Laser level

A cordless device connectable to a first battery pack having a first battery housing, a first terminal block supported by the first battery housing and a first latch mechanism disposed at a first distance from the first terminal block, a second battery pack having a second battery housing, a second terminal block supported by the second battery housing and a second latch mechanism disposed at a second distance from the second terminal block, said first and second distances being different, the device comprising:

• a housing;
• a receptacle disposed within the housing for electrically connecting to the first and second battery packs;
• a plate movably connected to the housing, the plate having first and second latch recesses, the plate being movable between a first position where the distance between the receptacle and the first latch recess is substantially equal to the first distance so that the first battery pack can be electrically connected to the receptacle and latched to the first latch recess, and a second position where the distance between the receptacle and the second latch recess is substantially equal to the second distance so that the second battery pack can be electrically connected to the receptacle and latched to the second latch recess.

A method for constructing a laser level comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a shaft driven by the motor, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, at least one diode disposed on the shaft for projecting an elliptical laser beam with major and minor axes, wherein the laser beam is substantially perpendicular to the shaft;
• and
• aligning the at least one diode so that the major axis of the elliptical laser beam is substantially horizontal.