US1683509A - Mechanic's level - Google Patents

Description

Sept; 4, 1928. 1,683,509

H. M. WESCOTT MECHANIC s LEVEL Filed April 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor gem 4 mam wmsw H. M. WESCOTT MEEJHANIG s LEVEL Fiied Ap 11. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor g fiQrW M fl eycoz z Attormgy Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES HARVEY M. WESCOTT, OF BROOKLYN, YORK.

MECHANICS LEVEL.

Application filed April 11,

This invention relates to an improved level which .is especially, but not necessarily, adapted for use by mechanics in construction work of all kinds.

5 V Briefly, the improvement is directed to a means which is associated with a spiritlevel to permit measurements of inclined surfaces.

Broadly, the improved structure embodies a base, a level hingedly connected thereto,

means for adjusting the level toward and from the base, and ,a measuring tape connected to and operated by the base and level respectively.

The specificdetails, as well as their parl ticular association and-arrangement will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the parts or sections 315 closed.

Fig. 2 is also a the parts open.

Fig. 3 is a view in section and elevation, observing the sides of the device, and showingrone method of using the same.

ig. 4 is an end view showing the sections se arated.

- ig. 5 is a section taken approximately upon the plane of the line. 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference character 1 designates what may be broadl referred to as a base or lower section. pecifically, this comprises a hollow box of elongated rectangular configuration forming a flat bottom and being open at its top. A cover plate 2 is fastened to the open top and is provided with an elongated slot terminating at one end in a cross-head opening 4. Y The box is notched at one end, as mdicated at 5. Swivelly mounted as at 6 in the lastnamed end of the box is a rotary screw shaft 7, which extends through the front end of thebox, and is provided with a turning knob perspective view showing 8. Located in the interior is a retaining collar 9. Attached to one side wall and at the forward end of the box is a circular casing 10 containing a spring wound drum (not shown), on which a measuring tape is wound.

This measuring tape extends upwardly through a small slot in the top plate as shown.

1927. Serial No. 182,798.

At its upper end, it is fastened to the forward end of a level 12. The .level comprises an elongated wooden slot provided with a set of three spirit levels 13'of conventional con struction. Two of the levels arearranged on top and one on the side, so that the device may be used for" either horizontal or vertical surfaces in the customary manner At the opposite end of this level section 12 is a dependin car 14 located -in the aforesaid notch 5 and hingerlly connected to the base section 1. A nut 15 is mounted on the shaft 7, a link 16 is connected thereto, and is also connected with a' bracket 17 fastened to the under side of the bin edly-mounted level section 12. Obviously, y rotating the knob 8, the shaft 7 will be turnedto feed the nut 15 back and forth of the shaft.

This section will raise and lower the level section 12 upon its hinge connection. In so doing, it will actuate the measuring tape 11 in an apparent manner. The tape 18 of course providedwith graduations of a suitable character,'so.;that the space between the two sections of the device may be accurately ascertained. 1

Fromthe foregoing description and drawings it will be plain that I have evolved'and produced a simple and inexpensive device which may be employed in construction work for the approximate degree of inclination of on the screw threads any surface with respect to av horizontal line.

To persons skilled in the art, it is evident that the shaft 7 must be operated to raise or move the level to a substantially horizontal position, which position is indicated by the spirit levels carried thereon. Obviously when this part 12 is in a horizontal position, and the fiat bottom of the base section is placed against the inclined surface, the graduations on the measuring tape will enable the operator to determine the degree of inclination of the surface with respect to a horizontal measuring line.

The construction, as well as the method and use of the invention will be clear, it is believed, when the description is considered carefully in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the referred embodiment of the invention has een specifically shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In a level of the class described, a box-like base section, a longitudinally disposed screw threaded shaft mounted for rotation in said base section, a relatively movable cover section cooperable with the base section, spiritlevels on said cover section, a hinge connection between one end of the movable cover section and said base section, a casing located in and carried by said base section, a drum in said casing, a measuring tape wound. upon said drum, the free end of said tape being connected with the swingable end of said movable section, a nut movable along the screw threads on said shaft, a bracket carried by the movable-section, and an operating link pivotally connected to said nut and to said bracket, whereby when said shaft is rotated, said movable cover section will be moved toward and from the base section in order to actuate the measuring tape.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVEY M. WESCOTT.

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