Apparatus & method for measuring the internal height and width of an aperture

Abstract

The device comprises a first elongate member 201; a second (202 fig 3) elongate member; wherein the first and second elongate members are arranged substantially parallel to one another. Each of said f

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring and / or capturing the internal dimensions of an aperture, particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for measuring the internal height and width dimensions of a quadrilateral aperture, for example a doorframe. Background of the Invention

[0002] In various industries and applications, the accurate measurement of the internal horizontal width and vertical height of a quadrilateral aperture is essential. Accurate measurements ensure a door, cabinetry, or fitted wardrobe etc. can be fitted flush within the aperture or may simply determine the size of the aperture to ensure it is sufficiently large enough to enable the passage of items therethrough, for example when moving furniture. When measuring quadrilateral apertures, existing measuring devices often lack the ability to maintain a substantially parallel relationship between the two opposing sides of the quadrilateral, leading to potential inaccuracies in the measurements obtained. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device that ensures precise measurement of quadrilateral apertures.

[0003] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a non-limiting example of use of the apparatus in measuring the vertical (v) and horizontal (h) height of a door frame aperture 1 to correctly align a door 2 with the door frame. Once aligned, the placement of door hinges and hardware e.g., locks or door furniture may be undertaken. A typical door frame comprises two spaced apart, upright or substantially vertical doorjambs 101, a head jamb or lintel 102 and a sill 103, the head jamb and the sill being substantially parallel to one another and arranged perpendicular to the door jambs to create a continuous, typically rectangular, aperture (a) - see Figures 1a and 1b. The doorjambs 101 and the head jamb or lintel 102 of the frame 1 may be surrounded by casing or a door trim 104 which frames the aperture. For external doors, the sill 103 may be part of an external door frame, and for internal doors, the sill 103 may be replaced by a floor.

[0004] The conventional method of fitting a door into an aperture is to measure the height and with (v, h) of the aperture (a) and select the closest ‘off the shelf standard sized door. Once a door has been selected, a first side of the door is aligned substantially vertically with the hinge-side doorjamb 101a. A second side of the door is then aligned with the second vertical door jamb 101b, any excess width (h) on the door is then trimmed or planed such that the horizontal width of the door corresponds to the width between the vertical doorjambs plus a gap to ensure smooth closing of the door. This can often take several reiterations of aligning the door in the opening, measuring the door width against the doorjambs and making micro-adjustments to the width of the door. The process is then repeated for the height (v) of the door, in which the bottom rail 106 of the door 2 is aligned with the door sill 103, and the top rail 107 is aligned with the head jamb 102, any excess height of the door is then trimmed or planed such that the vertical height of the door corresponds to the vertical dimensions (v) of the aperture, less a clearance gap of typically 3 mm to ensure that the door does not stick against the sill or head jamb 102. Once again, this can often take several reiterations of aligning the door in the opening, measuring the door height against the head jamb and making microadjustments to the height of the door.

[0005] It is a limitation of the conventional method of fitting a door that there may be several iterations of both vertical and horizontal adjustments, piecemeal shaving of the door to make micro-adjustments to ensure a good fit of the door into the aperture. The need to realign the door with the doorframe on multiple occasions is both time consuming and labor intensive. Indeed, on many occasions, the alterations to a door’s height or width are typically conducted outside of a property and carrying a door back and forth, often up and downstairs. Moreover, because the door is often aligned flush with only one of the doorjambs or the door sill, there is a risk that the door can be over trimmed and the gap between the top rail and the head jamb, between the bottom rail and the sill and between the sides of the door 108 and the doorjambs 101 are greater than the preferred 3mm clearance, causing drafts and heat loss. The laborious and time-consuming nature of fitting a door the conventional way can also limit the productivity of the door fitter when several doors are required to be fitted at a given time.

[0006] When the door height and width have been determined and the door sits within the frame aperture, the door hinges, lock, and door furniture such as door handles can be positioned. It is not appropriate to position the hinges 109 or door furniture 110 on the door plate 111 prior to this stage as the door should be flush with the doorframe aperture (a) to allow for correct alignment. Finally, it is a further limitation of the conventional method of fitting or hanging a door that there is no element of standardization in the fitting process and there is a great deal of user variability in the fit achieved depending on the experience and skill level of the fitter.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems with the conventional method of fitting a door into an aperture and to provide an apparatus which minimizes the number of iterations of back-and-forth alignment and the number of measurements required to achieve a flush fit of the door and alignment of the door hinges and hardware thus making the whole process of hanging a door more streamlined and uniform and reducing the skill level needed to achieve a satisfactory result using the device of the present invention. It is a further object of the invention to standardize the way an aperture is measured, eliminating measurer variation, and thus enabling doors to be fitted uniformly.

[0008] It will be apparent that the apparatus of the present invention is suitable for accurately measuring the height (v) and width (h) of any quadrilateral aperture, and therefore, it is not restricted to use with a door frame only. The apparatus may be used to provide a collapsible, measuring apparatus for any aperture, for example, a garage door, an opening in a shop front, a window frame, an alcove, or for use in measuring an opening for a fitted wardrobe, shelving or cabinetry. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The apparatus disclosed herein addresses the aforementioned limitations by providing a novel apparatus for measuring the internal width and height of a quadrilateral aperture. The primary novelty of the invention lies in the unique design comprising first and second elongate members and an adjustment mechanism therebetween which can be adjusted to move the first and second elongate members towards or away from each other to measure the width of the aperture, while preserving a consistent parallel relationship throughout their range of motion. The device comprises a pair of elongate members, an adjoining means comprising a linking mechanism and at least one sliding anchor point, and a height adjustment means. The elongate members are capable of synchronized movement while maintaining their parallel alignment, ensuring accurate measurements. The elongate members each comprise at least one height adjustment means configured to abut against the horizontal surfaces of the aperture when the apparatus is located in the aperture to also measure the height of the aperture.

[0010] There is a need for a device which permits accurate, reproducible and standardized measurement of a quadrilateral aperture. In the field of fitting doors particularly, it is a known problem that accurately measuring a door frame is a timeconsuming process, subject to measurer variability. Moreover, flush fitting of a door within the aperture is advisable prior to marking the location of the door hinge or lock making hanging a door and is a laborious and inefficient process, which is subject to variation.

[0011] A solution to these problems is provided by embodiments according to the present invention which provides an apparatus capable of accurately measuring, capturing or recording the internal dimensions of a quadrilateral aperture.

[0012] The apparatus is designed to measure both the horizontal width between the two opposing sides of a quadrilateral aperture e.g., two vertical door jambs; and to measure the vertical height of the aperture, such as floor or sill to upper beam of the door aperture. The apparatus is further modified to enable the precise placement of door hinges and locks on the door frame and / or door once the dimensions of the doorframe aperture have been established.

[0013] In one embodiment, the measuring apparatus comprises a pair of parallel elongate outer beams (interchangeably called elongate members) and a third elongate beam (third elongate member) placed centrally and equidistantly between the outer beams, the outer beams being connected by an upper adjoining means and a lower adjoining means. Each adjoining means comprises four linkage arms altogether, arranged into two pairs of linkage arms, an upper pair and a lower pair, where first ends of the upper pair of linkage arms are pivotally connected to a sliding carriage which travels along the length direction of the central elongate member over a first range of movement, first ends of the lower pair of linkage arms are connected to a second slidable carriage which moves over a second range of movement along the length of the central elongate member, second ends of the upper pair of linkage arms are respectively pivotally connected to the first elongate member at a first position along the elongate member and to the second elongate member at a second position along the second elongate member. Similarly, the second ends of the lower linkage arms of the lower pair are respectively connected to a pivotal connection point on the first elongate member at a fixed position on the first deal on gate member, and to a pivotal connection point on the second elongate member at a fixed position on the second elongate member.

[0014] The parallelogram arrangement of the first adjoining means is replicated further along the elongate members with a second adjoining means which has substantially the same construction as the first adjoining means described above, an upper and lower pair of linkage arms and two sliding carriages.

[0015] An apparatus for measuring and / or capturing the internal dimensions of an aperture comprising: a first elongate member 201; a second 202 elongate member; said first and second elongate members being arranged substantially parallel to one another; at least one height adjustment means 213, 214, 222, 223 configurable to abut against the surface surrounding an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture for measurement along a first axis of movement; and an adjoining means 501a, 501b, 225, 226, 227, 228 arranged between said first and second elongate members, wherein said first and second elongate members are movably attached to each other by said adjoining means, said adjoining means being expandable and contractible along a first x axis of movement between said first and second elongate members, and extendable and contractible along a second y axis of movement which lies across said first axis of movement; said adjoining means being configured to hold said first and second elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other at all positions of expansion or contraction of said adjoining means along said first [x] axis of movement; wherein said adjoining means comprise a plurality of pivotally connected linkages 501a, 501 b arranged substantially along the sides of a parallelogram.

[0016] Preferably wherein said adjoining means 501a, 501b comprise a plurality of pivotal linkages which hold said first and second elongate members 201, 202 in a fixed relationship to each other along said second y axis. [00171 Preferably said apparatus further comprises third elongate member 203, said third elongate member being positioned between said first 201 and second 202 elongate members.

