US3065546A

US3065546A - Extension rule

Info

Publication number: US3065546A
Application number: US811892A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leroy H Brocklander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-05-08
Filing date: 1959-05-08
Publication date: 1962-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-27

Description

Nov. 27, 1962 H. BROCKLANDER 3,065,546

EXTENSION RULE Filed May 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I zaeov H. aeaoeawoee 1 BY A frame )45 Nov. 27, 1962 H. BROCKLANDER EXTENSION RULE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8. 1959 III INVEN TOR.

Lseov Aleeooezn/vose Irma saws 3,065,546 EXTENSION RULE I Leroy H. Brocklander, 85 Vaughn Ave, Spotswood, N .J

Filed May 8, 1959, Ser. No. 811,892

' Claims. ((Il. 33-75) This invention relates to extension rules, and more particularly to a combination extensible ruleand protractor especially useful in the construction trade, for example,where it is required to reach relatively distant points and relatively high locations.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination extensible rule and protractor which is simple in construction, which is foldable to a relatively compact size, and which can be extended to a desired length, as required. I

v A further object of the invention is to provide an improved extensible ruleand protractor which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate, which is sturdy in construction, and which is provided with self-actuated locking means to secure the various elements-of the rule in extended positions, said locking means being automatically releasable when the elements are retracted.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved combination extensible rule and protractor constructed in accordance with the present invention, the elements of the arms'of the device being shown retracted but the protractor arm being shown adjusted to a position at right angles to the main calibrated bar member of the device.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the various elements of the device of FIGURE 1, said elements shown in extended positions.

' FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken one the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2. i

7 FIGURE 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical crosssectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIGURE 1.

-FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical cross: sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which a trammel member is adjustably secured on the end portion of one of the extensible elements of the main rule portion of the device of FIGURES 1 to 7. s

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings, the combinationextensible rule and protractor is designated generally at 11 and comprises amain elongated calibrated bar member 12 which is generally chaunel'shaped, as shown in FIGURE 5, being provided with a longitudinal central groove.

Thus, the groove 13 defines top and bottom arms '14 and 15. The top and bottom arms are formed with longitudinally extending

dovetail recesses

16 and 17 in which are slidably mounted the respective auxiliary elongated calibrated nested bar members 18 to 21 and 22 to 24. As shown in FIGURE-5, the

extensible elements

18, 19 and 20 are in the form of dovetail-shaped sleeve members having horizontal top flanges, and the horizontal top flanges of the uppermost sleeve member 20 are slidably received beneath longitudinally extending horizontal, inwardly turned flanges 25- and 26 provided on the top arm 14. Similarly, the dovetail-shaped

nested sleeve elements

22 and 23 are provided with horizontal flanges, and the horizontal flanges of the lowermost sleeve 3,0 65546 Patented Nov. 217, 1962 element 23 are slidably received above and are retained by inwardly projecting

horizontal flanges

27 and 28 provided on the bottom arm 15. Nestingly engaged with the uppermost sleeve member 20' is the extensible calibrated bar member 21 which is provided with the dovetailed rib engaging the dovetailed sleeve member 20. The lowermost bar member 24 similarly has a dovetailed rib which is slidably engaged with the dovetailed sleeve member 23.

The top arm 14 is integrally formed with a bracket structure 29 which carries respective tubular

bubble level elements

39, 31 and 32, the tubular bubble level elements 3t) and3'1 extendingtransverse to the bar member 12 and being reversed with respect to each other so that they may be employed to determine the deviations of various surfaces from the vertical, or, in conjunction with the protractor arm of the device, to determine the deviation of various surfaces from the horizontal. The third bubble level 32 extends parallel to the main cali brated bar member 12 and is employed in the conventional manner.

The extensible elements may be locked in extended positions in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7. Thus, the extensible members are formed at their inner end portions with inwardly facing, generally triangular recesses 33 having abutment walls 34 perpendicular to the members. The outer end portion of the adjacent rule member is formed with an outwardly facing longitudinal recess 35, and secured in this recess is the shank portion 36 of a resilient hook member formed of flat bar material, the shank portion being secured in the recess by suitable fastening means, such as a rivet 37. A hook element extends around the end of the calibrated bar members, for example the calibrated bar member 20 in FIGURE 7, and is provided with the free, reversely extending arm 39 which is biased to an upwardly projecting position, as viewed in FIGURE 7, by the resiliency of the shank member 36. The arm 39 is thus receivable in the recess 33 when the cooperating extensible element, for example, the element 21 in FIGURE 7, is in its fully extended position. The arm 39 thus is engageable with the abutment wall 34 to limit further extension of the member 21 with respect to the member 20. When the member 21 is retracted, the inclined top; wall surface of the recess 33 cammingly engages the arm 39 and causes said arm to extend and to be received in a recess 40 provided therefor in the member 20, so that the arm 39 is disposed substantially flush with the top surface of the member 20, allowing the member 21 to be retracted.

The top arm 14 is provided with a stop block 41 (FIG- URE 3) which is located on the end portion of the bottom wall of recess 16 therein and which limits the inward retraction of the dovetailed sleeve member 18.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the automatically operated locking means for limiting extension of the calibrated auxiliary bar members may comprise resilient hook members 43 which have projecting hook portions engageable in triangular recesses 44 provided in the surfaces of the adjacent members so that the hook elements of the resilient members 43 are biased so as to lockingly engage with the vertical abutment wall surfaces 45 of the recesses 44 when the members are in their extended positions. When the members are retracted, the sloping wall surfaces of the recesses 44 cammingly engage with the hook elements to move said hook elements inwardly into their receiving recesses so as to allow the rule to be contracted. As

shown in FIGURE 2, the resilient members 43 are se'- cured in recesses 46 of suflicient depth to receive the hook portions of the members 43 when they are cammed inwardly by the sloping wall surfaces of the associated recesses 44.

The protractor arm 55 and its cooperating extensible element 56 maybe designed to extend to the maximum length ofthe order of fourfeet. Thus, the device may be employed to measure from a bench mark, in which the arm A pivot lug 54 projects from the end of the bar mem ber 12, andpivotally connected thereto centrally of the track member 5% is a calibrated elongated'protractor arm 55, in the form of a dovetailedsleeve in which is slidably received an extensible auxiliary dovetailed calibrated bar;

56. .A laterally projecting lug 57 of substantial length projects from one side flange of the arm 55, and secured on the end of the lug 57 is an upstanding stud 58 which extends slidably through the arcuate track slot 59 formed; in the track member 50. A wing nut 60 is threaded on the upstanding stud 58 to lock the arm 55 in an angular- 1y adjustedposition on the calibrated arcuate track 50. Since the track member 50 is of substantially greater length than one hundred and eighty degrees, as above explanned, the arm 55may be locked in a position whichis at least perpendicular to the main arm 12, since sufficient additional length exists in the arcuate track, member 50 to allow the arm 57 tobe disposed at the proper position for clamping the member 55 to the track 50 in perpendic-i ular relationship to the main bar member 12. The lug 57 is of substantial length toallow the angle markings on the arcuate track member 50 to be easily, viewed Without interference from the clamping nut 60. p v

As above explained, the auxiliary calibrated arm :55 is A 55 will be locked at a ninety degree position .on the areaate track member and 'the'main arm 12 will be held plumb, in accordance with the showing of the bubble level 30. Desired measurements maythen be made" alongthe main calibrated bar member 12'" with its extended calibrated portions.

t Themembe'rs 12 andltl to 21 are calibrated so that; when the device is employed to measure upwardly from 1 a bench mark as above described, the scale numerals on the left sides of'said members ascend upwardly in value, so that heights above the bench mark may be read directly. The scale numerals at the right sides ofmembers 12 and 18 to 21 increase in value downwardly.

As'will be readily apparent, the clevice may be employed as an ordinary level when all the slide elements thereof are in retracted positions. 7 The groove 13 is de- Signed to receive the arm and to, house same. Thus, the

. device is foldable to a very compact volume, enabling it to be employed asa standard level.

" The device is particularly useful ingsheet metal work,

wherein it is otten necessary to take gross dimensions between duct fittings, where ducts are located at differ- V ent planes or: levels The small pin elements '62, 63

provided with a dovetailed groove and the extension elemerit 56 is formed with 'adovetailed rib slidably engaged in said groove. g a

As shown in'FlGURE 2, the innermost

extensible rule elements

21 and 24 are provided at their ends with longitudinally projecting feeler pins 62 and 63, said feeler pins being of sufiicient length so they may be easily grasped when it is desired to extend the slidable calibrated dovetailed rule members. The innermost slidable element 56 of the auxiliarytarm 55 is likewise provided at its outer end with a pin element 64- of sufiicient length to allow same to be grasped when it is desired to extend the calibrated slidable member 56 relative to the main portion of the arm 55.

As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, trammel members may be mounted on the end portions of the innermost extensible elements of therule; for example, on the end portion of the extensible element 24, as illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, the trarnmel members 70 being-provided with scribing points 71. Each trammel member 70 comprises a main, generally rectangular sleeve portion 72 through which the associated ruler arm is receivable,

tighened the block 74 exerts blocking force on the mem-- ber 24, rigidly securing the trammel member 70 at a desired location on the calibrated member 24-. Obviously, tranimel members 7% may be provided on therespective oppositely extensible end portions of the rule so that the I device may be employed to define a desired radius between the trammel points 71 at the opposite end portions of the rule. provided for each of the innermost

extensible elements

21 and 24.

The rule may be designed so that it will open to a relatively large length, for example, a length of sixteen feet.

70 Ordinarily, a trammelmember 70- will be p cred may be inserted into the corner of: a duct to sup- 4 port theadjacentportion of the rule while a desired.

dimension is'read, p i p I Aswill bereadily apparent, the device may be em.- ployedto lay out angles ,with large side, dimensions, employing the pivoted arm 55 and the calibrated arcuate track rnernber Sti to set up the angles. As above mentioned thepin

members

62, 63 and 64 are employed as means for grasping and extending the inner calibrated slidableportions of the rule.

