WO2011070561A1 - Bubble vial with coloring agent - Google Patents

Bubble vial with coloring agent Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011070561A1
WO2011070561A1 PCT/IL2010/000457 IL2010000457W WO2011070561A1 WO 2011070561 A1 WO2011070561 A1 WO 2011070561A1 IL 2010000457 W IL2010000457 W IL 2010000457W WO 2011070561 A1 WO2011070561 A1 WO 2011070561A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bubble
vial
bubble vial
coloring agent
colored
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2010/000457
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rafi Ben-Josef
Shahar Harari
Yossi Palatshe
Amy Levinson
Tsvi HERSHKOVICH
Original Assignee
Kapro Industries Ltd
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
Priority claimed from PCT/IL2009/001184 external-priority patent/WO2010067371A1/en
Application filed by Kapro Industries Ltd filed Critical Kapro Industries Ltd
Publication of WO2011070561A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011070561A1/en

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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
    • 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
    • G01C9/02—Details
    • G01C9/06—Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to bubble vials with a coloring agent for assisting a user to accurately and readily determine its bubble location relative to its one or more reference markings for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
  • Bubble vials are now mostly made from transparent acrylic material and typically have a symmetrical barrel shaped cavity mostly filled with a typically UV resistant non-freezing vial liquid leaving a small lengthwise directed ellipsoidal bubble floating at the top of its cavity on placing same on a horizontal surface.
  • the vial liquid has a concave meniscus due to the surface tension of the non-freezing vial liquid.
  • the bubble is an air bubble, a noble gas bubble, or the like.
  • Either a bubble cavity's internal surface or a bubble vial's outside surface is provided with a pair of spaced apart reference markings by means of which a user interprets whether a surface is level or plumb by observing one or both of its bubble's curved meniscus ends relative to its reference markings.
  • Bubble vials are typically designed such that their bubbles fit snugly between their spaced apart reference markings when they are held horizontal. However, craftsmen often have difficulty in accurately determining the precise location of a bubble.
  • US Patent No. 6,957,494 to Foran illustrates and describes a bubble vial filled with a transparent vial liquid to leave an air bubble and having a pair of dark colored bands which enhance a bubble's visibility by their reflection on the phase interface between the vial liquid and the air bubble to predominantly dark color a bubble's opposite curved meniscus ends.
  • the bands may be opaque or translucent or tinted such that some light passes through them.
  • the bands may be positioned on the exterior surface of the vial body, an interior surface or between the interior and exterior surfaces. Alternatively, the bands can be integral with vial body and, in such cases, be may be comprised of opaque or translucent portions.
  • the vial may further include end closures which are dark colored and provide further reflection to the phase interface in addition to that of the bands (see Col. 3, lines 1 to 7). Summary of the Invention
  • the present invention is described with reference to a pair of orthogonal planes traversing a horizontal bubble vial in a left end elevation view and in greater particularity traversing the horizontal bubble vial's central region and intersecting at an origin.
  • the pair of orthogonal planes includes a lengthwise vertical plane and a horizontal plane dividing the horizontal bubble vial into a front upper quadrant, a rear upper quadrant, a front lower quadrant, and a rear lower quadrant in aforesaid left end elevation view. From aforesaid left end elevation view, users observe the bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within either the front upper quadrant or the rear upper quadrant. For the purpose of convenience, users are assumed to be observing a horizontal bubble vial along a front upper quadrant line of sight in aforesaid left end elevation view.
  • the present invention is directed towards bubble vials having a coloring agent at least partially disposed in an upper half of aforesaid rear upper quadrant and at least co-extensive with their pair of spaced apart reference markings for being observed by a user along a line of sight in its opposing aforesaid front upper quadrant for coloring its bubble's uppermost surface as perceived by the user.
  • the perceived coloring is imparted by internal reflection and/or refraction to differing degrees depending on the size, location, and make up of a particular coloring agent, a vial's shape, and also a user's position and line of sight.
  • the coloring agents may obstruct certain lines of sight and may preclude other lines of sight by being perceived to form a contiguous colored region together with a colored bubble surface.
  • the coloring and ensuing improved bubble visibility along most lines of sight between a top plan view and a front elevation view in some embodiments and from a front elevation view through a top plan view to a rear elevation view in other embodiments outweigh any user inconvenience due to certain obstructed or precluded lines of sight.
  • Bubble vials can be provisioned with transparent, translucent or opaque coloring agents.
  • Coloring agents can be painted onto a bubble vial surface, printed onto a bubble vial surface, adhered to a bubble vial surface, embedded in a bubble vial acrylic material, inserted into a groove formed along a bubble vial surface, and the like.
  • Coloring agents can be constituted by solid stripes, line formations, dot formations, and the like.
  • coloring agents can be constituted by discrete coloring members juxtapositioned against or in close proximity with a bubble vial.
  • Bubble vials can be provisioned with coloring agents of differing lengthwise directed length in aforesaid left end elevation view from aforesaid minimum length at least co-extensive with a pair of reference markings and a maximum length extending along an entire bubble vial.
  • Bubble vials can be provisioned with coloring agents of differing arcs having an arc center at the intersection between aforesaid vertical and horizontal planes in aforesaid left end elevation view.
  • the coloring agents subtend a minimum arc of about 5° upto a full rear upper quadrant as defined between aforesaid vertical and horizontal planes in aforesaid left end elevation view.
  • the vial liquid can be either transparent or opaque and either colorless or colored.
  • the coloring agents are preferably brightly colored reds, blues, and the like.
  • the coloring agents can be a primary color or a combination of two or more colors.
  • the coloring agents are color contrasted with same, for example, a red coloring agent and a greenish yellow vial liquid, and the like, for further accentuating bubble visibility.