[0018] Preferably a said adjoining means comprises a set of four adjoining linkage arms, each said linkage arm having a first end and a second end; said linkage arms comprising a first pair of linkage arms and a second pair of linkage arms said first and second pairs of linkage arms being arranged along the sides of a parallelogram; respective first ends of the linkage arms of said first pair being slidably connected to said third elongate member so that said first ends can slide along said second [y] axis; respective first ends of the linkage arms of the second pair of linkage arms being slidably connected to said third elongate member so that said first ends of said second pair of linkage arms can slide along said second y axis; one linkage arm of said first pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member; the other linkage arm of said first pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member; one linkage arm of said second pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member; and the other linkage arm of said second pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member; such that in use, said first and second elongate members are movable towards and away from each other along said first x-axis, wherein said plurality of linkage arms maintain said first and second elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other.

[0019] Preferably the plurality of pivotal linkages each have a first end comprising a respective toothed curved portion arranged to engage a corresponding toothed curved portion of an adjacent said pivotal linkage.

[0020] Preferably said adjoining means comprises at least one slidable carriage which slides along said third elongate member; and a pair of said pivotal linkages each have second ends which are pivotally attached to said slidable carriage.

[0021] Preferably said first, second, and / or third elongate member further comprises at least one height adjustment means configurable to abut against the surface of an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture for adjustment along a second (y) axis.

[0022] Preferably apparatus further comprises a manual locking means for locking said slider carnages in position along a length of said third elongate member.

[0023] Preferably each of said first and second elongate members further comprise a plurality of micro-adjustment means, outwardly movable from said respective first or second elongate member along said first x axis, such that said micro-adjustment means extends from the apparatus so as to abut against the perimeter surface of an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture.

[0024] Preferably each set of 4 pivotal linkages form a variable geometry parallelogram extending between the first and second elongate members.

[0025] Preferably each said pivotal linkage comprises a first end which is pivotally connected either to said first elongate member, or to said second elongate member.

[0026] Preferably expanding or contracting the first and second elongate members along said first [x] axis, the angles of the main lengths of the pivotal linkages to the main length of the first and / or second elongate members are variable in the range 5°to 90°.

[0027] Preferably the apparatus further comprises a first side member adjustably located on an outermost side of said first elongate member, said first side member being adjustable along said first [x] axis, at a plurality of positions along a length of said first elongate member.

[0028] Preferably said first side member is connected to said first elongate member by a plurality of adjustment means, at least one of said plurality of adjustment means comprising a readable measuring scale for measuring an amount of fine adjustment along the first [x] axis.

[0029] Preferably each said adjustment means is manually lockable to hold said side member in a fixed orientation relative to said first elongate member.

[0030] Preferably the apparatus further comprises a second side member 301 adjustably located on an outermost side of said second elongate member, said second side member being adjustable along said first [x] axis, at a plurality of positions along a length of said second elongate member.

[0031] Preferably second side member is connected to said second elongate member by a plurality of adjustment means, at least one of said plurality of adjustment means comprising a readable measuring scale for measuring an amount of fine adjustment along the first [x] axis.

[0032] Preferably each said adjustment means is manually lockable to hold said second side member in a fixed orientation relative to said second elongate member.

[0033] Said apparatus may further comprise an electronic digital measuring means for measuring a distance between the outermost sides of said first and second elongate members in a first [x] direction.

[0034] Said apparatus may further comprise a plurality of adjustable hinge position indicators located on first and / or second sides of said apparatus, said hinge position indicators being slidably adjustable along an axis substantially parallel to said second [y] axis.

[0035] Said apparatus may further comprise one or a plurality of electronic measurement means for measuring extension of one or more said height adjusters in a second [y] direction.

[0036] Said apparatus may further comprise: an electronic data processor; an electronic data storage device; a wireless transmitter, wherein said data processor, electronic data storage device and said wireless transmitter / receiver are configured to continuously transmit height and / or width data to a remote electronic data recording device.

[0037] Advantageously, the apparatus is collapsible and can be folded for easy transportation. In use, the device is extendible into a locked position to demarcate the height and width of an aperture, for example a door frame.

[0038] Preferably the apparatus comprises a first elongate body and a second elongate body arranged substantially parallel to one another; each of said first and / or second elongate bodies comprising at least one adjustment means configurable to abut against the surface of an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture e.g. a door frame for adjustment along a first (height) axis; each of said first and second elongate bodies further comprising a flexible outer portion, outwardly movable from said respective first or second elongate body, such that said flexible outer portion abuts against the surface of the aperture e.g. a door frame when the device is located in said aperture; wherein said first and second elongate bodies are movably attached to each other by at least one adjoining means or pivotal linkage arm, such that said first and second elongate bodies may each be moved towards or away from each other to extend or shorten the apparatus respectively along a second (width) axis.

[0039] Preferably, the adjoining means which spans between the first and second elongate bodies of the device is graduated so that the extension of the apparatus between collapsed and extended states corresponds to pre-set measurements for conventional off-the-shelf door heights and widths.

[0040] The flexible outer portion of the apparatus advantageously permits micro-adjustment of the height (v) and width (h) of the door frame from pre-set measurements without needing to repeatedly re-fit a door into the aperture of the door frame.

[0041] It is a further advantage of the present invention that the obtained vertical and horizontal data measurements of the aperture, corresponding to, for example a door’s required height and width, may be stored and / or transmitted to a data logger. This allows for measurements to be obtained for multiple apertures using the device. It is possible that the logged data could be transmitted to a second apparatus, at a different site, or the data could be downloaded from the data logger at a later point in time so that doors could be initially measured and then subsequently cut to size at a different site or at a different point in time. This allows for all measurements to be taken at one time, then for multiple doors to be collectively cut and then fitted.

[0042] The embodiments of the invention may also be used as a measuring frame for measuring up a plurality of door frames, window frames or the like in a building. Due to building tolerances, apertures such as window apertures in brickwork or block work which are nominally the same width and height can vary between different apertures by a few millimeters or even a few centimeters from aperture to aperture. When measuring up a plurality of doors or windows for a building, it is common to find slight variations in dimension between door or window apertures which are nominally of the same dimensions. A fitter can use the device subject of the invention to quickly and efficiently measure the width and height of each aperture in a building, and for each aperture the dimensions can be saved to an electronic recording device, and sent as a file to a supplier or manufacturer, to manufacture door and / or window frames which accurately fit each measured aperture.

[0043] The apparatus measures the height (v) and width (h) of an aperture (a), for example, a doorframe. The measurements are then logged by a data logger along with the corresponding time, date and location of said aperture. All data logged is then transmitted by the transmitter to an external device. The external device may be a computer, mobile phone or any electronic device capable of receiving the transmitted data. The data can be transmitted in the form of an email or text message.

[0044] According to a further aspect, there is provided an apparatus for measuring the internal height and width of an aperture comprising: a first elongate member; a second elongate member; said first and second elongate members being arranged substantially parallel to one another; a plurality of pivotal linkages which movably connect said first and second elongate members to one another such that said first and second elongate members are restricted to move towards and away from each other along a first axis, to extend or shorten the apparatus along said first axis, whilst said first and second elongate bodies remain parallel to each other; and wherein said plurality of pivotal linkages hold said first and second elongate bodies in fixed relationship to each other along a second axis.

[0045] In various embodiments, the measuring apparatus comprises apparatus for measuring the internal height and width of an aperture comprising: a first elongate member; a second elongate member; said first and second elongate members being arranged substantially parallel to one another; a plurality of pivotal linkages which movably connect said first and second elongate members to one another such that said first and second elongate members are restricted to move towards and away from each other along a first axis, to extend or shorten the apparatus along said first axis, whilst said first and second elongate bodies remain parallel to each other; and wherein said plurality of pivotal linkages hold said first and second elongate bodies in fixed relationship to each other along a second axis.

[0046] According to a second aspect there is provided a method for measuring the internal dimensions of a quadrilateral aperture using a measuring apparatus, said method comprising: a. aligning said measuring apparatus into a quadrilateral aperture such that first and second elongate members of said apparatus are positioned upright; b. expanding said first and second elongate members in said aperture, until first and second sides of said measuring apparatus are in contact with first and second upright sides surrounding said aperture; c. adjusting at least one height adjustment means to abut against an upper and / or lower perimeter of said aperture; d. locking the shape of said measuring apparatus to prevent further movement of said first and second elongate members, and said height adjustment means, so that an external perimeter of said measuring apparatus represents the dimensions of an internal perimeter of said aperture.

[0047] Preferably said stage of contacting said sides of said measuring apparatus against first and second upright sides surrounding an aperture comprises adjusting first and / or second lateral plate members connected to respective said first and / or second elongate members to contact said first and second upright sides surrounding said aperture.

[0048] Preferably said method further comprises adjusting one or a plurality of hinge position indicators so that the height of the hinge position indicators on the measuring apparatus matches an optimum position for fitting one or more hinges.

[0049] Preferably said method further comprises recording the positions of the elongate members and the height adjustment means to determine the internal width and height of the aperture at one or a plurality of positions across the width of said aperture and at one or a plurality of positions along the height of said aperture.

[0050] According to a yet further aspect, there is provided a method of preparing an aperture closure member for fitting to an aperture, using a measuring apparatus as herein described, said method comprising: placing said measuring apparatus into a frame surrounding an aperture; expanding said measuring apparatus until an outer periphery of said measuring apparatus touches along two sides of said frame, a lower sill of said frame and an upper lateral portion of said frame extending between said two sides of said frame; securing said measuring apparatus in said expanded condition, so that said measuring apparatus retains its expanded condition when removed from said aperture; removing said measuring apparatus from said aperture; placing said measuring apparatus on a said aperture closure member; tracing around a perimeter of said measuring apparatus to mark an outline of said aperture on said aperture closure member; marking a second line on said aperture closure member, said second line being spaced apart from said outline of said aperture by a gap distance; and cutting said aperture closure member along said second marked line.

