Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The level indicating device oE the instant invention
represents a highly specialized precision height measuring instru-
ment, Even though such an instrument has been long sought for
indicating precise elevations at horizontally remote points, few
successful attempts have been made to provide such an apparatus.
There are many instances in the building and construc-
tion trades wherein it is desired to establish similar or dis-
similar elevations at horizontally remote points, Examples of
previously known elevation indicating device, including some oE
the general structural and operational features of the instant
invention are disclosed in U,S, patent Nos: 327,564, 547,864,
914,945, 1,042,248, 1,463,738, 1,599,347, 2,614,572, 2,789,364,
3,015,167, and Re, 13,240. In addition, a quite similar indicat-
ing device is disclosed in my prior U.S. patent No. 3,84g,898,
which discloses a technique other than those disclosed in the
first mentioned prior U.S, patents,
The level indicating device of the instant invention
comprises an improvement over the ~levation Indicating Apparatus
of my above noted prior patent in that considerably more precise
readings in elevation may be determined, In addition, although
most similar forms of level or elevation indicating devices re-
~uire the utilization of two instruments and that each instrument
be read for each elevation reading to be taken, the level indicat-
ing device of the instant invention includes structure whereby
consecutive different elevation readings may be made by a single
person adjacent only one of the instruments,
The main object of this invention is to provide a level
indicating device that may be utilized not only to indicate identi-
cal elevations at horizontally remote locations but also specific
dissimilar elevations at the same locations,
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Another object of this invention to be specifically
enumerated herein is to provide a level indicating device in
accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform
to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction
and easy to use, so as to provide a device that will be
economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free
in operation.
The present invention provides an elevation indicating
device including elongated liquid conduit means having trans-
parent opposite end portions and including at least a midportiondisposed between the opposite end portions which is flexible,
one of the end portions having a float loosely received therein
for free vertical shifting in response to increases and decreases
in the level of liquid in the one end portion, support means for
support from a suitable supportive structure, means stationarily
supporting the one end portion from the support means, switch
means stationarily supported on the one end portion relative
to the float, and with which the float is operatively associated
for opening and closing the switch means in response to vertical
oscillation of the liquid in the one end portion, indicating
means including electrical signal generator means supported on
the other of the end portions, only, and with which the
switch means is electrically connected for sole controlling
actuation and deactuation of the signal generator means, through
the switch means, responsive to vertical oscillation of the
float in the one end portion.
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the level
indicating device of the ins-tant invention with the stand
thereof disposed at horizontally remote locations and the
levels of liquid in the ends of the connecting hose indicating
the difference :in the elevations of the supports on their
supportive stands.
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Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the right
hand stand illustrated in Fig. 1 and with the base thereof in
exploded position;
Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view
taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
line 3--3 of Fig. l;
Figure 4 is an enlarged Eragmentary elevational view
of the upper end of the stand illustrated in Fig. 2 and with
the vertical tube thereof illustrated in vertical section;
Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional
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view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section
line 5--5 of Fig. l;
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of
the upper end oE the stand illustrated in Fig, 2 and similar to
Fig, 4, but with the stand equipped with a micrometer measurement
attachment as opposed to an electr:ic circuit actuating switch,
such as that illustrated in Fig. 4 and which may be used on the
left hand instrument illustrated in Fig. l;
Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of
the upper end of the tube supported from the le~t hand stand
illustrated in Fig, 1 and illustrating a scale-type float eleva-
tion indicating structure; and
Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional
view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
line 8--8 of Fig, 4.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings~ the
numeral 10 generally designates the level indicating device of the
instant invention, The device 10 includes a pair of upright "re-
mote" and "base" stands 12 and 14, respectively~ including horizon-
tally enlarged bases 16 to which the lower ends of the stands 12and 14 are removably secured by means of fasteners 18. The bases
16 include a first pair of apertures 20 through which the fasteners
18 may be secured in order to mount the lower ends of the stands
12 and 14 adjacenl: marginal edge portions of the bases 16 and a
second pair of apertures 22 through which the fasteners 18 may be
secured if it is clesired to mount the lower ends of the stands 12
and 14 in centerecl positions on the bases 16, Further, the four
corner portions of the bases 16 are provided with apertures 24 by
which ground spikes 26 may be utilized to stationarily secure the
bases 16 to supportive ground surfaces,
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In Fig. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the stancl
12 is supported from the ground 30 at a lower elevat:ion than the
stand 14.
Each of the stands 12 and 14 has a tubular support
sleeve 32 slidably mounted thereon and each support sleeve 32 in-
cludes a set screw 34 threadedly engaged therewith by which the
support sleeve 32 may be secured in adjusted vertical position on
the corresponding stand. It may also be seen from Figs. 1 and 2
of the drawings that each of the support sleeves 32 includes a
level 36 whereby the stands 12 and 14 may be shimmed, if desired,
in order to be disposed in exactly vertical position,
The stands 12 and 14 are provided with vertical scales
38 with which the slidable support sleeves 32 may be registered in
order to determine the elevation of the sleeves 32 above the bases
16 and each sleeve 32 includes a mounting flange 40 from upon which
a pointer 42 is adjustably slidably mounted~ The sleeves 3~ have
scales 44 thereon, including center indicia 46, with which the
corresponding pointer 42 is hori~ontally registrable and ea~h flange
40 has an extension rod 45 removably supported therefrom by means
of a sprlng clip 47 and the rods 45 may be vertically adjusted
relative to the support sleeves 32 and include scale indicia 48
thereon by which the vertical adjustment of the height or exten-
sion rods 45 relative to the support sleeves 32 may be determined.
A transparent tube section 50 is supported from one or
both of the support sleeves 32 by means of a pair of spring clamps
52 and each tube section has upper and lower tubular fittings 54
and 56 mounted in its upper and lower ends by means of centrally
apertured corks or stoppers 58 and the tubular fittings 54 and 56
are longitudinally corrugated, as at 60, and clampingly engaged by
the clamps 52, :Further, the end of the tube 62 adjacent one of the
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stands includes a slidable ring 61 thereon similar to that provided
on the apparatus disclosed in my above noted prior U.S, patent.
The opposite ends of an elongated flexible tube 62 are
removably coupled over the tubular fittings 56 and the tube 62
has an expandable and contractable reservoir 64 serially connected
therein and provided with a band-type clamp 66 by which the effec-
tive internal volume of the reservoir 64 may be adjusted. The
reservoir 64 is disposed closely adjacent the "remote" stand 12 in
order that an operator of the apparatus 10 adjacent the stand 12 may
make desired changes in the internal volume of the reservoir 64,
The upper end of the sleeve 32 supported from the "base"
stand 14 includes an angle iron support 70 from which a vertically
adjustable support rod 72 is supported by means of a pair of wing
nuts 74. The upper end of the support rod 72 has a horizontal
plate 76 constructed of dielectric material supported therefrom and
a pair of first and second spaced generally parallel semi-cylindri-
cal contacts bars 78 are supported from the underside of the plate
76. In addition, a very light weight third spring contact 80 is
suspended from the plate 76 by threaded fasteners 82 having their
upper ends adjustably secured through the plate 76 by threaded nuts
84. The contact 80 is positioned closely adjacent and between the
confronting lower surfaces of the contact bars 78 and the central
: portion of the third contact 80 may be urged slightly upwardly into
contact with both of the contacts 78 in order to close the switch
assembly defined by the contacts 78 and 80,
A first conductor 85 is provided and is electrically
connected to one contact 78 and a second conductor B6 is provided
and is electrically connected to the second contact 78~ A battery
pack 87 supported from the bracket 70 is serially connected in one
of the conductors 85 and 86 and the latter are electrically connec-
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ted to a light assembly referred to in general by the reference
numeral 90 removably supported Erom the flange 40 of the support
sleeve 32 carried by the stand 12 by means oE a spring clip 92.
At least one of the tube sections 50 has a float 94
mounted therein and the upper end 96 of the float 9~ defines a
vertical shank portion projecting upwardly through the upper end
of the fitting 54 and is engageable with, for the upward displacement
of, the contact 80. Therefore, an increase in the level of water
within the tube section 50 may cause the float 94 to be elevated
within the tube section 50 sufficiently to engage the upper end of
the float 94 with the contact 80 in order to displace the latter
slightly upwardly into contact with both of the contacts 78 to thereby
- electrically actuate the light assembly 90 carried by the stand 12.
In conjunction with the light assembly 90 mechanism and ~:
its actuating contacts 78 and 80, a second angle iron support 97
may be included on the stand 12 and support another horizontal
plate 97' from which a micrometer 98 is supported and the adjust-
able rod portion 100 of the micrometer 98 may be utilized to
accurately determine changes in the elevation of the upper end 96
of the float 94 relative to the sleeve 32 supported from the stand
12. Still further, the upper end of the fitting 54 on the stand
12 may have a scale 102 supported therefrom by means of a spring
clip 104 and the scale 102 may be utilized to determine the height
of the upper end 96 of the float 94 above the upper end of the
fitting 54.
