Level device and method of calibrating a level vial

A method of calibrating an elongated level vial with respect to two reference surfaces of a level body on which the vial is mounted, said surfaces being orthogonal with respect to each other, and said level vial having a transparent hollow body defining a sealed cavity partially filled with fluid so as to define a fluid bubble, said bubble providing an indication that said vial is level in its direction of elongation when said fluid bubble comes to rest at a mid-point of said vial, comprising the steps of:

• providing a level body, said level body defining two orthogonal reference surfaces,
• providing a vial carrier on said level body, said vial carrier holding an elongated level vial,
• placing a first reference surface of said level body in contact with a calibration surface,
• adjusting the position of said vial by rotating said vial carrier about a first adjustment axis perpendicular to said direction of elongation,
• rotating said level body by substantially 90 degrees about an axis parallel to said direction of elongation of said vial,
• placing a second reference surface of said level body in contact with a calibration surface, and
• adjusting the position of said vial with respect to said vial carrier by rotating the vial about a second adjustment axis perpendicular to both said direction of elongation of said vial and said first adjustment axis.

A level device, comprising:

• a level body having a pair of orthogonal reference surfaces,
• an elongated level vial calibrated with respect to said pair of orthogonal reference surfaces, said level vial having a transparent hollow body defining a sealed cavity partially filled with fluid, said fluid defining a bubble providing an indication of the orientation of the level vial,
• a vial carrier on said level body, said vial carrier holding said level vial such that said level vial may be calibrated by rotation about a pair of orthogonal axes, each of said orthogonal axes being perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said level vial, and
• adhesive fixing the position of said level vial with respect to said vial carrier and fixing the position of said vial carrier with respect to said level body.

A level device, comprising:

• a level body having a pair of orthogonal reference surfaces,
• three, substantially orthogonal elongated level vials calibrated with respect to said pair of orthogonal reference surfaces, said level vials each having a transparent hollow body defining a sealed cavity partially filled with fluid, said fluid defining a bubble providing an indication of the orientation of the level vial,
• three vial carriers on said level body, each of said vial carriers holding a respective one of said three, substantially orthogonal elongated level vials such that said level vials may each be calibrated by rotation about a pair of orthogonal axes, each of said pair of orthogonal axes being perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the associated level vial, and
• adhesive fixing the position of each level vial with respect to its associated vial carrier and fixing the position of each vial carrier with respect to said level body.