JP4710338B2 - ruler - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ruler capable of displaying a plurality of types of scale patterns on the same scale display section.

  Conventionally, a ruler used to measure the size of an object or draw a line of a certain length is composed of a short line segment perpendicular to the long side along the long side of a narrow, long flat plate-like ruler body. In general, graduation lines are constantly displayed by engraving or printing at predetermined intervals such as millimeters. Some of these rulers have only scale lines and no scale numbers are displayed. In the vicinity of the scale lines, for example, the scale numbers are always displayed by engraving or printing at a predetermined interval such as centimeters. Some have been. The scale numbers are arranged in such a way that when the long side on which the scale line is displayed is viewed upward, a scale number of 0 is attached to the leftmost scale line. In general, arrays with scale numbers are attached, but on the contrary, arrays with scale numbers increasing in order from the right to the left, and scale lines are attached. The scale line of numerical value 0 is attached to the scale line at the substantially central portion of the long side, and an array in which large numerical scale numbers are attached in order toward the left and right sides is also used.

  By the way, as a unit of length used for such a ruler, at present, metric units such as millimeters and centimeters are almost standard worldwide including Japan. However, in the United States, for example, units of the yard-pound law such as inches and feet are still commonly used in daily life. In Japan, the whale measure is used in special fields such as Japanese court and architecture. Or, the unit of the penetrating method such as a curved measure is still used. Also, in the field of construction and machine drawing, drawings drawn by reducing actual dimensions at a predetermined scale are often used. Then, in order to read the actual dimensions from such a scale drawing, it is troublesome to calculate the scale according to the scale of the drawing from the dimensions on the scale drawing measured using a normal ruler. In order to directly read the actual dimensions, a so-called scale scale ruler in which a scale display portion of a scale pattern in which the scale interval is reduced in advance with a drawing scale is also used. Furthermore, in response to the recent development of the enlargement / reduction function of dry-type copying machines, the number of drawings that have been drafted has been increased or reduced, and in such cases, it has been enlarged or reduced. In order to be able to read the actual dimensions directly from the drawing, a normal scale or a scale scale is used for a typical enlargement / reduction ratio of a normal dry copying machine (for example, about 1.41 times, about 1.22 times, about 1). (.15 times, about 0.87 times, about 0.82 times, about 0.71 times, etc.) an enlarged scale ruler having a scale display portion of a scale pattern enlarged or reduced has been proposed.

  In addition, if each of the rulers having the scale display portions of the various scale patterns is prepared individually, the number of rulers to be prepared is increased, the storage place is taken up, the management is troublesome, and it is inconvenient to carry. Also, because there is a problem that it takes time and effort to select the necessary ruler from a large number of rulers, there are various types of rulers that have scale display parts of multiple types of scale patterns on one ruler body at different locations. It's being used. For example, in the case of a normal narrow-width long flat plate-like ruler body, by using the two long sides, two types can be used on only one side, and if two sides are used, a maximum of four types of scale display sections can be displayed. You have a ruler that you have. Furthermore, as a thing with many kinds of scale patterns, what provided the scale display part of six kinds of scale patterns using the long triangular prism-shaped ruler main body (patent document 1) is drawing of a building or a machine as what is called a triangle scale. Are already commonly used in this field. In addition to this, for example, a cross-sectional shape having a substantially cruciform star shape and providing a scale display portion of eight kinds of scale patterns (Patent Document 2), a rectangular plate-like ruler body provided with a plurality of long holes parallel to the long side, Provided with scale display portions of different scale patterns along both long sides of the long hole and the two long sides of the ruler body (Patent Document 3), on each edge of a square cylindrical ruler body that can be folded flat There is a proposal such as one provided with a scale display section of a total of eight kinds of scale patterns (Patent Document 4).

  Furthermore, since the number of scale patterns that can be displayed is limited as long as a single ruler body is used, a large number of ruler bodies can be used individually to further increase the number of scale patterns that can be displayed. Various proposals have also been made for structures that are connected and fixed to each other. For example, a plurality of narrow long plate-like ruler bodies having scale display portions of different scale patterns are bound together like a book on the long side opposite to the scale display portion (Patent Document 3), A plurality of narrow-width long ruler bodies having scale display portions with different scale patterns connected in parallel so as to be foldable in a folding screen (Patent Document 5), and a plurality of scale display portions with different scale patterns Narrow and long flat plate ruler bodies are stacked and fixed in a fan-shaped manner by a through shaft provided near one end of the ruler body so that only the ruler body with the required scale pattern can be rotated and used. (Patent Document 6). As described above, if a ruler provided with scale display portions of a plurality of types of scale patterns is prepared, one ruler can be used for a plurality of purposes, which is convenient.

