# US 4,392,308 A · Level rod for grading > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,392,308 A - Document ID: US4392308A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 05/951,600 - Filed: 1978-10-16 - Granted: 1983-07-12 - Earliest claimed: 1978-10-16 - Inventors: Theodore W. Case - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392308A ## CPC - G01C 15/06: Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## Abstract A device for use in grading operations and includes an elongated rod having front, rear and side surfaces. The endless band is formed by a first band portion of a given color and having a first set of graduations extending from zero at one end thereof to a first value at the other end thereof and a second band portion of a color clearly distinguishable from the given color and having a second set of graduations ascending from zero at one end thereof to a second value at the opposite end thereof. Attached to the one end of the first band portion is the one end of the second band portion while the opposite end of the first band portion is attached to the opposite end of the second band portion. A slide mechanism is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on the elongated rod and includes a clamp for selectively securing the slide mechanism to the endless belt. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for use in grading operations for determining and visually indicating the depth of cut or fill required to establish a desired grade level in one place relative to grade level indicating means positioned in another place, the device comprising: an elongated rod having front, rear and side surfaces; an endless band extending longitudinally around said elongated rod along said front and rear surfaces, said endless band comprising a first band portion of a given color and having a first set of graduations ascending from zero at one end thereof to a first value at the other end thereof and a second band portion of a color clearly distinguishable from said given color and having a second set of graduations ascending from zero at one end thereof to a second value at the opposite end thereof, said one end of said first band portion being attached to said one end of said second band portion and said opposite end of said first band portion being attached to said opposite end of said second band portion; mounting means supporting said endless band on said elongated rod and accommodating circumvolutionary movement therearound; and a slide mechanism mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on said elongated rod, said slide mechanism comprising clamp means for selectively and alternatively either securing said slide mechanism to said endless band so as to prevent relative movement therebetween or releasing said slide mechanism from said endless band so as to allow relative movement therebetween, said slide mechanism while secured to said band being slidable longitudinally to establish generally horizontal alignment between said slide mechanism and said indicating means to visually indicate a length on said endless band between said zero and one of said graduations, said length corresponding to the depth of the required cut or fill. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1 wherein said slide mechanism further comprises alignment means for establishing the orientation of a hand level. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A device according to claim 2 wherein said alignment means defines an open channel with a pair of oppositely inclined sides that intersect along a guide line adjacent to one of said side surfaces and perpendicular to said front and rear surfaces of said elongated rod, said sides forming substantially equal angles with said elongated rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A device according to claim 3 wherein said alignment means comprises a pair of spaced apart brackets having each oppositely inclined edges that define said sides, said brackets being spaced apart along said one side surface of said elongated rod. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A device according to claim 3 wherein said alignment means further defines a second open channel with a second pair of oppositely inclined sides that intersect along a second line adjacent to a side surface of said elongated rod opposite said one side surface thereof and longitudinally aligned with said guide line on said elongated rod, said second sides forming substantially equal angles with said elongated rod. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A device according to claim 5 wherein said alignment means comprises a first pair of brackets spaced apart along said one side surface of said elongated rod and each having oppositely inclined edges that define said sides, and a second pair of brackets spaced apart along said opposite side surface of said elongated rod and each having oppositely inclined edges that define said second sides. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A device according to claim 5 wherein said alignment means comprises a first pair of brackets spaced apart along said one side surface of said elongated rod and each having oppositely inclined edges that define said sides, and a second pair of brackets spaced apart along said opposite side surface of said elongated rod and each having oppositely inclined edges that define said second sides. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) A device according to claim 3 wherein said slide mechanism comprises an indicator edge extending along said front surface of said elongated rod and arranged for selective alignment with said graduations, said indicator edge being perpendicular to said guide line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8 wherein said alignment means comprises a pair of spaced apart brackets having each oppositely inclined edges that define said sides, said brackets being spaced apart along said one side surface of said elongated rod. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8 wherein said alignment means further defines a second open channel with a second pair of oppositely inclined sides that intersect along a second line adjacent to a side surface of said elongated rod opposite said one side surface thereof and longitudinally aligned with said guide line on said elongated rod, said second sides forming substantially equal angles with said elongated rod.