Level with metal frame supporting protective outer body

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10852133-B2
Application number	US-202016908267-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2020
Priority date	Jun 24, 2016
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A tool, such as a level, including one or more polymer/plastic body segment, protective cover and/or seal is provided. The covers discussed herein may limit or prevent dirt or construction materials, such as concrete, from entering into the level body. The cover may also be a non-stick material, such as a polymer outer sleeve, that limits the ability of dirt and construction material to adhere to the level. The level may also include scratch resistant vial windows.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A level comprising:
a level frame formed from an integral piece of metal material, the level frame comprising:
a planar base surface;
a vertical wall extending away from the planar base surface;
a vial opening defined at least in part within the vertical wall; and
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the level frame;

a level vial supported by the level frame within the vial opening; and
a plastic outer level body coupled to opposing sides of the level frame and surrounding the level vial, the plastic outer level body comprising:
an upper angled surface located above the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a lower angled surface located below the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a left lateral angled surface located to the left of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial; and
a right lateral angled surface located to the right of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial.

2. The level of claim 1 , wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface both define a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the level frame, and wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface both define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the level frame.

3. The level of claim 1 , wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface are both planar surfaces that both define an angle relative to a vertical axis.

4. The level of claim 3 , wherein the angles relative to the vertical axis defined by both the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface are between 100 degrees and 170 degrees.

5. The level of claim 1 , wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface are both planar surfaces that both define an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the level frame.

6. The level of claim 5 , wherein the angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the level frame defined by both the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface are between 15 degrees and 80 degrees.

7. The level of claim 1 , wherein the level vial is a vertical level vial.

8. The level of claim 1 , wherein the plastic outer level body further comprises:
a pair of plastic body segments coupled to and positioned on opposite sides of the vertical wall of the level frame such that the pair of plastic body segments define part of an exterior surface of the level and surround both outer sides of the level vial.

9. The level of claim 8 , wherein each of the pair of plastic body segments further comprises:
a first plastic material that interfaces with the level frame to couple the plastic body segment to the level frame; and
a second plastic material defining a grip portion of an outer surface of the plastic body segment, wherein the second plastic material has a durometer that is less than a durometer of the first plastic material.

10. The level of claim 9 , wherein the plastic body segments are located on opposite sides of the vertical wall at least partially surrounding the vial opening, wherein each body segment of the pair of plastic body segments includes a curved surface that engages an outer surface of the level vial.

11. A level comprising:
a level frame comprising:
a planar base surface;
a vertical wall extending away from the planar base surface;
a vial opening defined at least in part within the vertical wall; and
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the level frame;

a level vial supported by the level frame within the vial opening; and
an outer level body coupled to the level frame, the outer level body comprising an outer surface surrounding the level vial;
wherein the outer surface surrounding the level vial tapers inwardly such that a width dimension measured along the outer surface decreases in a direction toward the level vial.

12. The level of claim 11 , wherein the level frame comprises a single integral piece of metal material and the outer level body comprises a first plastic material.

13. The level of claim 12 , wherein the outer surface surrounding the level vial is formed from a single integral piece of the first plastic material.

14. The level of claim 11 , wherein the outer surface surrounding the level vial comprises:
an upper angled surface located above the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a lower angled surface located below the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a left lateral angled surface located to the left of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial; and
a right lateral angled surface located to the right of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial.

15. The level of claim 14 , wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface both define a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the level frame, wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface both define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the level frame, wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface are both planar surfaces that both define an angle between 100 degrees and 170 degrees relative to a vertical axis, wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface are both planar surfaces that both define an angle between 15 degrees and 80 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the level frame.

16. A level comprising:
a level frame comprising:
a planar base surface;
a vertical wall extending away from the planar base surface;
a vial opening defined at least in part within the vertical wall; and
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the level frame;

a level vial supported by the level frame within the vial opening; and
an outer level body coupled to the level frame, the outer level body comprising:
a body support section formed from a first plastic material; and
a grip section coupled to the body support section formed from a second plastic material;
wherein the second plastic material has a durometer that is less than a durometer of the first plastic material;
wherein the first plastic material of the body support section completely surrounds the level vial such that an outer surface of the outer level body surrounding the level vial is defined completely by the first plastic material.

17. The level of claim 16 , wherein the outer surface surrounding the level vial comprises:
an upper angled surface located above the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a lower angled surface located below the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial;
a left lateral angled surface located to the left of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial; and
a right lateral angled surface located to the right of the level vial and angled inward toward the level vial.

18. The level of claim 17 , wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface both define a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the level frame, and wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface both define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the level frame.

19. The level of claim 18 , wherein the upper angled surface and the lower angled surface are both planar surfaces that both define an angle relative to a vertical axis, wherein the left lateral angled surface and the right lateral angled surface are both planar surfaces th

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Burge Joseph William
• Caelwaerts Michael John
• Wyatt Michael
• Deakins Bryant

Classifications

• G01C9/26 Primary

  Details · CPC title

• A47G1/16

  Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like · CPC title