Digital depth gauge

A digital depth gauge apparatus for measuring a depth of a hole having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface portion that includes a display and at least one actuator that controls operation of at least one of the display and the apparatus;
• a reader shaft that includes a distal end and a proximal end connected to the user interface portion;
• a probe that couples with and extends from the distal end of the reader shaft, the probe including a tip configured to locate the distal surface;
• a sleeve member that includes a distal end configured to abut the proximal surface, the sleeve member being coupled with the reader shaft for relative translational and rotational movement with respect to a longitudinal axis through the reader shaft;
• and
• a sensor interposed between the reader shaft and the sleeve member for measuring relative translational movement between the reader shaft and the sleeve member.

A digital depth gauge apparatus for measuring a depth of a hole having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface portion that includes a display and at least one actuator that controls operation of at least one of the display and the apparatus;
• and
• a longitudinally-extending reader shaft that includes a keyed outer surface, a distal end and a proximal end connected to the user interface portion;
• a probe that couples with and extends from the distal end of the longitudinally-extending reader shaft, the probe including a tip configured to find purchase on the distal surface;
• a first sleeve member that includes a generally cylindrical outer surface and a longitudinally-extending bore having a complementary keyed surface to the keyed outer surface of the reader shaft, the first sleeve member being translatable on the longitudinally-extending reader shaft;
• a second sleeve member that encompasses the first sleeve member, the second sleeve member including an outer surface, a distal end configured to abut the proximal surface of the hole, and a generally cylindrical longitudinally-extending bore;
• and
• a sensor interposed between the keyed outer surface of the longitudinally-extending reader shaft and the complementary keyed surface of the first sleeve member.

A digital depth gauge apparatus for measuring a depth of a hole having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface portion that includes a housing, control circuitry disposed in the housing, a display coupled to the control circuitry, and at least one actuator coupled with the control circuitry for changing an indication on the display;
• a longitudinally-extending reader shaft that includes a keyed outer surface, a distal end and a proximal end connected to the user interface portion;
• a probe that extends from the distal end of the longitudinally-extending reader shaft, the probe including a tip configured to find purchase on the distal surface;
• an inner sleeve member that includes a generally cylindrical outer surface and a longitudinally-extending bore having a complementary keyed surface to the keyed outer surface of the reader shaft, the inner sleeve member being translatable along substantially an entire length of the longitudinally-extending reader shaft;
• an outer sleeve member that encompasses the inner sleeve member, the outer sleeve member including an outer surface, a distal end configured to abut the proximal surface of the hole, and a generally cylindrical longitudinally-extending bore;
• a coupling that removably engages with a proximal end of the outer sleeve member for retaining the inner sleeve member within the generally cylindrical longitudinally-extending bore;
• and
• a sensor including first and second sensor elements, the first sensor element coupled with the control circuitry and configured on the keyed outer surface of the longitudinally-extending reader shaft, and wherein the second sensor element is configured on the complementary keyed surface of the inner sleeve member.