GB2382410A - Measuring aid for a tape measure - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure (fig. I) that holds or supports the cassette of a standard extending measuring tape 1 and provides a tape guidance system that allows the tape to be extended around guides 2 and 3 to abut one surface of an internal space to be measured whilst a specific part of the structure is held to abut the other surface. The guidance system further incorporates a graticule or indicated position 5 at which a reading of the tape calibration can be made that is equivalent to the distance between the point of contact of the extended end of the tape with one internal surface and the point at which a specific part of the structure 6 is in contact with the other surfaces.

Description

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MEASURING AID This invention relates to a device to assist in the making of internal measurements between two surfaces when used in conjunction with a standard extending steel measuring tape.

In order to make an internal measurement using a standard extending measuring tape, having a single calibrated surface, it is necessary to extend the tape to abut one of the surfaces to be measured and to hold the tape cassette to abut the other surface A reading would then be taken at the point where the tape enters the tape cassette. The additional space taken up by the body of the cassette is then added to the tape reading to ascertain the internal measurement An alternative method necessitates bending the tape into one of the surfaces and estimating the reading The first method of making internal measurements is somewhat cumbersome and readings can be difficult to take when attempting to read the tape calibration where it enters the tape cassette. A further calculation then has to be made, increasing the risk of error and adding to the time required to complete a measurement.

The second method is by nature inaccurate and the difficulties of both methods are further compounded when making measurements in confined spaces According to the present invention there is provided a structure to hold or support a measuring tape cassette and incorporating a tape guidance system, designed in such a manner so as to divert the tape extending from the cassette and enabling a direct reading to be taken against a graticule or fixed point on the aforementioned structure. When the tape is extended from the guidance system to abut an internal surface and the body of the structure held to abut the other internal surface, the point at which the reading is taken is so positioned that it corresponds to the internal distance between the two internal surfaces being measured, thus

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enabling a quick and easy method of making internal measurements using a standard extending measuring tape.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. I Shows the structure in perspective Fig. 2 Shows in perspective the structure supporting a tape cassette.

Fig. 3 Illustrates the structure supporting a tape cassette with the tape extended around the guidance system.

Referring to fig. I The structure in this example comprises a fabricated sheet metal construction incorporating a tape cassette holder or support (1) and two guides (2) and (3). The first guide (2) controls the path of the tape as it is extended from the cassette and the second guide (3) controls the path of the tape as it is extended away from the structure. A recess (4) is incorporated in the second guide, the sides of which, provide lateral control of the tape in addition to controlling the path of the tape.

A triangular cut-out section (5) is incorporated in the first guide (2) in order to indicate that the tape calibration shpuld be read at the leading edge of the associated guide.

A straight edge (6) on the structure, allows accurate alignment when positioning the structure, so as to abut one of the surfaces to be measured and a further straight edge (7) enables the structure to be also aligned with a rear surface such as the back of a cupboard or alcove.

In order to make an internal measurement, an extending steel measuring tape cassette is held on the cassette support (1) (fig 2.) or clipped on to the support by the belt clip (if fitted to

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the cassette) Referring to fig. 3, the tape is then extended and passed around the rear surface of the adjacent guide (2) and then further extended to pass around the leading edge of the recess (4) in the second guide (3). The tape is then further extended to abut one of the surfaces of the internal space to be measured whilst the edge of the structure (5) is held to abut the other surface.

In this situation the second guide (3) diverts the tape away from the locus that leads to the point at which the desired measurement is to be made, allowing the tape to subsequently pass behind the leading edge of the other guide (2). The distance from the point at which the tape is diverted away from the aforementioned locus to the point where it passes behind the leading edge of the first guide (2) is equal to the distance from the point at which the tape is diverted to the point abutted by the edge of the structure (5), also being the point at which the desired measurement is to be made. A reading of the tape calibration can now be made at the leading edge of the first tape guide (2) as indicated by the aforementioned triangular cut-out.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1. A structure designed to hold or support the cassette of a standard extending steel measuring tape and incorporating a guidance system around which the tape can be diverted prior to extending it for the purpose of making a measurement 2 A structure as claimed in Claim I that provides a gtaticule or point along the diverted path of the tape at which a reading of the tape calibration can be taken that corresponds to the distance between two internal surfaces when a specific part of the structure is held against one surface and the tape extended to abut the other surface