Field of the Invention The present invention relates to measurement systems. In a number of preferred forms the present invention provides a drill and blast dipping measurement system. Whilst particularly directed to drill & blast measurement systems, it is to be recognised that the present invention may find application in other industries such as building and construction.

Background

In the field of drill and blast systems, solutions offered include: measurement systems having Mylar coated tape for protection against chemicals used in blast hole drilling; measurement systems having dipping weights providing a non-slip coating; and measurement tape recovery systems having a many to one gear ratio for deep hole dipping.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

In this specification the terms "comprising" "comprises" or "having" are used inclusively and not exclusively or exhaustively.

Any references to documents that are made in this specification are not intended to be an admission that the information contained in those documents form part of the common general knowledge known to a person skilled in the field of the invention, unless explicitly stated as such.

Summary of the Present Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a measurement system including: a measurement tape that provides clear metre values at regular sub intervals within each meter interval along the measurement tape. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a measurement tape that provides clear metre values in a horizontal reading direction across the measurement tape with the bottom of each metre value facing towards a tape housing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a measurement tape that provides clear metre values in a horizontal reading direction across the measurement tape with the top of each metre value facing towards a free end of the measurement tape.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a measurement tape that provides clear metre values in a horizontal reading direction across the measurement tape with the bottom of the metre values facing towards a tape housing or origin; the meter values being provided at regular sub intervals within each meter interval along the measurement tape.

In one embodiment each meter value is provided adjacent a corresponding sub interval value, at each sub interval along the measurement tape. In one embodiment each meter value is positioned adjacent a corresponding sub interval value and the meter value is shown in relatively enlarged font.

In one embodiment the measurement tape can be read up to 4m away from the measurement location, assuming 20/20 vision.

In one embodiment the measurement tape can be read up to 8m away from the measurement location, assuming 20/20 vision.

In one embodiment the measurement tape includes the meter and sub interval values on both sides of the measurement tape to assist with reading the appropriate meter and sub interval values.

In one embodiment the measurement tape includes the meter and sub interval values on the measurement tape and the meter interval values are indicated distinctively from the sub interval values.

In one embodiment the clear meter values are indicated only as integer values.

In one embodiment the measurement tape includes a coating of plastics material suitable for use in corrosive, abrasive and or electrically sensitive applications.

In one embodiment the measurement tape is at least 10m in length.

In one embodiment the sub interval values are shown with only one decimal place precision.

In one embodiment the measurement system is adapted for use in a borehole.

In one embodiment there is provided a coupling for holding a dipping weight at an end of the tape wherein the top of each metre value faces the coupling.

In one embodiment the measurement system defines a compensation distance accommodating a standard dipping weight length.

In one embodiment the clear meter values have a minimum clear area above a numeral indicating the clear meter value in which there are no other markings. Preferably the minimum clear area is at least the height of the numeral.

In one embodiment there are no markings between a non-adjacent clear meter value and sub interval value in the same or a substantially similar colour as the clear meter values and sub interval values. In an embodiment the sub interval values are in 0.1 m increments.

In an embodiment the numerals indicating the clear meter value are of a height of at least 70% of the width of the tape. In an embodiment the numerals indicating the clear meter value are of a height of 80-95% of the width of the tape.

Description of Drawings In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to Figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a tape of measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a tape spool of a measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a portion of the tape of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a tape of a measuring system according to the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

It is to be appreciated the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the

embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a drill and blast measurement system 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Advantageously the drill and blast measurement system 10 provides a dipping tape arrangement 12 that can be readily read by the operator. The metre values 14 are shown only as integer values at each meter interval. This enables a measured distance to be more easily seen on the tape with a level of precision to the nearest metre. In particular there is no confusion from other markings, including but not limited to sub interval markings. This is considered to advantageously assist with reducing errors.

