Measuring tape

Abstract

To provide a measuring tape which enable accurate measurement of the length of a measurement target having a curved surface with non-constant curvature.SOLUTION: A measuring tape 1 with a scale 4 comprising a strip-like tape member 2 is provided, the measuring tape 1 having a core material 3 provided along a longitudinal direction of the tape member 2, the core material being shorter than the tape member 2 in a traverse direction and harder than the tape member 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring tape for measuring the length of an object. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are measuring tapes consisting of a strip-shaped tape member with a scale for measuring the length of an object. For example, measuring tapes are used in medical settings to measure edema to understand a patient's health condition. Specifically, edema is defined as a state in which excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial tissue, and is manifested as an increase in the volume of the trunk or surrounding area. Measuring edema can provide information such as the severity of injury and the effectiveness of treatment.

[0003] Volumetric changes due to edema in the foot and ankle are often observed clinically in diseases of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. A standard method for quantifying foot and ankle edema simply and economically is the figure of eight (FOE) method, which uses a measuring tape to measure the circumference of the foot. This method involves tracing an eight-shaped pattern across multiple reference points.

[0004] An example of a measuring tape that can be used in this type of measurement method is described in Patent Document 1. The measuring tape in Patent Document 1 has hook-and-loop fasteners on the front and back of the tape member, and by attaching the hook-and-loop fastener on the back side to the hook-and-loop fastener on the front side while the tape member is wrapped around the object to be measured, the tape member can be kept wrapped around the desired position on the object to be measured even when the tape member is released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 121882 / Showa 47 (Unexamined Utility Model Application No. 77947 / Showa 49) (page 5, Figure 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the hook-and-loop fastener keeps the tape member wrapped around the object to be measured, making the measurement easy. However, when the object to be measured has a curved surface with an inconsistent curvature, such as a foot, when trying to make the tape member adhere closely to the surface of the foot, for example, only one edge of the tape member in the short direction will adhere to the surface of the foot, while the other edge will be left floating, making it difficult to accurately align the tape member with the desired position on the object to be measured, and there is a problem that errors are likely to occur in the measurement values ​​each time a measurement is made.

[0007] The present invention has been made in light of these problems, and aims to provide a measuring tape that can accurately measure the length of an object having a curved surface with an inconsistent curvature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the measuring tape of the present invention is A measuring tape having a band-shaped tape member and a scale, The measuring tape is provided along the longitudinal direction of the tape member, has a shorter length in the lateral direction than the tape member, and has a core material that is harder than the tape member. According to this feature, by wrapping the measuring tape around the core material so that it aligns with the desired position on the object to be measured, the core material curves together with the tape member to follow the surface shape of the object to be measured.Since the core material has a shorter length in the short direction than the tape member, the core material can be precisely aligned with the desired position on the object to be measured, making it possible to accurately measure the length of an object with a curved surface that does not have a constant curvature.

[0009] The core material is characterized in that it is a linear member. According to this feature, the core material can be easily curved in various radial directions, making it easier to align the core material with the desired measurement position on the measurement object.

[0010] The core material is visible and is characterized by being disposed in the vicinity of the scale provided on the tape member. According to this feature, the core material can be aligned with the desired measurement position on the object while visually checking the core material, and the length of the object can be measured more accurately by using the core material as a landmark and reading the scale on the tape member located nearby.

[0011] The core material is characterized by being provided at the center of the tape member in the lateral direction. According to this feature, the core material is provided in the center of the short side, where the influence of longitudinal expansion and contraction of the tape material due to its close contact with the surface of the object to be measured is small, thereby reducing the error of the scale marked near the core material.

[0012] The tape member is characterized by being made of a resin material having a hardness of 5 to 40. According to this feature, the tape member can be deformed along the surface of the object to be measured, making it easier to adhere to the surface, thereby preventing the core material from shifting when aligned along the desired measurement position on the object.

[0013] The tape member is characterized in that it is translucent and the core material is embedded in the tape member. According to this feature, the deformation of the core material can be easily made to follow the deformation of the tape member, and the hard core material is not exposed, making it less likely to damage the object to be measured.

[0014] The scale provided on the tape member is arranged to overlap the core material. According to this feature, the scale provided on the tape member can be easily read using the core material as a guide. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the upper surface (surface) of the measuring tape in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 . [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the measuring tape of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of using a measuring tape in an embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] 1(a) is a plan view showing the upper surface of a first modified example of the measuring tape, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the upper surface of a second modified example of the measuring tape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A measuring tape according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the following examples. [Example]

[0017] The measuring tape according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] The measuring tape of this embodiment is used, for example, in medical settings to measure edema to understand the health condition of patients, and for physical measurements of newborns.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment is composed of a strip-shaped tape member 2 and a linear core material 3, and the core material 3 is embedded inside the tape member 2. In Fig. 1, the core material 3 embedded inside the tape member 2 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0020] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the tape member 2 is composed of a first tape body 20 and a second tape body 21. Both the first tape body 20 and the second tape body 21 are translucent to such an extent that the core material 3 embedded inside the tape member 2 is visible.

[0021] Furthermore, the first tape body 20 and the second tape body 21 of this embodiment are formed from silicone resin, and a scale 4 is marked on the upper surface 20a of the first tape body 20. More specifically, in this embodiment, the scale 4 in centimeters is marked on the upper surface 20a of the first tape body 20 along its width, and the scale 4 in millimeters is marked in the center of the width. Therefore, the scale 4 is marked on the upper surface 20a of the first tape body 20 so as to overlap vertically with the core material 3 embedded inside the tape member 2.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first tape body 20 and the second tape body 21 are translucent, which is preferable from the viewpoint of visibility in various usage modes, but in this embodiment, since the scale 4 is marked on the first tape body 20, the second tape body 21 does not need to be translucent.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the scale 4 is printed on the first tape body 20, but this is not limiting and the scale 4 may be formed on the first tape body 20 by engraving, insert molding, or pasting.

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, the scale 4 is marked on the upper surface 20a of the first tape body 20, but this is not limited thereto and the scale 4 may be marked on the lower surface of the first tape body 20 or the upper or lower surface of the second tape body 21.

[0025] Furthermore, the tape member 2 is not limited to silicone resin, and may be made of any material softer than the core material 3. Specifically, the hardness of the tape member 2, measured with a durometer type A (Shore A), is preferably 5 to 40, and more preferably 10. The first tape body 20 and the second tape body 21 constituting the tape member 2 may be made of different materials. For example, the second tape body 21 may be made of a material that can improve adhesion to the measurement target, such as a resin material such as an elastomer that is softer than the first tape body 20.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the core material 3 is a linear member with a circular cross section and has a constant diameter along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the core material 3 in this embodiment is a stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.25 mm. For ease of explanation, the diameter of the core material 3 is illustrated larger than the actual diameter. Furthermore, as long as the core material 3 can follow the deformation of the tape member 2, the diameter can be changed as described below, and the shape of the core material 3 is not limited to a linear member, but may also be a strip-shaped member.

[0027] In this embodiment, the linear shape means that the maximum dimension ratio between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the cross section of the core material 3 is about 1:0.8 to 1:1.2. In this embodiment, the maximum dimension ratio outside the above range will be described as a strip shape.

[0028] The cross-sectional shape of the core material 3 is not limited to a circle, but may be a polygon, an ellipse, etc. Furthermore, the core material 3 may be a wire rope in which a plurality of linear members are woven.

[0029] The diameter of the core material 3 may be any diameter that allows the core material 3 to be visually recognized as being disposed inside the tape member 2 when the measurement tape 1 is viewed from the top surface 20a (surface) side, and that allows the core material 3 to follow the deformation of the tape member 2 while satisfying a predetermined tensile strength. The diameter of the core material 3 is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. The smaller the diameter of the core material 3, i.e., the width of the core material 3, the more accurately the core material 3 can be aligned with the desired position on the measurement object, thereby improving the accuracy of alignment.

[0030] Furthermore, the material of the core material 3 is not limited to stainless steel, but may be other metals or resins that are harder than the tape member 2 and have excellent tensile strength.

[0031] Next, the structure of the measuring tape 1 in this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment, the core material 3 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the tape member 2. The core material 3 is also located in the center of the tape member 2 in the lateral direction and in the center of the thickness direction. The dimension of the tape member 2 in the lateral direction is preferably about 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm.

[0032] In addition, the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment has a first tape body 20 and a second tape body 21, which have approximately the same thickness and flat upper and lower surfaces, sandwiching the core material 3 from above and below, with the lower surface of the first tape body 20 and the upper surface of the second tape body 21 fixed with an adhesive or the like (see Figure 3). At this time, as shown in Figure 2, parts of the first tape body 20 and the second tape body 21 elastically deform while sandwiching the core material 3, so that even when a force pulling the measuring tape 1 in the longitudinal direction is applied during measurement, the elastically deformed parts are less likely to stretch in the longitudinal direction than parts not affected by the elastic deformation.

[0033] In this embodiment, the tape member 2 and the core material 3 are fixed so as not to move relative to each other. Although the tape member 2 is expandable in the longitudinal direction, the core material 3 is not expandable in the longitudinal direction, and therefore the central portion of the tape member 2 in the lateral direction, which is fixed integrally with the core material 3, is less likely to stretch in the longitudinal direction. This maintains the accuracy of the scale 4 marked on the upper surface 20a of the first tape body 20 so as to overlap the core material 3 vertically. Furthermore, because both ends of the tape member 2 in the lateral direction are separated from the core material 3, they are more likely to stretch in the longitudinal direction, making it easier to bring the tape member 2 (more specifically, the underside of the second tape body 21) into close contact with the surface of the object to be measured.

[0034] In this embodiment, the core material 3 has been described as having the same diameter along the longitudinal direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, by providing portions of different diameters along the longitudinal direction of the core material, unevenness can be formed on the surface of the core material, and part of the core material can be configured to dig into the inside of the tape member 2, making it difficult for the tape member 2 and the core material to move relative to each other.

[0035] Next, an example will be described in which the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment is used to measure the length (specifically, the circumferential diameter) of the front surface of a truncated cone model 100 as a measurement target. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the measuring tape 1 is wrapped around the front surface of the truncated cone model 100 at a position to be measured, so that the core material 3 is aligned with the position. At this time, by wrapping the measuring tape 1 so that the lower surface of the tape member 2 (more specifically, the second tape body 21) is in close contact with the front surface of the truncated cone model 100 while pulling the measuring tape 1 in the longitudinal direction, the core material 3 can be accurately aligned with the position to be measured on the front surface of the truncated cone model 100.

[0036] Then, the scale 4 marked on the upper surface 20a of the tape member 2 (specifically, the first tape body 20) is read to measure the length at the desired position. At this time, the core material 3 serves as a guide, making the scale 4 easy to read.

[0037] 4(b), the tape member 2 constituting the measuring tape 1 is made of a silicone resin that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, by wrapping the measuring tape 1 so that the core material 3 is attached to the front surface of the truncated cone model 100, which has a surface shape in which the curvature increases with increasing height, the central portion of the tape member 2 in the transverse direction, which is less likely to stretch in the longitudinal direction due to the provision of the core material 3, adheres closely to the front surface of the truncated cone model 100. In addition, in the portion of the truncated cone model 100 with a long radius of curvature on the lower side of the paper (i.e., the portion with a small curvature), the tape member 2 stretches in the longitudinal direction and adheres closely to the front surface of the truncated cone model 100. However, in the portion of the truncated cone model 100 with a short radius of curvature on the upper side of the paper (i.e., the portion with a large curvature), the tape member 2 does not adhere closely to the front surface of the truncated cone model 100, resulting in a deflection. 4(b), in the portion of the truncated cone model 100 on the lower side of the page where the radius of curvature is large, the tape member 2 partially stretches in the longitudinal direction while adhering to the front side of the truncated cone model 100, and therefore the thickness of the tape member 2 becomes thinner due to the elastic deformation of the tape member 2. Note that, although a truncated cone has been used as an example of a shape with a non-constant curvature, it goes without saying that the shape is not limited to a truncated cone.

[0038] For these reasons, the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment can suitably adhere the tape member 2 to curved surfaces even if the curvature is not constant, and with the tape member 2 prevented from shifting relative to the object being measured, the length of the object can be accurately measured by reading the scale 4 marked in the center of the shorter side of the tape member 2, which is prevented from expanding or contracting in the longitudinal direction, using the core material 3 aligned along the desired position as a guide. Furthermore, by preventing the tape member 2 from shifting relative to the object being measured, rewinding the measuring tape 1 is also easy.

[0039] As explained above, the measuring tape 1 of this embodiment is a measuring tape 1 comprising a strip-shaped tape member 2 and a scale 4, and a core material 3 that is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tape member 2, has a shorter length in the short direction than the tape member 2, and is harder than the tape member 2. By wrapping the measuring tape 1 around the measuring tape 1 so that the core material 3 is aligned with the desired position on the object, the core material 3 curves together with the tape member 2 to follow the surface shape of the object, and because the core material 3 is shorter in the short direction than the tape member 2, the core material 3 can be aligned with precision with the desired position on the object, making it possible to accurately measure the length of an object with a curved surface with an inconstant curvature.

[0040] Furthermore, since the core material 3 is a linear member, it is easy to bend the core material 3 in various radial directions, and therefore the core material 3 can be easily aligned with the desired measurement position on the measurement object.

[0041] Furthermore, the core material 3 is visible and is positioned near the scale 4 marked on the tape member 2, so that the core material 3 can be aligned with the desired measurement position on the object to be measured while visually checking the core material 3, and by using the core material 3 as a landmark to read the scale 4 marked on the tape member 2 nearby, the length of the object to be measured can be measured more accurately.

[0042] Furthermore, since the core material 3 is located in the center of the short side of the tape member 2, the effect of the longitudinal expansion and contraction of the tape member 2 due to its close contact with the surface of the object to be measured is small. This reduces the error of the scale 4 marked near the core material 3.

[0043] Furthermore, since the tape member 2 is formed from a resin material with a hardness of 5 to 40, the tape member 2 can be easily deformed along the surface of the object to be measured to make it adhere closely, thereby preventing the core material 3 from shifting when aligned with the desired position on the object to be measured.

[0044] Furthermore, the tape member 2 is translucent, and the core material 3 is embedded in the tape member 2, so that the deformation of the core material 3 can easily follow the deformation of the tape member 2, and the hard core material 3 is not exposed, so that it is less likely to damage the object to be measured.

[0045] Furthermore, the scale 4 marked on the tape member 2 is disposed so as to overlap the core material 3, making it easy to read the scale 4 marked on the tape member 2 using the core material 3 as a guide. In other words, by reading the intersection of the scale 4 and the core material 3, the object to be measured can be accurately measured.

[0046] Furthermore, since the tape member 2 is translucent, even if the tape members 2 are overlapped during measurement, the position to be measured on the measurement target and the core material 3 can be visually confirmed.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0048] For example, in the above embodiment, the tape member 2 is described as being translucent and the core material 3 is embedded in the tape member 2, but this is not limited to this, and the tape member does not have to be translucent. For example, measurement can be performed by wrapping the tape member so that the core material is aligned with the position to be measured while feeling the presence of the core material embedded in the tape member with your hands.

[0049] The scale 4 may also be marked on the tape member 2 in a position where it does not overlap vertically near the core material 3. For example, the scale 4 may be marked on the end of the tape member 2 in the lateral direction.

[0050] Furthermore, if the core material 3 has a certain length in the short side direction, the scale 4 may be marked on the core material 3 itself.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the core material 3 is described as being positioned in the center of the tape member 2 in the short-side direction, but this is not limited to this, and it may be positioned, for example, biased toward the end of the tape member 2 in the short-side direction.

[0052] In addition, in the above embodiment, the core material 3 is described as being arranged along the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the core material 3 may be arranged from the 0 cm starting point of the scale 4 of the tape member 2 to the 60 cm scale 4 position (see Figure 1).

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the core material 3 is described as being embedded inside the tape member 2, but this is not limiting. For example, as in the measuring tape 201 of Modified Example 1 shown in Fig. 5, the core material 203 may be exposed on the upper surface 202a of the tape member 202. More specifically, a recessed groove 202b is provided in the central part of the shorter side of the upper surface 202a of the tape member 202, extending along the longitudinal direction, and the core material 203 is embedded in the recessed groove 202b and fixed with an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, a scale 204 is marked on the upper surface 202a of the tape member 202, and the core material 203 is arranged above the scale 204.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the scale 4 and the corresponding numerical values ​​are described as being provided on the top surface 20a of the first tape body 20, but this is not limiting, and the second tape body 21 may also have the scale 4 and numerical values, as in the measuring tape 301 of modified example 2 shown in Fig. 6. In more detail, the second tape body 21 has the same scale 4 and corresponding numerical values ​​as the first tape body 20, making it possible to take measurements on both the front and back of the measuring tape 301.

[0055] In addition, in Figure 6, the numerical values ​​written on the second tape body 21 are viewed from the top surface 20a side of the measuring tape 301 (more specifically, from the first tape body 20 side), so the numerical values ​​are shown in an inverted state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 measuring tape 2 Tape material 3 Core material 4 scales 20 First Tape Body 20a top surface 21 Second tape body 100 Cone truncated model (measurement object) 201 Measuring Tape 202 Tape material 202a Top side 202b Groove 203 Core material 204 scale 301 Measuring Tape

Claims

1. A measuring tape having a band-shaped tape member and a scale, The measuring tape is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tape member, has a shorter length in the transverse direction than the tape member, and has a core material that is harder than the tape member.

2. 2. The measuring tape according to claim 1, wherein the core material is a linear member.

3. 2. The measuring tape of claim 1, wherein the core is visible and is located near the scale on the tape member.

4. 2. The measuring tape according to claim 1, wherein the core material is provided at the center of the tape member in the widthwise direction.

5. 2. The measuring tape according to claim 1, wherein the tape member is made of a resin material having a hardness of 5 to 40.

6. 6. The measuring tape according to claim 1, wherein the tape member is translucent, and the core material is embedded in the tape member.

7. 7. The measuring tape according to claim 6, wherein the scale provided on the tape member is disposed so as to overlap the core material.

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