# US 7,607,235 B1 · Apparatus and methods for level and/or straight edge tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,235 B1 - Document ID: US7607235B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 12/168,144 - Filed: 2008-07-06 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-22 - Assignees: K C Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Michael D. Morrissey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607235B1 ## CPC - G01C 9/26: Details - B43L 7/00: Straightedges (guides; curve rulers or templets B43L13/20; straightedges characterised by the provision of indicia or the like for measuring, e.g. rulers or tapes with measuring scales or marks for direct reading, G01B) - G01C 9/24: in closed containers partially filled with liquid so as to leave a gas bubble - 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) - B43L: ARTICLES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING UPON; {WRITING OR DRAWING AIDS;} ACCESSORIES FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (workshop equipment for marking-out work B25H7/00; teaching hand-writing or drawing G09B11/00) ## Abstract The present invention is directed generally to tools that are lightweight, high quality, durable, rigid and strong. For example, various tools used to level items and/or as a straight edge for aligning or drawing lines on items may be designed in an improved or augmented I beam style so that they are lightweight, strong, durable and rigid so as to hold their shape under stress or return to their original shape after being stressed. In various exemplary embodiments, the I beam style level and/or straight edge may have a first main elongated side to which two elongated perpendicular sides are connected or coupled. At least one or more higher strength elongated sides, for example a second elongate side, may be comprised of a closed or box shaped side. For example, the second elongated side may be, for example, a box shaped construction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool, comprising: a level and/or straight edge, hand-held building too, including: at least two opposing lengthwise members; wherein one of the lengthwise members is a bar and another is a higher strength member(s), with respect to the other member(s), to augment the rigidity of the tool. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the higher strength member(s) is an at least partially closed structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool of claim 2, wherein the at least partially closed structure has a hollow cross-section structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tool of claim 3, wherein the hollow structure contains at least one stabilization device(s). ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The tool of claim 2, wherein the at least partially closed structure includes at least a portion that is a solid structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the higher strength member and the at least one other member are approximately parallel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tool of claim 6, wherein the approximately parallel members arc approximately the same maximum width. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein a third member connects the at least two lengthwise members and is approximately perpendicular to at least one of the lengthwise members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the members contains a linear dimension scale on at least one of the member's surfaces. ### Claim 10 A level and/or straight edge structure, comprising: a first elongated structure; a second elongated structure approximately parallel to, and of approximately the same width as, the first elongated structure; and a center structure which connects the first and second elongated structures; wherein only one of the elongated structures is an at least partially closed structure which increases the rigidity of the level and/or straight edge structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The level and/or straight edge of claim 10, wherein the first elongated structure, the second elongated structure, and the center structure are formed integrally together by extrusion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The level and/or straight edge of claim 10, wherein the at least one closed structure contains one or more support members within the internal cavity of the at least partially closed structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The level and/or straight edge of claim 10, wherein the center structure has one or more sections removed which reduce the tool's mass. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The level and/or straight edge of claim 10, wherein the first and second elongated structures are both closed structures with different geometrically shaped cross sections. ### Claim 15 A level and/or straight edge building tool, comprising: a top elongated bar; at least one main frame side coupled to the top elongated bar; at least one level vial(s) or level indicator(s) coupled to at least one side; and an elongated, at least partially closed structure, coupled to the at least one main frame side and opposite the top elongated bar, wherein the at least partially closed structure increases the rigidity of the level and/or straight edge building tool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The level and/or straight edge building tool of claim 15, wherein the at least partially closed structure is hollow. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The level and/or straight edge building tool of claim 15, wherein the at least partially closed structure includes in the structure's internal cavity one or more additional structures. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The level and/or straight edge building tool of claim 17, wherein the additional structures within the enclosed structure's internal cavity are one or more support members. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The level and/or straight edge building tool of claim 15, wherein the top elongated bar includes flanges which resemble a ‘T’. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The level and/or straight edge building tool of claim 15, wherein one or more end cap(s) attach onto the ends of the level and/or straight edge building tool.