Level Vial
AssigneeStanley Black & Decker, Inc.
InventorAlbert Sanchez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A level vial includes an elongated vial liquid housing extending along an axis of elongation and containing a liquid and a bubble therein, an outer support body supporting the elongated vial liquid housing, the outer support body being integral with the elongated vial liquid housing, and having an inner surface at least partially surrounding the elongated vial liquid housing, and an open space between the inner surface and the elongated vial liquid housing. The elongated vial liquid housing is shaped such that a horizontal orientation of the axis of elongation causes the liquid to flow such that the bubble floats to a center of the elongated vial liquid housing. The elongated vial liquid housing and the open space are in an outwardly exposed and unobstructed configuration relative to a front face of the level vial.
Claims20
A level vial comprising:
- an elongated vial liquid housing extending along an axis of elongation and containing a liquid and a bubble therein;
- an outer support body supporting the elongated vial liquid housing, the outer support body being integral with the elongated vial liquid housing, and having an inner surface at least partially surrounding the elongated vial liquid housing;
- and
- an open space between the inner surface and the elongated vial liquid housing;
- wherein the elongated vial liquid housing is shaped such that a horizontal orientation of the axis of elongation causes the liquid to flow such that the bubble floats to a center of the elongated vial liquid housing;
- and
- wherein the elongated vial liquid housing and the open space are in an outwardly exposed and unobstructed configuration relative to a front face of the level vial.
A level comprising:
- a reference surface;
- and
- a level vial fixed relative to the reference surface, the level vial comprising:
- an elongated vial liquid housing extending along an axis of elongation and containing a liquid and a bubble therein;
- an outer support body supporting the elongated vial liquid housing, the outer support body being integral with the elongated vial liquid housing, and having an inner surface at least partially surrounding the elongated vial liquid housing;
- and
- an open space between the inner surface and the elongated vial liquid housing;
- wherein the elongated vial liquid housing is shaped such that a horizontal orientation of the axis of elongation causes the liquid to flow such that the bubble floats to a center of the elongated vial liquid housing;
- and
- wherein the elongated vial liquid housing and the open space are in an outwardly exposed and unobstructed configuration relative to a front face of the level vial.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.