A trowel includes a series of levels embedded in the handle for measuring the inclination of a surface being finished. The trowel includes a flat base plate, with a handle having two ends each secured to the plate to define a grip area therebetween. This construction provides an extremely rigid structure, where the handle and its included levels cannot flex angularly relative to the base plate or blade. At least one of the handle ends, and optionally both ends, includes two mutually orthogonally disposed level indicators installed therein for simultaneously measuring the level or slope of a surface being worked, in two mutually perpendicular axes. The opposite handle end may also include a pair of similarly arranged levels, if so desired. The levels may comprise bubble or spirit levels, electronic levels with audible output, and/or other level types as desired.
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/181,561 filed Feb. 10, 2000.
A leveling device for a construction material surface surrounding a drainpipe presents an elongated beam having a central seat therein for reception of the end of a drainpipe therein. Upon a seating of the drainpipe, a pair of opposed inclined surfaces contact the construction material surrounding the drainpipe. Rotation of the beam about the drainpipe presents a smoothed, inclined surface about the drainpipe with the excess poured material being collected in pockets in a sidewall of the device. The depth of the inclined surfaces below the drainpipe top can be regulated. Bubble levels assure a proper orientation of the beam during rotation.
An electro-optical level includes a bubble level having a tube with a liquid therein and a bubble formed by the liquid in the tube. A substantially linear light source is directed toward and through the tube. A linear lens array focuses light passing through the bubble tube onto a linear lens array for producing an image of the bubble in the bubble level. The lens array employs the focused light to identify precisely end points of the bubble in the tube and then employs locational data for the end points to assess levelness. The electro-optical level further includes an out put display that is pivotally mounted into an optimal alignment for easy viewing by a user.
