Multi-function horizontal and vertical alignment tool

A combination level has a carrier forming two opposite parallel major surfaces. A tube level is mounted on one of the surfaces of the circular level and a circular is mounted on the other, opposite, surface. either one of the major surfaces can be used directly to abut against a work to be aligned or an additional, preferably elongate, member can be attached to the carrier and which abuts against the work. The carrier is mounted on the abutting member at known angular relationship or the carrier can be mounted for selected angular adjustments abutting to the abutting member, so that selected positioning of the tubular and circular levels are relative to each other on substantially horizontal planes where contact of the work, allows measurement of vertical alignment and plumb condition of the work.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention generally relates to measurement and alignment instruments 
and, more specifically, to a combination tubular and circular level. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various prior art aligning and levelling devices used by skilled craftsmen 
usually embody two or more tubular spirit level inserts and generally have 
a longitudinally extended rectangular body provided with opposed, 
longitudinally extending aligning sides. With such known levels it is 
necessary for structural members and other related components to be 
levelled on two sides with the level requiring manual positioning thereon 
while such members or components are being nailed or otherwise suitably 
fixed in their properly aligned and/or levelled positions. Such operations 
require either two craftsmen or operation by one craftsman while he 
progressively taking a reading and then endeavoring to fix the member at 
the desired position, or further endeavoring to hold the level with one 
hand and both aligning and fixing the member in place with the other hand. 
Examples of such levelling devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
613,246; 2,998,655; 3,167,864; and 5,245,758. In order to facilitate the 
use of such tools, a number of levels have been proposed which have an 
L-shaped or V-shaped notch or groove configuration intended to abut 
against the work on more than one side or contact the work at at least two 
points. One such plumb level is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,801 in 
which conventional tubular spirit levels are arranged at various planes of 
the level. The use of conventional or tubular spirit levels are also 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 657,443; 659,513; 1,749,980; and 2,667,703. A 
post level defined by a pair of right-angled walls and utilizing 
horizontal bubble vials or tubular spirit levels in each wall and a 
vertical bubble vial at the intersection of the walls is disclosed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,207,004. However, as with the prior mentioned designs, the use 
of multiple tubular level vials increases the cost of such alignment tools 
as well as complicates the use thereof since it requires inspection of a 
plurality of such tubular vials. This is also true for the corner level 
apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,565. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,782, a level is disclosed which is intended to be a 
multiple purpose leveling device which includes a body having divergently 
forked legs, enabling the levelling device to be held against pipes and 
other round objects. One feature of the level is that three 360.degree. 
annular tube spirit level inserts are embodied in three 90.degree. diverse 
planes. By the use of any two of the three bubbles of the spirit levels, 
two or more readings can be made simultaneously for one setting. The 
details of the annular tube spirit level inserts used are disclosed in 
FIG. 12 of the patent, and are described as tubular spirit levels which 
include an outer body surrounding a 360.degree. annular tubular spirit 
level filled with a suitable liquid and forming the usual air bubble. A 
center disk or annular body is also preferably part of the sub-assembly 
and is calibrated to indicate the more commonly used 45.degree. and 
90.degree. angular settings and the intermediate mid-point divisions 
thereof. It is clear that with the level disclosed in the patent at least 
two indications must be used to obtain an accurate plumb reading. 
A universal spirit level is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,091 in which a 
longitudinally extending main body is provided with a V-shaped recess 
facing towards the structural member to be aligned. The open portion has 
interfaces that are planar and approximately 90.degree. or in 
right-angular relationship. Primary and secondary handles are provided, 
tubular spirit level elements for horizontal and vertical alignment 
readings being carried in adjacent relationship to provide rough alignment 
readings, and a cylindrical type spirit level is positioned in a hollow 
portion of an adjacent inner end of the primary handle so that it can be 
viewed looking upwardly or downwardly substantially along the tool device 
and may be employed for a final, full alignment determination from the 
standpoint of both vertical and horizontal planes. Therefore, the tubular 
spirit level elements are used initially for a rough alignment and a 
cylindrical type of spirit level is provided for a more final, full 
alignment. However, the cylindrical spirit level element is fixedly 
mounted at the end of the primary handle, and is situated intermediate 
between the longitudinal or axial ends of the level device. As such, 
depending on how the device is held or at what angle it is held, the 
cylindrical spirit level may not be readily visible. Also, being fixed on 
the handle as disclosed limits the usefulness of the device and the 
versatility to determine the plumb condition for a number of different 
elements or members to be aligned. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination level 
which does not exhibit the disadvantages inherent in prior art levels. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination 
level which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a 
combination level of the type suggested in the previous objects which is 
simple and convenient to use. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a combination 
level which can be added to existing levels. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination 
level which can provide an indication of the angular inclination of the 
work relative to the horizontal or vertical. 
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a 
combination level which can be used to adjust vertical and plumb 
conditions of various works, including rectangular structural members, 
circular pipes, and the like. 
In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will become 
apparent hereinafter, a combination level in accordance with the present 
invention comprises a carrier member having two opposites substantially 
parallel major surfaces. A tube level is mounted substantially 
co-extensively with the plane defined by one of said two major surfaces. A 
circular level is mounted substantially co-extensively with a plane 
defined by the other of said two surfaces. Said carrier member includes 
means for abutting the level against a work to be measured or aligned 
while providing a known positional relationship between the work and said 
major surfaces. In this manner, selectively positioning said major 
surfaces relative to each other in substantially horizontal planes, while 
said abutting means contacts the work, allows measurement of the vertical 
alignment and plumb condition of the work. The device, the two levels on 
one side and the circular level on the other side, can either be used as a 
stand alone device or can be combined with an elongate member or another 
conventional level to obtain the advantages of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now specifically to the figures, in which the identical or 
similar parts will be designated by the same reference numeral throughout, 
and first referring to FIG. 1, a combination level in accordance with the 
present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. 
The combination level 10 includes a carrier member 12, which defines two 
spaced substantially parallel opposing surfaces 12a and 12b. As best shown 
in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tubular or linear level 14 is mounted substantially 
co-extensively with the plane defining the major surface 12a, while a 
circular level 16 is mounted substantially co-extensively with the plane 
defined by the opposing major surface 12b . In the illustrated embodiment, 
the carrier member 12 is generally in the form of a rectangular body, 
although, clearly, the specific shape of the carrier member 12 is not 
critical for purposes of the invention. 
In the embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the carrier or rectangular 
body 12 is supported, between the major surfaces 12a, 12b, by means of an 
extension 18 which is mounted for pivoting movements about pivot pin 19. 
The pivot pin 19 is supported on a U-shaped bracket 20 (FIGS. 2,3) which 
has flanges 22, 24 and an intermediate connecting or supporting portion 
26. To provide some control on the pivoted position of the carrier 12 on 
the U-shaped bracket 20 there is preferably provided some form of a detent 
mechanism 27 for selectively and temporarily maintaining a desired or 
selected position of the carrier member 12 about the pivot pin 19. In the 
illustrated embodiment, such detent mechanism or device 27 is in the form 
of a plurality of holes 28-32, spaced from each other at equal distances 
from the pivot pin 19 about an arc in the flange 22, as best shown in FIG. 
1. At least one spring-loaded bearing 34 is provided intermediate the 
flange 22 and the extension 18 so that the bearing 34 is urged outwardly 
to be at least partially received within one of the holes 28-32. The 
carrier 12 may be rotated or pivoted about the pin 19 by application of 
sufficient force to overcome spring bias applied to the bearing 34. Once 
the bearing is received within one of the holes 28-32, however, the spring 
bias will serve to maintain the carrier 12 in the selected position. In 
the embodiment shown, the holes 28-32 are angularly spaced at 45.degree. 
discreet increment. Thus, when the bearing 34 is within the hole 28, the 
carrier is shown in phantom at position 12x. When the bearing is within 
the center hole 30, the carrier is moved 90.degree. from position 12x to 
the solid outline position shown in FIG. 1. In the phantom outline of the 
carrier 12y, with the bearing and hole 31, the carrier is displaced 
135.degree. from position 12x. When the bearing is in hole 32, the 
position 12z of the carrier shown in phantom outline is angularly 
displaced 180.degree. from position 12x. The connecting or supporting 
portion 26 of the U-shaped bracket 20 is preferably attached to an 
engagement member 36 which, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is provided 
with a longitudinal V-shaped notch 38. The angle .alpha. (FIG. 2) defined 
by the notch surfaces is not critical although, in the preferred 
embodiment, the notch 38 defines an angle .alpha.=90.degree.. It will be 
clear from FIG. 1, therefore, that the movements of the carrier 12 about 
the pivot pin 19 provides pre-selected displacements of the carrier 12 
relative to the elongate member 36 which is intended to engage a work, 
such as an elongate structural member, a pipe or the like as to be 
described. It will also be clear from FIG. 1 that the circular level 16 
will be.sub.-- exposed and horizontal at position 12x of the carrier 
member 12, while the tubular level 14 on the surface 12a will be visible 
and substantially parallel to the elongate member 36 in position 12z of 
the carrier. 
In FIG. 4, the flange 24 of the U-shaped bracket 20 is shown provided with 
an angular scale covering the ranges 0.degree.-180.degree., which 
corresponds to the angular displacements selectable with the detent 
mechanism or device 27. 
In FIG. 4, one of the applications of the level 4 is illustrated. Here, the 
carrier 12 is positioned at the 135.degree. mark on the printed scale 40 
to form a 45.degree. angle with the elongate member 36. By arranging the 
carrier 12 to be oriented on a horizontal plane, as shown, the major 
surface 12a will appear as a top surface of the carrier 12, exposing the 
tubular scale 14. By placing the elongate member 36 against a work 42, 
such as a structural member, and adjusting the elongate member 36 until 
the elongate tubular level 14 air bubble is centered, this will assure 
that the work or structural member 42 is positioned at an angle of 
45.degree. to the horizontal or vertical positions. The same result could 
have been achieved by placing the carrier 12 at the 45.degree. mark and 
reversing the elongate member 36 by 180.degree. so that, again, it aligns 
with the work 42. In that case, the major surface 12b would be the upper 
surface of the carrier 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and the circular level 16 
could be used for the adjustment. 
Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment 10a of the present invention is 
illustrated in the form of a circular disk 12'. The tubular and circular 
levels 14-16 are mounted on opposite sides of the disk 12' and the disk is 
mounted for pivotal movement about pivot 43. If necessary, due to the 
thicknesses or dimensions of the circular or disk carrier 12' and the 
dimensions of the tubular and circular levels 14, 16, there may be 
provided stops 44 and 46 as shown in FIG. 5 which limit the extreme 
pivoted positions of the disk 12' to the 90.degree. position, when 
abutting the stop 44 and the 0.degree. position when abutting against the 
stop 46. 
In FIG. 5, the level 10a is used in one of its applications, namely to 
measure the plumb orientation of the structural member 42 with the use of 
the circular level 16. Thus, when the circular level 16 abuts the stop 44 
to render the same in a 90.degree. plane to the elongate member 36, the 
circular level 16 will show perfect alignment in a vertical direction only 
when the elongate member 36 is itself positioned in a vertical position. 
By placing the notch 38 into contact with two adjacent surfaces of the 
structural member 42, adjustments can be made to guarantee the plumb 
position at the number 42 when the elongate member 36 is itself in the 
plumb position. 
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a simplified form of a level 10b is 
illustrated. Here, the carrier 12" is in the form of a rectangular block. 
As before, the circular level 16 is mounted substantially co-extensively 
in the plane of one of the major surfaces 12b, while the tubular level 14 
is similarly arranged in the plane of the opposing major surface 12a. 
While the level 10b does not have the flexibility or versatility of 
arranging structural members at intermediate angles, the level 10b can be 
used in the same manner to arrange a structural member in a horizontal 
position, vertical position or plumb orientation. This can be done by 
adjusting the positions of the vertical planes or surfaces 12a, 12b to 
alternately expose the tubular and circular levels. It will be noted, 
therefore, that the level 10b, in its simplest form, still provides useful 
features and advantages not available with prior art levels. 
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a still further embodiment 10c of the level in 
accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Here, the carrier 
12" is provided with a V-shaped notch 38 on one end thereof, while 
provided with a 45.degree. inclined surface 48 at the opposite end 
thereof. In FIG. 8, the notch 38 is shown used to abut against a tubular 
member, such as a pipe, while exposing the tubular level 16. In FIG. 9, 
the inclined surface 48 is shown abutting against a work 42. By exposing 
the circular level 16 in FIG. 9, the work 42 can be adjusted to be at a 
45.degree. angle relative to the vertical or horizontal position when the 
circular level becomes centered. Therefore, the level 10c provides many of 
the advantages or features obtainable with the first described level 10, 
but without the pivoting arrangement. Of course, the embodiment 10 of 
FIGS. 1-4 may provide additional angular adjustments besides 45.degree. 
and 90.degree.. 
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference 
to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that variations 
and modification will be effected within the spirit and scope of the 
invention as described herein and as defined in the appended claims.