AU2006202901B2 - Improvements in and relating to tools - Google Patents

Abstract

P.\WPDOCS\ARS\SPECIENl2684551 AU Complet do-05/07/06 -8 A tool for use in observing angular orientation which includes a main body, at least one level indicator carried by the main body and a mounting assembly which, in one mode of 5 operation of the tool is adapted to releasably mount the tool to an article. The mounting assembly may include a clamp associated with the main body having two jaws at least one of which is movable relative to the other so that they can adopt a clamping position about the article. 25 15 35 13 7 23 Figure 1

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Salim Harb ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: Improvements in and relating to tools The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5102 C:\NUPonb CCCAB4099197_1 DOC-202012 -1 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TOOLS 5 This invention relates generally to tools suitable for use by tradesmen, craftsmen and other artisans and more particularly in one aspect of the present invention to a tool for observing or testing angular orientation such as for example horizontality, verticality and the like. 10 The many advantages of the tools according to the present invention over the prior art will become readily apparent from a reading of the following description. Currently known levels such as spirit levels usually comprise an elongated body having one edge providing a straight edge, the body having one or more spirit level elements 15 mounted thereon. One problem associated with known levels is that they are generally suited to limited applications and as such a number of devices are necessary to satisfy the requirements of different applications. Another problem associated with known levels is that they have to be manually held in position in relation to the article for which as selected orientation is to be determined. 20 It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned problems. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tool for use in observing angular 25 orientation which includes a main body, a plurality of level indicators carried in the main body and a C WPotbn\DCC\CABW()99197.1 DOC.2A02/2012

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mounting assembly which, in one mode of operation of the tool is adapted to releasably mount the tool to an article, wherein: the mounting assembly includes a clamp associated with the main body having two jaws at least one of which is movable relative to the other so that they can adopt a 5 clamping position about the article; and wherein the moveable jaw includes a leg operatively mounted to a guide which is slidably receivable within a slot in the main body, to move between a retracted position within the body to an extended position to clamp against the article. Preferably, the main body is in the form of a block and the level indicators are embedded 10 within the block; and the block is transparent to allow visually unimpeded and simultaneous viewing of the indicators through the block. The article may be in the form of a member having a straight edge which in cooperation of 15 the tool according to the invention can be used in observing the level of an object. For example, the article may be in the form of a generally channel shaped elongate member, the free ends of the legs of the channel shaped member defining a straight edge. The mounting assembly may be releasably mountable to the article. In another mode of operation, the tool can simply be placed on a surface or it can be hand held against a wall, 20 floor, ceiling or other surface. Preferably, the plurality of indicators include at least three indicators arranged along three separate orthogonal axis. 25 The main body may be in the form of a block which is generally square or rectangular in C.NRPorwbl\DCC\CAB\099197_1 DOC-2A)2/2012 -2 shape when viewed in plan and includes a top face, a bottom face and side faces. The block may be formed of plastics material and may be transparent or translucent. The level indicators may be at least partially embedded within the block or extend therefrom all being visible at the top face. The level indicators are preferably arranged in different 5 orientations. It will be appreciated that the main body may be any other suitable shape and could be manufactured from other materials. Preferably, a biasing element, which may be in the form of a spring, urges the movable leg towards the block so as to assist in holding the tool on the article. The spring may be, for 10 example, in the form of one or more helical springs, an elastic band, strap or the like. The tool may be adapted to be held in other ways. For example, the legs and/or block may include magnetic sections thereon which are attracted to a metal article. In another embodiment both legs are adapted to be move towards and away from the 15 block. In the embodiment each leg has associated therewith a biasing element and guide which may be of the type describe above. The guide bar may be an elongated element which extends through the block and from the end of the block remote from the movable leg. In this particular form the guide bar can 20 have markings so that it can be used as a measuring ruler. A light may be disposed within the block to provide a backing light for the level indicators. In addition a laser device may be provided which is adapted to cooperate with other tools of this type so that levelling between articles can be effected. In another embodiment laser 25 light may be provided which can be activated to provide a beam which can be used as a P:\WPDOCS\ARS\SPECIE\12684551_AU Compieccdoc-05/07/06 -3 guide line or stringline for activities such as brick laying and the like. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings: 5 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a levelling tool according to one embodiment of the present invention in first position; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tool shown in Figure 1; 10 Figure 3 is a plan view of the tool shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the tool shown in Figure 1 in a second position; 15 Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the levelling tool of Figures 1 to 6 mounted to an article in an operative position; Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of a tool according to a second embodiment; 20 Figure 7 is a side elevation of the tool shown in Figure 6 in a second position; and Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a tool according to a third embodiment. Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, the levelling tool generally indicated at 10 25 includes a main body 4 in the form of a block 13 which is generally rectangular in shape when view in plan and includes a top face 14, a bottom face 15 and side faces 16, 17, 18 and 19. The block is formed of plastics material and may be transparent or translucent. The tool 10 further includes a plurality of level indicators in the form of spirit level tubes 30 31, 32, 33 and 34 which are arranged in different orientations on the block and visible at the top face 14. The level indicators may be embedded within the block as shown or extend therefrom.

PAWPDOCS\ARS\SPECE\I2684551_AU Compcdc.-05/07/06 -4 The tool further includes a mounting assembly 20 for mounting the tool to an article 50 as shown in Figure 5. The article 50 in the form illustrated is a generally channel shaped elongate member 51, the free ends 55, 56 of the legs 53, 54 of the channel shape member 5 defining a straight edge. The mounting assembly 20 is releasably mountable to the article 50 and as shown is in the form of a clamp including two jaws 22 and 23 one of which is movable relative to the other so that they can adopt a clamping position around the article 50. As shown, one of the jaws 23 is in the form of a leg extending from the bottom face of the block 13. The other jaw 22 is in the form of a leg operatively mounted to a guide in the 10 form of an elongated bar 35 which is receivable within a slot 25 in the block 13. Thus the movable leg can be moved away from the block so that the two legs can be arranged in a clamping position about the article 50. A biasing element which in the form shown includes a substantially elastic strap 28 urges the movable leg towards the block so that in use it can hold the tool on the article. Furthermore, magnetic strips may be provided on 15 bottom face 15 of the block 13 and on the inner faces of legs 22 and 23 as well as on the bottom faces thereof. Thus the tool can be held on metal surfaces by the magnetic strips. The tool can also be used on its own simply resting it on a surface or attachment to a metal wall surface using the magnetic strips. 20 Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment of tool according to the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In this embodiment both of the legs 22 and 23 are movable with respect to the tool body 4 and both have associated therewith a guide in the form of a bar 35 connected to an elastic strap 28. As shown in Figure 7 both legs can be pulled away 25 from the body 4 and clamped around an article, the elastic strap urging the two legs towards one another. Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment in which both legs 22 and 23 are movable but in this case each leg has associated therewith a guide in the form of an elongated bar which 30 extends from one side of the body towards the other and is attached to a separate elastic strap. This embodiment provides an arrangement whereby the space between the legs can be considerably widened.

P \WPDOCS\ARS\SPECIE\I2684551_AU Compl doc-05/07/06 -5 As shown a laser device 42 having an actuator switch 43 may be mounted within the body and provide a beam (shown in dashed line) which can be used as a horizontal or vertical gauge or "stringline" for brick laying and the like. 5 A light (not shown) may be disposed within the block to provide a backing light for the level indicators. In addition the laser device may be adapted to cooperate with other tools of this type so that levelling between articles can be effected. 10 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A tool for use in observing angular orientation which includes a main body, a plurality of level indicators carried in the main body and a mounting assembly which, in one mode of operation of the tool is adapted to releasably mount the tool to an article, wherein: the mounting assembly includes a clamp associated with the main body having two jaws at least one of which is movable relative to the other so that they can adopt a clamping position about the article; and wherein the moveable jaw includes a leg operatively mounted to a guide which is slidably receivable within a slot in the main body, to move between a retracted position within the body to an extended position to clamp against the article.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein: the main body is in the form of a block and the level indicators are embedded within the block; and the block is transparent to allow visually unimpeded and simultaneous viewing of the indicators through the block.

3. The tool of claim 1 or 2, further including a laser device for generating a beam for use as a guide line or string line once the tool has been used to establish a set level.

4. The tool of any one of claims I to 3, further including a biasing element which urges the movable leg towards the main body so as to assist in holding the tool on the article.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the biasing element includes a helical spring or an elastic band.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein both jaws are movable relative to the main body each including a leg mounted to a guide which includes an elongated bar slidably receivable within a slot in the block, each having associated therewith a biasing element which urges the legs towards the block. C -NRPonb\CC\CAB49997_1 DOC-2A)2/201 2 -7

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators include at least three indicators arranged along three separate orthogonal axis.

8. A tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.