GB2162313A

GB2162313A - Orientation-indicating instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2162313A
Application number: GB8515461A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edmund Gravelle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-19
Filing date: 1985-06-19
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB8515461D0; GB2162313B

Abstract

The instrument consists of a combination tool (Fig. 1) incorporating a protractor, a cutting block, a tee-square, a try-square, a lidded compartment and other features. The instrument also has in a recess 29 an adjustable spirit level device 32 which is pivotable on pivots 33 between a plurality of positions relative to the instrument body 16, 18 defined by click stop formations 35, 37. The positions provide for registration between the bubble 32 of the spirit level with its target 34 when the lower surface of the instrument is horizontal or inclined. Alternatively, the spirit level device is transferable between locations with different orientations on the instrument. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Orientation-indicating instrument This invention relates to orientation-indicating devices and to combination tools incorporating such devices.

Orientation-indicating instruments in the form of builders' or carpenters' spirit levels are well known. These instruments are however inversatile in use, for example when extended surfaces such as paving stones are to be orientated, especially in non-horizontal planes.

The invention provides an orientation-indicating instrument comprising an orientationsensitive indicating device and an instrument body having means for contacting a surface to be orientated, the means for contacting the surface defining a reference plane and the orientation of the indicating device relative to the reference plane being selectively adjustable.

Advantageously, the orientation of the indicating device is adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined orientations relative to the reference plane.

The predetermined orientations are conveniently provided for by co-operating formations, such as click-stop formations, on the instrument body and the orientation-sensitive device, the indicating device preferably being pivotally-mounted on the instrument body and being movable to different angular orientations relative to the body determined by the formations.

In other embodiments of the invention, the indicating device is transferrable between at least two different locations on the instrument body, the device and the body at each location providing for a different orientation of the device relative to the body at each location.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the indicating device and instrument body are arranged for adjustment over a relatively small range of angles to the horizontal (for example up to 1 5') and such an instrument is particularly suitable for setting paving stones or other surfaces which are inclined at a small angle to the horizontal, for example to allow run-off of rain water.

Preferably, the possible range of adjustment includes inclinations to the horizontal in two, opposite directions. In this way, the inclined surface can be adjusted to a desired inclination to, for example, the left or the right without alteration of the position of the instrument on the surface.

The orientation-sensitive indicating device may comprise any gravity-biassed device but conveniently comprises a spirit-level device comprising a transparent envelope containing a liquid and a bubble which is in register with markings on the envelope when the device is orientated horizontally. Advantageously, the or each indicating device is of the type in which the bubble is in register with a target on the envelope when the reference plane of the instrument is horizontal, the orientation of the or each device relative to the instrument body being preferably selectively adjustable by rotation about at least one of the two axes.An instrument of the invention incorporating an orientation-sensitive device of this type can be used to set a surface (for example that of a paving stone) to lie at a predetermined angle to the horizontal along one axis and in a horizontal line along the other axis.

The instrument of the invention is preferably constituted as a combination tool which includes one or more of the following features: (a) a protractor, preferably in combination with an extensible line which can be secured at the centre of the protractor and extended radially to pass over the edge of the protractor at a desired angle; (b) a cutting block, preferably for cuts at 90' to a reference line and, more preferably, at one or more other angles (for example 45') to the reference line; (c) a tee-square; (d) one or more try-squares, preferably one left-hand and one right-hand; and (e) a lidded compartment for receiving pencils and other small articles.

When feature (a) is provided. the tool advantageously includes a spirit-level device orientated so that a predetermined radial line of the protractor can be set to extend vertically.

When feature (a) is provided together with an extensible line, the line is preferably securable at the protractor centre on a removable snap or screw-fit post which, when feature (e) is provided, can be stored in the compartment when not in use.

Conveniently, the post is arranged to be fitted onto or over an orientation-sensitive device located adjacent the protractor centre.

When feature (b) is provided, the tool may have a removable mounting block for securing the tool in a vice for use of the cutting block.

The tool, apart from any cutting block, is conveniently moulded from plastics material, the cutting block being preferably of cast aluminium alloy.

The tool may also incorporate features such as a drill and screw gauges, a pencil sharpener, a removable steel rule and a name plate. The tool body can carry information such as metric-to-imperial conversions and drill, screw and plug size equivalences.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination tool embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a view, partly in section, of a spirit-level device of the tool, Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of the tool, Figure 4 is a side view of the tool, Figure 5 is a top plan of another combination tool embodying the invention, and Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but of a modified spirit-level device.

The tool shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings has a body comprising a semicircular protractor portion 10 and a cruciform support portion comprising north, south, east and west limbs 12, 14, 16, 18. The east and west limbs 16, 1 8 are hollow and form a box for pencils and other small articles, a removable steel rule 20 (see Fig. 3) forming a sliding lid of the box. The support and protractor portions of the tool are moulded integrally from a suitable plastics material, for example ABS plastics.

On the underside of the body a mounting block 22 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3) of metal or plastics material (for example, ABS plastics) is a snap-fit with the cruciform support portion and, when fitted to the tool, can be clamped between the jaws of a vice in order to support the tool in the vice. A cutting block 24 of cast and polished aluminium alloy is secured to the upper surface of the protractor portion 10 by five screws 26 (see Fig. 3).

At the junction of the limbs 12, 14, 16, 1 8 and on the upper surface of the tool, a first gravit-biassed orientation-sensitive spirit-level device 28 is mounted in a recess 29. The device is shown in more detail in Fig. 2 and comprises a glass envelope which contains a liquid 30 and an air bubble 32. The envelope has a square target 34 marked on it the target being dimensioned and positioned so that the periphery of the bubble 32 and the edges of the square can be made to coincide by adjustment of the orientation of the device 28. To allow for the tool body to be inclined relative to the device 28, the device 28 can be rotated on pivotal mountings 33 (see Fig.

2) about an axis extending along the northsouth axis of the tool. The device 28 is rotatable between a series of click-stops provided by formations on the device 28 and on the tool body. The formations consist of a protruberance 35 on the bottom of the device 28 and five complementary indentations 37 on the floor of the recess 29.The formations are arranged to provide a central orientation of the device 28 in which the bubble 32 registers with the target 34 when the lower surfaces of the limbs 12, 14, 16, 18 lie in a horizontal plane and other orientations in which the bubble and target 32, 34 are in registration when the lower surfaces of the east and west limbs 16, 1 8 are inclined to the horizontal at 5" or 10 in one direction and 5" or 10 in the other direction.

A second spirit-level device 36 is mounted in a recess in the north limb 1 2 of the body tool. The device 36 is of the type having a cylindrical glass capsule containing a liquid and a bubble which can be registered with two spaced lines on the glass capsule. The device 36 is positioned on the tool such that the north-south axis of the tool extends vertically when the bubble and lines are registered with each other.

The cutting block 24 protrudes above the upper surface of the east and west limbs 16, 1 8 of the tool body to form an abutment 38 against which a length of, for example, timber can be held for cutting. The first spirit-level device 28 does not protrude from its recess 29 so that the timber to be cut can be so held. The cutting block 24 has a 90 cutting slot 40 extending perpendicularly to the abutment 38 and a pair of oppositely-inclined 45 cutting slots 42, 44 for cutting mitres. The block 24 also includes two 135 angles and two 225 angles formed by further vertical edges 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 of the block 24. A pencil sharpener 56 is also incorporated into the block.

The protractor portion 10 of the tool has angle markings 60 around its semicircular edge, a datum line 62 for the markings 60 and the cutting slots 42, 44, 46 being marked on the upper surface of the east and west limbs 16, 1 8. A removable centre post 64 is a snap fit into the recess 29 over the first spirit-level device 28 and has a circular base portion 65 with a periphery shaped to receive an annular ridge 67 in the wall of the recess 29. When the centre post 64 is received in the recess 29, the post is positioned at the centre of the protractor markings 60.

Thus, a line (for example of nylon) can be attached to the post 64 and extended from it over the protractor portion 10 at an angle to the datum line 62 determined by the angle marking 60 over which it passes. The centre post 64 and line can be stored in the box in the east and west limbs when not in use.

In a modified embodiment, the line is replaced by a rigid rule which is pivotable on the post 64 to a desired angle indicated by the protractor markings 60.

The south limb 1 4 of the cruciform support has a set of apertures 66 corresponding to standard drill sizes. A further set of apertures corresponding to standard screw sizes is located in the opposite face of the limb 14.

Identifying marking on the surface of the body adjacent the drill apertures 66 and the plug apertures, together with the protractor markings 60 and datum line 62 may be formed either raised or depressed during moulding of the body. The markings are advantageously highlighted, for example in a bright green or orange colour when the body is coloured black.

On the underside of the protractor portion 10 further raised or depressed lettering presents metric-to-imperial conversion information and may also present other useful information such as the composition of various mortars and concrete mixes. The protractor portion 10 has two radial slots 68 at 45 to the datum line, for marking lines on the surface below.

In a modified form of the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the first spirit-level device 28, instead of being mounted on pivotal mountings 33, is a snap fit in the recess 29, which receives the device 28 in a position to indicate a horizontal orientation of the tool, the formations 35, 37 being dispensed with but the ridge 67 being retained for engagement with the centre post 64. Other relative orientations of the device 28 and the tool appropriate to inclined orientations of the tool are provided for by further recesses in the upper surface of the east and west limbs 16, 18, to which the device 28 can be transferred and which are each shaped to receive the device 28 in a predetermined orientation relative to the tool body.

Fig. 5 of the drawings shows another combination tool embodying the present invention. The tool has a cruciform body with north, south, east and west limbs 112, 114, 116, 118, each of a depth similar to that of the south, east and west limbs 14, 16, 18 of the tool of Figs. 1 to 4. At the junction of the limbs 112, 114, 116, 118, a first spirit level device 1 28 identical to the device 28 of the first embodiment is mounted in the manner described for the device 28. Instead, the device 1 28 can be movable between a plurality of recesses, as also described above.

In the region between the east and south limbs of the device of Fig. 5, a triangular web 1 20 is positioned. A second spirit-level device 1 36 of the same type as the device 36 is located between the north and west limbs 112, 11 8 of the tool and is orientated so that, when its bubble and lines are registered and the web 1 20 extends in a vertical plane, the adjacent edges of the north and east limbs 112, 11 6 and of the south and west limbs 114, 118 are inclined at 45 to the horizontal and the hypothenuse edge of the triangular web 1 20 extends horizontally.

Fig. 6 of the drawings shows a spirit level device 1 70 which can replace the device 28 of the tool of Figs. 1 to 4. In this modification, the recess 1 71 in which the device 1 70 is housed has a circular floor 1 80 from the centre of which a support pin 1 86 extends upwardly.This pin 186 has a rounded free end 1 87 which is received in a cup-shaped recess 1 88 at the upper end of a hollow interior space 1 72 in a body 1 89 of the spirit level device 1 70. The body 1 89 incorporates a transparent capsule 1 73 of the spirit level device 170, the capsule containing a liquid 1 74 and an air bubble 1 75 and having a square target as described above marked on it.The device 1 70 has at each side a rib 1 90 which is engaged in one of a pair of diametrically-opposite slots each formed between a pair of spaced ribs 1 91 on the inner surfaces of the recess 171. The body 189 is retained in the recess 1 88 by a removable element such as a screw-threaded ring extending around the rim of the recess and is free to tilt in the recess 1 71 about an axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of the paper on which Fig. 6 is drawn between a series of click-stop positions defined by co-operation between respective sets of teeth 192, 1 93 on a centrally-apertured domed lower surface 1 76 of the spirit level body 1 89 and an upstanding formation 1 77 on the floor 1 80 of the recess 1 71. A suitable spring (not shown) such as an undulating annular spring located between the upper surface of the body 1 89 and an overhanging lip, such as one formed by the threaded ring mentioned above, around the top of the recess 171 retains the body 1 89 in its selected position but allows movement between the positions.

By virtue of the structure just described, the spirit level device 1 70 is selectively adjustable relative to the body of the tool from a central position to one of a series of predetermined angles of inclination, three inclined positions lying to each side of the central position.

The spirit level device 1 28 of Fig. 5 can be modified in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 6.

The use of the combination tools described above in the various ways possible will now be described.

The first tool can be used in the manner of a conventional spirit level on a horizontal surface by adjustment of the spirit level device 28 to its central position. The lower surfaces of the limbs 12, 14, 16, 18 can then be placed in contact with a surface to be levelled and the orientation of the latter surface adjusted until the bubble 32 registers with the target 34. Since the spirit level device 28 is sensitive to tilt in both the east-west and the north-south directions, the location of any departure of the surface to be levelled from a horizontal condition can be identified in one application of the tool to the surface. To set the surface to a desired inclination, the device 28 is adjusted to the click-stop corresponding to the desired angle and direction of inclination and the orientation of the surface contacted by the tool adjusted until the bubble 32 again registers with the target 34. The surface will now be inclined from either left to right or right to left in the direction of the east-west axis of the tool and be horizontal in the direction of the north-south axis. By readjustment of the spirit level device 28 the direction of inclination can be reversed without re-orientating the tool on the surface. The small angles of inclination provided for by the device are particularly suitable for setting paving stones to provide a slope for run-off of rain water.A surface may be set at a desired inclination by use of the modified tool having a transferable spirit level device in the same way as is described above, except that the spirit level device's orientation relative to the tool body is adjusted by transfer of the device 28 from one location to another.

The tool described with reference to Fig. 5 and its modification can be used in a similar way to adjust a surface to the horizontal, or to a desired inclination thereto. The device of Fig. 6 is also used similarly.

The second spirit level device 36 of the tool of Figs. 1 to 4 may be used to set the datum line 62 to extend horizontally when the protractor portion 10 extends in a generallyvertical plane. The protractor markings 60 or the slots 68 may then be used to mark angles to the horizontal on a surface behind the tool.

The tool of Fig. 5 can be used similarly.

When the bubble of its second spirit level device 1 36 is in register with its target marks, the hypothenuse edge of the web 1 20 extends horizontally and the edges of the north and east limbs 112, 116 and of the south and west limbs 114, 11 8 adjacent each other extend at 45' to the horizontal. These edges may therefore be used to mark horizontal or inclined lines on an upwardly-extending surface behind the tool.

For use of the cutting block 24 of the tool of Figs. 1 to 4, the mounting block 22 is fitted to the tool body and clamped between the jaws of a vice. The slots 40, 42 44 in the block 24 can then be used to guide a saw cutting a length of material held against the abutment 38. The angles between the block faces 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 may also be used, if convenient, for marking or checking angles.

The protractor portion 10 of the first tool can be used to measure or mark angles on any surface in the usual way. The post 64 and the nylon line or pivoted rule can be used to measure or mark angles at points distant from the protractor portion 1 0.

The side edges of the south limb 14 of the first tool extend perpendicularly to the abutment 38 of the cutting block and are offset therefrom. These edges and the abutment 38 can therefore be used to perform a try-square or tee-square function.

It will be appreciated that the embodimentsdescribed above can be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the orientation adjustment mechanism described with reference to Fig. 6 may be modified by substitution of a screw adjustment mechanism for one of the rib and slot arrangements 190, 191. In such a modification, a rotatable rod extends parallel to the post 1 86 upwardly from a socket in the floor 1 80 of the recess 1 71. The rod and the body 1 89 of the spirit level device have means for interengagement such that rotation of the rod (for example by insertion of a screwdriver in a slot or other formation in its upper end) causes the body to move from one click stop to another. The interengagement means may comprise an external screw thread on the rod engaging a lug on the device body, or any other suitable formations. With such arrangements, the spring and retaining ring mentioned are not necessary but a spring may instead be provided to urge the rod and the device body into engagement.

Claims

1. An orientation-indicating instrument comprising an orientation-sensitive indicating device and an instrument body having means for contacting a surface to be orientated, the means for contacting the surface defining a reference plane and the orientation of the indicating device relative to the reference plane being selectively adjustable.

2. An instrument according to claim 1, in which the orientation of the indicating device is adjustable to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined orientations relative to the reference plane.

3. An instrument according to claim 2, in which the predetermined orientations are defined by co-operating formations on the instrument body and the indicating device, the device being movable manually between orientations.

4. An instrument according to claim 3, including resilient means urging the formations into contact with each other.

5. An instrument according to any preceding claim, in which the indicating device is rotatable relative to the instrument body for adjustment of its angular orientation relative to the body.

6. An instrument according to claim 5, in which the indicating device is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the instrument body.

7. An instrument according to claim 6, in which the indicating device is pivotable on a pair of opposed pivots through which the axis of pivotation passes.

8. An instrument according to claim 6, in which the indicating device has a seat which rests upon the free end of a post extending from the instrument body and is constrained by constraining means to pivot about an axis passing through the point of contact between the post and the seat.

9. An instrument according to claim 8, in which the indicating device has a pair of opposed ribs which protrude from the device and are received in respective slots in the instrument body.

1 0. An instrument according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the indicating device is housed fully in a recess in the instrument body.

11. An instrument according to claim 2, in which the indicating device is transferable between at least two different locations on the instrument, the orientation of the device relative to the reference plane being different at each location.

1 2. An instrument according to claim 11, in which the locations are defined by respective formations on the instrument body, the formations being capable of co-operation with the indicating device to hold the device in its selected orientation relative to the reference plane.

1 3. An instrument according to claim 11 or 12, in which the indicating device is housed fully in a recess in the instrument body at each location.

1 4. An instrument according to any preceding claim, in which the surface-contacting means comprise one or more surface portions of the instrument body.

1 5. An instrument according to any preceding claim, in which the indicating device comprises a transparent envelope containing a liquid and a bubble which is registrable with a target on the envelope to indicate a predetermined orientation of the device.

16. An instrument according to claim 15, in which the bubble and target of the indicating device are in registration when the device is in predetermined orientation relative to two mutually-perpendicular axes.

17. An instrument according to any preceding claim, in which the said orientations of the indicating device relative to the reference plane include an orientation in which the reference plane extends horizontally.

18. An instrument according to claim 17, in which the said orientations of the indicating device relative to the reference plane include at least two further orientations in which the reference plane is inclined to the horizontal in respective opposite directions.

1 9. An instrument according to any preceding claim, in which the instrument body comprises one or more of the following (a) a protractor, (b) a cutting block, (c) a tee-square (d) a try-squares and (e) a lidded compartment.

20. An instrument according to claim 19, in which the body has feature (a) and the instrument includes an extensible line or a pivotable pointer which can be respectively secured or pivotally mounted at the centre of the protractor to extend radially and pass over the edge of the protractor at a desired angle.

21. An instrument according to claim 19, in which the body includes feature (b) and the instrument includes a removable mounting block for securing the tool in a vice for use of the cutting block.

22. An instrument according to claim 19, in which the body includes feature (a) and the instrument includes a further orientation-sensitive indicating device arranged to allow a predetermined radial line of the protractor to be set to extend in a vertical plane.

23. An orientation-indicating instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, Fig.

5 of the drawings, or Figs. 1 to 4 or Fig. 5 modified in accordance with Fig. 6 of the drawings.

24. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein.