# US 7,406,773 B2 · Magnet assembly

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- Number: US 7,406,773 B2
- Document ID: US7406773B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/023,973
- Filed: 2004-12-23
- Published: 2006-06-29
- Granted: 2008-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2004-12-23
- Assignees: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
- Inventors: Eric John Helda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7406773B2

## CPC

- G01C 9/28: Mountings
- 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 magnet assembly is provided including a housing having a first end and a second end. A magnet is placed within a recess formed in the first end of the housing and a spring is positioned in at least a portion of the second end of the housing. A method of mounting a magnet assembly in a tool is provided. The method includes providing a magnet assembly including a housing having a recess formed in a first end of the housing and a spring positioned in a second end of the housing. The method further includes placing the magnet assembly into an opening defined in a tool and placing a magnet into the recess, and pressing the magnet against the spring to position the magnet within the tool.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of mounting a magnet assembly in a leveling tool having a measuring surface comprising:
providing a magnet assembly comprising a housing having a first portion and a second portion and a spring biasing said first portion away from the second portion and a magnet on the first portion;
placing said magnet assembly into an opening defined in measuring surface, said opening sized to receive said magnet assembly and said magnet being biased by said spring relative to said measuring face;
pressing said magnet against said spring to move said magnet toward the second portion where said magnet is in a desired alignment relative to said measuring surface; and
permanently securing said magnet when it is in said desired alignment.

### Claim 2

A leveling tool comprising:
a measuring surface;
an opening defined in said measuring surface;
a magnet assembly located at least partially within said opening, said magnet assembly comprising:
a housing having at least a first portion and a second portion;
a magnet secured to said first portion; and
a spring compressed between the first portion and the second portion; and
means for permanently fixing said first portion relative to said second portion such that said spring cannot move said first portion relative to said second portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said spring is a helical ring.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said at least a first portion and said second portion are telescopically mounted relative to one another.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein a surface of the magnet is aligned with said measuring surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said housing is made of plastic.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said first portion includes a recess for receiving said magnet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said means for permanently fixing comprises adhesive.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said means for permanently fixing comprises sonic welding.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The leveling tool of claim 2 wherein said means for permanently fixing comprises a high strength spring.