WO2002075239A1

WO2002075239A1 - Band measuring device for measuring the length of a section

Info

Publication number: WO2002075239A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/002555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Schriefer
Original assignee: Univ Bremen; Thomas Schriefer
Priority date: 2001-03-08
Filing date: 2002-03-08
Publication date: 2002-09-26
Also published as: DE10111353C2; DE10111353A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a band measuring device for measuring the length of a section, particularly for measuring the physical dimensions of a body. Said device comprises a measuring band and a housing. The invention is characterised in that the housing is associated with the measuring band in such a way that said housing can be displaced along the measuring band in order to measure the length of a section.

Description

Tape measuring device for measuring a length of a distance

The invention relates to a tape measuring device for measuring a length of a distance, in particular for measuring a body size of a body, with a measuring tape and with a housing. The invention further relates to a method for measuring such a length.

Tape measuring devices are known from the prior art. On the one hand, simple tape measuring devices consisting only of a fabric measuring tape are known, for example from tailoring workshops. However, they are also mainly used in the clothing industry for body measurement in order to adapt the item of clothing to be purchased or tailored to the customer's body dimensions. Such measuring tapes are applied to the actual measuring process on the distance to be measured, for example the waist circumference of a human body, the length of the measured distance then being read with the aid of ascending numbers, which are usually placed at centimeter intervals on the measuring tape. Similar measuring tapes, but made of paper, are known for example from hardware stores. Metal measuring tapes are also known, in particular from the construction industry. Such metal measuring tapes are usually slightly concave in cross section to the longitudinal direction and are therefore usually only unidirectionally flexible. These metal measuring tapes are usually rolled up in a housing and pulled out of the housing through an opening in this housing and a corresponding kink at the end of the metal measuring tape protruding from the opening. Such tapes are also called roller measuring tapes. Such measuring tapes are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,894,678. The digital roll measuring tape made of metal disclosed there also has a retraction mechanism in order to pull the measuring tape pulled out of the housing back into the housing after the measurement has been completed and to roll it up there.

The above-mentioned roll measuring tapes, in particular the metal measuring tapes, are unsuitable for measuring curved shapes, because they are difficult to adapt, for example, to the shape of a person's waist because of their flexural rigidity. In addition, metal measuring tapes tend to return to their original and straight condition. This additionally hinders the measuring process. Finally, with metal measuring tapes - if they can be bent at all with reasonable effort - the phenomenon occurs that they then deform evenly. Thus, they can then be adapted to circular body shapes; body shapes that are not perfectly circular can still not be measured even then.

At this point, it should also be pointed out that the measurement conditions, body symmetry, measuring instruments and the essential anthropometric dimensions and the corresponding determination regulations for determining human body measurements are given in DIN EN 979 "Basis of definition of human body measurements for the design of technical products" and in ISO 8559: 1989 (E) "Garment construction and anthropometric surveys - Body dimensions" in DIN 61516 Part 1 "Body parameters for clothing, basics" and in DIN 61516 Part 2 "Body parameters for clothing, application" as well as in DIN 61517 "Secondary body dimensions for the construction of men's and women's outer clothing. These regulations must therefore be observed in particular when measuring human bodies. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tape measuring device of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages which occur in the prior art and at the same time allows a length of a route to be determined quickly and easily.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a tape measuring device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 22.

The invention includes the finding that, contrary to the manner known from the prior art of pulling the measuring tape out of the housing, it is much easier and faster to move the housing along or over the measuring tape as a slide from a starting point of the measurement to an end point of the measurement. At the end point of the measurement, a number known from the prior art, for example, which is attached to the measuring tape at the point, can then simply be read when the displacement of the housing has started from zero. Moving the case may even have started at a number other than zero; at the end of the measurement, this must then only be subtracted from the number read at the end point of the measurement, in order to be able to determine the length of the distance measured by moving the housing on the measuring tape in the known manner with measuring tapes provided with centimeter scaling.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is connected to the measuring tape at least by friction. The measuring tape is preferably passed through a receptacle on the housing or through the housing itself. In both versions, the housing can be easily moved along the measuring tape. In the version in which the measuring tape is passed through the housing, the housing preferably has a measuring tape inlet opening and a measuring tape outlet opening. The dimensions of these openings are preferably made so that they fit so that the measuring tape is guided through the housing by means of the boundaries formed by these openings and can therefore only take a defined path through the housing with minimal escape. The measuring tape inlet opening and the measuring tape outlet opening should more preferably be attached to the housing as close as possible to the housing base, so that when using the tape measuring device the measuring tape is as close as possible to the measuring tape measuring route is guaranteed and thus inaccuracies are avoided from the outset. If it is not possible to attach the measuring tape inlet opening and the measuring tape outlet opening in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing, then in an alternative, likewise advantageous embodiment, it is advisable to provide small noses or edges below the openings over which the measuring tape runs. With the help of these lugs or edges, the housing of the tape measuring device can then optionally be placed on the distance to be measured and thus a height difference between the measuring tape and the distance to be measured can also be avoided.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, regular markings are arranged on the measuring tape for determining the length of the path covered by the housing along the measuring tape. These markings can be, for example, the known centimeter scales from the prior art. However, it is also possible to carry out a simple periodic arrangement of, for example, black lines running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape on, for example, a white background. It is then further preferred that detection means, preferably comprising a photodiode or a light barrier, are provided for detecting the markings on the tape.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned markings on the measuring tape itself and its detection using the detection means, the measuring tape can be guided in or on the housing via a rotatably mounted roller in a further preferred embodiment. In this case, the detection means detect a rotary movement of the roller and in this way measure the length of the path covered by the housing on the measuring tape. It is further preferred if the roller is rotatably connected to a spoke wheel. The spokes of the spoke wheel, which preferably extend uniformly in a star shape radially outwards, can then be detected by the detection means, for example with the aid of a light barrier, if the light barrier is arranged in such a way that the spokes rotate when the roller rotates and thus when the spoke wheel rotates interrupt the light barrier. Protection is independently claimed for measuring the length of the distance with the help of spokes rotating during the movement of the housing along the measuring tape through a light barrier.

In a further preferred embodiment of the tape measuring device according to the invention, a counting means is provided for counting the spokes or markings detected by means of the detection means. This counting means is further preferably provided with a reset function in order to set the counting status of the counting means to zero. The markings counted by the counting means can correspond directly, for example, to a certain number of centimeters. However, it is also conceivable that the counted marks or rotations of the roll still have to be converted into a length. For this purpose, a computing means, preferably having a microprocessor, is provided in a further preferred embodiment of the invention. This computing means is used to convert the counted marks or the counted interruptions of the light barrier through the spokes of the spoke wheel into a length. For this purpose, the computer means are provided with a corresponding calibration when the tape measuring device is manufactured or subsequently. This calibration includes the conversion quantity for converting the pulses resulting from the counting, for example by a photodiode, into a length.

A computer with a keyboard and corresponding software can be used as the computing means. For this purpose, the counting means would be connected to the computer via a serial interface by cable or radio. If, for example, due to the distance between the person to be measured and the computer, the control of the measurement result and the operation of the computer program for measuring data acquisition are too cumbersome, a display with electronic components on the measuring slide, which are connected to the counting means, can be provided in addition to the computer and display the current measured value. The tape measuring device according to the invention is therefore also suitable as a location-independent measuring instrument. It can then be operated with a battery, for example, and can also be used in a transportable manner without an external computer. In order to support the operation of the tape measuring device, it can be provided in a further variant to outsource components that increase the user friendliness, for example a larger display, larger input keys, etc. This would have the advantage that the housing serving as the actual measuring slide is kept small and light. For example, a so-called PDA (abbreviation for Personal Digital Assistant) could be used. A PDA is a battery-operated, independent computer system. It is connected to the tape meter via its serial interface or by radio etc. The PDA records and processes the measurement results during the measurement process. After a data comparison between the PDA and a computer, the measurement results are immediately available electronically for further processing in a computer program, for example for the construction of a section, without conversion. The tape measure is often operated with both hands, so it is advantageous if the PDA is attached to the forearm of the person making the measurement using a small pocket with Velcro fasteners so that the person making the measurement can read the field of view like a watch on the wrist.

