GB2278316A

GB2278316A - Electronic measuring compasses or dividers

Info

Publication number: GB2278316A
Application number: GB9309134A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Hutchinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-04
Filing date: 1993-05-04
Publication date: 1994-11-30
Also published as: GB9309134D0

Abstract

The distance between the points 5 of the arms 4 is electronically measured and displayed on a screen 1. The electronic unit 3 is fixed to the arms 4. The unit 3 may lock the arms 4 in a pre-selected position and carry out calculations based on the distance between the points 5. The unit 3 may have a cable connection to a separate computer. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC PAIR OF COMPASSES This invention relates to an automatic pair of compasses.

A pair of compasses is an instrument, used for drawing circles and measuring distances or scales, that consists of two arms, joined at one end, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle.

Dividers are a type of compass with two pointed arms, used for measuring lines or dividing them. In this specification the term pair of compasses includes dividers as herein described.

In order to use a pair of compasses the distance between the two points has to be set or read against distances on a ruler or predetermined scale, as in map reading for example. The setting or reading of distances in this way is time consuming and can be imprecise. Calculations using distances read have to be carried out manually or by separate equipment, for example, a calculator.

According to the present invention there is provided a pair of compasses equipped with an electronic means of measuring the distance between the two extended points of the arms and displaying that distance and calculations made from that distance on an integral display screen.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in Which Figure 1 shows the front view of the automatic pair of compasses.

Figure 2 stows the rear view of the automatic pair of compasses.

Referring to the drawing the pair of compasses comprise two arms 4 joined by a hinge 2. Attached to the arms is a unit 3.

The unit 3 contains electronics programmed to calculate the distance between the extended points of each arm and display the distance on the liquid crystal display screen 1. The unit 3 is powered by a battery 6 contained within the unit.

In their simplest form the automatic pair of compasses allow the distance between two points on a line to be measured and displayed (in which case the arms 4 each terminate in simple points 5) or a circle of the displayed radius and diameter to be described (in which case one of the points 5 comprises a suitable material for describing the circle).

Different forms of the automatic pair of compasses are planned.

These will incorporate one or more of the following features: a) The unit 3 is modified by the addition of a control which allows the arms 4 to be locked into position once the required distance between the points has been read or set.

b) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to allow selection to pre-set scales and to display the distance between the points 5 of the arms 4 in both actual distance and the distance represented by the scale.

c) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to calculate and display the circumference and area of any circle described.

d) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to allow the connection of a cable link to a separate computer.

e) The unit 3 is modified and programmed so that a predetermined distance between the points 5 of the arms 4 can be selected. The arms then move automatically to the selected setting and manual adjustment is not required.

Claims

1 A pair of compasses (or dividers) equipped with an electronic means of measuring the distance between the two extended points 5 ofthe arms 4.

2 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the electronically measured distance between the two extended points 5 ofthe arms 4 is displayed on an integral electronic display screen.

3 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein calculations based upon the measured distance between the two extended points 5 ofthe arms 4 can be made and displayed on an integral display screen. For example the circumference or area of any circle described or represented by the distance between the two extended points 5 ofthe arms 4.

4 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the arms 4 may be locked in a fixed position when the required distance between the two extended points 5 ofthe arms 4 has been read or set.

5 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein pre-set scales may be selected to display on the integral electronic screen both the actual distance between the points 5 ofthe arms 4 and the distance represented by the scale.

6 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 which can be linked by cable to a separate computer so that data may be passed to the computer for storage or processing.

7 A pair of compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein a pre-determined distance between the points 5 ofthe arms 4 can be selected which causes the arms to move automatically to the required distance setting.

8 A pair of compasses (or dividers) substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 contained in the application GB 9309134. 6