U.S. patent application number 09/766791 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for calibrated arcuate wedge tool for measuring a gap adjacent to a curved surface.
Invention is credited to Lynch, Michael S..
Application Number | 20020095811 09/766791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25077547 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020095811 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lynch, Michael S. |
July 25, 2002 |
CALIBRATED ARCUATE WEDGE TOOL FOR MEASURING A GAP ADJACENT TO A
CURVED SURFACE
Abstract
A tool, for measuring a gap adjacent a curved surface of a
workpiece, includes a curved tool body having a substantially
C-shaped cross-section. The tool may further include a handle
attached to the tool body. Preferably, the tool body has flattened
top and bottom surfaces, which may be substantially parallel to one
another. The tool body also includes curved front and back
surfaces. The tool body has a relatively wide first end, and a
second end which is narrower than the first end. The tool body
tapers gradually and continuously from the first end to the second
end, and becomes progressively narrower as it moves away from the
first end. The tool body also gradually curves, as it moves from
the first end to the second end, so that it is substantially
C-shaped, as noted. The tool body has markings on at least one
surface selected from the top, bottom, front and back surfaces, to
indicate the thickness thereof at selected, regularly spaced apart
intervals.
Inventors: |
Lynch, Michael S.;
(Fostoria, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Honeywell International Inc.
Law Department, Patent Services
101 Columbia Road
Morristown
NJ
07962
US
|
Family ID: |
25077547 |
Appl. No.: |
09/766791 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
33/613 ; 33/542;
33/544.4; 33/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B 3/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/613 ;
33/544.4; 33/600; 33/542 |
International
Class: |
G01D 021/00 |
Claims
Having, thus, described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A tool for measuring gaps proximate curved surfaces, said tool
comprising: a curved tool body, said tool body having a first end,
and a second end which is narrower than the first end; wherein said
tool body tapers gradually and continuously from the first end to
the second end, and becomes progressively narrower as it moves away
from the first end; wherein said tool body also gradually curves,
as it moves from the first to the second end; and further wherein
at least one exterior surface of said tool body has indicia
thereon, to indicate the thickness thereof, at selected, regularly
spaced apart intervals.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool body has a substantially
C-shaped cross-section.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said tool body has a top surface, a
substantially flattened bottom surface, and curved front and rear
surfaces, and wherein said indicia are located on at least one
surface selected from said top, bottom, front and rear
surfaces.
4. The tool of claim 3, wherein said indicia are located on both of
said top and bottom surfaces of said tool body.
5. The tool of claim 3, wherein said indicia are located on said
top surface of said tool body, and said indicia are also located on
at least one of said front and back surfaces of said tool body.
6. The tool of claim 3, wherein said top surface is substantially
flat, and wherein said top and bottom surfaces are substantially
parallel to one another.
7. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first end of said tool body
includes a rounded tip portion.
8. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a handle, and an
intermediate member interconnecting the handle to the tool
body.
9. A tool for measuring gaps proximate curved surfaces, said tool
comprising: a curved tool body having a substantially C-shaped
cross section, said tool body having a first end, and a second end
which is narrower than the first end; said tool body having
substantially flattened top and bottom surfaces which are
substantially parallel to one another, and having curved front and
rear surfaces; wherein said tool body tapers gradually and
continuously from the first end to the second end, and becomes
progressively narrower as it moves away from the first end; wherein
said tool body also gradually curves, as it moves from the first
end to the second end; and further wherein at least one exterior
surface of said tool body has indicia thereon, to indicate the
thickness thereof, at selected, regularly spaced apart
intervals.
10. The tool of claim 9, wherein said indicia are located on both
of said top and bottom surfaces of said tool body.
11. The tool of claim 9, wherein said indicia are located on said
top surface of said tool body, and said indicia are also located on
at least one of said front and rear surfaces of said tool body.
12. The tool of claim 9, wherein said first end of said tool body
includes a rounded tip portion.
13. The tool of claim 9, further comprising a handle, and an
intermediate member interconnecting the handle to the tool
body.
14. A method of measuring a gap proximate a curved surface of a
workpiece, comprising the steps of: a) aligning a curved surface of
a tool body with a curved surface of the workpiece; b) sliding a
narrow end of said tool body into a gap between said curved surface
and a portion of said workpiece which is spaced away from said
workpiece curved surface, said tool body progressively widening as
it moves away from said narrow end; c) slidably moving said tool
body through said gap until said tool body simultaneously contacts
both said workpiece curved surface and said spaced away portion;
and d) reading indicia on said tool body corresponding to the width
of said tool body in said gap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a hand-operated tool for
measuring a gap adjacent to a curved surface of a workpiece. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a tool for measuring
a gap between a first circular, semi-circular, or curved workpiece
surface, and an opposing workpiece surface or object, which is
spaced away from the first surface.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Many different gauges are known for determining the size or
extent of holes and/or spaces. Most of these devices relate to
highly specialized fields where precise measurement is not only
necessary, but is critical.
[0005] For example, feeler gauges and spark plug gap gauges are
well known in the automotive field. Numerous gauges of this type
are known and are commercially available.
[0006] In the jewelry industry, correct ring sizing is critical to
ensure a comfortable yet secure fit. The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No.
4,964,222 provides a conically tapered tool for measuring the
internal diameter of a ring, to ensure proper ring size.
[0007] In another field, a wedge-shaped measuring tool is known for
measuring vertical or horizontal voids between two objects, between
an object and a flat support surface such as a floor, or between
different planes of the same object, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
2,846,772, issued in 1958 to Strausser. The wedge-shaped tool of
Strausser has flat surfaces on all sides thereof.
[0008] Another wedge-shaped measuring tool, which is similar to the
Strausser tool, is disclosed in U.S. Design patent 411,808, issued
in 1999 to Irwin. The device of the Irwin design patent tapers
inwardly on two adjacent sides thereof as it approaches a tip
portion, offering the user two possible measurements (length and
width, depth and height, etc.) of a space between two objects, or
between different planes of the same object. The wedge-shaped tool
of Irwin also has flat surfaces on all sides thereof.
[0009] While the known devices provide some useful tools, and these
tools are usable for their respective purposes, difficulty still
occurs when attempting to accurately measure a gap between a curved
workpiece surface and another workpiece feature or element, which
is spaced a fixed distance away from that surface. Currently,
measuring this distance is performed with cumbersome calipers
and/or pin gauges, that may shift while the user attempts to adjust
the tool to fit the spacing. As a result, accurate measurements, of
spaces having the described curved geometry, are difficult and
time-consuming to ascertain with the known measuring tools.
[0010] In particular, in the process of manufacturing spin-on
cartridge type fluid filters, such as oil filters and the like,
such filters include a base plate. Certain reinforcement bosses are
formed on the filter base plate, for retaining and supportively
reinforcing an annular seal anchored to the base plate. As a matter
of quality control, during the manufacturing process, a distance or
gap must be measured, between the tip of each reinforcement boss
and an opposed inward-facing surface of a groove formed in the
filter base plate. If this distance is not equal around the filter,
within specified tolerances, the filter must be scrapped. Previous
efforts to measure this boss to groove sidewall clearance gap have
proven to be time-consuming and labor intensive.
[0011] As a result of the above-described difficulties, a need
still exists in the art for a tool that will accurately measure a
fixed distance, between a first, curved surface of a workpiece, and
an opposing surface, feature, or element of the workpiece. In
particular, a need exists for a tool of the described type, which
is capable of measuring a variety of gaps, having dimensions
falling within a specified range.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has been developed to overcome the
foregoing limitations and disadvantages of conventional gap
measuring tools and equipment, as used for measuring openings or
gaps next to curved surfaces.
[0013] The present invention provides a tool for measuring a gap
adjacent to a curved surface, including a tool body formed
essentially as a curved wedge, and having a variable calibrated
width along the length thereof, which decreases from a first width,
at a first end thereof, to a second width thinner than the first
width.