  • Additional coloring agents can be provided for coloring a central meniscus surface and/or meniscus end surfaces as perceived by a user for further accentuating bubble visibility.
  • Vial housings for mounting bubble vials can be employed as additional coloring agents.
  • bubble vials can be further provisioned with a typically white or similar light colored opaque background on a horizontal bubble vial's far side relative to a user's position and along his line of sight for further accentuating bubble visibility.
  • the present invention can be readily applied to conventional shaped bubble vials, for example, generally cylindrical bubble vials, rectangular parallelepiped bubble vials, banana shaped bubble vials, and the like.
  • the present invention can also be applied to bubble vials with specifically designed external shapes. Accordingly, the bubble vial surfaces can be curved or flat from aforesaid left end elevation view.
  • Bubble vials can be provisioned with a coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their front major surfaces only.
  • bubble vials can be provisioned with a first coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their front major surfaces and a second coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their rear major surfaces.
  • the bubble vials are useful for indicating horizontal and plumb in a wide range of measuring and layout tools, for example, spirit levels, tapes, laser tools, squares, and the like.
  • Fig. 1 is a pictorial view showing the use of a conventional spirit level with a horizontal bubble vial for indicating the inclination of a generally horizontal surface relative to the horizontal;
  • Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a conventional cylindrical horizontal bubble vial
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2's bubble vial
  • Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of Figure 2's bubble vial
  • Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of Figure 2's bubble vial along line A- A therein;
  • Fig. 6 is a transverse cross section of Figure 2's bubble vial along line B-B therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of a conventional rectangular parallelepiped horizontal bubble vial rotated at 45° to the conventional mounting of rectangular parallelepiped horizontal bubble vial;
  • Fig. 8 is a top plan view of Figure 7's bubble vial
  • Fig. 9 is a front elevation view of Figure 7's bubble vial
  • Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross section of Figure 7's bubble vial along line C-C therein;
  • Fig. 11 is a transverse cross section of Figure 7's bubble vial along line D-D therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 12 is a rear perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent
  • Fig. 13 is a transverse cross section of Figure 12's bubble vial along line E-E therein as viewed from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of Figure 12's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 13's line of sight;
  • Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent
  • Fig. 16 is a transverse cross section of Figure 15's bubble vial along line F-F therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of Figure 15's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 16's line of sight;
  • Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent in a first operative position;
  • Fig. 19 is a transverse cross section of Figure 18's bubble vial along line G-G therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of Figure 18's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 19's line of sight;
  • Fig. 21 is a front perspective view of Figure 18's horizontal bubble vial with its coloring agent in its second operative position;
  • Fig. 22 is a transverse cross section of Figure 21 's bubble vial along line H-H therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 23 is a rear perspective view of Figure 21 's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 22's line of sight;
  • Fig. 24 is a rear perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a segmented coloring agent
  • Fig. 25 is a transverse cross section of Figure 24's bubble vial along line I-I therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 26 is a front elevation view of Figure 24's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 25's line of sight;
  • Fig. 27 is a front perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent
  • Fig. 28 is a top plan view of Figure 27's bubble vial
  • Fig. 29 is a transverse cross section of Figure 27's bubble vial along line J-J therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 30 is a front perspective view of Figure 27's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 29's front upper quadrant's line of sight;
  • Fig. 31 is a front perspective view of Figure 27's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 29's rear upper quadrant's line of sight;
  • Fig. 32 is a front perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent
  • Fig. 33 is a transverse cross section from a left end elevation view of a one sided spirit level including a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent and two additional elements for improving bubble visibility;
  • Fig. 34 is an exploded view of Figure 33's horizontal bubble vial and coloring agent
  • Fig. 35 is a front perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent
  • Fig. 36 is a transverse cross section of Figure 35 's bubble vial along line K-K therein from a left end elevation view;
  • Fig. 37 is a front perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent.
  • Fig. 38 is a transverse cross section of Figure 37's bubble vial along line L-L therein from a left end elevation view.
  • FIG. 1 shows the use of a conventional spirit level 10 for leveling tiles on a wall.
  • the spirit level 10 includes a main body 11 having a longitudinal axis 12, a front major surface 13, a rear major surface 14, a left end 16, a right end 17, a leveling surface 18 for placing on a generally horizontal surface S, and a top surface 19 opposite the leveling surface 18.
  • the front and rear major surfaces 13 and 14 are co-directional with the longitudinal axis 12.
  • the leveling surface 18 extends widthwise between the front and rear major surfaces 13 and 14.
  • the spirit level 10 includes a central horizontal bubble vial 21 having a longitudinal axis parallel to the leveling surface 18 for providing a visual indication of the inclination of the generally horizontal surface S relative to the horizontal, and a pair of vertical bubble vials 22 and 23 each having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the leveling surface 18 at opposite ends of the main body 11 for providing a visual indication of the inclination of a generally vertical surface relative to the vertical.
  • the horizontal bubble vial 21 can have a conventional shape including inter alia a cylindrical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a banana shape, and the like. Alternatively, the horizontal bubble vial 21 can have specifically designed shapes.
  • the horizontal bubble vial 21 can be observed along a direct line of sight denoted LOS bounded between Figure l 's direct front elevation view denoted FEV through a direct top plan view denoted TPV to a direct rear elevation view denoted REV opposite to the front elevation view.
  • the present invention can be equally applied to a conventional cylindrical bubble vial 30A as shown in Figures 2 to 6, and a conventional rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial 30B as shown in Figures 7 to 11.
  • the bubble vial 30B is rotated at 45° to the conventional mounting of rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial in which a user observes a flat surface in a top plan view towards the leveling surface 18 for exposition of the present invention as described hereinbelow.
  • a bubble vial 30 has a longitudinal axis 31 and an injection molded thin walled transparent vial body 32.
  • the vial body 32 has a left end 32A and a right end 32B.
  • the vial body 32 has an external peripheral surface 33 and an internal barrel shaped cavity 34.
  • the cavity 34 has a central region 36, an internal cavity surface 37, a sealed end 38 and an open end 39.
  • the cavity 34 is nearly completely filled with a vial liquid 41.
  • the sealed end 38 is hermetically sealed with a plug 42 in a conventional manner, for example, gluing, ultrasonic welding, and the like.
  • the bubble 44 has an uppermost bubble surface 45 uppermost bounded by the internal cavity surface 37 and peripherally bounded by the meniscus sides 47A and 47B and the meniscus ends 48A and 48B on placing the bubble vial 30 on a horizontal surface.
  • the bubble vial 30 is provided with a pair of spaced apart reference markings 49 at its central region 36 either on its cavity's internal cavity surface 37 or its external peripheral surface 33 for assisting a user to accurately determine the bubble location with respect thereto.
  • Bubble vials 30 are typically designed such that their bubbles 44 fit snugly between their spaced apart reference markings 49 on placing same on a horizontal surface.
  • the vertical and horizontal planes 51 and 52 intersect at an origin O in the left end elevation view and divide the bubble vial's external peripheral surface 33 into four bubble vial surfaces in four quadrants as follows: a front upper bubble vial surface 53 in a front upper quadrant denoted FUQ, a rear upper bubble vial surface 54 in a rear upper quadrant denoted RUQ, a front lower bubble vial surface 56 in a front lower quadrant denoted FLQ, and a rear lower bubble vial surface 57 in a rear lower quadrant RLQ.
  • the cylindrical bubble vial 30A has quarter cylindrical bubble vial surfaces section 53, 54, 56 and 57.
  • the rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial 30B has flat inclined bubble vial surfaces 53, 54, 56 and 57.
  • a top plan view TPV of the bubble vials 30 A and 30B reveals the front and rear upper bubble vial surfaces 53 and 54.
  • a front elevation view FEV of the bubble vials 30A and 30B reveals the front upper and lower bubble vial surfaces 53 and 56.
  • a user typically observes the bubble vial 30 along a line of sight denoted LOS typically midway between the top plan view TPV and the front elevation view FEV.
  • the user's line of sight LOS traverses the front upper bubble vial surface 53 which is transparent for enabling observation of the bubble 44. Accordingly, the user observes the meniscus side 47A on the bubble vial 30's far side relative to his position, the meniscus side 47B on the bubble vial 30's near side relative to his position, the meniscus end 48A on the bubble vial 30's left side relative to his position and the curved meniscus end 48B on the bubble vial 30's right side relative to his position.
  • the present invention is directed toward bubble vials 60A-60H similar to bubble vials 30 and additionally having a coloring agent 70 at least partially in an upper half of the rear upper quadrant RUQ for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing a bubble vial 60 through its transparent front upper bubble vial surface 53 as will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 38.
  • Figures 12 to 14 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60A similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a short thin colored stripe 71 in the rear upper quadrant RUQ on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 through the transparent front upper bubble vial surface
  • the colored stripe 71 has a lengthwise directed length extending slightly beyond the pair of spaced apart reference markings 49.
  • the colored stripe 71 covers a 30° arc having an arc center at the origin O. The arc is centered along the 45° bisector of the rear upper quadrant RUQ. The user perceives the bubble surface 45 colored by the colored stripe 71 as denoted by shading in Figure 14.
  • Figures 15 to 17 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60B similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long quarter cylindrical colored stripe 72 on the rear upper bubble vial surface
  • the colored stripe 72 extends along the bubble vial's entire length.
  • the colored stripe 72 is disposed over the entire rear upper bubble vial surface 54.
  • the user perceives the bubble surface 45 colored by the colored stripe 72 as denoted by shading in Figure 17. Bubble visibility can be further accentuated by provisioning the bubble vial 60B with a bright opaque background on the rear lower bubble vial surface 57.
  • Figures 18 to 23 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60C similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a lengthwise directed quarter cylindrical colored discrete plastic member 73 pivotal with respect to the bubble vial 60C between a first operative position (see Figures 18 to 20) and a second operative position (see Figures 21 to 23).
  • Figures 18 to 20 show the colored member 73 disposed in the rear upper quadrant RUQ covering the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 such that a user observing the bubble 44 through the front upper bubble vial surface 53 perceives the bubble surface 45 colored as denoted in Figure 20.
  • Figures 21 to 23 show the colored member 73 disposed in the front upper quadrant FUQ covering the front upper bubble vial surface 53 such that a user observing the bubble 44 through the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 perceives the bubble surface 45 colored as denoted in Figure 23.
  • the colored member 73 affords a user being able to sight the bubble vial 60C in both front and rear elevation views as opposed to the single front elevation view in the case of the color stripes 71 and 72.
  • Figures 24 to 26 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60D similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long quarter cylindrical segmented colored stripe 74 similar to the colored stripe 72.
  • the segmented colored stripe 74 preferably includes a central segment 76 co-extensive with the pair of reference markings 49 and two end segments 77 and 78 lateral to the central segment 76.
  • the central segment 76 is colorless or colored.
  • the end segments 77 and 78 are color contrasted with the central segment 76.
  • the end segments 77 and 78 can be the same color or different colors.
  • the colored stripe 74 colors the bubble surface 45 in a similar manner as the colored stripe 72 except that in this case a user can readily determine the required correction to center its bubble 44 depending on the relative lengths of the perceived colors along the bubble surface 45 as afforded by one or more of the segments 76, 77 and 78 depending on the position of the bubble 44.
