Level

• US 20030163927A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STABILA Messgeräte Gustav Ullrich GmbH
• Original Assignee: STABILA Messgeräte Gustav Ullrich GmbH
• Inventors: Kallabis, Gabriel, Schaefer, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 6,988,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/365
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/26 Details

Abstract

A water or spirit level is composed of an elongated body, preferably of metal, at least one bubble mounted in the elongated body, and end caps, preferably of plastics material, at the end faces of the elongated body, wherein at least one outer surface of the elongated body constitutes a preferred measuring surface. At least one of the end caps is releasably connected to the level body such that the end cap can optionally be removed and once again replaced.

Claims

1. A level comprising

an elongated level body with at least one bubble placed in the level body,

end caps mounted on ends of the level body, wherein

at least one outer surface of the level body is a preferred measuring surface, and wherein

at least one of the end caps is releasably attached to the level body, such that the end cap is optionally removable and replaceable.

2. The level according to claim 1, further comprising locking means for frictionally or positively engaging the end cap relative to the level body.

3. The level according to claim 2, wherein the at least one end cap is comprised of a plate-shaped end member and a shaft mountable on an end face of the level body, wherein the locking means are arranged in an area of the shaft and are in operative connection with at least one wall of the level body.

4. The level according to claim 3, wherein the locking means are comprised of at least one resiliently mounted projection on the shaft and a recess in the wall of the level body, wherein the projection engages in the recess of the wall.

5. The level according to claim 4, wherein the projection is knob-shaped.

6. The level according to claim 4, wherein the projection has a circular circumference and a cylindrical outer surface.

7. The level according to claim 4, wherein the shaft is comprised of a hollow section.

8. The level according to claim 7, wherein the projection is arranged in an opening of the wall of the hollow shaft and is connected to the shaft through webs.

9. The level according to claim 8, wherein the webs are arranged opposite each other in alignment and wherein the webs are twistable.

10. The level according to claim 9, wherein the webs are arranged adjacent a free end of the shaft.

11. The level according to claim 3, wherein the shaft is comprised of two parallel resilient surfaces.

12. The level according to claim 11, wherein a projection is integrally formed on each resilient surface, and wherein the projections are arranged so as to face each other.

13. The level according to claim 12, wherein free ends of the resilient surfaces are actuating surfaces.

14. The level according to claim 4, wherein the shaft is comprised of two pairs of parallel tongues and a resilient surface with the projection.

15. The level according to claim 4, wherein the shaft and the projection of the end cap are of a material of high strength, and an end plate of the end cap is of a softer, shock-absorbing material.