Abstract:
In one embodiment, a measuring device includes a reference surface, a trough extending lengthwise away from the reference surface at substantially a right angle, and a scale affixed to the trough indicating a distance from the reference surface along the trough.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims subject matter disclosed in co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/565896 filed Apr. 16, 2004, entitled Measuring Device. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Embodiments of the invention were developed in an effort to provide a device that could consistently accurately measure the length of a lamb&#39;s tail. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a measuring device according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a measuring device according to a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the measuring device of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0006]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , measuring device  10  includes a face  12  and a trough  14  extending away from face  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , trough  14  has a semi-circular cross section and extends away from face  12  at a 90° angle. Face  12  provides a reference surface  16  for establishing a linear measurement along trough  14 . Flanges  18  and  20  extend away from trough  14  perpendicular to face  12 . In the embodiment of measuring device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two scales are used—(1) recesses  22  and  24  formed in trough  14  at predetermined distances from reference surface  16  and (2) a numerical scale  26  extending along flange  20  adjacent to trough  14  marking the distances from reference surface  16 . Flanges  18  and  20  provide structural support to trough  14  and a platform for numerical scale  26 .  
         [0007]     One embodiment of measuring device  10  was developed to measure the length of a lamb&#39;s tail. For a lamb&#39;s tail measuring device  10 , the lamb&#39;s tail lays in trough  14  as surface  16  of face  12  is pressed against the lamb&#39;s pin bones to establish a consistent reference to measure the length of the lamb&#39;s tail along trough  14 . Although the size of lamb&#39;s tails vary, it is expected that a trough  14  having a diameter of about  2 ″ will be adequate to cradle most lamb&#39;s tails comfortably but without affording the tail too much wiggle room. Reference surface  16  should extend at least  2 ″ below the bottom of trough  14  to ensure that surface  16  extends past the lamb&#39;s pin bones when the tail is cradled in trough  14 . A typical scale  26  for a lamb&#39;s tail measuring device  10  would be set off in increments of tenths of an inch from 5 to 30 (0.5″ to 3.0″). The nearer recess  22  establishes a minimum tail length, 0.7″ for example for a 4H project lamb.  
         [0008]     Referring now to a measuring device  30  shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , measuring device  30  includes a base  32  and a slider  34 . Base  32  includes a face  36  and a trough  38  extending away from face  36 . Trough  38  has a semi-circular cross section and extends away from face  36  at a 90° angle. Face  36  provides a reference surface  40  for establishing a linear measurement along trough  38 . Flanges  42  and  44  extend away from trough  38  perpendicular to face  36 . A numerical scale  46  extends along flange  42  adjacent to trough  38  marking distances from reference surface  40 . Flanges  42  and  44  provide structural support to trough  38 , a platform for numerical scale  26  and bearing surfaces for slider  34 .  
         [0009]     Slider  34  includes a barrel  48  and wings  50  and  52  that extend out from each side of barrel  48 . Barrel  48  conforms to the shape of trough  38  and wings  50 ,  52  are positioned to slide along or just above flanges  42 ,  44  on base  32 . A barrel face  54  acts as a reference surface  56  for establishing a linear measurement along trough  38  relative to base reference surface  40 .  
         [0010]     One embodiment of measuring device  30  was developed to measure the length of a lamb&#39;s tail. For a lamb&#39;s tail measuring device  30 , the lamb&#39;s tail lays in trough  38  as base reference surface  40  is pressed against the lamb&#39;s pin bones to establish a consistent reference to measure the length of the lamb&#39;s tail along trough  38 . Slider  34  is moved forward in trough  38  until barrel reference surface  56  abuts the end of the lamb&#39;s tail. The length of the tail is read from scale  46  at the increment aligned with barrel reference surface  56 .  
         [0011]     The present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that other forms, details, and embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.