Abstract: A laser plumb bob uses a conventional blumb bob body, hollowed to include a laser device therein. The laser device is affixed within the plumb bob body to preclude relative movement therebetween, to ensure accuracy for the device. With the use of a laser to provide a plumb line of coherent light which beam does not spread, the plumb bob may be suspended from a relatively short line in order to dampen oscillations more quickly. Apparatus providing for use of the plumb bob by a single person is also disclosed, comprising an upper fixture from which the plumb bob is suspended, an extension arm, and a target. The target and upper fixture may be connected by a telescoping column, if desired. The upper fixture may include a wind shield or guard, if desired, so provide greater stability for the plumb bob. The apparatus allows a single person to check plumb lines for walls and the like, thus providing greater efficiency and economy in building construction.

Abstract: A plumb bob string holder comprises a molded plastic unitary structure having first and second annular rings joined together by a bridge. Each of the first and second annular rings defines a circular aperture having a diameter sufficiently large whereby a plumb bob may by passed therethrough. The bridge is wide enough whereby a plumb bob string may be wound therearound for storage. The structure is constructed and arranged whereby a user may grip and hold the structure with his/her forefinger extended through one of the first and second annular rings, his/her middle finger wrapped around the bridge, and his/her fourth and fifth fingers extended through the other of annular ring, when a plumb bob string extends downward from the structure.

Abstract: A plumb bob including an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends on the longitudinal axis; a bore extending generally along the longitudinal axis; an elongated cord extending through one of the opposite ends into the bore; storage apparatus mounted on the body and connected to the cord and having a length of cord wound thereon, the storage apparatus including an overriding mechanism selectively operable in response to a force exerted on the elongated body in the direction of the longitudinal axis to allow the cord accumulated thereon to be played-out and upon release of the force to accumulate the cord thereon, and a locking mechanism positioned at the one end of the body adjacent the cord and selectively operable between a first position in engagement with the cord and a second position released from the cord.

Abstract: A plumb bob assembly including a bob, a collet for suspending the bob from a drill press chuck, and a housing within which the collet and bob may be stored and around which a plumb bob cord may be wrapped when the bob is not in use. The housing protects the tip of the bob from damage and diminishes the likelihood that the cord will become entangled during storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a scientific or measuring instrument or the like in a level horizontal plane. The apparatus comprises an inclinometer comprising a support housing and a plumb member freely suspended within the support housing. The plumb member has an exterior surface provided with first sensing means and the support housing has an interior surface provided with second sensing means cooperative with the first sensing means in determining simply variation of the support housing from an exact upright position. Automatic adjustment means are also provided which are responsive to the first and second sensing means for adjusting the support housing to maintain an upright positioning of the support housing and the instrument attached thereto.

Abstract: A plumb bob having a central body portion and at least three substantially identical webs extending outwardly from the body portion along respective radial axes. The angles separating each successive web must be equal to maintain vertical symmetry, and an even distribution of weight, with respect to a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the body portion. In addition, the webs uniformly and linearly taper in a decreasing manner from the top end to the bottom end of the body portion. This geometry permits a worker standing in vertically aligned position above the plumb bob to be able to clearly see both the bottom end of the plumb bob and the preexisting datum from which alignments are being made.

Abstract: A plumb bob reel capable of retracting, housing, and protecting the entire length of flexible line which is attached to a plumb bob. The reel is generally comprised of a reel housing having a line retaining spool rotatably mounted therein, and a spring retraction member cooperatively positioned with respect to the spool. Further features of the reel include a protruding section which cooperatively receives a specially designed plumb bob, and two ways for accurately guiding and holding the flexible line in vertically aligned relation above a predetermined datum. The two ways of aligning the line are comprised of a knobbed member fixedly attached to the front wall of the housing, and a plurality of longitudinally formed, contiguous grooves through which the flexible line may pass. In addition, the reel is equipped with ways for securely attaching the housing to either ferrous or non-ferrous structures.

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 method for measuring the azimuth angles of grenade launcher tubes quickly nd directly, uses an easily fabricated, portable fixture and a commercially available hand-held electronic compass. There is not need for a precise set-up of complex equipment or mathematical computations.

Abstract: The article of which the verticality is critical, for example a distillation column disposed in a closed envelope, is associated with an indicator of verticality comprising a suspended mass and a locating ring. The envelope, which contains the various inner articles, is placed on a base by means of supports and its inclination with respect to the base is adjusted by controlling the relative position of the mass with respect to the ring. Application for example to cold boxes for the in situ production of gas from air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical indicator unit for measurement comprising placing a float in a vessel filled with a liquid, supporting the vessel with an external supporting frame, securing a doughnut-like magnet integrally with the outside of the lower end portion of the float, connecting a vertical supporting rod to a hinge contact point at the lower end of the external supporting frame, securing a separate funnel-like doughnut magnet to the upper end head portion of the vertical supporting rod, reversely polarizing both the magnets for diamagnetically repulsively maintaining both the magnets from each other at a certain air space, inserting the head portion of the vertical supporting rod into the inner space of the upper vessel, and vertically maintaining the vertical supporting rod with respect to a predetermined position of the lower portion of the supporting frame by diamagnetism of the doughnut-like magnet of the float and the funnel-like magnet provided in the head portion of the vertical supporti

Abstract: A chalk line assembly includes a housing formed with a cavity therewith to receive powdered chalk, with a chalk line wound within the housing about a central spool. A crank handle is directed into the housing to effect winding and reeling of a chalk line relative to the housing about the spool. A mounting plate is secured to a rear wall of the housing, with the mounting plate including a ferromagnetic member mounted to the mounting plate projecting rearwardly of the mounting plate. The mounting plate further includes a support aperture directed therethrough to receive fasteners permitting vertical mounting of the apparatus to ferrous and non-ferrous supports in directing a vertical chalk line. A modification of the invention includes a fiber optic housing structure mounted to the housing for projecting illumination and alignment with the chalk line and orthogonally oriented relative to the chalk line for measurement in a construction environment.

Abstract: A plumb bob capable of marking either soft or hard surfaces is disclosed. A chalk reservoir can be attached to the bob for marking hard surfaces. Removing the chalk reservoir enables the user to insert a metal stake or headless nail into the bob, where it is held by magnetic force. Also disclosed is a slide hammer assembly that helps drive the stake into the surface. When the stake penetrates soft surfaces, its resistance to removal is greater than the magnetic force holding it in the bob and it remains as a plumb line mark when the bob is removed.

Abstract: A device adapted to be mounted on a wall for vertically and horizontally aligning masonry corners. The device comprises a pair of members connected at a joint, the members defining an interior angle of approximately 90 degrees and a corresponding exterior angle of approximately 270 degress. An adjustable, elongated rod is mounted at the joint to bisect, in the alternative either the interior or exterior angle. A plumb line is secured to the elongated rod a selected distance from the joint.

Abstract: A base-point anchor that will allow anchoring of chalklines, plumb bob lines, string for layout lines and tape rules, comprising a body with adhesive locking apertures and an anchor aperture and a bulk adhesive adhering to the body and extruded into the adhesive locking apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pipe or conduit which temporarily secures one end of a tape measure to an end of a pipe or conduit. The apparatus includes a main body (10) body secured in place by means of a finger operated lock mechanism (60). A bracket (44) with a slot (46) for receiving one end of a measuring tape (66) is attached to one end of a rod (38), the other end of the rod being inserted into a receptacle (36) on an adjustable support arm (30). The adjustable support arm (30) is inserted into one of several measurement ports in main body (10) and is positioned for taking a measurement along the length of the pipe or conduit, or along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis running between the ends of the pipe or conduit, or in any other direction away from the pipe or conduit.

Abstract: A surveying rod leveling device and method for checking the accuracy of the level attached to the surveying rod comprising an elongated vertical bracket mounted to a vertical surface, having a movable joint at the top of the bracket and an adjustable horizontal plate with a center point at the bottom of the bracket. A plumb line and bob hangs from the movable joint. The center point of the adjustable bottom plate is aligned with the point of the plumb bob and the bottom plate is secured in place. The center point is removed from an aperture is the adjustable horizontal plate and the surveying rod is inserted into the same aperture. The upper end of the rod is secured to the joint at the top plate. The rod is thus held plumb and the level attached to the rod may be adjusted to produce an accurate reading.

Abstract: A base-point anchor that will allow anchoring of chalklines, plum bob lines, string for layout lines and tape rules, comprising a body with adhesive locking apertures and an anchor aperture and a bulk adhesive adhering to the body and extruded into the adhesive locking apertures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inclinometer comprising a supporting housing and a plumb member suspended within that supporting housing. The plumb member is provided on its exterior surface with a sensor, while the supporting housing is provided on its interior surface with a sensor co-operative with the sensor on the plumb member for determining exact upright positioning of the supporting housing. The inclinometer, as arranged above, is useable in many different apparatus, including an apparatus for maintaining a scientific and measuring instrument on a level plane.

Abstract: A universal sundial which indicates watch time is constructed from a standard pipe section or cylinder with one end an elliptical plane at an angle to the axis of the cylinder preferably within approximately 15.degree. of the latitude of the proposed site. The gnomon is a small sphere located at the center of the elliptical plane end. Time, sun declination, latitude, and meridian displacement indicia are all located on the inner surface of the cylinder by angular coordinates from the center of the gnomon. Two cylinder or two removably attachable overlays are required for indication of civil time for a full year. The sundial is set up by orienting it so the shadow of the gnomon indicates the correct time when the gnomon is in a vertical position over the site latitude and meridian or meridian displacement indicia.

Abstract: A two-axis quartz fiber passive tilt meter which includes housing and a quartz fiber suspended from the housing for conducting radiation and emitting the radiation from a distal end thereof. A pendulous mass is suspended from the quartz fiber and a damping fluid in the housing surrounds the quartz fiber and the mass. A detector senses the position of the spot of radiation emitted from the quartz fiber.

Abstract: A pendulum has a weight suspended from a bar at an essentially frictionless pivot near the center of gravity of the weight.

Abstract: The present invention is a cant angle sensor assembly which senses the amount of tilt of an object in the longitudinal, transverse and oblique directions and which effectively exhibits a damper action in all directions by a single magnetic damper means.

Abstract: A bar for temporarily securing to the housing of a construction laser so as to be able to measure accurately off to one side so that a plumb line can be established when there is an obstruction above the laser housing. The bar has means for a quick disconnect fitting on the handle of the laser.

Abstract: A device for measuring crotch-to-waist length especially useful for clothing patterns.

Abstract: An inclinometer, adapted to be rigidly secured to an object, for detecting the amount and direction of the inclination of the object in any direction with respect to a horizontal or other reference plane. The inclinometer comprises a fiber optic rod rigidly mounted at one of its ends and having a weight secured to its free end. The free end of the rod has two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to its rigidly mounted end. Light is supplied to the rod's mounted end and light emitted from the rod's free end falls on a continuous two dimensional optical detection surface area of an optical detector which uniquely detects the position of the spot of light falling anywhere on its surface area, regardless of the direction in which the spot of light moves on its surface area. From the position of the spot of light on the surface area, the amount and direction of inclination of the object can be determined.

Abstract: An improved plumb bob having a downwardly directed light beam to indicate the point directly below the plumb bob. The light is operated by batteries within the plumb bob and, in order to prevent undesired draining of the batteries, the light is switched on and off by the weight of the plumb bob acting on the line. The switch is activated by a conductive spring held within the plumb bob.

Abstract: The invention is a level checking device having a pair of orthogonal surfaces which are positioned precisely as horizontal or vertical references, respectively. The device includes a mounting bracket which is used to mount the horizontal and vertical reference surfaces to a solid support. An adjustment is provided such that, with the mounting bracket appropriately mounted, the horizontal and vertical reference surfaces can be adjusted to be precisely horizontal and vertical. An indicator is also provided to indicate when the precise alignment has been achieved.

Abstract: A plumb bob having a built-in light source and electrical power supply including a main barrel, a conical tip and a screw cap. Tightening of the screw cap closes the circuit for operation of the light source. A suspension line extends from the cap and is stored when not in use between the cap and barrel where it serves to prevent tightening of the cap and light source actuation.

Abstract: A chamber filled with an oscillation damping liquid has a non-magnetic plumb bob suspended from an upper portion of the chamber and a radiated beam path traverses the chamber below the suspension point of the freely suspended plumb bob. The beam path and plumb bob are arranged in a desired relationship whereby in order for the suspending member of the plumb bob to completely block the beam path the chamber, or the body on which it is mounted, must be in a desired predetermined position, such as a true horizontal or a true vertical position. An electric power source and circuitry is provided to operate in response to blocking of the beam path to provide a desired electrical output indicating the desired predetermined position has been achieved and is being maintained. The electrical output may be used to operate visual or aural indication emitting device to notify the user when the desired position is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing apparatus for sensing the displacement of a movable object relative to its ideal vertical path of travel. The apparatus includes two elongate reference wires extending parallel to the ideal vertical path of travel of the object. The apparatus further includes two sensing devices mounted for movement with the object. Each of the sensing devices is normally positioned a predetermined distance from a respective one of the reference wires such that engagement of the reference wire by the sensing device indicates that the object has been displaced about or from its expected predetermined path of travel.

Abstract: For use in adjusting a hemodynamic transducer assembly on an IV stand to the level of the right atrium of a patient's heart, an elongated flexible line carries a small bubble level and has a loop at one end for insertion on the transducer assembly and a spring clip on the opposite end for attachment to an adhesive patch on the side of the patient's chest at the level of the right atrium.

Abstract: A plumb bob (11) having an upwardly extending tube (12) is located in a support tube (10) having grooves (20) in which are laid sheathed cables (22). The support tube (10) has windows (21) across groups of which pass the bare conductor elements (23) of the cables (22). The upwardly extending tube (12) forms an energizing electrode and the bare conductor elements (23) form two pairs of orthogonally disposed electrodes (30) capacitatively related to the electrode formed by the upwardly extending tube (12). Horizontal movement of the support (10), and hence any structure in which it is located, creates a capacitative charge between the electrodes which allows the movement to be measured in magnitude and direction. The apparatus has one application to the measurement of horizontal movement in a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A plumb bob level with a casing having sidewalls rigidly connected together by upper and lower end walls; a bobbin positioned below the upper end wall and having a flexible line wrapped therearound and extending longitudinally within the casing toward the lower end wall, the bobbin being selectively and lockably rotatable to adjust the length of the line; a plumb bob with longitudinal upper and lower end portions and an enlarged midportion therebetween, the upper end portion being secured to the line and the lower end portion having a pointed tip in proximity and alignment with a cross-hair target formed on the lower end wall, the plumb bob being free-swinging for movement in all directions responsive to the angular orientation of the casing with respect to true vertical. The level also has transparent front and rear face plates attached to the casing, with the front plate having several sections which are separately removable and leaving a lower portion of the casing open for grasping of the plumb bob.

Abstract: A plumb bob is disclosed that consists of a relatively low-density plastic frustoconical outer shell formed about a relatively high density metallic core. The plumb bob includes a conical support collar at its smaller end, the collar defining an axial bore for receiving either a threaded conventional plumb bob point or a conventional concrete nail. At its other end, the plumb bob defines a smooth curved surface forming a knobbed extension leading to an axial bore for fixing the supporting string. This smooth curve of the knobbed extension prevents undue wear to the supporting string when the plumb bob is in use. The construction of the plumb bob is such that the outer shell and the knobbed extension may be made of impact resistant polycarbonate plastic having a high visibility color.

Abstract: A support body is provided having first and second opposite sides with one of the opposite sides including surface structure facing outwardly of the one side and lying in a predetermined reference plane. The other of the opposite sides of the body includes a central outward projection including line anchoring structure for anchoring one end portion of a plumb line thereto in a manner such that the other end portion of the plumb line may extend outwardly and away from the body other side along a straight path disposed normal to the reference plane. The one side of the body defines an outwardly opening recess and the body includes projection structure projecting outwardly of an inner portion of the recess and including a pointed outer extremity terminating outwardly at least closely adjacent the reference plane and centered relative to the aforementioned path.

Abstract: A sighting device for attachment to the hood of the tractor is remotely adjustable by a driver seated in a driver's seat of the tractor to enable him to visually align the tractor with a swath or furrow previously cut in a field by a towed farm implement so that a swath or furrow presently being cut by the farm implement is properly aligned with the previously cut swath or furrow. The sighting device includes a pair of opposed horizontal telescopic extension arms and a pair of pivot arms pivotally attached to respective outer ends of the extension arms. Each of the pivot arms is utilized as a sighting blade which is oriented so that, as seen by the eyes of the driver, the sighting blade is parallel to and aligned along the previously plowed furrow or the edge of the previously cut swath. The degree of extension of the horizontal extension arms and the degree of inclination of the pivot arms are independently controllable by means of a pair of momentary switches located near the driver's seat.

Abstract: A transparent plumb bob having a fixed point and an associated movable point, to be aligned therewith for determination of a vertical line through a given exterior point, optionally including means for horizontal leveling and easily securing the bob intermediate the ends of a string. A vertical or horizontal line is determined by fixing one string end to a point spaced from the plumb bob and then pivoting the plumb bob and other string end about the point until the associated indicators are in alignment.

Abstract: The gaging system is for measuring the position of reference locations on an automobile chassis with respect to the standard location at proper configuration. The gaging system comprises a locator bed with a replaceable grid paper thereon which has standard locations marked on the grid paper. Adjustable length plumb lines are supported from the reference locations and, when the chassis is in correct configuration, the plumb bobs point to the location marks on the grid paper. The locator bed can be removed for chassis bending, but the plumb lines and their bobs can remain in place during the bending operation.

Abstract: A device for checking the verticality of a wall includes a square plate with a side length somewhat longer than the diameter of a frusto-conical plumb-bob. A plumb line has one end connected to the plumb-bob, and the other end passed through an opening in the plate so that the user can grasp the excess line in his hand as he holds the plate with his other hand such that it can be tilted relative to the horizontal and/or the line used to raise and lower the plumb-bob as required to check for verticality of the walls surface.

Abstract: A precision level, plumb and angle indicating device responsive to static gravity which has a hollow square frame provided with substantially equal parallel planar surfaces arranged with permanent magnet blocks embedded within each corner for abutting against a horizontal or vertical plane of an object, particularly a machine tool, for determining and/or orienting angles of inclination, as well as establishing level or plumb references to as close a tolerance as one sixtieth of an angular degree(minute). A circular plate or disk and a disk ring with indicia or graduations and corresponding numerals, adjustably disposed within an annular frame selectively rotatable about an opening at the front of said hollow square frame, cooperates with indicating pointers operatively affixed on shafts centrally located within the aforementioned circular plate or disk with degree graduations, and said disk ring displays minute graduations.