GB2217660A

GB2217660A - Multi-purpose measuring instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2217660A
Application number: GB8902864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart John Ridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-09
Filing date: 1989-02-09
Publication date: 1989-11-01
Also published as: GB8902864D0; GB8805571D0

Abstract

A multi-purpose measuring instrument has a main body part (10) in the form of a 45 DEG set square, and an integral jig member (22). So that the instrument can have other uses it also includes an upstanding abutment wall (28) on the jig member, the main body part having a similar wall (30) adjacent a basal edge (12) so that a circular object can be laid in the right angle between the two for the hypotenuse (16) of the main body part to extend across a diameter of the object and allow the location of the centre of the circular object. <IMAGE>

Description

Multi-purpose measuring instrument.

The invention relates to a multi-purpose measuring instrument, in particular but not exclusively for the use of students and model makers.

Various kinds of multi-purpose measuring instrument are known. For example there are set squares which have at least one side edge usable as a ruler. The invention has for its object to provide a measuring instrument having a unique combination of useful features which will be of particular benefit to model makers.

According to the invention, there is provided a multi-purpose measuring instrument having a main body part with the form of a 45 degree set square but being formed in addition with an integral jig member having an upstanding abutment wall, the main body part having a similar wall adjacent a basal edge so that a circular object can be laid in the right angle between the two for the hypotenuse of the main body part to extend across a diameter of the object, whereby by scribing at least two lines at angles to each other across the end of the circular object the user is able to use the instrument as a centre finder.The upstanding abutment walls of the integral jig member and of the main body part will preferably stop short of the point where they would meet to form a gap, the arrangement being such that the instrument can thus be used as a template when cutting lengths of material at 30 degree, 45 degree and 60 and 90 degree angles. An upstanding edge of the main body part will preferably be curved away at an angle to form, with an end length of the hypotenuse, a tapering extension, the hypotenuse preferably being graduated so that the instrument can be used to find a bore diameter between 10 m.m. and 25 m.m., the tapering extension being entered into a bore as far as it will go and the diameter of the bore then being read off the inscribed width of the tapering extension.The integral jig member and the basal edge of the body part may be provided with in-line inscribed lines so that a bore diameter between 30 m.m. and 100 m.m. can be found by entering the point formed between said integral jig member and said basal edge as far as it will go, the diameter of the bore then being read off the inscribed width indicated by the end of said bore on the instrument. A series of holes may be formed at intervals along a line spaced from the hypotenuse, said series of holes enabling the instrument to be used as a compass by the insertion of a pin through one of the holes and the insertion of a pencil or other scribing tool through another of said holes at an appropriate spacing from the pin.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: - Figure 1 is a view on one side of a measuring instrument embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a view on the other side of the instrument, Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the instrument there illustrated has a main body part generally indicated 10 with the form of a 45 degree set square,that is to say having a basal edge 12, an edge 14 upstanding at 90 degrees to said basal edge and an edge 16 which forms a hypotenuse to the 45 degree set square which can be considered to reside within the complete instrument. An aperture 18 which forms a triangle template is located within the 45 degree set square part. However, as shown, the edge 16 is extended and the edge 14 is curved away at an angle to form, with an end length of the hypotenuse, a tapering extension generally indicated 20.

The edge 16 is graduated, as shown, starting from a point at which the edge 16 coincides with an upstanding edge of an integral jig member 22 the purpose of which will be described presently. In addition, a 30/60 degree line 24 is inscribed on the set square part of the instrument so that the instrument is usable as a 30/60 degree set square as well as a 45 degree set square.

Referring now in particular to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the instrument can be used as a diameter finder, especially a bore diameter, when to find a bore diameter between 10 m.m. and 25 m.m. the tapering extension 20 can be entered into the bore as far as it will go. The diameter of the bore can then be read off the inscribed width of the tapering extension. To find a bore diameter between 30 m.m. and 100 m.m.

the opposite end of the instrument can be used in a similar manner, the in-line inscribed lines being used.

It will be seen that at an equal spacing from the edge 16 there are formed a series of small holes 26 spaced apart at 25 m.m. intervals. These are to enable the instrument to be used as a compass by inserting a pin through one of the holes, inserting the point of a pencil through another of said holes at an appropriate spacing from the pin and inscribing a pencil line around a point fixed by the pin.

The purpose of the integral jig member 22 is twofold. Firstly, by virtue of the fact that said jig member has an upstanding abutment wall 28, and the main body part has a similar wall 30 adjacent the basal edge 12, a circular object can be laid in the right angle between the two for the edge 16 to extend across a diameter of the object.

Consequently, by scribing at least two lines (and preferably three or four lines) at angles to each other across the end of the circular object the instrument is usable as a centre finder. Secondly, by virtue of the fact that the upstanding abutment walls stop short of the point where they would meet, and form a gap 32, they can be used as a template when cutting lengths of material at 30 degree, 45 degree and 60 and 90 degree angles. (It will be understood that when making models in schools and colleges it is usual to use square section lengths of timber of standard sizes which can be extended through the gap 32 between the two upstanding abutment walls as shown in Figure 1).

Thus there is provided a multi-purpose instrument which it is thought will be particularly useful to students and to model makers.

Various modifications could be made. For example, the main body of the instrument could be inscribed with other lines in addition to the 30 degree line 24 to enable the instrument to be used almost in the manner of a protractor. The instrument will preferably be of moulded plastics.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A multi-purpose measuring instrument having a main body part with the form of a 45 degree set square but being formed in addition with an integral jig member having an upstanding abutment wall, the main body part having a similar wall adjacent a basal edge so that a circular object can be laid in the right angle between the two for the hypotenuse of the main body part to extend across a diameter of the object, whereby by scribing at least two lines at angles to each other across the end of the circular object the user is able to use the instrument as a centre finder.

2. A multi-purpose measuring instrument according to claim 1, in which the upstanding abutment walls of the integral jig member and of the main body part stop short of the point where they would meet to form a gap, the arrangement being such that the instrument can thus be used as a template when cutting lengths of material at 30 degree, 45 degree and 60 and 90 degree angles.

3. A multi-purpose measuring instrument according to either one of the preceding claims, in which an upstanding edge of the main body part is curved away at an angle to form, with an end length of the hypotenuse, a tapering extension.

4. A multi-purpose measuring instrument according to claim 3, in which the hypotenuse is graduated so that the instrument can be used to find a bore diameter between 10 m.m. and 25 m.m., the tapering extension being entered into a bore as far as it will go and the diameter of the bore then being read off the inscribed width of the tapering extension.

5. A multi-purpose measuring instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the integral jig member and the basal edge of the body part are provided with in-line inscribed lines so that a bore diameter between 30 m.m. and 100 m.m. can be found by entering the point formed between said integral jig member and said basal edge as far as it will go, the diameter of the bore then being read off the inscribed width indicated by the end of said bore on the instrument.

6. A multi-purpose measuring instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, in which there are formed a series of holes at intervals along a line spaced from the hypotenuse, said series of holes enabling the instrument to be used as a compass by the insertion of a pin through one of the holes and the insertion of a pencil or other scribing tool through another of said holes at an appropriate spacing from the pin.

7. A multi-purpose measuring instrument constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.