Patent Publication Number: US-11660786-B2

Title: Leveler table

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to a leveler table, and more particularly to a leveler table combined with a circular level, to enable the top surface of the leveler table to achieve a level condition with respect to both the x and the y coordinates. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some manufacturing steps must be performed on a table surface or work surface that is level, with “level” in this context meaning that the surface is level with respect to both the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, also referred to herein as the “x axis” and the “y axis.” To achieve this goal, it is also known to use a circular level that is secured to or resting on the work surface, to show more than one axis. 
     Leveler tables are available which enable a user to adjust the level of the top surface of the table relative to an underlying support surface. Typically, a leveler table includes a platform or plate with three spaced screws threadably extended therethrough. The bottoms of the screws contact an underlying support. By rotatably adjusting the positions of the screws relative to the platform, the user is able to vary the vertical position of the top surface of the platform, to eventually put the top surface in a horizontally level orientation. With one or more levels, or a circular level located on the platform, the location of the bubble within the boundary lines will show the user that the screws have been suitably adjusted to place the top surface of the table at a horizontally “level” position. 
     When using a leveler table of this type to manufacture products, it is important that the user achieve a high degree of repeatability with respect to the level orientation of the top work surface. Otherwise, there will be undesired variation in the quality of the products, particularly with respect to the shape of the product. 
     One manufacturing procedure that requires a level top work surface is that of producing cured sensor pads used for windshields in the automotive windshield aftermarket. For example, applicant, Marcy Enterprises, Inc. (“Marcy”), markets a product called “Quick Cure Rain Sensor Gel” which is shown and described on its website, at www.marcyadhesives.com The contents of this Marcy website are expressly incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety. 
     When forming such a sensor pad, a user fills (by pouring) the sensor pad material into a mold or casting, in liquid form. The sensor material thereafter cures to form a pad having the same shape as the shape of the mold or casting into which it has been poured. For such automotive windshield sensor pads, it is important that the completed and cured sensor pads be of identical shape, including uniform thickness, and consistent in appearance and quality. In practical terms, this means that when the sensor pad material is poured into the mold in liquid form, the mold must be resting on a work surface that is completely level with respect to both the x axis and the y axis. And this must be true for every sensor pad that is made. If the work surface is not level then the resulting sensor pad will likely not work for its intended purpose, or at least the resulting sensor pad will be at a risk of not performing reliably and consistently. 
     It is one object of the present invention to achieve a high degree of consistency, quality, and repeatability in the production of windshield sensor pads. 
     It is another object of the present invention to achieve the above-stated qualities in a relatively efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves these above-stated objectives by recessing a circular level within a center portion of a leveler table, preferably in an interference fit from below, such that the top surface of the circular level resides in the same horizontal plane as the top surface of the leveler plate, which is the work surface used for manufacturing products. Three spaced screws threadably extend through the plate, at spaced positions, to enable a user to adjust the screws relative to the plate, thereby to place the top surface of the plate in a level condition. 
     With the circular level mounted in the center of the plate, and preferably with a square plate, the user knows that the work surface is level because the circular level is right in the center of the plate, where it is relatively easy to see because of its central location. This assures repeatability in making products on the work surface. Moreover, with the circular level recessed within the top of the plate, preferably with an interference fit, within a circular hole of predetermined diameter formed in the plate, the location of the circular level assures accuracy with respect to the top work surface. This leveler table provides a true level work surface that is repeatable for the user when manufacturing products, including automotive windshield sensor pads. This enables the user to repeatably produce sensor pads of uniform thickness. 
     With this leveler plate the user is able to achieve a high degree of consistency, quality, and repeatability in the production of windshield sensor pads. Moreover, with this leveler plate the user is able to achieve these objectives in a relatively efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     Those skilled in the art will more fully understand the specification by considering the accompanying drawings, which this specification first briefly describes and then describes in more detail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a leveler table according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top plan view of the leveler table shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  shown in  FIG.  2   , with directional arrows showing the adjustability of one of the screws, and with a package for forming an automotive windshield sensor pad resting on a top surface of the table, with the package in an open condition. 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    show a horizontal view of the leveler table shown in  FIG.  1   , from the front and from the rear, respectively. 
         FIG.  6    is a horizontal view that shows the leveler table in an unlevel condition, due to the need to adjust one or more of the screws to thereby achieve a level top surface. 
         FIG.  7    shows a variation on the embodiment of the leveler table shown in  FIG.  1   , with different screw head types. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1    shows a leveler table  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The leveler table  10  incudes a plate  11  having a flat top surface  12 , and has three threaded screws  14  threadably extended therethrough, through three corresponding screw holes  16 . The bottoms of the screws  14  rest on an underlying support  18  (shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   ). A center hole  20  in the middle of the plate  11  receives a circular level  22 .  FIG.  2    shows the relative position of these components from a top plan view. 
       FIG.  2    also shows, via directional arrows  24 , the vertical adjustability of one of the screws  14 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that all three screws  14  have the same adjustable capability, to enable a user to achieve a level top surface  12 , to facilitate the use of the top surface  12 , for instance, in making automotive windshield sensor pads (not shown). In fact,  FIG.  3    shows a package  26  for one such windshield sensor pad, the package being in an open condition. The details of a suitable package  26  are disclosed more fully in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/748,203, filed Aug. 27, 2020, and also in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/629,198, filed Jul. 6, 2018, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety. Essentially, the package  26  is a mold for receiving the pad material  28  in liquid form, prior to curing. 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    show front and back horizontal views of the leveler table  10   FIG.  6    shows the leveler table  10  in a tilted condition, so that it needs to be adjusted. 
     According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures, the leveler table  10  is formed from a square aluminum plate with length and width dimensions of 4.5″, and a uniform thickness of 0.25″. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other dimensions would also work. Further, in this embodiment the plate  11  has a hole  20  formed in the middle thereof, with the diameter of the hole  20  preferably being 20 mm. According to this embodiment the circular level  22  preferably also has a dimension of 20 mm (diameter) by 9 mm (depth). Applicant has used a commercially available “bullseye” bubble level for this particular leveler table. Further, applicant has used three eighth by one inch knurled socket head cap screws  114  threadably extended through the plate  11  at the spaced locations of the screw holes  16 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     This specification describes and shows one currently preferred embodiment of the invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize that this invention is suitable for reasonable modification, and that the disclosed invention is therefore not limited to the specific examples shown and described herein. Thus, the Figures and this description should be considered exemplary, not limiting, and the accompanying claims define the scope of the present invention.