GB2291717A

GB2291717A - Device for measuring and indicating angles

Info

Publication number: GB2291717A
Application number: GB9414371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mary Patrick Broderick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-15
Filing date: 1994-07-15
Publication date: 1996-01-31
Also published as: DE19603006A1; GB9414371D0

Description

DEVICE FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING ANGLES This invention relates to a device for measuring and indicating angles and which can be used in various forms such as a set square, tri-square or with a level indicator.

According to the present invention a device for measuring and indicating angles comprises a base portion on which is indicated a linear base line having first and second ends, and an upstanding portion carrying a linear angle indicating line having first and second ends, said first end being adjacent the second end of the base line and projecting away from the base line at an acute angle or normal thereto, and said indicating line being marked to indicate angles measured along said line from the first end of the base line.

Thus, the device can be used for measuring or indicating angles by placing the first end of the base line adjacent the point from which the angle is to be measured and measuring off the angle along the indicating line from its first end.

The indicating line can be marked on a first face with angles between 0" to 90" and from 1800 to 270 and from 1800 to 270 from its first to its second end and can be marked with a corresponding indicating line on the reverse face with angles between 90" to 1800 and from 270 to 360" from its second end.

Thus, the device can be in the form of a triangular right angled set square, said angle indicating line being provided by the hypotenuse edge and said base lines being provided by the other edges.

In another construction according to the invention the device can be in the form of an L-shaped tri-square, said base line being provided by the upper edge of a lower substantially horizontal member which provides said base portion and said angle indicating line being provided by the adjacent inner edge of an upright member normal to the lower member which provides said upstanding portion.

The respective lengths of said base line and said indicating line can be proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 45" or from 0 to 60 to be marked on the indicating line.

The base line of this construction can also be marked to indicate angles measured from the first end of the indicating line.

Thus, if the representative lengths of the base line and indicating line are apportioned to enable angles of between O" to 45 to be marked on the said indicating line then the angles on the base line can be marked from 45" to 90".

Alternatively if the lengths of the base line and the indicating line are proportioned to enable angles between 0 to 60 to be marked on the indicating line then the said further angles can be marked from 60 to 90" from the first end of the base line.

All the above markings can be carried on a front face but preferably the reverse face is also marked to indicate angles of 90" to 135 along the base line from said second end and 135 to 1800 along the indicating line from the first end in arrangements where respective lengths of the base line and indicating line are proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 45" to be marked along the indicating line.Again, the reverse face can be marked to indicate angles of 90" to 1200 along the base line and from 1200 to 1800 along the indicating line from the first end when the respective lengths of the base line and indicating line are proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 600 to be marked on said indicating line.

The indicating line on the front face on the o" to 45" construction can also be marked to indicate angles of 1800 to 225 measured from the first end and taken from the first end to the base line, and the base line can be marked 225 to 270 measured from the second end of the indicating line, and on the reverse face the base line can also be marked with angles of 270 to 3150 and the indicating line with angles of 315" to 360" respectively.

Where the included angle of the device is 0 to 60 the indicating line on the front face can also be marked to indicate angles of 1800 to 240 measured from the first end and taken from the first end of the base line the base line can also be marked to indicate angles of 240 to 270 measured from the second end of the indicating line; and on the reverse face the base line can be marked with angles of 270 to 300 and the indicating line with angles of 300 to 360" respectively.

In another embodiment of the invention the concept is combined with a level indicator and thus the lower member and said upright member can both have a depth sufficient to act as straight edges and the corner between one free end of the lower member or the upright member between said front surface and the adjacent end surface can be provided with three spirit levels at right angles to each other, a first spirit level being aligned with said front face to indicate when it is level, a second spirit level being aligned with the surface of the end surface to indicate when it is level and a third spirit level being aligned with the surface normal to the end surface and the front face to indicate when it is level.

In yet another construction means can be included to allow the upright member to slide at right angles relative to the lower member, a further indicating line being marked on said upright member with two sets of angles on both front and rear faces.

Means can also be included to allow the upright member to pivot in relation to the lower member and means being provided to indicate the relative angle between them.

The invention can be performed in many ways and some embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a isosceles triangular set square embodying the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view from the rear of the set square shown in Figure 1; Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic illustrations showing how the set square shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be used for measuring and indicating angles around a circumference of 360 ; Figure 7 is an isometric front view of a tri-square embodying the invention;; Figure 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic representations of the tri-square shown in Figure 7 and showing how it can be used to measure and indicate angles proceeding around a circumference of 360" in an anti-clockwise direction; Figure 16 shows another construction according to the invention of an adjustable tri-square in which the upright arm can slide and pivot in relation to the base arm; Figure 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of a ball catch used in the construction shown in Figure 16; Figure 18 is a side view of the pivot pin shown in Figure 16; Figure 19 is a diagrammatic illustration of the upright arm shown in Figure 16; Figure 20 is a diagrammatic illustration of the tri-square shown in Figure 16 in use;; Figure 21 is another diagrammatic illustration of the tri-square shown in Figure 16 with the arms in the pivoted position; and, Figure 22 is a diagrammatic illustration showing how the tri-square of Figure 7 can be incorporated into a level indicator.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 6 the device for measuring an indicating angles is combined in a 45" isosceles set square which can be used for drawing or other purposes.

The set square comprises a base portion 1 on which is provided a linear base line 2 having a first end 3 and a second end 4. This base line is provided by the edge of the set square. An upstanding portion 5 carries a linear angle indicating line 6 provided by the hypotenuse edge of the square and which has a first end 7 and a second end 8. As will be seen the first end 7 is adjacent the second end 4 of the base line and projects away from the base line at an acute angle of 45". This indicating line 6 is on the front face 9 marked to indicate angles from 0" to 900 by degrees measured along the line from the first end 3 of the base line. In Figure 1, in order to provide clarity in the drawing, only the angles 0 , 45" and 90" are shown.

Also marked on the indicating line are angles from 1800 to 270 marked in the same direction but written upside down.

Figure 2 shows the set square illustrated in Figure 1 from the reverse face which is indicated by reference numeral 10, the same reference numerals being used to indicate similar portions of the set square as in Figure 1. On this face of the square the corresponding indicating line, that is the edge of the hypotenuse, is marked with angles between 90" and 1800 reading in increased magnitude from the second end 4 of the base line and from 270 to 360" in the same direction but with the numerals inverted. The inscribing on the edge of the square is shown by reference numeral 11 and it will be seen that the mark extends from the front face 9 across the edge of the square and onto the rear face 10.

The base line can be marked with suitable divisions, one of which is indicated by reference numeral 12, to provide a metric rule and the third edge 13 of the set square can also carry markings indicated by reference numeral 14 to provide a rule marked with imperial units.

It will be appreciated that only nominal markings are shown on the three edges in order to clarify the drawing.

The centre of the square is cut away to provide a 360"" protractor the markings of which are indicated by reference numeral 16. A bridge 17 extends across the centre of the opening and is provided with a suitable marking or small hole to indicate the centre of the protractor. This protractor can be used in the usual way.

The set square described can be used on a drawing board or for marking out materials and its use for measuring and indicating angles is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 which show the method of measuring the angles from a given point through 360".

In Figure 3 the point from which the angle is to be measured is indicated by reference numeral 20 and the starting line by reference numeral 21. The same reference numerals are used to indicated various parts of the set square as in Figures 1 and 2.

The set square is first place in position as shown in Figure 3 with its front face upwards and the first end of the base line 3 in position on the point 20, the base line 2 is aligned with the line 21. It is now possible to measure out angles of between 0 and 90" by using the indicating line 6 on which the angles are marked.

The direction of measurement is shown in Figure 3, 4 and 5 by the arrow 22 extending from the line 21. Thus in Figure 3 it will be seen that angles up to 900 can be measured with the set square in this position. If it is desired to measure angles extending beyond 90" from the line 21 then the set square is turned over so that its reverse face is now upwards. Angles between 90" and 1800 extending away from the second end 8 of the indicating line 6 can now be measured, a typical angle being represented by the broken line 23 in each of the Figures.In order to measure angles beyond 1800 from the line 21 the set square is returned so that its front face is uppermost but it is now placed on the line 21 in an inverted position, in the position shown in Figure 5, and angles up to 2700 can be measured.

In order to measure angles from the line 270 and 360" the set square is again placed with its reverse face uppermost but in the inverted position as shown in Figure 6.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to a set square of any suitable dimensions and shape.

In the second embodiment to be described the invention is applied to an L-shaped tri-square which has a lower substantially horizontal member 31 which provides the base portion and on the horizontal upper edge of which is carried the base line 32 having a first end 33 and a second end 34.

The lower member 31 is connected to an upright member 35 which is normal to the lower member and provides the upstanding portion. An indicating line 36 is provided on the inner edge of this upright member 35 and this indicating line has a first end 37 and a second end 38.

The device can be made from any convenient material, for example plastics material, wood or metal.

The respective length of the base line 32 and indicating line 36 can be proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 45" or, for example, between 0 and 60 to be marked on the indicating line. In the construction shown in Figure 7 the angles are between 0 and 60 measured from the first end 33 of the base line 32.

The indicating line 36 is marked with angles from 0 5 to 60 moving away from the second end of the base line 32 and also carries markings for angles of 1800 to 240 with the markings inverted.

The markings referred to above are carried on the front face 39 of the tri-square. The rear face 40 also carries markings along the indicator line 36 which range from 120C to 1800 marked from the second end 38 of the indicating line. This side of the set square also carries further angle markings of 300 to 360" but with the numerals inverted.

The base line 32 also carries angle marking from 0 to 90 and which are taken from the second end 38 of the indicating line 36. These angles are marked on the front face 39 and the same angles are also marked from 270 to 240 but with the numbers inverted.

On the reverse face 40 the same angles are marked 90C to 1200 and from 270 to 300 with the numbers inverted.

The lower edge of the lower member is marked to represent an imperial marked rule, indicated by reference numeral 41 and the outside edge of the upright member 35 is marked to represent a metric rule, as indicated by reference numeral 42.

Although the tri-square is shown as being able to indicate up to 60 angles it could be made in any suitable configuration, for example with the ability to indicate 45" angles along the base line and along the indicating line.

Figure 8 to 15 show how the tri-square can be used to measure angles around an arc of 3600 from a starting point 50, start line 51.

In Figure 8 the tri-square is shown with a first end 33 of the base line 32 aligned with the point 50 and with the line 51. Angles up to 600 can be measured away from the line 51.

The direction of measurement is shown by the arrow 52. In order to measure angles between 60 and 90" the point from which the angle is taken up to the second end of the indicating line 38 is moved. Thus, in Figure 9 it will be seen that the measurement point has been moved to the 10 position on the base line 32 (see Figure 7) and thus the angle measured is now 70". This is continued from 90" by choosing the appropriate points marked on the base line.

In order to keep the drawings as clear as possible only essential reference numerals will be included in Figures 10 to 15.

Figure 10 shows how angles from 90" from the line 51 round to 1200 can be measured using the device. Compared with Figures 8 and 9 the tri-square is now reversed so that its reverse face 40 is uppermost. The markings on the base line 32 are again employed to the second end of the indicating line 36 to achieve the necessary range.

Figure 11 shows how, once the 60 has been reached, further measurement from the base line 51 around to 1800 is achieved by again using the first end 33 of the base line and the degrees marked on the indicating line 36.

In order to progress beyond 1800 and up to 240 the trisquare is rotated so that its front surface is uppermost but it is inverted, as shown in Figure 12. Once again the angles are measured from the first end of the base line to the markings on the indicating line until 2400 are reached and the angle marking on the base line are then used together with the second end of the indicating line to achieve angles 270 from the line 51 as shown in Figure 13.

