US3738015A - Snap-in vial retainers - Google Patents

Snap-in vial retainers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3738015A
US3738015A US00036355A US3738015DA US3738015A US 3738015 A US3738015 A US 3738015A US 00036355 A US00036355 A US 00036355A US 3738015D A US3738015D A US 3738015DA US 3738015 A US3738015 A US 3738015A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
web
vial
hooks
pair
retainers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00036355A
Inventor
Jong M De
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stanley Works
Original Assignee
Stanley Works
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stanley Works filed Critical Stanley Works
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3738015A publication Critical patent/US3738015A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
    • G01C9/24—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids in closed containers partially filled with liquid so as to leave a gas bubble
    • G01C9/26—Details
    • G01C9/28—Mountings

Definitions

  • a level having a cylindrical vial having a barrel-shaped bubble cavity is positioned in a circular aperture in the web of a level frame with its axis coincident with the [5 2] US. Cl. "133/33: central plane of the web and is retained therein by a lift. Cl (3016 p i of identical retainer p snap fitted onto the [5 8] held of Search 33/206 1 frame web.
  • the retainer caps are each provided with a 220/4 60 8 R pair of hooks which engage the edge of a pair of notches of the aperture, and each of the retainer caps [56] References cued provides a reinforcing wall engaging the hooks of the UNITED STATES PATENTS other retainer cap to reinforce the hooks and lock them 3,396,269 8/1968 Sorenson 220/82 R- against inadvertent disassembly.
  • a primary object of the invention is to provide an improved vial retainer assembly to accommodate the easy and accurate assembly of a vial in the level frame by an individual having no special skills and without the need for subsequent adjustment of the ,vial after assembly.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a level of a novel construction which is adapted for the precision field replacement of a vial. Included in this object is the provision of a vial retainer assembly which will withstand abuse without inadvertent disassembly.
  • a further object of this invention is the provision of an improved vial retainer assembly which includes a pair of snap-on members for retaining the vial in its asment of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a level embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially exploded view, in part broken away, illustrating the invention in further detail;
  • FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • the level is provided with a frame which is shown as having an I-beam configuration with two parallel working flanges 12 connected by a central web 14.
  • the frame 10 is preferably made of metal so as to be warp free, and where lightness is desired, the metal employed may be one of the available alloys of aluminum, magnesium or the like.
  • the web 14 is preferably cutaway as at 16 to reduce its weight and to provide a hand grip for the level.
  • the web is also provided with a plurality (shown as being two in number) of longitudinally spaced circular apertures.18 to accommodate one or more level vials 20.
  • each aperture 18 is provided with diametrically opposed pairs of notches 22, 24 and 26, 28 to selectively receive the ends 21 of a vial 20 at a preselected angle relative to the parallel working flanges 12.
  • the vials 20 are shown in FIG. 1 as being disposed parallel to and perpendicular to the working flanges 12, respectively, although any other desired angle may be selected.
  • notches 22, 24, 26, 28 are precision formed relative to the flanges 12 of the frame and that the outer ends 21 of vial 20 be precision formed to the same dimension as the notches.
  • vial 20 may be precisely and accurately aligned with the working flanges 12 of the frame when the vial is assembled in the frame with its longitudinal axis coincident with the plane of the web of the frame.
  • the vial 20 has a cylindrical outer surface and the cavity 30 within the vial is barrel-shaped and has a longitudinal axis coincident with the axis of the cylindrical outer surface of the vial 20.
  • the rotative disposition of the vial 20 relative to the frame will not affect the accuracy of the bubble cavity 30 relative to the working flanges 12.
  • the side walls 23, 25, 27, 29 of the notches 22, 24, 26, 28, respectively, are parallel to each other so that axial movement of the vial within the notches does not affect the accuracy of mounting.
  • these retaining means comprise a pair of identical retainer caps 32 having a peripheral wall 34 which is constructed to bottom on the rim of aperture 18.
  • Retainer cap 32 is provided with a central window 36 defined by a frame 38 which projects beyond the surface 40 of the peripheral wall 34, the amount of such projection of the frame being slightly less than 50% of the thickness of the web 14.
  • the end walls 42 of the frame 38 are of generally circular configuration and are dimensioned so as to enter aperture 18. As shown, the end walls 42 are provided with semicircular recesses 44 to receive and engage the ends of the vial 20 to hold the vial in alginment with the web 14 when the retainer caps 32 are mounted in place on the frame 10.
