GB2371583A

GB2371583A - A levelling tool

Info

Publication number: GB2371583A
Application number: GB0200375A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Winifred Mildred Knight; Neil Goodman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-11
Filing date: 2002-01-08
Publication date: 2002-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-08
Also published as: GB0100679D0; GB0200375D0; GB2371583B

Description

A LEVELLING TOOL THIS INVENTION concerns a tool of the type used for levelling, for example, wet concrete or screed to provide a uniform and level surface finish.

Conventionally, such levelling operations are carried out by pulling a length of timber across the surface and tamping the material as necessary as the tool is progressed across the surface.

Timber planks of the type generally used for this purpose tend to be of a standard length so that when levelling, for example, a pathway having a width greater than the length of the plank it is necessary to move the plank from side to side, or to level in two operations. This is inconvenient and makes it difficult to ensure a smooth and uniform finish.

The alternative is to cut another plank to the correct length.

An object of the present invention is to provide a levelling tool which is adjustable to suit different widths of application.

According to the present invention there is provided a levelling tool comprising an elongate member having a first straight edge adapted to be placed on and moved across a surface to be levelled, and having means extendible from the elongate member lengthwise and having at least a second straight edge thus to increase the effective length of the first straight edge, the first and second straight edges being at least substantially co-planar thus to provide a generally uniform overall straight edge throughout the length of the tool when extended.

The member may comprise a housing containing one or more telescopically extending beams whereby the tool is adjustable in length.

The housing may include at least one handle located remote from the first straight edge, and the or each extendible beam may be provided with a handle.

One or more location pins may be provided to set the overall length of the tool by selective extension of the or each extendible beam.

Preferably, the first and second straight edges are exactly co-planar thus to present a uniform base to the surface to be levelled.

The housing may include a spirit level.

The housing and the extendible beam may be of hollow construction.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a levelling tool made in accordance with the invention in a non-extended condition ; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the tool at least partially extended in length; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on line III-III of Fig.

2. and Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a further embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, the levelling tool comprises a main housing unit 10 of rectilinear hollow cross-section and having a pair of handles 11 and spirit levels 12 on the upper and side faces thereof. The opposed lower face provides a first straight edge whereby the tool may be placed on and moved across a surface to be levelled such as wet concrete or screed.

Substantially contained within the housing unit 10 is a pair of beams 14 and 15 which, as can be seen from Fig. 2, may be extended lengthwise from the housing to produce an overall tool of selective increased length governed by locking screws 16 which pass through the side wall of the housing unit 10 and engage with grooves 17 in the side walls of the beams 14 and 15. Further handles 18 are provided on the outermost end regions of beams 14 and 15.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, both the housing unit 10 and the beams 14 and 15 are of hollow construction whereby the tool is of minimal weight. The housing unit 10 and the beams 14 and 15 may be of plastics or an alloy and may be produced by extrusion.

Also as can be seen from Fig. 3, a lower central edge region of each beam 14,15 as illustrated at 20, extends through a slot in the bottom face 21 of the housing unit 10, thus to lie flush therewith.

As can be seen in Fig. 4, an additional depth block 22, attached by screws 23, may be included to provide a set height for the tool against, for example, edging stones. This is a useful feature when laying paving to determine the level of the paviors, and for working grout into the spaces therebetween. Several different depth blocks may be provided for selection.

Graduated markings may be provided on the housing unit 10 and on the beams 14 and 15, to enable the tool to be used as a measuring device.

The tool may be made in different sizes to suit different requirements. For example, the housing unit 10 may be approximately 1 metre in length with each beam 14,15 extending the overall length of the tool by an increment approximating to 500mm so that the overall length of the tool may be, for example, almost 2 metres in length.

If required, the beams 14 and 15 may themselves be constructed similarly to housing unit 10 and each contain still further beams extendible therefrom. In this way, the tool may be adjustable from a very short length to an overall extended length which may be handled by one or two personnel, in which case the construction of each beam and its further beam enclosed therein will be as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Instead of circlip pins 16, the overall length of the tool may be selected by providing detents or friction pads between each housing and its contained member whereby the beams may be slid inwardly and outwardly with ease while the tool is in use.

Further spirit levels may be provided on the upper edges of the adjustable beams.

A further use for the tool is in the levelling of, for example, fencings posts, where the tool may be extended to rest upon two such posts in a line, the spirit level being used to ensure that the posts are at the same height or at uniformly decreasing heights to follow sloping ground.

Claims

1. A levelling tool comprising an elongate member having a first straight edge adapted to be placed on and moved across a surface to be levelled, and having means extendible from the elongate member lengthwise and having at least a second straight edge thus to increase the effective length of the first straight edge, the first and second straight edges being at least substantially co-planar thus to provide a generally uniform overall straight edge throughout the length of the tool when extended.

2. A levelling tool according to Claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a housing containing at least one telescopically extending beam enabling the tool to be adjusted in length.

3. A levelling tool according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the elongate member comprises two telescopically extending beams, one extending from each end of the elongate member to adjust the length thereof.

4. A levelling tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member includes at least one handle located remote from the first straight edge.

5. A levelling tool according to Claim 2, wherein the or each telescopically extending beam is provided with a handle.

6. A levelling tool according to Claim 2 or Claim 5, wherein a lower central edge region of the or each telescopically extending beam extends through a slot in a bottom face of the elongate member, thus to lie flush therewith.

7. A levelling tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second straight edges are exactly co-planar thus to present a uniform base to the surface to be levelled.

8. A levelling tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is provided with a spirit level.

9. A levelling tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member and the or each extendible means are of hollow construction.

10. A levelling tool according to any preceding claim, including means to select and maintain an adjusted length of the tool.

11. A levelling tool according to Claim 10, wherein said selection and maintaining means comprises at least one locking member adapted to pass through adjacent wall parts of the elongate member and said at least one extendible means, said pin being capable of withdrawal to permit adjustment.

12. A levelling tool according to Claim 10, wherein said selection and maintaining means comprises a detent or friction device enabling the or each extendible means to slide inwardly and outwardly with ease while the tool is in use.