Patent Application
20060123645
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a combination level used by craftsmen, such as artists, builders, cabinet makers, carpenters, contractors, draftsmen, engineers, machinists, masons, roofers, woodworkers and others for making various types of measurements, to determine whether a given structural member is level, plumb, and, square. The present invention may also be used as a measuring tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination level that allows craftsmen to level and/or plumb and square two different surfaces on two different planes simultaneously.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most craftsmen's levels have at least one reference edge and one or more bubble vials for correctly aligning the reference edge along a true horizontal or vertical plane. The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,578, issued to VanderWerf, relates to a four way corner level; U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,359, issued to Szumer, relates to a post, pipe and sign level; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,743, issued to Odachowski, relates to a square level; all three of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
However, the prior art does not teach a level that allows a craftsman to level and/or plumb and square two different surfaces on two different planes simultaneously. Usually this is a two-step process and/or a process involving more than one tool. The present invention cures these deficiencies, thereby saving time, labor and cost and increasing efficiency.
An object of the present invention is a combination level comprising an L-shaped arm and a straight arm, said arms being connected along a common longitudinal edge, said L-shaped arm having a longitudinal portion and a base portion; and, a plurality of level indicating means.
At least one of said plurality of level indicating means is located on said longitudinal portion. At least one of said plurality of level indicating means is located on said base portion. At least one of said plurality of level indicating means is located on said straight arm.
The combination level may further comprise a temperature indicating means. The combination level may further comprise a plurality of apertures, wherein at least one of said plurality of apertures is located on the L-shaped arm and at least one of said plurality of apertures is located on the straight arm.
Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the claims.
The combination level 500, as shown in
The combination level 500 includes a plurality of level indicating means 1 and a plurality of apertures 2.
The L-shaped arm 10 has a base portion 11 and a longitudinal portion 12.
The straight arm includes a temperature indicating means 3.
The level indicating means 1 may be arranged for indicating level (true horizontal) and plumb (true vertical), respectively, of any work surface against which any one of the straight arm 20, base portion 11 of the L-shaped arm 10, or longitudinal portion 12 of the L-shaped arm 10 is pressed. The level indicating means 1 are preferably carpenter's bubbles but other devices may be used alternatively.
The plurality of apertures 2 may aid the craftsman in storing, using or transporting the combination level 500. Each of the plurality of apertures 2 may be a hole, slit or opening.
The temperature indicating means 3 are preferably fluid thermometers, but other thermometers, such as a digital thermometer, may be used alternatively. The temperature indicating means 3 may present temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. The temperature indicating means 3 allow the mason to determine the ambient air temperature, as bricklaying should only be done when the ambient air temperature is at least about 35 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees Celsius.
The combination level 500 may be constructed of metal, plastic, wood, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.
The combination level 500 may contain a plurality of English system (e.g., inches, feet, etc) and/or International System of Units (e.g., millimeters, centimeters, etc.) indicia marks.
The combination level 500, as shown in
A single mason may use the present invention to level and/or plumb and square two different surfaces on two different planes simultaneously. For example, when building a chimney with bricks, stones or blocks, the mason must keep the construction straight, level and square. The present invention is especially beneficial to the mason when building the corners of the chimney, where there are two surfaces that need to be level and/or plumb, the two surfaces that need to be square in relation to each other, and each surface must be straight.
The combination level 500, as shown in
The length of the base portion 11 of the L-shaped arm 10 can be as desired. Preferably, the length would be equal to or slightly less than the widths of standard-sized bricks, as illustrated in
The widths of standard-sized bricks include four, eight, ten and twelve inches. Thus, the length of the base portion 11 may be four inches, which would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of four, eight, ten and twelve inches. A combination level 500 where the length of the base portion 11 is eight inches would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of eight, ten and twelve inches. A combination level 500 where the length of the base portion 11 is ten inches would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of ten and twelve inches. A combination level 500 where the length of the base portion 11 is twelve inches would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with the width of twelve inches. However, it is preferable for a mason to use a combination level 500 that is appropriately sized. For example, a combination level 500 where the length of the base portion 11 is four inches is best suited for masonry work with bricks with the width of four inches instead of twelve inches. Thus, other embodiments of the present invention may be designed where the length of the base portion 11 of the L-shaped arm 10 is four, eight, ten or twelve inches, or the width of any other standard-sized bricks. Alternatively, other embodiments of the present invention may be designed where the length of the base portion 11 of the L-shaped arm 10 is slightly less than four, eight, ten or twelve inches, or the width of any other standard-sized bricks.
The embodiments shown in
