GB2145522A

GB2145522A - Map aid for walkers

Info

Publication number: GB2145522A
Application number: GB08419785A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth John Griffiths; John Howard Parton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-08-02
Filing date: 1984-08-02
Publication date: 1985-03-27
Also published as: GB8320788D0; GB8419785D0

Abstract

A laminar plastics sheet (10) has a scale (14) around three edges for measuring distances between points on a scaled map. The measured distance is related to a relevant set to data (20a, 20b) to estimate the amount of time taken to travel between the actual locations represented by the points on the map, taking into account gradients and the degree of loading. On a transparent window section 12 scales 16a, 16b are provided to fit the square grid of the map scales indicated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aid for walkers The invention relates to an aid for walkers and others crossing terrain with the aid of a scaled map.

It is often a problem for walkers, horseriders and others crossing terrain to judge how long it will take them to walk the distance between two points shown on a scale map, especially where gradients, generally denoted by contour lines on the map, are to be negotiated.

The present invention provides apparatus for use in estimating time required to move between two locations, the apparatus comprising a body part, means on the body part for co:operating with a scaled map whereby to measure distance between points on the map representative of said locations, and means on the body part for relating the measured distance to the time taken to move between the actual locations.

Preferably, the map co-operating means comprises a scale provided along one or more peripheral edges of the body. The scale may be provided along three edges of the body.

Alternatively, the map co-operating means comprises a wheeled device incorporated in an edge thereof.

Preferably also at least part of the body part is transparent to enable viewing of the map therethrough. Means may be provided on the transparent part for measuring the position of a point on the map within a grid square of the map. Desirably the measuring means on the transparent part comprises an arrangement of two axes at right angles marked thereon, each axis being the length of one of the grid squares and marked in ten divisions. A plurality of the two axes arrangements may be provided.

The invention also provides a method of estimating time required to move between two locations, the method comprising measuring distances between points on the map representative of said locations, and relating the measured distance to the time taken to move between the actual locations.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing part of a procedure for use of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a partial plan view of alternative apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises a laminar plastics sheet 10 of a thickness sufficient to inhibit bending, the sheet being generally coloured and opaque except for a transparent window 1 2 therein. Around the top, right hand side, and the bottom of the sheet, as viewed in Fig. 1, there is printed a continuous scale 14 marked in centimetres, the scale starting acm in from the top left hand corner and terminating +cm from the bottom left hand corner of the sheet. The overall size of the sheet may be 1 2+cm X 7cm the window being 5+cm X 7cm.

The window has two "romer" scales 16 a, 1 6b provided thereon so that these may be compared with grid squares on a map viewed through the window when the sheet lies thereon so as to measure the position of a point within a square. One of the "romer" scales 1 6a is of a size such that its perpendicular axes are each of the same length as one of the grid squares on a 1 /25,000 Scale Ordnance Survey map, the other scale 1 6 b having axes of the same length as the grid squares on a 1 /50,000 Scale Ordnance Survey map. A hole 1 8 is provided in the opaque area of the sheet allowing attachment of a lanyard to avoid loss of the sheet.On the right-hand opaque side of the sheet there are provided two sets of data one set 20a relevant where the walker is carrying a light, i.e.

"day" pack, and the other 20b relevant where the walker is relatively heavy laden, i.e.

with a full pack.

Each set of data relates the distance between points on the map, i.e. the scale distance, to the amount of time taken to traverse the distance between the actual points themselves, data being given both for 1 /25,000 and 1 /50,000 scale maps, for each pack weight. Each set of data gives the average speed upon which the above data is based and also the extra time taken to ascend the distance between adjacent contour lines, for each scale.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is similar in most respects to that shown in Fig. 1 except that it is of multi-layer construction comprising two sheets between which at one end there is sandwiched a small wheel 22 mounted for rotation on a pivot 24 the wheel being of known circumference and having equal radial divisions 26 marked thereon. The divisions are readable through a window 28 (against a reference point 29) in an upper one of said sheets, said wheel and divisions constituting an odometer.

The use of the apparatus will now be described with reference to Fig. 2.

The walker carrying a day pack is to traverse land between locations represented by two points A and B marked on his map which is of 1 /50,000 scale. The route is a straight line between A and B, but B is at a higher elevation than A so that three contour lines 32 will be crossed in the course of the journey.

The apparatus is placed with the zero on the scale 14 against point A on the map with the top edge of the sheet following the proposed route (it is seen spaced from the line of the route in Fig. 2 for clarity). The sheet is then pivoted about the top right-hand corner so that the right-hand side edge then follows the route. Finally the sheet is pivoted about the bottom right-hand corner so that the bottom edge follows the route. The scale is read off at B and the total distance on the map calculated in the present instance, 31 centimetres. The set of data 20a for a day pack is consulted for a distance on a 1 /50,000 scale map of 21cm which gives 31 X 6 minutes, i.e. 1 86 minutes. But three contour lines are ascended and from the data 1 minute needs to be added for each contour line i.e. 3 minutes leading to a total time of three hours nine minutes.

The "romer" scales can be used to assist in determining the vertical and horizontal distances of the position in a grid square of a particular point. This could be done for points A and B and the distance between them found using Pythagoras' theorem, after counting grid squares and parts thereof vertically and horizontally, the sets of data being used as above to calculate walking time.

The apparatus need not be used as described above, for example the sheet may be slidably moved along the line between A and B the distance between them being measured in several stages and added using mental arithmetic or a calculator.

Where non-straight line route distances are being measured the route can be split up into a number of straight or approximately straight line sections and the whole summed. Alternatively the odometer device shown in Fig. 3 may be used to measure non-straight distances across the map, the wheel being run along the proposed route on the map and the number of revolutions of the wheel (which has a known circumference) counted to give the distance across the map.

The apparatus is especially useful in conjunction with map rolls.

The reverse side of the opaque areas of the sheet may be provided with a reflective mirror-like surface for signalling in the manner of a heliograph, in emergencies. Scales may be provided relating distances on the map(s) to time taken to travel between actual points on horseback, for example in pony trekking.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example two scales 14 may be made to any suitable configuration and at any suitable location and the apparatus may be made from any suitable material such as card or glass.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in estimating time required to move between two locations, the apparatus comprising a body part, means on the body part for co-operating with a scaled map whereby to measure distances between points on the map representative of said locations, and means on the body part for relating the measured distance to the time taken to move between the actual locations.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map co-operating means comprises a scale provided along one or more peripheral edges of the body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the scale is provided along three edges of the body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map co-operating means comprises a wheeled device incorporated in an edge thereof.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the body is transparent to enable viewing of the map therethrough.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein means are provided on the transparent part for measuring the position of a point on the map within a grid square of the map.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6.

wherein the measuring means on the transparent part comprises an arrangement of two axes at right angles marked thereon, each axis being the length of one of the grid squares and marked in ten divisions.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the axes is also marked in smaller sub-divisions.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of the two axes arrangements are provided.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the map co-operating means comprises a scale provided at a peripheral region of the transparent part.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the transparent part is in the form of a window having a non-transparPot border.

1 2. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the transparent part is in the form of a window which extends to one or more peripheral edges of the body part.

1 3. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body part comprises a laminar body.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the laminar body is made of a plastics material.

1 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 3 or 14, wherein at least one hole is formed in the laminar body for securing the latter at a desired location.

1 6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 3 to 15, wherein the reverse side of the laminar body is provided at least in part with a mirrored surface.

1 7. Apparatus for use in estimating time required to move between two locations substantially as hereinbefore described with refer ence to the accompanying drawings.

1 8. A method of estimating time required to move between two locations, the method comprising measuring distances between points on the map representative of said locations, and relating the measured distance to the time taken to move between the actual locations.

1 9. A method of estimating time required to move between two locations substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.