WO2008117073A1

WO2008117073A1 - Apparatus for measuring inclination

Info

Publication number: WO2008117073A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001099
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Lithgow Currie; Steven Samuel Currie; Jeffrey Russel Currie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-28
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-28
Also published as: GB2447923A; GB0705925D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in indicating whether a surface is level or plumb. In a particular embodiment the apparatus may also indicate the angle of a surface. The apparatus (1) comprises a body (2), a fluid filled enclosure (4) mounted on or in the body, the inside of which is visible, and a pointer (6) which is rotatably mounted within the fluid filled enclosure and is positively buoyant in the fluid (9).

Description

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING INCLINATION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in indicating whether a surface is level or plumb. In a particular embodiment the apparatus may also indicate the angle of a surface.

Background to the Invention

Presently available so-called "spirit levels" or "bubble levels" comprise a vial which is incompletely filled with a liquid, such as ethanol, to leave a bubble which lines up between two markers when placed on or against a level or plum surface. If the surface is not level or plumb, this will be indicated by the bubble not lying between the two markers.

A disadvantage with such levels is that they may not be very acurate, particularily over larger distances. For example over a distance of 18 feet, an error of 15 to 20 millimeters would be expected. Such errors are not acceptable in certain instances, for example in kitchen fitting.

Any alternative apparatus for measuring level, plumb and/or the angle of surfaces would therfore be desirable.

Statements of the invention

Accordingly the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a body, a fluid filled enclosure mounted on, or in the body, the inside of which is visible, and a pointer which is rotatably mounted within the fluid filled enclosure and is positively buoyant in the fluid.

This apparatus is advantageous because, in use, the pointer points to a single position rather than having to rely on a bubble lining up between two markers, thus the apparatus may be more accurate over larger distances.

Since the pointer is rotatably mounted within the fluid filled enclosure and is positively buoyant in the fluid, it may rotate about its mounting as the angle of the body is altered.

In an embodiment the pointer may rotate about 360 degrees.

Advantageously this may allow the actual angle of surfaces to be measured in addition to being able to identify level and/or plumb surfaces.

In an embodiment the fluid filed enclosure may be mounted in the body of the apparatus. In this embodiment the inside of the fluid filled enclosure, and therefore the pointer may be viewed through a window in the fluid filled enclosure. In a particular embodiment the windows form a part or all of the walls of the fluid filled enclosure.

In an alternative embodiment the fluid filled enclosure may be formed from a void in the body itself. In this embodiment the inside of the fluid filled enclosure and therefore the pointer may be viewed through a window in the body.

As used herein the term "window" shall be taken to include windows of any shape, for example square, rectangular or round, for example porthole type windows. The window may be formed from any suitable transparent or translucent material, for example, glass, toughened glass, Perspex® or a plastics material .

In a particular embodiment the inside of the fluid filled enclosure may be visible through a plurality of windows. In an embodiment the apparatus may further comprise one or more markings. Advantageously these marking (s) will make the apparatus easier to read.

In an embodiment at least one marking is provided to indicate a level surface, such that when the apparatus is placed on a level surface the pointer points directly at the marking. In an embodiment at least one marking is provided to indicate a plumb surface, such that when the apparatus is placed against a plumb surface the pointer points directly at the marking.

In a particular embodiment the apparatus may have a plurality of markings, for example markings which when pointed at by the pointer would indicate that the apparatus was placed against a level surface, a plumb surface and/or surface at a particular angle. Such markings may be placed on a window of the apparatus or around the edge of a window.

In an embodiment the body has at least one substantially planer surface. Advantageously this planer surface may allow the apparatus to be placed flat against the surface to be measured.

In a particular embodiment the body may have at least two substantially planer surfaces.

As used herein the term "substantially planer surface" means that the surface as a whole is planer although some parts of the surface may not be planer and/or may be missing or may have indentations. For example the surface may have an aperture through which a window of a fluid filled enclosure may be seen.

The two substantially planer surfaces may be generally arranged parallel to one another. A periphery may join the two substantially planar surfaces together. The periphery may comprise two substantially planar surfaces.

In a particular embodiment the body may be substantially cuboid in shape. In an alternative embodiment the body may be substantially I shaped in cross section. Other shapes may also be possible.

In a preferred embodiment the pointer may have a head, for example a substantially arrow shaped head, or an arrow shaped head. The pointer may be formed from a material which is less dense than the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure. For example if the fluid is water the pointer may be made of cork.

In an alternative embodiment the pointer may be formed from a plurality of materials and/or fluids. In this embodiment all of the materials and/or fluids may be less dense than the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure.

Alternatively, one or more of the materials and/or fluids may be the same or more dense than the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure, however the overall density of the pointer is less than the density of the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure.

In an embodiment the pointer may be at least partially hollow. The hollow portion may be at least partially filled with a fluid, for example a gas, for example atmospheric air.

The pointer may be made from any suitable material, for example a plastics material, Perspex®, a metal, or rubber.

The fluid in the fluid filed enclosure may be any suitable fluid for example, water or a fluid with a low freezing point for example ethanol, methanol or an anti-freeze. In an embodiment the fluid may be clear such that the pointer can be seen through it. In an embodiment the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure may have a freezing point of below 0, or -10, or -20, or -30, or -40, or -50 to - 60, or -70, or -80, or - 90, -120, or -150. Fluids with low freezing points may be advantageous as the apparatus may be used in very cold weather.

In an embodiment the apparatus may comprise a plurality of fluid filed enclosures. The inside of each fluid filled enclosure may be viewed through one or more windows in the fluid filled enclosures or in the body. In a particular embodiment the apparatus may comprise three fluid filled enclosures. In a preferred embodiment the inside of each fluid filled enclosure may be viewed through 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 windows . In a particular embodiment the inside of each fluid filled enclosure may be viewed through 2 circular windows and two rectangular windows.

The body may be of any suitable length, for example from 7 inches, or, 1 foot, or 2 feet, or 3 feet, or 4 feet to 5 feet, or 6 feet, or 7 feet, or 8 feet in length.

In an embodiment the body may be ergonomically shaped. This may be advantageous since it may make the apparatus more comfortable to use. The body may be made from any suitable material, for example a plastics material, a metal, wood or a combination of such materials. In an embodiment the body may be formed from a light metal, for example aluminium.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following examples. Generally speaking the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings). Moreover unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose. The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a fluid filled enclosure.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a fluid filled enclosure.

Detailed Description

The apparatus, indicated generally at 1, comprises a body 2 and three fluid filled enclosures 4 mounted in the body 2, the insides of which are visible. A pointer 6 with an arrow shaped head 7 (see Figure 2) is rotatably mounted within each of the fluid filled enclosures 4. The pointers 6 are positively buoyant in the fluid 9.

The body 2 has two substantially planer surfaces 10 which are arranged parallel to one another. A periphery 11 comprising two substantially planar surfaces 12 joins the two substantially planar surfaces 10 together. The body 2 is substantially I shaped in cross section.

Figure 2 shows the structure of the fluid filled enclosures 4. It can be seen that the pointer 6 is rotatably mounted on a mounting 8, one end 13 of which is fixed to a wall 14 of the fluid filled enclosure 4. The pointer 6 may rotate about its mounting 8 by 360 degrees.

The walls 14 of the fluid filed enclosure 4 are transparent. They may for example be formed from reinforced glass or a clear Perspex® material. As can be seen in Figure 1 the inside of the fluid filled enclosure 4 can be viewed through a number of windows 16, 18. In the embodiment shown, the inside of each fluid filled enclosure 4 can be seen through 2 oppositely disposed port hole windows 16 in the periphery 11 of the body 2 and two oppositely disposed rectangular windows 18 in the substantially planar parallel surfaces 10.

The entire pointer 6 can be viewed through the port hole windows 16. The rectangular windows 18 can be used to line up the arrow head 7 with a mark (a) , or markings on the rectangular windows 18.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, at least one marking (a) , (a' ) may be provided to indicate a level surface, such that when the apparatus 1 is placed on a level surface the pointers 6 point directly at the marking (a) , (a' ) . For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, if surface A of the body 2 is placed on a level surface (not shown) , the pointers 6 will point towards markings (a) and (a' ) . Any variation from this indicates that the surface is not level.

At least one marking (b) may also be provided to indicate a plumb surface, such that when the apparatus 1 is placed against a plumb surface the pointers 6 point directly at the marking (b) . For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, if surface A of the body 2 is placed against a plumb surface (not shown) , the pointers 6 will point towards marking (b) . Any variation from this indicates that the surface is not plumb.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more markings (c) may be provided to indicate particular angles. Since the pointers 6 may rotate about 360 degrees many angles may be represented. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, if surface A of the body 2 is placed against a surface which is inclined by 45 degrees (not shown) , the pointers 6 will point towards marking (c) . Any variation from this indicates that the surface is not at 45 degrees.

The pointer 6 is preferably hollow and contains air. In a particular embodiment the arrow head 7 of the pointer is hollow and contains air. The pointer 6 is preferably formed from a plastics material. The fluid 9 in the fluid filled enclosure 6 is preferably methanol. The apparatus 1 is preferably from 2 feet to 6 feet in length. The body 2 is preferably formed from a metal.

Figure 3 shows and exploded view of one of the fluid filled enclosures 4. It can be seen that the pointer 6 is rotatably mounted on a mounting 8, one end 13 of which is fixed to a wall 14 of the fluid filled enclosure 4. The pointer 6 can rotate about its mounting 8 by 360 degrees.

The walls 14 of the fluid filed enclosure 4 are transparent. They may for example be formed from reinforced glass or a clear Perspex® material. As can be seen in Figure 3,, a pair of frames 20 may be provided which in use hold the walls 14 of the fluid filled enclosure 4 together. The inside of the fluid filled enclosure 4 can be viewed through a number of windows 16, 18.

The pointer 6 has a hollow arrow shaped head 7, which is positively buoyant in the fluid that is enclosed in the fluid filled enclosures 4 during use.

The hollow head 7 is preferably at least partially filled with atmospheric air. The pointer 6, including the head 7 may be made from any suitable material, for example a plastics material and or Perspex® and may be transparent or translucent .

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a body, a fluid filled enclosure mounted on or in the body, the inside of which is visible, and a pointer which is rotatably mounted within the fluid filled enclosure and is positively buoyant in the fluid.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the body has at least one substantially planer surface;

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the body has at least two substantially planer surfaces.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a periphery joins the two substantially planar surfaces together.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the two substantially planer surfaces are generally arranged parallel to one another.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the periphery comprises two substantially planar surfaces.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the body is substantially cuboid in shape.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the body is substantially I shaped in cross section.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pointer has a head.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the head is arrow shaped.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pointer is formed from a material, which is less dense than the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pointer is formed from a plurality of materials and/or fluids.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pointer is at least partially hollow.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the pointer contains a fluid.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the fluid is a gas.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the fluid in the fluid filled enclosure is methanol.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the fluid filed enclosure is mounted in the body.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the inside of the fluid filled enclosure can be viewed through a window in the fluid filled enclosure and/or body.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 comprising a plurality of windows .

20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of fluid filed enclosures.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising level markings.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 when dependant on claim 18 or 19 wherein the level markings are provided on the window ( s) .

23. A fluid filled enclosure for use in a body according to any of claims 1 to 22.

24. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A fluid filled body substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.