The Stanley Works

Martin M Brown

Sylvester W Bies

John H Wilcox

Joseph J Guarnaccia

Steven R Dakolios

Gregory J Gartner

A level of the type having parallel working surfaces and an interconnecting web is provided with an aperture having at least a pair of oppositely directed notches prearranged and configured relative to each other so that ends of a level vial accurately fit within the notches. The vial is provided at one end with a vial retaining tongue that extends from one end thereof and abuts one side of the web to laterally position and orient the vial within the plane of the web. The assembly includes a vial retainer cover that overlies the aperture and includes a vial engaging abutment that bears against the tongue of the vial to hold that member in retentive butting engagement against the side of the web and prevent lateral displacement or misorientation of the vial. The elongated vial may have a gradually tapered surface that not only permits rapid molding of the vial but also facilitates the use of a curved vial configuration with the proper degree of curvature accurately molded therein.

Level vial holder assembly

Improved mounting means is provided for mounting a top viewable liquid vial in a level having an I-beam type frame provided with a through opening in the web communicating with a notch in the adjacent horizontal working surface, the mounting means including a transparent shroud for the vial having a bight portion extending around the vial below the notch forming a magnifying lens and side walls forming side windows protecting the vial. The shroud is clamped between a pair of identical mounting caps which also are clamped to the web around the periphery of the through opening thereby enclosing the shroud and vial assembly and positioning it in the through opening to permit viewing of the vial from the top and sides.

Growing community of inventors

Kensington, CT, United States of America

Martin M Brown