Geometrical instruments – Straightedge type – Rules
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-11-13
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Straightedge type
Rules
C033S485000, C033S490000, C083S465000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314653
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improvement of a ruler device which can be used as a guide for drawing a line on a surface of an object, chiefly a sheet of paper, or for cutting the object. Particularly, it relates to a ruler device capable of preventing positional displacement in use and ensuring a smooth sliding movement when it moves from one place to another.
In general, a ruler device of the type mentioned above is molded of a variety of materials such as plastic, wood, bamboo, metal and the like. This ruler device is, in use, plane contacted with the surface of an object on which a line is required to be drawn. In drawing a line on the surface of the object with this ruler device, it is a usual practice that the ruler device is depressed by a finger tip of a single hand from the top and a writing instrument is held by the other hand. And in that condition, a forward end of the writing instrument is moved along the edge of the ruler device.
The ruler device is point-wise depressed by the finger tip because it is difficult for the finger tip to depress the entire surface of the ruler device. Therefore, the ruler device tends to turn about the depressed portion serving as a fulcrum by force, serving as an acting point, applied to the writing instrument at a location away from the fulcrum. In order to avoid this unfavorable turn of the ruler device, the user must increase the force for depressing the ruler device. Naturally, the user gets tired.
A ruler device with a handle is also known. In practice, however, this handle is bothersome. In addition, the ruler device with a handle is difficult to be not only stored but also to be carried.
A ruler device with a slip-preventive material such as a rubber sheet attached to the back is also known. This ruler device is, in fact, good for avoiding unfavorable displacement in use but a great inconvenience is encountered when this device is to be moved from one place to another because the rubber sheet prevents a smooth movement.
Another problem involved in the conventional ruler device occurs when an object is cut with use of the ruler device. Specifically, when an object is cut, a cutter is moved along the edge of the ruler device as mentioned above. At that time, the edge of the ruler device is occasionally cut by the cutter with a result that the ruler device itself becomes unusable.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned actual status and problems inherent in the prior art devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a ruler device which is reliably positioned in use without a fear of unfavorable positional displacement.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ruler device which can be smoothly moved, when required, from one place to another.
A further object of the invention is to provide a ruler device in which both a reliable positioning operation and a smooth moving operation can be performed merely by depressing and releasing one point of the device, namely, by a single touch action.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a ruler device which is removably attached with an optional item for cutting.
To achieve the above objects, there is essentially provided a ruler device comprising a ruler body, a spring member disposed on an upper surface of the ruler body such that the spring member is warped upwardly, and a slip-preventive member disposed on a lower surface of the ruler body, the slip-preventive member being caused to project downwardly when the spring member is depressed.
The spring member may be in the form of a plate or in the form of a rod.
The slip-preventive member may be a replaceable rubber piece, or a balloon which is inflated when the spring member is depressed.
The ruler device may include a cutter guide removably attached to at least one side of the ruler body. The spring member may be branched. The spring member may be connected to a wire, or it may be connected to a link and a cam mechanism.
The ruler body may be provided on the upper surface with a support portion for supporting an end portion of the spring member. The ruler device may include a reinforcement ridge integrally formed with the support portion in a frame-like pattern such that the spring member can go in and out. The spring member may be provided at a central area thereof with a point mark for depressing. The spring member may be composed of a plurality of plates or rods continuously connected together. The ruler device may include a stopper for preventing the spring member from moving beyond a dead point.
By virtue of the above-mentioned construction, the ruler device is, when in use, placed on the surface of an objective sheet of paper or the like, and then the spring member is depressed by a finger tip of one hand to project the slip-preventive member. By doing so, the ruler device is reliably positioned on the surface of an objective sheet of paper or the like and never displaced even when force is applied to the edge portion of the ruler device by a writing instrument. Then, by releasing the depressing force, the slip-preventive member is returned to its initial state and therefore, the ruler device can move from one place to another smoothly. The above operations can be performed by a single touch action.
Various advantages and features which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto. However, for a better understanding of the present invention, its advantages, and objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings, and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1614812 (1927-01-01), Trane et al.
patent: 2522908 (1950-09-01), Szabo
patent: 5471749 (1995-12-01), Brady
patent: 3106176 (1982-09-01), None
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Gibson Randy W.
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