WO2014027194A1

WO2014027194A1 - Gauge

Info

Publication number: WO2014027194A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Lee HAYHURST
Original assignee: Bae Systems Plc
Priority date: 2012-08-15
Filing date: 2013-08-14
Publication date: 2014-02-20
Also published as: GB201214522D0; GB2504963A

Abstract

GAUGE Disclosed is a gauge (2) and methods of using the gauge (2). The gauge (2) comprises a collar (8) having an axial bore (84) with an opening and a predetermined diameter, a member (4) slidably mounted within at least part of the axial bore (84), and an indicator means (10). It may be determined that the diameter of aprotrusion (14, 16)from a surface (18)is less that that of the opening if, whenthe opening of the axial bore (84) ispositioned over the protrusion(14, 16), the collar (8) may be moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) contactsthe surface (18). If the collar (8) is moved in this way, the indicator means (10) is configured toindicate whether or not the length of the protrusion (14, 16) is within a predetermined range.

Description

GAUGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gauges for measuring or testing a protrusion from a surface

BACKGROUND

Bolt gauges may be used to determine the size of part of a bolt, a nut, a screw etc. Also, a separate different device (i.e. different to the aforementioned bolt gauge) may be used to determine how far a bolt, a nut, a screw etc. protrudes from a surface to which it has been fastened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a gauge for measuring or testing a protrusion from a surface, the gauge comprising: a collar having an axial bore, the axial bore having an opening at an end of the axial bore, the opening having a predetermined diameter; a member, the member being slidably mounted within at least part of the axial bore; and an indicator means coupled to the collar and the member; wherein the collar and the member are coupled together such that: if the opening of the axial bore is positioned over the protrusion being measured or tested and a diameter of the protrusion is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the opening, the collar may be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface; and, if the opening of the axial bore is positioned over the protrusion being measured or tested and a diameter of the protrusion is more than the predetermined diameter of the opening, the collar may not be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface; movement of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface causes the protrusion to contact the member and the member to be displaced relative to the collar; and the indicator means is configured to indicate whether or not the displacement of the member relative to the collar caused by the moving of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface is within a predetermined displacement range, thereby indicating whether or not the length of the protrusion from the surface is within a predetermined length range. The indicator means and the member are removably fixed together, e.g. by a screw, thereby allowing for the indicator means to be replaced by a different indicator means, the different indicator means being an indicator of a different predetermined displacement range to the displacement range indicated by the indicator means.

The gauge may be a bolt gauge. The protrusion may comprise a bolt and/or nut.

A position of the indicator means may be substantially fixed relative to the member such that movement of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface causes the indicator means to be displaced relative to the collar.

Whether or not the displacement of the member relative to the collar caused by the moving of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface is within a predetermined displacement range may be indicated by the relative positions of the indicator means and the collar after the collar has been moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface.

The indicator means may be slidably mounted within at least part of the axial bore.

The axial bore may have a further opening at a further end of the axial bore, the further end of the axial bore being an opposite end to the end of the axial bore at which the opening is located.

Movement of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface may cause at least part of the indicator means to be moved out of the axial bore from the further end of the axial bore.

Whether or not the displacement of the member relative to the collar caused by moving of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface is within a predetermined displacement range may be indicated by the relative positions of the indicator means and the further end of the axial bore after the collar has been moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface. The indicator means may comprise one or more indications that specify the predetermined displacement range.

Whether or not the displacement of the member relative to the collar caused by moving of the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface is within the predetermined displacement range may be indicated by the relative positions of the one or more indications and the further end of the axial bore after the collar has been moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface.

The one or more indications may comprise a notch on the indicator means.

The gauge may further comprise a spring, the spring being configured to, if the collar is moved such that the protrusion is not within the axial bore and the collar is not in contact with the surface, move the member to its original position relative to the collar. The collar may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

The gauge may be made of metal.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of using a gauge to measure or test a protrusion, the protrusion being from a surface, the gauge being in accordance with the above aspect, the method comprising: positioning the opening of the axial bore over the protrusion being measured or tested; moving or attempting to move the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface; and, if the collar can be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface, concluding that a diameter of the protrusion is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the opening; or if the collar cannot be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface, concluding that a diameter of the protrusion is greater than the predetermined diameter of the opening.

