GB2580017A

GB2580017A - A level device

Info

Publication number: GB2580017A
Application number: GB1817768.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Joyner Christopher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2020-07-15
Also published as: GB201817768D0

Abstract

A bubble level device 99 arranged to extend from one or more of its ends so as to provide an intermediate member 6, 7 arranged with measurement indications. These extension members may comprise metallic or alloy flat bars. Bubble levels 2 may be located in the end portion’s side 4 and may also be rotatable and/or removable. A bubble level 3 may be located in a central body 1. In some embodiments the extension of the members may be locked or unlocked using a locking or unlocking mechanism. The members may be locked in an intermediate position. The device may be spring biased to extend or retract.

Description

A LEVEL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a level device, in particular a device for providing a bubble level and measuring implement; more particularly but not exclusively a level device for use in woodworking or the like.

Background

Increasingly sophistication in many areas of manual labour has been accompanied by improved tools for many manual tasks.

In woodworking and carpentry some tools can be vital to providing a good standard of work, and have often not changed for many years.

For example fundamental tools for carpentry or general woodworking tasks may be a carpenter's level, straight-edge and a measuring tool, and these are often combined for efficiency purposes into an elongate spirit level with longitudinal measurement indications. However such levels are limited in length for portability or efficiency reasons.

Prior Art

GB 2 487 427 (BRENNAN) discloses a telescopic levelling device for aligning and marking hanging points of objects on a wall. The telescopic levelling device comprises a solid arm, and an adjustable arm. A spirit level incorporating both horizontal and vertical bubble vials is attached underneath the solid arm. The adjustable arm includes a drop down ruler. Both the solid arm and the adjustable arm further include brackets for aiding with marking hanging points on a wall. The device may further comprise a pair of suction pads for offering better stability whilst hanging items on a wall. The device may further comprise a pen or pencil holder. The device is particularly suited for installing and levelling picture frames, mirrors, shelving, towel rails and television brackets.

GB 2 443 205 (MCALLISTER) discloses a spirit level comprising a main body part, a part that slides to extend the length of the level, and another part at another end of the level that when pulled outwardly and rotated through 90 degrees creates a right angled level to be used as a guide in construction of corners both internal and external.

BE 1 011 101 (VOLPE) discloses a spirit level that has the same appearance as a normal builders spirit level, characterised in that it is cut into three parts. The first part, the central body of the level item, the second part item by pulling it and holding the part item the level is extended. A slide item allows the parts of the level items to be kept aligned. The graduated part of the slide allows the extension of the level to be measured. By applying a rotary movement to the third part while holding the part item stationary, after a rotation of 90 degrees, the locating ball item seats in a recess, which allows it to be locked into a square position. By rotating a second time, the locating ball is housed in its initial recess again, and the level once again has a usual appearance. The assembly of the two parts permitting the rotation is held firmly by means of a screw item and a pressure spring item. The locating ball item is pushed firmly by a screw item and a pressure spring item.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a level device comprising an elongate body arranged with measurement indications, one or more bubble levels, and a flat surface, wherein the body is arranged to extend from one or more of its ends so as to provide an intermediate member arranged with measurement indications.

In this way the device of the present invention provides a spirit level which incorporates features to assist in a wide range of applications in several working scenarios. The device is enabled to move from a retracted first position to one or a plurality of second position(s).

In some embodiments the device comprises end levels arranged at the ends of the 5 body and a centre level. Such levels may be arranged to provide a level measurement in relation to the body or ends.

The ends of the body may comprise discrete end portions. Such end portions may comprise embedded levels, and/or may comprise measurement indications.

The body and end portions may comprise a contiguous surface, which may be broken when extending the end portions from the body.

In some embodiments the body and end portions are connected using an elongate section, which section is rigid and permanently or temporarily secured to the end portions and/or body. Such section may comprise one extending member wherein only one end portion is arranged to extend from the body, or comprise two extension or extendable members which extend from the body and which are provided with the end portions at their ends.

The surface may comprise measurement indications printed or otherwise provided on or adjacent the surface. The elongate section members may comprise measurement indications printed or otherwise provided on or adjacent the section.

In some embodiments the end portions comprise upright end levels.

In some embodiments the levels may be arranged to displace. For example the levels may be arranged to be displaced wholly from the device. In other embodiments in addition or the alternative the levels may be arranged to displace within the device, for example being arranged to rotate within the end portions or body.

