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US5832618A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Combination level and T-square

Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Co
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Filing: 1996-08-01
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-08-01
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Abstract

Abstract A combination level and T-square comprising an elongate level sensing section and an elongate T-bar section which can be alternately removed from or rigidly connected to the level sensing section in three locations to form three different configurations, a T-shape, a left-hand L-shape and a right-hand L-shape. The invention has two engagement hand screws; one for securing a sliding tongue into the level sensing section and the other for securing the T-bar to the tongue in one of the three desired configurations. The T-bar may be positioned further or closer to the level sensing section by sliding the tongue telescopically within the level sensing section.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dane Scarborough

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 22:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/26; G01C9/28

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 226 words
A combination level and T-square comprising: an elongate level sensing section providing a longitudinally oriented first precision flat surface, and a means for position indication, the position indication means indicating when the first precision flat surface has a near vertical or a near horizontal orientation; an elongate T-bar section removably, rigidly engaged at a one end of the level sensing section, the T-bar section providing a second precision flat surface oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface of the level sensing section; the level sensing section further including an elongate tongue, telescopically engaged within the level sensing section and longitudinally positionable therein for extending the length of the level sensing section; the T-bar section providing a tongue attachment means for engagement of the T-bar section with the tongue of the level sensing section so that the T-bar section and the level sensing section may alternately be configured as a left-hand L-shape, a right-hand L-shape, or a T-shape; the tongue attachment means providing an alignment means including a plurality of parallel grooves, each of the grooves comprising an inclined plane and an adjacent alignment surface, the tongue including a compound surface corresponding to any one of the parallel grooves, such that with the compound surface fully engaged in one of the grooves the second precision flat surface is oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 226 words
A combination level and T-square comprising: an elongate level sensing section providing a longitudinally oriented first precision flat surface, and a means for position indication, the position indication means indicating when the first precision flat surface has a near vertical or a near horizontal orientation; an elongate T-bar section removably, rigidly engaged at a one end of the level sensing section, the T-bar section providing a second precision flat surface oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface of the level sensing section; the level sensing section further including an elongate tongue, telescopically engaged within the level sensing section and longitudinally positionable therein for extending the length of the level sensing section; the T-bar section providing a tongue attachment means for engagement of the T-bar section with the tongue of the level sensing section so that the T-bar section and the level sensing section may alternately be configured as a left-hand L-shape, a right-hand L-shape, or a T-shape; the tongue attachment means providing an alignment means including a plurality of parallel grooves, each of the grooves comprising an inclined plane and an adjacent alignment surface, the tongue including a compound surface corresponding to any one of the parallel grooves, such that with the compound surface fully engaged in one of the grooves the second precision flat surface is oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the T-bar is L-shaped, having a first wall including the parallel grooves, and a second wall, orthogonal to the first wall, the second wall including the second precision flat surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the second precision flat surface is directed toward the level sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The combination of claim 1 further including a low friction impregnant incorporated selectively into the combination for assuring low friction between selected contacting parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 233 words
A combination level and T-square comprising: an elongate level sensing section providing a plurality of longitudinally oriented first precision flat surface, and a means for position indication, the position indication means indicating when one of the first precision flat surfaces has a near vertical or a near horizontal orientation; an elongate T-bar section removably, rigidly engaged at a one end of the level sensing section, the T-bar section providing a second precision flat surface oriented orthogonally to at least one of the first precision flat surface of the level sensing section; the level sensing section further including an elongate tongue, engaged within the level sensing section and longitudinally positionable therein for extending the length of the level sensing section; the T-bar section providing a tongue attachment means for engagement of the T-bar section with the tongue of the level sensing section so that the T-bar section and the level sensing section may alternately be configured as a left-hand L-shape, a right-hand L-shape, or a T-shape; the tongue attachment means providing an alignment means including a plurality of parallel grooves, each of the grooves comprising an inclined plane and an adjacent alignment surface, the tongue including a compound surface corresponding to any one of the parallel grooves, such that with the compound surface fully engaged in one of the grooves the second precision flat surface is oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 233 words
A combination level and T-square comprising: an elongate level sensing section providing a plurality of longitudinally oriented first precision flat surface, and a means for position indication, the position indication means indicating when one of the first precision flat surfaces has a near vertical or a near horizontal orientation; an elongate T-bar section removably, rigidly engaged at a one end of the level sensing section, the T-bar section providing a second precision flat surface oriented orthogonally to at least one of the first precision flat surface of the level sensing section; the level sensing section further including an elongate tongue, engaged within the level sensing section and longitudinally positionable therein for extending the length of the level sensing section; the T-bar section providing a tongue attachment means for engagement of the T-bar section with the tongue of the level sensing section so that the T-bar section and the level sensing section may alternately be configured as a left-hand L-shape, a right-hand L-shape, or a T-shape; the tongue attachment means providing an alignment means including a plurality of parallel grooves, each of the grooves comprising an inclined plane and an adjacent alignment surface, the tongue including a compound surface corresponding to any one of the parallel grooves, such that with the compound surface fully engaged in one of the grooves the second precision flat surface is oriented orthogonally to the first precision flat surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the tongue is telescopically engaged within the level sensing means whereby the T-bar may be extended to a selected distance from the level sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the second precision flat surface is directed toward the level sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The combination of claim 5 further including a low friction impregnant incorporated selectively into the combination for assuring low friction between selected contacting parts.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-11-09 2002-05-11 2002-11-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-11-09 2006-05-11 2006-11-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-11-09 2010-05-11 2010-11-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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