Measuring plumb line

Abstract

A measuring plumb line device for easily and independently measuring the height between a point in space and the ground without a laser or electronic system. This invention consists of a graduated tape (1), a heavy mass called a "pendulum" (2) to which the tape (1) is attached, a heavy, table-shaped metal cage (3) placed on the ground and having a hole (4) allowing the tape (1) to move to find its equilibrium position, and a "wedge" (11) with a hole (17) through which the tape (1) passes. The lower part of the wedge (16) slides from the upper part (13) to press the vertical side of the upper part of the wedge (15) against a wall, while allowing the cage (3) to be positioned correctly if the wall has a baseboard (23).The operator can thus read the measurement (19) on a mark on the wedge (20) once the tape (1) is stabilized and gently pulled so that the upper part of the pendulum (5) is pressed against the inner edge of the cage hole (6), which may be magnetized. The device may optionally have a cage with retractable feet (7) or with wheels or ball bearings (10). See Fig. 1 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Measuring plumb line

[0001] The present invention makes it possible to easily measure the height (H) of a point in space, that is to say the distance between this point and the ground, without a laser or electrical or electronic system. This invention can be used by a single operator such as a mason, a plasterer or a simple amateur handyman. It can be used, for example, to place the beams of a floor, a false ceiling or even supports holding a railing in a staircase.

[0002] Until now, when an operator wishes to know the height (H) between a point, for example on the wall, and the ground, he can use the following techniques: a. Using a plumb line, he places the wedge and the top of the line on the point on the wall, then asks a second operator to mark the bottom of the wall using the direction of the line, which has obtained its balance point thanks to gravity. Then, using a meter stick, he measures the distance between the two points. The disadvantage of this technique is that it requires two people to complete this task. b. If the operator is alone, using a level, he determines the vertical direction from the point on the wall, and then uses a meter to measure the distance to the ground. The disadvantages of this technique are: i. If the distance (H) is large between the point on the wall and the ground, there may be a minimal difference in angle between the direction of the meter and the vertical direction, which may cause an erroneous measurement. ii. If the distance (H) is large between the point of the wall and the ground, the operator may have difficulty feeling the touch of the tip of the meter on the ground. iii. If the distance (H) between the point of the wall and the ground is large, the operator may press the tip of the meter too hard on the ground, and cause deformation of the meter, which may cause an erroneous measurement. iv. Handling requires a certain agility on the part of the operator who must hold the level and the meter in each of his hands, which can be dangerous if he carries out this operation on a ladder, at a high height.

[0003] The invention therefore proposes to carry out the operation simply, without laser or electronic system, with perfect precision and without requiring the help of a second operator.

[0004] The invention is presented in four parts: a. A thin ribbon (1), preferably elliptical in section, made of a solid, non-stretchy but flexible material, wide enough to mark a distance graduation on it. b. A heavy mass called a "pendulum" (2) to which the ribbon (1) is attached, which allows the vertical direction of the ribbon to be obtained using gravity after stabilization. The shape of the pendulum (2) is indifferent. It can be, for example, conical with the point downwards, as is the case for many light plumb lines, or even truncated conical, as is the case for mason's plumb lines. c. A very heavy metal cage (3), in the shape of a table, placed on the ground and having the following characteristics: i. A hole (4) allowing the ribbon (1) to move to find its equilibrium position. This hole must not allow the upper part of the pendulum (5) connected to the ribbon to pass through. The inside of the cage around the hole (6) can be magnetized so as to allow the upper part of the pendulum (5) to come and press against it more easily. ii. With possibly retractable feet (7) so as to fit the irregularities of the ground and allow the top of the cage (8) to be perfectly horizontal. The position of the retractable feet is maintained by four wing screws (9). iii. With possibly a wheel or ball bearing (10) in each leg to allow the cage to move easily by rolling on the ground. d. A part called a "wedge" (11). A mark (12) located on the top of the upper part of the wedge (13) allows it to be placed on the point (14) from which the measurement starts at the top, generally located on a wall (22). The vertical side of the upper part of the wedge (15) is pressed against the possible wall. The lower part of the wedge (16) has a hole (17) for passing the tape (1). The rounded shape of the lower part of the wedge (18) allows the operator to pull gently and slowly on the tape once it is stabilized. When the upper part of the pendulum (5) comes to rest against the inside of the hole in the cage (6), the tape is then taut and the operator can read the measurement (19) on the tape (1) thanks to a mark located on the lower part of the wedge (20).The lower part of the wedge (16) can optionally slide from the upper part (13) to press the vertical side of the upper part of the wedge (15) against the wall to allow the cage (3) to be positioned properly if the wall has a plinth. (23) for example. The position of the lower part of the wedge (16) is held integral with the upper part of the wedge (13) by two wing screws (21) or similar methods.

