US1249339A - Folding straight-edge. - Google Patents

Description

E. cmsPlN. FOLDING STRAIGHT EDGE.`

APPLICATION4 FILED MAY 3.1916.

- Famed De@ 11, 11917.

'l l .d F.

EDVTARD CRISPIN', OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING STRAIGHT-EDGE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I,"En\vAnuCRrsrrN, a citizen of the United `States, residing at the city of New York, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful lmplement Consisting of a Folding Straight-Edge, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a folding straight edge to be used by paperhangers, painters, decorators, floor covering layers, brick pencilers and many others in executing their trade.

A prominent object of my invention is to provide such straight edge in any length, of which both sides can be used and can be folded and conveniently Carried without being objectionable, whereby I attain some marked advantage as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of a straight edge embodying my invention, showing the same folded;

Fig. 2,' a rear view of'part of the same, showing the hinge;

Fig. 3, a perspective view of a modification of the hinge;

Fig. l, a front view partly in section of the sliding rod, and

Fig. 5, a detail of the lock.

The folding straight edge, about three inches wide, is made of one or several kinds of wood, in narrow strips 11 and glued together to prevent the warping of same.

In the middle of one side of the straight edge is a groove about one third of the width of the straight edge and about three siX- teenths of an inch deep, with undercut edges, narrower on top and wider on bottom, as shown at part 1 in Fig. 1.

The groove in one member of the straight edge is closed for about an inch as shown at 2, while the alined .groove in the other member is closed for about one quarter of the whole length of the straight edge as shown at 3.

An inch and foot measure is marked on the edges of the straight edge.

Both edges of the straight edge are brass bound, the brass projecting a little on one side of the straight edge for the purpose to hold flexible material better.

rl`he two halves or parts of the straight edge are connected with a hinge on the other, or smooth side of the straight edge, Fig. 2,

Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 11, 1917..

the width of same to be the same as the width of` the wood of the straight edge and are sunken and even with the wood.

The hinge is made of spring or hard steel, the straps ofthe hinge being iexible and bentY inwardly at their adjoining ends, so that the knuckle is countersunk as indi catedat 1 Fig. 2.

llnstead of one broad hinge, I may use two small hinges or twisted hinges, as shown at 12 in Fig. 3, with elastic centers, each one close to the edge of the straight edge. The corners across the straight edge are rounded off.

By folding the straight edge, the middle part of the hinge with the knuckle will bend correct to the center of the joint of the two parts of the straight edge.

nto the groove is fitted a slidable rod 13 having beveled edges 5, said rod being flush with the surface of the straight edge.

The length of this sliding rod is half the length of the straight edge, less the short, closed space on the end of the groove, and when the straight edge is folded, the rod will not project beyond the wooden part in the middle.

Near each end of the rod is formed a hole 6, while the ends of the straight edge are undercut as at 7. `When the rod is pulled to the end of the groove, the hole will Y fit over and snap on a spring button, 8,

which is fastened near the end of the bottom of the groove, said button having been first depressed by the beveled end 7 of the rod. The holes in the rods are also used for pulling the rod by means of a nger to the desired position.

When the straight edge is opened the sliding rod is pulled over the middle of the straight edge to the end of the groove, where the hole in the rod will lit and snap on another spring button, Fig. 1, 9, fastened near the end of the bottom of the groove and will hold the rod in the right position, the middle of the rod corresponding with the middle of the straight edge.

The straight edge will now be steady and firm, and perfectly straight, will not shake or bend sidewise. It will take no loss of time, to fold or to unfold it and no tools are needed to do this.

By pressing the spring button and pulling the sliding rod back to the other end of the groove, the hole in the sliding rod will snap ou the spring button Fig. 1, 8,- which will hold the sliding rod and the straight edge may be folded and locked.

On the ends of the straight edgeis a contrivance Fig. 5 to lock and hold both ends together when the straight edge is folded, said contrivztnce comprising a catch l0 and a cooperating keeper 14.

Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A straight edge comprising a; pair of hingedly connected members having alined grooves, e pair of spring buttons projecting into said grooves, and a rod slidable VWithin said grooves, said rod being provided with beveled ends and With a pair of aperoliizswofithis patent msj be obtained for tures in proximity to said ends which are adapted to be engaged by the spring buttons.

2. A straight edge comprising :t pair of members, having alined grooves :it one of their faces, :t rod slidably engaging seid grooves, and a hinge connecting said members et their other faces, said hinge being provided with inwardly bent iexible straps and With a countersunk knuckle.

EDWARD CRISPIN.

Witnesses JULIA M. FETZER, AGNES PEcoUD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

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