  • each side wall 46 of the frame 38 and the peripheral wall 34 are a plurality of spaced ribs 48, 50, 52 which serve to mutually reinforce the frame 38 and the peripheral wall 34.
  • the ribs 48 and 50 are connected at a point intermediate their ends by a web 54.
  • a second web 56 bridges the ribs 50, 52 and extends beyond the edge 40 of the peripheral wall 34 to provide a projecting hook 58.
  • each retainer cap 32 is snapped into assembled position in aperture 18 from one side of the web 14 with the window frame 38 projecting into the aperture 18 with edge 40 bottomed on the web 14 of the frame and the diametrically opposed hooks 58 securing the cap to the web 14 by engagement of the end wall of, say, notches 22, 24.
  • Vial 20 may then be cradled in the semicircular recesses 44 with its ends precisely positioned relative to the web 14 of the level frame by the precision formed side walls 27, 29 of slots 26, 28 which are aligned with recesses 44.
  • the second retainer cap 32 may then be similarly snapped into place to complete the assembly of the via] 20.
  • the distance between the edge of the notch 22 and the web 54 is less than the thickness of the enlarged end of hook 58.
  • the end of the hook is tapered to serve as an entering wedge and bias the web 54 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3.
  • the web 54 engages the hook to serve as a backing wall reinforcing the hook so that each hook is firmly locked in place and the retainer caps are maintained in use despite shocks imposed thereon in use.
  • the bottom surface of the groove 61 of the book has a lesser dimension than the thickness-f the web 14, and the outer sufface 63 of the groove 61 is tapered toward the bottom of the groove so that the edge 40 of the peripheral wall 34 will bottom against the web 14 due to the engagement between the tapered wall 63 of the groove with the edge of the aperture 18 thereby accommodating any manufacturing variations and tolerances.
  • the retainer caps are formed of a molded plastic material such as a polycarbonate, and the. grooves 44 have a radius slightly greater than the ends 21 of vial 20 and encompass slightly less than a semicircle so that their bottoms engage the ends 21 of vial 20 to center the vial in a position where its longitudinal axis coincides with the central plane of the web 14 of the level frame so that the notches26, 28 position the vial in precisely aligned relationship relative to the working flanges 12 of the level frame.
  • both retainer caps 32 may be simultaneously applying a biasing force to both retainer caps 32 in the same direction perpendicular to the axis of the vials so that the adjacent backing walls or webs 54 of both retainer caps 32 are moved a sufficient distance from the adjacent end of the associated notch to allow the adjacent hook portions 58 of the two retainer caps to pass freely therebetween so' that the two retainer caps may be re moved.
  • a vial may be replaced in the manner described above. 7
  • the retainer caps 32 may be provided with recesses 60 for receiving a transparent pane to shield the vial 20.
  • this invention provides a level having a snap fitted vial retainer assembly which provides for precision assembly of the vial in the level frame by an individual having no special skills and without requiring any adjustment of the vial relative to the frame after assembly. It is further apparent that the invention provides a design which accommodates the precision field replacement or adjustment of a vial relative to the frame while at the same time utilizing a retainer ring construction which is not susceptible to inadvertent disassembly during use.
  • a level comprising a frame provided with parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting said surfaces, said web having aperture means providing two pair of oppositelydirected notches, an elongated vial having its ends precision fitted in one pair of said notches for mounting said vial at a fixed preselected relationship to the working surfaces with the longitudinal axis thereof coincident with the central plane of said web, and a pair of retainers overlying said aperture means on both sides of said web, both of said retainers engaging said vial to maintain its longitudinal axis coincident with the central plane of the web of the frame, each of said retainers providing hooks projecting through said aperture means and engageable with the second pair of said notches with a snap fit.
  • each of said retainers provides backing walls respectively engageable with the hooks of the other retainer to lock the hooks into engagement with an edge of said aperture means.
  • the vial has a cylindrical outer surface and has a barrel-shaped cavity, the axis of which is coincident with the axis of the cylindrical surface thereof.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

A level having a cylindrical vial having a barrel-shaped bubble cavity is positioned in a circular aperture in the web of a level frame with its axis coincident with the central plane of the web and is retained therein by a pair of identical retainer caps snap-fitted onto the frame web. The retainer caps are each provided with a pair of hooks which engage the edge of a pair of notches of the aperture, and each of the retainer caps provides a reinforcing wall engaging the hooks of the other retainer cap to reinforce the hooks and lock them against inadvertent disassembly.

