GB2289447A - Inscribing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides for an inscribing device having first 1 and second 2 leg means with first and second ends and arranged for pivotal engagement at the respective first ends thereof by means of a screw 3 and wing nut 9. Each of the legs 1, 2 is in the form of an angle-iron in that each leg 1, 2 comprises a respective first portion 1', 2' which extends perpendicularly to a respective second portion 1", 2" which advantageously enhances the mechanical strength and stability of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

INSCRIBING DEVICE The present invention relates to an inscribing device and in particular, but not exclusively, to a drawing device such as a compass.

A variety of inscribing devices such as compasses are known and used in particular for attempting the accurate marking of circles, semi-circles or arcs having a predefined radius.

Since such known devices attempt to offer a simple, cost effective and readily adaptable manner for marking or drawing such geometric figures, it is a particular requirement of such devices that they remain free from damage, contortion and deformation in general. Also, whilst seeking to exhibit such characteristics, such devices should also ideally be arranged for use in a variety of situations which might involve either the permanent, or temporary marking of a particular geometric figure or indeed the carving or cutting of such a figure.

Known devices are unfortunately particularly disadvantageous in that the mechanical strength of such devices and in particular their limbs and/or joints, do not generally offer a high degree of rigidity and security against deformation particularly irrespective of the nature of the marking, carving or cutting to be carried out by way of the device.

Such disadvantages affect the precision with which the devices can be used and also restrict the manner in which the devices can be used.

The mechanical strength, stability and long term durability of such known devices is therefore disadvantageously restricted.

Further, known devices such as drawing compasses are generally fabricated for use with tracing points and if it is desired to use some form of drawing means other than a tracing point and known compasses do not readily lend themselves to such further use. Although some known drawing compasses can be used in combination with a specialised universal adaptor, the price and complexity, limitations and scope from mechanical weakness, of such known devices can prove a particular disadvantage.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an inscribing device having advantages over known such devices.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an inscribing device comprising first and second leg means having first and second ends and arranged for pivotal engagement at the respective first ends thereof, the second end of said first leg means being provided with locating means and the second end of said second leg means being arranged to receive an inscribing member, wherein each leg means comprises a first portion extending substantially along the length of said leg means and a second portion extending substantially along the length of said leg means and substantially at right angles to said first portion.

The two substantially orthogonal portions of each leg means are particularly advantageous in providing for an inscribing device having a high degree of mechanical stability, durability and general resistance to damage and deformation. Thus, the device of the present invention can be used continuously to a high degree of precision. Further, the aforementioned characteristics of the present invention allow for its production in a particularly speedy and cost effective manner and without compromising the strength, stability and durability thereof.

Advantageously the first and second portions of each leg means extend along the complete length of the leg means. This further enhances the structural advantages of the present invention.

Preferably, the second portion of each leg means extends perpendicularly to the first portion of each leg means. Such a feature is particularly advantageous in providing for an inscribing device which can be particularly easily and cost effectively manufactured while still providing for the above-mentioned advantages of mechanical strength, stability and durability.

Advantageously, each leg means of the present invention is in a form which corresponds to that of an angle-iron.

Further, the second end of said first leg means is provided with means for releasably engaging an inscribing member.

Advantageously, the means for releasably engaging said inscribing member comprises an aperture having a securing member extending through the wall thereof. In particular, said securing member can comprise a screw threaded tightening member and, further, the means defining said aperture can comprise a ring member which can be releasably fastened to the second end of said first leg means. The means defining the aperture can also be secured to said first leg means in a manner which allows for the pivotal movement of the said means defining the aperture relative to the said first leg means.

Preferably, said ring member comprises an open ring member having ends which can be secured to the second end of said first leg means so as to provide for said aperture.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an inscribing device comprising a pair of legs of angular transversal section, wherein each leg is formed by two sections forming a right angle.

Preferably, the inscribing device of the present invention comprises a compass.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which comprises a perspective view of an inscribing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The drawing illustrates a compass comprising a pair of legs 1, 2 which are pivotally engaged at respective first ends thereof about a pivot point defined by a screw 3. The end of the leg 2 remote from the pivot point is provided with a locating pin 4 extending therefrom, which locating pin is arranged to provide for a secure location of the compass in relation to the surface being marked, carved or cut etc. The end of the leg 1 remote from the pivot point is provided with a securing ring 5 for receiving an inscribing member such as a tracing point, pencil, pen, cone, inking device, marker, chalk, blade etc, and which securing ring 5 is provided with a fixing screw 6 which is threaded through the wall of the fixing ring 5.The screw 6 has a head which is specifically arranged to be engaged by a user's fingers so that the screw 6 can be tightened onto the inscribing member by a user's fingers.

The ring 5 is formed from an otherwise open member having adjacent ends defined by ear members 7. Each of the ear members 7 has an aperture therethrough which is arranged to be aligned with an aperture passing through the end of the leg 1 remote from the pivot point. The aligned apertures receive a fixing bolt 8 which secures the fixing ring 5 to the leg 1.

Also, at the point of pivotal engagement between the legs 1, 2 of the compass, there is provided a wing nut 9 for securing the legs 1, 2 together and, dispose between the legs 1, 2 there is provided an upstanding pin 10 which has a flattened base portion having an aperture therethrough and which receives the shaft of the screw 3. The upstanding pin 10 provides for means by which the compass may be readily rotated about the point of engagement of the locating pin 4 with the surface being inscribed.

The use of the fixing bolt 8 for securing the fixing ring 5 to the leg 1 of the compass is particularly advantageous since it allows for the angle at which the fixing ring 5 extends from the leg 1 to be altered as and when required and this then serves to alter the angle at which the inscribing member extends relative to the leg 1 of the compass.

As will be appreciated from the drawing, each of the legs 1, 2 is formed from a first portion 1', 2' and a second portion 1", 2".

The two portions of each leg extend along the length of each leg and are arranged such that the second portions 1", 2" extend perpendicularly to the respective first portions 1', 2'.

Thus, each of the legs 1, 2 is provided in the form of an angle-iron which proves particularly advantageous in enhancing the mechanical strength, stability and durability of the inscribing device of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that, while providing for the aforesaid advantages, the inscribing device illustrated in the drawing can also be used with a wide variety of inscribing members and, further, can be readily manufactured in a particularly simple and cost effective manner.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing description. For example, any appropriate form of pivotal engagement between the first and second legs can be provided and each of the second portions of the legs can be arranged to extend at right angles from any required part or region of the respective first portions. Also, the second portions need not extend along the complete length of each of the legs but can be located as and where required along that length. The aforementioned first and second portions can be formed integrally or otherwise.

Of course, any appropriate form of engagement means can be provided for mounting any appropriate inscribing member at the base of at least one of the legs.

Inscribing devices can be provided in accordance with the present invention to any required dimensions and requirements whether professional or otherwise.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the present invention as described above may be made within the scope of this application.

Claims (11)

1. An inscribing device comprising first and second leg means having first and second ends and arranged for pivotal engagement at the respective first ends thereof, the second end of said first leg means being provided with locating means and the second end of said second leg means being arranged to receive an inscribing member, wherein each leg means comprises a first portion extending substantially along the length of said leg means and a second portion extending substantially along the length of said leg means and substantially at right angles to said first portion.

2. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of each leg means extend along the complete length of the leg means.

3. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion of each leg means extends perpendicularly to the first portion of each leg means.

4. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each leg means is in the form of an angle iron.

5. An inscribing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end of said first leg means is provided with means for releasably engaging an inscribing member.

6. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the means for releasably engaging said inscribing member comprises an aperture having a securing member extending through the wall thereof.

7. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein means defining the aperture can also be secured to said first leg means in a manner which allows for the pivotal movement of the said means defining the aperture relative to the said first leg means.

8. An inscribing device comprising a pair of legs of angular transversal section, wherein each leg is formed by two sections forming a right angle.

9. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein on the lower end of one of the legs the device includes a ring, screw, ears and threaded bolt, allowing for the insertion of any form of writing instrument in the device.

10. An inscribing device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein an adjustable wing nut holds together the two legs of the device at the upper part thereof.

11. An inscribing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a compass.