[0051] Other aspects are as set out in the claims herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0052] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1a herein illustrates schematically a typical door frame aperture prior to a door being fitted; Figure 1b herein illustrates schematically a typical doorframe aperture after a door has been fitted; Figure 2a herein illustrates schematically a front facing view of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed or compacted configuration; Figure 2b herein illustrates schematically a cross-section through the first elongate member 201 along line a to b of Figure 2a in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2c herein illustrates schematically a cross-section through the third elongate member 203 of Figure 2a in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2d herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 2a and illustrates a vertical adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in a collapsed configuration; Figure 2e herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area B of Figure 2a and illustrates a vertical adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration; Figure 2f herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area C of Figure 2a and illustrates a sliding anchor point in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration; Figure 3 herein illustrates schematically a left perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration; Figure 4a herein illustrates schematically a right perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration; Figure 4b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 4a and illustrates a horizontal micro-adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration; Figure 5a herein illustrates schematically a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration, expanded across a first lateral or substantially horizontal axis; Figure 5b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 5a and illustrates a height adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 5c herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area B of Figure 5a and illustrates a height adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 6a herein illustrates schematically a right perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 6b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 6a and illustrates a horizontal micro-adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 7 herein illustrates schematically a left perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 8 herein illustrates schematically a close-up view of the interface between the adjoining means and an elongate member or beam in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9a herein illustrates schematically a left rear perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration; Figure 9b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 9a and illustrates the hinge indicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9c herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 9a and illustrates the slideable nature of the hinge indicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10a herein illustrates schematically a front plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention in semi-extended configuration. The apparatus has been extended horizontally width wise, but the vertical adjustment means are still in a retracted / collapsed state; Figure 10b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 10a and illustrates the optional feature of a graduated sliding mechanism which may correlate the extent to which the slideable nature of the hinge indicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 herein shows a second measuring apparatus according to a second specific embodiment, in compacted form suitable for carrying to and from a work site; Figures 12b herein illustrates a further view of the second measuring apparatus in expanded form as it would adopt when being placed in-situ in an aperture; Figure 13 herein illustrates schematically in view of the second measuring apparatus showing part of the first elongate member, and third elongate member, with an adjoining means in expanded form; Figure 14 herein illustrates schematically a slidable carnage member connecting linkage arms to a central third elongate member of the second measuring apparatus; Figures 15a and 15b herein shown in first and second perspective views, the second measuring apparatus deployed for measuring the internal dimensions of a door aperture; and Figure 16 illustrates schematically in detail a slidable carriage member and locking cam of the second measuring apparatus. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0053] There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

[0054] In this specification the term apparatus will be used interchangeably with device and will be understood to refer to the physical measuring instrument subject of the present invention.

[0055] When the apparatus is referred to in collapsed configuration this will be understood to be when the first and second elongate members are substantially aligned next to one another and the adjoining means is not visible, being hidden within an internal cavity or channel of the elongate members. The adjustments means for micro horizontal adjustment will be retracted as will the vertical adjustment means which will both be located adjacent and not spaced apart from the elongate members.

[0056] When the apparatus is referred to in extended or expanded configuration, this will be understood to mean that the elongate members are spaced apart from one another by the adjoining means and that in fully extended configuration the adjustments means for micro-horizontal adjustment will be extended as will the vertical adjustment means which will both be spaced apart from the elongate members.

[0057] Intermediate configurations will be readily understood to be a state between the collapsed and extended configurations described above and may for example include a state in which the elongate members are separated by the adjoining means / linkage arms, but the horizontal micro-adjustments to determine small width distances are not engaged or the vertical adjustment means are not extended.

[0058] Referring to Figure 2a herein there is illustrated schematically a front facing view of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration. The apparatus comprises first 201, second 202 and third 203 elongate members each arranged substantially in parallel to each other along their main lengths.

[0059] Referring to Figure 2b herein, each of the first 201 and second 202 elongate members comprise first 204, second 205 and third 206 walls arranged in a substantially V shaped profile to define a channel 207 for receiving the adjoining means (see 501a, 501b Fig 5) therein as per Fig 2b. However, it will be readily understood that alternative cross-section profiles will be possible.

[0060] The third elongate member 203 is located centrally between the first 201 and second 202 elongate members, and in parallel with the first 201 and second 203 elongate members. The third elongate member 203 comprising first 208, second 209 and third 216 walls arranged in a substantially T shaped profile to define a first channel 211 on one side of the third elongate member for receiving the adjoining means 501a spanning between the first elongate member 201 and the third elongate member 203 and a second channel 212 on a second side of the third elongate member for receiving the adjoining means 501b for receiving the adjoining means 501b spanning between the second elongate member 202 and the third elongate member 203. However, it will be readily understood that alternative cross-section profiles will be possible.

[0061] The parallel alignment of the first 201, second 202 and third 203 elongate members is maintained irrespective of whether the apparatus is in collapsed (closed) or extended (opened) configuration, and that all intermediate positions between fully closed and fully open.

[0062] At the outer peripheries of each elongate member 201, 202, 203 are three upper height adjustment means 213, 214 and 215 respectively.

[0063] Figure 2d herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 2a and illustrates a first vertical adjustment mechanism 213 on the first elongate member 201 when the apparatus is in a collapsed configuration. The first height adjustment mechanism 213 comprises a flat plate 216 mounted on an extendable arm 502a which is receivable into channel 207 of the first elongate member 202.

[0064] A second identical adjustment mechanism 214 is present on the upper end of the second elongate member 202. The extendible arm 502a is mounted in position within channel 207 by plastic stopper 217. When the plate 216, has been moved into the desired position by extension or retraction of the arm 502a, it may be locked into position by a vertical thumb-operated height locking mechanism 218. In the present, non-limiting example the locking mechanism is a slidable lock which applies friction to the slidable plastics beam 217 which slides inside the substantially “C” shaped channel 207 of the second gate member 202.

[0065] Figure 2e herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area B of Figure 2a and illustrates a third vertical height adjustment mechanism 215 of the third elongate member 203 when the apparatus is in a collapsed configuration. The third height adjustment mechanism 215 comprises an upper flat plate 219 mounted on an extendable arm (see 502b Fig 5) which is receivable into a plastics stopper 220. When the plate 219 has been moved into the desired position by extension or retraction of the arm 502b, it may be locked into position by a vertical height locking mechanism 221. In the present, non-limiting example the locking mechanism is a thumb or finger operated slidable friction lock.

[0066] At the lower outer peripheries of each elongate member 201, 202, 203 are three lower height adjustment means 222, 223 and 224 respectively. Each lower height adjuster 222, 223 and 224 comprises a plate mounted on an extendable arm, which is receivable into a plastics stopper, and a vertical height locking mechanism 221. It will be readily understood that the lower height adjustment means are optional and that the lower portion T of each elongate member 201,202 or 203 may be in direct contact with the ground.

[0067] Optionally, the upper vertical height adjustment mechanisms may be spring loaded, such that upon release of the springs, the plates 216, 219 automatically extend to the maximum extension of the extendable arms 502a and 502b, such that in use, once the apparatus has been extended into position horizontally, to the maximum width of the quadrilateral aperture, release of the spring loaded upper vertical height adjustment mechanism causes the plates 216, 219 to spring upwardly and extend to their maximum extent to abut the upper boundary of the aperture being measured e.g. the door head jamb or lintel (see 102 Figi).

[0068] Fig 2f herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area C of Figure 2a and illustrates a first sliding anchor point 225 located on the third central elongate member 203. The sliding anchor point 225 comprises a plastics bracket slideably mounted on the elongate member 203 which receives a fixing means therethrough to anchor a first end 503 of a first and a second adjoining means 501 b to the third elongate member 203. A second sliding anchor point 226 is mounted on the third elongate member 203 to anchor a first end 504 of a third and a fourth adjoining means 501b to the third elongate member. The first 225 and 226 sliding anchor points working in conjunction with four adjoining means and slide in unison up and down the third elongate member respectively to move the first 201 and second elongate members 203 towards and away from the third, central elongate member 203 converting a movement along the length of the third elongate member in a first, upright direction, to a movement of the first and second elongate members towards or away from the third elongate member in a second horizontal or lateral direction transverse to the first upright direction.

[0069] A further pair of sliding anchor points 227 and 228 are located at the lower portion of the third elongate member 203. Sliding anchor point 227 is also a plastic bracket which is mounted on the elongate member 203 and can be slid vertically up and down the length of elongate member 203. The anchor point 227 receives a fixing means therethrough to anchor a first end 503 of a first and a second adjoining means 501 b to the third elongate member 203. A second sliding anchor point 226 is mounted on the third elongate member 203 to anchor a first end 504 of a third and a fourth adjoining means 501 b to the third elongate member. The third 227 and fourth 228 sliding anchor points working in conjunction with a further four adjoining means and slide in unison up and down the third elongate member respectively to move the first 201 and second elongate members 203 towards and away from the third, central elongate member 203.

[0070] Optionally, the sliding anchor points may have demarcations or graduated measurements 229 displayed thereon corresponding to pre-set or ‘off-the shelf standard widths for an aperture, for example standard door widths. Such that in use, a user of the apparatus can select the closest off-the-shelf door measurement and initially set the device to the corresponding door width. This is also advantageous in the event the aperture is larger than a standard door width and the measuring individual decides instead to make the aperture smaller to save the expense incurred in a custom-fit door. Once the sliding anchor point has been moved to the desired position, it may be locked in place with respect to the third elongate member 203 using a manually operated locking mechanism 230.

[0071] At least one pair of sliding anchor points 225, 226, 227, 228, and four adjoining means 501a, 501b are required to maintain the parallel spacing between the first 201, second 202 and third 203 elongate members.

[0072] Figure 3 herein illustrates schematically a left perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed or fully retracted or compacted configuration. The same nomenclature as Fig 2a-2f is used. Each of the first 201 and second 202 elongate members is arranged substantially in parallel along their length. Each of the first 201 and second 202 elongate members further comprises a micro-adjustment means 301 which permits small adjustments, preferable in a range of 0.5 to 15mm, more preferably 1 to 12mm to the width (horizontal axis) of the apparatus when located in a quadrilateral aperture. In the present embodiment, the width micro-adjustment means 301, comprises a flexible outer leaf or strip extending along the outside of the respective first or second elongate member. The micro-adjustment means 301 comprises an extruded 3mm aluminum or moulded or extruded plastics strip or plate 301 mounted to the outer longitudinal side wall 205 (Fig 2b) of each respective elongate member 201, 202.

[0073] Each micro-adjustment means 301 is mounted on its respective first and second elongate member 201, 202 at a plurality of positions, preferably three positions. At each position there is provided a movable pin or bolt, a distal end of which is secured to the substantially flat plate 301. Each pin or bolt is individually adjustable in the second, lateral or horizontal direction so that the flat plate 301 can be angled slightly relative to the main length of the corresponding first or second elongate member 201, 202 so that measurements of the incline of each upright aperture side e.g. a door jamb can be taken if the opposite upright sides of the aperture are not exactly parallel to each other.

[0074] Each pin or bolt 601 (see Figs 6a and 6b) is received into an aperture in the longitudinal side wall 205 of the corresponding either first 201 or second 202 elongate member. Each sliding pin may be moved toward or away from the longitudinal side wall 205 to contact or extend the width of the apparatus by a small, controlled amount to abut the surrounding aperture which is being measured e.g. a door frame. Each sliding pin 601 may be locked in position by a locking mechanism 302 e.g. a sliding catch. The first elongate member 201 comprises four sliding pins 601 each having their own locking mechanism 302. The four sliding pins are distributed spaced apart along the length of the micro-adjustment means 301 and serve to move the micro-adjustment means to accommodate variations in the width of the aperture being measured. The flexible nature of the micro-adjustment means 301 accommodates variation in the width of an aperture along its vertical axis, i.e. if the aperture is narrower at the top than the bottom this can be accurately measured because of the flexible micro-adjustment means which has a tolerance of 0.5 to 15mm, more and preferably 1 to 12mm.

[0075] On each micro-adjustment means on the plate 301 there may be one or more optional hinge placement means 303. Referring to Fig 3 there are shown 3 hinge placement means 303 distributed along the longitudinal length of the microadjustment means 301 mounted on the first elongate member 201. Three further hinge placement means 303 are slideably mounted on the micro-adjustment means 301 connected to the second elongate member 202. Each hinge placement means 303 is moveably mounted on the outer surface 304 of the micro-adjustment means 301. The hinge placement means has a substantially ‘U’ shaped cross-section, comprising two side walls 901 (see Figs 9b) located in parallel opposite one another and joined by a perpendicular front wall 902. The side walls 901 extend around and enclose the side walls 903 of the micro-adjustment means 301, such that the hinge placement means slides up and down the longitudinal length, otherwise referred to as the vertical height of the micro-adjustment means.

[0076] Referring to Fig 4a herein there is illustrated schematically a right perspective view from the front and right of a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration. Figure 4b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 4a and illustrates a horizontal micro-adjustment mechanism 301 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration. As shown, the sliding pin, bolt or lug 601 protrudes from the micro-adjustment means 301 by a width wi of 3mm to provide the necessary clearance between the measuring apparatus and the aperture as required by health and safety regulations for handing a door, for example a fire door. It will however be readily understood that if the sliding pin, bolt or lug 601 was flush with the surface of the micro-adjustment means, the width of the micro-adjustment means w2 could itself be 3mm and the apparatus could be configured such that measurements are taken from the inside 301 i of the wall micro-adjustment means (see Fig 6a) to allow the required 3mm clearance.

[0077] To obtain an accurate measure of the width of the aperture, a gross or crude measurement of the distance between the outer edges of the outer beams, (elongate members 201, 202) may be obtained from the graduations 229 on the central sliding anchor points 225-228 and these may be added cumulatively to the measurements calculated by graduations 404 on the micro-adjustment means, to arrive at an overall aperture width.

[0078] The front side 401 of each of the first 201 and second 202 elongate members each comprise a handle 402 and 403 respectively, to assist in grasping and orientating the device and separating and closing the elongate members. Although it will be understood that the handles are optional features which are not essential to the functioning of the apparatus.

[0079] In use, a user would grasp the first handle 402 and second handle 403 of the device in a collapsed (closed) configuration and align the third elongate member of the apparatus 203 substantially in the center of a quadrilateral aperture. Once in position, the plates 216 of the central vertical adjustment means 215 and 224 of the third elongate member are extended to abut the surrounding aperture to lock the apparatus in place in an upright orientation. The apparatus may then be extended by pulling the handles (or grasping the first and second elongate members 201, 202) and maneuvering the first 201 and second 202 elongate members away from the center third elongate member 203, to extend and expand the width of the apparatus to occupy the entire width of the quadrilateral aperture. Once fully extended to occupy the width of the quadrilateral aperture, the first and second elongate members 201, 202 may be locked into position relative to the third elongate member 203 and relative to each other, to retain the precise width and height of the aperture once removed from the quadrilateral aperture eg., a door frame opening, which the apparatus may be aligned with, for example a door.

[0080] After removal of the apparatus from the aperture, the outline of the extended apparatus would be drawn around on the door. Drawing around the perimeter of the apparatus would provide an accurate template corresponding to the precise height and width of the quadrilateral aperture, in this example, a door frame. The door may then be cut to the precise measurements required, providing a highly accurate, reproduceable and time-efficient method of measuring a door frame aperture.

[0081] Referring to Figure 5a herein there is shown a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration. An upper adjoining means comprises four adjoining members 501a and 501b (also called linkage arms herein); and first upper carriage 225 and a first lower carriage 226. A lower adjoining means comprises a further set of four adjoining members 501 a, 501 b; and a second upper carriage 227, and the second lower carriage 228.

[0082] The adjoining means 501 a, 501 b, 225,226,227, 228 form a movable trellis-like or lattice-like structure in combination with the elongate members, which maintain the elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other whilst expanding or contracting in the direction transverse to the main length axes of the elongate members. Four adjoining linkage members form a single parallelogram, the x and y lengths of which are variable in fixed relationship to each other as the parallelogram is expanded and contracted in a first axis (x axis), where the x axis coincides with the horizontal axis, and the y axis corresponds with the vertical axis as shown in Figure 5 a. Each adjoining means / linkage arm has a first end which is pivotally secured to a corresponding slider 225-228 which allows the first end to move in two directions along a second axis (y axis), whilst maintaining the same x axis position relative to the central third elongate member 203; and each adjoining means has a first end which is pivotally connected at a fixed position on the y axis on either the first or second elongate member as appropriate.

[0083] A first set of adjoining means 501 a extend between the first elongate member 201 and the third elongate member 203, and a second set of adjoining means 501b extend between the second elongate member 202 and the third elongate member 203. In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, each adjoining means 501a, 501b comprises a reinforced metal linkage, which may be cast, drop forged, or extruded. Alternatively, the metal linkage may be made from a reinforced plastics material. The metal linkages 501a and 501b of the first embodiment are elongate and each have a first end 503, 504, 505 and 506 respectively, which receives a corresponding respective fixing means therethrough such that each first end is anchored to the third elongate member 203 at a respective sliding anchor point 225, 226, 227 or 228. At a second end 507, 508, 509, 510 adjoining means 501a are each rotatably connected to the first elongate member 201. Each adjoining means is a fixed at pivot point along the length of the first 201 or second 203 elongate members.

[0084] The adjoining means are in paired arrangement (a &b, ai &bi, 32 &b2, as &ba) the first linkage arm in each pair (a, ai, 32, as) extending between a point of attachment within the cavity 207 of the outer elongate member 201 or 202 towards a point of anchorage at a sliding anchors point 225, 226, 227 or 228 on the third elongate member. The second linkage in each pair (b, bi, bz, ba) extends between a point of attachment within the cavity 207 of the outer elongate member 201 or 202 towards the point of anchorage at a sliding anchors point 225, 226, 227 or 228 on the third elongate member.

