Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02234942 2005-09-08
-1-
INTEGRATED MEASURING AND MARKING SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to measuring instruments and marking devices.
More
particularly, it relates to marking apparatus integrated with and activated by
a housing of a
measuring instrument to mark an article being measured.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The process of making a measurement and marking an article according to the
measurement can be time consuming and can be subject to inaccuracies. The
present
invention is aimed at improving both efficiency and accuracy of measurement
and marking.
BACKGROUND ART
A number of patents have described markers associated with measuring
instruments.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,787 to Kobayashi discloses a scratch marker attached below
the point
where a tape measure exits its case. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,807,886 and 3,148,455 to
Aciego
disclose pencil and tape holders that clamp onto a tape measure case and allow
marking with
an inserted pencil. U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,157 to Keene discloses a marker that
attaches to a tape
measure case and may be folded up into a slot at the back of the case when not
in use. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,262,211 to Beckett discloses a marking device attached to a folding
measuring tape
or to a tape measure case. U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,678 to Chamberlain et al.
disclose a marking
attachment for a coiled measuring tape, which attaches to the tape measure
case like a C-
clamp and has a spring-loaded pin with a marking point at its lower end. U.S.
Pat. No.
3,731,389 to King disclosed a tape measuring device with a spring-loaded
marking
mechanism within the casing at the end opposite the end at which the tape is
withdrawn.
Markings on the tape are read through a window and are arranged to correspond
to the
distance between the marking element and the free end of the tape
U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,083 to Freed shows a marker and stop accessory for
extensible
measuring tapes, which is mounted on the tape casing adjacent to the tape-
issuing opening. A
spring-mounted marking element is depressed to mark the article being
measured, and a
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/US96113385
-2-
pointer engages the tape to indicate the length of issued tape as well as to
arrest any further
movement of the tape. U.5. Pat. No. 3,885,314 to Banas, Sr. discloses a two-
way tape and
centering device with two measuring tapes extensible in opposite directions,
located in
separate compartments of a single housing. An inscribing device projects
through the
housing between the two tape measures. A spring maintains the inscribing
device in a raised
position with the tip enclosed in the housing until the shaft is depressed to
make a mark.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,337 to Taylor shows a combined tape measure and marking
device with
a spring-loaded arm pivotally supported from one side of the tape measure
housing. The
forward end of the arm supports an alignment arrow and marking device. The
marking
l0 device is manually actuated after the alignment arrow is aligned with the
desired graduation.
When the arm is released, the arm automatically assumes a position where the
marking
device is out of contact with the measured article, and the marking quill
retracts to a
concealed position where it will not further mark the article measured. U.S.
Pat. No.
4,296,554 to Hammerstrom discloses a tape measure with a spring clip for
attaching the tape
to a belt of clothing and also for receiving and positioning a pencil or
scribing tool, aligned
precisely with the point of exit of the tape from the housing. U.5. Pat. No.
4,439,927 to
Elliott shows a tape measure with a casing which also contains a consumable
marker and a
scriber disposed immediately forward of and alongside the slot through which
the coiled tape
is withdrawn. Either the marker or scriber may be positioned via manual
actuating means to
mark an object being measured. A brake is automatically activated when either
the marker
or the scriber is positioned for marking. The brake can also be activated
without marking. A
plurality of feed segments compensate for diminishing length of the marker
with use.
U.5. Pat. No. 4,542,589 to Yamamoto discloses a marker which may be contained
in
a tape measure case, mounted on the side, or mounted on the top of the case.
In use, the
marker is projected to mark a desired point on the surface to be measured. In
one
embodiment this is accomplished by tilting the tape measure case about one of
its corners.
U.5. Pat. No. 4,630,376 to Pentecost shows an internally-mounted marking
device for a tape
measure with a spring-loaded member allowing the user to mark the surface of a
workpiece
immediately beneath the tape measure. U.5. Pat. No. 4,965,941 to Agostinacci
discloses a
combination marker and tape measure having a pair of markers which may be used
to mark a
surface on each side of a flexible tape. A plunger knob is depressed into a
recess formed on
a declining front face of the housing to move the markers between a retracted
configuration
and an extended configuration. A locking mechanism formed on a plunger permits
selective
locking of the tape. A guide foot removably mounted on an end tab enables
marking of a
3s line parallel to an edge ofa surface. U.5. Pat. No. 5,020,235 to Martin
shows a layout
device for locating a wall-mounted item at a specified distance from a
reference point such as
a floor. The device includes a bracket which is removably mounted to a
measuring tape. A
level attached to the bracket indicates vertical alignment of both the
extended tape and the
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/US96/13385
-3-
item which is to be installed. The bracket includes protrusions which form
indentations
marking the measured location when the bracket is forced against the wall
surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,074 to Holevas et al. discloses a tape measure and marking
device having a locking mechanism, disposed on the front side of its housing,
adjacent to a
marker housing containing a marker. The locking mechanism is linked to the
marker and a
scribe through a lever arm. When the locking mechanism is pressed down, the
lever arm
drives the marker outside the marker housing, exposing the tip of the marker.
Further
movement of the locking mechanism moves it into a locked position whereby the
measuring
tape is fixed after the user releases the locking mechanism. Thus, in the
Holevas et al.
to device, both locking and marking are actuated by manually operating the
locking mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,619 to Kearns shows a tape measure marking attachment that
includes a generally cylindrically shaped housing for holding a marking
utensil. A mechanism
is included integral with the housing for releasably locking the marking
utensil within the
housing.
PROBLEMS SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
When a carpenter or other worker makes a measurement, there is often a need to
reach for a marking pencil or the like to make a mark on an article being
measured and then
to store the marking implement away for the next use. The operations of
measuring,
reaching for a marking implement, marking, and storing usually require
separate discrete
2o motions and corresponding times. By providing an integrated measurement and
marking
system, this invention allows measurement and marking to be accomplished in
one simple,
fluid, uninterrupted motion with consistently high accuracy, thereby
eliminating wasted time
and reducing marking inaccuracy. By providing a marking mechanism completely
independent of any tape-measure locking mechanism, the invention allows
marking without
locking the measuring element, and allows locking the measuring element
without marking.
PURPOSES, OBJECTS, AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Major purposes of the invention include accurate and efficient marking of a
surface
being measured. A major object of the invention is an integrated measuring and
marking
system that provides for marking of a measured article at the same time that
an article is
3o measured. Another object is a marking device aligned with a measuring
device. A related
object is a marking device whose alignment with a measuring device is
adjustable. Another
important object is an integrated system whose marking function is activated
by moving its
housing. A particular related object is an integrated measuring and marking
system whose
marking function is actuated by moving its housing with respect to the surface
of an article
being measured. An object related to the accuracy of such a device is a system
whose
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/LJS96/13385
-4-
marking action is actuated by moving its housing perpendicularly with respect
to the surface.
Another object is an integrated measuring and marking system including a
cursor for
indicating position. Yet another object is a measuring and marking system that
is
independent of a measure-locking function, and is operable without a mechanism
for locking. °
Another object is an integrated measuring and marking system including a
marking device
that is easily replaceable by a user. A related object is an integrated
measuring system
adaptable for marking various materials using various marking methods and
various marking
devices. More specific objects include an integrated marking tape measure and
an integrated
marking protractor.
to DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An integrated measuring and marking system includes a housing and a measuring
element (typically an extensible measuring tape retractably coiled within the
housing). This
measuring element is wholly or partially contained within the housing. A
cursor is preferably
attached to the housing to indicate a position of the housing with respect to
the measuring
element. The cursor may include a magnifier. A marking element for marking the
surface of
the item to be measured is connected to the upper portion of the housing and
aligned with
the cursor, but the marking element is kept spaced from the surface until the
housing is
moved with respect to the surface by the user, to mark the surface. The
direction of motion
of the housing that actuates the marking is preferably perpendicular to the
surface being
2o measured, i.e. the user preferably exerts a force downward on the housing,
perpendicularly
toward the surface. The marking element part of the system is preferably
removable and/or
replaceable. The marking element may include a quantity of marking material,
such as ink,
pencil lead (graphite), chalk, dye, light-sensitive material, soapstone,
crayon, wax (colored or
uncolored), pigment, paint, or mixtures, compounds, or composites of those
materials.
Another type of marking element is an indentor, such as a hard metal point for
making an
indentation mark in a relatively softer material. Alternatively, the marking
element may mark
a surface with electromagnetic radiation, such as visible, ultraviolet, or
infrared light, or x-
rays, when used on a surface sensitive to such radiation. In those cases, the
marking element
includes a suitable light source, such as a laser. Other alternative
embodiments may use a
3o heat source, which may be a laser or electrical resistance element, for
example, for marking a
surface sensitive to heat. Still other marking elements that may be used in
the system are
pens, sprayers, or ink jets. The pens may be of any type, such as ball-point,
felt-tip or
fountain pens, depending on the application. Visual or audible feedback may be
used to °
inform the user that a mark is being made on the surface being measured.
The measuring system of this invention may be used for the type of measurement
in
which a dimension (or angle etc.) is unknown and is to be determined, but it
is especially
CA 02234942 1999-03-31
_5_
useful for the type of measurement in which a desired
dimension is known, and a surface of an article is to be
marked at that desired dimension, to prepare the article for
a subsequent operation, such as. cutting or grinding.
In a typical use of the rneasuring system, a measuring
tape is extented until the cursor is aligned to a desired
graduation for the position to be measured, and the housing is
depressed toward the surface, where the marking element makes
a mark. Springs or the like move the housing back away from
the surface when the housing is released. When not
compressed, the springs maintain the marking element spaced
away from the surface being mea~:ured. The marking portion may
include a mark-blocking feature, to prevent inadvertent
marking. The mark-blocking feature may be released by a
release trigger mechanism, for example, to allow marking.
The measurement and marking may both be accomplished in
one smooth motion without changing the position of the hand
holding the housing, as it is the motion of the housing with
respect to the surface being measured that actuates the
marking. Since no additional steps or finger motions are
required to advance or retracl~ the marking element, or to
engage or disengage a tape-locking mechanism linked to the
marking, the measurement process is faster and more efficient
than heretofore.
As embodied and broadly dE:scribed herein, the invention
seeks to provide an integrated system for measuring and
marking on a surface, having a housing, measuring means at
least partially contained within said housing, and marking
means for marking said surface, said system being
characterized in that said marh:ing means is supported by a
CA 02234942 1999-03-31
-5a-
support, said support being connected to said housing, said
marking means is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship
from a base, said base being resiliently connected to said
support by resilient connection means, and said marking means
is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship from said surface
until a user moves said housing relative to said surface in a
direction substantially perpendicular to said surface,
whereupon said marking means expends outward beyond said base
to mark said surface.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention
further seeks to provide an integrated system for measuring
and marking on a surface, having measuring means at least
partially contained within a housing, said system comprising:
- marking means for marking said surface, said marking means
being disposed in at least partial alignment with said
housing;
- a support connected to said housing and to said marking
means for supporting said marking means;
- resilient connection means cc>nnected to said housing; and
- a base resiliently connectE~d to said housing by said
resilient connection means; said base being disposed to
maintain said marking means i.n a spaced-apart relationship
from said surface until said housing is moved substantially
perpendicular relative to said surface, such that said
marking means is moved outward beyond said base to mark
surface .
CA 02234942 1999-03-31
_ 5~,-
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention
further seeks to provide an integrated tape measure system for
measuring and marking on a surface, comprising:
- a housing having a bottom surface and having a slot adj acent
to said bottom surface;
- tape measure means retractably coiled within said housing;
- cursor means attached to said housing to indicate a position
of said tape measure means relative to said housing;
- a removable cartridge fitting within said slot of said
housing;
- means for aligning said removable cartridge relative to said
cursor;
- a quantity of marking material for marking said surface,
said marking material being at least partially contained
within said removable cartricLge;
- one or more resilient connection means connected to said
housing; and
- a base resiliently connected to said housing by said
resilient connection means, said base being disposed to
maintain said cartridge and said marking material in a
spaced-apart relationship from said surface until a user
moves said housing in a direction substantially
perpendicular relative to said surface, whereby said surface
is marked.
Lastly, as embodied and broadly described herein, the
invention further seeks to provide an integrated protractor
system for measuring and marking on a surface, comprising:
- a housing having a bottom surface and having a slot adj acent
to said bottom surface;
CA 02234942 1999-03-31
30 -5c-
arcuate angular scale means at least partially retained by
said housing;
- cursor means attached to said housing to indicate a position
of said arcuate angular scale means relative to said
housing;
- a removable cartridge fitting within said slot of said
housing;
- means for aligning said removable cartridge relative to said
cursor;
- a quantity of marking material for marking said surface,
said marking material being at least partially contained
within said removable cartridge;
- one or more resilient connection means connected to said
housing; and
- a base resiliently connected to said housing by said
resilient connection means, said base being disposed to
maintain said cartridge and said marking material in a
spaced-apart relationship from said surface until a user
moves said housing in a direction substantially
perpendicular relative to said surface, whereby said surface
is marked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a partially cut away schematic side elevation
view of an integrated linear measuring and marking system made
in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a top partial view of the linear measuring and
marking system of FIG. 1 showing details.
CA 02234942 1999-03-31
-5d-
FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an integrated angular
measuring and marking system made in accordance with the
invention.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective viesw illustrating a detail of an
embodiment having removable and replaceable modular marking
means.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention is an integrated system for
measuring and marking on a surface . The system has a housing,
a measuring element at least partially contained within the
housing, and a marking element for marking the surface. The
system of the present invention is characterized in that the
marking element is retained within the housing and is
maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the surface until
a user moves the housing in a predetermined direction relative
to the surface, whereupon the surface is marked.
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/US96/13385
-6-
The invention will be described primarily in terms of an embodiment made for
linear
measurements. In this particular embodiment the invention includes a marking
apparatus for
tape measures. The marking apparatus can be built integrally into a new tape
measure, or
can be implemented as an attachment, to be attached to existing tape measures.
It is used to
mark articles when they are measured to a predetermined dimension, e.g. a
board to be
sawed to a specific length. Other embodiments made for angular measurements
are also
disclosed, as are embodiments made for marking various materials by using
various marking
devices adapted to the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a simple embodiment of an integrated linear measuring and marking
system made in accordance with the invention, in a schematic side elevation
view, partially
cut away to show internal elements.
The marking portion 10 of the system has two sections which are aligned
vertically,
connected to each other and to the tape measure housing 15. Top section 20 has
a cursor 30
extending across the upper face of tape 40 and indicating the position of the
tape with
respect to the housing 15. Cursor 30 may include, for example, a line engraved
or printed on
a transparent window formed of any transparent material, or one or two
cantilevered arrows
pointing inward at the edges of the tape. Cursor 30 may also include a
magnifier such as a
magnifying lens (which may be a Fresnel lens). As is well-known in the
measurement art, the
function of cursor 30 may also be enhanced in precision by inclusion of a set
of conventional
2o vernier indicia (not shown in the drawings). Lower or bottom portion 50
encloses a marking
element 60, e.g. a pen or stamp which may be a point or line marker, aligned
with cursor 30
and with a hole 70 below it, in a casing 80. Marking element 60 is attached to
top section 20
of housing 15. The bottom portion 50 has springs 90 and 100 that hold top
section 20 up
with the marking element 60 away from the surface 110 being measured while the
tape is
extended to the desired measurement point. Thus bottom portion 50 is movable
with respect
to top portion 20. When the measurement is made (from the end 120 of tape 40
to cursor
30), the user momentarily applies a force downward on the tape measure housing
15 to mark
the surface with marking element 60. The end 120 of tape 40 may include a
conventional
end hook, which may be of the "true zero" type that slidably compensates for
the hook's
thickness when used for inside measurements. Hole 70 may be closed by a cover
75 adjacent
to the bottom surface, for covering the marking element 60 when it is not
being used. Cover
75 may be manually operable, such as a sliding door, or may be normally closed
and be .
arranged to open automatically when housing is depressed, using conventional
cams or
levers, for example (not shown). ,
Marking element 60 can be a hard point (e.g. hard steel, silicon carbide, or
diamond)
for making a dimple-like indentation mark in a surface that is softer than the
indenting point.
Depending on such variables as the purpose of the measurement and the nature
of the surface
to be marked, marking element 60 may be any conceivable marking means. For
example, if
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/US96/13385
the surface to be marked were a thermoplastic material, a mark could be made
by a source of
heat, such as an electrical resistance element, a heating lamp, or a laser. If
the surface were
sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, the marking device can be a source of
electromagnetic
radiation, such as a semiconductor device, a field-emission device, a light-
emitting diode, a
laser, a phosphor, a source of visible light, a source of x-rays, a source of
ultraviolet light, or
a source of infrared light. If the marking element is one of a type that makes
a material mark
on surface 110, the marking material may be, for example, ink, pencil lead,
chalk, dye, light-
sensitive material, soapstone, crayon, wax, pigment, paint, or any suitable
mixture,
compound, or composite of those marking materials. For particular
applications, marking
to element 60 may include, for example, a sprayer such as a paint sprayer, an
ink jet such as
those used in conventional ink jet printers, or an ultrasonic vibrator such as
those used in
ultrasonic drills. For markers that require power for their operation, housing
15 can contain
suitable batteries or means for connecting to an external supply of power.
Thus, in general, the invention is an integrated system for measuring and
marking on
a surface 110, combining a housing 15, some measuring means 40 at least
partially contained
within housing 15, and a marking element 60 for marking surface 110. The
system
preferably also includes a cursor 30 attached to housing 15 to indicate a
position of housing
15 with respect to measuring means 40. The marking element 60 is connected to
and
contained within housing 15, in at least partial alignment with cursor 30.
Preferably, marking
2o element 60 is removably attached to housing 15. The alignment of marking
element 60 with
respect to cursor 30 is preferably made adjustable. Conventional arrangements
for adjusting
alignment of one mechanical element with another are well-known in the art and
are
therefore not shown in the drawings. Marking element 60 is preferably disposed
adjacent to
the bottom surface of housing 15. Marking element 60 is kept away from surface
110 with
an intervening space until housing 15 is moved relative to surface 110, thus
marking surface
110 when marking element 60 contacts surface 110. The system may include one
or more
means (such as springs 90 and 100), to maintain the marking element spaced
apart from
surface 110 until a user moves housing 15 appropriately. In the simple
embodiment of FIG.
l, surface 110 is marked when housing 15 is moved (preferably perpendicularly)
toward
3o surface 110. However, in other embodiments, a mechanical arrangement using
a lever or
cam, for example, may be made to impel marking element 60 toward surface 110
for marking
it, upon moving the housing in some other manner relative to surface 110. In
certain of these
arrangements, the lateral position of housing 15 relative to surface 110 is
accurately
maintained, and parallax is avoided, by actuating the marking function by
motion
perpendicular to surface 110. Preferably, the marking is not actuated when
housing 15 is
merely moved away from surface 110, for that direction of motion of the
housing would tend
to produce unintended marks during incomplete measurements. However, it will
be
recognized that any of the degrees of freedom of the housing (such as lateral
translation,
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541
PCT/US96/13385
_g_
tilting of the housing in roll, pitch, or yaw, etc. or even twisting or
squeezing a suitably
flexible housing) may be used in various embodiments to actuate the marking
process.
Lower portion 50 is retained in approximate alignment to upper portion 20 of
housing 15 by conventional mechanical design features. In a simple embodiment,
the upper
portion 20 has a peripheral groove extending around adjacent to its lower
surface, and lower
portion 50 has a rim extending inward adjacent to its top edge, the rim being
complementary
to the groove and engaging the groove to retain the two portions together.
The system also preferably provides a visual and/or audible indication that
surface
110 is being marked. Feedback indicating that a mark has been transferred is
helpful to the
user. A visible indication may be provided by a distinctively colored flag
actuated by the
marking mechanism, for example, and visible through an opening or transparent
window in
housing 15. An audible indication that surface 110 is being marked can be
provided, for
example, by a concave metallic disk actuated by the marking mechanism. The
disk makes a
clicking sound when its concave and convex sides are mechanically switched. In
more
1s complex measurement systems, either the visible or audible indicators or
both may be
conventional electrically-actuated indicators such as buzzers, loudspeakers,
lamps, light-
emitting diodes, and the like.
If the system is intended for performing a linear measurement, the measuring
means
40 includes linear graduations 130 to be read at cursor 30. Such a linear
measurement
system typically includes a tape measure tape or blade retractably coiled
within housing 15,
as in FIGS. l, 2, and 4.
If the system is intended for performing an angular measurement, the measuring
means 40 includes angular graduations 140 to be read at cursor 30, as shown in
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an integrated angular measuring and
marking system.
In such an angular measurement system, the measuring means 40 typically
comprises a
protractor. In an angle-measuring version of the invention, marking element 60
makes a
mark such as a line, indicative of an angle measured about an axis 160 from a
reference
direction at end 120 of the measuring element 40. It will be apparent that
marking element
60 may be outside the protractor arc, instead of inside as shown in the
drawing. As in the
embodiments for linear measurement, the function of cursor 30 may be enhanced
in precision
by inclusion of a set of conventional vernier indicia (not shown in the
drawings).
FIG. 4 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment having a removable and
replaceable
modular marking element. Many of the marking materials listed herein may be
provided in
this removable and replaceable modular cartridge form. A modular form of
marking element
60, which may be molded of plastic for economical production, holds a marking
feature 200
composed of the marking material. Marking element 60 is inserted into an
aperture 220 in
housing 15. Alignment members 210 on either side of marking element 60 fit
through slots
230 in the sides of aperture 220, and engage alignment detents (not shown)
inside aperture
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/LTS96/13385
-9-
220. The alignment detents are of a size and complementary shape
to receive alignment
members 210. Lower portion 50 of the apparatus has an aperture
through which marking
feature extends (only when housing 15 is depressed). This aperture
in the lower portion 50,
aperture 220, and slots 230 are all mutually centered, and aligned
with respect to housing 15,
s in order to provide a mark at the proper location on surface
110. In particular, if there is a
' cursor 30, these elements are centered on a centerline extending
directly downward through
the center of cursor 30. While it is convenient to have a snap-in
type of cartridge, the
marking element may be held by other means, such as a removable
pin from the front or side
of the housing, passing through the marking element, or may be
held by a spring element that
1o is deflected by a user in order to insert or remove the cartridge..
Another type or retaining
mechanism that is applicable in some designs is the type using
a ball bearing in a socket, held
in a retaining position by a spring. Aperture 220 may be covered
with a cover, such as a
sliding door, when the modular marking element is not being changed.
In various alternative embodiments, the removable and replaceable
modular marking
15 element may include a user-releasable latching mechanism, (such
as a spring-loaded latch
molded of plastic similar to the latching tab of an RJ-11 modular
telephone jack) and, if
needed, a separate tab, lever, or trigger mechanism arranged
to release the latching
mechanism.
It is often desirable to prevent inadvertent marking. A system
that can prevent
20 inadvertent marking preferably includes a mechanism for releasably
locking the marking
element" up" (i.e. away from surface 110). This mechanism can
have a release element for
releasing the locking mechanism and allowing the marking element
to operate for marking.
One embodiment of the locking feature is illustrated in FIG.
4. An L-shaped lever 310 pivots
around an axis 320. Inside housing 15, an inner lever arm 330
extends downward next to
25 lower section 50 when lever 310 is in the locked position, preventing
upper portion 20 from
being depressed. Outside lever arm 340 is moved by a user (e.g.
counterclockwise from the
locked position illustrated in FIG. 4) to rotate inner lever
arm 330 toward a horizontal
orientation to unlock the marker. There are many alternate conventional
means for locking
that may be used, such as the safety used to prevent firing of
a gun, or the lock on the power
3o trigger of a power tool. Many such locking mechanisms use levers,
slides, or cams moved
into and out of a position for interfering with a motion by using
a handle, trigger, or buttons.
Taking the tape measure embodiment of FIG. 1 as exemplary of
the use of the
invention: to use the invention, a user extends the measuring
tape 40 from housing 15 until a
desired measurement for surface 110 (as measured from tape end
120) is indicated by
35 graduations 130 aligned at cursor 30. The user applies a force
to housing 15 to momentarily
move the housing relative to surface 110, whereby marking element
60 makes a mark on
surface 110. This combined measurement and marking operation
may be accomplished in
CA 02234942 1998-04-15
WO 97/14541 PCT/US96/13385
-10-
one simple, fluid, uninterrupted motion with consistently high accuracy, and
repeated as
many times as there are measurements to be made.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The integrated measuring and marking system of this invention has many uses,
including simultaneous measuring and marking of surfaces, particularly
according to linear
and angular measurements made to mark a surface for a subsequent operation,
such as
cutting. The system may be used in various fields of endeavor, such as
carpentry, machining,
sewing or tailoring of garments, etc.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
in the
accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it
will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments
described herein,
but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions
without
departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention
will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this
specification or from practice
is of the invention disclosed herein. For example, graduations of the
measuring means may
comprise sinusoidal or other periodic optical or magnetic signals on a
suitable tape, or
marking may be achieved by a magnetic tape recording head, a rotating knife or
saw blade,
etc. For another example, the housing of the invention may be made in one
piece if at least a
portion of the housing is flexible enough to allow a user to depress the top
portion
containing the measuring and marking elements relative to the bottom portion.
It is intended
that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the
true scope and
spirit of the invention being defined by the following claims.
Having described our invention, we claim:
