Digital measuring device

A digital measuring device having a relatively rigid slide and a flexible, substantially transparent band with opaque indicia placed thereon, the band being capable of being pulled centrally through an opening in the slide. The slide houses a plurality of optic fibers with one end of each fiber terminating at a light-receiving panel and the other end of each fiber terminating at a digital read-out panel. The ends of the fibers at the digital read-out panel are arranged to form, e.g., a generic "88" configuration, from which the digits 0-99 may be formed. In operation, the band is pulled through the opening in the slide and light passes through the transparent areas of the band and into the light receiving panel. The light continues through the optic fibers and lights up a particular digital configuration at the digital read-out panel. The slide and band may be useful e.g., as a belt-like device for measuring one's waist, or as a carpenter's tape measure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to measuring devices, and more particularly to 
measuring devices having a digital read-out. 
Attempts have been made to adapt digital read-out technology to 
conventional measuring devices. The prior art digital measuring devices 
usually use a self-contained light source, a light sensing means, optic 
fibers, and electronic apparati for translating the light energy into a 
digital read-out. 
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,267, issued to Johnson et al., discloses a 
distance measuring device using a binary encoded scale on a movable tape 
measure, an optical detection system and an electronic circuit. The 
optical detection system, which decodes the binary information on the tape 
measure, basically comprises a self-contained light source, a plurality of 
light-conducting fibers and photo-transitor integrated circuits. The 
electronic circuit then accepts the digital code from the optical 
detection system, decodes it and displays the resulting information at a 
digital read-out. 
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,781, issued to Hildebrandt et al., and U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,242,574, issued to Grant, each disclose coilable tape measures 
provided with a series of markings to indicate predetermined distances. 
Photo-electric sensor systems in the respective stationary tape housings 
detect shifts in light level at the illuminated markings when the tape 
measure is moved a particular distance. Each of these references use a 
battery to energize a self-contained light source. 
Thus, the three above-discussed prior art devices teach the use of 
electronic apparati to produce light, to detect the light produced and/or 
to transform a light-detection signal into a digital read-out via optic 
fibers. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,361, issued to Gibson et al, also discloses the use of 
optic fibers with a digital read-out, but not in a distance or length 
measuring device. This patent discloses a UHF channel indicator for 
television tuners and the like to be used with a fairly conventional VHF 
channel indicator. Basically, this patent discloses a stationary optic 
fiber bundle (J), having near one end a first rotating plate (I) made up 
of two discs 24 and 26 each having opaque masks positioned annularly 
thereon, and a second rotatable plate (G) at the other end of the optic 
fiber bundle (J) and having both annularly positioned transparent numbers 
(for VHF), and a transparent window (F) to indicate UHF channel numbers 
formed at the ends of the bundle of fibers. The first plate is connected 
to the UHF dial (16) on the outside of the TV and the second plate is 
connected to the VHF dial (10) on the outside of the TV. Preferably, the 
optic fiber bundle (J) contains enough fibers to produce two separate 
digits adjacent the second plate (G), a tens digit and a units digit. In 
addition, a first light source (K) is located opposite the optic fiber 
bundle (J) on the far side of the first plate (I) and a second light 
source (H) is positioned near the second plate. In operation, a viewer 
first turns conventional dial (10) until the transparent window (F) is 
positioned adjacent the end of the optic fiber bundle (J). Then, a viewer 
turns UHF dial (16) on the television, and the first plate (I) is caused 
to turn. Various transparent areas on the first plate allow light to pass 
into various of the optic fibers. The optic fibers lighted show up through 
the transparent window (F) as channel digits at the digital read-out at 
the exterior of the television. 
Although the prior art described above satisfies some of the objects to 
which optic fiber digital read-out devices are directed, the prior art 
still does not teach a digital measuring device which is trouble-free in 
operation, and is capable of the most cost-efficient production and the 
most covenient use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital 
measuring device comprising relatively few parts, thus being trouble-free 
in operation while being capable of successfully detecting indicia on a 
movable graduated scale in order to obtain a digital reading of a measured 
length. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital 
measuring device which requries only an ambient light source (and no 
electronics) to sense or translate the light, thus providing 
cost-efficient production and eliminating the possibility of electronic 
malfunctions. 
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital 
measuring device which is practically and conveniently used, for example, 
as a belt to measure a person's waist or as a carpenter's tape measure. 
To achieve the foregoing and other objects of the present invention and in 
accordance with the purpose of the invention there is generally provided a 
measuring device having a flexible, partially transparent band capable of 
being pulled centrally through an opening in a slide. Placed 
intermittently on the band are opaque measurement indicia. The slide 
houses a plurality of optic fibers with one end of each fiber terminating 
at a light-receiving panel at the slide exterior, and the other end of 
each fiber terminating at a digital read-out, also on the slide. The ends 
of the fibers at the read-out are arranged to preferably form, e.g., an 
"888" shape, from which all of the respective digits 0-999 may be formed. 
In operation, the band is manually pulled through the opening in the slide 
until a particularly desired distance of band has passed through the 
slide. Light passes into the light receiving panel, through the 
transparent part of the band, through the optic fibers, and terminates at 
the digital read-out, which lights up a particular digit indicative of the 
distance measured. 
The present invention uses any ambient light source available, e.g., 
fluorescent or incandesent room light or the sun. The optic fibers are 
capable of receiving the light source at the light receiving panel and 
transferring this light source directly through to the other end of the 
optic fibers which form a digital read-out. Notably, no electronic 
apparati are used in the present invention to translate the light energy 
into a digital read-out, as is the case with prior art structures. 
In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the band and slide take 
the form of a belt-like device for measuring one's waist, or as a tape 
measure to be used by, e.g., a carpenter. 
Overall, the present invention is a relatively simpler digital measuring 
device than the prior art devices discussed above. In addition, the 
present invention eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art digital 
measuring devices, such as a complicated assembly of parts, and a 
dependence upon electronic apparati or a self-contained light source. 
Further, the present invention is relatively compact, and is more 
conveniently used than the digital measuring devices known in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the digital measuring 
device according to the present invention, denominated as reference 
numeral 8. The device 8 generally comprises a slide 10 and a band 12. 
The slide 10 is preferably rigid and of a square or rectangular shape. The 
slide 10 has an opening 14 which extends centrally therethrough for 
receiving the band 12. On the exterior of the slide 10 there is provided a 
transparent light receiving panel 16 and a digital read-out panel 18, each 
of which is covered by a transparent sheet, 19 and 21, respectively. In 
the digital read-out panel 18 there is disposed an indicator plate 20 (see 
FIG. 2). In the light receiving panel 16 there is located a light receptor 
plate 22 (see FIG. 2). Extending between the indicator plate 20 and the 
light receptor plate 22 is a plurality of optic fibers 24. A first end 26 
of each of the optic fibers 24 is implanted in the indicator plate 20 and 
the second ends 28 are bent and attached to the light receptor plate 22. 
The light receiving panel 16 and the digital read-out panel 18 are 
preferably arranged in the same plane, so that visibility is facilitated. 
Alternatively, it is also possible to place the digital read-out panel 18 
perpendicular to the indicator plate 20 by placing the digital read-out 
panel 18 on the side of the slide 10. 
The plurality of optic fibers 24 are arranged in such a way that their ends 
26 cumulatively form digits at the digital read-out 18 (see reference 
letters A, B and C in FIG. 1). The basic configuration of each of the 
digits A, B, C of the indicator plate 20 is an "8", and by excluding 
various optic fibers 24 within A, B, or C from a light source, one may 
obtain illumination of each digit from 0 to 9. Thus, each digit A, B and C 
is capable of displaying a different value in the sequence from 0-9. 
Together they represent in series the numbers 000-999. 
On the band 12 there is formed opaque indicia 30. The positions of the 
opaque indicia 30 are directly proportional to the length in, e.g., 
millimeters, of the transparent band 12. 
In operation, the band 12 is inserted in the opening 14 between the 
transparent sheet 21 and the light receptor plate 22, and when moved 
through the slide 10 part of the light receptor plate 22 becomes masked by 
the opaque indicia 30. By this selective masking of some of the optic 
fibers 24, it is possible to display by means of the optic fiber ends 26 a 
digital reading of the length of band 12 then extending from the slide 10. 
The preferred embodiment also uses a projection 32 on one end of the band 
12, to which an L-shaped removable attachment 34 is attached. The inner 
surface 36 of this L-shaped attachment 34 can be positioned to abut the 
edge of an object 38 to be measured. This inner surface 36 acts as one end 
of the distance measured, whereas the end 40 of the slide 10 which is slid 
to the other end of object 38 acts as the other end of the distance 
measured. When attachment 34 is not needed for measuring the object 38, 
the attachment 34 can be detached and set aside, and it is then possible 
to use the band 12 alone to measure any distance on the object 38. 
As the measuring frame of reference, it is also possible to use, e.g., a 
projection 42 on the slide 10, instead of the end 40, as is shown in FIG. 
1. 
Besides being able to use this digital measuring device 8 for measuring 
objects having straight sides and edges, it is also possible to make use 
of its flexibility to measure circular or otherwise irregularly shaped 
objects. 
In summary, as can be seen from the above explanation, this device 8 may be 
positioned by, e.g., a carpenter, along an object 38 to be measured, and 
by using ambient light, i.e., without any need for a self-contained light 
source, the object 38 can be measured and the measurement can be read at 
the digital read-out 18, providing an interesting, unique, practical and 
convenient digital measuring device. 
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention, 
generally comprising a belt-like digital measuring device 44 using a belt 
46 and buckle 50. The buckle 50 receives the belt 46 through a continuous 
opening 56, such that it can be adjusted at will. 
More particularly, FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a buckle 50 provided with a light 
receiving panel 52 and a digital read-out panel 54. The belt 46 is 
partially transparent and has opaque indicia 48 located thereon. The first 
ends 58 of optic fibers 60, each of which are capable of receiving and 
transmitting light, are embedded in the light receiving panel 52. Their 
second ends 62 are attached to the digital read-out panel 54 preferably in 
numerical configurations A and B (see FIG. 4). 
The opaque indicia 48 are based on a continuum of possible waist sizes. The 
opaque indicia 48 mask certain optic fibers 60 embedded in the light 
receiving panel 52 to translate the appropriate waist size to the digital 
read-out panel 54. 
The digital read-out panel 54 is covered in this embodiment by an opaque 
hinged door 64 having a fastening stud 66, which fits into a fastening 
stud slot 68 above the light receiving panel 52 to keep the hinged door 64 
in a closed state when the device 44 is not in use. The hinged door 64 can 
be opened and closed at will (FIG. 3 shows the hinged door 64 in the open 
state). 
As stated, there is a continuous opening 56 in the buckle 50, so that the 
belt 46 can be inserted into the buckle 50 and removed at will. In 
addition, on one side of buckle 50 there is provided a pivoted belt holder 
70, so that one end of the belt 46 can be inserted into the holder 70, and 
secured. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the optic fibers 60 are arranged so as to form digits, 
for example, in a row of two digits A and B. The configuration "8" is used 
as the generic number from which it is possible to produce the digits "0" 
through "9", as described above, by variable adjustment of the belt 46. Of 
course, by using two digits A and B, the possible total ranges from 00-99. 
FIG. 5 illustrates buckle 50 in cross-section. As stated above, the first 
ends 58 of the plurality of optic fibers 60 are implanted in the light 
receiving panel 52. The optic fibers 60 are then bent and their second 
ends 62 are attached to the digital read-out panel 54. 
The base measurement used in this embodiment for the opaque indicia 48 is 
centimeters. When the belt 46 moves across the light receiving panel 52, 
digital readings are formed at the digital read-out panel 52. 
As a practical matter, for middle-aged and older people, 88 cm is the 
average measurement in a range of from 80 cm to 99 cm. The opaque indicia 
48 are formed so that they are in proportion to the length of the belt 46, 
and apart from the opaque indicia 48 on the belt 46, no portion of the 
belt 46 inserted into buckle 50 gives any numerical indication at the 
digital read-out 54. But, when the belt 46 is appropriately worn, i.e., 
when an appropriate amount of belt 46 has been pulled through the buckle 
50, waist size measurement values from 80 cm to 99 cm can be obtained. 
In the case of younger age groups, 68 cm is made the average, with display 
values ranging from 50 cm to 69 cm being made possible by the opaque 
indicia 46. Particularly, in the case of younger women using the belt, the 
digital read-out 54 display may be formed to read in some type of women's 
clothing sizes--e.g., 8, 10 or 12. Using "sizes" provides a milder 
psychological shock than there would be from straight numerical 
measurements. It is, of course, possible to make other appropriate digital 
read-out configurations in terms of symbols, letters, or shapes. 
In regards to the operation of the above-described, belt-like device, the 
belt 46, is pulled around the waist and through buckle 50. Next, with the 
finger, the user opens the hinged door 64; light then enters the light 
receiving panel 52, penetrates through the transparent portions of the 
belt 46, and by means of the optic fibers 60 the light is transmitted from 
the light receiving panel 52 to the digital read-out 54, where the 
measurement is displayed in a digital configuration. 
By means of this device 44, as many times as the hinged door is opened when 
the belt is worn, one's waist size can be instantly measured. In addition, 
because the digital read-out can be positioned on the upper area of the 
buckle 50, the device is conveniently used and easily read by the user 
merely by looking down at the buckle 50. As suggested above, this device 
can be used by young people who worry about their weight in relation to 
physical attractiveness, and by older and middle aged people who are 
concerned about the relation between being overweight and having high 
blood pressure. Also, when buying clothing, as the need requires, the 
device can easily and simply be read and used, since only incident light 
from ambient surroundings is required, and no special light source is 
needed for instant viewing of waist measurements. This is an attractive 
feature to the user, who looks forward to the unique and interesting 
operation of the device. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to 
falling within the scope of the invention and the appended claims and 
their equivalents.