GB2183035A - Horizontal line indicating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An instrument for indicating a horizontal line comprising two or more liquid level indicators (1,2) interconnected by conduit means (5), each indicator being carried on a support (6,7) and adjustable indicator means (14) extending between the liquid level indicators to define said horizontal line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Instrument for indicating a horizontal line This invention relates to an instrument for indicating a horizontal line, that is a line parallel to the plane of the horizon.

The invention is intended to provide a relatively inexpensive instrument which can provide an easy way of establishing a horizontal line without recourse to comparatively expensive or technical instruments.

According to the present invention an instrument for indicting a horizontal line comprises two or more liquid level indicators interconnected by conduit means, each indicator being carried on a support and adjustable indicator means extending between the liquid level indicators to define said horizontal lines.

Thus, each of the liquid level indicators may comprise a transparent container, for example in the form of a transparent tube in which a liquid level can be viewed.

In a convenient construction the transparent tubes can be provided by a single length of tubing, the outer end portions thereof acting as containers and an intermediate portion providing said conduit means.

Preferably the vertical height of the liquid level indicators are adjustable on the supports and the adjustable indicator means can be provided by a line, the length and vertical height of which is adjustable in relation to the supports.

Conveniently each support can be provided with an adjustable pointer to which said line can be attached and preferably each pointer can be locked in position.

Means can be provided for opening and closing the interior of the liquid level indicators to atmosphere and if desired means can also be provided for draining and filling the liquid circuit provided by the liquid level indicators on the conduit.

The supports can take various forms, for example in the form of a stand and the base of which can be adjustable to accommodate it to the surface on which it is standing or it can be adapted for driving into the ground, for example, in the form of a stake.

The invention can be performed in many ways but one embodiment together with methods of using it will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an instrument fbr indicating a horizontal line according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a method of using the instrument shown in Fig. 1 to establish a horizontal line when laying concrete; Figure 3 shows how the instrument can be used to assist in erecting fencing; and Figure 4 shows how the instrument can be used to assist in level bricklaying.

The instrument according to the invention, and as shown in Fig. 1, comprises two liquid level indicators which A re provided by rigid transparent plastic tubes 1 and 2. the tubes could be glass or any other suitable transparent material and each tube is provided with a stopper 3 at its upper end. The lower end of each tube is provided with a rigid transparent plastic 90" pipe bend between which is provided conduit means in the form of a flexible transparent plastics tube 5. The length of this tube 5 will determine the maximum distance apart between the tubes 1 and 2 and if desired the tube 5 can be provided with a connector or connectors (not shown) to enable additional lengths of tubing (not shown) to be inserted in order to lengthen the distance between the tubes 1 and 2.

The tubes 1 and 2 can be attached or detached to two aliminium T-section stakes 6 and 7 by means of pipe clips 8. These clips 8 enable the tubes to slide up or down the stakes 6 and 7 thus enabling the vertical height of the liquid level indicators to be adjustable on the supports.

Each support 6 and 7 is provided with an adjustable pointer 9 formed on a slider 10 which can move up and down the associated stake. A cam locking device 11 enables each slider to be locked in position. Each slider is also provided with an notch 12 and cleat 13 to allow adjustable indicator means in the form of a line 14 to be attached under slight tension. Thus, the length and vertical height of the line is adjustable in relation to the supports 6 and 7.

A T-shaped plastics protection cap 15 is fitted over the upper end of each stake 6 and 7 and a drainage tap 16 can be used for draining the tubes. If desired a funnel (not shown) can also be included with the instrument to assist in filling the tubes.

In the arrangement shown the tubes 6 and 7 are connected by conduit means provided by the flexible tube 5 but in an alternative arrangement a single length of tubing could be used, the outer end portions acting as containers and being connected to the supports and an intermediate portion acting as the conduit means. Again, such a construction could include connectors in the conduit means to allow additional lengths of tubing to be added.

If it is more convenient or for particular purposes the supports could be in the form of adjustable stands rather than have provision for driving them into the ground.

To establish a level over the ground the stakes are driven into it a suitable distance apart, the tubes are filled by removing the plugs 3 from the ends of the tubes, and filling them for a suitable source until the liquid circuit is completed. The two tubes 1 and 2 are held vertically together at shoulder height and the flexible tube 5 is placed in a U shape on the ground to allow any bubbles to rise out.

The plugs 3 are now replaced and then the flexible tube is laid out along the ground between the two stakes. Each tube is clipped onto its stake by sliding it into the clips and up and down until the heights are approximately level. The plugs are now removed and water will flow out of the top of one of the tubes. When the water has settled the tap 16 is opened to allow some water to drain out and until the level of the water in each of the tubes 1 and 2 is ata convenient height. The pointers 9 are then adjusted on the supports so that they indicate the water level in each of the tubes 1 and 2 and the line 14 is attached under slight tension between them thus indicating a horizontal line.

If desired the tubes can be filled and plugged prior to use on a site without a water supply.

If desired the tubes containing the water may also be used independently of the stakes for marking two level points on walls or other vertical surfaces following the same filling procedure.

Additional supports and tubes can also be used together with those shown in Fig. 1.

Thus, two more tubes and stakes could be interconnected into the liquid circuit by connecting onto the tap 16 to provide an additional horizontal line. The liquid levels can be connected by additional lines 14 to provide horizontal alignment lines for a four sided figure. This arrangement can be used, for example, for laying out the desired levels of a concrete floor or any other structure. Depending on the length of the tubes 5 the instrument can be used for large areas, for example a tennis court or foundations of a house. If long lengths of tubing are to be used plastic pegs 22 can be provided to peg the tube to the ground to prevent the tube lifting too high as shown in Fig. 3. This is especially useful if the interconnecting tube has a tendency to coil.

Fig. 2 shows a method of using the instrument to establish horizontal form work when laying a flat surface such as a concrete path, drive or slab foundations, for example for a shed, greenhouse or other building. As shown the stakes 6 and 7 are driven into the ground and the line 14 is set up thus enabling shuttering boards 18 to be set up with their upper edges 19 horizontal thus enabling cement to be poured to an appropriate level.

Fig. 3 shows a method of using the instrument for erecting fencing. The stakes 6 and 7 are again driven into the ground and the line 14 is set up at an appropriate height thus enabling the fence posts 20 to be driven into the ground to an appropriate height so that when the rails 21 are placed in position they are substantially horizontal.

Fig. 4 shows a method of establishing horizontal lines which are essential for level bricklaying. Once again the stakes 6 and 7 are set up appropriately and the water level is adjusted to the height required for the first course of bricks, indicated by reference numeral 23. The indicators are then adjusted to the water levels and locked in position. The line is drawn tightly between them and made fast on the cleats. On completion of each course a measured amount of water is added to the level and the procedure is repeated.

If desired the water could be coloured to more clearly indicate the water level or small floats could be provided to again assist in determining the water levels.

The instrument also has domestic uses, for example, it can be used for aligning a cupboard on a wall or it could even be used for setting out a horizontal line for a sign writer.

Many other uses will also be apparent.

Claims (12)

1. An instrument for indicating a horizontal line comprising two or moe liquid level indicators interconnected by conduit means, each indicator being carried on a support and adjustable indicator means extending between the liquid level indicators to define said horizontal line.

2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 in which each of said liquid level indicators comprises a transparent container in which a liquid level can be viewed.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 in which each transparent container is provided by a transparent tube.

4. An instrument as claimed in claim 3 in which said tubes are provided by a single length of tubing, the outer end portions thereof acting as containers and an intermediate portion providing said conduit means.

5. An instrument as claimed in claims 1-4 in which the vertical height of said liquid level indicators are adjustable on the supports.

6. An instrument as claimed in claims 1-5 in which the adjustable indicator means are provided by a line the length and vertical height of which is adjustable in relation to the supports.

7. An instrument as claimed in claim 6 in which each support is provided with an adjustable pointer and to which said line can be attached.

8. An instrument as claimed in claim 7 in which each pointer can be locked in position.

9. An instrument as claimed in claims 1-8 including means for opening and closing the interior of the liquid level indicators to atmosphere.

10. An instrument as claimed in claims 1-9 in which means are provided for draining and filling the liquid circuit provided by the liquid level indicators and the conduit.

11. An instrument as claimed in claims 1-10 in which each support is in the form of a stake which can be driven into the ground.

12. An instrument for indicating a horizon tal line substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.