[0014] A tool according to the invention is made from a unitary
piece of material in the shape of a curved wedge with calibrated
ruler-like measurements etched into, or otherwise marked on the
surface thereof. The curved wedge shape allows a user to easily
measure multiple gap sizes with a single tool. The curved shape of
the wedge allows it to fit slidably into the gap, for efficient and
accurate measurement, rather than requiring a more cumbersome
operation such as adjusting a caliper, or manipulating a pin gauge.
In addition, the tool according to the present invention
facilitates increased production speed and efficiency, by
eliminating the previously required time-consuming process of
re-calibrating measuring tools.
[0015] A tool, according to a first embodiment of the invention,
includes a curved tool body having a substantially C-shaped
cross-section. The tool body may be solid or hollow. The tool body
has substantially flattened top and bottom surfaces, which may be
substantially parallel to one another. The tool body has a
relatively wide first end, and a second end which is narrower than
the first end. The tool body tapers gradually and continuously from
the first end to the second end, and becomes progressively narrower
as it moves away from the first end. The tool body also gradually
curves, as it moves from the first end to the second end, so that
it is substantially C-shaped, as noted. The tool body has markings
thereon, to indicate the thickness thereof, at selected, regularly
spaced apart intervals.
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
the reader is referred to the following detailed description
section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the
drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a measuring tool in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating ruler-like measurements on an upper surface
thereof;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the tool of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an inverted fluid
filter housing and a gasket therefor;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the base
plate of the filter housing of FIG. 3, taken along the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a simplified bottom plan view of the fluid filter
base plate of FIGS. 3-4, showing two possible placements of the
measuring tool superimposed in phantom thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a measuring tool,
in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, is
shown generally at 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the measuring
tool 10 is constructed from a single piece of stock, preferably
metal or a durable, high-strength plastic.
[0023] The tool 10 includes a tool body 12, which is formed in a
curved wedge shape, for use in measuring spaces or gaps between
curved objects, or between a curved workpiece surface and a spaced
apart feature, element or second portion of the same object. The
tool body 12 is preferred to be substantially C-shaped, as shown,
and is formed essentially as a curved wedge, having a calibrated
width at each point along the length thereof. The lateral thickness
across the tool body varies from a first width, at a first end 14
thereof, to a second width, thinner than the first width, at a
second end 16 thereof. The first end 14 may include a rounded-off
tip, as shown, which may be somewhat narrower than the widest point
of the tool body.
[0024] Optionally, but not necessarily, the tool 10 may include a
handle 9 connected to the tool body 12 by an intermediate connector
bar 11, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.
[0025] Preferably, the tool body 12 has opposed, substantially
flattened top and bottom surfaces 18, 20 for selected alignment
with a flattened surface of a workpiece. The top and bottom
surfaces may be parallel to one another. One or both of the top and
bottom surfaces 18, 20 has a series of calibrated ruler-like
measurements etched into, or otherwise marked on the surface
thereof The tool body 12 tapers gradually and continuously from the
first end 14 to the second end 16, and becomes progressively
narrower as it moves away from the widest point thereof, at the
first end. The tool body 12 also gradually curves, as it moves from
the first end 14 to the second end 16, so that it is substantially
C-shaped, as noted. The tool body 12 has indicia 22 on at least one
of the surfaces 18, 19, 20, 21, to indicate the thickness thereof,
at selected, regularly spaced apart intervals. Preferably, the tool
body 12 has indicia 22 on both the top and bottom surfaces 18, 20,
respectively. The indicia 22 may include line markings and numbers
representing the lateral thickness across the tool body at a given
point. These numbers may be according to the metric system, or may
be in inches or fractions thereof. Optionally, these markings may
extend down the curved side surfaces 19, 21.
[0026] The tool body 12 also has curved front and rear surfaces 19,
21 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 18, 20 on opposite
sides thereof. One or both of the curved front and rear surfaces
19, 21 may also have marking indicia thereon, as shown in FIG. 2,
to represent the lateral width across the tool body at different
points thereon.
[0027] The curved wedge shape of the tool body 12 allows a user to
easily measure multiple gap sizes with a single tool. The curved
shape of the tool body 12 allows it to fit slidably into a gap,
such as those shown at X, Y (FIGS. 3-4), for efficient and accurate
measurement, rather than requiring a more cumbersome operation such
as adjusting a caliper, or manipulating a pin gauge. In addition,
the tool 10, according to the invention, increases the speed of
production through elimination of the time-consuming process of
re-calibrating current measuring tools.
Application of the Tool to Measure a Gap
[0028] The following discussion illustrates one example of a
specific application of the tool 10 hereof to measure a gap
adjacent to a curved surface. This example is intended to
illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those in the art
will realize that many other applications of the tool may be found,
in addition to the specific example given here.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3, a spin-on fluid filter housing is
shown generally at 24, in an inverted orientation, with the central
structure thereof omitted from the drawing for clarity of
illustration. The filter 24 includes a base plate 26, which has
been stamped, or otherwise machined, to form an annular groove 28
therein. The annular groove 28 is formed in the base plate 26 to
retentively receive a conventional rubber gasket 30 therein. The
gasket 30 is provided to form a fluid-impermeable seal upon
installation of the filter 24 on a support base (not shown).
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base plate 26 also has a
ridge 32 formed thereon, adjacent the annular groove 28, and
disposed radially inwardly thereof, defining the inner wall of the
groove. The ridge 32 is further machined in selected areas, to form
outwardly extending retaining bosses 34 thereon.
[0031] The retaining bosses 34 extend radially outwardly from the
rest of the ridge 32, a small amount, at the top of the groove 28.
These retaining bosses 34 are small enough to allow the flexible
gasket 30 to be pushed therepast, when some force is applied to the
gasket. However, once the gasket 30 is in place in the groove 28,
and is pinched by the retaining bosses 34, it will remain in place
under normal handling conditions, effectively keeping the gasket
and filter housing 25 connected as an assembly. However, if the
retaining bosses 34 extend too far into the groove 18 or do not
extend far enough into the groove 18, problems may ensue.
[0032] In the manufacturing process, it is necessary to measure the
gap G (FIG. 4) between the outer wall of the groove 28 and the tip
of the retaining boss 34. Some variation is acceptable in the
dimension of this gap, but a range of acceptable spacing is
established for quality control purposes. If this gap G is too
wide, the gasket 30 will not be effectively retained in the groove
28. Conversely, if the gap G is too narrow, excessive force will be
required to push the gasket 30 past the bosses 34, or the gasket
may be effectively prevented from entry into the groove 28 at that
point.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 5, a simplified plan view of the
groove 28 is shown with a number of bosses 34 extending into the
groove. The size of the bosses 34, and the discrepancies between
them, has been exaggerated in the drawing for purposes of
illustration.
[0034] In order to measure the gap G, the tool body 12, according
to the invention, is placed into the groove 28, with the narrow end
16 of the tool between the outer wall 27 and the boss 34, and with
the bottom surface 20 of the tool resting against the base plate 26
at the floor of the groove. The tool body 12 is then slidably moved
in the groove, in a direction which gradually increases the width
of the portion of the tool body 12 disposed between the boss 34 and
the outer wall 27. This movement of the tool 10, relative to the
filter base plate 26, continues until the tool body stops, and can
move no further. At this point, the tool body 12 is touching both
the outer wall 27 and the tip of the boss 34, and a reading may be
taken of the indicia 22, on the top or side surface of the tool
body 12, to measure the width of the gap G at that point.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a first orientation 12A of a tool body
12, measuring a first distance X of a sample gap G between a first
boss 34A and the outer wall 27, at the top portion of the drawing.
Since the first boss 34A is slightly undersized, the first distance
X is of a relatively large dimension, and accordingly, the
measurement is taken towards the wide end 14 of the tool. FIG. 5
also illustrates a second orientation 12B of a tool body 12,
measuring a second distance Y between a second boss 34B and the
outer wall 27, at the bottom portion of the drawing. Since the
second boss 34B is slightly oversized, the second distance Y is of
a relatively small dimension as compared to the first distance X,
and as a result, the measurement of the second distance Y is taken
towards the narrow end 16 of the tool.
[0036] Although the present invention has been described herein
with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, the foregoing
description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of
the preferred embodiment could be made which would be operable. All
such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are
intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *