Improvements in Hand-measuring Instruments.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
Improvements in Hand-measuring Instruments.
I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169 Fleet Street in the City of London, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND-MEASURING INSTRUMENTS (communicated from abroad
by Louis Philippe Valiquet of No. 204 Washington Street, Brooklyn, in the State
of New York, United States of America, mechanical engineer) to be as follows:-
This invention aims to provide a convenient instrument for measuring the hand, in
order to determine the size of glove required. For this purpose it has been customary
to pass a graduated measuring tape around the hand of the customer to be fitted.
The measuring instrument provided by this invention consists of a looped band, one
end of which is attached to a case and the other end of which enters the case, and is
attached to a take-up or winding-in device, such as a drum, by which it may be drawn
in to contract the loop around the hand. The measurement is read from an indicator
or graduated scale on the exterior of the case. The instrument is mounted on a
handle, which the salesman will hold in one hand while he manipulates the winding-in
device with the other.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front elevation of one construction of
hand measuring instrument made according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation thereof; partly broken away in vertical
mid-section.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view partly in vertical transverse mid-section.
Fig. is a rear view of another construction, embodying this invention in its
preferred form, the view being partly in vertical mid-section.
Fig. 6 is a side view mainly in vertical transverse section, of the same construction.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the instrument shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the measuring band
being in section on the line 7-7 in Fig. 5; and
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front view showing a modification of the indicator.
Referring to the drawings let A designate the handle of the instrument, B the case
or box which encloses the working parts, C a pad or rest on which the hand to be
measured is to be placed, and D the measuring band or tape.

page_text: The case B is a circular box made of sheet metal or other material, and is fixed
securely upon the end of the handle A. The pad C may be made in any desired way
and is fastened to or over the case B. prefer to cover the pad with plush or other
ornamental covering, the layer of plush in the sectional views being designated by a,
and being shown as stretched over a metal disk b. In Figs. 3 and 4 the plush or
other covering is fastened at the edge by the disk 6 being sprung or snapped over_a
disk or plate c, the edge of the plush being caught and confined between the two. In
Fig. 5 the edge of the plush is shown as being fastened by the turning under of the
edge of the metal disk b. In the former case the pad is fastened to the box or
case B by screws d engaging the disk c; and in the latter case the disk b is fastened
directly to the box by a single screw d'.
One end of the measuring band or tape D is fastened beneath the pad C and extends
thence in a loop around and over the pad and passes beneath the same on the opposite
side thereof, where it enters the case B. Within the case is mounted a rotative
winding drum or reel E, to the periphery of which the free end of the measuring band
is attached. On rotating the drum E in the proper direction the free end of the band
is wound upon the drum and is consequently drawn into the case, thereby drawing
the loop smaller as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. This movement may be
imparted to the drum by any suitable mechanism, such for instance as a knob or
crank, the former of which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, but I prefer to rotate
the drum by means of a cord or chain-which is wound npon it and which on being
pulled unwinds therefrom and carries the drum with it. This is the construction
shown in the drawings, wherein e designates the cord or chain, a tassel or knob by
which to grasp it, and g in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 a groove formed on the drum E in which
the cord or chain is wound. The cord or chain is attached at one end to the drum, is
carried around the same in the groove 9 and passes out tangentially through an
opening in the case. The tassel or ball fis thus in convenient position to be grasped
by the operator with the fingers of the right hand, while his left hand is holding the
handle A.
The customer inserts his hand through the loop of the band D, and the salesman or
operator then pulls the cord or chain and thereby contracts the loop until it is drawn
closely around the hand. While holding it thus the salesman observes the size that is
indicated by the instrument. I have shown two ways of effecting this indication.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the front face of the drum E is graduated with a circular
scale or dial and with numbers marked thereon corresponding in arrangement to the
numbers of the different successive sizes of gloves to be measured. In the front of
the case B is a hole or opening i, through which a portion of the graduation on the
drum is exposed to view, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. A small pointer is formed in
the margin of this opening, at j, to indicate which portion of the scale is to be read.
When the salesman, by glancing at the indication afforded at the opening, has read
the size of the hand being measured, he releases the cord or chain, and the loop at
once re-expands, whereupon the customer's hand is removed. This re-expansion of
the loop may be effected by the elasticity of the measuring band, this band being
preferably made of a steel hand, but as this is not to be fully relied upon for the
purpose, I prefer to provide a spring for retracting the drum E, as clearly shown at k
in Figs. 5 and 6. Upon the release of the cord or chain this spring at once rotates
the drum backwardly, winds in the cord or chain and feeds out the measuring band.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the construction of measuring instrument which I prefer.
The measuring band passes partly through the pad G, instead of entirely beneath the
same, thereby rendering the instrument somewhat more compact. To prevent chafing
of the plush or other covering of the pad by the movement of the band through it, and
to impart a neat and finished appearance, I provide a small plate m which is fastened
across the top of the pad and is formed at its ends with elongated eyes through
which the tape is passed. The case B is made of cup-shape and has a circular cover
. or plate n to close its open rear side. To this plate n are fixed two studs or pins p and q,
the former of which is in the centre and constitutes the axis for the drum E, and the
latter of which is at one side and serves for the attachment of the outer end of the

page_text: spring k. The drum is annularly grooved to receive the spring k and pin q. In
putting the parts together, the plate n is soldered to the remainder of the case, care
being taken to conceal the joint. Thus it is seen that there appears on the exterior of
the case no indication of any pivots or internal pins.
In this construction also the chain e, instead of passing out tangentially through the
side of the case B, extends out through the handle A, which is made with a metal
tubo u extending through it from end to end. To reduce friction a small sheave v is
arranged at the point where the chain passes from the case into the handle.
In Fig. 8 I have shown a modification of the indicator. The scale or graduation is
marked upon the exterior of the case, and a rotating pointer or index r is employed to
point out on this scale the size measured by the instrument. The drum E is fixed on
a rotary spindles which extends through the front of the case, and to the end of which
the index is fixed. Any other suitable construction of dial or other indicator may
be substituted for those which I have shown.
T
This improved measuring instrument has the advantage of being portable, quick
and convenient to use and accurate in its indications, the measurement being easily
read and not liable to be mistaken, as is frequently the case in reading the graduations
on a tape.

page_text: 1 JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow of
the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention aims to provide a convenient instrument for measuring the hand, in
order to determine the size of glove required. For this purpose it has been
customary to pass a graduated measuring tape around the hand of the customer to be
fitted.
The measuring instrument provided by this invention consists of a looped band, one
end of which is attached to a case and the other end of which enters the case, and is
attached to a take up or winding in device, such as a drum, by which it may be drawn
in to contract the loop around the hand. The measurement is read from an indicator
or graduated scale on the exterior of the case. The instrument is mounted on a handle,
which the salesman will hold in one hand while he manipulates the winding in device
with the other.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front elevation of one construction of
hand measuring instrument made according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation thereof; partly broken away in vertical
mid-section.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view partly in vertical transverse mid-section.
Figure 5 is a rear view of another construction, embodying this invention in its
preferred form, the view being partly in vertical mid-section.
Figure 6 is a side view mainly in vertical transverse section, of the same
construction.
Figure 7 is a plan of the instrument shown in Figures 5 and 6, the measuring band
being in section on the line 7-7 in Figure 5; and
Figure 8 is a fragmentary front view showing a modification of the indicator.
Referring to the drawings let A designate the handle of the instrument, B the
case or box which encloses the working parts, C a pad or rest on which the hand to be
measured is to be placed, and D the measuring band or tape.
The case B is a circular box made of sheet metal or other material, and is fixed
securely upon the end of the handle A. The pad C may be made in any desired
way and is fastened to or over the case B. I prefer to cover the pad with plush or
other ornamental covering, the laver of ulush n the sectional views being designated

page_text: by a, and being shewn as stretched over a metal disc b. In Figures 3 and 4 the
plush or other covering is fastened at the edge by the disc & being sprung or snapped
over a disc or plate c, the edge of the plush being caught and confined between the
two. In Figure 5 the edge of the plush is shewn as being fastened by the turning
under of the edge of the metal disc b. In the former case the pad is fastened to the
box or case B by screws d engaging the disc c and in the latter case the disc b is
fastened directly to the box by a single screw d¹.
One end of the measuring band or tape D is fastened beneath the pad Cand extends
thence in a loop around and over the pad and passes beneath the same on the
opposite side thereof, where. it enters the case B. Within the case is mounted a
rotative winding drum or reel E, to the periphery of which the free end of the
measuring band is attached. On rotating the drum E in the proper direction the
free end of the band is wound upon the drum and is consequently drawn into
the case, thereby drawing the loop smaller as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3.
This movement may be imparted to the drum by any suitable mechanism, such for
instance as a knob or crank, the former of which is shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 4, but I prefer to rotate the drum by means of a cord or chain which is
wound upon it and which on being pulled unwinds therefrom and carries the drum
with it. This is the construction shewn in the drawings, wherein e designates the
cord or chain, fa tassel or knob by which to grasp it, and g in Figures 4, 5 and 6
a groove formed on the drum E in which the cord or chain is wound. The cord or
chain is attached at one end to the drum, is carried around the same in the groove g
and passes out tangentially through an opening in the case. The tassel or ball fis
thus in convenient position to be grasped by the operator with the fingers of the right
hand, while his left hand is holding the handle A.
The customer inserts his hand through the loop of the band D, and the salesman or
operator then pulls the cord or chain and thereby contracts the loop until it is drawn
closely around the hand. While holding it thus the salesman observes the size that is
indicated by the instrument. I have shown two ways of effecting this indication.
Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the front face of the drum E is graduated with a
circular scale or dial and with numbers marked thereon corresponding in arrangement
to the numbers of the different successive sizes of gloves to be measured. In the
front of the case B is a hole or opening i, through which a portion of the graduation
on the drum is exposed to view, as clearly shown in Figure 1. A small pointer is
formed in the margin of this opening at j, to indicate which portion of the scale is to
be read. When the salesman, by glancing at the indication afforded at the
opening, has read the size of the hand being measured, he releases the cord or chain,
and the loop at once re-expands, whereupon the customer's hand is removed. This
re-expansion of the loop may be effected by the elasticity of the measuring band, this
band being preferably made of a steel band, but as this is not to be fully relied upon
for the purpose, I prefer to provide a spring for retracting the drum E, as clearly
shown at k in Figures 5 and 6. Upon the release of the cord or chain this spring.
at once rotates the drum backwardly, winds in the cord or chain and feeds out the
measuring band.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the construction of measuring instrument which I prefer.
The measuring band passes partly through the pad G, instead of entirely beneath the
same, thereby rendering the instrument somewhat more compact. To prevent chafing
of the plush or other covering of the pad by the movement of the band through it, and
to impart a neat and finished appearance, I provide a small plate m which is fastened
across the top of the pad and is formed at its ends with elongated eyes 1, 1 through
which the tape is passed. The case B is made of cup shape and has a circular
cover or plate n to close its open rear side. To this platen are fixed two studs or
pins p and the former of which is in the centre and constitutes the axis for the
drum E, and the latter of which is at one side and serves for the attachment of the
outer end of the spring k. The drum is annularly grooved to receive the spring k
and pin q. In putting the parts together, the plate n is soldered to the remainder of

page_text: the case, care being taken to conceal the joint. Thus it is seen that there appears on
the exterior of the case no indication of any pivots or internal pins.
In this construction also the chain e instead of passing out tangentially through the
side of the case B; extends out through the handle A, which is made with a metal
tube u extending through it from end to end. To reduce friction a small sheave vis
arranged at the point where the chain passes from the case into the handle.
In Figure 8 I have shown a modification of the indicator. The scale or graduation
is marked upon the exterior of the case and a rotating pointer or index is employed
to point out on this scale the size measured by the instrument. The drum E is fixed
on a rotary spindles which extends through the front of the case, and to the end of
which the index r is fixed. Any other suitable construction of dial or other indicator
may be substituted for those which I have shown.
This improved measuring instrument has the advantage of being portable, quick and
convenient to use and accurate in its indications, the measurement being easily read
and not liable to be mistaken, as is frequently the case in reading the graduations on
a tape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me, I declare
that what I claim is :-
1. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a winding device for taking up the free end of said band, and an
indicator in connection therewith for exhibiting the measurement, substantially as set
forth.
2. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed, while the other
enters the same, a take-up device in said casing for drawing in the free end of said
band, and an indicator in connection therewith for exhibiting the measurement,
substantially as set forth.
3. A hand measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed and which is entered
by the free end of said band, a winding device in said case for drawing in the free end
of said band, an indicator for exhibiting the measurement, and a handle on which the
parts are mounted, substantially as set forth.
4. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring band, a casing, a winding device in said casing for drawing in the end of
said band, an indicator on said winding device and casing consisting of a graduated
scale on the one part and a pointer on the other, and a handle on which the foregoing
parts are mounted, substantially as set forth.
5. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed and into which the
other end thereof enters, a winding drum in said case, to which the free end of said
band is attached, an actuating device for said drum attached thereto and projecting
through the case to be manipulated on the exterior thereof, and a handle on which said
parts are mounted, substantially as set forth.
6. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed and which is entered
by the other end thereof, a winding-drum in said case, to which the free end of said
band is attached, and a retracting-spring acting against said drum and tending to
unwind the same and feed out the band, substantially as set forth.
7. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed and into which the
other end thereof enters, a winding drum in said case, to which the free end of said
band is attached, and a cord or chain winding upon said drum and passing out through
an opening in said case, substantially as set forth.
8. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped

page_text: measuring-band, a casing to which one end of said band is fixed and into which the
other end thereof enters, a winding-drum in said case, to which the free end of said
band is attached, an actuating device for turning said drum, a graduated scale marked
on said drum, and an opening in said case through which a portion of said scale is
visible, substantially as set forth.
9. A hand-measuring instrument consisting of the combination of a looped
measuring-band, a case into which one end of said band enters, a winding-drum in
said case, to which the said band is attached, a tubular handle on which said case is
mounted, and a cord or chain winding on said drum and passing out through said
handle, substantially as set forth.