Level with metal frame supporting protective outer body

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11480430-B2
Application number	US-202017107476-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2020
Priority date	Jun 24, 2016
Publication date	Oct 25, 2022
Grant date	Oct 25, 2022

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 planar base surface;
an upper planar surface;
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the level and parallel to the planar base surface and the upper planar surface; and
a level body, wherein, when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the level body comprises:
an enlarged upper section that defines a maximum width of the level body, the maximum width located at a vertical position between a vertical midpoint of the level body and the upper planar surface;
an inwardly extending section located below the enlarged upper section and extending inwardly relative to a vertical central plane perpendicular to the planar base surface and the upper planar surface; and
an outwardly extending lower section located below the inwardly extending section, wherein the outwardly extending lower section extends outward relative to the vertical central plane and downward toward the planar base surface;

wherein the enlarged upper section, the inwardly extending section and the outwardly extending lower section together define opposing left and right outer surfaces that are symmetrical about the vertical central plane; and
wherein the enlarged upper section, the inwardly extending section and the outwardly lower extending section are defined by an opposing pair of plastic body segments.

2. The level of claim 1 , wherein the planar base surface and the upper planar surface are defined by an integral metal level frame.

3. The level of claim 2 , wherein the integral metal level frame comprises a vertical wall located between the planar base surface and the upper planar surface.

4. The level of claim 3 , wherein the opposing pair of plastic body segments are coupled to and located on opposite side surfaces of the integral metal frame, and the vertical wall of the integral metal level frame defines the vertical central plane.

5. The level of claim 4 , wherein each of the plastic body segments further comprises:
a first plastic material that interfaces with the integral metal level frame to couple the plastic body segment to the integral metal 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.

6. The level of claim 5 , wherein the second plastic material defines an outer surface of the enlarged upper section.

7. The level of claim 1 , further comprising a level vial surrounded by the level body.

8. The level of claim 1 , further comprising a frame comprising an upper flange that defines the upper planar surface and comprises opposing left and right side surfaces, wherein the enlarged upper section defines a pair of opposing L-shaped surfaces that abut and seal against the left and right side surfaces of the upper flange.

9. A level comprising:
a metal level frame comprising:
a metal planar base surface;
a metal upper planar surface;
a vertical wall coupling the metal planar base surface to the metal upper planar surface; and
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the metal level frame; and

a plastic outer level body coupled to the metal level frame such that the plastic outer level body defines outer left and right side surfaces of the level located between the metal planar base surface and the metal upper planar surface in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

10. The level of claim 9 , wherein the metal level frame is formed from a single integral piece of metal material.

11. The level of claim 10 , the plastic 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.

12. The level of claim 9 , wherein the plastic outer level body comprises a pair of opposing plastic body segments coupled to opposing sides of the metal level frame.

13. The level of claim 9 , wherein outer surfaces of the plastic outer level body define at least 50% of a total area of an exterior surface of the level.

14. The level of claim 9 , wherein a longitudinal length of the plastic outer level body is at least 90% of a longitudinal length of the metal level frame.

15. The level of claim 9 , wherein a height of the plastic outer level body is at least 50% of a height of the metal level frame.

16. The level of claim 9 , further comprising a vial opening defined at least in part within the vertical wall and a level vial supported by the metal level frame within the vial opening.

17. The level of claim 9 , wherein the metal level frame comprises:
a base structure including a plurality of walls each having an inner surface together defining a central channel, and an outer horizontal surface defining the metal planar base surface; and
an upper flange defining the metal upper planar surface;
wherein the vertical wall extends between and is coupled to the base structure and to the upper flange;
wherein the base structure, the upper flange and the vertical wall are formed from a single integral piece of metal.

18. The level of claim 17 , wherein the plastic outer level body is coupled to the vertical wall and comprises:
an enlarged upper section that defines a maximum width of the plastic outer level body, the maximum width located at a vertical position between a vertical midpoint of the metal level frame and the metal upper planar surface;
an inwardly extending section located below the enlarged upper section and extending inwardly toward the vertical wall; and
an outwardly extending lower section located below the inwardly extending section, wherein the outwardly extending lower section extends outward relative to the vertical wall and includes a surface that engages a surface of the base structure.

19. A level comprising:
a planar base surface;
an upper planar surface;
a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the level and parallel to the planar base surface and the upper planar surface;
a level body, wherein, when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the level body comprises:
an enlarged upper section that defines a maximum width of the level body, the maximum width located at a vertical position between a vertical midpoint of the level body and the upper planar surface;
an inwardly extending section located below the enlarged upper section and extending inwardly relative to a vertical central plane perpendicular to the planar base surface and the upper planar surface; and
an outwardly extending lower section located below the inwardly extending section, wherein the outwardly extending lower section extends outward relative to the vertical central plane and downward toward the planar base surface; and

a frame comprising an upper flange that defines the upper planar surface and comprises opposing left and right side surfaces, wherein the enlarged upper section defines a pair of opposing L-shaped surfaces that abut and seal against the left and right side surfaces of the upper flange.

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