Novelty fish measuring device

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for purposefully introducing error into a measurement of distance. In some embodiments, a system and method for purposefully introducing error into a measurement of distance may include a novelty measuring device. A novelty measuring device may include an elongated member. The elongated member may include a first set of indicia. The first set of indicia may be positioned on at least a portion of a first side of the elongated member. The first set of indicia may accurately measure a distance. The elongated member may include a second set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a second side of the elongated member. The second set of indicia may inaccurately measure a distance.

1 . A novelty measuring device, comprising an elongated member wherein the elongated member comprises:
 a first set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a first side of the elongated member, wherein the first set of indicia accurately measure a distance; and   a second set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a second side of the elongated member, wherein the second set of indicia inaccurately measure a distance.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of indicia comprise markings representing a standardized system of measuring distances. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of indicia comprise markings representing a standardized system of measuring distances comprising an English system or a metric system. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances, and wherein the second set of indicia result in a second measurement which comprises about 10% to about 30% error relative to a first measurement resulting from using the first set of indicia comprising markings representing the standardized system of measuring distances. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances, and wherein the second set of indicia introduce error into a measurement, relative to the first set of indicia, by about 5% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 25%. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances, and wherein the second set of indicia introduce error into a measurement, relative to the first set of indicia, by about 20%. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container; and   at least a first opening positioned in the container, wherein at least a portion of the elongated member is positioned in the container, and wherein a first end of the elongated member extends through the first opening.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a catch coupled to the first end of the elongated member, wherein the catch is dimensioned such that the catch is inhibited from passing through the first opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a retracting system positioned in the container which, during use, maintains tension on the elongated member such that absent an opposing force substantially all of the elongated member is inhibited from passing through the first opening out of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the container comprises a shape substantially emulating an item the device is intended to measure a distance of. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the container comprises a shape of at least a portion of a fish. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the container comprises a shape of at least a portion of an animal. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia measure a distance such that the distance appears longer. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of indicia measure a distance such that the distance appears shorter. 
     
     
         16 . A novelty measuring device, comprising:
 a container;   at least a first opening positioned in the container;   an elongated member, at least a portion of which is positioned in the container, wherein a first end of the elongated member extends through the first opening;   a catch coupled to the first end of the elongated member, wherein the catch is dimensioned such that the catch is inhibited from passing through the first opening;   a retracting system positioned in the container which, during use, maintains tension on the elongated member such that absent an opposing force substantially all of the elongated member is inhibited from passing through the first opening out of the container;   a first set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a first side of the elongated member, wherein the first set of indicia accurately measure a distance; and   a second set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a second side of the elongated member, wherein the second set of indicia inaccurately measure a distance   wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances, and wherein the second set of indicia result in a second measurement which comprises about 10% to about 30% error relative to a first measurement resulting from using the first set of indicia comprising markings representing the standardized system of measuring distances.   
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 accurately measuring at least a first distance using a novelty measuring device, comprising an elongated member wherein the elongated member comprises:
 a first set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a first side of the elongated member, wherein the first set of indicia accurately measure a distance; and 
 a second set of indicia positioned on at least a portion of a second side of the elongated member, wherein the second set of indicia inaccurately measure a distance; 
   inaccurately measuring at least a second distance using a novelty measuring device such that at least the second distance appears to be longer or shorter than in actuality.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first set of indicia comprise markings representing a standardized system of measuring distances. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first set of indicia comprise markings representing a standardized system of measuring distances comprising an English system or a metric system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second set of indicia comprise markings which appear to represent a standardized system of measuring distances.