US3750301A

US3750301A - Spirit level with clamping action

Info

Publication number: US3750301A
Application number: US00116383A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Johnson
Original assignee: Johnson Products Inc
Current assignee: Wella Corp; Johnson Products Inc
Priority date: 1971-02-18
Filing date: 1971-02-18
Publication date: 1973-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-07

Abstract

A spirit level frame is provided with an annular opening. A vial holder includes a pair of spaced clamp members which slip over the frame opening edge and are clamped to the frame, as by tightening screws. To assist the clamp in holding the members together, cooperating ridge and groove means are provided. In addition, projections on the holder and the surfaces of the screws are on an arc of a circle having the same radius as the opening edge for assisting in proper positioning of the holder.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Johnson 11 3,75,3fll

451 Aug. 7, 1973 SPIRIT LEVEL WITH CLAMPING ACTION [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Johnson Products Company, Inc.,

Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 116,383

George A. Johnson, Mequon, Wis.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,280,994 l0/l9l8 Hand 33/213 Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Assistant ExaminerDennis A. Dearing AnorneyAndrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A spirit level frame is provided with an annular opening. A vial holder includes a pair of spaced clamp members which slip over the frame opening edge and are clamped to the frame, as by tightening screws. To assist the clamp in holding the members together, cooperating ridge and groove means are provided. In addition, projections on the holder and the surfaces of the screws are on an arc of a circle having the same radius as the opening edge for assisting in proper positioning of the 3,167,870 2/1965 Streeter.... 33 211 959,296 5/1910 Bodmer 33 213 holdeh FOREIGN PATENTS QR APPLICATIONS 1 Claim 3 Drawing Figures 252,739 9/1948 Switzerland 33 213 PATENIED M15 3. 750. 301

INVENTOR GEORGE A.JOHNSON ATTORNEYS SPIRIT LEVEL WITH CLAMPHNG AClfllfibl BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a spirit level, and more particularly to a construction wherein the vial holder is clamped to the level frame in a unique and improved manner.

In accordance with the invention, the level frame is provided with an annular opening. The vial holder includes a pair of spaced clamp members which slip over the frame opening edge and are clamped to the frame, as by tightening screws. To assist the clamp in holding the 'members together, cooperating rigid and groove means are provided. In addition, locator means on the holder cooperate with the frame opening edge to properly position the holder.

DESCRIPTION .OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. I

In the drawing:

FIG. I is a plan view of a portion of a level constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is-a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and 1 FIG. 3 is a central section taken on line33 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Holder 4 is of unitary construction and is made of relatively rigid plastic of any well-known type. As shown, holder 4 comprises a pair of slightly flexible generally planular semi-circular clamping legs 5 which are joined together at their inner portions by an elongated holder base 6 which is shorter than the diameter of opening 2. The outer edges 7 of legs 5 are arcuate and overlie the edge portion of frame opening 2.

Holder 4 is adapted to generally diametrically hold a glass or other suitable level vial 8 therein. For this purpose, a pair of slightly flexible vial clamps 9 extend outwardly from the ends of base 6 radially inwardly from legs 5. Clamps 9 may be of the snap-in type, generally similar to those disclosed in Lawrence A. Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,010 entitled SPIRIT LEVEL.

In accordance with the invention, holder legs 5 are spaced apart at their juncture with base 6, and also throughout when in their parallel unclamped position, a distance slightly greater than the thickness of frame 1 adjacent opening 2. This facilitates slipping of the holder legs over the frame opening edge portion. After this is accomplished, and the holder properly positioned and set as will bev described, screw means are provided radially inwardly of edge} to pull the peripheral portions of clamping legs 5 together into tight engagement withframe 1. As shown, the screw means extend through'suitably aligned openings 10 in legs 5, and through frame opening 2, and comprise self-tapping screws 11. The screw means could also comprise a bolt and nut arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention. v

Any suitable number ofscrew means rnay be utilized, it having been found that at least one screwll positioned on each side of the holders transverse center line 2-2 provides excellent holding action.

In some instances, it has been found desirable to supplement the holding power of radially extending clamping legs 5 so that holder 4 will not slide off or ride around opening 2. For this purpose, friction increasing means are provided at the interface between legs 5 and the opening edge portion. In this embodiment, the friction increasing means comprises an annular groove 12 formedon each opposite face of frame I. Grooves 12 are concentric with and have a larger radius than opening 2. An elongated curved locating ridge I3 is formed on the inner opposed faces of clamping legs 5, with ridges 113 being of the same radius as grooves 12 so that they nest therein, as shown.

Further in accordance with the invention, locating or stop means are provided to limit the radially outward position of holder 4 so that ridges 113 will not overrun grooves 12 during installation. For this purpose, a pair of spaced projections 14 extend outwardly from the end portions of base 6 between legs 5. Projections 14 and the outer portions of screw openings 10 are positioned to be on an are 115 of a circle of equal radius as opening edge 3. Thus, projections 14 and screws 11 will engage edge 3 and properly locate the holder.

The-concept of the invention provides a unique vial holder and clamping arrangement with the level frame. The holder fills approximately one-half of opening 2 and can be selectively adjusted to any desired circumferential position.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

I. A spirit level comprising, in combination:

a. a level frame having an annular opening therein,

said opening defining an edge, and said frame providing an edge portion adjacent said edge,

b. a relatively rigid vial holder disposed in the said opening and with said holder including a pair of slightly flexible generally planar semi-circular clamping legs,

c. an elongated base joining the inner portions of said legs and with said base being shorter than the opening diameter,

d. a vial clamp extending from each end of said base and radially inwardly from said legs,

e. said legs being spaced apart at their juncture with said base a distance slightly greater than the thickness of said frame,

f. the outer edges of said legs overlying the said edge portion of said frame opening,

g. and an annular groove formed on each opposite face of said frame and with said grooves being concentric with and having a larger radius than said opening, 7

h. a curved locating ridge formed on the inner opposed faces of the outer edge portions of said legs and nesting in said grooves,

i. a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from the end portions of, said base between said legs,

j. and screw means extending through said legs to a radius equal to that of said opening edge so that tighten said holder to said frame, said projections and said screw means locatingly k. said projections and the outer surface portion of engage said edge.

said screw means being on an arc of a circle having

Claims

1. A spirit level comprising, in combination: a. a level frame having an annular opening therein, said opening defining an edge, and said frame providing an edge portion adjacent said edge, b. a relatively rigid vial holder disposed in the said opening and with said holder including a pair of slightly flexible generally planar semi-circular clamping legs, c. an elongated base joining the inner portions of said legs and with said base being shorter than the opening diameter, d. a vial clamp extending from each end of said base and radially inwardly from said legs, e. said legs being spaced apart at their juncture with said base a distance slightly greater than the thickness of said frame, f. the outer edges of said legs overlying the said edge portion of said frame opening, g. and an annular groove formed on each opposite face of said frame and with said grooves being concentric with and having a larger radius than said opening, h. a curved locating ridge formed on the inner opposed faces of the outer edge portions of said legs and nesting in said grooves, i. a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from the end portions of said base between said legs, j. and screw means extending through said legs to tighten said holder to said frame, k. said projections and the outer surface portion of said screw means being on an arc of a circle having a radius equal to that of said opening edge so that said projections and said screw means locatingly engage said edge.