WO1991014150A1

WO1991014150A1 - Method and device for surveying an area

Info

Publication number: WO1991014150A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/000369
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivor Joseph Jones
Original assignee: Ivor Joseph Jones
Priority date: 1990-03-10
Filing date: 1991-03-07
Publication date: 1991-09-19
Also published as: AU7488491A; ZA911669B; GB9005411D0

Abstract

A mechanical device (50) for surveying an area (2) and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area (2) comprises a base structure (53) and means (54) for taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements relative to a central datum point (59) on the base structure (53). The base structure (53) is mounted on friction pads (56) so as not to be easily displaced from a surface to which the device is applied. The means (54) comprise counters (125 and 135) which display angular and distance measurements respectively. The counters are driven by relative rotation between the base structure (53) and structure (57 or 58) superimposed thereon.

Description

Method and device for surveying an area

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the survey of areas and provides a device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area.

SUMMARY OF THE. INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, comprises a base structure and means for taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements relative to the base structure.

The said means may comprise a circular scale bearing degree graduations and may further comprise a linear measuring member, such as a rule.

Alternatively, the said means may comprise an angle-bearing indicator carried by and rotatable relative to the base structure and may further comprise a radial distance display which specifies a polar co-ordinate measurement taken on the angle bearing indicated.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, comprising the steps of taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements from a datum point and subsequently marking out on another area and from another datum point, positions corresponding to said polar co-ordinate measurements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of one survey device,

Figure 2 is a plan view of a second survey device,

Figures 3 and 4 are front and rear views, respectively, of the device of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a side view, in medial section, of a third survey device,

Figure 6 is a plan view of a fourth survey device,

Figure 7 is a section, taken on lines VII—VII of Figure 6, and to a reduced scale, and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a detail, to an enlarged scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference first to Figure 1, a device 1 for surveying an area 2 contained in the plane of the figure, and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area 2, comprises a base structure 3 and means 4 for taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements such as 5 from and relative to a central datum point 6 on the base structure 3, to corner A of the area 2.

The base structure 3 comprises a three-legged spider 7 mounted on friction pads 8 so as not to be easily displaced from a surface to which the device 1 is applied.

The means 4 comprise a circular scale 9 marked in degrees, which is integral with the spider 7, so as to form a peripheral extension thereof.

The means 4 further comprise a rule 10 which is used to measure the distance 5 etc. The rule 10 may comprise a flexible, ie roll-up, rule housed in a, casing rotatably mounted on the spider 7. I n operation , to repl icate the survey area 2 , the devi ce 1 i s di sposed firmly wi thi n the area and , usi ng the scale 9 and rul e 10, a series of pol ar co-ordinates i s taken as fol l ows :

Beari ng 150° 224° 312° 339° 1 1 °

30°

50°

The device 1 is then transferred to a surface on which area 2 is to be replicated and points corresponding to corner A etc marked out and then joined up.

Replication need not take place with the corners A etc marked out in the same order in which the polar co-ordinates were taken.

To replicate the surveyed area 2 the device 1 need not be disposed within the area but instead disposed firmly on an adjacent co-planar area from which a series of polar co-ordinates is taken, in the manner previously described.

The device is then transferred to another surface, adjacent to the surface on which area 2 is to be replicated and co-planar therewith. Points corresponding to corner A etc are then marked out and subsequently joined up.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 together show a second device, namely device 20 for surveying and replicating the area 2.

The device 20 comprises a base structure 23 and means 24 for taking the polar co-ordinates relative to the base structure 23. The base structure 23 comprises a circular base-plate 25 formed with a coaxial groove 26 and mounted on three equi-spaced friction pads 27.

The means 24, which is rotatably mounted on the base-plate 25, comprise two display counters, namely counters 28, 29.

Counter 28 is a distance counter and displays the radial distance (corresponding, for example, to distance 5 of Figure 1) measured, by a flexible roll-up rule 30, from a central datum position 31 to a corner point H on the area 2. When the rule 30 is almost fully retracted, the counter display is zero.

Full retraction does not take place due to contact between a rotatable mounting 37 and the rule outer end termination 38.

Counter 29 indicates the angles at which the distance measurements are taken. The counter 29 is operated by a friction wheel 35 (Figure 4) which runs in the groove 26 and is rotated as the means 4 is rotated, relative to the base-plate 25, whereby the friction wheel 35 bears against the base-plate. The friction wheel 35 operates the counter 29 through another friction wheel, namely friction wheel 36.

The means 24 is mounted on the structure 37 which is rotatably located by a coaxial groove 45 (Figure 4) formed in the base plate 25. Thus the means 24 can be rotated about the central datum point 31.

The structure 37 further comprises a spigot 38 rotatable within a central hole 39 formed in the base-plate 25.

The counters 28, 29 are marked green and red, or other differing colours, so as to distinguish the data given by them. In Figure 2, the counter 28 displays the distance over which the rule 31 is extended as 1234.50 mm. (For clarity, however, the rule 31 is

actually shown retracted.) At the same time, the counter 29 displays the 'bearing' of the polar co-ordinates as 123.40°.

The counter 28 and rule 31 could be replaced by an ultrasonic distance measuring unit. For example, ultrasonic beam reflection models SONIN 30 and 60 as produced by Fisco Products Limited, of^* Rayleigh, Essex, England, or dual-ended models 150 and 250 available from the same source. A dual-ended model is one which comprises an infrared transmitter and a portable electronic target which transmits ultrasonic sound back to the transmitter. All four models employ display screens whereby measurements are shown.

Figure 5 illustrates a third device, namely device 50, for surveying and replicating the area 2.

The device 50 comprises a base structure 53 and means 54 for taking the polar coordinates relative to a datum point on the base structure 53.

The base structure 53 comprises a circular base-plate 55 mounted on three equi-spaced friction pads 56. The base-plate 55 supports a superimposed intermediate structure 57 which in turn supports a superimposed upper structure 58. The structures 57, 58. together house the means 54. The base-plate 55, structure 57 and structure 58 are all rotatable, relative to each other, about a central axis 59 which comprises a central datum position. As described hereinafter, the device 50 is provided with means (66, 138⁾ for releasably securing any two of the structures 53, 57, 58 together.

A shaft 65 extends vertically through the structures 55, 57, 58. The axis of the shaft 65 coincides with the axis 59.

The upper end of the shaft 65 carries an annular plunger 66, the interior of which is formed with tapered splines 67 which, when the plunger 66 is depressed, engage with tapered grooves 68 formed exterior of a frusto-conical projection 69 projecting upwardly from, and fixed to, the structure 58.

The lower end of the shaft 65 carries an annular cup 75, the interior of which is formed with tapered splines 76 which, when the plunger 66 is depressed, engage with tapered grooves 77 formed exterior of a frusto-conical projection 78, projecting upwardly from the interior of the structure 55. The projection 78 is fixed to a bottom plate 79 securing in place by screws 80.

The intermediate structure 57 houses a winding drum or reel 85 to which one end of a cord 86 is attached. The other, or outer, end of the cord 86 is secured to a pointer 87. A ring 88 is rotatably carried, by means of a shaft 89, to the pointer 87. The pivotable ring 88, which is held between the thumb and first finger, enables the pointer 87 to be handled with ease, regardless of the direction in which it is pointing.

A friction-operated locking device 90, of tubular form, through which the cord 86 extends, enables the cord 86 to be locked in place when desired. The device 90 is operated by rotation of the same. The cord winding drum 85 is spring-loaded towards a wind-up position.

That portion of the cord 86 which is disposed between the drum 86 and the device 90 is wound around an upwardly-extending shaft 95 so as to be in frictional engagement therewith. The upper end of the shaft 95 carries a crown wheel 96 the teeth of which engage with the teeth of a pinion 97 mounted on one end of a horizontally-disposed shaft 98. A pinion 99 is mounted on the other end of the shaft 98 and the teeth of this pinion engage with the teeth of a crown wheel

100 carried by the shaft 65. The crown wheel 100 is mounted on the shaft 65 so as to be able to rotate the shaft 65 but allow the shaft to move axially relative to the crown wheel 100. Splines ⁽not shown) provide for this relative movement. The structure 57 also houses a pair_, of inter-engaging cog wheels 105, 106 mounted on shaft 107, 108 respectively. The teeth of cog wheel 105 engage with the teeth of an annular rack 109 mounted on the upper surface of the base-plate 55.

An annular brush seal 110 of Neoprene (RTM) is carried by the lower surface of the structure 57 so as to be in light contact with the upper surface of the base-plate 55.

The teeth of cog wheel 106 engage with the teeth of a cog wheel 115 disposed within the upper structure 58 and mounted on a horizontal shaft 116 carried thereby. The shaft 116 also carries a cog wheel 117 and a cog wheel 118, the teeth of which engage with those of a cog wheel 119 mounted on a shaft 120. The shaft 120^* provides an input drive to the wheels of a display counter 125. The wheels of the gear train-driven counter 125 carry numerals which are presented to a viewer by way of a window 1 6 in the upper surface of the structure 58. The counter 125 automatically returns to zero after displaying 360°.

The cog wheel 115 can be disengaged from the cog wheel 106 and the cog wheel 117 simultaneously engaged with the teeth of an annular rack 127 by lateral movement of a lever 128, the upper end of which is mounted in the structure 58.

