US2879597A

US2879597A - Adjustable drafting sectioning instrument

Info

Publication number: US2879597A
Application number: US654144A
Authority: US
Inventors: Le Roy W Burger
Original assignee: Gadget of the Month Club Inc
Current assignee: Gadget of the Month Club Inc
Priority date: 1957-04-22
Filing date: 1957-04-22
Publication date: 1959-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-31

Description

March 31, 1959 LE ROY w. BURGER ADJUSTABLE DRAFTING SECTIONING INSTRUMENT Filed April 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LE ROY W. BURGER BY ,QJJ. W

March 31, 1959 LE ROY W. BURGER ADJUSTABLE DRAFTING SECTIONING INSTRUMENT Filed April 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LEROY W BURGER United States Patent ADJUSTABLE DRAFTING SECTIONING INSTRUMENT Le Roy W. Burger, Salem, Oreg., assignor of one-tenth to Gadget-Of-The-Month 'Club, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 22, 1957, Serial No. 654,144 6 Claims. (Cl. 3381) Generally speaking, the present invention relates to the drafting instrument art and, more particularly, relates to an adjustable drafting instrument for providing stepped movement whereby accurate and rapid sectioning and shading may be easily accomplished.

Applicant is aware of the fact that prior art drafting sectioning instruments have been developed heretofore and that such prior art drafting sectioning instruments are disadvantageous for various reasons. Most such prior art arrangements are relatively difiicult to set up and are used in conjunction with a drafting board, which makes it cumbersome to use. This means that the draftsman cannot make good use of his T-square and triangles which must be removed from the board in order to make use of the prior art sectioning devices. Thus, it is readily evident that prior art drafting sectioning instruments are not particularly well adapted to be used when the sectioning or shading needed is fairly limited, since the set-up time required for attaching the prior art devices to the drafting board would be prohibitive. Another limiting feature of the prior art drafting sectioning instruments is the poor manipulative means used to provide stepped movement for the ruler which tend to bind and are not naturally accessible to the draftsman.

The present invention was developed primarily to overcome the aforementioned problems and, generally speaking, can be said to'be a drafting instrument cooperable for stepped movement and cooperable for attachment with respect to a straight edge, normally the T-square used by the draftsman on the drafting board. It consists of a flat longitudinal base having attachment means for attaching the base to a straight edge and has a plurality of parallel track rods mounted thereon. A carriage which consists of longitudinally spaced rear and forward end members, connected with respect to each other, is slidably mounted on the track rods for stepped movement thereon. Both the rear and forward end members have grip extensions; the grip extension of the rear end member is used to impel the carriage forward and thegrip extension on' the forward end member is used to return the carriage to the desired starting point. Adjustable throw stop means, mounted with respect to the rear end member, is cooperable with a canted lever to limit the forward travel of the carriage on the track rods. The lever is selectively lockable and mounted on the track rods, between the rear and forward end members, and is cooperable upon selective locking on the track rods for limiting the forward travel of the carriage a dist ance predetermined by the throw stop member which abuts the lever upon travelling a predetermined distance. A duplex of springs which surround the track rods and are mounted between the rear and forward end members are cooperable for urging the lever forward. Upon release of the lever the springs impel the lever against the inner wall of the forward end member. A hinged member is attached with respect to the carriage. and carries a ruler thereon. This ruler is adjustable andpivotallynattached for angular settings.

. as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and

"ice

The present invention may be provided with right angle conversion means for orienting the base perpendicular to a straight edge.

From the above description of basic and generic forms of the present invention, it will be apparent to 'those skilled in the art that virtually all of the hereinbefore mentioned prior art problems and/or disadvantages are substantially entirely eliminated, met and/or overcome in and through use of the present adjustable drafting sectioning instrument. Y

For example, it is obvious that the present invention may be quickly and easily set-up with respect toa T-square and, when mounted thereon, it is very securely fastened thereto in a manner which virtually eliminates the possibility that the adjustable drafting sectioning instrument will become accidentally disengaged therefrom.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable drafting instrument which will enable a draftsman to do accurate sectioning and shading in a manner which is simple and extremely fast.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable drafting sectioning instrument which is relatively inexpensive, easy to operate and of virtually foolproof construction.

Other and allied objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a careful perusal, examination, and study of the accompanying illustrations, the present specification, and the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, reference will be made to the hereinbelow described figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention attached with respect to a straight edge;

Fig. 2 is a left hand elevational view of the present invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view virtually identical to the view shown in Fig. 2--however, with the hinged member and the ruler actuated in the air;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the present invention partly broken away, showing the lever means in selective locked engagement on the track rods and the stop throw member abutting the lever thereby determining the forward travel of the carriage;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the adjustable drafting sectioning instrument, as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 1, attached with respect to right angle conversion means for orientation perpendicular to the T-square;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the male attachment member of the right angle conversion means which cooperates with the base attachment means; I

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the right.

angle conversion means which is attached with respect to the base and to the T-square;

I Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the entire right angle conmember extended peroperable for attachment with respect-to a straight edge,

such as a T-square 13, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 6.

It consists of a flat longitudinal base 14 having female grooves 15 including setscrews 16 at the ends thereof which attach the instrument 12 with a straight edge 13,

5; -The base 14 may have" a longitudinal flange 17 that can be used as an alternate straight edge for convenience of the draftsman, although not so limited.

Two parallel track rods 18 are mounted at its end to the support members 19 of the base 14 and carries a carriage which consists of a rear end member 20 and a forward 'end member 21 that are slidably mounted on the track rods 18 for stepped movement, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6. 'The

end members

20 and 21 are longitudinally spaced from each other and are connected by threaded bolts 22 which engage interiorly threaded apertures of the

end members

20 and 21. The

end members

20 and 21 have apertures 23 which slidably receive the track rods 18, as best illustrated by the rear end member 20 in Figs. and 11.

The rear end member has a horizontal thumb grip extension 24 which is cooperable for actuating the carriage forward, and the end member 21 has a vertical grip extension 25 for actuating the carriage backward.

A selectively lockable, canted lever 29 is slidably mounted on the rods 18 adjacent the inner wall of the forward member 21 and is cooperable with throw stop means for limiting travel of the carriage. The adjustable throw stop means includes a throw stop member 26, forwardly passing through the rear member 20, in threaded engagement with a throw adjusting wheel 27, positioned within the recess 28A of the rear member 20, as shown in Figs. 1, 4-6, and 10. The throw stop member 26 is attached at its rear end with a prop 28 which is slidably mounted on the track rods 18.

The lever 29 is cooperable, upon selective looking on the track rods 18 by maintaining pressure thereon and causing it to bind on the track rods 18, for limiting the travel of the carriage a distance determined by the throw member 26 which abuts the lever upon travelling the predetermined distance, as best illustrated in Fig. 4.

Upon release of the lever 29 from the locked position, a duplex of spring means 43, surrounding the rods 18 and mounted between the

members

29 and 21, impel the lever 29 forward against the inner wall of the forward end member 21.

The instrument 12 has a hinged member 30 including a protractor marked thereon, hingedly connected at with respect to the

end members

26 and 21, and has a ruler 31 pivotally attached at 32 therewith, as best shown in Fig. 11. The ruler 31 has a locking nut 33 which rides within the arcuate slot 34 and locks the ruler 31 at the desired angular relationship needed for sectioning or shading, as best shown in Fig. l.

The drafting instrument 12 may come provided wtih angle conversion means, indicated generally at 36 in Figs. 6 and 9, for orienting the base 14 perpendicular to the straight edge 13. The right angle conversions means 36 consists of a hypotenuse arm 37 which is pivotally attached at 38 with respect to an attachment arm 39. The free end of the arm 37 has a male member 40, as shown in Fig. 7, which is inserted into the groove 15 at the rear end of the base 14 and the arm member 39 also has a male member 40 which attaches to the groove 15 at the opposite end of the base 14 thereby securing the base 14 to the angle conversion means .36. The attachment arm 39 comes provided with female grooves 41 and setscrews 42 which are attached to the T-square 13 thereby firmly orienting the drafting instrument perpendicular with respect to the straight edge 13, as shown in Fig. 9.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such properly within the basic spirit, scope and/or teachings of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed.

