Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
  • G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
  • G01B3/1084—Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
  • G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
  • G01B3/1061—Means for displaying or assisting reading of length measurement
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
  • G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
  • G01B3/1084—Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths
  • G01B3/1089—Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths for marking, drawing or cutting
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
  • G01B3/10—Measuring tapes
  • G01B3/1061—Means for displaying or assisting reading of length measurement
  • G01B2003/1064—Windows, e.g. lenses, glasses or cross-hairs

Definitions

• U.S. Patent No. US 6 694 622 B2 as of 02.24.2004 includes a measuring and marking mechanism, i.e., a pencil inserted in front of the tape.
• a measuring and marking mechanism i.e., a pencil inserted in front of the tape.
• this solution is not very convenient if 1.5 rn or longer dimensions are to be marked, in addition, as described in the patent mentioned above, the inserted pencil is characterised with a certain degree of looseness, which results in inaccurate marking.
• patent No. US 6 725 560 B2 as of 04.27.2004 features a fairly good marking mechanism, but a pencil attached with a special housing is a bit clumsy and inconvenient when removing and putting into the pocket. Apart from the fact that it can mark fairly accurately, this tape is no guarantee for a greater accuracy than conventional measuring tapes.
• the nearest prototype is a fairly good and accurate measurement and marking mechanism as described in Patent No, US 6 938 354 B2 as of 06.09.2005.
• it has some drawbacks: first, scoring may not be performed on all surfaces, e.g., ceramic tiles, stone, etc., and score lines are not bright enough to cut along, e.g., with an electric circular saw.
• the tape described in the patent is not safe as there is always the risk of injury by a sharp marker when carrying, let alone using it.
• the embodiment of this patent is also comprised of a measuring tape, the tape housing and appropriate measuring surfaces.
• the construction industry uses a standard, common measuring tape. It can be used for measuring, but marking is not always easy and simple. Marking is performed by placing the retractable tape on a flat horizontal surface. Flowever, it is difficult to do so on another surface, e.g., on the wall or on the ceiling, where both hands must keep the retractable tape and mark the required length at the same time.
• a measurement error is possible due to natural factors such as hands shaking when marking, poor lighting, poor or weak vision of the user or just by looking at the measuring tape at a wrong angle.
• various devices e.g., callipers
• 1-10 mm and sometimes higher error is allowed as low-cost and accurate measuring instruments are usually not available when measuring large distances. This is particularly undesirable when accuracy is required.
• the measuring tape described herein does not have above-mentioned drawbacks. It may be used by people with poor eyesight or in low light conditions. Hand-shaking will also not have any effect on measuring.
• the tape measure enables quick and accurate determination of the desired dimension, and by marking repeat it easily many times. The measured distance is clearly shown in zoom on a special display. A pencil inserted in a special slot eliminates any hand-shake effect on the accuracy of marking. Measurement with this tape is very simple, fast and accurate. The tape ensures a very fast, accurate and easy measurement and marking on a horizontal, vertical or diagonal surface, wall or ceiling surface. Furthermore, this tape measure allows for a high precision (with an exactitude up to millimetres) measurement not only on the outer surface e.g., boards, panels from one side to the other, but also the inside surface of two parallel or non-parallel walls.
• the marking instrument of the tape measure may be easily changed: one can insert a glass cutter, a knife or an awl into the same slot.
• affixes/adapters may be used for depth measurement, or for copying/moving the contours of a curved and uneven surface, e.g., a wall or a skirting-board, onto a blank.
• a special affix for angle measurement allows to measure an angle of inclination and a distance to the given point simultaneously.
• Fig. 2 tape measure with marking pencils inserted.
• Fig. 3 tape measure with rails 27.
• Fig. 5 tape measure with affix-adapter 1 .
• Fig. 6 tape measure adapter with an angle gauge.
• Fig. 7 - an affix allowing the measurement in x and y systems simultaneously.
• Fig. 9 external measurement of an object.
• Fig. 10 measurement of internal objects.
• Fig. 11 measurement with affix 17.
• Fig. 15 - an affix allowing the measurement on x and y coordinate axes simultaneously.
• Fig. 16 angle measurement on x and y coordinate axes.
