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US4099331A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Plumb-rule

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-17
•
Granted: 1978-07-11
•
Expires: 1996-05-17
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Abstract

Abstract Two extruded aluminum or plastic channel members facing each other and with one confined within the other provide a plumb-rule of basic length and extendable to nearly double that length. The outer channel contains longitudinally spaced spirit level bubbles, a protractor level, and a bulls-eye level bubble all viewable from the exterior through corresponding openings in the back and side walls of the channel, and located free of interference from the inner channel. A counter is incorporated near the upper end of the outer channel and actuated by the extension movement of the inner channel to indicate the extension in increments of distance.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wallace W. Peterson
  • 👤 Oscar L. Anderson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 19:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/26; G01C9/28

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 137 words
A plumb-rule comprising a pair of inner and outer channel members telescopically related in face to face arrangement with the back of the inner channel member closing the open side of said outer channel member, said members having their adjacent sides interlocked to prevent lateral displacement of said inner member from said outer member, spirit level means within said outer member free of interference with the inner member, a bracket secured to said outer member and carrying said spirit level means, and window means in the face of said outer member registering with said spirit level means for ready observance thereof the outer end of the inner channel member having means aligned with a surface of said outer member for determining the position of the plumb rule in accordance with the indication of said spirit level means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 137 words
A plumb-rule comprising a pair of inner and outer channel members telescopically related in face to face arrangement with the back of the inner channel member closing the open side of said outer channel member, said members having their adjacent sides interlocked to prevent lateral displacement of said inner member from said outer member, spirit level means within said outer member free of interference with the inner member, a bracket secured to said outer member and carrying said spirit level means, and window means in the face of said outer member registering with said spirit level means for ready observance thereof the outer end of the inner channel member having means aligned with a surface of said outer member for determining the position of the plumb rule in accordance with the indication of said spirit level means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 71 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1 and counter means within said outer member, a bracket secured to said outer member and carrying said counter means, said counter means having drive means contacting with said inner member and operable by relative telescopic movement of said members to indicate the linear extension of said inner member from said outer member, and window means in said outer member adjacent said counter means for observance thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1 in which said spirit level means comprises a bulls-eye level to facilitate vertical positioning of the plumb-rule in all planes containing the axis of the level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1 in which said spirit level means comprises a horizontal tubular sealed vial with a spirit bubble therein disposed transversely behind a face of said outer member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 46 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1 in which said spirit level means comprises a protractor mounted spirit level unit having a manually rotatable dial carrying the spirit level, and protractor means associated with said dial to indicate angular positioning of said plumb-rule as related to the vertical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 42 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1, a marker edge disposed at the foot of said outer member, and a marker edge disposed at the upper end of said inner member, said marker edges being in line vertically when said plumb-rule is positioned vertically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 46 words
The plumb-rule of claim 1 and a plurality of spirit levels having tubular vials disposed longitudinally within said outer member and spaced longitudinally thereof to establish a horizontal positioning of the plumb-rule, with window means in said outer member for reading of the corresponding spirit levels.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-07-10 1982-01-09 1982-07-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-07-10 1986-01-09 1986-07-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-07-10 1990-01-09 1990-07-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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