JP2002013901A - Measuring tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that erroneous data might be used if no memorandum pad, etc., is kept at hand although first measured lengths have to be recorded on the memorandum pad etc., when many lengths are measured in length measurement using a measuring tape. SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display part 5 is provided on a surface of a body case 2 allowing the measuring tape 4 to be put therein or put out therefrom. Further, a first key 7 to a fifth key 11 are provided thereon to enable the input of length data etc. Also, hand-writing input can be enabled. Inputted data is stored in a memory. An electronic calculator function is provided and it can be set to automatically calculate area by inputting length and width. Also, it can be set to automatically calculate volume by inputting height. Providing a solar cell 5 makes it possible to semipermanently use the functions of this measuring tape, Providing the measuring tape 4 with large-diameter holes 12 and small-diameter holes 13 at equal intervals allows marks to be given to a measuring object with an implement for writing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape measure that can be used for general home use or business use, and more particularly to input and display measured data, and further store and display the measured data.
The present invention relates to a tape measure capable of performing addition and deletion of data, performing calculations as needed, and displaying them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tape measure has become indispensable in ordinary households, workplaces and various business fields as a tape measure that can measure a long length and can be easily carried, and is convenient to carry. . The tape measure, which is usually widely used, winds up and stores a flexible graduated band inside the case, draws out a required amount of the base outside the case and measures the length. The winding is performed by a return spring provided in the above.

[0003]

When arranging furniture such as a desk and a storage shelf in a room, for example, by using the conventional tape measure as described above, the vertical and horizontal lengths in the room and the arrangement in the room. The vertical and horizontal lengths of the desks, storage shelves, and the like to be used are measured, various modes are considered based on these lengths, and the most appropriate arrangement is selected from among them. To this end, each time these parts are measured, they are written down on a paper or the like and are measured in order. In addition, when obtaining the area of a rectangular portion using a conventional tape measure, it is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal lengths individually, note down at least the previously measured values, and then calculate the area. .

As described above, in the conventional tape measure, when measuring the lengths of a plurality of portions continuously, it is necessary to write down the previously measured values. However, it is not always the case that there is a piece of paper or the like to be noted when measuring.In such a case, it is necessary to memorize the previously measured value. It is a source of occurrence.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a tape measure to which various memos such as lengths can be left on the tape measure itself without any need for memo paper or the like, and to which various functions are further added. Aim.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a data input unit and a display unit for displaying the input result in a main body case for accommodating a tape measure tape. And a memory for storing the input value.

The invention according to claim 2 is the tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the data input section includes at least one of a handwriting input, a panel input, and a push button input.

The invention according to claim 3 is the tape measure according to claim 1, which has a function of performing a calculation based on data input from the data input unit.

The invention according to claim 4 is the tape measure according to claim 1, which has a function of calculating an area or a volume based on the length data input from the data input unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape measure according to the first aspect, wherein holes are formed at regular intervals in the tape measure tape.

The invention according to claim 6 is the tape measure according to claim 1, wherein a cutout groove is formed in a lengthwise direction of the tape measure tape.

The invention according to claim 7 is the tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the tape measure tape is provided with a projection for detecting a scale by touch.

The invention according to claim 8 is the tape measure according to claim 1, wherein a solar cell is provided in the main body case.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape measure according to the first aspect, wherein the main body case is provided with lighting means.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tape measure 1 according to the present invention. A tape measure tape 4 made of a metal plate provided with a scale 3 is housed in a main body case 2 in the same manner as in the prior art so that it can be wound up inside. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape measure tape 4 is fed out by about 15 cm and stopped. A liquid crystal display section 5 is provided on the surface of the main body case 2 of the tape measure 1. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, a solar cell panel 6 is disposed above the liquid crystal display section 5, and various input keys described below are disposed below the solar cell panel 6. ing.

Various input keys can be provided according to the functions required by the tape measure, and can be arranged in various modes. In the illustrated embodiment, five keys are arranged, and a first key 7 at the left end is used to start or stop the operation of various functions of the tape measure.
An N / OFF key, which also serves as a mode selection key. For example, when the first key 7 is pressed for 3 seconds or more, the ON / O key is turned on.
The operation of the FF is performed, and when the first key 7 is pressed for a short time in the ON state, a mode switching selection is performed.

The type of this mode can be set to any mode as required. For example, a data input mode for recording data of a measurement result, and automatically when a vertical and horizontal length is measured. Area calculation mode for calculating area, volume calculation mode with added height, calculator mode for calculating addition, subtraction, multiplication and division based on input data, clock mode for displaying time, memory display mode for reading and displaying stored values For example, various functions set in advance for this tape measure can be selected. When various modes are provided as described above, a mode display unit is provided in the liquid crystal display unit 5 in the illustrated embodiment in order to clearly indicate which mode is currently in use. Indicates that the input mode has been selected.

The second key 8 is a memory key for recording the value in a predetermined memory when the length data or the like is inputted by some means described later on the tape measure 1, and the first key 7 is used as a memory key. When the calculator mode is used as the mode key, the second key 8 and the third key 9, the fourth key 10, and the fifth key 11, which are adjacent to the second key 8, are denoted by x,
キ ー, +,-keys. When the memory display function is selected, this key scrolls down on the surface of the key, and data corresponding to a position below the display that cannot be displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 is displayed. Also performs the function of scrolling and displaying in order. The third key 9 adjacent to this function is scrolled and displayed in the opposite direction.

As described above, the third key 9 performs the function of ÷ in the calculator mode, and when a character to be described later is input in the input mode, pressing the third key 9 performs kana-kanji conversion. As described above, scrolling is performed in the direction of the arrow shown on the key during the memory display function.

The fourth key 10 performs a + function in the calculator mode, and in the input mode together with the adjacent fifth key 11, pressing these keys causes the Japanese syllabary to be displayed in order from "aiueo". A numerical value is displayed, and thereafter, the character returns to the Japanese syllabary. When a desired character is displayed by selecting a scroll direction of these characters by selecting any key, for example, the second character is displayed.
This is confirmed by the key 8, and if necessary, the third key 9
, The kana-kanji conversion is performed, and when a desired one of various conversion candidates is displayed, the second key 8 can be used to determine the desired one.

These characters are used to display an object to be measured with this tape measure, such as "first table", "vertical" and "horizontal", as will be described later. When an input is made, when the second key 8 is pressed, the contents are stored together with the previously input characters. Further, for example, it is also possible to configure so that the displayed memory contents are erased by pressing together with an adjacent third key.

In the illustrated embodiment, a handwriting input function is also provided as shown on the mode display section. Various characters can be input without key operation by a handwriting input function currently widely used in electronic notebooks and the like. , Numbers and the like can be entered. In this case, the entire display unit functions as a character input unit, and the handwritten one can be held as it is and can be stored as it is. It can also be a handwriting word processor function that converts characters to text. At this time, use the function to convert Hiragana to Kanji, place a Kanji conversion candidate display on the liquid crystal display adjacent to the handwriting input part, and select and confirm the appropriate Kanji when it is displayed By repeating this operation, a desired kanji can be displayed.

By providing various input functions as described above and a function of displaying them, for example, when laying out equipment in a laboratory, laying out desks and shelves, etc., a large amount of data to be measured therefrom is successively used with this tape measure. In this case, a desired layout can be set based on the data after the measurement. In addition, even when there is no note paper, writing implement, or the like nearby, a memo can be reliably taken by inputting data to the tape measure. The liquid crystal display section provided on the surface of the main body case can be made larger as the tape measure becomes larger, and the display portion can be used effectively.

After the length is measured by the tape measure tape, the tape measure tape is pushed by pressing the push button 14 which also has the function of restricting the freedom of taking in and out of the tape measure and facilitating the reading as in the case of the conventional tape measure. Take up inside. In addition,
When the illumination device 15 is provided near the tape measure tape slot of the main body case 2, the push button is used for the illumination device 15.
Can be configured to also serve as the switch. The illumination device 15 can illuminate the scale portion when the tape measure tape 4 is pulled out and used, and
When the tape measure tape is not pulled out, it can be used as a normal lighting fixture.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tape measure tape 4 is provided with a circular opening for adding a mark every 1 cm.
In the illustrated example, two types of openings, a large diameter hole 12 and a small diameter hole 13, are provided. Thus, for example, when measuring the floor surface or the like and arranging a desk or the like at a predetermined position, when measuring the floor surface with the tape measure, the large-diameter hole 12 or the small-diameter hole corresponding to the scale portion at the predetermined position. A tip of a chalk or a pencil is inserted into 13 so that a mark can be given to a measured portion such as a floor surface.

When applying such a mark, a large-diameter hole 12 is used when a relatively thick writing instrument such as a chalk is used as described above, and a small-diameter hole is used when a relatively tapered writing instrument such as a pencil is used. A mark can be provided using the hole 13. Since the mark can be provided by using such an opening, the mark can be easily provided without special attention, such as applying the writing tool together with the writing tool so as not to deviate from the position of the predetermined scale as in the related art. Can be provided.
Further, even when a tapered writing instrument is used, a mark can be clearly provided by using the large-diameter hole 12 when the mark is provided in a place difficult to see. In addition, since all marks can be provided in a fixed shape, it is possible to provide easy-to-see marks. In addition, by inserting a thumbtack into this opening, it can be used for fixing the end of the tape measure tape or fixing both ends of the measurement portion. Furthermore, a circle or an arc can be drawn by inserting a pushpin into one of the openings and inserting the tip of a writing implement into the other one.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which an opening for providing a mark is provided in the tape measure tape 4. However, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as shown in FIG. A linear cutout groove 20 is formed, and the bent portion 21 formed at the end of the tape measure is locked by hooking it on a member or the like. Then, the tape measure tape 4 is strongly pulled, and a tension is applied to the inside of the cutout groove 20. A straight line can be easily drawn by inserting the tip of the writing implement into the groove and moving the writing implement along the groove.

In this regard, when a straight line is drawn using a conventional tape measure tape, a straight line is drawn by applying the tip of the writing implement to the side edge of the tape measure tape. It is necessary to apply a force to the tape measure tape 4 to draw a line, and the force often causes the tape measure tape 4 to move, so that there is a problem that an appropriate straight line cannot be drawn. On the other hand, in the present invention, a straight line can be drawn without applying a special force to the tape measure tape 4 by forming the above-described cutout groove 20 and moving the writing tool along this groove, so that the cutout groove 20 can be easily drawn. Can draw an appropriate straight line.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, unlike the one shown in FIG. 1, a battery 22 such as a disk-shaped mercury battery is housed on the back side of the main body case 2 without using a solar battery. Also, ten numeric / character input keys are arranged between the liquid crystal display unit 5 and various function operation keys in the figure, and numerical values from 1 to 0, and the Japanese syllabary "A" From "wa"
Numbers and characters can be entered by assigning up to. When the Japanese syllabary is to be input, each key is pressed a plurality of times so that, for example, "A, I, U, E, O" can be displayed.

In the same manner as described above, the kana-kanji conversion can be performed using the conversion key, and appropriate functions can be assigned to the numerical / character input keys in the embodiment of FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, as shown in the liquid crystal display unit 5, in the area calculation mode, when a numerical value is entered in the vertical and horizontal columns, the multiplication is automatically performed to obtain the area. be able to. Similarly, in the volume calculation mode, a portion for further inputting the height is displayed, and when all of them are input, the volume is automatically calculated and displayed. In this embodiment, when the solar cell panel is removed from the front surface side of the main body case 2, the solar cell panel may be arranged at an appropriate position such as a side wall surface or a back surface of the main body case, and a mercury battery or the like may be used. It can also be excluded.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the liquid crystal display section 5 can be made large without providing the keys for inputting numerical values and characters shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape measure is in the automatic measurement mode, and the tape measure tape feed-out length is calculated by counting the number of teeth on the end of the tape measure take-up reel as much as the tape measure tape is fed out. Is shown, and the length of the length to be measured is automatically measured. Various means have already been proposed for automatic measurement of the length by measuring the feeding amount of the tape measure tape. The illustrated example shows an example in which an item to be measured is input in advance on the display unit, and a measurement value is input in that field.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 shows an example in which the magnet 24 is fixed to the bent portion 23 at the tip of the tape measure tape 4. At the time of length measurement, the magnet is applied to a wall surface of steel furniture or the like to be attracted and fixed. In this state, the length can be measured. Further, for example, as shown in FIG.
Form a small protrusion on the scale corresponding part of the tape measure tape 4,
A visually impaired person can know the approximate length by touching it. For example, by forming a small protrusion corresponding to a unit of 1 cm, a medium protrusion corresponding to a unit of 5 cm, and a large protrusion corresponding to a unit of 10 cm, the scale can be easily approximated even by a visually impaired person. You can know.

