Patent Application
20060123715
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an L-shaped 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 an L-shaped 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 also includes levels that allow craftsmen to level and/or plumb two planes simultaneously. For example, 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 an L-shaped tool 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 an L-shaped level comprising 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.
The L-shaped level may further comprise a temperature indicating means. The L-shaped level may further comprise a plurality of apertures, wherein at least one of said plurality of apertures is located on the longitudinal portion.
Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the claims.
The L-shaped level 500, as shown in
The L-shaped level 500 includes a plurality of level indicating means 1 and a plurality of apertures 2.
The longitudinal portion 20 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 base portion 10 or longitudinal portion 20 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 L-shaped 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 which allows 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 L-shaped level 500 may be constructed of metal, plastic, wood, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.
The L-shaped 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 L-shaped level 500, as shown in
The length of the base portion 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 10 may be four inches, which would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of four, eight, ten and twelve inches. An L-shaped level 500 where the length of the base portion 10 is eight inches would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of eight, ten and twelve inches. An L-shaped level 500 where the length of the base portion 10 is ten inches would be suitable for masonry work with bricks with widths of ten and twelve inches. An L-shaped level 500 where the length of the base portion 10 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 an L-shaped level 500 that is appropriately sized. For example, an L-shaped level 500 where the length of the base portion 10 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 10 of the L-shaped level 500 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 10 of the L-shaped level 500 is slightly less than four, eight, ten or twelve inches, or the width of any other standard-sized bricks.
