ZipLevel(R) EZDepth(R) Tool for excavators

Abstract

A method of measuring a depth in an a excavator uses a pressurized hydrostatic electronic altimeter, and attaches a reference cell of an electronic elevation measuring device to an arm of the excavator. The dual bore tube associated with the elevation measuring device is run from the reference cell to a display in an area of a cab of the excavator. The reference cell is zeroed, while holding a portion of a digging portion of the excavator near the ground, then the trench is dug, and a depth of digging with the excavator is determined, by pressing the digging portion of the excavator against the bottom of the excavated portion, and measuring the depth using the device

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digging measurement device, comprising:
 a reference cell, which operates to measure an altitude, the reference cell having a tube connected thereto, and the tube connected to a remote processor which detects an altitude of the reference cell, and the processor connected to a display,   where the reference cell is connected to an arm of an excavator,   where the tube is connected along an arm of the excavator,   where the remote display is located in a cab of the excavator,   where the remote display has a control that allows zeroing a level of the reference cell and labelling a current level of the reference cell as zero in altitude, and the remote display enables viewing subsequently altitudes of the excavator arm to determine a depth of digging of the excavator arm.   
     
     
         2 . The measurement device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reference cell is connected to the arm of the excavator by a stainless steel clamp, and the tube is connected along side hydraulic lines of the excavator. 
     
     
         3 . The measurement device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reference cell is connected as close as possible to a hinged area of the bucket pivot. 
     
     
         4 . The measurement device as in  claim 1 , wherein the reference cell is covered with ABS. 
     
     
         5 . A method of measuring a depth in an excavator, comprising:
 attaching a reference cell of an electronic elevation measuring device to an arm of the excavator;   running the tube associated with the elevation measuring device from the reference cell to a display in an area of a cab of the excavator;   zeroing the reference cell, while holding a portion of a digging portion of the excavator near the ground;   digging with the excavator; and   determining a depth of digging with the excavator, by pressing the digging portion of the excavator against the bottom of the excavated portion, and measuring the depth using the device.