阅读说明：本技术 用于箱梁水平仪的气泡管安装系统 (Bubble tube mounting system for box girder level gauge ) 是由 T·J·沃基斯求斯金姆 D·C·门塞尔 于 2019-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种水平仪,包括水平仪主体,水平仪主体具有顶壁、底壁和侧壁,且具有向主体内部敞开的窗口。气泡管定位在窗口内。气泡管由气泡管安装件承载且相对于气泡管安装件可旋转。气泡管安装件和水平仪主体包括接合结构,该接合机构固定气泡管安装件以防止相对于水平仪主体运动。诸如螺钉之类的固定构件由气泡管安装件可运动地承载且可与气泡管接合,以便选择性地调整气泡管相对于水平仪主体的角度位置以及选择性地固定气泡管相对于气泡管安装件且由此相对于水平仪主体的角度位置。(A level includes a level body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls, and having a window opening into the interior of the body. A bubble vial is positioned within the window. The bubble vial is carried by and rotatable relative to the bubble vial mount. The vial mount and the level body include an engagement mechanism that secures the vial mount against movement relative to the level body. A fixing member, such as a screw, is movably carried by the vial mount and is engageable with the vial for selectively adjusting the angular position of the vial relative to the level body and for selectively fixing the angular position of the vial relative to the vial mount and thus the level body.)

1. A spirit level comprising:

a level body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending between and interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls cooperate to define an interior of the level body, and wherein the level body comprises a window;

a vial positioned within the window of the level body, wherein the vial is carried by a vial mount, and wherein the vial is rotatably movable relative to the vial mount, and wherein the vial mount and the level body include engagement structure that secures the vial mount against movement relative to the level body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the level body; and

one or more securing members kinematically carried by the vial mount, wherein the one or more securing members are engageable with the vial and are constructed and arranged to selectively adjust the angular position of the vial relative to the level body and to selectively secure the angular position of the vial relative to the vial mount and thereby relative to the level body.

2. The level of claim 1, wherein the engagement structure includes upper and lower engagement surfaces on the vial mount engageable with top and bottom inner surfaces of the level body defining the interior of the level body, respectively.

3. The level of claim 2, wherein the top and bottom interior surfaces of the level body are defined by the top and bottom walls of the level body, respectively.

4. The level of claim 2, wherein the level body includes an opening in an end defined by the level body, wherein the opening communicates with the interior of the level body, and wherein the vial mount engages the level body by axial movement of the vial mount through the opening into the interior of the level body, and wherein the upper and lower engagement surfaces on the vial mount are defined by resilient engagement portions that compress when in contact with the top and bottom interior surfaces of the level body, respectively.

5. The level of claim 1 wherein the interior of the level body includes a channel that opens onto an end defined by the level body, wherein the vial mount is engaged with the level body by axial movement of the vial mount from the end of the level body into the channel, and further comprising a securing member engaged between the level body and the vial mount to secure the position of the vial mount relative to the level body along the longitudinal axis of the level body.

6. The level of claim 1, wherein the vial is positioned within an opening defined by the vial mount and is rotatable relative to the vial mount about an axis of rotation, and wherein the vial includes first and second engagement surfaces on either side of the axis of rotation of the vial, respectively, and wherein the one or more securing members include a pair of threaded members received within a threaded channel defined by the vial mount, wherein each of the threaded members is movable into engagement with one of the engagement surfaces such that movement of the threaded members selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening.

7. The level of claim 6, wherein the vial mount further comprises a pair of recesses positioned on either side of the rotational axis and extending outwardly from the opening, respectively, and wherein the first and second engagement surfaces comprise a pair of tabs on the vial, each tab received within one of the recesses, and wherein each threaded member is movable into engagement with one of the tabs such that movement of the threaded member selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening.

8. The level of claim 7, wherein the tab is provided on a ring member configured to be received within the opening of the vial mount, and wherein the vial is positioned within an interior defined by the ring member.

9. The level of claim 6, wherein the vial is interconnected with a vial mount, and wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are disposed on the vial mount.

10. A spirit level comprising:

a level body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending between and interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls cooperate to define an interior of the level body, wherein the level body comprises an opening in an end defined by the level body through which the interior of the level body is accessible, and wherein the level body further comprises a window;

a vial positioned within the window of the level body, wherein the vial is carried by a vial mount, and wherein the vial is rotatably movable relative to the vial mount, and wherein the vial mount is configured to be positioned within the interior of the level body by moving through the opening in the end defined by the level body, and wherein the vial mount engages the level body to prevent movement relative thereto in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the level body;

wherein the vial is positioned within an opening defined by the vial mount and is rotatable relative to the vial mount about an axis of rotation, and wherein the vial includes first and second engagement surfaces positioned on either side of the axis of rotation of the vial; and

a pair of threaded members received within a threaded passage defined by the vial mount, wherein each of the threaded members is movable into engagement with one of the engagement surfaces such that movement of the threaded members selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening.

11. The level of claim 10, wherein the vial mount includes a pair of recesses positioned on either side of the rotational axis and extending outwardly from the opening, respectively, and wherein the first and second engagement surfaces include a pair of tabs on the vial, each tab received within one of the recesses, and wherein each threaded member is movable into engagement with one of the tabs such that movement of the threaded member selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening.

12. The level of claim 10, wherein the vial is interconnected with a vial mount, and wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are disposed on the vial mount.

13. A method of securing a level vial to a level body extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the level body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending between and interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls cooperate to define an interior of the level body, and wherein the level body includes a window, the method comprising the steps of:

rotationally engaging a vial with a vial mount such that the vial is rotatable relative to the vial mount about an axis of rotation;

positioning the vial mount within the interior of the level body and engaging the vial mount with the level body to inhibit movement of the vial mount relative to the level body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the level body, wherein the vial mount is positioned such that the vial is visible through the window; and

adjusting a position of the vial relative to the vial mount about the axis of rotation of the vial using a pair of securing members movably mounted to the vial mount and selectively engageable with the vial.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of engaging the vial mount with the level body to inhibit movement of the vial mount relative to the level body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the level body is performed by: engaging top and bottom resilient portions of the vial mount with inner surfaces defined by the top and bottom walls of the level body, respectively.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the level body defines an end having an opening through which the interior of the level body is accessible, and wherein the step of engaging the vial mount with the level body is performed by: inserting the vial mount through the opening and into the interior of the level body.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pair of securing members comprises a pair of threaded adjustment members that are threadably engaged within a channel defined by the vial mount, wherein the channel and the threaded adjustment members are positioned on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the vial.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the level body defines an end having an opening through which the interior of the level body is accessible, and wherein the threaded adjustment member is selectively moved relative to the vial mount by accessing the threaded adjustment member through the opening using a tool.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the vial mount comprises an opening within which the vial is positioned, wherein the vial is carried by a ring rotatably positioned within the opening.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ring includes a pair of tabs located on either side of the rotational axis of the vial, wherein each of the threaded adjustment members is engageable with the tabs to selectively cause rotation of the ring and, thereby, the vial with respect to the vial mount.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vial mount comprises a pair of recesses, wherein each tab is positioned within one of the recesses, and wherein the recesses accommodate movement of the tabs relative to the vial mount.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the vial mount comprises an opening within which the vial is positioned, wherein the vial is carried by a vial holder that is rotatable within the opening, and wherein the pair of threaded adjustment members are engageable with engagement surfaces defined by the vial holder on both sides of an axis of rotation of the vial with respect to the vial mount.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a level and, more particularly, to a system for mounting a level vial to a box-type body of the level.

Background

Levels typically include at least one bubble vial for indicating the position of a surface relative to a horizontal plane, and other bubble vials, such as one or more plumb bubble vials, for indicating the position of a surface relative to vertical. Various types of spirit levels are known, typical examples of which are those having box-type spirit levels bodies and those having I-beam type spirit bodies. In a level having a box-type level body, a bubble vial, such as a plumb bubble vial, is mounted within the interior of the level body such that the bubble vial is visible from both sides of the level body. This typically involves forming openings in the side walls of the level body through which the vial is viewed. Because the level body involves relatively thin side walls and an open interior, there are difficulties in securing the vial to the level body so that the orientation of the vial can be adjusted to ensure its orientation relative to the level body to provide accurate measurements. The level vial mounting system of the present invention addresses these challenges.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a level includes a level body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending between and interconnecting the top and bottom walls. The top wall, bottom wall and side walls cooperate to define an interior of the level body, and the level body includes a window. The bubble vial is positioned within a window of the level body. The bubble vial is carried by the bubble vial mounting member, and the bubble vial is capable of rotational movement relative to the bubble vial mounting member. The vial mount and the level body include engagement structure that secures the vial mount from movement relative to the level body in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the level body. One or more securing members are movably carried by the vial mount and are engageable with the vial and are constructed and arranged to selectively adjust the angular position of the vial relative to the level body and to selectively secure the angular position of the vial relative to the vial mount and thus the level body.

In one form, the engagement structure includes upper and lower engagement surfaces on the vial mount that are engageable with top and bottom inner surfaces, respectively, of the level body that define the level body interior. The top and bottom interior surfaces of the level body may typically be defined by top and bottom walls, respectively, of the level body. The level body may include an opening in an end defined by the level body that communicates with an interior of the level body. The vial mount may be engaged with the level body by axially moving the vial mount through the opening into the interior of the level body. The upper and lower engagement surfaces on the vial mount may be in the form of resilient engagement portions that compress upon contact with the top and bottom inner surfaces of the level body, respectively. A securing member may be engaged between the level body and the vial mount to secure the position of the vial mount relative to the level body along the longitudinal axis of the level body.

The bubble vial is positionable within an opening defined by the bubble vial mount and rotatable relative to the bubble vial mount about an axis of rotation. The bubble vial includes first and second engagement surfaces located on either side of the axis of rotation of the bubble vial, respectively. One or more securing members may be in the form of pairs of threaded members that are received within threaded passages defined by the vial mount, and each threaded member is movable into engagement with one of the engagement surfaces such that movement of the threaded members selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening.

In one embodiment, the bubble vial mount includes a pair of recesses positioned on either side of the rotational axis and extending outwardly from the opening. The first and second engagement surfaces may be in the form of pairs of tabs (ribs) on the vial, each tab being received in one of the recesses. Each threaded member is movable into engagement with one of the tabs such that movement of the threaded members selectively causes rotation of the vial within the opening. The tab may be provided on a ring member configured to be received within the opening of the vial mount, and wherein the vial is positioned within an interior defined by the ring member.

In another embodiment, the vial may be interconnected with the vial holder, and the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are disposed on the vial holder.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of securing a level vial to a level body including features similar to those described above. The method involves: rotatably engaging the vial with the vial mount such that the vial is rotatable relative to the vial mount about an axis of rotation; positioning a vial mount within an interior of the level body and engaging the vial mount with the level body to inhibit movement of the vial mount relative to the level body in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the level body, wherein the vial mount is positioned such that the vial is visible through the window; and adjusting the position of the vial with respect to the vial mount about the axis of rotation of the vial using pairs of securing members movably mounted to the vial mount and selectively engageable with the vial. The act of engaging the vial mount with the level body may be performed by: the top and bottom resilient portions of the vial mount are engaged with the inner surfaces defined by the top and bottom walls of the level body, respectively. The level body may define an end having an opening through which access to an interior of the level body may be had, and the act of engaging the vial mount with the level body may be performed by: a vial mount is inserted through the opening into the interior of the level body.

Typically, the pair of securing members may be in the form of a pair of threaded adjustment members that are threadably engaged within a channel defined by the vial mount, with the channel and the threaded adjustment members being positioned on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the vial. The threaded adjustment member may be selectively moved relative to the vial mount by accessing (touching) the threaded adjustment member through an opening in the end of the level body using a tool.

The vial mount may include an opening in which the vial is positioned, and the vial may be carried by a ring rotatably positioned in the opening. The ring may include a pair of tabs located on either side of the axis of rotation of the bubble vial, and the threaded adjustment member may be engaged with the tabs to selectively cause rotation of the ring, and thus the bubble vial, relative to the bubble vial mount. The vial mount may include a pair of recesses, and each tab may be positioned within one of the recesses such that each recess accommodates movement of the tab relative to the vial mount. Alternatively, the vial may be carried by a vial holder that is rotatable within the opening, and the pair of threaded adjustment members may engage engagement surfaces defined by the vial holder on both sides of the axis of rotation of the vial with respect to the vial mount.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Drawings

A clear concept of the advantages and features constituting the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the exemplary and thus non-limiting embodiments shown in the drawings, which are attached to and form a part of this specification, may be several views, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a level incorporating a bubble vial mounting system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded isometric view showing a portion of the frame of the level in FIG. 1 and the components of a first embodiment of a bubble vial mounting system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the level of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the level of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded isometric view showing a portion of a frame of a level and components of a second embodiment of a vial mounting system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an end view of a level constructed with components of the vial mounting system as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial side view of the level of FIGS. 8-10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11; and

fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of fig. 11.

In describing embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the terms "connected," "attached," or similar terms are often used. They are not limited to direct connection or attachment but include connection or attachment to other elements where such connection or attachment is recognized as an equivalent by those skilled in the art.

Detailed Description

Various features and advantageous details of the subject matter disclosed herein are set forth more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a level 10, the level 10 including a level vial 12 and a pair of vials 14, the pair of vials 14 being configured to measure an orientation of a surface other than with respect to a horizontal plane, such as with respect to plumb or with respect to 45 degrees each of horizontal and vertical. Bubble vial 14 may be secured in place on level 12 using a bubble vial mounting system according to the present invention. In a known manner, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the level 10 includes a box-type frame or body 16, the box-type frame or body 16 having a top wall 18, a bottom wall 20, and a pair of side walls 22, 24, the pair of side walls 22, 24 extending between the top and bottom walls 18, 20 and interconnecting the top and bottom walls 18, 20. The top wall 18, bottom wall 20 and side walls 22, 24 cooperate to define an interior 26 of the level body 16.

The level body 16 includes a window 28 that provides visibility of the level vial 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 28 is formed by a circular opening in the side walls 22, 24 of the level body 16.

The level 10 also includes a pair of end caps 30, the pair of end caps 30 being secured to each end of the level body 16. End cap 30 may be removably secured to level body 16, such as via a removable end cap mounting structure as described and shown in U.S. patent 9,970,760 to Wojciechowsi, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. However, it is to be understood that any type of suitable end cap mounting structure may be employed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vial mounting system of the present invention includes a vial mount 32 and an adjustment ring 34, the vial mount 32 and adjustment ring 34 cooperating to mount the vial 14 to the level body 16. As is known, bubble vial 14 is a block-type bubble vial having a generally circular configuration with a cylindrical cavity formed therein within which a quantity of liquid is disposed to form a bubble.

Adjustment ring 34 includes a generally circular wall 36, with the inner surface of circular wall 36 configured to closely correspond to the configuration of the outer surface of bubble vial 14. In this manner, bubble vial 14 is received within the interior space defined by circular wall 36. An adhesive may be positioned between the outer surface of bubble vial 14 and the inner surface of circular wall 36 to fix the position of bubble vial 14 relative to adjustment ring 34. In addition, the adjustment ring 34 includes pairs of outwardly extending tabs, as shown at 38a, 38 b. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 38a, 38b are diametrically opposed to each other and extend outwardly from the outer surface of the circular wall 36. However, it is to be understood that the tabs 38a, 38b may also be positioned relative to each other in any other angular relationship.

Bubble vial mounting member 32 includes a bubble vial mounting section 40, bubble vial mounting section 40 in combination with an upper engagement section 42 and a lower engagement section 44, upper engagement section 42 and lower engagement section 44 being positioned above and below bubble vial mounting section 40, respectively. Bubble vial mounting member 32 further includes a transversely oriented generally cylindrical wall 46, with generally cylindrical wall 46 defining a transverse retainer passage 48.

Bubble vial mounting section 40 is formed to include a generally circular wall defining a generally circular inner surface 50. Bubble vial mounting section 40 further includes pairs of laterally extending slots or recesses shown at 52a, 52b (fig. 4) extending outwardly from the top and bottom of inner surface 50, respectively.

The upper engagement section 42 of the bubble vial mounting member 40 includes a pair of axially spaced resilient walls 54. Similarly, the lower engagement section 42 of the bubble vial mounting member 40 includes a pair of axially spaced resilient walls 56. Resilient wall 54 has an arcuate configuration extending upwardly from the top of bubble vial mounting member 40, and similarly, resilient wall 56 has an arcuate configuration extending downwardly from the bottom of bubble vial mounting member 40. Bubble vial mounting member 40 is formed with a gap or clearance below upper resilient wall 54 and above lower resilient wall 56.

Bubble vial mounting member 40 further includes an axially extending upper threaded passage 58a and an axially extending lower threaded passage 58 b. Channels 58a, 58b extend between the ends of bubble vial mounting member 40 and slots 52a, 52b, respectively. A threaded adjustment and securement member in the form of a screw 60a may be threadably engaged within the upper threaded passage 58a, and similarly, a threaded adjustment and securement member in the form of a screw 60b may be threadably engaged within the lower threaded passage 58 b.

As described above, to secure vial 14 to level body 16, vial 14 is first secured to adjustment ring 34. Subsequently, trim ring 34 is engaged with vial mount 32 in a state in which vial 14 is mounted thereon by positioning trim ring 34 within a circular recess defined by circular inner surface 50 of vial mounting section 40 of vial mount 32. Adjustment ring 34 is positioned such that upper tab 38a is received within slot 52a and adjustment tab 38b is received within slot 52 b.

With vial 14 secured to adjustment ring 34 and adjustment ring 34 in turn engaged with vial mount 32, vial mount 32 is inserted into interior 26 of level body 16 through the open end of level body 16. As vial mount 32 is axially advanced into interior 26 of level body 16, upper resilient wall 54 contacts the inner surface of level body top wall 18 and lower resilient wall 56 contacts the inner surface of level body bottom wall 20. The overall height of vial mount 32, as defined by the vertical dimension between the upper surface of upper resilient wall 54 and the lower surface of lower resilient wall 56, is slightly greater than the height of level body interior 26, as defined between the facing inner surfaces of top wall 18 and bottom wall 20. Thus, as vial mount 32 is advanced into level body interior 26, upper and lower resilient walls 54, 56 flex inwardly and toward one another to provide secure frictional engagement of vial mount 32 within level body interior 26 to prevent movement of vial mount 32 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of level body 16, i.e., upward and downward movement of vial mount 32. Thus, the position of vial 14 relative to level body 16 is fixed in a lateral direction relative to level body 16.

The vial mounting member 32 is advanced to a position in which the circular opening defined by the inner surface 50 of the vial mounting section 40 is aligned with the window 28 in the level body side walls 22, 24. When the vial mount 32 is so positioned, the lateral retainer channels 48 are aligned with the pairs of openings 62 in the level body sidewalls 22, 24. A transverse securing member, which may be in the form of a pin or dowel 64, is inserted into the aligned opening 62 and channel 48 to secure the vial mount 32 against axial movement relative to the level body 16.

After the vial mount 32 has been positioned within the interior 26 of the level body 16 as described above, the level body 16 is calibrated. To do so, one engagement surface of level body 16 is placed on the reference surface and the rotational position of bubble vial 14 is adjusted to place bubble vial 14 in the desired angular position. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the bubble vial 14 may be aligned such that the longitudinal axis of the bubble vial cavity is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the level body 16. To provide such fine adjustment of vial 14, a user selectively advances or retracts screws 60a, 60b within respective channels 58a, 58b, such as by using a screwdriver engaged with the heads of screws 60a, 60b by insertion through the open end of level body 16. The inner ends of screws 60a, 60b act on tabs 38a, 38b, respectively, to selectively rotate bubble vial 14 relative to bubble vial mount 32. During such adjustment of the rotational position of bubble vial 14, recesses or slots 52a, 52b accommodate movement of tabs 38a, 38b, respectively. After the desired orientation of vial 14 is obtained, end cap 30 is secured to level body 16.

Fig. 8-13 illustrate alternative embodiments of bubble vial mounting systems according to the present invention, and like reference numerals will be used where possible for the sake of clarity. This embodiment is designed with a bubble vial 70 having a rounded surface 72 sized for positioning within the window 28. As previously mentioned, bubble vial 70 includes a cylindrical chamber within which a quantity of fluid is disposed to form a bubble in a known manner. Further, between each circular surface 72, bubble vial 70 includes an engagement section 74, engagement section 74 defining an upper engagement surface 76a and a lower engagement surface 76 b.

The vial 70 is secured to the level body 16 via a vial mount that includes a first vial mounting section 78 and a second vial mounting section 80. Bubble vial mounting sections 78, 80 are substantially mirror images of each other. Bubble vial mounting section 78 is formed with a generally circular wall 82, with generally circular wall 82 defining an inner surface 84. Bubble vial mounting section 78 further includes axially spaced upper elastomeric wall 86 and axially spaced lower elastomeric wall 88. Bubble vial mounting section 78 further includes upper and lower threaded passages 90a, 90b, and a transverse passage 92 leading to an inner surface 94. An upper pin 96 extends outwardly from the inner surface 94 and a lower channel 98 extends inwardly from the inner surface 94.

Bubble vial mounting section 80 is similarly configured and includes a generally circular wall 100, with generally circular wall 100 defining an inner surface 112, axially spaced upper and lower resilient walls 104 and 106, upper and lower threaded passages 108a and 108b, and a transverse passage 110. Bubble vial mounting section 80 further includes an inner surface 112 (fig. 13), an upper channel 114 extending inwardly from inner surface 112, and a lower pin 116 extending outwardly from inner surface 112.

Thus configured, vial mounting sections 78, 80 are configured to be brought together and secured to one another with vial 70 received therebetween within a cavity defined by inner surfaces 84, 112 of vial mounting sections 78, 80, respectively. When engaged together in this manner, pins 96 of vial mounting section 78 are received within passages 114 of vial mounting section 80, and similarly, pins 116 of vial mounting section 80 are received within passages 98 of vial mounting section 78. Bubbler tube mounting sections 78, 80 may be secured to each other using an adhesive, sonic welding or in any other desired manner. When vial mounting sections 78, 80 are secured to one another, the respective transverse channels 92, 110 are positioned in alignment with one another.

Threaded adjustment and securement members, such as shown at screw 112, are engaged within threaded passages 90a, 90b and 108a, 108 b.

Next, the vial mounting assembly formed by vial mounting sections 78, 80 and vial 70 is advanced into the interior 26 of the level body 16 in a manner similar to that described above. During such movement of the level mounting assembly into the interior 26 of the level body 16, the upper and lower flexible walls 86, 104, 88, 106 flex inwardly as described above when engaged with the top and bottom walls 18, 20 of the level body to provide secure frictional engagement of the vial mounting assembly with the level body 16. When the desired axial position of the vial mounting assembly is obtained, vial 70 is aligned with level body window 28 and channels 92, 110 are aligned with level body opening 62. Dowels 64 are then inserted into the aligned openings 62 and passages 92, 110 to fix the axial position of the vial mounting assembly relative to the level body 16. Next, a driving tool (screwdriver) is inserted into the open end of the level body 16 and engages the screw 112, and the screw 112 is advanced toward the upper and lower engagement surfaces 76a, 76b of the level vial 70 and retracted away from the upper and lower engagement surfaces 76a, 76b of the level vial 70 to adjust the handed position of the level vial 70 relative to the vial mounting assembly in a manner similar to that described above. After the proper position of vial 70 is obtained, end cap 30 is engaged with the end of level body 16.

Thus, it can be appreciated that the vial mounting system of the present invention as shown and described provides a relatively simple and robust means for engaging and maintaining a vial in position with a level body. The vial mounting system also provides the following capabilities, if desired: the position of the vial is adjusted relative to the level body during initial manufacture and thereafter.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.