U.S. patent application number 14/193121 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for digital angle gauge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shi Jian, Li Guang Jin, Barry Douglas Wixey. Invention is credited to Shi Jian, Li Guang Jin, Barry Douglas Wixey.
Application Number | 20140237837 14/193121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368678 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140237837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wixey; Barry Douglas ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
Digital Angle Gauge
Abstract
A digital angle gauge includes a gauge body having a reference
surface that is engageable with an object to be measured for
angular inclination. An angle sensor and processor mounted in the
body determine an inclination angle of the object with which the
reference surface of the gauge body is engaged. A digital screen is
pivotally mounted to the gauge body for visually displaying the
determined inclination in both incremental and absolute angles that
are displayed simultaneously and side by side.
Inventors: |
Wixey; Barry Douglas;
(Sanibel, FL) ; Jian; Shi; (Guilin, CN) ;
Jin; Li Guang; (Guilin, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wixey; Barry Douglas
Jian; Shi
Jin; Li Guang |
Sanibel
Guilin
Guilin |
FL |
US
CN
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
44368678 |
Appl. No.: |
14/193121 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12930361 |
Jan 5, 2011 |
8661701 |
|
|
14193121 |
|
|
|
|
61338360 |
Feb 17, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
33/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 9/06 20130101; G01B
5/24 20130101; G01B 3/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/534 |
International
Class: |
G01B 5/24 20060101
G01B005/24 |
Claims
1. A digital angle measuring gauge comprising: a gauge body having
a reference surface that is engageable with a surface to be
angularly measured; means enclosed by said body for determining
absolute and incremental inclination angles of the surface to be
angularly measured; and a digital screen connected to said gauge
body for displaying the determined absolute and incremental
inclination angles; said screen having adjacent sections for
respectively displaying the determined absolute and incremental
inclination angles simultaneously and adjacent to one another.
2. The tool of claim 1 in which said screen numerically displays
the determined absolute and incremental angles as respective
numerical characters, the numerical characters of one of the
displayed absolute and incremental angles being displayed in a
larger size than the characters of the other.
3. The tool of claim 1 in which said screen further includes a
graphic display that intuitively and nonnumerically depicts the
determined absolute inclination angle adjacent to the numerical
display of the determined absolute inclination angle on the
screen.
4. In a digital angle measuring gauge including a gauge body having
a reference surface that is engageable with a surface to be
angularly measured and means enclosed by the gauge body for
determining absolute and incremental inclination angles of the
surface to be angularly measured, the improvement comprising: a
digital screen connected to said gauge body for displaying the
absolute and incremental inclination angles; said digital screen
having adjacent screen sections for respectively displaying the
determined absolute and incremental inclination angles
simultaneously and adjacent to one another.
5. The tool of claim 4 in which said screen numerically displays
the determined absolute and incremental angles as respective
numerical characters, the numerical characters of one of the
displayed absolute and incremental angles being displayed in a
larger size than the characters of the other.
6. The tool of claim 4 in which said screen further includes a
graphic display that intuitively and non-numerically depicts the
determined absolute inclination angle adjacent to the numerical
display of the determined absolute inclination angle on the
screen.
7. A digital angle measuring tool comprising: a substantially flat
reference surface that is engageable with a surface to be angularly
measured; means connected to said reference surface for determining
absolute and incremental inclination angles of the surface to be
angularly measured; and a digital screen connected to said means
for determining for displaying the determined absolute and
incremental inclination angles; said screen having adjacent
sections for respectively displaying the determined absolute and
incremental inclination angles simultaneously and adjacent to one
another.
8. The tool of claim 7 in which said screen numerically displays
the determined absolute and incremental angles as respective
numerical characters, the numerical characters of one of the
displayed absolute and incremental angles being displayed in a
larger size than the characters of the other.
9. The tool of claim 7 in which said screen further includes a
graphic display that intuitively and nonnumerically depicts the
determined absolute inclination angle adjacent to the numerical
display of the determined absolute inclination angle on the
screen.
10. The gauge of claim 7 in which said screen includes a graphic
display that intuitively and non-numerically depicts the absolute
inclination angle adjacent to the numerical display of the absolute
inclination angle on said digital screen.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/930,361 filed Jan. 5, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/338,360 filed Feb. 17, 2010 and
now expired.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a digital angle gauge, and
particularly to an inclinometer type angle gauge featuring a
pivoting display screen and operating buttons positioned
conveniently on the top face of the device. The digital screen
simultaneously displays absolute and incremental numerical
measurements accompanied by an intuitive angular display
graphic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various digital angle gauges are currently available for
measuring the tilt or inclination of an object or a work surface.
Inclinometer-type angle gauges typically feature a generally
rectilinear configuration. A digital display screen and operating
buttons are mounted on a vertical front face of the device. At
least one side surface of the inclinometer functions as a reference
surface for engaging the work surface or object to be measured for
inclination.
[0004] The foregoing angle gauges usually exhibit one or more
shortcomings. The viewing screen is invariably oriented
perpendicular to the ground and can be difficult to view and read
clearly from above and/or peripherally. By the same token,
positioning the push buttons that operate the gauge (for example
the ON/OFF and ZERO reference buttons) on the front face of the
gauge can be problematic. It can be cumbersome to reliably press
these buttons and accurately set the ZERO reference point,
particularly since the gauge tends to slide along the work surface
when a button on the front face of the gauge is pressed.
[0005] Conventional digital angle gauges commonly feature two
varieties of inclination measurements. The user can choose to
employ an absolute zero point and thereby obtain angular
measurements relative to the center of the earth. Alternatively,
the user can select and employ an incremental zero point that
allows angular measurements to be taken relative to any arbitrary
reference surface. Conventional gauges permit the user to alternate
between these two modes by engaging a button to switch the screen
display to the desired mode. Switching between absolute and
incremental measurements can be confusing and cause the user to
record incorrect measurements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved digital angle gauge that allows inclination
angles to be measured and viewed much more conveniently and clearly
from various viewing positions including above or peripherally to
the gauge.
[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
digital angle gauge that places the operating buttons conveniently
and accessibly on the top face of the gauge so that the instrument
may be easily and reliably operated and set without shifting,
sliding or other disruption.
[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
digital angle gauge that allows absolute and incremental angular
measurements to be displayed clearly and conspicuously in a
simultaneous, side by side manner on the viewing screen of the
gauge.
[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
digital angle gauge featuring a graphic display that reliably
advises the user of a measured inclination angle in an intuitive
and easy to understand fashion.
[0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
digital angle gauge that provides both absolute and incremental
inclination measurements without requiring the user to select and
switch to a preferred mode of measurement and which therefore
avoids the potential confusion and mistakes inherent in prior angle
gauges.
[0011] This invention results from a realization that conventional
inclinometer-type digital angle gauges do not allow for clear and
reliable viewing of the digital display screen due to the
conventional fixed positioning of the screen on the front,
vertically perpendicular face of the gauge. By the same token, the
conventional positioning of the operating buttons on the front face
of the standard angle gauge makes operating those buttons quite
awkward. The present invention overcomes these problems by
employing a unique pivoting digital display screen and locating the
operating buttons on the upper face of the gauge. The digital angle
gauge of this invention also provides a greatly improved display
screen with contemporaneously displayed numerical values for both
absolute and incremental inclinations. An intuitive graphic in the
form of a digital representation of a bubble level vial is also
positioned on the display screen adjacent to the numerical angular
measurements in order to provide an improved, immediately
understandable representation of the measured inclination.
