Flexible level
An interlocking joint level that is flexible to fit any shaped surface. It is comprised of five interlocking pieces that are connected at the joints by a bolt and locking nut; three leveling bubbles in three different positions. Each section is independent from each other allowing it to wrap around any surface to be leveled. The entire level is completely straight to ensure a correct level every time.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER DISC APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention falls under the water or spirit level area Levels are used to make sure that objects, walls, furniture etc. are straight. These are usually used in carpentry or civil engineering. In an event where the surface area was not flat the levels in the market would not work.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONLevels are a common tool in work areas. They let you level any surface or object as long as the surface is flat. But what if the surface you are trying to level an object is not flat such as a semi-round wall or a cylinder type object? The flexible level allows you do the previously stated with its interlocking pieces design. Before this invention round walls or cylinder type objects were not leveled accurately leaving many people to guess to the straightness of an object, and in our case we had to the same. It was impossible to have an accurate straight line in one of the described surfaces until we designed the flexible level. The level also lets the person level and object in an inner corner or around a corner with no problem. The design of the level allows the person to level in many surfaces and to be used as a regular level as well.
This invention 1 was created due to the nonexistence of a level that can bend in the shape the person requires it to. The flexible level 1 takes care of that problem. There are four steps to manufacture the level 1. First, it was made from a solid plastic material made out of PVC plastic. A bench router was used to cut five interlocking pieces which measure two inches in height (2″), six inches and half in length (6½″), and three quarters in width (¾) each. These pieces are seen in
This level 1 with its five interlocking pieces allows the person to level any area that the surface is not flat. For example a semi-round surface as shown in
The design also lets the invention 1 to level any object or make a straight line in an inner corner. By bending the levels 1 joints and putting it on both walls we can level the area with half the effort, this can be seen in
The flexible level 1 allows the freedom to use it in many ways because of its new design that has never been used for the manufacture of a level. The flexible level 1 allows you to level a series of different surfaces and still maintaining its accuracy to be used a regular level. The improvement intended is to give the person the freedom to level any surface with the greatest ease.
Claims
1. A flexible level comprised of five independent interlocking pieces; each one connected by a bolt that enters the level from the top to secure the pieces together, a locking nut to ensure tightness and to maintain a rigid flexibility to maintain its straight angle; level bubbles placed in three of the five mentioned pieces each one in three different positions.
2. The flexible levels joints will bend its joints so that the level will wrap itself around any round surface or cylinder shape object allowing anyone to level an object or make a straight line.
3. The flexible level's joints will bend to fit directly into an inner corner wall to level an object or make a straight line on both walls; it will allow it to fit a outside corner to make a straight line or level an object on both connecting walls.
4. The flexible level will allow anyone to bend its joints to fit around an obstruction on a wall allowing anyone to level an object or make a straight line around the obstruction.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2007
Inventors: David Olivo (Corozal, PR), Miguel Angel Olivo (San Juan, PR)
Application Number: 11/359,806
International Classification: A63H 33/12 (20060101);