GB2612425A

GB2612425A - A measuring apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2612425A
Application number: GB2212812.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Goodfellow Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2022-09-02
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: GB202212812D0

Abstract

A measuring apparatus for fencing, with a line holder 99 that has a handle (2, Fig 1), and which holds a line 4; and at least two separate line guides 100 each with a post attachment means and a channel for guiding the line. The line has markers at regular increments. The markers may be crimped beads fixed to the line; the attachment means in the guides may be an aperture. The reel may have a retraction means and the guides may be disc shaped, cuboid or triangular. The triangular section guides may interlock to form a square line guide. At least one of the guides may have a level indicator.

Description

A MEASURING APPARATUS

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for measuring, in particular an apparatus for measuring spacing of fencing posts.

Summary of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a measuring apparatus for fencing comprising: a line holder and at least two line guides, wherein the line holder has a handle and a reel that holds a line with markers at regular increments along the length of the line, each of the at least two line guides has at least one attachment means for securing the line guide to a post; and a channel is defined for receiving and guiding the line.

In this way two or more line guides are arranged on a post, or separate posts, and a line from the line holder is arranged about the line guides so that markers on the line indicate the location of adjacent posts and/or to indicate the location of rails, panels, wire or netting that is to extends between adjacent posts.

Preferably the channel is arranged on an edge of the line guide that is closest to the post in use so that line is arranged directly adjacent to the post in use to 25 increase accuracy of positioning of the markers.

In some embodiments a rear facing edge of the line guide may be retuned (for example tapered or recessed) towards a mid-region of the line guide, so that a channel is defined by the edge of the line guide and the post so that line runs 30 against the post.

In yet a further embodiment each line guide has a spacer region that spaces the channel from the post to which it is attached.

The spacer region spaces the channel from the post to which it is attached so 5 that the line does not rub against the post as it is pulled between line guides. This configuration reduces wear on the line and reduces the likelihood of the line becoming caught during deployment, making it easier for a single user to set up the apparatus. The spacer region is part of the width of the line guide. It is appreciated that line guides with channels provided at different widths 10 may be available for different types of fencing. For example a line guide with a larger width may be used for fencing with feather board panels to ensure that that the line stands proud of feather board panels.

In some embodiments a line guide may have two or more channels on an 15 outer edge so that a user can select the most appropriate channel for use.

The line holder provides a means for holding, dispensing and rewinding line. The line is held on a rotating reel to aid with quick and easy deployment and rewinding of the line.

The line has incremental markers along the length of the line. Preferably the markers indicate the optimal spacing of fence posts. In this way the markers indicate the desired location of an adjacent post.

The line guides are fitted to a post using the attachment means. When the line guides are fitted, line is passed through the channels on the line guides to enable line to be strung from the line guide on a first post across to a location that indicates the adjacent post, based on position of a marker on the line.

In preferred embodiments the markers are beads fixed to the line at regular intervals. For example the beads may be crimped metal or metal alloy tubes arranged along the line.

Materials for the beads may include but are not limited to stainless steel or aluminium, or copper or copper alloy such as brass, for example, so as to limit degradation in outdoor environments.

In other embodiments the beads may be formed from synthetic plastics or resin and may be bonded or adhered to the line.

Ideally the markers are evenly spaced along the length of the line so that the distance between adjacent markers is the optimal distance to space posts apart. For example the markers may be spaced at common metric or imperial spacings. For example in a preferred embodiment the markers may be 1800mm apart, or six feet apart.

It is appreciated that a line may include different markers for different types of 15 fencing, for example for garden fence panels or for post and rail fencing, or alternatively different lines may be available for each different type of fencing.

In preferred embodiments the attachment means are apertures for receiving a screw or a nail. In this way the line guide is placed upon a post and the screw or nail is passed through the aperture to locate the line guide onto the post. Once the location of an adjacent post, or part of fencing has been marked, the line guide can be removed.

In some embodiments a rear face of the line guide may be shaped and 25 dimensioned to correspond to the shape of the post. For example the rear face of the line guide may be arcuate to match the surface of a round post so that the line guide is more secure during use.

In some embodiments the line holder has an anchor for securing the line 30 holder to an object or to the ground. In this way the line holder can be secured in position when not held by a user.

The anchor may comprise a spike portion for locating the line holder in the ground. For example the handle may be adapted to form a distal point for insertion into the ground.

Alternatively the anchor may be a securing means that enables the line holder to be secured to an object. For example the line holder may include ties, or an elasticated band that can be secured around an object.

In preferred embodiments the line holder has a catch for securing a portion of the line. In this way a selected part of the line can be fixed in position and or guided to and from the reel. For example when the desired length of line has been deployed and no further line is to be released the line may be caught in the catch. In some embodiments the catch may be a tapering slot in which the line becomes wedged or can be wrapped around to lock the line.

In some embodiments the reel has a retraction means to automatically retract the line so that it can be quickly rewound after deployment and to assist with holding the line under tension when deployed. For example in some embodiments the reel may comprise a sprung reel as the retraction means.

In some embodiments the reel may have a ratchet mechanism to assist with deployment of the line so that it can be locked at a desired length.

In some embodiments the line has regions of different colours to indicate fixed 25 distances. For example, the line may have alternating bands of colour, each colour band indicating a set distance In preferred embodiments the at least two line guides are substantially disc shaped with a channel set in the outer circumference. In this way an outer 30 circumference of the line guide can easily guide the line without the line becoming caught on any corners as it is adjusted.

In some embodiments the at least one of the line guides is fixed to the post by means of a pivot to enable the line guide to rotate as line is pulled through the channel. For example the attachment means may comprise a central aperture and the fixing means such as the screw may be fitted such that the line guide is abutted to the post loosely so that rotation is till permitted.

In another embodiment the at least two line guides are substantially cuboid with a channel provided in the outer side edges. Preferably the cuboid line guide has rounded corners so as to provide a smoother run for the line to pass through the channel.

Having a cuboid line guide can assist with establishing a level line as a side of the cuboid may be arranged so that side edges of the line guide align with vertical (two line guides on one vertical post) and/or horizontal lines (a line between line guides on separate posts).

In yet a further embodiment the at least two line guides are substantially triangular and preferably are right angle triangles. In this way part of the triangular line guide can also be orientated to align with vertical and horizontal angles of the posts and fence. This can assist with guiding the line.

In some embodiments two substantially triangular sections are adapted to interlock to form a substantially cuboid line guide. In this way the parts may be more easily stored and can be used as a triangle or assembled as a cuboid, In some embodiments at least one of the at two line guides has a level indicator to enable a level line along with the line will travel to be established.

The measuring apparatus enables a method of use to make erecting fencing quicker and ensures correct location of parts of fencing to maintain level 30 fencing.

10 15 20 Typically at least two line guides are first arranged one a first fence post. Line is then deployed from the line holder to extend vertically between the two line guides and pass around the channel of each line guide.

The line then extends horizontally from each line guide towards the location of the second adjacent post.

A marker on the lower line indicates where the position of the next post should be arranged in the ground.

A marker on the upper line can be used to help ensure the post is inserted vertically and to indicate location of the horizontal rail.

It is appreciated that the line guides are arranged at desired locations on the 15 post depending on the type of fencing being erected.

Once the posts and any rails have been positioned the line guides can be removed.

To aid with deploying the line, the reel may be envisaged to be enabled to spin around an axis defined by the handle, or more particularly spin in reference to the handle.

In this way it may be envisaged that a user is enabled to easily instal fencing, 25 having an ability to easily space apart the fence posts at an appropriate spacing arrangement, leading to faster and more precise fencing.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of line holder; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of two line guides; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of two second embodiments of line guides; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the line guide shown in Figure 2 in use with line on a post; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the line guide shown in Figure 2 in use, 10 with line, posts and fencing; and Figure 6 shows an isometric view of apparatus according to the present invention in use, on two posts.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a line holder 99 comprising a handle 2, a reel 1, and a line 4.

The embodiment 99 comprises a moulded handle 2 and a reel 1, rotatably coupled together and substantially elongate, with an elongate handle 2 at one end and a reel 1 at the other end.

The reel 1 is formed by a frame to which one end of the line 4 is ideally 25 permanently secured.

The handle 2 and reel 1 may be formed in metal or plastic and in some circumstances may include a bearing therebetween In some embodiments the handle may be wooden.

