GB2354864A

GB2354864A - A measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2354864A
Application number: GB9914932A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Lyons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-26
Filing date: 1999-06-26
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: GB9914932D0

Abstract

A measuring device 10 which in use can be located on top of or over a picture and which can be used to assist with calculating the location of a central point or centre of an object located in the picture relative to a first and second side of the picture, the first and second sides of the picture are substantially perpendicular to one another, the measuring device comprises; measuring means 15 that are slidably moveable along a first axis (X) and which can measure the distance of a first and second edge of the object from the first side of the picture and measuring means 15 which are slidably moveable along a second axis (Y) , the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and which can measure the distance of a third and fourth edge of the object from the second side of the picture, such that after taking such measurements, the location of the central point or centre of the object relative to the first and second sides of the picture can be calculated. The measuring means 15 may be moveable along a slide member 13 which is moveably connected to at least one side of a frame member 11.

Description

2354864 A MEASURING DEVICE The present invention relates to a measuring

device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a measuring device that can be used to assist with calculating the location of a central point, or the centre, of an object located within a picture.

"Spot the ball" competitions generally set a competitor with the task of having to guess the exact location of a central point, or the centre, of an invisible ball within a picture of a sporting scene. The competitor's answer usually takes the form of a cross, which the competitor marks on the picture concerned.

At present, the apparatus utilised by the organisers of such competitions to accurately calculate the location of the central point, or the centre, of the ball concerned are very complex and expensive.

Moreover, and at present, since the competitor's answer is in the form of a cross that is marked on the picture concerned, the organiser's task of having to establish whether a competitor's cross has located the exact centre of the ball correctly is extremely time consuming, that is, even using up to date technologies.

According to the present invention there is provided a measuring device which, in use, can be located on top of, or over, a picture and which can be used to assist with calculating the location of a central point, or centre, of an object located in the picture relative to a first and second side of the picture, the first and second sides of the picture being substantially parallel to one another, the measuring apparatus including,2 measuring means that are slideably moveable or displaceable along a first axis and which can measure the distance of a first and second edge of the object from the first side of the picture-, and measuring means which are slideably moveable or displaceable along a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and which can measure the distance of a third and fourth edge of the object from the second side of the picture, such that after taking such measurements, the location of the central point, or centre, of the object relative to the first and second sides of the picture can be calculated.

It is believed that the measuring device of the present invention overcomes the problems associated with known, complex measuring devices and/or apparatus of this type. In particular, it is believed that by using a measuring device in accordance with the present invention, the location of the central point, or centre, of an object within a picture is easier and quicker to calculate and additionally, dispenses with the need for such known complex measuring devices. Moreover, and as the competitor's answer is given as a set of figures, as opposed to a cross, the time taken by an organiser to determine whether a competitor's answer is correct is shortened.

One, non-limiting, embodiment of a measuring device in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a measuring device of the present invention-, Figure 2 is a side view of the frame member of the measuring device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the frame member of the measuring device of Figure 1 -1 Figure 4 is a front view of the slide member of the measuring device of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a side view of the slide member of Figure 4.

3 As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a measuring device 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a frame member 11, slide member 13 and measuring member 15.

The frame member 11 is preferably made of steel, although it is to be understood that same can be made of any other suitable material. Preferably, the frame is built with precise angles and may be substantially square or rectangular in shape. As illustrated, the frame member 11 is provided with a graduated portion 12 along at least one side 11 b thereof.

Slide member 13 is coupled to sides 11 b and 11 d of the frame member 11 to form a rack and pinion mechanism such that slide member 13 is moveable along a first axis X. In this connection, rotation of knob 17, results in movement of the geared wheels 23, provided on the slide member 13, along complementary surfaces, provided on sides 11 b and 11 d of the frame member 11 (see Figures 2 and 5). The direction of the travel of the slide member 13 along axis X depends on whether the knob 17 is rotated clockwise or anticlockwise.

A measuring member or means 15 is coupled to the slide member 13 to form a rack and pinion mechanism and is slideably moveable along the slide member 13 along axis Y. In this connection, rotation of knob 18, which is coupled to geared wheels that engage with a complementary surface provided on the slide member 13, results in movement of the measuring member 15 along axis Y. Once again, the direction of travel of the measuring member along axis Y, depends on whether the knob 18 is rotated clockwise or anticlockwise.

The measuring member 15 is further provided with a magnifying glass 16 with a cross 19 located thereon.

4 In use, the measuring device 10 is placed over, or on top of, a picture (not illustrated) such that a first side of the picture is aligned with the graduated portion 12 on the frame member 11, preferably with the start of the graduated portion 12, and a second side of the picture, which is substantially perpendicular to the first side of the picture, is aligned with the graduated portion 14 provided on the slide member 13, preferably with the start of the graduated portion 14. In a preferred embodiment, the measuring device 10 is provided with means for holding the picture within the frame member in the appropriate manner or orientation, for example, two pieces or panes of glass.

Once in place, knob 17 is rotated resulting in movement of slide member 13 along axis X until such time as the vertical line of cross 19 on the measuring member 15 is aligned with a first edge of the ball-, the first edge of the ball being the edge of the ball closest to the first side of the picture. On alignment, the location of alignment line 20, which is aligned with the vertical line of the cross 19, along graduated portion 12 is recorded. This is the distance of the first edge of the ball from the first side of the picture. Once this distance is recorded, the knob 17 is rotated once again until such time as the vertical line of the cross 19 is aligned with a second edge of the ball; the second edge of the ball is the edge of the ball which is furthest away from the first side of the picture. Once aligned, and as before, the location of alignment line 20 along graduated portion 12 is recorded. This is the distance of the second edge of the ball from the first side of the picture.

Once the above two distances are recorded, knob 18 is turned such that the measuring member 15 is moved along axis Y until the horizontal line of the cross 19 of the measuring member 15 is aligned with a third edge of the ball; the third edge of the ball is the edge of the ball closest to the second side of the picture. Once aligned, the positioning of alignment line 21, which is aligned with the horizontal line of the cross 19, along the graduated portion 14 is recorded. This is the distance of the third edge of the ball from the second side of the picture. Once recorded, the knob 18 is rotated again until such time as the horizontal line of the cross 19 is aligned with a fourth edge of the ball; the fourth edge of the ball being the edge of the ball furthest away from the second side of the picture. Once aligned, the positioning of the alignment line 21 along the graduated portion 14 is recorded. This is the distance of the fourth edge of the ball from the second side of the picture.

Once all four distances are recorded, the central point, or Centre, of the ball in the picture can be calculated by- calculating the central point between the first and second edges of the ball to give you the distance of the Centre of the ball along axis X from the first side of the picture; and calculating the central point between the third and fourth edges of the ball to give you the distance of the Centre of the ball along axis Y from the second side of the picture.

On doing so, both of such distances provide the Centre of the ball within the picture, that is, relative to the first and second sides of the picture.

Once calculated, the ball can be removed from the picture, and the picture can be issued to the competitors who are set the task of having to guess the exact location of the Centre of the ball within the picture, and can submit their answer as the distance of the Centre of the ball from a first side of the picture and the distance of the Centre of the ball from a second side of the picture, the first side of the picture being substantially perpendicular to the second side of the picture; both of such distances giving the Centre of the ball within the picture. Preferably, and in order to assist the competitor, the first and second sides of the picture are both provided with a graduated portion. The skilled person will realise that by providing the answer in the form of a numerical answer, as opposed to a cross, the task of the organisers of having to establish whether an answer is correct Is less time consuming, that is, there is no longer the need for the orgianiser to establish whether the Centre of each competitor's cross coincides with the Centre of the invisible ball.

6 Although the present invention has been described by way of example to calculating the central point or centre of a ball within a picture, it is to be understood that same can be used to calculate the centre of any object within a picture.

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Claims

1 A measuring device which, in use, can be located on top of, or over, a picture and which can be used to assist with calculating the location of a central point, or centre, of an object located in the picture relative to a first and second side of the picture, the first and second sides of the picture being substantially perpendicular to one another, the measuring device including; measuring means that are slideably moveable or displaceable along a first axis and which can measure the distance of a first and second edge of the object from the first side of the picture; and measuring means which are slideably moveable or displaceable along a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and which can measure the distance of a third and fourth edge of the object from the second side of the picture, such that after taking such measurements, the location of the central point, or centre, of the object relative to the first and second sides of the picture can be calculated.

2. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the measuring device includes a frame member within which the picture is locateable.

3. The measuring device of claim 2,'wherein the frame member includes means which hold the picture within the frame member.

4. The measuring device of claim 3, wherein the means which hold the picture within the frame member includes two panes of glass between which the picture is held.

5. The measuring device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the frame member is substantially rectangular or substantially square.

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6. The measuring device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one side of the frame member is graduated.

7. The measuring device of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the measuring means are moveably slidable along a slide member which is moveably connected to at least one side of the frame member.

8. The measuring device of claim 7, wherein the slide member is provided with an alignment line which, in use, can be aligned with the graduated portion of the frame member.

9. The measuring device of claim 7 or 8, wherein a surface of the slide member is graduated.

10. The measuring device of any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the measuring means includes a magnifying glass, the surface of which is provided with a cross, one line of which is alignable with the graduated portion provided on the frame member and the other line of which is alignable with the graduated portion of the slide member.

11. A measuring device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of calculating the location of a central point, or centre, of an object located in a picture relative to a first and second side of the picture, which are substantially perpendicular to one another, utilising the measuring device of any one of the preceding claims, the method including the steps of:

suitably locating the measuring device over, or on top of, the picture; moving the measuring means until it is aligned with the edge of the object closest to the first side of the picture and recording the distance between the first side of the picture and edge of the object closest to the first side of the picture; 9 moving the measuring means until it is aligned with the edge of the object furthest away from the first side of the picture and recording the distance between the first side of the picture and edge of the object furthest away from the first side of the picture; moving the measuring means until such time as it is aligned with the edge of the object closest to the second side of the picture and recording the distance between the second side of the picture and the edge of the object closest to the second side of the picture; moving the measuring means until such time as it is aligned with the edge of the object furthest away from the second side of the picture and recording the distance between the second side of the picture and edge of the object furthest away from the second side of the picture; and utilising the distances recorded to calculate the centre of the object relative to the first and second sides of the picture.

13. A method of calculating the location of a central point, or centre, of an object located in a picture relative to a first and second side of the picture, which are substantially perpendicular to one another, utilising the measuring device of any one of claims 1 to 11 substantially as hereinbefore described.