GB2383416A

GB2383416A - Centre-finding ruler

Info

Publication number: GB2383416A
Application number: GB0130624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Richard Whitfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2001-12-21
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Also published as: GB0130624D0

Abstract

A range of rulers and tape measures where the 'zero' or '0' is in the centre of the scale, 1, where the scale can be of any conventional design or configuration, 2 and 3. A series of holes along the centre line of the invention, 4 and 5, at convenient intervals, to aid and assist in the accurate drawing of circles, whereby the ruler will be coloured or shaded during manufacture, 6, to easily depict to which scale the holes refer, i.e. imperial or metric. An optional centre button device, 1, may be incorporated to allow secure location of the invention to the work-piece whilst a circle is being drawn or scribed. Also optional rule markers may be added to allow easy checking of repetitive dimensions, in the form of bright red plastic sliders which wrap around the ruler and slide along it.

Description

RULER AND TAPE MEASURE The invention relates to a range of rulers and tape measures of any length or configuration, with any conventional scale or markings, where the'zero'or'0' is in the centre of the length of the ruler or tape measure.

The function of the invention is to easily determine the centre of an object by aligning corresponding scale markings on either edge of the object. The'zero' or'0'will then be in the centre of the object, thus removing the need for calculation and possible errors.

The invention also is an aid to designing, drawing and constructing items that are symmetrical around a centre line, e. g. chairs, racing cars and spectacles to name just three.

The invention also has a series of holes along the centre line of all solid rulers, through which a pen or pencil point can pass, for the purpose of easily drawing circles without the need to use a compass or similar instrument. This removes the need for sharp compass points, which could be a danger to small children.

The invention could also incorporate a simple device, a spring loaded pin or stud, permanently located at the'zero'or'0'to facilitate easy location of the centre on the required point or mark, around which the rule would rotate in order to scribe a line or arc.

The invention would normally be calibrated in Imperial and Metric increments and would be made in a variety of suitable lengths for use in every industrial, commercial and domestic situation.

The invention could further be equipped with a series of rule markers to aid repetitive measurements.

For example, a builder might use a 2 metre rule, (I metre-C-I metre) to measure a series of roof trusses at intervals of 40 cm. The rule markers could be made of bright red plastic for easy visibility, and be moved (by sliding) to indicate the'zero'or'0'and also the 40 em and 80 em points on either end of the ruler. This would give five clearly defined measurements for him to quickly check the distances between his roof trusses without the need for carefully checking them individually, thus improving productivity and accuracy. The invention can be made from any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, steel or stainless steel, fibreglass, carbon fibre or fabric.

The invention can be manufactured by conventional methods in a similar way to 'normal'rulers and tape measures.

The invention is also, by design, an ambidextrous instrument. A conventional ruler is calibrated from the left to the right, thus making it a right handed ruler.

Most things are measured from the left by convention, but if you need to measure from the right to the left with a conventional ruler, you may have to turn the ruler upside down and then be forced to read the calibrations in an inverted manner. By using the invention, one simply puts the'zero'or'0'on the start point and reads the scale on the left of centre in the normal way.

The invention is more clearly defined in the accompanying drawings, which concentrate on the area of interest, i. e. the centre of the ruler, without showing the overall length. This will vary according to the length of the finished product as described and will be made in a variety of lengths according to market forces.

FIGURE 1 shows a detailed view of the centre of a ruler and all details relevant to the invention.

FIGURE 2 shows an example of a rule marker.

FIGURE 3 shows the optional centre button device in the'up' position FIGURE 4 shows the optional centre button device in the'down' position The last page shows an artists impression of the ruler and an example of its use.

FIGURE I shows a detailed view of the centre of a ruler and all details relevant to the invention.

1. Shows the'zero'or'0'in the centre of the scale, with optional button device.

2 Shows the hnperial scale along one edge of the ruler 3 Shows the Metric scale along the other edge of the ruler 4 Shows holes at 1/2"intervalls for drawing Imperial circles 5 Shows holes at 10 mm intervals for drawing Metric circles.

6 Shows shading or colour to indicate to which scale the holes refer.

NOTE. Drawing does not show overall length of ruler as this varies throughout the range.

FIGURE 2 shows an example of a rule marker.

It could be made from red plastic for easy visibility, and designed to wrap around the ruler and slide along it. There could be a pointer in the middle to give an accurate reading.

7 Shows the ruler without details 8 Shows what a rule marker could look like 9 Shows pointer to accurately indicate reading

FIGURE 3 shows the optional centre button device in the'up'position.

It could be a simple plunger device with a compression spring or rubber insert to return it to its'up'position. Made in a similar material to the ruler.

10 the ruler as seen in cross section from the side 11 the button in the'up'position 12 return spring 13 the pointer to locate the ruler on the work-piece in the'up' position.

FIGURE 4 shows the optional centre button device in the'down'position.

14 the pointer to locate the ruler on the work-piece in the 'down'position.

USING THE INVENTION 1 To create an archway.

A builder may wish to create an archway centrally between two architectural features, e. g. windows.

First he would select an appropriate length centre finding ruler, for example a 1 metre-0-1 metre, which would reach between the two architectural features he wishes to bisect.

By aligning the same markings on either end of the ruler, e. g. 950mm (if the total distance was 1900mm) he would have found the centre of his wall which he could mark with a pencil at the'zero'or'0'on the ruler. By repeating this operation either further up the wall or further down it, he could join up the marks and he would have a vertical line in the centre of the wall He could then establish the required width of the archway and mark both dimensions without relocating the ruler, for example 600mm.

He could then establish the required height of the archway, and by measuring down from the highest point 600mm on the centre line, he could make another mark and where this mark crosses the vertical centre line would be the centre of the arc for the archway.

He could then use the optional button or a small pin or tack through the centre hole in the ruler at'zero'or'0'to secure the ruler. By inserting a pencil into the hole at the 600mm point, he could then scribe a line on the wall, in an arc, to establish his archway.

The entire operation required just the ruler and a pencil. He did not require a compass or string or any other device.

USING THE INVENTION 2 To bisect a piece of paper To find the centre of anything usually requires measuring, mental arithmetic and double-checking everything, but by using the invention there is a simple way and an even simpler way.

For this example we will find the centre of a piece of A4 paper, as this is a very common item and a very common task. The procedure is the same for finding the centre of any other item, e. g. a door, a table or a field.

If using a conventional ruler you would first measure the paper and find it to be 210 mm x 297 mm. Using mental arithmetic or a calculator to halve these dimensions, you should come up with 105 mm x 148.5 mm. You could then measure in from one edge these two dimensions, twice from each side, join up the lines and where they cross is the centre of your piece of paper.

Not a very simple task and prone to making a mistake or two, and even more difficult if working in imperial measurements.

Using the invention, lay the ruler across the piece of paper and simply ensure the readings where the paper ends is the same both sides. For example, with the ruler laid across the paper, the readings either side should both be 105 mm. The 'zero'or'0'is in the middle. That was the simple way.

Turn the paper sideways, (landscape) and lay the ruler across it. You should be looking for 148.5 mm on either side, according to our previous calculations, but that is difficult to see easily.

If you angle the ruler slightly so that you align the 150 mm marks with either side of the paper, then the'zero'or'0'will be in the centre with no need for difficult calculations and no mistakes. That was the even simpler way.

There are thousands of other uses for this invention, I have described just two. The ruler is not difficult to use or to understand, and would be of benefit to both young and old, tradesmen and professionals.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A ruler or tape measure with the'zero'or'0'in the middle.
2 A ruler as in Claim 1 with a series of holes along the length to facilitate the drawing of accurately dimensioned circles
3 A ruler as in Claim 1 or Claim 2 with one or more moveable rule markers to readily identify pre-set dimensions.
4 A ruler or tape measure as claimed in any preceding claim with a sprung button in the centre to locate the ruler at a fixed point to allow the ruler to rotate around that fixed point.
5 A ruler or tape measure as claimed in any preceding claim to aid the design and/or construction of any symmetrical object.
6 A ruler or tape measure as claimed in any preceding claim to easily find the centre of any symmetrical object.
7 A ruler or tape measure as claimed in any preceding claim, to be used as an ambidextrous or left handed ruler.