AU2015100846A4 - Digital ruler to draw straight lines - Google Patents

Abstract

Australia Patents Act 1990 Innovation Patent Provisional Patent No: 2015901068 Granted by Acting Commissioner of Patents IP Australia Digital Ruler Inventor: Necasa Pty Ltd Priority Details: Australian Application No.: Filed: 15 June 2015 The invention is described in the following statement A digital ruler, comprising of a straight edge with measurement graduations to draw straight lines from a reference edge or line. The digital ruler described comprise of the ruler (1) and two digital displays (2) where the digital displays show the angular displacement of the Y axis relative to the X axis. In a preferred embodiment, the digital ruler provides a compartment for the liquid crystal displays (LCD) which are connected to a power source such as a battery. Each of the LCD segment is connected to a on and off switch (3) that also sets the (X,Y) co-ordinate to (0,0). Each of the displays shows the ruler position and angle relative to the datum reference derived from the edge of the drawing paper. The present invention was developed to enable the user to draw straight parallel lines or perpendicular lines anywhere on the paper using the compass or pair of compasses as a source of direction. w 3

Description

IPA ......... 15 JUNE 2015 Australia Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Provisional Patent No: 2015901068 Granted by Acting Commissioner of Patents IP Australia DIGITAL RULER Inventor: Necasa Pty Ltd Priority Details: Australian Application No.: ...... Filed: 15 June 2015 The invention is described in the following statement 1 of 3 IPA ......... 15 JUNE 2015 DIGITAL RULER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This invention relates to measuring straight edge, and in particular to a ruler which gives the user visual feedback in order to draw plurality of straight lines that are parallel or at an angle to a reference edge or line. [002] The visual feedback is achieved by two display segments, one for horizontal or X positioning and the other for the angular positioning relative to the X-axis. [003] Both the display segments made of liquid crystal display (LCD) are connected to a single power source such as a battery or a solar cell with an on/off button. [004] Once the horizontal edge of the ruler is aligned to the edge of the paper, the on/off button when depressed switches on the display segments as well as sets the (X,Y) co ordinates to (0,0). [005] When the ruler is placed on another area of the paper, the angular position will change indicating that the ruler is not parallel to the datum or reference edge. [006] By articulating the ruler about one end, the display segment for the angular position can be adjusted to bring the ruler parallel to the datum edge. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION & DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [007] Traditionally for many years, drawing straight lines that are either straight or perpendicular to the edge of the paper involved measuring and marking point on the paper that is time consuming and not accurate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [008] In order to overcome certain disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to draw straight parallel lines quickly and accurately, a visual display segments were added to the measuring ruler. [009] By turning the ruler into a (X,Y) co-ordinate and angular positioning tool using a pair of compass for orientation, it was possible to draw straight lines that are parallel to other lines. [010] Primary focus of the present invention is that the display segments have more than one purpose in contrast to the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the digital ruler comprise of one or more compasses which are connected to the display segments which in turn show the user means to adjust the angular position of the straight edge. 2 of 3 IPA ......... 15 JUNE 2015 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [011] Further advantages and permutations will appear from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: [012] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the first embodiment of the Digital Ruler; [013] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the Digital Ruler; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [014] FIG. 1 shows a digital ruler (1) with two displays (2) and two buttons (3), one for on/off and set to zero, and the other to adjust the angle relative to the reference edge pre determined by the set to zero button. [015] FIG. 2 shows a digital ruler with the cover (6) removed. The cover is designed to clip to the body of the ruler with one temper proof screw not shown. [016] The ruler has a hollow cavity that holds a battery (4) with positive and negative electrical terminals supplying current to the LCD segments. A solar cell (not shown) can be used instead of the battery if required. [017] The compasses (5) is used to provide the orientation of the ruler to the LCD segments to the user. [018] The angle of the ruler relative to the reference edge can be pre-selected using the second button (3) so that straight lines at the desired set angle can be drawn repeatedly on any part of the paper. 3 of 3

Claims (5)

1. 2. A measuring system as defined in claim 1 wherein the display segments or LCD is connected to a battery or solar cell that is integral part of the ruler embodiment.
2. 3. A measuring system as defined in claim 1 wherein the ruler is aligned or positioned to a reference edge or line such as the edge of the paper and by means of pressing the on/off button set the datum or reference co-ordinate (X,Y) to (0,0).
3. 4. A measuring system as defined in claim 1 wherein the second button is used to provide the angular positioning or angle relative to the X position set as a datum. By moving the measuring straight edge of the ruler on any area of the paper until vertical display segment indicate zero position, a parallel or plurality of parallel lines can then be drawn.
4. 5. Another embodiment of the claim is to draw a line or plurality of lines at any angle by adjusting the angle required using the set button relative to the datum edge.
5. 6. The main embodiment of the claim is to establish the orientation of the straight edge by means of one or more compasses whereby the compass orientation is displayed as numbers or degrees. 2 of 2