GB2191290A - Depth gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

A depth gauge is disclosed which has two parallel legs (20,22) which when one of the legs (22) is moved relative to the other one because of a difference in height, ie. due to a false bottom (14) in a case, an indication of the difference in height is given. The parallel rods (20,22) are coupled by a parallelogram linkage 24. One of the rods has right angle sector (34) fixed to it and a movable sector (30) fixed to the linkage overlaps it. Relative movement of one of the rods causes movement of the sector 30 relative to the fixed sector 34. By calibrating the periphery with a scale for depth it is possible to determine the thickness of the false bottom (14). The legs can be extended for use with deeper or different sized containers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Depth gauge The present invention relates to a depth gauge, particularly, but not exclusively, to a depth gauge suitable for detecting a false bottom in containers such a suitcases, drawers, boxes and the like.

Because of an increase in smuggling using many different structures such as suitcases, boxes and the like, it is important that customs and security forces have adequate means of detecting whether goods are being smuggled. One favourite technique of smuggling items is to conceal the contraband in the false bottom of a container such as a suitcase or the like. A false bottom does not have to be thick in order to contain valuable contraband such as drugs, money and the like. It is important to be able to quickly and accurately assess whether such a container has a false bottom. At present this usually involves damages or destroying the container which is inefficient and time consuming. Moreover, at present there are no readily available devices which permit rapid and easy inspection to give an indication of whether a false bottom is present in the container.

A desirable device should satisfy a number of criteria in addition to being inexpensive and easy to use. It should provide an unambiguous and clear indication whether a false bottom is present without the requirement of damaging the container. It should also be capable of being used with different sizes of containers and in different orientations. That is, to detect whether false sides or a false bottom is present.

An object of the invention is to provide a depth guage which obviates or mitigates the aforesaid problems.

This is achieved by providing a depth gauge which has two parallel legs which when one of the legs is moved relative to the other one because of a difference in height i.e. due to a false bottom, an indication of the difference in height is presented on a dial to indicate that a false bottom may be present.

In a preferred arrangement two parallel rods are coupled in a parallelogram relationship and one of the rods has a right angle sector coupled to it and also has a movable sector which overlaps with the fixed sector. Relative movement of one of the rods causes relative movement of the sectors so that the curved surface of the fixed sector is exposed. By calibrating the periphery with a scale for depth it is possible to determine the thickness of the false bottom. The device can readily be used with a variety of containers and the legs can be extended for use with deeper sized containers.

According to the present invention there is provided a depth gauge comprising, first and second elongate elements spaced apart and parallel, link means coupled between said elements, depth gauge means coupled to one of said elements and the arrangement being such that in use, when one of said first and second legs is moved relative to a common datum, relative movement between said link means and said depth gauge means gives an indication of the amount of movement from said common datum.

Preferably said depth gauge includes two legs spaced apart coupled by a parallelogram linkage consisting of a connecting rod and a 90" arcuate sector. Conveniently the depth gauge consists of a 90 arcuate sector fixed to one of said legs with a common fixing point with said arcuate sector of said parallelogram linkage. When not in use the legs are disposed in a common datum and the parallelogram linkage is such that the connecting rod and arcuate sector is a right angles to the parallel legs. Conveniently, said depth gauge is calibrated in length such as centimetres or equivalent scale. Relative movement between the legs causes the arcuate sector to move relative to the other to expose part of the scale on the fixed arcuate sector.Conveniently also, the legs can be extended by fixed amounts for use with deeper containers and the depth gauge can be used vertically, horizontally or even inverted to determine whether a false bottom, side or top is present in a container.

These an other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawing which is a side elevation of a depth gauge according to an embodiment of the invention located in a suitcase having a false bottom.

Referring now to the drawing, the depth gauge generally indicated by reference numeral 10 is shown determining that a suitcase 12 has a false bottom 14 in which are concealed contraband 15 for example drugs. The depth gauge 10 and suitcase 12 rest on a common datum 18 and relative movement of the depth gauge to the common datum will determine whether the suitcase has a false bottom 14, as will be later described.

The depth gauge 10 consists of a pair of elongate parallel legs 20 and 22 coupled together by a parallel linkage generally indicated by reference numeral 24. The parallel linkage 24 consists of a connecting rod 26 which is hingedly connected at pivot points 28 to the legs 20 and 22 and also consists of an arcuate right angle sector 30 which is also coupled to the legs 20 and 22 and pivot points 32 respectively. The leg 22 is longer than leg 20 and is disposed in the suitcase. At the top end of the leg 22 is fixed an arcuate right angle sector 34 by fasteners, such as rivets 36.

The sector 34 has a graduated scale ther eon which is calibrated in centrimetres and the lower of leg 20 has a graduated scale 38 thereon for ascertaining the true bottom of the suitcase which, as can be seen, is spaced above the surface 18.

The parallel linkage is such that legs 20 and 22 are easily movable relative to each other and when both legs are disposed in surface 18 the sectors 30 and 34 overlap and are right angles to the legs 22 as indicated by the broken line 40.

When the depth gauge is positioned as shown, leg 22 is moved upwardly because of false bottom 14 with the result that the sector 30 pivots clockwise relative to sector 34 exposing a portion of the scale on the sector 34. Because this scale is calibrated in centimetres this will indicated the depth of the false bottom in the suitcase. The height of the suitcase bottom above the surface 18 can be determined from the scale 38 to ascertain the true thickness of the false bottom of the suitcase.

The legs 20 and 22 may be made of metal and the dials and connecting rod 26 can also be made of metal or plastic or any other suitable material. The pivot points can be obtained by using rivet fasteners to permit easy swivelling or any other suitable type of fastener can be used to allow free swivelling.

Conveniently, the colours of the sectors 30 and 34 are contrasting for easy visual inspection of the scale.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the device hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although only two legs are depicted, any suitable number of legs may be used consistent with performing the same function as the device shown. Moreover, the materials can be of any suitable nature consistent with permitting the device to operate as described. Also the device can be used on its side or even inverted to detect false sides and false tops in containers.

Advantages of the invention are that it is lightweight, easy to use and provides a clear and accurate indication of whether a false bottom may be present in a container. It avoids the need for initially damaging or destroying containers or packaging and identifies those which are susceptible and which require a more thorough and detailed examination. It can be used in a variety of applications by customs and security forces and requires no training or expertise on behalf of the user.

Claims (8)

1. A depth gauge comprising, first and second elongate elements spaced apart and parallel, link means coupled between said elements, depth gauge means coupled to one of said elements the arrangement being such that in use, when one of said first and second legs is moved relative to a common datum, relative movement between said link means and said depth gauge means given an indication of the amount of movement from said common datum.

2. A depth gauge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said depth gauge includes two legs spaced apart coupled by a parallelogram linkage consisting of a connecting rod and 90 arcuate sector.

3. A depth gauge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the depth gauge consists of a 90" arcuate sector fixed to one of said legs with a common fixing point with said arcuate sector of said parallelogram linkage.

4. A depth gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when not in use, the legs are disposed in a common datum and the parallelogram linkage is such that the connecting rod and arcuate sector is at right angles to the parallel legs.

5. A depth gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said depth gauge is calibrated in length such as centimetres or equivalent scale.

6. A depth gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein relative movement between the legs causes the arcuate sector to move relative to the other to expose part of the scale on the fixed arcuate sector.

7. A depth gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the legs are extendable by fixed amounts for use with deeper containers and the depth gauge is adapted to be used verticaily, horizontally or even inverted to determine whether a false bottom, side or top is present in a container.

8. A depth gauge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.