WO2007135448A1

WO2007135448A1 - Extendable measuring device

Info

Publication number: WO2007135448A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Edwin Johns
Original assignee: Robert Edwin Johns
Priority date: 2006-05-24
Filing date: 2007-05-24
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: GB2438428B; GB0610274D0; GB2438428A

Abstract

An extendable measuring device (100) for obtaining an internal measurement of a recess comprising a first rigid measuring portion (101), a second rigid measuring (102) portion, and a display panel (103). The second measuring portion is slidably received inside the first measuring portion, and when in use the second measuring portion extends from the first measuring portion. The degree of its extension provides a measurement from a scale on the top surface of the second portion, and the measurement is displayed in the display panel.

Description

Extendable Measuring Device

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to an extendable measuring device for obtaining an internal measurement of a recess. There are many manual tasks which require an accurate measurement of a recess. Examples of such tasks include measuring the width of a door or window frame, measuring inside a cupboard in order to fit a shelf or rail, or measuring inside a recess in order to apply tiles, carpet or any other covering.

The present invention provides a mechanism for obtaining an accurate measurement inside a recess.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extendable measuring device for obtaining an internal measurement of a recess comprising: a first rigid measuring portion; a second rigid measuring portion; and a display panel; wherein said second measuring portion is slidably received inside said first measuring portion, and when in use said second measuring portion extends from said first measuring portion; whereby the degree of its extension provides a measurement from a scale on the top surface of said second portion, and said measurement is displayed in said display panel.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an example of an application of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figures 3 A show a further alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3B shows measuring device 100 before it is extended as seen in Figure

3A; and

Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1

An extendable measuring device 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. First measuring portion 101 is configured such that second

measuring portion 102 is slidably received inside it. A display panel 103 is provided which allows a user to read off a measurement, hi the present embodiment, a scale is

provided along both first measuring portion 101 and second measuring portion 102.

This may be on top surface 104 or along edge 105. For storage purposes, second measuring portion 102 fits almost completely inside first measuring portion 101. When in use, second measuring portion 102 extends from first measuring portion 101, and the degree of its extension is used to provide a measurement, which is displayed in display panel 103. When second measuring portion 102 is extended to its fullest extent, there

remains a portion of second portion 102 inside first portion 101. hi a preferred embodiment second measuring portion 102 has a scale provided

on top surface 104 in order to allow a measurement to be provided by reading scale

104, of second measuring portion 102, through display panel 103. Display panel 103

could be in the form of a window configured to allow the scale on top surface 104 of

second measuring portion 102 to be viewed. This window could be in the form of an aperture or a transparent material with or without a magnifying element. There is also

provided a means for preventing the second measuring portion 102 from being

removed too far from the first measuring portion 101. A sufficient overlap is required to prevent measuring device 101 from being inaccurate due to it bending at the point

where the two portions meet. Use of the measuring device is further described with

reference to Figure 2.

Measuring device 100 is manufactured, in the preferred embodiment, from a rigid material such as extruded aluminium with nylon fittings. Alternative

embodiments are made entirely of plastic material, and different combinations of materials are used depending on the specific purpose of the measuring device. For

example, a relatively large scale device (measuring from around one metre to around

three metres) is made from extruded aluminium in order to be durable and suitable for a professional such as a joiner. Smaller measuring devices, for example measuring around ten to thirty centimetres and around thirty centimetres to one metre are also

manufactured from aluminium for the skilled worker. The smaller sizes are also manufactured in plastic, to be better suited to DIY enthusiasts who require a cheaper,

lighter product which does not necessarily last as long. Further alternative combinations of sizes and materials suitable for the task could also be used.

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows an extendable measuring device as illustrated in Figure 1, being

used to measure a recess, hi many situations, an accurate measurement of a recess is

required. This may be necessary for a skilled worker (such as a joiner, tiler or carpet fitter) or may be required by an unskilled person wishing to complete a DIY task. Measuring device 100 is placed in a recess such as recess 201, with the left hand end of

first measuring portion 101 abutting the left hand wall of the recess 201. Second measuring portion 102 is then extended such that its right hand end abuts the right hand

wall of recess 201. hi alternative applications measurements may be taken within door

frames, or in other environments where measurements are taken between structures. A measurement of the width of the recess can then be obtained from display panel 103. hi

a preferred embodiment, display panel 103 includes magnifying means to assist the operator in reading the measurement.

hi a first embodiment, measuring device 100 is configured such that second measuring portion 102 fits tightly into first measuring portion 101. As a result, once

second measuring portion 102 has been extended to the width of the recess, it will remain in the extended position due to the interference fit with first measuring portion

101. m a second embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided such that once measuring device 100 has been extended to fit recess 201, second measuring portion

102 locks in position relative to measuring portion 101. The locking mechanism, in a

preferred embodiment, takes the form of a spring loaded catch, hi a preferred

embodiment a button is pressed to disengage the catch whilst measuring device 100 is being extended. Once measuring device 100 has been extended to the desired length,

the button is released thus engaging the catch and locking measuring device 100 in its

extended position. In an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism is disengaged

unless a button is pressed to engage it.

hi addition to providing a measurement reading at display panel 103, measuring device 100 can also be used as a template or pattern for cutting a material to the desired

length. This is advantageous as it means the measurement is only taken once, in contrast to taking a measurement with measuring device 100, reading off the

measurement, and then using a further measuring device to measure the desired

material to fit the recess.

