GB2150888A

GB2150888A - Ruler with variable scale

Info

Publication number: GB2150888A
Application number: GB08332496A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Romano Mario Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-06
Filing date: 1983-12-06
Publication date: 1985-07-10
Also published as: GB2150888B; GB8332496D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a ruler 10 having at least one measuring edge 11, and display means 12 arranged adjacent to the measuring edge 11 in order to provide a visual display of scale readings. The display means 12 is an elongate panel having a liquid crystal display to provide a calibrated read-out. An electronically operated scale-setting device 13 is built into the ruler and is coupled with the display means 12, the scale-setting device 13 being selectively operable, via push or touch-contract buttons 14, to set any desired scale readings to be displayed by the display means 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ruler This invention relates to a ruler.

It is well known to provide "scale rules" for use by draughtsmen, which comprise a number of sets of markings along the edges of the rule, each set being representative of a particular scale. Thus, for example, a foot rule may have 1:1 scale, in which each indicated increment is actually 1 inch, and other scales, such as 1:4, in which each indicated increment (measured along the rule) is actually only one quarter of what is indicated.

Evidently, a certain amount of manipulation of scale rules is required in order to measure different scale values. Also, the rule is limited in the number of different "scales" which can be built-into the rule.

The present invention has been developed with a view to providing a ruler which can be readily adjusted in order to provide any required scale readings along a single measuring edge of the ruler.

According to the invention there is provided a ruler having at least one measuring edge, display means for providing a visual display of scale readings adjacent to said edge, and an electronically operated scale-setting device provided in the ruler and coupled with said display means, said scalesetting device being selectively operable to set any desired scale readings to be displayed by the display means.

Conveniently, the display means comprises an elongate display panel arranged alongside said measuring edge of the ruler, so as to provide indication of successive increments of scale readings along the edge in accordance with the scale setting determined by the scale-setting device. The display means may comprise a liquid crystal display device (LCD).

The scale-setting device may comprise a keyboard array of push or touch contact buttons to be operated in the manner of the buttons of a packet calculator. Thus, the buttons may go from 0 to 9, to enable any desired scale selection to be made e.g. from 1:1 up to 1:50000 or more, or in the alternative, for larger than full size measurements, up to 500 (or more):1. In addition, separate buttons may be provided to convert from one type of scale reading to another, e.g. metric to Imperial and vice versa.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a separate display panel be provided on the ruler, conveniently also an LCD display, which will indicate separately the selected scale reading on which the ruler is operating.

It should be understood that the term "ruler" is used herein in its widest possible sense, to refer to any article having a measuring edge, usually straight, along which measurements can be made.

The invention is thus applicable to rulers generally, draughtsman's scale rules, and as draughting machine scales with clip mechanisms to be used on draughting machines.

If desired, the ruler may be provided with additional features, such as a built-in electronic calculator, watch and calendar.

Obviously, when required, more than one measuring edge may be provided on the ruler, having its own associated display panel arranged therealong.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a ruler according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the ruler; Figure 3 is a side view of the ruler, illustrating the sectional profile; and Figures 4a to 4d illustrate different modes of use of a ruler according to the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a ruler 10 having at least one measuring edge 11, and display means 12 arranged adjacent to the measuring edge 11 in order to provide a visual display of scale readings. The display means 12 is an elongate panel having a liquid crystal display to provide a calibrated read-out.

An electronically operated scale-setting device 13 is built-into the ruler and is coupled with the display means 12, the scale-setting device 13 being selectively operable to set any desired scale readings to be displayed by the display means. The device 13 comprises a keyboard array of push or touch-contact buttons 14 which can be operated in the manner of the buttons of a pocket calculator.

The keyboard array of buttons 14 comprises buttons going from 0 to 9, to enable any desired scale seiection to be made by the user. In addition, the device 13 includes buttons 15, 16 and 17 which are respectively designated M, I and C. Operation of any of the buttons 15 to 17 enables the "type" of scale readings to be altered, button 15 giving Metric readings, button 16 giving Imperial readings, and button 17 being operated to covert between Metric and Imperial. Finally, the device 13 has a button 18 which is an ON/OFF switch.

Any suitable construction of electronic control apparatus will be provided to transmit the requisite scale information from the device 13 to the display means 12.

At the right hand end of the ruler there is a "scale type" indicator panel 19 which, in the illustration of Figure 2, shows that Metric readings are being measured. In addition, there is a further display panel 20 built-into the ruler, which is a further LCD display, giving indication of the selected scale readings.

If desired, although not shown, the ruler may be provided with a built-in electronic calculator, watch and calendar devices.

In Figures 4a to 4d, there are indicated different modes of use of the ruler.

It should be understood that a relatively simple construction of ruler is illustrated in the drawings, by way of example only. The invention is applicable to "rulers" in the widest possible sense, referring to any article having a measuring edge, usually though not always straight, along which measurements can be made. The invention may thus be applied to rulers generaily, draughtsman's scale rules, and draughting machine scales with clip mechanisms to be used on draughting machines.

Although not shown, the ruler may be provided with more than one measuring edge, having an associated display means arranged therealong.

Claims

1. A ruler having at least one measuring edge, display means for providing a visual display of scale readings adjacent to said edge, and an electronically operated scale-setting device provided in the ruler and coupled with said display means, said scale-setting device being selectively operable to set any desired scale readings to be displayed by the display means.

2. A rule according to claim 1, in which the display means comprises an elongate display panel arranged alongside said measuring edge of the ruler, so as to provide indication of successive increments of scale readings along the edge in accordance with the scale setting determined by the scale-setting device.

3. A ruler according to claim 1 or 2, in which the display means comprises a liquid crystal display device.

4. A ruler according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the scale-setting device comprises a keyboard array of push or touch contact buttons.

5. A ruler according to claim 4, in which the keyboard array includes one or more button opera ble to convert from one type of scale reading to another.

6. A ruler according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 5 when appendent to claim 2, in which a separate additional display panel is provided on the ruler for indicating separately the selected scale reading on which the ruler is operating.

7. A ruler according to any one of the preced ing claims, and taking the form of a draughtsman's scale rule, or a drafting machine scale with clip mechanisms to be used on drafting machines.

8. A ruler according to any one of the preced ing claims, including a built-in electronic calculator, watch and calendar.

9. A ruler according to any one of the preced ing claims, and provided with more than one measuring edge, in which each measuring edge has its own associated display panel arranged therealong.

10. A ruler according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in any one of the embodiments il lustrated in the accompanying drawings.