GB2571901A

GB2571901A - Multi purpose spirit level tool

Info

Publication number: GB2571901A
Application number: GB1718771.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Crellin Alan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-10
Filing date: 2017-11-10
Publication date: 2019-09-18
Also published as: GB201718771D0

Abstract

An elongate device 100 with a ledge part 120 extending from a body part 110, the ledge part being suitable for supporting a free panel to be fixed adjacent to a fixed panel. The body part has attachment means 134 for attaching the body part to the fixed panel adjacent to the location of the free panel. The body part comprises a levelling device such as a spirit level, or bubble level. The device may comprise more than one ledge parts, which may be removable from the body part and may have fixing apertures. Preferably, one or more spacer members 150 may be attached to the body part to facilitate lateral spacing of the panels. At least one spacer member may be extendable relative to the body part. The device may comprise apertures 132 for fixing the device to the fixed panel, the apertures preferably having retaining means for retaining a fixing element. The device may comprise a hook for hanging the device in a vertical arrangement. The levelling device may comprise an electronic device.

Description

19/20

20/20

CONSTRUCTION AID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to construction aids. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to spirit levels.

Background

It is known to use a panel support device as described in US5884447 when installing panels such as plasterboard panels in an interior of a building. The support device is used to support a second panel in edge-to-edge relationship with a fixed panel whilst the second panel is fixed to a structure such as joists of the building. The support device described in US5884447 has a support plate, means for attaching the support plate against a fixed panel, and means for aligning the support plate to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel in the said relationship.

Statement of the invention

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a spirit level device suitable for supporting an edge of a free panel in juxtaposition with an edge of a fixed panel and also fixing directly onto a structure, the fixed panel being a panel fixed to a structure, the fixed panel being accessible from a first side of the fixed panel, the device comprising:

attachment means for attaching a body portion of the device to the fixed panel or structure from the first side of the fixed panel or structure and a ledge portion extending from the body portion, with the body portion attached to the fixed panel or structure the ledge portion providing a support upon which an edge of a free panel may rest thereby to support the free panel, the device further comprising indicator means for indicating an inclination of the device with respect to a reference plane.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a spirit level device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a plasterboard ceiling panel fixed to joists of a structure;

FIGURE 3 shows a spirit level device according to an embodiment of the invention coupled to a joist of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIGURE 4 shows a plasterboard ceiling panel resting against a ledge portion of the spirit level device shown in FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 shows a view of a plasterboard ceiling panel supported by a spirit level device according to an embodiment of the invention from below;

FIGURE 6 shows a pair of spirit level devices supporting a plasterboard ceiling panel;

FIGURE 7 shows a spacer member of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in (a) an extended configuration and (b) a retracted configuration;

FIGURE 8 shows a fixing element locator according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 9 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention suspended from a door of a structure;

FIGURE 10 shows a hook member according to an embodiment of the invention (a) in a retracted configuration; (b) in a first extended configuration and (b) in a second extended configuration and (d) in the retracted configuration with an end cap installed over an end of a body portion of the device;

FIGURE 11 shows a hook member according to an embodiment of the invention provided in an end cap member;

FIGURE 12 shows a hook member according to a further embodiment of the invention provided in an end cap member;

FIGURE 13 shows a body portion of a device according to an embodiment of the invention having a plurality of fixing element locators;

FIGURE 14 shows embodiments of the invention in which the ledge portion is formed from a plurality of ledge members; and

FIGURE 15 shows an embodiment of the invention having a spacer member and ledge portion formed from a single length of extruded metallic material;

FIGURE 16 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 17 shows a portion of a device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 18 shows a portion of a device attached directly to truss/structure.

FIGURE 19 shows a diagram of device using channel fixing method.

Detailed Description

According to one embodiment of the invention a spirit level device 100 is provided substantially as shown in FIG 1. The device 100 has an elongate body portion 110 in the form of a tube member of substantially rectangular cross-section. One side 110s of the tube member is arranged to extend beyond a major edge 112 of the body portion 110 to define a ledge portion 120 that protrudes from the body portion 110. In the embodiment of FIG 1 the ledge portion 120 is generally parallel to the one side 110s of the body portion 110. Other arrangements are also useful.

