It is an object of the present invention to provide a device, which is easy to use, simple to manufacture and which can be adapted to different areas of application.

This object is achieved by a device according to the invention as indicated in the independent patent claim. Embodiments of the invention are furthermore indicated in the following dependent patent claims.

The device is therefore not intended to be limited to one special purpose, but can be envisaged employed within various fields where there is a need for a device that is ductile and where it will be an advantage for the shape of the device to be maintained by simple means. Examples of applications that may be mentioned briefly here are measuring tools, templates, steps, ladders, support in connection with broken bones. Some of these applications will be described in more detail later.

It should therefore be evident that it is the device's construction and mode of operation that form the essential part of the invention, with the device's area of application being of secondary importance in this regard.

The device according to the invention comprises two or more elements that are interconnected in such a manner that the elements form a preferably elongated linked, hose or chain shape.

The elements can be moved relative to one another in one, two or more planes in order to adapt the device to the desired shape. The device is furthermore constructed in such a manner that the elements can be secured in position relative to one another when the desired shape replication has been attained. This is achieved by interaction between the elements'design and the means employed to hold the elements in the desired position.

Each element is designed with a female portion and a male portion, where a portion of the elements'male portion is designed to be received in the elements'female portion. Each element is provided with a through-going opening which is preferably centred, with an elongated locking body such as a wire mounted in the elements' through-going openings through the entire length of the device.

The elongated body can be varied between a first position and a second position. In the first position the elongated locking body is slackened/not tightened, for example by at least one of the elongated locking body's ends being loose relative to the elements. In this first position the elements can be repositioned relative to one another, thus altering the shape of the device. In a second position the elongated body is tightened, thereby maintaining the shape formed by the elements.

In one embodiment the male portion may have a ball-like shape. A male portion of this shape permits the elements to be connected as a universal joint and thereby enables them to be repositioned relative to one another on several planes, either when the male and female portions are interconnected or by the portions being released from one another and then rejoined in a new position. In a second embodiment the male portion in a plan view through the male portion will have a circular profile. The male portion's lateral edges will be smooth and more or less straight. The connection between the male and female portions will then be of the tongue-and-groove joint type and the repositioning of the elements relative to one another will occur substantially in one plane. In all embodiments the female portion will have a cavity shape suitable for receiving at least one portion of the male portion.

The elements'through-going opening is preferably centred viewed in the element's cross section. In one embodiment the through-going opening in the male portion in a plan view through the element may be in the form of a slot extending from the female portion's cavity and on into the male portion where it ends in a funnel- shaped opening in the male portion's surface. The opening in the male portion's surface will be circular or slot-shaped depending on whether the male and female portions form a universal joint or a tongue-and-groove joint.

In one embodiment one end of the elongated body may be equipped with an end piece, which is suitable for abutment with the female portion in one of the elements at the end of the device, and which thereby secures this end of the elongated body relative to the device. Moreover, a gripping tool, such as for example pliers or a tool that exerts hydraulic pressure may be employed for slackening and tightening the other end of the elongated body in order to vary the device between a position where the elements can be repositioned and a position where the elements are secured in position respectively.

The device according to the invention may have many areas of application and is therefore not limited to one purpose. The length of the device may be adapted to suit the area of application, and the same applies for the dimensions of the individual element. Various materials may be used for manufacturing the elements and low-weight, high-strength materials will be preferred such as, for example,

aluminium or titanium. It will also be possible to manufacture the device in a plastic material.

An embodiment of the invention, which will now be described in greater detail, will be particularly suitable for use as a measuring tool or template tool.

Within many fields there is currently a need to measure or copy different types of shapes, forms, surfaces and profiles of different types of objects. These may be objects, which require to be replicated such as, for example, symmetrical and asymmetrical surfaces on plates, curved shapes, circumferences, etc. Normally templates have been employed which are cut out and trimmed in order to provide the necessary measurement surface. Another known method is a straight rod with several pins that can be pushed out of and into the rod in order thereby to copy or replicate a desired profile.

For skilled persons such as boat builders, panel beaters, building workers and designers there is a great need for measuring and copying/reproducing a shape, but this need will also exist within other fields..

Thus it is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tool, which can be employed in a simple and flexible manner for copying or replicating a shape, the tool being provided in such a manner that the replicated shape is maintained when it is moved to the area where the new shape is to be manufactured. When employed for this purpose the device will preferably be designed with a uniform and continuous shape at least at the side portion that has to be placed against an object for shape replication. The elements'dimension will therefore influence the device's tolerance level, i. e. the accuracy of the plasticity of the device will depend on whether the elements are large or small.