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In addition

to first measuring portion 301 and second measuring portion 302, there is also provided third measuring portion 303. In a first embodiment, second measuring portion 302 must

be extended to its full extent before third measuring portion 303 may be extended. A

locking mechanism, as described in Figure 2, may be provided to lock second measuring portion into position fully extended, before measuring portion 303 may be

extended. A locking mechanism may also be provided to lock third measuring portion 303 into position whether fully extended or not, allowing accuracy of measurement. In the present embodiment, the measurement obtained from the extension of second

measuring portion 302 and third measuring portion 303 is displayed in display panel 304.

Figure SA

Figure 3 A shows a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. In

addition to display panel 304 a further display panel 305 is provided on second

measuring portion 302. This further display panel displays a representation of a measurement indicating the degree of the extension of the third measuring portion 303.

In a preferred embodiment third measuring portion 303 has a scale provided on its top surface 306 in order to allow a measurement to be provided by reading scale 306, of

third measuring portion 303, through display panel 305. Display panel 305 could be in the form of a window configured to allow the scale 306 of third measuring portion 303

to be viewed. This window could be in the form of an aperture or a transparent material with or without a magnifying element.

In a first embodiment, second measuring portion 302 must be extended to its full extent before third measuring portion 303 may be extended. Measurements are read

from display panel 304 until second measuring portion 302 has been fully extended.

Once second measuring portion 302 is fully extended third measuring portion 303 may

be extended and measurements read from display panel 305.

Figure 3B Figure 3B shows measuring device 100 before it is extended as seen in Figure

3A.

Figure 4

Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of an extendable measuring

device according to the present invention. In Figure 4, a first measuring portion 401 is

provided which has a display panel 402. A second measuring portion 403 is slidably

received inside first measuring portion 401. A third measuring portion 404 is slidably

received inside second measuring portion 403. In alternative embodiments, the arrangement of measuring portions inside one another is different.

In an alternative embodiment, a rail or groove is provided along the length of

the measuring device to allow the attachment of accessories. Such accessories include a spirit level, set square or laser measuring or alignment device.

In a further alternative embodiment, the display panel (103, 304, 402) provides

a digital readout in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Claims

1. An extendable measuring device for obtaining an internal measurement of a recess comprising: a first rigid measuring portion; a second rigid measuring portion; and a display panel; wherein said second measuring portion is slidably received inside said first measuring portion, and when in use said second measuring portion extends from said first measuring portion; whereby the degree of its extension provides a measurement from a scale on the top surface of said second portion, and said measurement is displayed in said display panel.

2. An extendable measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock said second measuring portion in an extended position.

3. An extendable measuring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a third measuring portion.

4. An extendable measuring device according to claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock said third measuring portion in an extended position.

5. An extendable measuring device according to claim 3, wherein said third measuring portion is slidably received inside said second measuring portion.

6. An extendable measuring device according to claim 3, wherein said third measuring portion is slidably received inside said first measuring portion.

7. An extendable measuring device according to any preceding claim, wherein said display panel comprises a window configured to allow said scale on said top surface of said second measuring portion to be viewed.

8. An extendable measuring device according to claim 7, wherein . said window comprises an aperture defined in said first measuring portion.

9. An extendable measuring device according to claim 7, .wherein said window comprises a transparent material.

10. An extendable measuring device according to claim 9, wherein said transparent material includes a magnifying element.

11. An extendable measuring device according to claim 3, wherein said third measuring portion comprises a scale on the top surface of said third measuring portion.

12. An extendable measuring device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second display panel on said second measuring portion, wherein said second display panel comprises a window configured to allow said scale on said top surface of said third measuring portion to be viewed.

13. An extendable measuring device according to claim 12, wherein said window comprises an aperture defined in said second measuring portion.

14. An extendable measuring device according to claim 12, wherein said window comprises a transparent material.

15. An extendable measuring device according to claim 14, wherein said transparent material includes a magnifying element.

16. An extendable measuring device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first measuring portion is provided with a scale.

17. An extendable measuring device according to any preceding claim wherein said display panel is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

18. An extendable measuring device according to any preceding claim further comprising means for attaching accessories.

19. An extendable measuring device according to claim 18, wherein said means for attaching accessories comprises a groove.

20. An extendable measuring device according to claim 18, wherein said means for attaching accessories comprises a rail.

21. An extendable measuring device for obtaining an internal measurement of a recess comprising: a first rigid measuring portion; a second rigid measuring portion; and a display panel; wherein said second measuring portion is slidably received inside said first measuring portion, and when in use said second measuring portion extends from said first measuring portion; whereby the degree of its extension provides a measurement from a scale on the top surface of said second portion, and said measurement is displayed in said display panel.

22. A method of obtaining a measurement of a recess, comprising the steps of: placing a first end of an extendable measuring device against a first wall of a recess; extending said measuring device such that a second end of said measuring device abuts a second wall of said recess; obtaining a measurement from a display panel on said measuring device.