For example, it is obvious that other'attachment means may be used to mount the base with respect to the straight edge than as illustrated herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and being cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto, comprising: a fiat, longitudinal base having attachment means cooperable with a straight edge for attaching said base thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods; said rear end member having a horizontal grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods between said rear end member and said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said throw adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; spring means, mounted between said rear and forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto.

2. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and being cooperable with a straight edge for atattachment thereto, comprising: a flat, longitudinal base having attachment means cooperable with a straight edge for attaching said base thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods; said rear end member having a horizontal grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods between said rear end member and said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said throw adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; a duplex of spring means surrounding said track rods and mounted between said rear and said forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto; angle conversion means cooperable with said base and a straight edge for attachment thereto and for orienting said base in angular relationship with the straight edge.

3. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and being cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto, comprising: a flat longitudinal base having female grooves including set screws at the ends thereof and cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods for stepped movement; said rear end member having a horizontal grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage backward; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods adjacent the inner wall of said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said throw adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; a duplex of spring means surrounding said track rods and mounted between said rear and said forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto; right angle conversion means having attachment means cooperable with said base and a straight edge for attachment thereto and for orienting said base perpendicular to the straight edge.

4. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and being cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto, comprising: a flat longitudinal base having female grooves including set screws at the ends thereof and cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods for stepped movement; said rear end member having a horizontal thumb grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage backward; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods adjacent the inner wall of said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said throw adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; a duplex of spring means surrounding said track rods and mounted between said rear and said forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto.

5. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and. being cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto, comprising: a flat longitudinal base having female grooves including set screws at the ends thereof and cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; said base having a longitudinal flange adjacent one of said track rods; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods for stepped movement; said rear end member having a horizontal thumb grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage backward; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods adjacent the inner wall of said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said throw adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; a duplex of spring means surrounding said track rods and mounted between said rear and said forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto; right angle conversion means having attachment means cooperable with said base and a straight edge for attachment thereto and for orienting said base perpendicular to the straight edge.

6. A drafting instrument having stepped movement means and being cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto, comprising: a flat longitudinal base having female grooves including set screws at the ends thereof and cooperable with a straight edge for attachment thereto; two parallel track rods fixedly mounted at their ends to said base; a carriage consisting of longitudinally spaced rear end and forward end members slidably mounted on said track rods for stepped movement; said rear end member having a horizontal thumb grip extension for actuating said carriage forward and said forward end member having a vertical grip extension for actuating said carriage backward; selectively lockable, canted lever means slidably mounted on said track rods adjacent the inner wall of said forward end member; adjustable throw stop means including a throw stop member, a throw adjusting wheel positioned partly within said rear end member, with said throw stop member forwardly passing through said rear end member in threaded engagement with said adjusting wheel; said lever being selectively lockably mounted on said track rods for limiting the forward travel of said carriage a distance determined by said throw stop member which abuts said lever upon travelling a predetermined distance; a duplex of spring means surrounding said track rods and mounted between said rear and said forward end members, urging said lever forward; a hinged member including a protractor marked thereon, attached to said rear and forward end members opposite said grip extensions, and having an adjustably locking ruler pivotally attached thereto; right angle conversion means having female grooves including set screws partly therethrough and cooperable with said attachment means of said base and a straight edge for attachment thereto and for orienting said base perpendicular to the straight edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 669,239 Hill Mar. 5, 1901 1,117,092 Riedel Nov. 10, 1914 2,089,757 Nieuwkamp Aug. 10, 1937 2,239,323 Hicks Apr. 27, 1941