LINEAR EXTENSIBLE MEASURING INSTRUMENT WITH TELESCOPIC MEMBERS

• US 3,680,214 A
• Filed: 03/06/1970
• Issued: 08/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andre Quenot
• Original Assignee: Andre Quenot
• Inventors: Quenot, Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, Jr., William D.
• Application Number:
  US05/017,144
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 33/161,137,138
• US Class Current: 33/501.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/08 extensible

Abstract

A linear extensible and retractible measuring instrument is provided with telescopic members combined with a casing in which is housed the measuring and reading mechanism. The instrument has a graduated measuring tape guided along a constant path by a suitable guiding means and passing in front of a transparent reading window. The instrument also has locking means for releasably locking the telescopic members in any desired position.

Claims

1. A linear measuring instrument comprising:

an elongated casing having an end portion defining one measuring point;

at least one telescoping member having an end tip defining another measuring point;

means telescopingly mounting said telescoping member for partial extension from said casing to linearly bridge a linear distance to be measured by said measuring points and for retraction into said casing;

a transparent window in said casing positioned at an angle with respect to the direction of telescoping movement of said telescoping member;

a roll of measuring tape mounted for unwinding and winding movement within said casing and having one end connected to an end of said telescoping member whereby extension of said telescoping member effects unwinding of said roll of measuring tape;

tape guiding means including a pair of rotatable rollers disposed interiorly of said casing on opposite sides of said transparent window for guiding said measuring tape past said transparent window during extension of said telescoping member;

means for automatically rewinding said measuring tape during retraction of said telescoping member;

linear measuring indicia on said measuring tape providing a direct indication beneath said transparent window of the linear distance existing between said measuring points; and

locking means for releasably locking said telescoping member in any desired extended position.

2. An instrument according to claim 1;

wherein said at least one telescoping member comprises a plurality of rigid telescoping members mounted for extension and retraction relative to each other, the outermost telescoping member being telescopingly mounted within said casing and the innermost telescoping member being connected to said one end of said measuring tape.

3. An instrument according to claim 2;

including means for preventing relative angular movement of said plurality of telescoping members in a plane perpendicular to the telescoping direction of said telescoping members.

4. An instrument according to claim 3;

wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a longitudinal groove in an outer telescoping member, a recess in the inner surface of the surrounding telescoping member, and a ball disposed between said outer and surrounding telescoping members cooperative with said groove and recess to prevent relative rotation between said outer and surrounding telescoping members.

5. An instrument according to claim 1;

wherein said transparent window extends obliquely with respect to the direction of extension and retraction of said telescoping member to enable reading of said measuring tape at a location adjacent said end tip of said telescoping member.

6. An instrument according to claim 1;

including a foldable T-square connected to said end portion of said casing and another foldable T-square connected to said end tip.

7. An instrument according to claim 6;

wherein said transparent window extends obliquely with respect to the direction of extension and retraction of said telescoping member to enable reaDing of said measuring tape at a location adjacent said end tip of said telescoping member.

8. An instrument according to claim 7;

wherein said transparent window is positioned adjacent said end tip of said telescoping member when same is fully retracted thereby facilitating the reading of said measuring tape.

9. An instrument according to claim 1;

wherein said end portion of said casing extends perpendicularly outwardly from the remainder of said casing and is dimensioned to enable a person whose height is to be measured to stand thereon, whereby the person is positioned between said measuring points.