Abstract: A case for an elongated tool such as a level or the like includes outer walls which cooperate to define an internal cavity into which the tool is placed. Spaced indentations are provided along the length of the case, with the indentations extending around the entire periphery of the case. Each indentation provides a supporting surface adapted for placement closely adjacent an outer surface of the tool, for maintaining the tool out of contact with the outer walls of the case. An end cap encloses the open end of the case for securing the level therein, and indentations are formed in the end cap and in the end of the case for spacing the ends of the level inwardly from the end walls. The level is cushioned by an air space between the outer surfaces of the level and the inner surfaces of the outer walls.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a casing served as a rule, an angular level secured in a central portion of the casing having a rotational protractor rotatably mounted in the level for measuring any angles, a horizontal gauge provided in a right side portion of the casing for checking a horizontality, a vertical gauge formed in a left side portion of the casing for checking a verticality, a reelable plummet provided in the casing and protruded outwardly for checking a vertical line or plane, a measuring tape wound in the casing and pulled outwardly for measuring a length, and a protractor template rotatably secured on the casing having a plurality of guide slots of many geometric shapes punched in the template for guiding the drawing of many geometric shapes and having a plurality of angular graduations circularly formed on a pivotal portion of the template also for measuring planar angles, so as to provide a measuring instrument having multiple measurement uses.

Abstract: A case for an elongated tool such as a level or the like includes outer walls which cooperate to define an internal cavity into which the tool is placed. Spaced indentations are provided along the length of the case, with the indentations extending around the entire periphery of the case. Each indentation provides a supporting surface adapted for placement closely adjacent an outer surface of the tool, for maintaining the tool out of contact with the outer walls of the case. An end cap encloses the open end of the case for securing the level therein, and indentations are formed in the end cap and in the end of the case for spacing the ends of the level inwardly from the end walls. The level is cushioned by an air space between the outer surfaces of the level and the inner surfaces of the outer walls.

Abstract: An illuminated spirit level comprising an elongated bar having a number of apertures wherein bubble tubes are positioned for measurement of the flatness of a surface. An illumination means including lamps, a system of conductor wires, a dual battery configuration connected in series and a switch are contained within the bar. Each aperture is illuminated by a lamp and each lamp communicates with the batteries by conductor wires which are immersed in a channel containing a vibration-dampening fluid. The fluid is supplied through a duct which is accessible from the exterior of the bar. A switch protruding through the exterior of the bar permits power to the lamps.

Abstract: A level of the type having parallel working surfaces and an interconnecting web is provided with an aperture having at least a pair of oppositely directed notches prearranged and configured relative to each other so that ends of a level vial accurately fit within the notches. The vial is provided at one end with a vial retaining tongue that extends from one end thereof and abuts one side of the web to laterally position and orient the vial within the plane of the web. The assembly includes a vial retainer cover that overlies the aperture and includes a vial engaging abutment that bears against the tongue of the vial to hold that member in retentive butting engagement against the side of the web and prevent lateral displacement or misorientation of the vial. The elongated vial may have a gradually tapered surface that not only permits rapid molding of the vial but also facilitates the use of a curved vial configuration with the proper degree of curvature accurately molded therein.

Abstract: A snap-in vial cover for retaining a level-indicating vial on the web of a frame includes first and second vial cover members. The vial cover members are substantially identical in construction. A vial is adapted for placement within a pair of oppositely disposed notches formed in an opening provided in the web of the frame. The first and second members are securable to each other for retaining the vial on the web of the frame.

Abstract: A spirit level including a frame having parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting the working surfaces. One or more vial openings of regular octagonal configuration are formed in the web. A vial case member having an octagonal wall is selectively positionable in the opening in the web with the vial extending either parallel to or perpendicular to or at an angle of forty-five degrees to the working surfaces. A second vial case member is disposed at the side of the web opposite the first mentioned case member and bonded to the octagonal wall on the case member to hold the case members in assembled relation on the web. A pair of case covers of like configuration are mounted at opposite sides of the web with hook portions on the cover members extending through openings in the web.

Abstract: The composite level consists of an I-shape aluminum frame having ribbed or working surfaces and a pair of one-piece plastic cover plates integrally formed with end plates secured to the frame. A plurality of measuring vials are supported by the frame and retained by the cover plates. The alignment between the plastic cover plates and the metal frame is provided by an indexing system that minimizes the deleterious effect of the shrinkage of the plastic material of the cover plates during the curing process on the fit between the cover plate and frame. The use of the plastic cover plates and the ribbed working surfaces of the aluminum frame eliminate the necessity of painting and milling the level.

