Bubble tube and spirit level

Abstract

To provide a bubble tube and a leveling instrument for easily confirming a location of a bubble.SOLUTION: A bubble tube contains colored liquid 2 and bubble 3, and is capable of measuring levelness or verticality of a measurement object in accordance with location of the bubble 3. A body 1 in which the liquid 2 and bubble 3 are enclosed is composed of a transparent top surface part 4 and a bottom surface part 5 colored with a color different from that of the liquid 2. The bubble 3 is set to a such a size that it can contact both the top surface part 4 and the bottom surface part 5 when the measurement object is positioned in a center of the body 1, which is a reference position indicating the horizontal state or vertical state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bubble tube and a spirit level equipped with this bubble tube.

Background Art

[0002] When erecting columnar bodies such as utility poles and road signs, it is required to erect them in an accurate vertical state. Therefore, for example, workers use spirit levels as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and perform operations while checking the vertical state of the columnar body.

[0003] These spirit levels include a V-shaped contact surface that abuts against the surface of the columnar body, and a circular bubble tube 38 that is configured such that a colored (e.g., yellow) liquid 32 and a bubble 33 are enclosed in a bubble tube body 31 that is circular in plan view as shown in FIG. 8, and the bubble 33 is positioned within a reference circle 36 provided at the center of the surface of the bubble tube body 31 in a horizontal or vertical state. By placing the spirit level in a predetermined posture, abutting the V-shaped contact surface against the surface of the columnar body, looking into the circular bubble tube 38 from above, and checking whether the position of the bubble 33 is within the reference circle 36, it is possible to check whether the columnar body is in a vertical state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in many conventional circular bubble tubes 38, the size of the bubble 33 is set to about 5 mm in diameter.

[0006] However, since the installation of utility poles and road signs is basically carried out outdoors, with the conventional circular bubble level 38 configured as described above, it can be difficult to confirm the position of the bubble 33 (the outline of the bubble) during work in sunny weather due to the effects of sunlight (reflection, etc.).

[0007] This is because, due to the small size of the bubble 33, it contacts the top surface 34 of the bubble tube body 31 but not the bottom surface 35, making it difficult to clearly and easily see the bubble 33. Specifically, the color of the colored liquid 32 is reflected in the colorless and transparent bubble 33, making it difficult to see the bubble 33 clearly.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the current situation, and aims to provide a bubble tube that makes it easy to check the position of the bubble even under the influence of sunlight, and a spirit level equipped with this bubble tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] The present invention relates to a bubble tube in which a colored liquid 2 and a bubble 3 are sealed, and the horizontality or verticality of an object to be measured can be measured by the position of the bubble 3, wherein the main body 1 in which the liquid 2 and the bubble 3 are sealed has a transparent top surface 4 and a bottom surface 5 colored in a different color from the liquid 2, and the bubble 3 is set to a size that contacts both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 when it is located in the center of the main body 1, which is a reference position indicating whether the object to be measured is horizontal or vertical.

[0011] Furthermore, the bubble tube according to claim 1 is characterized in that the main body 1 is a disc-shaped body having a predetermined height, and a reference position indicator 6 is provided on the top surface 4 to indicate whether the object to be measured is in a horizontal or vertical state.

[0012] Furthermore, the bubble tube according to claim 1 is characterized in that, when the bubble 3 is located in the center of the main body 1 and in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5, the contact area with the top surface 4 is larger than the contact area with the bottom surface 5.

[0013] Furthermore, the bubble tube according to claim 2 is characterized in that, when the bubble 3 is located in the center of the main body 1 and in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5, the contact area with the top surface 4 is larger than the contact area with the bottom surface 5.

[0014] Furthermore, the bubble tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized in that, when the bubble 3 is located in the center of the main body 1 and in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5, the diameter of the contact surface in contact with the top surface 4 is set to be 40% or more of the diameter of the top surface 4.

[0015] Furthermore, this relates to a spirit level characterized by comprising a bubble tube 8 as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0016] Furthermore, this invention relates to a spirit level characterized by comprising the bubble tube 8 described in claim 5. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the present invention provides a bubble tube that makes it easy to check the position of the bubble, and a spirit level equipped with this bubble tube. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] These are a plan view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) showing the bubble tube of this embodiment. [Figure 2] The images show a comparison between the bubble level of this embodiment and a conventional circular bubble level, with (a) being a comparison with a conventional circular bubble level with a yellow liquid, and (b) being a comparison with a conventional circular bubble level with a pink liquid. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view showing this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory sectional view showing the bubble tube mounting portion of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a bottom-side perspective view showing this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the usage state of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory plan view showing the usage state of this embodiment. [Figure 8] These are a plan view (a) and a sectional view (b) showing a conventional circular bubble tube.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention that are considered suitable will be briefly described based on the drawings while showing the operation of the present invention.

[0020] In the present invention, when the measured object is in a horizontal or vertical state, that is, when the bubble 3 is located within the reference circle 6 provided at the center of the main body 1, the bubble 3 comes into contact with both the top surface portion 4 and the bottom surface portion 5, and the bottom surface portion 5 of the portion where the bubble 3 is in contact is exposed by the colorless and transparent bubble 3.

[0021] Here, since the bottom surface portion 5 of the present invention is colored in a color different from that of the liquid 2, the bubble 3 can be clearly visually recognized due to the contrast with the liquid 2. Therefore, the position of the bubble 3 can be confirmed more clearly and easily than before (see FIG. 2).

[0022] Therefore, even when used for outdoor work on a sunny day, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the difficulty of confirming the position of the bubble 3 (the contour of the bubble) due to the influence of sunlight (such as reflection), and it becomes an innovative bubble tube and level with excellent practicality that can perform work smoothly.

Examples

[0023] Specific examples of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0024] This embodiment is a spirit level suitable for measuring the verticality of columnar bodies P such as utility poles and road signs, consisting of a bubble tube 8 and a spirit level body 10 in which the bubble tube 8 is installed.

[0025] Specifically, this embodiment relates to a level for tapered poles used for measuring tapered columnar bodies P.

[0026] The components of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0027] The bubble tube 8 is a circular bubble tube in which a colored liquid 2 and a bubble 3 are sealed inside a disc-shaped body 1 having a predetermined height, and is configured so that the verticality of the columnar body P can be measured by the position of the bubble 3.

[0028] Specifically, the main body 1 has a transparent top surface 4 and a bottom surface 5 that is colored differently from the liquid 2 sealed inside the main body 1. The bubble 3 is set to be large enough to contact both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 of the main body 1 when it is located in the center of the main body 1, which is a reference position indicating that the columnar body P is in a vertical state.

[0029] More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the main body 1 is formed as a flattened cylindrical disc, and a reference circle 6 is provided in the center of the top surface 4 to indicate that the columnar body P is in a vertical state. The size of this reference circle 6 can be appropriately changed depending on the size of the air bubble 3 sealed inside the main body 1.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(b), the top surface 4 has an inner surface 4a that is formed as a concave curved surface, and the bottom surface 5 is colored white, and as shown in Figure 1(b), the inner surface 5a opposite to the inner surface 4a of the top surface 4 is formed as a gently sloping surface (a gently bowl-shaped surface) that slopes downward from the periphery to the center, and in addition, an injection hole 5b for injecting liquid 2 and a lid 5c that closes this injection hole 5b are provided in the center of the bottom surface 5.

[0031] Furthermore, the liquid 2 sealed inside the main body 1 is a petroleum-based solvent, specifically a hydrocarbon-based solvent (in this embodiment, synthetic isoparaffin).

[0032] Specifically, the liquid 2 is colored in a way that clearly distinguishes it from the white-colored bottom surface 5, specifically in the reddish-red or pinkish-red color. However, the liquid 2 is not limited to the above, and any liquid that allows the bubble tube 8 to function as a spirit level can be used as appropriate. Furthermore, the color of the liquid 2 is not limited to the above, and any color that clearly distinguishes it from the white-colored bottom surface 5 and is easily visible even under the influence of sunlight can be used as appropriate.

[0033] Furthermore, the bubbles 3 sealed inside the main body 1 along with the liquid 2 are formed in a larger diameter shape than the bubbles 33 sealed inside a conventional circular bubble tube 38 as shown in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 1(b), they are configured to contact both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 when positioned within the reference circle 6 located in the center of the top surface 4. Specifically, the bubbles 3 in this embodiment are configured to always be in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 (at any position within the bubble tube 8).

[0034] Furthermore, when the bubble 3 is located in the center of the main body 1 and in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5, the contact area with the top surface 4 is larger than the contact area with the bottom surface 5. Specifically, the bubble 3 in this embodiment is set to a size such that its diameter in plan view is 40% or more (preferably 40% to about 55%) of the diameter of the top surface 4 (inner diameter of the space), and in the center of the main body 1, where it is the tallest (the distance between the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 is the widest), the size is set such that the contact area with the bottom surface 5 is 50% or more of the contact area with the top surface 4.

[0035] In other words, in this embodiment, the bubble tube 8 is configured such that the bubble 3 is always in contact with the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 inside the main body 1, and the contact area of ​​the bubble 3 with the bottom surface 5 is of an appropriate size, so that the white-colored bottom surface 5 is exposed in a circular shape at the location of the bubble 3, and the location of the bubble 3 can be easily confirmed by visually observing this white circular area 7.

[0036] Furthermore, the spirit level body 10 on which the bubble tube 8 is installed consists of a pair of side plate sections 11 formed in a substantially triangular shape, a gripping section 12 installed between the upper tops of the side plate sections 11, and mounting sections 13 installed between the left and right lower tops of the side plate sections 11, as shown in Figure 3.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the side plate portion 11 is formed in an arc shape where the base portion between the left and right lower top portions is convex towards the upper top portion, so that the base portion does not interfere with the cylindrical columnar body P when measuring it.