It is to be understood that other cross-sectional shapes are also useful including girder or T-shaped' cross-sections. The body portion 110 may be formed by extrusion, die casting, injection moulding or any other suitable method.

The ledge portion 120 may be formed integrally with the body portion 110. Alternatively the ledge portion 120 may be formed as a separate component and subsequently joined, either permanently or removably, to the body portion 110.

The ledge portion 120 is arranged in some embodiments to provide a guide edge to facilitate scribing, marking or cutting with a utility knife and for the guidance of power tools such as a power saw, a router etc.

In some embodiments the ledge portion is provided with markings to facilitate linear measurement. In some embodiments the markings are spaced according to the metric measurement system whilst in some embodiments the markings are provided with alternative spacings. The markings may be provided to indicate joist centres, timber stud centres, a position of a hinge of a door with respect to an end of the door, a position of a door handle aperture of a door or any other suitable measurement with reference to any required article.

The device is also provided with a pair of fixing element locators 130 each having a pair of tubular members 132 arranged to pass through the body portion 110. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the tubular members 132 pass through the body portion 110 in a direction substantially normal to the side 11 OS of the body portion 110. Other arrangements are also useful.

The tubular members 132 are each provided with a bore 134 therethrough thereby to provide apertures through the body portion 110. The bore 134 is arranged to allow a fixing element such as a screw, a nail or a bolt to pass through the bore 134 whereby the device 100 may be fixed to an object such as a joist of a structure.

In some embodiments the tubular members 132 are provided with means for retaining a fixing element therein. Thus, in some embodiments the tubular members 132 are formed from a magnetic material. In some embodiments a magnetic material is provided in juxtaposition with a tubular member 132 and/or the bore 134 of a tubular member 132.

In some embodiments the tubular members 132 are provided alternatively or in addition with one or more projections within the bore such as one or more resiliently deformable detents (e.g. a spring-loaded detent), brush strip, or any other suitable projection whereby a fixing element may be temporarily held within the bore 134 whilst a user manipulates the device 100.

The device 100 is also provided with a pair of retractable spacer members 150 in the form of plates pivotable about an axis. The spacer members may also be referred to as datum fences.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the spacer members 150 are pivotable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Spacer member 150 labelled R is shown in the retracted configuration whilst spacer member 150 labelled E is shown in the extended configuration.

In the extended configuration the spacer members 150 are arranged to extend beyond an edge 113 of the body portion 110. This feature allows the device 100 to be used to position panels against a surface a prescribed distance apart, as shown schematically in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 shows a fixed panel 182 being a panel fixed to joists 181 of a structure. A spirit level device 100 is shown in abutment with the fixed panel 182 with spacer members 150 of the device 100 in the extended configuration. The device 100 has been oriented with a portion of each spacer member 150 protruding from the body portion 110 in abutment with a free edge 182A of the fixed board 182.

FIG. 4 shows the device 100 fixed to the fixed board 182 and/or a joist 181 by means of fixing elements 139 passing through fixing element locators 130.

In the retracted condition the spacer members 150 are arranged to not extend beyond the edge of the body portion 110 such that with the device 100 coupled to the fixed board 182 as shown in FIG. 4 the spacer members 150 would not extend from the body portion 110 to abut the free edge 182A.

In use, the device 100 is attached to a structure as shown in FIG. 4 and a free panel 186 positioned so that an edge 186A of the panel 186 rests along the ledge 120 of the device 100. The free panel 186 may then be swung to the substantially horizontal position shown in FIG. 4 and supported at an end away from the edge 186A by a panel prop 188. The panel may then be attached to the joists 181 in a more convenient and safe manner with a reduced risk of injury to personnel and a reduced risk of damage to the panel 186.

In FIG. 4 two alternative designs for the ledge portion 120 are shown. In one design, a lip portion 121A of the ledge portion is substantially parallel and coplanar with a portion of the ledge portion adjacent the body portion 110.

In an alternative design, a lip portion 121B is angled with respect to a portion of the ledge portion adjacent the body portion 110. This angled arrangement facilitates insertion of a board onto the ledge portion 120 when the device 100 is fixed to the fixed board 182.

FIG. 5 shows a view from below of the free panel 186 of FIG. 4 affixed to the joists 181 of the structure.

FIG. 6(a) shows an embodiment of the invention in which a second spirit level device 100A is employed to support a free panel 186 in juxtaposition with joists 181 of a ceiling. The panel 186 is shown in a process of being affixed to the joists 181.

In some embodiments of the invention one or more apertures 122 are provided in the 10 ledge 120 to allow fixing elements 191 to be inserted therethrough thereby to fix the panel 186 to the joists 181. The one or more apertures are sufficiently large to allow the whole of a fixing element such as a screw to pass therethrough. Thus, the device may be subsequently removed from the object in which it is in abutment (such as the fixed panel of FIG. 6(a)) without requiring the fixing element to be removed.

In some embodiments the apertures 122 are elongate whereby a plurality of fixing elements may be passed therethrough in spaced apart relationship. FIG. 6(b) shows an embodiment of the invention having a plurality of racetrack-shaped apertures 122 formed in the ledge portion 120.

Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments (such as the embodiment of FIG, 6(b) one or more apertures are formed in the body portion 110 of the device 100 to allow fixing elements to be used to fasten boards or other articles to a structure by passing the fixing elements through the apertures. Provided the apertures are of a sufficiently large 25 size, the fixing elements may be passed entirely through the apertures without the fixing element also fixing the device 100 to the structure.

FIG. 7 shows a spacer member 150 according to an embodiment of the invention in (a) an extended position and (b) a retracted position. The spacer member 150 is provided 30 in the form of a plate member 150 pivotable about an axis 151 normal to a plane of the plate member 150. One of four corners 152 of the plate member 150 is curved in plan view thereby to facilitate rotation of the plate member 150 about the axis 151 between the extended and retracted conditions. In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the spacer member 150 is shaped such that in the extended configuration a side 153 of the plate member 35 150 adjacent the curved comer 152 abuts the ledge portion 120 thereby to prevent continued rotation of the spacer member 150 from the retracted configuration once in the extended configuration (in the example shown, continued anticlockwise rotation is prevented; clockwise rotation back to the retracted configuration is still permitted).

Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 the spacer member 150 is shaped such that in the retracted configuration a side 153 of the plate member 150 adjacent the curved corner 152 abuts the ledge portion 120 thereby to prevent further rotation of the spacer member 150 away from the extended configuration. In other words, further clockwise rotation of the spacer member away from the extended configuration is not permitted, but anticlockwise rotation towards the extended configuration is permitted. It is to be understood that the spacer members 150 may be arranged to rotate from the extended to the retraced configuration in an anticlockwise direction instead of a clockwise direction.

It is to be understood that other arrangements of spacer members 150 are also useful. For example in some embodiments the spacer member is slidable between the retracted and extended configurations. In some embodiments the spacer member is slidable in a substantially curved direction whilst in other embodiments the spacer member is slidable in a curved arrangement.

The spacer member 150 may also be described as a ‘datum locator¹ since it provides a reference thickness by which boards may be spaced apart by a prescribed distance.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a spirit level device 200 has a fixing element locator 230 having a bobbin member 231 arranged to slide along slider rails 237. The slider rails 237 are provided in an insert member 236 which is itself provided in an aperture 235 formed in the body portion 210 of the device 200.

The bobbin member 231 has a manually operable locking nut 238 arranged to fix the bobbin member 231 at a required position along the slider rails 237. The bobbin member 231 has a cylindrical core element 232 having a bore 234 formed therethrough. The bore 234 is sized to allow a fixing element to be passed therethrough thereby to fix the device 200 to a structure, the bore 234 being typically of a size in the range from around 5mm to around 10mm in diameter.

In some embodiments (FIG. 9) the spirit level device 100 is provided with a hook member 170 at one or both ends. The hook member 170 is arranged to allow the device

100 to be hung from a structure such as a door, a lintel or any other suitable structure. In some embodiments the device 100 is provided with index markings indicating locations at which door fittings such as hinge members and other fittings should be located.

A user of the spirit level device is thus able to ensure that the device 100 is oriented correctly (i.e. in a vertical orientation) using a bubble vial of the spirit level device 100 before marking an object such as a door or door frame with index markings corresponding to those provided on the device 100.

The hook member 170 also enables the user to orient the device quickly and conveniently in a vertical plane due to the force of gravity acting on the device since the hook member 170 provides a pivot point for pivoting of the hook member 170 when suspended from an object.

FIG. 10 shows a hook member 170 according to an embodiment of the invention in the form of a hook plate 171 arranged to be rotatable about an axis 172 between the retracted configuration of FIG. 10(a) and first and second extended configurations shown in FIG. 10(b) and (c) respectively. The hook plate 171 is coupled to an end of the body portion 110 of the device 100 by a fixing element 173 coaxial with axis 172 thereby to allow rotation of the hook plate 171 about the axis 172.

In the first extended configuration of FIG. 10(b) the hook plate 171 extends from a major side face 110A of the body portion 110 of the device 100 whilst in the second extended configuration the hook plate 171 extends from a minor side face 110B of the body portion 110. A removable end cap 175 is provided to protect the hook member 170 from damage when the hook member 170 is not in use as shown in FIG. 10(d). The end cap 175 also prevents inadvertent pivoting of the hook plate 171 about the axis 172 when not in use.

The hook member 170 of the embodiment of FIG. 10 is of ‘external’ type since it is provided at an extreme end of the body portion 110 and is exposed upon removal of the end cap 175. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention of ‘integral’ type in which the hook member 270 is in the form of a hook plate 271 arranged to be slidable into and out from an end cap member 275 arranged to be fixed to a free end of the body portion 110 of a spirit level device 100. Thus the hook member 170 may be considered to be ‘integral’ as it automatically becomes contained within the end cap member 275 when in the retracted condition without having to manually place an end cap 175 over the hook member when in the retracted condition.

The end cap member 275 has a plug portion 275P projecting from an end plate portion 275E, the plug portion 275P being arranged to protrude into the body portion 110 of the spirit level device 100 at a free end of the device 100. The end cap member 275 of FIG. 11 is arranged to couple to a device having a body portion 110 in the form of a boxsection tube, the end cap member 275 being arranged to form a friction-fit in a free end of the body portion 110. One or more fixing elements may be provided to further secure the end cap member 275 to the body portion 110, for example to permanently fix the end cap member 275 to the body portion 110.

The hook plate 271 is slidable in a direction parallel to a plane of the end plate 275E in a slot formed in the plug portion 275P. An elongate aperture 271A is provided in the hook plate 271 through which a fixing element may be passed to slidably couple the hook plate 271 to the plug portion 275P, the end plate 275E having an aperture formed therein to receive the fixing element thereby to couple the hook plate 271 to the end plate 275E. Other arrangements are also useful.

In some embodiments the hook plate 271 may be slid to protrude from the end cap member 275 from either side of the end cap member 275 according to a user’s choice for a given task. Thus is some embodiments the slot formed in the plug portion 275P is formed through two opposed sides of the plug portion 275P.

It is to be understood that the hook member 270 is arranged to allow the hook plate 271 to be moved between an extended configuration in which a portion of the hook plate 271 extends beyond a peripheral edge of the end plate 275E (as in the configuration shown in FIG. 11) and a retracted configuration in which the hook plate 271 does not extend beyond the peripheral edge of the end plate 275E.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment in which a hook member 370 also of ‘integral’ type is in the form of a rotatable hook plate 371 rotatably coupled to an end cap member 375. The hook plate 371 is rotatable about an axis 372 between a retracted configuration (FIG. 12(a)) and an extended configuration (FIG. 12(b)).

In the extended configuration the hook plate 371 protrudes from the end cap 371 thereby to provide a support to allow a spirit level device 300 to be hung from an object such as a door. In the retracted configuration the hook plate is substantially entirely received within the end cap member 375.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12 the hook plate 371 has at least one corner having a substantially curved shape to allow this comer to facilitate receipt of the hook plate 371 into the end cap member 375.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 two fixing element locators 130 apertures are provided for fixing the spirit level device 100 to an object, the apertures being provided by the tubular members 132.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which more than two fixing element locators 430 are provided. This feature allows increased flexibility for a user in determining to what objects the user must fix the spirit level device 100 in order to secure the device 100 for supporting a panel, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 1. The apertures of the embodiment of FIG. 13 may be provided by tubular members such as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, or any other suitable means. The apertures of the embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 13 may be provided simply by the formation of holes through the body portion of the spirit level device without tubular members 132.

In some embodiments the ledge portion is provided by a plurality of ledge members. FIG. 14 shows such an embodiment. The spirit level device 500 of FIG. 14 (a) has four ledge members 520 protruding from the body portion 510 of the device 500. In the embodiment of FIG. 14(a) the ledge members 520 are rigidly coupled to the body portion 510.

In some alternative embodiments of the device 600 such as that of FIG. 14(b) and (c) the ledge members 620 are arranged to be retractable from an extended configuration (being the configuration of the ledge members 620 of the device 600 as shown in FIG. 14(b)) to a retracted position (being the configuration of the ledge members 520 of the device 600 shown in FIG. 14(c)).

In the embodiment of FIG. 14(b) and (c) the ledge members 620 are movable between the retracted and extended configurations by pivoting about a pivot axis 622 whilst in other embodiments the ledge members are so movable by sliding along a substantially straight path.

In some embodiments the spacer member is provided by a member having a substantially L-shaped cross-section. An example of such a member is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15 where a spirit level device 700 is shown having a spacer member 750 that is substantially coextensive with a ledge portion 720. In the embodiment of FIG. 15 the spacer member 750 and ledge portion 720 are formed from a single member 725 being formed of a length of an extruded metal having a substantially L-shaped section. Other materials are also useful including plastics materials and other suitable materials.

In some embodiments the member 725 is arranged to be removably attachable to a body portion 710 of the device 600. In some embodiments the member 725 is fixedly coupled to the body portion 710 whilst in some embodiments the member 725 is formed integrally with the body portion 710.

FIG. 16 shows a spirit level device 800 according to an embodiment of the invention having a bobbin member 831 arranged to slide along slider rails 837 substantially as descried with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 8. The device 800 is also provided with hook members 870 is in the form of hook plates 871 arranged to be slidable into and out from respective end cap members 875 coupled to free ends of a body portion 810 of the device 800.

FIG. 17 shows a device 900 according to an embodiment of the invention in which a body portion 910 is formed integrally with a ledge portion 920, the ledge portion having a lip portion 921B provided at an angle with respect to a remainder of the ledge portion 920 thereby to facilitate insertion of a board onto the ledge portion 920. In some embodiments the ledge portion and body portion are formed integrally by an extrusion process.

In some embodiments at least some components of the spirit level device are formed from a metallic material such as aluminium, an aluminium alloy, steel, bronze, brass, or any other suitable metallic material. Some components may be formed from a plastics material, a glass reinforced plastics material or any other suitable plastics material. Other materials are also useful.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other 5 moi eties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as 10 singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described 15 herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A spirit level device suitable for supporting an edge of a free panel in juxtaposition with an edge of a fixed panel being a panel fixed to a structure, the fixed panel being accessible from a first side of the fixed panel, comprising:

