GB2298485A

GB2298485A - Device for checking alignment with a pivotable arm and a spirit level

Info

Publication number: GB2298485A
Application number: GB9604225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Davern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-28
Filing date: 1996-02-28
Publication date: 1996-09-04
Also published as: GB9604225D0; GB9504027D0

Abstract

A device for checking alignment, particularly for use by builders and carpenters, has a body 1, an arm 5 pivotable relative to the body through a range of angles, and spirit levels 2, 3 for checking whether an axis to be measured is level. The arm 5 is pivotably connected to a fitting 4 mounted on the end of the body 1 and may be fixed at any angle in the range of angles or may be fixed at pre-determined alternative angles by an indexing ratchet. The arm is marked on two edges with scales 6a, 6b for measuring length.

Description

Devlce for Checking Alignment This invention relates to a device for checking alignment, and particularly, but not exclusively, to such a device for use by builders and carpenters.

When forming a new element that must fit into an angle at a particular location (for example, bending a pipe to fit around a corner having an angle of 95 ), it is useful to have a device such as a bevel that can be set to the angle, and which can then be used as a template in forming the new element.

Moreover, it is essential when building or adapting a structure such as a house to check the size and alignment relative to each other of the different elements such as windows, doors and structural parts such as roofs.

Typically this involves the use of a spirit level to check whether an element is vertical or horizontal, a set-square to check whether elements are perpendicular to each other, a bevel and/or protractor to check angles other than 90 degrees (such as the angle of roof members) and a rule or tape measure to measure lengths.

The workman is expected to have all the necessary instruments to hand to accomplish these tasks, but there is a high potential for losing some of them. Moreover, it can be cumbersome if he has to carry a square large enough to ensure a high level of accuracy.

Other problems include the amount of time required to measure each attribute individually, and the difficulty of measuring lengths along sloping surfaces.

The present invention arises from the desire to provide a simple device which can be used to check the alignment of elements, and which is easily adaptable for use in measuring length or angles, or which may be adapted for fixing at a range of angles for use as a template.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for checking alignment comprises a body, an arm pivotable relative to the body through a range of angles, and levelling means for checking whether an axis to be measured is level.

The levelling means is preferably adapted to indicate whether a plane is level by measuring more than one axis at the same time. The levelling means may suitably comprise spirit level means, and may conveniently be mounted on or in the body of the device.

Preferably the arm is adapted to be carried in a stored position along the body when not in use, most preferably substantially externally of the body, whilst allowing the levelling means to be used normally.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, a pivotable connection is provided between the arm and the body, which can be disconnected to allow the arm to be completely detached from the body.

The arm is preferably pivotable through a range of at least 1800 relative to the body, and most preferably through a range of substantially 360".

Indexing means, such as ratchet means, is desirably provided to fix the arm at a plurality of pre-determined alternative angles in the range of angles though which the arm is pivotable. Alternatively, or in addition, engaging means such as a screw may conveniently be provided for fixing the arm at any position within the range of angles.

Where both the indexing means and the engaging means are provided, the indexing means is preferably adapted to be disengaged when not in use.

The arm is preferably marked along its length in suitable units for use as a rule for measuring distances. Most preferably the arm is formed with a plurality of edges, at least two of the edges being marked in suitable units for measuring length The arm may desirably incorporate a spirit level bubble or other levelling means.

Versions of the arm are also envisaged which are hinged at one or more points so that the arm can be folded for easier storage.

By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the device will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the device in an open condition; and Figure 2 shows the device in a closed condition.

The body of the device is indicated by reference 1 in the drawings. The body comprises a conventional spirit level incorporating two levelling elements, 2, 3, to enable a pair of axes at right angles to be checked to see if they are level. A specially made fitting 4 is mounted on one end of the spirit level. The fitting includes a hole serving as a pivot, and is provided with an array of ratchet teeth disposed around the hole. The ratchet teeth may be formed on the surface of a steel plate, and the rest of the fitting may be moulded in plastics.

The arm 5 of the device is provided with a similar array of ratchet teeth disposed around a spigot at the inner, arcuate end of the arm. A pivotable connection 8 between the arm 5 and the body 1 is formed by fitting the spigot of the arm into the hole in fitting 4, the spigot being held in place by an axial screw. Tightening the screw brings the two arrays of ratchet teeth into engagement, so making the device ready for use. The arm may then be pivoted through 360" in five degree increments by manually applying sufficient torque to move it. Each movement of five degrees requires the ratchet teeth to be forced out of engagement, each tooth then passing over another tooth before engagement occurs again.

A scale 7a marking five degree increments is provided along a semi-circular edge of the fitting 4, and this registers with a corresponding scale 7b around the arcuate end of the arm 5, to allow the user to set the required angle.

At the opposite end of the body 1 (not shown) another fitting is provided which is identical to fitting 4, except that it has no ratchet teeth. If the arm is attached to this fitting, it can then be fastened at any position within its 360" range of movement by tightening the axial screw. The fittings may be interchanged with each other if desired The arm 5 in this embodiment is made of aluminium alloy, and is 762 mm long, 25.4 mm wide and 6.23 mm thick. Opposite edges 6a, 6b of the front face of the arm are marked off in millimetres, and the edges of the rear face of the arm may be similarly marked.

This enables measurement on sloping surfaces to be made more quickly and easily.

When not in use the arm may be positioned to lie alongside the body 1 as shown in Figure 2, or it may be removed completely after removal of the axial screw.

The device is very simple to use and of sturdy construction. It is designed to provide a set-square, bevel, protractor and ruler in one tool. Where angles of 90" are required to be measured to a very high level of accuracy, an arm may be temporarily mounted at 900 to the body by means of a sliding engagement therewith.

The fitting 4 and corresponding fitting for the opposite end of the spirit level are intended to be available in various sizes to fit different spirit levels, and may be constructed of rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate, or aluminium alloy. The arm 5 may also be provided in different lengths to suit different spirit levels.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the details in the above description may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A device for checking alignment comprises a body, an arm pivotable relative to the body through a range of angles, and levelling means for checking whether an axis to be measured is level.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the arm, is adapted to be carried in a stored position along the body when not in use.

3. A device as claimed in claim I or claim 2 in which a pivotable connection is provided between the arm and the body, which can be disconnected to allow the arm to be completely detached from the body.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm is pivotable through a range of at least 1800 relative to the body.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm is pivotable through a range of substantially 360" relative to the body.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which indexing means is provided to fix the arm at a plurality of pre-determined alternative angles in the range of angles though which the arm is pivotable.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the indexing means comprises a ratchet.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the indexing means is adapted to be disengaged when not in use.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which engaging means is provided for fixing the arm at any position within the range of angles though which the arm is pivotable.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which he arm is marked along its length in suitable units for measuring length.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm is formed with a plurality of edges, at least two of the edges being marked in suitable units for measuring length.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm is hinged at one or more points so that it can be folded for easier storage.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the levelling means is incorporated in the body 15. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm incorporates levelling means.

16. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising levelling means in the form of spirit level means.

17. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising an arm mountable at 90 to the body by means of a sliding engagement therewith.

18. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.