GB2278684A

GB2278684A - A slide gauge

Info

Publication number: GB2278684A
Application number: GB9311446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Hutchinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-03
Filing date: 1993-06-03
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Also published as: GB9311446D0

Abstract

A slide gauge includes includes means for electronically measuring the distance between the points 7 of the arms 4 and 5 and displaying this information on a display screen 1. An electronic unit 3, with integral screen 1, is incorporated into the bar on to which the arms 4 and 5 of the gauge are attached. The electronic unit 3 may be modified and programmed, so that in some versions of the gauge the arm 4 is locked in a pre-selected position. The electronic unit 3 may also be provided with a cable connection to a separate computer. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC PAIR OF BAR COMPASSES This invention relates to an automatic pair of bar compasses.

A pair of bar compasses is an instrument, used for drawing circles and measuring distances or scales, that consists of two arms, attached to a bar, one arm of which serves as a pivot or stationary reference point, while the other is extended or describes a circle.

Dividers are a type of compass with two pointed arms, used for measuring lines or dividing them. In this specification the term pair of bar compasses includes dividers as herein described.

In order to use a pair of bar compasses the distance between the two points has to be set or read against distances on a ruler or predetermined scale, as in map reading for example.

The setting or reading of distances in this way is time consuming and can be imprecise. Calculations using distances read have to be carried out manually or by separate equipment, for example, a calculator.

According to the present invention there is provided a pair of bar compasses equipped with an electronic means of measuring the distance between the two extended points of the arms and displaying that distance and calculations made from that distance on an integral display screen.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the front view of the automatic pair of bar compasses.

Figure 2 shows the rear view of the automatic pair of bar compasses.

Referring to the drawing the pair of bar compasses comprise two arms 4 and 5 attached to a bar 2. Incorporated in the bar 2 is a unit 3. The unit 3 contains electronics programmed to calculate the distance between the extended points 7 of each arm 4 and 5 and display the distance on the liquid crystal display screen 1. The unit 3 is powered by a battery 6 contained within the unit. The arm 4 may be moved along the bar to permit adjustment of the distance between the points 7.

In their simplest form the automatic pair of bar compasses allow the distance between two points on a line to be measured and displayed (in which case the arms 4 and 5 each terminate in simple points 7) or a circle of the displayed radius and diameter to be described (in which case the point 7 attached to the arm 4 comprises a suitable material for describing the circle).

Different forms of the automatic pair of bar compasses are planned. These will incorporate one or more of the following features: a) The unit 3 is modified by the addition of a control which allows the arm 4 to be locked into position once the required distance between the points has been read or set.

b) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to allow selection to pre-set scales and to display the distance between the points 7 of the arms 4 and 5 in both actual distance and the distance represented by the scale.

c) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to calculate and display the circumference and area of any circle described.

d) The unit 3 is modified and programmed to allow the connection of a cable link to a separate computer.

e) The unit 3 is modified and programmed so that a predetermined distance between the points 7 of the arms 4 and 5 can be selected. The arms then move automatically to the selected setting and manual adjustment is not required.

Claims

1 A pair ofbar compasses (or dividers) equipped with an electronic means of measuring the distance between the two extended points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5.

2 A pair of bar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the electronically measured distance between the two extended points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5 is displayed on an integral electronic display screen.

3 A pair ofbar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein calculations based upon the measured distance between the two extended points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5 can be made and displayed os an integral display screen. For example the circumference or area of any circle described or represented by the distance between the two extended points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5.

4 A pair of bar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the arm 4 may be locked in a fixed position when the required distance between the two extended points 7 ofthe arm 4 and 5 has been read or set.

5 A pair ofbar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein pre-set scales may be selected to display on the integral electronic screen both the actual distance between the points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5 and the distance represented by the scale.

6 A pair ofbar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 which can be linked by cable to a separate computer so that data may be passed to the computer for storage or processing.

7 A pair of bar compasses (or dividers) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein a pre-determined distance between the points 7 ofthe arms 4 and 5 can be selected which causes the arms to move automatically to the required distance setting.

8 A pair ofbar compasses (or dividers) substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 contained in the application GB 9311446. 0.