Patent ID: 6058617
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
An electronic extendible and adjustable level comprising, in combination:a pair of central members each having a rectangular configuration with an outboard face, an inboard face, and a periphery formed therebetween defined by a long top edge, a long bottom edge, and a pair of short side edges, each central member having a central rectangular cut out formed therein, a pair of side rectangular cut outs formed therein adjacent opposite side edges, a plurality of spaced indents configured in an hemi-circular configuration formed in the inboard face adjacent to each of the end edges, a pivot indent formed in the inboard face at a center of the spaced indents, and indicia lining the top and bottom edge for measurement purposes, the central members coupled in spaced relationship to define a slot therebetween;a plurality of elongated magnetic strips each mounted to the top and bottom edge of each of the central members thereby allowing the same to be releasably coupled to a metallic surface;a pair of side members each having a rectangular configuration with a first face, a second face, and a periphery formed therebetween defined by a long top edge, a long bottom edge, and a pair of short side edges, the side members each having a length which is less than half that of the central members, each side member having a pair of apertures formed between the faces thereof adjacent to a first one of the side edges, a pair of ball bearings slidably situated within each of the apertures, a spring positioned between the ball bearings for urging the same to partially protrude from the faces, a rectangular cut out formed therein, a pair of semi-spherical gripping indentations formed in the second and first faces at a second one of the side edges thereof, and indicia lining the top and bottom edge for measurement purposes, whereby the side members are slidably situated within the slot of the central members with a first orientation entirely within the slot and the second one of the side edges flush with the corresponding side edges of the central members and a second orientation fully extended from the slot such that the ball bearings are in engagement with the pivot indent and one of the spaced indents of each of the central members thereby allowing the side members to pivot about a central axis defined by the pivot indent between discrete angles defined by the spaced indents;a plurality of level indicators each including a first light emitting diode, a second light emitting diode and a third light emitting diode each adapted to illuminate upon the receipt of power, a piezo electric buzzer adapted to emit a sound upon the receipt of power, a plurality of watch batteries, a power toggle switch connected to the batteries and having a first orientation for allowing the passage of power and a second orientation for precluding the passage of power, and a mercury switching unit including an arcuate tubular housing with three pairs of wires mounted therein each constituting a switch and having a pail of ends mounted to a central extent of the housing and adjacent each end of the housing wherein each switch of the switching assembly is connected between an associated one of the light emitting diodes and the power toggle switch, the buzzer connected between the center switch of the switching assembly and the battery whereby a ball of mercury is situated within the housing of the switching assembly for supplying power to the buzzer and central light emitting diode upon the housing being level and further supplying power to one of the remaining light emitting diodes when the housing is not level, the level indicators including a first level indicator mounted in the central rectangular cut out of the central member, a second level indicator mounted in the rectangular cut out of a first one of the side members, and a third level indicator mounted in the rectangular cut out of the central member.