# US 10,871,372 B2 · Laser level > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,372 B2 - Document ID: US10871372B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/589,411 - Filed: 2019-10-01 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-13 - Assignees: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. - Applicants: Stanley Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Dustin M. Lee; Vincent Cook; Michael T. Matteo; Keith M. Lombardi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871372B2 ## CPC - G01C 15/002: {Active optical surveying means (optical plumbing G01C15/105)} - G01C 15/004: {Reference lines, planes or sectors} - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A laser level including a control mechanism housing which houses a control mechanism, the control mechanism including at least a top surface and a bottom surface. A protective structure extends from the control mechanism housing configured to protect the control mechanism from impact and including an upper structure which extends from a top surface of the control mechanism housing and a lower structure which extends from a bottom surface of the control mechanism housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laser level, comprising: a control mechanism housing; a protective structure extending from the control mechanism housing, the protective structure configured to protect the control mechanism housing from impact; and a laser projector, the laser projector disposed at a first surface of the control mechanism housing and projecting a laser beam; wherein the protective structure comprises a plurality of legs and at least one flange; wherein the plurality of legs project from the control mechanism housing to create spaces between the control mechanism housing and the at least one flange; wherein the at least one flange extends above the laser projector; and wherein the laser level is configured to be positioned on a flat surface in at least six distinct orientations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, wherein the laser level is a rotary laser level. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, further comprising a control mechanism, the control mechanism including at least one lens and a laser diode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The laser level of claim 3, wherein the control mechanism includes a controller. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism housing has a substantially cubical shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, wherein, when the laser level is positioned on the flat surface in each of the at least six distinct orientations, only the protective structure contacts the flat surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs are made of a different material than the at least one flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs are made of a first material, and the at least one flange is made of a second material; and wherein the first material has a higher durometer than the second material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The laser level of claim 1, further comprising a removable battery pack. ### Claim 10 A laser level, comprising: a control mechanism housing; a protective structure extending from the control mechanism housing, the protective structure configured to protect the control mechanism housing from impact; and a laser projector, the laser projector disposed at a first surface of the control mechanism housing and projecting a laser beam generated by a light source; wherein the protective structure comprises a first structure and a second structure, opposite the first structure; wherein the first structure comprises a plurality of first legs and at least one first flange; wherein the plurality of first legs project from the control mechanism housing to create spaces between the control mechanism housing and the at least one first flange so as to prevent the flange from blocking the laser beam projected by the laser projector; and wherein the second structure comprises a plurality of second legs and at least one second flange. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the at least one first flange extends above the laser projector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the laser level is a rotary laser level. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the control mechanism includes at least one lens. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the control mechanism housing has a substantially cubical shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the plurality of legs are made of a different material than the at least one flange. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The laser level of claim 10, wherein the plurality of first legs are made of a first material, and the at least one first flange is made of a second material; and wherein the first material has a higher durometer than the second material. ### Claim 17 A laser level, comprising: a control mechanism housing; a protective structure extending from the control mechanism housing, the protective structure configured to protect the control mechanism housing from impact; and a laser projector, the laser projector disposed at a first surface of the control mechanism housing and projecting a laser beam generated by a light source; wherein the protective structure comprises a first structure and a second structure, opposite the first structure; wherein the first structure comprises a plurality of first legs and at least one first flange; wherein the plurality of first legs project from the control mechanism housing to create spaces between the control mechanism housing and the at least one first flange so as to prevent the flange from blocking the laser beam projected by the laser projector; and wherein the laser level is configured to be positioned on a flat surface in at least six distinct orientations. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The laser level of claim 17, wherein, when the laser level is positioned on the flat surface in the at least six orientations, only the protective structure contacts the flat surface.