Description

ilnlted States Patent [191 [111 3,738,015 De Jong [4 June 12, 1973 SNAP-IN VIAL RETAINERS Primar Examiner-Louis R. Prince 7 1 M t (3.1) y nventor gar en eJong Canton Conn Assistant ExaminerCharles E. Phillips [73] Assignee: The StainleyWorks, New Britain, Attorney-Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton Conn.
-[22] Filed: I May 11, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 36,355 A level having a cylindrical vial having a barrel-shaped bubble cavity is positioned in a circular aperture in the web of a level frame with its axis coincident with the [5 2] US. Cl. "133/33: central plane of the web and is retained therein by a lift. Cl (3016 p i of identical retainer p snap fitted onto the [5 8] held of Search 33/206 1 frame web. The retainer caps are each provided with a 220/4 60 8 R pair of hooks which engage the edge of a pair of notches of the aperture, and each of the retainer caps [56] References cued provides a reinforcing wall engaging the hooks of the UNITED STATES PATENTS other retainer cap to reinforce the hooks and lock them 3,396,269 8/1968 Sorenson 220/82 R- against inadvertent disassembly. 3,007,602 11/1961 Frank 220/60 R 3,520,442 7/1970 Moran eta 220/82 R 7 Chums, 3 Figures 3,442,024 5/1969 Don 33/211 3,311,990 4/1967 Wright 33/211 6 /Z 3/ Z M 54 4g 52 3 7 5 55 45 54 i 2/ 5/ 5A 4/ 7a m a 7/ I if a 52 45 if I 7/ 3 w l8 i v 43 SNAP-IN VIAL RETAINERS This invention relates to levels used by carpenters, masons and other mechanics and is particularly concerned with improved vial retainers for such levels.
A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved vial retainer assembly to accommodate the easy and accurate assembly of a vial in the level frame by an individual having no special skills and without the need for subsequent adjustment of the ,vial after assembly.
Another object of this invention is to provide a level of a novel construction which is adapted for the precision field replacement of a vial. Included in this object is the provision of a vial retainer assembly which will withstand abuse without inadvertent disassembly.
A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved vial retainer assembly which includes a pair of snap-on members for retaining the vial in its asment of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a level embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially exploded view, in part broken away, illustrating the invention in further detail; and
FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, the level is provided with a frame which is shown as having an I-beam configuration with two parallel working flanges 12 connected by a central web 14. The frame 10 is preferably made of metal so as to be warp free, and where lightness is desired, the metal employed may be one of the available alloys of aluminum, magnesium or the like.
The web 14 is preferably cutaway as at 16 to reduce its weight and to provide a hand grip for the level. The web is also provided with a plurality (shown as being two in number) of longitudinally spaced circular apertures.18 to accommodate one or more level vials 20.
As best shown in FIG. 2, each aperture 18 is provided with diametrically opposed pairs of notches 22, 24 and 26, 28 to selectively receive the ends 21 of a vial 20 at a preselected angle relative to the parallel working flanges 12. The vials 20 are shown in FIG. 1 as being disposed parallel to and perpendicular to the working flanges 12, respectively, although any other desired angle may be selected.
An important feature of this invention is that the notches 22, 24, 26, 28 are precision formed relative to the flanges 12 of the frame and that the outer ends 21 of vial 20 be precision formed to the same dimension as the notches. When so constructed, vial 20 may be precisely and accurately aligned with the working flanges 12 of the frame when the vial is assembled in the frame with its longitudinal axis coincident with the plane of the web of the frame.
Preferably, and as illustrated, the vial 20 has a cylindrical outer surface and the cavity 30 within the vial is barrel-shaped and has a longitudinal axis coincident with the axis of the cylindrical outer surface of the vial 20. With such a construction, the rotative disposition of the vial 20 relative to the frame will not affect the accuracy of the bubble cavity 30 relative to the working flanges 12. Also, the side walls 23, 25, 27, 29 of the notches 22, 24, 26, 28, respectively, are parallel to each other so that axial movement of the vial within the notches does not affect the accuracy of mounting.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a novel mounting means for retaining the vial 20 mounted on the web 14. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these retaining means comprise a pair of identical retainer caps 32 having a peripheral wall 34 which is constructed to bottom on the rim of aperture 18. Retainer cap 32 is provided with a central window 36 defined by a frame 38 which projects beyond the surface 40 of the peripheral wall 34, the amount of such projection of the frame being slightly less than 50% of the thickness of the web 14. The end walls 42 of the frame 38 are of generally circular configuration and are dimensioned so as to enter aperture 18. As shown, the end walls 42 are provided with semicircular recesses 44 to receive and engage the ends of the vial 20 to hold the vial in alginment with the web 14 when the retainer caps 32 are mounted in place on the frame 10.