The calibrationson the yarious scctions of the rule 4 may be in any desired fractions of inches, for example, may be in. quarterinch intervals, except for the first inch of the scale which may be in sixteenths. The calibrations should be countersunk below the surface of the rule elements to prevent them from being worn off.

While acertain specific embodiment of an improved combination extension rule and protractor has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the'inven- Therefore it tion may occur to'those' skilled in the art. is intended that no limitations be placed on the inven-. tion except, as defined by the scope of the appended claims. V i What is claimed is: 1. In an extension rule of the type comprisinga main elongated calibrated bar member formed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove and an auxiliary elongated calibrated bar member havinga dovetailed rib slidably, engaging in'said dovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary. calibratedbar member'may be extended relative to the.

main bar member, the improvement comprisinga resilient hook member secured to and extending around the end of the main bar member, said hook member comprising a" resilient shank portion and a'reversely extending arm', defining a detent element spaced from and extending parallel to'said shank portion, said main bar being provided with recessmeans adapted to receive said reversely extending arm, said arm normally projecting outwardly from. said recess means parallel'to said main. bar member,.said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generally triangular recess adapted'toreceive saidarm when the auxiliary bar memberis in extended position,

said'triangular recess comprising a transverse abutment,

wall'arranged perpendicularly 'to the auxiliary bar member and a sloping camming wall, arranged to carnmingly,

engage'with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary bar member is retracted.

2. An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar member formed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongated calibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaged in said dovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may be extended relative to the main bar member, a resilient liook member secured to and extending around the end of the main barmember', said hook ber comprising a resilient shank portion and a r'eversely extending arm defining a detent element spaced from and extending parallel to said shank portion, said main bar member being provided with recess means adapted to receive s aid reversely extending arm, said arm normally projecting outwardly from said recess means parallel to said main bar member, said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generally triangular recess adapted to receive said arm when the auxiliary bar member is in extended position, said triangular recess comprising a transverse abutment wall arranged perpendicular to the auxiliary bar member and a sloping camming wall arranged to cammingly engage with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary bar member is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed at one end of said main bar member and having a radius located in the same plane as said main bar member, said arcuate track member subtending an angle of substantially more than one-hundred and eighty degrees, a radial arm rigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end of said main bar member and being disposed at the obtuse angle to said main bar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidly connected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted to said main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug of substantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from said calibrated elongated arm, and means slidably connecting the end of said lug to said arcuate track member.

3. An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar member formed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongated calibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaging in said dovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may be extended relative to the main bar member, a resilient hook member secured to and extending around the end of the main bar member, said hook member comprising a resilient shank portion and a reversely extending arm defining a detent element spaced from and extending parallel to said shank portion, said main bar member being provided with recess means adapted to receive said reversely extending arm, said arm normally projecting outwardly from said recess means parallel to said main bar member, said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generally triangular recess adapted to receive said arm when the auxiliary bar member is in extended position, said triangular recess comprising a transverse abutment wall arranged perpendicular to the auxiliary bar member and a sloping camming wall arranged to cammingly engage with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary bar member is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed at one end of said main bar member and having a radius located in the same plane as said main bar member, said arcuate track member subtending an angle of substantially more than one-hundred and eighty degrees, a radial arm rigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end of said main bar member and being disposed at an obtuse angle to said main bar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidly connected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted to said main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug of substantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from said calibrated elongated arm, and means slidably connecting the end of said lug to said arcuate track member, said main bar member being formed with a longitudinal groove of sufiicient size to at times receive said calibrated elongated arm.

4.- An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar member formed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongated calibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaging in said dovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may be extended relative to the main bar member,

a resilient hook member secured to and extending around the end of the main bar member, said hook member comprising a resilient shank portion and a reversely extending arm defining a detent element spaced from and extending parallel to said shank portion, said main bar member being provided with recess means adapted to receive said reversely extending arm, said arm normally projecting outwardly from said recess means parallel to said main bar member, said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generally triangular recess adapted to receive said arm when the auxiliary bar member is in extended position, said triangular recess com-prising a transverse abutment Wall arranged perpendicular to the auxiliary bar member and a sloping camming wall arranged to cammingly engage with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary bar member is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed at one end of said main bar member and having a radius located in the same plane of said main bar member, said arcuate track member subtending an angle of substantially more than onehundred and eighty degrees, a radial arm rigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end of said main bar member and being disposed at an obtuse angle to said main bar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidly connected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted to said main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug of substantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from said calibrated elongated arm, means slidably connecting the end of said lug to said arcuate track member, said main bar member being formed with a longitudinal groove of sufiicient size to at times receive said calibrated elongated arm, said calibrated arm being of dovetailed cross section, and an auxiliary calibrated arm having a dovetailed rib slidably engaged in said calibrated elongated arm.

5. The structure of claim 4, and respective feeler pins secured on the end of said auxiliary calibrated bar member and on the end of said auxiliary calibrated arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,532 Sherwin Apr. 7, 1874 1,015,877 Du Mouchel Jan. 30, 1912 1,878,119 Dowd Sept. 20, 1932 2,842,850 Anderson July 15, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 56,271 Austria Nov. 11, 1912