US3738015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap-in vial retainers
Assignee: Stanley Works
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A level having a cylindrical vial having a barrel-shaped bubble cavity is positioned in a circular aperture in the web of a level frame with its axis coincident with the central plane of the web and is retained therein by a pair of identical retainer caps snap-fitted onto the frame web. The retainer caps are each provided with a pair of hooks which engage the edge of a pair of notches of the aperture, and each of the retainer caps provides a reinforcing wall engaging the hooks of the other retainer cap to reinforce the hooks and lock them against inadvertent disassembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Jong M De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/26; G01C9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A level comprising a frame provided with parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting said surfaces, said web having aperture means providing two pair of oppositely directed notches, an elongated vial having its ends precision fitted in one pair of said notches for mounting said vial at a fixed preselected relationship to the working surfaces with the longitudinal axis thereof coincident with the central plane of said web, and a pair of retainers overlying said aperture means on both sides of said web, both of said retainers engaging said vial to maintain its longitudinal axis coincident with the central plane of the web of the frame, each of said retainers providing hooks projecting through said aperture means and engageable with the second pair of said notches with a snap fit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A level comprising a frame provided with parallel working surfaces and a web interconnecting said surfaces, said web having aperture means providing two pair of oppositely directed notches, an elongated vial having its ends precision fitted in one pair of said notches for mounting said vial at a fixed preselected relationship to the working surfaces with the longitudinal axis thereof coincident with the central plane of said web, and a pair of retainers overlying said aperture means on both sides of said web, both of said retainers engaging said vial to maintain its longitudinal axis coincident with the central plane of the web of the frame, each of said retainers providing hooks projecting through said aperture means and engageable with the second pair of said notches with a snap fit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said retainers are identical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 2 wherein each of said retainers provides backing walls respectively engageable with the hooks of the other retainer to lock the hooks into engagement with an edge of said aperture means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said hooks are provided with enlarged wedge-shaped ends to deflect said backing walls away from the edges of said aperture means to enable the hooks to enter the space therebetween during assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the vial has a cylindrical outer surface and has a barrel-shaped cavity, the axis of which is coincident with the axis of the cylindrical surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the side walls of each notch of said one pair are parallel to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said hooks are provided with a necked portion having a bottom wall of less dimension than the thickness of said web, said necked portion being defined at its outer end by a tapered wall engageable with said web to assure a tight fit and accommodate manufacturing variations and tolerances.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |