US4053985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical protractor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-21
•
Granted: 1977-10-18
•
Expires: 1996-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring and indicating the angle between two lines includes a housing having two wheels rotatably mounted therein. The wheels are spaced from each other at a distance predeterminedly related to the radii of the wheels. In one embodiment, a shaft is affixed at a first end to the first wheel. The second end of the shaft extends through the second wheel and is secured to a pointer disposed adjacent to the second wheel. The second wheel is calibrated with indicia indicating the relative rotation of the first and second wheels in degrees so that the position of the pointer relative to the indicia indicates the angle measured by the device. One of the wheels may also include a toothed wheel for transmitting the rotation of the wheel to a linear distance indiating device for measuring the total linear distance traveled by the device. Also disclosed is an embodiment employing electrical components for electrically measuring the angle and providing an indication of the measured angle.
Inventors
- 👤 Nick E. Spentzas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/30; G01B3/00; G01B3/12; G01B5/00; G01B5/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for measuring angles comprising: first and second spaced wheels; a shaft between said first and second wheels, said wheels being mounted on said shaft for independent rotation; and means for indicating the difference in rotation of said first and second wheels including a pointer attached to said shaft, means for rotating said pointer proportionally with the rotation of said first wheel and indicia disposed on a surface of said second wheel adjacent to said pointer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for measuring angles comprising: first and second spaced wheels; a shaft between said first and second wheels, said wheels being mounted on said shaft for independent rotation; and means for indicating the difference in rotation of said first and second wheels including a pointer attached to said shaft, means for rotating said pointer proportionally with the rotation of said first wheel and indicia disposed on a surface of said second wheel adjacent to said pointer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second wheels have substantially similar radii.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said shaft is fixedly attached to said first wheel for rotation therewith and extends through said second wheel, said second wheel is rotatably mounted to said shaft and said pointer rotating means includes means for fixedly attaching said pointer to the portion of said shaft extending through said second wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second wheels are rotatably attached to said shaft and said apparatus includes rotational motion translating means coupling said first wheel and said shaft for rotating said shaft proportionally to the rotation of said first wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including means mechanically coupled to one of said wheels for indicating the total distance traveled by said one wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a linear distance measuring device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for measuring angles comprising: first and second spaced wheels mounted for independent rotation; and means for indicating the relative difference in rotation of said first and second wheels including variable resistance means comprising a resistive member affixed for rotation proportionally with the rotation of said first wheel, and contact means affixed for rotation proportionally with the rotation of said second wheel and electrically contacting said resistive member, and wherein said indicating means includes means electrically coupled to said variable resistance means and responsive to the position of said contact member on said resistive member for indicating the angular movement of said apparatus represented by the relative rotation between said first and second wheels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for measuring angles comprising: first and second spaced wheels mounted for independent rotation; and means for indicating the relative difference in rotation of said first and second wheels including variable resistance means comprising a resistive member affixed for rotation proportionally with the rotation of said first wheel, and contact means affixed for rotation proportionally with the rotation of said second wheel and electrically contacting said resistive member, and wherein said indicating means includes means electrically coupled to said variable resistance means and responsive to the position of said contact member on said resistive member for indicating the angular movement of said apparatus represented by the relative rotation between said first and second wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for measuring angles on a surface comprising: means for travelling along said surface including first and second independently rotatable members for engaging said surface; a first rotatable element; a second rotatable element; means for rotating said first rotatable element proportionally to the rotation of said first rotatable member; means for rotating said second rotatable element proportionally to the rotation of said second rotatable member; and means affixed to said first and second elements for visually indicating the angle travelled along said surface, said indicating means including an indicator and indicia calibrated to indicate said angle, said indicator and indicia being mounted for relative movement in response to the relative rotation of said elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for measuring angles on a surface comprising: means for travelling along said surface including first and second independently rotatable members for engaging said surface; a first rotatable element; a second rotatable element; means for rotating said first rotatable element proportionally to the rotation of said first rotatable member; means for rotating said second rotatable element proportionally to the rotation of said second rotatable member; and means affixed to said first and second elements for visually indicating the angle travelled along said surface, said indicating means including an indicator and indicia calibrated to indicate said angle, said indicator and indicia being mounted for relative movement in response to the relative rotation of said elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said first and second rotatable members comprise first and second wheels, respectively, of substantially the same dimensions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said first rotating element comprises a shaft having a predetermined, length, and includes means for maintaining the distance between said wheels substantially equal to the radius of said wheels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 further including means for indicating the total distance traveled by one of said wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said first rotatable element comprises a resistive element, and said second rotatable element comprises a contact member electrically contacting said resistive element, and said relative rotation indicating means includes a voltage responsive display device electrically connected to said resistive element and said contact member.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for measuring the angle between two lines comprising: a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing; first and second wheels independently rotatably mounted within said housing; means for rotating said shaft proportionally to the rotation of said first wheel coupling a first end of said shaft to said first wheel, and shaft having a second end extending through said second wheel; a pointer secured to said second end of said shaft; and angular indicia on said second wheel arranged to cooperate with said pointer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for measuring the angle between two lines comprising: a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing; first and second wheels independently rotatably mounted within said housing; means for rotating said shaft proportionally to the rotation of said first wheel coupling a first end of said shaft to said first wheel, and shaft having a second end extending through said second wheel; a pointer secured to said second end of said shaft; and angular indicia on said second wheel arranged to cooperate with said pointer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as recited in claim 13, wherein said first and second wheels have substantially equal radii, and are separated by a distance substantially equal to the radius of said wheels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as recited in claim 13 wherein said first end of said shaft is attached directly to said first wheel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said relative rotation indicating means includes a pointer affixed to said first rotatable element and indicia disposed on said second rotatable element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said first rotatable element is integrally formed with said first rotatable member to form a single unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said second rotatable element is integrally formed with said second rotatable member to form a single unit.
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) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |