# US 7,743,520 B1 · Digital level detector apparatus convertible for remote sensing

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- Number: US 7,743,520 B1
- Document ID: US7743520B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 12/274,073
- Filed: 2008-11-19
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2007-11-19
- Inventors: Michael A. Jiorle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743520B1

## CPC

- G01C 9/06: Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
- G01C 9/28: Mountings
- 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)

## Abstract

A device and method for quickly and accurately leveling a surface in either the horizontal or vertical plane while not in proximity to the surface being leveled. The device comprises a rigid base designed to be places on any surface to be leveled, inclinometer circuitry used to determine the position of the rigid base relative to level or plumb, wireless circuitry used to transmit the results of the inclinometer to a remotely transportable unit containing a digital display used to read the results of the inclinometer reading.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for leveling surfaces at a variety of possible angles, while not in proximity to the surface being leveled using digital wireless circuitry to transmit and display the measurements on a remote display unit, comprising:
(a) a rigid base adapted for mounting the device to a surface,
(b) an inclinometer housed within the rigid base,
(c) a transceiver housed within the rigid base,
(d) a removable display unit adapted to be housed at least partially within the rigid base,
(e) a transceiver housed within the removable display unit,
(f) a digital signal processor housed within the removable display unit,
(g) whereby the removable display unit may be removed from the rigid base for use in a remote leveling operation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid base includes at least one direct visual readable inclinometer detection elements.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the direct readable inclinometer device comprises a spirit level.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the signal generated by the inclinometer is wirelessly transmitted to the removable display unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4 wherein the signal generated by the inclinometer is received and processed by the removable display unit transceiver.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5 wherein the processed signal is visually displayed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein part of the rigid base forms a pocket to accept a removable display unit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the removable display unit and rigid base contain broadly similar reciprocal circuits.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the removable display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.

### Claim 10

A method of leveling objects using a remote leveling apparatus separable into separate detection and receiving and display units comprising:
(a) detaching a digital receiver and display unit from a rigid base unit including an integral level detector apparatus and radio frequency broadcasting circuit,
(b) placing the rigid base unit on contact with a body, the attitude of which it is wished to determine,
(c) retaining the receiving unit at a location in which the one wishing to obtain level information wishes to receive such information, and
(d) visually display at least the angle of the surface upon which the rigid base unit assumes.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A method of leveling in accordance with claim 10 in which the leveling information is transmitted between units in digital radio wave form.

### Claim 12

A method of leveling objects using a remote leveling apparatus separable into separate detection and receiving and display units comprising:
(a) maintaining the separable units together while leveling,
(b) communication being by digital radio communication.