Level

Abstract

To provide an easily manufacturable level instrument of which an annular connection part does not interfere with a surface to be measured upon measuring, and further the annular connection part is robustly provided in a base body, and what is more, which is configured to allow for hanging and carrying.SOLUTION: A level instrument comprises: a bubble tube 1; a base body 2 in which the bubble tube 1 is provided; and an annular connection part 3 that is provided in the base body 2. The base body 2 is a solid body that has a bubble tube disposition space part 2a for the bubble tube 1 being disposed recessed in a center part, in which a plane-viewing V-shaped communication hole 4 composed of two holes 4a bored toward the inside being in communication is provided in a lateral face, and the annular connection part 3 is provided by being inserted into the communication hole 4. The level instrument is configured to allow for hanging and carrying via the annular connection part 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a level that can be hung and carried around. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicant of the present invention has proposed a level (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art") shown in Patent Document 1, which can be carried by hanging as shown in FIG.

[0003] This conventional example is a compact, stylish level that does not have a magnet for adhering to the object to be measured, and is composed of a single vial 11 and a hollow, hexahedral base 12 formed to be approximately the same size as vial 11. Base 12 is provided with a locking portion 14, and a hanging hook 15 is connected to this locking portion 14. This hook 15 allows the level to be attached to a bag or the like and carried around by hanging it, and it can also be used as an ornament. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-175966 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the configuration of the locking portion 14 as in the conventional example is applied to a level that is formed in a low, flat circular shape and has a round bubble tube, the design will be impaired because the locking portion protrudes.Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, if the annular connecting portion 13 of the snap hook 15 that is inserted and connected to the locking portion has a larger diameter than the height of the base 12, the annular connecting portion 13 will interfere with the surface to be measured during measurement, preventing the base 12 from being properly grounded on the surface to be measured, resulting in the problem of inaccurate measurements.

[0006] Furthermore, when the base is formed by machining, the presence of a protrusion such as the locking portion 14 of the conventional example increases the difficulty of manufacturing, increases the number of manufacturing steps, raises concerns about a decrease in yield, and causes problems of higher costs. Furthermore, if the locking portion 14 is made small and thin so that a small-diameter annular connecting portion 13 is provided to prevent the above-mentioned problem of the annular connecting portion 13 interfering with the surface to be measured, not only does this make manufacturing more difficult, but it also causes problems such as a decrease in the durability of the locking portion 14 and making it more susceptible to breakage.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the current situation, and aims to provide a level that does not interfere with the surface to be measured during measurement, that is firmly attached to the base, and that can be easily manufactured and carried by hanging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] This spirit level comprises a vial 1 for measuring horizontality, a base 2 on which the vial 1 is mounted, and an annular connector 3 mounted on the base 2, and is configured so that it can be carried around by being suspended via the annular connector 3, wherein the base 2 is a solid body having a recessed vial mounting space 2a in the center in which the vial 1 is mounted, and a through hole 4 that is V-shaped in plan view and formed by two holes 4a drilled inward and connected to each other is formed on the side, and the annular connector 3 is inserted through the through hole 4.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a spirit level as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the two holes 4a are drilled linearly and horizontally and communicate with each other at the tip.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a spirit level according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the two holes 4a are drilled from two directions that are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a spirit level according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vial 1 is a round vial 1 formed in a flattened circular shape, and the base 2 is formed in a flattened circular shape and includes the vial installation space 2a, which is circular in plan view and into which the round vial 1 is fitted, a solid body portion 2b arranged to surround this vial installation space 2a, and a bottom surface 2c that closes the lower opening of the vial installation space 2a and serves as a reference surface during measurement.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a spirit level as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the annular connecting portion 3 is provided so as to be able to swing freely in the vertical direction with the bottom surface 2c of the base body 2 facing downward.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a spirit level according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base body 2 is formed by cutting out a solid piece of aluminum alloy.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a spirit level according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the annular connecting portion 3 is provided with a connecting tool 5 for hanging. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] Since the present invention is configured as described above, the annular connecting portion does not interfere with the surface to be measured during measurement, and further, the annular connecting portion is firmly attached to the base body, and the level is configured to be easily manufactured and portable for hanging. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the main part of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the base body of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are explanatory views showing a method (procedure) for forming a through hole in this embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of use of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the conventional art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, illustrating the operation of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In the present invention, a through hole 4 that is V-shaped in plan view and consists of two holes 4a drilled inward and connected to each other is provided on the side of the base 2, and an annular connecting part 3 is inserted through this through hole 4, so that the annular connecting part 3 is provided horizontally with the bubble tube 1 that measures the horizontality, rather than in the front-to-back direction of the base 2.