  However, all the various rulers exemplified above are fixed to one type of scale pattern displayed on one scale display section, so that, for example, on the surface of the measurement object whose length is to be measured from now on. The scale pattern displayed on the scale display section after the address of one scale display section among the multiple scale display sections of the ruler is the scale pattern intended for use by the user If they are different (for example, when the length of the measurement object is to be measured in centimeters, but the scale pattern on the scale display that is addressed to the object is an inch scale) There is a problem in that it is necessary to search for a scale display portion on which a scale pattern intended to be used is displayed again and to reassign it to an object. In addition, when trying to measure the length of one measuring object using a plurality of scale patterns (for example, trying to measure the length of a measuring object in two units of centimeters and inches) First) find the scale display part of the first scale pattern of the ruler, measure it against the object to be measured, move the ruler away from the object to be measured, I want to use the scale display section of multiple types of scale patterns provided on a ruler for measurement, such as finding the scale display section of the second scale pattern and measuring it again on the measurement object. There is a problem that the operation of finding the scale display portion of the scale pattern and the operation of allocating the measurement object to the scale display portion of the ruler must be repeated as many times as the number of scale patterns to be used for measurement.

  In view of the above problems, several types of rulers that can display a plurality of types of scale patterns on one scale display portion of the ruler body have already been proposed. For example, there is a proposal (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260) in which a plurality of types of scale numbers are displayed in parallel on the scale display unit to read one scale into a plurality of scale lengths. This ruler has an advantage that, when a scale is read by being addressed to an object to be measured, by selecting a column of scale numbers to be read, measurement can be performed at a plurality of types of scales by a single addressing operation. However, the ruler of such a structure is such that, for example, the scales are a plurality of types of scale patterns represented by a simple integer ratio of scale intervals, such as an actual scale, a half scale, and a tenth scale. Good, but if you try to display multiple types of scale patterns at the same time, such as centimeter scales, inch scales, and curved scale scales, where the ratio of scale intervals cannot be expressed with a simple integer ratio, the display of scale lines is complicated. Since it becomes too practical and impractical, there are restrictions on the combinations of types of scale patterns that can be selected at the same time. Even if the scale interval ratio of each scale pattern is expressed by a simple integer ratio, since many scale numbers are displayed in parallel, they should be read when reading the scale. There is also a problem that erroneous measurement may be caused by erroneously reading a scale number in a column different from the column.

  As another example, a scale magnet can be displayed with various types of scale patterns by replacing a magnetized plate with a scale display by providing a flat magnet in the scale display section of the ruler main body and attracting it (Patent Document 8). There is also a suggestion, and this ruler can deal with the above problem, but the ruler itself needs to be addressed only once. However, it is necessary to replace the magnetic display plate with scale display according to the measurement purpose. In that respect, the above problem is not substantially solved. The scale pattern can be switched without the need for replacement of parts. Each of the hexagonal columnar bodies that are rotatably inserted in a concave groove extending in the longitudinal direction on one surface of a long ruler body. Proposals such as ones with different scale patterns on the side (Patent Document 9), ones with scale lines provided on an elastic member using a pantograph mechanism, etc., and the interval between the scales being freely changeable (Patent Document 10) There is also. However, these have a movable mechanism inside, making them cumbersome and expensive, making it difficult to reduce the thickness, making them difficult to use, and being prone to failure due to wear or deformation of moving parts, clogging of dust, etc. Since a certain distance or more is inevitably generated between the long side of the main body and the side edge of the hexagonal column, reading errors are likely to occur when the scale line is provided only on the side of the hexagonal column, When scale lines are also provided on the surface between the end of the ruler body and the groove, it is possible to display multiple types of scale patterns that cannot represent the ratio of scale intervals with a simple integer ratio. It becomes difficult. On the other hand, the latter has a problem that it is difficult to guarantee measurement accuracy because the user manually performs expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction member.

As another example, a scale display unit provided along the long side of the ruler body is used as a liquid crystal display panel, and any scale pattern can be switched and displayed by electrical control (Patent Documents 11 and 12). There is also. However, this also becomes impossible when the battery runs out, and a certain distance or more is inevitably generated between the end of the ruler body and the end of the effective display of the liquid crystal display panel. Reading errors are likely to occur, and the position accuracy of the scale lines displayed on the liquid crystal display panel is limited by the resolution (pixel size) of the liquid crystal display panel, so that a high measurement accuracy cannot be obtained. There's a problem.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-86001 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-28903 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-4084 JP 2003-246192 A JP-A-10-26501 JP 2003-1995 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-50001 JP 2001-317903 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-28902 Pamphlet of International Publication WO01 / 038818 JP-A-7-4901 JP-A-8-94301 JP-A-8-184911 JP 2002-365405 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and the problem is that a ruler that can display a plurality of types of scale patterns on the same scale display section. In the measurement, the selection of the combination of scale pattern types to be displayed is not subject to any special restrictions, and no complicated movable mechanism or electrical control mechanism is required. The purpose is to provide a ruler with a high practical value, with less risk of errors and misreading of scale numbers.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a scale pattern including at least scale lines at predetermined intervals along at least one linear side of at least one surface of the ruler body, and including or not including scale numerals at predetermined intervals. In a ruler provided with a displayed scale display part, at least the scale display part of the ruler body has a convex cylindrical surface with a predetermined width having a central axis parallel to the side and a surface shape perpendicular to the side. A lenticular lens made of a transparent material having a shape that is repeatedly arranged in the direction with the same period as its width and having a flat back surface, and is aligned with the back side of the lenticular lens. The reduced pattern obtained by disassembling each of the plurality of types of patterns into thin lines and reducing in the width direction is positioned in the width direction within the range of the width of the convex cylindrical surface for each type of pattern. Are arranged and accumulated at the same cycle as the width of the convex cylindrical surface while being arranged, and the plurality of types of patterns are the intervals between the scale lines, the scale numbers, and the like. One or more selected from the numerical value and the arrangement of the scale numbers includes at least a plurality of kinds of scale patterns different from each other.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the end of the lenticular lens on the linear side is aligned with the linear side, An end of the scale line on the linear side is displayed in contact with the linear side substantially.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the above-described invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of types of scale patterns include the color of the scale line, the color of the scale numbers, and the scale pattern. A ruler characterized in that one or more selected from the background colors are different from each other.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when this ruler is observed from above the lenticular lens provided on the scale display portion of the ruler body, it is included in the integrated reduction pattern disposed on the back surface of the lenticular lens. Among the reduction patterns, the line of intersection between the surface formed by the scale display unit and the surface of the lenticular lens surface perpendicular to the central axis of the convex cylindrical surface and the user's line of sight (the user's eyes and the user Only the reduced pattern corresponding to one scale pattern determined by the angle (viewing angle) formed by the line (the line connecting the points in the scale display area being viewed) is enlarged in the width direction by the refracting action of the lenticular lens and continuous in the width direction. Are connected and synthesized and visually recognized by the user as the one scale pattern. That is, as long as the user observes the scale display unit at a constant viewing angle, the user can observe only one scale pattern determined by the viewing angle among a plurality of types of scale patterns that can be displayed by the ruler. By changing the viewing angle for observing, the observed scale pattern can be freely changed to another scale pattern.

  In this way, it is possible to freely select and observe multiple types of scale patterns on the same scale display part according to the intention of the user, but multiple types of scale patterns are not observed at the same time. There is no risk of misreading the scale numbers. In addition, since each graduation pattern is observed completely independently during use, even when a plurality of graduation patterns in which the ratio of graduation intervals cannot be expressed by a simple integer ratio are provided, There is no complication of reading the scale lines as when different scale lines are displayed at the same time, and even when multiple types of scale patterns including scale numbers with different numerical values or arrangements are provided, The scale numbers in the scale pattern are not mistakenly read as scale numbers in the other scale patterns, and if the viewing angle is fixed, it is used without any difficulty just as in the case of a ruler having only a single scale pattern. Is possible.

  When measuring the length of the same measurement object using multiple types of scale patterns, such as multiple types of units or scales, once the ruler is addressed to the measurement object, After measuring using one scale pattern observed from a predetermined viewing angle, it is not necessary to separate the ruler from the object to be measured and re-addressed, and simply use another scale pattern by simply changing the viewing angle. Can be measured. Furthermore, the ruler scale display mechanism does not require a complicated movable mechanism or electrical control mechanism, so that the ruler body does not become excessively thick and bulky. There is no problem such as failure due to clogging of dust, malfunction of electric circuit or unusable accident due to battery exhaustion, etc., and it has a simple structure with two basic components, lenticular lens and integrated reduction pattern Therefore, it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

  According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the end side of the lenticular lens on the linear side of the ruler body along the scale display portion is provided in alignment with the linear side, and the scale display So that the end of the linear side of the scale line in the scale pattern observed on the part (the end of the scale line) is substantially in contact with the linear side of the ruler body. Because it is configured, when reading the scale displayed on the scale display section with the end corresponding to the linear side of the ruler body (the end of the ruler body) addressed to the object to be measured, The reading error due to the distance between the end of the ruler and the end of the ruler body hardly occurs, and high-precision measurement is possible.

  The above points are particularly important in a ruler that can switch and display a plurality of types of scale patterns on the same scale display portion as in the ruler of the present invention. That is, in a ruler using various movable mechanisms and liquid crystal display panels that have been proposed in the past, a certain distance should be placed between the end of the scale line and the end of the ruler body by design. However, the ruler of the present invention, as described above, uses the lenticular lens as the variable display mechanism, so that the graduation line Thus, it is possible to display the end portion of the ruler in contact with the end portion of the ruler body, thereby ensuring sufficient measurement accuracy as a ruler.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, in one or more kinds of scale patterns that can be displayed on the same scale display section, one or more selected from the color of the scale line and the color of the background of the scale pattern, or When scale numbers are displayed, one or more selected from the color of the scale lines, the scale numbers, and the background color of the scale pattern (hereinafter collectively referred to as “scale lines, etc.”) are made different from each other. Thus, during use, the user can easily recognize which type of scale pattern is being observed by the color of the scale pattern observed on the scale display unit.

  Therefore, for example, when the user reads the scale while moving the line of sight along the longitudinal direction of the scale display portion of the ruler, the movement of the line of sight should be kept constant in order to observe only the same scale pattern. Even if other scale patterns may be observed because the viewing angle is changed by mistake, the viewing angle is mistakenly changed due to the change in the color of the scale line of the visually recognized scale pattern before and after the movement of the line of sight. In this case, the color of the scale line, etc. that is observed after the line of sight is moved is the same as that before the line of sight is moved. In addition, by changing the viewing angle, it is possible to easily find the same scale pattern as before the line of sight movement, thus effectively preventing erroneous measurement accidents due to misreading of the scale pattern. Rukoto can.