In this way the upright levels on either end can be rotated and locked to assist in angled fixings such as roof pitch templates and other timber framings. The rotatable 35 levels may in some embodiments be set for any angular degree between the horizontal and the vertical.

Thus, angular pitches may be accurately determined with as much ease as the horizontal or vertical.

Some embodiments may comprise a central body level. Such level may be offset to allow for a centre line.

In some embodiments the extension of the members may be locked or unlocked using a locking or unlocking mechanism. For example some embodiments of the 10 device may be spring biased to extend or retract In such manner the extension may be controlled in some embodiments for example wherein intermediate locking positions are enabled by the mechanism.

This may enable a user to utilise the extension or the device in order to measure. For example in this way the ends of the device can measure a distance between two items when placed against them.

In some embodiments the extension comprises a sliding button mechanism that 20 allows the user to lock the extendable members in place whilst the arms are extended or retracted.

In some embodiments the extending members provide an extension of the surface. In other embodiments the members are displaced from the surface but ensure the surface is continuous in plane on both the body and end portions, so as to advantageously provide spacing for visibility at intermediate points of the surface. In some embodiments the members may be displaced from the surface by different amounts on either side of the body.

Advantageously the end portions may extend by the same amount from the body at a time, allowing for the user to know the centre-point of the device at any time, and permitting the reversal of the device according to preferred offset for example.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 35 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the 5 present invention in an extended second position and a retracted first position, respectively; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the extended second position; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figure 5a shows an exploded isometric view of the slider mechanism of the lock mechanism used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figure 5b shows an isometric view of the slider mechanism of the lock mechanism 20 used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figure 6a shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the slider mechanism of the lock mechanism used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figure 6b shows a reverse isometric view of the slider mechanism of the lock mechanism used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1; Figures 7 show isometric views of the extending members and frame of the locking mechanism used in the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 1; And Figures 8 show isometric exploded views of the extending members and frame of the locking mechanism used in the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 1.

Petalled Descriotion of Fioures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device 99 generally comprising a level device comprising an elongate body 1 arranged with measurement indications (not shown), three bubble levels 2,3, and a flat surface 43, wherein the body 1 is arranged with end portions 4 to extend from one or more of its ends so as to provide intermediate members 6,7 arranged with measurement indications (not shown).

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in the Figures the embodiment comprises an elongate central body 1 and two shorter end portions 4, which all comprise a single surface 43 in a first retracted position and which are enabled to extend linearly along the axis of the device to provide a discontinuous surface made up of the three separate surfaces.

The embodiment comprises rectangular section parts comprising a body part and end portion parts.

The end portions are connected to the body by elongate flat extension members 6,7.

These extension members comprise metallic or alloy flat bars, comprising measurement indications, and the end portions extend through increments or smoothly.

The extension of both members is controlled by a locking mechanism, comprising a sliding lock 5, which provides a rocking mechanism engaging with the members internal the body so as to lock and release according to sliding positioning of a slider on the top face of the body, opposite the surface.

Internally the members comprise faces with serrations 12, and the mechanism comprises a frame 13 with cogs arranged to turn on or in the serrations. The end portions in this way extend by the same amount to each side, advantageously allowing the user to calculate a centre-point on the body.

The body comprises a bubble level 3 visible from the top and side faces of the body.

The end portions comprise circular rotatable levels 2, located in the side faces and visible from both faces so as to allow a user to measure what angle to horizontal the surface is at. The end portions comprise thermoplastics end caps 11 in acrykwiitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the body comprises ABS end caps 31 with slots for passage of the members.

The device may be envisaged to be 500mm with optional extension to 700mm.

The levels comprise a vial filled with sufficient liquid that an air bubble is formed 10 within the vial, the level further comprising perimetric indicia relative to which the bubble moves as the orientation of the level is altered so as to indicate the orientation of the level.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 15 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A level device comprising an elongate body arranged with measurement indications, one or more bubble levels, and a flat surface, wherein the body is arranged to extend from one or more of its ends so as to provide an intermediate member arranged with measurement indications.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises two end portions which extend.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the end portions comprise bubble levels.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the end portion bubble levels are located in the end portion's sides and are rotatable.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a locking mechanism to lock extension.
6. A device according to any preceding claim where the members are offset from the surface.