Among other things, the drill and blast measurement system 10 advantageously provides clear metre values 14 at regular sub intervals 16 within each meter interval. The sub intervals 16 comprise 10cm sub intervals 16. This advantageously indicates a distance with a precision of one decimal place for the metre interval. In particular within the metre interval there is no confusion from other markings, including but not limited to sub interval markings with a precision greater than to one decimal place. The drill and blast measurement system 10 includes a measurement tape 18. The metre values 14 are advantageously provided in a horizontal reading direction 20 across the measurement tape 18 with the bottom of each value facing upwardly towards the tape spool housing 22 (see Figure 2). In use a dipping weight 24 is hung from a coupling (such as a loop) at the end of the measurement tape 18. The metre values 14 and sub interval values 16 adopt a 180 degree reading orientation relative to the horizontal plane.

Referring to Figure 2, the spool housing 22 provides a winding system 26 that allows ready retraction and extension of the measurement tape 18. A winding handle 28 winds a spool and allows the 35m measurement tape 18 to be dipped into a drilling hole 30 and retrieved (by winding off or onto the spool, respectively). As would be apparent various measurement tape lengths are possible including 10-100m and upwards.

Returning to Figure 1 , a compensation distance 32 is provided. The first value shown comprises a sub interval 34 of 0.1 m (the compensation distance). No meter value is shown as the first metre interval comprises a zero interval, and the 0m is readily inferred by the operator. The next value comprises sub interval 36 of 0.2m. This is repeated until a 1 meter value 38 has been recorded as shown in Figure 3.

At the one meter interval, a one metre value 40 is shown along with a 0.0 subinterval value 42. Following this another one meter value 44 is shown with a 0.1 sub interval value 46. The process repeats at each 10cm sub interval 16 along the measurement tape 18.

In the direction of extension 48 (in the depth wise direction) each meter value 14 is provided above the sub interval value 46. As would be apparent the term 'above' is used in the sense of the text direction, the physical direction being downwardly away from the spool housing 22. ln other embodiments each meter value 14 and sub interval value 16 are merged form of a decimal value, such as say for example Ί .2'.

In this embodiment each meter value 14 is shown in relatively enlarged font away from the corresponding sub interval value 16, at each sub interval 16. The meter values 14 are shown in a different colour to the sub interval values 16. More particularly the metre values 14 are shown in red and the sub interval values 16 are shown in black. A dividing line 50 separates each meter value 14 from the corresponding sub interval value 16. The metre values 14 have a font size of about 12mm in height. The sub intervals 16 have a font size of about 6mm in height. In other embodiments the meter values are at least 20mm and the sub interval values are at least 10mm in height. The idea is to make the text proportionally as large as possible to fit the tape width. The tape system 10 is preferably able to be read a substantial distance away from the point of measurement. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the measurement tape 18 includes the meter and sub interval values 14, 16 on both sides of the measurement tape 18. This advantageously assists with reading the appropriate meter and sub interval values.

In this regard relatively vacant areas 52 are provided between the pairs of values 14, 16 make reading the measurements relatively straightforward. This is considered to assist with making erroneous measurements more unlikely. In this embodiment there is a spacing 55 of about 7 cm between the pairs 57 of the metre values 14 and subinterval values 16. There are no graduations between the indicia. In other embodiments a spacing of at least 5cm is provided between the indicia. In another embodiment a spacing of at least the height of the metre value 14 is provided between indicia.

Referring to Figure 4, the measurement tape includes a coating of plastics material 54. This makes the measurement tape 18 suitable for use in corrosive, abrasive and or electrically sensitive applications. ln this case there is provided three layer structure 56 comprising a clear PVC or PU outer 58, a fibre glass inner 60 and a PVC inner 62, that is over the fibre glass inner 60.

As would there are considered to be a number of preferred arrangements of the present invention that advantageously:

(i) Provide drill and blast measurement systems that provide clear metre values at regular sub intervals within each meter interval;

(i) Provide drill and blast measurement systems that provide meter values adjacent sub intervals values, at each sub interval;

(ii) Provide drill and blast measurement systems that provide metre values in a horizontal reading direction across the measurement tape with the bottom of the meter value facing towards the housing / tape origin (i.e. upwardly);

(iii) Provide drill and blast measurement systems where the measurement value is to the precision level required for the borehole without any additional information being displayed that might confuse the reading; and

(iv) Provide drill and blast measurement systems that are suitable for use in corrosive, abrasive and electrically sensitive environments. It is to be recognised that various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents. There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope.