Abstract:
A level clip is disclosed for securing along the edge of a wall-hanging substrate for the purpose of leveling the substrate. The clip includes a body having a substrate-receiving slot and a contact surface. The clip also supports a bubble level so that it is aligned with the contact surface. The user inserts the edge of the substrate into the slot so that the edge of the substrate abuts evenly with the contact surface, thereby allowing the bubble level to convey level-alignment information in response to rotational movement of the substrate. Resilient outer arms adjacent to the slot create friction to help hold the clip in place.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/687,685, filed Apr. 30, 2012, entitled “Level Clip”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1) Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to bubble levels, and more particularly, to improvements to such levels. 
         [0003]    2) Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    There are many different types of leveling devices. A commonly used one is called a bubble level. Once such bubble level uses a small cylindrical vial having an accurately curved side wall along the longitudinal axis. The vial is less-than 100% filled with a colored semi-viscous fluid (usually an oil) which defines an air bubble (hence the name “bubble” level). In use, as the vial is tilted, the bubble will diligently and continuously move to the highest point against the curved wall. Marks located on the walls of the vial help the user determine the relative location of the bubble within the vial, i.e., when the vial is “level”. These vials are typically mounted within a frame structure to increase the sensitivity and usability of the level. 
         [0005]    Even though vials are secured within a variety of frame shapes and sizes, these bubble levels are somewhat limited in use. For example, they cannot easily or effectively be used to level thin materials, such as paper templates, posters or thin painter&#39;s boards being mounted against a wall. When mounting a poster against the wall, the user cannot easily use a conventional bubble level (sometimes called a “Carpenter&#39;s level”) because the level must be held carefully against a very thin paper edge. This proves to be a very awkward process because the thin paper edge does not provide sufficient contact against the level frame. The level also requires the user to hold it and therefore leaves only one other hand to hold the poster and leaves no free hands to secure the level poster to the wall using a tack or tape. There is just too much room for inaccuracies, frustration, and mistakes. 
         [0006]    It is a first object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a bubble level that can be secured along the edge of paper or relatively thin materials for the purpose of aiding in hanging the paper or other level against a wall. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A level clip is disclosed for securing along the edge of a wall-hanging substrate for the purpose of leveling the substrate (helping to easily hang a poster, picture frame or painter&#39;s board level against a wall). The clip includes a body having a substrate-receiving slot and a contact surface. The clip also supports a bubble level so that it is aligned with the contact surface. The user inserts the edge of the substrate into the slot so that the edge of the substrate abuts evenly with the contact surface, thereby allowing the bubble level to convey level-alignment information in response to rotational movement of the substrate. Resilient outer arms adjacent to the slot create friction to help hold the clip in place. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a level clip, according to the present invention including a frame structure and a bubble vial; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective assembly view of the level clip of  FIG. 1 , including the frame structure and the vial, wherein the vial is shown separated from the frame structure, according to the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the level clip of  FIG. 1  being secured to the edge of a relatively thick painter&#39;s board, according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the level clip of  FIG. 1  shown secured to the edge of the relatively thick painter&#39;s board, wherein the edge of the painter&#39;s board abuts a first contact surface of the level clip, according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the level clip of  FIG. 1  shown secured to the edge of a the painter&#39;s board, wherein the edge abuts a contact surface of the . clip, according to the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the level clip being secured to the edge of a thin poster sheet, according to the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the level clip of  FIG. 1  shown secured to the edge of the poster sheet, wherein the edge of the poster sheet abuts a second contact surface of the level clip, according to the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a lower perspective view of the level clip of  FIG. 1  according to the invention showing details of a first and second contact surface and an upper and lower surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a level clip  10  according to the invention is shown having a frame structure  12  and a separate bubble vial  14 . Frame structure  12  is preferably made as a single plastic injected molded part and includes a vial-receiving recess  16 , two outer projecting arms  18 , a central projection  20 , and a light window  22 , a first contact surface  24 , for leveling thick substrates and a second contact surface  26 , for leveling thin substrates, as explained below. 
         [0019]    Vial  14  may be any conventional bubble vial of the type made from either clear plastic or glass that is cylindrical in shape and which defines a sealed cavity into which a controlled amount of colored viscous fluid is located. The amount of fluid sealed within the vial is such that a bubble of predetermined size is created. The inside surface of the cylindrical vial is longitudinally curved so that the bubble will move in a controlled manner along the top of the vial as the vial is tilted. Lines are typically printed on the outside of the cylinder to help the user determine when the bubble is centered, indicated a “level” condition. Although a cylindrically shaped vial is preferred for this invention, any shape may be used without departing from the gist of the invention. 
         [0020]    Recess  16  of frame structure  12  is sized and shaped to snugly and firmly receive and hold vial  14 . It is imperative for the present invention to work properly that vial  14  is held within recess  16  in such a manner to ensure that vial is held “true” with respect to first contact surface  24 , and second contact surface  26  of frame structure  12 . 
         [0021]    Outer arms  18  are integrally molded to frame structure  12  and include an upper surface  28  and a lower surface  30 . Upper surface  28  is shaped and positioned to contact a rear surface  32  of either a thin substrate  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , or a thick substrate  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when frame structure  12  is secured thereto, as described below. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , central projection  20  includes a first lower surface  38  and a second lower surface  40 . First lower surface  38  is sized and positioned to contact a front surface  42  of thick substrate  36 , when frame structure  12  is secured thereto. 
         [0023]    For Thicker Substrates (e.g., Painter&#39;s Board): 
         [0024]    The distance between first lower surface  38  and upper surface  30  is slightly less than the thickness of thick substrate  36  so that when level clip  10  is secured to the edge of a thick substrate, such as a painter&#39;s board (which may vary in thickness, but is typically ⅛″ thick), central projection  20  and outer arms  18  work together and effectively clamp onto both respective surfaces of the thick substrate, thereby holding level clip  10  thereto. It is preferred that outer arms  18  be sized and shaped to provide a controlled amount of flex when level clip  10  is being secured to the edge of thick substrate  36 . This flexure will help clamp the clip onto the substrate. 
         [0025]    For Thinner Substrates (e.g., Poster Paper): 
         [0026]    Thinner substrates (generally between 0.002 inches thick and 0.025 inches thick) are not as rigid as thicker boards and therefore may not be able to rely on the flexure of outer arms  18  to create the above described clamping action. To this end, second lower surface  40  is preferably located below upper surface  30  of outer arms  18  in a slightly overlapping relationship so that when level clip  10  is secured to the edge of a thin substrate, such as the edge of a poster, a paper template, or any other substrate that is relatively thin, such as paper, the thin substrate will deform about the overlapping second lower surface  40  and upper surface  30  of both outside arms  18 . This deforming action creates friction which effectively holds level clip  10  firmly to the edge of the thin substrate. The amount of overlap will vary depending on the weight of level clip  10 , the type of plastic the clip is molded from and the type of surface texture, if any located on the gripping surfaces (upper surface  30  and second lower surface  40 ), but Applicant has determined that an overlap less than 1 mm is sufficient to allow level clip  10  to hold firmly to a received thin substrate. Applicant has also recognized that when upper surface  30  and second lower surface  40  are coplanar, received thin substrates hold well. 
         [0027]    Preferably integrally formed into central projection  20  is first contact surface  24 . This contact surface is very important for the present invention to work accurately with thick substrates because this contact surface is what aligns vial  14  with the edge of the substrate. When this contact surface evenly abuts against the edge of the substrate, the substrate will become aligned with the level clip  10 . Once aligned, the bubble located within vial  14  will accurately convey the orientation of the substrate and will indicate to the user when the substrate is level, with respect to “earth”. 
         [0028]    Similarly, second contact surface  26  is integrally formed into frame structure  12  and it is very important for the present invention to work accurately with thin substrates because this contact surface is what aligns vial  14  with the edge of the substrate. When this contact surface evenly abuts against the edge of the substrate, the substrate will become aligned with the level clip  10 . Once aligned, the bubble located within vial  14  will accurately convey the orientation of the substrate and will indicate to the user when the substrate is level, with respect to “earth”. 
         [0029]    Light window  22  is preferably formed within frame structure  12  is used to allow ambient or directed light to more effectively illuminate the bubble located within vial  14 . 
         [0030]    In Use: For Thicker Substrates (e.g., Painter&#39;s Board): 
         [0031]    In use, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , level clip  10  is shown being secured to the edge of a thick substrate  36 , such as a painter&#39;s board. The user simply positions the level clip so that the edge of substrate  36  aligns between upper surface  30  of outer arms  18  and first lower surface  38  of central projection  20  and then advances the clip (see the arrow in  FIG. 3 ) onto a vertically orientated edge  44  of the substrate. It is important that the user makes sure that the edge of the substrate abuts evenly with first contact surface  24 . As explained above, the distance between these two surfaces is less than the thickness of substrate  36  so that as level clip  10  advances onto the substrate  36 , outer arms  18  will flex away from central projection  20  and effectively create friction against the surfaces of substrate  36 , thereby holding level clip in place. Once level clip  10  is properly clipped onto the edge of the thick substrate and the substrate edge evenly abuts against and fully contacts the first contact surface  24  of level clip  10 , then the bubble located within vial  14  will convey the accurate orientation of the substrate during the hanging process. The user now can hold substrate  36  against a wall or other hanging surface and tilt the substrate clockwise and counter-clockwise until the bubble located in vial  14  registers a “level” condition. When this happens, the user applies any appropriate securing devices to affix substrate  36  to the wall so that the substrate remains in its level orientation. 
         [0032]    In Use: For Thinner Substrates (e.g., Poster Paper): 
         [0033]    In use, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , level clip  10  is shown being secured to the edge of a thin substrate  34 , such as a paper wall-poster. The user simply positions the level clip  10  so that the edge  46  of substrate  34  aligns between upper surface  30  of outer arms  18  and second lower surface  40  of central projection  20  and then advances the clip (in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 6 ) onto edge  46  of substrate  34 . It is important that the user makes sure that edge  46  of substrate  34  eventually abuts evenly with second contact surface  26 . As explained above, upper surface  28  of outer arms  18  and second lower surface  40  work together to create friction against the received paper substrate, thereby holding level clip  10  in place (similar to the holding action of a conventional paper clip. Once level clip  10  is properly clipped onto the edge  46  of the thin substrate and the substrate edge  46  evenly abuts against and fully contacts the second contact surface  26  of level clip  10 , then the bubble  48  located within vial  14  will convey the accurate orientation of the substrate during the hanging process. The user now can hold substrate  34  against a wall or other hanging surface and tilt the substrate clockwise and counter-clockwise until bubble  48  located in vial  14  registers a “level” condition. When this happens, the user applies any appropriate securing devices to affix substrate  34  to the wall so that the substrate remains in its level orientation. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , frame structure  12  further includes a flat surface  50  opposite outer arms  18 . This surface can be used to help level picture frames and other items having a thickness that is greater than poster board. In use, the user holds level clip  10  so that flat surface  50  evenly abuts against a vertical flat surface of the picture frame. This will “link” the bubble vial  14  of the level clip  10  with the frame so that the attitude of the frame against a wall may be accurately adjusted and a level orientation may be readily established. 
         [0035]    One preferred version of level clip  10  is shown in the figures and described above in this specification. An important feature of this clip is that it can easily clip onto the edge of a substrate and this proves to be very useful to help level a poster or painter&#39;s board, or other similar item while hanging the item against a wall. The clip described above is meant to be attached to a vertical edge of a substrate, but the bubble vial could have also been secured to the frame structure in such a manner as to allow the clip to be attached along a horizontal edge of a substrate to allow the bubble level to operate in a horizontal orientation. 
         [0036]    Also, other clipping structure could easily be used to clip the bubble vial to the edge of the substrate. Applicant disclosed in the present application a simple integral design wherein integrally formed arms work together to hold the clip and the bubble level to the edge of the substrate, but other structure could have been used without departing from the gist of the invention. This includes using spring-loaded pivotal components similar to the components and the resulting the action of a conventional spring-loaded clothes pin, or other conventional binder clip. Applicant prefers simplicity here. 
         [0037]    Also, the above described outer arms  18  and first and second lower surfaces  38 ,  40  could have been positioned to accommodate substrates of different thicknesses. Applicant described a preferred example in the figures and above specification.