The central shaft 65 also carries a crown wheel 129, the teeth of which engage with the teeth of a pinion 130 mounted on one end of a horizontal shaft 131. The other end of the shaft 131 provides an input drive to the wheels of a display counter 135 which carries numerals presented to a viewer by way of a window 136 in the upper surface of the structure 58. The counter 135 has a manually- operated reset button 137.

The structure 58 also carries a brake member 138 which is screw- mounted in the structure 58 and which is engageable, by rotation of a handle 139, with adjacent parts of the structure 57, so as to demountably secure the structures 57, 58 together.

The crown wheel 129 is spline-mounted on the shaft 65 so as to rotate therewith yet move axially relative thereto. A spring-loaded ball 140 engaging with a co-operating detent comprising a groove 142 formed in the shaft 65 and extending longitudinally thereof holds the shaft in the position illustrated. The detent groove allows axial movement of the shaft 65 relative to the ball 140.

An annular brush seal 141 of Neoprene is carried by the lower surface of the structure 58 so as to be in light contact with the upper surface of the structure 57.

In use, the device 50 is fixed in place for distance and angle measurements to be taken. If the device is fixed vertically, that is, turned through 90° from the position shown in Figure 5, the windows 126, 136 ease use of the device in this position.

By depressing the plunger 66, the shaft 65 is displaced axially, whereby splines 67 and grooves 68, also splines 76 and grooves 77 engage, whereby the base-plate 55 and upper structure 58 are locked to each other. The ball 140 yields to allow the axial displacement of the shaft 65.

To measure distance, the cord 86 is pulled out, against the spring loading of the winding drum 85. As the cord 86 is withdrawn from the drum 85 frictional contact between the moving cord and the shaft 95 causes operation of the counter 135, through the gear train 96, 97, 99, 100, 129, 130 and input shaft 131.

In operation, assume that the device 50 is placed in position on an upright wall facing the user of the device.

The plunger 55 is displaced to lock the structure 58 and base-plate 55 together, leaving the structure 57 free to rotate. The brake member 138 is rendered inoperative to allow this rotation. Next, the lever 128 is operated whereby cog wheels 108 and 115 are disengaged from each other and cog wheel 117 caused to engage with the annular rack 127.

The cord 86 is.pulled out to take the first measurement, operating distance counter 135 as disclosed above. At the same time, the structure 57 rotates to allow this. This causes the gear train 117 (which is engaged with the annular rack 127), 118, 119 and input shaft 120 to operate the angle counter 125 and display the angle taken by the cord.

The angle is noted, the reset button 137 depressed, and the operation repeated until sufficient readings have been taken.

Assume now replication takes place on a horizontally-disposed surface 2.

The brake member 59 is first operated so as to secure the structure

57 and 58 together. Plunger 55 is lifted so as to unlock the structure 58 and base-plate 55 so that the united structures 57 and

58 can now rotate relative to the base-plate 55.

Next, the lever 128 is operated whereby cog wheel 117 is caused to disengage from the annular track 127, and the cog wheels 108 and 115 are re-engaged with each other. This allows gear train 105, 106, 115, 118, 119. to operate the angle counter 125.

The cord 86 is now pulled out to the first distance recorded earlier and the cord locked in place by operation of the device 90. The interlocked structures 57, 58 are then rotated, using the cord, until the first angle previously recorded is displayed through the window 126 and the co-ordinate measurement marked on the surface 2.

The operation is then repeated to replicate the other measurements.

The counters 125, 135 may be coloured green and red, as before. It will be appreciated that counter-driving means other than those specifically described and illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, or 5, may be used.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 together illustrate a fourth device, namely an electronic device 150, for surveying and replicating the surface 2.

The device 150 comprises a base structure 153 and means including an electronic circuit board 154 for taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements relative to the base structure.

The base structure 153 is mounted on a friction pad 154 of annular form. The base structure 153 is hollow and houses a flexible steel tape 155 mounted on a spring-loaded reel 156 so that the tape is urged towards a fully wound position. The tape reel 156 is rotatable about an axis 157. The reel 156 is provided with an external window 158.

Downwardly-extending internal wall portions 159, 160 and upwardly- extending wall portions 165, 166 within the base structure 153 turn the tape 155 through 90° before it leaves the base structure by way of an extension 167 defining a slot through which the tape extends.

The base structure 153 comprises a movable upper part 168 mounted for rotation about a lower part 169. Rotation takes place about a central axis 170.

An annular gear ring 175 with internal teeth 176 is mounted on the lower part 169. The teeth 176 engage with the teeth of a pinion 177 mounted on a shaft 178 so that rotation of the upper part 168 causes rotation of the shaft 178.

Rotation of the shaft 178 causes corresponding rotation of a wheel

179 mounted thereon. The periphery of the wheel 179 is formed with 120 radial slots 180 (Figure 8) which form a readable code. Decoder means 185 comprising 3 LED infrared emitters/sensors (not shown) are used to count the slots 180 as the wheel 179 rotates whereby an angular reading (355.6° in this example) appears in an LCD 186. The decoder means 185 provide a datum (indicated by axis 181) from which the measurements are taken.

Decoder means 187 (Figure 6) identical to the means 185 are used to count slots 188 formed in the tape 155 so as to provide a readable code, whereby a distance reading (1024.5 mm in this example) appears in the LCD 186. The distance recorded is relative to the datum axis 157.

The circuit board 154 receives electrical power from a replaceable battery 189. A current control switch 182 is provided. As an alternative to the use of a plurality of slots as a code system, the tape 155 may comprise plastics material incorporating magnetic material .

Another alternative comprises use of a laser to scan depressions formed in the tape 155 or a substitute tape.

Means for mounting any of the devices in a vacant area to be subsequently filled by a surface having a replicated periphery of the area, may comprise extensions operable to firmly maintain the device in place within the vacant area and co-planar therewith, from which a series of polar co-ordinates may be taken as before. For example, a flange with screw-fixing holes formed therein. Instead of, or in addition to, the extensions, friction or adhesive-bearing pads may be provided.

Any of the devices may be provided with means to vary its plane relative to the extensions and/or friction pads, as well as visual means to determine its plane.

Any of the devices may be used for replication purposes, but to a different scale, by adjusting the measured distances accordingly.

Thus a device could be used for marking out a building or building site from a plan. Laser measuring devices could be used to record distances.

Any of the devices may assume altitudes different from the horizontal and vertical described herein.

Claims

1. A device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, comprising a base structure (3, 23, 53, 153) and means ⁽4, 24, 54, 154) for taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements relative to the base structure.

2. . A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means comprise a circular scale (9) bearing numbered graduations.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said means further comprise a linear measuring member (10,30, 86, 155).

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linear measuring device comprises a rule (10).

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rule (10) is flexible.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means comprise an angle-bearing indicator (29, 125, 186) carried by and rotatable relative to the base structure.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said means further comprise a radial distance display (28, 135, 186) which specifies a polar co-ordinate measurement taken on the angle bearing indicated.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the radial distance display comprises a counter (28, 135, 186) operable by a linear measuring member.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the angle- bearing Indicator (29, 125, 186) is operable by rotation relative to the base structure.

10. A device as cl aimed i n cl aim 9 , wherein the angl e-bearing indicator compri ses a* friction wheel (35) which bears against the base structure .

11 . A device as cl aimed i n cl aim 9 , wherein the counter and the angle-bearing i ndicator (28, 29 ) are marked with di ffering col ours .

12. A device as cl aimed in cl aim 7 , wherei n the radi al di stance displ ay is provided by an ultrasonic distance measuring unit .

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the measuring unit is operable by ultrasonic beam reflection.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the measuring unit comprises an infrared transmitter and a portable electronic target which transmits ultrasonic sound back to the transmitter.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means comprise an intermediate structure (57) superimposed on the base structure (53) and rotatable relative to the base structure, and an upper structure (58) superimposed on the intermediate structure and rotatable relative to both the intermediate structure and the base structure.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, provided with means (66, 138) for releasably securing any two of the upper structure (58), intermediate structure (57) and the base structure (53) together.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the said means further comprise angle-bearing indicator means provided by a gear train-driven counter (125) operable by rotation of said upper structure relative to said base structure, or by rotation of said intermediate structure relative to said base structure and said upper structure.

18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 15, 16 and 17, wherein the said means further comprise linear measuring means provided by a cord (86) withdrawable from a reel (88) whereby movement of the cord off the reel operates a counter (135)

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein withdrawal of the cord off the reel operates said counter by way of crown wheel and pinion means (99, 100; 129, 130).

20. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means comprise electronic decoder means (185).

21. A device as claimed in claim 20, provided with a linear measuring member (155) bearing a code (188) indicative of length measured.

22. A device as cl aimed i n cl aim 20 or 21 , provided with an angl e-beari ng member ( 1 79 )^" bearing a code ( 180) i ndicati ve of a measured angle .

23. A device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein in each case said code comprises a plurality of slots (180 or 188) and said electronic decoder means comprise slot-counting means (185, 187).

24. A device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein linear distance and angle-bearing polar co-ordinate measurements are shown by way of liquid crystal display means (186).

25. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, provided with means (8, 27, 56, 151) for firmly holding the device in place.

26. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the said means comprise extension devices and/or friction pads.

27. A method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, comprising the steps of taking a plurality of polar co-ordinate measurements from a datum point and subsequently marking out on another area and from another datum point, positions corresponding to said polar co-ordinate measurements.

28. A device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A device for surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

33. A method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of surveying an area and for subsequently replicating the surveyed area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.