AU2012101397A4

AU2012101397A4 - Plumber's level

Info

Publication number: AU2012101397A4
Application number: AU2012101397A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kris Edward Brodribb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-07
Filing date: 2012-09-07
Publication date: 2012-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-07
Also published as: WO2014036602A1

Abstract

A plumber's level is provided comprising: a pipe joint holder (10,30,20) attached to a body (2) of the plumber's level, the holder being adapted to be engaged with a pipe joint manually by the plumber so that it remains in place on the pipe joint, without being held, in such a manner that the body (2) of the plumber's level is in a defined orientation with respect to an end face (4) of the pipe joint; and an angle indicator (42) also attached to the body and adapted to provide an indication, as the plumber adjusts the pipe joint, that the joint is in a desired position such that a pipe section to be joined to the pipe joint will have a desired shallow angle. Fig1

Description

1 PLUMBER' S LEVEL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to levels such as spirit levels used in the trades, and particularly relates to a spirit level of particular use in plumbing. BACKGROUND [0002] When plumbers install sewer pipes or stormwater pipes, it is important that the pipes are placed at the correct angles to ensure correct drainage. Approximately horizontal sewer or stormwater pipes must be given a shallow fall angle, being a gradient of approximately or at least 1 in 60, in order to ensure compliance with applicable Australian standards. It is a difficult task to achieve the desired precision where there are a number of points of adjustment, and existing spirit levels need to be held in place on the pipe or joint to be levelled at the same time as the plumber works on the various joints. [0003] There is therefore a need to provide an improved level measuring device for particular application to the achievement of shallow angles in pipe installation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a plumber's level comprising: a pipe joint holder attached to a body of the plumber's level, the holder being adapted to be engaged with a pipe joint manually by the plumber so that it remains in place on the pipe 2 joint, without being held, in such a manner that the body of the plumber's level is in a defined orientation with respect to an end face of the pipe joint; and an angle indicator also attached to the body and adapted to provide an indication, as the plumber adjusts the pipe joint, that the joint is in a desired position such that a pipe section to be joined to the pipe joint will have a desired shallow angle. [0005] In one embodiment, the pipe joint holder comprises a first notch and a second notch disposed along an edge of the body, the notches being positioned on the body to engage onto diametrically opposite sides of the pipe joint; and the defined orientation is achieved when both notches are pushed fully home onto their respective sides of the pipe joint. The angle indicator may be positioned on the body so that the indicator rests at a calibration mark when the edge of the body is vertical, and in this case depths of the first and second notch are slightly different so that when the body is in the defined orientation and the joint is in the desired position, the edge is vertical, whereby the indicator rests at the calibration mark. At least one further notch may be provided, positioned so the plumber's level can be used in relation to different sized pipe joints. [0006] In one embodiment, the plumber's level may further comprise an auxiliary angle indicator positioned to indicate when a back edge of the body of the plumber's level is horizontal.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0007] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the plumber's level of the invention in its application to the levelling of a right angle pipe joint; [0008] Figure 2a and Figure 2b are corresponding views from different sides of the plumber's level shown in figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0009] An embodiment of the current invention will now be described. [0010] Referring first to Figure 1, a right angle pipe joint 1 is shown having an open end face 4 onto which a sewer pipe section is about to be joined. The pipe section is desired to fall at the regulation shallow angle into the right angle joint. The plumber's level of this embodiment has a body 2 composed of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material. [0011] Across a top each of the body 2 is disposed an angle indicator in the form of a bubble 42 inside a liquid filled glass cylinder 40. A calibration mark in the form of lines 41 is used to visually determine when the bubble 42 is held equally within the lines 41. This is a standard spirit level indicator. [0012] The indicator is disposed in the body 2 so that the long edges of the body are vertical when the bubble 42 is at the calibration mark. The plumber's level also comprises a first notch 10 and a second notch 30. To be described more in detail later, first notch 10 has a lesser depth than second notch 30.

4 [0013] In use, a plumber holds the body 2 of the plumber's level by hand 3 and pushes the level onto the pipe joint so that notches 10 and 30 are pushed home onto diametrically opposite sides of the pipe joint adjacent the end face 4. The notches are a snug fit so that once pushed home to the full extent of their depths, the plumber's level remains in place on the pipe joint without further need of being held by hand 3. The plumber is then free to use both hands to manipulate pipe joint 1 and associated pipes in the direction indicated by arrow 50 to the point where the body 2 is vertical and the bubble 42 is at the calibration mark. Because second notch 30 has a greater depth than first notch 10, this state of affairs occurs when the end face 4 is pointing slightly upwards so that a pipe section joined into the pipe joint at the end face will have the desired shallow angle, being a gradient of 1 in 60. [0014] Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, details of the plumbers level can be further seen. Figure 2A is a view along edge 61, and Figure 2b is a plan view similar to that in figure 1. [0015] First notch 10 and second notch 30 are separated by a distance R1 of 114.5 mm, suitable to engage across the diameter of the end face of a 100 mm joint for a sewer junction or bend. A further notch 20 is also provided, placed at a distance R2 of 92.5 mm from second notch 30, suitable to engage across the diameter of the end face of a 90 mm joint for a stormwater junction or bend. In this way, the same device can be used with both storm water and sewer pipes. The notches 10, 20 and 30 have corresponding linings 11, 21 and 31 to provide a snug fit with the sides adjacent the end face of the pipe joint, so that the level can remain in place on the pipe joint without being held. In this embodiment, the linings are provided by soft plastic, but may alternatively be provided by plastic or rubber ribbing, 5 or the snug fit may be provided for example simply by the shape and/or flexure properties of the notches, or by spring clips. [0016] First notch 10 and second notch 30 have widths W1 and W3 of about 7 mm, adapted for use on sewer pipe joints, and further notch 20 has a width W2 of about 4 mm, adapted for use on stormwater pipe joints. First notch 10 and further notch 20 have depths Dl and D2 of about 12 mm, whereas second notch 30 has a depth D3 of about 15 mm. This difference enables edge 61 to be vertical when the body of the plumbers level is pushed fully home onto the end face 4 to its intended defined orientation with respect to the end face of the pipe joint, once the plumber has manipulated the pipe joint so that the end face is pointing slightly upwards so that a pipe section to be joined to the pipe joint will have the desired shallow angle. With edge 61 vertical, bubble 42 is at the calibration mark, equally inside lines 41. [0017] In this embodiment, the plumber's level also has an auxiliary spirit level angle indicator 70 positioned along the edge 61, adapting the plumbers level to other conventional uses. When the back edge 60 of the plumber's level is placed against an upwardly oriented pipe joint, the level can be used in a conventional way to ensure that the pipe joint face is horizontal, so that a pipe to be joined will be exactly vertical. Also in this embodiment, the bubble 42 is visible from above as well as from the side, so that it can be used in situations where the plumber is viewing from above, such as when laying pipes in a trench. [0018] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

6 [0019] For example, the dimensions and angles given are applicable to Australian standard sewer pipes and stormwater pipes, and variations to adapt the idea to regulations of other jurisdictions is within the scope of the invention. [0020] Second, while the pipe joint holder is shown in the illustrated embodiment as two notches adapted to be pushed onto the diametrically opposite sides of the pipe joint adjacent to the end face, the scope of the invention extends to any pipe joint holder which engages with the pipe joint so that it can be disposed without holding in a defined orientation with respect to the end face of the pipe joint, whether or not the pipe joint holder is in the form of notches or indeed whether or not the pipe joint holder actually engages the end face or instead engages some other part of the pipe joint. [0021] Third, while the angle indicator in the embodiment is a conventional spirit level, any device which functions as an angle indicator is within the scope of the term, such as an electronic accelerometer-based device. [0022] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, the term "pipe joint" is used generically to refer to a plumbing component into which one or more pipe sections are to be joined, such as a pipe bend or a pipe junction.

7 [0023] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A plumber's level comprising: a pipe joint holder attached to a body of the plumber's level, the holder being adapted to be engaged with a pipe joint manually by the plumber so that it remains in place on the pipe joint, without being held, in such a manner that the body of the plumber's level is in a defined orientation with respect to an end face of the pipe joint; and an angle indicator also attached to the body and adapted to provide an indication, as the plumber adjusts the pipe joint, that the joint is in a desired position such that a pipe section to be joined to the pipe joint will have a desired shallow angle.

2. The plumber's level of claim 1 wherein: the pipe joint holder comprises a first notch and a second notch disposed along an edge of the body, the notches being positioned on the body to engage onto diametrically opposite sides of the pipe joint; and the defined orientation is achieved when both notches are pushed fully home onto their respective sides of the pipe joint.

3. The plumber's level of claim 2 wherein: the angle indicator is positioned on the body so that the indicator rests at a calibration mark when the edge of the body is vertical; and depths of the first and second notch are slightly different so that when the body is in the defined orientation and the joint is in the desired position, the edge is vertical, whereby the indicator rests at the calibration mark.

4. The plumber's level of claim 2 or 3 comprising at least one further notch positioned so the plumber's level can be used in relation to different sized pipe joints.

5. The plumber's level of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising an auxiliary angle indicator positioned to indicate when a back edge of the body of the plumber's level is 9 horizontal.