Illuminated level
First Claim
1. A hand-held level comprising:
- an elongated body havingan opaque outer surface,an elongated discontinuity in the opaque outer surface, the discontinuity extending in the elongated direction of the body, the discontinuity forming an elongated light emitting region, andan elongated reference surface;
an orientation indicator connected to the body, the orientation indicator being positioned to indicate an orientation of the reference surface; and
a light source positioned within a boundary defined by the outer surface, the light source arranged to emit light from the body through the light emitting region, light being prevented from being emitted through the opaque outer surface; and
wherein the body includes a corner adjacent the reference surface, and wherein the light emitting region extends longitudinally along the corner.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A longitudinally-elongated, hand-held level includes a body having a reference surface, a longitudinally-extending corner adjacent the reference surface, and a plurality of bubble vials for indicating an orientation of the reference surface. One or more battery-powered lights (e.g., LEDs) create a longitudinally elongated light emitting region along the corner to illuminate a longitudinally-elongated area that is adjacent to the level for use in low-light environments. The light(s) may project light through a light guide and/or light diffuser(s) extending along the corner to disperse light along the longitudinal extent of the level. The light(s) may also illuminate the corner(s) of the level and/or the bubble vials to enhance use in low-light environments.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hand-held level comprising:
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an elongated body having an opaque outer surface, an elongated discontinuity in the opaque outer surface, the discontinuity extending in the elongated direction of the body, the discontinuity forming an elongated light emitting region, and an elongated reference surface; an orientation indicator connected to the body, the orientation indicator being positioned to indicate an orientation of the reference surface; and a light source positioned within a boundary defined by the outer surface, the light source arranged to emit light from the body through the light emitting region, light being prevented from being emitted through the opaque outer surface; and wherein the body includes a corner adjacent the reference surface, and wherein the light emitting region extends longitudinally along the corner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of using a hand-held level, the level comprising an elongated body having an opaque outer surface, an elongated discontinuity in the opaque outer surface, the discontinuity extending in the elongated direction of the body, the discontinuity forming an elongated light emitting region, and an elongated reference surface, the method comprising:
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disposing the reference surface of the level against a surface of an object; projecting light from a light source positioned within a boundary defined by the outer surface through the light emitting region to an area of the surface of the object that is adjacent to the level, while preventing light from the light source from being emitted through the opaque outer surface; and using an orientation indicator of the level to determine an orientation of the surface of the object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A hand-held level comprising:
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an elongated body having an elongated opaque frame that defines a reference surface, and an elongated light emitting region extending in the elongated direction of the body; an orientation indicator connected to the body, the orientation indicator being positioned to indicate an orientation of the reference surface; and a light source arranged to emit light from the body through the light emitting region to an area adjacent the reference surface, light being prevented from being emitted through the opaque outer surface.
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21. A hand-held level comprising:
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an elongated body having an opaque outer surface, an elongated discontinuity in the opaque outer surface, the discontinuity extending in the elongated direction of the body, the discontinuity forming an elongated light emitting region, and an elongated reference surface; an orientation indicator connected to the body, the orientation indicator being positioned to indicate an orientation of the reference surface; a light source positioned within a boundary defined by the outer surface, the light source arranged to emit light from the body through the light emitting region, light being prevented from being emitted through the opaque outer surface; and length measurement indicia, wherein the light source is positioned to illuminate the length measurement indicia.
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Specification