling device comprises a latch that engages the connection structure.

61. A kit for a leveling device with a stud finder, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a stud finder positioned within the volume of space, the stud finder comprising;

a surface; and

a connection structure; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the stud finder, wherein the connection structure can be used to removably mount the leveling device to the surface, and

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein the leveling device further comprises a retractable pin and an actuator for the pin.

64. A kit for a leveling device with a stud finder, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a stud finder positioned within the volume of space, the stud finder comprising;

a surface; and

a connection structure; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the stud finder, wherein the connection structure can be used to removably mount the leveling device to the surface, and

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein the connection structure comprises a magnet.

65. A kit for a leveling device with a stud finder, comprising:

a container defining a volume of space;

a stud finder positioned within the volume of space, the stud finder comprising;

a surface; and

a connection structure; and

a leveling device positioned within the volume of space so as to be unattached to the stud finder, wherein the connection structure can be used to removably mount the leveling device to the surface, and

wherein the stud finder is operable with the leveling device mounted thereto and wherein the connection structure comprises a material that is magnetically attracted to the leveling device.

66. A device comprising:

a stud finder comprising;

a connection structure disposed on a first surface; and

a normally open switch protruding through a second surface,

wherein the stud finder, when operating to locate a structural member, locates the structural member through the second surface.

67. The device of claim 66, further comprising a marker selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin and a spring-biased marking pin.

68. The device of claim 67, wherein the marker is contained within the device.

69. The device of claim 66, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

70. The device of claim 66, further comprising a controller and a capacitive sensor and at least one light source connected to the controller.

71. The device of claim 66, further comprising a light generating device mounted to the connection structure.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein the light generating device comprises a connection structure complementary to the connection structure of the stud finder.

73. The device of claim 66, wherein the normally biased open switch is a normally open momentary switch.

74. The device of claim 66, wherein the normally open switch becomes activated when a force is applied to the normally open switch and becomes deactivated when the force is removed from the normally open switch.

75. A device for locating an object behind a structural surface comprising:

a stud finder having a housing with a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the structural surface when the device is locating an object behind the structural surface; and

a normally open switch protruding through the second surface.

76. The device of claim 75, further comprising a marker selected from the group consisting of a sharp point, a pencil, a pen, a felt-tipped pen, a marking pin and a spring-biased marking pin.

77. The device of claim 76, wherein the marker is contained within the device.

78. The device of claim 75, further comprising a connection structure on an external surface of the stud finder.

79. The device of claim 78, wherein the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a magnetically attractive material, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, a tab, a slot, a flat surface, and a latch.

80. The device of claim 75, further comprising a controller and a capacitive sensor and at least one light source connected to the controller.

81. The device of claim 75, wherein the normally open switch becomes activated when a force is applied to the normally open switch and becomes deactivated when the force is removed from the normally open switch.