GB2176287A - Gradient measurement spirit level - Google Patents

Abstract

A spirit level 10 has a fixed leg 12 at each end and a sliding leg 11 in guides 15. The sliding leg 11 has a graduated scale which indicates, at the pointer 16, the value of the gradient being measured by the spirit bubble with the feet of one leg 12 and the slide 11 in contact with the surface being measured. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gradient measurement spirit level This invention relates to a spirit level which measures gradients.

Spirit levels indicate horizontal and vertical trueness, whilst gradients are either measured by optical instruments of considerable cost and complexity of manufacture and use, or by arbitrary methods.

The present invention provides a spirit level which will measure gradients, comprising a rigid member with level indicator spirit bubble, a fixed length, hinged leg projecting at 90 degrees to the rigid member and at both ends of it and a sliding leg, in guides, projecting at 90 degrees to the rigid member and at one end, on which is superimposed the scale of measurement. The legs, adjusted, establish the gradient when the spirit bubbles indicate trueness either vertically or horizontally.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the spirit level with the measurement slide in position.

Figure 2 shows the spirit level and gradient measurement legs in longitudinal elevation resting on the gradient to be measured.

Referring to the drawing Fig. 1, the level comprises a rigid member 10, (shown broken) with right angle legs of equal length 12, at each end. At one end of the rigid member 10, are two sets of guides 15, in which slides the graduated scale leg 11, (shown broken) indicating the gradient by alignment with the pointer 16.

Spirit bubbles 14, are sited within the rigid member 10, so that both horizontal and vertical trueness can be determined. A locking screw or similar means, not shown, secures the slide 11, in the required position.

In order to determine a gradient, Fig. 2, the legs 12, of the rigid member 10, are rested on the surface to be measured 17. The slide 11, is then adjusted until a bubble 14, indicates trueness vertically or horizontally. The gradient measured is read at the pointer 16.

In order to calculate the scale graduations on the slide 11, established trigonometric equations are used.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of another example with reference to the same drawing.

Referring to the drawing Fig. 1, the level comprises a rigid member 10 hinged at its centre point (shown broken) with right angle legs of equal length 12, detachably secured by a method not shown, at each end. At one end of the rigid member 10, are two sets of guides 15, detachably secured to the rigid member 10 by a method not shown, in which slides the graduated scale leg 11, (shown broken) indicating the gradient by alignment with the pointer 16.

Spirit bubbles 14, are sited within the rigid member 10, so that both horizontal and vertical trueness can be determined by viewing from two directions at 90 degrees to each other. A locking screw or similar means, not shown, secures the slide 11, in the required position.

In order to determine a gradient, Fig. 2, the legs 12, of the rigid member 10, are rested on the surface to be measured 17. The slide 11, is then adjusted until a bubble 14, indicates trueness vertically or horizontally. The gradient measured is read at the pointer 16.

In order to calculate the scale graduations on the slide 11, established trigonometric equations are used.

1. A spirit level which will measure gradients, comprising a rigid member with level indicator spirit bubble, a fixed length, hinged leg projecting at 90O to the rigid member and at both ends of it and a sliding leg, in guides, projecting at 90O to the rigid member and at one end on which is superimposed the scale of measurement. The legs adjusted, establish the gradient when the spirit bubbles indicate trueness either vertically or horizontally.

2. A spirit level which wi(l measure gradients as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scale of measurement is gradient.

3. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rigid memnber is hinged across its centre point, to facilitate portability.

4. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the graduated scale leg is adjusted by means of a geared locking screw.

5. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the graduated scale leg passes through dust seals at each end.

6. A spirit level which will measure gradients substantially as described herein, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gradient measurement spirit level This invention relates to a spirit level which measures gradients. Spirit levels indicate horizontal and vertical trueness, whilst gradients are either measured by optical instruments of considerable cost and complexity of manufacture and use, or by arbitrary methods. The present invention provides a spirit level which will measure gradients, comprising a rigid member with level indicator spirit bubble, a fixed length, hinged leg projecting at 90 degrees to the rigid member and at both ends of it and a sliding leg, in guides, projecting at 90 degrees to the rigid member and at one end, on which is superimposed the scale of measurement. The legs, adjusted, establish the gradient when the spirit bubbles indicate trueness either vertically or horizontally. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the spirit level with the measurement slide in position. Figure 2 shows the spirit level and gradient measurement legs in longitudinal elevation resting on the gradient to be measured. Referring to the drawing Fig. 1, the level comprises a rigid member 10, (shown broken) with right angle legs of equal length 12, at each end. At one end of the rigid member 10, are two sets of guides 15, in which slides the graduated scale leg 11, (shown broken) indicating the gradient by alignment with the pointer 16. Spirit bubbles 14, are sited within the rigid member 10, so that both horizontal and vertical trueness can be determined. A locking screw or similar means, not shown, secures the slide 11, in the required position. In order to determine a gradient, Fig. 2, the legs 12, of the rigid member 10, are rested on the surface to be measured 17. The slide 11, is then adjusted until a bubble 14, indicates trueness vertically or horizontally. The gradient measured is read at the pointer 16. In order to calculate the scale graduations on the slide 11, established trigonometric equations are used. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of another example with reference to the same drawing. Referring to the drawing Fig. 1, the level comprises a rigid member 10 hinged at its centre point (shown broken) with right angle legs of equal length 12, detachably secured by a method not shown, at each end. At one end of the rigid member 10, are two sets of guides 15, detachably secured to the rigid member 10 by a method not shown, in which slides the graduated scale leg 11, (shown broken) indicating the gradient by alignment with the pointer 16. Spirit bubbles 14, are sited within the rigid member 10, so that both horizontal and vertical trueness can be determined by viewing from two directions at 90 degrees to each other. A locking screw or similar means, not shown, secures the slide 11, in the required position. In order to determine a gradient, Fig. 2, the legs 12, of the rigid member 10, are rested on the surface to be measured 17. The slide 11, is then adjusted until a bubble 14, indicates trueness vertically or horizontally. The gradient measured is read at the pointer 16. In order to calculate the scale graduations on the slide 11, established trigonometric equations are used. CLAIMS

1. A spirit level which will measure gradients, comprising a rigid member with level indicator spirit bubble, a fixed length, hinged leg projecting at 90O to the rigid member and at both ends of it and a sliding leg, in guides, projecting at 90O to the rigid member and at one end on which is superimposed the scale of measurement. The legs adjusted, establish the gradient when the spirit bubbles indicate trueness either vertically or horizontally.

2. A spirit level which wi(l measure gradients as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scale of measurement is gradient.

3. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rigid memnber is hinged across its centre point, to facilitate portability.

4. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the graduated scale leg is adjusted by means of a geared locking screw.

5. A spirit level which will measure gradients as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the graduated scale leg passes through dust seals at each end.

6. A spirit level which will measure gradients substantially as described herein, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.