  • Figures 27 to 31 show a bubble vial 60E similar to the bubble vial 30B and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by an inverted V- shaped long color stripe 79 having a first elongated stripe member 81A for covering the uppermost stretch of the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 and a second elongated stripe member 81B for covering the covering the uppermost stretch of the rear upper bubble vial surface 53.
  • Bubble visibility can be further accentuated by provisioning the bubble vial 60E with bright opaque backgrounds on the front lower bubble vial surface 56 and the rear lower bubble vial surface 57.
  • the inverted V-shaped long color stripe 79 affords a user being able to sight the bubble vial 60E in both direct front and rear elevation views as opposed to the single front elevation view in the case of the color stripes 71 and 72.
  • a bubble vial 60F can be provisioned with a coloring agent 70 constituted by an inverted U-shaped long color stripe 82 (see Figure 32).
  • Figures 33 and 34 show a one sided spirit level 100 including a main body 101 having a front major surface 102, a rear major surface 103, a leveling surface 104 for placing on a generally horizontal surface S, and a top surface 106 opposite the leveling surface 104.
  • the main body 101 is formed with a vial pocket 107 for receiving a conventional horizontal bubble vial 30B and a coloring agent 70.
  • the bottom half of the horizontal bubble vial 30B including the front and rear lower bubble vial surfaces 56 and 57 are concealed from view by the front major surface 102 in a front elevation view FEV.
  • the spirit level 100 includes a transparent window 108 for sealing the vial pocket 107.
  • the coloring agent 70 is constituted by a lengthwise directed transparent or opaque colored uniform triangular prism 83 disposed against the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV in the front upper quadrant FUQ.
  • the spirit level 100 also includes an additional lengthwise directed transparent or opaque colored uniform triangular prism 84 disposed against the front lower bubble vial surface 56 for coloring the central meniscus surface 46 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 along the direct line of sight LOS.
  • the spirit level 100 also includes a typically white opaque uniform triangular prism 86 disposed against the rear lower bubble vial surface 57 for providing a bright background for further accentuating the bubble surface 45 and the central meniscus surface 46 as perceived by a user.
  • Figures 35 and 36 show a specifically designed bubble vial 60G including a rectangular parallelepiped base portion 61 and a uniform triangular prism 62 having a pair of oppositely inclined flat surfaces 63A and 63B.
  • the vertical and horizontal planes 51 and 52 divide the bubble vial 60G's external peripheral surface 33 into a front upper bubble vial surface 53 constituted by the inclined flat surface 63 A, a rear upper bubble vial surface 54 constituted by the inclined flat surface 63 B, an upright front lower bubble vial surface 56, and an upright rear lower bubble vial surface 57 correspondingly in the front upper quadrant denoted FUQ, the rear upper quadrant denoted RUQ, the front lower quadrant denoted FLQ, and the rear lower quadrant RLQ.
  • the bubble vial 60G includes a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long wide planar color stripe 87 disposed on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54.
  • a user perceives the bubble surface 45 being colored by the color stripe 87 on observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV in a similar manner as the color stripe 72.
  • the bubble vial 60G can be provisioned with the inverted V- shaped long color stripe 79.
  • the bubble vial 60H includes a coloring agent 70 constituted by the quarter cylindrical color stripe 72 disposed on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54. A user perceives the bubble surface 45 being colored by the color stripe 72 on observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV.
  • the bubble vial 60H can be provisioned with the inverted U-shaped long color stripe 82.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)

Abstract

Bubble vial having a bubble and a coloring agent for coloring its bubble's uppermost surface as perceived by a user for improving bubble visibility for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.

Description

BUBBLE VIAL WITH COLORING AGENT
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bubble vials with a coloring agent for assisting a user to accurately and readily determine its bubble location relative to its one or more reference markings for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
Background of the Invention
Bubble vials are now mostly made from transparent acrylic material and typically have a symmetrical barrel shaped cavity mostly filled with a typically UV resistant non-freezing vial liquid leaving a small lengthwise directed ellipsoidal bubble floating at the top of its cavity on placing same on a horizontal surface. The vial liquid has a concave meniscus due to the surface tension of the non-freezing vial liquid. The bubble is an air bubble, a noble gas bubble, or the like. Either a bubble cavity's internal surface or a bubble vial's outside surface is provided with a pair of spaced apart reference markings by means of which a user interprets whether a surface is level or plumb by observing one or both of its bubble's curved meniscus ends relative to its reference markings. Bubble vials are typically designed such that their bubbles fit snugly between their spaced apart reference markings when they are held horizontal. However, craftsmen often have difficulty in accurately determining the precise location of a bubble.
US Patent No. 6,957,494 to Foran illustrates and describes a bubble vial filled with a transparent vial liquid to leave an air bubble and having a pair of dark colored bands which enhance a bubble's visibility by their reflection on the phase interface between the vial liquid and the air bubble to predominantly dark color a bubble's opposite curved meniscus ends. The bands may be opaque or translucent or tinted such that some light passes through them. The bands may be positioned on the exterior surface of the vial body, an interior surface or between the interior and exterior surfaces. Alternatively, the bands can be integral with vial body and, in such cases, be may be comprised of opaque or translucent portions. The vial may further include end closures which are dark colored and provide further reflection to the phase interface in addition to that of the bands (see Col. 3, lines 1 to 7). Summary of the Invention
The present invention is described with reference to a pair of orthogonal planes traversing a horizontal bubble vial in a left end elevation view and in greater particularity traversing the horizontal bubble vial's central region and intersecting at an origin. The pair of orthogonal planes includes a lengthwise vertical plane and a horizontal plane dividing the horizontal bubble vial into a front upper quadrant, a rear upper quadrant, a front lower quadrant, and a rear lower quadrant in aforesaid left end elevation view. From aforesaid left end elevation view, users observe the bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within either the front upper quadrant or the rear upper quadrant. For the purpose of convenience, users are assumed to be observing a horizontal bubble vial along a front upper quadrant line of sight in aforesaid left end elevation view.
The present invention is directed towards bubble vials having a coloring agent at least partially disposed in an upper half of aforesaid rear upper quadrant and at least co-extensive with their pair of spaced apart reference markings for being observed by a user along a line of sight in its opposing aforesaid front upper quadrant for coloring its bubble's uppermost surface as perceived by the user. The perceived coloring is imparted by internal reflection and/or refraction to differing degrees depending on the size, location, and make up of a particular coloring agent, a vial's shape, and also a user's position and line of sight. It should be noted the coloring agents may obstruct certain lines of sight and may preclude other lines of sight by being perceived to form a contiguous colored region together with a colored bubble surface. However, it is believed that the coloring and ensuing improved bubble visibility along most lines of sight between a top plan view and a front elevation view in some embodiments and from a front elevation view through a top plan view to a rear elevation view in other embodiments outweigh any user inconvenience due to certain obstructed or precluded lines of sight.
Bubble vials can be provisioned with transparent, translucent or opaque coloring agents. Coloring agents can be painted onto a bubble vial surface, printed onto a bubble vial surface, adhered to a bubble vial surface, embedded in a bubble vial acrylic material, inserted into a groove formed along a bubble vial surface, and the like. Coloring agents can be constituted by solid stripes, line formations, dot formations, and the like. Alternatively, coloring agents can be constituted by discrete coloring members juxtapositioned against or in close proximity with a bubble vial.
Bubble vials can be provisioned with coloring agents of differing lengthwise directed length in aforesaid left end elevation view from aforesaid minimum length at least co-extensive with a pair of reference markings and a maximum length extending along an entire bubble vial.
Bubble vials can be provisioned with coloring agents of differing arcs having an arc center at the intersection between aforesaid vertical and horizontal planes in aforesaid left end elevation view. The coloring agents subtend a minimum arc of about 5° upto a full rear upper quadrant as defined between aforesaid vertical and horizontal planes in aforesaid left end elevation view.
The vial liquid can be either transparent or opaque and either colorless or colored. The coloring agents are preferably brightly colored reds, blues, and the like. The coloring agents can be a primary color or a combination of two or more colors. In the case of colored vial liquids, the coloring agents are color contrasted with same, for example, a red coloring agent and a greenish yellow vial liquid, and the like, for further accentuating bubble visibility.
Additional coloring agents can be provided for coloring a central meniscus surface and/or meniscus end surfaces as perceived by a user for further accentuating bubble visibility. Vial housings for mounting bubble vials can be employed as additional coloring agents. Moreover, bubble vials can be further provisioned with a typically white or similar light colored opaque background on a horizontal bubble vial's far side relative to a user's position and along his line of sight for further accentuating bubble visibility.
The present invention can be readily applied to conventional shaped bubble vials, for example, generally cylindrical bubble vials, rectangular parallelepiped bubble vials, banana shaped bubble vials, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to bubble vials with specifically designed external shapes. Accordingly, the bubble vial surfaces can be curved or flat from aforesaid left end elevation view.
Bubble vials can be provisioned with a coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their front major surfaces only. Alternatively, bubble vials can be provisioned with a first coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their front major surfaces and a second coloring agent such that users perceive the coloring effect on facing their rear major surfaces.
The bubble vials are useful for indicating horizontal and plumb in a wide range of measuring and layout tools, for example, spirit levels, tapes, laser tools, squares, and the like.
Brief Description of Drawings
In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non- limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are likewise numbered, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial view showing the use of a conventional spirit level with a horizontal bubble vial for indicating the inclination of a generally horizontal surface relative to the horizontal;
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a conventional cylindrical horizontal bubble vial;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2's bubble vial;
Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of Figure 2's bubble vial; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of Figure 2's bubble vial along line A- A therein;
Fig. 6 is a transverse cross section of Figure 2's bubble vial along line B-B therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of a conventional rectangular parallelepiped horizontal bubble vial rotated at 45° to the conventional mounting of rectangular parallelepiped horizontal bubble vial;
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of Figure 7's bubble vial;
Fig. 9 is a front elevation view of Figure 7's bubble vial;
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross section of Figure 7's bubble vial along line C-C therein;
Fig. 11 is a transverse cross section of Figure 7's bubble vial along line D-D therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 12 is a rear perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent;
Fig. 13 is a transverse cross section of Figure 12's bubble vial along line E-E therein as viewed from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of Figure 12's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 13's line of sight;
Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent;
Fig. 16 is a transverse cross section of Figure 15's bubble vial along line F-F therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of Figure 15's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 16's line of sight;
Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent in a first operative position;
Fig. 19 is a transverse cross section of Figure 18's bubble vial along line G-G therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of Figure 18's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 19's line of sight; Fig. 21 is a front perspective view of Figure 18's horizontal bubble vial with its coloring agent in its second operative position;
Fig. 22 is a transverse cross section of Figure 21 's bubble vial along line H-H therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 23 is a rear perspective view of Figure 21 's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 22's line of sight;
Fig. 24 is a rear perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a segmented coloring agent;
Fig. 25 is a transverse cross section of Figure 24's bubble vial along line I-I therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 26 is a front elevation view of Figure 24's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 25's line of sight;
Fig. 27 is a front perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent;
Fig. 28 is a top plan view of Figure 27's bubble vial;
Fig. 29 is a transverse cross section of Figure 27's bubble vial along line J-J therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 30 is a front perspective view of Figure 27's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 29's front upper quadrant's line of sight;
Fig. 31 is a front perspective view of Figure 27's bubble vial as perceived by a user observing same along Figure 29's rear upper quadrant's line of sight;
Fig. 32 is a front perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent;
Fig. 33 is a transverse cross section from a left end elevation view of a one sided spirit level including a horizontal bubble vial with a coloring agent and two additional elements for improving bubble visibility;
Fig. 34 is an exploded view of Figure 33's horizontal bubble vial and coloring agent; Fig. 35 is a front perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent;
Fig. 36 is a transverse cross section of Figure 35 's bubble vial along line K-K therein from a left end elevation view;
Fig. 37 is a front perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of a bubble vial with a coloring agent; and
Fig. 38 is a transverse cross section of Figure 37's bubble vial along line L-L therein from a left end elevation view. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
Figure 1 shows the use of a conventional spirit level 10 for leveling tiles on a wall. The spirit level 10 includes a main body 11 having a longitudinal axis 12, a front major surface 13, a rear major surface 14, a left end 16, a right end 17, a leveling surface 18 for placing on a generally horizontal surface S, and a top surface 19 opposite the leveling surface 18. The front and rear major surfaces 13 and 14 are co-directional with the longitudinal axis 12. The leveling surface 18 extends widthwise between the front and rear major surfaces 13 and 14.
The spirit level 10 includes a central horizontal bubble vial 21 having a longitudinal axis parallel to the leveling surface 18 for providing a visual indication of the inclination of the generally horizontal surface S relative to the horizontal, and a pair of vertical bubble vials 22 and 23 each having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the leveling surface 18 at opposite ends of the main body 11 for providing a visual indication of the inclination of a generally vertical surface relative to the vertical. The horizontal bubble vial 21 can have a conventional shape including inter alia a cylindrical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a banana shape, and the like. Alternatively, the horizontal bubble vial 21 can have specifically designed shapes. The horizontal bubble vial 21 can be observed along a direct line of sight denoted LOS bounded between Figure l 's direct front elevation view denoted FEV through a direct top plan view denoted TPV to a direct rear elevation view denoted REV opposite to the front elevation view.
The present invention can be equally applied to a conventional cylindrical bubble vial 30A as shown in Figures 2 to 6, and a conventional rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial 30B as shown in Figures 7 to 11. The bubble vial 30B is rotated at 45° to the conventional mounting of rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial in which a user observes a flat surface in a top plan view towards the leveling surface 18 for exposition of the present invention as described hereinbelow.
A bubble vial 30 has a longitudinal axis 31 and an injection molded thin walled transparent vial body 32. The vial body 32 has a left end 32A and a right end 32B. The vial body 32 has an external peripheral surface 33 and an internal barrel shaped cavity 34. The cavity 34 has a central region 36, an internal cavity surface 37, a sealed end 38 and an open end 39. The cavity 34 is nearly completely filled with a vial liquid 41. The sealed end 38 is hermetically sealed with a plug 42 in a conventional manner, for example, gluing, ultrasonic welding, and the like.
The vial liquid 41 has a concave meniscus 43 leaving a lengthwise directed ellipsoidal bubble 44 floating at the top of the cavity's central region 36. The meniscus 43 has a central meniscus surface 46, a pair of opposite lengthwise directed curved meniscus sides 47A and 47B, and a left transverse directed curved meniscus end 48A and a right transverse directed curved meniscus end 48B. The bubble 44 is preferably air, a noble gas, and the like.
The bubble 44 has an uppermost bubble surface 45 uppermost bounded by the internal cavity surface 37 and peripherally bounded by the meniscus sides 47A and 47B and the meniscus ends 48A and 48B on placing the bubble vial 30 on a horizontal surface.
The bubble vial 30 is provided with a pair of spaced apart reference markings 49 at its central region 36 either on its cavity's internal cavity surface 37 or its external peripheral surface 33 for assisting a user to accurately determine the bubble location with respect thereto. Bubble vials 30 are typically designed such that their bubbles 44 fit snugly between their spaced apart reference markings 49 on placing same on a horizontal surface.
The present invention is now described with reference to a pair of orthogonal planes as seen in a left end elevation view as follows: A lengthwise directed vertical plane 51 and traversing the bubble cavity's central region 36 and corresponding to a direct top plan view TPV of the bubble vials 30A and 30B. And, a horizontal plane 52 traversing the bubble cavity's central region 36 and corresponding to a front elevation view FEV and a rear elevation view REV of the bubble vials 30 A and 30B. The vertical and horizontal planes 51 and 52 intersect at an origin O in the left end elevation view and divide the bubble vial's external peripheral surface 33 into four bubble vial surfaces in four quadrants as follows: a front upper bubble vial surface 53 in a front upper quadrant denoted FUQ, a rear upper bubble vial surface 54 in a rear upper quadrant denoted RUQ, a front lower bubble vial surface 56 in a front lower quadrant denoted FLQ, and a rear lower bubble vial surface 57 in a rear lower quadrant RLQ. The cylindrical bubble vial 30A has quarter cylindrical bubble vial surfaces section 53, 54, 56 and 57. The rectangular parallelepiped bubble vial 30B has flat inclined bubble vial surfaces 53, 54, 56 and 57. A top plan view TPV of the bubble vials 30 A and 30B reveals the front and rear upper bubble vial surfaces 53 and 54. A front elevation view FEV of the bubble vials 30A and 30B reveals the front upper and lower bubble vial surfaces 53 and 56.
