Patent · US Expired

Level construction and methods of constructing a level

US4463501A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 1982
Grant dateAug 7, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C9/34
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A level instrument for determining angular relationships includes a frame having a rail section defining a working surface, a vial, and an end plate affixed to the frame. The end plate has a plastic body with integral lip, shoulder and stake or pawl elements. The frame includes passages which receive the stake or pawl elements to permanently interconnect the end plate and frame. Indexing elements automatically orient a shoulder and an edge of the end plate adjacent to the rail section defining the working surface to prevent false level readings occasioned by displacement. A method for constructing the level of the invention which includes affixing the end plate to the frame, displacing a portion of the lip overlaying the frame passage into the passage, to permanently anchor the end plate to the frame. A second method for constructing the level of the invention wherein the end plate is urged axially onto the frame end until flexible pawls extending from the end plate engage recesses in the frame passages permanently anchoring the end plate to the frame.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.