Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Template
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-08-21
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Template
C033S482000, C033S0010DD
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276070
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices used to measure angles and distances in cutting pieces of fabric which are later sewn together to create artistic designs in quilt making.
BACKGROUND
Quilt making is a traditional art performed by many artisans. Quilts are traditionally made by precisely cutting pieces of fabric having different shape, color, design, and texture, then sewing the fabric pieces together to form a block having a particular design. The individual blocks are eventually sewn together according to a master design, which forms the cover of the quilt. While a completed quilt has practical applications in the home, very beautiful artistic designs are frequently employed in completing the finished quilt, thus, quilt making is considered an art form.
Ordinarily, geometric patterns are incorporated into the overall design of the quilt. Frequently, two different shapes are employed in creating the design, trapezoidal and triangular. The angles and lengths of the individual trapezoidal and triangular pieces must be sufficiently precise so that straight edges will eventually line up with other pieces of fabric at the proper angle in accord with the master design of the quilt.
Several possible solutions to this problem have been proposed. THE EASY ANGLE™ cutting guideline, distributed by Quilt House, Saddle Brook, N.J., is a transparent piece of plastic in the form of right triangle having gradated lines at crossing right angles to the right angle etched into its surface. The quilter using THE EASY ANGLE™ is limited by this device to making equilateral triangle shaped pieces. The TRI TooL™ and RECS TOOL™, distributed by Quilt House, Saddle Brook, N.J., are also transparent plastic triangles having gradated lines etched into their surfaces. These tools have imprinted on their surfaces a series of parallel, gradated lines corresponding with the X-axis of the triangle. The TRi TOOL™ is used for cutting pieces to be arranged as triangles or triangles within squares having a height that is equal to the width of the base of the triangle. The RECS TOOL™ is used to cut pieces when finished to be used as 1×2 proportion triangles, having a height that is two times the width of the base of the triangle. Both the TRI TOOL™ and the RECS TOOL™, of necessity, come in a wide range of sizes. Perfect Patchwork Templates are distributed by Michell Marketing, Inc., and comprise a set of clear plastic pieces that are used as templates for cutting out a specifically sized and shaped piece of fabric. Perfect Patchwork Templates contain no gradated lines and are only used as outer templates for cutting out fabric pieces in different sizes and shapes. KALEIDO-GUIDELINE™ is distributed by Michell Marketing, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. and comprises a clear piece of plastic having a series of gradated lines etched into its surface. The angles represented by KALEIDO-GUIDELINE™ are peculiar to a “kaleidoscope” or pattern of radially arranged fabric pieces.
The devices discussed above all contain limitations making them difficult or inconvenient to use. As discussed, some of the devices, by their nature, require completely separate units to cut pieces of fabric having different sizes and angular configurations. The result of multiple devices of many sizes is that a number of devices decrease efficiency by occupying space, and, inevitably, some get lost. The one piece devices are generally limited to assisting in cutting out a single type of piece, requiring multiple units and resulting in similar problems as the single size units discussed above. Further, none of the devices discussed above are capable of creating trapezoidal shaped pieces that are combinable with an appropriately sized block comprising a 1×2 right triangle with integrally attached ¼″ seam allowance to create a finished piece having a square shape after all seams are sewn. Finally, none of the devices discussed above are capable of creating a square pattern from a combined trapezoidal piece and an appropriately sized trapezoidal block comprising a 1×2 right triangle with integrally attached ¼″ seam allowance 1×2 right triangle that has a seam extending precisely from a corner of the finished square piece to the exact midpoint of a side of the square after all seams are sewn. What is clearly needed is a single unit that combines the functions of a plurality of separate units, allows both A trapezoidal shaped blocks and B trapezoidal blocks comprising a 1×2 right triangle with integrally attached ¼″ seam allowance to be quickly and easily cut, and assures precise alignment of the pieces resulting in a seam extending from a corner of the square to the exact midpoint of another side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present claimed invention is directed to a quilting tool comprising a transparent plate having at least a straight edge and an angular edge, the angular edge joining the straight edge to form an angle of 116.6 degrees. The plate has imprinted on it a first guideline extending from the straight edge at an angle of 90 degrees. Parallel with the straight edge is a second guideline imprinted on the plate, with the second guideline intersecting the first guideline at a 90-degree angle and extending toward and terminating at the angled edge.
An alternative embodiment of the present claimed invention is directed to a quilting tool comprising a transparent plate having four edges. The first edge is parallel with the second edge. The third edge intersects with the first and second edges to form right angles. The fourth edge intersects with the second edge to form an angle of 116.6 degrees.
The quilting tool of the alternative embodiment of the present claimed invention contains four distinct sets of guidelines that are visible through the transparent plate on both sides. A third set of guidelines is parallel with each other and forms right angles with the third edge. A fourth set of guidelines is parallel with each other and disposed at an angle parallel with the fourth edge and begins at the first edge and is similarly spaced with the third set of guidelines and terminates at the junction with the third set of guidelines. A first set of guidelines is parallel with each other and is parallel with the third edge and extends at a ninety-degree angle from the second edge. A second set of guidelines is parallel with each other and terminates at the junction with the first set of guidelines.
The quilting tool of the present invention allows the quick, easy and precise cutting of both an A trapezoidal block and a B trapezoidal block comprising a 1×2 right triangle with integrally attached ¼″ seam allowance to be cut from precut fabric strips. The resulting pieces can then be sewn together to form a finished square block having a seam that begins at one corner of the square and extends to the exact midpoint of another side. This allows the quilter greater flexibility in design by permitting individual squares to be expanded into what appear to be larger patterns.
Finally, blocks made using the present claimed invention can be joined with blocks made using other methods.
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Mitchell,Perfect Patchwork Templatesbrochure, undated.
Zimmerman et al.,Quilt House Tri-Recs Toolsbrochure, undated.
Kaleido-Ruler,undated.
Hultgren,Quilt House Easy Angleruler, undated.
Acrylic Tools for Popular Quilting Shapes—Fast and Easybrochure, undated.
Bennett G. Bradley
Lazy Girl Designs, LLC
Sherrill Michael S.
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