US3979833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for establishing the corners of a multiple-sided lot
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-03
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A pair of tape measures are mounted in side-by-side relationship on a common axial shaft with a clutch plate between them operable by a crank on the shaft. Pressure may be applied to the reels and in turn to the clutch plate by thumb adjustment nuts on the outer ends of the shaft, such that the reels may turn together or remain stationary as the shaft is turned. The method of using the measuring device to lay out a lot involves attaching the free end of one tape to a stake at one corner and then walking to a second corner while the first tape is being unreeled. The free end of the second tape is attached to a stake at the second corner, and then the measuring device is moved to a third corner with the tapes being appropriately extended or contracted, and the stake is placed at the intersection of the measured distances on both tapes. Next, the measuring device is moved to the fourth corner, and a stake is placed at the intersection of the known measured distances on each of the tapes. Verification of the layout may be obtained by going back to the third corner and measuring the distance between the third and fourth corners.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas B. Grundman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1084; G01B3/1041; G01B3/1046; G01B3/1005; G01B2003/1023; G01B2003/1025; G01B2003/1051; G01B3/1043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A measuring device comprising, a pair of tape reels mounted on a common axial shaft, a length of measuring tape rolled on each reel, means for turning said shaft, and locking means for selectively locking either or both of said reels to said shaft for rotation therewith or independently thereof as said tapes are reeled in or out, said locking means including a clutch plate locked to said shaft and disposed between said pair of reels for rotation with said shaft, and individually selectively adjustable pressure means on said shaft for engagement with each of said reels to cause them to frictonally engage said clutch plate and thereby turn therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A measuring device comprising, a pair of tape reels mounted on a common axial shaft, a length of measuring tape rolled on each reel, means for turning said shaft, and locking means for selectively locking either or both of said reels to said shaft for rotation therewith or independently thereof as said tapes are reeled in or out, said locking means including a clutch plate locked to said shaft and disposed between said pair of reels for rotation with said shaft, and individually selectively adjustable pressure means on said shaft for engagement with each of said reels to cause them to frictonally engage said clutch plate and thereby turn therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said pressure means includes a spring on each end of said shaft adapted to bear against the adjacent reel and an axially adjustable nut on each end of said shaft adapted to engage the adjacent spring to apply pressure to the adjacent reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said means for turning said shaft is a crank integrally connected to said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said shaft is supported at opposite ends by oppositely disposed side frame members interconnected outwardly of the periphery of said reels by cross members and one of said cross members includes a handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said side frame members are star shaped and said cross members connect the side frame members at the points of said star shaped side frame members with the free ends of said tapes being adapted to extend outwardly over one of said cross members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said reels each include only one sidewall and said one sidewall being adjacent said clutch plate for engagement therewith, and stationary side frame members on said shaft outwardly of each reel limit lateral movement of said tape on each of said reels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said crank includes a hinge for folding said crank onto its self.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of establishing the corners of a four-sided lot when the lengths of the sides are known using a measuring device having a pair of tape means operatively connected to reeling means for reeling in or out one or both tapes simultaneously, said method comprising the steps of, securing the free end of one tape at one corner, moving the measuring device a known direction and distance to a second corner, securing the free end of the second tape at the second corner, moving the measuring device to a third corner while reeling in or out the first and second tapes the appropriately known amounts to establish the third corner at the intersection of the first and second tapes, and moving the measuring device to the fourth corner while reeling in or out the first and second tapes the appropriately know amounts to establish the fourth corner.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of establishing the corners of a four-sided lot when the lengths of the sides are known using a measuring device having a pair of tape means operatively connected to reeling means for reeling in or out one or both tapes simultaneously, said method comprising the steps of, securing the free end of one tape at one corner, moving the measuring device a known direction and distance to a second corner, securing the free end of the second tape at the second corner, moving the measuring device to a third corner while reeling in or out the first and second tapes the appropriately known amounts to establish the third corner at the intersection of the first and second tapes, and moving the measuring device to the fourth corner while reeling in or out the first and second tapes the appropriately know amounts to establish the fourth corner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said method further includes the step of moving said measuring device back to said third corner for checking the distance between the third and fourth corners against the known distances for the side of the lot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |