Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – Opposed contacts
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-30
2003-01-21
Gutierrez, Diego (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
Opposed contacts
C033S19900R, C033S679100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06508012
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to measuring apparatuses. More particularly, the invention comprises an indicator system which specifically measures the size of fasteners by digital technology. Typically, the fasteners would be common nuts and bolts.
In general, a first field of use of the disclosed invention are the unique advantages of the instant invention for manufacturers of nuts and bolts. However, many other fields, such as for use by manufacturers of various small components and the like, could find potentially beneficial uses of this invention. Further, individuals, such as mechanics and the like, are obvious users of this invention.
Thus, it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this invention are myriad and the particular preferred embodiments described herein is in no way meant to limit the use of the invention to the particular field chosen for exposition of the details of the invention.
A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which this invention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and is, therefore, not provided herein. Some of the more obvious applications are mentioned in the interest of providing a full and complete disclosure of the unique properties of this previously unknown general purpose article of manufacture. It is to be understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is not limited to these fields or to the specific examples of potential uses presented herein.
II. Description of the Related Art.
Presently, in order to determine the size of a nut or bolt head, one uses a trial and error method for fitting different size wrenches over the nut or bolt head until one discovers which wrench fits perfectly. Wrenches are heavy and cumbersome, and time and effort is consumed in this trial and error method because one must keep returning to the tool box to find another size wrench until the right size is finally chosen. Sometimes, nuts and bolts are located in tight spaces where a wrench cannot reach with facility, thus creating a greater waste of time and effort as the user attempts to discover the proper wrench size to use.
The hand and eye comparison method is also used to measure the size of the threads in a particular bolt. Once again, the common process is to compare (or even count) the size of the threads in an existing bolt with the size of the threads in a replacement bolt until one finds a replacement bolt with the correct dimensions. This is time consuming, clumsy and often inaccurate.
In the past, inventors created several types of measuring devices with an infinite scale to measure the distance across the flats of a head of nuts and bolts. Also, there have been paper, cardboard, plastic or metal templates made with individual measuring elements incorporated for measuring bolt head sizes, bolt diameters, etc. Such features generally include a plurality of apertures of different diameters, appropriately sized for the various diameters of bolts.
Various devices are well known in the prior art which deal with measuring apparatuses, and these include U.S. Pat. No. 1,700,857 issued to Schultz which describes a Hem Gauge having a continuously graduated scale with an elongated slot down the center thereof. A slide with an index is installed within the slot. The device is used by placing the first end of the scale at the origin of the length or distance to be measured, and sliding the index to the appropriate measurement point. The length or distance is then read off the scale point aligned with the index, as with a conventional ruler or measurement scale. In contrast, the present invention provides for the precise determination of the most common sizes of nuts and bolts, and has no provision for an infinitely adjustable or readable scale.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,820 issued to O'Connor describes a metric gauge including a planar body having formed therein a plurality of integral sockets of varying sizes for wrench size, nut size, bolt size and screw length measuring purposes. Each of the sockets is downwardly formed below the hexagonal configuration area in a hollow cylindrical shape of varying diameter to thereby easily measure the diameter of a bolt by inserting the bolt into one socket after another until the correct diameter is gauged. Again, it appears that the design is intended only for the sorting of mixed nuts, bolts and screws into groups of identical sizes. The planar body of this gauge makes use in practical applications difficult as well.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,820 issued to Nishikata et al describes a vernier caliper having a scale body formed of two parallel rods. The device functions in the manner of earlier known vernier calipers, but structural advantages are alleged with the Nishikata et al. caliper, due to the parallel rod body structure. A vernier provides for the reading of dimensions comprising an unbroken continuum of sizes, and includes a secondary vernier scale for finer readings. In contrast, the present invention only includes a limited number of finite standard and metric sizes of nut and bolt dimensions with a single readout on a liquid crystal display, thereby providing the size of the fastener and the corresponding wrench or socket size required.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,399 issued to Campbell describes a wheel bolt circle gauge structurally somewhat resembling a vernier caliper. An elongated scale includes a tapered or conical tip, with a slide body having a single scale-viewing window therein and a tapered or conical tip extending therefrom. The scale and corresponding opposite edges of the single window each include a different scale thereon, with one scale slide and window edge providing a series of numbers corresponding to metric dimensions and the opposite side and edge having a set of numbers for inch dimensions. The use of a single window to view all of this information results in a need for a separate table on the scale body for the interpretation of the numbers. The integrated circuit of the present invention permits the information to be obtained in a single operation with no requirement to check a secondary table or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,685 issued to Castillo describes a movable jaw measuring apparatus, in which one edge of the jaw is aligned with one of a series of index marks provided on the body of the device when a bolt or nut is measured therein. All of the index marks and their corresponding numbers are visible simultaneously, unlike the liquid crystal display screen of the present invention, which precludes viewing of the entirety of more than the single correct number at any one time. The long index mark leads required by Castillo in order to fit all the fractional numbers on the body of the device are somewhat confusing, and it would be easy to err by visually following an incorrect line to one of the numbers on the body and thereby secure the wrong wrench for the measured nut or bolt.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,636 issued to Lamons describes a multi-tool adjustable wrench having a vernier scale on the adjustable wrench jaws. The limitations and disadvantages of a continuously reading and displaying vernier scale, as opposed to the discontinuous incremental readouts provided with the present invention have been discussed further above. A single correct digital readout is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen of the present invention at any one time. Moreover, the present invention is not a wrench, and is not adapted to provide mechanical force or mechanical advantage to a fastener. The present invention measures the width of a nut or bolt head to provide for the selection of an appropriately sized wrench or socket.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,921 issued to Leslie describes a fastener component, such as a nut, which has size indicia thereon. The size indicia is used to identify the size of a wrench suitable for adjusting the nut when threaded onto a bolt, without taking measurements. Removal of nuts and bolts found on current machinery and replacing them with Leslie's fastener components wo
De Jesús Lydia M.
Gutierrez Diego
Hinkle & O'Bradovich, LLC
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