GB2468642A

GB2468642A - A device for measuring angles

Info

Publication number: GB2468642A
Application number: GB0904398A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Michael Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-16
Filing date: 2009-03-16
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-16
Also published as: GB2468642B; GB0904398D0

Abstract

This invention provides a quick and simple way of determining the exact angle formed between two taut, crossed strings or builders lines. It is suspended below the first line by means of vertical hangers. A second line is then set up over the top of the first with the crossing point over the centre of the invention. This indicates the exact point of the corner to be measured, marked or constructed. The exact angle formed between the crossed strings or building lines is then read using the 360 degree graduations marked upon the inventions base. Once employed, the invention is hands free in operation.

Description

Title A Device for Measuring Angles

Description

Technical This invention is a device or tool for measuring the angles formed between a pair of crossing strings or building lines with the intention of setting/marking out an angled corner.

Background The inventor has extensive experience working with builders lines to set out walls and other boundaries for the purpose of constructing buildings or other areas or structures formed of square, rectangular or other angled parts.

Many structures are constructed using a 90 degree angled junctions of materials to form box or cube structures; brickwork, paving or timber stud work for example.

An accepted method of setting or marking out to construct such structures involves setting up a taut string or builders line between a pair of markers/pegs to represent where the longest wall or edge is to be positioned, according to a drawing or specification. A second taut string or builders line, can be set up between another set of markers/pegs, crossing the first string or line to represent where the second wall or edge of the structure is placed, thus forming a corner.

The angle between the two crossed strings or builders lines (often 90 degrees or square) is traditionally measured by trial and error using a small builders square and ensuring equal diagonal measurements of squares and rectangles. A basic form of Pythagoras's theorem is also used, often referred to as 3:4:5.

Limitations of existing methodology Judging or gauging by eye a parallel gap between the builders square and the strings or builders line while setting out, can prove to be time consuming, awkward and inaccurate, as the builders square can touch the string or builders line causing inaccuracy.

The operation of physically holding a builders square adjacent to but not quite touching the strings or builders lines, whilst trying to determine if the two crossing lines are at 90 degrees to each other, could be argued to be difficult and tiring.

Alternatively, trying to measure an accurate 3:4:5 across string could also be argued to be problematical; it could be argued to be difficult to mark the length of the two legs' of the triangle onto the strings or builders lines in order to measure the 5' or hypotenuse.

Statement This invention/device provides a quick and simple way of determining the exact angle formed by two taut, crossed strings or builders lines.

It does this by being attached to the primary building line by means of two hangers integral to the base of the device. Thus suspended below the primary line the device has marked upon its base a full 360 degrees of arc. Special highlights are marked at 90 degrees and degrees in either direction from the primary line, as these are the most common angles to be determined during the normal course of setting out for construction projects.

This provides a hands free operation to determine the exact angle formed by the two taut, crossed strings or builders lines by aligning the second string or builders line with the graduation marks on the base of the device.

Detailed Manufacture and composition Descnption It is anticipated that the device will be made from a tough plastic, of a type yet to be determined, to withstand the usual rigors of a normal construction site environment. It may also be made from other materials as yet to be tested, such as aluminium. It is anticipated that the device may be brightly coloured to ensure good placement visibility and ease of reading the graduations or marks.

It may primarily consist of a shaped base with two or more vertical hangers to enable it to be suspended just below a taut string or builders line. The vertical hangers should align with marks on the base of the invention and graduated marks will run across and around the base to describe a full 360 degree arc. The vertical hangers will probably correspond with the marks at 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The vertical hangers will be robust. The marks at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315 degrees will have prominence as they correspond to common angles used in construction.

A graduated scale will note all other degrees of arc.

The exact centre of the base will be where the marks cross and where the strings or builders lines will be aligned to, by visually placing the second string or builders line over the base, above but not quite touching the primary string or builders line that supports the invention.

It is anticipated that the device will be light in weight and will not cause significant sagging of the primary string or builders line.

Anticipated use and example To use the device, first a primary line needs to be established, this can normally be taken as (A) the longest side from a drawing of the structure1 or (B) to extend a line from an existing structure; where the new structure abuts and is in line with the existing structure.

To mark this primary line a string or builders line can be stretched taut between two markers/pegs or other supports inserted in the required position or a string or builders line fixed to an existing wall/edge in the normal way. The device is then attached to the primary line and a measurement taken to correctly position it.

A second taut, string or builders line is then positioned directly above the device just touching the primary line that supports it. This second line can be rotated over the device and aligned with the graduated marks to determine the angle required in relation to the primary line. This second line can normally be fastened to another pair of markers/pegs or other supports and fine adjustments made by tilting the line from side to side to align it with the graduated marks on the device.

These two lines now represent the outside edges of the planned structure and the correct angle between them. The position of these lines can now be transferred up or down using tradition tools and methods to finally mark the work in progress.

It is accepted that there may be other uses for this device not connected with the above

examples.

1 The word Structure' to be taken in the widest possible context, to cover any project requiring setting out using strings or builders lines and the measurement of angles thereof.

KEY

A example of a possible base of the device B example of vertical hanger that grips the string or builders line C primary line, consisting of a taut string or builders line placed over the project D secondary line, consisting of a taut string or builders line placed over the project E main or commonly used angles prominently marked on base.

F intermediate angles to be smaller graduations marked on base G centre of device and external point of angle formed between the two strings or builders lines H example of guide marks running across base of device

Claims

Claims (1) What I claim is that ths invention is a new and unique measuring device to determine the angle formed between two strings or builders lines that cross each other for any purpose involving strings or builders lines and measuring of angles formed.(2) The invention described in claim 1 is to be made from plastic, aluminium or other materials, consisting of a base with two or more vertical hangers to attach it to a string or builders line.(3) A device as described in any preceding claim that is suspended from a string or builders line with the intention of determining the angle formed between the line supporting the device and another string or builders line crossing over or under it.(4) A device described in any preceding claim that has the most common angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315 degrees; all within a 360 degree arc marked upon its face and other graduations in between, with the intention of determining the angle formed between two or more crossing strings or builders lines.(5) A measuring device to determine crossing angles of strings or builders lines substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings/illustrations.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. An angle measuring device comprising of a flat base including angle markings or a scale and having attached thereto vertically arranged hangers which enable it to be suspended from a single builders line or string and having no moving parts, thus completely removing the possibility of binding, jamming or inaccuracies which may be a problem with prior art/designs that attached to both lines.
2. A suspended and balanced angle measuring device that enables the reading of the angle formed between the first or primary builders line or string supporting the device and a second builders line or string that crosses over or under the centre of the device without touching the device or primary builders line or string.
3. An angle measuring device described in the preceding claims made from a lightweight material such as plastic, metal, or a composite of these materials and to be of a significantly lighter weight design than prior art avoiding excessive sagging of the primary builders line or string.
4. An angle measuring device to determine crossing angles of strings or builders lines substantially as herein described with CS..] reference to the accompanying drawings/illustrations. (0