  Furthermore, when the same measurement object is to be measured using a plurality of types of scale patterns, the same measurement object is observed based on changes in color such as scale lines observed when the viewing angle is changed. It is easy to recognize which type of scale pattern has changed, and it is easy to check the type of scale pattern. This improves the work efficiency of the measurement and selects the type of scale pattern to be used. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of erroneous measurement accidents due to errors.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a portion in the vicinity of the side by a plane perpendicular to the linear side along the scale display portion of the ruler body in an example of the ruler of the present invention. Yes, on the upper surface side of the ruler body, the shape of the surface 11 is a convex cylindrical cylinder having a central axis parallel to the side (corresponding to the end 4 of the ruler body) along the scale display portion of the ruler body. The surface has a shape in which a large number of surfaces are repeatedly arranged in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the side along the scale display portion), and the shape of the back surface 12 is a flat lenticular lens 1 and the back surface 12 side of the lenticular lens 1. An integrated reduction pattern 2 is provided.

  The integrated reduction pattern 2 decomposes each of a plurality of types of patterns (first to third types of patterns) into thin lines having the same width as the convex cylindrical surface of the lenticular lens 1 in the width direction thereof. Reduction patterns (reduction patterns a1, a2, a3,... Of the first pattern, reduction patterns b1, b2, b3,... Of the second pattern obtained by reduction in the width direction (reduction to one third of the width). ..., While shifting the position of the reduced pattern c1, c2, c3,... Of the third pattern in the width direction for each type of pattern (one reduced pattern a1 of the first pattern and one second pattern). The reduced pattern b1 of the pattern and the reduced pattern c1 of one third pattern are mutually connected so that the width of the aggregate of these three reduced patterns a1, b1, c1 is equal to the width of the convex cylindrical surface. While adjoining , Arranged in the width direction with the same period as the width of the convex cylindrical surface (an arrangement of the reduced patterns a2, b2, and c2 is arranged next to the integration of the reduced patterns a1, b1, and c1, and further adjacent thereto) An aggregate of reduced patterns a3, b3, and c3 is arranged, and then repeatedly arranged and accumulated in the same manner.

  With this configuration, when the scale display portion of this ruler is observed from the viewing angle A shown in FIG. 1, the reduced patterns b1, b2, and b3 of the second pattern are refracted by the light refracting action (lens action) of the lenticular lens 1. ,... And the reduced pattern c1, c2, c3,... Of the third pattern are not visually recognized at all, and only the reduced patterns a1, a2, a3,. (Magnification 3 times) and connected continuously in the width direction, and the eyelid is observed as if only the first pattern before processing such as decomposition / reduction exists at the position of the integrated reduction pattern 2 (first pattern) Is observed).

  When the viewing angle observed here is changed from the viewing angle A to the viewing angle B, the first pattern is not observed. Instead, the reduced patterns b1, b2, b3,. When the viewing angle to be observed is changed to the viewing angle C, the second pattern is not observed, and the third pattern is observed. Is observed. In this way, the user only changes the viewing angle with respect to the lenticular lens 1 of the scale display portion, and only an arbitrary pattern among a plurality of types of patterns integrated in a reduced form in the integrated reduction pattern 2 is obtained. Can be freely selected and observed.

  The principle of variable display using such a lenticular lens itself is well known in the art as seen in, for example, the above-mentioned Patent Document 13 and Patent Document 14, and has already been widely used in toys, educational media, advertising / advertisement media, etc. However, they are generally used mainly for entertainment purposes to enjoy the change of the design depending on the viewing angle, and for the purpose of advertising and publicity that attracts people's eyes due to the unexpectedness of the change of the design. There are very few application examples aimed at practical industrial products as in the present invention.

  In the present invention, the lenticular lens 1 may be the same as those of the conventional various uses described above. The material may be anything as long as it has transparency that allows at least the back side integrated reduction pattern 2 to be seen through, but generally synthetic materials such as vinyl chloride resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, or polyester resin are used. Resin is often used. The convex cylindrical surface of the surface 11 of the lenticular lens 1 is generally designed to have a width of about 0.2 to 1 mm, most preferably about 0.3 to 0.6 mm, and the radius of curvature is usually , About 0.5 to 1.0 times the width. Here, the cylindrical surface of the convex cylindrical surface is not necessarily limited to a true cylindrical surface, and other shapes such as an elliptical cylindrical surface, a parabolic surface, a hyperboloid, a sinusoidal surface, and the like approximate to a true cylindrical surface. If it is good. The thickness of the lenticular lens 1 is generally designed so that the minimum thickness (thickness at the boundary portion between adjacent convex cylindrical surfaces which is the thinnest portion) is about 0.1 to 2 mm in consideration of strength and the like. The thickness obtained by adding the height of the convex cylindrical surface (about 0.13 to 1.0 times the width of the convex cylindrical surface) is the maximum thickness of the lenticular lens 1.

