Abstract: A gradient measuring apparatus includes a gimbal assembly operably supported in a vehicle for viewing by an operator to see gradient indications. The gimbal assembly includes a support housing (such as outer orb with transparent portion) and a multi-axis gravity-biased-to-center inner orb weighted to return to gravitational center. The outer orb includes ring gradient indicators, and the inner orb includes a center indicator. By this arrangement, the center indicator accurately reflects on the gradient indicators a grade at which a surface is being cut in an excavating process when viewed in combination with the gradient indicators due to multi-axis gravitation movement of the inner orb.

Abstract: An inclination sensor includes: a case having a turning shaft section projected in a lateral direction on a front surface thereof; magnetism detecting means fixed on an upper side of the turning shaft section; a pair of magnets fixed in parallel to a rear surface of the case to be located on both sides of the magnetism detecting means; a pendulum axially supported by the turning shaft section to turn freely; and a pair of ferromagnetic bodies fixed on an inward surface of the pendulum. When the case inclines, one of the ferromagnetic bodies approaches the magnetism detecting means, and a magnetic circuit is closed by the pair of magnets and one of the ferromagnetic bodies. Magnetic fluxes of the magnets pass over front and rear surfaces of the magnetism detecting means.

Abstract: Inclination measurement apparatus includes an indexable clinometer bearing turntable rotatable in a single plane between a pair of precisely reproducible diametrically opposite orientations with respect to the desired measurement axis for respectively issuing inclination measurements V0 and V180 responsive to the inclination of a surface with respect to a desired measurement axis, and a reference clinometer for enabling uninterrupted accurate bias corrected inclination measurements of the inclination of the surface with respect to the desired measurement axis by virtue of its inclination measurements being employed for calculating bias corrected inclination measurements.

Abstract: A strut height adjusting apparatus for adjusting the height of a strut automatically and simultaneously to measure the height of a floor while ensuring the perpendicularity of the strut with a warning sound or other indication. The strut height adjusting apparatus includes a light receiving unit for receiving a laser beam for use in setting a hypothetical level which is vertically movably and fitted to a hollow body. A pointer provided for the light receiving unit and a scale plate member indicates the position of the pointer provided for the hollow body. The lower end of a rotary unit is set upright in such a way that it abuts against a base floor to be examined. The light receiving unit is moved up and down so that the laser beam from a laser beam emitter may be received at the center of the light receiving unit. The height of the second floor can be measured by reading graduations on the scale plate member as indicated by the pointer.

Abstract: An instrument has a disc pivoted to a face board which has a graduation provided on a radially outward position. A weight is provided at a lower end of the disc so that a mass center of the disc is not coincide with the rotational axle. A pointer is fixed to a front end of the rotational axle. The disc is rotated by gravity when the instrument is placed against a surface of the object so that a relative position between the pointer and the graduation indicates an accurate angular position of the object.

Abstract: A motion of a first pendulous mass responsive to combinatorial gravitation and acceleration force vectors in a first plane is kinetmatically coupled to cause displacement of an indicator needle in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane. Also in an accelerometer/inclinometer, a second pendulous mass moves responsively to combinatorial force vectors in the second plane, and causes displacement of another indicator needle in this same second plane. The first plane is nominally aligned longitudinally in a vehicle while the second plane is aligned laterally. By this alignment each of the longitudinal, or fore-aft, and the lateral, or side-to-side, combinatorial tilts and accelerations of the vehicle are displayed.

Abstract: A new solid state electronic position indicator used to determine the horizontal and longitudinal level attitude of a recreation vehicle. This device, mounted on the frame of the vehicle, senses an imbalance condition by relying on a gravity sensitive compound pendulum. The pendulum is rectangular in shape, rotating about a shaft mounted ball bearing. Movement of this pendulum is detected by the electronic sensing circuit. This circuit sends an electrical signal to a visual or audio receiver mounted within a control panel, remote from the sensor. The control panel is normally mounted on dash of tow vehicle. The signal display indicates which side or end of the recreation vehicle requires elevation to attain a level attitude required to safely operate the propane gas operated appliances, e.g. (refrigerator, hot water heater) and provide creature comfort.

Abstract: A slope-measuring device is calibrated in terms of the gear in which a multi-gear apparatus should be engaged for negotiating the slope. For example, in a multi-gear bicycle, the calibration may indicate the gear range and specific gear in a bicycle. In a motor vehicle, the slope measurement may indicate the vehicle gear which should be engaged. In order to prevent oscillation of the indication, a high viscosity fluid is employed in connection with a rotating shaft to substantially reduce the response frequency of the indication.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator for use in a tubular container having a central obstruction with clearance space between the obstruction and the container, the indicator characterized by an elongated float arm having opposite ends located on opposite sides of the obstruction with a liquid float on each end so as to move up and down with corresponding movement of a liquid level within the tank, the float arm being connected to a gear box for actuating an indicator on the outside of the container.

Abstract: A tractor guidance apparatus includes a laterally adjustable sight equipped with a reverse pendulum whereby an upright pivotal sight needle is moved in the same transverse direction as the depending pendulum in response to pivotal movement of the pendulum.

Abstract: A gearshift indicator measures the slope of a surface being traveled by a multi-geared vehicle and indicates the gear which should be used appropriately for the surface. An adjustment varies the relationship between slope and indication to accommodate headwind and the strength and characteristic of the rider.

Abstract: An inclinometer of the type wherein a weight rotatable in accordance with the inclination of a vehicle is provided for a drive unit, and a torque of the drive unit is transmitted to a driven unit so as to display the inclination angle of the vehicle with an inclination indicator, there are provided a zero point adjusting spiral spring, the inner end thereof being affixed to a shaft of the driven unit, while an outer end is affixed to a rotary drive member, and a zero point adjusting knob for rotating the rotary drive member. According to this invention, after the zero point has been adjusted, the zero point display line of the indicators and the zero point scale line of the scale board can be aligned horizontally, thus improving the appearance of the zero point display.

Abstract: A level for use in taking level readings on vertical and horizontal surfaces. The level has a case within which an enclosure with some instrumentation is disposed in a vertical position for taking level readings on vertical or horizontal surfaces. The instrumentation has a gravity-responsive weight pendulum mounted on a knife-edge pivot supported on an edge contact with its pivot. The pendulum has an actuating pivot having two flat sides fixed at an upper end for engaging two knife-edge pivots on a pointer which is actuated laterally by the pendulum proportionately to the extent a surface being read is out of the vertical or horizontal. The pointer is likewise pivotally supported on an edge supported on a supporting knife-edge pivot.

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.

Abstract: A directing instrument for control of the inclination of the drill post of a drilling apparatus comprising means for sensing the inclination of the post in two directions at right angles to one another. Said means being supported by a holder arranged to be mounted rotatably on said post and so that the axis of rotation of said holder can be set relative to the post dependent on the type of operation to be carried out.