US2505437A

US2505437A - Combination ruler and compass

Info

Publication number: US2505437A
Application number: US671769A
Authority: US
Inventors: Skolnick Max
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-05-23
Filing date: 1946-05-23
Publication date: 1950-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1967-04-25

Description

April 25, 1950 M. SKOLNICK COMBINATION RULER AND COMPASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1946 INVENTOR. MAX SKOLNICK A TTORNEY April 25, 1950 M. SIKOLNICKA cbMBINA'rIoN RULERAND COMPASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1946 INVENTOR. MAX SKOLNICK.

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 1950 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in drawing instruments, and refers more particularly to a combined ruler and compass.

More specifically, the invention proposes the ,construction of a compass, the legs of which are straight and bear markings constituting them individaully as rulers. Additionally, the legs of the compass are so joined together that they may be positioned each to constitute a straight extension of the other, and the markings of one leg will be complementary to those of the other so that jointly they constitute a single long ruler. I

A further object is that the compass handle may .be folded or turned so as to overlie the legs of the angular position of the legs thereof, in combination with a nut and bolt means pivotally connecting the legs together.

Still another object is to provide a compass with sleeves for receiving divider points, a pen, pencil or other stylus means, which sleeves shall be bodily adjustable relative to the compas legs on which they are mounted, and novel mean for maintaining thesleeves in their adjusted position. A general object of the invention is that the above shall be embodied in an instrument which shall be economical to fabricate, pleasing in appearance, and simple in operation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of an instrument embodying the present invention, shown in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same, partly broken away and. showing the legs extended to -form a single long ruler.

Fig. 5 is a frontelevation-of the instrument in closed position, with an open position shown in broken lines.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the joint elements of the instrument.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on the line il-ll of Fig. 10.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the ruler compass 20, which will be referred to hereafter as a compass, comprises two legs 2i, 22, marked with complementary ruler scales and comprising beveled ruling

edges

23, 24. Each leg 2|, 22 is substantially rectangular in plan view, as clearly seen from Figs. 2, 4., and 5.

Extending fromadjacent end corners of the legs 2i, '22 are the

circular pivot ears

25, 26 formed with central holes 27, 28, the centersof the holes 27, 28 and

ears

25, 26 lying on the intersection of the projected end and inner side lines of their respective legs.

A. partially threaded pivot 29 passes through holes 21, 28 to pivotally connect the legs 2 l, 22 together. A washer 30 overlies ear 26 on pivot 29,

and a split washer 3| overlies washer 30, also on pivot 29.

The compass handle 32 comprises a substantially tubular portion 33 and a fiat portion 34 formed with a hole 35 extending transversely to the axis of portion 33 and to the plane of portion 34, which may be said to extend radially from hole 35. Portion 34 of handle 32 is mounted on pivot 29 overlying washer 3| and in engagement with lock nut 36, the lower radial surface of the latter engaging the radial surface of portion 34, the two surfaces bein in frictional engagement when nut 36 is screwed down tight. When in such condition of engagement, the elongated tubular portion 33 serves as a lever for applying the final tightening force to nut 36 and the initial loosening force when it is desired to unscrew nut 36.

It is notable that, because handle 32 and nut 36 are freely rotatable, relatively to each other, except when in frictional engagement, such tightening and loosening of nut 36 may be effected with handle 32 in any desired position relative to legs 2|, 22 as seen from the various figures. For instance, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the portion 33 overlies legs 2|, 22 in order to decrease the overall length of the instrument and in order not to constitute a projection. The compass as thus locked is conveniently carried in the pocket without needing any protective case. In Fig. 5, the handle 32 and portion 33 thereof in particular extends in prolongation of legs 2|, 22 in operative position in the use of the compass. In Fig. 4, portion 33 overlies leg 22, looking the legs in straight extending position to form one long ruler in which the ruling

edges

23, 24 form one continuous straight edge and portion 33 does not project so as to interrupt said straight edge, but rather performs the desirable function of a han- '54 and underlying upper wall portion 56.

'3 dle by which the ruler may be conveniently picked up from the work without having to place the fingers on the work in order to reach under the ruler.

Legs 2|, 22 each comprise a stylus sleeve 37 fixed thereto in any convenient manner, the sleeve 31 being tubular and comprising a transversely extending screw 38 or other means for the adjustable positioning of divider points 39, pen, pencil 40 or other form of stylus or inscribing means.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a modified form of my invention in which a stylus sleeve 55 with stylus holding screw is adjustable longitudinally of leg 52 of a compass, not shown in entirety. Fig. is an elevation of the writing or inscribing end of the compass leg 52, which end appears at the lower end of Fig. 11. 7

Leg 5Z.is formed with .a longitudinal opening 53, one side wall of which is formed with ratchet teeth 54, the other side wall 55 being smooth.

Opening 53 has top wall portions 56 and 51, and a top slot 58. V

Sleeve 55 is mounted on sleeve base 59, extending upward therefrom through slot 58, the sleeve 56 and base 59 being slidable as a unit longitudinally of opening 53 and leg 52. Base 59 is formed with ratchet teeth 68 interengaging teeth On the opposite side of base 59'from teeth Bil are two lugs 5| extending laterally therefrom and underlying top wall portion 51. V

Longitudinally' confined by lugs BI and laterally compressed by base 59 and wall 55 is the leaf spring 62 which tends to keep the

teeth

54, 55 in engagement thus longitudinally positioning sleeve at on leg 52'. It is evident however that by a pressure from left to right of Figs. 10 and 11, hearing on sleeve 59 and conveniently exerted by the fingers, teethv 54, may be disengaged against the aotionof. spring Gland sleeve 56 adjustedlongitudinally orf leg 52 upon release of the pressure, spring 62 will causeteeth 54, to reengage at the: new position, maintaining the same securely.

While I have illustratedand described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions. herein disclosed and the right is: reserved to all'changes'andmodifications coming. within the. scope of the, invention as defined in the appendediclaims.

Having'thusdescribedmfy invention, wha I claim as new, :and desire to secure by United States-Letters Patent is 1:. In: an article of the class. described, having adjacent legs pivotally connected together at their adjacentrends, said legs being formed with openings extended in from thefree ends thereof and slots of a width less. than said openings extendingfrom said openings to one side of said legs, a base slidable longitudinally in each of said openings, each of said bases having portions extending through the slots of their respective openings, stylus holding tube mounted on the extended portions of said bases ratchet teeth formed on, the walls of said openings along one side of said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the edges, of said bases adjacent the ratchet teeth of said wall for engaging said ratchet teeth of said walhand resilient means operating between the edges of said base opposite the edges formed with saidlatter mentioned ratchet teeth and the adjacent side walls of said openings urging saidbas'es to maintain said ratchet teeth engaged.

2. In an article of the class described, having adjacent legs pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends, said legs being formed with openings extended in from the free ends thereof and slots of a width less thansaidopenings extending from said openings to one side of said legs, a base slidable longitudinally in each of said openings, each of said bases having portions extending through the slots of their respective openings, stylus holding tubes mounted on the extended portions of said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the walls of said openings along one side of said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the edges of said bases adjacent the ratchet teeth of said wall for engaging said ratchet teeth of said Well, and resilient means operat ng between the edges of's'aid bases opposite the edges 'formedwith said latter mentioned ratchet teeth and the adjacent side walls of said openingsurging said bases to maintain said ratchet teeth engaged, said ratchet teeth being, disposed to slide" over one another when the bases are moved to, move thestylus holding tubes toward, the free ends of said legs and'to engage and restrain any movement of the bases and the stylus holding tubes carried thereby away from the free. ends of said legs.

In an article of the class described, having adjacent legs pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends, said legs being formed with openings extended in from the free ends thereof and slots of a width less than said openings extending from said openings tooneside-of said-legs, a base slidable longitudinally each ofsaid openings, each of said bases having portions extending through the. slots of their respective openings, stylus. holding tubes mounted" on the extended portions oi said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the walls of said openings along one side of said bases, ratchet teeth formedon theedges oi"- said bases adjacent the ratchet teeth of'sa'id wall for engaging said ratchet teeth" of" said wall, and resilient means operating betweenthe'edges ofsaid bases'opposite' the edges formed with said latter mentioned ratchet teeth and the adjacent side -'walls of said openings urging said bases to main- 't'ain said ratchet teeth enga ed, said resilient means comprising a spaced pair oilugs formed on the edge of each of said-bases opposite the edges formed with said latter mentioned"ratchet teeth, and leaf springs of a length greater than the spaces between saidpairs of lugs, each leaf spring having its ends engaging its respective lugs holdingthe leaf spring arched withit's intermediate portionengaging thewall oi its respective open ing opposed toit s' wan, formed with said first mentioned ratchet teeth holding its respective base in a position in which Saidratchet teeth will be engaged;

SKOLNICK.

REFERENGES. CITED" The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNfiED STATES PATENTS