Abstract:
A specially designed welder&#39;s work piece positioning and leveling tool that includes a plurality of strategically oriented work piece positioning surfaces provided on the tool body for holding and correctly positioning work pieces to be welded together. The tool also includes a plurality of differently oriented bubble vials that are secured within the tool body in a manner such that, if any one of the bubble vials become broken, or otherwise damaged, it can be easily replaced and the level need not be discarded.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to tools used in the construction industry. More particularly, the invention concerns a specially designed welder&#39;s work positioning and leveling tool having replaceable bubble vials and including strategically located magnets for holding and correctly positioning the work pieces that are to be welded together. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CRF 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    Bubble levels of various designs have been suggested in the past and are widely used by construction workers to determine the orientation of a particular structure or surface with respect to a reference axis. A typical bubble level generally comprises an elongated body that has a pair of opposing, generally parallel working surfaces and includes a plurality of openings having bubble vials permanently secured therein. The bubble vials are typically aligned in different directions relative to the working surfaces and function to indicate the orientation of a structure. For example, one vial may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the working surfaces, another may be aligned in a direction parallel to the working surfaces and a third may be aligned in an angular direction. Typically, the vial contains a fluid and a bubble, and the user views the position of the bubble within the vial to determine the position of the tool relative to the working surfaces. 
         [0008]    A novel and highly useful level construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,372 issued to the present inventor. This patent, which is entitled “Removable Laser Base Attachment for Bubble Levels”, describes a bubble level that includes a body, a laser beam generator, and a removable securement. The body has a flat top surface that the level is secured to and a bottom surface that is flat and parallel to the top surface. A laser diode mounted in a module emits a visible laser beam upon application of power from a battery that is controlled by a switch. The module, batteries, and switch are mounted in a through bore in the body. The laser base is removably secured to the bubble level by any manner appropriate to the shape of the level. In one such securement, the level has a T-shaped cross-section and the body has a complementary slot into which the level slides. When the level reference surface abuts the top surface of the laser base, a thumb screw is tightened to frictionally secure the level in the base. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a specially designed welder&#39;s work piece positioning and leveling tool. The tool includes a plurality of strategically oriented work piece positioning surfaces provided on the tool body for holding and correctly positioning work pieces to be welded together. Additionally, the tool includes a plurality of differently oriented bubble vials that are secured within the tool body in a manner such that, if any one of the bubble vials become broken, or otherwise damaged, it can be easily replaced and the level need not be discarded. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the afore mentioned character in which each of the work piece positioning surfaces are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced magnets that function to securely hold the work pieces to be welded together in the proper orientation for welding and also function to permit the tool to be conveniently, removably connected to any ferrous structure that is being leveled. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the bubble vials are securely held in position within threaded chambers formed in the level body by easily removable threaded cap screws. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described in the preceding paragraphs which includes a bulls-eye level that is mounted on the top surface of the tool body proximate the center thereof. 
         [0013]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a welder&#39;s tool of the class described that includes an elongate body having a recessed central portion that is circumscribed by outwardly extending, transversely spaced apart first and second flanges, or rims, that advantageously permit a welder wearing heavy welding gloves to securely grip and manipulate the tool. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a welder&#39;s tool and leveling device of the type described in which each of the top, bottom and end work positioning surfaces of the tool includes a centrally disposed, generally V-shaped groove for longitudinally centering tubular shaped workpieces. 
         [0015]    These and other objects of the invention will be realized by the level construction illustrated in the drawings and described in the paragraphs that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of one form of the welder&#39;s work piece positioning and leveling tool of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a right end view of the leveling device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a left end view of the leveling device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the leveling device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the leveling device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a generally diagrammatic, side elevational view of the leveling device of the invention illustrating the positioning of one set of the work pieces to be welded together at a first angle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a generally diagrammatic side elevational view of the leveling device of the invention illustrating the positioning of a second set of the work pieces to be welded together at a second angle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 6A , one form of the welder&#39;s work piece positioning and leveling tool of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  14 . Positioning tool  14  here comprises an elongate body  16  having a top work positioning surface  18 , a work positioning bottom surface  20  and first and second angled work positioning end surfaces  22  and  24 , respectively. In the tool of the present invention, first end surface  22  extends at an angle of approximately 22.5 degrees with respect to top surface  18  while end surface  24  extends at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to top surface  18 . Elongate body  16  also includes work positioning end surfaces  26  and  28  that extend generally perpendicularly with respect to bottom work positioning surface  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 6A , elongate body  16  has recessed, transversely spaced apart central portions  30  and  31  that are circumscribed by outwardly extending, transversely spaced apart first and second flanges  33  and  35  ( FIG. 6A ) that, along with the central portion of the tool, define the top, bottom and end surfaces  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  respectively. Advantageously, flanges, or rims  33  and  35  extend outwardly from the central portion the tool a sufficient distance to permit a welder wearing heavy welding gloves to securely grip and manipulate the tool. 
         [0026]    For a reason presently to be described, each of the top, bottom and end surfaces  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  of the tool is provided with a centrally disposed, generally V-shaped groove which is identified in the drawings by the designations  18   g,    20   g,    22   g,    24   g,    26   g,  and  28   g  respectively. 
         [0027]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 6  of the drawings, body  16  has a plurality of differently oriented vial chambers  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Vial chamber  32  has a threaded portion  32   a  and a central axis  26   b  that is disposed at an angle of approximately 38 degrees with respect to bottom surface  20  (see  FIG. 6 ). Vial chamber  34  has a threaded end portion  34   a  and a central axis  34   b  that is disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to bottom surface  20 . Vial chamber  36  has a threaded end portion  36   a  and a central axis  36   b  that is disposed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to bottom surface  20 . Vial chamber  38  has a threaded end portion  38   a  and a central axis  38   b  that is disposed in a generally parallel relationship with bottom surface  20 . It is to be understood that the angles of the axes of the central axis of each of the vial chambers can vary depending upon the end use of the improved level. 
         [0028]    A conventional bubble vial  40  is disposed within vial chamber  32  and is uniquely removably secured there within by a threaded connector that is threadably receivable within threaded opening  32   a  of vial chamber  32 . The threaded connector, which is here provided in the form of a conventional cap screw  50  ( FIG. 6 ), is moveable between first and second positions to secure the bubble vial  40  within vial chamber  32  ( FIG. 1 ). A conventional bubble vial  42  is disposed within vial chamber  34  and is uniquely removably secured there within by a threaded connector that is threadably receivable within threaded opening  34   a  of vial chamber  34 . The threaded connector, which is also here provided in the form of a conventional cap screw  50  ( FIG. 6 ), is moveable between first and second positions to secure the bubble vial  42  within vial chamber  34  ( FIG. 1 ). In similar manner, a conventional bubble vial  44  is disposed within vial chamber  36  and is uniquely removably secured there within by a threaded connector that is threadably receivable within threaded opening  36   a  of vial chamber  36 . Once again, the threaded connector is provided in the form of a conventional cap screw  50  that is moveable between first and second positions to secure the bubble vial  44  within vial chamber  36  ( FIG. 1 ). In like manner, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional bubble vial  46  is disposed within vial chamber  38  and is removably secured there within by a conventional cap screw  50  ( FIG. 6 ) which is moveable between first and second positions to secure the bubble vial  40  within vial chamber  32 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4  of the drawings, top surface  18  is provided with a centrally located, conventional bulls eye level  52 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in the drawings, each of the top, bottom and end surfaces of the level  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  is provided with at least one generally cylindrically shaped magnet that is bisected by the V-shaped groove. More particularly top surface  18  is provided with four longitudinally spaced magnets  54 , while bottom surface  20  is provided with five longitudinally spaced magnets  56 . End surface  22  is provided with a magnet  58 , end surface  24  is provided with a magnet  60 , end surface  26  is provided with a magnet  62  and end surface  28  is provided with a magnet  64 . The purpose of these magnets will presently be described. 
         [0030]    Turning particularly to  FIGS. 7 and 8  of the drawings, the manner of use of the welder&#39;s work piece positioning and leveling tool of the invention to position various types of work pieces to be welded together is there illustrated. More particularly,  FIG. 7  illustrates the method of the invention for welding together an elongated work piece “WP- 1 ” that is generally cylindrically in cross-section and an elongated work piece “WP- 2 ” that is generally rectangular in cross-section. In order to accomplish the welding step, work piece “WP- 1 ” is positioned in engagement with end surface  24  and work piece “WP- 2 ” is positioned in engagement with bottom surface  20  in a manner such that the angled end “AE- 1 ” engages work piece “WP- 2 ”. Since work piece “WP- 1 ” rests within V groove  24   g  and in engagement with magnet  60 , it is securely held in position in parallel alignment with the flanges  33  and  35  of the tool. Similarly, work piece “WP- 2 ” is positioned in engagement with magnets  56  provided on lower surface  20  and is disposed in parallel alignment with the flanges  33  and  35  of the tool. With the work pieces held in the position thus described, the ends of the work pieces can be welded together at a 45 degree angle in a conventional manner well understood by those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that various types of elongate work pieces of various cross-sectional configurations can be welded together at a precise angle in the manner described. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates the method of the invention for welding together an elongated work piece “WP- 3 ” that is generally rectangular in cross-section and an elongated work piece “WP- 4 ” that is also generally rectangular in cross-section. In order to accomplish the welding step, work piece “WP- 3 ” is positioned in engagement with end surface  22  and work piece “WP- 4 ” is positioned in engagement with bottom surface  20  in a manner such that the angled end “AE- 2 ” engages work piece “WP- 4 ”. Since work piece “WP- 3 ” is disposed in engagement with magnet  58  it is securely held in position and can be disposed in parallel alignment with the flanges  33  and  35  of the tool. Similarly, work piece “WP- 4 ” is positioned in engagement with magnets  56  provided on lower surface  20  and can be disposed in parallel alignment with the flanges  33  and  35  of the tool. With the work pieces held in the position thus described, the ends of the work pieces can be welded together at an angle of 22.5 degrees in a conventional manner well understood by those skilled in the art. As before, it is to be understood that various types of elongate work pieces of various cross-sectional configurations can be welded together at a precise angle in the manner described. 
         [0032]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.