Abstract: The liquid indicating leveling device consists of a modular unit having four walls each at 90.degree. to one another, the inside surfaces of the walls having a flat non-reflective white surface together with a white back wall and having an open viewing front defining a viewing chamber. The bubble vial is disposed in the viewing chamber parallel to the bottom wall of the viewing chamber so that the vial may be viewed through the open front for both vertical and horizontal leveling. Illumination is provided for selectively maintaining the light level within the viewing chamber at a level sufficiently above ambient for taking a bubble reading without glare or reflections from outside elements. A beam is provided in which the modular unit is mounted to increase the accuracy of the unit over a greater length for more accurate readings. A cross bubble device is provided for taking both vertical and horizontal readings.

Abstract: An extendable level consists of two interslidable parts having a track and slide strips in a simple construction, wherein there is always a planar relationship between the level edges. The slidable extension rests within the length of the main body when unextended.

Abstract: A standard three foot carpenter's level with two sleeve-like extensions adjustably movable upon it to provide accurate plumbing and trueing facilities to six foot-six inch and eight foot lengths. The top and bottom surfaces of the base level have projections which fit into top and bottom interior surface slots in the extensions to prevent transverse motion between the base level and extensions while minimizing surface contact and wear between the two. A centered slot in each of the two opposing side walls of each extension limit the contact with and wear between those walls and the mating flat side walls of the base level. The front face of the base level contains a pair of depress buttons to engage apertures in each extension to set the 6'6" or 8' length. The base level contains three bubble vials, one at the midpoint and the other two equal distant from and on opposite sides of the mid-point vial.

Abstract: A bubble level with a hollow metal section has a circular window, in which a cylindrical level tube for a vertical level can be inserted with a positive interlock in the axial direction and can be fastened with a material interlock. A level support is inserted into the hollow section in the axial direction. The support has a cylindrical seat aligned with the window, to receive a level holder that bears a level. An interlock device is disposed between the level support and the level holder. By means of this interlock device, the level holder is mounted axially fixed, but rotatable until it is fastened by the material interlock.

Abstract: A level indicating device comprising a level having attached thereto a pair of detachable securing clips whereby the level indicating device can be maintained mounted flush with a structural member in any spatial orientation without further manual manipulation. The level has clip receiving slots formed in the opposed ends thereof adapted for force-fit reception of the detachable securing clips. The detachable securing clips have mirror-image symmetry and comprise a transverse segment adapted to be force fit inserted into the clip receiving slots, a pair of opposed leg segments extending from opposed ends of the transverse segment for elastically engaging the outer peripheral surface of the structural member to maintain the level indicating device flush with the structural member, and curved end segments terminating the opposed leg segments.

Abstract: A spirit level which includes an elongated frame with one or more vial receiving openings therein. A liquid-containing spirit level vial extends at least partially across each of the openings. A transparent sight plate is removably extended at least partially across each of the openings. Structure is provided for limiting the movement of the respective sight plate in the respective opening toward the spirit level vial located therein, and a gasket is positioned in the opening over the sight plate to retain the sight plate against movement away from the spirit level vial. The gasket is removably retained in its described position, and can be removed to permit the sight glass to be extricated to permit access to be easily had to the respective spirit level vial.

Abstract: A kit is provided which is primarily designed to facilitate the construction of a fence with vertical posts and horizontal rails. The kit includes a leveling/plumbing device having a central level for indicating a horizontal position, and an end level for indicating a vertical position. The device is attachable to a workpiece being positioned, by separable fasteners of the hook and loop type. The user can then use two hands to position the workpiece while observing the desired one of the levels.

Abstract: An adjustable T-square apparatus comprising a generally triangular frame having first and second working surfaces normal to each other and a third working surface at a 45.degree. angle to the first and second working surfaces is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises three level vials mounted on the frame in parallel relation to separate working surfaces. A pair of measuring blades are slidably mounted on the frame in parallel relation to the first and second working surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable level apparatus (10) comprising a core level unit (11) provided with a pair of extension arm units (12) that are formed by upper (25) and lower (26) housing casings that are connected together through the core level unit (11), and the extension arm units (12) are further provided with extension leg units (13) on their ends, having an extension leg that is extendable perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of the extension arm units (12) on the core level unit (11).

Abstract: A spirit level is provided which may be conveniently packaged and sold in knocked down form with the liquid vials and vial holders initially separated from the frame. The mounting openings in the web of the frame are rectangular or square with sides parallel and perpendicular to the working surfaces of the frame. The vial holders comprise a pair of opposed mating members of complementary configuration with the opening and having four pairs of mounting tabs for positioning the vial in accurate parallel or vertical orientation by cooperating with the corners of the rectangular opening. The holders also comprise posts which cooperate with the pairs of tabs to urge the tabs into gripping engagement with the corners of the mounting openings.

