GB2236596A

GB2236596A - Measuring instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2236596A
Application number: GB8918532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Begemann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-13
Filing date: 1989-08-14
Publication date: 1991-04-10
Also published as: GB8918532D0

Abstract

A measuring instrument comprises a generally T-shaped piece. A transverse member (103) is slidably received on the upright limb (101) of the T-piece and extends parallel to the cross leg (102) of the T-piece. Means (108) is provided for securing the transverse member in a selected position along the upright limb. Graduations are provided on both limbs. The upright limb also provides a protractor. <IMAGE>

Description

" MEASURING INSTRUMENT THIS invention relates to measuring instruments.

Applicant is aware of a variety of measuring and marking instruments for use by a carpenter, handyman or the like.These include rulers, T-pieces, compasses, protractors and many others. Each of these instruments is intended for a specific role. Should the user want to perform a different operation, the appropriate instrument must be found and used. It will be appreciated that this large number of instruments unnecessarily crowd the work bench and the process of looking for and changing instruments is also very time consuming and sometimes frustrating.Furthermore, at least some of the aforementioned instruments comprise sharp pointed metal marking pins which frequently scratch or otherwise mar the surface of a workpiece.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative measuring instrument with which the applicant believes at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages will be alleviated.

According to the invention a measuring instrument comprises a T-piece having a first leg with only one free end and a second leg with two free ends, and a transverse member slidably mounted on the first leg and extending parallel to the second leg.

The instrument may comprise means for fastening the transverse member in a selectal position along the first leg of the T-piece.

At least one of the sides of the legs of the T-piece and/or the transverse member is graduated to provide a ruler.

Furthermore at least one of the legs of the T-piece is graduated to provide a protractor.

In the preferred embodiment the transverse member is stepped having a first and a second step separated by a transverse wall, the first leg of the T-piece extending through a hole in the wall and the second leg of the Tpiece, when the instrument is in a closed configuration, is superimposed on the step and abutting against the wall.

The fastening means preferably comprises a screw adapted to cooperate with a threaded hole extending from the first step of the transverse member to the hole in the wall to bear against the first member thereby to clamp the transverse member on the first leg.

The invention will now further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein: Figure 1: is a perspective view of a measuring instrument according to the invention in an open configuration; Figure 2: is a plan view of the instrument in figure 1 in a closed configuration; and Figure 3: is a section on line III through the instrument in figure 2.

A measuring instrument according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 100 in the diagrams.

The instrument comprises a T-piece having a first leg 101 with only one free end and a second leg 102 having two free ends.

A transverse member 103 is slidably mounted on first leg 101 and extends parallel to second leg 102.

Transverse member 103 is stepped and comprises a higher step 104 and a lower step 105 separated by a wall 106.

A hole 107 is defined in wall 106 and first leg 101 extends through this hole.

A tightening screw 108 co-operates with a threaded hole 109 (shown in figure 3) extending from the top of step 104 to hole 107. By means of this screw the transverse member may be clamped on first leg 101 in any selected position along its length.

Thus the instrument 100 may be manipulated between any open configuration (shown in figure 1) and a closed configuration (shown in figures 2 and 3).

The side of second leg 102 remote from first leg 101 is graduated in milli- and centimetres on both sides of a centre or zero point to provide a ruler. Similarly, a side of first leg 102 is also graduated in milli- and centimetres to provide a second ruler.

It will be appreciated that with the graduated side of secong leg 102 being parallel to transverse member 103-, parallel lines may be drawn with the instrument by using transverse member 103 as a stop abutting against an edge of wood, metal, ceramic and the like, or a drawing board or the like and a second leg 102 located at two or more desired positions on the paper or the like.

The region towards the opposite side of the first leg is graduated to provide a protractor.

It will be appreciated that the multi-purpose instrument according to the invention may be used as a ruler, a protractor, parallel and a T-square marker, a depth gauge as well as means for transferring measurements from one marked out section or article to another.

The instrument may be made of any suitable material such as wood, metal or a suitable plastics material.

Another important advantage of the instrument according to the invention is that since it comprises relatively smooth surfaces, it can be used on a wide variety of surfaces with a much reduced possibility of scratching or otherwise maring the surface, when compared with the known instruments comprising sharp pointed metal marking pins.

It will further be appreciated that there are many variations in detail possible on the instrument according to the invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. -A measuring instrument comprising a T-piece having a first leg with only one free end and a second leg with two free ends; and a transverse member slidably mounted on the first leg and extending parallel to the second leg.

2. A measuring instrument as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for fastening the transverse member in a selected position along the first leg of the T-piece.

3. A measuring instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the legs of the T-piece and/or the transverse member is graduated to provide a ruler.

4. A measuring instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the legs of the T-piece is graduated to provide a protractor.

5. A measuring instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transverse member is stepped having a first and a second step separated by a transverse wall, wherein the first leg of the T-piece extends through a hole in the wall and wherein the second leg of the T-piece, when the instrument is in a closed configuration, is superimposed on the second step and abutting against the wall.

6. A measuring instrument as claimed in claim 5 in so far as it is dependent on claim 2 wherein the fastening means comprises a screw adapted to cooperate with a threaded hole extending through the first step of the transverse member to the hole in the wall to bear against the first member thereby to clamp the transverse member on the first leg.

7. A measuring instrument substantially as herein described with references to the accompanying diagrams.