[0020] In other words, in the present invention, the annular connecting portion 3 is arranged parallel to the bottom surface 2c of the base 2 (bubble tube 1). Therefore, when the base 2 (bottom surface 2c) is grounded on the surface to be measured during measurement, the annular connecting portion 3 does not interfere with the surface to be measured, allowing the base to be properly grounded to the surface to be measured, and accurate measurements can be made (if the through hole 4 were arranged on the front and back sides of the base 2, the annular connecting portion 3 would become an obstacle and the base 2 would not be properly grounded on the surface to be measured).

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention has a configuration in which the annular connecting portion 3 is provided directly on the base 2, and there is no locking portion protruding from the base as in the conventional example, so there is no need to worry about the locking portion being damaged, and the annular connecting portion 3 is firmly provided on the base 2.Furthermore, the absence of a locking portion improves the design, and it can be expected to be used as a decorative item.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention can be easily manufactured because the through hole 4 for providing the annular connecting portion 3 in the base body 2 can be formed by an extremely simple operation of simply drilling two holes 4a toward the inside. [Example]

[0023] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] This embodiment is a level comprising a vial 1 for measuring horizontality, a base 2 on which the vial 1 is mounted, and an annular connector 3 mounted on the base 2, and is configured so that it can be carried around by being suspended via the annular connector 3. The base 2 is a solid body having a recessed vial mounting space 2a in the center in which the vial 1 is mounted, and a through hole 4 that is V-shaped in plan view and consists of two holes 4a drilled inward and connected to each other on the side, and the annular connector 3 is inserted through the through hole 4.

[0025] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment is configured such that a hanging connector 5 is further provided on the annular connecting portion 3, and is a so-called keychain-type spirit level that can be hung and carried around using this hanging connector 5.

[0026] Each component of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a round vial 1 formed in a flat circular shape is used as the vial 1 for measuring the horizontality.

[0028] Specifically, this embodiment uses a round vial 1 made of synthetic resin and having a diameter of approximately 16 mm and a thickness of approximately 8 mm. The size of the round vial 1 can be changed as needed. Furthermore, although this embodiment is configured using a round vial 1 as described above, a cylindrical vial may also be used.

[0029] The base 2 on which the round vial 1 is mounted is made of an aluminum alloy, specifically, it is formed by cutting and molding a solid piece of aluminum alloy, and is configured with a design that can be expected to be used as a decorative item. The material of the base 2 is not limited to that in this embodiment, and it may be made of, for example, synthetic resin or wood, and the shape can also be changed as appropriate.

[0030] Furthermore, the base body 2 of this embodiment is formed in a flat circular shape with a diameter of approximately 30 mm and a thickness of approximately 10 mm to match the shape of the round vial 1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, it is formed in a flat circular shape having a vial installation space 2a that is circular in plan view and into which the round vial 1 is inserted, a solid body portion 2b that is arranged to surround this vial installation space 2a, and a bottom surface 2c that closes the lower opening of the vial installation space 2a.

[0031] The bottom surface 2c is formed to a highly flat surface to serve as a reference surface during measurement. Alternatively, the bottom surface 2c may not be provided, and the bottom surface of the round vial 1 may be exposed (protrude) from the base 2, and the bottom surface of this round vial 1 may be used as the reference surface, or the lower surface of the solid body portion 2b of the base 2 and the bottom surface of the round vial 1 may be made flush with each other, and both may be used as the reference surface.

[0032] In addition, the two holes 4a that form the through hole 4 are drilled linearly and horizontally (parallel to the bottom surface 2c, which serves as the reference surface) from the center position in the height direction at a predetermined location on the side of the base 2 toward the inside, and are configured to communicate at their tips.

