GB2554695A

GB2554695A - A spirit level

Info

Publication number: GB2554695A
Application number: GB1616847.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Purser Nathan
Original assignee: Surebuild Dorset Ltd
Current assignee: Surebuild Dorset Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-04
Filing date: 2016-10-04
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-04
Also published as: GB2554695B; GB201616847D0

Abstract

A levelling device 10 which comprises a main body 12 with at least one level indicator 15 connected to secondary body 18 by a limb 16. The distance between the secondary body and the main body is variable and a locking means enables the two bodies to be locked at a fixed distance away from each another. There may be two limbs 16a, 16b arranged symmetrically about the midpoint of the first body. The limbs may be integral to the second body and prior to locking the bodies may be movable relative to each other via a screw thread 20, 24 or friction fit. There may be two orthogonally arranged level indicators 14a, 14b on the first body and a third level indicator on the second body. The level indicators may be spirit levels or inclinometers housed in a 360 degree rotatable boss. The first and second bodies may be the same length and a displaceable telescopic leg may be provided to incline the device during construction applications.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

SureBuild Dorset Ltd (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Upwey Avenue, POOLE, Dorset, BH15 4HU,

United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Nathan Purser (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Ipconsult

21A Commercial Road, SWANAGE, Dorset, BH19 1DF, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

G01C9/26 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2331582 A US 20060048401 A1

US 20020073565 A1 JPH11183166 AU 2006202901 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B25H, E04G, G01C Other: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: A spirit level

Abstract Title: Adjustable levelling device (57) A levelling device 10 which comprises a main body 12 with at least one level indicator 15 connected to secondary body 18 by a limb 16. The distance between the secondary body and the main body is variable and a locking means enables the two bodies to be locked at a fixed distance away from each another. There may be two limbs 16a, 16b arranged symmetrically about the midpoint of the first body. The limbs may be integral to the second body and prior to locking the bodies may be movable relative to each other via a screw thread 20, 24 or friction fit. There may be two orthogonally arranged level indicators 14a, 14b on the first body and a third level indicator on the second body. The level indicators may be spirit levels or inclinometers housed in a 360 degree rotatable boss. The first and second bodies may be the same length and a displaceable telescopic leg may be provided to incline the device during construction applications.

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STAIRS

A Spirit Level

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spirit level. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a spirit level for use with sloped boundaries and irregular and uneven surfaces.

Background to the Invention

When working on roofs to fit purlins or joists, there is often a need to check if batons, purlins or tiles are ‘true’, that is that they are set along horizontal. Carpenters and builders use spirit levels in order to determine this. However, when on a sloped roof, this is not always straightforward, as a spirit level may be placed and adjusted in a range of orientations, with the risk that a false reading might be obtained or a reading is given which varies from one location on a roof to another.

Another problem is encountered when a carpenter has to fix batons, planks or purlins and attempts to ensure that the spacing between adjacent batons, planks or purlins is constant, whilst at the same time attempting to keep these items horizontal (or vertical).

The present invention arose in order to overcome the aforementioned problems and seeks to provide an improved spirit level.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a spirit level comprising: a main body having at least one level indicator; at least one limb that connects the main body to a secondary body, the secondary body having an upper edge, wherein the distance between the upper edge of the secondary body and a lower face of the main body is variable; and a lock means for locking the main and secondary bodies at a fixed distance with respect one to another.

Preferably two limbs are provided, each limb being located substantially symmetrically about a midpoint of the main body. In this preferred embodiment two lock means are provided so that each limb can be locked independently of the other limb.

Ideally the lengths of the main and secondary bodies are substantially identical and the main and secondary bodies are adapted to be arranged to lie adjacent one another and to be substantially in contact one with another when stowed.

Optionally the secondary body also comprises at least one level indicator and this may lie in the same plane, or in a different plane, to the level indicator on the main body.

Level indicators may be spirit levels; that is a liquid level with a bubble and marker lines either side of where a bubble should be in order to indicate level; they might be in the form of a vial, an inclinometer or any other type of level indicator.

The at least one limb may be adjustable by way of a thread formed on its outer surface or it may by slidable in an orifice by way of a friction fit, or both. Adjustment is ideally performed by hand and the lock means is actuated when a desired separation distance between the body, the upper edge of the secondary body and the lower face of the main body is achieved.

The locking means for each limb may comprise press studs which may be sprung and may be received by apertures, or twist locks, lever actuated clamps. The locking means may be configured to lock each limb as well as any telescoping leg in one of a plurality of discrete and/or pre-set configurations.

Preset distance markers are ideally provided as coloured indicators or as numbers or both on each limb. These preset markers ideally correspond to the size of common 2 building products such as roof tiles or planks, so that desired distances can be set by the carpenter and the precise gap of r an item may be marked on a workpiece or roof felt, on purlins or on a fence baton. This greatly speeds up the rate at which a job can be finished and improves the appearance of a finished piece of work as all items are regularly spaced and correctly set.

In use the spirit level may be used to assess the inclination of a surface or of an object laid on or supported by the surface, such as a roof with a tile thereon. An advantage of the invention over existing spirit levels is that at the same time the spirit level provides a guide for locating a baton or an item at a specific distance between the main and secondary bodies.

In use the spirit level is placed in contact with a surface whose inclination may be vertical or horizontal and the limbs extended in order to define a user selected distance between the main and secondary bodies.

The surface may be marked or scored or, for example in the case of erecting a panel fence, an adjacent plank is aligned with a limb and nailed in place along the straight line defined by batons (or a builders line) so that planks or items are fixed in a ‘true’ position as a result of the use of the spirit level.

The straight lines defined at a specific distance between the main and secondary bodies may be used to mark the location where items are to be laid, for example on a roof, against a wall or on a fence.

In some embodiments, the spirit level may have defined thereon a plurality of straight lines indicating distance, so that he device may be used as a ruler. Alternatively lines may be formed on the device at different angles, enabling the device to be used as a protractor. Lines may be formed or marked on one or different sides of one or both bodies of the spirit level.

Ideally the bodies are always parallel. However, displacing of one or both limb supports allows the spacing between the bodies to be arranged at an angle. For 3 example, the limb supports may be displaced such that two straight lines are defined by each of the bodies which are at an oblique angle. This allows the spirit level to check the inclination of boundaries at oblique angles in addition verifying whether an item is true in the horizontal or vertical. This application might be of use in building complex patterns or shapes, for example with tiles or angled workpieces.

In another embodiment the spirit level is configured such that displacing the displaceable support with respect to the body modifies the shape, outline, and/or profile of a workpiece. Thus by setting the main and secondary bodies at a specific angles complex patterns of fencing may be built.

The straight line may be re-orientable with respect to the body so as to allow the spirit level to be used with lines at a variety of different angles.

Preferably the spirit level is lightweight and robust, preferably being formed from an injection moulded synthetic plastics material.

One or more displaceable props or spacers may be provided which are configured to space the body of the spirit level apart from a boundary or surface in use.

Optionally a displaceable support may be a telescopic leg, which may extend from one or both limbs, with a foot at a first end which is displaceable towards and away from the body as the leg extends or retracts.

Ideally the spirit level body is substantially cuboid and may be elongate. The spirit level body ideally is formed in the shape of a conventional spirit level tool.

Displacing the displaceable foot with respect the body enables the angle between the body and a line between the displaceable foot and the second point of contact to be varied. This effectively rotates the body with respect to a level line or surface and enables the spirit level to be used, for example, on sloping surfaces such as roofs. The displaceable foot may also be re-orientable with respect to the body so as to allow it to better conform to a sloped boundary or surface.

The joints may be revolute joints, hinges, prismatic joints, screw pair joints, cylindrical joints, ball or spherical joints, universal joints, pin in slot joints, and/or planar joints. Rigid support elements may be legs, props, bases, baseplates, frames and/or other rigid bodies.

In some embodiments one of, some of, or all of the displaceable supports may be articulated. In some embodiments one or more of the displaceable supports is a displaceable leg.

In embodiments wherein the leg is articulated or formed of multiple mutually displaceable sections, the displaceable leg may be rigidly connected to the body and may not be connected to the body by a joint.

A displaceable leg may comprise one or more feet which may be located at the opposite end of the leg to the body. In some embodiments the feet may be connected to the rest of the leg by a joint, such as a revolute joint, universal joint or ball and socket joint. In some embodiments the feet may be rubberised or otherwise adapted to provide friction or grip on a surface, in some embodiments the feet may be magnetic and in some embodiments the feet may comprise hooks or clips.

An angle finder may be configured to indicate the angle between a straight line between the end of a displaceable leg and some other component, and some line which is fixed with respect to the body (for example a line through a tubular spirit level vial).

The angle finder may indicate the angle between some reference line along an axis of the body, and a straight virtual line between the ends of two displaceable legs. In other embodiments the angle finder may indicate the angle of a line between a corner or foot of the body of the spirit level and the end or foot of a displaceable leg, with respect to some reference line which is fixed with respect to the body.

Preferred embodiments of the spirit level will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an overall view of a spirit level according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the spirit level being used to space planks in order to erect a fence;

Figure 3 illustrates the spirit level being used to space tiles on a roof;

Figure 4 illustrates the spirit level being used to build a staircase bannister with spindles.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to the Figures generally there is shown, in Figure 1, an example of a spirit level 10 with a main body 12 with two rotatable level indicators 14a and 14b and a third spirit level 15.

Two limbs 16a and 16b connect the main body 12 to a secondary body 18. The secondary body 18 has an upper edge 18a. The distance (d) between the upper edge 18a of the secondary body 18 and a lower face 12a of the main body 12 is variable by sliding the limbs 16a and 16b through apertures 20a and 20b respectively. Apertures 20a and 20b are formed in the man body 12 and include lock means 24a and 24b for locking the main body 12 and secondary body 18 with respect one to another.

The main body 12 is an elongate cuboid and has substantially the same shape as a conventional spirit level tool. The main body 12 comprises three tubular spirit levels vials 14a, 14b and 15. Level 15 is parallel to the length of the main body 12 and is located in an indent formed in upper surface of the main body 12 such that the vial is visible from above and from both sides of the main body 12.

The other two level indicators 14a and 14b are located in the main body 12 in a recess that passes through the main body 12 such that the vial of each level indicator is visible from both sides of the body 12. The level indicators 14a and 14b are optionally rotatable in their respective recesses.

Apertures 20a and 20b are formed in the main body 12 and include lock means 24a and 24b for locking the main body 12 and secondary body 18 with respect one to another. The inside surfaces of the tubular holes 120, 122 are partially threaded. In use the tubular holes receive the two displaceable legs 200, 250.

The two displaceable limbs ideally have points so they can be placed against a surface for accurate measurement. Optionally the shafts defining the limbs are threaded and in use are received by tubular threaded holes passing through the main body 12.

Caps (not shown) may be provided to prevent inadvertent removal of the limbs form the main body or to limit their maximum displacement. Optionally the caps may be removable (for example, the may be unscrewing them from the limbs), thereby allowing the displaceable limbs to be removed from the main body 12. Length markings are optionally formed on the exterior of the limbs.

In some embodiments lines at angles may be provided on the main or secondary bodies of the spirit level, for example they may be printed on the bodies of the spirit level.

Referring to Figure 2, which illustrates the spirit level 10 being used to space planks 200 in order to erect a fence 300. It is apparent how the spirit level 10 is used to indicate the location of adjacent planks 200 so that adjacent planks overlap equally. Fence posts 310 and 320 support upper 330 and lower 340 batons to which planks 200 are fixed with nails or screws 333. The spacing (d) between the main 12 and secondary 18 bodies is fixed and a straight edge X-X’ such as is defined by another plank (not shown) is placed against secondary body so that points A and B are marked on upper baton 330 and lower baton 240 respectively. The spacing (d) 7 determines the amount of overlap (Y) of planks and is set at the commencement of a job. Use of the invention ensures that the spacing remains constant and importantly each plank is set vertically.

Figure 3 shows the spirit level 10 being used to space roof tiles 400 on a roof 500. The spirit level 10 is used to ensure that purlins 440 and 450 are spaced apart by the correct distance D and that as each tile 400 is attached to a purlin it is connected so that it is ‘plumb’ - that is it is at level and at right angles to the perpendicular. With each tile the builder is able to check simultaneously the spacing of purlins and that tiles are ‘true’.

Referring to Figure 4, which illustrates the spirit level being used to build a staircase bannister with spindles, spirit level 10 has the same reference numerals as in Figure

1. Limbs 16a and 16b connect the main body 12 to a secondary body 18 and space the upper edge 18a at a distance (d) between from the lower face 12a of the main body 12. This spacing (d) is set between each adjacent spindle or balustrade 600, 602, 604 and 608 when locks 20a and 20b are used to lock limbs 16a and 16b respectively. The vertical alignment and disposition of spindles (balustrades) 600 is checked by spirit levels 14a, 14b and 15.

Variation to the aforementioned embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A spirit level comprising: a main body having at least one level indicator; at least one limb that connects the main body to a secondary body, the secondary body having an upper edge, wherein the distance between the upper edge of the secondary body and a lower face of the main body is variable; and a lock means for locking the main and secondary bodies with respect one to another.
2. A spirit level according to claim 1 the at least one limb is formed integrally in the secondary body.
3. A spirit level according to claim 1 or 2 wherein two limbs are provided, each limb is located substantially symmetrically about a midpoint of the main body.
4. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein the lengths of the main and secondary bodies are substantially identical and the main and secondary bodies are adapted to be arranged to be adjacent and substantially in contact one with another when stowed.
5. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein the secondary body comprises at least one level indicator.
6. A spirit level according to claim 5 wherein level indicators are spirit levels.
7. A spirit level according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein level indicators include an inclinometer.
8. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one limb is adjustable by way of a thread formed on its outer surface.
9. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one limb is adjustable by way of a friction fit.
10. A spirit level according to any preceding claim includes at least one displaceable leg configured to support the body on a surface at a plurality of different angles relative to the surface.
11. A spirit level according to claim 10 wherein the at least one displaceable leg is telescopic.
13. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein a level indicator is provided in a rotatable boss and is adapted to turn through 360°.
14. A spirit level according to any preceding claim wherein the main body comprises a first level indicator and a second level indicator, the second level indicator being perpendicular to the first level indicator; and a third level indicator is provided in the secondary body.
15. A spirit level substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1616847.8 Examiner: Mr Chris Davidson