A level with a level indicating vial is disclosed. The level includes a frame that defines at least one substantially flat exterior surface configured to be placed against a reference surface. The frame defines a plurality of interior surfaces. The level also includes a vial for indicating an orientation of the reference surface, and a vial holder for holding the vial in an orientation relative to the flat exterior surface of the frame. The vial holder is configured to cooperate with one of the ...

A method for manufacturing a vial for a level includes forming a blank body from molten material. The blank body includes an exterior surface and an internal bore. The exterior surface has an upper portion generally defining a portion of a cylinder, and a lower portion generally having a rectangular block shape. The internal bore has an interior surface that is substantially cylindrical so as to define a wall thickness that is substantially constant between the interior surface and the generally...

A holder for the setting of a level vial on the web of extruded or molded spirit levels, which comprises a base plate, the back wall of which is fixed to the level web, said base plate extending upwards along its edges through two symetrical parallel branches, the ends of which presenting a transversal perimeter whose center is set over relating to the plane of the base plate, said perimeter being provided with support means and said base plate being provided with means for locking the holder to...

A level is provided with a top-reading feature, allowing a vial to be viewed through the upper flange of the level. A magnifying element is disposed between the vial and an opening formed in the upper flange, to magnify the vial when it observed from the top of the level. The magnifying element is preferably formed integrally with a transparent lens, which is retained between a vial cover and a side of the web of the level frame. Complementary structure is provided on the lens on the opposite si...

A cylindrical level vial is mounted in the web of a level frame through the use of a tapered projection received in a cylindrical projection at one end of the vial. An integrally formed cantilever mounted resilient clip on the other end of the vial engages the wall of a notch formed in the web to firmly mount the vial. The clip is provided with a groove closely receiving the web and has a tapered outer surface on its free end for wedging the vial into assembled position.

A spirit level vial wherein the bubble containing chamber structure includes an insert means rigidly mounted within a generally cylindrical transparent outer body. The disclosed embodiment provides for reference markings which are protected from scratching and wear. Further, the disclosed vial may be manufactured without resort either to exotic machining methods or to molding methods which have previously resulted in undesirable deformation of the outer body.

A level vial is mounted in the web of a level frame having parallel working surfaces. The cylindrical ends of the vial is precision mounted in opposed notches provided in an aperture in the web and a pair of sleeves each having a slotted end provided with shoulders which latch against the ends of the vial when telescoped to latching position secure the vial to the web. The slots in the sleeves closely receive the web to hold the vial coplanar with the web and to provide the resilience required t...

A method is provided for assembling a level of improved construction. The level comprises a frame, including a planar web section having a circular opening formed therein for receiving a level vial, with a pair of diametrically-opposed notches being formed in the periphery of the circular opening. First and second cover members are disposed on opposite sides of the planar web section to cover the opening, with one of the cover members including members for engaging the notches to prevent relativ...

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 retai...

A spirit-level vial comprising a transparent vessel containing a globule of a first liquid suspended in a medium comprising a second liquid, wherein said transparent vessel is essentially completely filled by said medium, and wherein said globule is capable of moving freely through said medium in response to changes in the spatial orientation of said transparent vessel.