The collar may be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface and the method may further comprise moving the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface, and, using the indicator, determining whether or not the length of the protrusion from the surface is within a predetermined length range. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of using a gauge to measure or test a protrusion, the protrusion being from a surface, the gauge being in accordance with any of the above aspects, the method comprising: positioning the opening of the axial bore over the protrusion being measured or tested; moving the collar such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore and the collar is in contact with the surface; and, using the indicator, determining whether or not the length of the protrusion from the surface is within a predetermined length range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an exploded view of an embodiment of a bolt gauge;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of a plunger of the bolt gauge;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of a body portion of the bolt gauge; Figure 4 is a cross section of the body portion;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of an indicator portion of the bolt gauge;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a bolt and a protruding from a surface;

Figure 7 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an embodiment of a method of using the above described bolt gauge to assess the bolt and the nut; and

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a cross section of the bolt gauge 2 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an exploded view of an embodiment of a bolt gauge 2. In this embodiment the bolt gauge 2 comprises a plunger 4, a spring 6, a body portion 8, an indicator portion 10, and a screw 12.

The plunger 4 will be described in more detail later below with reference to Figure 2.

In this embodiment, the shape of the plunger 4 is a shape that is produced by positioning two cylinders in contact with one another and aligned along their axes. A first of these two cylinders has a larger diameter and shorter length than a second of these two cylinders.

The first of the two cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4 forms a first end of the plunger 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "plunger first end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 40). The second of the two cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4 forms a second end of the plunger 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "plunger second end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 42). ln this embodiment, the plunger 4 further comprises a bore (hereinafter referred to as the "plunger bore" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 44) that extended from its opening at the plunger second end 42 at least partially along the length of the second of the two cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4. The axis of the plunger bore 44 is substantially aligned with the axis of the cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4. The plunger bore 44 may be threaded such that the screw may be screwed into the plunger bore 44 as described in more detail later below.

The body portion 8 will be described in more detail later below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

In this embodiment, the body portion 8 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The body portion 8 has a first end (hereinafter referred to as the "body first end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 80) and a second end (hereinafter referred to as the "body second end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 82). In this embodiment, as described in more detail later below with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the body portion 8 is hollow and has an opening at its first end 80 and its second end 82.

In this embodiment, the body portion 8 comprises a bore (hereinafter referred to as the "body bore" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 84) that passes through the body portion 8 from the body first end 80 to the second end 82. The shape of the body bore 84 is described in more detail later below with reference to Figure 4. The axis of the body bore 84 is substantially aligned with the axis of the body portion 8.

The indicator portion 10 will be described in more detail later below with reference to Figure 5.

In this embodiment, the shape of the indicator portion 10 is a shape that is produced by positioning a first, second and third cylinder such that the axes of the three cylinders are substantially aligned and such that the first cylinder is at one end of the second cylinder, and the third cylinder is at the other end of the second cylinder. The first of these three cylinders has a larger diameter than the second of the three cylinders. Also, the diameter of the third cylinder is substantially the same as that of the first of these three cylinders.

In this embodiment, the indicator portion 10 comprises a bore (hereinafter referred to as the "indicator bore" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 104) along its axis (i.e. the axes of the each of the three cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10).

The first of the three cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 forms a first end of the indicator portion 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "indicator first end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 100). The third of the three cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 forms a second end of the indicator portion 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "indicator second end" and indicated in the Figures by the reference numeral 102).

The bolt gauge 2 may be formed from its components (i.e. the plunger 4, the spring 6, the body portion 8, the indicator portion 10, and the screw 12) as follows. Firstly, the plunger second end 42 may be moved through the spring 6 such that the second of the two cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4 is at least partially inside the spring 6. The plunger 4 and spring 6 may then be positioned at least partially inside the body portion 8 by moving the plunger 4 and spring 6 into the body bore 84 (plunger second end 42 first) via the opening of the body bore 84 located at the body first end 80. The indicator portion 10 may then be positioned at least partially inside the body portion 8 by moving the indicator portion 10 into the body bore 84 (indicator first end 100 first) via the opening of the body bore 84 at the body second end 82. The screw 12 may then be used to fix the plunger 4, the spring 6, and the indicator portion 10 into the body portion 8 by screwing through the indicator bore 104 (from the opening of the indicator bore 104 at the indicator second end 102 to the opening of the indicator bore 104 at the indicator first end 100) and into the plunger bore 44.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of the plunger 4. For convenience and ease of understanding, as described earlier above, the shape of the plunger 4 can be described as two contacting cylinders aligned along their axes.