• Fig. 1 shows a tape measure consisting of housing 1, measuring tape 2, measuring tape hook 14. It is important to identify the measurement planes 3, 4, 5 and 6, which are directly involved in both measurement and marking. Plane 4 and 5 always show/measure the external dimensions of the surface measured (boards, panels, boxes, etc.), whereas plane 3 and 6 always show/measure the interior dimensions, e.g., distances between two parallel walls. In some cases plane 3 and 5 or 4 and 6 are involved in measurement or marking (as described below).
• Pencil insertion slot 9 is in the front part of the tape housing, and slot 10 is on the rear side.
• Pencil 7 may be the usual wooden one, seated in a special nozzle-holder, or a mechanical one with replaceable graphite core, or conventional wooden one with grooves along the body. The grooves on the pencil body or the nozzle-holder exactly match the rails 27 on the tape housing or on the tape hook (Fig. 3). Pencil 7 is fastened/secured in the slot with hook 8 to a specially designed loop/staple 21 (Fig. 1) or fixed by any other snap lock.
• Pencil slot 9 and 10 is cambered so that the graphite core of inserted pencil 7 is located exactly in line with plane 5 or 6 (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 respectively). Therefore, line 15 drawn by the pencil in slot 9 coincides with reference plane 5, whereas line 16 drawn by the pencil in slot 10 coincides with reference plane 6.
• the tape housing has screen-display 11 which shows the distance from measuring hook 14, plane 4 or plane 3 to measurement plane 5. Display 11 is used to determine external dimensions of objects measured.
• screen-display 12 showing the distance from plane 3 or plane 4 to plane 6 and is used for measuring internal dimensions (e.g., the distance between two walls, internal dimensions of a cabinet or a cupboard).
• Displays 11 and 12 can be made from magnifying-glass, thus enabling people with poor eyesight to use the measure tape. Moreover, displays 11 and 12 can have a LED or another light source 13, which allows the use of the measuring instrument in cases of poor visibility.
• the LED can be mounted on the housing 1 or side wall 23 or 22. There may be one display for both external and internal dimensions, but there may also be two displays.
• Tape housing 1 may be transparent in cases when measurements are earned out in an uncomfortable position and there is no possibility to view screen-display 11 or 12. Then, the dimensions can be read on the transparent rear side of the housing, using indicator-pointer 24. However, to determine the exact dimensions, it is necessary to link the dimensions of pointer 24 with readings on display 11 or 12. Furthermore, housing 1 can be marked at 1-cm intervals: upwards “ ⁇ 1 cm”, “-2 cm”, “-3 cm”, etc., and downwards - to the end of the housing "+1 cm”, “+2 cm”, “+3 cm”, etc. respectively. Turning arrow 24 to mark "+2 cm” will add 2 cm to the readings of the pointer.
• display 12 can rotate around the central axis Fig.2 (a). It can be fixed at any point, but it ma also be fastened very precisely in its original position by a special snap lock.
• affix-adapter 17 sliding shifting along the housing, which may also have scale 18 showing how much the affix is pushed out forward or backward (Fig.5 and Fig. l ib).
• Affixes 17 may be very diverse, and they are intended for additional functions. They move along the tape housing (forward and backward) on special rails 30 (Fig. 5), and may be completely removed and replaced with other ones, carrying out other measuring or marking functions.
• the replacement of affix-adapter ⁇ 7 with respective side wall 22 enables the change of scale 18 to an inch scale or any other (Vernier scale may be used when very precise measuring of small distances is needed, Fig. 11, b, or similar). If an adapter is used with a specialized scale 18, it can be without notches 37 or with special notches matching the specific measurement requirements (Fig. 5).
• Affixes 17 may have various purposes: depth measure, with a narrow ruler/pin 19 (Fig.12); or copying uneven figurative surfaces (Fig. 13). Affixes may be used for marking small 1-50 mm distances (Fig. 11, b), to measure angles (Fig. 6 and Fig. 14) etc. An affix may be designed for stationary fixation of the tape, e.g., to the worktop, when repetitive measurement of length or angle is needed (Fig. 14).
