Abstract: A rack for displaying a number of magnetic measuring/gauging devices held in a releasable manner. The rack has a rigid, vertically planar, magnetically-attractable holder, a rigid, horizontal tray secured to the lower edge of the holder and configured to engage one of the ends of each device, and an attachment member secured to the rear edge of the holder for mounting the rack to a display structure. Preferably, the measuring/gauging devices are torpedo levels. A label-plate can be attached to the front edge of the holder. The display rack in certain embodiments is capable of attachment to either a cross-bar or a pegboard. In other embodiments, the display rack has two holder-plates and a stand member for engaging a display surface.

Abstract: A level and a method of forming such a level are disclosed. The level comprises a body having a measuring surface and a recess, a vial positioned in the recess at an angular relationship to the measuring surface, and a ring member enclosing the vial within the recess, the ring member engaging the vial and the body and fastened to the body, the ring member having a beveled edge forming a funnel-shaped surface defining slope lines, the slope lines intersecting the vial, whereby the vial is protected by the level and ring member while visibility of the vial is enhanced. The method comprises providing a level with a recess and a measuring surface, positioning the vial in the recess at an angular relationship to the measuring surface, and enclosing the vial within the recess with a ring member, the ring member having beveled edges forming a funnel-shaped surface.

Abstract: A vial for use in a level and a method of forming such a vial are disclosed. The vial includes a cylinder having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a material molded around the cylinder. The vial preferably includes at least one marker ring positioned between the cylinder and the material. The method comprises providing the cylinder; molding a material around the cylinder; machining the inner surface to a desired shape; and positioning a bubble in the cavity.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing level is disclosed. The level comprises a body including a level face for measuring a surface, a vial mounted in the body at a predetermined angular relationship to the level face, and a first end cap fixed with respect to the first end, the first end cap comprising an outer layer and an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer fixed to the outer layer and having lower density than the outer layer, the intermediate layer positioned between the outer layer and the body, such that the first end cap absorbs impacts to the outer layer to prevent damage to the body. Also disclosed is a method of providing impact-absorption to a level in which a dual-density end cap is adhered to each end of the level.

Abstract: A vial, level including such vial, and method of using such level are disclosed. The vial comprises a body having first and second ends, a midpoint, and interior and exterior surfaces, at least one marker ring connected with respect to the body, a bubble positioned in the cavity and defined by an interface, and first and second dark-colored bands circumscribing the cavity. The vial enhances the visibility of the bubble through the reflection of the first and second bands on the interface such that the interface along the perimeter of the bubble appears dark-colored.

Abstract: A box level including an elongate body, plumb vials, and spaced hand-holds having outer edges together defining first and second parallel application planes beyond first and second face planes of the elongate body, and further including hang openings in the elongate body near the opposite ends thereof and hang liners secured in the hang openings, each hang liner having first and second outer rims coplanar with the first and second application planes. The box level provides enlarged work application surfaces in a reliable manner not susceptible to dislodgement from long use and abuse.

Abstract: An adjustable core pin for molding vials for use in levels and those vials molded using the adjustable core pin are disclose. The core pin includes an elongate rod with a crest at its cross section with the greatest diameter and a rod retainer with a cavity which receives the rod such that the distal end of the rod projects from a rod retainer distal opening, the rod being adjustable in relation to the rod retainer so that the crest can be adjustably placed at a preferred position in a molding cavity for vial molding.

Abstract: An adjustable core pin, and method of use thereof, for molding vials for use in levels, including an elongate rod with a barrel-shaped distal section having a crest at its cross section with the greatest diameter and a rod retainer with a cavity which receives the rod such that the distal end of the rod projects from a rod retainer distal opening, the rod being adjustable in relation to the rod retainer so that the crest can be adjustably placed at a preferred position in a molding cavity for vial molding.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to mount a spirit level on an elongate support such as a pipe, length of wood or the like so that the effective “levelling line” is greatly lengthened. The apparatus includes an elastic band having first and second ends and a body member to engage the level, preferably by bridging a rib on the level or by fitting to an aperture formed in the level. The body member has first and second hooks extending from it to receive the first and second band ends, respectively. In highly preferred embodiments, there are two elastic bands and two body members, each with a pair of hooks for engaging and retaining a respective one of the bands.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus for a laser level includes a base having a central axis and a sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the base. A sphere-shaped ball device is received in the socket component for relative movement with respect thereto. A retention mechanism is spaced radially outwardly from the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the ball device in the socket component. In a second embodiment of the levelling apparatus, the sphere-shaped ball device is mounted to the base and the sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the ball device for relative movement with respect thereto. The retention mechanism is in registry with the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the socket component to the ball device. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus for a builder's laser level includes a base having a central axis and a sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the base. A sphere-shaped ball device is received in the socket component for relative movement with respect thereto. A retention mechanism is spaced radially outwardly from the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the ball device in the socket component. In a second embodiment of the levelling apparatus, the sphere-shaped ball device is mounted to the base and the sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the ball device for relative movement with respect thereto. The retention mechanism is in registry with the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the socket component to the ball device.

Abstract: The improved builder's level is used by carpenters, masons and the like for determining parallelism or perpendicularity with respect to a horizontal plane. The level has opposed depressed channels extending along its length, thereby permitting the level to be more securely gripped. The body of the level has interior ridges and an interior web for reinforcement and to properly position liquid-containing vials in such body.

Abstract: A method for making a builder's tool such as a rafter square includes severing a segment from an elongate strip of material, forming a plurality of holes in the segment and marking the segment with dimensional indicia. The segment is then divided into two semi-finished components which are finish-machined to make two of the tools. In more specific aspects of the method, the forming step includes forming, in sequence, first and second sets of holes. The second set of holes includes a tool-receiving hole and the dividing step includes moving a cutting tool along the tool-receiving hole. Most preferably, the method is carried out using a press having a bed with first, second and third work stations, a movable platen carrying first and second hole-punching tools above the first and second work stations, respectively, and a marking tool above the third work station.

Abstract: A new method for labeling an elongate tool comprising the steps of providing a tool having (a) a pair of first and second placard retention edges, and (b) at least one support surface extending along the length of the tool. A display card has first and second placard edges opposite one another. A pair of retention fold lines are formed on the card and a pair of support surface boundary fold lines are formed between the retention fold lines. The card is folded along the boundary fold lines, thereby forming a spine panel. The spine panel is placed against the tool support surface and each placard edge is engaged with a separate first placard retention edge. The retention fold lines are then pressed into engagement with respective second placard retention edges, thereby affixing the card to the tool. A new display placard for labeling tools and the like is also disclosed.