LEVEL
First Claim
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1. A level comprising:
- a body including first and second arms connected for relative pivotal movement about a pivot axis between open and closed positions, the body including at least one reference surface; and
a first bubble vial mounted to the body and having a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to or coaxial with the pivot axis, the first bubble vial being constructed and arranged to provide an indication of an orientation of the at least one reference surface,wherein movement of the arms from their closed position to their open position exposes a measurement portion of the first bubble vial for use, andwherein movement of the arms from their open position to their closed position shields the measurement portion of the first bubble vial within the body.
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Abstract
A level includes a body having first and second arms attached to each other for relative pivotal movement about a pivot axis between open and closed positions. The level also includes a bubble vial mounted to the body and having a longitudinal axis coaxial with the pivot axis. Movement of the arms from their closed position to their open position exposes a measurement portion of the first bubble vial for use. Movement of the arms from their open position to their closed position shields the measurement portion of the first bubble vial within the body to protect the bubble vial from damage during storage.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A level comprising:
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a body including first and second arms connected for relative pivotal movement about a pivot axis between open and closed positions, the body including at least one reference surface; and a first bubble vial mounted to the body and having a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to or coaxial with the pivot axis, the first bubble vial being constructed and arranged to provide an indication of an orientation of the at least one reference surface, wherein movement of the arms from their closed position to their open position exposes a measurement portion of the first bubble vial for use, and wherein movement of the arms from their open position to their closed position shields the measurement portion of the first bubble vial within the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A level comprising:
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a body including first and second arms connected for relative pivotal movement about a pivot axis between open and closed positions; and a first bubble vial mounted to the body and having a longitudinal axis parallel to or coaxial with the pivot axis, wherein movement of the arms from their open position to their closed position causes the first bubble vial to pivotally move about the pivot axis relative to both arms.
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- 20. A method of using a level, comprising moving first and second arms of a level relative to each other about a pivot axis from a closed position to an open position, wherein said moving exposes for use a measurement portion of a first bubble vial, the first bubble vial having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to or coaxial with the pivot axis.
Specification