According to an embodiment of the device that is arranged for this purpose, the individual element is provided with a collar portion near the male portion. A portion of the element that encircles parts of the female portion's cavity is designed for reception in the space between the male portion and the male portion's collar.

Interaction between the collar portion and the lower portion restricts the movement of the elements relative to one another. Each element can be rotated approximately 0-90° relative to the element or elements with which it is connected. Altering the shape near the male portion can therefore cause the elements'angle of rotation to be increased beyond the interval 0-90°. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements'angle of rotation can be freely selected within the framework of the independent patent claim. Since the elements can be rotated relative to one another while they are interconnected and the central opening is designed as indicated

earlier, the length of the elongated body located in the elements'through-going openings can be kept constant during the rotating movements.

In an embodiment of the invention a friction element is mounted at the opening in the male portion's surface in order to restrict the sliding movement between the elements'respective male and female portions. The friction between the male and female portions ensures that the elements are substantially held in the position they are in, but is nevertheless not great enough to prevent the elements from being repositioned relative to one another by hand.

Furthermore, the device's lateral surfaces may be equipped with attachment means such as magnets to enable the device to be easily attached to the area that has to be measured or replicated and to the surface where the taking of measurements or shape replication are conducted.

Taking measurements or shape replication is performed by first placing the device in contact with the surface that has to be replicated. The device's elements are then adjusted/repositioned relative to one another so that by means of the device the shape that is replicated is approximately an identical copy. The device is then moved to another surface for shaping/taking measurements.

The elongated locking body, for example the wire, is slackened when the device is brought into contact with a surface in order to replicate a shape. The wire can then be tightened, for example by a simple manual pressure on locking pliers, thus maintaining the shape concerned. The device can then be moved in the locked position to the area where the new shape is to be manufactured. If pliers are employed to lock the wire, the pliers'locking position can be released by a release lever on the handle of the pliers. If the dimensions of the device are large, a hydraulic cylinder may be required to secure the wire relative to the elements.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention several devices according to the invention may be combined and used as a ladder/steps or a support device for use in the case of broken bones.

According to this alternative embodiment the female portion's cavity is provided with a lug projection adapted for reception in one or more grooves provided in the male portion, preferably positioned about the male portion's circumference. The elements are repositioned relative to one another by the male portion's lug projection being moved to a new groove in the male portion's circumference. By means of this design of the elements, rigidity is achieved in the longitudinal direction when the elements are interconnected.

According to a preferred embodiment two devices (each with its elongated locking body) are employed according to the invention, positioned in such a manner that the devices viewed in their longitudinal direction form a substantially parallel relationship to each other and a tie bar is mounted between the two devices. When this assembled apparatus is to be employed as a ladder/steps the tie bars will act as ladder rungs, the elements'dimensions being relatively large and the elements preferably made of light metal. By tightening/releasing the elongated body and repositioning the elements, a flexible ladder is achieved which can be adapted to the height at which it is to be used and possibly converted to a scaffolding ladder.

When the assembled apparatus acts as a support device in the case of broken bones, the tie bars will have a curvature that is adapted to the shape of the arm or leg. In this application two or more devices are incorporated in the assembled apparatus, and the individual device can be adapted to the shape of the arm or leg.

Furthermore, extra means such as straps are preferably employed to secure the assembled apparatus to the arm or leg. For this application, the elements will be made relatively small and in a material that satisfies the regulation requirements for medical aids.

In a further embodiment the female portion and the male portion are provided with slots extending in the circumferential direction substantially positioned perpendicular to the lug projections and the grooves. These slots make it possible to fold up the assembled apparatus. At least one end of the elongated locking body is slackened and the elements are preferably folded alternately to one side or the other, thus obtaining a stack of elements where the elements are laid on top of one another. The stacking is made possible by the fact that portions of the elongated locking element can be positioned in the slots of the male and female portions respectively. This will be explained in more detail in connection with the figures.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be explained in detail with reference to figures 1-6, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a first embodiment of an element.

Figure 2a illustrates two interconnected elements according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2b illustrates the same as in figures 1 and 2a.

Figure 2c illustrates the elements provided with friction elements.

Figure 3 illustrates more elements according to the first embodiment, interconnected by a wire.

Figures 4-6 illustrate views of the device in use.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the element.

An element 1 is illustrated in figure 1. The element 1 is comprised of a male portion 2 and a female portion 3. The male portion may be spherical or have a circular cross section. The element is further provided with a collar 4 near the male portion 2.

In figure 2a two elements 1 are illustrated which are interconnected by a portion of the male portion 2 being inserted in a portion of the female portion 3. It can be seen in the figure that the two elements 1 can be moved or rotated relative to each other.

It will be understood that if the male portion is spherical, the movement between the elements 1 can take place in more than one plane. The space 6 between the collar 4 and the male portion 2 is suitable for receiving a side portion 5, the end of which is mitre cut. It can be seen in figure 2 that when one element is rotated the maximum amount relative to the second element, the side portion fits in the space 6, since the shape of the side portion 5 received in the space 6 and the space 6 are of similar shape. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the space and the collar, together with the part of the female portion may be designed in many ways, and what is shown here is only an example of an embodiment of the invention as indicated in the independent patent claim. The same applies to the rest of the element's design.

The elements in figure 2a are further illustrated provided with a through-going opening 7, which is centred in the element. The through-going opening 7 is slot- shaped and extends from the female portion's 3 cavity, which is extended to a funnel-shaped outlet 8 abutting against the male portion's 2 surface. This outlet is illustrated as a slot 8'in figure 2b, but may also have a round shape, for example if the male portion is spherical.

Figure 2c illustrates elements corresponding to what is shown in figures 2a and 2b.

The elements illustrated in figure 2c are additionally equipped with friction elements. The male portion 2 has a jagged shape in the form of several teeth 2a arranged alongside one another with spaces 2b. In the cavity of the female portion 3 there is mounted at least one lug 3a, which fits into the space between the teeth 2b.

When two elements are interconnected, the lug 3a and the teeth 2a form a frictional connection. The elements can be adjusted relative to one another by moving the lug 3 a to a new space.

Figure 3 illustrates the interconnection of several elements 1 by interconnecting the male portion 2 and the female portion 3. Furthermore, a wire 9 is passed through the through-going openings 7. The end 9a of the wire 9 is attached to an end piece 10, which in turn is attached to a female portion 3 in the last element 1 in the chain. The other end 9b of the wire can be tightened by application of a force by means of pliers or another tool that can keep the end of the wire taut. When the wire 9 is tightened, the elements are held in position and the shape of the device is

maintained. When the wire is not tightened, the elements can be adjusted relative to one another to form a new shape. It will be understood from figure 3 that the other - end of the wire can be tightened in various ways, for example by a hydraulic tool if the dimensions of the elements are large.

Figure 4 illustrates an application of the device. The device is placed against the shape that requires to be replicated or measured, the wire then being in a non- tightened state, enabling the elements to be positioned relative to one another and the shape copied : When the desired shape has been achieved, the wire is tightened with pliers 10. Figure 5 shows how the device can be moved while its shape is maintained since the wire is locked relative to the elements by the pliers 10. The device can be moved to the location where the taking of measurements or replication of the shape are to be conducted. In an embodiment the elements'lateral edges 1'may be equipped with attachment means, for example magnets, thus enabling the device to be attached to the surface that has to be copied/replicated or to the surface where the shape replication is to be performed.

The two bottom pictures in figure 6 are identical to figures 4 and 5, while the three top pictures in figure 6 illustrate three other shapes that can be assumed by the device.

Figure 7 illustrates an assembled apparatus that can be used as a ladder/steps or support means in the case of broken bones. The assembled apparatus comprises at least two devices according to the invention. A number of tie bars 10 are attached between the devices. The devices are positioned in such a manner that the devices viewed in their longitudinal direction form a substantially parallel relationship to one another and the tie bars help to hold the devices in this position. When the assembled-apparatus has to act as a ladder or steps, the tie bars will act as ladder rungs. When the assembled apparatus acts as a support means in the case of broken bones, the tie bars may be slightly curved in order to adapt to the arm, leg or other limb that requires support. In addition attachment means will be employed in order to attach the apparatus to the limb that requires support.

It can be seen from figure 7 that the female portion's cavity 3 is provided with a lug projection 3b. This lug projection 3b is suitable for reception in one or more grooves 2c provided in the male portion's circumference. In figure 7 only one groove 2c is shown, but in an embodiment where several grooves 2c are provided, it will be possible, if so required, to arrange the elements at an angle to one another.

The lug projection 3b may be designed in other ways than that illustrated in figure 7. The elongated locking body will be arranged in through-going openings, which are preferably centred in the element. These through-going openings are not seen in the figure, but the elongated locking body will preferably run through an opening in

the projecting lug 3b and through an opening in the groove 2c. Moreover, the elements'female portion and male portion are provided with slots 3c and 2d as illustrated in figure 7. If it is desirable to fold up the device, the stretch on the elongated locking body may be reduced/eliminated and the elements'male and female portions released from abutment with each other. The individual parts 11 of the apparatus can be folded to each side with the result that the apparatus finally forms a stack of the parts 11. This stacking of the parts 11 is made possible by the fact that portions of the elongated locking body are positioned in the slots 3c and 2d.