Window frame deflection measurement device and method of use
View Patent ↗A portable device for measuring deflection of a surface, comprising an elongate frame having a first end and a second end and a first datum surface, a first removable reference assembly adjacent the first end, a second removable reference adjacent the second end, a deflection gauge attached to the elongate frame between the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly, and wherein the deflection gauge engages and measures a deflection of the surface relative to the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly.
1. A portable device for measuring a deflection of a surface, comprising:
an elongate frame having a first end, a second end, a first datum surface, and a plurality of weight reduction holes;
a first removable reference assembly having a first contact support adjustable relative to a second datum surface on the first reference assembly, adjacent the first end;
a second removable reference assembly having a second contact support adjustable relative to a third datum surface on the second reference assembly, adjacent the second end;
a deflection gauge attached to the elongate frame between the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly; and
wherein the second datum surface and the third datum surface are adjacent the first datum surface and wherein the deflection gauge engages and measures the deflection of the surface relative to the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly.
2. A portable device for measuring a deflection of a surface, comprising:
an elongate frame having a first end and a second end and a first datum surface;
a first extension having a fourth datum surface, attached to the first end of the elongate frame;
a second extension having a fifth datum surface, attached to the second end of the elongate frame;
a first removable reference assembly attached to the first extension;
a second removable reference assembly attached to the second extension;
a deflection gauge attached to the elongate frame between the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly;
wherein the fourth datum surface and the fifth datum surface are adjacent to and match the first datum surface and wherein the deflection gauge engages and measures the deflection of the surface relative to the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first extension includes a first coupling means for engaging the elongate frame to orient the first removable reference assembly relative to the deflection gauge and wherein the second extension includes a second coupling means for engaging the elongate frame to orient the second removable reference assembly relative to the deflection gauge.
4. The device of claim 3 comprising a third extension having a sixth datum surface attached to the first extension and a fourth extension having a seventh datum surface attached to the second extension and wherein the sixth datum surface is adjacent the fourth datum surface and the seventh datum surface is adjacent the fifth datum surface.
5. A portable device for measuring deflection of a surface, comprising:
an elongate frame having a first end and a second end and a first datum surface;
a first removable reference assembly adjacent the first end;
a second removable reference assembly adjacent the second end;
a deflection gauge attached to the elongate frame between the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly;
a first extension having a third reference assembly, removably coupled to the elongate frame;
a second extension having a fourth reference assembly, removably coupled to the elongate frame, and
wherein the deflection gauge is calibrated relative to the third reference assembly and the fourth reference assembly and wherein the deflection gauge engages and measures a deflection of the surface relative to the first removable reference assembly and the second removable reference assembly.
6. A method for measuring deflection of a surface, utilizing a portable device for measuring deflection comprising: an elongate frame member, a first foot attached to the elongate frame member, a second foot attached to the elongate frame member, a measuring tool attached to the elongate frame member between the first foot and the second foot, a first extension having a foot and attachable to the elongate frame member, a second extension having a foot and attachable to the elongate frame member; the method comprising the steps of:
attaching the first extension to the elongate frame member;
attaching the second extension to the elongate frame member;
holding the portable device;
placing the foot of the first extension and the foot of the second extension against the surface;
operating the measuring tool to determine deflection of the surface.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of zeroing the measuring tool.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of zeroing the measuring tool further comprises the steps of:
placing the foot of the first extension and the foot of the second extension against a known flat surface;
adjusting the foot of the first extension and the foot of the second extension, so that the elongate frame member is parallel with the known flat surface; and,
measuring a distance to the known flat surface using the measuring tool.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of zeroing the measuring tool further comprises the steps of:
placing the foot of the first extension and the foot of the second extension against a known flat surface;
adjusting the foot of the first extension and the foot of the second extension, so that the elongate frame member is parallel with the known flat surface;
lowering the measuring tool to rest against the known flat surface; and
adjusting the measuring tool to read zero as it rests against the known flat surface.