To progress beyond 270 and up to 360" the reverse face of the tri-square is again employed as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the same technique being used until the full 360" has been achieved.

Figure 16 shows a tri-square construction embodying the invention in which the main markings are similar to those shown in the construction of Figure 7 and the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. In this construction however the upright member 35 is arranged to pivot and slide at right angles with regard to the lower member 31.Thus, an adjustable pivot pin 60 is provided which can be held in three separate positions, the first in which it clamps the arm 35 in the fixed position at right angles to the member 31, a second position in which the arms 35 can pivot and be subsequently locked if desired in a number of positions relative to the member 31 and a third position in which the end of the locking pin is substantially disengaged from an opening (not shown) in the arm 35 but engages a groove 37 which thus enables the arm 35 to slide along a guided track provided by the groove and at right angles to the member 31.

As shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19, the preferred arrangement has a screw 52 which incorporates a ball catch 53, part of which is accommodated by the groove 37 when the device's edges 33 and 36 intersect at right angles. The upright arm 35 contains four holes or depressions 55, 56, 57 and 58 which are concentrically located about the hole 54 which receives the pin 60. This bass catch successively occupies the above holes or depressions wen the edges 35 and 36 intersect at the angles 135 , 1800, 225 and 270".

The pin 60 may also incorporate a ball catch 61 which together with the ball catch 53 occupies the groove 37 when the upright arm 37 is displaced perpendicularly in relation to the arm 31.

The groove 37 on the front face 35 can also be marked as a second indicating line and is marked along the front face with angles of 0 to 60 away from the free end of the member 35. The second indicating line is also marked with angles of 1800 to 240 again marked from the free end of the arm with the numbers inverted.

The angles are measured from the first end 33 of the base line to the second end 38 of the first indicating line 36 but the calibration is different so that if the arm 35 is moved in relation to the member 31 the appropriate amount of movement is indicated by the second indicating line and ensures that if, for example, the indicating line is moved to 50 and the angle between the base line and the second end of the first indicating line 36 taken from the first end of the base line 33 is 50".

The reverse face 40 also carries a second indicating line appropriately marked from 90 to 1500 and from 300 to 360".

In order that the device can also be used for measuring this second indicator line carries centimetre measuring markings on each side.

By arranging for the two members to be in sliding relationship it is possible to measure through fully 90" using merely one face of the device and without changing the point 50 from which the measurement is to be made.

The device can be reversed and inverted in a similar manner to that described with regard to Figures 8 to 15 but the double method of measurement used to cover from 0 to 90" in each position is now achieved by sliding the two members in relation to each other.

Figure 20 shows the construction of Figure 16 with the two members in different positions.

Figure 21 shows how the pivotal operation of the device can be used. A degree scale from 0 to 90" is marked in an arc, indicated by reference numeral 64 on upright member 35 and this arc coincides with a chamfered corner 65 which can act as a marker. When the arm is pivoted the angular measurement between the two members is indicated by the point 65.

As shown in Figure 21 the pivoting arm enables of between 0 and 90" to be measured and marked by employing the appropriate technique which would be clear to a man skilled in the art.

Figure 22 shows how a tri-square as shown in Figure 7 can be combined into a hand level. Similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts but the particular markings for the angles and other measurements have been omitted, suffice to say that the upper and rear faces of the ends of the device are marked in a similar way to the square shown in Figure 7. In this construction however the lower member 31 and upright member 35 all have a depth sufficient to act as straight edges, the walls provided in this manner are indicated by reference numerals 70 and 71. The corner between the free end of the upright member 35 and between the front surface 39 and the adjacent end surface 72 is provided with three spirit levels 73, 74, 75 which are arranged at right angles to each other and which can be in the form of an interconnected assembly. Thus the first spirit level 33 is aligned with the front face 39 to indicate when it is level. The second spirit level 74 is aligned with the end surface 72 to indicate when it is level and the third spirit level 75 is aligned with the inner surface wall 76 which in turn is parallel with an outer surface wall on the outside of the level and indicated by reference numeral 77.

The spirit levels are flush with the various surfaces and are arranged so that when the hand level is in place on a surface at least two of the spirit levels can be seen so that the two dimensional inclination of a surface can be verified.

Due to the configuration the set square cum hand level can, for example, be placed against an upright pole or tube and thus measure its position with regard to two dimensions.

Once again the device can be made from any suitable material, for example wood, plastic or metal.

Claims

1. A device for measuring and indicating angles comprising a base portion on which is indicated a linear base line having first and second ends, and an upstanding portion carrying a linear angle indicating line having first and second ends, said first end being adjacent the second end of the base line and projecting away from the base line at an acute angle or normal thereto, and said indicating line being marked to indicate angles measured along said line from the first first end of the base line.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicating line is marked on a first face with angles between 0 to 900 and from 180 to 2700 from its first to its second end and is marked on a corresponding indicating line on a reverse face with angles between 900 to 180 and from 2700 to 3600 from its second.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which is in the form of a triangular right angle set square said angle indicating line being provided by the hypotenuse edge and said base lines being provided by the other edges.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 which is in the form of an L-shaped tri-square, said base line being provided by the upper edge of a lower substantially horizontal member which provides said base portion and said angle indicating line being provided by the adjacent inner edge of an upstanding member normal to the lower member which provides said upstanding member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the respective lengths of said base line and said indicting line are proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 45 to be marked on said indicating line.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the respective lengths of said base line and said indicating line are proportioned to enable angles of between 0 to 600 to be marked on said indicating line.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which said base line is also marked to indicate angles measured from the first end of said indicating line.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 when dependent upon claim 5 in which said angles are marked from 45 to 90 from the first end of the base line.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 when dependent upon claim 6 in which said angles are marked from 600 to 900 from the first end of the base line.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 when dependent upon claims 5, 7 and 8 in which the reverse face is marked to indicate angles of 900 to 1350 along the base line from the second end and 135 to 180 along the indicating line from the first end.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 when dependent upon claims 6, 7 and 9 in which the reverse side is marked to indicate angles of 900 to 120 along the base line from the second end and 120 to 180 along the indicating line from the first end.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 in which the indicating line on the first face is also marked to indicate angles of 180 to 225 measured from the first end and taken from the first end of the base line, and the base line is also marked 225 to 2700 measured from the second end of the indicating line; and on the reverse face the base line is also marked with angles of 2700 to 315 and the indicating line with angles of 315 to 2600 respectively.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 in which the indicating line on the front face is also marked to indicate angles of 180 to 2400 marked from the first end and taken from the first end of the base line, and the base line is also marked to indicate 2400 to 2700 measured from the second end of the indicating line; and on the reverse face the base line is also marked with angles of 2700 to 3000 and the indicating line with angles of 3000 to 3600 respectively.

14. A device as claimed in claims 4 to 13 including means to allow the upstanding member to slide at right angles relative to the lower member, a further indicating line being marked on said upstanding member with two sets of angles on both front and rear faces.

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 14 including means to allow said upstanding member to pivot in relation to said lower member and provided with means to indicate the relative angle between them.

16. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims incorporating a level indicator.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 when dependant upon claim 1, and claimed 4 to 13, in which the lower member and said upright member have a depth sufficient to act as straight edges and the corner between one free end of the lower member or the upright member between said front surface and the adjacent end surface is provided with three spirit levels at right angles to each other, a first spirit level being aligned with said front face to indicate when it is level, a second spirit level being aligned with the surface of the end surface to indicate when it is level and a third spirit level being aligned with the surface normal to the end surface and the front face to indicate when it is level.

18. A device as claimed in any one of preceding claims 7 to 17 in which the upper edge of said lower substantially horizontal member extends beyond the angle marking on the base line.

19. A device for measuring and indicating angles substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 6, Figures 7 to 15, Figures 16 to 21 and Figure 22 of the accompanying drawings.