Device comprising frames made with telescopic rods for defining or measuring a volume or area

Abstract

A device for defining or measuring a volume or area, which comprises a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a plurality of telescopic rods and a plurality of corner pieces to which the rods are attached, each rod being attached to one of the corner pieces at its first end and to another one of the corner pieces at its second end, wherein each of the corner pieces comprises an attachment means for detachably attaching to a corresponding attachment means of one of the corner pieces of another one of the frames, such that the frames may be joined to one another to form a two or three-dimensional structure.

Description

[0001] DEVICE COMPRISING FRAMES MADE WITH TELESCOPIC RODS FOR DEFINING OR MEASURING A VOLUME OR AREA

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device for defining or measuring a volume or area. In particular to such a device that is of modular construction, formed by a plurality of separable frames, which may be attached to one another to form a re- sizeable two or three-dimensional shape and may be detached from one another for storage, independent use, or otherwise.

[0003] The advance gauging / visualising of objects in a real-world space and / or confirming suitable access for the introduction of such objects into the space is not a straightforward task.

[0004] The general technique applied is to use a tape measure to consider one dimension at a time.

[0005] The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved device that would better enable users to gauge the size of objects, visualise those objects in a real- world space, and / or make accurate determinations regarding available access.

[0006] Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of the specification.

[0007] According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a device for defining or measuring an area or volume, which comprises a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a plurality of telescopic rods and a plurality of corner pieces to which the rods are attached, each rod being attached to one of the corner pieces at its first end and to another one of the corner pieces at its second end, wherein each of the corner pieces comprises an attachment means for detachably attaching to a corresponding attachment means of one of the corner pieces of another one of the frames, such that the frames may be joined to one another to form a two or three-dimensional structure.

[0008] By virtue of such an arrangement a unique and versatile device is provided, which may be readily assembled, disassembled or re-configured.

[0009] Preferably, the telescopic rods of any one of the frames are substantially coplanar with one another. By which it is meant that the longitudinal axes of the plurality of rods of any particular frame preferably all lie substantially in a common plane. With such an arrangement, the frames are substantially flat in form.

[0010] In alternative arrangements, the frames may be other than substantially flat, particularly where any one of the frames comprises rods that are arranged to have their longitudinal axes lying in different planes.

[0011] The frames may each be rectangular, comprising four telescopic rods and four corner pieces only. They may be formed otherwise. For example, they may include more or less rods and corner pieces. With rectangular frames, the device may take the form of an open sided cuboid, formed by joining four frames together. In a preferred arrangement, all of the telescopic rods are the same length, and the device comprises a cube when all of the telescopic rods are fully retracted or fully extended.

[0012] The attachment means is preferably configured to allow for toolless assembly and disassembly.

[0013] The attachment means preferably comprises a magnet, such that the corner pieces attach to one another magnetically. The use of magnets provides for a simplified structure and a positive engagement between the corner pieces.

[0014] Each of the attachment means / corner pieces may comprise features for mating engagement with corresponding features on another corner piece. For example, the attachment means may comprise a protrusion and a recess for respective mating engagement with the recess and protrusion of another of the attachment means. Such features are particularly useful for preventing sliding movement between attached corners, and whilst not limited as such, have great synergy with the magnetic attachment means.

[0015] Preferably, each of the corner pieces comprises an attachment face comprising the attachment means, the attachment face being arranged at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of one or more of the telescopic rods attached thereto. The attachment face may be arranged at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The attachment face is substantially planar.

[0016] The attachment means of the corner pieces of any of the frames are preferably arranged such that the corner pieces of any two frames may be attached to one another.

[0017] The corner pieces may be provided with secondary attachment means for allowing assembled devices to be attached to one another. The secondary attachment means may be provided for attachment of exposed outer faces of the corner pieces to one another. The secondary attachment means may comprise one or more magnets.

[0018] The telescopic rods may have a profile that is cylindrical or non-cylindrical.

[0019] The telescopic rods may each comprise an outer tube and one or more inner tubes that are received by the outer tube and telescope out from the outer tube, wherein the outer and inner tubes are profiled to key with one another for preventing relative rotation.

[0020] The telescopic rods may each comprise an outer tube and one or more inner tubes that are received by the outer tube and telescope out from the outer tube, wherein the inner tubes telescope out from both the first and second ends of the outer tube and are attached to the corner pieces at their ends.

[0021] Preferably, one or more of the frames comprises a measuring device for measuring the distance between the outer edges of an adjacent pair of the corner pieces. The measuring device may comprise a tape measure. A reel of the tape measure may be housed within a first of the corner pieces and the tape may extend through the inside of the rod to be attached to the adjacent corner piece.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the corner pieces comprises a sensing means, which may comprise an electronic sensor and / or a visual marker.

[0023] The introduction of sensing means allows for the possible enhanced use of the device with an electronic device such as a tablet or smartphone.

[0024] According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a system comprising a device as detailed above and an electronic device, which comprises a screen, wherein the electronic device is arranged to display real-time information relating to the size of the device on its screen.

[0025] Preferably, the electronic device comprises a camera, and is arranged to present an augmented reality view of a space in which the device is present, with a visual representation of an item overlaid on the device, the item corresponding substantially in size to the device.

[0026] The system may comprise a database of user selectable items, or may access one or more databases of user selectable items, the database(s) comprising images of the items and size data of the items, wherein items are presented to the user in dependence of the real-time size of the device, and overlaid on the device for user visualisation of the items in the space. Data may be obtained from manufacturers or retailers databases by API, in a manner that will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0027] Further, preferred, features are presented in the dependent claims and within the specific description.

[0028] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment in a fully retracted state;

[0029] Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in a fully expanded state;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an individual frame separated from the device of Figure 1 in a retracted state;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a plan view of an individual frame in an expanded state to form a rectangle;

[0032] Figure 5 shows a plan view of a device according to a further embodiment, which comprises a pair of frames and has a two-dimensional form.

[0033] Figure 6 shows a pair of the devices of Figure 1 joined to one another;

[0034] Figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of the device of Figure 1 showing a pair of corner pieces separated from one another;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a partial perspective view of the device of Figure 1 showing the corner pieces of Figure 7 fully engaged with one another;

[0036] Figures 9a and 9b show partial schematic views of a corner piece, which incorporates measuring means; and

[0037] Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a system comprising the device of Figure 1 .

[0038] With reference to the figures, there is shown a device 1 for defining or measuring a volume or area. The device 1 comprises a plurality of frames 2, wherein each frame comprises a plurality of telescopic rods 3 and a plurality of corner pieces 4 to which the rods are attached. As shown, each rod 3 is attached to one of the corner pieces 4 at its first end and to another one of the corner pieces 4 at its second end. Each of the corner pieces 4 comprises an attachment means 5 for detachably attaching to a corresponding attachment means 5 of one of the corner pieces 4 of another one of the frames. By such arrangement, the frames may be joined to one another to form a three-dimensional structure.

[0039] In the arrangement of Figure 1 , each of the frames 2 is rectangular, comprising four telescopic rods 3 and four corner pieces 4 only, and the frames 2 combine to form an open sided cuboid. The telescopic rods 3 are all of substantially identical length such that the device takes the form of a cube when the telescopic rods 3 are all fully retracted (as shown in Figure 1 ) or are all fully extended (as shown in Figure 2).

[0040] It must be noted that the device is not limited to the use of rectangular frames, or to the use of identical frames. Alternative arrangements may be possible in which the frames 2 have more or less rods and corner pieces and / or rods of different lengths to one another. The frames could, by way of example only, be triangular or hexagonal in form. Additionally or alternatively, the frames may be different to one another but provided with compatible corner pieces for the attachment of the different frames to one another.

[0041] With reference to Figure 3, an individual frame 2 from the device of Figure 1 is shown. The telescopic rods 3 are all substantially co-planar with one another. With such an arrangement, the frame is substantially flat in form. As will be readily appreciated, the frame 2 may be used to define or measure a two-dimensional area, in isolation, as seen, for example, in Figure 4, or in combination with one or more other frames 2, as seen, for example, in Figure 5. This can be useful for example, in the sizing of picture frames, televisions, rugs, providing a two-dimensional representation of furniture, or otherwise. Additionally, the frames may be stored flat against one another.

[0042] In alternative arrangements, the frames may be other than substantially flat, particularly where any one of the frames comprises rods that are arranged to have their longitudinal axes lying in different planes, such as for example pyramidal frames, or otherwise.

[0043] Irrespective of the specific form of the frames, the device may be expanded or contracted by extending or retracting the telescopic rods. The arrangement shown in Figure 1 , may, for example, have a volume of around 0.3m3when fully retracted and a volume of around 3m3when fully expanded, as seen in Figure 2.

[0044] As discussed, each of the corner pieces 4 comprises an attachment means 5 for detachably attaching to a corresponding corner piece 4 of another of the frames 2. The attachment means is preferably configured to allow for toolless assembly and disassembly. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous forms of attachment means will be possible that allow for the toolless connection and attachment of the corner pieces 4 to one another. In the present arrangement, as is preferred, the attachment means of each corner piece 4 comprises one or more magnets. The use of magnets allows for easy alignment and positive engagement. With the comers attaching to one another magnetically, assembly or disassembly of the device is greatly simplified, and there is a positive engagement.

[0045] The magnets may be replaced or supplemented with other attachment features. In the present arrangement, as is preferred, the attachment means of each corner piece 4 additionally comprises a mating engagement means. Whilst numerous forms of mating engagement means will be readily conceived, in the present arrangement the mating engagement means comprises one or more protrusions 6 and one or more corresponding recesses 7 for respective mating engagement with one or more corresponding recesses 7 and protrusions 6 of another of the corner pieces 4. As best seen in Figure 9b, each of the corner pieces 4 comprises one protrusions 6 and one recess 7. In alternative arrangements more recesses / protrusions may be provided. The protrusions take the form of round oval bosses in the present arrangement and the recesses take the form of oval holes. However, as will be readily appreciated, the recesses and protrusions may take numerous alternative forms. They may, for example, comprise pins and round holes, or otherwise. It is preferable regardless of their form that the protrusions and recesses have substantially congruent profiles. The mating engagement means are particularly useful for preventing sliding movement between attached corners. In arrangements provided with magnets, the corner pieces are held together by magnetic force and are prevented from sliding relative to one another by the mating engagement means. Figure 7 shows the bringing together of two corner pieces and Figure 8 shows the corner pieces fully engaged.

[0046] Preferably, each of the corner pieces 4 comprises an attachment face 8. The attachment faces will abut when the corner pieces are connected to one another, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The attachment face 8 may be arranged at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of one or more of the telescopic rods 3 attached thereto. In the present arrangement, for example, they are arranged at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes of the telescopic rods 3, as again best seen in Figures 7 and 8. The attachment face 8 may be substantially planar, as in the present arrangement. The mating engagement features 6, 7 are preferably provided at the mating face 8.

[0047] Irrespective of the provision of magnets, alternative / additional mechanical engagement means may be provided. For example, the protrusions could engage the recesses with an interference fit, or there could be provided a detent or otherwise.

[0048] Also, the corner pieces may be provided with secondary attachment means for allowing assembled devices to be attached to one another, such as seen in Figure 6, or for the alternative attachment of frames to one another, particularly for the definition of a two-dimensional shape, as seen in Figure 5. The secondary attachment means may be provided for attachment of exposed outer faces of the corner pieces to one another. The secondary attachment means preferably comprise one or more magnets but may comprise any alternative attachment means, including those discussed with respect to the attachment means above, catches, or otherwise.

[0049] The telescopic rods 3 each comprise an outer tube 3a and one or more inner tubes 3b that are received by the outer tube and telescope out from the outer tube, in a conventional manner. The telescopic rods 3 may have a profile that is cylindrical, as shown, or non-cylindrical.

[0050] It is preferable that the telescopic rods 3 are arranged so that the tubes thereof may not rotate relative to one another, which may be achieved with a non- cylindrical profile or additionally or alternatively by the outer and inner tubes being profiled to key with one another for preventing relative rotation. In the present arrangement, by way, of example, the tubes 3a, 3b are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 9, as best seen in Figure 7, which grooves are received within one another. Of course, alternative keying arrangements will be possible, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. With a non-cylindrical profile and / or with the tubes profiled to key with one another rigidity of the frames 2 is improved. In particular, a twisting of the frames 2 when the telescopic rods are extended / retracted may be reduced.

[0051] Regardless of the specific form / profile of the outer and inner tubes 3a, 3b, it is preferable that the inner tubes 3b telescope out from both the first and second ends of the outer tube 3a, whereby the inner tubes are attached to the corner pieces 8 at their ends distal the outer tube 3a. Such an arrangement is clearly seen in the Figures. See, for example, the expansion between Figures 1 and 2 or between Figures 3 and 4. Such an arrangement has been found to enhance the stability and operation of the device.

[0052] Alternatively, again regardless of the specific form / profile of the outer and inner tubes 3a, 3b, the inner tubes 3b may telescope out from one end of the outer tube 3a only. In such case, the outer tube 3a will be connected to one of the corner pieces 4 with the innermost of the inner tubes 3b connected to an opposed corner piece. When such telescopic rods are used, it may be that parallel telescopic rods are arranged at 180 degrees with respect to one another, such that they extend parallel to one another in opposite directions.

[0053] Preferably, one or more of the frames comprises one or more measuring devices for measuring the distance between the outer edges 11 one or more adjacent pairs of the corner pieces, for measuring the maximum dimensions of the device. Each of the measuring devices may comprise a tape measure. A reel of the tape measure (not shown) may be housed within a first of the corner pieces 8 and the tape (not shown) may extend through the inside of the rod 3 to be attached to the adjacent corner piece 8. A window 12 may be provided in the corner piece 8 through which the tape may be read. Such an arrangement is shown, schematically in Figure 9a and 9b. As an alternative to the window, there may be an electronic display provided.

[0054] As an alternative to the use of a measuring tape, there could be provided laser measurement means, or otherwise. Additionally or alternatively, a sensing means 19 may be provided. The sensing means may be in / on one or more of the corner pieces 8 and / or in / on one or more of the telescopic rods. The sensing means may take the form of an electronic sensor / receiver / transmitter and / or one or more visual markers.

[0055] Sensing means in the corner pieces of the device can be used to provide real time data on the distance of edges 11 . The combination of the data can provide information on the size and parallelism sides of the device.

[0056] This data can be transmitted to other devices through appropriate means, such as low energy Bluetooth, WiFi, or otherwise. This can be collected by a mobile or web application, or similar program which can interpret and present the data either numerically or visually.

[0057] In particular, a user may utilise an electronic device 20 comprising a screen 21 , such as a smartphone or tablet, to see the dimensions 22 of the device in real time as it collapses and expands, as exemplarily shown in Figure 10. When an electronic device is utilised that comprises a camera 23, the device 1 can be represented visually on the app in its surroundings using the application’s camera functionality.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the device may relay data to the electronic device through sensing means, which, as above may take the form of an electronic sensor / receiver / transmitter and / or one or more visual markers. For example, the visual markers may be QR codes, IR markers or a similar technology. The device (using its camera 23) is able to review the data from these markers and extrapolate the shape, size, and volume of the device through software alone (e.g computer vision). For example, the size or type of marking may be used to provide a reference for the size of the expanded device.

[0059] Irrespective of the means of obtaining size information at the electronic device, Augmented Reality (AR) may be used to represent the device 1 in its surroundings and overlay projections of items 25 that are to the exact dimensions of the square or cube in its currently expanded state. The items, which may comprise a range of different products of a type of interest to the user, for example, furniture items, may be aggregated from multiple different retailers.

[0060] The user can filter via an application running on the device what type of item they want to project with AR and switch between items to see how different products 25 would look in their space. The software may be configured so that as the user expands or collapses the device physically the list of available products shifts to fit the dimensions. The list may, for example, include data obtained from manufacturers or retailers databases 24 by API, which may for example be accessed through the cloud. Alternatively, the item (if custom, such as a kitchen counter) could change shape, size, and scale when the device is modified.

[0061] Whilst AR applications are known to allow users to visualise furniture in a space, the present arrangement uniquely provides a physically expandable reference device. The reference device allows the user to view with centimetre accuracy in terms of dimensions and placement in the space.

[0062] Numerous alternative arrangements and modifications to the embodiments as described herein will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, features of the described embodiments may be readily combined.

[0063] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0064] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0065] Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

Claims1 . A device for defining or measuring a volume or area, which comprises a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a plurality of telescopic rods and a plurality of corner pieces to which the rods are attached, each rod being attached to one of the corner pieces at its first end and to another one of the corner pieces at its second end, wherein each of the corner pieces comprises an attachment means for detachably attaching to a corresponding attachment means of one of the corner pieces of another one of the frames, such that the frames may be joined to one another to form a two or three-dimensional structure.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the telescopic rods of any one of the frames are substantially co-planar with one another.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the frames are each rectangular, comprising four telescopic rods and four corner pieces only.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises an open sided cuboid.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises mating engagement features for respective mating engagement with the mating engagement features of another of the attachment means.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the mating engagement features comprise a protrusion and a recess.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the corner pieces comprises an attachment face comprising the attachment means, the attachment face being arranged at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of one or more of the telescopic rods attached thereto.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the attachment face is arranged at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the attachment face is substantially planar.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the telescopic rods have a profile that is cylindrical or non-cylindrical.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the telescopic rods comprises an outer tube and one or more inner tubes that are received by the outer tube and telescope out from the outer tube.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein each of the outer tubes has a first end and a second end, wherein the inner tubes telescope out from both the first and second ends of the outer tube and are attached to the corner pieces.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein each of telescopic rods is arranged such that the inner tubes telescope out from a first end only of the outer tube, an end of the innermost inner tube being connected to one of the corner pieces and a second end of the outer tube being connected to an opposed one of the corner pieces.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein parallel pairs of the telescopic rods are arranged to extend in opposed directions to one another.

16. A device as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the outer and inner tubes are profiled to key with one another for preventing relative rotation.

17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the frames comprises a measuring device for measuring the distance between the outer edges of an adjacent pair of the corner pieces.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the measuring device comprises a tape measure.

19. A device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein a reel of the tape measure is housed within a first of the corner pieces and the tape extends through the inside of the rod and is attached to the adjacent corner piece.

20. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the corner pieces and / or rods further comprises a sensing means.21 . A device as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the sensing means comprises one or more electronic sensors and / or one or more visual markers.

22. A system comprising a device as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 and an electronic device, which comprises a screen, wherein the electronic device is arranged to display real-time information relating to the size of the device on its screen.

23. A system as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the electronic device comprises a camera, and is arranged to present an augmented reality view of a space in which the device is present, with a visual representation of an item overlaid on the device, the item corresponding in size to the device.

24. A system as claimed in Claim 23, which comprises or is arranged to access one or more databases of user selectable items, the database(s) comprising images or computer models of the items and size data of the items, wherein items are presented to and / or selectable by the user in dependence of the real-time size of the device.

25. A frame for a device as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 21 .

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