In the pictured embodiment the reel 1 spins freely on the handle 2, such that the user is enabled to reel out the line easily whilst holding the handle.

The line 4 has a plurality of spaced apart markers 5, each marker 5 spaced longitudinally apart along the line in a substantially permanent spacing arrangement.

The line 4 can be unwound from the reel 1 and the markers5 indicate appropriate spacing for fence posts In use therefore the line holder 99 may be used by unreeling a length of line so as to easily provide regular visual markers 5 as to where to locate fence 10 post holes in the ground.

The line 4 is preferably 1.5mm diameter high visibility string. Along the line 4 at spaced intervals, for example but not limited to, of 1800mm there are permanently fixed small steel markers 5. The markers 5 are crimped beads, and the line 4 may be envisaged to be a natural fibre or synthetic plastics woven string such as Nylon (RTM).

Catches 3 are provided at either end of the frame of reel 1. The catches 3 have laterally extending projections that define notches 6 into which the line can be received. The pictured notches 3 are V-shaped. In this way the line is caught in the V-shape face region to guide and hold taut the line at a fixed position.

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 show line guides 100, 200, which are arranged to be 25 affixed to fences and in particular fence posts in order to guide the line.

As shown in Figure 2 the line guides 100 may be disc shaped sections, with a channel 22 in their outer face for guided passage of the line 4 around the outside. As the line guide 100 is disc shaped the line easily travels around the channel without becoming caught.

The channel 22 in the pictured embodiments is spaced from the post in use by a spacer region 25. Line guides with different size spacer regions may be provided.

It is appreciated that no spacer region is provided and in some embodiments the channel may be provided in the spacer region 25 so that the channel is closer to the post in use.

It is appreciated that the channel 22 is sized and dimensioned to 10 accommodate the line 4 and markers 5.

The line guides have two holes 21 for passage of screws or nails into a post 1000 The line guides 100, 200 may be formed in moulded plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar.

Alternatively as shown in Figure 3, the guide 200 may comprise substantially right-angle triangular sections, with a radiused corner 23 at the right angle 20 corner. Two sides outer faces extending from the radiused corner of the line guide 200 a have a channel 22 for passage of the line 4.

The second embodiment 200 has two spaced apart holes 21 for passage of screws or nails.

The triangular line guides 200 have connectors 24 to allow for connecting to each other and enable easy storage as a pair. The connectors 24 are pairs pins and recesses that engage to interlock the parts (see Figure 3).

In use as shown in Figure 4, two guides may be screwed in vertical or longitudinal alignment onto a post 1000. A line 4 is extended between the two guides 100. The upper and lower locations of the line guides 100 indicate where horizontal rails extend between adjacent posts. This ensure fences are installed both correctly vertically and correctly spaced.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be 5 appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims 15 20 25 30

Claims

Claims 1.A measuring apparatus for fencing comprising: a line holder and at least two line guides, wherein the line holder has a handle and a reel that holds a line with markers at regular increments along the length of the line, each of the at least two line guides has at least one attachment means for securing the line guide to a post; and a channel is defined for receiving and guiding the line.2.A measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each line guide -ias a spacer region that spaces the channel from the post to which it is attached 3.A measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mark-ers are beads fixed to the line.4.A measuring apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the beads are crimped metal or metal alloy tubes arranged along the line.5.A measuring apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the beads are formed from synthetic plastics or resin.6.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means are apertures for receiving a screw or a nail.7.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the line holder has an anchor for securing the line holder to an object or to the ground 8.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the line holder has a catch for securing a portion of the line.9.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the reel has a retraction means to retract the line.10.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the line has regions of different colours to indicate fixed distances.11.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the at least two line guides are substantially disc shaped.12.A measuring apparatus according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the at least two line guides, is fixed to the post by means of a pivot to enable the line guide to rotate as line is pulled through the channel.13.A measuring apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the at least two line guides are substantially cuboid.14.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the at least two line guides are substantially triangular.15.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim according to claim 14 wherein the at least two line guides are right angle triangles.16.A measuring apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the substantially triangular sections are adapted to interlock to form a substantially square line guide 17.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the at two line guides has a level indicator.18.A measuring apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a rear facing edge of the line guide is returned towards a mid-region of the line guide, so that a channel is defined by the edge of the line guide and the post.