GB2431721A

GB2431721A - A spirit level device having means for attaching to an article which is to be orientated

Info

Publication number: GB2431721A
Application number: GB0521696A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Shepheard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-25
Filing date: 2005-10-25
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Also published as: GB0521696D0

Abstract

A levelling device 1 comprises at least one spirit level 4 that is used for assisting a user to orientate an article, eg, wallpaper, mirror, picture frame (see figs. 2-4). The device is temporarily attached to said article when in use. The levelling device may comprise hooks, or may be in the form of a clip / peg so that it can clamp 10 onto the article. Preferably the device comprises a polygonal one vial chamber 11, which is able to indicate many different angles when in use. The levelling device may be made of metal, plastics and/or wood. When in the form of a peg, it may comprise a hinge 9 and may be spring biased. Ideally, vertical 6, horizontal 5, and 45-degree 7 angle levelling indicia are provided. The device may also have means for indicating 30-degree, 60-degree and surface inclinations too.

Description

I

LEVELLING DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The field of this invention relates to levelling devices, and more particularly to levelling devices used for assisting in fixing a picture, poster, certificate, wallpaper or another thin article to a vertical wall surface such that the poster, certificate or article is positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the vertical wall surface and a vertical alignment in the case of wallpaper.

Discussion of the Prior Art

The present invention relates to a levelling device for assisting in hanging pictures, posters, certificates, notices, wallpaper or other thin articles upon vertical wall surfaces. Generally, pictures, posters, certificates and notices are rectangular in configuration, having parallel top and bottom edges that when mounted on a vertical wall surface are desirably positioned in a horizontal alignment with respect to the wall. Wallpaper, having parallel side edges, is generally mounted on a vertical wall surface in a vertical alignment with respect to the wall.

Typically a user hangs a poster, certificate or picture on the wall by means of sticky tape or pads. The user then adjusts and manipulates the said article until the top and bottom edges are in a desired substantially horizontal orientation. This important last step of horizontally positioning the article on the wall is often done visually, usually by positioning the picture, poster or certificate with reference to other visual cues such as the intersection of the vertical wall with the ceiling and floor or the wall corner intersections.

Typically a user hangs a picture frame on a nail or hanging bracket, makes an initial positioning of the picture frame on the wall, steps away from the picture frame to make a visual comparison of the frame with reference to the visual cues, and then returns to the frame to make an adjustment as required. The user typically continues this trial and error process until the desired picture orientation is obtained. Clearly, visual positioning of picture frames can be an inefficient process. Equally inefficient is a practice many people employ where hanging framed pictures involves a two person operation whereby one person stands away from the picture judging its angular orientation while another person adjusts the picture on the wall. Furthermore, visual positioning of frames proves especially frustrating and time consuming with grouped picture frames. Grouped frames are commonly positioned through another trial and error process; one typically cycles through the frames adjusting one or two at a time, visually comparing the frames as a group, and then returning to adjust other frames as needed. The inefficiency of visually positioning picture frames and other hanging articles is often exasperating when the visual cues are obscured or are themselves out of alignment, for example when the walls, ceilings, or floors are uneven or out of level.

Typically a user hangs wallpaper vertically against a pre-defined line. This line is normally achieved by the use of a plumb line or a vertical spirit level. The wallpaper is pushed and pulled against the wall surface whilst the adhesive is still wet to align the wallpaper against the pre-marked line. The second sheet of wallpaper is then butted up to the first piece of wallpaper as the user progresses the installation around the room. Any slight errors in alignment are shown up cumulatively quite drastically when the user gets around the room and back to the first piece. There is normally no rechecking of vertical alignment after the first piece has gone up.

Another method of properly orienting articles on a wall involves the use of some type of levelling device. Bubble level devices have been used in the past to aid in positioning picture frames and other hanging articles. In general, the prior art bubble level device includes a substantially transparent vial containing a liquid, an air bubble, and centre window indicia, wherein the air bubble is positioned within the centre window when the bubble level device is in a substantially horizontal angular alignment. Many bubble level devices are meant for precision levelling in construction and are generally too large and expensive to find utility in assisting in levelling items that are thin like pictures, posters, certificates, notices and wallpaper. However, the prior art discloses bubble level devices specifically used to assist in levelling picture frames.

Prior art devices typically include a longitudinally extending body with at least one flat surface. Typical of these devices is U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,317 to Letizia disclosing a body with a bubble level that can be positioned on a flat edge of the picture frame. Similar to the torpedo level known to those persons skilled in the art, this device relies of the presence of a flat surface on the picture frame onto which the body is rested. In general, the prior art levelling devices are typically rested on or maintained against a flat surface of the frame to be positioned, with the user then rotating or otherwise adjusting the frame into the horizontal alignment.

Users of the prior art levelling devices often find it desirable to make adjustments of the articles mentioned with both hands, especially when positioning large or fragile items. A general shortcoming of many prior art bubble-levelling devices is that positioning of the articles involves a two-hand operation with the user required to position and maintain the device against a flat surface or edge of the article with one hand while adjusting the orientation of the article with the other hand.

For a variety of thin articles the prior art devices are simply too large to rest upon the article without being maintained in place by the user during the levelling operation. Many prior art levelling devices have a shortcoming that frame positioning with both hands is possible for those larger articles like pictures in frames which have a large enough flat surface capable of temporarily carrying the levelling device. As a result, many prior art bubble level devices are cumbersome or otherwise generally lack an ease of use when used with a variety of thin articles.

Most prior art levelling devices suitable for picture frames are not suitable for vertical arrangements like wallpaper. Against this background the present invention addresses the problems possessed by the prior art devices. In particular, the present invention includes an assembly for levelling pictures, posters, certificates and notices and the like that is temporarily affixed to the article during the positioning operation that promotes ease of use and finds application for a variety of articles and other hanging articles. The present invention also attempts to improve on the prior art devices by making it suitable for affixing vertically hung wallpaper articles. The present invention also attempts to improve upon the prior art devices by providing a levelling device that is compact, light, sturdy, and accurate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an apparatus for assisting in levelling picture, posters, certificates, notices and other hanging articles. Most simply stated, the present invention comprises a generally planar body having an affixed bubble level and clip arrangement for temporarily affixing the body to a thin part of the article, i.e., the poster. Preferably, the planar body is rectangular in form having flat peripheral levelling edges generally parallel to and orthogonal to the axis of the bubble level such that when the planar body is rested on or maintained against a flat edge of the frame the position of the air bubble within the bubble level corresponds to the overall angular alignment of the sides of the said articles. The present invention also helps the user to mount articles at 45 degrees as part of the design. The present invention also helps to indicate to the user whether an item is mounted level horizontally to the floor by lying the present invention flat on a surface.

Use of the present invention involves positioning the levelling device against the edge of a thin article. The articles in question are items that are typically thin and are made of paper or card but could equally apply to any thin material like fabrics, glass mirrors, sheets of metal, etc. The device can be clipped on a horizontal edge or a vertical edge or an edge at 45 degrees. The present invention would hold itself onto the article in a similar gripping fashion to how a clothes peg would hold the same item. This means that the user no longer has to hold the present invention whilst fixing the said article onto a wall. The present invention can be hooked over wires or cables where the horizontal alignment of a cable is desirable. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes flat edges where the present invention can be rested against the side of a picture frame in a manner that was previously used in prior art devices. As a result, the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used on a variety of pictures, frames and the like being attached either by the clip arrangement or in the described hooking or resting fashion. As a result, an overall object of the present invention is to overcome the difficulties of the prior art devices for orientating thin articles on a vertical wall.

Another object is to provide a levelling device for positioning a variety of wall fastened articles, including picture frames, posters, mirrors, and wall shelves.

A further object is to provide a levelling device for positioning frames and the like that is simple and easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for temporarily affixing a levelling device to a hanging article during the angular positioning operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a picture-levelling device, which can be manufactured economically.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. The use of materials in the invention could be changed to suit a particular person's requirements. The colour of the apparatus could be made in a variety of colours. The liquid in the bubble aspect of the invention could also be changed to suit the user's requirements. Other prior art devices use two immiscible liquids rather than a liquid and air bubble to illustrate the operation. Based on the physical properties of the two liquids the indicating bubble can be made to either rise or fall based on the user's requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 mounted on the top horizontal edge of the article to be mounted.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 mounted on the left hand vertical edge of the article to be mounted.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the body of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown on the top surface of an article.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown on the bottom 45-degree edge of an article.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention using a different arrangement for the hinge clip.

FIG. 7 is front view of a simplified version of the invention that is used purely for the top horizontal edge of an article, For example when hanging a poster.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the simplified design shown in Fig. 7.

FIG. 9 is perspective front view of a simplified version of the invention that is used purely for the vertical edge of an article, For example when hanging wallpaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the device of the present invention, for positioning pictures, posters notices and certificates and the like on vertical wall surfaces, is shown as 1. Most simply and preferably the device I comprises a body having a front face 2 and a back face 3 and having an bubble level 4 provided with horizontal levelling indicia 5 visible to the user from the front face 2, vertical levelling indicia 6, 45 degree indicia 7 and surface levelling indicia 8.

The device has a clip function comprising of a hinge mechanism 9 and a gripping section 10. As will be discussed, the design and configuration of the planar body 1, including an overall rectangular shape, allows the device I to be used on a variety of picture frames, and other hanging articles. The apparatus may be any practicable size, though preferably easily hand graspable. The device would normally be made of a lightweight material construction so that the weight of the device does not pull on the article being positioned on a vertical wall.

In prior art devices a single vial is used to indicate a single plane i.e. vertical.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses one vial chamber 11 that is shaped to indicate various planes. The top edge 12 of the vial chamber 11 is marked with indicia 5 to illustrate the article being hung in a horizontal fashion. The left 14 and right 13 hand edges of the vial chamber 11 are marked with indicia 6 to illustrate vertical alignments of the article. The bottom two edges 15 & 16 of the vial chamber 11 are marked with indicia 7 to illustrate 45-degree angles. These edges 15 or 16 could be altered during fabrication of the device to show a different angle. One could be set at 60 degrees as an example. The centre 17 of the vial chamber 11 is profiled so that the central indicia 8 can be used when the present invention is laid flat on a surface. The bubble 4 typically made of air will rise to the highest point due to its lower density than the liquid 18 in the vial chamber 11. As the device I is rotated the bubble will move around to the highest point. This arrangement is the preferred embodiment of the present invention as it minimises the weight of the device 1 and gives you multiple planes with which to align articles. The invention could use traditional vial chambers well known to those specialists in the art of making spirit levels. One vial would be used for each plane that was required.

The present invention's core design is around the principle of applying a levelling device to a typically thin article. The drawings enclosed show a few varieties but the inventor realises that many configurations could be applied to this basic principle. The shape and arrangements of the vials could be altered to suit the final user's requirements. The hinge and clip mechanisms could also be altered to suit the final user's requirements.

The liquid 18 could be of any colour to suit the final user's requirements i.e. to match corporate colours. The device 1 can also be made of different materials to suit different applications. Certain types of plastic can be made to float so if the present invention were dropped in a bucket of wallpaper glue it would float rather than sink. The colour of the device could also be changed to suit the final user3s requirements. The back face 3 of the device would be flat so that the unit could be laid down on a flat surface to utilise the centre indicia 8 but could also be used for printing information on like company details, branding information etc. Using two different density liquids could make the bubble 4 liquid instead of using air. The different densities of the liquid 18 and the bubble liquid 4 can lead to interesting properties. Most prior art devices are made such that the bubble rises to the higher side when incorrectly aligned. The two liquids of different density could be chosen 4 and 18, so that the bubble 4 can fall when the higher side is raised.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device I has been attached to an article, which has a horizontal top edge. This has been achieved by pressing the device at point 23 and point 24. Pressure here results in the hinge 9 opening up the grip section 10. The device I has then been placed over the article to be hung and pressure released on points 23 and 24. The design of the hinge 9 then causes the grip section 10 to close up again and grip the article. The grip section 10 could be designed in a variety of ways to suit the final user's requirements.

The grip section 10 may have a smooth surface, or a serrated surface to improve its grip. Additional inserts like rubber could be used to increase its gripping capability.

Important to providing an accurate levelling device 1, in this preferred embodiment the internal lower part of the hinge 25 is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 26, such that the bubble 4 would be in the centre of the two horizontal indicia 5 when the top horizontal edge 27 of the article is held in a horizontal fashion. The bottom external surface 21 and the top external surface 19 are also configured so that they are substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 26 when mounted as mentioned above. The left hand face 20 and the right hand face 22 are substantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis 26.

The front face 2 of the device I could have extra markings printed on it where the front face 2 meets with any of the four edges 19, 20, 21 & 22. The markings could be in the form of a ruler such that horizontal or vertical lines of given dimensions could be drawn on the article or the wall or similar object.

This can be useful when several articles are being hung on a wall and certain distances between them are desired. For example, when hanging a series of photographs.

Referring to Fig. 3, the device 1 has been attached to an article, which has a vertical edge. In this example the device I is attached to the left hand side of the article but the device could equally be attached to the right hand vertical edge of the article. This has been achieved by pressing the device at point 23 and point 24. Pressure here results in the hinge 9 opening up the grip section 10. The device 1 has then been placed over the article to be hung and pressure released on points 23 and 24. The design of the hinge 9 then causes the grip section 10 to close up again and grip the article.

Important to providing an accurate levelling device 1, in this preferred embodiment the internal lower part of the hinge 25 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 29, such that the bubble 4 would be in the centre of the two vertical indicia 6 when the vertical edge 30 of the article is held in a vertical fashion. The bubble 4 when in the centre of the two vertical indicia 6 would have the external faces 22 and 20 parallel to the horizontal axis 28. The left hand external surface 20 and the right hand external surface 22 are also configured so that they are substantially parallel to the vertical axis 29 when mounted as mentioned above. The top horizontal face 19 and the bottom external surface 21 are substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis 29.

Referring to Fig. 4, the device I has been laid on top of an article such that the back face 3 lies flat on the article. The liquid chamber front face 33 has been designed so that when the device I is laid flat on an article which has a flat surface with both x and y planes horizontal then the bubble 4 will move to the centre of the centre indicia 8. The article surface 31 is parallel to the horizontal axis 32 in both x and y planes. The optimum angles to achieve suitable accuracies of the device 1 would be well known to those skilled in the art of making spirit levels. For example in this mode the device 1 can be used to illustrate whether a shelf is horizontal from left to right as well as from front to back.

Depending on which of the surfaces 3, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the device I are laid on top of an article then various planes can be checked. This means the device could be a useful small spirit level in which to check levels and could easily be stored in a toolbox or desk drawer. Conventional spirit levels are normally too long to be easily stored. The device 1 could also easily fit inside a pocket for convenience.

The side profile of the hinge section 9 is drawn in Fig. 4. The choice of material would be critical to allow the design to operate. When the gripping section 10 is opened, by pressing on 23 and 24, a material such as thermo-setting plastic would deform in the hinge area 9 allowing the gripping section to open. When the pressure is released on 23 and 24, the deformation would normalise and the grip section would close. The optimum choice of material to make the device I grip sufficiently would be easy for someone skilled in the art of plastic manufacturing.

Referring to Fig. 5, the drawing illustrates how the device could be used to indicate angles of 45 degrees. Either of these angle planes 15 and 16 could be altered during fabrication of the device for specific requirements. For example 30 degrees and 60 degrees may be required.

Referring to Fig. 6, the hinge section has been altered from the suggestion made above. The hinge is now made up of several pieces, which pivot around a central axle 34. A spring (not shown) could be incorporated into the hinge design to improve the gripping properties of the grip section 10, in a fashion similar to a clothes peg. Numerous variations on a theme could be utilised to achieve the same effect.

Referring to Fig. 7 a simplified version of the device I is shown. If only the horizontal aspect of the design is needed, for example when just hanging posters, then the design can be simplified to using a conventional spirit level vial 35 mounted in such a manner that the hinge 9 is replaced but the underside of the hinge 25 that previously hung on the top horizontal edge of the article is also mounted such that when the device I is orientated in a substantially horizontal fashion then the bubble 4 will be in the centre of the two horizontal indicia 5 and the top external surface 19 and the bottom external surface 21 are substantially parallel and the left hand external surface 20 and the right hand external surface 22 are orthogonal to the horizontal axis 26. The gripping section 10 is not required as the device can hang on the top edge of the article.

Referring to Fig. 8 the drawing illustrates the side view of the simplified device 1 mentioned in the above paragraph and illustrated in Fig. 7, which shows the underside of the device hanging section 25.

Referring to Fig. 9 the drawing illustrates a simplified of the device I which could be used if only the vertical aspect of the levelling device is needed. For example, when hanging wallpaper. This simplified design utilises the same gripping section 10 mentioned earlier with just a conventional spirit vial 36 mounted.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

LEVELLING DEVICE

1. A levelling device including at least one spirit levels that is used for assisting a user to orientate an article, characterised in that the device is temporarily attached to an article when in use.

2. A levelling device as claimed in Claim I where the device is attached to an article by hooking on to an article.

3. A levelling device as claimed in Claim I where the device is attached to an article by clamping or gripping means provided on the device 4. A levelling device as claimed in Claims I to 3, characterised in that the device can be used to orientate an article at different angular settings.

5. A levelling device as claimed in any preceding claims, characterised in that the device comprises one vial chamber to indicate many different angles when the device is in use.

6. A levelling device as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic materials, wood, and or from a combination of these materials 7. A levelling device as herein described above and illustrated in the figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings 8. A levelling device as herein described above and illustrated in the figure 6 of the accompanying drawings 9. A levelling device as herein described above and illustrated in the figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings 10. A levelling device as herein described above and illustrated in the figure 9 of the accompanying drawings