[0038] Furthermore, one side plate portion 11 is provided with a bubble tube mounting portion 14 into which a bubble tube 8 is installed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a recess is formed in the upper part of the side plate portion 11 into which the bubble tube 8 is fitted. In addition, the bottom surface 14a of the recess is inclined at a predetermined angle, and the bubble tube 8 is installed in an inclined state at a predetermined angle (for example, 1 / 75, 1 / 100, 1 / 150 in terms of gradient).

[0039] In this embodiment, the bubble tube mounting portion 14 is provided only on one side plate portion 11. However, the bubble tube mounting portion 14 may be provided on both side plate portions 11. In that case, the angles of the recessed bottom surface 14a may be set to different angles so that the bubble tube 8 can be installed at different inclination angles, or one of the recessed bottom surfaces 14a may be set horizontally so that a columnar body (straight pole) that is not a tapered pole can be measured.

[0040] Furthermore, the gripping portion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape (hollow body) with a diameter of approximately 25 mm to 30 mm and a length of approximately 100 mm to 150 mm, in order to facilitate gripping.

[0041] Furthermore, the erection section 13 is provided with a fastening section 15 in the longitudinal center for fastening a fixing member 20 (specifically, a fixing band 20) to secure the spirit level body 10 to the columnar body P.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, each mounting section 13 is provided with projections 16 at both longitudinal ends of the contact section that abuts against the columnar body P. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the measurement is performed by bringing the four projections 16, two on each mounting section 13, into contact with the columnar body P. In other words, in this embodiment, the spirit level body 10 makes stable contact with the columnar body P by making contact at a point rather than on a surface or edge, enabling accurate measurement.

[0043] Furthermore, the erection section 13 in this embodiment also serves as a reinforcing rib for the spirit level body 10.

[0044] Furthermore, bubbles 3 with a larger diameter than the bubbles 33 of a conventional circular bubble tube 38, as in this embodiment, can be produced by reducing the amount of liquid 2 injected into the main body 1. The method for producing bubbles 3 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0045] The bottom portion 5 of the main body 1 is positioned upwards, and an injection hole 5b is opened in the center of the bottom portion 5. A predetermined amount of liquid 2 is injected into the main body 1 through the injection hole 5b. This injection amount is less than the amount of liquid injected in a conventional circular bubble tube of the same type, resulting in the formation of a larger void within the main body 1 than in conventional devices.

[0046] Next, the lid portion 5c is fitted into the injection hole 5b and sealed tightly, thereby sealing the liquid 2 into the main body 1, which results in the formation of larger bubbles 3 than in the conventional method due to the aforementioned void.

[0047] The size of bubble 3 is adjusted as appropriate, taking into account the size of the main body 1 (capacity and thickness (height)).

[0048] The effects and advantages of this embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0049] In this embodiment, the bubble 3 is always in contact with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 of the main body 1. Due to the contact of the bubble 3 with both the top surface 4 and the bottom surface, the bottom surface 5 in contact with the bubble 3 appears to be exposed through the colorless and transparent bubble 3.

[0050] In other words, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, conventional circular bubble tubes 38 have small bubbles 33, so liquid 32 exists between the bubbles 33 and the bottom surface 35, causing the entire bubble tube body 31 to appear yellowish, making it difficult to see the bubbles 33. Furthermore, they are easily reflected by sunlight, making them unsuitable for outdoor work in sunny weather. However, in this embodiment, the exposed bottom surface 5 exists as a white circular section 7 at the same position as the bubbles 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and can be clearly distinguished from the reddish-colored liquid 2. Therefore, the position of the bubbles 3 can be easily confirmed by visually identifying this white circular section 7.

[0051] Therefore, even when this embodiment is used for outdoor work in sunny weather, the difficulty in confirming the position of bubble 3 (the outline of the bubble) due to the effects of sunlight (reflection, etc.) is prevented as much as possible, and work can be carried out smoothly.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each constituent element can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1 Main unit 2 liquid 3 bubbles 4 Top section 5 Bottom part 8. Bubble level

Claims

1. A bubble tube containing a colored liquid and a bubble, capable of measuring the horizontality or verticality of an object being measured by the position of the bubble, wherein the body containing the liquid and the bubble has a transparent top surface and a bottom surface colored in a different color from the liquid, and the bubble is set to a size that contacts both the top surface and the bottom surface when the bubble is located in the center of the body, which serves as a reference position indicating whether the object being measured is horizontal or vertical.

2. A bubble tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body is a disc-shaped body having a predetermined height, and a reference position indicator is provided on the top surface to indicate whether the object to be measured is in a horizontal or vertical state.

3. The bubble tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the bubble is located in the center of the body and in contact with both the top surface and the bottom surface, the contact area with the top surface is larger than the contact area with the bottom surface.

4. The bubble tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the bubble is located in the center of the body and in contact with both the top surface and the bottom surface, the contact area with the top surface is larger than the contact area with the bottom surface.

5. A bubble tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bubble is located in the center of the body and in contact with both the top surface and the bottom surface, and the diameter of the contact surface in contact with the top surface is set to be 40% or more of the diameter of the top surface.

6. A spirit level characterized by comprising a bubble tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A spirit level characterized by comprising the bubble tube described in claim 5.

Images