Abstract:
A caliper of a type used in measurements in which the invention comprises including offset measurement jaws deployed at an angle to the main plane of said caliper for measuring dimensions offset from the main plane of said caliper. Said caliper may also include means for measuring both internal dimensions and external dimensions, and may further include a readout, such as digital or analog readout means.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 4,908,953 
                 March 1990 
                 Walliser 
               
               
                 4,945,651 
                 August 1990 
                 Georg 
               
               
                 4,982,509 
                 January 1991 
                 Luttmer et al 
               
               
                 5,036,596 
                 August 1991 
                 Gyoury et al 
               
               
                 5,404,317 
                 April 1995 
                 Song et al 
               
               
                 6,055,728 
                 August 2000 
                 Howie 
               
               
                 6,195,668 
                 February 2001 
                 Toyosawa et al 
               
               
                 6,263,585 
                 July 2001 
                 Dickinson et al 
               
               
                 6,314,657 
                 November 2001 
                 Kroll et al 
               
               
                 6,796,050 
                 September 2004 
                 Haimer et al 
               
               
                 7,246,032 
                 July 2007 
                 Feldman 
               
               
                 7,580,804 
                 August 2009 
                 Wixey 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    there is no federally sponsored research/development involved in this invention. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
       [0003]    there are no listings, tables, or programs involved in this invention. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior Art 
       [0004]    Calipers are devices that measure the distance between two points, such as the opposing sides of a hole or cavity. A caliper can be as simple as a compass, comprising two legs and means for adjusting the angle between them; or more complex; such as two measurement arms protruding from, for example, a scale, or ruler. Caliper measuring arms often have inward or outward-facing measuring points or areas. In operation, measurement arm tips of said caliper are adjusted to fit across or between areas or spaces to be measured. The distance may then be read, such as by measuring between said tips. 
         [0005]    One type of caliper is the vernier caliper, which provides measuring arms on a scale, usually with arms that are normal to said scale, and/or with either direct or dial-type readout to allow measurements to be made. 
         [0006]    Another variation is an extension, or telescoping, caliper. While much less common, because they allow only a reduced range of measurement due to the need to telescope the parts, telescoping calipers can be used in, for example, confined areas where the maximum dimensions of said caliper must fit within the area to be measured. 
         [0007]    Calipers can measure internal dimensions or external dimensions. For vernier calipers, scales on said calipers often include inch and/or metric measurements, such as on an upper and lower part of said scales, or a dial read out, which may be incorporated into said caliper. Vernier calipers commonly used in industry provide a precision to about two hundredths of a millimeter, or less than one thousandth of an inch. 
         [0008]    The vernier caliper may have been the original design for a caliper, and may still be the most rugged. Said vernier caliper was invented by Pierre Vernier in 1631. Many vernier calipers allow measurements to be read more precisely from an evenly divided scale by the alignment of scales or reference marks on both the vernier plate, or slider and a scale the slider rides on. Many calipers allow readings in both metric and inch units. 
         [0009]    A refinement to the measurement caliper is the inclusion of an analog or digital read out on which readings are displayed. Calipers with readouts often also provide for zeroing the display at any point, thereby allowing differential measurements and eliminating the need to read absolute numbers. Calipers with readouts may also contain a “reading hold” feature for locations where said caliper cannot be conveniently read, so that the reading can be more conveniently reviewed after said caliper is removed. 
         [0010]    Vernier calipers can be used with accessories that extend their usefulness. One example, though there are many such accessories, is an attachment to facilitate measuring the center distance between holes. 
         [0011]    However, calipers as presently known allow for only direct measurements, such as in the main plane of the caliper, and do not provide a means for measurement in an offset direction other than as an integral part of a machine or other such system. Separate calipers as presently known do not allow an arbitrary measurement offset at some distance from said main plane of said caliper, such as normal thereto. 
         [0012]    The invention shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,953 refers to a caliper-type device used as a length measuring device, with which a working length of a work piece may be determined for milling machines and sawing machines. The measuring device includes a movable buffer which is laid out and secured parallel to a table and integral thereto perpendicular to the plane of the cutting tool of a machine. An electrical sensor device operable for electrical or electronic measurements is synchronized to move with said buffer. Said sensor device is electrically connected with an indicator to provide a read out of the measurement. The &#39;953 patent provides for an extension normal to the plane of a caliper, but only for the purpose of allowing said caliper, which is an extension-type caliper, to be easily extended, and is for measuring essentially in said plane of said caliper. The &#39;953 invention does not anticipate the arbitrary measurement of opposing edges or surfaces offset from the plane of said caliper. 
         [0013]    The invention shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,651 refers to a caliper for measuring lengths, having a housing which has a contact plane as well as sensor pin which is arranged displaceably perpendicular thereto and is connected to an indicator instrument. Said housing having a single support foot for the universal use of said instrument, the bottom of said support foot lying in the contact plane. The &#39;651 patent is intended to measure similarly disposed edges or surfaces rather than opposing surfaces, and for making measurements which are in the main plane of said caliper. 
         [0014]    The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,509 is a caliper having multiple display orientations. Said caliper comprises a reader head having a reader element, and a display module. Said reader element is configured for lateral movement with respect to a calibrated reference member for making a measurement relative to a reference position on said calibrated reference member. The display module is for displaying measurement values and includes coupling hardware for connecting said display module to said reader head so said display module can be read horizontally independent of whether said reader head is oriented horizontally, vertically, or in another direction. The &#39;509 patent is intended to measure distances along a table edge in the main plane of said caliper. 
         [0015]    The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,596 is a caliper for the positional adjustment of cutting tools for use on machine tools with a first block having a gaging surface thereon translationally and swivelably movable on a perpendicular shaft. A second block is coupled to said first block in such a manner that the two blocks move together translationally with said first block being free to swivel relative to said second block. Said second block carries indicating means for indicating the amount of translational movement of said two blocks. The &#39;596 invention is for measurement along an edge, and does not allow for the measurement of arbitrary edges or surfaces not substantially in the plane of said caliper and not independent of the system of the &#39;596 invention. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,032 discloses a vernier-type caliper for measuring both opposing and included surfaces or edges, but requires that the object measured be within the plane of said caliper. 
         [0017]    Other US patents that may constitute prior art are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,404,317, 6,095,728, 6,195,668, 6,263,585, 6,314,657, 6,796,050, and 7,580,804, which are not discussed separately herein, as the inventor believes they are cumulative to the US patents discussed above and/or are not sufficiently applicable to the present invention. 
         [0018]    There is a long-felt but unrealized need for a caliper which allows arbitrary measurements other than in the primary plane of said caliper of opposed edges or surfaces, and that may be applied to any type of caliper that may be desired for use in this manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention is a caliper that provides for arbitrary precise measurements other than in the plane of said caliper, such as measurements of large bores (holes) with, for example, said bores obstructed by objects within said bores and not easily measurable in the main plane of said caliper. 
         [0020]    The present invention provides outside and/or inside calipers capable of making measurements from, for example, an offset, such as from an essentially horizontal position into vertical bores. This invention is especially advantageous for large bores, such as are many centimeters in diameter, where said bores may also have some obstruction of said bores, for example, inserted bars or columns of material. The present invention allows such measurements to be easily made, even if said obstructions are concentric with said bores. The present invention is independent of the system or device being measured or for which the measurements are intended. 
         [0021]    The present invention, in addition to enabling measurements outside the main plane of a caliper, may include readouts, such as digital or analog readouts. The present invention may be incorporated into extension type calipers, in addition to the commonly known scissors-type and vernier calipers, and may include “measurement hold” features, as these features are commonly known in the art. All features in prior art calipers of which the inventor has knowledge could be incorporated in calipers in accordance with the present invention, forming a part thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0022]    1.  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a prior art caliper of a simple, scissors type. 
           [0023]    2.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a prior art caliper of a vernier type. 
           [0024]    3.  FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a caliper in accordance with the present invention of a scissors type. 
           [0025]    4.  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a caliper in accordance with the present invention of a vernier type. 
           [0026]    5.  FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of an extension-type caliper in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    An embodiment of the prior art is shown in  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a scissors type caliper, as it is commonly known in the art.  FIG. 1  is a prior art embodiment of a caliper  100 , and is symmetric around hinge  102  with legs  104  and probes  106 . It will be appreciated both legs  104  are often symmetrically identical, as also both probes  106 . In  FIG. 1 , hinge  102  rotatably holds legs  104 , which may be adjusted to provide a desired spacing between probes  106 . Probes  106  provide for outside measurements, such as outside diameters of cylindrical objects (not shown), and inside measurements, such as inside diameters of holes or bores (not shown). 
         [0028]    Another embodiment of the prior art is shown in  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a vernier type caliper  200 , as it is commonly known in the art. In  FIG. 2 , legs  202  and  204  include probes  208  and  210 . Probes  208  and  210  enable measurements of either inside or outside dimensions, as revealed in the discussion of said probes  106  associated with  FIG. 1 . Slider  206  is often connected rigidly to leg  204 , and slides along beam  208 . Leg  202  is often formed as part of beam  208 , as in this  FIG. 2 . Beam  208  has graduations (not shown) to allow measurements in conjunction with a measurement point on slider  206 , such as one of the edges of slider  206 , or by means of an included hole in slider  206  (not shown). Alternatively, a dial or other readout device or method (not shown) allows measurements to be made. Such readout methods are not shown, as indicated, since they are well-known in the art, and would tend to confuse the disclosure of the invention. 
         [0029]    An embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3  which illustrates a scissors type caliper  300  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , caliper  300  is symmetric around hinge  302 , with legs  304  and probes  306 . It will be appreciated both legs are symmetrically identical, as are both probes  306 . In  FIG. 3 , hinge  302  rotatably holds legs  304 , which may be adjusted to provide a desired spacing between probes  306 . Probes  306  provide for outside measurements, such as outside diameters of cylindrical objects, and for inside measurements, such as the diameters of holes or bores.  FIG. 3  also shows legs  304  with bent portions  308 , as is illustrated by view A-A on one leg of legs  304 . Bending legs  304  downward by some angle, such as 90 degrees, so that measurements of, for example, obstructed bores, can be made from an offset, allow for simplified avoidance of an obstruction such as objects (not shown) included in said bores (not shown). 
         [0030]    Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4  which illustrates a vernier type caliper  400  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , legs  402  and  404  include probes  408 . Probes  408  enable measurements of either inside or outside dimensions, as revealed in the discussion of said probes  306  associated with  FIG. 3 . Slider  406  is connected rigidly to leg  404 , and slides along beam  410 . Beam  410  has graduations (not shown) to allow measurements in conjunction with a measurement point on slider  406 , while leg  402  is rigidly connected to beam  410 . Alternatively, a dial or similar readout device (not shown) allows measurements to be made. The ends of legs  402  and  404  are bent, such as downward at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees or other suitable angle, as illustrated with leg  408  in view A-A, at the ends of legs  402  and  404 , so that probes  404  may be inserted in a hole or other restricted area when making a measurement, and without undue interference from an obstruction, such as a concentric structure (not shown) in a hole or bore (not shown). 
         [0031]    Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5  which illustrates an extension type caliper in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , legs  502  and  504  include probes  508 . Probes  508  enable measurements of either included or excluded dimensions, as revealed in the discussion of said probes  306  associated with  FIG. 3 . Slider  506  is connected rigidly to leg  504 , and has been lengthened to provide for telescoping with beam  510  so that measurements may be made in restricted areas where said caliper must be contained within the measurement area. Slide  506  slides along beam  510 , which has been shortened to prevent it from projecting beyond slide  506  when said caliper is making the smallest measurements allowed with this design. Beam  510  has graduations to allow measurements in conjunction with a measurement point on slider  506 . Alternatively, a dial or similar readout device allows measurements to be made. The ends of legs  502  and  504  are bent, such as downward, at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees or other suitable angle, at the ends of legs  502  and  504 , so that probes  508  may be inserted in a hole or other restricted area (not shown) without interfering with an obstruction, such as a concentric structure (not shown) in a hole or bore (not shown), when making a measurement.