Abstract:
A measuring wheel includes a handle that can be folded into a non-use position. The wheel lies in a plane, and the handle moves in a plane coincident with the plane of the wheel between a collapsed position and an extended use position. The handle has a proximal section and a distal section that connect about a pivot point for movement between a collapsed position and the extended use position. The measuring wheel has a releasable engagement member associated with one of the handle sections that releasably holds the handle in the extended position. The releasable engagement member can be disengaged to allow the handle to be collapsed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to the field of measuring wheels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a measuring wheel that has a handle that can be folded or collapsed such that the handle remains in line with the wheel whether in an extended or collapsed position. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Measuring wheels are prevalently used in a variety of applications, oftentimes in construction projects. Measuring wheels are especially convenient when used to measure long distances where it would be impractical or inconvenient to use a measuring tape. 
         [0005]    Most common measuring wheels have the center of a wheel connected to a frame such that the wheel may rotate about a central axle. Measuring wheels also have a handle that connects to the frame, such that the measuring wheel can be pushed along a surface while the user walks behind or alongside the wheel. A measuring device is implemented to count the number of rotations, or partial rotations, of the wheel. For instance, many measuring wheels have a counter mounted to the frame with a tab that extends towards the wheel. The wheel may have a series of protrusions on one or both of its side faces that will displace the tab. The counter keeps track of the total number of times it has been displaced. The distance along the circumference of the wheel between the tabs will be a known distance such that, as the wheel is rolled along a surface, the total distance may be measured from the counter based on the number of rotations of the wheel. Other types or wheel rotation detection and counting arrangements are well known. 
         [0006]    Many measuring wheels are bulky, which can be inconvenient during transportation, especially when transporting a number of bulky items associated with construction. Additionally, due to the extended handle that many measuring wheels feature, they can easily fall over when not in use. 
         [0007]    What is needed, therefore, is a measuring wheel with a handle that can be collapsed when not in use, such that the measuring wheel can easily be transported and also to prevent the measuring wheel from falling over. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    By way of summary, the present invention is a measuring wheel having a handle that can be collapsed into a compact configuration. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the measuring wheel has a wheel, which lies in a plane, that is mounted to a frame through the center of the wheel such that the wheel is rotatably connected to the frame. The measuring wheel also has a handle with at least two sections connected to the frame. The first section is a proximal section that is connected to the frame. The second section is a distal section that is connected to the first proximal section. There is a pivot connection between the first proximal section and the second distal section. The handle has an extended position for use and a collapsed position for non-use, such as for transport and storage. To move the handle between the extended position and the collapsed position, the second distal section is rotated about the pivot connection. The measuring wheel also has a releasable engagement member that can be associated with either the first proximal section or the second distal section of the handle. The releasable engagement member can be moved to an engaged position in which the engagement member maintains the handle in the extended use position. The releasable engagement member can also be moved to a disengaged position which allows the handle to be collapsed into the non-use position. Regardless of whether the handle is in the extended use position or the collapsed non-use position, both the first proximal section and the second distal section of the handle remain in the same plane as the wheel. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the releasable engagement member may be in the form of a locking collar and a shoulder. The collar may slide along a portion of the handle, while the shoulder is formed as part of one of the handle sections. To secure the handle of the measuring wheel in the extended position, the collar may be placed over the pivot connection such that the distal end of the handle is not free to rotate about the pivot connection. The collar may have a twist lock connection with the shoulder. The collar may have a threaded opening, with the shoulder having a threaded portion facing in an opposite direction as the threaded opening of the collar, such that the threaded opening of the collar and the shoulder can be engaged. In one embodiment, the collar is of a cylindrical shape, and is concentric with the handle. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of converting a measuring wheel from a first configuration to a second configuration, such as from a non-use configuration to a use configuration and vice versa, involves providing a measuring wheel having a wheel portion that lies in a plane and a handle assembly that includes a first proximal section and a second distal section that are movable connected via a pivot connection. The method involves moving the distal section of the handle between first and second positions in a plane that is coincident with the plane of the wheel. The method further involves use of a releasable engagement member to selectively maintain the distal portion of the handle in an extended position for use and to allow pivoting movement, of the distal section of the handle for storage or transport. 
         [0012]    These and other features and aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating a representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiment illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a measuring wheel with a folding handle in accordance with the present invention, showing the folding handle in a collapsed, non-use position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the measuring wheel of  FIG. 1  showing movement of the folding handle between the collapsed position and an extended position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the measuring wheel of  FIG. 1  showing the folding handle in an extended, use position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged side elevation view of the pivot connection between a first and a second handle section of the measuring wheel of  FIG. 1  showing the folding handle in the collapsed position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is an enlarged side elevation view of the pivot connection between the first and second handle sections of the measuring wheel of  FIG. 1  showing the folding handle in the extended position before the releasable engagement member is engaged; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  is an enlarged side elevation view of the pivot connection between the first and second handle sections of the measuring wheel of  FIG. 1  showing the folding handle in the extended position after the releasable engagement member is engaged. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    In describing the embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described by the following non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate various features of the invention. 
         [0022]    With reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a representative embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a measuring wheel  50  having a collapsible handle  80 . In a manner to be explained, the handle  80  can be moved between a non-use position as shown in  FIG. 1 , such as for storage and transport, and a use position as shown in  FIG. 3 . In a manner as is known, the measuring wheel  50  has a wheel  60  of a known circumference such that the number of rotations of the wheel  60  can be monitored to calculate the distance traveled by the wheel  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel  60  has a tread  62  that can easily travel over a variety of surfaces. For instance, the tread  62  may be made of a durable plastic or hard rubber material such that it may travel over a variety of surfaces such as concrete, gravel, sand, grass, dirt, asphalt, or other materials without damage to the wheel  60  or damage to the surface. The wheel  60  has a series of radial spokes  66  that extend between a central hub  64  of the wheel  60  and the tread  62 . 
         [0023]    The measuring wheel  50  has a frame assembly shown generally at  69  that connects to the hub  64  of the wheel  60 . For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame assembly  69  may include a pair of spaced-apart legs  70   a,    70   b  that extend from a top member  72 . Other embodiments may feature a single side member as would be known to one skilled in the art. The two legs  70   a,    70   b  are attached to the hub  64  of the wheel  60  by an axle  74 , although any other rotatable attachment arrangement may be used. Also as is known, a counter  100  may be attached to the frame assembly  69  to measure the number of rotations of the wheel  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the counter  100  is carried by the top member  72 , although it is understood that the counter  100  may be mounted in any other satisfactory location on measuring wheel  50 . For example, a common measuring arrangement features a series of equally spaced tabs (not shown) that extend outwardly from the wheel  60  at radial spacings that correspond to predetermined linear distance of travel as wheel  60  is rotated on a surface. The counter  100  measures the tab counts to determine the total distance the wheel  60  has traveled. Again, it is understood that any other type of counting arrangement may be employed. 
         [0024]    A handle  80  is connected to the top member  72  of the frame assembly  69 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  80  has two sections: a first proximal section  82  and a second distal section  84 . The first proximal section  82  of the handle  80  is directly connected to the top member  72  of the frame so as to be in a fixed angular position relative to frame assembly  69 . The first proximal section  82  extends upward from the top member  72  of the frame assembly  69 . The first proximal section  82  lies in the same plane as the wheel  60 . The second distal section  84  of the handle  80  is connected to the first proximal section  82  via a pivot connection  86 . The pivot connection  86  includes tabs  87   a,    87   b  at the outer end of proximal section  82  and the inner end of distal section  84 , respectively, which are pivotably connected together via a pivot pin  89  that defines a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the plane of wheel  60 . In this manner, the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  rotates about the pivot axis defined by pivot pin  89  between non-use and use positions as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  in sequence. Arrow  110  ( FIG. 2 ) illustrates such movement of distal handle section  84  about the pivot connection  86 . 
         [0025]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the handle  80  is illustrated in a collapsed position, in which the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  is folded over towards the wheel  60 . The measuring wheel  50  can be in the collapsed position when it is not in use, such as during transport or storage. This configuration makes the measuring wheel  50  more compact for easier transportation and storage. It also lowers the center of gravity of the measuring wheel  50 , which makes it less likely for the measuring wheel  50  to fall over in the event it includes a kickstand to maintain it in an upright position. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  is illustrated as being rotated about the pivot connection  86  upwardly away from the wheel  60 , for converting measuring wheel  50  from the non-use configuration of  FIG. 1  to the use configuration of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows the measuring wheel  50  in a use configuration in which the handle  80  is in an extended position. When measuring wheel  50  is in the use configuration, the first proximal section  82  and the second distal section  84  are substantially in line. It is understood, however, that the first proximal section  82  and the second distal section  84  may be configured so as not to be in alignment when measuring wheel  50  is in the use configuration, e.g., the distal section  84  may be oriented at an angle relative to the proximal section  82 . At the end of the second distal section  84  is a grip  88 , which a user may grasp when operating the measuring wheel  50 . 
         [0026]    The measuring wheel  50  also has a releasable engagement arrangement which is operable to selectively maintain the handle  80  in the extended position shown in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable engagement arrangement includes a locking member in the form of a collar or cylinder  90  that is selectively engageable with a shoulder section  96 . In the illustrated embodiment, locking cylinder  90  includes a threaded portion  94  at its inner end and shoulder section  96  includes a threaded end portion  98 . The locking cylinder  90  may be in the form of a cylindrical tube defining a passage  92  within which the distal section  84  of the handle  80  is received, and has a threaded inner end portion  94 . Locking cylinder  90  is configured to slide along the handle  80 , as shown by arrow  112  in  FIG. 2 . When the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  is rotated to the extended position, as seen in  FIG. 3 , the locking cylinder  90  is used to secure the handle  80  in the extended position. This is accomplished by aligning the threaded end portion  94  of the locking cylinder  90  with the facing threaded end portion  98  of the shoulder  96  and twisting the locking cylinder  90  such that the threaded portions  94 ,  98  are engaged, When engaged, the locking cylinder  90  is positioned over the pivot connection  86  such that the handle  80  cannot pivot. It is understood that which locking cylinder  90  and shoulder  96  may be used to secure distal handle section  84  in the extended position, other alternatively configured releasable engagement arrangements may be used to hold the handle sections in an extended position. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate operation of the releasable engagement arrangement described above.  FIG. 4A  shows the handle  80  when the measuring wheel  50  is in a first collapsed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this configuration, the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  is lowered in the collapsed position and the locking cylinder  90  and the shoulder  96  are not engaged. The second distal section  84  of the handle  80  can then be raised, as seen in  FIG. 4B , such that first proximal section  82  and the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  are aligned. In order to accomplish such alignment, the end surface of a stop plate  102  located at the inner end of distal section  84  comes into engagement with the upper end of proximal handle section  82 . in this position, the handle  80  of the measuring wheel  50  is not locked into the extended position, however, and can still easily be collapsed. In the event the user drops the grip  88  without engaging the locking cylinder  90  and the shoulder  96 , the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  will fall back into the collapsed position. To maintain the handle  80  in the extended position for use, the locking cylinder  90  is slid along the length of the second distal section  84  until it abuts the shoulder  96 . Then, the locking cylinder  90  may be twisted, as shown by arrow  114  in  FIG. 3 , to engage the threaded portion  94  of the locking cylinder  90  with the threaded portion  98  of the shoulder  96 . Once the two threaded portions  94 ,  98  have been engaged, the handle  80  will remain in the extended position. As best shown in  FIG. 4C , the locking cylinder  90  will slide over the pivot connection  86  when engaged with the shoulder  96 . This prevents rotation of the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  about the pivot connection  86 . 
         [0028]    To disengage the releasable engagement member, the locking cylinder  90  can be twisted to disengage the threaded portion  94  of the locking cylinder  90  from the threaded portion  98  of the shoulder  96 . The locking cylinder  90  is twisted in the opposite direction as when the threaded portions  94 ,  98  are engaged. The locking cylinder  90  is then moved away from pivot connection  86  such that the second distal section  84  is free to rotate about the pivot connection  86 . 
         [0029]    As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 1-3 , the illustrated embodiment of the measuring wheel  50  allows both the first proximal section  82  and the second distal section  84  of the handle  80  to be in the same plane as the wheel  60  when the handle  80  is in the collapsed position. Both sections of the handle  80  remains in the same plane as the wheel  60  as the second distal section  84  is rotated about the pivot connection  86  towards the extended position. When the handle  80  is in the extended position, both the first proximal section  82  and the second distal section  84  still remain in the same plane as the wheel  60 . This creates a measuring wheel that can easily be moved between an extended and collapsed position in an ergonomically efficient manner, and that occupies a minimal amount of space when collapsed. 
         [0030]    Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.