CA1096607A - Level indicating and elevation indicating device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A pair of upright stands are provided and include en-larged bases by which the stands may be supported on variously elevated support surfaces. Each of the stands has a vertically elongated support mounted thereon for adjustable vertical posi-tioning therealong and each such stand has a scale thereon by which the positioning of the support therealong may be precisely determined and adjusted as desired. Each support includes a structure supporting an upstanding transparent tube sections therefrom and the lower ends of the tubes are connected by means of an elongated flexible tube member including an expandable and contractable reservoir. One or both of the transparent tube sections may be provided with a float therein and the upper end of the float will have its position relative to its support and the position of its supporting liquid accurately determined either through the utilization of a scale supported from the upper end of the tube, a micrometer supported from the upper end of the support and/or a float actuatable switch carried by the upper end of the support.

Description

The level indicating device oE the instant invention represents a highly specialized precision height measuring instru-ment, Even though such an instrument has been long sought for indicating precise elevations at horizontally remote points, few successful attempts have been made to provide such an apparatus.
There are many instances in the building and construc-tion trades wherein it is desired to establish similar or dis-similar elevations at horizontally remote points, Examples of previously known elevation indicating device, including some oE
the general structural and operational features of the instant invention are disclosed in U,S, patent Nos: 327,564, 547,864, 914,945, 1,042,248, 1,463,738, 1,599,347, 2,614,572, 2,789,364, 3,015,167, and Re, 13,240. In addition, a quite similar indicat-ing device is disclosed in my prior U.S. patent No. 3,84g,898, which discloses a technique other than those disclosed in the first mentioned prior U.S, patents, The level indicating device of the instant invention comprises an improvement over the ~levation Indicating Apparatus of my above noted prior patent in that considerably more precise readings in elevation may be determined, In addition, although most similar forms of level or elevation indicating devices re-~uire the utilization of two instruments and that each instrument be read for each elevation reading to be taken, the level indicat-ing device of the instant invention includes structure whereby consecutive different elevation readings may be made by a single person adjacent only one of the instruments, The main object of this invention is to provide a level indicating device that may be utilized not only to indicate identi-cal elevations at horizontally remote locations but also specific dissimilar elevations at the same locations, .

.. ..
,: -. -- ' - - - ~ : -Another object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a level indicating device in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use, so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
The present invention provides an elevation indicating device including elongated liquid conduit means having trans-parent opposite end portions and including at least a midportiondisposed between the opposite end portions which is flexible, one of the end portions having a float loosely received therein for free vertical shifting in response to increases and decreases in the level of liquid in the one end portion, support means for support from a suitable supportive structure, means stationarily supporting the one end portion from the support means, switch means stationarily supported on the one end portion relative to the float, and with which the float is operatively associated for opening and closing the switch means in response to vertical oscillation of the liquid in the one end portion, indicating means including electrical signal generator means supported on the other of the end portions, only, and with which the switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling actuation and deactuation of the signal generator means, through the switch means, responsive to vertical oscillation of the float in the one end portion.
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the level indicating device of the ins-tant invention with the stand thereof disposed at horizontally remote locations and the levels of liquid in the ends of the connecting hose indicating the difference :in the elevations of the supports on their supportive stands.

- 2 -Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the right hand stand illustrated in Fig. 1 and with the base thereof in exploded position;
Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of Fig. l;
Figure 4 is an enlarged Eragmentary elevational view of the upper end of the stand illustrated in Fig. 2 and with the vertical tube thereof illustrated in vertical section;
Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional ~ ~ 3 - ~ .

- :~Q~

view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 5--5 of Fig. l;
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the upper end oE the stand illustrated in Fig, 2 and similar to Fig, 4, but with the stand equipped with a micrometer measurement attachment as opposed to an electr:ic circuit actuating switch, such as that illustrated in Fig. 4 and which may be used on the left hand instrument illustrated in Fig. l;
Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the tube supported from the le~t hand stand illustrated in Fig, 1 and illustrating a scale-type float eleva-tion indicating structure; and Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8--8 of Fig, 4.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings~ the numeral 10 generally designates the level indicating device of the instant invention, The device 10 includes a pair of upright "re-mote" and "base" stands 12 and 14, respectively~ including horizon-tally enlarged bases 16 to which the lower ends of the stands 12and 14 are removably secured by means of fasteners 18. The bases 16 include a first pair of apertures 20 through which the fasteners 18 may be secured in order to mount the lower ends of the stands 12 and 14 adjacenl: marginal edge portions of the bases 16 and a second pair of apertures 22 through which the fasteners 18 may be secured if it is clesired to mount the lower ends of the stands 12 and 14 in centerecl positions on the bases 16, Further, the four corner portions of the bases 16 are provided with apertures 24 by which ground spikes 26 may be utilized to stationarily secure the bases 16 to supportive ground surfaces, 6~

In Fig. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the stancl 12 is supported from the ground 30 at a lower elevat:ion than the stand 14.
Each of the stands 12 and 14 has a tubular support sleeve 32 slidably mounted thereon and each support sleeve 32 in-cludes a set screw 34 threadedly engaged therewith by which the support sleeve 32 may be secured in adjusted vertical position on the corresponding stand. It may also be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings that each of the support sleeves 32 includes a level 36 whereby the stands 12 and 14 may be shimmed, if desired, in order to be disposed in exactly vertical position, The stands 12 and 14 are provided with vertical scales 38 with which the slidable support sleeves 32 may be registered in order to determine the elevation of the sleeves 32 above the bases 16 and each sleeve 32 includes a mounting flange 40 from upon which a pointer 42 is adjustably slidably mounted~ The sleeves 3~ have scales 44 thereon, including center indicia 46, with which the corresponding pointer 42 is hori~ontally registrable and ea~h flange 40 has an extension rod 45 removably supported therefrom by means of a sprlng clip 47 and the rods 45 may be vertically adjusted relative to the support sleeves 32 and include scale indicia 48 thereon by which the vertical adjustment of the height or exten-sion rods 45 relative to the support sleeves 32 may be determined.
A transparent tube section 50 is supported from one or both of the support sleeves 32 by means of a pair of spring clamps 52 and each tube section has upper and lower tubular fittings 54 and 56 mounted in its upper and lower ends by means of centrally apertured corks or stoppers 58 and the tubular fittings 54 and 56 are longitudinally corrugated, as at 60, and clampingly engaged by the clamps 52, :Further, the end of the tube 62 adjacent one of the :
: _5_ :

:~lQ~61~

stands includes a slidable ring 61 thereon similar to that provided on the apparatus disclosed in my above noted prior U.S, patent.
The opposite ends of an elongated flexible tube 62 are removably coupled over the tubular fittings 56 and the tube 62 has an expandable and contractable reservoir 64 serially connected therein and provided with a band-type clamp 66 by which the effec-tive internal volume of the reservoir 64 may be adjusted. The reservoir 64 is disposed closely adjacent the "remote" stand 12 in order that an operator of the apparatus 10 adjacent the stand 12 may make desired changes in the internal volume of the reservoir 64, The upper end of the sleeve 32 supported from the "base"
stand 14 includes an angle iron support 70 from which a vertically adjustable support rod 72 is supported by means of a pair of wing nuts 74. The upper end of the support rod 72 has a horizontal plate 76 constructed of dielectric material supported therefrom and a pair of first and second spaced generally parallel semi-cylindri-cal contacts bars 78 are supported from the underside of the plate 76. In addition, a very light weight third spring contact 80 is suspended from the plate 76 by threaded fasteners 82 having their upper ends adjustably secured through the plate 76 by threaded nuts 84. The contact 80 is positioned closely adjacent and between the confronting lower surfaces of the contact bars 78 and the central : portion of the third contact 80 may be urged slightly upwardly into contact with both of the contacts 78 in order to close the switch assembly defined by the contacts 78 and 80, A first conductor 85 is provided and is electrically connected to one contact 78 and a second conductor B6 is provided and is electrically connected to the second contact 78~ A battery pack 87 supported from the bracket 70 is serially connected in one of the conductors 85 and 86 and the latter are electrically connec--6- ;

ted to a light assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 90 removably supported Erom the flange 40 of the support sleeve 32 carried by the stand 12 by means oE a spring clip 92.
At least one of the tube sections 50 has a float 94 mounted therein and the upper end 96 of the float 9~ defines a vertical shank portion projecting upwardly through the upper end of the fitting 54 and is engageable with, for the upward displacement of, the contact 80. Therefore, an increase in the level of water within the tube section 50 may cause the float 94 to be elevated within the tube section 50 sufficiently to engage the upper end of the float 94 with the contact 80 in order to displace the latter slightly upwardly into contact with both of the contacts 78 to thereby - electrically actuate the light assembly 90 carried by the stand 12.
In conjunction with the light assembly 90 mechanism and ~:
its actuating contacts 78 and 80, a second angle iron support 97 may be included on the stand 12 and support another horizontal plate 97' from which a micrometer 98 is supported and the adjust-able rod portion 100 of the micrometer 98 may be utilized to accurately determine changes in the elevation of the upper end 96 of the float 94 relative to the sleeve 32 supported from the stand 12. Still further, the upper end of the fitting 54 on the stand 12 may have a scale 102 supported therefrom by means of a spring clip 104 and the scale 102 may be utilized to determine the height of the upper end 96 of the float 94 above the upper end of the fitting 54.
In operation, the stands 12 and 14 may be initially positioned at the same elevation of stand 14 in Fig. 2. Both supports 32 are a.djusted flush with top of stands 12 and 14. The tube on stand 12 (which tube may comprise the corresponding end of hose 62) is adjusted to place the water level aligned with the "0"

- . - . .
- - : ~ .: ~ . , .

scale indicia 46, After this has been done, the support rod 72 on stand 14 is adjusted to complete the electric circuit through the action member 80 and end 96 of float 94~ This adjustment causes the signal light 90 of stand 12 to be actuated, The rod 72 i8 then adjusted until light just goes "off" when the water is at the "0" scale indicia 46 on stands 12 and 14. Signal light 90 is set so it will indicate this condition. The purpose of the signal light 90 is to indicate when the water level position is at the "O" scale indicia 46 on stand 14. This procedure is carried out entirely on stand 14 eliminating the need that both stands 12 and 14 be on the same elevation and that the only needed additive would be the use of the second clamp 52 at the top of support sleeve 32 of stand 14~ Hose end 62 w~uld be adjusted to place the liquid on scale 44 to center indicia 46. ~ven though the set up for the signal light is considered to be a pertinent adjust-ment~ a visual confirmation from time to time is desired and would be done in this manner, with or without an additional clamp 52.
When the stands 12 and 14 are on the same elevation and the sleeves 32 are in like positions, (visualize flush with tops of 12 and 14) pointers 42 (when on like numers) rods 45 (when on - like indications) and bases 16 are all in a level position to each other and the tube sections 50, Then, one of the stands may be removed to a horizontally remote location and the difference in the elevation of the liquid within the tube section 50 thereof may be noted. However, it may be necessary to adjust the adjustable clamp 66 so as to vary the internal volume of the reservoir 64 until such time as the float 94 is again at the position on the stand 14 to cause the switch comprising the contacts 78 and 80 to close and the l;~ht assembly 90 to be actuated, Precise adjust-ment of the inte:rnal volume of the reservoir 64 by the adjustable .. . .
- .~

clamp 66 at which the light assembly 90 is actuated will place the level of liquid in the tube section 50 of the stand 12 at the same level of the liquid in the tube section 50 of the stand 14~
In this manner~ a single person may operate the level indicating device from a location remote from the stand 14. Still further, precise readings of the height of the float or floats 94 may be determined through the utilization of the micrometer 98 on the scale 102, The support sleeve 32 carried by the standard 12 may be equipped with a micrometer 98 or a scale 102 depending upon the type of reading instrument desired and smaller bases (not shown) may be used in lieu of bases 16 when the standards 12 and 14 must be used in restricted areas and the 0 ring markers 61 are slidably mounted on each tube section 50 and are frictionally maintained in adjusted positions thereon.
Even though precise adjustments in the column of liquid connecting the tube sections 50 may be determined through the utilization of the switch comprising the contacts 78 and 80 in conjunction with the light assembly 90 and through the utilization of the micrometer 98 or the scale 102, it is possible that differ-ences in density of the opposite ends of the column of liquid con-necting the tube sections 50 will render inaccurate readings of the liquid levels in the sections 50. Accordingly, it may be necessary to recheck the liquid levels on the stands 12 and 14 while the stands are disposed in the same locations, such as the location of the stand 14 in Fig. 1, in the manner hereinabove set forth.
If it is desired, the stand 12 and corresponding tube 50 may be omitted (the light assembly being retained on the corresponding end of hose 62). In this manner a plurality of precise elevation marks may be made at a plurality of locations remote from the base unit 14.

_g_ . .

~Q~6~7 In the event it is suspected that the density of liquid (water in most instances) in Lhe opposite ends of the tube 62 or the tube sections 50 is not the same due to the liquid adjacent one stand being of a different temperature or contaminated with a liquid of a different density, the device 10 may be checked for such a condition.
First, the stands 12 and 14 are placed on a level sur-face at the same elevation, The sleeve 32 on stand 12 may be lowered 2 inches whereupon the liquid level on scale 44 nt stand 12 will be 2 inches above the "O" center indicia 46, Then a small quantity of water is removed from the tube 62 at stand 12 and replaced by hot liquid and the level may now indicate a drop of 2-1/4 inches. At this point, the sleeves 32 are reversed in position on their respective stands with the sleeve 32 of stand 12 flush with the top and sleeve 32 of stand 14 shifted down 2-1/4 inches from the top of stand 14, The light 90 on stand 12 is again actuated and the liquid indicates a position of 2 inches, thus the density condition of the liquid is in-dicated. As the liquid cools and the operation is repeated the light goes off at 2-1/16 inches, 1-1/8 inches, 2-3/16 inches and finally at 2-1/4 inches, a true reading.
The liquid may be further checked for equal density by adjusting one sleeve 32 two inches lower, A first reading is then taken and the sleeves are reversed in position on their respec-tive stands and a second reading is taken. The differences in the two readings indicates the density condition and the average of the differences produces a true reading.
It is further pointed out that visual scale readings through one or two tubes 50 is not most desirable. Rather, visual observations through the tube 60 are more advantageous.

, :
" '

Claims (11)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An elevation indicating device including elongated liquid conduit means having transparent opposite end portions and including at least a midportion disposed between said opposite end portions which is flexible, one of said end portions having a float loosely received therein for free vertical shifting in response to increases and decreases in the level of liquid in said one end portion, support means for support from a suitable supportive structure, means stationarily supporting said one end portion from said support means, switch means stationarily supported on said one end portion relative to said float, and with which said float is operatively associated for opening and closing said switch means in response to vertical oscillation of said liquid in said one end portion, indicating means including electrical signal generator means supported on the other of said end portions, only, and with which said switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling actuation and deactuation of said signal generator means, through said switch means, responsive to vertical oscillation of said float in said one end portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said liquid conduit means includes volume varying means adjacent the other of said end portions operative to adjustably vary the internal volume of said liquid conduit means intermediate the opposite ends thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said volume varying means includes an expandable and contractable reservoir commu-nicated with said liquid conduit means midportion.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said float includes an upper end portion projectable from the terminal end of said one end portion, said switch means including a shiftable contact portion engageable by said upper end portion of said float for actuation of said switch means.

5. An elevation indicating device including a pair of supports stationarily supportable relative to base and remote support structures, a pair of transparent upright tubular members supported from said supports, a flexible hose having is opposite ends sealingly connected to the lower ends of said tubular members, a float loosely received in one of said tubular members for free vertical shifting therein in response to increases and decreases in the level of liquid in said one tubular member, switch means stationarily supported on said one tubular member and with which said float is operatively associated for opening and closing said switch means in response to vertical oscil-lation of said liquid in said one tubular member, and indicator means including an electrical signal generator stationarily supported on the other tubular member, only, and with which said switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling actuation and deactuation of said signal generator means, through said switch means, responsive to vertical oscillation of said float.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said one tubular member and the corresponding support include coacting structure for supporting said one tubular member for adjustable vertical shifting relative to the corresponding support.

7. An upright for support from a horizontal surface and including vertical scale means thereon, a pair of transparent tubular members, means supporting one of said tubular members from said upright, the other tubular member being positionable adjacent said upright for vertical shifting therealong in registry with said scale means, liquid passage means communicating the lower ends of said tubular members and including a flexible hose section, said one tubular member having a float loosely received therein for free vertical shifting in response to increases and decreases in the level of liquid in said one tubular member upon which said float is floated, said one tubular member being open at its upper end, the upper portion of said float being defined by a vertical shank portion projecting upwardly through the open upper end of said one tubular member, switch means carried by said upright in vertically spaced relation above and aligned with said open upper end of said one tubular member, only, said switch means including a switch actuator vertically shiftable between upper and lower switch closing and switch opening positions, respec-tively, and engageable by the upper end of said shank portion, upon upward movement of said liquid in said one tubular member, for upward displacement of said actuator to said upper position thereof, indicator means including an electrically actuatable signal generator stationarily supported on said other of said tubular members, only, and with which said switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling operation of said signal generator in response to upward vertical shifting of said actuator to the switch closing position, at least said other tubular member being transparent, whereby the shifting of liquid level therein sufficient to elevate said float in said one tubular member toward engagement of said shank portion with said switch actuator may be closely visually monitored.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said liquid passage means includes a volume varying means intermediate said tubular members adjacent said other tubular member operative to adjus-tably vary the internal volume thereof.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said volume varying means includes an expandable and contractable reservoir communicated with said hose section.

10. The combination of claim 7 including a second upright, means supporting said other tubular member from said second upright for adjustable shifting therealong.

11. A support for support from a suitable base, a transparent tubular member including first and second end portions, said first end portion opening upwardly, means supporting said tubular member first end portion from said support, flexible elongated liquid passage means having one end communicated with the second end portion of said tubular member, said tubular member first end portion having a float loosely received therein for free vertical shifting in response to increases and decreases in the level of liquid in said first end portion upon which said float is floated, said tubular member first end portion being open, normally open switch means stationarily vertically adjustably supported on said tubular member first end portion relative to said float, switch actuator means carried by said float and operable to close said switch means upon upward movement of said float in said tubular member to a switch actuating position predeter-mined by the vertical adjustment of said switch means relative to said first end portion of said tubular member, indicator

claim 11 continued.

means including an electrically actuable signal generator supported from the other end portion, only, of said passage means and with which said switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling operation of said signal generator in response to upward vertical shifting of said switch actuator means to said switch actuating position to close said switch means, at least said other end of said passage means being transparent, whereby the shifting of liquid level therein sufficient to elevate said float in said tubular member, and thus said switch actuator means to said switch actuating position, may be closely visually monitored.