[0033] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the through hole 4 in this embodiment is formed by drilling a first hole 4a parallel to the line X in the solid body 2b at a predetermined distance from the position where one of two imaginary lines X and Y that pass through the center of the base 2 and intersect at right angles (as shown in FIG. 4(a)), one of which is line X, and line Y that is perpendicular to line X, passes through (see FIG. 4(b)). Next, a second hole 4a is drilled parallel to the line Y in the solid body 2b at a predetermined distance (the same distance as the first hole 4a) from the position where the other line Y passes through (see FIG. 4(c)). The two orthogonal holes 4a are connected at their tips to form a V-shaped through hole 4 in a plan view (see FIG. 4(d)).

[0034] The annular connecting portion 3, which is inserted through the through hole 4, is a ring body made of a metal wire rod having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the through hole 4 and formed into a circular shape. The annular connecting portion 3 is loosely inserted into the through hole 4 and is arranged so as to be able to swing freely in the front-to-back direction of the base 2, in other words, in the up-and-down direction with the bottom surface 2c of the base 2 facing downward.

[0035] The hanging connector 5 provided on the annular connecting portion 3 is a so-called snap hook, which includes a hook member 5a and a rotating hook 5b, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the hanging connector 5 is not limited to this.

[0036] The effects of the present embodiment configured as above will be described below.

[0037] In this embodiment, a through hole 4 that is V-shaped in plan view and consists of two holes 4a drilled inward and connected to each other is provided on the side of the base 2, and the annular connecting part 3 is inserted through this through hole 4, so that the annular connecting part 3 is provided horizontally to the round bubble tube 1 rather than in the front-to-back direction of the base 2.

[0038] That is, in this embodiment, the annular connecting portion 3 is provided on the base 2 in a state where it is parallel to the bottom surface 2c (round bubble tube 1) of the base 2; in other words, the annular connecting portion 3 is provided on the base 2 in a direction where the through-hole 3a of this annular connecting portion 3 penetrates the base 2 in the front-to-back (front-to-back) direction. Therefore, when the base 2 (bottom surface 2c) is grounded on the surface to be measured during measurement, the annular connecting portion 3 does not interfere with the surface to be measured, and the base can be properly grounded on the surface to be measured, allowing for accurate measurements.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through hole 4 is formed by two holes 4a drilled linearly and horizontally from two perpendicular directions, so that the through hole 4 can be easily formed in the base 2 after the base 2 has been machined and formed.Furthermore, the spacing between the holes 4a of the through hole 4 is narrow while leaving a solid body portion 2b of appropriate thickness for the annular connecting portion 3 to be engaged with, so that a small-diameter annular connecting portion 3 can be inserted, resulting in a configuration in which the annular connecting portion 3 is not noticeable.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the annular connecting portion 3 is provided directly on the base 2, and there is no locking portion protruding from the base as in the conventional example, so there is no need to worry about the locking portion being damaged.Furthermore, the absence of a locking portion improves the design, and it can be expected to be used as a decorative item.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Vial, round vial 2 Base 2a Space for installing vial 2b Solid body 2c Bottom 3 Circular connection 4 through hole 4a hole 5 Hanging connector

Claims

1. 1. A spirit level comprising a vial for measuring horizontality, a base on which the vial is mounted, and an annular connector mounted on the base, said spirit level being configured so that it can be carried around by being suspended via said annular connector, wherein said base is a solid body having a recessed space for vial mounting in the center in which the vial is mounted, and a through hole formed on the side that is V-shaped in plan view and formed by two holes drilled toward the inside and connected to each other, and said annular connector is inserted into said through hole.

2. 2. The spirit level according to claim 1, wherein the two holes are drilled linearly and horizontally and communicate with each other at the tip.

3. 3. The spirit level according to claim 1, wherein the two holes are drilled from two directions that are perpendicular to each other.

4. 4. The spirit level according to claim 1, wherein the vial is a round vial formed in a flattened circular shape, and the base is formed in a flattened circular shape and includes: a vial installation space that is circular in plan view and into which the round vial is fitted; a solid body portion that is provided so as to surround the vial installation space; and a bottom surface that closes a lower opening of the vial installation space and serves as a reference surface during measurement.

5. 5. The spirit level according to claim 4, wherein said annular connecting portion is provided so as to be able to swing up and down with the bottom surface of said base body facing downward.

6. 6. The spirit level according to claim 1, wherein the base is formed by cutting out a solid piece of aluminum alloy.

7. 7. The spirit level according to claim 1, wherein the annular connecting portion is provided with a hanging connector.

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