Abstract:
Self measuring roll goods includs a pliable substrate, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface includes fiducial markings to facilitate the quick and easy measurement of the roll goods. The fiducial markings include an array of symbols, and at least a portion of the peripheral edges of the symbols are spaced apart from the peripheral edges of adjacent symbols. The pitch of the array defines a gross measurement scale. In a particular embodiment, the peripheral edges of the symbols intersect tangentially. In another particular embodiment, the symbols are completely spaced apart. Examples of the symbols include closed curves, polygons, and linear symbols. Optionally, marks on the perimeters of the symbols and/or the vertices of the symbols provide a fine measurement scale.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for measuring construction materials, and more particularly to measuring rolled construction materials. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a marking scheme for rolled construction materials that facilitates quick and easy measurement of rolled construction materials.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0004]    In the use of rolled construction materials (e.g., carpet, linoleum, roofing material, etc.) it is necessary to cut pieces of the material of desired lengths from supply rolls. Sometimes, sheets are cut from rolls in a warehouse. Other times, pieces are cut from rolls in the field, sometimes under less than optimal conditions, for example in the back of a carpeting van.  
           [0005]    Many devices exist for measuring roll goods. For example, in warehouses mechanical roll meters are typically used to measure materials as they are pulled from rolls. Another way roll goods are measured is to roll the material out on a large flat surface, and measure the piece with a conventional tape measure. However, in the field, special devices like roll meters are sometimes not available. Further, it is sometimes inconvenient or impractical to roll out very large pieces of material flat for measurement. In any case, measurement with existing tools is inconvenient and time consuming, and there is a cost associated with such tools.  
           [0006]    Marking schemes have been developed to facilitate the measurement of construction materials without tools. One such marking scheme is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,489 by Robell, and is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience. According to this marking scheme, a measurement grid is printed directly on the back of each piece of construction material (e.g., wallboard, plywood, etc.). The grid includes a measurement scale along at least one edge of the material whereby the relative positions of the lines of the grid can identified.  
           [0007]    Such measurement grids suffer from at least two disadvantages. First, once a piece is cut from the material, the measurement scale is no longer accurate for subsequently cut pieces from the same piece of material. This is perhaps why such grid systems have never been applied to roll goods, where many pieces are typically cut from the same roll. Second, these measurement grids are hard to look at, and tend to make the user&#39;s eyes “swim”. In other words, the blocks of the grid tend to run together, and are very difficult to count. Indeed, given the measurement scales marked on these grids, it is clear that the squares of the grids were never intended to be counted.  
           [0008]    What is needed is a system and method for quickly measuring roll goods, without any measuring devices. What is also needed is a system and method for measuring roll goods that can be used to measure pieces from previously cut rolls.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0009]    The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing roll goods with fiducial markings that are easily discemable to a user. The invention facilitates quick and easy measurement of roll goods, without the use of a measuring device.  
           [0010]    The roll goods include a pliable substrate, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface has fiducial markings thereon to facilitate the measurement of material from the roll. The fiducial markings include an array of symbols, and at least a portion of the peripheral edges of the symbols are spaced apart from the peripheral edges of adjacent symbols. In a particular embodiment, the peripheral edges of adjacent symbols intersect tangentially. In an alternate embodiment, the symbols are completely spaced apart. The shape of the spaces between adjacent symbols is different from the shapes of the symbols themselves, thereby making the symbols easily discernible from one another.  
           [0011]    The pitch of the array of symbols defines a gross measurement scale. In a particular embodiment, the size of at least a portion of the symbols correspond to the gross measurement scale.  
           [0012]    Optionally, a fine measurement scale is also provided. In one embodiment, the symbols are shapes (e.g., closed curves, polygons, etc.), and marks on the perimeters of the shapes define the fine measurement scale. In another embodiment, the symbols are polygons, and the vertices of the polygons define the fine measurement scale.  
           [0013]    In some embodiments, the symbols include more than one shape. For example, in one particular embodiment the symbols include a first shape disposed within a second shape. In a particular embodiment, the first shape is a circle, and the second shape is a polygon. In an even more particular embodiment, the diameter of the circle corresponds to the gross scale, and the polygon is concentric with the circle and has a height equal to one third the diameter of the circle.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment, the fiducial markings include two types of symbols, each having a size corresponding to the gross scale. The symbols are arranged in an array such that the different type symbols are disposed adjacent one another. In an alternate embodiment, the symbols are linear symbols, and symbols in adjacent rows have a different angular orientation to make them more discernible from one another.  
           [0015]    In some embodiments, the height of at least some of the symbols is different than the width of the symbols. In one particular embodiment the fiducial markings include a plurality of columns, each column having a plurality of symbols of a particular height. In a more particular embodiment, the height of the symbols of each particular column correspond to a different measurement scale than the other columns.  
           [0016]    Those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiments of the invention described herein will achieve some, but not necessarily all, of the advantages described herein. Further, embodiments including certain features of the invention may be more advantageous in particular applications, whereas other embodiments with different features may be more advantageous in other circumstances. Accordingly, no single feature is considered to be an essential element of the invention, and thus should not be construed as a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similar elements:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows a prior art measuring system for construction materials;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows a roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention; and;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 shows another roll of material with fiducial markings applied thereto according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]    The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art, by providing a system and method for marking roll goods that facilitates quick and easy measurement of materials off of a roll. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., types of roll goods, width of rolls, etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances, details of well known material manufacturing practices (e.g., material fabrication, application of markings, etc.) and equipment have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.  
         [0030]    The inventor has determined that the measurement scales provided with prior art marking schemes could be omitted, if the cells of the grid could be quickly and easily counted. The inventor has further determined that the geometric characteristics of known grid systems are responsible for the difficulty in viewing and counting the blocks of a grid. The following embodiments of the present invention illustrate marking schemes that overcome the problems of the prior art, thereby making the marking schemes of the present invention suitable for use on roll goods.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows a roll  200  of material  202  that includes fiducial markings  204  to facilitate the quick and easy measurement of pieces of material  202  from roll  200 . For purposes of explanation, the width of roll  200  will be considered to be 12 feet, which is standard in the U.S. carpet industry. It should be understood however, that the present invention can be used with rolls of any width, as well as with other types of roll goods (e.g., other floor coverings, roofing materials, etc.).  
         [0032]    Fiducial markings  204  include an array of symbols  206  (squares) that are spaced apart from one another. The fact that at least a portion of the edges of the symbols are spaced apart from one another makes the symbols easier to count than in the prior art. Note also that the shape of the spacing  208  between adjacent symbols  206  is different than the shapes of symbols  206  themselves. These features make it much easier to clearly distinguish adjacent symbols from one another when counting.  
         [0033]    The pitch of the array of symbols  206  defines a gross measurement scale, that is very much larger that the measurement scales of the prior art. Prior art marking grids intended for measuring piece goods (e.g., plywood) have a much finer scale, on the order of an inch or less. Such fine scale grids would be virtually impossible to quickly and easily read when cutting roll goods. Indeed, such a fine scale is unnecessary on roll goods, because pieces are typically “rough cut” from rolls. For example, according to standard practice, pieces of carpet are cut slightly larger than the actual dimensions of the floor to be covered. Then, the fine trimming is done in place on the actual floor being covered during installation.  
         [0034]    Keeping the pitch of the array large, makes it easier to count the symbols  206 , and thus easier to measure the roll goods. In the example of FIG. 2, the pitch of the array is 3 feet. Thus, if a worker needed to cut 30 feet from roll  200 , he would need only count  10  large squares, and make the cut.  
         [0035]    Those skilled in the art will understand that the pitch of the array may be altered without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, pitches of 2 feet, 4 feet, or greater could be used, depending on the particular application. The choice of a particular pitch will depend at least in part on the width of the roll, and the inventor has found that a pitch of at least one-eighth the width of the roll, a pitch of at least one-sixth the width of the roll, or a pitch of at least one-fourth the width of the roll work particularly well.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 shows a roll  300  of material  302  that includes fiducial markings  304  according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. Markings  304  includes an array of symbols  306  (circles). Although circles  306  are not completely spaced apart from one another, their perimeters intersect tangentially, such that the shapes of the spaces  308  between circles  306  is different than the shapes of circles  306 . Thus, adjacent ones of circles  306  are easily discemable, and therefore easy to count.  
         [0037]    As in the previous embodiment, the pitch of the array of circles  306  defines a gross scale. However, fiducial markings  304  also include a fine scale. In particular, each of circles  306  includes a plurality of tick marks  310  disposed around their perimeters. Incorporating the tick marks into the perimeter of symbols  306  makes the fine scale much less likely to obscure the separation between symbols  306 , providing a significant advantage over the grid systems of the prior art.  
         [0038]    In this example, circles  306  have a diameter of 3 feet. Tick marks  310  are disposed to divide each circle  306  into thirds both vertically and horizontally. Thus, material  302  can be easily measured and cut at any desired one foot increment. For example, to cut 10 feet of material  302  from roll  300 , the worker would simply count 3 circles and 1 tick mark.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 shows a roll  400  of material  402  that includes fiducial markings  404  according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  404  include an array of polygons  406  (pentagons in this example), the pitch of which defines a gross measurement scale. Note that adjacent polygons  406  intersect only tangentially, and are easily discemable from one another. In an alternate embodiment (not shown) every other row of polygons  406  could be offset to make adjacent polygons  406  even more clearly distinguishable.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 shows a roll  500  of material  502  that includes fiducial markings  504  according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  504  are similar to fiducial markings  304 , except that fiducial markings  504  include an array of polygons  506  (octagons in this example) instead of circles  306 . Note that the shapes  508  between polygons  506  are different than polygons  508 , again making polygons  508  easily discernable from one another, and thus easy to count.  
         [0041]    Another difference between fiducial markings  304  and fiducial markings  504  is that tick marks  310  are omitted. Instead, polygons  506  are shaped such that their vertices  510  define a fine scale (one foot in this example). To obtain the one foot fine scale, each of polygons  506  are three feet in height and width, the horizontal and vertical sides  512  are each one foot in length, and the oblique sides  514  are {square root}{square root over (2)} feet in length. If an even finer scale is desired, polygons having more sides can be substituted for octagons  506 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 shows a roll  600  of material  602  that includes fiducial markings  604  according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  604  are similar to fiducial markings  304 , except that tick marks  310  are replaced by polygons  606  disposed within  306 , in order to define a fine scale. In this particular embodiment, polygons  606  are one foot squares that are each concentric with a respective one of circles  306 . Thus, in order to measure a thirteen foot piece of material  602  from roll  604 , a worker would count four circles  306  (twelve feet) and then cut along the bottom edges of squares  606  of the next row.  
         [0043]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations of the shape within a shape pattern of FIG. 6 are also useful. For example, the inner shapes can be the same as the outer shapes (circles within circles, polygons within polygons, etc.). As another example, more that one shape can be disposed within a larger shape (multiple squares within a circle, different shapes within the same circle, etc.). Further, the inner and outer shapes need not be concentric. These and other variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art, in view of this disclosure.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 shows a roll  700  of material  702  that includes fiducial markings  704  according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  704  include alternating rows of circles  706  and triangles  708 . Fiducial markings  704  illustrate that more than one type of symbol can be used to define the gross measurement scale. This feature facilitates even faster measurement (counting). For example, if circles  706  and triangles  708  are both three feet in height, then counting circles (or triangles) vertically, allows a user to count in six foot increments. Even if the user prefers to count in three foot increments, the alternating shapes are easier to discern from one another, and thus easier to count.  
         [0045]    In this particular example, fiducial markings  704  include circles and triangles. However, is should be apparent to one skilled in the art the different shapes can be used. Furthermore, it should be understood that more than two types of shapes can be used in a single pattern (e.g., circles, squares, triangle, . . . ).  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 shows a roll  800  of material  802  that includes fiducial markings  804  according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  804  illustrate that in addition to the shape symbols (polygons and closed curves) previously shown, linear type symbols  806  can be used with the present invention. Note that the pitch of the array defines a gross measurement scale, and that the cross features  808  of symbols  806  define a fine scale. In particular, the center of the cross is disposed in the center of the symbol, and therefore are spaced a distance of three feet (the pitch of the array) from one another. Further, each cross member  810  is one foot in length, and the terminal end  812  of each cross feature  808  extends six inches from the center of the respective cross feature  808 . Thus, the tips of cross features  808  define a one foot fine measurement scale.  
         [0047]    Note also that while each of linear symbols  806  is identical, each adjacent symbol  806  is rotated 90 degrees, to make adjacent symbols more clearly discernible from one another, and thus easier to count.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 shows a roll  900  of material  902  that includes fiducial markings  904  according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  904  include alternating rows of closed curves (ellipses in this particular example)  906  and polygons (triangles in this example)  908 . Fiducial markings  904  illustrate that symbols having different horizontal and vertical dimensions can be used in fiducial marking patterns. The larger symbols are easy to discern from one another, and thus easy to count. The contrast between the sharp edges of polygons  908  and the smooth edges of ellipses  906  further contribute to ease of counting.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 shows a roll  1000  of material  1002  that includes fiducial markings  1004  according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  1004  illustrate additional aspects of the present invention. First, markings  1004  include a reference column of shapes  1006  (circles in this particular embodiment) along the right edge of material  1002 . Fiducial markings  1004  further includes an array of polygons  1008 ( a - c ) (squares in this particular embodiment) of varying sizes. The sizes of circles  1006  and squares  1008 ( a ) define a gross measurement scale. The sizes of squares  1008 ( b ) and  1008 ( c ) define a fine measurement scale. In this particular embodiment circles  1006  have a diameter of three feet. Similarly, squares  1008 ( a ) are three feet in length and width. Squares  1008 ( b ) are two feet in length and width, and squares  1008 ( c ) are one foot in length and width. Note that in each adjacent row, squares  1008 ( a - c ) are shifted with respect to the previous row.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 11 shows a roll  1100  of material  1102  that includes fiducial markings  1104  according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  1104  include and array of symbols that combines aspects of previously described embodiments. The gross scale is defined by a plurality of circles  1106 , which in this embodiment have a three foot diameter. A finer scale is defined by a pluralities of squares  1108 ( a ) and  1108 ( b ).  
         [0051]    Note that squares  1108 ( b ) are disposed concentrically within circles  1106 , and that each row is offset by one pitch of the array. This provides two advantages. First, when counting up a column or across a row, the symbols alternate between squares  1108 ( a ) and circles  1106 . Second, disposing squares  1108 ( b ) in circles  1106  saves space, and ensures that every row includes at least two each of squares  1108 ( a ) and  1108 ( b ). This provides at least two reference points for a cut line.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 12 shows a roll  1200  of material  1202  that includes fiducial markings  1204  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Fiducial markings  1204  include a plurality of symbols arranged in a plurality of columns. The symbols in each adjacent column have a progressively smaller vertical dimension. In particular, the symbols of each adjacent column are one-half the vertical length of the symbols of the preceding column. For example, in this particular embodiment, a first column  1206  includes symbols that are eight feet long, a second column  1208  includes symbols that are 4 feet in length, a third column  1210  includes symbols that are two feet in length, and a fourth column includes symbols that are one foot in length. This provides several scales by which roll material  1202  can be measured.  
         [0053]    Fiducial markings  1204  can be used to quickly measure a piece of material  1202  from roll  1200  as follows. Assume for example that a thirteen foot piece of material is needed. A worker would begin counting up column  1206 , counting eight feet for the first symbol. Then, because an additional eight feet would exceed the desired length, counting proceeds up column  1208 , adding four feet for the next symbol to obtain a total of twelve feet. Then, because an additional four feet or an additional two feet would cause the total measurement to exceed the desired length, counting proceeds up column  1212 , adding one foot for the next symbol to obtain a total measurement of thirteen feet. Because thirteen feet is the desired material length, material  1202  is cut just above the first counted symbol in column  1212 , along dashed line  1214 .  
         [0054]    Measuring from roll  1200  after pieces of material  1202  have been cut from it is only slightly more difficult. For example, assume that material  1202  has been previously cut at line  1216 , and that a twenty-two foot piece is desired. First, the user would measure down from the top of the first partial symbol in column  1206  (line  1218 ) to the cut edge  1216  of material, by counting the symbols in columns  1208  and/or  1210 , to determine that the distance from line  1216  to line  1218  is six feet. Next, the six foot length is subtracted from the desired length of twenty-two feet obtain the additional length (sixteen feet) of material  1202  needed. Finally, the user counts up sixteen feet (two column  1206  symbols) from line  1218 , and makes the cut.  
         [0055]    Fiducial markings  1204  further include an array of reference marks  1216  (dots in this particular example) to help facilitate a straight cut. In particular, each column of symbols includes a column of reference dots  1216  up its center. In this particular embodiment, dots  1216  are spaced six inches apart. Note that, as in previously described embodiments, this relatively fine scale does not obscure the discernability of the symbols of fiducial markings  1204 .  
         [0056]    The description of particular embodiments of the present invention is now complete. Many of the described features may be substituted, altered or omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, alternate symbols (e.g., diamonds, dog-bone, etc.), may be substituted for the shapes shown. As another example, the present invention can be applied to roll goods other than the types specifically disclosed herein. Further, although the invention has been described with reference to twelve foot wide roll goods, the invention is equally applicable to roll goods of different widths. These and other deviations from the particular embodiments shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure.