GB2555766A

GB2555766A - Combined pen and fastener gauge

Info

Publication number: GB2555766A
Application number: GB1609821.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mataruse Lloyd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-06
Filing date: 2016-06-06
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Also published as: GB201609821D0

Abstract

A combined pen and calliper suitable for measuring the external diameter of hexagonal headed fasteners having a pen barrel part with an inlet at one end to receive an inking element or nib covered by a cap. A base member has a conduit formed by two walls and an inlet at one end for receiving the pen barrel part. Two flaps or jaws are attached to the distal end of the pen barrel part, and are pivoted to move between a position wherein they lie flush with the barrel part and a position perpendicular to the pen barrel part. When perpendicular to the pen barrel part, the jaws receive a hexagonal headed fastener to facilitate measuring the diameter of the fastener.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Combined pen and fastener gauge Abstract Title: Calliper with integral pen (57) A combined pen and calliper suitable for measuring the external diameter of hexagonal headed fasteners having a pen barrel part with an inlet at one end to receive an inking element or nib covered by a cap. A base member has a conduit formed by two walls and an inlet at one end for receiving the pen barrel part. Two flaps or jaws are attached to the distal end of the pen barrel part, and are pivoted to move between a position wherein they lie flush with the barrel part and a position perpendicular to the pen barrel part. When perpendicular to the pen barrel part, the jaws receive a hexagonal headed fastener to facilitate measuring the diameter of the fastener.

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COMBINED PEN AND FASTENER GAUGE

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present disclosure relates to gauges for fasteners and, more specifically, to a pen like fastener gauge. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the pen like gauging tool to gauge hex nuts across their flats and give out corresponding readings.

BACKGROUND [0002] We know almost every tool box needs at least one fastener gauge to determine the size of the bolts and similar fasteners. Users, particularly engineers or mechanic are required to carry the conventional gauging tools like caliper gauge and a pen within their workshop premises to carry out their routine procedure of selecting specific spanner size that can be used to tighten or un-tighten the fasteners and for completing various documenting works. Although, various indexes, scales, gauges and the like tools are well known arts and are used for determining the size of bolts and similar fasteners, however it is impractical to carry such tools all the time by the users.

[0003] Further, the mechanic or the engineers may need to move on several times from their workshop to the various work sites with different sized spanners due to the difficulty in properly approximating the size of the required spanner. Traveling again and again from their workshop to different work sites consume lot of their time.

[0004] Various metric nut and bolt measuring gauges are available in practice, wherein the user is able to measure the diameter of bolts or the hex head of bolts by pushing them through the holes or measure the across the flat dimension of hex nuts in the recesses around the holes and then compare the reading obtained against the list of spanner size to choose the appropriate spanner. Such conventional tool appears to be time consuming.

[0005] Thus, there is a need to alleviate drawbacks associated with conventional fastener gauging tools. There is also a need to address the demand of users, especially engineers and mechanic that often need to carry the pen with them to get the documentation done at their premises as well as when they visit the different work sites. Further, there is a need of a gage for hex head fasteners for measuring the distance across the flats of the hex head fasteners and which can be suitably clipped on their pockets and held on their hand like the pen.

SUMMARY [0006] The present invention overcomes problems commonly associated with conventional fastener gauges especially for the hex nuts by providing a practical gauge that is portable to carry and can be used for varied measurements and is quick and easy to use for a variety of sizes of hex nuts and the like fasteners.

[0007] The hex head fastener gauge of the present invention is designed for facilitating a user to use it as a pen for various documenting tasks or use the same for measuring the distance across the flats of hex head fasteners to approximate the required spanner sizes for routine work.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hex nut gauge which is simple in design and economical to construct.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge includes a barrel body shaped as a pen with an inlet at its proximal end, wherein the inlet is adapted to receive an inking element with a cap across the longitudinal length of the barrel body, a base member including a conduit formed by a first wall and a second wall, and an inlet at its proximal end, wherein the barrel body slidably fits inside the conduit, a first flap member pivotally engaged to a distal end of the barrel body, wherein the first flap member is configured to alternate between an open position and a closed position, a second flap member pivotally engaged to a distal end of the base member, wherein the second flap member is configured to alternate between an opened position and a closed position.

[0010] According to the same aspect, the first and the second flap members, in their opened positions hold a hex head fastener therebetween to facilitate measuring the distance across the flats of the fastener.

[0011] According to the same aspect, the first and the second flap members, in their closed positions facilitate a user to use the gauge as a pen for writing and carrying out various documentation works.

[0012] According to the same aspect, the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge further includes a notch disposed on top of the barrel body.

[0013] According to another aspect, the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge further includes a slider means located on top of the barrel body that facilitates sliding of the barrel body to fit inside the conduit.

[0014] According to the same aspect, the first wall and the second wall forming the conduit in the base member are slightly inwardly curved. According to the same aspect, each of the first wall and the second wall forming the conduit has a set of jaws towards the distal end of the base member.

[0015] According to the same aspect, the first wall includes a plurality of indexes used to measure the distance across the flats of the hex nut fastener and the second wall includes a range of metric sizes defined thereon.

[0016] Additional objects of the present invention would appear and become clear as the detail description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS [0017] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a combined pen and hex head fastener gauge, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 2A shows flap members of the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge, in opened positions holding a hex head fastener therebetween, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2B shows flap members of the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge, in closed positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates measurement for a M64 hex nut using the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates measurement for a M2 hex nut using the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge with the flap members in the closed positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a close up of sectional top view of the quick combined pen and hex head fastener gauge shown in FIG. 5.

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge with slider means, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0026] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms comprises, comprising, “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not exclude the presence other features, operations, elements, and/or components thereof. The method steps and processes described in the present disclosure are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.

[0027] In an event an element is referred to as being on, “engaged to”, connected to or coupled to or “attached to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. On the contrary, in an event an element is referred to as being directly on, “directly engaged to”, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element, there may be no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion. Further, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exploded view of a combined pen and hex head fastener gauge 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The combined pen and hex head fastener gauge 100 includes a base member 110. The base member 110 includes a conduit or a channel formed by a first wall 110b and a second wall 110c of the base member 110. The first wall 110b and the second wall 110c of the base member 110 are slightly inwardly curved for better securing a barrel body 112. The base member 110 further includes an inlet 110a at its proximal end to receive the barrel body 112 therein.

[0029] The base member 110 further includes a set of jaws llOd, each of jaws llOd formed on the first wall 110b and the second wall 110c towards the distal end of the base member 110. The base member 110 also includes a pivotal point llOe at its distal end.

[0030] The gauge 100 further includes the barrel body 112 shaped as a pen with an inlet 112a at its one end referred to as proximal end. The inlet 112a is adapted to receive an inking element 113 with a cap 114 across the longitudinal length of the barrel body 112. The inking element 113 may for example be but not limited to a ball pen refill. The barrel body 112 further includes a notch 112c on the top, and a pivotal point 112b at its one end referred as a distal end. The barrel body 112 is configured to slidably fit into the conduit of the base member 110. In accordance with an embodiment, the barrel body 112 may include a slider means 112d mounted on top of the barrel body 112 to facilitate sliding of the barrel body 112 inside the conduit formed on the base member 110 using the index finger by the user (see FIG. 7).

[0031] The gauge 100 further includes a first flap member 114 with an engaging point 114a that pivotally couples to the point 112b at the distal end of the barrel body 112. The pivotal connection helps the first flap member 114 to alternate between an opened position and a closed position. The pivotal engagement between the first flap member 114 and the barrel body 112 can preferably be achieved using push fit rivets 118 or any other similar mechanical fastening means.

[0032] The gauge 100 further includes a second flap member 116 with an engaging point 116a that pivotally couples to the point llOe present at the distal end of the base member 110. The pivotal engagement between the second flap member 116 and the base member 110 can preferably be achieved using push fit rivets 120 or any other similar mechanical fastening means. The pivotal connection helps the second flap member 116 to alternate between an opened position and a closed position.

[0033] Now referring to FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B which shows flap members 114, 116 of the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge 100, in opened positions holding a hex head fastener therebetween, and in the closed positions, respectively.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2B, All of the components discussed above in FIG. 1 are shown assembled to form the gauge 100 of the present invention for routine use. The flap members 114,116 are seen in closed positions when the gauge 100 is not used for measuring any fasteners preferably hex head fasteners (or hex nuts). This mode, when the gauge 100 is not being used for the measurement of the hex head fasteners to approximate required spanner size can preferably be referred as pen mode and user can easily carry it on their pockets or clip the gauge 100 into their pockets using clipping member 300 (shown in FIG 3) or hold the gauge on their hands to carry out any documentation works.

[0035] Referring to FIG.2 A, the flap members 114, 116 are seen in their opened positions to measure the metric size of the hex head fasteners. The flap members 114, 116 are opened up from their closed positions (as shown in FIG. 2B), once the flap members 114,116 are in the opened positions, the flap member 114 slides (due to sliding barrel body 112 preferably using the slider means 112d as shown in FIG.7) to tight fit the hex head fastener 200 across its flats in between the both flaps 114,116. The position of the notch 112c on top of the barrel body 112 is read with respect to the a plurality of indexes, and a range of metric sizes present on the front surface of the wall 110b, and the wall 110c and are noted to approximate the size of the spanner required for use with respect to the intended hex head fastener 200 used for the measurement using the gauge 100.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates measurement for a M64 hex nut using the combined pen and hex head fastener gauge of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment. As per the example, when the user intends to use the gauge 100 for measuring the size of the intended fasteners especially the hex nuts instead of using the gauge in the pen mode (when the gauge is used to carry out any documentation work), in order to approximate the size of spanners, the user would require for his routine work involving the intended hex nut. The user is required to open up the flap members 114, 116, slide the barrel body 112 within the conduit to hold the intended hex nut 200 in between the two opened flap members 114,116.

[0037] In an embodiment, if the hex nut 200 is slightly bigger, the hex nut 200 fits in between the two flapsll4, 116 and rests over the set of jaws llOd to securely hold the nut 200. The jaws llOd also helps the flaps 114, 116 to reach across the flat sides of the hex nut 200 placed in between the flaps 114,116. Once the nut 200 tightly fits in between the two flaps 114, 116, the user is required to note the position of notch 112c and see the corresponding reading on the plurality of indexes present on the front surface of the wall 110b. The user can also note the position of the notch 112c and see the corresponding reading on the range of metric sizes marked on the wall 110c of the base member 110. The plurality of indexes as shown in the FIG. 3 and FIG.5 are arranged in the form of a ruler scaling from 0-100 mm. The range of metric sizes marked on the wall 110c as shown in the FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 ranges from M2 to M64.

[0038] Turning back to the FIG.3, when the hex nut is in between the flap members 114,116, the notch 112c points to 95.00 mm size on the indexes present on the front surface of the wall 110b which corresponds to the M64 metric size marked on the wall 110c as best shown in the FIG. 6. In this way, the user in easily able to evaluate the distance across the flats for a bigger sized hex nut 200 placed between the two flaps 114,116.

[0039] Although, the gauge 100 of the present invention as illustrated is configured to measure the distance between across the flats from 0-100 mm and metric sizes ranging from M2-M64, it should be understood by those skilled in the art, the range can be varied by customizing the design as required.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates measurement for a M2 hex nut using the fastener gauge of the present invention, according to an example embodiment. As per the io example shown and discussed above with reference to FIG. 3, when the user intends to use the gauge 100 for measuring the size of the intended hex head fastener 200 shown in FIG. 4 in order to approximate the size of spanners that the user would require for his routine work involving the intended hex nut. The user is required to open up the flaps 114,116, slide the barrel body 112 within the conduit to hold the intended hex nut 200 in between the two opened flaps 114,116.

[0041] In an embodiment, if the hex nut 200 is quite small, then when the hex nut 200 fits in between the two flapsll4, 116 it may not rest over the set of jaws llOd as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. In this case, the hex nut is held between the flap members 114,116 very near to the distal end of the base member 110. Once the nut 200 tightly fits in between the two flaps 114, 116, the user is required to note the position of notch 112c and see the corresponding reading on the plurality of indexes present on the front surface of the wall 110b. The user can see corresponding reading on the range of metric sizes marked on the wall 110c of the base member 110. As seen in the FIG.4, when the hex nut 200 is in between the flap members 114,116, the notch 112c points to 4.00 mm size on the indexes present on the front surface of the wall 110b which corresponds to the M2 metric size marked on the wall 110c (as best seen in the FIG. 6). In this way, the user in easily able to evaluate the distance across the flats for a small sized the hex nut 200 placed between the two flaps 114,116.

[0042] Although, the exemplary embodiments above are illustrated to measure the hex nut sizes of M2 (with 4.00 mm distance across the flats) and M64 (with 95.00 mm distance across the flats), it should be understood varied sizes of the nuts can be measured and based on the size of the hex nut, the users can easily approximate the size of spanners needed to deal with the intended hex nuts.

The combined pen and hex head fastener gauge or the various components describe above can be made to any suitable dimensions using methodology readily available and using a wider range of materials, particularly but not by limitation plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, brass or any other materials or any combination thereof.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A combined pen and hex head fastener gauge, comprising:

a barrel body shaped as a pen with an inlet at its proximal end, wherein the inlet is adapted to receive an inking element with a cap across the longitudinal length of the barrel body;

a base member including a conduit formed by a first wall and a second wall, and an inlet at its proximal end, wherein the barrel body slidably fits inside the conduit;

a first flap member pivotally engaged to a distal end of the barrel body, wherein the first flap member is configured to alternate between an opened position and a closed position; and a second flap member pivotally engaged to a distal end of the base member, wherein the second flap member is configured to alternate between an opened position and a closed position.

Wherein, the first and the second flap members, in their opened positions hold a hex head fastener therebetween to facilitate measuring the distance across the flats of the fastener.

Wherein the first and the second flap members, in their closed positions facilitate a user to use the gauge as a pen for carrying out any documentation work or be clipped into the pocket.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1609821.2 Examiner: Mr Ralph Plowman