Patent ID: 7024781
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A tool, comprising: a body having an opening; a bubble vial extending across the opening, wherein the vial defines one or more exterior surfaces; and a vial retainer arrangement for securing the bubble vial in position relative to the body, wherein the vial retainer arrangement includes one or more vial retainer members separate from and engageable with both the vial and the body for securing the vial in position on the body, wherein the one or more vial retainer members define one or more inwardly facing surfaces; wherein the vial is oriented relative to the body and the vial retainer members such that the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial are located inwardly of the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members, wherein the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members face the vial and wherein the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members and the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial are configured such that an open, unoccupied space is defined between the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial and the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members; and wherein the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members are formed of a luminescent material, wherein the luminescent material of the inwardly facing surfaces is exposed to the opens unoccupied space between the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial and the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members, wherein the luminescent material emits light into the open, unoccupied space toward the vial without the presence of a separate light source within the body or within the vial retainer members, wherein the light emitted by the luminescent material passes through the open, unoccupied space between the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial and the one or more inwardly facing surfaces of the vial retainer members and onto the one or more exterior surfaces of the vial to illuminate the vial to provide visibility of the vial when the tool is placed in a darkened environment.