A user typically observes the bubble vial 30 along a line of sight denoted LOS typically midway between the top plan view TPV and the front elevation view FEV. The user's line of sight LOS traverses the front upper bubble vial surface 53 which is transparent for enabling observation of the bubble 44. Accordingly, the user observes the meniscus side 47A on the bubble vial 30's far side relative to his position, the meniscus side 47B on the bubble vial 30's near side relative to his position, the meniscus end 48A on the bubble vial 30's left side relative to his position and the curved meniscus end 48B on the bubble vial 30's right side relative to his position. The present invention is directed toward bubble vials 60A-60H similar to bubble vials 30 and additionally having a coloring agent 70 at least partially in an upper half of the rear upper quadrant RUQ for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing a bubble vial 60 through its transparent front upper bubble vial surface 53 as will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 38.
Figures 12 to 14 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60A similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a short thin colored stripe 71 in the rear upper quadrant RUQ on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 through the transparent front upper bubble vial surface
53 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV. The colored stripe 71 has a lengthwise directed length extending slightly beyond the pair of spaced apart reference markings 49. The colored stripe 71 covers a 30° arc having an arc center at the origin O. The arc is centered along the 45° bisector of the rear upper quadrant RUQ. The user perceives the bubble surface 45 colored by the colored stripe 71 as denoted by shading in Figure 14.
Figures 15 to 17 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60B similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long quarter cylindrical colored stripe 72 on the rear upper bubble vial surface
54 for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 through the transparent front upper bubble vial surface 53 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the top plan view TPV and the front elevation view FEV. The colored stripe 72 extends along the bubble vial's entire length. The colored stripe 72 is disposed over the entire rear upper bubble vial surface 54. The user perceives the bubble surface 45 colored by the colored stripe 72 as denoted by shading in Figure 17. Bubble visibility can be further accentuated by provisioning the bubble vial 60B with a bright opaque background on the rear lower bubble vial surface 57. Figures 18 to 23 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60C similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a lengthwise directed quarter cylindrical colored discrete plastic member 73 pivotal with respect to the bubble vial 60C between a first operative position (see Figures 18 to 20) and a second operative position (see Figures 21 to 23). Figures 18 to 20 show the colored member 73 disposed in the rear upper quadrant RUQ covering the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 such that a user observing the bubble 44 through the front upper bubble vial surface 53 perceives the bubble surface 45 colored as denoted in Figure 20. Conversely, Figures 21 to 23 show the colored member 73 disposed in the front upper quadrant FUQ covering the front upper bubble vial surface 53 such that a user observing the bubble 44 through the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 perceives the bubble surface 45 colored as denoted in Figure 23. Thus, the colored member 73 affords a user being able to sight the bubble vial 60C in both front and rear elevation views as opposed to the single front elevation view in the case of the color stripes 71 and 72.
Figures 24 to 26 show a cylindrical bubble vial 60D similar to the bubble vial 30A and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long quarter cylindrical segmented colored stripe 74 similar to the colored stripe 72. The segmented colored stripe 74 preferably includes a central segment 76 co-extensive with the pair of reference markings 49 and two end segments 77 and 78 lateral to the central segment 76. The central segment 76 is colorless or colored. The end segments 77 and 78 are color contrasted with the central segment 76. The end segments 77 and 78 can be the same color or different colors. The colored stripe 74 colors the bubble surface 45 in a similar manner as the colored stripe 72 except that in this case a user can readily determine the required correction to center its bubble 44 depending on the relative lengths of the perceived colors along the bubble surface 45 as afforded by one or more of the segments 76, 77 and 78 depending on the position of the bubble 44. Figures 27 to 31 show a bubble vial 60E similar to the bubble vial 30B and additionally having a coloring agent 70 constituted by an inverted V- shaped long color stripe 79 having a first elongated stripe member 81A for covering the uppermost stretch of the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 and a second elongated stripe member 81B for covering the covering the uppermost stretch of the rear upper bubble vial surface 53. The user perceives the bubble surface 45 colored by the stripe member 81A on observing the bubble 44 from the front upper quadrant FUQ (see Figure 30) and the stripe member 8 IB on observing the bubble from the rear upper quadrant RUQ (see Figure 31). Bubble visibility can be further accentuated by provisioning the bubble vial 60E with bright opaque backgrounds on the front lower bubble vial surface 56 and the rear lower bubble vial surface 57. Thus, the inverted V-shaped long color stripe 79 affords a user being able to sight the bubble vial 60E in both direct front and rear elevation views as opposed to the single front elevation view in the case of the color stripes 71 and 72. Similarly, a bubble vial 60F can be provisioned with a coloring agent 70 constituted by an inverted U-shaped long color stripe 82 (see Figure 32).
Figures 33 and 34 show a one sided spirit level 100 including a main body 101 having a front major surface 102, a rear major surface 103, a leveling surface 104 for placing on a generally horizontal surface S, and a top surface 106 opposite the leveling surface 104. The main body 101 is formed with a vial pocket 107 for receiving a conventional horizontal bubble vial 30B and a coloring agent 70. The bottom half of the horizontal bubble vial 30B including the front and rear lower bubble vial surfaces 56 and 57 are concealed from view by the front major surface 102 in a front elevation view FEV. The spirit level 100 includes a transparent window 108 for sealing the vial pocket 107. The coloring agent 70 is constituted by a lengthwise directed transparent or opaque colored uniform triangular prism 83 disposed against the rear upper bubble vial surface 54 for coloring the bubble surface 45 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV in the front upper quadrant FUQ.
The spirit level 100 also includes an additional lengthwise directed transparent or opaque colored uniform triangular prism 84 disposed against the front lower bubble vial surface 56 for coloring the central meniscus surface 46 as perceived by a user observing the bubble 44 along the direct line of sight LOS. The spirit level 100 also includes a typically white opaque uniform triangular prism 86 disposed against the rear lower bubble vial surface 57 for providing a bright background for further accentuating the bubble surface 45 and the central meniscus surface 46 as perceived by a user.