As a basic mode of the present invention, a function of inputting, displaying, and storing the measured result in the main body case of the tape measure is provided. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various modes, and can be implemented by adding the various functions as described above. In addition, various aspects other than the above can be added.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, various memos such as length measurement data can be left on the tape measure itself, and memo paper or the like is not required. Can be used. Thereby, for example, by storing the dimensions of the research equipment in advance,
The design of the interior of the laboratory and the layout and design of the equipment, as well as the planning of carrying out and moving work, etc. can be easily performed.
Actual work can be performed smoothly. In addition, since the area of the display unit can be increased as the tape measure becomes larger, an appropriate display unit corresponding to the size of the tape measure can be formed. Further, by utilizing a part of the functions, a tape measure to which various functions are further added can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the tape measure according to the first aspect includes at least one of a handwriting input, a panel input, and a push button input as the data input unit.
Data input can be performed in various modes as needed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, since the tape measure according to the first aspect has a function of performing a calculation based on data input from the data input unit, various data to be input are calculated in various modes. It is not necessary to separately prepare a calculator or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the tape measure has a function of calculating an area or a volume based on the length data input from the data input unit. The area can be automatically calculated by inputting the length, and the volume can be automatically calculated by inputting the height data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the tape measure according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with holes formed at equal intervals in the tape measure tape, a mark can be given to the measured object with a writing instrument using the holes. It is possible to provide a mark having a predetermined fixed shape, so that the mark can be easily viewed. Further, it is also possible to fix a tape measure tape by inserting a thumbtack or the like into the opening.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, since the tape measure has the cutout groove formed in the lengthwise direction of the tape measure tape, a straight line can be easily and accurately formed with a writing instrument using the cutout groove. I can draw.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the tape measure is provided with the projection for detecting the scale by touch, the visually impaired person can easily measure the approximate length. The invention according to claim 8 is the tape measure according to claim 1 in which the solar cell is provided in the main body case, so that the tape measure having various functions semipermanently can be used. The invention according to claim 9 is the tape measure according to claim 1 in which the main body case is provided with an illuminating means, so that the scale portion can be illuminated when the tape measure tape is pulled out and used,
When the tape measure tape is not pulled out, it can be used as a normal lighting fixture.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a tape measure according to the present invention, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a plan view.

2A and 2B show another embodiment of the tape measure according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a plan view.

FIG. 3 is a side view of still another embodiment of the tape measure according to the present invention;

4A and 4B show still another embodiment of the tape measure according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a side view and FIG. 4B is a plan view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape measure 2 main body case 3 scale 4 tape measure tape 5 liquid crystal display unit 6 solar cell panel 7 first key 8 second key 9 third key 10 fourth key 11 fifth key 12 large diameter hole 13 small diameter hole 14 push button 15 illumination apparatus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A tape measure comprising: a main body case for accommodating a tape measure tape; a data input part; a display part for displaying an input result; and a memory for storing the input value. 2. The data input unit includes a handwriting input,
The tape measure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a panel input and a push button input. 3. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the tape measure has a function of performing calculations based on data input from the data input unit. 4. The tape measure according to claim 1, further comprising a function of calculating an area or a volume based on the length data input from the data input unit. 5. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein holes are formed in the tape measure tape at equal intervals. 6. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein a cutout groove is formed in a length direction of the tape measure tape. 7. The tape measure according to claim 1, wherein the tape measure tape is provided with a projection for detecting a scale by touch. 8. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a solar cell is provided in the body case.
The tape measure described. 9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the main body case is provided with lighting means.
The tape measure described.