Abstract:
A carpenter&#39;s level with an integral bubble vial illumination system is herein disclosed. A plurality of level vials is illuminated by lamps located at either end to light the vials internally. The vials are arranged in close parallel pairs having a blackout panel between for enhanced accurate viewing of the bubbles from either side of the level. Power to the lamps is supplied by a battery which is charged by solar cells, thereby reducing battery changes. The level is equipped with a graduated slope indicator port located on the top surface of the level to easily measure sloped surfaces. An auto-off feature will also be integrated to save power.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/270,891 filed Jul. 15, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to leveling devices, and in particular, to a level provided with an integral illuminating means for providing levelness measurements on a work surface in low-light situations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many construction projects require proper alignment of various components in relation to a ground surface. Such practice allows for proper construction of necessarily level surfaces such as floors and the like and helps to maintain relative alignment between various portions of the construction. Levels are the most common tool utilized for such applications. In general, such leveling devices utilize a gravity based sight mechanism to ensure that a desired surface is perpendicular or otherwise properly aligned in relation to the downward pull of gravity. 
     A primary disadvantage of such devices is that due to the sight based nature of the levelness indicators, proper and accurate assessment of the level by a user&#39;s eyesight is required. Such conditions require the user to be able to accurately assess the level&#39;s readings in order to ensure proper construction. In addition to requiring training and skill on the part of the user, such readings are made difficult and potentially inaccurate by environmental factors which limit visibility such as shadows, low-light situations, and the like. Such factors are particularly prevalent on construction sites due to the transitory nature of the construction which often precludes the presence of proper lighting and visibility. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide illuminated leveling tools. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. Pat. No. 1,566,541, issued in the name of Kirby, describes an apparatus which provides a removably attachable electric lighting means adaptable to a variety of existing leveling devices. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,075, issued in the name of MacDermott et al., describes an illuminated spirit vial and level with an integral switch-activated battery powered illuminating lamp. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,978, issued in the name of Crowe, describes an illuminated spirit level with a plurality of individually disposed illumination means which provides user actuated lighting to each of a plurality of conventional spirit vials. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for an illuminated level exist, particularly U.S. Pat. No. D 453,479. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such apparatuses are difficult to view from particular angles in poor lighting conditions. Also, many such apparatuses require frequent replacement of the powering means which leave the devices susceptible to failure during use. Furthermore, many such apparatuses do not provide a full desired range of leveling functionality. In addition, many such apparatuses do not provide integral automatic features for operation of electronic components of the invention in a manner which increases convenience to a user. Accordingly, there exists a need for an illuminated construction level without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide simple, accurate visibility to the level indicators of a spirit level in a manner which is simple, cost-effective, and requires little or no maintenance on the part of a user. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise an illuminating carpenter&#39;s level which provides enhanced visibility in low-light conditions while functioning in a similar manner as a conventional level. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise conventional spirit level features including a plurality of integral diagonal, horizontal, and vertical vials contained within a durable level housing. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide individual lighting to each vial via a plurality of corresponding integral battery-powered lamps. The illumination provided by the lamps is intended to enhance the utility of the level by increasing reading accuracy and reduce time spent viewing the level. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide renewable electrical power to the lamps via an integral replaceable rechargeable battery which is further charged by a pair of solar cells located on an exterior portion of the level. The batteries are able to be replaced via a battery compartment cover. The frequency of replacement is reduced by automatic recharging of the battery via the solar cells. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide enhanced visibility of each vial via a corresponding blackout panel which comprises a dark flat disc positioned within a vial window between each pair of vials. The blackout panel provides a dark backdrop which allows a user to clearly and accurately view the position of a bubble within the vial while illuminated by a corresponding lamp. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to selectively actuate the illuminating means via a switch located on an exterior portion of the housing. The switch is of a low-profile design so as not to interfere with normal functioning of the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to conserve battery power via an integral control module which comprises an auto-off software timer circuit for automatically shutting off the illuminating means after a prescribed period of non-use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a user to accurately assess the slope of the level via a slope indicator port and adjacent numeric scale along a top surface of the apparatus. The slope indicator port provides a means for a user to observe a relative position of an indicating bubble along the numeric scale. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining the apparatus, providing it with a battery powering means, selectively activating the lamps via the switch, easily and accurately viewing the position of a bubble within any of the plurality of desired vials by viewing the illuminated vial against a corresponding blackout panel, automatically recharging the device via the solar panels, automatically conserving power via automatic shutoff actuated by the control module, easily replacing a battery if need, providing further leveling assessment via the slope indicator port, and allowing a user to accurately level a desired object or surface in a wide range of visibility conditions. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an illuminating carpenter&#39;s level  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away view of the illuminating carpenter&#39;s level  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the illuminating carpenter&#39;s level  10  depicting a slope indicator port  80 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a close-up view of the indicator port portion  80  of the illuminating carpenter&#39;s level  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the illuminating carpenter&#39;s level  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 illuminating carpenter&#39;s level 
               
               
                 20 
                 diagonal vial 
               
               
                 21 
                 horizontal vial 
               
               
                 22 
                 vertical vial 
               
               
                 23 
                 bubble 
               
               
                 25 
                 vial window 
               
               
                 30 
                 blackout panel 
               
               
                 40 
                 solar cell 
               
               
                 50 
                 switch 
               
               
                 60 
                 control module 
               
               
                 65 
                 battery cover 
               
               
                 70 
                 lamp 
               
               
                 75 
                 electrical wiring 
               
               
                 80 
                 slope indicator port 
               
               
                 85 
                 numeric scale 
               
               
                 90 
                 battery 
               
               
                 95 
                 circuit board 
               
               
                 100 
                 housing 
               
               
                 105 
                 front surface 
               
               
                 110 
                 rear surface 
               
               
                 115 
                 top surface 
               
               
                 120 
                 work surface 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an illuminating carpenter&#39;s level (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a levelness measuring device comprising illuminated indicator vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  to aid in visibility of indicator bubbles  23  when working in low-light situations. The apparatus  10  is used in a similar manner as a conventional carpenter&#39;s level; however, the apparatus  10  provides a plurality of integral battery-powered lamps  70  which illuminate a pair of diagonal vials  20  positioned at a forty-five degree (45°) angle, a pair of horizontal vials  21 , and a pair of vertical vials  22 . Said vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  are built into the apparatus  10  and are arranged in close parallel pairs being separated by respective blackout panels  30  for improved visibility. The apparatus  10  further provides a continuous power supply system comprising a pair of solar cells  40 , a lamp activation switch  50 , a control module  60 , and a battery  90 . The apparatus  10  is to be fabricated using lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, wood, and metal. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , front and rear views of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  utilizes similar construction as conventional carpenter levels providing a rugged elongated rectangular housing  100 . The housing  100  is envisioned to be introduced in standard lengths such as, but not limited to: twenty-four (24) and forty-eight (48) inches; however, it is understood that the concept may be incorporated into levels having a variety of other lengths equally well. The housing  100  is to comprise three (3) round vial windows  25  of a suitable diameter so as to facilitate respective pairs of lamps  70 , pairs of vials  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and a blackout panel  30 . The lamps  70  are permanently and stationarily mounted within the housing  100  at a position which is adjacent to end portions of each pair of vials  20 ,  21 ,  22 . Said lamps  70  preferably comprise light-emitting diodes (LED); however, other illuminating devices such as incandescent bulbs may be provided with equal benefit as well. The lamps  70  provide a means to illuminate the vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  which increase a user&#39;s bubble reading accuracy, saves time, and reduces extra work when using the apparatus  10 . The arrangement of the vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  in pairs enables a user to utilize both sides of the apparatus  10  equally well having one (1) vial toward a front surface  105  and one (1) vial facing a rear surface  110  being separated by the blackout panel  30 . The blackout panels  30  comprise round flat discs being positioned within said vial window  25  between each pair of vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  to enhance viewing of the illuminated vials  20 ,  21 ,  22  and included bubbles  23 . Said blackout panels  30  are envisioned being made using extruded plastic sheet stock being painted black and being permanently affixed within said vial windows  25  using common adhesives. 
     The apparatus  10  is powered by a renewable electrical power source via a pair of solar cells  40  which are permanently mounted to a front surface  105  of the housing  100  to supply power to one (1) or more internal replaceable rechargeable batteries  90 . The solar cells  40  comprise miniature photovoltaic units approximately three (3) inches in width and two (2) inches in height being located on a single side surface of the apparatus  10  between pairs of adjacent vial windows  25 . The switch  50  provides a means to initiate a flow of electrical power to the lamps  70  and preferably comprises a momentary-contact push button device to establish power from said batteries  90  to the lamps  70  (see  FIG. 5 ). The switch  50  is to be of a low-profile design so as not to interfere with normal functions of the apparatus  10  and is to be located on a side surface of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cut-away view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. An internal arrangement of electrical and electronic components of the apparatus  10  is illustrated here. The apparatus  10  comprises an internal microprocessor-based control module  60  which protectively houses electrical and electronic equipment such as, but not limited to: a printed circuit board  95 , the battery  90 , embedded software, and input and output signal processing circuitry. During an extended idle period an auto-off feature of the apparatus  10  will automatically curtail a flow of power to the lamps  70  via the control module  60  which comprises an auto-off software timer circuit, thereby conserving power stored in the battery  90 . The circuit board portion  95  of the control module  60  provides board level components to regulate and direct a charging current from the solar cells  40  to the batteries  90 , and in turn supply current to the lamps  70  upon pressing the switch  50  (see  FIG. 5 ). The housing  100  further comprises a flush-mounted battery cover  65  enabling user access to said control module  60  and to the batteries  90  allowing easy replacement of said batteries  90  as needed. Said battery cover  65  is envisioned to comprise a conventional thumb grip feature providing easy opening. The apparatus  10  further comprises interconnecting electrical wiring  75  forming functional circuits between the control module  60 , the switch  50 , the batteries  90 , the solar cells  40 , and the lamps  70  using common copper conductors. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view of the apparatus  10  depicting the slope indicator port  80 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The housing  100  comprises a slope indicator port  80  and an adjacent numeric scale  85  along the top surface  115  of the apparatus  10 . The slope indicator port  80  comprises a rectangular-shaped vertical aperture being centered above a horizontal vial  21  and having an adjacent numeric scale  85  which is printed or engraved upon said housing  100 . The slope indicator port  80  provides a means for a user to observe a relative position of a subjacent indicating bubble  23  and the numeric scale  85 . Said numeric scale  85  comprises a plurality of graduated and numerically identified parallel lines representing a proportional slope over a specific length of a subjacent working surface  120  onto which the apparatus  10  is placed, for example, one-quarter (¼) inch over a four (4) foot length. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a microprocessor-based control module  60  to control the solar cells  40 , charging of the battery  90 , and powering the lamps  70 . The apparatus  10  comprises a control module  60  which contains a circuit board  95  and at least one (1) battery  90 . The circuit board  95  receives and regulates a current from the solar cells  40  to maintain a charge of the batteries  90  which in turn powers the lamps  70  in accordance with software within said circuit board  95 . Said circuit board  95  provides board-level input and output capabilities which receive an initiating signal from the pushbutton switch  50  and in turn directs a flow of current to the lamps  70  for a preset period of time as defined by an internal software timer. Said switch  50 , control module  60 , solar cells  40 , and lamps  70  are interconnected using common electrical wiring  75  routed within the housing  100  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired length; using removing the battery cover  65  to install a fresh battery or batteries  90  within the control module  60 ; resting the apparatus  10  upon a work surface  120  to be leveled or measured; pressing the switch  50  to initiate power to illuminate the lamps  70  and subsequently the vials  20 ,  21 ,  22 ; viewing an appropriate vial  20 ,  21 ,  22  to determine if said work surface  120  is level; leveling or adjusting said surface  120  as needed; repeating a measuring and leveling procedure as needed to complete a work project; turning off the lamps  70  by pressing the switch  50  or allowing the embedded software timer within the circuit board  95  to time out; and, benefiting from improved reading accuracy due to integrated lighting within a level afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the slope indicator port portion  80  of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following additional steps: resting the apparatus  10  upon a work surface  120  of an object whose slop is to be measured; pressing the switch  50  to initiate power to illuminate the vials  20 ,  21 ,  22 ; viewing a bubble portion  23  of the horizontal vial  21  being subjacent to the slope indicator port  80 , with regards to the adjacent numeric scale  85 ; determining a quantifiable slope of the subject work surface  120 ; adjusting a position and subsequent slope of said object&#39;s surface  120  until obtaining a desired numeric slope as indicated upon the numeric scale  85 ; and, repeating the slope measurement and adjustment process as needed to obtain a desired result. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.