AU2016202989B2

AU2016202989B2 - Lawn bowls visualgauge

Info

Publication number: AU2016202989B2
Application number: AU2016202989A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Don Brown Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-10
Filing date: 2016-05-10
Publication date: 2017-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-10
Also published as: AU2016202989A1

Abstract

Abstract A visual guide 10 comprises a first arm 12 and a second arm 14 which are pivotably attached at first ends thereof. The first arm 12 is made from transparent material and has a disc section 23 which comprises a centre 25 with a centre marker circle 28. The first arm 12 comprises a series of spaced line markings 26 concentric to the centre 25. The markings 26 comprise spaced concentric circles 26a in the disc section 23 and spaced arcs 26b in the finger section 24 also centred on the centre 25. The second arm 14 also comprises a generally flat elongated body having a series of spaced line markings 36 concentric to a centre 35, which are spaced concentric arcs. --- 10 -- -- 12 26b 26b / 25 26a 26a (a) (b)

Description

LAWN BOWLS VISUAL GAUGE Field of the Invention [1 ] The present invention relates to a lawn bowls visual gauge. The invention can however be used for other applications.

Background of the Invention [2] The game of lawn bowls does not allow any bowls to be "measured" (their distance to the jack) until the last bowl of the end is played as there is a risk of bumping the bowls or moving the jack with the tape measures. However, it is common for players to stand over the bowls and use fingers, pen, or pencil to get a visual to see who has shot. This allows players to plan their next shot.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a visual gauge comprising a first arm and a second arm which are pivotably attached at a pivot point at first ends thereof at, the first and second arms comprising a distance indicator from the pivot point.

[6] In one embodiment, first and second arms are at least partially transparent.

[7] In another embodiment, the first and second arms are transparent.

[8] In another embodiment, the first and second arms can be configured between a closed configuration at which the arms are adjacent or aligned with each other, and an open configuration at which the arms are splayed or extending in different directions.

[9] In another embodiment, the first arm comprises a disc section at the first end thereof.

[10] In another embodiment, the disc section comprises a holder tab [11] In another embodiment, the first arm comprises the disc section and a finger section extending therefrom.

[12] In another embodiment, first and second arms comprise a pull tab.

[13] In another embodiment, first and second arms are made from transparent material.

[14] In another embodiment, the disc section comprises a centre with a centre marker circle.

[15] In another embodiment, the pivot point comprises a centre marker circle.

[16] In another embodiment, the first and second arms comprise a series of spaced line markings concentric to the centre pivot point.

[17] In another embodiment, the markings comprise spaced arcs.

[18] In another embodiment, the markings comprise coloured lines.

[19] In another embodiment, the markings comprise a distance or space indicator.

[20] In another embodiment, the disc section comprises spaced concentric circles [21] In another embodiment, the lines are coloured differently in a repeating pattern.

[22] In another embodiment, the second arm comprises a recess section at its first end and a finger section, the recess section dimensioned to receive the disc section of the first arm.

[23] In another embodiment, the recess section has a retaining protrusion which is inserted into an aperture in the centre of the disc section to retain the first arm to the second arm.

[24] In another embodiment, the visual gauge further comprises at least one additional arm pivotably attached at the pivot point, the additional arm comprising a distance indicator from the pivot point.

[25] In another embodiment, the arms further include at least one line extending from the pivot point.

[26] In another embodiment, the disc section comprises equiangularly spaced radial lines extending from the pivot point.

[27] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [28] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [29] Figure 1 are top views of a visual gauge in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the closed configuration and (b) shows the open configuration; [30] Figure 2 are top views of the (a) first arm and (b) second arm of the visual gauge of Figure 1; [31] Figure 3 is a side view of the first and second arms of Figure 2; [32] Figure 4 is a top view of a modified embodiment of Figure 1 in the closed position; [33] Figure 5 are top views of a visual gauge in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the closed configuration and (b) shows the open configuration; [34] Figure 6 are top views of the (a) first arm and (b) second arm of the visual gauge of Figure 5; [35] Figure 7 is a side view of the first and second arms of Figure 6; [36] Figure 8 is a top view of a modified embodiment of Figure 5 in the closed position.

Description of Embodiments [37] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[38] Figures 1 to 3 shows a visual gauge 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The visual gauge 10 is primarily intended for use in the game of lawns bowls but can also be used in other games such as petanque, bocce or any other game that requires gauging a distance between opposing players’ marker, bowls, balls etc relative to a target such as a jack.

[39] The visual guide 10 comprises a first arm 12 and a second arm 14 which are pivotably attached at first ends thereof. This allows the first and second arms 12 and 14 to be configured between a closed configuration at which the arms are adjacent or aligned with each other, and an open configuration at which the arms are splayed or extending in different directions.

[40] The first arm 12 comprises a generally flat elongated body having a disc section 23 at a first end 20 thereof and a finger section 24 extending from the disc section 23 to a second end 21 thereof. A pull tab 27 extends laterally from a left side edge of the finger section 24 at the second end 21. A holder tab 29 extends form the disc section 23, generally at an opposite side to the finger section 24.

[41] The first arm 12 is made from transparent material such as rigid transparent plastics. The disc section 23 comprises a centre 25 with a centre marker circle 28. The first arm 12 comprises a series of spaced line markings 26 concentric to the centre 25. The markings 26 comprise spaced concentric circles 26a in the disc section 23 and spaced arcs 26b in the finger section 24 also centred on the centre 25. The arcs 26b extend between side edges of the finger section 24.

[42] The initial marking 26 has a radius of 15 mm from the centre 25 with each subsequent marking 26 having an increasing radius of 10 mm. The disc section 23 in the embodiment is 90 mm in diameter and the marking 26 at the edge of the disc section is 45 mm from the centre 25. In the embodiment, to assist in distinguishing the markings 26, adjacent markings 26 are coloured differently in a repeating pattern of red, blue, green and black. The circle 26 at the edge of the disc section 23 is thus black in colour, and arc markings 26b of the finger section 24 have a repeating pattern of red, blue, green and black.

[43] The second arm 14 also comprises a generally flat elongated body but only shaped as a finger section having a first end 30 and a second end 31. A centre 35 is marked adjacent the first end 30. A pull tab 37 extends laterally from a right side edge at the second end 31.

[44] The second arm 14 is also made from transparent material such as rigid transparent plastics. The second arm 14 comprises a series of spaced line markings 36 concentric to the centre 35, which are spaced concentric arcs. The initial marking 36 has a radius of 45 mm from the centre 35 with each subsequent marking 36 having an increasing radius of 10 mm from the centre 35. The arcs 36 extend between side edges of the second arm 14. The markings 36 are coloured differently in a repeating pattern of black, red, blue and green, corresponding to the markings 26 from the edge of the disc section 23 of the first arm 12.

[45] In the embodiment, the first arm disc section 23 is 90 mm in diameter and the finger section 24 is 155 mm in length and 30 mm in width. The second arm 14 is 200 mm in length and 30 mm in width. Both the first and second arms 12 and 14 are about 3 mm in thickness. The visual gauge 10 can however be made in any desired size and dimensions.

[46] The first arm 12 is connected to the second arm 14 via a suitable fastener 40 extending through the respective centres 25 and 35 thus forming a pivot point, with the first end 30 of the second arm 14 disposed below the disc section 23 of the first arm 12. The fastener 40 allows the first and second arms 12 and 14 to be pivotable relative to each other whilst maintaining the first and second arms 12 and 14 generally parallel to each other. The first and second arms 12 and 14 are movable from a closed position at which the first arm 12 is substantially superimposed over the second arm 14, and an open position at which the first and second arms 12 and 14 extend in different directions.

[47] In the closed position, the second arm 14 is covered by the first arm 12. The markings 26 and 36 are aligned and the aligned markings match in colour. The pull tabs 27 and 37 extend from opposite sides of the distal end of the visual guide 10, which provides for easy separation of the distal ends of the first and second arms 12 and 14 in use.

[48] In use, during a game of lawn bowls, a player can use the visual gauge 10 to get an indication of the position of player and opposition bowls prior to an end being finished. The visual gauge 10 in the closed position will fit in a player’s pocket and is then moved to the open position prior to use. The player positions the centre 25, 35 of the visual gauge 10 above the jack by a distance of a meter or more, being around waist high, via the holder tab 29. The player looks through the visual gauge 10 with the jack at the centre 25, and is then able to use the circle markers 26a to get an indication of which bowl is the closest to the jack. If the bowls are further away and outside of the range of the circle markers 26a, the player can use the finger section 24 and the second arm 14 and move them towards the direction of the bowls. The player is then able to use the arc markers 26b and 36 to again get an indication of which bowl is closest to the jack. The different colours of the marker 26a assist in this determination. When an end is finished, the players are also able to use the visual gauge 10 to determine which bowls are closest (shot) and the winner of that end and by how many.

[49] The visual gauge 10 thus allows a player to more accurately get an indication of the status of the bowls within the rules of no contact with the jack and the bowls, not disturbing the jack/head, and not using any type of measure that fits between the bowls and the jack.

[50] The length of the arms can be varied as desired, for example between 150mm to 190mm (6-7.5 inches) which will give a gauge distance of 1200 to 1800mm (47 to 71 inches). The material will be made of a transparent material like plastic/clear polycarbonate/perspex or similar material, but can also be made from glass.

[51] The markings 26 and 36 can be printed on top of the material or grooves can be manufactured into the material that will then be coloured. The fastener 40 can be an eyelet, rivet or a bolt spring washer and jam nut or similar that allows both arms to rotate while keeping them together.

[52] Figure 4 shows a visual gauge 10b according to a modified embodiment of the visual gauge 10. The visual gauge 10b is similar in features to the visual gauge 10 above, except the markings 26c are black lines instead of coloured lines, and paired with a distance indicator such as a number. The distance indicator for example comprises increasing numbers or alphabetical order letters from the closest arc of the second arm 14.

[53] Figures 5 to 7 show a visual gauge 10c in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The visual gauge 10c is similar in features to the visual gauge 10 above and similar parts have similar reference numerals. In the visual gauge 10, the second arm 14 is divided into a wider recess section 38 at its first end 30 and a finger section 34 having the markings 36. The recess section 38 is dimensioned to receive the disc section 23 of the first arm 12, which positions the marked finger sections 24 and 34 to be co-planar with each other. In the closed position, the finger sections 24 and 34 are thus adjacent each other with the markings 26b and 36 joining and being continuous. The recess section 38 also has a retaining protrusion 39 which is inserted into an aperture in the centre 25 of the disc section 23 to retain the first arm 12 to the second arm 14. This embodiment can thus remove the need for a fastener.

[54] Figure 8 shows a visual gauge 10d according to a modified embodiment of the visual gauge 10. The visual gauge 10d is similar in features to the visual gauge 10c above, except the markings 26c are similar to that of visual gauge 10b.

[55] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the first and second arms can be partially opaque to provide focus to the bowls.

[56] Also, the visual guide can include additional arms such as at least a third arm.

[57] Figure 9 show a modified embodiment of the visual gauge 10. In this embodiment, the first arm 12 and second arm 14 each comprise an arm centre line 52a and 52b extending radially outwardly from the respective centres 25 and 35.

[58] The disc section 23 comprises radial vector lines 54 comprising a reference line 54a aligned with the arm centre line 52a, and equiangularly spaced radial lines 54b extending from the centre 25 to one side of the reference line 54a. There are seven radial lines 54b in the embodiment at 22.5° angular spacings.

[59] The arm centre lines 52 allows the user to line up the bowls with the first and second arms 12 and 14. The vector lines 54 provide angular lines to guide the user to stand in the middle (angularly) of the two bowls to be measured with the arms 12 and 14, thus avoiding lining the bowls up and standing too far to one side and getting an incorrect gauge reading.

[60] Figure 10 shows similar arm centre line 52 and vector lines 54 for the gauge 10b.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A visual gauge for providing an indication of whether a first object or a second object is closer relative to a reference object, the visual gauge comprising a first flat arm and a second flat arm which are pivotably attached at a pivot point at first ends thereof, the first and second arms being transparent and wherein the pivot point comprises a centre marker and the first and second arms comprise a series of spaced line markings from the centre marker providing a distance indicator from the pivot point, wherein, in use, the visual gauge is held at a distance from the reference object and the first and second objects, the reference object is aligned with the centre marker and the first and second arms are aligned respectively with the first object and the second object.
2. The visual gauge of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms can be configured between a closed configuration at which the arms are adjacent or aligned with each other, and an open configuration at which the arms are splayed or extending in different directions.
3. The visual gauge of claim 1 wherein the first arm comprises a disc section at the first end thereof.
4. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the disc section comprises a holder tab
5. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the first arm comprises the disc section and a finger section extending therefrom.
6. The visual gauge of claim 2 wherein first and second arms comprise a respective pull tab.
7. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the disc section comprises a centre with the centre marker.
8. The visual gauge of claim 1 wherein the markings comprise spaced arcs concentric to the pivot point.
9. The visual gauge of claim 1 wherein the markings comprise coloured lines.
10. The visual gauge of claim 1 wherein the markings comprise a distance or space indicator.
11. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the disc section comprises spaced concentric circles
12. The visual gauge of claim 9 wherein the lines are coloured differently in a repeating pattern.
13. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the second arm comprises a recess section at its first end and a finger section, the recess section dimensioned to receive the disc section of the first arm.
14. The visual gauge of claim 12 wherein the recess section has a retaining protrusion which is inserted into an aperture in the centre of the disc section to retain the first arm to the second arm.
15. The visual gauge of claim 14 further comprising at least one additional arm pivotably attached at the pivot point, the additional arm comprising a distance indicator from the pivot point.
16. The visual gauge of claim 14 wherein the arms further include at least one line extending from the pivot point.
17. The visual gauge of claim 3 wherein the disc section comprises equiangularly spaced radial lines extending from the pivot point.