GB2427690A

GB2427690A - Measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2427690A
Application number: GB0612256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Crampton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-21
Publication date: 2007-01-03
Also published as: GB0513130D0; GB0612256D0

Abstract

A measuring device is provided including frame means 3 having at least one side or edge 4,6,8,10 with at least one arm member 16 provided In association therewith. The arm member is capable of movement with respect to said frame means between retracted and extended positions. Securing means (202, fig.2a) are associated with the arm member 16 to allow securing of the arm member in a required position, such that the position of the arm member with respect to the frame means and/or with respect to a further arm member can be used to form the basis of a measurement.

Description

Measuring Device The present invention relates to a measuring device for

allowing the measurement or marking out of a selected space, object and/or the like.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a measuring device for measuring or marking out the dimensions of a door frame to allow accurate fitting of a door thereto, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used to measure or mark out any selected space or article, so as for example to allow a further object to be located therein or therewith, such as the fitting of a gate between two gate posts, the fitting of an article of furniture into a required space in a room and/or the like.

The dimensions of door frames vary in different buildings or indeed between different doorframes of the same building due to factors such as the age of the building, the size of opening in which the door frame is fitted, the degree of warping, movement or changes in characteristics of the material forming the door frame over time and/or the like. When new doors are being located in the door frames or old doors are being refitted, it is important that the dimensions of the door substantially match the dimensions of the door frame, thereby allowing the door to form a suitable fit with the frame to allow suitable clearance of the door above a floor surface, to prevent rattling of the door in the door frame, to reduce unnecessary gaps between the door and frame which may increase draughts, reduce security and/or the like.

Currently, a user has to measure the dimensions of the door frame at a plurality of different points on the frame using a tape measure and then mark these measurements out on a door for locating in the door frame using a pencil and ruler/tape measure. It is often the case that the door will have to be fitted and removed a number of times so that the edges of the door can be planed or cut until a suitable fit is obtained between the door and door frame. This is time consuming and typically a highly skilled job. In addition, since the door is typically large, heavy and cumbersome, it may require a number of users to allow the same to be fitted and/or removed. Furthermore, since the door is difficult to transport backwards and forwards between a work shop and door frame fitting location, it is often the case that the planing work is undertaken at the location of the door frame, thus forming debris and dust at the location which may be undesirable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a measuring device which overcomcs the abovementioned problems and allows the dimensions of a space to be measured or marked out both quickly and easily.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of using a measuring device which overcomes the abovernentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a measuring device, said device including frame means having at least one side or edge with at least one arm member provided in association therewith, said arm member capable of movement with respect to said frame means between retracted and extended positions, and wherein securing means are associated with said arm member to allow securing of said arm member in a required position, such that the position of the arm member with respect to the frame means and/or with respect to a further arm member can be used to form the basis of a measurement.

Preferably the at least one arm member is arranged to move outwardly of said frame means in said extended position.

Preferably the at least one arm member is substantially rigid in form.

Preferably the frame means includes two or more sides or edges and at least one arm member is provided in association with each of said sides or edges.

The sides or edges are typically joined together or integrally formed. The two or more sides or edges of the frame means can be orientated at an angle relative to each other or be a spaced distance apart.

In one embodiment one or more of said arm members are located on said frame means so that they move substantially perpendicular with respect to said frame means bet\veen said extended and retracted positions.

in one embodiment one or more of said arm members are located so as to move at an angle with respect to said frame means.

Preferably t\vo or more arm members are associated with a side or edge of said frame means. The arm members are preferably spaced a pre-determined distance apart.

Preferably a connection member is associated with said one or more members, said connection member preferably being separate to said frame means.

The connection member is typically attached to the arm member at or adjacent the end most outwardly located with respect to the frame means. The outermost surface of the connection member is typically substantially straight, flat and/or linear, thereby allowing the connection member to be used as a template to mark or measure the location of the connection member with respect to a particular surface which is to be measured. However, the outermost surface of the connection member could be any suitable shape and/or angle, such as curved, wavy and/or the like.

Preferably two or more arm members are joined by a connection member.

The connection member can be substantially continuous between a plurality of arm member ends, a number of connection members can be provided to form a substantially continuous line or surface and/or gaps could be provided between the ends of the connection members. H' 4

Preferably the connection member is provided with one or more protruding portions or nodules provided on an outermost surface thereof. The dimensions of these protruding portions, and particularly the height of said portions, typically provide a pre-deterrnined level of clearance between the connection member and the surface which is to be measured. For example, if the connection member is being used to mark the outline of a door within a door frame, the height of the protruding portions typically substantially equals the required level of clearance required between the door and door frame to allow the door to be opened and closed in use.

The one or more protruding portions or nodules typically form part of the connection means engaging the connection member to the one or more arm members.

In one embodiment the one or more arm members are resiliently biased to said extended positions. The resilient biasing means can be in the form of a spring, sprung metal, resilient material and/or the like.

Preferably adjustment means are provided in association with said resilient biasing means to allow the biasing force of said biasing means to be adjusted if required. This is of particularly advantage if the measuring device is to be used with different sized or shaped objects and/or spaces.

The adjustment means in one example can be in the form of a plate member attached to one end of the biasing means which is locatable in at least one of a groove or recess provided on the arm member, and preferably one of a plurality of spaced apart grooves or recesses provided on the arm member. The other end of the biasing means is typically associated with the connection means end or outermost end of the arm member. The closer the plate member is to the outermost end, the greater the biasing force provided by the resilient biasing means.

In one embodiment the one or more arm members are rotatably movable between said extended and/or retracted positions.

In an alternative embodiment the one or more arm members are slidably movabic between said extended and retracted positions.

The onc or more arm members can be indirectly or directly manually movable by a user between said extended and/or retracted positions. For example, the one or more arm members can be in the form of a screw type of device which is located in a suitable aperture in the frame means. A user typically needs to rotate the screw with respect to the frame means to move an end of the screw between extended and retracted positions with respect to the frame means.

User actuation means can be provided on the frame means and/or in association with one or more of the arm members so that movement of the arm members between said extended and retracted positions can be actuated.

The user actuation means can also be used to reset the position of the arm members once a measurement has been taken. Actuation of the user actuation means can actuate a single arm member or a plurality of arm members and preferably can actuate the plurality of arm members substantially simultaneously.

The frame means can be any suitable shape and is preferably in a shape substantially similar to the space or distance to be measured by the device. The frame means is typically made up of a plurality of frame members joined together in a required shape.

un one embodiment the frame includes a plurality of frame members forming at least a top, base and sides. For example, the frame means could be substantially rectangular or square in shape One or more strengthening members can be provided between frame members to provide the frame means with rigidity and strength if required.

Preferably one or more of the frame members is movable with respect to one or more other frame members. The frame member can be slidably, rotatably or pivotably movable as required.

In a preferred embodiment the frame member is pivotably movable with respect to other frame members to allow a pre-determined level of clearance of the movable frame member to be determined with respect to one or more surfaces. For example, a horizontal base frame member can be provided to pivot about a substantially vertical axis in a fonvardly and/or reanvardly direction to allow the clearance of the base member above a floor surface to be determined.

Prefcrably movement of said frame means and/or adjustment means associated with said one or more frame members allows the height or separation of frame members with respect to each other to be adjusted. This allows the level of clearance of a frame member with respect to a particular surface to be adjusted.

In one embodiment electronic measurement means are associated with said one or more arm members and/or said frame means. The electronic measurement means can detern-une the distance moved by the arm members with respect to the frame means. The measurement data can then be stored in the electronic measurement means and communicated to computing means and/or cutting means, thereby allowing the cutting process of a door for example to be automated.

Preferably the measuring device is for measuring the dimensions of a door frame, thereby allowing the required measurements of a door for location with the door frame to be calculated or marked out.

The arm mcmbers are pically extended and/or retracted with respect to the frame means until they contact or are adjacent to the boundaries of the space or object being measured. The position of the arm members is then measured, set or maintained using securing means until the necessary measurements of the device have been recorded or taken. The position of the arm members can then be reset after use to allow the measuring device to take a new measurement.

Measuring indicia can be provided on an arm member if recpiired.

Preferably securing means can include at least one securing member movably mounted with respect to the frame means. The securing member preferably has one or more recesses defined therein and said recesses have a narrowing taper at one end thereof. The arm member is movable between the ends of a recess between locked and unlocked positions on movement of the securing member with respect to said frame means.

Preferably the securing member is slidably mounted in said frame means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a door frame measuring device.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a measuring devicc, said device including frame means and at least one arm member provided in association with each of two or more sides or edges of said frame means, said arm members capable of movement outwardly of said sides or edges of said frame means between extended and retracted positions, and wherein securing means are associated with said arm members to allow securing of said arm members in a required position such that the position of the arm members with respect to the frame means and/or each other can be used to form the basis of a measurement.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a measuring devicc, said device including frame means and at least one arm member provided in association with two or more sides or edges of said frame means, said arm members capable of movement outwardly of said sides or edges of said frame means between extended and retracted positions, and wherein said method includes the steps of locating the frame means in a space to be measured, moving said arm members with respect to said frame means until the outermost ends of said arm members are at or adjacent the boundaries of said space to be measured, and securing means associated with said arm members to secure said arm members in the required position marking the boundaries of said space, such that the frame means can be removed from said space and the position of the arm members with respect to the frame means and/or each other can be used to measure or mark out required dimensions of said space.

According to further aspects of the present invention there is provided securing means for securing arm members of a measuring device.

Thus, the present invention provides a quick and easy means for measuring or marking Out the dimensions and/or boundaries of a selected space or object The measuring device remembers the dimensions of the space using said arm members, thereby allowing the measuring device to be taken to a location remote from the selected space to mark out or measure the shape of an object to be located in said space, such as for example a door for a door frame. The measuring device is typically lightweight and is easy to transport. The measurements produced by the device are accurate and a user of the device does not require any special skills or training to use the same.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures Ia and lb illustrate first and second embodiments of a measuring device according to the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a side and plan view of part of an example of the securing means that can be used with a top of a measuring device of the present invention; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate side and plan views of part of an example of the securing means that can be used with the sides of a measuring device of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates use of the measurement device in figure Ia in a door frame

in one example;

Figure 5 illustrates use of the measurement device in figure 4 to measure or mark Out the size of the door for location in the door frame of figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates fitting of the door in figure 5 in the door frame in figure 4 in use; Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of the measuring device in figure 4 located in a door frame; Figure 8 illustrates a detailed view of an arm member in one example when located against a door frame; and Figure 9 Illustrates a clearance system provided on the base of the measuring device in one embodiment.

Referring firstly to figure Ia, there is illustrated a measuring device 2 for measuring the dimensions of a door frame. The measuring device 2 includes a frame 3 comprising a top frame member 4, a base frame member 6, side frame members 8, 10 and strengthening members 12, 14 provided beeen said side frame members 8, 10 to provide the frame with rigidity and strength whilst keeping the device as lightweight as possible. Further strengthening members can be provided if required and one or more panels can be provided betve the frame members or integrally formed with the frame members if required also.

Each frame member is provided with a plurality of arm members 16 located at spaced apart locations along the length thereof. The arm members are typically located through apertures defined in the frame members and are slidably movable relative thereto. The arm members are substantially rigid in form. In this described embodiment, the arm members are provided substantially perpendicular to the frame member to which they are attached, and each arm member 16 has a first end 18 extending inwardly of the frame and a second end extending outvardJy of the frame.

Connection members in the form of bars 22, 24, 26, 28 are attached to the second ends 20 of the arm members along the top, base and sides of the frame respectively, so that bars 22, 24, 26, 28 are located externally of said frame 3.

Each bar is substantially continuous in length and has a flat and straight outermost surface. This outermost surface can be used to mark out or measure distances in use of the measuring device.

In figure 1 a, the connection member is continuous and straight in form but it vill be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a number of bars could be provided along an edge of the frame associated with one or more arm members. Furthermore, at least the outermost surface of the connection member can be non-planar or shaped in form, such as the nonuniform profile of the connection members 102 of measuring device 100 in figure lb. A plurality of protruding tabs 30 are provided on the outermost surface of the connection members or bars, typically at the point of attachment of the bar to each arm member 16. The height CH of these proithng tabs 30, as shown in figure 8, is substantially equal to the required level of clearance between the door frame and a door to be fitted in the door frame.

The arm members 16 are movable with respect to frame 3 so that outermost ends 20 of members 16 move between extended and retracted positions. The arm mcmbcrs 16 along each frame member can each be independently movable or can be linked so as to move substantially simultaneously to each other. in addition, the arm members of the entire frame can be linked so as to be moved substantially simultaneously as required. Any suitable movement mechanism can be used, such as a manually rotatable screw type of devices, slidably mounted devices and/or the like.

in the illustrated example, each arm member is resiliently biased outwardly of frame 3 via resilient biasing means in the form of a spring 32. This in turn biases connection member or bars 22, 24, 26, 28 outwardly of frame 3. In use, the biasing force of spring 32 moves the arm members and thus the bars outwardly of the frame until the outermost surface or the protruding tabs 30 proded on the outermost surface of the bars contacts the door frame 34 or surface to be measured, as shown in figure 4.

Securing means are provided in association with the arm members to allow the position of the arm members to be maintained when the bars contact the surface of the door frame to be measured, as will be described in more detail l)C!O\V. Ihus, the position of the arm members 16 with respect to a door frame 34 is remembered, thereby allowing the connection members attached to the arm members to be used as a representative template of the dimensions of the door frame. The measuring device 2 can then be removed from the door frame, taken to any suitable location and laid Onto a suitable door 36, as shown in figure 5. The position of outermost surfaces of bars 22, 24, 26, 28 can be drawn or marked onto the door 36 using conventional means and the door 36 can then be planed, cut or sanded as appropriate to the required dimensions of door frame 34 in which door 36 is to be located. Once the door 36 has been prepared of the correct dimensions, the door can be transported to door frame 34 and located in place, as shown in figure 6. No further measurements, adjustment, planing and/or the like is recpiired for the door since the measuring device of ti-ic present invention provided accurate measurements of the door frame.

Any type of securing means can be used to secure the position of the arm members when moved to a suitable location and to release the same when the position of the arm members needs to be reset for measurement of a new door frame. An example of securing means 202 according to the present invention is shown in figures 2a-3b. Each frame member has a cavity provided therein and securing means 202 is located in said cavity. The securing means includes an elongate member 204 having a plurality of recesses 206 provided at spaced apart intervals along the length thereof.

Each recess 206 is angled so that elongate member 204 has a narrowing taper from end 210 towards end 208 of recess 206. A part of each arm member 16 is slidably located in each recess 206 of the securing means and sliding movement of elongate arm 204 within its frame member, moves arm member 16 between ends 210 and 208 of recess 206. With the arm member 16 in the deeper part of recess 206 at end 208, arm member 16 is movable with respect to the frame member. With arm member 16 in the shallower part of recess 206 at end 208, arm member 16 is forced against the internal surface of the frame member, thereby locking the same in position.

User actuation meat-is in the form of handle 212 can be provided on elongate member 204 to allow a user to slide elongate member 204 within the frame member, as shown in figure 7. The position of the user actuation means can be locked if rec1uired using locking means. A separate user actuation means can be provided for each frame member. Alternatively, the securing means could be such so as to allow a single user actuation means to secure all the arm members substantia]Jy simultaneously.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a frame member 214 can be rotatably mounted below base member 6 at an end 216 thereof. Frame member 214 can be rotated between a first position, wherein member 214 is substantially parallel with and adjacent base member 6, to a second position, wherein member 214 is located outwardly of frame 3 and end 218 is a spaced distance apart from base member 6. Movement of member 214 between the first and second positions allows the clearance of the frame with respect to a floor surface to be determined. Adjustment means in the form of a screw 220 is associated with member 214 to allow the distance or height between base * member 6 and frame member 214 to be adjusted, thereby allowing the clearance or height between member 214 and a floor surface to be adjusted. It will be appreciated that any of the frame members could be movable with respect to any other frame member to allow the clearance of a particular surface to be determined, such as for example a top frame member could be movable to allow the clearance of the door with respect to a roof surface to be determined.

The measuring device or frame reader of the present invention can be used to measure the internal or external dimensions of a door frame of any suitable size, such as from 2ft-2ft 10" and 6ft5"-6ftlO".

The measuring device can be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, wood and/or the like but it typically formed of a substantially lightweight material to allow the device to be easily lifted and manipulated by a user.

The device of the present invention significantly reduces the time taken to fit a door into a door frame in one example. It allows the planing work on the door to be undertaken at a remote location from the door frame and for the door to be fully prepared and ready to be fitted prior to transporting the door to the door frame for fitting. This is advantageous since the debris and dust created in planing the door to the desired dimensions is not required to take place at the location of the door frame, such as in a persons home and/or the like. The invention is of particular use in old door frames where the measurements of different parts of the door frame may differ. The measuring device can be used to make templates for doors so that the door frames of an entire building can be measured at any single visit by making a template of each door frame and then transporting the templates to a workshop for preparation of the doors.

This reduces the number of times the doors have to be transported and moved about the building and is of particularly advantage for heavy doors. The tcmplatcs arc typically formed from a material lighter in weight than the doors themselves.

Claims

Claims 1. A measuring device, said device including frame means having at

least one side or edge with at least one arm member provided in association therewith, said arm member capable of movement with respect to said frame means between retracted and extended positions, and wherein securing means are associated with said arm member to allow securing of said arm member in a required position, such that the position of the arm member with respect to the frame means and/or with respect to a further arm member can be used to form the basis of a measurement.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one arm member is arranged to move outwardly of said frame means in said extended position.

3. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is arranged to move substantially perpendicular with respect to said frame means.

4. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is arranged to move at an angle with respect to said frame means.

5. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the frame means includes two or more sides or edges and said sides or edges are joined together or integrally formed.

6. A measuring device according to claim I wherein two or more arm members are associated with at least one side or edge of said frame means.

7. A measuring device according to claim I wherein at least one arm member is associated with each of t\vo or more sides or edges of the frame means.

8. A measuring device according to claim I wherein a connection member is associated with said one or more arm members, said connection member being separate to said frame means.

9. A measuring device according to claim 8 wherein the connection member is provided at or adjacent an end of said arm member most outwardly located with respect to said frame means.

10. A measuring device according to claim 8 wherein the outermost surface of said connection member is substantially straight, flat and/or linear in form.

11. A measuring device according to claim 8 wherein the connection member is provided between two or more arm members.

12. A measuring device according to claim 8 wherein one or more protruding portions or nodules are provided on an outermost surface of said connection member, the protruding portion or nodule representing a clearance distance recuired between the connection member and a surface which is to be measured.

13. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is resiliently biased to said extended position.

14. A measuring device according to claim 13 wherein adjustment means are provided in association with said resilient biasing means to allow the biasing force to be adjusted.

15.A mcasuring device according to claim 14 wherein the adjustment means includes a plate member attached to one end of the biasing means which is locatable in at least one of a groove or recess provided on the arm member.

measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is slidably movable between said extended and retracted positions.

17. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is rotatably movable between said extended and retracted Positions.

18. A measuring device according to claim I wherein user actuation means are provided to allow said at least one arm member to be movable between said extended and retracted positions and/or to reset said arm member position.

19. A measuring device according to claim 18 wherein actuation of the user actuation means actuates movement of t\vo or more arm members.

20. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the frame means includes a plurality of frame members forming at least a top, base and sides.

21.i measuring device according to any preceding claim wherein one or more strengthening means are provided between two or more frame members of said frame means.

22. A measuring device according to claim I wherein at least one frame member of said frame means is movable with respect to another frame member of said frame means.

measuring device according to claim 22 wherein the frame member is pivotably movable with respect to the other frame member, the movement allowing a clearance distance of the movable frame member with respect to a surface to be determined.

24. A measuring device according to claim I wherein electronic measurement means are associated with said at least one arm member and/or said frame means, the electronic measurement means being used to determine the distance moved by the arm members with respect to the frame means.

25. A measuring device according to claim 1 wherein the securing means includes at least one securing member movably mounted with respect to the frame means, said securing member having one or more recesses defined therein and said recesses having a narrowing taper at one end thereof, the arm member movable between the ends of a recess between locked and unlocked positions on movement of the securing member with respect of said frame means.

26.\ measuring device according to claim 25 wherein the at least one securing member is slidably mounted in the frame means.

27. A measuring device according to claim I wherein the at least one arm member is substantially rigid in form.

28. A door frame measuring device according to claim 1.

29.A method of using a measuring device, said device including frame means having at least one side or edge with at least one arm member provided in association therewith, said arm member capable of movement with respect to said frame means between retracted and extended positions, and wherein said method includes the steps of locating the frame means in a space to be measured, moving said arm member with respect to said frame means until the outermost end of said arm member are at or ad;acent the boundaries of said space to be measured, using securing means associated with said arm member to secure said arm members in the rejuired position marking the boundaries of said space, such that the position of the arm member with respect to the frame means and/or with respect to a further arm member can be used to measure or mark out recjuired dimensions of said space.