Level

• US 7,360,316 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seymour, Daniel R., Hoover, Brandon C., Helda, Eric John
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton; Christopher W
• Application Number:
  US11/162,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20070044335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 333/46, 333/65, 333/89, 333/77, 333/79, 333/81, 334/51
• US Class Current: 33/379
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/28 Mountings

Abstract

The level of the invention consists of a solid, thin central web that is connected to an upper box and a lower box. The central web supports level vials. The upper box and lower box have a hollow generally polygonal shape and define an upper surface and lower surface. A surface of either or both of the upper and lower boxes are calibrated with respect to the level vials to create leveling surfaces. The level vials are enclosed in housings that secure the level vials to the web. End caps are secured to the ends of the web and the upper and lower boxes.

Claims

1. A level comprising:

a first hollow box structure extending substantially the length of the level and having a generally triangular cross-section;

a second hollow box structure extending substantially the length of the level and having a generally triangular cross-section; and

a relatively thin solid web extending substantially the length of the level and connecting the first box structure to the second box structure;

said first box structure, said second box structure and said web being made of a single piece of extruded aluminum wherein said level is a rigid structure that resists bending.

2. The level according to claim 1 wherein the web supports a level vial.

3. The level according to claim 2, wherein a surface of one of the first box structure or second box structure has a leveling face.

4. The level according to claim 2 wherein the level vial is supported in a transparent cover and said cover is secured to the web with a retainer ring.

5. The level according to claim 4 wherein the retainer ring is secured to the web.

6. The level according to claim 4 further including a second retainer ring, said retainer ring being on one side of the web and said second retainer ring being on a second side of the web.

7. The level according to claim 4 wherein the retainer ring has a portion that is disposed between the web and the level vial.

8. The level according to claim 4 wherein the retainer ring includes a flange contacting said cover.

9. The level according to claim 1 further including an end cap attached to the first box structure, said end cap including a flange inserted into the first box structure.

10. The level according to claim 1 further including an end cap attached to the web, said end cap including a space for receiving the web.

11. A level comprising:

a first box structure defining an internal void extending substantially the length of the level;

a second box structure defining an internal void extending substantially the length of the level, said second box structure being defined by a plurality of walls formed intregally in a unitary, single piece wherein one of said plurality of walls forms a leveling face that is calibrated with respect to a level vial;

a relatively thin solid web extending substantially the length of the level and connecting the first box structure to the second box structure;

said first box structure, said second box structure and said web being formed as a unitary, single piece member; and

said level vial supported on said web.

12. The level according to claim 11 further including an end cap attached to the first box structure, said end cap including a flange inserted into the first box structure.

13. The level according to claim 11 further including an end cap attached to the web, said end cap including a space for receiving the web.

14. The level according to claim 11 further including a handgrip formed in the web.

15. A level comprising:

a first hollow box structure having an interior and extending substantially the length of the level;

a second hollow box structure having an interior and extending substantially the length of the level; and

a relatively thin solid web extending substantially the length of the level and connecting the first box structure to the second box structure; and

an end cap secured to the end of the level, said end cap having a first male connecting portion dimensioned to be received in the interior of said first box structure and a second male connecting portion dimensioned to be received in the interior of said second box structure and a female connecting portion including a pair of flanges spaced to receive the web therebetween.

16. The level of claim 15, wherein the web includes a depression and the female connecting portion mates with the web with a snap-fit connection in the depression.

17. A level comprising:

a first hollow box structure extending substantially the length of the level;

a second hollow box structure extending substantially the length of the level; and

a relatively thin solid web extending substantially the length of the level and connecting the first box structure to the second box structure; and

a transparent vial cover defining a cavity for receiving a level vial located in a hole formed in said web, a first retainer located on a first side of the web including a first portion that extends into said hole and supports the vial cover in position and a second portion that engages the web adjacent said hole, a second retainer located on the opposite side of the web including a first portion that extends into said hole and supports the vial cover in position and a second portion that engages the web adjacent said hole.

18. The level of claim 17 further including fasteners for securing the first and second retainers to the web.