Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.

Abstract: A level includes a top surface, a bottom surface parallel with the top surface, and a body accommodating at least one vial. The body has at least one through hole, at least one portion of the vial is exposed through the through hole, a close-ended locating hole is mounted at a side of the through hole, an opened-ended locating hole is mounted at another side of the through hole, and two sides of the vial are accommodated in the two locating holes respectively. A side of the opened-ended locating hole is mounted with a locating aperture so that a magnet is positioned in the locating aperture so as to fix the vial.

Abstract: A leveling device having at least one opening that houses a leveling vial and having a channel formed from a working surface, where at least one magnet and at least one spacer are retained in the channel.

Abstract: An arm type three-dimensional measuring machine includes: a multi-jointed arm mechanism comprising a probe in a distal end; a processing part for computing a position of said probe; and an inclinometer configured to detect an inclination amount of a base part from a vertical direction in the base part for supporting the multi-jointed arm mechanism, wherein the processing part computes a position of the probe using the base part as a criterion and corrects the position of the probe using the base part as the criterion in a time-series manner based on an output from the inclinometer.

Abstract: A recreational or outdoor compass is comprised of a base member and a vial assembly pivotally coupled to said base member. The vial assembly comprises a vial and a magnetized indicator member pivotally journaled in the vial and pointing to magnetic north. The vial assembly is further comprised of an azimuth ring indirectly or directly frictionally coupled to the vial and a transparent disc member permanently aligned with the azimuth ring and arranged below the vial. Moreover, the vial assembly comprises a retention means permanently aligned with the azimuth ring, such that holding of the retention means allows to rotate the vial separately from the azimuth ring by exceeding the frictional force.

Abstract: This invention, precision level device, provides the leveling of the subjects. An improved precision level device comprises a transparent body including an aperture, a cap, a lower horizontal and upper horizontal walls of the transparent body, the first vertical and second vertical walls of the transparent body, recess, fluid, graduation line(s), horizontal graduation line, vertical graduation line, diagonal graduation line(s), magnetic element, and a front wall of the transparent body.

Abstract: A method for characterizing distortions in the earth's magnetic field caused by a vehicle having a magnetometer affixed therein is described. The method includes repeatedly measuring the distorted magnetic field utilizing the magnetometer and obtaining a three-dimensional orientation of the vehicle axes with respect to the earth at a time of each magnetometer measurement. The method also includes receiving undistorted earth magnetic field data for the vicinity of the vehicle relative to the earth at the time of each magnetometer measurement and characterizing distortions caused by one or more of the vehicle and magnetometer errors utilizing the magnetic field measurements, the orientations of the vehicle, and the undistorted earth magnetic field data.

Abstract: A method for characterizing distortions in the earth's magnetic field caused by a vehicle having a magnetometer affixed therein is described. The method includes repeatedly measuring the distorted magnetic field utilizing the magnetometer and obtaining a three-dimensional orientation of the vehicle axes with respect to the earth at a time of each magnetometer measurement. The method also includes receiving undistorted earth magnetic field data for the vicinity of the vehicle relative to the earth at the time of each magnetometer measurement and characterizing distortions caused by one or more of the vehicle and magnetometer errors utilizing the magnetic field measurements, the orientations of the vehicle, and the undistorted earth magnetic field data.

Abstract: A level system for accurately and efficiently providing a levelness measurement. The level system includes a container positionable within a frame structure for retaining a volume of liquid, a upper compartment within an upper portion of the container for retaining a buoyant member, a first paddle and a second paddle pivotally attached within the container about the buoyant member, and an indicator member attached to the paddles for indicating a levelness or plumbness of a structure. As the buoyant member moves within the upper compartment, the paddles move the indicator member accordingly.

Abstract: A low profile compass of the type including a transparent base member and fluid-filled vial contains a directional indicator in the vial in the form of a circle which is alignable with another circle imprinted on the vial. A hinged cover assembly can be detented to selected positions and includes a mirrored sight line for direct line sighting, and a lower protective cover or shoe for the base of the compass also serves as a receptacle for instruction sheets and scales for use in taking directional readings as well as for orientation alignment on a topographic map and inclinometer readings.

Abstract: A device alters a course of a watercraft including an automatic pilot with a magnetic compass. The device includes at least two coils positioned adjacent the magnetic compass, and an excitation circuit for exciting each of the two coils. The device further includes a control circuit for controlling the excitation circuit as a function of a course signal and a boat list signal so that the magnetic compass is rotated counter-clockwise to a predetermined direction when a listing of the watercraft is to starboard, and is rotated clockwise to the predetermined position when the listing of the watercraft is to portside.

Abstract: A horizontal speed indicator for a rotary-wing aircraft includes first and second sensors for determining, respectively, the heading and the horizontal speed of the aircraft. The indicator processes the signals delivered by the first and second sensors, and displays the processed signals on a screen, which includes a compass rose which can rotate when the aircraft alters its heading, and a scale which represents the horizontal speed of the aircraft. The scale includes cross wires and concentric circles, and is capable of moving with respect to the compass rose.

Abstract: A gradient indicator has a clinometer arranged on a motor-driven turntable allows reversible measurements to be taken and supports the gradient indicator in precisely reproducible positions on bearing faces of the base in the various measurement positions. In addition, the turntable can tilt by a precisely defined angle in the direction of two diametrically opposed calibration axes. Movement of the turntable and evaluation of the measurement results are ensured by a microprocessor. Successive reversible measurements in the measurement and calibration axes allow automatic sensing of measurement values to be obtained with high and constant measurement precision, large measurement range and automatic calibration of the zero-point, scaling factor and gravity g.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting and positioning a geophone assembly into the earth is disclosed. The geophone implanting apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving and retaining a geophone assembly. A magnetic compass and a cylindrical bubble level are mounted concentrically approximately one meter from the receptacle so that the ferromagnetic properties of the geophone do not induce errors in the azimuth measurement. A pair of radially disposed handles are utilized to rotationally manipulate the geophone into a proper orientation during implantation. After the geophone assembly has been implanted and leveled a release mechanism is utilized to release the geophone from the receptacle by deforming a spring grip mechanism which is utilized to retain the geophone. In the depicted embodiment, a geophone assembly having a radially non-symmetric case is utilized in conjunction with a matching receptacle so that a unique orientation of the geophone may be accomplished.

Abstract: A conduit bending plane indicator comprising a base, a clamp for affixing the indicator to conduit to be bent, bubble level indicators to provide an indication that a bend in the conduit is coplanar with reference planes, and an angle indicator to provide an indication of the angle of bend of the conduit. The bubble levels are mounted at opposite ends of the base member orthogonally oriented to one another to insure level placement of the conduit in a conduit bending device. The angle indicator is pivotable and attachable to either side of the apparatus to facilitate ease of reading.

Abstract: A manually manipulatable gyro-stabilized indicating instrument which may be used by pipefitters, carpenters, builders, land and road graders and the like for solving a construction problem involving determining the orientation in space of an unknown geometrical plane with reference to a known geometrical plane, or using a known or unknown geometrical plane as a reference and either establishing in space a geometrical plane having a predetermined orientation with reference to the known or unknown geometrical plane. The instrument has at least one straight planar surface and a gyroscope or gyroscopes operatively connected to the straight planar surface and having motive means for driving the gyroscope or gyroscopes to a continuous stabilized condition relative to the straight planar surface in any fixed position and location assumed by the straight planar surface at the time the gyroscope becomes gyroscopes become stabilized.