Various types of levels and measuring instruments are used by craftsmen, such as construction workers, paper hangers, carpenters and hobbyists. A need often arises for marking at least two points on a surface such that the two points are horizontally or vertically oriented to each other or the line is vertically or horizontally leveled. Additionally, a line may need to be drawn or a measurement may be required between the leveled points. Craftsmen, such as paper hangers, may also desire a straightedge to serve as a cutting guide.
The various aspects of the present invention provide a simple, sturdy and inexpensive combination tool combining a straightedge having a measuring scale, a removable handle and at least one leveling vial. In accordance with the present invention, a device and method are disclosed herein for a straightedge with a handle and a level.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a straightedge device. The device comprises a rectangular body having at least one flat edge surface; a removable handle adapted to engage the rectangular body; and at least one leveling vial mounted to the handle. The vial indicates whether the at least one flat edge surface of the rectangular body is level against a planar surface when the handle is engaged with the rectangular body.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of leveling or measuring is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a rectangular body having at least one flat edge surface; providing a handle adapted to fit with the rectangular body, the handle having at least one leveling vial mounted thereto, and removably engaging the body to the handle.
In another aspect of the present invention, a straightedge device is provided. The device includes a rectangular body having at least one flat edge surface, means for engaging the rectangular body, and means on said engaging means for leveling the rectangular body.
Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
a is a cross sectional view of a handle of the embodiment of
b is a magnified cross sectional view of the embodiment of
c is a plan view of a handle with a leveling vial of the embodiment shown in
The handle 20 is slidably positionable on the body 12 and completely removable from the body 12. In
a–2c further illustrate the handle 20 of an embodiment of the present invention.
b illustrates an exploded view of the protrusion 28 facing inwardly into the groove 30. The protrusions 28 extending from the handle 20 enable the user to easily adjust and centrally position of the handle along the measuring device. The protrusions 28 may be obround in shape and spaced apart across the groove 30 to allow the body 12 to slidably enter groove 30 and the protrusions 28 may protrude a sufficient distance into the groove 30 to tightly receive recessed channel 32 of the body 12. The handle 20 may slide along the length of the body 12 while the protrusions 28 are engaged with the recessed channel 32. Alternatively, the handle 20 may be slidably removed from the body 12 and reengaged with the handle 20 with the body 12 at a different position on the body 12. The protrusions 28 may be aligned along a planar axis approximately perpendicular to groove 30 in handle 20. As shown in
As shown in
The handle 20 may be made of plastic or, alternatively, any material known to those of skill in the art that may be adapted to slideably receive the body 12. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 20 may be a one-piece molded plastic construction that forms the protrusions 28 in the attachment area 23, the groove 30, and the gripping area 21. The gripping area 21 may be made of molded rubber or other elastomeric material. The leveling vial 26 may be captured within the handle 20 during the molding process or alternatively, the leveling vial 26 may be secured within a recess formed within the handle 20.
The handle 20 secured to body 12 allows the user to make straight lines or mark multiple measured positions while leveling them at the same time. Alternatively, the handle 20 may be completely detached from the body 12, allowing a user to employ the body 12 as a standard measuring straightedge. The body 12 may preferably be made of metal, including aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.
The body 12 may further comprise a slot 36 formed therethrough near an end 19 of the body 12. The slot 36 is adapted hang the straightedge device 10 from a hook or merchandising rack for storage or sale. Although the slot 36 is shown in
Although the invention herein has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions, and deletions not specifically described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all devices that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.
This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/464,184, filed Apr. 21, 2003, pending, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
566195 | Leavitt | Aug 1896 | A |
722141 | Probst | Mar 1903 | A |
812740 | Harris et al. | Feb 1906 | A |
1118907 | Nordlie | Nov 1914 | A |
1665504 | Midgley | Apr 1928 | A |
1754035 | Morren | Apr 1930 | A |
1982178 | Rudolph | Nov 1934 | A |
2307892 | Lowther | Jan 1943 | A |
2624118 | Anderson | Jan 1953 | A |
2677192 | Anderson | May 1954 | A |
3087250 | Blue | Apr 1963 | A |
3752566 | Matthews | Aug 1973 | A |
4060902 | Keller | Dec 1977 | A |
4194295 | Simuro et al. | Mar 1980 | A |
4495709 | Mainenti | Jan 1985 | A |
4503624 | Whiteford | Mar 1985 | A |
4653194 | Kim | Mar 1987 | A |
4745688 | Jewers | May 1988 | A |
4852259 | Manserra | Aug 1989 | A |
4922621 | Maier | May 1990 | A |
5253426 | Mosbrucker | Oct 1993 | A |
5279041 | Wright | Jan 1994 | A |
5459935 | Paulson et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5471749 | Brady | Dec 1995 | A |
5615488 | Brady | Apr 1997 | A |
6049991 | Gruenberg et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6240650 | Olson | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6379080 | Saffo, Sr. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6425155 | Carey | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6463666 | Szumer | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6594939 | Ondusko | Jul 2003 | B2 |
20040139622 | Vik | Jul 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
5814001 | Jan 1983 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040226181 A1 | Nov 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60464184 | Apr 2003 | US |