US4079521A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically actuated level
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-12-20
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrically actuated level having a housing with a straight edge for providing a visual signal to indicate either a horizontal or vertical orientation of said straight edge or for indicating a deviation therefrom and the direction of said deviation. The level also comprises a rotatable means mounted in the housing. Liquid contact switching means are mounted in the rotatable means generally parallel to a first axis thereon. The rotatable means is arranged to be pivoted from a first position through 90° to a second position and vice versa and to be locked in either of said positions to enable said first axis of the rotatable means to be brought into a generally horizontal orientation irrespective of whether the straight edge of the level is oriented generally horizontally or vertically. The level also includes an electric power source means and light-emitting means connected to said power source means and said liquid switch means. Main off/on switch means are provided to enable said power source means whenever said rotatable means are in said first or said second position. The liquid switch means are positioned on the rotatable means such that when said first axis is disposed horizontally the switches complete a first circuit to provide a first light to indicate that the straight edge is in the desired horizontal or vertical orientation. When the left side of the rotatable means is disposed below the right side the switches complete a second circuit to provide a second light and when the right side of the mounting means is disposed below the left side the switches complete a third circuit to provide a third light. The first light is one color and the second and third lights are a second color.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore Uhorczak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/02; G01C9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
410 words
A level for the determination of either a horizontal or vertical orientation, for indicating a deviation therefrom and for providing a signal indicative of said orientation or deviation and the direction thereof, comprising, a housing having a first straight edge, electrical power means mounted on said housing, ON/OFF switch means, rotary selector means for selecting the orientation to be sensed by said level and coupled to said ON/OFF switch means, rotatable mounting means coupled to said ON/OFF switch and rotary selector means, first orientation sensing, mercury switching means mounted on said rotatable mounting means generally parallel to a first axis of said rotatable mounting means and electrical illuminating means also mounted on said rotatable mounting means, said rotatable mounting means being rotatable by said rotary selector means from a first orientation through a ninety degree arc to a second orientation, and vice versa, to enable said first axis of said rotatable mounting means to be brought into a generally horizontal orientation irrespective of whether the straight edge of said level is oriented generally horizontally or vertically, said rotatable mounting means also being rotatable by said rotary selector means to a third orientation, said rotatable mounting means having a right and left side irrespective of whether said means is in said first or second orientation and including means for locking said rotatable mounting means in either of said first or second orientations, said ON/OFF switch being connected to said electrical power means to energize the electrical illuminating means when said rotatable mounting means is in either said first or second orientations and to deenergize the electrical illuminating means when said rotatable mounting means is in said third orientation, said first mercury switching means being positioned on said rotatable mounting means such that when its first axis is disposed horizontally said first switching means completes a first circuit from said electrical power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a first signal, when the left hand side of the rotatable mounting means is disposed below the right side thereof said first switching means completes a second circuit from said power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a second signal and when the right side of the rotatable mounting means is disposed below the left side said first switching means completes a third circuit from said power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a third signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
410 words
A level for the determination of either a horizontal or vertical orientation, for indicating a deviation therefrom and for providing a signal indicative of said orientation or deviation and the direction thereof, comprising, a housing having a first straight edge, electrical power means mounted on said housing, ON/OFF switch means, rotary selector means for selecting the orientation to be sensed by said level and coupled to said ON/OFF switch means, rotatable mounting means coupled to said ON/OFF switch and rotary selector means, first orientation sensing, mercury switching means mounted on said rotatable mounting means generally parallel to a first axis of said rotatable mounting means and electrical illuminating means also mounted on said rotatable mounting means, said rotatable mounting means being rotatable by said rotary selector means from a first orientation through a ninety degree arc to a second orientation, and vice versa, to enable said first axis of said rotatable mounting means to be brought into a generally horizontal orientation irrespective of whether the straight edge of said level is oriented generally horizontally or vertically, said rotatable mounting means also being rotatable by said rotary selector means to a third orientation, said rotatable mounting means having a right and left side irrespective of whether said means is in said first or second orientation and including means for locking said rotatable mounting means in either of said first or second orientations, said ON/OFF switch being connected to said electrical power means to energize the electrical illuminating means when said rotatable mounting means is in either said first or second orientations and to deenergize the electrical illuminating means when said rotatable mounting means is in said third orientation, said first mercury switching means being positioned on said rotatable mounting means such that when its first axis is disposed horizontally said first switching means completes a first circuit from said electrical power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a first signal, when the left hand side of the rotatable mounting means is disposed below the right side thereof said first switching means completes a second circuit from said power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a second signal and when the right side of the rotatable mounting means is disposed below the left side said first switching means completes a third circuit from said power means through the ON/OFF switch to the electrical illuminating means to provide a third signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The level of claim 1 wherein said first signal is provided at one location, said second signal is provided at a location to the left of said one location and said third signal is provided at a location to the right of said one location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The level of claim 2 wherein said first mercury contact switching means comprises a pair of similar mercury contact switches each of which comprises a first, second and common contact and a movable mercury contactor, said first circuit being established by the contactor of one switch bridging the first and common contacts thereof while the contactor of the other switch bridges the second and common contacts thereof, said second circuit being established by the contactor of each switch bridging the first and common contacts thereof and said third circuit being established by the contactor of each of said switches bridging the second and common contacts thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The level of claim 3 wherein the light emitted is one color when said first circuit is completed and is another color when said second and third circuits are completed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The level of claim 2 wherein said first mercury contact switching means comprises a unitary switch including a first, second, third and fourth contact and a movable, mercury contactor, said first circuit being established by the contactor bridging said first and third contacts of said switch to connect said power source means to said light emitting means, said second circuit being established by the contactor bridging said first and second contacts of said switch to connect said power source means to said light emitting means and said third circuit being established by the contactor bridging said third and fourth contacts to connect said power source means to said light emitting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The level of claim 5 wherein the light emitted is one color when said first circuit is completed and is another color when said second and third circuits are completed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |