Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Pitchometer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-02-27
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Pitchometer
C033S552000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192595
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to squares and squaring jigs, and more particularly, it pertains to a squaring gauge for use with a pitch meter for measuring the pitch angle of an oar blade.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In regattas, the athletes, or rowers, are the most important elements in getting a boat to go fast. Their strength, endurance, and technique contribute to performance more than anything else. The equipment and rigging of a boat also contribute to a great extent to boat speed.
In regard to rigging, the proper adjustment of the pitch angle of an oar blade, for example, is known to provide a smooth entry and exit of the oar blade from the water, and to exert a more efficient propulsion during the drive segment of the oar stroke. Therefore, the pitch angle of an oar blade is normally carefully measured before every race and is adjusted if needed to satisfy the preferences of each athlete.
Generally, the pitch angle of an oar blade is measured with a pitch meter, or an angle measuring instrument, that is held against the surface of the blade. During this procedure, it is recommended to place the pitch meter at right angle with the longitudinal axis of the oar in order to obtain a consistent measurement of the pitch angle of the oar blade.
There is no known squaring device in the prior art for use with a pitch meter of the type used to measure the pitch angle of an oar blade, for holding the pitch meter at right angle with the oar shaft. Therefore, this measurement is usually done by visually positioning and approximately holding the instrument on the oar blade as best as one can. When the adjustment is done inattentively, or by a person having insufficient training, the setting may vary from one oar to the next, or between two oars in a same pair, causing too much floating or sinking of the blade and uneven pull on the oars. This reason basically has contributed to the development of a market demand for a squaring gauge capable of steadying a pitch meter on an oar blade at right angle with the oar shaft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, there is provided a gauge that is mountable on an oar and that has at least one straight edge on which a pitch meter can be steadied for precisely and consistently measuring the pitch angle of the oar blade.
Broadly, in accordance with one feature of the present invention, there is provided a gauge having a first template-like cavity therein and a first straight edge bordering the first cavity. The first template-like cavity is adapted to enclose an end of an oar blade and the first straight edge is usable for steadying a pitch meter against the oar blade.
A first advantage of the gauge of the present invention, is that when it is used with a pitch meter for successively measuring the pitch angles of several oar blades of a same type, on a same boat for example, the measurements taken are precise and consistent from one oar blade to the next.
In a further feature of the present invention the template-like cavity has an oar-blade-like cross-section, such that it fits precisely over an oar blade to be measured.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention there is provided a gauge having a first template-like cavity therein and a first straight edge bordering the first cavity. The gauge further has a median region, a second template-like cavity disposed besides the first cavity and being separated from the first cavity by the median region, and a second straight edge bordering the second cavity. The first and second template-like cavities are symmetrical to each other relative to the median region. The first and second straight edges are also symmetrical to each other relative to the median region. The first and second cavities are thereby usable for selectively gauging an oar blade on a starboard side or on a port side of a racing shell, by simply manipulating the gauge from side-to-side.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gauge for use with a pitch measuring instrument, for measuring a pitch angle of an oar blade. This gauge comprises a first and second spaced-apart parallel walls each having finite length and width dimensions and respective first and second ends. First and second header members respectively join the first and second ends. An oblong slot is defined between the first and second walls and the first and second header members. The oblong slot has a thickness dimension and shares a substantial portion of the aforesaid length and width dimensions. The oblong slot also has a median region along the width dimension.
There is also provided a pendulum member having a first and second extremities, the first extremity being pivotally mounted to the first header member inside the oblong slot, for pivotal pendulum movement thereof along the oblong slot and over the median region. The pendulum member has a slender shape and a measure relatable to the thickness dimension of the oblong slot for dividing the oblong slot into a first and second juxtaposed template-like cavities.
The second header member has a notch therein for loosely enclosing the second extremity of the pendulum member. The notch has a first and second shoulders and a calibrated dimension between the first and second shoulders. The first and second shoulders are equally spaced from the median region.
The pendulum member is selectively movable against the first or second shoulder for selectively defining symmetrical calibrated shapes of the first and second template-like cavities for selectively gauging an oar blade on a starboard side, or on a port side of a racing shell when one of the cavities is adapted to be fitted over any oar blade in a set of oars.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, each of the symmetrical calibrated template-like cavities mentioned above has a trapezoidal shape to conform to the contour of a hatchet-type oar blade.
Still another feature of the present invention is that this gauge is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regards to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumer, thereby making such gauge economically available to the public.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2072779 (1937-03-01), Torbert, Jr.
patent: 2170824 (1939-08-01), Lichtenwalner
patent: 2737722 (1956-03-01), Keim
patent: 3148454 (1964-09-01), Anderson
patent: 3464119 (1969-09-01), Griggs
patent: 4188729 (1980-02-01), Peterson
patent: 4411214 (1983-10-01), Horiuchi
patent: 4492029 (1985-01-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 4662849 (1987-05-01), Loerch
patent: 4669195 (1987-06-01), Griffin
patent: 4718172 (1988-01-01), Rouse et al.
patent: 4760649 (1988-08-01), Preston et al.
patent: 4771546 (1988-09-01), Cavazos
patent: 5324218 (1994-06-01), Rijnders
patent: 5345688 (1994-09-01), Allen
patent: 5574442 (1996-11-01), Kinoshita et al.
Fernandez Maria
Fulton Christopher W.
Theriault Mario
LandOfFree
Gauge for use with an instrument for measuring the pitch of... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gauge for use with an instrument for measuring the pitch of..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gauge for use with an instrument for measuring the pitch of... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595785