• the housing 1 of the measuring tape is basic, it has a right 22 and left 23 side, which are fixed completely identically and are mutually interchangeable. Fastening of sides 22 and 23 may be carried out by a shifting movement, through special rails from top to bottom, and at the terminal position a snap-hook is used for fixation (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). On side wall 22, marking instruments - pencils, etc. are fastened on one side, on the other side wall 23 there is a hook enabling attachment to the belt. However, the pencils may also be inserted on the belt hook attachment side 23 (Fig. 2, a). This is convenient when carried out only measurement, just the measure tape is removed, leaving the entire side 23 with pencils on the belt. In this case, the tape side wall 23 could serve as a pencil holder. Also, slot 10 intended for the pencil may be on the back side 1 of the housing (Fig. 4, b).
• Fig.2 Slots 9 and 10 in the tape housing have surfaces incurved according to the pencil form inasmuch as the line drawn by the graphite tip of inserted pencil 7 would match exactly measurement plane 5 or 6. if pencil 7 is in slot 9, dra wn line 15 coincides with measurement plane 5, and if the pencil is in slot 10, drawn line 16 coincides exactly with plane 6.
• pencil is raised or totally released (Fig, 2).
• the pencil in slot 9 or 10 can be fixed by a scrolling/swiping movement from top to bottom or vice versa, from bottom to top (depending on the selected fixation method) until the hook 8 engages in a special loop/staple 21.
• it can be mounted on special rails 27 (Fig. 3), if pencil housing 7 have special grooves corresponding to the form of the rails.
• the moving hook 14 may be replaced by fixed one. If fixed hook 14 is used, the indicator mark 25 & 26 may be used on screens 11 and 12, wherein the distance between them is equal to the thickness of tape hook 14 (in this example it is equivalent to 2 mm). These reference marks are designed to compensate for the thickness of the hook.
• mark 25 of display 11 shows external dimensions, i.e., the distance is equal 50 mm (distance between measurement plane 4 and 5), and mark 26 shows the dimensions between measurement planes 3 and 5, i.e., the distance equals to 52 mm (which could be called “internal-external” or “mixed” dimensions; plane 3 is designed to measure internal dimensions, and plane 5 - external dimensions).
• Mark 25 of display 12 indicates the distance between planes 4 and 6, which is 125 mm
• mark 26 indicates the distance between planes 3 and 6, which is 127 mm. This would allow to fix hook 14 of tape 2 and to increase the accuracy (looseness of the hook increases due to long-lasting use and brings additional error) and to simplify the alignment/calibration during the manufacture process.
• Tape housing 1 features scale/display 11 and/or 12 showing the total length measured (may be only one of them or both).
• scale 11 shows external dimensions of the area measured (measurement/reference planes 4 and 5 are involved in the measurement)
• scale 12 shows interior dimensions (e.g., between door frames, between two parallel walls, etc.), measurement/reference planes 3 and 6 are involved in the measurement.
• Screen/display 12 shows the lower part of the tape, wherein cm, mm or inches are marked so that the reference mark 26 (when the tape is contracted/retracted inside) shows the length of the tape housing, in this case it is 75 mm (Fig. 2).
• the tape measure may have only one display (as is convenient for the producer) 11 or 12. Then, the tape should have digits marked for external and internal measurements respectively.
• Fig. 4 (a) shows: the number scale for external dimensions on tape 2 on indicator mark 25 starts at 0 when the tape is fully retracted inside (it is the distance between measurement planes 4 and 5). The distance measured on the left side of tape 2 as shown in this example is equal to 114 mm, and they are shown on display 12 indicator mark 25, if only display 12 is used. Alternatively, the dimensions are shown on display 11, Fig. 4 (b), if only display 11 is used. Numbers showing internal measurements (the distance between plane 3 and 6) on the right side of tape 2. Those numbers at the beginning of the tape start with the number corresponding the size/length of the tape housing (it is the distance between measurement planes 5 and 6); in this example it is 75 mm. Thus, numbers at n
• the distance between planes 4 and 5 reflects/defines the external dimensions of an object
• the distance between planes 3 and 6 reflects/defines the internal dimensions of an object.
• both display 11 and display 12 shall have two marks 25 and 26.
• mark 25 shows the distance from measurement plane 4 to measurement plane 5 or 6
• mark 26 shows the distance from measurement plane 3 to measurement plane 5 or 6.