In this embodiment, the length of the plunger 4 is approximately 0.960 inches. Preferably, the length of the plunger 4 is within the range 0.959-0.961 inches. The length of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4 is approximately 0.120 inches. The length of the second of the cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4 is approximately 0.840 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the plunger 4 at the plunger first end 40 (i.e. the diameter of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4) is approximately 0.339 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the plunger 4 at the plunger first end 40 is preferably within the range 0.337-0.401 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the plunger 4 at the plunger second end 42 (i.e. the diameter of the second of the cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4) is approximately 0.217 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the plunger 4 at the plunger second end 42 is within the range 0.215-0.219 inches.

In this embodiment, the plunger bore 44 extends from its opening at the second plunger end 42 partially along the length of the plunger 4. The length of the plunger bore 44 is approximately 0.260 inches. The diameter of the plunger bore 44 is approximately 0.100 inches. Preferably the diameter of the plunger bore 44 is within the range 0.100-0.105 inches. The axis of the plunger bore 44 is substantially aligned with the axis of the plunger 4 (i.e. the axes of the two cylinders that form the shape of the plunger 4). Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of the body portion 8.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the body portion 8 along line X-X shown in Figure 3. ln this embodiment, the length of the body portion 8 is approximately 1 .500 inches. Preferably the length of the body portion 8 is within the range 1 .498 - 1 .502 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the body portion 8 is approximately 0.720 inches.

In this embodiment, the body bore 84 extends through the length of the body portion 8 from the body first end 80 to the body second end 82. The axis of the body bore 84 is substantially aligned with that of the body portion.

The shape of the body bore 84 of the body portion 8 may be described with reference to four bore portions (hereinafter referred to as the first bore portion, the second bore portion, the third bore portion, and the fourth bore portion). In this embodiment, each of the four bore portions is substantially cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, the axis of each of the cylindrical bore portions is substantially aligned with the axis of the body portion 8. The first bore portion forms an opening at the body first end 80. The first bore portion extends from the body first end 80 along the length of the body portion 8 (in the direction of the body second end 82) until it meets the second bore portion. The second bore portion extends from the first bore portion along the length of the body portion 8 (in the direction of the body second end 82) until it meets the third bore portion. The third bore portion extends from the first bore portion along the length of the body portion 8 (in the direction of the body second end 82) until it meets the fourth bore portion. The fourth bore portion extends from the first bore portion along the length of the body portion 8 (in the direction of the body second end 82) until it meets the body second end 82. The fourth bore portion forms an opening at the body second end 82.

In this embodiment, the length of the first bore portion is approximately 0.130 inches. In this embodiment, the diameter of the first bore portion is approximately 0.490 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the second bore portion is approximately 0.710 inches. In this embodiment, the diameter of the second bore portion is approximately 0.339 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the second bore portion is within the range 0.3390 - 0.3395 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the third bore portion is approximately 0.360 inches. In this embodiment, the diameter of the third bore portion is approximately 0.217 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the third bore portion is within the range 0.217 - 0.220 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the fourth bore portion is approximately 0.200 inches. In this embodiment, the diameter of the fourth bore portion is approximately 0.600 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the fourth bore portion is within the range 0.600 - 0.610 inches.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an orthographic projection of the indicator portion 10.

For convenience and ease of understanding, as described earlier above, In this embodiment, the shape of the indicator portion 10 is a shape that is produced by positioning a first, second and third cylinder such that the axes of the three cylinders are substantially aligned and such that the first cylinder is at one end of the second cylinder, and the third cylinder is at the other end of the second cylinder.

In this embodiment, the length of the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the total length of the three cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10) is approximately 0.317 inches. Preferably, the length of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.316-0.318 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the first of the cylinders (i.e. an end cylinder) that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is approximately 0.1 17 inches. Preferably, the length of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.1 16 - 0.1 18 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the diameter of the indicator portion 10 at the indicator first end 100) is approximately 0.580 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.570 - 0.580 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the second of the cylinders (i.e. the middle cylinder) that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is approximately 0.083 inches. Preferably, the length of the first of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.082 - 0.084 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the second of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is approximately 0.440 inches.

In this embodiment, the length of the third of the cylinders (i.e. an end cylinder) that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is approximately 0.1 17 inches. Preferably, the length of the third of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.1 16 - 0.1 18 inches.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the third of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the diameter of the indicator portion 10 at the indicator second end 102) is approximately 0.580 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the third of the cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10 is within the range 0.570 - 0.580 inches.

Thus, because the second (i.e. middle) cylinder that forms the shape of the indicator portion 10 has a smaller diameter than the first and third cylinders, the indicator, in effect, has an "indent" around its circumference. In other words, the shape of the indicator portion 10 may be thought of as a cylinder with a circumferential indent.

In this embodiment, the indicator bore 104 extends from its opening at the indicator first end 100 to its opening at the indicator second end 102. The axis of the indicator bore 104 is substantially aligned with the axis of the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the second plunger end 42 the axis of the indicator bore 104 is substantially aligned with the axis of each of the three cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10). The diameter of the indicator bore 104 is approximately 0.100 inches. Preferably the diameter of the indicator bore 104 is within the range 0.100-0.105 inches. Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a bolt 14 and a nut 16 protruding from a surface 18 of an entity that may have been fastened or fixed to another entity using the bolt a14 and nut 16.

In this embodiment, the bolt gauge 2 may be used to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of the bolt 14 and a nut 16 is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter.

Also, the bolt gauge may be used to determine whether or not the maximum distance that the bolt 14 and a nut 16 protrude from the surface is within a predefined tolerance range. Figure 7 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an embodiment of a method of using the above described bolt gauge 2 to assess the a bolt 14 and a nut 16.

At step s2, the opening of the body bore 84 at the body first end 80 is positioned over the bolt 14 and a nut 16. This may be such that the end of the bolt 14 is in contact with the plunger 4.

At step s4, the body portion 8 is pushed downwards (thereby compressing the spring 6).

If, when the opening of the body bore 84 at the body first end 80 is positioned over the bolt 14 and a nut 16 (e.g. such that the end of the bolt 14 is in contact with the plunger 4), the body portion 8 cannot be pushed downwards, this tends to be because the diameter of the nut 16 (and/or bolt 14) is larger than the diameter of the first bore portion (i.e. in this embodiment, larger than 0.490 inches). Thus, the bolt gauge 2 may be used to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of the bolt 14 and a nut 16 is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter (where the predefined threshold diameter is the diameter of the first bore portion i.e. 0.490 inches). In other embodiments, the diameter of the first bore portion may be a different value, thus a different predefined threshold diameter may be used.

However, if when the opening of the body bore 84 at the body first end 80 is positioned over the bolt 14 and a nut 16 (e.g. such that the end of the bolt 14 is in contact with the plunger 4), the body portion 8 can be pushed downwards, at step s4 the body portion 8 is pushed downwards such that the body first end 80 contacts the surface 18.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a cross section through the bolt gauge 2 after the body portion 8 is pushed downwards such that the body first end 80 contacts the surface 18. The downwards direction of movement of the body portion 8 is indicated in Figure 9 by solid arrows and the reference numeral 90.

As the body portion 8 is moved downwards towards the surface 18, the bolt 14 and nut 16 move further into the body bore 44 (in the direction from the body first end 80 to the body second end 82). The bolt 14 and/or nut 16 contact the plunger 4 inside the body bore 44 and push the plunger 4 along the body bore 44 towards the body second end 82. As the plunger 4 is coupled to the indicator portion 10 (by the screw 12), the indicator portion tends to be moved at least partially out of the opening of the body bore 44 at the body second end 82. Once the body first end 80 contacts the surface 18, further downwards movement of the body portion is opposed (by the surface 18) and the relative positions of the components 4-12 of the bolt gauge may be maintained by maintaining downwards pressure on the body portion 8. When the body portion 8 has been pushed downwards such that the body first end 80 contacts the surface 18, at step s6 it is determined whether or not the top (i.e. uppermost) surface of the body portion 8 (i.e. the body second end 82) is at the same level as the second cylinder that forms the shape of the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the same level as the "indent" of the indicator portion). This may be performed by a user 92 looking along the level of the top surface of the body portion (which is indicated in Figure 9 by a dotted line and the reference numeral 94).

