Geometrical instruments – Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media – Level or plumb – terrestrial gravitation responsive
Patent
1983-09-27
1985-11-12
Haroian, Harry N.
Geometrical instruments
Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media
Level or plumb, terrestrial gravitation responsive
G01C 906
Patent
active
045519218
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns apparatus for measuring and instantaneously displaying the value of the inclination or gradient of any plane or line.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are currently available two broad types of apparatus or tool for measuring inclination or gradient. One type comprises conventional spirit or water levels, and the variants extrapolated therefrom, and devices utilizing a plumb line associated with more or less sophisticated systems of rules, squares, articulated compasses and protractors. Certain of these tools, such as spirit levels, are not measuring instruments but simply devices for ascertaining whether a plane or line is or is not horizontal. Other types of apparatus included in the above broad type are complicated to use, lacking in precision since they depend on the skill and knowledge of the user and, above all, fragile.
The other broad type is made up of highly technical, complex equipment, utilizing for example gyroscopes or optical systems, laser systems or radio instrumentation. Such apparatus is of course expensive and difficult to use, sometimes even requiring special knowledge.
The objective of the invention is to mitigate these disadvantages by proposing a tool for measuring the degree of inclination or gradient, which is extremely simple to use and which can give instantaneously the value of the angle of inclination or gradient of a plane or a line.
A further objective of the invention is to propose a tool capable of adaptation to diverse uses by offering an extremely extensive range of performance levels and services through its modular structure utilizing electronic technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention consists in apparatus for measuring the inclination or gradient of a plane or line with respect to a predetermined reference plane, comprising a generally rectangular or trapezoidal frame equipped with three outer bearing surfaces disposed at right angles one to another along three of the sides of said frame, a device integral with said frame, sensitive to variations in position in space of said apparatus and which can output a signal proportional to the angular deviation between one of said bearing surfaces and said reference plane, and means for displaying the value of the measurement taken by said sensitive device.
In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises four sides defining a rectangular or a square, three sides supporting said three outer bearing surfaces, the fourth side forming a handle.
Said measuring apparatus advantageously incorporates an analog or digital display device, preferably disposed close to the upper end of said handle, said handle being equipped with a control device such as a trigger or pushbutton initiating the measurement and its immediate display on said display device.
The nature of said sensitive sensitive device for measuring the inclination or gradient may vary in particular according to the use to be made of the apparatus, according to the conditions of employment, the degree of precision sought or the required selling price.
In addition, the electronic subsystem for processing the signals output by said sensitive device may be very easily arranged to enable the introduction of a switching device for altering the units of measurement of the angles of inclination or gradient, any programming device, a visual or audible signaling device, when for example the angle measured reaches a predetermined value. Because of its three reference surfaces, such apparatus may be used to measure the gradient of a floor or a ceiling, as well as the inclination of a wall, the electronic measurement signal processing device also providing for the measurement of such angles with respect to the horizontal and the vertical planes as well as with respect to any plane taken as reference according to the application envisaged.
Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an example of the invention, when considered in connection with the a
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patent: 4094073 (1978-06-01), Parra
patent: 4182046 (1980-01-01), Ludlow et al.
patent: 4244117 (1981-01-01), Cantarella
patent: 4253242 (1981-03-01), McInerney
patent: 4437241 (1984-03-01), Lemelson
Bouvet Lucien
Puyo Philippe
A.B.F. Industrie S.A.
Haroian Harry N.
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