Level

Abstract

To provide a user-friendly level which has an improved degree of freedom in terms of an installation location in a configuration in which it is attached to a scaffolding material.SOLUTION: A level 1 comprises: a bubble pipe 10 that has a cylindrical shape with both ends sealed and in which liquid and air bubbles are encapsulated; and a support member 20 that supports the bubble pipe 10. The support member 20 is integrally formed of an attachment part 21 that is attached to a scaffolding material, a holding part 22 that holds the bubble pipe 10, and a connection part 23 that connects the attachment part 21 and the holding part 22, with an elastic material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spirit level that can be attached to scaffolding. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A spirit level equipped with a bubble tube has been conventionally known as a tool for checking the horizontal installation of a building structure and shelves and equipment installed within a building in construction work and the like.

[0003] Stepladders are also used as simple work scaffolding materials indoors and outdoors at construction sites, etc. For example, when installing equipment on the ceiling, the working space is limited, so portable simple work scaffolding materials such as stepladders are often used. However, there are cases where the stepladder is not installed stably enough and the worker falls over along with the stepladder, so measures are desired.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a stepladder having two ladder-like legs with the left and right legs connected by multiple cross bars (step bars), with the upper parts of the two legs pivoted so that they can be opened and closed, in which the length of each leg can be adjusted according to the difference in height of the installation surface, and a spirit level is attached to the step bars so that the worker can check that the stepladder is installed stably. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3019381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When attaching a level to a stepladder, it is possible to attach the level to the underside of the step (step bar) or the like from the viewpoint of preventing the level from being damaged. However, when the level is attached to the underside of the step bar, the worker must assume a posture in which he or she looks into the back side of the step bar each time he or she checks. This reduces the workability of the stepladder installation work. In addition, when the level is attached to the underside of the step bar, the level is not in the worker's field of vision when the worker ascends and descends the stepladder. Therefore, even if the stepladder is installed by adjusting the length of the legs while looking at the level, if the stepladder tilts while repeatedly ascending and descending the stepladder, the worker may stand on the stepladder without noticing the tilt, lose balance, and fall over with the stepladder.

[0007] In the mounting structure of a level in a stepladder described in Patent Document 1, a level is mounted on one of the steps of two legs facing each other, facing inward and downward. The mounting position of this level is a position that avoids the worker's foot from hanging on the step, but the shape of the level necessitates that the vial is mounted so that it is in close contact with the inward end face of the step. In this case, depending on the orientation of the stepladder, the vial may be in the blind spot of the step, and the worker may miss the level before climbing up the stepladder. In other words, such a level is insufficient as a measure to prevent the stepladder from falling over, because the worker cannot notice the inclination of the stepladder.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a user-friendly spirit level that is attached to scaffolding and has improved freedom in terms of installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The spirit level of the present invention is a spirit level comprising a bubble tube and a support member for supporting the bubble tube, wherein the support member has an attachment portion for attachment to a scaffolding material, a holding portion for holding the bubble tube, and a connecting portion for connecting the attachment portion and the holding portion, which are integrally formed from an elastic material.

[0010] A spirit level according to another aspect of the present invention is the spirit level, wherein the bubble tube has a cylindrical shape, and the mounting portion is plate-like with a flat surface parallel to the central axis of the cylinder of the bubble tube.

[0011] A spirit level according to another aspect of the present invention is the spirit level, wherein the connection portion is provided at an incline with respect to a flat surface of the attachment portion. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the level of the present invention, the support member is provided with an attachment portion for attaching to the scaffolding, a holding portion for holding the vial, and a connection portion for connecting the attachment portion and the holding portion, which are integrally formed, so that the support member for supporting the vial in the correct position can be easily formed. Furthermore, since the support member is formed of an elastic material, external impacts are absorbed by the elastic material, and the vial held by the holding portion is protected from damage. The holding portion is elastically deformed, so that the vial can be easily attached and detached. Furthermore, even if a worker steps on the level with his / her foot when ascending or descending a stepladder or a work platform, for example, the connection portion is bent and deformed in response to the pressing force applied to the holding portion, thereby reducing the load on the vial and preventing damage to the vial. Furthermore, when the pressing force applied to the holding portion is released, the elastically deformed connection portion returns to its original state due to the restoring force of the elastic material, and the holding portion returns to its original position, so that the vial can be placed in a position on the scaffolding that is easily visible to the worker. In other words, the spirit level can be installed even in places on the scaffolding where workers will step on it, and the increased freedom in where it can be installed makes it a user-friendly spirit level.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the spirit level of the present invention, the vial has a cylindrical shape and the mounting portion is plate-like with a flat surface parallel to the central axis of the vial's cylinder, so that the spirit level can be easily attached via the mounting portion to the surface on which the level of a stepladder or workbench is to be checked, or to a surface which is designed to be parallel to the surface on which the level state is to be checked.

[0014] In the spirit level according to another aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion is provided at an angle with respect to the flat surface of the mounting portion, so that the vial held by the holding portion can be positioned to protrude upward or downward from the same plane as the flat surface of the mounting portion, thereby making it possible to position the vial in the spirit level attached to the scaffolding material in a position that is more easily visible to the worker. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the spirit level according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding member in the spirit level according to one embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding member of the spirit level according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the spirit level according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the spirit level according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an installation mode of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of a stepladder on which a spirit level according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of a stepladder on which a spirit level according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an installation mode of a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of a workbench on which a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of a workbench on which a spirit level according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present invention aims to improve the usability of a level equipped with a vial by improving the structure for holding the vial and the structure for attaching the vial to a scaffolding material. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The overall configuration of a level 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a support member 20 for a vial 10 in the level 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the level 1, Fig. 3 is a front view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a left side view thereof. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support member 20 taken along line AA in Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support member 20 taken along line BB in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the level 1, Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 9 is a bottom view thereof.

[0018] The level 1 is a so-called bubble type level, and includes a vial 10 and a support member 20 that supports the vial 10.

[0019] The vial 10 has a cylindrical shape with both ends sealed, and liquid and air bubbles are sealed inside. The vial 10 is made of a hard synthetic resin (so-called transparent resin) that transmits light, and the position of the air bubbles inside can be seen from the outside. A plurality of graduation lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are provided near the ends of the vial's cylinder, which serve as a guide for the position of the air bubbles. The graduation lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are provided in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the vial's cylinder, spaced a predetermined distance from the center of the vial 10 in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the central axis L1 of the vial 10. The air bubble in the vial 10 moves due to the inclination of the level 1, and when the central axis L1 of the vial 10 is parallel (horizontal) to the ground, the air bubble is located between the graduation lines 11b and 11c.

[0020] The support member 20 is composed of an attachment portion 21, a holding portion 22 that holds the vial 10, and a connection portion 23 that connects the attachment portion 21 and the holding portion 22. The attachment portion 21, the holding portion 22, and the connection portion 23 are integrally formed from an elastic material. In addition, the attachment portion 21, the holding portion 22, and the connection portion 23 are each formed symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line L3 (see FIG. 8) that passes through the center of the vial 10 held by the holding portion 22 in a plan view. As the elastic material that forms the support member 20, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a rubber material, etc., having the properties of a rubber elastic body can be used. The elastic material is not particularly limited as long as it has appropriate flexibility and shock absorption against physical forces.

[0021] The mounting part 21 is a part of the level 1 that is attached to a scaffolding material such as a stepladder or a workbench. The mounting part 21 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and the back side thereof is a mounting surface 21a that comes into contact with the object to be mounted. The mounting surface 21a is a surface that is parallel to the central axis L1 of the cylindrical shape of the bubble tube 10 that is formed flat, and can be closely attached to the surface of the object to be mounted that is to be detected for horizontality. The mounting part 21 is also provided with a pair of screw holes 21b, 21b that penetrate the plate thickness direction and allow screws to be inserted.

[0022] When attaching the spirit level 1 to an object, the attachment surface 21a is brought into close contact with the surface of the object to be detected as being horizontal. In this state, the level is installed on the object by fastening the screws 49 (see Figs. 11, 12, 14, and 15) to a predetermined surface of the object through the pair of screw holes 21b, 21b.

[0023] The holding part 22 is a part that holds the vial 10 horizontally, and has a roughly cylindrical shape with both ends closed, which is slightly larger than the vial 10. The holding part 22 has a pair of end holding parts 22a, 22a that hold both ends of the cylindrical shape of the vial 10, and a semi-cylindrical bottom part 22b that covers the lower part of the cylindrical shape of the vial 10 that is horizontally placed. A predetermined part facing upward of the cylindrical shape of the holding part 22 is formed with an opening 22d that is rectangular between the pair of end holding parts 22a in a plan view and roughly semicircular above the bottom part 22b in a side view. The opening 22d makes it possible to visually observe the bubbles and the scale lines 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of the vial 10. A pair of slit-shaped (long hole-shaped) holes 22c, 22c are provided in the bottom part 22b. Each of the pair of holes 22c, 22c is provided opposite the pair of end holding portions 22a, with the length direction of the elongated hole being the radial direction of the cylinder of the bubble tube 10. The width of the pair of holes 22c, 22c (the width of the slit) is set to be larger than the thickness of the elastic material forming the holding portion 22 and shorter than the length of the holding portion 22 in the direction along the central axis L1 of the end holding portion 22a.

[0024] If the vial 10 is damaged and needs to be replaced, the pair of end holders 22a are elastically deformed in directions separating them from each other to open and widen the opening 22d, thereby making it possible to remove the vial 10 from the holder 22. At this time, the deformation on the opening 22d side is absorbed by the pair of holes 22c, 22c on the bottom 22b side, making it possible to easily remove and insert the vial 10 into the holder 22 with little force.

[0025] The connection portion 23 is a portion that connects the mounting portion 21 and the holding portion 22. The connection portion 23 is extended obliquely upward from one end of the long side of the mounting portion 21, and is connected to the side of the holding portion 22. The connection portion 23 is a plate-like portion having the same plate thickness as the mounting portion 21 and the same width as the holding portion 22. The length and inclination of the connection portion 23 between the holding portion 22 and the mounting portion 21 are adjusted so that the lower end of the holding portion 22 is located at the position of a straight line L2 that extends horizontally from the mounting surface 21a, that is, the lower end of the holding portion 22 is located on a virtual plane that expands the mounting surface 21a, as shown in the right side view of FIG. 4.

[0026] 8, the connection portion 23 is connected to the attachment portion 21 in an R-shape that becomes wider from the holding portion 22 toward the attachment portion 21. That is, the connection portion 23 is formed to be flared as a whole from the holding portion 22 to the attachment portion 21. Such a shape of the connection portion 23 makes it easier to return the position of the holding portion 22, which has been displaced downward by a pressing force, to its original height (natural posture).

[0027] When attaching the level 1 having such a configuration to a scaffolding material, the attachment position is determined by bringing the attachment surface 21a of the attachment part 21 into close contact with the surface of the attachment object on which the horizontal state is to be checked or a surface (attachment object surface) parallel to the surface on which the horizontal state is to be checked. Then, screws are inserted into the screw holes 21b, 21b of the attachment part 21, and the attachment part 21 is fixed to the attachment object surface by screwing. In this way, the level 1 is fixed to the attachment object.

[0028] An example of mounting the level 1 according to this embodiment to a scaffolding material will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a stepladder 30 to which the level 1 is mounted, and Figs. 11 and 12 are explanatory views showing enlarged views of the mounting portion of the level 1. Fig. 11 shows the natural state of the level 1, and Fig. 12 shows the state in which the level 1 is elastically deformed when a worker steps on the level 1 from above when ascending or descending the stepladder 30.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 10, the stepladder 30 has two ladder-shaped legs 31, 32. The leg 31 has a pair of posts 33a, 33a which are vertical members, and multiple steps 34 which are horizontal members installed at a predetermined interval between the pair of posts 33a, 33a. Similarly, the leg 32 has a pair of posts 33b, 33b and multiple steps 34 which are horizontal members installed at a predetermined interval between the pair of posts 33b, 33b. Each of the posts 33a, 33a, 33b, 33b and the steps 34 is made of a hollow member formed by an extrusion member such as aluminum.

[0030] Telescopic legs 35a, 35a are slidably inserted into the lower ends of the supports 33a, 33b of the leg body 31. The telescopic legs 35a, 35a, like the supports 33a, 33a, are made of hollow members formed of extruded material such as aluminum. Cover members 36a, 36a made of rubber material for non-slip purposes are attached to the lower ends of the telescopic legs 35a, 35a. The telescopic legs 35a, 35a are configured to be fixed at a desired length to the supports 33a, 33a by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0031] The lower ends of the supports 33b, 33b of the leg body 32 are provided with a telescopic mechanism that allows telescopic movement in the vertical and horizontal directions. The telescopic mechanism is composed of a horizontal connector 37 that penetrates near the lower ends of the supports 33b, 33b of the leg body 32 to connect the supports 33b, 33b, telescopic arms 37a, 37a slidably inserted into both ends of the horizontal connector 37, and telescopic legs 35b, 35b slidably inserted into holders 38, 38 connected to the ends of the telescopic arms 37a, 37a. The horizontal connector 37 is provided parallel to the multiple steps 34 and functions as the lowest step of the leg body 32. In addition, each of the pair of telescopic arms 37a, 37a is configured to be able to change the distance between the pair of telescopic legs 35b, 35b by changing the length of its horizontal protrusion relative to the supports 33b. Furthermore, the height of the stepladder 30 can be changed by changing the length of each of the pair of extendable legs 35b, 35b in the approximately vertical direction.

[0032] The upper ends of the legs 31 and 32 are connected to each other by pivotally connecting the support 33a to the support 33c, and the support 33b to the support 33d via joint fittings. That is, the legs 31 and 32 are pivotally connected at their upper ends with the direction along the length of the step 34 as the pivot axis direction. By bridging the opening stopper 39 between the support 33a and the support 33c, the opening between the legs 31 and 32 is fixed at a predetermined angle. When the opening stopper 39 is bridged between the legs 31 and 32, the upper surfaces of the topmost step 34 of the legs 31 and 32 are approximately flush with each other.

[0033] In Fig. 10, the level 1 is attached to the top surface of the step 34 of the third step from the top (second step from the bottom) of the leg 32 of the stepladder 30. In a place with a step caused by an obstacle W as shown in Fig. 10, the amount of lateral projection of the telescopic legs 35b, 35b from the side ends of the supports 33b, 33b is adjusted so that the top surface of the step 34 is horizontal, and further the amount of projection (height direction length) below the horizontal connecting part 37 of the telescopic legs 35a, 35a, 35b, 35b is adjusted. This allows the stepladder 30 to be set up stably.

[0034] 10, the level 1 is attached so that the bubble tube 10 is disposed facing inward when the legs 31 and 32 face each other, so that the worker can easily check the state of the level 1 whether he is adjusting the telescopic legs 35a, 35a on the leg 31 side or adjusting the telescopic legs 35b, 35b on the leg 32 side. Also, when the worker climbs the stepladder 30, it is easily within the worker's field of vision, making it easy to check the level of the stepladder 30 before starting work.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 11, the level 1 has the vial 10 and the connection part 23 held by the holding part 22 protruding horizontally from the top surface of the step 34 so that the edge 21c of the mounting part 21 on which the connection part 23 is extended is located at the edge 34a of the step 34. Since the connection part 23 is provided at an angle to the mounting part 21, the vial 10 held by the holding part 22 is attached to the stepladder 30 in a state where it protrudes above the top surface of the step 34. That is, the connection part 23 is provided to allow downward movement of the vial 10 held by the holding part 22 due to elastic deformation of the connection part 23. Since the support member 20 is formed of a material having rubber elasticity, when a worker places his / her foot F on the step 34 and steps on the level 1, the connection part 23 is bent by a pressing force from above (arrow D1) and the holding part 22 is pressed downward as shown in FIG. 12. Holding portion 22, which holds vial 10, can move downward in response to a pressing force from above, so vial 10 is not compressed and crushed. Then, when the pressing force is released, connecting portion 23 returns from its elastically deformed state to its original natural state due to the restoring force of rubber elasticity, and holding portion 22 returns to its original position. In this way, because connecting portion 23 flexes appropriately, level 1 does not hinder the worker from ascending or descending stepladder 30.

[0036] Another example of mounting the spirit level 1 according to this embodiment to a scaffolding material will be described with reference to Fig. 13 to Fig. 15. Fig. 13 shows a workbench 40 to which the spirit level 1 is mounted. Fig. 14 shows the natural state of the spirit level 1, and Fig. 15 shows the state in which the spirit level 1 is elastically deformed when a worker steps on the spirit level 1 from above on the workbench 40.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 13, the workbench 40 is a table-like structure in which a rectangular top plate 41 is supported by four legs 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d. The top plate 41 and the legs 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are made of aluminum or the like, and are lightweight for portability while ensuring the necessary strength. Each of the legs 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d is connected to the back surface of the four corners of the top plate 41 at an approximately right angle by screws or welding. Cover members 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d made of rubber material for anti-slip purposes are attached to the lower ends of the legs 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d, respectively.

[0038] The top plate 41 is provided with a substantially rectangular hole 42 penetrating the plate thickness. In other words, the hole 42 is a portion surrounded by a frame formed by a pair of long side walls 42a, 42a on the long side of the rectangle and a pair of short side walls 42b, 42b on the short side. The hole 42 is provided in the center close to the long side of the top plate 41. The shape of the hole 42 is not limited to a rectangle as long as it allows the holder 22 holding the bubble tube 10 of the level 1 to pass through.

[0039] The spirit level 1 is installed by attaching the mounting part 21 to the top surface of the top plate 41 so that the holding part 22 holding the vial 10 is positioned above the hole 42. That is, the end edge 21c of the side on which the connection part 23 of the mounting part 21 is extended is positioned to overlap one side of the rectangle of the hole 42, and screws 49 are inserted into the screw holes 21b, 21b of the mounting part 21 to fix the spirit level 1 to the top plate 41 by screwing. As a result, the vial 10 held by the connection part 23 and the holding part 22 is positioned above the frame of the hole 42.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 14, in the natural state where no pressing force is applied to the level 1 from above, the vial 10 held by the holding part 22 is above the hole 42, and is easily visible to the worker before climbing up to the workbench 40. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, when the level 1 is pressed from above by the worker's foot F, for example, and a pressing force (arrow D2) is applied to the level 1, the connection part 23 is deformed so as to bend, and the holding part 22 holding the vial 10 enters the hole 42. The holding part 22 holding the vial 10 can escape downward against the pressing force from above, so that the vial 10 is not compressed and crushed. In addition, even when materials are placed on the workbench 40, the vial 10 is similarly prevented from being pinched between the materials and the top plate 41 and crushed. Then, when the pressing force is released, the connecting part 23 returns from the elastically deformed state to its original natural state due to the restoring force of rubber elasticity, and the holding part 22 returns to its original position. By placing such a spirit level 1 on the workbench 40, even when a worker wants to place a material that is prone to rolling, such as a round pipe, on the workbench 40, the worker can check the spirit level 1 and prevent the material from falling off the workbench 40.

[0041] Although the above describes an example of mounting the level 1 according to the present invention on a stepladder 30 and a work platform 40, the level 1 can also be mounted anywhere on other scaffolding materials for which a horizontal state is recommended. Since the support member 20 of the level 1 is made of an elastic material, for example, even when the scaffolding materials are moved to the site on the bed of a truck, the scaffolding materials to which the level 1 is attached can be stacked without worrying about damage to the vial 10. In this way, the level 1 according to the present invention is easy to use and does not need to be removed when moving the scaffolding materials.

[0042] The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the spirit level according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, even if it is not the above-described embodiment, various modifications are possible according to the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, the effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Level 10 Vial tube 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Scale lines 20 Support member 21 Mounting part 21a Mounting surface (flat surface) 22 Holding part 23 Connection 30 Stepladder 34 Stepping Block 40 Workbench 41 Tabletop 42 Hole

Claims

1. A level comprising a vial and a support member for supporting the vial, The support member includes an attachment portion for attachment to a scaffolding material, a holding portion for holding the bubble tube, and a connecting portion for connecting the attachment portion and the holding portion, the attachment portion and the holding portion being integrally formed of an elastic material. Spirit level.

2. The vial has a cylindrical shape, the mounting portion is a plate having a flat surface parallel to the central axis of the cylinder of the bubble tube; 2. The spirit level according to claim 1.

3. The connection portion is provided at an angle with respect to the flat surface of the mounting portion.

3. A spirit level according to claim 2.

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