Caliper force indicator with tactile or auditory feedback

A force indicator arrangement for providing user feedback regarding a measuring force applied through a force actuator to a caliper jaw that moves along a caliper scale member along a measuring axis direction in a caliper, the force indicator arrangement comprising:

• an incremented member comprising at least a first incremented section having a corresponding first increment marker;
• an engaging member comprising an engaging feature arranged to engage the first increment marker when the engaging member and the incremented member are positioned at a first relative displacement;
• and
• a compliant element for coupling the incremented member to the engaging member,
• wherein the force indicator arrangement is configured such that when it is coupled to the caliper jaw and the force actuator:
• at least one of the engaging or disengaging of the engaging member with the first increment marker results in at least one of a tactile or auditory feedback being produced to indicate a corresponding first respective measuring force arising from deformation of the compliant element.

A method for retrofitting an existing caliper with a force indicator arrangement, the existing caliper including a caliper jaw that moves along a caliper scale member along a measuring axis direction in the caliper, the method comprising:

• providing a force indicator arrangement comprising:
• an incremented member comprising at least a first incremented section having a corresponding first increment marker;
• an engaging member comprising an engaging feature arranged to engage the first increment marker when the engaging member and the incremented member are positioned at a first relative displacement;
• and
• a compliant element for coupling the incremented member to the engaging member, and
• coupling the force indicator arrangement to the caliper jaw using a fastening configuration that is compatible with existing mounting features on the caliper jaw;
• wherein the force indicator arrangement is configured such that when it is coupled to the caliper jaw:
• at least one of the engaging or disengaging of the engaging member with the first increment marker results in at least one of a tactile or auditory feedback being produced to indicate a corresponding first respective measuring force arising from deformation of the compliant element.