Abstract:
A level apparatus is provided with an elongate level and a support. The level and the support each have opposed ends, front and rear faces and top and bottom faces. The top and bottom faces of the support are substantially planar and parallel to one another, and the top and bottom faces of the level are substantially planar and parallel to one another. A central position on the support is pivotally connected to the level such that the rear face of the support is in opposed facing relationship to the front face of the level. The level can be used in a conventional manner without utilizing the support. However, the support can be pivoted relative to the level into an orientation where the top or bottom face of the support can be positioned on the upper face of a beam such that the level extends downwardly from the support and the beam. The level then can be used to define a plumb line to which other structural elements can be positioned or compared.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent appl. No. 09/192,886, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,092 filed Nov. 16, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to a level that can be used to achieve a specified alignment between two structural elements. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A typical carpenter&#39;s lever is an elongated generally rectangular structure having opposed first and second ends. Planar top and bottom faces are aligned parallel to one another and extend between the ends. The top and bottom faces are the portions of the prior art level that will be placed against another surface for assessing horizontal or vertical alignment. The prior art level also has a front face and a rear face that connect the top and bottom faces and the respective ends. The front and rear face on most prior art levels also are parallel to one another. However, the prior art does include torpedo levels that have the front and rear faces tapering towards one another in proximity to the respective ends of the level. Other prior art levels have recessed front and rear faces so that the level has a cross-section that resembles an I-beam. 
     A typical prior art level includes a plurality of glass tubes that are partly filled with a liquid spirit. The portion of the tube that is not filled by the liquid forms a bubble. Movement of the level will cause the liquid to gravitationally shift within the tube, and hence will cause a repositioning of the bubble. The tube includes a pair of lines that are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the length of the bubble. When the tube is aligned horizontally, the liquid will be disposed symmetrically relative to the lines on the tube, and the bubble will be positioned precisely between the lines. The typical prior art level includes at least a first tube aligned parallel to the top and bottom faces of the level, and at least a second tube aligned perpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the level. 
     The prior art level can be used by placing the top or bottom face of the level on a substantially horizontal surface. The relative position of the bubble in the first tube provides an indication of the closeness of the level to a horizontal alignment. The surface on which the level is supported may be adjusted to precisely position the bubble between the lines of the first tube, and to thereby achieve a fairly exact horizontal alignment of the surface on which the level is supported. 
     The prior art level also may be used by positioning the top or bottom surface of the level on a substantially vertical surface. The relative position of the bubble in the second tube provides an indication of the degree of verticality of the surface against which the level is supported. The structural member against which the level is supported may be adjusted until the bubble is precisely positioned between the lines of the second tube, thereby ensuring an accurate vertical alignment. 
     Virtually all carpenters and home owners have at least one good quality level that is used frequently during any construction or repair project. For example, levels are used to ensure an accurate horizontal alignment of floor beams and to achieve an accurate vertical alignment of wall studs. Horizontal alignment of a structural member can be achieved more easily than vertical alignment. In particular, horizontal alignment of a beam can be achieved by merely placing the top or bottom face of the level on a substantially horizontal surface of the beam. The worker then can use both hands to adjust the relative height of one end of the horizontal beam by using shims or the like. Both hands then can be used to secure the beam in the precise horizontal orientation. Vertical alignment of a beam requires the worker to hold the level against a substantially vertical surface with one hand while the other hand is used to shift an end of the generally vertical beam. The worker may mark the position of the adjusted end of the beam on an adjacent surface once a substantially vertical alignment has been achieved. The worker then moves the level to a location where the level can be self-supporting and then uses both hands to affix the adjusted end of the beam. The worker then must check the vertical beam in this at least temporarily affixed position to ensure that the initial one-handed marking was accurate. Further adjustments may be required. 
     Carpenters also use squares for measuring perpendicularity of two structural members. The typical prior art square is formed from a rigid material with two legs that are precisely perpendicular to one another. The material of the prior art square typically is very thin (e.g., one-eighth inch). Each leg, however, will be approximately 1.0-2.0 inches wide. The prior art square can be used to check perpendicularity of an inside corner or an outside corner formed by two beams or other structural elements. This checking of perpendicularity of an inside corner is achieved by urging the thin outside edges of the prior art square into an inside corner between two structural elements. A perfect seating of the outside edges against the inside surfaces of the structural elements indicates precise perpendicularity. An improper fitting indicates further adjustments to one or the other of the structural elements is required. 
     The inside corners of the prior art level can be used in a similar manner to check the perpendicularity of an outside corner of two beams or other structural elements. In particular, the thin inside edges of the prior art square can be urged against the outside corner surfaces of the structural elements. Perfect seating of the thin inside edges of the prior art square against the surfaces of the structural elements indicates precise perpendicularity. An improper seating of the thin inside edges indicates that adjustments to one or the other structural element is necessary. 
     The thin perpendicularly aligned edges of a square that are used to check perpendicularity are not very stable. Furthermore, the sharp outside corner of the prior art square can easily cut a worker if the square is dropped. As a result, the above-described prior art squares typically are held by the worker at all times during use and are carefully supported in a safe location when they are not being used. 
     Some prior art tools incorporate levels into a square. A prior art tool of this type can be used, for example, to check the horizontal alignment of the top of a door jamb and simultaneously to check the perpendicularity of the sides of a door jamb to the top member. 
     Some prior art squares have the respective legs of the square articulated to one another. This enables the adjustable square to achieve or measure a non-perpendicular orientation between two beams or other structural elements. For example, such an adjustable square can be used to gauge an angle between a first roof rafter and a first floor joist. The adjusted square then can be moved to other locations for either comparing the angles between other roof rafters and floor joists or for setting other such angles. Some such prior art adjustable squares include a level in one or both of the pivotally connected legs. All such prior art squares are configured to be held by the worker against an inside corner or an outside corner as in the above-described conventional fixed right angle squares. More particularly, the axis of rotation of the two legs of these prior art adjustable squares extends substantially parallel to the surfaces of the legs of the squares that are positioned against the beams or other supporting elements. Thus, achieving a selected angular orientation becomes a very difficult task with such a prior art adjustable square. The worker must manually hold the adjustable square against inside or outside corners of the structural elements being aligned and then must make any adjustments to the structural elements that may be required. The making of adjustments to the structural elements requires the worker to deposit the adjustable square at a remote location while the end of at least one of the structural element is adjusted. The worker then retrieves the adjustable square and again checks the angular alignment. This process may have to be repeated several times before a proper alignment is achieved. 
     The prior art also includes large, complex and costly apparatus for aligning roof rafters. These complex and costly apparatus for aligning roof rafters have few if any other uses for general carpentry. 
     In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a level with plumb alignment features that enables a worker to check and achieve selected angles between two structural members. 
     It is a another object of the subject invention to provide an alignment apparatus that can be used to achieve a plumb or vertical alignment of one structural member relative to a second structural member. 
     It is an additional object of the subject invention to provide an apparatus that can be used as a conventional carpenter&#39;s level for checking horizontal and vertical alignment. 
     It is yet a further object of the subject invention to provide a level apparatus of approximately the same size, weight and cost as a conventional carpenter&#39;s level. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention is directed to a level apparatus with alignment features. The apparatus includes an elongate carpenter&#39;s level having opposed first and second ends. Parallel planar top and bottom surfaces extend substantially continuously between the ends. Front and rear surfaces extend between the first and second ends and extend between the top and bottom surfaces. The front and rear surfaces may be parallel to one another. 
     The level may define any convenient length, and different embodiments may be of different respective lengths. A typical level in accordance with the subject invention will define a length of between 1.0-4.0 feet, however, a pocket size level of approximately 8-12 inches can be very useful. The height of the subject level, as measured between the parallel top and bottom surfaces, also will be approximately equal to the height of conventional prior art levels. Thus, the height typically will be between 1-4 inches and most typically 2-3 inches. The thickness of the level, as measured between the opposed front and rear faces, also will be approximately the dimensions of a conventional prior art level. Thus, the level of the subject invention preferably will define a thickness of between 0.5-1.5 inch, and most preferably approximately 0.75-1.0 inch. 
     The level further includes a plurality of tubes containing a sufficient amount of a liquid or spirit to retain a bubble in the tube. At least a first tube has a longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the level, and at least a second tube has a longitudinal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the level. Thus, as in the prior art, the first tube can be used to check the horizontal alignment of a surface on which the top or bottom surface of the level is supported. The second tube can be used to check the vertical alignment of a surface against which the top or bottom surface of the level is supported. 
     The subject apparatus further includes a support member. The support member may be substantially rectangular, and may include opposed first and second ends. Opposed parallel top and bottom faces extend between the first and second ends of the support member. Opposed front and rear faces extend between and connect the first and second ends of the support member and the top and bottom faces thereof. The support member has a length substantially shorter than the length of the level, and preferably defines a length of between 4-8 inches, and most preferably about 6 inches. The support member defines a height, as measured between the parallel top and bottom faces, that is no greater than the height of the level, and that preferably is slightly less than the height of the level. The support member further defines a thickness, as measured between the front and rear faces that may be approximately the same as the thickness of the level. More particularly, the support member may define a thickness between approximately 0.5-1.5 inch, and preferably 0.75-1.0 inch. The thickness of the support member is important to the supporting function of the support member as described in greater detail below. 
     The support member is pivotally connected to the level at a location substantially midway between the first and second ends of the support member and at a location that preferably is closer to the first end of the level than to the second end. More particularly, the pivot point between the support member and the level preferably is spaced from the first end of the level by a distance equal to or slightly greater than one-half the length of the support member. The pivot point between the level and the support member defines a pivot axis oriented to extend perpendicularly to the front and rear faces of the level and perpendicularly to the front and rear faces of the support member. Additionally the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the planar top and bottom faces of both the level and the support member. Thus, the front or rear face of the support member is slidably positioned adjacent the front or rear face of the level. 
     The face of the level to which the support member is pivoted may be provided with angle indicating indicia. The indicia may be operative to identify particularly angular orientations between the top and bottom faces of the support member and the top and bottom faces of the level. Additionally, the pivotal connection of the support member to the level may include structure for releasably affixing the support member in a selected angular orientation. This pivotal connection may include a conventional threadedly tightenable nut, a spring to bias the level and support member into a non-rotatable engagement and/or interengageable teeth for achieving at least one specified angle. 
     The apparatus may be used by loosening the pivotal connection of the support member to the level sufficiently to rotate the support member into a non-colinearly alignment relative to the level. For purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that the bottom face of the support member is facing generally downwardly. The bottom face of the support member then may be placed on the top surface of a first structural element such that the second end of the level is suspended downwardly from the first structural element. The level then can be rotated until the second tube indicates a substantially vertical alignment. This alignment can be used to gauge a proper vertical alignment of a second structural element. The apparatus can be substantially self-supported in this aligning orientation by the support member gravitationally positioned on the upper surface of the first structural element to which other structural elements are being aligned. In some instances, such as in the erection of an interior wall or an exterior deck, the support member can be positioned on the top surface of a horizontal joist. The level then will be substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the support member and will be substantially plumb or vertical. Vertical studs in a wall or vertical supporting members for a deck then can be positioned relative to the horizontal joist and relative to the plumb line for vertical orientation indicated by the level. 
     In other instances, the apparatus can be used to set the rafters of a pitched roof. The apparatus is used by positioning the top or bottom face of the support member on a top face of the roof rafter. The level is permitted to swing pendulously from the support member and from the rafter and into a plumb or vertical orientation. The upper end of the first rafter may be adjusted until a specified angle is achieved. This angle can be measured by determining the angle between the vertically oriented level and the top or bottom face of the support member. The support member then can be tightened or otherwise affixed in the specified angle, and that angle can be used on other roof rafters to achieve the proper pitch. More particularly, the angularly fixed support member can be positioned on an upper surface of a roof rafter, and the upper end of the roof rafter can be adjusted until the level shows a vertical orientation. In a similar matter, the apparatus can be used to accurately align vertical support members or interior wall studs relative to a pitched rafter. More particularly, the support member can be supported on the top surface of a pitched roof rafter, and the vertically suspended level can be used for aligning vertical studs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a level apparatus in accordance with the subject invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the support for the level apparatus shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the level shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the level shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the assembled level apparatus. 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the assembled level apparatus shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the level apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the support in a different angular orientation. 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the support in the orientation of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing the level apparatus in the FIG. 9 orientation and mounted on a horizontal joist. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the level apparatus used with a pitched drafter. 
     FIG. 14 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 14, but showing the support member in a different angular orientation. 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is an end elevational view similar to FIGS. 8 and 14, but showing a further alternate embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A level apparatus in accordance with the subject invention is identified generally by the numeral  10  in FIGS.  1  and  6 - 13 . The apparatus  10  includes a support  12 , a level  14  and a connection assembly which, in this embodiment, comprises a bolt  16  and a nut  18 . 
     The support  12 , as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, is a slightly elongated rectangular parallelepiped. The support  12  includes opposed first and second ends  20  and  22 , a planar top face  24 , a planar bottom face  26 , a front face  28  and a rear face  30 . The support  12  defines a longitudinal axis having a length “l” as measured between the ends  20  and  22  of approximately 6 inches, and a height “h” measured between the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of approximately 2 inches. Additionally, the support  12  defines a thickness “t” between the front and rear faces  28  and  30  of approximately 1 inch. 
     A mounting aperture  32  extends completely through the support  12  from the front face  28  to the rear face  30  at a location centrally between the top and bottom faces  24  and  26 , but at an off-center position between the ends  20  and  22 . In the embodiment shown herein, the support  12  further includes a pair of bubble tubes  34  and  36  that are aligned perpendicular to one another for indicating horizontal and vertical alignment respectively. 
     A level  14 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, also is a rectangular parallelepiped, but is substantially longer than the support  12 . More particularly, the level  14  includes a first end  40  and a second end  42 . A longitudinal axis is considered to extend between the ends  40  and  42  and defines an overall length “L” for the level  14  that preferably is in the range of 2-4 feet. The level  14  further includes a planar top face  44  and a planar bottom face  46  that extend substantially parallel to one another between the first and second ends  40  and  42 . The top and bottom faces  44  and  46  define a height “H” for the level  14  that is equal to or greater than the height “h” of the support  12 . The level  14  further includes front and rear faces  48  and  50  which extend between and connect the ends  40  and  42  and the top and bottom faces  44  and  46 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, the front and rear faces are substantially parallel and planar. In other embodiments, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 14-16, the front and rear faces may have non-planar shapes. 
     The level  14  is characterized further by a mounting aperture  52  extending entirely therethrough from the front face  48  to the rear face  50 . The aperture  52  is disposed centrally between the top and bottom faces  44  and  46 . However, the aperture  52  is much closet to the first end  40  of the level  14  than to the second end  42  thereof. In this regard, the aperture  52  is spaced from the first end  40  by a distance “d” which is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the end  22  of the support  12  and the mounting aperture  32 . The level  14  further includes at least a first bubble tube  54  having an axis aligned parallel to the length of the level  14 , and at least a second bubble tube  56  having an axis aligned substantially orthogonal to the length of the level  14 . The tubes  54  and  56  indicate relative horizontal and vertical orientations, as in prior art levels. 
     The support  12  is mounted to the level  14  by registering the respective mounting apertures  32  and  52  with one another. In this registered condition, the end  22  of the support  12  will be aligned with or spaced slightly inwardly from the end  42  of the level  14 . Additionally, the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of the support  12  will be aligned with or disposed inwardly from the corresponding top and bottom faces  44  and  46  of the level  14 . The support  12  is secured to the level  14  in this registered condition by passing the bolt  16  through the registered apertures, and threading the nut  18  onto the bolt  16 . As shown in the figures, and particularly FIG. 1, the bolt  16  defines a pivot axis that is aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axes of the support  12  and level  14 , orthogonally to the front and rear faces  28  and  30  of the support  12  and orthogonally to the front and rear faces  48  and  50  of the level  14 . Additionally, the pivot axis defined by the bolt  16  is parallel to the planes defined by the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of the support  12  and parallel to the planes defined by the top and bottom faces  44  and  46  of the level  14 . 
     The pivotal connection of the support  12  to the level  14  enables the support  12  to be rotated about the pivot axis defined by the bolt  16  from the orientation shown in FIGS. 68 to the orientation shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as well as any other angular orientation therebetween. More particularly, in the FIGS. 6-8 orientation, the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of the support  12  are aligned parallel to the top and bottom faces  44  and  46  of the level  14 , with the rear face  30  of the support  12  being in face-to-face engagement with the front face  48  of the level  14 . In this orientation, the end  22  of the support  12  is between the ends  40  and  42  of the level  14 . However, the support  12  can be rotated 180°. The offset disposition of the mounting aperture causes the ends  20  of the support  12  to project beyond the end  42  of the level  14  to extend the effective length of the level  14 . In the FIGS. 9 and 10 orientation, the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of the support  12  are perpendicular to the top and bottom faces  44  and  46  of the level  14 . The support  12  can be fixed at a selected angular orientation relative to the level  14  by merely tightening the nut  18  on the bolt  16 , or by incorporating a spring washer. 
     The apparatus  10  can be used, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. More particularly, the support  12  can be rotated about the pivot axis of bolt  16  and into the orientation of FIGS. 9-12 where the top and bottom faces  24  and  26  of the support  12  are perpendicular to the top and bottom faces  44  and  46  of the level  14 . The bottom face  26  of the support  12  then can be positioned on the top surface of a substantially horizontal beam  58 . The support  12  has a sufficient thickness “t” as measured between the front and rear faces  28  and  30  for supporting the entire apparatus  10  from the beam  58 . The second end  42  of the level  14  then is permitted to be suspended substantially vertically below the beam  58 . Precise vertical orientation of the level  14  can be achieved by minor pivoting of the level  14  relative to the pivot axis defined by the bolt  16  and as indicated by the second bubble tube  56 . The nut  18  then can be tightened to the bolt  16  for securely maintaining this vertical orientation of the level  14 . A second beam (not shown) then can be positioned beneath the beam  58 , with the axis of the second beam aligned substantially vertically with either face  44  or  46  of the level  14 . This alignment can be achieved with relative ease by a single worker due to the relatively great thickness “t” of the support member  12  for pendulously supporting the apparatus  10  on the beam  58 . 
     The apparatus  10  can be used in a slightly different manner, as shown in FIG.  13 . More particularly, FIG. 13 shows a pitched rafter  62 . The support  12  can be positioned on an upper surface of the pitched rafter  62 , and the level  14  can be pivoted into a vertical orientation as indicated by bubble tube  56 . The nut then can be tightened with the support  12  and the level  14  in the FIG. 13 orientation. The apparatus  10  then can be moved substantially in this condition to another pitched rafter. The bottom face  26  of the support  12  can be placed on the top surface of the second pitched rafter and the position of the bubble in the tube  56  can be checked to determine whether the level  14  is plumb. If the level  14  is not plumb, then the worker knows that the second rafter is pitched differently from the first rafter. Adjustments then can be made to the pitch of the second rafter. This information can be useful for a worker who is trying to repair an old existing roof and/or to install a new section of roof. Additionally, the apparatus used as shown in FIG. 13 can enable the worker to properly position vertical studs relative to the pitched rafter  62 . 
     The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-13 includes a level  14  that is a rectangular parallelepiped. However, many prior art levels do not have a rectangular cross-section uniformly along their length, and there are advantages in the context of the subject invention for using a level that is not a rectangular parallelepiped. In this regard, FIGS. 14-16 show an apparatus  110  that has a support  112  substantially identical to the support  12  described and illustrated above. However, the apparatus  110  includes a level with front and rear faces  148  and  150  that are recessed. The support  112  defines a height “h 1 ” that is sufficiently less than the height “H 1 ” to permit the support  112  to be nested in the recessed front face  148  of the level  14 . This will significantly reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of the apparatus  110  when the support  112  is parallel to the level  114 . This difference can be appreciated by comparing the FIG. 8 depiction of the first embodiment to the FIG. 14 depiction of the second embodiment. The second embodiment of the apparatus  110  can be used by loosening the nut  118  on the bolt  116  and rotating the support into supporting engagement on the top and bottom flanges as shown in FIG.  15 . Right angle orientation may be achievable easily by providing aligned notches in the top and bottom flanges of the level  14  that are dimensioned sufficiently for receiving the support  112  therein, as shown in FIG.  16 . Other angular orientations, however, also can be achieved. The apparatus  110  can be used substantially in the manner shown with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. 
     A third embodiment is illustrated in FIG.  17  and is identified generally by the numeral  210 . The apparatus  210  shown in FIG. 17 includes a level  214  that is substantially identical to the level  114  shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. However, the support  212  assumes a cross-sectional configuration similar to but smaller than the level  214 . This configuration for the support  214  can help to reduce the overall weight of the apparatus  110 . More significantly, the configuration shown in FIG. 17 enables additional or other connecting structures to be positioned between the support  212  and the level  214 . For example, a ratchet assembly can be positioned between the support  212  and the level  214  for defining certain specified angular orientations for the support  212  relative to the level  214 . Additionally, springs can be employed for selectively biasing the ratcheting means into or out of engagement. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, other structures for pivotally connecting the support to the level can be provided. Additionally, the support need not be pivoted in close proximity to one end of the level. Rather, the level and the support each can be pivoted to one another at locations substantially centrally between their respective ends. This latter configuration may be particularly desirable for levels that are very short, such as like the conventional torpedo level that can be carried in a pocket or tool belt of the worker. This latter embodiment may slightly reduce the accuracy of results achieved with the level but can lead to improved efficiencies for certain instances. These and other variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after having read the subject disclosure.