US4476635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of determining length of a conduit having ends at different elevations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-02-25
•
Granted: 1984-10-16
•
Expires: 2002-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A gravitational protractor and measuring tape for determining the distance between respective conduit ends residing at differential elevations.
Inventors
- 👤 George V. Hart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1084; G01B3/1092; G01B3/1094; G01B3/56; G01B3/1041; G01B3/1046; G01B3/1048; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
The method for using a combination retractable measuring tape and protractor for determining the inclined distance from the position of the tool, which is resting at a first point to an elevated second point not readily reached by the user thereof in order that such user can accurately fabricate a structural component for bridging between said first and second points, comprising the steps of: positioning the combination tool at said first point and ascertaining the horizontal posture thereof in order to facilitate accurate measurement of the angle of inclination to the second point; withdrawing the measuring tape in horizontal fashion and extending it to a position directly beneath the aforementioned second point; measuring the distance from the position of the tool at the first point to the aforementioned position beneath said second point; visually sighting from said tool along said protractor to said second point, so as to ascertain the angle of inclination thereof; and retrieving the distance information from point 1 to point 2 by use of the information achieved through operation of the combination tool hereabove.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
The method for using a combination retractable measuring tape and protractor for determining the inclined distance from the position of the tool, which is resting at a first point to an elevated second point not readily reached by the user thereof in order that such user can accurately fabricate a structural component for bridging between said first and second points, comprising the steps of: positioning the combination tool at said first point and ascertaining the horizontal posture thereof in order to facilitate accurate measurement of the angle of inclination to the second point; withdrawing the measuring tape in horizontal fashion and extending it to a position directly beneath the aforementioned second point; measuring the distance from the position of the tool at the first point to the aforementioned position beneath said second point; visually sighting from said tool along said protractor to said second point, so as to ascertain the angle of inclination thereof; and retrieving the distance information from point 1 to point 2 by use of the information achieved through operation of the combination tool hereabove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sighting the angle of inclination from said first point to said second point along the protractor of said combination tool is modified when said combination tool is not horizontally disposed by subtracting from the reading taken on the protractor of the tool the amount of angular inclination pre-existing at the time the siting is taken.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the tool is magnetically affixed to a surface at the said first point or is otherwise affixed when it is positioned thereat, so as to facilitate removal of the retractable tape measure by a single user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The steps of claim 2, wherein a structural bridge is fabricated to the length corresponding between point 1 and point 2 and thereafter is physically installed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1242740A
Cited
DE830573C
Cited
US2683933A
Cited
US2942348A
Cited
US2816369A
Cited
US3036791A
Cited
US3021599A
Cited
US3568319A
Cited
US3499225A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-16 | 1988-04-16 | 1988-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-16 | 1992-04-16 | 1992-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-16 | 1996-04-16 | 1996-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |