Length gauge

Abstract

Devices and methods for quickly and accurately measuring the distance between two carriers of item processing equipment. The devices and methods can include an elongate bar and associated components which may increase the magnitude of lengths that can be measured.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A length gauge for measuring distances in item processing equipment, the length gauge comprising:
 a bar having a first end and a second end;   a block disposed on the first end of the bar, the block configured to contact a first feature of a first carrier;   a fastener configured to secure the length gauge to the first carrier; and   a computing device slidably mounted on the length gauge and configured to contact a second feature of a second carrier and output a numerical value indicative of a distance between the first feature of the first carrier and the second feature of the second carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a screw configured to be rotated to contact the first carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , further comprising a hanger configured to couple the length gauge to the first carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         5 . The length gauge of  claim 4 , wherein the clamp comprises a lever and an engagement portion having a curved periphery, the curved periphery configured to push against the first carrier when the lever is rotated. 
     
     
         6 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , further comprising a guard configured to protect one or more features of the length gauge, the guard spaced away from the bar by one or more spacers such that the computing device is disposed between the guard and the bar. 
     
     
         7 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first feature comprises a leading edge of the first carrier, and wherein the second feature comprises a leading edge of the second carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first feature comprises a trailing edge of the first carrier, and wherein the second feature comprises a trailing edge of the second carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , wherein the first feature comprises one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the first carrier, and wherein the second feature comprises one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the second carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The length gauge of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate plate, wherein the computing device is mounted on the elongate plate. 
     
     
         11 . A length gauge configured to measure distances, the length gauge comprising:
 a bar having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to contact a first feature a first carrier;   a fastener configured to secure the length gauge to the first carrier; and   a computing device configured to be moved along the length gauge to contact a second feature of a second carrier and output a numerical value indicative of a distance between the first feature of the first carrier and the second feature of the second carrier.   
     
     
         12 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , further comprising a hanger configured to couple the length gauge to the first carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the first end comprises a block that is configured to contact the first feature of the first carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener is a screw configured to be rotated to contact the first carrier. 
     
     
         15 . The length gauge of  claim 14 , wherein the screw is a thumb screw. 
     
     
         16 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         17 . The length gauge of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp comprises a lever and an engagement portion having a curved periphery, the curved periphery configured to push against the first carrier when the lever is rotated. 
     
     
         18 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the first feature comprises a leading edge of the first carrier, and wherein the second feature comprises a leading edge of the second carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The length gauge of  claim 11 , wherein the first feature comprises a trailing edge of the first carrier, and wherein the second feature comprises a trailing edge of the second carrier. 
     
     
         20 . A method of measuring a distance between features of two carriers, the method comprising:
 positioning a computing device of a length gauge at a first position;   zeroing the computing device at the first position;   coupling the length gauge to a first carrier such that a first end of the length gauge contacts a first feature of the first carrier; and   moving the computing device to a second position along the length gauge to contact a second feature of a second carrier such that the computing device outputs a value indicative of a distance between the first feature of the first carrier and the second feature of the second carrier.