Digital level

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11221215-B2
Application number	US-201916376786-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2019
Priority date	Mar 20, 2018
Publication date	Jan 11, 2022
Grant date	Jan 11, 2022

Abstract

A level, such as a digital level, with various features or embodiments, such as an ultrasonically welded lens covering a display screen, a pipe insert molded in front of a light sensor, one or more button assemblies, and cartridge assemblies that are used to secure compartments within the frame of a level.

First claim

We claim:

1. A level comprising:
a planar base surface;
a top surface opposing the base surface;
an orientation sensor configured to measure an orientation of one of the top and bottom surfaces with respect to a perceived direction of the force of gravity;
a controller that calculates an orientation difference between the measured orientation and a target orientation;
a light sensing module that measures a brightness level, the light sensing module comprising:
a primary channel;
a front surface defined by primary channel, the front surface in visual communication with an exterior of the level;
a light sensor that measures the brightness level; and
a light impediment between the light sensor and the primary channel, the light impediment configured to interfere with light transiting from the front surface to the light sensor; and

a display that emits an image that corresponds to the orientation difference, the image comprising a brightness that is at least partly based on a measurement by the light sensor.

2. The level of claim 1 , the primary channel comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein each of the light sensor and the light impediment are aligned with the primary channel's longitudinal axis.

3. The level of claim 2 , wherein a width of the light impediment is greater than a width of the light sensor.

4. The level of claim 3 , the light sensing module comprising a side channel in visual communication with the primary channel, wherein the side channel radially surrounds the light impediment.

5. The level of claim 4 , wherein the light impediment is opaque to light.

6. The level of claim 4 , the side channel defining a reflective interior surface that faces towards the primary channel's longitudinal axis.

7. The level of claim 6 , the light sensing module comprising a cavity between the side channel and the light sensor.

8. The level of claim 4 , the level comprising a circuit board that is communicatively coupled to the controller and orientation sensor, and fixedly coupled to the light sensor.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Leidel Matthew
• Mackey Eric

Classifications

• G01C9/02 Primary

  Details · CPC title

• G01C9/06 Primary

  Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means · CPC title

• G01C2009/066

  optical · CPC title