Bridging each side wall 46 of the frame 38 and the peripheral wall 34 are a plurality of spaced ribs 48, 50, 52 which serve to mutually reinforce the frame 38 and the peripheral wall 34. The ribs 48 and 50 are connected at a point intermediate their ends by a web 54. A second web 56 bridges the ribs 50, 52 and extends beyond the edge 40 of the peripheral wall 34 to provide a projecting hook 58. The pairs of webs 54 and 56 are respectively disposed apart on each retainer cap To assemble the vial 20 in place, one of the identical retainer caps 32 is snapped into assembled position in aperture 18 from one side of the web 14 with the window frame 38 projecting into the aperture 18 with edge 40 bottomed on the web 14 of the frame and the diametrically opposed hooks 58 securing the cap to the web 14 by engagement of the end wall of, say, notches 22, 24. Vial 20 may then be cradled in the semicircular recesses 44 with its ends precisely positioned relative to the web 14 of the level frame by the precision formed side walls 27, 29 of slots 26, 28 which are aligned with recesses 44. The second retainer cap 32 may then be similarly snapped into place to complete the assembly of the via] 20.
When assembled, all of the hooks 58 of the two retainer caps 32 are disposed between an end wall of notch 22 or notch 24 and a web 54 of the other retainer cap.
The distance between the edge of the notch 22 and the web 54 is less than the thickness of the enlarged end of hook 58. To enable the enlarged end of hook 58 to enter the cavity between the backing web 54 and the end of a mounting notch, the end of the hook is tapered to serve as an entering wedge and bias the web 54 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3. When the end of the hook is in its fully assembled position as shown in FIG. 3, the web 54 engages the hook to serve as a backing wall reinforcing the hook so that each hook is firmly locked in place and the retainer caps are maintained in use despite shocks imposed thereon in use.
In order to ensure that each retainer cap 32 is held tightly against the side of the web 14, the bottom surface of the groove 61 of the book has a lesser dimension than the thickness-f the web 14, and the outer sufface 63 of the groove 61 is tapered toward the bottom of the groove so that the edge 40 of the peripheral wall 34 will bottom against the web 14 due to the engagement between the tapered wall 63 of the groove with the edge of the aperture 18 thereby accommodating any manufacturing variations and tolerances.
In the preferred embodiment, the retainer caps are formed of a molded plastic material such as a polycarbonate, and the. grooves 44 have a radius slightly greater than the ends 21 of vial 20 and encompass slightly less than a semicircle so that their bottoms engage the ends 21 of vial 20 to center the vial in a position where its longitudinal axis coincides with the central plane of the web 14 of the level frame so that the notches26, 28 position the vial in precisely aligned relationship relative to the working flanges 12 of the level frame.
Should it be desired to replace a vial or tochange its mounting aspect with respect to the working flanges 12, this may be accomplished by simultaneously applying a biasing force to both retainer caps 32 in the same direction perpendicular to the axis of the vials so that the adjacent backing walls or webs 54 of both retainer caps 32 are moved a sufficient distance from the adjacent end of the associated notch to allow the adjacent hook portions 58 of the two retainer caps to pass freely therebetween so' that the two retainer caps may be re moved.
With the retaining caps 32 removed, a vial may be replaced in the manner described above. 7
If desired, and as shown in FIG. 3, the retainer caps 32 may be provided with recesses 60 for receiving a transparent pane to shield the vial 20.
From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that this invention provides a level having a snap fitted vial retainer assembly which provides for precision assembly of the vial in the level frame by an individual having no special skills and without requiring any adjustment of the vial relative to the frame after assembly. It is further apparent that the invention provides a design which accommodates the precision field replacement or adjustment of a vial relative to the frame while at the same time utilizing a retainer ring construction which is not susceptible to inadvertent disassembly during use.
As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
I claim:
1. A level comprising a frame provided with parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting said surfaces, said web having aperture means providing two pair of oppositelydirected notches, an elongated vial having its ends precision fitted in one pair of said notches for mounting said vial at a fixed preselected relationship to the working surfaces with the longitudinal axis thereof coincident with the central plane of said web, and a pair of retainers overlying said aperture means on both sides of said web, both of said retainers engaging said vial to maintain its longitudinal axis coincident with the central plane of the web of the frame, each of said retainers providing hooks projecting through said aperture means and engageable with the second pair of said notches with a snap fit.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said retainers are identical.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said retainers provides backing walls respectively engageable with the hooks of the other retainer to lock the hooks into engagement with an edge of said aperture means.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said hooks are provided with enlarged wedge-shaped ends to deflect said backing walls away from the edges of said aperture means to enable the hooks to enter the space therebetween during assembly.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the vial has a cylindrical outer surface and has a barrel-shaped cavity, the axis of which is coincident with the axis of the cylindrical surface thereof.
6. The device of claim 6 wherein the side walls of each notch of said one pair are parallel to each other.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said hooks are provided with a necked portion having a bottom wall of less dimension than the thickness of said web, said necked portion being defined at its outer end by a tapered wall engageable with said web to assure a tight fit and accommodate manufacturing variations and tolerances.

Claims (7)

1. A level comprising a frame provided with parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting said surfaces, said web having aperture means providing two pair of oppositely directed notches, an elongated vial having its ends precision fitted in one pair of said notches for mounting said vial at a fixed preselected relationship to the working surfaces with the longitudinal axis thereof coincident with the central plane of said web, and a pair of retainers overlying said aperture means on both sides of said web, both of said retainers engaging said vial to maintain its longitudinal axis coincident with the central plane of the web of the frame, each of said retainers providing hooks projecting through said aperture means and engageable with the second pair of said notches with a snap fit.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said retainers are identical.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said retainers provides backing walls respectively engageable with the hooks of the other retainer to lock the hooks into engagement with an edge of said aperture means.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said hooks are provided with enlarged wedge-shaped ends to deflect said backing walls away from the edges of said aperture means to enable the hooks to enter the space therebetween during assembly.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the vial has a cylindrical outer surface and has a barrel-shaped cavity, the axis of which is coincident with the axis of the cylindrical surface thereof.
6. The device of claim 6 wherein the side walls of each notch of said one pair are parallel to each other.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said hooks are provided with a necked portion having a bottom wall of less dimension than the thickness of said web, said necked portion being defined at its outer end by a tapered wall engageable with said web to assure a tight fit and accommodate manufacturing variations and tolerances.
US00036355A 1970-05-11 1970-05-11 Snap-in vial retainers Expired - Lifetime US3738015A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3635570A 1970-05-11 1970-05-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3738015A true US3738015A (en) 1973-06-12

Family

ID=21888144

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00036355A Expired - Lifetime US3738015A (en) 1970-05-11 1970-05-11 Snap-in vial retainers

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3738015A (en)
JP (1) JPS5514363B1 (en)
CA (1) CA917905A (en)
FR (1) FR2091601A5 (en)
GB (1) GB1307651A (en)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3835549A (en) * 1973-09-13 1974-09-17 Stanley Works Level vial station assembly
US3878618A (en) * 1974-01-22 1975-04-22 Stanley Works Level vial mount
EP0023190A1 (en) * 1979-07-23 1981-01-28 The Stanley Works Mounting assembly for a top viewable liquid vial level
US4581828A (en) * 1985-05-29 1986-04-15 Hirsh Company Spirit level
US4685219A (en) * 1983-04-15 1987-08-11 Macklanburg-Duncan Company Spirit level
US4765061A (en) * 1987-08-17 1988-08-23 Eugene Rawlings Caddy for level vial
US4876798A (en) * 1988-01-11 1989-10-31 Harold Zimmerman Level with illuminated bubble vials
US4991303A (en) * 1989-12-11 1991-02-12 Dasco Pro, Inc. Level with multi-position vial holder
US4996777A (en) * 1989-08-09 1991-03-05 Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc. Snap-in level vial cover
US5033199A (en) * 1989-10-11 1991-07-23 The Stanley Works Level vial holder assembly
US5199177A (en) * 1992-05-14 1993-04-06 Stanley Tools, A Division Of The Stanley Works Level
US5406714A (en) * 1993-04-02 1995-04-18 The Stanley Works Level vial assembly
US5709034A (en) * 1995-03-05 1998-01-20 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US6148530A (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-11-21 Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc. Level with snap action vial holder
US6449859B1 (en) 1996-12-12 2002-09-17 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
GB2381582A (en) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-07 Wen Hsin Liao Level having a detachable securing structure
US20040025360A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2004-02-12 Obergoenner Donald L. Vial insert for a spirit level
US6760975B1 (en) 2002-10-01 2004-07-13 Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc. Vial holding level
US7024781B1 (en) * 2002-08-27 2006-04-11 Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc. Vial illumination feature for a tool such as a level
US20070177365A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina Communications Panel Assemblies and Methods for Mounting the Same
US8011109B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2011-09-06 Empire Level Mfg. Corp. Casing mount for a cylindrical vial
USD730207S1 (en) 2014-03-05 2015-05-26 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
USD750984S1 (en) 2014-09-30 2016-03-08 Kapro Industries Ltd. Box spirit level with ruler
US9618339B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2017-04-11 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
USD805928S1 (en) 2016-09-21 2017-12-26 Kapro Industries Ltd. Stud layout level
US20220113133A1 (en) * 2018-03-20 2022-04-14 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Digital Level

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11193764B2 (en) 2019-01-17 2021-12-07 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Two datum vial mounting system and method
CN113302449A (en) 2019-01-17 2021-08-24 米沃奇电动工具公司 Two reference bottle installation system and method

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3007602A (en) * 1959-12-31 1961-11-07 Micro Balancing Inc Instrument cover means
US3311990A (en) * 1967-04-04 Edward j. brenner
US3396269A (en) * 1965-12-21 1968-08-06 Sorenson Lighted Controls Inc Snap-in lens
US3442024A (en) * 1966-12-28 1969-05-06 Stanley Works Level vial holder and method of making same
US3520442A (en) * 1968-07-18 1970-07-14 M R S Inc Protective shield for frangible meter enclosure

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3311990A (en) * 1967-04-04 Edward j. brenner
US3007602A (en) * 1959-12-31 1961-11-07 Micro Balancing Inc Instrument cover means
US3396269A (en) * 1965-12-21 1968-08-06 Sorenson Lighted Controls Inc Snap-in lens
US3442024A (en) * 1966-12-28 1969-05-06 Stanley Works Level vial holder and method of making same
US3520442A (en) * 1968-07-18 1970-07-14 M R S Inc Protective shield for frangible meter enclosure

