Level including removable end caps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016138918-A1
Application number	US-201514941022-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 13, 2015
Priority date	Nov 13, 2014
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

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

What is claimed is:

1 . A level comprising:
a frame supporting a plurality of level vials and including an aperture disposed on an end of the level; an end cap assembly detachably coupled to the end of the frame, the end cap assembly including an end cap and a retainer; wherein a portion of the end cap is received in the aperture and is maintained in engagement with the frame by the retainer.

2 . The level of claim 1 , wherein the end cap further includes a movable tab that engages the frame.

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

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

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

6 . The level of claim 1 , wherein each level vial defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of level vials is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of another of the plurality of level vials.

7 . The level of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes an I-beam shaped cross section having a top planar surface connected to a bottom planar surface by an intermediate surface extending orthogonally between the top and bottom planar surfaces.

8 . The level of claim 7 , wherein the end cap includes a channel for receiving the intermediate surface.

9 . The level of claim 8 , wherein the end cap further includes a movable tab disposed adjacent to the channel.

10 . The level of claim 9 , wherein the movable tab includes a finger that engages the frame, and the retainer includes a movable leg biasing the movable tab to maintain engagement between the finger and the frame.

11 . The level of claim 7 , wherein the aperture is formed through the intermediate surface.

12 . The level of claim 10 , wherein the end cap includes a movable tab that is received within the aperture, the movable tab being biased into engagement with a portion of the frame by a movable leg of the retainer.

13 . The level of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a generally hollow rectangular cross section having an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, and two sidewalls extending therebetween, wherein a passageway is bounded by interior surfaces of the upper planar surface, the lower planar surface, and the two sidewalls.

14 . The level of claim 10 , wherein the aperture is formed one of the sidewalls.

15 . The level of claim 11 , wherein the end cap is received within the passageway, and wherein the end cap includes a movable tab that is received within the aperture.

16 . The level of claim 12 , wherein the retainer biases the movable tab into the aperture to prevent removal of the end cap from the passageway.

17 . A method for attaching an end cap assembly to a level, the end cap assembly including an end cap and a retainer, the method comprising:
attaching the end cap to an end of the level such that a movable tab of the end cap is received in an aperture of the level; and inserting the retainer clip into an opening in the end cap, causing a movable leg of the retainer to maintain secure engagement of the movable tab with a frame of the level.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein attaching the end cap further includes aligning a channel of the end cap with a section of the frame such that the section of the frame is received within the channel.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the movable tab includes a finger that engages the frame of the level.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein inserting the retainer clip further includes aligning a flange of the movable leg with a flange of the movable tab.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• 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

• G01C9/28

  Mountings · CPC title