By means of the connected computer means, it is possible according to the invention to carry out an immediate or even a delayed data comparison of the recorded data with a computer for further processing without media breakage, i.e. to be carried out without intermediate storage of the measurement results on paper.

In another advantageous embodiment, display means, preferably comprising an LCD display, are provided for displaying the calculated length. In this way, the user is immediately shown the length using the display means, for example, attached to the housing. This can take the form of a permanent display of the current length. Alternatively, however, the calculated length can only be displayed when the housing has come to a standstill, i.e. it is no longer moved along the measuring tape.

Furthermore, storage means can preferably be provided for storing the calculated length. In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, release means are provided. These release means, which in particular can have release buttons on the housing, are used to release the calculated lengths for storage in a memory in the housing or in the memory of a separate housing, into which the results are transmitted via cable or wirelessly, for example by radio, infrared etc. become. Because it is often desirable for the user to save certain lengths. It is also possible in the case of displayed dimensional designations, for example waist circumference, which can be represented not only conceptually but also figuratively, to assign this dimensional designation by releasing the corresponding length after this dimensional designation has been lit up on the display. It is furthermore preferred - in particular in the method according to the invention - if, when measuring a human body, various body dimensions to be measured are displayed in order on the display, so that the user is asked to measure these body dimensions one after the other. He also has the option to skip the displayed body size. Using the switch, voice input or the like, he can jump back to a body size and measure it again. Wrong entries and assignments are therefore immediately reversible. In this case, by pressing the release button, a measured length is then coupled to the identifier of a body measurement currently in the display, so that a length is assigned to each body measurement in succession. For the above-mentioned procedure, procedural protection is sought regardless of the actual device of the tape measuring device.

Alternatively, in a further preferred embodiment, for which independent protection is also claimed, it is also possible to adapt the tape measuring device to the measurement context. For this purpose, the tape measuring device is prepared in such a way that the measurement section designation or waist circumference, unit, descriptive information and pictures, standard values, sequences, measurement groups etc. can be entered and, if necessary, transmitted. The creation, modification and deletion of person and size tables, measured values and body measurements by the user is supported; the amount, selection and representation of the body measurement sections is freely definable. The inputs can be made by the user on the tape measuring device, on a computer or another processing unit (for example a PDA); the data are transmitted to the tape measuring device when externally entered. These technical properties are an important part of this alternative embodiment of the tape measuring device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Independent protection is claimed for them.

Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention it is possible to individually adapt the dimensions to be measured to the wishes of the user. The order of the dimensions to be measured can also be set individually.

In a further embodiment, a second roller is provided, which is arranged offset to the first roller, the measuring tape being passed between the adjacent peripheral surfaces of the two rollers, and the rollers being arranged adjacent to one another in such a way that the measuring tape is opposed by one of the two rollers the other roller is pressed.

Alternatively, the task of the second roller can be fulfilled by an elastic cushion in which the elastic cushion is provided instead of the second roller. In this alternative, the measuring tape is passed between the adjacent surfaces of the first roller and the pad, the first roller and the pad being arranged adjacent to one another such that the measuring tape from the pad against the peripheral surface of the first roller or from the first roller against the Surface of the pillow is pressed. In all of the aforementioned alternatives, it is advantageously ensured that the measuring tape has no slippage on the first roller, so that the rotation of the first roller corresponds in any case to a movement of the housing on the measuring tape and vice versa. In this way, inaccuracies in the measurement with the help of the tape measuring device according to the invention are avoided. In this case, the measuring tape itself or the first roller or the cushion can also be rubber-coated, so that the mutual adhesion or friction is further increased. The rubber parts can more preferably have a soft scab in order to further increase mutual liability and thus reduce the risk of slippage to a negligible extent.

