Land measuring instrument

• US 3,922,793 A
• Filed: 10/29/1974
• Issued: 12/02/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ebenhard S. Gandrud
• Original Assignee: Ebenhard S. Gandrud
• Inventors: Gandrud, Ebenhard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haroian, Harry N.
• Application Number:
  US05/518,238
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 403/102,85 15/144 16/115 33/141,141.5,142 235/95R,95B
• US Class Current: 33/781
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/12 Measuring wheels

Abstract

A ground-engaging wheel of given diameter guided and impelled over the ground by a handle-equipped elongated shank, and having a counter for measuring the distance traversed by the wheel. The shank includes a plurality of shank sections connected together for movement between aligned operative positions and collapsed inoperative storage positions. The diameter of the wheel and length and shape of the shank sections are such that the shank sections are disposed within a circle described by the outer circumference of the wheel when the shank is in its inoperative collapsed position. Connections between the shank sections releasably lock the sections in their aligned operative positions.

Claims

1. A land measuring instrument comprising:

a. a wheel supported body;

b. a ground engaging wheel of given diameter;

c. spindle means journalling the wheel on said body for rotation on a normally generally horizontal axis;

d. a counter carried by said body;

e. actuator means operatively connected to said wheel for operating said counter responsive to rotation of the wheel;

f. wheel guiding and impelling means connected to said body and comprising an elongated shank having a handle at one end, said shank including a least a pair of shank sections in end to end relationship;

g. means connecting said shank sections at adjacent ends thereof for movements relative to each other between inoperative collapsed positions and operative positions in aligned end to end relationship, and comprising toggle links having inner ends pivotally secured together on an axis extending transversely of the shank, and outer ends each pivotally connected to the adjacent end of a different shank section on an axis parallel to said transversely extending axis;

h. and means for releasably locking said shank sections rigidly in said operative positions;

i. each of said shank sections having a length and shape to be confined within a circle defined by the outer circumference of the wheel when said sections are in said inoperative collapsed positions thereof.

2. The land measuring instrument defined in claim 1 in which said body includes a tubular bearing, said spindle means comprising a spindle element mounted fast in said wheel and projecting axially therefrom for common rotation with the wheel, said spindle element being journaled in said bearing, said actuator means comprising a toothed pinion on said spindle element, characterized by a gear on said counter having meshing engagement with said pinion;

and a pair of housing sections, one mounted on said wheel and the other on said body, said sections cooperating to enclose said gear and pinion.

3. The land measuring instrument defined in claim 1 in which said means for locking the shank sections in said aligned operative positions comprises a longitudinally outwardly projecting locking plug portion on the end of one of said shank sections, the other shank section having a longitudinally outwardly opening recess for snug reception of said locking plug portion, said toggle links being movable to positions relative to each other and said shank sections to hold said plug portion in said recess.

4. The land measuring instrument defined in claim 3 in which said toggle links are arranged to be disposed in superposed parallel relationship when said locking plug portion is received in said recess, characterized by a stop element on said toggle links engaging one of said shank sections to limit pivotal movements of said toggle linkS in one direction beyond said superposed relationship.

5. The land measuring instrument defined in claim 4 in which said means for releasably locking the shank sections in said aligned operative positions comprises a locking plug portion projecting longitudinally outwardly from one end of one of the sections of each pair of toggle link connected shank sections, the end of the other section of each said pair thereof having a longitudinally outwardly opening recess for snug reception of its respective locking plug portion, the toggle links of each pair thereof being movable to positions relative to each other to hold their respective plug portions in the recesses therefor.

6. The land measuring instrument defined in claim 4 in which said inner shank section has an inner end portion disposed in side by side engagement with a portion of said outer shank section when said shank sections are moved to there inoperative collapsed positions, characterized by cooperating latch elements on said shank portions for releasably locking said shank sections in said inoperative positions thereof.

7. A land measuring instrument comprising:

a. a wheel supported body;

b. a ground engaging wheel of given diameter c. spindle means journalling the wheel on said body for rotation on a normally generally horizontal axis;

d. a counter carried by said body;

e. actuator means operatively connected to said wheel for operating said counter responsive to rotation of the wheel;

f. wheel guiding and impelling means connected to said body and comprising an elongated shank having a handle at one end, said shank including longitudinally inner, intermediate, and outer sections each having inner and outer ends, said inner section being rigidly secured to said body, said outer section having said handle on its outer end;

g. means connecting said shank sections at adjacent ends thereof for movements relative to each other between inoperative collapsed positions and operative positions in aligned end to end relationship, and comprising pairs of cooperating toggle links having inner ends pivotally secured together and outer ends connecting the opposite ends of said intermediate section to the outer end of said inner section and the inner end of said outer section respectively on parallel axes extending transversely of said shank;

h. and means for releasably locking said shank sections rigidly in said operative positions;

i. each of said shank sections having a length and shape to be confined within a circle defined by the outer circumference of the wheel when said sections are in said inoperative collapsed positions thereof.