Liquid level gauge with hinged float arm

Abstract

A float-type liquid level gauge (,) is provided for measuring the level of a liquid within a storage tank (,). The gauge includes a gauge head (,) adapted for mounting to a portion of liquid storing container, a support arm (,) connected to the gauge head and depending therefrom into the tank, a float arm (,) including an elongate inner arm section (,), an elongate outer arm section (,) and a hinge section (,), and a float (,) connected to the outer end of the float arm. The inner section of the float arm is pivotally connected to the support arm for movement through an arc defining a first plane. The hinge section is connected at a first end to an outer end of the inner arm section and connected at an opposite end to the inner end of the outer arm section. The hinge section is deflectable to allow movement of the outer arm section between a first configuration in which the outer arm section is in a predetermined position with respect to the inner arm section, and a second configuration in which the outer arm section is not in the predetermined position. The hinge section provides a biasing force for urging the outer arm section into the first configuration. This arrangement allows the outer arm section to temporarily deflect with respect to the inner arm section to avoid damage if the float or float arm encounters an obstacle as the gauge is being installed in the storage tank.