The force with which the measuring tape is pressed onto the first roller is preferably so great that the measuring tape does not move the roller due to its own weight Rotation. This is particularly advantageous since in this way, for example when measuring the human body, no consideration needs to be given to the spatial position of the tape measuring device according to the invention. Rather, the position can even be changed or corrected without the measuring tape shifting in the housing of the tape measuring device.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the measuring tape is limp to accommodate any body bend and / or stretch free to not cause any inaccuracies in length measurement, and / or reinforced at both ends to prevent the ends from being damaged by the Slip the housing of the tape measuring device through (a thickening at both ends does the same), and / or made of fabric to be as limp as possible and / or tear-resistant to guarantee a long service life.

The measuring tape is also interchangeable. Different lengths can be used, for example 1.5 m, 2 m etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the counting means and / or the computing means and / or the display means and / or the storage means and / or the release means are arranged outside the housing and connected to the means remaining in the housing via a cable, infrared or radio connection ,

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a tape meter according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a front view of the tape measuring device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the tape measuring device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a tape measuring device according to the invention; FIG. 5 shows a front view of the tape measuring device according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the tape measuring device according to FIG. 4; and

7a, 7b a top view of a third embodiment of a tape measuring device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a tape measuring device 20 according to the invention. The tape measuring device 20 has a housing 1 and a rubber-coated, tear-resistant, flexible, stretch-free, fabric measuring tape 2. The cloth measuring tape 2 enters the casing 1 at a cloth measuring tape inlet opening 13 shown on the right on the housing 1 and exits the housing 1 again at a cloth measuring tape outlet opening 14 shown on the left in FIG. Within the housing 1, the fabric measuring tape 2 runs over a resistance-free and movable, i.e. rotatably mounted roller 4. This so-called take-off roller 4 guides the fabric measuring tape 2 within the housing 1. Measuring units (not shown) are attached to the fabric measuring tape, so that the fabric measuring tape can also be checked by visual inspection. The tape measuring device 20 converts the movements of the housing 1 along the fabric measuring tape 2 into electronic signals. It then forwards the signals to a processing point (not shown), for example a computer, computer means, etc.

The movement of the measuring tape 2 within the housing 1 is measured relatively. The fabric measuring tape 2 is guided over the take-up roll 4 with a contact pressure which is generated by an elastic rubber cushion 6. The rubber cushion 6 is attached to the ceiling 16 of the housing 1. The rubber cushion 6 is located directly adjacent and above the take-off roller 4, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 2. Between the underside 17 of the rubber cushion 6 and the circumferential surface 18 of the take-off roll 4 is the fabric measuring tape 2. Contrary to the situation of the fabric measuring tape 2 between the cushion 6 and the roller 4, which is only shown schematically in FIG. 2, the fabric measuring tape 2 is between the underside 17 of the Pillow 6 and the peripheral surface 18 of the roller 4 compressed to clamp the cloth tape 2 between the two surfaces 17 and 18 mentioned.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, a spoke wheel 3 with spokes 15 shown in FIG Spokes 15 are arranged radially uniformly, extending radially outward from the axis 19 with defined gaps. The spoke wheel 3 and the spokes 15 thus also rotate when the take-off roller 4 rotates due to a movement of the housing 1 along the fabric measuring tape 2. The take-off roller 4 can rotate almost without resistance since it is mounted in supports 22 which are fastened to the bottom 21 of the housing 1 in almost resistance-free bearings.

The spoke wheel 3 in the tape measuring device shown functions as a light interrupter within a sensor device equipped with an emitter 7 and a photodiode 8 and serving as a detection means according to the invention. The rotational movement of the spoke wheel 3, caused by the movement of the fabric measuring tape 2 and the rotation of the take-up roller 4 caused thereby and the rotation of the axis 19 caused thereby, are inside the sensor device 7, 8 due to interruptions in the light barrier formed by the emitter 7 and photodiode 8 On / off signals generated. These signals are forwarded to a symbolically represented further processing point designated in the drawing with 11, for example an LCD display serving as a display means according to the invention, a memory, or to a computer means equipped with a microprocessor.

The function of the measuring device 20 shown will be explained in the following. To carry out a measurement of the length of a distance, one end of the fabric measuring tape 2 is placed with one hand on the beginning of the distance to be measured. Subsequently, the housing 1 is guided with the other hand over the fabric measuring tape 2 until one of the contact edges 10 of the housing 1 which extends vertically from one of the side walls 23 or 24 below one of the openings 13 or 14 has reached the desired end point of the measuring section. The difference in this measuring method from the procedure known from the prior art is that instead of the measuring tape 2, the housing 1 together with the measuring tape 2 is guided to the desired end point of the measuring section.

The movement information of the housing 1 relative to the fabric measuring tape 2 is corresponding to the accuracy of the measurement using the tape measuring device 20 by means of a cable 12 or wirelessly, for example by means of radio transmission, infrared etc. transferred to an external computer. In addition, the tape measuring device 20 shown has a button 9 with which signals can be directed to the processing microprocessor 11. With the aid of these signals, the tape measuring device 20 can be calibrated, for example, or the currently determined measured value can be transmitted to the processing microprocessor 11 or to the memory 11 or to the LCD display 11. An LCD display 11 is attached directly to the tape measuring device 20 in order to display the current value of the measuring process. With its own (symbolically represented) LCD display 11 and its own (not shown) battery drive, the tape measuring device 20 is a location-independent measuring device. Alternatively, an external unit can be used, ie the processing unit can be separated from the measuring tape. The LCD display 11 is then not attached directly to the tape measuring device 20 as previously described; rather, the LCD display 11 can be worn on the user's wrist, for example.

The accuracy of the movement determination and the movement speed of the housing 1 along the material measuring tape 2 depend essentially on the components processing the signals of the photodiode 8. The accuracy of the tape measuring device 20 is calculated by the circumference of the take-up roller 4 and by the number of spokes 15 of the spoke wheel 3. The scope / number of spokes applies. With a circumference of the take-up roller 4 of 15 millimeters and with 15 spokes 15 of the spoke wheel 3, an accuracy of one millimeter is calculated. The tape measuring device 20 according to the invention is thus within the accuracy required by ISO 8559. ISO 8559 requires "An accuracy of plus minus 1% or plus minus 5 mm, which is smaller, is adequate for most measurements". It should be noted here that in the German clothing industry it is customary to write down the measurements in centimeters with one decimal place.

If the fabric measuring tape 2 is pulled through the housing 1, the take-up roll 4 is moved to the same extent; thus a linear transmission is generated. Therefore, if a take-up roller 4 with a circumference of 15 mm is used, the cloth measuring tape 2 must be moved 15 mm in one direction so that the take-up roller 4 circumscribes one complete revolution. With the complete revolution, the spoke wheel 3 with 15 spokes generates a total of 15 light interruptions and first 15 signals that can be sent to the processing point 11 and processed there.

The processing speed of the sensor device from the emitter 7 and the photodiode 8 in connection with the circumference of the take-up roller 4 and the design of the spoke wheel 3 should not be less than a process speed for the fabric measuring tape 2 of 2 m / s. Due to the relatively large contact pressure that the fabric measuring tape 2 experiences due to the cushion 6 against the circumferential surface 18 of the take-up roller 4, and by the rubber-coated take-up roller 4, which can be moved without resistance, and due to the rubber-coated fabric measuring tape 2, according to the invention there is almost no loss of friction between the fabric measuring tape 2 and the take-up roller 4. Thus, even if there is a violent pull on the fabric measuring tape 2 or if the housing 1 is moved suddenly along the fabric measuring tape 2, a decalibration of the tape measuring device 20 cannot occur.

The housing 1 has a plurality of switches (only shown symbolically at 9) that can be used by the user. Because the tape measuring device 20 shown should be calibrated before starting the measuring activity. For this purpose, the fabric measuring tape 2 is pulled to a starting position in the illustrated embodiment and a corresponding switch is actuated. In a display (not shown) it is preferably also indicated that during the measurement it is signaled that a value is to be processed further as a measured value. A button and a corresponding display can also be used to select whether or not the width of the housing 1 shown in FIG. 1 should be included in the electronic measurement value determination.

The fabric measuring tape inlet opening 13 and the fabric measuring tape outlet opening 14 are manufactured so that they fit precisely so that the fabric measuring tape 2 can be guided through the interior of the housing by means of these limitations and can only take a defined path with minimal escape through the housing 1. In order not to disturb the sensitivity of the photodiode 8, the housing 1 is designed to be opaque. The housing 1 is also made of the lightest possible material in order to reduce the dead weight of the housing 1 and to avoid possible disadvantages due to the excessive weight of the housing 1. Furthermore, the housing 1 is kept relatively small with dimensions of about 3 x 3 x 2 cm.

The cloth measuring tape 2 has a (not shown) hook at the beginning (not shown) which is hooked into an eyelet (not shown) on the housing 1 in order to be able to simulate a waist band when measuring a human waist. The above-mentioned button (not shown) for controlling the computer unit is again pressed in order to signal the computer unit that the housing width must be included in the measured value. In particular when measuring the waist circumference of a human body, the low weight of the housing 1 is important so that the position of the housing 1 on the fabric measuring tape 2 does not change when the fabric measuring tape 2 is applied to the person to be measured.

At the beginning and at the end of the measuring tape 2, separate widenings (not shown) are attached, which are intended to prevent the measuring tape 2 from being completely pulled out of the housing 1. Elastic loops (not shown) are attached to the separate widening, which are helpful for simply pulling out the fabric measuring tape 2 when the fabric measuring tape 2 is in the starting position in the housing 1, the fabric measuring tape 2 thus has defined start and end measurement points. The length of the fabric measuring tape 2 can be extended or reduced by replacement, the fabric measuring tapes 2 are generally 1.9 cm wide.

If signals from the counting and computer unit 11 schematically indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 are forwarded via the cable 12 to a further processing external unit, for example a computer or a sectional construction system, the cable 12 should be at right angles to the fabric measuring tape 2 at the lower end of the housing 1 are brought out. A safeguard against improper pulling out of the cable 12 from the housing 1 can be realized by a knot in the cable 12 which abuts the housing 1 on the inside. The end of the cable 12 facing away from the tape measuring device 20 should be provided with a plug for connection to the processing point.

If the signals of the target and computer unit 11 are further transmitted via radio, a corresponding emitter diode, not shown, should, if possible Receiver should be attached facing. The receiver can be in the room or carried by the user of the tape measure 20. The band measuring device 20 is made considerably lighter by radio equipment and can be used more flexibly since a cable 12 has a high weight.

In addition to the impeller 3, a second impeller 3a can be attached to the shaft 19. This is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment 20a of the tape measuring device according to the invention. This embodiment also forms a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, parts which correspond to those of the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3 are identified by the same reference numerals. The impeller 3a differs from the already installed impeller 3 in the smaller number of blades, because the impeller 3a has only one blade 15. The impeller 3a also acts as an interrupter, but within a second electronic barrier 7, 8. With a smaller number of blades, the impeller 3a interrupts the electronic barrier 7, 8 less often when the belt 2 is pulling faster; this does not exceed the speed of the corresponding sensors 7, 8. The interaction of the two impellers 3 and 3a enables the traversing speed of the measuring tape 2 to be increased through the carriage 1 with the same accuracy. The electronic barriers 7, 8 on both impellers 3 and 3a serve separate electronic counters; these counters add up the number of interruptions. The interaction means that when the barrier 7,8 receives an impulse from impeller 3a, the counter of impeller 3 is set to 0 (zero). Consequently, the counter of impeller 3 only adds within two pulses of impeller 3a.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show, corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the first embodiment 20, FIG. 5 shows a side view of the second embodiment 20 a and FIG. 6 shows a top view of the second embodiment 20 a. In FIGS. 5 and 6, too, parts that correspond to those of the first embodiment 20 according to FIGS. 1-3 are identified by the same reference numerals. The additional impeller 3a can also be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment 20b of the tape measuring device according to the invention. As an alternative to the first and second embodiments 20 and 20a shown in FIGS. 1-6 and described above, in the embodiment 20b according to FIGS. 7a and 7b, knobs 32 or elevations can be installed on the shaft 19 along the circumference 2b, which in FIG Install installed holes 28 on the measuring tape 2b when the measuring tape 2b is pulled through the carriage 1 and thus over the movable shaft 19. Due to the resulting rotational movement of the shaft 19, the elevations 32 engage evenly and successively in the holes 28 and prevent slippage between the measuring tape 2b and the take-up roller 4 or shaft 19.

In a further embodiment (not shown), one of the switches 9 can be used as an aid button on the measuring tape carriage 1 for requesting hyper / multimedia help. This embodiment also forms a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The surveying person is currently using a drawing to find out about the measuring points and the course of the measuring section on the body. However, the schematic drawing can only give the user a very abstract idea of the exact measurement. In many cases, the information presented is not sufficient and the user links the interpretation of the description with his experience from previous measurements. On request (pressing 9 on the measuring slide 1), video documentation describes the correct determination of the measuring points and the route on the body to the currently measured dimension. Corresponding pictures do not show an idealized body in the form of a schematic drawing, but document the measurement using a real scenario. In addition to the crucial points and routes, appropriate documentation then provides information about the customer's necessary posture and clothing requirements. The person surveying and the customer see the documentation at the same time, can adjust to the measurement together and ensure that the instructions are followed. The user succeeds in identifying the measuring points and routes, because on the one hand the video can convey more information and the erroneous interpretation of the drawing is eliminated. The help is hidden by pressing the help button 9 again.

Claims

Expectations

1. tape measuring device for measuring a length of a distance, in particular for measuring a body size of a body, with a measuring tape (2, 2b), with a housing (1), characterized in that the housing (1) the measuring tape (2, 2b) is assigned such that it is along the measuring tape (2, 2b)

Measuring the length of the route is movable.

2. Tape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) is connected at least by friction with the measuring tape (2, 2b).

3. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) is passed through a receptacle on the housing (1).

4. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) is passed through the housing (1).

5. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a measuring tape inlet opening (13) and a measuring tape outlet opening (14).

6. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the measuring tape (2, 2b) regularly, preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction of the measuring tape (2, 2b), markings for determining the length of the through the housing (1) along the measuring tape (2nd , 2b) are arranged.

7. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) is guided in or on the housing (1) via a rotatably mounted roller (4, 4b).

8. tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, with a detection means, preferably comprising a photodiode (7, 8), for detecting the markings on the measuring tape (2, 2b) and / or the rotary movement of the roller (4, 4b).

9. tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the, preferably designed as a light barrier (7, 8), detection means are arranged so adjacent to the roller (4, 4b) that with them, the preferably evenly arranged spokes (15, 15a ) of a spoke wheel (3, 3a) connected to the roller (4, 4b) in a rotationally fixed manner.

10. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, with a second roller, which is arranged offset to the first roller (4, 4b), wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) is passed between the adjacent circumferential surfaces of the two rollers, and the rollers in such a way are arranged adjacent to each other so that the measuring tape (2, 2b) is pressed against the other roller by one of the two rollers.

11. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a, preferably elastic, cushion (6) is arranged offset from the first roller (4, 4b), the measuring tape (2, 2b) between the adjacent surfaces of the first roller (4, 4b) and the pillow (6) is passed, and the first roller (4, 4b) and the pillow (6) are arranged adjacent to each other such that the measuring tape (2, 2b) from the pillow (6) against the peripheral surface of the first roller (4, 4b) or by the first roller (4, 4b) against the surface of the cushion (6).

12. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first roller (4, 4b) and / or the second roller and / or the cushion (6) are coated with rubber (5).

13. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure with which the measuring tape (2, 2b) rests on the roll (4, 4b) is so great that the measuring tape (2, 2b) due to its own weight, the roll ( 4, 4b) cannot rotate.

14. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) rubber-coated and / or limp and / or stretch-free and / or reinforced at both ends and / or thickened at both ends and / or made of fabric and / or tear-resistant ,

15. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a counting means, preferably provided with a reset function for zeroing the counting means, for counting the spokes (15, 15a) and / or markings detected by the detection means (7, 8) is provided.

16. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a, preferably comprising a microprocessor, computing means (11) is provided for converting the counted spokes (15, 15a) and / or markings into a length.

17. A tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer means (11) has a sectional construction system for utilizing the detected length for a sectional construction for a garment for a body with the measured body length.

18. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a display device, preferably comprising an LCD display, is provided for displaying the calculated length.

19. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a storage means is provided for storing the calculated length.

20. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a, preferably at least one release button (9) comprising, release means for releasing the calculated length is provided for storage in the memory.

21. A tape measure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counting means and / or the computing means (11) and / or the display means and / or the storage means and / or the release means (9) are arranged outside the housing and with the means remaining in the housing via a cable (12), infrared - or radio connection are connected.

22. A tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second spoke wheel (3a) is provided on the side of the roller (4) facing away from the spoke wheel (3) and rotatably connected to the roller (4).

23. Tape measuring device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second spoke wheel (3a) has fewer spokes (15) than the first spoke wheel (3).

24. Tape measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tape (2, 2b) and / or the roller (4, 4b) have at least one hole (28) and / or at least one elevation (32), by interaction of at least one hole (28) with at least one elevation (32) to reduce the slip between the roller (4, 4b) and the measuring tape (2, 2b).

25. A method for measuring a length of a distance, in particular for measuring a body size of a body, comprising the steps: a housing (1) assigned to a measuring tape (2, 2b) is moved along the measuring tape (2, 2b) to measure the distance, the length of the route is read at an end point of the movement.

26. The method according to the preceding claim, with the further step: the length of the route is recorded electronically.

27. The method according to one of the two preceding claims, with the further steps: a certain distance to be measured by a user of the method, for example the waist circumference of a person, is given to the user, preferably optically, more preferably with the aid of a display means, the user measures the distance according to the method steps of one of the preceding method claims, the user prefers that Tape measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 21 used, the electronically recorded length is automatically or by release by the user, preferably by pressing a button (9), more preferably as shown in a display means, in a memory of the determined distance, for example the waist circumference of a human being.

28. The method according to one of the three preceding claims, with the further step: the steps according to one of the preceding method claims are carried out to determine a predetermined number of body measurements for each of these body measurements until each of these body measurements is measured and the measured length is assigned to it in a memory is.

29. The method according to any one of the four preceding claims, with the further step: with the aid of a sectional construction system, the measured lengths and the stored lengths associated with the body dimensions are processed in order to calculate a sectional construction for a piece of clothing for the body with the measured body dimensions.