Apparatus for Measuring an Article
The present invention relates to apparatus for measuring an article,
particularly but not exclusively for measuring the girth or partial girth of
an article. The apparatus finds particular use in measuring the girth of a
foot for correct fitting of footwear.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for
measuring an article, the apparatus comprising: a pair of arms which are
movable with respect to each other about a pivot, each arm having an end
remote from the pivot; a flexible, elongate measuring element associated
with the ends of the arms such that the measuring element has one
extremity fixed with respect to the end of one arm and is able to move
relative to a guide provided at the end of the other arm, the other
extremity of the measuring element being secured to a reel which is
biased to take up any slack in the measuring element.
Preferably, the other ends of the arms are each attached to
respective cooperating housing parts which are rotatable relative to each
other and which incorporate the pivot, the reel being coaxial with the
pivot and free to rotate relative to both housing parts.
In preferred arrangements said other arm has an internal passage
through which the measuring element can move, the passage opening at
the free end of said other arm remote from the pivot to constitute said
guide and leading at the pivot end of the arm to said reel.
Conveniently, the two arms are generally L-shaped and face in
opposite directions, the two ends remote from the pivot abutting each
other and also the end of each arm remote from the pivot tapers inwardly.
Normally the measuring element is in the form of a tape.
It is a preferred feature that biasing means urges the ends of the
two arms towards each other and usually the biasing means for the two
arms also biases the reel. The biasing action may utilise a clockspring.
A useful feature is that the reel includes a holding mechanism for
locking the measuring element when a measurement is to be taken.
In preferred embodiments the reel incorporates a digital measuring
device for measuring the length of measuring element paid out relative to
said guide when the ends of the two arms are moved apart and said article
is being measured, the digital measuring device having a display for
indicating the length of measuring element paid out.
In further preferred arrangements the digital measuring device also
measures the angular displacement of the arms in order to calculate the
linear distance between the free ends of the arms, this linear distance
being capable of being shown on the display.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more
detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a measuring device according to
the present invention,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the measuring device of figure 1
about to be used to measure the girth of a foot,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the measuring device of figure 1
in position relative to the foot,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the measuring device of figure 1
showing a measurement being taken,
Figure 5a is a vertical section through the measuring device of
figure 1 not in use, and
Figure 5b is a vertical section through the measuring device of
figure 1 in use measuring a foot.
In the figures there is shown a measuring device 10 which is
particularly useful for measuring the girth of a foot 11 although the device
10 can be used for measuring the girth or partial girth of other objects and
can also be used to measure linear distances. When measuring girth for
footwear, the person usually stands on the floor and the girth
measurement is taken from one side of the foot where it meets the floor
and over the top of the foot to the other side of the floor where it meets
the floor. This is indicated more clearly in figure 5.
The device 10 has a pair of arms 12, 13. One of the arms 12 is
attached to a rear housing part 14 and the other arm 13 is attached to a
forward housing part 15. The two housing parts 14, 15 are connected
together so as to be rotatable relative to each other about a central pivot
16. Other housing constructions are possible provided the two arms are
able to pivot relative to each other.
In the illustrated arrangement the two arms 12, 13 are generally
L-shaped but oppositely disposed so as to leave a space 1 between the
two arms, which space 17 can be beneficial when measuring the girth of
certain articles. The 'upright' part 18 of each L-shaped arm 12, 13 is
generally aligned with the pivot 16 such that the 'lower' part 19 of each
L-shaped arm 12, 13 is somewhat angled relative to the floor. Ideally the
two arms 12, 13 are biased towards each other by suitable biasing means
such as a clockspring (not shown) so that the free ends of the lower parts
19 abut as illustrated in figures 1 and 5a when in an 'at rest' position.
Other arm shapes would of course be possible depending somewhat on
the end use of the device 10.
The measuring device 10 includes a flexible, elongate measuring
element 20 which is in the form of a length of tape in the illustrated
embodiment but could take another form such as a cord. One extremity
2 1 of the tape 20 is fixed with respect to said one arm 12 and in the
illustrated embodiment the tape 20 extends along an internal passage 22
and the extremity 2 1 is held internally in a hollow section 23 of the arm
12 where the two parts 18, 19 of the L-shape meet.
The tape 20 also passes through another internal passage 24 in the
other arm 13 and extends the full length of the arm 13 to the housing 14,
15 where it is attached to a reel 25 at location 26. The reel 25 is rotatably
mounted on the pivot 16 and is biased in an anti-clockwise direction by a
biasing means such as a return spring (not shown) for example so as to
take up any slack in the tape 20. The forward housing part 15 also
incorporates an internal guide surface 27 to facilitate a smooth transition
of the tape 12 between the arm 13 and the reel 25.
The free ends of the two arms 12, 13 are tapered so as to be
generally pointed and the extreme free end 28 of the other arm 13
constitutes a simple guide for movement of the tape 20 during use. More
complicated guides could be devised if desired. The pointed form of the
free ends of the two arms 12, 13 enables the arms to abut closely when at
rest and to enable access to tight spaces when in use, such as when
positioned below a foot which tends to overhang the contact points with
the floor or other supporting surface. The extreme free ends of the arms
12, 13 constitute the measurement reference points.