• Marks 25 and 26 are intended to compensate the thickness of hook 14 of tape 2 as the distance between mark 25 and 26 is equal to the thickness of hook 14 (Fig. 4).
• Affix/adapter 17 itself may slide along housing 1 and may be fixed in any position.
• the fixation may be carried out as follows: tape housing 1 and adapter 17 have 1 -mm pitch notches 36 and 37 respectively, spring 38 presses adapter 17 down, and notches 37 of adapter 17 are permanently engaged with notches 36 at the bottom of tape housing 1, when pressing adapter 17 upwards (as indicated by the arrow) spring 38 is compressed and the notches 37 rise in relation to notches 36. Then, adapter 17 on rails 30 freely moves along the housing. Since the notches feature a 1-mm pitch, the adapter may be pushed with exactitude of 1 mm.
• the accuracy of adapter shift equals the pitch of the notches, and if the notches have a 0,5-mm pitch, its exactitude will equal 0,5 mm etc.
• the distance adapter 17 is pushed forward or backward is shown on scale 18. If adapter 17 is pushed only forward, this shift will be show on both scale 11 and scale 12 as shifting forward will also push tape 2.
• Affix 17 can be moved in various ways, for example by using the worm gear etc.
• rails 30 may be both on the outside (Fig. 5) and on the inside (Fig. 6).
• Fig. 5 shows an affix with a pin/ruler 19 with scale 29, showing the distance the ruler 19 is pushed out of the adapter housing to the outside.
• the pin/ruler may be used to measure depth, to copy uneven surfaces, etc.
• this affix may feature a pair of rails 39, which may have an additional measuring or marking instrument, if necessary to mark two parallel lines at a set distance.
• a cutter, pin/ruler 19, etc. may also be inserted here (Fig. 5).
• Affixes which extend the measurement capabilities, may be different. They can be both mechanical and digital. Here are a few possible uses.
• Fig. 6 shows the adapter with an angle gauge.
• the adapter for angle measurement is composed of two parts: upper part 31, which is connected with housing 1 through rails 30 and rotates freely about axis 35, and lower part 32.
• Part 32 of the adapter for angle measurement rotates about axis 35, which has cylinder 34 marked in degrees and rigidly secured/connected with upper part 31 of the adapter, and through this part and rails 30 to the entire tape housing 1.
• arrow 33 shows the rotation angle in degrees in relation to the fixed affix part 31 of cylinder 34 and the whole housing 1.
• adapter 32 may have fixation 41 to hang on a nail or a wood screw head in case if tape is secured statically on the surface of a panel or worktop, when it comes to continuous measurement of an angle or distances from a specified point (Fig. 14) (Fig. 6).
• Fig. 7 shows an affix allowing the measurement on x and y coordinate axes simultaneously.
• affix 43 features wheel 46, which is rotating through the gears and spinning the decimal counter disks 44, and the measurement is read at interval 45.
• the tape measure can simultaneously measure both the x and y coordinate axes (Fig. 15).
• This affix may measure the length of curved surfaces: the length of semicircles (different arches), circumferences, etc.
• the counter can be reset at any time. It is convenient when you need to repeat the measurement at a certain distance, e.g.: 186 mm (Fig. 15) (Fig. 7).
• adapter 17 may have a LED, a mini laser or another light source 48 illuminating the tape 2, say, from the bottom through transparent display 50, and adjacent light signal receiver-recorder 49 "catches" the beam reflected from the tape. If the laser beam illuminates the part of the tape with marked millimeters (or even smaller sections, if greater accuracy is required), the distance the tape was pulled out or retracted may be recorded following the functioning principle of the bar-code scanner.
• the digital counter counts pulses and displays them on the LCD which may be positioned on the top of the housing (Fig, 7) instead of indicator 45 or on the side of the tape housing 20 (Fig. 1).
• Fig. 9 shows external measurement of an object.
• a measured object, board, panel, stone blank, etc. is as if clamped in a press between the inner side of tape 2 hook 14 (plane 4) and the front edge of the tape housing (plane 5),
• the external dimensions are read on display 11, in this case the dimensions are 101.0 mm. If the tape measure with fixed hook 2 is used, external dimensions are read against mark 25. Differently from usual tapes, this tape, as shown in the figure, allows for precise measurement of objects with rounded edges (Fig. 9),
• Fig. 10 shows the scanning/determination of internal measurements.
• the outer side (plane 3) of tape 2 hook 14 is pressed against the edge of an object measured, for example, the door frame, and the rear side/edge of the tape housing (plane 6) is pressed against the other edge of the frame.
• the tape is held taut when readings of the distance measured are taken against mark 26 on display 12, in this example it is 389 mm. This is very fast, accurate and simple. Also, unlike conventional measuring tapes, it is possible to measure the surface with rounded edges (Fig. 0).
• Fig. 11 the marking is carried out as follows: (a) - pencil 7 is inserted into slot 9, by hooking tape 2 hook 14 by the edge of the plate (plane 4 is pressed against the edge of the plate), the tape is pulled out until display 11 shows the desired length dimension against mark 25 (e.g., 102 mm), then the tape brake is blocked, the tape housing is slightly pressed to the plate so that pencil 7 graphite would leave a mark on the plate, and is shifted in the direction of the arrow as far as necessary, and pencil 7 leaves mark 15 on the surface measured.
• line 15 drawn by pencil 7 matches reference plane 5
• mark 25 on display 11 shows the distance between plane 4 and 5, which is 102 mm (Fig. 11).
• the pencil may as well be in slot 10, depending on the convenience of the situation, then, the readings of the length measured are shown on display 12.
• Adapter/affix 17 may have additional scale 18, if marking needed from 1 mm to 50-60 mm. It is convenient to use it as shown on Fig, 11- (b). Affix 17 is pushed forward as much as necessary, for example, 14.0 mm. Pencil 7 is inserted into slot 10 and after pressing the tape as shown o the figure, line 16 is drawn along the plate. Affix 17 displacement can be measured on scale 18, or display/screen 11, or on display 12 against mark 25, as affix 17 is pushed forward as much as the tape 2, i.e., 14 mm.
• an adapter with a longer supporting plane 31 and 32 may be used, as well as stabilisers 38 of tape 2 that minimise the looseness of tape 2, or a conventional angle measurement device, which may be attached to the tape, i.e., having special rails 30, may be used as well (Fig. 14).
• a conventional angle measurement device which may be attached to the tape, i.e., having special rails 30, may be used as well (Fig. 14).
• the whole tape housing is pushed in relation to the adapter to the extent the measurement plane (in this case plane 6) precisely coincides with angle measurement axis 35. Then, the distance measured is read on display 12. Fixing a pencil on tape hook 14 allows for marking the angle and the distance simultaneously (Fig. 14).
• Fig. 15 shows an affix allowing the measurement on x and y coordinate axes simultaneously.
• the tape with affix 43 (Fig. 7) has wheel 46 in the front. By pressing it to the edge of the surface measured and freely scrolling down the surface, wheel 46 rotates through the gears and turns counter disks 44, and the measurement is read at interval-indicator 45 (Fig. 7),
• the tape measure with such affix may simultaneously measure on two x and y coordinate axes, wherein display 11 shows the distance to the measured object, in this example it is 407 mm, and at the same time we see the distance from the plate edge to the current position of the tape, in this case 186 mm.
• the counter can be reset at any time. This is convenient when repeating the measurement at a certain distance, e.g., 100 mm, etc. (Fig. 15).
• the adapter 17 can be equipped with rails allowing to scroll along special ruler 52 and thus enabling it to measure on the x and y coordinate axes and to measure an angle (Fig.16).
• Figures 1-16 show the overall image of the tape as well as its individual components and their mutual interactions.
• the most important advantages of the present invention are a high accuracy of measurement and a lot of possibilities to easure a wide range of distances, both small and large.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Tape Measures (AREA)
• A Measuring Device Byusing Mechanical Method (AREA)
• Length-Measuring Instruments Using Mechanical Means (AREA)

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Cited By (4)

Citations (5)

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• 2014
  • 2014-09-24 LT LT2014108A patent/LT6272B/lt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2015
  • 2015-09-22 WO PCT/LT2015/000007 patent/WO2016048125A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-09-22 DE DE212015000140.7U patent/DE212015000140U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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