attachment means for attaching a body portion of the device to the fixed panel from the first side of the fixed panel; and a ledge portion extending from the body portion, with the body portion attached to the fixed panel the ledge portion providing a support upon which an edge of a free panel may rest thereby to support the free panel, the device further comprising indicator means for indicating an inclination of the device with respect to a reference plane.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ledge portion comprises a plurality of ledge members.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ledge portion comprises one selected from amongst only a single ledge member and a plurality of ledge members.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ledge portion is removably attachable to the body portion.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ledge portion is formed to have at least a portion having a substantially “L”- shaped cross-section.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ledge portion is provided with at least one ledge aperture therethrough, the ledge aperture being arranged to allow a fixing element to be passed therethrough.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ledge aperture is arranged to allow the entire fixing element to be passed therethrough.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising at least one spacer member with the body portion attached to the fixed panel the at least one spacer member being arranged to lie parallel to and in abutment with an edge of the fixed panel thereby to facilitate lateral spacing of the free panel with respect to the fixed panel.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 comprising a plurality of spacer members.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the at least one spacer

5 member is operably movable between an extended condition in which the at least one spacer member is arranged to lie in abutment with the edge of the fixed panel and a retracted condition in which the at least one spacer member is arranged not to lie in abutment with the edge of the fixed panel.

10

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one spacer member is moveable between the extended and retracted conditions by rotation about an axis.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the at least one spacer member is moveable between the extended and retracted conditions by a sliding action.

13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the at least one spacer member is provided by the ledge portion.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 depending through claim 5 wherein an arm of the 20 “L”-shaped cross-section of the ledge portion provides the at least one spacer member.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises at least one fixing element locator aperture for fixing the device to an object by means of a fixing element passed through the aperture.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the at least one aperture is provided through the body portion.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15 or 16 comprising a plurality of fixing element 30 locator apertures mutually spaced apart along a portion of a length of the body portion.

18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 further comprising retaining means for retaining a fixing element within the at least one aperture.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one selected from amongst a protrusion provided within the aperture; a brush strip; a resiliently movable detent; and a magnetic material.

20. A device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the fixing element locator aperture is provided in a slider member, the slider member being slidably coupled to the body portion.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the slider member is operable to be fixed relative to the body portion at a required position of the body portion.

22. A device as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the slider member is slidable along a rail.

23. A device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the slider member is operable to be fixed relative to the body portion by means of a screw member.

24. A device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the slider member is slidable within a cut-out portion of the device, the cut-out portion being arranged to provide a hand-hold portion to facilitate manipulation of the device.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cut-out is sufficiently large to permit at least one adult finger to pass therethrough.

26. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a hook member arranged to allow the device to be hung from an edge of an object with the device in a substantially vertical plane.

27. A device as claimed in claim 26 wherein the hook member is arranged to extend away from the body portion.

28. A device as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein the hook member is movable between an extended configuration in which the hook member extends away from the body portion and a retracted configuration in which the hook member does not extend away from the body portion, in the extended configuration the hook member being arranged to allow the device to be hung from the edge of the object.

29. A device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the hook member is rotatable between the extended and retracted configurations.

30. A device as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein the hook member is slidable between the extended and retractable configurations.

31. A device as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30 wherein the hook member comprises at least one grip element.

32. A device as claimed in any of claims 26 to 31 wherein the hook member comprises a plate member.

33. A device as claimed in claim 32 wherein the plate member is substantially flat.

34. A device as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein the hook member is provided at or near a free end of the body portion.

35. A device as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 34 wherein the hook member is provided in an end cap of the body portion.

36. A device as claimed in claim 35 wherein the end cap is removably attachable to an end of the body portion.

37. A device as claimed in claim 34 wherein the hook portion is arranged to be covered by a removable end cap thereby to protect the hook portion from damage.

38. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indicator means comprises a bubble vial.

39. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indicator means comprises an electronic device.

40. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body portion is formed to have one selected from amongst a substantially square or rectangular cross-section and a substantially i-shaped cross-section.

41. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the ledge portion is angled with respect to the body portion thereby to widen a gap between the ledge portion and a surface to which a board is to be fixed when the device is

5 coupled to the surface in use.

42. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reference plane is a horizontal plane.

Intellectual Property Office