This invention relates to a measuring device particularly but not exclusively for use in the game of bowls.

There are a number of types of bowling measure for measuring the distance between an individual bowl and the jack. The accuracy of the known devices is dependent on how accurately the sensors are placed against the jack and bowl. This has the disadvantage that the person using the measuring device must rely on their sense of touch when placing the sensors against the jack and bowl being measured. Also, with known devices, some considerable thumb pressure is required to hold down a reel release button when placing the measure in the operation position between the jack and the bowl which leads to inaccuracies in the measurement.

An object of the present invention is to obviate and mitigate these disadvantages and produce a more accurate measurement of the distance between a bowl and jack.

According to a first aspect of the present invention,

there is provided a measuring device for use in a game where measurement of the relative position of objects is required having a irst sensor and a second sensor which are relatively moveable and interconnected by means for indicating a distance between the first and second sensors.

Preferably, an indication means is provided to indicate when at least one of the first or second sensors is in contact with an object.

Preferably, the means for indicating a distance between the first and second sensors is in the form of a flexible elongate member.

Preferably, there is provided a storing means on which the means for indicating the distance is storable.

Preferably, the storing means is in the form of a spool.

Preferably, the second sensor is attached to an end of the elongate member and is extendible from the storing means.

Preferably, there are two indication means, one for each of the first and second sensors which indicate when each sensor is in contact with an object.

Preferably, the indication means are visual indicators in the form of battery powered lights.

Preferably, the first and second sensors are in the form of spring projections which when depressed activate the indication means.

Preferably, there are provided sprung retaining bushes at the first and second sensors.

The first and second sensors may have isolation switches which activate the indication means when a contact is made on depression of the spring projections.

Preferably, a locking means is provided which locks the means for indicating the distance on the storing means.

Preferably, the locking means is in the form of a push button brake lock which locks the spool.

The locking means may be released by a low pressure slide lever.

Preferably, the measuring device is for use in the game of bowls or in similar games where measurement of the relative positions of objects is required.

Preferably, the first sensor is a jack sensor and the second sensor is a bowl sensor.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 is a side view of the measuring device in accordance with the present invention;

Fig 2 is a side view of the measuring device of Fig 1 with the outer casing removed; and

Fig 3 is a detail of a sensor of the measuring device of Fig 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, a measuring device has a main body 1 enclosing a winding spool 2 which has a central power spring 3. The main body 1 has a rubber base 30. The winding spool 2 has a braking system with a brake band 6 disposed adjacent to a portion of the circumference of the outer side of the winding spool 2. The braking band 6 of the winding spool 2 has a brake lining 4 between the band 6 and the spool 2. The brake band 6 has a hinge spindle 5 at the point where the spool 2 is adjacent to the base wall of the main body of the device. The central power spring 3 of the spool 2 biases a steel measuring tape 13 wound around the spool 2 to a fully wound position. Therefore when the braking system is not in use the steel measuring tape 13 retracts into the main body 1 of the measuring device to be wrapped around the spool 2.

A first sensor section 8 projects from one side of the main body 1 and has a first sensor housing 10 within which a first sensor 12 is disposed, the first sensor 12 projecting from the housing 10. The first sensor 12 is surrounded within the housing 10 by a compression spring 9. The first sensor 12 connects to a sensor switch plate 7 with an insulating washer 11 protecting the switch plate 7 from the compression spring 9.

The switch plate 7 is connected to a battery 14 housed in a battery compartment. A visual indicator 22 is located in a circuit 23 including the switch plate 7 and the battery 14. The visual indicator 22 is located on the top of the main body 1 of the measuring device.

Also at the top of the main body 1 of the measuring device, is located a thumb slide lever 18 which releases and locks a spring lever 17 which controls the braking system of the winding spool 2 via a reel release angle bracket 15 and compression spring 16. The thumb slide lever 15 operates a reel release rod push button 21 which is sprung by a compression spring 19. The button 21 operates a reel release push rod 20 operating a reel locking pawl 29.

The second sensor 33 is a cartridge sensor which is extendible from the main body 1 of the measuring device. The second sensor 33 is connected to one end of the steel measuring tape 13. The second sensor 33 has a hosing compartment 25 in the main body 1 of the measuring device into which the second sensor 33 is retractable. An isolation switch '26 is disposed adjacent to the second sensor compartment 25 which is activated when the second sensor 33 is removed from the compartment 25. The isolation switch 26 completes the wiring 24 leading to the battery 14 and the visual indicator 22.

The second sensor 33 is contained in a unit 44 attached to the free end of the steel measuring tape 13. The unit 44 has the second sensor 33 in the form of an elongate projection with a surrounding bush 34. One end of the sensor 33 projects from the unit 44 at the opposite end of the unit 44 to the attachment spindle 41 of the steel measuring tape 13. The other end of the sensor 33 is located in a compartment 32 within the unit 14. The sensor 33 is sprung on a compression spring 45. When the sensor 33 is under pressure and the spring 45 compressed a circuit 46 connecting a battery 40 and a visual indicator 35 is connected

lighting the visual indicator 35. The battery 40 is enclosed in a compartment 42 with a retaining strip 39.

In use the measuring device is a hand held device for measuring the distance between bowls and a jack. The main body 1 of the device is held in one hand with the first sensor 12 placed against the jack. The second sensor unit 44 is pulled away from the main body 1 of the device thereby unwinding the steel measuring tape 13 wound around the spool 2. When the second sensor 33 is in touch with the bowl the visual indicator 35 will light on the second sensor 33 unit 44 as the circuit 46 is completed linking the battery 40 and the visual indicator 35 within the unit 44 on compression of the sensor 33.

The visual indicator 22 on the main body 1 of the device lights when the second sensor unit 44 is removed from its compartment 25 in the main body 1 and when the first sensor 12 is in contact with the jack.

The distance between the jack and bowl and therefore the distance between the first and second sensors 12, 33 is measured by reading the steel measuring tape 13.

The main body 1 of the device has a slide lever 18 which can be operated by the thumb on the hand holding the main body 1 of the device. The lever 18 operates a release mechanism which releases the automatic brake system on the spool 2. When the steel measuring tape 13 is unwound from the spool 2 and the unwinding is halted, the push button 21 is pressed to activate the braking system which locks the spool 2 in order to prevent the steel measuring tape 13 retracting into the main body 1 of the device before measurement can be

undertaken. A low thumb pressure is needed to move the slide lever 18 and no thumb pressure is needed during the measuring from the bowl to jack. The thumb slide lever 18 release mechanism also incorporates a push button 21 brake lock in order to accurately lock the braking system of the spool 2 where fine adjustment is require .

The measurement is read from the measuring tape 14 when the two visual indicators 22, 35 for the two sensors 12, 33 are both illuminated showing contact with the bowl and jack.

The measuring device can be used in other games and sports where exact measurement between two objects is required.

Modifications and variations of the above described embodiment can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention.