Abstract:
A combined laser beam level and square apparatus includes a level having slots or openings along a common side so that the slots or openings may receive a rule or square device that is pivotally mounted thereon so as to be selectively placed in coextensive slots or openings of the level. The coextensive slots include shoulder guides which align the rule into a particular angular orientation such as a 90 degree position with respect to the level or 45 degree orientation or position with respect to the level. Releasable securement means are provided for retaining the level and a base, if used, in a fixed position and other retaining means are provided for holding the rule fixed to the level while in a selected coextensive slot or opening.

Description:
Priority based on application No. 60/098,593 filed Aug. 31, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of alignment tools used in the construction industry, such as levels and squares, and more particularly to a novel combined level and square device with laser beam alignment indication and which incorporates a level having a measuring rule or square with alternate positions for accommodating 90 degree angles as well as 45 degree angles. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, it has been the conventional practice for construction workers to employ a level device of a laser and/or bubble type for determining a level surface or for making certain measurements. Other instruments are employed for determining angular relationships with respect to the level surface and such instruments are referred to as “rules” or “squares”. By employing separate devices and instruments, such as levels and squares, the workman must purchase and store several different sizes and must make separate measurements using each separate device individually. Such a procedure is time-consuming, labor intensive and requires a considerable expense and investment in acquiring levels and squares of different sizes and angles. Furthermore, by using separate levels and squares at different times, the workman must make multiple notations in order to record the measurements and/or alignment positions being taken which, again, requires time and subsequent evaluation of the measurements so as to combine the results into a satisfactory workpiece or construction. 
     Therefore, there has been a long-standing need to provide a unitary device in combination with a laser beam generator which will permit the workman to make level measurements and square measurements simultaneously and in one procedure or operation. In most instances, when using a square instrument, the instrument must be maintained in a certain level or angular position and it is extremely useful to combine a level and a rule or square into a single instrument so that simultaneous measurement and recording of resultant data can be made without subsequent review and interpolation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a novel combined laser beam level and square apparatus which includes an elongated level with a laser beam generator emitting a laser beam which is parallel with respect to a level surface on either the top or the bottom of the level. The level includes an adjustable rule or square which may be carried in the storage recess when not in use on the side of the level and which further includes slots or openings along a common side of the level into which the rule or square may be placed for use in alternate positions in combination with the level itself. The rule or square includes measuring indicia along edges and is pivotally mounted on the level so as to be selectively placed in selective slots or openings of the levels in order to accommodate a variety of measurement and/or alignment positions. The slots or openings include shoulder guides which align the rule or square into a particular angular orientation, such as a 90 degree position with respect to the level or a 45 degree position with respect to the level. 
     A further feature of the invention couples the level to a base for alternate usage which may include a slope alignment device. In such instance, the base is elongated having a slot at its top for accommodating insertion of the level into the slot wherein the level includes guide rails for accommodating insertion and aligning the level with the base so as to become an integral part. The base includes slots or openings along a common side so that the slots or openings may be aligned with and be coextensive with the slots or openings on the side of the level. In this manner, the rule or square may project through the coextensive slots or openings so as to provide a particular angular orientation desired by the user. Releasable securement means are provided for retaining the level and the base in a fixed position and other retaining means are provided for holding the rule or square fixed to the level while in a selected coextensive slot or opening. 
     Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel combined laser beam level and rule or square combination which may be readily employed on a selective surface in order to provide angular measurements with respect to the selected surface. The angles may selectively take the form of 90 degree angles, 45 degree angles or any other selected angular requirement. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel single unitary instrument which includes a laser beam level device as well as an angular measurement device in the form of a square or rule which are both carried on a single instrument or may be combined with a base wherein the level and the base include cooperative and extensive slots or openings for accommodating the length of the square and the rule. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel combined laser beam level and square apparatus which may make simultaneous measurements without employing separate tools or instruments and which represents a labor-saving device for construction workmen. 
     Still a further object resides in providing a combined square and level device with a laser beam generating system that may be employed simultaneously along a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, a corner installation or any other flat surface wherein the apparatus has the ability to reside in a flush orientation with respect to that surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the combined level, rule or square and base device incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the combined device shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the coextensive slots, grooves and opening permitting the pivoted square or rule to be positioned therein; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevational view of the level and base illustrating that the level and base can be used together or separately; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the level and base as taken in the direction of arrows  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the pivot and holding device used to secure the square or rule to the body of the laser beam level; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing multiple and separate uses of the combined laser beam level with the rule or square illustrated in a plurality of operative positions. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the novel combined laser level, rule and base is illustrated in the general direction of arrow  10  wherein the base is represented by numeral  11  and the laser beam level is indicated by numeral  12 . It is to be understood that the level  12  may be used independent of base  11 . The level  12  includes an upper flat surface  15  and a lower flat surface  16  wherein either of the flat surfaces can be placed on a surface during use. The level  12  further carries an elongated square or rule  13  which may be angularly adjusted with respect to the level  12  by means of a releasable pivot means  14 . 
     The interior of level  12  includes a laser beam generator which is operated by a rotatable thumbscrew  17  wherein the generated beam exits from a housing  18  on the opposite end of the level  12 . The transmitted beam is indicated by numeral  20  and it is to be understood that the beam is parallel to the flat surfaces  15  and  16 . 
     The opposite sides adjacent the flat bottom  16  of level  12  are provided with rails  21 ,  22  and  23  which are insertably received within slots  24  and  25  carried on the opposite sides of base  11  in spaced-apart relationship so as to define a slot therebetween into which the level  12  may be insertably placed. When it is desired to use the level in combination with the base, the tapered nose  26  of the level is inserted into the slot between guide slots  24  and  25  and the level is pushed forward until the tapered end  26  mates with the tapered end of the slot, as indicated by numeral  27 . At this time, a clamping means  28  may be actuated to releasably secure the body of the level  12  to the base. 
     A primary feature of the invention includes the incorporation of the rule or square  13  for use with the level  12  by itself or in combination with the level and the base  11 . When not in use, the elongated square or rule  13  is stored on the side of the level body between ribs  30  and  31  respectively. A reduced storage space or recess is defined between the ribs  30  and  31  so that the rule or square  13  may be placed into the recess for storage purposes when not in use. It is important to note that the ribs  30  and  31  extend outwardly from the side of the level to be flush with the exterior surface of the rule or square  13  so that the level is placed flat on a surface, the level will remain flat since that side of the level will be supported not only by the surface of square or rule  13  and the ribs  30  anc  31  but the rails  21 ,  22  and  23 . 
     Referring now in detail to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the rule or square  13  may be repositioned from its storage position, as shown in FIG. 1, to one of a selected positions as shown in FIG.  2 . The side of body  12  includes a pair of recesses which will accommodate the holding of the square or rule  13  in place at a selected angular position with respect to the flat surface  15  or the flat surface  16 . For example, a 90 degree position of the rule may take place by repositioning the rule from the storage position to occupy a recess between spaced-apart shoulders  33  and  34  so that the rule is in the position shown in broken lines by numeral  35  in FIG.  2 . To further support and stabilize the rule when in the recess, shoulders  36  and  37  are provided in the rib  30  which are coextensive and in alignment with the shoulders  33  and  34 . 
     For either a 90 degree or a 45 degree angle, the rule  13  may be placed in a recess defined by shoulders  40  and  41  which continue through the rails  22  and  23  in the same manner that the shoulders  33  and  34  extend through the rail  21  and  22  respectively. When the rule  13  is placed in the recess and is stabilized by bearing against shoulders  42  and  43 , the rule takes the position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 by numeral  44 . Once the square or rule has been placed within a selected recess, the fastening or retaining screw pivot means  14  may be tightened to hold the rule in place against the side of the level. 
     When the base  11  is used in combination with the level  12 , the rule may be extended through recesses defined by either shoulders  45  and  46  or a recess defined by shoulders  47  and  48 . These recesses are coextensive and match with the recesses provided in the side of the level  12 . The base  11  includes a flat undersurface  49 , which is parallel with the undersurface  16  of the level  12 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, should it be desired to elevate the end of the level and base combination, a thumbscrew adjustment means is indicated by numeral  51  which includes a thumb-engaging nut  50  that rotatably turned on the threaded shank  52  so as to extend a foot  53  away from or towards the undersurface  49 . Therefore, a beam  20  may be adjustably positioned to emit the beam at an angle with respect to the supporting surface. 
     FIG. 2 further illustrates that the level  12  includes a plurality of bubble capsules, identified by numerals  54 ,  55  and  56 , and the bubble within the capsules may be used in combination with the generation of laser beam  20  from the laser beam generator  18 . The bubble capsules are installed in the main body of the level  12  and are separated by a pair of elongated openings  57  and  58 . Opening  58  is illustrated as being occupied by an elongated plug  60  having an elongated central opening  61  through which the pivot and retaining means  14  is disposed. It is to be understood that the plug  60 , the pivot and the retaining means  14  and the square or rule  13  may be detached from the level and installed into the alternate opening  57  at the election of the user. The purpose for the user&#39;s selecting either opening  57  or opening  58  for installing the rule  13  resides in how the user wants to orient the rule with respect to the flat surfaces on either the level or the base. FIG. 2 also illustrates that the base and/or the level may include releasable holding means such as magnets, identified by numeral  62 , that are exposed through the undersurface  49  of the base. When installed on the level  12 , the magnets will exert a magnetic force from the undersurfacd  16 . 
     In FIG. 3, the opposite side of the level is illustrated in a reduced scale and further illustrating that the level  12  may not be used in combination with the base  11 . Both the base and the level may include measuring indicia, such as a numbered scale, along the bottom peripheral edges of either component. The scale is broadly indicated by numeral  63  placed along the bottom  49  of the base  11 . The laser generator  18  is activated by means of rotating a thumbnut or screw  17  which closes a circuit with a battery internally stored in the level  12 . 
     Referring now in detail to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the pivot and retaining means  14  includes a turning knob  64  which is carried on the end of a threaded shaft terminating in a flanged portion  65 . The flanges of the screw  65  engage with reduced portions of the rule  13  defined by an elongated slot  66  shown more clearly in FIG.  2 . The opposite edges of the flanges of the screw  65  engage with the track portions  67  and  68  of the rule again, as shown in FIG.  2 . The plug  60  is held in position by means of a peripheral flange  68  engaging with a chamfered surface outlining the hole or opening  61  and the frictional bearing or engagement of the back side of the rule  13  with the side of level  11 . 
     FIG. 4 further illustrates the clamp  28  as having a turning nut which presses a clamp pad  70  into frictional engagement with the rail  22  of the level and the side of the base  11 . Depending on where the position of the level is on the base, the pad will bear against some portion of the rail, such as  21 ,  22  or  23 . 
     In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the combined level, square or rule and/or base provide a useful tool for construction workers in determining proper angles, level surfaces and combinations thereof. The laser beam level  12  is slidably carried on the base  11  and is held in a desired position on the base by the clamping means  28 . Depending on the angle at which the rule is desired to be placed, the plug  60  carrying the rule and its pivot and retention means  14  is placed in either opening  57  or  58 . When placed in opening  58 , the rule may be placed in a perpendicular position as shown in FIG. 2 by numeral  44  so that one linear edge thereof bears against the shoulder  41  and the edge of the base. In this position, shoulders  42  and  43  support the rule in this position. If it is desired to place the rule  13  in an angular position, the retaining means  14  is loosened and the rule is placed in the angular position shown by numeral  71 . The flange nut  65 , when loosened, will permit the rule  13  to be slid along its length to a desired position. After tightening, the rule  71  will bear against shoulder  40  and the upper part of the rule will bear against shoulder  43 . It can be seen that the rule has a flattened surface at numeral  72  so as to match the shoulder  43  against which it will bear when the rule  71  is in the angular position. Again in FIG. 2, when it is desired to place the rule or square  13  in the recess at the other end of the level and/or base, the plug  60  is removed from opening  58  and inserted into the opening  57  and the retaining means  14 . is tightened so that the length of the rule resides between shoulders  33  and  34  as well as shoulders  36  and  37 . After tightening, the linear edge of the rule will be at a 90 degree angle with respect to the under flat surface  49 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the level or base may be placed on any horizontal surface, a vertical surface or any other angular or corner surface and the rule  13  can then be placed in any of the perpendicular or angular positions previously described. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, various positions of use for the level incorporating the present invention are illustrated wherein numeral  80  indicates one position where the flat undersurface  16  of the level is placed on a horizontal frame with the rule  13  arranged in a perpendicular relationship. However, it is important to note that the rule is not in its storage recess and that the underside of the level cooperates with the flat backside of the rule to provide proper positioning of the level so that measurement can be taken. Numeral  81  illustrates another position wherein the rule is placed directly against flat beams. Therefore, the front side or back side of the rule may be used depending on the location of usage. Numeral  81  shows a flush relationship between the exposed exterior surface of the rule and the side of the level. The thickness of the rule is compensated for by the depth of the recess into which it resides. Numeral  82  further illustrates that the combined rule and level may be placed on a flat surface and again, the rule is flush with the side of the level. With respect to positions shown by numerals  83  and  84 , the rule can be placed in an angular position or a perpendicular position and orientation can be placed against flat surfaces. The measurement or drawing of lines may be achieved by employing pencils, such as pencil  85  in connection with the rule and level indicated by numeral  84 . 
     The level, square or rule and the base provide an integral construction when the retaining means are employed to fix the base, level and square or rule together into a unitary construction. The level may include bubble levels and/or laser generating means in order to establish a desired level orientation. Both the base and the square or rule include increments of measurements along selected peripheral edges that are visibly available to the user for notation purposes. Preferably, the square or rule is slidable with respect to the level and the base so that it may be extended in length or shortened at the selection of the user. Such adjustment is achieved through the employment of a pivot and thumbscrew arrangement carrying the square or rule on the level while the retaining or clamp means for fixing the level at a desired position on the base takes the form of a thumbscrew and friction pad operably carried on the base. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.