The housing parts 14, 15 also accommodate a digital measuring
arrangement 30. Digital measuring arrangements are known but have
been adapted for the present use. As an example, one form of digital
measuring device 30 provides a digital scale 3 1 associated with the
forward housing part 15 and an actuator 32 associated with said one arm
12. When the two arms 12, 13 are rotated relative to each other, i.e.
opened up as shown in figure 2, tape 20 is paid out as the reel 25 rotates
clockwise relative to the forward housing part 15 against the biasing force
and the tape 20 extends in a generally straight line between the free ends
of the two arms 12, 13. Movement of the two arms 12, 13 relative to each
other results in the actuator 32 moving around the digital scale 31. The
linear distance between the free ends of the arms is a simple function of
the movement of the actuator 32 along the digital scale 3 1 which is
calibrated to give a simple length output. The angular separation X of the
two arms relative to the closed position, combined with the known
distance from the arm ends to the pivot axis enables this linear distance to
be calculated using simple software.
When the device is placed around a three dimensional object, such
as a foot 11 in figure 5b, more tape 20 is paid out by the drum 25 so as to
follow the contour of the foot. The free ends of the two arms 12, 13
which constitute the measurement reference points, are moved into their
correct positions below the lateral overhangs of the foot 11 as shown in
figure 5. The length of tape 20 between the two free ends of the arms 12,
13 is the "over the foot" girth measurement that is required and the linear
distance between the free ends of the arms is known as the tread width.
The clockwise rotation of the reel 25 against the biasing action
causes any unwanted slack in the tape 20 to be taken up so as to ensure
correct measurement. The rotation Y of the reel 25 gives a measure of the
total amount of tape 20 which has been dispensed, this amount being a
measure of the distance over the top of the foot from floor to floor. Again
calibration of the digital measuring arrangement 30 together with the
known reel dimensions is such that an output is provided for the total
length of tape 20 between the two measurement reference points.
In addition, it is preferable for the software of the digital
measuring arrangement 30 to provide a total girth or circumference
measurement by means of an addition of the tread width, i.e. the linear
distance between the ends of the arm (measured by the relative angular
displacement of the arms) and the "over the foot" measurement (measured
by the amount of tape 20 dispensed by the reel). This total girth
measurement in a "weight on" condition, coupled with the other
measurements gives a true indication of foot width/girth dimensions for
improved shoe fitting.
The digital measuring arrangement 30 can, in preferred
arrangements, take the following form although other methods are
possible within the scope of the invention. A radially extending set of
resistive electro contacts are located on the side of the tape reel 25 and
these contacts bridge a circular array of contacts located on a static PCB
(Printed Circuit Board). When the arms 12, 13 are closed, the contacts
provide a zero reading but as the arms are opened and tape 20 is
dispensed, the relative movement of the reel contacts and the PCB
contacts relays a value of the length of tape dispensed as the reel rotates.
The device 10 also incorporates a display screen 40 which
displays the total length of tape 20 paid out and also a 'hold' button 41.
The hold button 4 1 is pressed when the arms 12, 13 are in their correct
measuring position. The button 4 1 effectively locks movement of the reel
25 relative to the housing 14, 15 so that the total length displayed on the
screen 40 can be set when the arms are correctly positioned. This can be
beneficial if the foot belongs to someone prone to movement, such as a
child. The locking action of the reel 25 can be by simple means such as
the button engaging the reel to prevent rotation.
The precise design of the measuring device is open to
modification whilst remaining within the scope of the claims. In its
simplest form, the tape 20 could have measurements printed thereon and
the digital measuring arrangement 30 could be omitted.
Claims
Apparatus for measuring an article, the apparatus comprising: a
pair of arms which are movable with respect to each other about a
pivot, each arm having an end remote from the pivot; a flexible,
elongate measuring element associated with the ends of the arms
such that the measuring element has one extremity fixed with
respect to the end of one arm and is able to move relative to a
guide provided at the end of the other arm, the other extremity of
the measuring element being secured to a reel which is biased to
take up any slack in the measuring element.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other ends of the
arms are each attached to respective cooperating housing parts
which are rotatable relative to each other and which incorporate
the pivot, the reel being coaxial with the pivot and free to rotate
relative to both housing parts.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said other arm has an
internal passage through which the measuring element can move,
the passage opening at the free end of said other arm remote from
the pivot to constitute said guide and leading at the pivot end of
the arm to said reel.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two arms are
generally L-shaped and face in opposite directions, the two ends
remote from the pivot abutting each other.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the end of each arm
remote from the pivot tapers inwardly.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the
measuring element is in the form of a tape.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein biasing
means urges the ends of the two arms towards each other.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the biasing means for the
two arms also biases the reel.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the or each
biasing means comprises a clockspring.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the reel
includes a holding mechanism for locking the measuring element
when a measurement is to be taken.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the reel
incorporates a digital measuring device for measuring the length
of measuring element paid out relative to said guide when the ends
of the two arms are moved apart and said article is being
measured, the digital measuring device having a display for
indicating the length of measuring element paid out.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the digital measuring
device also measures the angular displacement of the arms in
order to calculate the linear distance between the free ends of the
arms, this linear distance being capable of being shown on the
display.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the digital measuring
device is capable of adding the linear distance to the length of
measuring element paid out to provide a total girth measurement
and to show this on the display