GB2516815A

GB2516815A - Angle measurement tool

Info

Publication number: GB2516815A
Application number: GB1310922.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Kerr Mcinnes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-19
Filing date: 2013-06-19
Publication date: 2015-02-11
Also published as: GB201310922D0

Abstract

An angle measuring device comprising two alternately rotating protractors a,b and x, y in combination with a pair of rotating arms c, d wherein the arms rotate about a common pivotal axis g, h such that one arm is fixed c (butt or stock) whilst the other d may rotate (blade). The device operates to measure the angle of any subject area and to indicate and then reproduce the required complimentary angle to form a mitre joint with an appropriate object material.

Description

ANGLE MEASUREMENT TOOL

FIELD OF TIlE INVENTION

It is the purpose of this invention to provide an accurate angular measurement of any given area between 0 and 360 degrees and also to indicate and provide the precise complimentary angles to produce a successful butted mitre joint of the type required in areas such as:-coving, dado rails, wiring ducts, pipe fillings, bespoke furniture fittings, roof fittings etc.

BACKGROUND

There are many products and inventions claiming to perform this task-but none are able to perform this function satisfactorily and thus far, have been unable to replace the craftsman's favourite of the sliding bevel and protractor. Which requires two instruments to function. Of the devices cited, they were unable to measure through the full 360 directly or had not constructed their devices with adequate parts to carry out the task claimed, i.e. they could only perform one side of a mitre. The inventive step in my invention is to combine two alternately rotating protractors set at a predetermined ratio, that being-0.5:1, and positioned on opposing sides of the device with indicating arrows set on rabbets at the extremities of said protractors -which in practice -shows the angle being measured (that being, from 0 through to 360 degrees) and the reciprocal angle (that being, from 0 through to 180 degrees) of the aforesaid angle which, when the device is recalibrated to the reciprocal angle, produces both ends of the preferred angle for the recipient abutted joints-which solves this problem. It will therefore find an extensive market among the professionals (carpenters, joiners, pipe layers, roofers etc.) and the amateur home DJY home builder alike, due to its ease of use and giving fast accurate results every time.

Prior angle measuring devices are described in: US 6,237,238 Bi Shapiro May 29, 2001 US 7,278,221 Bi Shapiro Oct. 9, 2007 US 2006/0005408 Al Fernand Jan. 12, 2006 US 6,536,124 B 1 Eskew eta!. Mar 25, 2003 WO 2004/076965 A2 Rive Sept. 10 2004 4,394,801 Thibodeaux Jul. 26,1883

Ic STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides two alternately rotating protractors set on both sides of the device, which work in combination with a pair of rotating arms with each part operating around a common pivotal axis. One part being regarded as fixed (butt of stock) and the other being regarded as the moving part (blade). This combination allows for the rotational position of these parts to be shown in relation, that is:-to indicate the actual angle of any given area and to simultaneously implicate and by rotation, as directed, perfonn, the required angle for a butted mitre joint.

Each side of the device has the protractors set at the ratio of 0.5-1 to each other. That being (0-90 & 0-180 degrees) for internal measurement and (90-180 & 180-360 degrees) for external measurement. Thereby allowing full angular measurements to be taken from 0 through to 360 degrees.

Indents or rabbets at the extremities of the protractors define the beginning and the ending of the indices of said scales. That being, they are thus positioned:-2 at 0 degrees, 2 at 90 degrees, 3 at 180 degrees and 1 at 360 degrees. Indicating arrows are positioned at the beginning of the scale (both 0 degrees on the internal side of the device) and at the end of the scale (180 & 360 degrees on the external side of the device) with the result that, as the device is rotated in operation, The arrows on the inner protractors indicate the actual angle on the scale of the outer protractors and conversely the arrows of the outer protractors indicate the required mitre angle on the scale of the inner protractors. Thereby negating the need for two or more instruments or the need for workplace calculations.

Markings on the device INTERNAl' and EXTERNAL' work in combination with the arrows to facilitate correct usage of the device. Positioned, respectively, on the stock of to highlight the domains of the protractors. That being:-INTERNAl' for angles that are between 0 and 180 degrees and EXTERNAL' for angles between 1 80 and 360 degrees.

The stock is constructed of two panels, connected via a bolt through the pivotal axis of the protractors and by a spacer at the opposite end allowing the blade to operate and be stored flush and protected when not in use. The edges of both panels are a necessary component in the operation of transferring both sides of the complimentary mitre angle to the material to be used. The stock and blade are of equal width, comprising the radius of the protractors (internal and external) and rabbets from the communal axis to form the is geometry required to allow the device to function as described.

The placement of compression washers between the stock and blade allows for the manipulation of the device with sufficient resistance and without stifihess negating the need to loosen and retighten the device between the measurement and the transference of angles. This prevents the creep and inaccuracy inherent in some designs.

The connecting bolt and nut of are set flush with the device to allow close filling into the area to be measured without the risk of damage to that area. It has a screw top to allow occasional tightening to the preferred resistance.

The extremity of the scribing blade terminates with the combination of a 45 degree and a degree angle. This improves on the usual 45 degree only, by providing a straight edge on which to mark both of these common angles more easily.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Fig: 1 -Plan of Internal side showing the device in open position (a) -Main indicating arrow (possibly highlighted in green on fmished product) shows the actual angle of measured area between 0 and 180 degrees on the outer radius of part (d-side 1), and when rotated to the complimentary angle as indicated by arrow (b), gives the angle for a butted mitre joint.

(b) -(possibly highlighted in red on finished product) shows thç complimentary angle to arrow (a) of the measured area between 0 and 90 degrees on the inner protractor ofpart(cl).

(ci) -The stock or butt of hardwood, plastic or metal construction contains the radius of 0 to 90 degrees either directly marked onto (if constructed of plastic or metal) or by containing an insert of brass, engraved with the radius of 0 to 90 degrees (if constructed of hardwood).The indices of the radius of this part are so arranged to run in the opposite direction to the indices of the radius of part (d) and also rotate conversely to that of part (d). The zero of the indices of this part incorporates arrow (a) which points to the extremity of its radius. The radius together with the two rabbets of this part equal the radius and width of part (d).

(d) -Of metal construction, this part contains the radius of 0 to 180 degrees wherein the indices run conversely in respect of the indices of part (ci) and rotate contrary to that part. The width of this part and contained radius is equal to the radius of part (ai) and its rabbets. The zero of the indices of this part incorporates arrow (b) which points to the internal of its radius. The extremity of this part terminates with both a 90 degree and a 45 degree angle to facilitate efficient marking of the most common angles.

The combination of both of these angles together allows for a more convenient and user friendly method of marking materials.

(e)-45 degree angle on part (d) (0-90 degree angle on part (d) (p)-Domain marker iNTERNAL' (o)-Thumb press to allow easy extraction of part (d) Fig: la -Side view of device in open position.

(g)-Retaining nut recessed into part (ci).

(h)-Retaining bolt recessed into part (c2).

(k)-Compression spacers of plastic or metal giving sufficient friction to allow firm movement without stifThess or looseness between parts (ci), (d) and (c2).

(m)-Spacer.

(n)-Space to accommodate part (d). In closed position.

Fig: lb -Plan of External side showing device in open position (x)-Indicating arrow (possibly highlighted in blue on finished product) shows the actual angle of measured area between 180 to 360 degrees on the outer radius of part (d)-side2 (y)-Indicating arrow (possibly highlighted in red on finished product) shows the complimentary angle to arrow (x) of the measured area on the inner radius of part (c2) (s)-Domain marker INTERNAL' Fig: 2 -Perspective view of device in closed position showing internal side.

Fig: 3 -Perspective view of device in closed position showing external side.

Fig: 4 -Exploded view of internal side showing protractor set up for measuring acute angles.

Fig: 5 -Exploded view of external side showing protractor set up for measuring obtuse angles.

Fig: 6a -Position of device in the operation of measuring an internal! acute area.

Note that arrow (a)-indicates IO5degrees on the outer radius and that arrow (b)-is indicating 52.5degrees on the inner radius. Arrow (a)-is indicating the actual angle of the measured area and arrow (b)-is showing the desired complimentary angle to produce the required mitre joint.

Fig: 6b -Position of device when reset to complimentary angle.

Note that now arrow (a)-has been rotated to 52.5 degrees on the outer radius. The device is now set for transferring the mitre angle.

Fig: 7a-Position of device in the operation of measuring an external! obtuse area.

Note that arrow (x)-indicates 23Odegrees on the outer radius and that arrow (y)-indicates 1 l5degrees on the inner radius. Arrow (x)-is showing the actual angle of the measured area and arrow (y)-is indicating the desired complimentary angle to produce the required mitre joint.

Fig: 7b -Position of device when reset to complimentary angle.

Note that now arrow (a)-has been rotated to I l5degrees on the outer radius. The device is now set for transferring the mitre angle.

OPERATION

By placing the device into or onto the subject area to be measured as directed by the markings "INTERNAL" or "EXTERNAL" (0-180 or 180-360) acute or obtuse angles will be shown respectively and are thus easily transposed onto any object material to provide the precise complimentary angle to form an accurate butted mitre joint for placement into or onto the subject area in question.

Acute measurements: Place the device with the indicated INTERNAL' of part (ci) against the area to be measured.

The device shows the angle of the measured space on the outer protractor as indicated by the arrow (a) and simultaneously shows the complimentary angle, to form the mitre, on the inner protractor as indicated by the arrow (b). By rotating the device until arrow (a) points to the angle as indicated by arrow (b) the device is simply and accurately set for marking or transferring the angle to the material to be cut. This is achieved by placing the edge of part (c)l against the material and scribing upon the material along the edge of part (d). The reverse complimentary angle is achieved by placing the edge of part (c)2 on the material and repeating the scribe along part (d).

Obtuse measurements: Place the device with the indicated EXTERNAl' of part (c2) against the area to be measured.

The device shows the angle of the measured space on the outer protractor as indicated by the arrow (x) and simultaneously shows the complimentary angle, to form the mitre, on the inner protractor as indicated by the arrow (y). By rotating the device until arrow (a) points to the angle as indicated by arrow (y).The device is then set to transfer the angle as described above.

The device may be constructed of any suitable material i.e. wood, metal, plastic or similar. Its dimensions may be altered (without affecting the intrinsic geometry of the device) to allow operation in any variety of situations. Additions such as bubble vials, gradient scales may be added to allow for the marking off of angles or gradients from a known level position.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An angle measuring device comprising two alternately rotating protractors set on both sides of the device, which work in combination with a pair of rotating arms with each part operating around a common pivotal axis, one part being regarded as fixed (butt or stock) and the other being regarded as the moving part (blade).
2. A device according to Claim 1 whereby the unique configuration of the protractors on each side of the device are so arranged to allow full angular measurements to be taken from 0 through to 360 degrees, that being, on the side marked INTERNAL on the device the indices of the protractor on the stock runs from 0 to 90 degrees and the indices on the blade run from 0 to 1 80 degrees, and on the side marked EXTERNAL on the device, the indices of the protractor on the stock run from 90 to 180 degrees and the indices on the blade run from 180 to 360 degrees, wherein the implication of the arrows positioned at the extremity of each of the indices and in combination with the rabbets or indents, on the stock is measured the complimentary angle and on the blade the actual angle.
3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the indents or rabbets at the extremities of the protractors define the beginning and ending of the indices of said scales.
4. A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein arrows are so positioned upon the indents or rabbets of the stock and the blade to facilitate the correct reading of the measurement being undertaken, on the side marked INTERNAL the arrows are so positioned at the beginning of the indices, thus, in operation, allowing the arrow on the stock to indicate the actual angle on the blade and the arrow on the blade to indicate the complimentary angle on the stock, and on the side marked EXTERNAL the arrows are so positioned at the end of the indices, thus, in operation, allowing the arrow on the stock to also indicate the actual angle on the blade and the arrow on the blade to indicate the complimentary angle on the stock.S
5. A device according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the markings INTERNAL' and EXTERNAL' are positioned respectively on the stock of the device to highlight the domains of the protractors and to facilitate correct usage that being INTERNAL' for angles between 0 and 180 degrees and EXTERNAL' for angles between 180 and 360 degrees.
6. A device according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.
7. An angle measuring device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.