Abstract:
A level designed for use in hanging pictures is disclosed. The level is proportioned to be easy and convenient to use in conjunction with a picture frame, having a pair of perpendicular legs that can rest on a corner of a picture frame and a level vial positioned within one of the legs. The level can be used to help guide the mounting of a frame on the wall or may be used to check the placement of an already-mounted frame and adjust the frame as needed.

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/479,779, which was filed Jun. 18, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a levels, and more particularly, relates to a level that is well suited for hanging pictures or other objects on a wall or the like. 
   Conventional carpenter levels containing an air bubble in a liquid-containing vial are well-known in the prior art, for determining the attitude of an object relative to level or plumb. Such carpenter levels are relatively long and unwieldy, since they require a relatively long gauging surface to provide accurate readings in use. Thus, while a conventional level can be used in hanging a picture or the like on a wall or other vertical surface, to ensure that the picture is not crooked, it is often difficult or impractical to manage the level in relation to a picture frame, due to the length of the level. Furthermore, a conventional level does not include any convenient way to coordinate hanging of the frame and use of the level. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a level device that is well suited for use in hanging a picture or other object on a wall or the like. It is another object of the invention to provide such a level device that is relatively small and lightweight, and is therefore easy to manipulate and use when hanging a picture or the like. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a level device that is relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture. A still further object of the invention to provide such a level device that is capable of being retained on the picture or the like when in use. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a level device that includes a feature by which the use is able to quickly ascertain the position of the level device relative to the picture or the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a level device has a first leg with a recess or opening for a level vial. A level vial is mounted in the opening. The level device has a second leg that extends generally perpendicular to the first leg. The first and second legs are preferably formed as a single unit. The first and second legs define perpendicular inner surfaces that form a square bracket configuration, for placement on the corner defined by a picture frame. The level may additionally have a finger grip to facilitate manual engagement of the level device and manipulation of the level device during use. 
   The level device is adapted to be used by placing the square bracket configuration defined by the inner surfaces of the legs onto a corner of a picture frame, and then positioning and mounting the picture frame on a wall using the level device as a guide. The level device may also be used after the picture has been mounted on the wall to adjust the frame as needed. 
   The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of using a standard level for hanging a picture frame or the like on a wall or other vertical surface, by having a relatively small size and being shaped to remain in engagement with a picture frame manner while the picture is being leveled. The size of the level device makes it easy to store in a convenient location, easy to carry from location to location, and easy to use in conjunction with a picture frame. The shape of the device allows the user to place it on the corner of the picture frame and to ensure that the level device is engaged with the picture frame, thus providing a convenient, hands-free method of hanging a picture or the like using the level device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments and the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a level device in accordance with the present invention, shown in engagement with a picture frame for use in leveling the picture frame on a wall or other vertical surface; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged front elevation view of the level device of  FIG. 1  and a portion of the picture frame; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the level device of  FIG. 1  and a portion of the picture frame; and 
       FIG. 4  is a partial section view taken along lines  4 — 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–4 , a level device, in the form of a picture hanging level  10 , is used in conjunction with a picture frame  12  to hang frame  12  having a corner  13  on a wall (not shown) or other vertical surface. Level  10  has a first leg  14  and a second leg  16 . First leg  14  has an opening  18  in which a level vial  19  is positioned. While the drawings illustrate opening  18  as extending completely between the front and the back of level  10 , it is also understood that vial  19  may be positioned within a recess formed in the front of level  10  that does not completely extend throughout the thickness of first leg  14 . 
   Level vial  19  extends along a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the plane of inner surface  22  of first leg  14 . Level vial  19  contains a bubble  20  and includes a pair of lines  21  between which bubble  20  is located when level vial  19  is situated in a level orientation, to indicate that frame  12  on which level  10  is resting is also level. Level vial  19  is preferably constructed of an acrylic or other plastic material, in a manner as is known, and may be molded into first leg  14 , as discussed below. 
   First leg  14  has a flat inner surface  22  and second leg has a flat inner surface  24  that meet at a junction  26  to form a 90 degree angle. A face member  28  and a finger grip  30  may also be provided on level  10 . Face member  28  cooperates with legs  14  and  16  to define an opening  32  through which junction  26  and the adjacent areas of inner surfaces  22  and  24  are visible from the front of level  10 . The areas of inner surfaces  22  and s 4  adjacent junction  26  define the perpendicular side edges of opening  32 , and the other edge of opening  32  is defined by the upper surface of face member  28 , In this manner, when level  10  is properly engaged with picture frame  12 , opening  32  allows a user to see that a corner  13  of frame  12  is situated in junction  26 . 
   Level  10  is preferably constructed by injection molding legs  14 ,  16  as a single unit, although it is understood that any other satisfactory forming method may be employed. During the injection molding process, vial  19  may be insert molded into first leg  14 . Alternatively, leg  14  may be provided with any satisfactory vial-mounting structure, and vial  19  may be engaged with leg  14  in a separate operation subsequent to molding of legs  14  and  16 . Face member  28  and finger grip  30  may also be formed in the injection molding process that is used to form legs  14 ,  16 , but could also be separately molded and attached to legs  14 ,  16  in any suitable manner. 
   In the preferred embodiment, each of legs  14 ,  16  is ½″ wide, meaning that surfaces  22 ,  24  are also ½″ wide. This width allows level  10  to remain compact and manageably-sized, but also able to rest securely on corner  13  of frame  12 . Face member  28  is preferably ⅛″ thick, and finger grip  30 , which is located adjacent to face member  28  and extends between legs  14 ,  16 , is also preferably ⅛″ thick. 
   In use, a person wishing to hang a frame or the like on a wall or other vertical surface places level  10  on the corner  13  of frame  12 . The user ensures that level  10  is in place by checking to be sure that corner  13  can be seen through opening  32  in engagement with junction  26 . The user can then mount frame  12  on the wall using level  10  as a guide in positioning frame  12 . Alternately, level  10  can be used after a frame  12  is mounted on a wall, by placing the level on corner  13  of the mounted frame  12  and adjusting frame  12  until bubble  20  within vial  19  rests between lines  21 . During use, the user is able to level frame  12  using both hands, since level  10  is configured to remain in engagement with corner  13  of frame  12  once in position. Face member  28  engages the front surface of frame  12 , to maintain level  10  in position in a front-rear direction on frame  12 , while the top and side surfaces of frame  12  remain in engagement with inner surfaces  22 ,  24  of legs  14 ,  16 , respectively. Opening  32  enables the user to visually ensure that level  10  remains in proper position during the entire leveling operation. 
   Other alternatives and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, in addition to those mentioned above. For example, and without limitation, level vial  19  may be mounted in any location on level  10 , including second leg  16  or the corner area between first leg  14  and second leg  16 . Further, while opening  32  is illustrated as being triangular, it is understood that opening  32  may have any other shape, so long as visual access to corner  26  is provided. In addition, while level  10  is shown as being configured for engagement with a right hand corner of a picture or the like, it is also contemplated that level  10  may have a mirror image construction in which level  10  is engageable with a left hand corner of a picture or the like. Further, it should be understood that level  10  may be constructed to define inner surfaces that cooperate to engage a picture frame or the like having any configuration other than a right angle corner as shown and described. In general, level  10  is constructed to have an upper surface that rests on an upper edge of the picture or the like, and a vertical surface extending from the upper surface for engagement with a side edge of the picture or the like. 
   Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.