If at step s6, it is determined that the body second end 82 is at the same level as the indent of the indicator portion 10, it may be determined that the maximum distance that the bolt 14 and a nut 16 protrude from the surface 18 is within a predefined tolerance range. However, if at step s6 it is determined that the body second end 82 is not at the same level as the indent of the indicator portion 10 (for example, the body second end 82 may be at the same level as the first or third cylinders that form the shape of the indicator portion 10), it may be determined that the maximum distance that the bolt 14 and a nut 16 protrude from the surface 18 is not within that predefined tolerance range.

The predefined tolerance range may be dependent upon the length of the plunger 4, the length of the body portion, the length of the indicator portion 10, and/or the position of the indent along the length of the indicator portion 10. In other embodiments, one or more of the length of the plunger 4, the length of the body portion, the length of the indicator portion 10, and/or the position of the indent along the length of the indicator portion 10 may have a different value to that described above such that the predefined tolerance range may be a different range. Also, the size of the predefined tolerance range is dependent upon the size of the indent in the indicator portion 10 (i.e. the length of the second cylinder that forms the shape of the indicator portion 10). In other embodiments, the indent in the indicator portion 10 may be a different size such that the predefined tolerance range is a different size.

Thus, a method of using the bolt gauge 2 to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of the bolt 14 and a nut 16 is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter, and to determine whether or not the maximum distance that the bolt 14 and a nut 16 protrude from the surface 18 is within a predefined tolerance range, is provided.

After use, the bolt gauge 2 may be moved away from the bolt 14, the nut 16, and the surface 18. The spring 6 will then tend to move the plunger 4 and/or indicator portion 10 back to their original positions relative to each other and the body portion 8.

Advantageously, the above described bolt gauge may be used to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of a bolt and/or a nut (or other fastener or similar protrusion) is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter. Also, above described bolt gauge may be used to determine whether or not the maximum distance that a bolt and/or a nut (or other fastener or similar protrusion) protrudes from a surface is within a predefined tolerance range. Thus, the bolt gauge may advantageously be used to assess whether a bolt and/or a nut (or other fastener or similar protrusion) satisfy two different criteria. This tends to be in contrast to conventional gauges which typical measure only one of these criteria. Furthermore, the two different criteria that the bolt gauge may be used to assess may be assessed simultaneously. Thus, a user requires only a single tool to assess two different criteria.

Advantageously, it tends to be possible to access parts being inspected using the above described bolt gauge compared to conventional gauges. This tends to reduce inspection times.

In the above embodiments, the components of the bolt gauge (i.e. the plunger, the spring, the body portion, the indicator portion, and the screw) have the shapes and dimensions described above with reference to Figures 1 to 9. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the components of the bolt gauge has a different appropriate shape and/or different appropriate dimensions.

In the above embodiments, the bolt gauge is used to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of a bolt and/or a nut is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter and also whether or not the maximum distance that a bolt and/or a nut protrudes from a surface is within a predefined tolerance range. However, in other embodiments, the bolt gauge may be used to determine whether or not the maximum diameter of a different type of protrusion is less than or equal to a predefined threshold diameter and/or whether or not the maximum distance that the different type of protrusion protrudes from a surface is within a predefined tolerance range. In other words, the bolt gauge may be a different type of gauge for assessing protrusions from a surface.

Claims

1 . A gauge (2) for measuring or testing a protrusion (14, 16) from a surface (18), the gauge (2) comprising: a collar (8) having an axial bore (84), the axial bore (84) having an opening at an end of the axial bore (84), the opening having a predetermined diameter; a member (4), the member (4) being slidably mounted within at least part of the axial bore (84); and an indicator means (10) coupled to the collar (8) and the member (4); wherein the collar (8) and the member (4) are coupled together such that: if the opening of the axial bore (84) is positioned over the protrusion (14, 16) being measured or tested and a diameter of the protrusion (14, 16) is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the opening, the collar (8) may be moved such that the protrusion (14,

16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); and if the opening of the axial bore (84) is positioned over the protrusion (14, 16) being measured or tested and a diameter of the protrusion (14, 16) is more than the predetermined diameter of the opening, the collar (8) may not be moved such that the protrusion is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); movement of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) causes the protrusion (14, 16) to contact the member (4) and the member (4) to be displaced relative to the collar (8); the indicator means (10) is configured to indicate whether or not the displacement of the member (4) relative to the collar (8) caused by the moving of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) is within a predetermined displacement range, thereby indicating whether or not the length of the protrusion (14, 16) from the surface (18) is within a predetermined length range; and the indicator means (10) and the member (4) are removably fixed together.

2. A gauge according to claim 1 , wherein the gauge (2) is a bolt gauge, and the protrusion (14, 16) comprises a bolt (16) and/or nut (16).

3. A gauge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a position of the indicator means (10) is substantially fixed relative to the member (4) such that movement of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) causes the indicator means (10) to be displaced relative to the collar (8).

4. A gauge according to claim 3, wherein whether or not the displacement of the member (4) relative to the collar (8) caused by the moving of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) is within a predetermined displacement range is indicated by the relative positions of the indicator means (10) and the collar (8) after the collar (8) has been moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18).

5. A gauge according to claim 4, wherein the indicator means (10) is slidably mounted within at least part of the axial bore (84); the axial bore (84) has a further opening at a further end of the axial bore (84), the further end of the axial bore (84) being an opposite end to the end of the axial bore (84) at which the opening is located; movement of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) causes at least part of the indicator means (10) to be moved out of the axial bore (84) from the further end of the axial bore (84); and whether or not the displacement of the member (4) relative to the collar (8) caused by moving of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) is within a predetermined displacement range is indicated by the relative positions of the indicator means (10) and the further end of the axial bore (84) after the collar (8) has been moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18).

6. A gauge according to claim 5, wherein the indicator means (10) comprises one or more indications that specify the predetermined displacement range; and whether or not the displacement of the member (4) Relative to the collar (8) caused by moving of the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18) is within the predetermined displacement range is indicated by the relative positions of the one or more indications and the further end of the axial bore (84) after the collar (8) has been moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18).

7. A gauge according to claim 5, wherein the one or more indications comprises a notch on the indicator means (10).

8. A gauge according to any of claims 1 to 7, the gauge further comprising a spring (6), the spring (6) being configured to, if the collar (8) is moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is not within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is not in contact with the surface (18), move the member (4) to its original position relative to the collar (8).

9. A gauge according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the indicator means (10) and the member (4) are removably fixed together by means of a screw (12).

10. A gauge according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the collar (8) is substantially cylindrical in shape.

1 1 . A gauge according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gauge is made of metal.

12. A method of using a gauge (2) to measure or test a protrusion (14, 16), the protrusion (14, 16) being from a surface (18), the gauge (2) being in accordance with any of claims 1 to 1 1 , the method comprising: positioning the opening of the axial bore (84) over the protrusion (14, 16) being measured or tested; moving or attempting to move the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is at least partially within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); and if the collar (8) can be moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18), concluding that a diameter of the protrusion (14, 16) is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the opening; or if the collar (8) cannot be moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18), concluding that a diameter of the protrusion (14, 16) is greater than the predetermined diameter of the opening.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the collar (8) can be moved such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); and the method further comprises: moving the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); and using the indicator means (10), determining whether or not the length of the protrusion (14, 16) from the surface (18) is within a predetermined length range.

14. A method of using a gauge (2) to measure or test a protrusion (14, 16), the protrusion (14, 16) being from a surface (18), the gauge (2) being in accordance with any of claims 1 to 1 1 , the method comprising: positioning the opening of the axial bore (84) over the protrusion (14, 16) being measured or tested; moving the collar (8) such that the protrusion (14, 16) is wholly within the axial bore (84) and the collar (8) is in contact with the surface (18); and using the indicator means (10), determining whether or not the length of the protrusion (14, 16) from the surface (18) is within a predetermined length range.