  In the present invention, the lenticular lens 1 needs to be provided so that the central axis of the convex cylindrical surface of the surface 11 is parallel to the side along the scale display portion of the ruler body. When this is not parallel, for example, when it is vertical, when the side along the scale display part of the ruler body is observed with the side facing upward, the viewing angle is changed in the left-right direction in order to change the type of pattern observed. Although the change in the viewing angle in the left-right direction changes the position of the observed graduation line in the left-right direction even with a slight change within the viewing angle range where the same scale pattern is observed. Accurate measurement becomes difficult. Also, especially when the length of the ruler is long, the viewing angle in the left-right direction when observing from the same eye position differs depending on the place in the left-right direction of the scale display section, so different patterns are observed depending on the place in the left-right direction. As a result, the measurement work may be hindered. On the other hand, if the central axis of the convex cylindrical surface of the surface 11 of the lenticular lens 1 is parallel to the side along the scale display portion of the ruler body, the type of pattern to be observed and the position of the scale line are determined in the horizontal direction. The above-mentioned problems do not occur because of no influence of the viewing angle.

  The lenticular lens 1 may be provided over the entire surface of the ruler body, or may be provided only on the scale display portion. In the latter case, the portion other than the scale display portion is the same as the lenticular lens 1. May be formed by joining different members, or may be formed by a portion formed integrally with the same material as the lenticular lens 1 and having no convex cylindrical surface formed on the surface. . In addition, the edge part (edge part 4 of a ruler main body) in the linear side along the scale display part of a ruler main body, and the edge part (end part of a scale display part) of the said ruler main body at the edge part 4 side ) May be provided with an appropriate interval as necessary. However, if this interval is designed to be too wide, the end of the ruler body and the end 4 of the ruler body when the end of the ruler body is applied to the measurement object and the scale is read when the ruler is used. When the distance is increased, the reading error of the scale may be caused. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance between the end portion 4 of the ruler body and the end portion of the scale display portion is designed to be as narrow as possible. Considering the mode of use of a general ruler, it is considered that the allowable range of the interval is usually within 1 mm, more preferably within about 0.5 mm. In this respect, a ruler using a movable mechanism or a liquid crystal display panel that has been proposed in the past is technically difficult to keep the distance within 1 mm. Therefore, there is no technical obstacle to keeping the distance within 1 mm or 0.5 mm. In the ruler of the present invention, the interval is substantially determined by the interval between the linear side along the scale display portion of the ruler body and the end of the lenticular lens 1 on the linear side. The Therefore, the linear side of the ruler body along the scale display portion is aligned with the end of the lenticular lens 1 on the side of the linear side, and the linear shape of the scale line displayed on the scale display portion. The end of the side (the end of the scale line) is substantially in contact with the linear side (the end of the scale line reaches the linear side or the distance between the two is If it is configured so that it is observed close enough to the user so that it is virtually unnoticeable as a gap during measurement, the scale reading error during measurement is minimized, and the most accurate measurement is achieved. It is most desirable because it allows. For this purpose, it is desirable that the linear side edge of the integrated reduction pattern disposed on the back side of the lenticular lens 1 is also aligned with the linear side.

  An optional backing material 3 can be provided on the back side of the lenticular lens 1 via the integrated reduction pattern 2 as necessary. The ruler body in the ruler of the present invention is basically composed of the lenticular lens 1 and the integrated reduction pattern 2 which are essential components, and a backing material 3 and other members provided as necessary. The material and shape of the backing material 3 are not limited at all. When the ruler of the present invention is a flat ruler, for example, a plate-like body such as a metal plate or a plastic plate may be used, or a triangular scale is used. A triangular prism may be used for. If the lenticular lens 1 itself can sufficiently secure the necessary strength as a ruler, the backing material 3 may not be provided, or a thin leaf body such as paper, plastic film or metal foil is used for the purpose of protecting the back surface. It can also be used, or can be substituted with the entire surface or partial application of printing ink or paint. When the backing material 3 is provided, the lenticular lens 1 may be provided so as to cover the entire surface of the backing material 3 on the scale display portion side, or may be provided partially only on the scale display portion.

The portion provided with the scale display part of the backing material 3 is not limited to one or a plurality of other portions (for example, other surfaces, locations along other sides in the same surface, etc.) A pattern or a display may be provided, and further, another scale display unit may be provided. The scale display unit may be a scale display unit (fixed scale display unit) in which only one type of scale pattern is fixedly displayed by engraving or printing, or a lenticular lens in the same manner as the scale display unit. In addition, it may be a scale display section (variable scale display section) that has an integrated reduction pattern and can display a plurality of types of scale patterns, and both may be provided at different locations. Even in the case of a ruler provided with a plurality of scale display parts as described above, the ruler of the present invention having a variable scale display part at least in one place is a ruler in which all the scale display parts are fixed scale display parts. If it compares, the effort of the selection of the scale display part at the time of use can be reduced significantly.

  The overall shape of the ruler of the present invention is not limited at all. If it is a flat plate, the planar shape is not limited to a normal narrow width and long shape, for example, a triangular shape (so-called triangular ruler), a square shape, a semicircular shape. For example, a triangular shape (so-called triangular scale), a quadrangular prism shape, a cross-shaped prism shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, or the like can be arbitrarily designed according to the application. .

  The integrated reduction pattern 2 is formed by a printing technique such as an offset printing method or a gravure printing method using a printing plate produced by using a known image processing technique or a plate making technique based on a plurality of types of patterns to be displayed. can do. Alternatively, it can be formed by using an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method based on image processing data without using a printing plate, or can be formed by a so-called photolithography method using a photoengraving technique. The integrated reduction pattern 2 may be formed directly on the back surface of the lenticular lens 1 or may be formed on the surface of a separately prepared backing material 3 and then bonded to the lenticular lens 1. However, if the position of the lenticular lens 1 (the position of the repeated arrangement pattern of the convex cylindrical surface of the surface 11) and the position of the integrated reduction pattern 2 (the position of the arrangement pattern of each reduction pattern) are not sufficiently matched, a predetermined value is obtained. Even when observing from the viewing angle (viewing angle A, viewing angle B, or viewing angle C), it becomes impossible to clearly observe only the predetermined pattern (first, second, or third pattern). It is important to align.

  In the present invention, the plurality of types of patterns that are the basis of each reduced pattern constituting the integrated reduced pattern 2, that is, the plurality of types of patterns that can be displayed on the scale display unit, must include at least a plurality of types of scale patterns. is there. The graduation pattern includes at least graduation lines at a predetermined interval, and is configured to include graduation numbers at a predetermined interval as necessary.Further, if necessary, any pattern or display other than the graduation lines and the graduation numbers, For example, a display related to the type of scale pattern such as a unit system display may be included.

  Here, the plurality of types of scale patterns are scale patterns in which at least one of the intervals between the scale lines, the numbers of the scale numbers, and the arrangement of the scale numbers included in the scale patterns is different from each other. In addition, when the graduation line includes multiple types with different lengths in the width direction of the graduation display part (direction perpendicular to the side along the graduation display part), all graduation lines are considered without regard to the length type. Even if the interval between the scale lines when focused is the same between the two scale patterns, the distance when only the scale line of a certain type is focused is between the two scale patterns. If they are different from each other, the two scale patterns have different scale line intervals.

  The plurality of types of patterns that can be displayed on the scale display unit may include patterns other than the scale patterns in addition to the plurality of types of scale patterns. As a pattern other than the scale pattern, for example, any pattern for entertainment, advertisement display, ruler instruction manual, manufacturer / seller display, quality display, etc. may be used. Solid color solids not included may be used.

  In the present invention, it is necessary that the number of types of patterns that can be displayed on the scale display unit is at least two, and the larger the number, the more types of scale patterns can be displayed, and the applications expand. There are advantages. However, according to the variable display mechanism using the lenticular lens 1, it is technically possible to have a maximum of about 20 types, but if the number of types of patterns that can be displayed is too large, one type of pattern can be observed. If the viewing angle range becomes extremely narrow and the viewing angle slightly shifts due to the movement of the user's body while using the ruler, the pattern observed on the scale display will change to another pattern, and the scale The problem that it becomes difficult to read is likely to occur. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of patterns that can be displayed on the same scale display section is within about six types.

  The specific type of the scale pattern to be displayed on the scale display unit is not limited at all in the present invention, and any number of types of scale patterns can be used in combination as desired. Some specific examples will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In each of the following examples, a combination of three to four types of scale patterns can be displayed, but a combination of only two or more selected from the three to four types may be used. It may be a combination in which one or more other scale patterns are further added to all or a part of these three to four types, and is further arbitrarily selected from each type of scale pattern in each of the following examples. It may be a combination, a combination in which one or more other scale patterns are further added, a combination of a plurality of types of scale patterns not listed in the following examples, and the like.

  The ruler shown in FIG. 2 is capable of displaying three types of scale patterns: a centimeter scale shown in FIG. 2A, an inch scale shown in FIG. 2B, and a curved scale shown in FIG. 2C. It has been done. In the scale pattern of the centimeter scale in FIG. 2A, scale lines 23 having a length of 10 mm in the direction perpendicular to the side 25 along the scale display portion are provided at intervals of 10 mm in the direction along the side 25. Between the scale lines 23, scale lines having a length of about 7 mm in the direction perpendicular to the side 25 are provided at intervals of 5 mm in the direction along the side 25, and between the scale lines. Scale lines with a length of about 5 mm in the direction perpendicular to the side 25 are provided at intervals of 1 mm in the direction along the side 25 (hereinafter, scale lines with a length of 10 mm have intervals of 10 mm and a length of 7 mm). The scale lines are expressed as 5 mm intervals, and the 5 mm length scale lines are expressed as 1 mm intervals).

  On the other hand, in the scale pattern of the inch scale shown in FIG. 2B, the scale lines having a length of 10 mm are spaced by 1 inch (about 25.4 mm), and the scale lines having a length of 7 mm are 0.5 inches (about 12.7 mm). ) Scale lines with a length of 5 mm are provided at intervals of 0.1 inches (about 2.54 mm). The scale pattern of the scale scale shown in FIG. A scale line having a length of about 30.3 mm and a length of 7 mm is provided at intervals of 0.5 dimension (about 15.15 mm), and a scale line having a length of 5 mm is provided at a distance of 0.1 dimension (about 0.303 mm).

  If the viewing angle of the ruler with respect to the scale display unit 22 is, for example, the viewing angle A shown in FIG. 1, the centimeter scale in FIG. 2A and the viewing angle B are the inch scale and viewing angle C in FIG. 2 (c) is configured so that each of the scale patterns of the curved scale is observed (if the relationship between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is shown, FIG. 1 is a line in FIG. 2 (a)). This corresponds to a partial vertical sectional view of a portion in the vicinity of the side 25 along the scale display portion at the position indicated by the minute xx). If this ruler is used, a single ruler can be used for three purposes: a centimeter scale ruler, an inch scale ruler, and a curved scale ruler. It is possible to save the trouble of selecting the side 25 to be addressed. Furthermore, once the side 25 along the ruler scale display portion 22 is addressed to the measurement object, the viewing angle is changed without moving the ruler. Thus, the dimension of the measurement object can be measured in three units of a centimeter, an inch and a dimension.

  Note that the color of the scale line 23 in each scale pattern is, for example, black in the centimeter scale scale pattern of FIG. 2A, red in the inch scale scale pattern of FIG. 2B, and FIG. If the scale pattern of the curve scale is set to a different color such as blue, the viewing angle that should be kept constant will be erroneously changed when reading the scale while moving the viewpoint to the left and right along the scale display. In this case, for example, the black scale line 23 of the scale pattern of the centimeter scale of FIG. 2 (a) is observed at the left end of the measurement object at the viewing angle A shown in FIG. If the viewing angle changes to the viewing angle B at the right end of FIG. 2, the red scale line 23 of the graduation pattern of the inch scale in FIG. 2 (b) is observed. The user can easily notice that the scale pattern different from the one is observed by the change of the color of the scale line 23 to be observed, and the user should observe the original by changing the viewing angle. By observing the black scale line 23, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous measurement accident due to an erroneous selection of the scale pattern to be observed.

  The same effect can be achieved by changing the background color of the scale pattern instead of the color of the scale line 23. For example, while the color of the scale line 23 is all black, the background color of the scale pattern is white in the centimeter scale scale pattern of FIG. 2A and the scale pattern of the inch scale of FIG. 2B. Is yellow, and the scale pattern of the scale of FIG. 2C is sky blue. Here, the background color of the graduation pattern is not limited to a single solid color, and may be any background pattern such as a stripe, lattice, checkered, or polka dot. May be a combination of multiple colors. Further, the distinction by the color of the scale line 23 and the distinction by the background color of the scale pattern may be used in combination. For example, in the scale pattern of the centimeter scale of FIG. 2A, the scale line 23 is black, the background color of the scale pattern is white, and in the scale pattern of the inch scale of FIG. 2B, the scale line 23 is red. The background color of the scale pattern is white, the scale line 23 is black in the scale scale scale pattern of FIG. 2C, and the background color of the scale pattern is sky blue.

  In the present invention, in addition to the scale line 23, the scale display unit 22 can also display scale numbers 24 at predetermined intervals. The ruler shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by adding a scale number 24 to each scale pattern in the ruler shown in FIG. 2. In the scale pattern of the centimeter scale shown in FIG. In the scale pattern of the inch scale in FIG. 3B, the scale number 24 in inches is 1 inch (about 25.4 mm), and in the scale pattern of the scale scale in FIG. Numbers 24 are provided at intervals of 1 inch (about 30.3 mm). In this example, the scale numbers are provided in all the scale patterns. However, the scale pattern including the scale numbers 24 and the scale pattern not including the scale numbers 24 are mixed to be displayed on the same scale display unit 22. May be.

  In addition, when the scale pattern including the scale number 24 is used, the distinction by the color of the scale number 24 can be used in the above-described distinction by the color. For example, in the case of the ruler shown in FIG. 3, the color of the scale line 24 is changed to the centimeter of FIG. 2A while unifying the color of the scale line 23 in black and the background color of the scale pattern in white in all scale patterns. For example, black is used for the scale pattern of the meter scale, red is used for the scale pattern of the inch scale shown in FIG. 2B, and blue is used for the scale pattern of the curved scale scale shown in FIG. Of course, the distinction by the color of the scale number 24 and the distinction by the color of the scale line 23 and / or the distinction by the color of the background of the scale pattern can be used in combination.

  The unit system that can be used in the ruler of the present invention is not limited to the above three types, but other examples include, for example, a whale scale (1 dimension = about 38 mm), point pica (1 pt = about 0.35 mm, 1 pc = about Any known unit system such as 4.2 mm) can be used in appropriate combination. In addition to the scale related to the length, special scales such as an exponent scale, a logarithmic scale, a square root scale, a trigonometric function scale, and a hyperbolic function scale can be used in appropriate combination.

  The ruler shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a scale ruler according to an application of the present invention. The scale pattern of the actual scale in FIG. 4A (the same centimeter scale scale pattern as in FIG. 3A) and FIG. (B) scale pattern of 1/10 scale scale, scale pattern of 1/20 scale scale in FIG. 4 (c), and scale scale of 1/50 scale in FIG. 4 (d). The four types of scale patterns, such as the scale pattern, can be displayed. Among these, the scale pattern of the actual scale and the scale pattern of the scale of 1/10 scale are the same in the interval of the scale lines and the position of the scale numbers, and only the numerical values of the scale numbers are different. Similarly to the rulers shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 described above, the ruler may be provided with a distinction means based on the color of the scale line 23, the color of the scale numeral 24, and / or the color of the background of the scale pattern. it can.

  Note that the scale of the scale is not limited to the above three types, and can be arbitrarily selected depending on the application. For example, for general machine drafting, about 1/2 to 1/100 scale, for civil engineering / architecture drafting, about 1/50 to 1/1000 scale, and for maps, 1/1000 scale. What is necessary is just to select suitably from the range of about 1 / 1,000,000. In addition, for example, in the design drawings of semiconductor integrated circuits, micromachines, and the like, an enlarged scale drawing is often used contrary to the above. You can also In addition, a scale pattern of an enlarged scale corresponding to the enlargement / reduction copying function of the copying machine can be employed.

  The ruler shown in FIG. 5 is also an example of the ruler of the present invention, and all of the three types of scale patterns that can be displayed on the scale display portion 22 of this ruler are centimeter scale scale patterns. They are different from each other. That is, in the first scale pattern, as shown in FIG. 5A, the scale numbers in centimeters are arranged so that the numerical values increase sequentially from the left side to the right side with the left end as 0 (right-facing arrangement). On the other hand, in the second scale pattern, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the scale numbers in centimeters are arranged so that the numerical values increase sequentially from the right side to the left side with the right end as 0. (Left-facing arrangement) In the third scale pattern, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the scale numbers in centimeter units are arranged so that the numerical values increase sequentially toward the left and right sides with the center as 0. (Center sorting array). Among these, for the scale pattern of the central distribution array, a part of the background of the scale pattern on the right side from the scale line with the scale number “0” (the width corresponding to the length of the scale line at intervals of 1 mm) It is colored in a different color from the other parts of the background of the scale pattern. Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned various rulers, the color of the scale line 23, the color of the scale number 24, and / or the background of the scale pattern so that the three kinds of scale patterns can be easily distinguished from each other. It is also possible to apply a means for distinguishing colors.

  This ruler is arranged in the right direction when measuring the length from the left end to the right side of the measurement object, in the left direction arrangement when measuring the length from the right end to the left side of the measurement object, and in the horizontal direction of the measurement object. In the case where the length is measured from one point in the middle toward both the left and right sides, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the measurement work by using a scale pattern having scale numbers in the central distribution array. Also, when drawing a line of a desired length with a writing instrument using a ruler, a right-handed person draws a line while reading the scale from the left end to the right side using the scale pattern of the right-facing arrangement. On the other hand, it is convenient for left-handed people to draw a line while reading the scale from the right end to the left side using the scale pattern of the left-facing array. By making at least displayable types of scale patterns, a universal design ruler that is easy to use for both right-handed and left-handed people can be obtained.

The partial vertical sectional view by the surface perpendicular | vertical to the edge | side along the scale display part of the ruler main body in an example of the ruler of this invention. The top view which shows the change of the scale pattern displayed on the scale display part in an example of the ruler of this invention. The top view which shows the change of the scale pattern displayed on the scale display part in an example of the ruler of this invention. The top view which shows the change of the scale pattern displayed on the scale display part in an example of the ruler of this invention. The top view which shows the change of the scale pattern displayed on the scale display part in an example of the ruler of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lenticular lens 11 Front surface of lenticular lens 12 Back surface of lenticular lens 2 Integrated reduction pattern a1, a2, a3, ... Reduction pattern b1, b2, b3 of 1st pattern ... Reduction pattern c1, c2 of 2nd pattern , C3,... Third pattern reduction pattern 3 Backing material 4 Edge A of ruler body Viewing angle B when observing the first pattern Viewing angle C when observing the second pattern Viewing the third pattern Viewing angle 21 Ruler body 22 Scale display part 23 Scale line 24 Scale number 25 Side along scale display part

Claims (3)

A scale display portion is provided along which at least one linear line on at least one surface of the ruler body includes a scale line at a predetermined interval and a scale pattern including or not including a scale digit at a predetermined interval is provided. In the ruler
At least on the scale display part of the ruler body,
A convex cylindrical surface of a predetermined width having a central axis parallel to the side is a shape in which a surface shape is repeatedly arranged in the direction perpendicular to the side at the same cycle as the width, and the back surface shape is planar. A lenticular lens made of a transparent material,
The convex cylindrical surface is provided for each pattern type by arranging a reduced pattern obtained by disassembling each of the plurality of types of patterns arranged in the rear side of the lenticular lens into a thin line and reducing it in the width direction. An integrated reduction pattern formed by arranging and accumulating at the same cycle as the width of the convex cylindrical surface while shifting the position in the width direction within the range of the width,
Is provided,
The plurality of types of patterns are:
A ruler comprising at least a plurality of types of scale patterns in which at least one selected from an interval of the scale lines, a numerical value of the scale numbers, and an arrangement of the scale numbers is different from each other. An end side of the linear side of the lenticular lens is provided in alignment with the linear side,
2. The ruler according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the scale line on the side of the linear side is displayed substantially in contact with the linear side. The multiple types of scale patterns are:
The ruler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more selected from the color of the scale line, the color of the scale number, and the color of the background of the scale pattern are different from each other.

Images