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3835549A (en) * 1973-09-13 1974-09-17 Stanley Works Level vial station assembly
US3878618A (en) * 1974-01-22 1975-04-22 Stanley Works Level vial mount
EP0023190A1 (en) * 1979-07-23 1981-01-28 The Stanley Works Mounting assembly for a top viewable liquid vial level
US4685219A (en) * 1983-04-15 1987-08-11 Macklanburg-Duncan Company Spirit level
US4581828A (en) * 1985-05-29 1986-04-15 Hirsh Company Spirit level
US4765061A (en) * 1987-08-17 1988-08-23 Eugene Rawlings Caddy for level vial
US4876798A (en) * 1988-01-11 1989-10-31 Harold Zimmerman Level with illuminated bubble vials
US4996777A (en) * 1989-08-09 1991-03-05 Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc. Snap-in level vial cover
US5033199A (en) * 1989-10-11 1991-07-23 The Stanley Works Level vial holder assembly
US4991303A (en) * 1989-12-11 1991-02-12 Dasco Pro, Inc. Level with multi-position vial holder
US5199177A (en) * 1992-05-14 1993-04-06 Stanley Tools, A Division Of The Stanley Works Level
US5406714A (en) * 1993-04-02 1995-04-18 The Stanley Works Level vial assembly
US5709034A (en) * 1995-03-05 1998-01-20 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US6748666B2 (en) 1996-12-12 2004-06-15 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US6449859B1 (en) 1996-12-12 2002-09-17 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US7117608B2 (en) * 1996-12-12 2006-10-10 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US20040250433A1 (en) * 1996-12-12 2004-12-16 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
US6148530A (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-11-21 Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc. Level with snap action vial holder
GB2381582B (en) * 2001-10-29 2003-09-17 Wen Hsin Liao A level having a detachable securing structure
GB2381582A (en) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-07 Wen Hsin Liao Level having a detachable securing structure
US20040025360A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2004-02-12 Obergoenner Donald L. Vial insert for a spirit level
US7024781B1 (en) * 2002-08-27 2006-04-11 Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc. Vial illumination feature for a tool such as a level
US6760975B1 (en) 2002-10-01 2004-07-13 Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc. Vial holding level
WO2007089682A3 (en) * 2006-01-31 2008-10-16 Commscope Inc Communications panel assemblies and methods for mounting the same
WO2007089682A2 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-09 Commscope Inc. Of North Carolina Communications panel assemblies and methods for mounting the same
US20070177365A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina Communications Panel Assemblies and Methods for Mounting the Same
AU2007210017B2 (en) * 2006-01-31 2010-03-18 Commscope Inc. Of North Carolina Communications panel assemblies and methods for mounting the same
US8011109B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2011-09-06 Empire Level Mfg. Corp. Casing mount for a cylindrical vial
US9618339B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2017-04-11 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
USD730207S1 (en) 2014-03-05 2015-05-26 Kapro Industries Ltd. Spirit level
USD750984S1 (en) 2014-09-30 2016-03-08 Kapro Industries Ltd. Box spirit level with ruler
USD805928S1 (en) 2016-09-21 2017-12-26 Kapro Industries Ltd. Stud layout level
US20220113133A1 (en) * 2018-03-20 2022-04-14 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Digital Level
US11761760B2 (en) * 2018-03-20 2023-09-19 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Digital level

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1307651A (en) 1973-02-21
CA917905A (en) 1973-01-02
FR2091601A5 (en) 1972-01-14
JPS5514363B1 (en) 1980-04-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3738015A (en) Snap-in vial retainers
US4593475A (en) Level with slotted magnet support
US3835549A (en) Level vial station assembly
US5033199A (en) Level vial holder assembly
US3878618A (en) Level vial mount
US5406714A (en) Level vial assembly
US4407075A (en) Illuminated spirit vial and level
EP1719974B1 (en) Level
US3225451A (en) Piggyback pocket level
US4470664A (en) Reflector device for use with optical distance measuring apparatus
US4073062A (en) Level
US4463501A (en) Level construction and methods of constructing a level
US5839201A (en) Segmented, combination level and square having a rotating joint
US3871110A (en) Level vial assembly
US3442024A (en) Level vial holder and method of making same
US4862595A (en) Extension level
US4426790A (en) Folding ruler accessory
US4208803A (en) Top viewable vial level
US3243888A (en) Level
US2411165A (en) Clinometer
US3824700A (en) Level with novel vial mounting arrangement
US3513558A (en) Level and method of making same
US3561128A (en) Channeled spirit level having spirit vials adjustably mounted within the channel thereof
US3896554A (en) Holder for rules and similar measuring instruments
US1844762A (en) Leveling instrument