Method and Apparatus for Relating Measurements with Comparable Objects for the Purpose of Recording Evidence

Abstract

The invention is a method and measuring device configured for measurement by comparing the an area of interest or object with an object of comparable size and/or shape. This invention may be most useful when recording and classifying evidence. The measuring device should be portable and comprised of a flat, straight elongated member with measuring indicia along one or both the measuring edges, wherein the measuring indicia corresponds with values with labels of the standard sizes of comparable objects. The measuring indicia extends along the length of the measuring edge and the labels indicate the closest sized object. Other measuring indicia along the length of the measuring edge may also correspond to standard measurement units. The method should directly correlate a measurement with a comparable object for the purpose of recording evidence.

Claims

1. A measuring device configured to aid in recording evidence comprising: an flat, straight elongated member with at least one measuring edge of a finite length; and a measuring indicia, extending along the length of the measuring edge comprising values with labels corresponding to objects of a comparable size.

2. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, where said finite length is less than or equal to eight inches.

3. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, where said objects of a comparable size vary as appropriate for the evidentiary needs of the industry.

4. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, further comprises an additional set of measuring indicia with corresponding labels referencing American or metric units for said finite length.

5. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, where said measuring device is constructed from a transparent material.

6. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, where said measuring device is constructed from a non-rigid material.

7. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, where said measuring device is constructed from a rigid material.

8. A device for measuring surfaces impacted by an object or substance, the device comprising: an elongated member comprising at least one measuring edge with a finite length; and at least one set of measuring indicia extending along the length of said at least one measuring edge, comprising values with labels corresponding to objects of a comparable size.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, where said finite length is less than or equal to eight inches.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, where said objects of a comparable size vary as appropriate for he evidentiary needs of the industry.

11. The device as claimed in claim 8, where an additional said set of measuring indicia with corresponding labels located adjacent to and extending along a length of one said measuring edge include equally spaced American or metric units.

12. The device as claimed in claim 8, where said measuring device is constructed of a transparent material.

13. The measuring device as claimed in claim 12, where said measuring device is constructed from a rigid material.

14. The measuring device as claimed in claim 12, where said measuring device is constructed from a non-rigid material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the measuring device comprising measuring indicia with labels representing reference sizes of known objects corresponding to standard hail sizes.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the measuring device comprising measuring indicia with labels representing reference bullet calibers.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a federal standard hail size comparison chart from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference is to be made to the following detailed description. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, it will nevertheless be understood that no limitation in the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the figures and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure, as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, reference herein to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the appearances of such phrase at various places herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The terms a and an herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0017] The present disclosure provides a device and method for measurement by comparing an area of interest or object to a comparable object for the purpose of recording evidence. The present disclosure's tool and the method for using such tool allows measurers to more directly, accurately, and efficiently make a measurement, particularly where there are few portable tools available to the measurer. An example of the use of proposed measuring device could be, an individual who runs out after a storm to assess the damage to his or her roof or car. Another example could be an insurance adjuster who has been asked to investigate the validity of an insurance claim who must infer the size of the hailstones and also the angle by measuring a variety of surfaces damaged by hail and record those measurements and sizes for evaluation. The last example given, though there could be many other instances where a surface is not struck, could be a law enforcement professional or crime scene technician who must determine the caliber of a bullet from an impacted surface for the purpose of recording or classifying the evidence for further investigation.

[0018] Currently, measurers use a combination of visual approximations, memory, and a traditional measuring tape or ruler to later correlate measurements with an object or a classification category. As in the above examples, the classification and recording of these measurements could have great impact on other people and on investigations. Therefore, relying on measurements that are later classified, visual approximations, and memory might not only lead to inaccuracy in the measurement or the inference, but also inaccuracy in the classification of the evidence collected. In conclusion, there are many circumstances at which human error may distort the accuracy of the information measured and/or recorded. Therefore, a new tool or method that could eliminate some sources of error could allow for the more direct, efficient and accurate measurement.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrates a plan view of a measuring device comprising measuring indicia with labels representing reference sizes of known objects corresponding to standard hail sizes. The measuring device is planar, comprising a flat, straight and elongated body with measuring indicia on at least one measuring edge, which extends along a finite length of device. This allows for ease and comfort while being used, as it resembles a traditional ruler or other rectangular object. The measuring indicia could have both the traditional inch or centimeter measurement markers found on a common purpose ruler and/or measurement markers that correspond with a federal standard such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's standard sizes for hail or ice (Table 1). In an embodiment, the device may only have the measurement markers corresponding to standard hail or ice sizes. The measuring indicia allows for direct correlation of the impacted area with standard hail sizes in the field with a single tool, thereby reducing the risk of error when recording evidence.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Measurement Hailstone size In. cm. bb < <0.64 Pea 0.64 Dime 7/10 1.8 Penny 1.9 Nickel 2.2 Quarter 1 2.5 Half dollar 1 3.2 Golf ball 1 4.4 Billiard ball 2 5.4 Tennis ball 2 6.4 Baseball 2 7.0 Softball 3.8 9.7 Compact disc/DVD 4 12.1

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a measuring device comprising measuring indicia with labels representing reference sizes of bullet calibers. The measuring device is planar, comprising a flat, straight and elongated body with measuring indicia on at least one measuring edge, which extends along a finite length of device. This allows for ease and comfort while being used, as it could resemble a traditional ruler or other rectangular object. The measuring indicia could have both the traditional inch or centimeter measurement markers found on a common purpose ruler and/or measurement markers that correspond with common bullet calibers. In an embodiment, the device may only have the measurement markers corresponding to bullet calibers. The measuring indicia allows impacted areas to be directly correlated with an object in the field with a single tool, thereby reducing the risk of error when recording evidence.

[0021] In another embodiment, the measuring device may also comprise a chart directly printed on the measuring device or pivotally mounted to the elongated member, in an area and of a size that would not obscure the measuring indicia printed along at least one of the edges. The chart comprises a two axes chart, which is used to correlate the measured length and width of the area of impact with an angle of impact. The angle of impact can be mathematically estimated and displayed in a numeric or graphical manner, wherein the graphical chart may comprise a logarithmic scale. The chart may be printed, displayed in a graphical manner, could pivot from the main body of the elongated member and placed on the impacted area to correlate the height and width in order to determine the angle of impact.

[0022] The measuring device of the present invention is portable and is useful while recording evidence, especially evidence that cannot easily be collected for later classification or examination. In an embodiment, the measuring device is of a finite length, not exceeding eight inches in length. The lightweight and hand-held structural dimensions aid in easy mobility, usage and storage. The device may be constructed using a rigid or non-rigid material and may be of a square or rectangular shape. In an embodiment, the device may be constructed of a transparent material to aid in measurement of an impacted surface by allowing a clear line of sight through the device to the surface or object to be measured.

[0023] In another embodiment, the device comprises an additional set of measuring indicia extending along a second measuring edge of a finite length. The measuring indicia may comprise measuring marks graduated in metric units or American units or SI units or its combinations in a linear scale. An embodiment may have measuring indicia graduated with numerical fractional values. The measuring edges may comprise similar or different scales of measurement.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the measuring device comprises a ruler like body graduated with numerical measurements in inches. The device comprises two measuring edges with linearly marked indicia, but in opposite directions allowing versatile usability. The measuring indicia comprises a plurality of markings that are equally spaced apart and marked perpendicular to the axis of the ruler till a finite length that is appropriate for the type of damage being recorded or the industry for which the evidence is being collected is reached. The measuring indicia further comprises a plurality of labels representing comparably sized objects.

[0025] The method comprises of two main steps. In the first step, a tool is used to measure an area of interest or object, where the tool directly correlates the area of interest or object to a common, comparable object instead of only to a numerical measurement. In the second step, that measurement and comparison to a common, comparable object is recorded that allows for later viewing or examination.

[0026] While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure. For example, some alternative embodiments have been suggested to exemplify the versatility of the present disclosure but others may also be contemplated.

[0027] Preferred embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.