Abstract:
Disclosed is a measurement device including a first measurement element including a base surface and an upper surface, the upper surface of the first measurement element spaced apart from the base surface of the first measurement element by a first height; and a second measurement element including a base surface and an upper surface, the upper surface of the second measurement element spaced apart from the base surface of the second measurement element by a second height, the second height greater than the first height and the second measurement element attached to the first measurement element.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/916,863, filed Dec. 17, 2013, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to measurement devices. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a measurement device with multiple height measurements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When installing trim, cabinetry, tile and siding, it is sometimes necessary to measure short distances such as those of less than one inch. However, pulling a measuring tape to measure such short distances is impractical and often ineffective. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it can be seen that there exists a need for a better way to measure short distances. It is to the provision of solutions to this and other problems that the present invention is primarily directed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Disclosed is a measurement device including a first measurement element including a base surface and an upper surface, the upper surface of the first measurement element spaced apart from the base surface of the first measurement element by a first height; and a second measurement element including a base surface and an upper surface, the upper surface of the second measurement element spaced apart from the base surface of the second measurement element by a second height, the second height greater than the first height and the second measurement element attached to the first measurement element. 
         [0006]    Also disclosed is a method of spacing apart two structures using a measurement device, the method including: aligning a base surface of a first measurement element with a first surface of a first structure, the first measurement element having a first height and attached to a second measurement element having a second height, the second height greater than the first height; and aligning an upper surface of the first measurement element with a surface of a second structure, the first measurement element spacing apart the first surface of the first structure and the surface of the second structure at a fixed distance equal to the first height; and attaching the second structure to the first structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective upper view of a measurement device with multiple fixed distances according to the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an upper side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a left side view of the measurement device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present invention relates to a measurement device with multiple pre-defined, fixed-height measurement elements. The measurement device is multi-dimensional and the multiple pre-defined height measurement elements are fixed through a solid element. Each of the solid element measurement elements can function as a spacer to gauge short distances such as when installing trim around a window or door casement. Any of the solid element measurement elements can be placed between the trim and the window or door casement to quickly and precisely provide an exact measurement without a need for eye-ball guessing or measurement tape. 
         [0016]    The measurement device can also be used as a scribing tool, with the solid element measurement elements providing different choices for marking cut lines or scribing lines for installation. Further still, the measurement device can be used for setting tool blades and bits. For example, the measurement device can be used to control the cut depth of a table saw blade or a router bit. 
         [0017]    The measurement device includes at least two different fixed-height measurement elements. Each fixed measurement element is preferably between zero and 5 inches in height, more preferably between zero and three inches in height, and most preferably between zero and one inch in height. Preferably, the different fixed-height measurement elements are defined by the use of equivalent incremental distances such as one inch and one-half inch. Preferably, the measurement device includes at least four different fixed-height measurement elements, for example one inch, three-quarters inch, one-half inch and one-quarter inch. However, it is contemplated that the measurement device can have five or more different fixed-height measurement elements. 
         [0018]    The measurement device is preferably formed as a fixed unitary structure, for example cut from a solid block. The measurement device is constructed of a rigid and durable material such as wood, plastic or metal. The measurement device preferably includes a flat base surface common to each of the different fixed-height measurement elements. The different fixed-height measurement elements are then measured with respect to the flat base surface. The different fixed-height measurement elements are preferably arranged in a horizontally symmetrical pattern, however, it is contemplated that asymmetrical patterns could also be effective. 
         [0019]    An example embodiment of the measurement device  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . The different fixed-height measurement elements are depicted as a plurality of fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  arranged at right angles with respect to each other.  FIG. 5  specifically shows a view of a base surface  15  from which a plurality of widths W2,W3,W4,W5 of the different fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , respectively, are measured. As depicted, the base surface  15  can have a cross shape (see  FIGS. 4-5 ) with at least a one surface of each of the fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  having equivalent surface area and with the fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  having a length L2,L3,L4,L5, respectively. However, the base surface  15  can be arranged in a different shape with a different number of fingers, and a base portion  25 , 35 , 45 , 55  of each finger can have a different surface area. Each of the first side walls  23 , 33 , 43 , 53  (first side wall  23  shown in  FIG. 3  and first side wall  33  shown in  FIG. 7 ) and second side walls  24 , 34 , 44 , 54  (first side wall  44  shown in  FIG. 3  and first side wall  54  shown in  FIG. 7 ) of the fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  extends between the base portion  25 , 35 , 45 , 55  of base surface  15  and one of a plurality of upper surfaces  21 , 31 , 41 , 51  (shown particularly in  FIG. 4 ) opposite the base surface  15 . As shown, each side wall  23 , 33 , 43 , 53 , 24 , 34 , 44 , 54  can extend at a right angle with respect to the base surface  15  and the corresponding upper surface  21 , 31 , 41 , 51 . In various embodiments, measurement device  10  also includes end wall surfaces  22 , 32 , 42 , 52  (end wall surfaces  22 , 52  shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the current embodiment, side wall  33  and side wall  54  are part of a side wall  57  extending from side wall  33  to side wall  54  and inclusive of side wall  33  and side wall  54 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , the heights H2,H4 and heights H3,H5, respectively, of fingers  20 , 40  and fingers  30 , 50  can be measured between the base surface  15  and the upper surface  21 , 31 , 41 , 51  of each of the fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50 . Preferably, the fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  have height measurement distances measuring heights H2,H3,H4,H5 that are sequentially equivalent steps. For example, the height H2 of the finger  20  can represent one-fourth of the height H5 of the finger  50 , the height H3 of the finger  30  can represent one-half of the height H5 of the finger  50 , and the height H4 of the finger  40  can represent three-fourths of the height H5 of the finger  50 . From an alternate method of measurement, a vertical distance between the upper surface  21  of finger  20  and the upper surface  51  of finger  50  represents three-fourths the height H5 of finger  50 . The vertical distance between the upper surface  31  of finger  30  and the upper surface  51  of finger  50  represents one-half of the height H5 of finger  50 . The vertical distance between the upper surface  41  of finger  40  and the upper surface  51  of finger  50  represents one-fourth of the height H5 of finger  50 . Thus, the measurement device  10  can be used for measurement based on the distance between the base surface  15  and the upper surface  21 , 31 , 41 , 51 , respectively, of a designated finger  20 , 30 , 40 , 50  or alternatively the distance between the upper surface of a first finger and the upper surface of a second finger. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , since finger  50  has the greatest height H5, upper surface  51  of finger  50  also has the largest upper surface area opposite the base surface  15 . For example, the upper surface area of upper surface  51  of finger  50  including both top portion  11  and top portion  56  can be about double the upper surface area of the upper surfaces  21 , 31 , 41  of each of fingers  20 , 30 , 40 , respectively. 
         [0022]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “one” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,” and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein. 
         [0023]    While the invention has been shown and described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.