[0085] The first 225 and second 226 sliding anchor points work in conjunction with their respective four adjoining members, and form two pairs of metal linkages (a &b, ai &bi). Similarly, the third 227 and fourth 228 sliding anchor points work in conjunction with their respective four adjoining members, and form two pairs of metal linkages (a2 &b2, as &bs)). All four pairs of linkages (a &b, ai &bi, a2 &b2, as &bs) are anchored to the four sliding members 225, 226, 227 and 228 slide in unison up and down the third elongate member to move the first 201 and second 202 elongate members towards or away from one another.

[0086] Each linkage arm has at its first end a pivoting connection to the respective slider 225, 226, 227, 228 and each linkage arm has at its second end a curved toothed arrangement as shown in Figure 8 herein, so that individual pairs of linkage arms adjacent each other on the same side of the central elongate member 203 maintain a symmetric geometry, as the first and second elongate members 201, 202 are moved away from, or moved closer towards the central elongate member 203. That is, as the first elongate member 201 is moved towards or away from the third elongate member 203, due to the toothed arrangement on the interlocking / inter-engaging second ends of adjacent linkage arms 501 a(a), 501 a(b), those arms each adopt a same angle as each other relative to a line normal to the main length axis of the central elongate number 203, said angle varying, as the first elongate member 201 is moved horizontally with respect to the central third elongate member 203.

[0087] Similarly, on the other side of the central elongate member 203, the pair of linkage arms 501b(ai), 501b(bi), whose second ends engage with each other in toothed engagement also move oppositely to each other as the center elongate member 203 and the second elongate member 202 are moved towards or away from each other, as the sliders 225, 226 of that adjoiner arrangement slide along the central elongate member 203.

[0088] Taking the upper adjoining arrangement consisting of the four linkage arms 501a, 501b, those arms lie on the sides of a quadrilateral, the shape of which varies as the first and second elongate members 201, 202 are moved towards or away from the central third elongate member 203. The symmetry of the quadrilateral about an upright center line of the central third elongate member 203 is retained due to the sliders 225, 226 moving in opposite directions away from each other as the first and second elongate members are moved towards each other and towards the central third elongate member 203, and the first and second sliders 225, 226 moving towards each other as the first and second elongate members 201, 202 are moved away from each other and away from the central third elongate member 203. Due to the toothed engagements at the second ends of the linkage arms, the center third elongate member 203 lies midway between the first and second elongate members 201, 202 as the device is expanded or contracted in the horizontal or width direction.

[0089] The overall arrangement of the upper set of linkage arms forming a single parallelogram of linkage arms is that said upper adjoining means comprises a set of four adjoining linkage arms, each said linkage arm having a first end and a second end; said linkage arms comprise a first or upper pair of linkage arms and a second or lower pair of linkage arms, said first and second pairs of linkage arms are arranged along the sides of a parallelogram; respective first ends of the linkage arms of the first pair are slidably connected to the third elongate member 203 so that said first ends can slide over a first range of movement along a y axis extending along a main length of said third elongate member, attached to the upper and lower sliding carriages 225, 226 of the upper adjoining means; respective first ends of the linkage arms of the second or lower pair of linkage arms are slidably connected to lower sliding member 226 which slides along the third elongate member over a second range of movement along the y axis coinciding with the length of the third elongate member 203, so that said first ends of said second pair of linkage arms can slide along said y axis. One adjoining means / linkage arm of said first pair has its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member at a fixed position along the length of the first elongate member. The other linkage arm of said first pair has a second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member at a fixed position along the length of the second elongate member. One linkage arm of said second, lower pair of linkage arms has its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member at a fixed position 508 along the length of the first elongate member, and the other linkage arm of the second, lower pair of linkage arms has its second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member at a fixed position along the length of the second elongate member.

[0090] In use, said first and second elongate members are movable towards and away from each other along said x-axis, and the plurality of linkage arms maintain the first and second elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other along said y axis, and in substantially parallel relationship to the central third elongate member along which the first ends of the linkage arms slide over their respective ranges of movement in the y axis.

[0091] A lower adjoining means 501a, 501b comprises a further set of linkage arms 32, as, b2, bs arranged in a second single parallelogram extending between the first and second elongate members 201, 202 and operates in identical manner to the first or upper adjoining means, expanding and contracting as the first and second elongate members are drawn apart from each other, or compacted towards each other.

[0092] Figure 5b herein shows an enlarged view of area A of Figure 5a and illustrates a height adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration. The adjustment mechanism 213 comprises a plate 216 mounted on an extendable arm 502a which is receivable into channel 207 of the first elongate member 201 or 202. The extendable arm 502a is graduated and demarks the height in mm by which the extendible arm has been extended from its fully retracted position on the elongate member. Figure 5c herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area B of Figure 5a and illustrates a height adjustment mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in extended configuration. The adjustment mechanism 214 comprises a plate 219 mounted on an extendable arm 502b which is receivable into the plastic mount 220 of the third elongate member 203. The extendable arm 502b is graduated and denotes the height in mm by which the extendible arm has been extended from the elongate member, relative to a fully retracted position.

[0093] Figure 6a herein illustrates schematically a right perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in at least partially extended configuration. The same nomenclature is used throughout and clearly shows the sliding lug or bolt 601 of the micro-adjustment means 301. In this embodiment, it is clear that the plates 216, 219 of the height adjustment mechanism are in extended configuration.

[0094] Figure 6b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 6a and illustrates a horizontal, or width micro-adjustment mechanism 301 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in collapsed configuration. As shown, the sliding pin, bolt or lug 601 protrudes from the outer face of the second elongate member 203, by a width wi of 3mm to provide the necessary clearance between the measuring apparatus and the aperture as required by health and safety regulations for handing a door, for example a fire door.

[0095] Figure 7 herein illustrates schematically a left perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in partially extended configuration. The first and second elongate members 201, 202 are spaced apart from the central elongate member 203, upper and lower sliders 225, 226 of the upper adjoining mechanism are each part way along their full range of travel along the third elongate member. Similarly, the lower adjoining means comprising third and fourth sliding members 227, 228 are each also partway along their range of travel along the main length of the third elongate number 203, and the lower set of linkage arms 510a(a2), 501a(b2), 501b(a3),501b(b3) adopt a same quadrilateral shape as adopted by the linkage arms of the upper adjoining means. The upper and lower height adjustment means are also extended as shown in figure 7. The first and second microadjustment means, comprising the lateral side plates 301, are spaced apart from the edges of their respective first and second elongate members 201, 202 to which they are respectively attached. The hinge placement sliders 303 have been manually slid along the respective plates 301 to which they are attached to height positions which are suitable for marking placement of hinges on adjacent aperture side members e.g. doorjambs.

[0096] Figure 8 herein illustrates schematically a close-up view of the interface between the adjoining means linkage members and an elongate member (either the first or second elongate member 201 or 202) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The second elongate member 202 is shown as semi-transparent so that the connection between the ends of the linkage arms and the elongate member can be shown more clearly. Each linkage arm comprises a distal end 800, 801, each distal end having a circular cylindrical bore or aperture 802, 803. The circular bores are attached to a slidable plate 810 which is fixed inside the channel of the elongate member 202 so that it is in fixed position along the length of elongate channel 202. The circular bores of the linkage arms are held in fixed spatial relationship to each other by attachment to the slidable plate 810 using a bolt, rivet or the like so that the arms can pivot around their respective pivot points whilst remaining in engagement with each other.

[0097] The slide plate 810 has a cross-section configured so that it slides within the substantially “U” shaped channel of the first or second elongate member.

[0098] Around the cylindrical bore, there is provided a curved tooth track 804, 805 respectively. In the example shown, the tooth track extends over an angular range of around 150° although in other embodiments, other angular ranges of track may be provided. In the example, shown, and upper track 804 on the end of an upper linkage arm is provided with an even number of gear teeth, in this example 6 teeth, and a lower track is provided with an odd number of gear teeth, in this example 7 gear teeth, the upper and lower gear teeth engaging with each other as the second ends of the upper and lower linkage arms move towards or away from each other as the device is opened or closed in the width direction. Maintaining the second ends of the linkage arms in relationship to each other by the toothed tracks 804, 805 means that as the linkage arms move towards or away from each other, they move in symmetry with each other and at any unique position of distance between the first and second elongate members, the linkage arms maintain a unique angle between each other.

[0100] For ease of manufacture, the distal end of the linkage arm may be fabricated as a separate plate 820, 821 which may be forged, cast, 3D printed and sintered, or otherwise manufactured in metal, or may be formed as a plastics moulding. The plate 820, 821 may be slid onto the end of a separate linkage arm component 822, 823 and retained by a rivet or other fastener. Alternatively, the whole of the linkage arm including the distal end may be formed as a single component, for example as a metal component, or as a plastics moulding.

[0101] For the upper and lower adjoining means, the plurality of pivotal linkage arms each have a toothed curved portion 804, 805 at their second ends 800, 801 as shown.

[0102] Referring to Figure 9 herein, there is shown the fitment device in partially expanded form in Figure 9a, a close-up of one of the hinge placement indicator 303 in Figure 9b, in a first position, and movement of the hinge placement indicator 303 sliding along the side plate 301 of the adjustment means in Figure 9c.

[0103] Referring to figure 9a hearing, first outermost plate 903 is adjustable width wise relative to the outer face of the first upright member 201 at four different height positions, and at each height position, the additional width distance between the outermost plate 903 and the first elongate member can be measured according to the corresponding measurement scale 302. Also shown are the hinge / door furniture placement indicators 303, of which in this embodiment three are provided on a first side of the device and another three are provided on the other, second side of the device, so that the device is usable for doors which have hinges on either the left-hand side as presented to the fitment device, or on the right-hand side as presented to the fitment device.

[0104] Each hinge placement indicator comprises a plate which is slidable along the main length direction of the corresponding outermost plate 903 in stepped gradations. This hinge placement indicator may be arranged so that it preferentially rests at a predetermined step position, marked in the example shown as a plurality of positions 1 to 9 as measured in the upright direction along the length of the outermost plate 903, so that a user / fitter after having slid each of the hinge placement indicators to an appropriate optimum position can take a note of the placement position of each of the three hinge indicators.

[0105] After fitting the fitment frame / device into an aperture, the user / fitter may lock the frame into its orientation, pull the fitment device out of the door aperture in fixed locked relationship, and move it over to a door, and trace around the edges of the outermost plates 903, which will show the positions of the hinges, as the hinge placement indicators remain in their positions along the first axis of movement (shown arrowed axis &directions of movement shown in Figure 9c).

[0106] Figure 9c shows in perspective view and axis of movement of the middle hinge placement indicator in an up direction and down direction when the fitment device is placed upright. The hinge placement indicator slides along the outermost plate 903, preferentially stays at one of a plurality of placement positions marked positions 1 to 9 as shown. Resistance to movement out of an individual position, requiring preferentially more effort to move the sliding placement indicator between positions can be provided by having an internal track between the hinge placement indicator and the outer plate 903 which has ridges or bumps or other protrusions between the individual positions, so that the hinge indicator plate will stay in one of the preset positions into which it is been moved, because it requires energy to move the indicator out of those positions.

[0107] Figure 10a herein illustrates schematically a front plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention in semi-extended configuration. The apparatus has been extended horizontally, but the vertical adjustment means are still in a retracted / collapsed state.

[0108] Figure 10b herein illustrates schematically an enlarged view of area A of Figure 10a and illustrates the optional feature of a graduated sliding mechanism which may correlate the extent to which the slideable nature of the hinge indicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to Figure 11 herein, there is illustrated schematically in perspective view a second embodiment measuring apparatus 1100 in contracted or collapsed form. In contracted form, the apparatus can be stored and transported and collapses to its minimum dimensions in the first x width dimension and the second y height dimension.

[0110] Referring to Figure 12 herein, there is illustrated schematically the second embodiment measuring apparatus in expanded form, having first, second and third elongate members 1101, 1102, 1103; a first adjoining means 1104 and a second adjoining means 1105.

[0111] The first adjoining means 1104 comprises comprising a first upper pair of linkage arms 1106, 1107 extending either side of the central third elongate member 1103, a first lower pair of linkage arms 1108,1109 extending either side of the central third elongate member; a first upper sliding carriage 1110, and a first lower sliding carriage 1111, the first upper and lower sliding carriages each being slidable along a main length axis of the third elongate member 1103.

[0112] The second adjoining means 1105 comprises a second upper pair of linkage arms 11125, 1113 extending either side of the central third elongate member 1103; a second lower pair of linkage arms 1114,1115 extending one either side of the central elongate member 1103; a second upper sliding carriage 1116; and a second lower sliding carriage 1117.

[0113] Similarly as described herein before with reference to the first embodiment, the first adjoining means and second adjoining means each adopt a variable geometry diamond shaped parallelogram, as the first and second elongate members are moved towards each other or away from each other. The second ends of each linkage arm 1106-1109 is provided with a means of engaging with the second end of its adjacent linkage arm in a fixed angular relationship, for example a curved gear tooth track, curved frictional surface, or curved splined surface. For the same adjoining means, the adjacent second ends of the linkage arms on the same elongate member pivot around respective fixed pivot points at a fixed distance along the elongate member. The two pivot points of the adjacent linkage arms are spaced apart, allowing the engaging toothed portions to rotatably engage with each other as the device is expanded or contracted, so that the geometry of the parallelogram remains symmetrical both about a line extending along the main length of the third elongate member 1103, and about a horizontal line transverse to the main length axis of the third elongate member 1103.

[0114] The first ends of the linkage arms of the first adjoining means 1104 are connected to the upper and lower sliding carriages 1110, 1111 of the first adjustment means by a corresponding respective pivotal connection. Similarly, the first ends of the linkage arms of the second adjustment means 1105 are connected to the upper and lower sliding carriages 1116, 1117 by rotatable pivotal connections.

[0115] The second embodiment further comprises a first edge or outer plate 1118 attached to an outer side of the first elongate member 1101; a second edge plate 1119 attached to a second outer face of the second elongate member 1102; a first handle 1120 attached to the first elongate member; a second handle 1121 attached to the second elongate member; a first upper height adjuster 1122 at an upper end of the first elongate member; a first lower height adjuster 1123 at a lower end of the first elongate member; a second upper height adjuster 1124 at an upper end of the second elongate member, a second lower height adjuster 1125 at a lower end of the second elongate member; a third upper height adjuster 1126 at an upper end of the third elongate member, and a third lower height adjuster 1127 at a lower end of the second elongate member.

[0116] The first edge plate 1118 is attached to the first elongate member via a plurality of micro adjusters 1130-1133 which are fitted within the main body of the first elongate member 1101. Each micro adjuster comprises a slidable shaft which slides in a direction transverse to the main length of the first elongate member, at the distal end of the shaft, being attached to the edge platel 118 so that at a plurality of locations along the length of the edge plate, the edge plate can be drawn in to contact with the first elongate member, or spaced apart from the first elongate member, depending upon the adjustment of the micro adjuster. Similarly, second edge plate 1119 is attached to the second elongate member at the outermost face of the second elongate member by a second plurality of micro adjusters 1134-1137 so that by adjustment of the second set of micro adjusters, the second edge plate 1119 can be moved towards or away from the second elongate member at a plurality of positions along the second elongate member to enable the second edge plate 1119 to be moved towards or away from the second elongate member and to be placed in contact with a side member surrounding an aperture, when in use.

[0117] Each micro adjuster 1130—1133; 1134-1137 can be locked in place using a manually operated friction lock. Similarly, each of the upper sliding carriages 1110, 1116 and lower sliding carriages 1111,1117 can be locked in place along the length of the third elongate member using a manual friction operated locking mechanism.

[0118] Referring to Figure 13 herein, there is illustrated schematically in perspective view from one side, part of the upper linkage arms of one adjustment means of the second embodiment measuring device. Shown on the left-hand side of the figure in close-up detail is the micro adjuster 1130 which adjusts side plate 1118 towards or away from the first elongate member 1101, showing the extendable and retractable pin 1140 comprising the micro adjuster which slides into and out of locking mechanism 1141 in a direction transverse to the main length axis of the first elongate member 1101. A manually operated frictional locking tab grips the locking pin 1140 and can lock the pin in place when the side plate 1118 is optimally positioned adjacent the perimeter of the aperture into which the measuring device is fitted. Also shown in Figure 13 is a hinge position indicator plate 1150 which slides in a slot in the side plate 1118 along the main length of the side plate and can be retained in position by friction.

[0119] Also shown in Figure 13 is substantially I shaped central extruded aluminium third elongate member 1103, which has a first channel on a first side, into which part of the slidable carriage 1110 fits, holding a first end of linkage arm 11106 to slide the first end of the linkage arm up and down the third elongate member. Similarly, the opposite upper linkage 1107 on the other side of the central third elongate beam member 1103 second slot in the third elongate beam and travels up and down the third elongate beam as the slidable carriage 1110 is moved along the third elongate the slidable carriage 1110 comprises a frictional locking mechanism 1160 having an axis of rotation transverse to the direction of travel of the first end of the arm along the third elongate member.

[0120] Referring to Figure 14 herein, there is illustrated schematically an upper slidable carriage 1110 of the second embodiment measuring device. The slidable carriage 1110 comprises a moulded plastics body 1400 extending across and beyond a width of the central elongate member 1103; at each side of the main body, there is provided a corresponding substantially “U” shaped channel portion 1401, 1402 which extends around a front face of the I shaped cross-sectioned third elongate member, and which connects with an internal slider portion 1170 (see Figure 13) into which the first end of a steady linkage arm is pivotally connected. On the main body of the slider carriage, there is provided a locking tab 1405 which rotates about a pivotal axis, and which has a cam shape surface arranged around the pivotal axis, so that pressing the tab into a locked position urges a protruding part of the cam 1406 against an outer surface of the third elongate member 1103 to lock the slidable carriage in position along the length of the elongate third member, and releasing the locking tab releases the protruding part of the cam from the outer surface of the third elongate member, allowing the slidable carnage 1110 to slide along the main length of the third elongate member. There is also provided a graduated scale 1407 printed or etched on a front facing outer surface of the third elongate member, which, for any position of the slidable carriage 1110 along the length of the elongate member, gives a visual reading of the width between the outer most edges of the first and second elongate members.

[0121] Referring to Figures 15a and 15b herein, there is illustrated schematically in perspective view, the second embodiment measuring device fitted into a door aperture and configured in expanded form. The first and second upright members have been expanded in the width [x] direction to span across the width of the aperture, with any fine adjustments being made by extending the side plates 1118, 1119 to touch the doorjambs either side of the aperture. Any slight variation in the vertical true-ness of the doorjambs is accommodated by the fine adjustment of the outer side plates 1118, 1119. Height adjustment is made by extending the slidable lower height adjustersl 123, 1125, 1127 to rest on the floor or lower sill of the aperture, and adjusting the upper height adjusters 1122, 1124, 1126 to meet the underside of the overhanging head jamb of the door. Once all of the cam and lever friction locks 1405 locking the slidable carriages, and the lateral adjustment means have been set by the operator, the adjustment device is locked in its fixed orientation, and can be slid out of the aperture using the pair of handles, whilst maintaining the shape of the aperture.

[0122] Figure 16 illustrates schematically a further view of one of the upper slidable carriages 1110, 1116 in locked position. Dimensions

[0123] For ease of use, the height dimensions of the embodiment measuring devices herein are selected when in the compact / contracted or collapsed state, to be around 10cm-15cm shorter than the type of aperture e.g. a door, which they are intended to be used to measure. In the case of a UK door, a typical height between still and head jamb may be around 195cm-200cm. optionally, the height of the measuring device for a UK door, would be in the range 180cm-185cm in compacted form and extendable using the upper and lower height adjusters to a height of around 210cm. For other applications, shorter versions or longer versions may be provided. Having a device which is approximately the same height less 10cm-15cm as the aperture is which will be mainly measuring makes the device more efficient to use, taking less time to extend the upper and lower height adjusters to fit the aperture.

[0124] Preferably, the maximum width of the measuring device in expanded form is in the range 90cm-100cm, for a measuring device optimized to fit most UK domestic or office doors. Measurement Method

[0125] In the following example, a door aperture is used to illustrate the method of measuring an aperture, but it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the method may also be used for window apertures, alcoves and other like building apertures.

[0126] A human operator carries the measuring apparatus in contracted / compact form to the location of the aperture to be measured, for example a door aperture to which a door is to be fitted. The operator places the measuring device upright in the aperture and pulls apart the first and second side beams, expanding the measuring device so that the outer plates 301 on the sides of the measuring device, including hinge position indicators 303 but the opposing sides of the aperture, in this example, the opposing doorjambs.

[0127] The operator adjusts the upper and lower height adjusters 216, 219, on the upper and lower ends of the upright elongate members so that the plates 216 cup, 219 are in contact with the sill or floor at the lower end of the elongate members and are in contact with the upper part of the aperture or head jamb.

[0128] The operator adjusts the micro-adjustments 302 either side of the measuring device for fine adjustment, to make touching contact between the plates 301 and the sides of the aperture, to take account of any off-square, non-square or non-rectangular shape of the aperture.

[0129] The operator also slides the hinge position indicators 303 along the upright axis which ideally is also vertical, but which could be slightly off vertical, so that the hinge position indicators align with any pre-existing hinge positions already marked on the upright side of the aperture. Where the aperture frame is a new installation and has not yet had any aperture closure fitted, the operator may decide to use the default setting (position 1) of the hinge position indicators, or may decide to slide the hinge position indicators to a different positions depending upon their judgement and experience.

[0130] The operator locks down all of the friction locks on the sliders, 225, 226, 227, 228 and locks the friction locks 218, 221 on the upper height adjusters, locks the friction locks on the lower height adjusters 222, 223, 224 so that the position of the frame is locked for coarse width adjustment 222, 223,224 on the attitude and position of the measuring apparatus is locked for coarse width measurement between the parallel first and second outer beams / elongate members 201, 202 and for height adjustment at three lateral positions coinciding with the first, second and third elongate members so that the height of each of those members including their height adjusters is locked. The operator then locks the fine micro adjusters 302 on each of the first and second elongate members, so that the plates 301 of the fine width adjustment means are locked in width.

[0131] Once the operator has operated all of the hand-operated friction locks which locks the frame width, the width of the side adjustment plates 301 and the height of each upright elongate member, the measuring device now represents the shape and dimensions of the aperture and the operator can take the following dimension readings: an overall coarse width measurement between the outer extremities of the first and second side elongate members 201, 202 as read from the graduated scale is 229 on the central elongate member 203; fine width adjustment measurements read from the micro adjusters 302, in the embodiment shown up to 8 individual fine width adjustment measurements at four levels or heights across the measuring apparatus and along the height of the aperture; fine height measurements taken from the graduated scale is 502a, 502b at the upper ends of the elongate members, and from the graduated ruler scales at the lower end s of the upright elongate members, the fine height measurements been taken at three width positions across the width of the aperture.

[0132] The operator can then record these measurements, for example by writing them down on a notebook or piece of paper to use as instructions or specification for trimming an existing aperture closure, for example a door frame or window frame.

[0133] Where the operator is also fitting an aperture closure, for example a doorframe which is already on site, then recording the physical measurements can be dispensed with by removing the measuring device from the aperture and offering it up against the closure member to be fitted, for example a door without the need to record the width measurements on a piece of paper, electronic notebook or other electronic device. The measuring device is lifted out of the aperture by the operator and placed up against or on top of the aperture closure. The operator can then use a pencil or other marking device to trace along the side plates 301 of the measuring device, tracing their position and shape onto the aperture closure.

[0134] Similarly, the operator can match up the upper or lower plates 216, 219 with the aperture closure, aligning those plates with the lower edge of the aperture closure (e.g. lower edge of a door) and then use a second straight edge, such as a ruler or a straight piece of wood to draw a line across the positions of the plates 216, 219 at the other end of the measuring device to mark the upper boundary of a perimeter which encloses the measuring device. The result is to obtain a set of lines forming a quadrilateral drawn on a side of the aperture closure, e.g. door, which represents the size and shape of the aperture. One or two of those lines may correspond it with the existing edges of the aperture closure for example the bottom of the door on one side, in which case the operator need only draw the opposite side and the opposite upper or lower line of the quadrilateral aperture onto the closure member.

[0135] The lines resulting from tracing around the measuring device represent the size of the aperture drawn onto the closure member. In order to trim the closure member so that it fits into the aperture, the operator then deducts the clearance tolerance, for example a nominally 3mm gap each side, and that the top and the bottom of the aperture closure, by drawing a parallel line 3mm apart from the existing line or aperture closure edge, making the overall width 6mm less than the aperture dimensions recorded by the locked expansion of the measuring device, and making the overall height 6mm less than the aperture dimensions.

[0136] The operator uses a circular saw, handsaw, plane or other woodworking or metalworking tools to trim the aperture closure to the correct size.

[0137] Further when tracing around the measuring device, the operator traces around or up to the hinge position indicators, which protrude slightly from the substantially flat face 301. The desired positions of the hinges are therefore transferred to the aperture closure without the need for use of a separate tape measure, ruler or other measuring device by tracing around the hinge position indicators. The operator knows where along the edge of the aperture closure to create a cut out portion to recess any hinges, using a chisel or other known tool. Variations, Improvements and Modifications

[0138] In the above embodiments shown, the individual measuring means are shown as a visual ruler type graduated scale is measured in millimeters and centimeters, so that visual inspection of the scales shows the overall height of the device and the overall width of the device, and any variations of width, for example where the sides of the aperture are not exactly parallel.

[0139] In further embodiments the visual measuring means may be replaced by electronic measuring means as follows: one or more of the graduation scales of the central slider carriages, 225, 226, 227, 228 may be replaced by an electronic measuring device, which measures a position of the carriage along a track mounted on the center third elongate member, where the gradations of the track are calibrated to indicate the overall width between the outer faces of the first and second elongate members 201,202; one or more of the individual micrometer gauges 302 which measure the extra width distance extension of the flat outer plate 301 relative to the first elongate member 201 may be replaced by a battery-powered electronic micrometer giving an LED visual display of the distance between the outer face of the outer plate 301, and the outermost face of the first elongate member 201. Similarly, one or more of the individual micrometer gauges 300 and to which measure the extra width distance extension of the flat outer plate 301 on the other side of the device relative to the second elongate member 202 may be replaced by a battery-powered electronic micrometer giving an LED visual display of the additional distance between the outer face of the second outer plate 301 and the outermost face of the second elongate member 202. The embodiments may be provided with a data processor, data storage device, battery power supply, and wireless transmitter / receiver, wherein individual height measurements from each of a plurality of electronic height extension gauges, individual coarse width measurements between the outermost sides of the first and second elongate members 201, 202 and fine width measurements of the additional extension between the outer faces of the first and second elongate members 201, 202 and the outer faces of the side plates 301. The measurement data transmitted from the transmitter may be provided to a remote application on a handheld device, for example a smart phone, tablet or laptop computer to give a table of measurements, which are automatically generated when the operator fits the measuring device into an aperture and moves the elongate members and adjustable height measuring devices to touch the perimeter of the aperture.

[0140] Similarly as with the manually readable embodiments above, having physical marks gradations scales for measurement, the width of the expanded device may be calculated as the width between the outermost faces of the first and second elongate members 201,202 plus the additional width adjustment between the outer face of plate 301 and the outer face of the first elongate member 201 plus the distance between the outermost face of the second outer plate 301 and the outermost face of the second elongate member 202, to give the overall width of the aperture.

[0141] The above measurements may be taken at a plurality of different heights, as there are in the embodiment shown, four micrometer measuring means 302 on each side, arranged in pairs horizontally or laterally placed at four different heights relative to the main length of the elongate members so the in use if the aperture being measures has sides which are not truly parallel, the amount of “V” shape between the amateur sides can be measured, with different width measures being taken at a plurality of different heights.

[0142] Afurther modification, applicable to all embodiments is to include one or more liquid spirit levels in the first, second or third upright members to indicate that the whole device is being held substantially level within a door aperture or other aperture. This may be useful for example in older buildings where it cannot be guaranteed that the sill or upper part of the door frame or aperture is horizontal, and where the sill is not parallel to the upper head jamb or lintel.

[0143] In yet a further embodiment, a self-levelling battery-powered lightemitting diode laser spirit level may be incorporated into the first, second or third elongate members, or attached thereto, which shines a light beam across a horizontal plane.

[0144] In further embodiments, the second ends of the linkages having their being pivoted about a respective pivot point, the end of each pivotal linkage having a curved portion may be provided with a geared or toothed or splined or frictional outer surface on each end of the pivotal linkage, the geared, toothed, splined or frictional surfaces engaging each other such that the adjacent pivotal linkages mounted to the same base plate are restricted to move in opposite rotational directions whilst maintaining angular symmetry with each other along a line passing midway between the two pivot points. 5

[0145] In modifications to the above embodiments, the number of adjustable feet 222, 223, 224 may be varied to include one or a plurality of adjustable feet, and the number of upper adjustment mechanisms 216, 219 may be varied so that there is one or a plurality of height adjustment mechanisms on the device overall. io

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring and / or capturing the internal dimensions of an aperture comprising:a first elongate member 201, 1101;a second elongate member 202, 1102;said first and second elongate members being arranged substantially parallel to one another;at least one height adjustment means 213, 214, 222, 223, 1122-1127 configurable to abut against the surface surrounding an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture for measurement along a first axis of movement; andan adjoining means 501 a, 501 b, 1106-09, 1112-1115 arranged between said first and second elongate members, wherein said first and second elongate members are movably attached to each other by said adjoining means, said adjoining means being expandable and contractible along a first x axis of movement between said first and second elongate members, and extendable and contractible along a second y axis of movement which lies across said first axis of movement;said adjoining means being configured to hold said first and second elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other at all positions of expansion or contraction of said adjoining means along said first [x] axis of movement;wherein said adjoining means comprise a plurality of pivotally connected linkages ai, a2, bi, b2, 1106-09, 1112-1115 arranged substantially along the sides of a parallelogram.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjoining means 501a, 501b comprise a plurality of pivotal linkages which hold said first and second elongate members 201,202 in a fixed relationship to each other along said second y axis.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third elongate member 203, said third elongate member being positioned between said first 201 and second 202 elongate members.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a said adjoining means comprises a set of four adjoining linkage arms 501a, 501b, 1106-1109, 1112-1115, each said linkage arm having a first end 507-510, 800, 801 and a second end 503-506;said linkage arms comprising a first pair of linkage arms 501 a, 1106-1109 and a second pair of linkage arms 501 b said first and second pairs of linkage arms 501 b, 1112-1115 being arranged along the sides of a parallelogram;respective first ends of the linkage arms of said first pair being slidably connected to said third elongate member so that said first ends can slide along said second [y] axis;respective first ends of the linkage arms of the second pair of linkage arms being slidably connected to said third elongate member so that said first ends of said second pair of linkage arms can slide along said second y axis;one linkage arm of said first pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member;the other linkage arm of said first pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member;one linkage arm of said second pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said first elongate member; andthe other linkage arm of said second pair of linkage arms having its second end pivotally connected to said second elongate member;such that in use, said first and second elongate members are movable towards and away from each other along said first x-axis, wherein said plurality of linkage arms maintain said first and second elongate members in substantially parallel relationship to each other.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the plurality of pivotal linkages each have a first end 507, 508, 509, 510, 800, 801, comprising a respective toothed curved portion 804 arranged to engage a corresponding toothed curved portion 805 of an adjacent said pivotal linkage.

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said adjoining means comprises at least one slidable carriage 225-228, 1110, 1111, 1116, 1117 which slides along said third elongate member; anda pair of said pivotal linkages each have second ends which are pivotally attached to said slidable carriage.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first, second, and / orthird elongate member 203 further comprises at least one height adjustment means 215, 224, 1122-1127 configurable to abut against the surface of an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture for adjustment along a second (y) axis.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a manual locking means for locking said slider carriages in position along a length of said third elongate member.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said first and second elongate members 201, 202, 203, 1101, 1102, 1103 further comprise a plurality of micro-adjustment means 301,1118 outwardly movable from said respective first or second elongate member along said first x axis, such that said micro-adjustment means extends from the apparatus so as to abut against the perimeter surface of an aperture when the apparatus is located in said aperture.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each set of 4 pivotal linkages form a variable geometry parallelogram extending between the first 201 and second 202 elongate members.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each said pivotal linkage comprises a first end which is pivotally connected either to said first elongate member, or to said second elongate member.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein expanding or contracting the first 201, 1101 and second 202, 1102 elongate members along said first [x] axis, the angles of the main lengths of the pivotal linkages to the main length of the first and / or second elongate members are variable in the range 5°to 90°.

13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first side member 301, 1118 adjustably located on an outermost side of said first elongate member, said first side member being adjustable along said first [x] axis, at a plurality of positions along a length of said first elongate member.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first side member 301, 1118 is connected to said first elongate member by a plurality of adjustment means, 601, 1130-1133 at least one of said plurality of adjustment meanscomprising a readable measuring scale for measuring an amount of fine adjustment along the first [x] axis.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each said adjustment means is manually lockable to hold said side member in a fixed orientation relative to said first elongate member.

16. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second side member 301, 1119 adjustably located on an outermost side of said second elongate member 202, said second side member being adjustable along said first [x] axis, at a plurality of positions along a length of said second elongate member.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein second side member 301 is connected to said second elongate member by a plurality of adjustment means 601, 1134-1137, at least one of said plurality of adjustment means comprising a readable measuring scale for measuring an amount of fine adjustment along the first [x] axis.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each said adjustment means is manually lockable to hold said second side member 301, 1119 in a fixed orientation relative to said second elongate member.

19. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic digital measuring means for measuring a distance between the outermost sides of said first and second elongate members in a first [x] direction.

20. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of adjustable hinge position indicators 303 located on first and / or second sides of said apparatus, said hinge position indicators being slidably adjustable along an axis substantially parallel to said second [y] axis.

21. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or a plurality of electronic measurement means for measuring extension of one or more said height adjusters in a second [y] direction.

22. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, said apparatus further comprising:an electronic data processor;an electronic data storage device;a wireless transmitter,wherein said data processor, electronic data storage device and said wireless transmitter / receiver are configured to continuously transmit height and / or width data to a remote electronic data recording device.

23. A method for measuring the internal dimensions of a quadrilateral aperture using a measuring apparatus, said method comprising:a. aligning said measuring apparatus into a quadrilateral aperture such that first and second elongate members of said apparatus are positioned upright;b. expanding said first and second elongate members in said aperture, until first and second sides of said measuring apparatus are in contact with first and second upright sides surrounding said aperture;c. adjusting at least one height adjustment means 213, 214, 222, 223 to abut against an upper and / or lower perimeter of said aperture;d. locking the shape of said measuring apparatus to prevent further movement of said first and second elongate members, and said height adjustment means, so that an external perimeter of said measuring apparatus represents the dimensions of an internal perimeter of said aperture.

24. A method according to 23, wherein said stage of contacting said sides of said measuring apparatus against first and second upright sides surrounding an aperture comprises adjusting first and / or second lateral plate members connected to respective said first and / or second elongate members to contact said first and second upright sides surrounding said aperture.

25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, further comprising adjusting one or a plurality of hinge position indicators so that the height of the hinge position indicators on the measuring apparatus matches an optimum position for fitting one or more hinges.

26. A method according to any of claims 23 to 25, further comprising recording the positions of the elongate members and the height adjustment means to determine the internal width and height of the aperture at one or a plurality of positions across the width of said aperture and at one or a plurality of positions along the height of said aperture.Application No: GB2313748.2Examiner: Mr Haydn GupwellClaims searched: 1-26Date of search: 23 February 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26 WO2012 / 046221 Al (LYONS DECLAN ANTHONY) see whole document especially the figure 13 noting first and second elongate members 8, 8, height adjusting means 9, 9, locking means 80 and joining means 10, 11. X 23, 25, 26 US3121958 A (RAYMOND FINDLEY) see whole document especially the figures noting first and second elongate members 12, 14, height adjusting means 28, 30, 32, 34, joining means 16 and locking means 48, 52, 54. v A 23, 25, 26 US1791822 A (LEVI LUNDQUIST) see whole document especially the figures noting first and second elongate members 11, 11, height adjusting means 4 and locking means 10, 16 and hinge position indicators 6. X 23, 25, 26 US 1004471 A (ROSE CARL E) see whole document especially the figures noting first and second elongate members 1, 2, height adjusting means la, 2a. locking means 14 and hinge position indicators 18. X 23,26 US2867911 A (ATKINSON WILLIAM J) see whole document especially the figures noting first and second elongate members 10, 14, height adjusting means 28 and locking means 36, 56. X 23, 24, 26 US3408744 A (FITZGERALD LLOYD W) see whole document especially the figures noting first and second elongate members 10, 11, 41, height adjusting means 25 and locking means 20, 38, 42.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC____________ B25H; B43L; E04F; GO IB; GO IC____________________________________ The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report WPI, EPODOC, Patent Fulltext, Search PatentsInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From E04F 0021 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006

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