Improvements in Spirit Levels and Clinometers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
COMPLEIE DIECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spirit Levels and Clinometers.
We, ADALBERT VOLSWINKLER, carpenter, and KATHARINA VOLSWINKLER, house-
keeper, both of 1328 Natoma Street, San Francisco, in the County of San Francisco,
and State of California, one of the United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained by the following statement.
This invention is an improvement in spirit levels, the object of the same being
to provide a device of this character which is not only serviceable in determining
the level of perpendicular and plane surfaces, but which will also accurately
register the inclination of a surface, being therefore particularly useful in ascer-
taining the proper fall to be given to sewers, and also to give the proper inclination
to brace beams in building bridges, etc.
To the above ends, and to such others as the invention may appertain, the same
consists in a spirit-level presenting a circular tube having liquid therein to form
a bubble, the said tube being applied to a beam having a straight edge, as herein-
after fully described and specifically pointed out in the claim.
In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,
Figure 1 is an elevation of a spirit level constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional view.
1
Figure 3 is a detail view of the casting which is used to support the tube in
place.
In carrying out our invention, we apply the same to a beam 1 having a straight
edge, and in the side of this beam form a recess or circular groove to receive the
essential parts of the invention.
2 designates a circular, semi-cylindrical casting the edges of which are pro-
vided with outwardly extending flanges a-a¹ by which the covering plates are
secured thereto. The casting forms a channel in which is seated a
circular glass tube 3, being properly seated and held in place by
plaster of Paris, or other cement. Secured to the outer flange of the
casting is an annular plate 4, the inner edge of which extends into the channel to
hear against the glass tube, while its outer end projects so as to engage the beam 1
around the edges of the recess formed thereon. A disc or circular plate 5 is secured
to the inner flange of the casting, the edge of the same bearing against the inner
side of the glass tube, and this disc or plate may contain printed matter, such as
the stamp of the manufacturer or directions for setting the said devices into the
beam 1 when said devices are sold separately. The circular tube is continuous,
and before being sealed is filled with a liquid sufficiently to present a bubble of
the desired size. When the device is placed upon the beam, the annular plate is
secured thereto by ordinary wood screws. This annular plate is provided around
its inner edge with marks or degrees, as shown, the zero mark being properly
arranged with respect to the straight edge, being at a true right angle thereto.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a spirit-level constructed in accord-
ance with our invention can be used for a number of purposes to which the

page_text: ordinary spirit-level is not well adapted, the principal application of the invention
being in connection with building sewers where the proper fall can be readily
and quickly ascertained, as any inclination of the beam will cause the bubble to
appear at the mark indicating the extent of the inclination. It is also obvious
that the device should be effectually used in building bridges or other structures
to give the proper inclination to the brace beams.
It will be understood, of course, that instead of letting the devices into the side
of a beam having a straight edge, they could be formed in a cylinder or casing to
provide for applying the same to a straight edge or beam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. A spirit-level presenting in its construction a circular tube containing liquid
forming a bubble, and marks or degrees extending around the tube, substantially
as shown and described.
2. In a spirit-level, the combination with a beam having a straight edge, of a
circular tube secured thereto and containing liquid forming a bubble, and marks
or degrees extending around the tube, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a spirit-level, the combination with a beam, of a circular tube extending
liquid forming a bubble, an annular plate extending around the tube against which
it bears to assist in holding the same in place, the said plate having marks or
degrees adjoining the tube, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.
1. In a spirit-level, the combination of a circular casting semi-cylindrical in
cross section, a circular glass tube seated therein, and an annular plate attached
to the outer edge of said casting and bearing against the tube, said plate having
marks or, degrees around its inner edge, as herein shown and described.
5. In a spirit-level, the combination of a circular casting semi-cylindrical, in
cross section, and having projecting flanges at its upper edges, a circular glass
tube seated within the casting and containing liquid forming a bubble, an annular
plate secured to the outer edge of the casting from which it projects outwardly,
and a circular plate or disc secured to the inner edge of the casting, the annular
plate having marks or degrees around its inner edge, as herein shown and described.
Dated this 21st day of October 1897.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.