Gravity-based angle sensor with LED indicator
First Claim
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1. A gravity-based angle sensor apparatus for a workpiece, the sensor apparatus comprising:
- an outer housing joined or fastened to the workpiece;
a sensor assembly rotatable within the outer housing to select a desired angular orientation of the workpiece, the sensor assembly including a LED light module that emits LED light when first and second terminals thereof are electrically bridged, and a sensor responsive to an angular orientation of the sensor assembly that electrically bridges the first and second terminals of said LED light module when the sensor assembly has a reference horizontal orientation, where said sensor assembly includes an internal compartment that houses said sensor, said sensor including a movable conductive element that rolls within said compartment under the influence of gravity, and a pair of fixed conductive members that are electrically bridged by said conductive element when the sensor assembly has said reference horizontal orientation; and
scale indicia on the sensor assembly and the outer housing to indicate the desired angular orientation of the workpiece.
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Abstract
A gravity-based angle sensor apparatus includes an outer housing (which may be incorporated into a carpenter'"'"'s level or other reference frame) that contacts or is fastened to a workpiece, and a sensor assembly rotatably mounted within the outer housing. The sensor assembly includes a frame having internal cavities for supporting a LED light module and a sensor responsive to the orientation of the sensor assembly. The sensor electrically bridges two terminals of the LED light module to activate an LED indicator lamp when the sensor assembly has a reference horizontal orientation.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A gravity-based angle sensor apparatus for a workpiece, the sensor apparatus comprising:
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an outer housing joined or fastened to the workpiece; a sensor assembly rotatable within the outer housing to select a desired angular orientation of the workpiece, the sensor assembly including a LED light module that emits LED light when first and second terminals thereof are electrically bridged, and a sensor responsive to an angular orientation of the sensor assembly that electrically bridges the first and second terminals of said LED light module when the sensor assembly has a reference horizontal orientation, where said sensor assembly includes an internal compartment that houses said sensor, said sensor including a movable conductive element that rolls within said compartment under the influence of gravity, and a pair of fixed conductive members that are electrically bridged by said conductive element when the sensor assembly has said reference horizontal orientation; and scale indicia on the sensor assembly and the outer housing to indicate the desired angular orientation of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A gravity-based angle sensor apparatus for a workpiece, the sensor apparatus comprising:
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an outer housing joined or fastened to the workpiece; a sensor assembly rotatable within the outer housing to select a desired angular orientation of the workpiece, the sensor assembly including a LED light module that emits LED light when first and second terminals thereof are electrically bridged, and a sensor responsive to an angular orientation of the sensor assembly that electrically bridges the first and second terminals of said LED light module when the sensor assembly has a reference horizontal orientation; a buzzer element coupled in series with said LED light module for emitting an audible sound when said sensor electrically bridges the first and second terminals of said LED light module; and scale indicia on the sensor assembly and the outer housing to indicate the desired angular orientation of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A gravity-based angle sensor apparatus for a workpiece, the sensor apparatus comprising:
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an outer housing joined or fastened to the workpiece; a sensor assembly rotatable within the outer housing to select a desired angular orientation of the workpiece, the sensor assembly including a LED light module that emits LED light when first and second terminals thereof are electrically bridged, and a sensor responsive to an angular orientation of the sensor assembly that electrically bridges the first and second terminals of said LED light module when the sensor assembly has a reference horizontal orientation, where said sensor assembly is cylindrical, with front and rear axial faces, and said outer housing includes first and second housing sections featuring cylindrical openings, with said outer housings being joined to axially retain said sensor assembly, while exposing front and rear axial faces of said sensor assembly; and scale indicia on the sensor assembly and the outer housing to indicate the desired angular orientation of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification