Level-correcting gauge block

The level correcting gauge block is a tool. The level correcting gauge block incorporates a stepped structure, a level tool, and a target surface. The level tool is a tool used to identify a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity (called a horizontal plane). The level tool is used to determine whether the target surface is parallel (or “level”) to a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure works in conjunction with the level tool. The stepped structure measures the elevation change required to be made to the target surface to bring the target surface to level.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

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REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of measuring arrangements using mechanical means, more specifically, a method for measuring a clearance between spaced objects. (G01B5/14)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The level correcting gauge block is a tool. The level correcting gauge block comprises a stepped structure, a level tool, and a target surface. The level tool is a tool used to identify a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity (called a horizontal plane). The level tool is used to determine whether the target surface is parallel (or “level”) to a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure works in conjunction with the level tool. The stepped structure measures the elevation change required to be made to the target surface to bring the target surface to level.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the level correcting gauge block will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the level correcting gauge block in detail, it is to be understood that the level correcting gauge block is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the level correcting gauge block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The level correcting gauge block100(hereinafter invention) is a tool. The invention100comprises a stepped structure101, a level tool102, and a target surface103. The level tool102is a tool used to identify a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity (called a horizontal plane). The level tool102is used to determine whether the target surface103is parallel (or “level”) to a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure101works in conjunction with the level tool102. The stepped structure101measures the elevation change required to be made to the target surface103to bring the target surface103to level.

The target surface103is a Euclidean surface that is intended to be horizontally oriented. The level tool102is formed with a Euclidean alignment surface131that would fully align with and sit flush on the target surface103when the target surface103is aligned with the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity.

The level tool102is a tool. The level tool102forms a structure that maintains a constant reference relative to the force of gravity that is invariant to the orientation of the level tool102. The level tool102uses the constant reference relative to the force of gravity to confirm that the target surface103is aligned with a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The level tool102further comprises an alignment surface131.

The stepped structure101measures the span of the distance between the target surface103and the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity when the alignment surface131of the level tool102is aligned with the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The alignment surface131of the level tool102visibly shows a space that is formed by a cant between the target surface103and the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity when the target surface103is not properly aligned with the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure101inserts into the space between the target surface103and the alignment surface131of the level tool102to measure the span of the distance between the target surface103and the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity.

The individual calibrated pad121selected from the plurality of calibrated pads111that inserts into the space between the alignment surface131and the target surface103with the minimum clearance indicates the measure of the span of the distance between the alignment surface131and the target surface103. The individual calibrated pad121and the plurality of calibrated pads111are described elsewhere in this disclosure.

The stepped structure101is a mechanical structure. The stepped structure101is a calibrated structure. The stepped structure101is defined elsewhere in this disclosure. The stepped structure101inserts into a space formed between the level tool102and the target surface103when the level tool102is aligned with the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure101inserts into the space formed between the level tool102and the target surface103in the manner of a shim. The stepped structure101is calibrated such that the stepped structure101measures the elevation change to the target surface103that is required to bring the target surface103into alignment with the plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The stepped structure101comprises a plurality of calibrated pads111, a reference face112, and a lateral face113.

The lateral face113forms a pedestal structure that elevates the plurality of calibrated pads111relative to the reference face112. The lateral face113form the sides of the structures.

The reference face112is a Euclidean surface that forms the base reference for the elevation of each of the plurality of calibrated pads111. The reference face112forms the surface of the stepped structure101that is distal from the plurality of calibrated pads111. The reference face112sits flush on the target surface103during the use of the invention100. The reference face112remains flush on the target surface103as the stepped structure101inserts into the space between the target surface103and the alignment surface131of the level tool102.

The plurality of calibrated pads111forms the plurality of steps that are characteristic of the stepped structure101. Each of the plurality of calibrated pads111forms a platform. The surface of each of the plurality of calibrated pads111is parallel to the reference face112of the stepped structure101. The elevation of any first individual calibrated pad121selected from the plurality of calibrated pads111differs from the elevation of any second individual calibrated pad121selected from the plurality of calibrated pads111.

By the elevation of any individual calibrated pad121is meant that the measure of the span of the distance from the reference face112of the stepped structure101that is measured along a line that: a) projects perpendicularly away from the reference face112; b) that passes through the center of the selected individual calibrated pad121; and, c) that is measured at the point where the perpendicular line passes through the exterior surface of the selected individual calibrated pad121.

The plurality of calibrated pads111comprises a collection of individual calibrated pads121. The individual calibrated pad121is a disk-shaped structure. Each of the individual calibrated pad121attaches to the surface of the stepped structure101that is distal from the reference face112. Each of the individual calibrated pad121forms a step of the stepped structure101. The individual calibrated pad121comprises a horizontally oriented structure122and a calibration indicia123.

The horizontally oriented structure122is a disk-shaped structure. The horizontally oriented structure122of each individual calibrated pad121marks a calibrated elevation that can be used to measure the space between the target surface103and the alignment surface131. The faces of the disk structure of the horizontally oriented structure122is parallel to the reference face112of the stepped structure101.

The calibration indicia123is an image that is marked on the exterior surface of the horizontally oriented structure122. The calibration indicia123is an indicia that presents a sentiment that indicates the measured elevation of the horizontally oriented structure122of the individual calibrated pad121.

Calibration: As used in this disclosure, a calibration refers to a standard scale that is marked on an instrument and that is used for measurement. In its verbal form, to calibrate refers to comparing an instrument's calibration against a known and trusted standard to ensure that the calibration of the instrument remains correct.

Cant: As used in this disclosure, a cant is an angular deviation from one or more reference lines (or planes) such as a vertical line (or plane) or a horizontal line (or plane).

Elevation: As used in this disclosure, elevation refers to the span of the distance in the superior direction between a specified horizontal surface and a reference horizontal surface. Unless the context of the disclosure suggest otherwise, the specified horizontal surface is the supporting surface the potential embodiment of the disclosure rests on. The infinitive form of elevation is to elevate.

Euclidean Surface: As used in this disclosure, a Euclidean surface refers to a two-dimensional plane that is formed without a curvature. By without a curvature is meant that the shortest distance between any two points on a Euclidean surface forms a line that remains on the Euclidean surface.

Force of Gravity: As used in this disclosure, the force of gravity refers to a vector that indicates the direction of the pull of gravity on an object at or near the surface of the earth.

Level: As used in this disclosure, a level is a tool used to identify a plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity. The level is a transparent cylindrical structure that contains a liquid phase media and a gas phase media. The plane that is perpendicular to the force of gravity is identified by the position of the gas phase media within the liquid phase media.

Load: As used in this disclosure, the term load refers to an object upon which a force is acting or which is otherwise absorbing energy in some fashion. Examples of a load in this sense include, but are not limited to, a mass that is being moved a distance or an electrical circuit element that draws energy. The term load is also commonly used to refer to the forces that are applied to a stationary structure.

Load Path: As used in this disclosure, a load path refers to a chain of one or more structures that transfers a load generated by a raised structure or object to a foundation, supporting surface, or the earth.

Major and Minor Axes: As used in this disclosure, the major and minor axes refer to a pair of perpendicular axes that are defined within a structure. The length of the major axis is always greater than or equal to the length of the minor axis. The major axis is always the longest diameter of the structure. The major and minor axes intersect at the center of the structure. The major axis is always parallel to the longest edge of a rectangular structure.

Not Significantly Different: As used in this disclosure, the term not significantly different compares a specified property of a first object to the corresponding property of a reference object (reference property). The specified property is considered to be not significantly different from the reference property when the absolute value of the difference between the specified property and the reference property is less than 10.0% of the reference property value. A negligible difference is considered to be not significantly different.

Pan: As used in this disclosure, a pan is a hollow and prism-shaped containment structure. The pan has a single open face. The open face of the pan is often, but not always, the superior face of the pan. The open face is a surface selected from the group consisting of: a) a congruent end of the prism structure that forms the pan; and, b) a lateral face of the prism structure that forms the pan. A semi-enclosed pan refers to a pan wherein the closed end of prism structure of the pan and/or a portion of the closed lateral faces of the pan is are open.

Pedestal: As used in this disclosure, a pedestal is an intermediary load bearing structure that forms a load path between two objects or structures.

Platform: As used in this disclosure, a platform is a raised horizontal surface that forms a load path to support objects placed on the superior surface of the platform.

Roughly: As used in this disclosure, roughly refers to a comparison between two objects. Roughly means that the difference between one or more parameters of the two compared objects are not significantly different.

Scale: As used in this disclosure, refers to a visual system of ordered markings that are used as a reference for measurement.

Shim: As used in this disclosure, a shim is a physical structure that is used to align a first object with a second object or a plane.

Step: As used in this disclosure, a step is a horizontally oriented platform on which an object rests to increase or decrease its elevation.

Stepped Structure: As used in this disclosure, a stepped structure is a structure formed from a plurality of steps. Each of the plurality of steps forms a horizontally oriented platform. The elevation of the platform of any first step contained in the plurality of steps is different from the elevation of the platform of any second step contained in the plurality of steps. The plurality of steps are sequenced such that the elevation of any two adjacent steps selected from the plurality of steps always increases for ascending the stepped structure (or equivalently always decreases for descending the stepped structure).

Such As: As used in this disclosure, the term “such as” is a conjunction that relates a first phrase to a subsequent phrase. The term “such as” is used to introduce representative examples of structures that meet the requirements of the first phrase. As a first example of the use of the term “such as,” the phrase: “the first textile attaches to the second textile using a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener” is taken to mean that a hook and loop fastener is suitable to use as the fastener but is not meant to exclude the use of a zipper or a sewn seam. As a second example of the use of the term “such as,” the phrase: “the chemical substance is a halogen such as chlorine or bromine” is taken to mean that either chlorine or bromine are suitable for use as the halogen but is not meant to exclude the use of fluorine or iodine.

Such That: As used in this disclosure, the term “such that” is a conjunction that relates a first phrase to a subsequent phrase. The term “such that” is used to place a further limitation or requirement to the first phrase. As a first example of the use of the term “such that,” the phrase: “the door attaches to the wall such that the door rotates relative to the wall” requires that the attachment of the door allows for this rotation. As a second example of the use of the term “such that,” the phrase: “the chemical substance is selected such that the chemical substance is soluble in water” requires that the selected chemical substance is soluble in water. As a third example of the use of the term “such that,” the phrase: “the lamp circuit is constructed such that the lamp circuit illuminates when the lamp circuit detects darkness” requires that the lamp circuit: a) detect the darkness; and, b) generate the illumination when the darkness is detected.

Superior: As used in this disclosure, the term superior refers to a directional reference that is parallel to and in the opposite direction of the force of gravity when an object is positioned or used normally.

Taper: As used in this disclosure, a taper is a continuous and typically, but not necessarily gradual, change in the span of the length of a structure in the direction parallel a direction selected from the group selected from the major axis and the minor axis of the structure. The change in the span of the length occurs as an apparent function of the measurement position along the unselected axis of the object.

Tapered Prism Structure: As used in this disclosure, a tapered prism structure is a modified prism structure that is formed such that the first congruent end of the modified prism structure is geometrically similar to, but not geometrically identical to the second congruent end of the modified prism. The span of length of a radial line from the center axis to the lateral face of the modified prism structure will vary as a function of its position along the center axis.

Tool: As used in this disclosure, a tool is a device, an apparatus, or an instrument that is used to carry out an activity, operation, or procedure.

Working Element: As used in this disclosure, the working element of a tool is the physical element on the tool that performs the actual activity, operation, or procedure the tool is designed to perform. For example, the cutting edge of a blade is the working element of a knife.