Abstract:
A level is provided, comprising a casing having a flat surface; a first bubble level aligned approximately parallel with said flat surface; a first light positioned to illuminate said first bubble level; a switch, wherein when said switch is actuated, said light illuminates said level; and a power source for said light.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to levels, and particularly to levels adapted for use in darkened conditions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Levels have been used in the construction and carpentry industries for many years and are provided in a variety of styles, including hand held beam levels, string levels, torpedo levels, fish eye levels, and water levels. 
         [0003]    The hand held beam style level is the most commonly used level in construction and carpentry; it is lightweight, durable, easy to use and affordable. Some examples of use of the hand held beam level include levelling concrete, laying foundations, laying tile, hanging doors, installing shelves, mounting cabinets, installing counter tops and many other building and installation projects. One disadvantage of the hand held beam style level is that it is difficult to read in low light conditions common in construction sites. 
         [0004]    Most levels use bubbles placed within bubble levels to indicate when a surface is horizontal or vertical, depending on the placement of the bubble. When the bubble is centered within the buble level, the surface is “level”. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The illuminated level according to the invention is a hand held beam style level that generally performs the same functions as a standard hand held beam level. The level according to the invention is light weight, durable, easy to use and also affordable but, unlike currently available levels, is useable in low light conditions or against dark back grounds such as concrete, and also on dark woods like walnut, dark mahogany, or dark oak. The level according to the invention can also be used in areas in which it may be difficult to view, such as closets, basements, inside cupboards, dark hallways and under sinks. 
         [0006]    The illuminated level preferably includes a LED light within the level positioned adjacent to a bubble level, so that in low light conditions the user can actuate a switch located at the end of the beam level to turn on the LED light. This allows for the user to see the bubble clearly, and when the light is not required the user can simply actuate the switch to the off position. 
         [0007]    The illuminated level is easy to use and will save time and effort when a job is done in poor light conditions. In many cases job sites lack adequate lighting making the illuminated level useful. 
         [0008]    A beam level is provided, including a casing having a flat surface; a first bubble level aligned approximately parallel with said flat surface; a first light positioned to illuminate said first bubble level; a switch, wherein when said switch is actuated, said light illuminates said bubble level; and a power source for said light. The power source may be a battery, particularly a rechargeable battery. 
         [0009]    A second bubble level may be provided therein, aligned approximately perpendicular to said flat surface. A second light may be positioned to illuminate said second bubble level, said second light illuminating said second bubble level when said switch is actuated. 
         [0010]    The switch may be positioned at an end of said casing and the casing may be hollow. 
         [0011]    The first and second bubble levels may be positioned within first and second bubble housings, respectively, and said first and second bubble housings may be positioned within first and second positioning rings, respectively. 
         [0012]    The level may include a third bubble level aligned approximately parallel to said flat surface and a third light positioned to illuminate said third bubble level, said third light illuminating said third bubble level when said switch is actuated. The third bubble level may be positioned within a third bubble housing, and said third bubble housing is positioned within a third positioning ring. 
         [0013]    The casing may have an elongated cubical shape and the second bubble level may be positioned between said first and third bubble levels. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an illuminated level in a preferred embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the casing thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view thereof, showing the battery case; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is view of the LEDs, battery and switch therein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the switch therefor; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the switch therefor; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a positioning ring, and contents thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an aluminium tube and bubble level therein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view thereof; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an sid view of of a positioning ring, and contents thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the illuminator level according to the invention, generally indicated as  1 , is a standard hand held beam style level. It includes a casing  10 , preferably made of lightweight aluminium, although hardened plastic, wood, or other metals would also be suitable. Casing  10  is preferably an elongated cubical shape, although other shapes having at least a single flat surface  5  may also be used. As shown in the Figures, casing  10  is hollow, although casing  10  may also be a solid structure with openings to allow viewing of bubbles  35 . 
         [0025]    Level  1  includes at least one, and preferably three bubble levels  15  containing a bubble  35 . In alternative embodiments, level  1  may include different numbers of bubble levels  15  as needed, typically one to three, and rarely should more than four bubble levels be required. Preferably each bubble level  15  includes a LED light  30 , although in alternative embodiments one or more of bubble levels may not include a light, as long as at least one bubble level includes a light. Each LED  30  is situated to illuminate bubble  35  allowing bubble  35  to be seen clearly in dark surroundings when LEDs  30  are turned on. A shown in  FIG. 1 , the bubble levels  15  may be positioned horizontally or vertically relative to flat edge  5 . 
         [0026]    Bubble levels  15  are typically placed in alignment (i.e. approximately parallel) with a horizontal surface (such as flat edge  5 ) so that the bubble level can be used to determine when that surface is level. In level  1 , a bubble level is placed perpendicular to flat edge  5 , so that the particular bubble level can be used to determine when flat end edge  95  is level. 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , casing  10 , if it is hollow as shown in  FIG. 2 , preferably includes three pairs of apertures  55 , each pair aligned on first and second sides  65 ,  70  of casing  10 . Each aperture  55  is sized to receive and engage a positioning ring  60 . 
         [0028]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , on second side  70  of casing  10 , battery holder  75  is accessible. Battery holder receives batteries  45  and may be covered by removable battery cover plate  80 . Batteries  45  are preferably 2 AA cell batteries, although other types of batteries may be used for power. Batteries  45  may be easily replaced when needed as the batteries become low, simply by removing battery cover plate  80 , typically held to casing  10  by screws  85  although a snap-on cover could also be used, removing the old batteries and replacing them with new batteries. 
         [0029]    While the LEDs are preferably powered by batteries, alternate power sources may also be used. For example, the level may include a plug so that it can be plugged into a convenient outlet. Typically batteries are the preferred power source, as the level may be used in locations where electrical outlets are inconveniently placed, or even inaccessible. In an alternative embodiment batteries  45  may be rechargeable, and the level would be sold with a recharger to allow users to maintain battery strength. 
         [0030]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , preferably switch  40  is used to turn LEDs  30  on and off. Switch  40  is preferably located at an end  35  of level  1 . LEDs  30  are preferably mini lamp 3 volt LEDs although other lights with other amplitudes and voltages may be used including mini krypton bulbs, and are powered by batteries  45 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  show side and end views of switch  40 . Switch  40  is mounted on mounting plate  90  for insertion into flat end  95  of casing  10 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively switch  45  may be of a “button” type, or there may be more than one switch present, one for each LED in level  1 . 
         [0032]    As best seen in  FIG. 7 , LEDs  30  and bubble levels  15  are preferably mounted in casing  10  by use of positioning rings  100 . Positioning ring  100  includes apertures  115  shaped to receive ends  118  of bubble housing  110 . Bubble level  15  is positioned and held within bubble housing  110 , as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and LED  30  may be placed to one side of bubble housing  110 , as seen in  FIG. 10 . Bubble housing  110  is preferably an aluminium tube with cut away sides to allow bubble level  15  to be viewed from two sides. In alternative embodiments, LEDs  30  may be placed in different positions relative to bubble level  15 . 
         [0033]    Rather than mounting LEDs and bubble levels in level  1  via positioning rings other means may be used, including mounting the bubble housing in anextruded clear plastic holder, epoxing the the bubble level in aperture  55 . In other alternative embodiments, the bubble levels may be held in place by grout and a transparent plastic or glass surface is placed on either side of aperture  55 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the level bubble can be installed in an adjustable insert which is then positioned in the casing, allowing for future adjustment of the bubble if needed. 
         [0034]    Although the particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus lie within the scope of the present invention.