GB2276451A

GB2276451A - Measuring gradients

Info

Publication number: GB2276451A
Application number: GB9306058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bradley Lawson; Martin Arnold
Original assignee: INTUITIVE DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: INTUITIVE DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-24
Filing date: 1993-03-24
Publication date: 1994-09-28
Also published as: GB9306058D0

Abstract

An elongate member 10 has a planar abutment surface 16 and means 13 for indicating when the abutment surface is positioned in a horizontal plane. A movable member 20 is connected to the elongate member at a position adjacent one end and scale means 21, 21 indicate a value based on the distance of the one end of the movable member from the abutment surface. <IMAGE>

Description

MEASURING GRADIENTS The present invention relates to a method and device for measuring inclines.

The present invention is of use in determining the inclination of an object and is suitable for use in many fields. There is a need for such a device that is easy to use and rapidly provides an accurate measure of inclination.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instrument for determining an inclination, the instrument comprising an elongate member having a planar abutment surface and means for indicating when the abutment surface is positioned in a horizontal plane; a movable member connected to the elongate member at a position adjacent one end of the abutment surface and reversibly movable to a position in which one end of the movable member is spaced from the abutment surface; and scale means that indicates a value based on the distance of the one end of the movable member from the abutment surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining the angle of inclination of an object, which method comprises laying against the object an abutment surface of an elongate member having means for indicating when the abutment surface is lying in a horizontal plane; moving a member connected adjacent one end of the elongate member to contact the object and cause the elongate member to pivot about its end remote from the movable member until the abutment surface is horizontal; using a scale means associated with the elongate member and movable member to indicate a value for the inclination of the object based on the distance between the one end of the movable member and the abutment surface.

Typically, the horizontal indicating means comprises a liquid-filled vial having a gas-bubble trapped therein, as is conventionally found in a spirit level.

Typically the movable member is movable in a direction substantially normal to the abutment surface. Preferably the movable member is movable from a position within the elongate member to a position projecting from the elongate member.

Most conveniently, the movable member comprises a micrometer screw.

Preferably, the scale means is calibrated to indicate an inclination as a vertical to horizontal ratio.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in side view an embodiment of the inclination measuring instrument of the present invention, in use on an inclined pipe.

The figure shows one embodiment 10 of the present invention in position on an inclined pipe ii. The instrument is formed from an elongate member 12 having, in a generally upward facing surface thereof, a device which can indicate when the lower surface 16 of the instrument is horizontal. As is shown, this function may suitably be performed by use of a conventional spirit level with its upper surface being parallel to the lower surface. The lower surface 16 of the member 12, which abuts against the inclined pipe 11 is planar. When the instrument is level, an air bubble 13 trapped in a liquid-filled vial 14, is centrally positioned between calibrated markers 15.

At one end of the instrument a micrometer screw 20 extends through the elongate member 12 so that its free end contacts the pipe. As the screw 20 is rotated, elongate member 12 moves linearly up or down the screw pivoting about its other end which remains in contact with the pipe. A marker 21 moves with the rotation of screw 20 indicating the amount by which the screw protrudes from the member. Preferably the scale is indexed to indicate directly on scale 22 measure of the inclination in terms of a vertical to horizontal ratio.

Suitable mechanisms for linking the rotation of the micrometer screw 20 to linear motion of a marker 21 include that of a conventional micrometer screw gauge. Alternative embodiments may provide for the indication of inclination to be read from a digital scale. Use of the device in different fields may prefer expression of inclination in different terms such as an angle or % inclination.

In use the instrument is positioned on the object the inclination of which it is desired to determine with the lower surface 16 abutting the upper surface of the object.

Micrometer screw 20 is rotated to adjust height y. As height y increases, elongate member 12 pivots about its end A. As screw 20 is rotated, marker 21 is caused to move linearly along scale 22 calibrated to indicate the inclination. Where the scale is calibrated in degrees, 8, the scale 22 may calibrated using the standard trigonometric function: tan 8 = y x where x is the distance from end A, where the instrument contacts the device the inclination of which is being measured, to the centre of screw 20, and y is the length of the screw 20 extending below the elongate member 12 when air bubble 13 indicates that the abutment surface 16 is horizontal.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. .. An instrument for determining an inclination, the instrument comprising an elongate member having a planar abutment surface and means for indicating when the abutment surface is positioned in a horizontal plane; a movable member connected to the elongate member at a position adjacent one end of the abutment surface and reversibly movable to a position in which one end of the movable member is spaced from the abutment surface; and scale means that indicates a value based on the distance of the one end of the movable member from the abutment surface.

2. An instrument as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the elongate member is in the form of a spirit level.

3. An instrument as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the movable member is movable in a direction substantially normal to the abutment surface.

4. An instrument as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the movable member is movable from a position within the elongate member to a position projecting from the elongate member.

5. An instrument as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the movable member is a micrometer screw.

6. An instrument as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the scale means is calibrated to express inclination as a vertical to horizontal ratio.

7. An instrument for determining an inclination substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. A method of determining the angle of inclination of an object, which method comprises laying against the object an abutment surface of an elongate member, having means for indicating when the abutment surface is lying in a horizontal plane, against the object; moving a member connected adjacent on end of the elongate member to contact the object and cause the elongate member to pivot about its end remote from the movable member until the abutment surface is horizontal; using a scale means associated with the elongate member and movable member to indicate a value for the inclination of the object based on the distance between the one end of the movable member and the abutment surface.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 using an instrument as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7.

10. A method of determining the angle of inclination of an object substantially as herein described.