Level including removable end caps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10697770-B2
Application number	US-201815886547-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 1, 2018
Priority date	Nov 13, 2014
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

A level includes a frame supporting a plurality of vials and having an aperture disposed on an end of the level. The level also includes an end cap assembly detachably coupled to the end of the frame. The end cap assembly includes an end cap and a retainer. A portion of the end cap is received in the aperture and is maintained in engagement with the frame by the retainer.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A level comprising:
a frame comprising an I-beam shaped cross-section having a top planar surface connected to a bottom planar surface by an intermediate surface extending between the top and bottom planar surfaces and an aperture disposed through the intermediate surface;
a plurality of level vials supported by the frame; and
an end cap assembly detachably coupled to an end of the frame, the end cap assembly comprising an end cap and a retainer received within the end cap;
wherein, when the retainer is received within the end cap, a portion of the retainer biases a portion of the end cap into the aperture coupling the end cap to the frame.

2. The level of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the end cap is a movable tab that is received in the aperture when the retainer is received within the end cap.

3. The level of claim 2 , wherein the movable tab is biased into the aperture by a movable leg of the retainer.

4. The level of claim 3 , wherein the end cap includes a pair of moveable tabs and the retainer includes a pair of opposing moveable legs, wherein each moveable leg of the retainer engages one of the moveable tabs of the end cap biasing the moveable tabs of the end cap laterally inward toward the intermediate surface to couple the end cap to the frame.

5. The level of claim 4 , wherein the pair of moveable tabs of the end cap are biased away from the intermediate surface when the retainer is not received within the end cap.

6. The level of claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the frame is completely surrounded by the intermediate surface.

7. The level of claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes an opening that receives the retainer.

8. The level of claim 7 , wherein the opening of the end cap is located through an end surface of an exterior portion of the end cap such that the retainer is received through the end surface of the end cap.

9. The level of claim 1 , wherein the retainer is constructed from a material that is less flexible than the end cap.

10. A level comprising:
a frame comprising:
an upper planar surface;
a lower planar surface,
an intermediate surface extending between the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface; and
an aperture located through the intermediate surface;

at least one vial supported by the frame; and
an end cap detachably coupled to an end of the frame, the end cap comprising a moveable portion and a channel; and
a retainer received into the channel of the end cap such that the retainer biases the moveable portion of the end cap into the aperture coupling the end cap to the frame.

11. The level of claim 10 , wherein the intermediate surface is perpendicular to the upper planar surface and to the lower planar surface such that the frame has an I-beam shaped cross-section.

12. The level of claim 10 , wherein the retainer biases the moveable portion inward toward the intermediate surface of the frame.

13. The level of claim 10 , wherein the moveable portion of the end cap includes a pair of moveable tabs and the retainer biases the moveable tabs of the end cap laterally inward toward the intermediate surface.

14. The level of claim 13 , wherein the retainer includes a pair of opposing moveable legs, wherein each moveable leg of the retainer engages one of the moveable tabs of the end cap biasing the moveable tabs of the end cap laterally inward toward the intermediate surface.

15. The level of claim 14 , wherein the pair of moveable tabs of the end cap are biased away from the intermediate surface when the retainer is not received within the end cap.

16. The level of claim 10 , wherein the end cap includes an opening that defines an entrance to the channel of the end cap, wherein the retainer is received into the channel through the opening, wherein the opening of the end cap is located through an end surface of an exterior portion of the end cap such that the retainer is received through the end surface into the channel of the end cap.

17. The level of claim 16 , wherein the frame defines a longitudinal axis parallel to both the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface, wherein the retainer is received through the end surface of the end cap in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame.

18. The level of claim 10 , wherein the retainer is constructed from a material that is less flexible than the end cap.

19. A level comprising:
a frame comprising:
an upper planar surface;
a lower planar surface,
an intermediate surface extending between the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface; and
an aperture located through the intermediate surface;

at least one level vial supported by the frame; and
an end cap comprising a pair of moveable tabs each located on opposing sides of the intermediate surface; and
a retainer received into the end cap such that the retainer biases the moveable tabs of the end cap laterally inward toward the intermediate surface causing the movable tabs of the end cap to engage the aperture detachably coupling the end cap to an end of the frame.

20. The level of claim 19 , wherein the intermediate surface is perpendicular to the upper planar surface and to the lower planar surface such that the frame has an I-beam shaped cross-section.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Neitzell Roger D
• Christianson John
• Reiland Fraizier
• Boehme Christopher F

Classifications

• G01C9/28

  Mountings · CPC title

• G01C25/00

  Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass (testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38) · CPC title

• G01C9/34 Primary

  of the tubular type, i.e. for indicating the level in one direction only · CPC title