Abstract: A spirit level which includes a frame having a hole therein. At least one liquid-containing leveling vial is located in the hole and is preferably mounted in a vial holder having a central opening therethrough. The vial and, where used, the vial holder are fixed to the frame. Extending substantially across the hole is a transparent sight plate held in place by a resilient annular gasket. The gasket includes an angular, annular lip which is sealingly deflected against the sight plate, and a similar lip is sealingly deflected against the portion of the frame forming the hole. The gasket preferably includes a radially outward flange which maintains the gasket in contact with the transparent plate, and which extends into a radial groove around the frame opening.

Abstract: A combination of bi-directional levels is provided as an integral part of the projecting terminal section of a very thin rule. Assembly within the rule section is accomplished by means of over-sized apertures to receive centrally disposed therein fluid level cylinders with a casting of transparent hardened moldable base material encompassing the rule, and interstitially surrounding said levels such as to form a capsular structure maintaining the rule in proper spaced relation for folding, in the instance of a folding rule, with a structural reinforcement for the section of rule supporting the levels.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp adjuster has an expandable plate with pads for contacting a roadway surface and then a vehicle headlamp. A level indicator has perpendicular, communicating spirit levels and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the plate, to set one spirit level when the pads contact the surface on which the vehicle rests, so that the other spirit level will indicate horizontal when the plate and pads are rotated 90.degree. and brought to bear on the vehicle headlamps.

Abstract: A level or pitch measuring instrument of composite metal and plastic construction. A metal frame or base of T-shaped cross-section includes a first planar working surface and an upstanding web portion. Means are provided for mounting vials in the web in precise preselected angular relationship to the planar working surface. A plastic second planar working surface element is assembled to the frame or base to maintain preselected axial alignment of the vials with the plane of the web. Simultaneously, the vial orientation on the frame or base will permit coaction of metal and plastic elements to position the plastic planar working surface in a predetermined relationship to the metal planar working surface. Openings are provided in the plastic and metal elements to permit lateral vial viewing through the web and vertical viewing of plural vials through the plastic working surface.

Abstract: A leveling mechanism having bubble levels is removably attachable to a hand-held power drill. In one form, the leveling mechanism includes a drive shaft coupled between the drill and a chuck for rotation therewith. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted to a support, and the support is held stationary relative to the drill housing. The support may include first and second surfaces parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft for supporting first and second bubble levels. Alternatively, the support may include a support plate and a level plate hinged thereto for supporting one or more bubble levels; a grooved alignment plate engages the edges of the support plate and level plate for maintaining a predetermined angular relationship therebetween. In another form, the leveling mechanism is removably attached to the front face of the drill housing.

Abstract: Leveling apparatus for a hand tool such as an electric drill or reciprocating saw is comprised of both a cylindrical bubble level and circular bubble level. The cylindrical bubble level has a longitudinal axis parallel to the working axis of the tool, and thus is utilized for leveling the tool in a horizontal plane. The circular bubble level has an axis passing perpendicularly through its center which is parallel to the working axis of the tool. The circular bubble is utilized for vertically aligning the tool normal to a horizontal datum plane. The bubble of the cylindrical bubble level is viewable from a multiplicity of perspectives. The apparatus may be selectively attached to the drill of different positions on the tool to further improve visibility of the bubble levels. Alternatively, the apparatus is integrated into the housing of the drill.

Abstract: A spirit level made of two identical halves is disclosed. The halves are each in the form of a web with marginal flanges and spaced openings. Each opening receives a level vial and a recess is provided in the web at each end of each opening receiving the ends of the level vials.

Abstract: An inexpensive spirit level having means for easy attachment to upper surface portions of picture frames or the like. The device comprises a transparent tape having blister-like cavities at regular intervals, a base tape affixed in face-to-face relation against one side of the transparent tape and having a pressure sensitive adhesive on the outside for attachment to a surface portion of a frame, and a liquid partially filling said cavities. Eash blister cavity has a bubble corresponding to the unfilled space which bubbles will move along the curvature of the blister, thereby indicating the relative position of the device with respect to a horizontal plane. Suitable markings on the transparent tape are provided to facilitate reading level position with respect to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A leveling device for determining the level of surfaces and the like comprising an elongated stock having parallel top and bottom surfaces and parallel opposed side surfaces wherein a cluster of individual spirit tubes are adapted to be received in sockets formed on each side of such device. Portions of the stock positioned outward of such tubes are removed so that at least one and preferably paired sets of said tubes are visible when the device is sighted from any direction.