[0012] This invention features a digital angle gauge including a
gauge body having a reference surface that is engagable with an
object to be measured for inclination. An angle sensor and
processor are mounted in the gauge body for determining an
inclination angle of the surface of an object with which the
reference surface of the gauge body is engaged. A digital screen is
pivotally mounted to the gauge body for visually displaying the
inclination angle.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the gauge includes a generally
rectilinear configuration. The gauge body may include front and
back faces, as well as top and bottom faces and a pair of side
faces that interconnect the front and back faces. The screen may
pivotally attached to the body for being selectively alternated
between a closed condition wherein said screen is in substantially
flush interengagement with the front face of the gauge body and at
least one open condition wherein said screen extends outwardly at a
positive angle relative the front face of the gauge body. The front
face of the gauge body may include a recess for receiving the
screen display when the screen is in the closed condition.
[0014] One or more operating buttons may be operatively mounted in
the top face of the gauge body. These may include an ON/OFF button
for selectively activating and deactivating the angle sensor and
digital screen. Buttons may also be mounted in the top face for
selectively setting an incremental ZERO reference point and for
holding the detected angular measurement in place on the screen. A
single button may serve both as the ON/OFF switch and to set the
ZERO reference point.
[0015] The gauge may include a processor responsive to the angle
sensor for determining the absolute inclination of the engaged
surface of the object relative to the center of the earth, based
upon a calibrated absolute zero angle stored in the gauge. The
processor may also or alternatively respond to the angle sensor by
determining the inclination of the engaged object relative to a
selected zero angle reference point. For example, the operating
buttons may include a zero angle calibration button that is
momentarily engaged to provide a ZERO reference angle that is
stored in memory. The processor receives a detected measurement
from the angle sensor and calculates the inclination of the object
relative to the position of that object at the ZERO reference
angle.
[0016] The digital viewing screen may include a first section for
numerically displaying the absolute inclination angle and a second
section for numerically displaying the incremental inclination
angle. The first and second sections may display the absolute and
incremental inclination angles simultaneously and adjacent to one
another on the digital screen. The numerical measurements in one of
the screen sections may be larger than those of the other screen
section to facilitate differentiation of the absolute and
incremental measurements. The first section may further include an
intuitive graphic display for graphically (non-numerically)
depicting an inclination angle that corresponds to the absolute
inclination angle displayed on the screen. This graphic display may
intuitively simulate a bubble level and include the graphic or
pictorial representation of a bubble icon movable relative to a
simulated vial between multiple inclination positions corresponding
to respective absolute angular measurement ranges. A second
intuitive graphic screen display, typically displayed adjacent the
incremental numerical measurement, may include a design having
opposing slopes and a movable an icon that is alternatively
positioned adjacent to the slope of the design corresponding to the
direction in which the reference surface is inclined.
[0017] The reference surface may carry a magnet for removably
adhering the gauge body to magnetically attractive material in the
object being measured. This helps to maintain the gauge body in
place as angular measurements are taken. A "hold" button may be
provided to lock the determined angular measurement in place on the
digital screen after the gauge is disengaged from the object being
measured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred digital
angle gauge in accordance with this invention;
[0019] FIG. 2A is an elevational side view of the digital angle
gauge with the pivoting screen in a closed condition;
[0020] FIG. 2B is an elevational side view of the digital angle
gauge with the pivoting screen in an open condition extending
substantially perpendicular to the gauge body;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the digital angle gauge,
with the pivoting screen in the open condition;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective fragmentary view of the underside of
the display screen in an open condition relative to the gauge body
and particularly depicting the angle retention cam that holds the
display screen in a selected angle relative to the gauge body.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic view depicting the principle
electrical components of the gauge;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-6E are elevational views of respective absolute
angle readings provided by the intuitive "bubble level" graphic
display used in the digital display screen; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view depicting the gauge being
used to determine and display both absolute and incremental
inclination angles of a work surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] There is shown in FIGS. 1-3 a digital angle gauge 10 for
measuring and displaying the inclination angle of a selected work
piece, work surface or other object. As is described more fully
below, gauge 10 is constructed to calculate and display both
absolute and incremental inclination angle measurements. As used
herein, "absolute" measurements relate to the inclination angle
relative to the center of the earth. "Incremental" measurements
relate to the inclination relative to a selected reference point
(referred to herein as the "zero" reference point). Various types
of inclinometers and angle gauges are conventionally available for
measuring absolute and relative inclination angles. Gauge 10
employs an angle sensor, microprocessor and other electronics
analogous to those utilized in the prior art, as well as the
improvements disclosed herein, which greatly facilitate and enhance
the use of a digital angle gauge in obtaining inclination angle
measurements. It should be understood that gauge 10 may be used in
any and all applications for which conventional angle gauges and
inclinometers are utilized. The particular uses to which gauge 10
may be put do not constitute a limitation of this invention.
[0027] Gauge 10 has a generally rectilinear configuration, best
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2A, which resembles that of conventional
inclinometers. In particular, gauge 10 includes a gauge body 12
having opposing, vertically oriented front and back faces 14 and 16
respectively. Top and bottom faces 18 and 20, as well as opposing
side faces 22 and 24, interconnect and extend generally
perpendicularly between front and back faces 14 and 16. As best
shown in FIG. 3, front face 14 includes a recess 26, which
accommodates a pivoting display panel 28. That panel carries a
digital display screen 30, which is described in greater detail
below. A standard slidable battery compartment door 32, which is
typically opened and closed by the user's thumb, is provided
through side surface 24 for installing batteries in the angle gauge
as required.
[0028] Display panel 28 is pivotally attached to gauge body 12 by a
pivot assembly that connects the upper end of the panel to the body
at the upper end of recess 26. Various known types of pivot
constructions of the type conventionally utilized for video
cameras, laptop computers and other electronic equipment featuring
pivoting display screens may be used for gauge 10. The precise
manner of pivotally interconnecting display panel 28 to gauge body
12 is not a limitation of this invention. As a result, display
panel 28 and screen 30 are able to pivot, as indicated by
double-headed arrow 34, between the closed position shown in FIGS.
1 and 2A, and an open condition, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3. In the
closed condition, panel 28 and screen 30 are received in recess 26
and are in substantially flush interengagement with front face 14
of gauge body 12. The closed panel conformably fits in the recess
to provide gauge 10 with an ergonomic rectilinear appearance. In
the open condition, panel 28 and screen 30 extend outwardly from
gauge body 12 at a positive angle relative to front face 14. Panel
28 may be pivoted open to any selected one of a plurality of
angular positions. In FIG. 3, the panel and screen are pivoted open
such that they extend generally horizontally and substantially
perpendicularly from the front face of gauge body 12. This allows
the user to view the display screen 30 clearly and much more
conveniently, especially when viewing the gauge from above.
Alternatively, panel 28 and screen 30 may be pivoted open such that
they extend outwardly from front face 14 of gauge body 12 at a
positive angle of less than 90 degrees. The open condition angle
may be adjusted to provide the user with the clearest optimal
viewing of screen 28 from the particular vantage at which the user
is located when the measurements are being taken.
[0029] The panel may be retained in a selected open angle by a
retention cam 38 shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the retention cam
comprises a cylindrically curved, knurled or ribbed piece formed
integrally on the underside 40 of display panel 28 in proximity
with an upper lip 42 formed within recess 26. As panel 28 is
selectively opened or closed, in the manner indicated by double
headed arrow 34, cam 38 interengages lip 42 and acts to
frictionally hold panel 28 open at any selected one of a number of
angular positions relative to recess 26 and front face 14 of gauge
body 12. As a result, the user may quickly, conveniently and
reliably position the display panel and screen at a desired angular
orientation relative to the gauge body.
[0030] It should also be understood that, in alternative
embodiments, display panel 28 and screen 30 may be attached to body
12 in other pivoting configurations. For example, panel 28 may be
connected pivotally to the gauge body along the bottom or either
side edge of panel 28.
[0031] Gauge 10 includes otherwise standard operating buttons that
are advantageously mounted on top face 18 of gauge body 12. In
particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the gauge features an ON/OFF-ZERO
button 50 and a HOLD button 52. The functions performed by these
operating buttons are described more fully below. Placement of the
operating buttons on top face 18 greatly facilitates the convenient
and reliable operation of angle gauge 10 in a manner that is
likewise described below.
[0032] Gauge body 10 and screen panel 28 are typically composed of
a durable molded plastic. Various materials may be employed within
the scope of this invention. Screen display 30 typically comprises
an LCD display or other known types of screen constructions (e.g.
LED). The gauge may include various dimensions within the scope of
this invention. Typically, the front and back faces are
approximately 2-21/2 inches square. The gauge has a preferred
thickness of approximately 1-11/2 inches. These dimensions may be
varied within the scope of the invention.
[0033] A magnetic strip 55, FIG. 1, or other type of magnetic
component is attached to bottom face 20. This allows gauge 10 to be
magnetically secured to an underlying surface containing a
magnetically attractive material. As a result, inclination
measurements may be taken and read more reliably. In such cases,
bottom face 20 of gauge body 12 serves as a reference surface for
taking that required angle measurement. In alternative embodiments,
either of the side surfaces may act as a reference surface for
engaging a work piece surface or other object and enabling the
gauge to measure the inclination angle of that object.
[0034] As previously indicated, gauge 10 may employ various
electrical/electronic components of the type used in conventional
inclinometers and digital angle gauges. FIG. 5 illustrates a
schematic of preferred components employed in gauge 10. Gauge body
12 encloses an inclination angle sensor 60, which may comprise
various known types of angle sensors, such as a rotary capacitive
sensor, a solid-state sensor, a solid-state sensor incorporating an
accelerometer, etc. The construction and function of such sensors
in the inclinometer and angle gauge art will be known to persons
skilled in that art. Sensor 60 measures or detects the tilt or
inclination of the gauge (and more particularly the reference
surface 20 of the gauge) as attached to an underlying object or
surface being measured.
[0035] A processor 62, typically comprising a microprocessor, is
operably connected to sensor 60 within gauge body 12. Batteries 64
accommodated by an appropriate compartment within the gauge body
power the processor. By the same token, operating buttons 50 and 52
are operatively connected to processor 62. The processor is
programmed in a conventional manner to determine both absolute and
incremental angle measurements. During manufacture, the gauge is
calibrated for the absolute zero angle (true level) corresponding
to a measurement of no inclination or tilt relative to the center
of the earth. That value is permanently stored in absolute memory
66, which typically comprises an EPROM or other type of read only
memory. A temporary or RAM incremental memory is provided for
storing a ZERO reference angle, which is set by pressing ZERO
button 50 after the gauge has been turned on. Processor 62 is
programmed to process signals representative of the tilt detected
by sensor 60 and to derive both absolute and incremental
measurements from those signals. The processor then sends the
absolute and incremental angular measurements to display screen
30.
[0036] In operation, button 50 is initially pressed to activate the
gauge. Reference surface 20 of gauge body 12 is then engaged with a
work surface or other object to be measured for inclination. The
user next momentarily re-presses button 50 to set a ZERO reference
angle into incremental memory 68.
[0037] When the work surface or other object is set in the position
for which inclination is being measured, sensor 60 measures the
tilt of attached gauge 10 and provides a corresponding signal to
processor 62. The processor compares this detected value against
the values previously stored in memories 66 and 68 and derives
(calculates) both absolute and incremental angle measurements.
These measurements are sent to digital display 30 to be displayed
as described below. The electronic components of gauge 10, as shown
in FIG. 5 or as alternatively constructed, are operatively
connected to display screen 30 by known means conventionally used
to connect pivoting or articulating display panels to other types
of electronic equipment (e.g. laptop computer, video cameras, etc.)
For example, the processor may be connected to screen 30 by a
flexible ribbon cable, respective copper contacts or otherwise.
[0038] As best shown in FIG. 1, digital screen 30 displays the
angular measurements in various formats that significantly improve
understanding, accuracy, readability, and ease of use. A first
upper portion of screen 30 includes a numerical designation 72
reflecting the absolute angle measured by gauge 12 relative to the
calibrated zero value stored in memory 66. Various numerical
formats may be employed, including degrees in either two digits
(e.g. up to 90 degrees) or three digits (up to 180 degrees). A
decimal place may be provided (as shown after either the second or
third display digit) to reflect tenths of degrees. In alternative
embodiments, the angular measurement may be displayed for portions
of a degree, either fractionally or in minutes and seconds. The
manner in which numerals are presented/displayed on screen 30 may
be varied with the scope of this invention according to formats
known to persons skilled in the art.
[0039] A lower portion of screen 30 features a second numerical
display 74 reflecting the incremental angular measurement
determined by processor 62 with respect to the ZERO reference value
set in memory 68. Numerical display 74 is larger than numerical
display 72 (particularly when gauge 10 is intended primarily for
measuring incremental angles) so that the user can quickly and
reliably distinguish between the absolute and incremental
measurements. Once again, incremental numerical measurement 74 may
be displayed in various formats (e.g. in tens or hundreds of
degrees, decimally, fractionally, in minute/seconds, etc.). In
addition, the incremental measurement may be displayed as a slope
or rise/run as indicated by the "%" indicia adjacent to display
section 74.
[0040] Various other icons or indicia may be provided on screen 72
to improve the readability and clarity of the screen. Most
significantly, screen 30 includes an intuitive graphic display 80
adjacent to the absolute inclination numerical display 72. Display
80 graphically represents a plurality of inclination ranges, within
which the numerically displayed absolute inclination angle 72 may
be located. More particularly, graphic display 80, which is
reflected in FIGS. 6A-E, simulates a bubble level and includes a
bubble icon 82 that responds to tilting of the gauge by assuming
one of the five angular positions relative to simulated vial 83
reflected in FIGS. 6A-E respectively. Each of these positions
represents a range of corresponding absolute numerical angles at
which the reference surface of the gauge may be inclined or tilted.
For example, if reference surface 20 of gauge 10 tilts downwardly
by greater than a programmed angle to the right, icon 82 maintains
the lefthand position shown in FIG. 6A. This is analogous to the
operation exhibited by a conventional bubble level. If the gauge
tilts to the right but less than the foregoing programmed angle,
the icon moves to the position shown in FIG. 6B. If the gauge
measures no tilt or only a slight tilt not greater than a
predetermined amount, a level reading is provided on display 80,
wherein icon 82 is positioned between the two vertical hashmarks
85, as shown in FIG. 6C. FIGS. 6D and 6E analogously provide for
intuitive graphic representation of inclination of the gauge when
it is tilted to the left within like respective angular ranges.
Graphic display 80 provides for an easy to read and extremely
intuitive means for the user to quickly, understandably and
accurately view the approximate absolute angle inclination of a
particular work surface or object. A more precise angular
measurement can then be quickly and unmistakably ascertained by
simply referring to the numerical display 72 adjacent to graphic
display 80. The corresponding numeric and graphic displays
effectively confirm one another.
[0041] Additional graphic icons are provided on screen 30 to
improve its viewability. For example, a graphic icon 88, FIG. 1,
adjacent to incremental display 74 comprises a triangle having
opposing sloped surfaces respectively representing right hand and
left hand inclination of gauge 10. Display 88 graphically
corresponds to numerical display 74. When reference surface 20
tilts to the right, a square icon 90 appears on the right hand
(downward) slope of icon 88. Conversely, when the gauge is tilted
to the left, icon 90 appears on the left hand (upward) slope of
icon 88.
[0042] Screen display 30 also includes a battery icon 94 that is
displayed when the batteries fall below a predetermined charge. A
"HOLD" designation 96 is displayed on screen 30 when the user
presses button 52. This directs processor 62 to lock or hold the
numerical measurements 72 and 74 at the respective values detected
when button 52 is actuated. As a result, the user can maintain the
displayed values so that the gauge can be moved or repositioned
without disrupting the displayed measurements.
[0043] Gauge 10 is shown in operation in FIG. 7. In that example,
the reference surface 20 of gauge 10 is engaged with a work surface
S. In particular, magnet 55 engages and magnetically adheres to
magnetically attractive material in surface S. The work surface
itself has a tilt of 2.5 degrees relative to the absolute zero
point (i.e. the center of the earth). User U first presses button
50 to activate the gauge. Numerical display 72 shows an angle of
2.5 degrees. The user then momentarily represses button 50 to set a
ZERO reference angle into incremental memory 68, FIG. 5. Surface S
is then repositioned and tilted to the inclination angle to be
measured. Sensor 60 detects that angle and provides a corresponding
signal to processor 62. The processor determines both absolute and
incremental angle measurements and sends these to screen 30.
Portion 74 of screen 30 displays an incremental angle of 45.0
degrees, which indicates that surface S has been tilted 45 degrees
from the position at which its ZERO reference was set. At this
level, an absolute measurement of 47.5 is displayed in section 72
of screen 30. By the same token, intuitive graphic displays 80 and
88 correspond respectively with the absolute and incremental
numerical measurements, as displayed. Graphic display 80 depicts
icon 82 at the lefthand position of vial 83. Display 88 depicts
icon 90 against the downward righthand slope of the display. To
hold these measurements, user U simply presses button 52 and
disengages the gauge from work surface S. The measured angles may
then be examined and recorded conveniently. Moreover, the angles
may be viewed clearly and conveniently from various positions above
and to the side of the gauge by simply pivoting screen panel 28
outwardly, such as shown in FIG. 3. Panel retention cam 28 holds
this panel and screen display at the selected position to permit
convenient viewing.
[0044] The pivoting screen display as well as the simultaneous,
side-by-side absolute and incremental numerical displays and the
adjacent, easy to understand intuitive displays provide gauge 10
with significantly improved ease and clarity of viewing. The user
is not required to switch back and forth between absolute and
incremental measurements. Guesswork and measurement errors are
significantly reduced. The user is able to quickly and reliably
ascertain both absolute and incremental measurements for almost an
unlimited variety of angle measuring applications. The screen may
be quickly and conveniently repositioned as needed for viewing
directly in front of the gauge (closed screen) or from above or
peripherally to the gauge (open screen).
[0045] Placement of the operating buttons on the top face of gauge
10 makes the angle gauge much easier and far less cumbersome to
operate. By pressing directly down onto the top face of the gauge,
user U avoids unnecessary movement of the gauge, which typically
occurs when conventional operating buttons mounted on the front
face are employed. The top face mounted buttons of the present
invention are far less awkward to access and allow the user to
quickly and reliably complete and hold angle measurements without
moving or disrupting the gauge.
[0046] From the foregoing it may be seen that the apparatus of this
invention provides for an improved digital angle gauge utilizing a
pivoting display screen, operating buttons conveniently located on
the top face and a user friendly display screen featuring
simultaneously displayed absolute and incremental measurements, as
well as an intuitive angular graphic display in the form of a
simulated bubble level. While this detailed description has set
forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this
invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure
of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will
readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is
understood that this description is illustrative only of the
principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof.
[0047] Although specific features of the invention are shown in
some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only,
as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other
features in accordance with this invention.
[0048] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and
are within the following claims:
* * * * *