阅读说明：本技术 从柔性卷尺获得准确测量值的装置 (Device for obtaining accurate measurement value from flexible tape measure ) 是由 S·J·卡彭 于 2020-04-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于从柔性卷尺(2)获得准确测量值的装置(16),其中,所述测量是从第一位置(8)到第二位置,并且其中第二位置(12)需要卷尺(2)弯曲一角度,所述装置(16)包括：(i)用于接收卷尺(2)的主体部分；(ii)将装置(20)固定在所述卷尺(2)上的固定器件(20)；(iii)能够定位在第二位置(12)处的测量结构(22),并且所述装置(12)是这样的：(iv)该装置(16)能够定位在卷尺(2)上,使得测量结构(22)位于所述第二位置(12)处；(v)固定器件(20),其暂时固定装置(16)而不相对于卷尺(2)移动,由此卷尺(2)能够从第二位置(12)移除并且不再弯曲所述角度；和(vi)从第一位置(8)到第二位置(12)的测量值与从第一位置(8)到测量结构(22)的测量值相同,因此在测量时在卷尺(2)没有弯曲所述角度的情况下能够获得从第一位置(8)到第二位置(12)的测量值。(An apparatus (16) for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape measure (2), wherein the measurements are from a first position (8) to a second position, and wherein the second position (12) requires the tape measure (2) to be bent through an angle, the apparatus (16) comprising: (i) a body portion for receiving a tape measure (2); (ii) -fixing means (20) for fixing the device (20) to the tape measure (2); (iii) a measurement structure (22) positionable at a second location (12), and the apparatus (12) is such that: (iv) the device (16) being positionable on the tape measure (2) such that the measuring formation (22) is located at the second position (12); (v) a securing means (20) which temporarily secures the device (16) against movement relative to the tape measure (2), whereby the tape measure (2) can be removed from the second position (12) and no longer bent through said angle; and (vi) the measurement from the first position (8) to the second position (12) is the same as the measurement from the first position (8) to the measuring structure (22), so that the measurement from the first position (8) to the second position (12) can be obtained without bending the tape measure (2) through said angle when measuring.)

1. An apparatus for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape, wherein the measurements are taken from a first position to a second position, and wherein the second position requires the tape to be bent through an angle, the apparatus comprising:

(i) a body portion for receiving the tape measure;

(ii) fixing means for fixing the device to the tape measure;

(iii) a measurement structure positionable at the second location,

and the apparatus is such that:

(iv) the device being positionable on the tape measure such that the measuring structure is located at the second position;

(v) the securing means temporarily securing the device against movement relative to the tape measure whereby the tape measure can be removed from the second position and no longer bent through the angle; and

(vi) the measurement from the first position to the second position is the same as the measurement from the first position to the measuring structure, so that the measurement from the first position to the second position can be obtained without the tape being bent through the angle at the time of measurement.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is positionable on a tape by being slidable along the tape so that the measuring structure is in the second position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing means is integrally formed with the body portion.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is a securing means biased to a securing position which can temporarily secure the device to the tape measure.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion has an upper surface with a profile complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the tape measure, whereby the device fits securely onto the tape measure along its length.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the profile is a concave profile.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means has a clamping arrangement for increasing the clamping force with which the securing means secures the device to the tape measure.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the clamping structure is configured for engaging tape measures of different widths.

9. The device of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the gripping structure is a series of ribs.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the measuring formation is a straight edge which enables measurement readings to be taken across the width of the tape and thereby along both longitudinal edges of the tape.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein there are two straight edges, and wherein there is one straight edge at each of the opposing ends of the body portion.

12. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion has an opening, and wherein the securing means is located on the opening.

13. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion comprises attachment means for attaching the device to a mount.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the attachment means is a hole.

15. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a recess for receiving a removable scraper.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape measure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape measure when the tape measure is required to be bent through an angle during a measurement.

Background

Flexible tape measures are well known. One well known type of flexible tape measure used in the industry is a retractable flexible steel tape measure. Another known flexible tape measure, which is more used for domestic use, is a roll-type flexible tape measure made of a fabric or plastic material.

When measuring from a first position to a second position, it sometimes occurs that the second position requires the flexible tape measure to be bent through an angle. Typically this occurs when the second location is a wall or post which prevents the tape measure from extending beyond the wall or post, thus requiring the tape measure to be bent up along the post. In the case where the tape is bent at an angle, it is difficult to obtain accurate measurement values because the measurement values must be obtained from the bent portion of the tape when the tape is extended by the desired angle. Approximations are always taken and are often inaccurate. In many cases, inaccurate measurements are unacceptable. A typical such situation is the glass industry, where glass may need to fit precisely in a frame, and the frame may need to fit precisely in a hole in a building.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or reduce the above problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape measure, wherein measurements are taken from a first position to a second position, and wherein the second position requires the tape measure to be bent through an angle, the apparatus comprising:

(i) a body portion for receiving a tape measure;

(ii) fixing means for fixing the device to the tape measure;

(iii) a measurement structure positionable at a second location,

and the apparatus is such that:

(iv) the device being positionable on the tape measure such that the measuring structure is in the second position;

(v) the fixing means temporarily fixes the device against movement relative to the tape measure, whereby the tape measure can be removed from the second position and no longer bent through an angle; and is

(vi) The measured value from the first position to the second position is the same as the measured value from the first position to the measuring structure, whereby the measured value from the first position to the second position can be obtained without bending the tape at said angle during the measurement.

The device of the invention can avoid the error caused by measurement when the tape measure is bent for an angle. Typically, this angle is 90 °, but may be various other angles depending on the type of object that needs to be measured. Furthermore, the device is easy to use.

The device may be one in which the device is locatable on the tape by being slidable along the tape such that the measuring structure is in the second position. The device may be otherwise positioned on the tape measure if desired. The sliding movement is preferred because it is simple and the device remains attached to the tape measure during use of the device.

Preferably, the securing means is integrally formed with the body portion. However, the securing means may be formed separately from the body portion if desired.

The apparatus may be one in which the securing means is a securing means biased to a securing position which is capable of temporarily securing the apparatus to the tape measure. The bias may be provided by the structure of the fixation device, e.g. as an integral part of the body portion, and/or the bias may be due to the material from which the fixation device is made. Other types of securing means may be employed such that, for example, the securing means may be a clamp securing means operable between open and closed positions.

The device may be one in which the body portion has an upper surface with a profile complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the tape measure, whereby the device fits securely to the tape measure along the length of the tape measure. The profile may be a concave profile, for example in the case where the tape measure is a flexible steel tape measure having a concave profile in cross-section.

The fixing means may have a clamping arrangement for increasing the clamping force with which the fixing means fixes the apparatus to the tape measure. The gripping structure may be configured for engaging tape measures of different widths. This facilitates use of the device on tape measures of different widths.

The gripping structure may be a series of ribs. Other types of clamping structures may be employed.

The measuring formations may be straight edges which enable measurement readings to be taken across the width of the tape measure and thus along both longitudinal edges of the tape measure. With such a straight-sided measuring arrangement, readings can be readily obtained in two different measuring modes, such as english and metric measurements, which are typically given along two opposite longitudinal sides of the tape measure. Other units of measurement may be used. There may be two straight edges in the device and one straight edge at each of the opposite ends of the body portion. The measurement structure may not be a straight edge, if desired. In case the measuring structure is a straight edge, the straight edge may form one end of the body portion. The straight edge may be positioned elsewhere on the device if desired.

The device may be a molding device. In this case, the device may be moulded from a plastics material, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Alternatively, the device may be made of metal, such as stainless steel. The device may be cast from metal or may be stamped from sheet metal. In general, the device may be made of any suitable and appropriate material.

In which the body portion may have an opening and the securing means may be located over the opening. Such openings may facilitate in-line molding of the device if the device is a molding device.

The body portion may comprise attachment means for attaching the device to the mount. The device may thus be attached to a mount for storage, such as a key ring or a nail on a wall. The attachment means is preferably a hole. Other types of attachment means, such as clips, may be employed.

The device may be one in which the device is formed as a business card for additionally providing a commercial promotion facility. For example, when the card is formed as a business card, business details may be provided on the reverse side of the card.

The device may comprise a recess for receiving a removable scraper. The doctor blade may be a doctor blade. Providing a removable doctor blade may be particularly useful for certain industries, such as the glass industry and the decoration industry.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a flexible tape measure requiring bending through an angle to obtain a measurement;

figure 2 shows the tape measure of the situation of figure 1 but provided with the first means of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first device of the present invention after it has been moved away from the angular position shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device of fig. 4, but rotated 180 and showing the holes in the body portion of the device.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the device shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the device of fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the device shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows the device as shown in fig. 8, and optionally provided with a removable scraper in the form of a scraper blade;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of a second device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 10;

fig. 12 is an end view of the device of fig. 10.

FIG. 13 shows the use of the device of FIG. 10 in the left hand corner of the window frame; and is

Fig. 14 shows the use of the device of fig. 10 at the right hand corner of the window frame.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a tape measure 2 which forms part of a well-known rolled steel flexible tape measure which is extendable and retractable into a housing. The tape measure 2 is shown bent through an angle of 90 deg. resulting from measurements that need to be taken at right angles to the sides 4, 6 of the object. Measurements with the tape measure 2 are taken from a first position 8 at the free end 10 of the tape measure 2 to a second position 12 in the angle defined by the sides 4, 6. The two sides 4, 6 may form part of an object, such as a window frame, door frame or cabinet. As can be seen in figure 1, the second position 12 requires the tape measure 2 to be bent through an angle of 90. This results in the tape measure 2 having a curve 14 at the location where the measurement is required. This curve 14 means that the exact distance from the first position 8 to the second position 12 needs to be a visual estimate. This can lead to measurement inaccuracies, which are generally undesirable and may be unacceptable in some industries.

Referring now to fig. 2-9, the apparatus 16 of the present invention is shown. For ease of comparison and understanding, similar components to those in FIG. 1 have been given the same reference numerals.

The device 16 is used to obtain accurate measurements from the flexible tape measure 2 from the first position 8 to the second position 12. The second position 12 requires the tape 2 to be bent through an angle. As shown, the angle at which the tape is bent is 90 ° and this requires that the tape 2 has the same curve 14 as in figure 1. The device 16 comprises a body portion 18 for receiving the tape measure 2. The apparatus 16 further comprises securing means 20 for securing the apparatus 16 to the tape measure 2. The device 16 further comprises a measurement structure 22 positionable at the second location 12.

The device 16 may be positioned on the tape measure 2 such that the measuring structure 22 is in the second position 12. The securing means 20 temporarily secures the device 16 against movement relative to the tape 2, whereby the tape 2 can be removed from the second position 12 and no longer bent through that angle.

As shown in fig. 2, when the measurement structure 22 is in the second position 12, the measurement from the first position 8 to the second position 12 is the same as the measurement from the first position 8 to the measurement structure 22. Figure 3 shows the tape measure 2 and the device 16 moved from the position shown in figure 2 and enabling the tape measure 2 to extend in a straight line. During this movement, the securing means 20 ensures that the device 16 does not move relative to the tape measure 2. In the position shown in figure 3, the exact position of the tape measure 2 relative to the measuring structure 22 can be readily seen and accurately measured. Thus, measurements from the first position 8 to the second position 12 can be taken by the device 16 without the tape 2 bending to the angle which results in the curve 14 when measured. Thus, the device 16 is able to avoid errors obtained by approximating the measurements, since the measurements are made with the curve 14 in place. As shown in fig. 3, accurate measurements can be easily obtained simply because the second location 12 is defined by the measurement structure 22.

The device 16 is positionable on the tape measure 2 by being slidable along the tape measure 2 such that the measuring structure 22 is in the second position. The device 16 can be easily positioned on the tape measure 2 and slid along the tape measure 2 so that the device 16 can be easily moved to the second position as shown in figure 2 with one hand 24.

The securing device 20 is integrally formed with the body portion 18. The securing means 20 is the securing means 20 biased to a securing position which enables the device 16 to be temporarily secured to the tape measure 2.

As best understood from figure 4, the body portion 18 has an upper surface 26, the upper surface 26 having a profile which is complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the tape measure 2. This enables the device 16 to be securely fitted to the tape 2 along the length of the tape 2. As shown in fig. 4, the profile is a concave profile 28. The tape measure 2 has a complementary concave profile.

As shown in fig. 4, 5 and 7, the fixing means 20 has a clamping structure 30 for increasing the clamping force by which the fixing means 20 fixes the apparatus 16 to the tape measure 2. The clip formation 30 is configured to engage tape measures 2 of different widths. This is advantageous because the known tape measures 2 are manufactured in different widths. As shown, the gripping structure 30 is a series of ribs 32.

The measuring structure 22 is a straight edge which enables measurement readings to be taken across the width of the tape measure 2 and thus along both longitudinal edges 34, 36 of the tape measure 2. Thus, the measuring arrangement 22 enables readings to be readily taken from two different measuring scales, which are typically provided along the longitudinal edges 34, 36 of known tape measures. As shown, one longitudinal side gives an english size and the other longitudinal side gives a metric size. A measurement formation 22 in the form of a straight edge is located at one end of the body portion 18 as best understood from figure 3.

The device 16 is a molded device 16, which may be made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene or ABS. The body portion 18 has an opening 38 as best understood from fig. 5. The securing device 20 is located over the opening 38. The opening 38 is an optional feature that facilitates in-line molding of the device 16 from plastic material.

The body portion 18 includes attachment means in the form of a hole 40 for attaching the device 16 to a mount, such as a key ring or a nail on a wall.

The device 16 may be formed as a business card for additional provision of commercial promotional facilities. For example, commercial details may be provided on the underside of the device 16.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the device 16 is optionally provided with a recess 42 for receiving a removable doctor blade in the form of a doctor blade 44.

Referring now to fig. 10-12, there is shown an apparatus 46 for obtaining accurate measurements from a flexible tape measure 2. Device 46 can be used in the same manner as device 16. The device 46 includes a body portion 48 for receiving a tape measure, a securing means 50 for securing the device 46 to the tape measure, and a measuring structure 52. The measurement structure 52 may be positioned at the second location 12 shown in fig. 1 and 2.

The device 46 is made of stainless steel. The body portion 48 has an upper surface 54 provided with a measurement scale 56. The body portion 48 has a lower surface 58 which may also be provided with a measurement scale 56. The measurement scale or scales 56 may be metric or english measurements as desired.

The fixing device 50 is a jig fixing apparatus. The clamp securing means 50 has an opener structure in the form of a first member 60, the first member 60 being formed as an extension of the body portion 48, as shown in fig. 10 and 11. The second member 62 is pivotally mounted to the first member 60 by a pivot 64. When the first and second members 60, 62 are squeezed together, the jaws 66 pivot upwardly to allow the tape measure 2 to be inserted onto the upper surface 54. The upper face 54 has three abutments 68 which act as locator means against which the tape measure 2 can abut. The seat 68 extends through an aperture 70 in the body portion 48. As shown in fig. 10, the center pedestal 68 extends through an aperture 72 in the jaw 66. The jaws 66 extend parallel to the upper surface 54 so as to grip the tape measure 2 securely.

As shown in FIG. 12, the securing device 50 is spring biased by a spring 74 to the closed position shown in FIG. 10. The spring 74 is mounted on a mounting means in the form of a tube 76. Each end of the tube 76 is located in the illustrated portion of the fixture 50.

Fig. 10 best illustrates how the device 46 has a first measurement structure 52 and a second measurement structure 78. Thus, the device 46 is such that each measurement structure 52, 78 is a straight edge, and one of the straight edges is located at each of the opposite ends of the body portion 48. Fig. 13 shows the device 46 in the left hand corner 80 of the window frame 82. In the left hand corner 80, the device 46 uses the measurement structure 52. Fig. 14 shows the device 46 used in the right hand corner 84 of the window frame 82. In the right-hand corner 84, the measurement structure 78 is used.

The devices 16, 46 can be manufactured inexpensively. They are also easy to use. Accurate measurements are readily obtained.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the drawings are given by way of example only and can be modified. Thus, for example, the device 16, 48 may be used with another type of flexible tape measure 2, such as a tape measure made of cloth or a plastics material. The body portions 18, 48 may be of another shape. Another type of fixation device 20, 50 and another type of measurement structure 22, 52 may be employed. The gripping structure may be omitted or gripping structures 30 other than the ribs 32 shown may be employed. Depending on the material or materials from which the devices of the present invention are made, they may be made in a variety of ways, including molding, casting, stamping, and pressing. The various components shown in the figures are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components referred to and/or illustrated above, taken alone or in any combination.