US849638A - Folding rule. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED APR. 9, 1907.

R. G. PLATT.

FOLDING RULE.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 28, 1906.

THE NORRIS FETERS ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES Parana orrron.

FOLDING RULE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 9, 1907.

Application filed December 28,1906. Serial No. 349,863-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROY G. PLATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Rules, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rules of the type adapted to fold,- the purpose being to devise novel means for holding the sections extended, the rule being of such construction as to admit of its members or sections folding one upon the other from opposite ends.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

IVhile the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure 1 is a side view of the folding rule embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a per spective view of two rule-sections, showing the invention applied to the joint thereof. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 extended. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 looking to the left.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The rule may embody any number of sections according to the length of the same when extended and according to the length of the rule when folded. The sections fold in the same plane and are hinged or jointed at opposite ends to admit of the sections opening and closing in alternation from opposite ends. As illustrated, the rule comprises twelve sections numbered, respectively, from 1 to 12, inclusive. The several sections are hinged or jointed in the usual manner, the sections 1 and 2 being jointed at one end, as at a, whereas the sections 2 and 3 are hinged or jointed at b. The several sections are alternately jointed at op osite ends, whereby upon opening the ml the section 1 will swing to the left, the

section 2 to the right, and so on throughout the series, the several sections folding one upon the other from opposite ends in successive order and opening-in a similar manner in reverse order.

For holding the sections extended flat springs 13 are secured to opposite edges of the sections at their ends, said springs projecting a short distance beyond the joints and having catch-stops 14 to one side of a plane touching the side of the section from which the catch-stops project, whereby when the sections are extended the stops 14 will snap over the section hinged to that provided with the springs and act jointly with the rule-joints to hold the sections in alincment. To prevent interference of the si1nilar catch-springs with one another, it has been found expedient to apply the springs 13 to opposite ends of alternate sections and to arrange the springs at opposite ends of the section, so that the catch-stops 14 project in opposite directions. It will thus-be understood that the sections may be opened or closed without the springs or catch-stops 14 interfering the one with the other.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a rule comprising sections connected by the usual rule-joint, springs applied to opposite edges of a section and extended beyond the joint and provided with catchstops to snap over the adjacent section and hold the same when extended.

2. A rule comprising a plurality of sections jointed at opposite ends in alternation, springs applied to the edges of the sections and extended beyond the joints and having catch-stops to engage over the adjacent sections and hold the same extended when the rule is unfolded.

3. A rule comprising a plurality of sections jointed at opposite ends in alternation and springs applied to opposite ends of alternate sections and having catch-stops at one side of the springs, the catch-stops of the springs applied to the same section facing in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ROY G. PLATT. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

H. D. KULP, JAMES GILLETT.

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