Figures 35 and 36 show a specifically designed bubble vial 60G including a rectangular parallelepiped base portion 61 and a uniform triangular prism 62 having a pair of oppositely inclined flat surfaces 63A and 63B. The vertical and horizontal planes 51 and 52 divide the bubble vial 60G's external peripheral surface 33 into a front upper bubble vial surface 53 constituted by the inclined flat surface 63 A, a rear upper bubble vial surface 54 constituted by the inclined flat surface 63 B, an upright front lower bubble vial surface 56, and an upright rear lower bubble vial surface 57 correspondingly in the front upper quadrant denoted FUQ, the rear upper quadrant denoted RUQ, the front lower quadrant denoted FLQ, and the rear lower quadrant RLQ. The bubble vial 60G includes a coloring agent 70 constituted by a long wide planar color stripe 87 disposed on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54. A user perceives the bubble surface 45 being colored by the color stripe 87 on observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV in a similar manner as the color stripe 72. Alternatively, the bubble vial 60G can be provisioned with the inverted V- shaped long color stripe 79.
Figures 37 and 38 show a specifically designed bubble vial 60H similar to the bubble vial 60G except that the former includes a semi-cylindrical top portion 64 having a pair of quarter cylindrical surfaces 66A and 66B. The vertical and horizontal planes 51 and 52 divide the bubble vial 60H's external peripheral surface 33 into a front upper bubble vial surface 53 constituted by the quarter cylindrical surface 66A, a rear upper bubble vial surface 54 constituted by the quarter cylindrical surface 66B, an upright front lower bubble vial surface 56, and an upright rear lower bubble vial surface 57 correspondingly in the front upper quadrant denoted FUQ, the rear upper quadrant denoted RUQ, the front lower quadrant denoted FLQ, and the rear lower quadrant RLQ. The bubble vial 60H includes a coloring agent 70 constituted by the quarter cylindrical color stripe 72 disposed on the rear upper bubble vial surface 54. A user perceives the bubble surface 45 being colored by the color stripe 72 on observing the bubble 44 along a direct line of sight LOS bounded between the direct top plan view TPV and the direct front elevation view FEV. Alternatively, the bubble vial 60H can be provisioned with the inverted U-shaped long color stripe 82.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A bubble vial comprising:
a vial body having a longitudinal axis, an external peripheral surface and a lengthwise directed elongated bubble cavity having an internal cavity surface, said bubble cavity having a central region with a pair of spaced apart reference markings,
said bubble cavity being nearly completely filled with a vial liquid having a concave meniscus with a central meniscus surface, a pair of opposite lengthwise directed curved meniscus sides and a pair of opposite transverse directed curved meniscus ends to leave a lengthwise directed ellipsoidal bubble floating on said vial liquid at said central region on placement of the bubble vial on a horizontal surface,
said bubble having an uppermost bubble surface uppermost bounded by said internal cavity surface and peripherally bounded by said curved meniscus sides and said curved meniscus ends on placement of the bubble vial on a horizontal surface,
a pair of orthogonal planes in a left end elevation view of the bubble vial including a lengthwise directed vertical plane traversing said bubble cavity at said central region and a horizontal plane traversing said bubble cavity at said central region for dividing said external peripheral surface in a transverse cross section of the bubble vial into a front upper bubble vial surface in a front upper quadrant, a rear upper bubble vial surface in a rear upper quadrant, a front lower bubble vial surface in a front lower quadrant, and a rear lower bubble vial surface in a rear lower quadrant,
said front upper bubble vial surface being transparent for enabling user observation of said bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within said front upper quadrant in said left end elevation view; and
a coloring agent at least partially disposed in an upper half of said rear upper quadrant and at least lengthwise co-extensive with said pair of reference markings such that a user holding the bubble vial horizontal and observing the bubble vial along a direct line of sight bounded within said front upper quadrant perceives said uppermost bubble surface as being colored by said coloring agent thereby improving bubble visibility for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
2. The vial according to claim 1 wherein said coloring agent subtends a minimum arc of at least 5° in said transverse cross section and said arc has an arc center at an intersection of said vertical and horizontal planes.
3. The vial according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein said vial liquid is colored and said coloring agent is color contrasted with said colored vial liquid.
4. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said coloring agent is segmented lengthwise between a central segment substantially co- extensive with said pair of reference markings and a pair of end segments lateral and color contrasted relative to said central segment.
5. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and further comprising a second coloring agent at least partially disposed in an upper half of said front upper quadrant in said transverse cross section in close proximity with said central region such that a user holding the bubble vial horizontal and observing the bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within said rear upper quadrant perceives said bubble surface as being colored by said second coloring agent thereby improving bubble visibility for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
6. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said coloring agent is constituted by a colored member pivotal with respect to said vial body for enabling a user to select his line of sight bounded within either said front upper quadrant or said rear upper quadrant.
7. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said bubble vial has a transparent rear lower bubble vial surface in said rear lower quadrant in said transverse cross section.
8. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said bubble vial has a lengthwise directed bright opaque background surface in said rear lower quadrant in said transverse cross section such that a user holding the bubble vial horizontal and observing the bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within said front upper quadrant perceives said colored bubble surface against said bright opaque background thereby further improving bubble visibility for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
9. The vial according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and further comprising an additional coloring agent disposed in said front lower quadrant in said transverse cross section such that a user holding the bubble vial horizontal and observing the bubble vial along a line of sight bounded within said front upper quadrant perceives said central meniscus surface as being colored in addition to said colored bubble surface thereby further improving bubble visibility for assisting user readability for leveling purposes.
10. A measuring tool comprising a main body and at least one bubble vial according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
PCT/IL2010/000457 2009-12-13 2010-06-09 Bubble vial with coloring agent WO2011070561A1 (en)

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