In operation, the stands 12 and 14 may be initially
positioned at the same elevation of stand 14 in Fig. 2. Both
supports 32 are a.djusted flush with top of stands 12 and 14. The
tube on stand 12 (which tube may comprise the corresponding end of
hose 62) is adjusted to place the water level aligned with the "0"
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scale indicia 46, After this has been done, the support rod 72
on stand 14 is adjusted to complete the electric circuit through
the action member 80 and end 96 of float 94~ This adjustment
causes the signal light 90 of stand 12 to be actuated, The rod
72 i8 then adjusted until light just goes "off" when the water is
at the "0" scale indicia 46 on stands 12 and 14. Signal light 90
is set so it will indicate this condition. The purpose of the
signal light 90 is to indicate when the water level position is at
the "O" scale indicia 46 on stand 14. This procedure is carried
out entirely on stand 14 eliminating the need that both stands 12
and 14 be on the same elevation and that the only needed additive
would be the use of the second clamp 52 at the top of support
sleeve 32 of stand 14~ Hose end 62 w~uld be adjusted to place
the liquid on scale 44 to center indicia 46. ~ven though the set
up for the signal light is considered to be a pertinent adjust-
ment~ a visual confirmation from time to time is desired and would
be done in this manner, with or without an additional clamp 52.
When the stands 12 and 14 are on the same elevation and
the sleeves 32 are in like positions, (visualize flush with tops
of 12 and 14) pointers 42 (when on like numers) rods 45 (when on
- like indications) and bases 16 are all in a level position to each
other and the tube sections 50, Then, one of the stands may be
removed to a horizontally remote location and the difference in
the elevation of the liquid within the tube section 50 thereof may
be noted. However, it may be necessary to adjust the adjustable
clamp 66 so as to vary the internal volume of the reservoir 64
until such time as the float 94 is again at the position on the
stand 14 to cause the switch comprising the contacts 78 and 80 to
close and the l;~ht assembly 90 to be actuated, Precise adjust-
ment of the inte:rnal volume of the reservoir 64 by the adjustable
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clamp 66 at which the light assembly 90 is actuated will place the
level of liquid in the tube section 50 of the stand 12 at the
same level of the liquid in the tube section 50 of the stand 14~
In this manner~ a single person may operate the level indicating
device from a location remote from the stand 14. Still further,
precise readings of the height of the float or floats 94 may be
determined through the utilization of the micrometer 98 on the
scale 102, The support sleeve 32 carried by the standard 12 may
be equipped with a micrometer 98 or a scale 102 depending upon the
type of reading instrument desired and smaller bases (not shown)
may be used in lieu of bases 16 when the standards 12 and 14 must
be used in restricted areas and the 0 ring markers 61 are slidably
mounted on each tube section 50 and are frictionally maintained
in adjusted positions thereon.
Even though precise adjustments in the column of liquid
connecting the tube sections 50 may be determined through the
utilization of the switch comprising the contacts 78 and 80 in
conjunction with the light assembly 90 and through the utilization
of the micrometer 98 or the scale 102, it is possible that differ-
ences in density of the opposite ends of the column of liquid con-
necting the tube sections 50 will render inaccurate readings of
the liquid levels in the sections 50. Accordingly, it may be
necessary to recheck the liquid levels on the stands 12 and 14
while the stands are disposed in the same locations, such as the
location of the stand 14 in Fig. 1, in the manner hereinabove set
forth.
If it is desired, the stand 12 and corresponding tube
50 may be omitted (the light assembly being retained on the
corresponding end of hose 62). In this manner a plurality of
precise elevation marks may be made at a plurality of locations
remote from the base unit 14.
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In the event it is suspected that the density of liquid
(water in most instances) in Lhe opposite ends of the tube 62 or
the tube sections 50 is not the same due to the liquid adjacent
one stand being of a different temperature or contaminated with a
liquid of a different density, the device 10 may be checked for
such a condition.
First, the stands 12 and 14 are placed on a level sur-
face at the same elevation, The sleeve 32 on stand 12 may be
lowered 2 inches whereupon the liquid level on scale 44 nt stand
12 will be 2 inches above the "O" center indicia 46,
Then a small quantity of water is removed from the tube
62 at stand 12 and replaced by hot liquid and the level may now
indicate a drop of 2-1/4 inches. At this point, the sleeves 32
are reversed in position on their respective stands with the
sleeve 32 of stand 12 flush with the top and sleeve 32 of stand 14
shifted down 2-1/4 inches from the top of stand 14, The light 90
on stand 12 is again actuated and the liquid indicates a position
of 2 inches, thus the density condition of the liquid is in-
dicated. As the liquid cools and the operation is repeated the
light goes off at 2-1/16 inches, 1-1/8 inches, 2-3/16 inches and
finally at 2-1/4 inches, a true reading.
The liquid may be further checked for equal density by
adjusting one sleeve 32 two inches lower, A first reading is then
taken and the sleeves are reversed in position on their respec-
tive stands and a second reading is taken. The differences in
the two readings indicates the density condition and the average
of the differences produces a true reading.
It is further pointed out that visual scale readings
through one or two tubes 50 is not most desirable. Rather,
visual observations through the tube 60 are more advantageous.
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