[0005] [Fig-1] represents the invention seen from three-quarters above.

[0006] [Fig.2] represents the invention seen from three-quarters below.

[0007] The method for using the measuring plumb line is as follows: a. On the ground, the operator places the cage (3) with the pendulum (2) inside approximately vertically above the point from which the measurement will start (14). The tape comes out of the hole in the cage (4). b. The operator climbs onto his ladder or stepladder, holding the wedge (11) in one hand. The upper end of the tape (1) passes through the hole in the wedge (17). The operator is careful not to block the tape (1) through the hole in the wedge (17) because the pendulum (2) must constantly rest on the ground during this operation. c. The operator places the upper mark of the shim (12) on the point from which the measurement starts (14). d. The operator gently and slowly pulls on the ribbon (1) so that the pendulum (2) lifts off the ground. He makes sure that the upper part of the pendulum (5) does not touch the inner part of the hole in the cage (6). He waits for the ribbon (1) to find its vertical equilibrium position. e. The operator pulls very gently and slowly on the ribbon (1) so that the upper part of the pendulum (5) comes to rest on the inner part of the hole in the cage (6). During this operation, the ribbon (1) must imperatively maintain its vertical equilibrium position. f. Without releasing the tension of the tape (1), the operator reads the measurement (19) of the height (H) on the tape (1) using the mark located on the lower part of the wedge (20).

[0008] [Fig.3] represents the operator seen from the side using the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A measuring plumb line device comprising four parts: a. A non-stretchable but flexible ribbon (1), wide enough to write a distance graduation on it. b. A heavy mass called a “pendulum” (2) to which the ribbon (1) is attached, which makes it possible to obtain the vertical direction of the ribbon using gravity after stabilization. c. A heavy metal cage (3), in the shape of a table, placed on the ground and having a hole (4) allowing the ribbon (1) to move to find its equilibrium position. This hole must not allow the upper part of the pendulum (5) connected to the ribbon to pass through. d. A part called a "wedge" (11) with a mark (12) located on the top of the upper part of the wedge (13), with a hole (17) for passing the tape (1) allowing the operator to read the measurement (19) on the tape (1) thanks to a mark located on the lower part of the wedge (20) once the tape (1) is stabilized and pulled so that the upper part of the pendulum (5) is pressed against the inside of the hole in the cage (6) and characterized in that the lower part of the wedge (16) can slide from the upper part (13) in order to press the vertical side of the upper part of the wedge (15) against a wall while allowing the cage (3) to be positioned properly if the wall has a baseboard for example, the position of the lower part of the wedge (16) being held integral with the upper part of the wedge (13) by two screws ear (21) or similar processes.

2. A plumb line measuring device according to claim 1 characterized in that the cage (3) has retractable feet (7) so as to fit the irregularities of the ground and allow the top of the cage (8) to be perfectly horizontal.

3. A plumb line measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the cage (3) has a wheel or ball bearing (10) in each leg to allow the cage to move easily by rolling on the ground.

4. A plumb line measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower part of the wedge (18) is rounded in shape to allow the operator to pull more easily on the tape (1).

5. A measuring plumb line device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the interior of the cage around the hole (6) is magnetized so as to allow the upper part of the pendulum (5) to come and press against it more easily.

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