US1143256A - Folding level and plumb-rule. - Google Patents

Description

G. P. DEWEES.

FOLDING LEVEL AND PLUMB RULE.

APPLICATION TILED MAR. 20, I913.

1 143,256. 7 Patented June 15, 1915.

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FOLDING LEVEL AND PLUMB-R-ULE Application filed March 20, 1913.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE P. Dnwnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Folding Levels and Plumb-Rules; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of 1 aference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to combination tools, and more particularly to a tool used by bricklayers or masons, the principal object of the invention being torprovide a device wherein a level, square, plumb, rule and straight edge are combined into one tool which may be folded into a compact form when not in use. In accomplishing this object I have provided the improved details of structure hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure I is a perspective view of a com bination tool constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the parts in folded position. Fig. II is a perspective view of the same, showing the arrangement of the parts when used as a square. Fig. III is a plan view of a portion of the tool showing the joint between two of its sections. Fig. IV is a sectional View on the line IVIV, Fig. III. Fig. V is a sectional view on the line VV, Fig. III. Fig. VI is a vertical sectional view through one of the level caslngs.

Referring more in detail to the parts 1 designates a folding combination tool, preferably composed of aluminum, and having a central section 2, and end sections 3, each comprising a web 4 having longitudinal flanges 5 whose inner faces are provided with markings 6 corresponding to an ordinary rule. Rigidly secured to adjoining ends of the sections 2 and 3 are compensating hinges comprising hinge members 7, mounted on each end of the central section 2 and on opposite faces of web 4 and having pivotally mounted leaves 8 adapted to register with slots 9 in the web and pivotally connect with leaves 10, which are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1915.

Serial No. 755,794.

in turn pivotally mounted on the hinge members-11 and adapted to register with the slots 12 of the end pieces 3. The leaves 8 and 10 are of suflicient length to permit limited endwise movement of the sections, the surplus length being housed in the slots 9 when the parts are in functional position.

Projecting from each end of the central section 2 are dowels 13, which take into apertures 14 or 15 in the ends of the sections 3, the former joint being made when the tool is used as a straight edge and the latter when used as a square, so as to hold all the sections in perfect alinement.

At each end of the central section is a boss 16 having a slot 17 near the center which is closed at one end and provided with a central aperture 18. A screw 19 is extended loosely through the boss 16 and held within the slot by the downturned flange 20 of a plate 21 which is secured to and covers the slotted face of the boss, and is provided with laterally directed ears 22 for limiting the travel of the hinges presently described.

The screw 19 has a knurled head 23 projecting from one face of the boss and into an aperture 2 1 in the web 4, so that the screw may be easily manipulated to connect adjacent sections, but may have no projecting parts to interfere with folding of the sections upon each other.

On each of the end sections, opposite the boss 16, is a boss 25, having a'threaded aperture 26 in its end and a similar aperture 27 in its top adapted to receive the screw 19 when the parts are in straight or right angle position respectively, to hold the parts extended to form a rule or at right angles to form a square.

Near the center of the web of each section is a level 28 preferably comprising a hub flange 29 and wooden ring 30, having two spirit tubes 31 mounted therein, in parallel relation to each other, and protected by glass plates 32, one of which is supported on a shoulder 33 on the hub flange 30, and held in place by the ring 34, and the other held to the ring by a screw flange 35 which is threaded into the hub flange; the ring being preferably strengthened in its mounting by a screw 36 which is extended through the hub flanges.

In order to fasten the parts together when in folded position, the end sections are provided with thumb screws 37 which are loosely mounted in the Webs and'adapted for projection into the apertured bosses 38 of the central section. a

In using the tool, presuming the parts to be in the osition shown in Fig. I, the thumb screws 3'? are loosened and the parts revolved so that the dowels 13 project into the apertures 14, in which position the knurled head 23 is turned to move the screw 19 into aperture 26 and draw the parts together.

If it is desired to place one section at right angles to the other and form a square as shown in Fig. II, the dowels 13 are projected into apertures 15 of the end pieces and the parts drawn together by turning the screw 19 into aperture'27.

The hinge leaves 8 and 10 are made of eX- tra length so as to compensate for the space required in placing the dowels 13 in place, the said leaves being thrown out of alinement with their mating-sections 7 and 11 respectively and housed within the slots 9 and 12 when the rule sections are in either wall.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the It is apparent that a device of this'type may be packed or carried in a small space, but when extended is of suflicient length for accurately plumbing or leveling a wall.

Having. thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. A combination tool, comprising separate sections, triple joint hinges connecting said sections, and means for rigidly securing said sections together'independent of said hinges.

2.'A combination tool comprising sepa-; rate sections having dowel and socket members respectively, and compensating hinges connecting said sections whereby the doweled ends may be brought into abutment, and means for rigidly alinement or at right angles to each other.

3. A combination tool comprising sepa-' rate sections having a web and laterally directed flanges, an apertured boss on the end of one section having one facein line with the ends of said-flanges, a screw loosely mounted in said boss, a boss on-the end of the other section having its side and end faces in line with the sides and ends of said flanges and having side and end apertures adapted for receiving said screw.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature invpresence of two witnesses.

* GEORGE P. DEWEES. '7

Witnesses: 7 a i 1 ARTHUR W. CAPS, LETA E. COATS.

Commissioner 01:? Patents,

Washington, D. G.

securing said parts in

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