GB2220267A - Inclination measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A measuring apparatus for measuring the incline and gradient of surfaces comprising a member 41 and accommodated within the member 41 a measuring means 43. The incline of a surface being measured is determined by the rotational disposition of the measuring means relative to the member. The measuring means 43 is hollow and contains a fluid 42 and a float 44. In an alternative arrangement the measuring means comprises a pivoted solid member. <IMAGE>

Description

MEASURING APPARATUS This invention relates to measuring apparatus and in particular to apparatus for measuring the incline and gradient of surfaces such as walls and girders which can be, for example, in a vertical or horizontal plane. The measuring apparatus of the present invention are also capable of measuring the incline or gradient of the under surface of a structure, for example, a girder.

Known methods for measuring the incline or gradient of a surface are either imprecise using, for example "half" or "quarter" bubbles in spirit levels or are very complicated and expensive employing, for example, engineering equipment utilising the principles of trigonometric functions.

According to the present invention there is provided a measuring apparatus comprising a member adapted to provide a hollow portion therewithin to accommodate a fluid and a measuring means, said measuring means being buoyant and having an outer surface, part of which is adapted to conform to part of an inner surface of said hollow portion of the member, whereby in use the said member is placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured, the measuring means floats on a fluid in said hollow portion, said fluid always coming to rest in said hollow portion at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest and the incline of the said surface being determined by the rotational disposition of the measuring means relative to the member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a measuring apparatus comprising a first member which is free to rotate through 3600 relative to a second member to which it is pivotally attached said first member having its mass distributed unevenly about the point where it is pivotally attached to the said second member, whereby in use the said second member is placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured, the densest portion of the first member coming to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest and the incline of the said surface being determined by the rotational disposition of the first member relative to the second member.

A check means may be provided in cooperation with the first member or the measuring means of the measuring apparatus, the check means being attached onto or incorporated within said first member or measuring means, whereby, in use, the check means indicates the accurate functioning of the measuring apparatus.

The check means may be a hollow cylinder, partially filled with a fluid and check marks are made externally to said cylinder along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and in allignment with the surface level of said fluid within the cylinder when the first member's densest portion has come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest or where the measuring means has come to rest floating on a fluid in a hollow portion of the member, said fluid coming to rest in said hollow portion at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest.

The hollow cylinder may also contain a floating member adapted to allign with further check marks to indicate the accurate functioning of the measuring means.

The further check marks may allign with the horizontal, the vertical or any predetermined reference angle.

There may be more than one check means associated with the first member or the measuring means of the measuring apparatus.

The first member of the present invention can comprise, for example, a thin disc, a thick disc, the discs can be solid, hollow, or consist mainly of a rim with, for example, a strut attaching'the rim to the point where the first member is pivotally attached to the second member. The first member may also comprise, for example, an incomplete disc, for example, a hemispherical member, or a member having a number of segments radiating out from the point where the first member is pivotally attached to the second member.

The first member is preferably circular, however first members of other shapes, for example, elliptical shapes, octagonal shapes, may also be employed in a measuring apparatus of the present invention.

The first member is preferably pivotally attached at its centre point to the second member of the present invention, however it may be pivotally attached to the second member of the present invention at points other than its centre point. By centre point of the first member is meant its centre point in relation to its physical dimensions.

The mass of the first-member can be distributed unevenly by a number of different ways including, for example, the removal of material from one part of the first member thus making the other parts relatively denser. The uneven distribution of the mass of the first member may also be achieved in the removal of a plug of material, said plug being replaced by a check means or alternatively by a component of a holding means, for example, a power source or electromagnetic component, said check means or component of a holding means being of a different density.to the material of said first member.

The first members of the present invention are pivotally attached to the second members of the invention by any suitable means including, for example, a bearing in which the first member is attached to a spindle which is free to rotate in a bearing attached to the second member of the present invention. The first member of the invention may also be pivotally attached to the second member by being free to rotate about a spindle attached to the second member.

Preferably, the first member of the present invention rotates in a plane which is parallel to two of the sides of the second member of the invention and in a plane perpendicular to the face of the second member which is placed on the surface whose incline is to be measured.

It is envisaged that a measuring apparatus of the present invention may contain more than one first member of the present invention.

The second member of the present invention can comprise a large number of different structures including, for example, a structure which encompasses totally a first member of the present invention, or can be a structure which consists mainly of a framework of struts supporting a-first member of the present invention.

Preferably the second member of the present invention is constructed so as to allow the first member or part thereof to be viewed from outside the second member.

The first and second members of the present invention can be made from any suitable materials including, for example, metal or plastics.

The actual reading of the incline of a surface, to be measured using a measuring apparatus of the present invention comprising a first and second member, can be determined in a number of ways including the marking of the first or second members, or both, with reference lines representing degrees, for example, said reference lines may be parallel or converging and a reading of the incline is taken by noting the position of a reference line on one member relative to a reference point or reference line on the other member. The reading can be taken, for example, by looking onto the top of the first member or at the side of the first member depending on the nature of the markings made on the first and second members.

Alternatively, the reading may be taken by using as a reference point calibration markings on a fixed or movable disc which is preferably parallel to the first member.

The markings on the first member may be made > ier. to read by incorporating, for example, a magnifying glass into the second member, the magnifying glass being so positioned that it will magnify the markings on the first member.

The markings on a measuring apparatus of the invention may also be made easier and more accurate to read by employing a vernier type of scale.

The reading of the incline of a surface, from a measuring apparatus, comprising a first and second member, of the present invention may be obtained by use of a holding means provided in cooperation with the first and second members such that once the measuring apparatus has been placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured and the first member's densest portion has come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest, the holding means is actuated to secure the first member at the rotational disposition relative to the second member so achieved allowing the measuring apparatus to be removed from said surface and the resulting incline measurement to be more easily read. The holding means is then deactuated.

The reading of the incline of a surface may also be obtained in a number of other ways, for example, as a digital readout, using known electronics which can compare the relative rotational position of the first member in relation to the second member and produce the result in the form of a digital readout.

The reading of the incline of a surface may also be obtained remotely from the measuring apparatus of the present invention by a number of methods including, for example, radio waves, infra red beams, light beams and sonic beams whereby the information from the measuring apparatus is transmitted to a receiver thereby allowing, for example, the incline of a piece of equipment such as an earth moving scraper to be determined in the cab of the tractor pulling said scraper blade.

In a further embodiment the measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises a member and a measuring means.

The member of the present invention can comprise a large number of different structures, but provides a hollow cylinder portion therewithin to accommodate the measuring means. The cylinder portion may be transparent to allow the~measuring means to be yiewQd f-rom-outside the member. The cylinder portion of the member contains a fluid, said fluid including, for example, water or oil on which a measuring means floats. Optionally, some of the fluid in the cylinder portion may be replaced with a dense material, for example, metal which does not float in the particular fluid in the cylinder portion. Preferably, the volume of fluid or combination of fluid and dense material is sufficient to fill those parts of the cylinder portion not occupied by the measuring means.

The cylinder portion of the member may also contain pressurised gas, said gas acting to damp the movement of the measuring means and also to reduce the cohesion of the fluid, contained in the cylinder portion to the inner surface of said cylinder portion. Similarly, the check means may also contain pressurised gas.

The measuring means may be comprised of a buoyant member pivotally attached to the centre of the side walls of the hollow cylinder portion of the member by a wire rectangle, or like structure, which allows the buoyant member to sweep below the inner surface of the cylinder portion of the member. Suitable shapes for the buoyant member include a half cylinder, or a triangular e1e,rrent attached to the apex of which is a pointer..

The incline of a surface can be determined by measuring, using for example markings on the measuring means and the member, the relative rotational disposition of the measuring means relative to the member.

Suitable methods of markings the measuring means and the member and presenting the relative rotational disposition of the two include those methods described hereinbefore in relation to measuring apparatus comprising a first and a second member.

The measuring apparatus of the present invention are intended to be used to measure the incline of any surface whether it be a vertical or horizontal surface or even the under surface of a horizontal surface.

The measuring apparatus of the present invention is also intended for use in various environments exhibiting extremes of physical conditions and the apparatus may be adapted to allow for the expansion or contraction of any fluids/gases associated therewith.

The measuring apparatus of the present invention are used to determine the incline of a surface as follows, the second member or the member of a measuring apparatus of the present invention is placed on the surface, whose incline is to be measured, the first member or the fluid and measuring means allowed to come to rest, with their denser parts coming to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest, and the incline of the surface measured by reading the rotational disposition of the first member, or measuring means, against the second member or member respectively using, for example, the markings on the aforesaid parts of the measuring apparatus.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a side elevation of a first member of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a side elevation of a first member of the present invention and part of a second member; Fig. 3 is a representation of a side elevation of a measuring apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a further representation of a side elevation of a measuring apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a side elevation of a first member incorporating a check means; and Fig. 6 is a representation of a side elevation of the measuring apparatus of Fig. 4 incorporating a check means.

Referring to Fig. 1 the first member 1 is a solid circular disc which is pivotally attached at its centre point 2 to a second member (not shown). The first member 1 has a plug 3 of material removed from it, the plug being replaced by a check means or by a component of a holding means (not shown), the check means or holding means component being of greater density to the material of the first member 1. The side 4 and circumferential 5 surfaces of the first member 1 are marked with lines 6, in this case the distance between two lines representing 100 which are used in conjunction with markings on the second member (not shown) to determine the relative disposition of the first member 1 and the second member. The lines 6 extend around the surface 4 and circumferential surface 5 of the first member 1 in order that the relative disposition of the first member 1 to the secondllmember can be determined from the side or from above.

Referring now to Fig. 2 the first member 1 has markings 21 which comprise raised points on the circumferential surface 4 of the first member. A magnifying glass 22 attached to a second member (not shown) allows the markings on the first member to be seen.

Referring now to Fig. 3 the second member 31 has a surface 32 which is adapted to be placed onto the surface whose incline is to be measured. The first member (not shown) is pivotally attached to the inside of the second member. A magnifying glass 22 is fitted into the top of the second member to make it easier to read the markings 21 on that portion of the first member visible through the magnifying glass. In use the surface 32 is placed on the surface whose incline is to be measured, the first member pivots inside the second member until the densest portion of the first member comes to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest. The incline of the surface being measured may then be ascertained by taking the relative disposition of the first member relative to the second member.

Referring now to Fig. 4, this shows a measuring apparatus of the present invention comprising a member 41 with a hollow cylinder portion 41a therewithin containing a fluid 42 and a measuring means 43, in this case hemispherical in shape. The measuring means 43 is free to float on the fluid and move radially in the cylinder portion 41a as the member 41 is rotated.

The measuring means 43 has a marker 44 on it and the member 41 has a number of markers 45 (not shown) on its outer surface. The member 41 in this example is made from a transparent plastic. The bottom 46 of the member 41 is placed on the surface whose incline is to be measured, the measuring means 43 will rotate in the cylinder portion 41a until it is furthest from the point where the earth's gravity is greatest. The incline of the surface being measured can then be determined by using the markers on the measuring means 43 and the member 41 to determine the relative disposition of the measuring means 43 to the member 41.

Optionally, some of the fluid 42 may be displaced with a material (not shown) denser than the fluid.

In a not shown embodiment, the measuring means 43 is comprised of a buoyant member pivotally attached across the centre of the side walls of the hollow cylinder portion 41a by a wire rectangle, or like structure. This arrangement allows the buoyant member to sweep below the inner surface of the cylinder portion 41a when the measuring apparatus is in use.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the first member 1 is as hereinbefore described but has inserted into the upper portion thereof a check means comprising a hollow cylinder 57 partially filled with a fluid 58. The check means is of lesser density than the material of the first member 1. Check marks 9 are located on the first member 1 and are alligned with the surface level of the fluid 58 when the first member's densest portion has come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest. Thus the allignment of the surface level of the fluid 58 with the check marks 9 shows the true horizontal.

Should the measuring apparatus suffer damage, in use, which restricts the rotational movement of the first member 1 or compromises the balance of said member 1 then the inclination measurements taken using the measuring apparatus will be inaccurate. However, the resulting non-allignment of the check means fluid 58 surface level with the check mark 59 will indicate non-accurate functioning of the measuring apparatus.

Referring now to Fig. 6, this shows a measuring apparatus comprising a member 41 as hereinbefore described within which is:-a hollow cylinder portion 41a containing a fluid 42 and a measuring means 43.

Inserted into the measuring means 43 is a check means comprised of a hollow cylinder 47 partially filled with a second fluid 48 floating on the surface of which is a floating member 49. The floating member 49 is triangular in cross-section, its hypothenuse being adjacent the surface of the second fluid 48 and in allignment with "horizontal" check marks 50 made on the body of the measuring means 43 when the measuring means 43 has come to rest floating on the fluid 42 in the cylinder portion 4lithe fluid 42 having come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest. Similarly, the apex of the triangular floating member 49 alligns with a "vertical" check mark 51. The check means indicates the accurate functioning of the measuring apparatus in use, and also provides horizontal and vertical references.

The hollow cylinder 47 of the check means may contain pressurised gas which may act as a damper on the movement of the floating member 49 and also act to prevent the cohesion of the second fluid 48 to the inner surface of the check means, in use. Similarly, the cylinder portion 41a may contain pressurised gas.

Claims (34)

1. A measuring apparatus comprising a member adapted to provide a hollow portion therewithin to accommodate a fluid and a measuring means, said measuring means being buoyant and having an outer surface part of which is adapted to conform to part of an inner surface of said hollow portion whereby in use the said member is placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured, the measuring means floats on a fluid in said hollow portion, said fluid always coming to rest in said hollow portion at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest and the incline of the said surface being determined by the rotational disposition of the measuring means relative to the member.

2. A measuring apparatus comprising a first member which is free to rotate through 3Oo, relative to a second member to which is is attached, said first member having its mass distributed unevenly about the point where it is pivotally attached to the said second member whereby in use the said second member is placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured, the dense portion of the first member coming to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest and the incline of the said .surface being determined by the rotational disposition of the first member relative to the second member.

3. A measuring apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein a check means is provided in cooperation with the first member or the measuring means of the measuring apparatus, the check means being attached onto or incorporated within said member or measuring means, whereby, in use, the check means indicates the accurate functioning of the measuring apparatus.

4. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the check means is a hollow cylinder, partially filled with a fluid and check marks are made externally to said cylinder along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and in allignment with the surface level of said fluid within the cylinder when the first member's densest portion has come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest, or where the measuring means has come to rest floating on a fluid in a hollow portion of the member, said fluid coming to rest in said hollow portion at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest.

5. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 3 or 4 wherein the check means contains a floating member adapted to allign with check marks to indicate the accurate functioning of the measuring means.

6. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 3 or 4 wherein the check marks are alligned with the horizontal, the vertical or any predetermined reference angle.

7. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is more than one check means associated with the first member or the measuring means of the measuring apparatus respectively.

8. a measuring apparatus as claimed in claims 2 to 7 wherein the first member comprises a thin disc, a thick disc, the discs can be solid, hollow, or consist mainly of a rim with, for example, a strut attaching the rim to the point where the first member is pivotally attached to the second member.

9. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 8 wherein the first member comprises an incomplete disc, for example, a hemispherical member, or a member having a number of segments radiating out from the point where the first member is pivotally attached to the second member.

10. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 9 wherein the first member is circular, however first members of other shapes, for example, elliptical shapes, octagonal shapes, may also be employed.

11. A measuring apparatus as claimed in claims 2 to 10 wherein the first member is pivotally attached at its centre point to the second member, by centre point of the first member is meant its centre point in relation to its physical dimensions.

12. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 11 wherein the mass of the first member is distributed unevenly in a number of ways including, for example, the removal of material from one part of the first member thus making the other parts relatively denser.

13. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 12 wherein the uneven distribution of mass in the first member is achieved by the removal of a plug of material from said first member, said plug being replaced by a check means or component of a holding means of differing density to the material of the first member.

14. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 13 wherein the first member is pivotally attached to the second member by any suitable means including, for example, a bearing in which the first member is attached to the second member, or the first-member is pivotally attached to the second member by being free to rotate about a spindle attached to the second member.

15. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 14 wherein the first member rotates in a plane which is parallel to two of the sides of the second member and in a plane perpendicular to the face of the second member which is placed on a surface whose incline is to be measured.

16. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 15 wherein the measuring apparatus contains more than one first member.

17. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 16 wherein the second member comprises a large number of different structures including, for example, a structure which encompasses totally a first member, or can be a structure which consists mainly of a framework of struts supporting a first member.

18. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 to 17 wherein the second member is constructed so as to allow the first member or part thereof to be viewed from outside the second member.

19. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 1 and 3 to 7 wherein the member contains a hollow cylinder portion and where part of the member can be made from transparent material to allow the measuring means inside the hollow cylinder portion to be viewed from outside the member.

20. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 1,3 to 7 and 19 wherein some of the fluid in the hollow container portion is replaced with a dense material, for example, metal which does not float in the particular fluid in the hollow cylinder portion.

21. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 1,3 to 7 and 19 and 20 wherein the volume of fluid or combination of fluid and dense material in the cylinder portion is sufficient to fill those parts of the container not occupied by the measuring means.

22. A measuring apparatus as claimed in claims 1,3 to 7 and 19 to 21 wherein the cylinder portion of the member contains a pressurised gas to act as a damper on the movement of the measuring means and also to reduce the cohesion of the fluid, contained in the cylinder portion, to the inner surfaces of the cylinder portion.

23. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 1,3 to 7 and 19 to 22 wherein the measuring means is comprised of a buoyant member pivotally attached to the inner walls of the hollow cylinder portion by a wire rectangle, or like structure, said arrangement allowing the buoyant member to sweep below the inner surface of the cylinder portion.

24. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 1,3 to 7 and 19 to 23 wherein the buoyant member is comprised of a half cylinder or a triangular element'attached to the apex of which is a pointer.

25. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the first and second members or the measuring means'and the member are made from any suitable materials including, for example, metal or plastics.

26. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reading of the incline of a surface being measured by the measuring apparatus is determined by marking the first or second member, or both, or the measuring means or member, or both respectively, with reference lines representing degrees, the reference lines may be parallel or converging and a reading of the incline of a surface is taken by noting the position of a reference line on a first member or measuring means respectively relative to a reference point or line on a second member or member, or vice-versa.

27. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the reading of the incline of a surface being measured by the measuring apparatus is achieved by using as a reference point calibration markings on a fixed or movable disc which is preferably parallel to the first member or the measuring means.

28. A measuring apparatus as claimed in Claims 26 and 27 wherein the markings on the first member or the measuring means are made easier to read by incorporating a magnifying glass into the second member or the member, the magnifying glass being so postioned that it will magnify the markings on the first member or the measuring means.

29. A measuring apparatus as claimed on claims 26,27 or 28 wherein the markings on the measuring apparatus are more easily and more accurately read by employing a vernier type of scale.

30. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reading of the incline of a surface, from a measuring apparatus is obtained by use of a holding means provided in cooperation with the first and second members or the measuring means and the member respectively such that once the measuring apparatus has been placed against a surface whose incline is to be measured and the first members densest portion has come to rest at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest, or the measuring means has come to rest floating on a fluid in a hollow portion of the member, said fluid coming to rest in said hollow portion at a point where the earth's gravity is greatest, the holding means is actuated to secure the first member or the measuring means at the rotational dosposition relative to the second member or the member so achieved, allowing the measuring apparatus to be removed from said surface and the resulting incline measurement to be read.

31. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reading of the incline of a surface is obtained as a digital readout, using known electronics which can compare the relative rotational disposition of the first member or the measuring means in relation to the second member or the member and produce the result in the form of a digital readout.

32. A measuring apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the reading of the incline of a surface may be obtained remotely from the measuring apparatus by a number of methods including, for example, radio waves, infra red beams, light beams and sonic beams whereby the information from the measuring apparatus is transmitted to a receiver thereby allowing, for example, the incline of a piece of equipment such as an earth moving scraper blade to be determined in the cab of the tractor pulling said scraper blade.

33. A measuring apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2,3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A measuring apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.