Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A NON-SLIP MEASURING TOOL AND METHOD OF MAKING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to rulers used for measuring and marking
material, and, more particularly, to a transparent ruler having a removable,
non-slip
surface.
Description of the Related Art
Transparent rulers having grid lines formed thereon are used for
measuring and marking material, such as fabric, paper, plastic, and the like.
These
rulers are also used to guide a tool, such as a razor, knife, or rotary cutter
in cutting the
material to desired sizes and shapes.
One such ruler is that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,779,346 in the name
of the applicant for a transparent measuring device that includes a plurality
of
continuous two-color lines of contrasting colors. In use, these lines are
visible against a
background of multiple colors, thus facilitating the measuring and marking of
material.
Another ruler is that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,557,996 issued to Reber
et al. on
September 24, 1996, that discloses a sheet of transparent material having a
first linear
slot sized to accommodate a cutter that can extend therethrough to cut several
layers of
cloth. Reber et al. also discloses using tinted static-cling material cut in
predetermined
shapes as an aide in cutting fabric shapes for quilting.
To ensure accuracy, it is necessary that the ruler be firmly held in place
with respect to the workpiece. Most rulers have a smooth planar bottom surface
that
will lie flat on the workpiece to be marked or cut. This smooth surface has
the
disadvantage of allowing the ruler to easily slip over the surface of the
workpiece.
Thus, a certain amount of force must be applied to a device to hold it in
place on the
workpiece. This frequently occurs on workpieces formed of or covered with a
cloth or
fabric material. In quilting applications, where large rulers are used to
measure and
mark material and to guide cutting tools on large pieces of fabric, it
frequently becomes
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necessary to use both hands to hold the ruler in order to prevent it from
slipping on the
fabric. This makes it difficult for one person to measure or cut the fabric.
Many times
an individual will use a foot or knee to assist the one hand in applying
pressure to the
ruler in order to free the use of the other hand. This method is awkward and
is not
always feasible, such as in the case of handicapped persons or where the work
surface is
higher than the waist.
The disadvantage of the ruler described in the Schafer `346 patent is that
the smooth surface is subject to slipping on the material. In Reber et al. the
static-cling
material does not provide a non-slip surface when pushed against the
underlying fabric,
thus allowing it to slip. The static cling sticker is also subject to peeling
off when the
ruler is moved over the fabric, and it easily loses its ability to stick to
the cutting tool.
In addition, the static-cling sticker is tinted, thereby interfering with the
transparency of
the ruler.
One device that attempts to overcome inadvertent slipping of the ruler is
described in U.S. Patent No. 5,829,150 issued to McEligot on May 1, 1998.
Here, a
sheet thick enough to guide a rotary cutter along one side and having an
adhesive side is
removably positioned on a rigid template material. This effectively forms a
mechanical
stop on the measuring device. The disadvantage is that the adhesive material
easily
collects dirt, lint, hair, and other material that reduces the adhesiveness
and interferes
with the use of the ruler. It also does not provide a non-slip surface but
rather it forms a
raised edge that can itself slide when placed on top of fabric.
Another device that attempts to address this slippage problem is a non-
slip cutting ruler disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,471,749, which teaches using
retractable pins that secure the ruler to the fabric. This is a complex and
potentially
injury-causing approach that has not met with much success in the marketplace.
A further approach is to clamp the tool to the material, which is the
subject of U.S. Patent No. 4,875,667 in the name of the applicant that
describes an
elongate bar having a clamp at one end to brace the other end of the bar on a
support
surface. The other end of the bar is pushed down on a ruler and the underlying
fabric.
Unfortunately, this device can break the ruler when the bar is pressed down
too hard. In
addition, the bar is cumbersome to use and expensive.
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Other methods have been employed to reduce slipping, such as: die-cut
dots made from rubber, sandpaper, and cork; handles with suction cups to
attach to the
top surface of the tool; handles with pins that protrude through the plastic
and into the
fabric; weights; clear fingernail polish with salt; and ink with grit therein.
These
methods create one problem while solving another, including not providing
enough
grip, or gripping too much and snagging the fabric, scratching the work
surface, not
being transparent, wearing out, leaving adhesive on the ruler or the fabric,
or cracking,
crazing, or otherwise damaging the tool.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the disclosed embodiments of the invention, a tool
for measuring and marking fabric is provided that includes a sheet of rigid
transparent
material having opposing first and second planar sides, and a sheet of
flexible,
transparent material removable adhered to one of the first and second sides to
provide a
removable non-slip surface. Ideally, the sheet of flexible material entirely
covers one of
the first and second sides of the rigid sheet of material and is formed of a
vinyl with
plasticizers that adheres through surface tension. Lines for measuring and
marking are
formed on one of either the first and second planar sides of the rigid sheet
or on the
sheet of flexible material.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the flexible
sheet of material is formed of segments of flexible sheets adhered to the
rigid sheet of
material.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a transparent
measuring device is provided that includes a sheet of transparent material
having
opposing surfaces; one or more multicolor markings applied to one of the
opposing
surfaces on the sheet, each of the multicolor markings comprising a first
image and a
second image, the first image and the second image having contrasting colors,
the first
image having a colored area with one or more uncolored areas formed inside the
colored area and the second image having one or more contrasting colored areas
that at
least completely fill one or more of the uncolored areas; and a transparent
sheet of
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flexible material removably adhered to one of the opposing surfaces and sized
and
shaped to completely cover the one opposing surface to which it is adhered.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of
making a tool for measuring and marking material is provided. The method
includes
providing a transparent sheet of rigid material having first and second
opposing planar
sides and a plurality of lines formed on one of the first and second opposing
planar
sides; providing a transparent sheet of non-static cling, non-slip flexible
material; sizing
the sheet of flexible material to substantially cover only one of the first
and second
opposing planar sides of the sheet of rigid material; and placing the sized
sheet of
flexible material on only one of the first and second opposing planar sides of
the sheet
of rigid material to substantially cover only the one side of the sheet of
rigid material
and to provide a non-slip bearing surface when placed on the material.
The present invention avoids the disadvantages of prior methods and
achieves a removable non-slip surface that is easily applied and removed, is
easily cut
to size, is totally transparent, can be interchanged between rulers, will
adhere when
pressure is applied, does not snag fabric or materials when manipulating the
ruler,
prevents markings between the ruler and the flexible sheet from rubbing off,
can be
marked on for a visual aid on the underside of the ruler, resists rolling back
from the
edge, can be used to create an inking edge, can be taped with clear tape for
more
permanent adhesion, can be printed on prior to applying to blank plastic, does
not
damage or alter the ruler, can be used with any flat ruler or template, and is
inexpensive,
easy to use, and easily understandable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments of
the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same become better
understood
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a tool formed in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
4
CA 02489185 2008-08-19
Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the tool of Figure
l;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the first image to be applied to the sheet of
transparent material in accordance with the present irivention;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the second image to be applied to the sheet
of transparent material in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of a third image to be applied to the sheet of
transparent material in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a screen printing apparatus for printing
images in accordance with the process of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of a first image to be applied to a sheet of
transparent material in accordance with an alterriative embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a second image to be applied to the sheet
of transparent material in accordance with the alternative embodiment of
Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a top plan view of an optional third image to be applied to a
sheet of transparent material in accordance with the alternative embodiment of
Figures 7 and 8;
Figure 10 is a top plan view of the composite image formed in
accordance with the alternative embodiment of Figures 7 and 8.
Figure 11 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of a
tool; and
Figure 12 is a side plan view of a method of forming the tool in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed embodiments of the invention will be described in
conjunction with the transparent measuring devices previously disclosed by
applicant in
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,779,346 and 5,819,422. The description of
these prior devices and related methods is set
5
CA 02489185 2004-12-10
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.,,. , , . ,. .,._ .. . ...,. . , ... . õ . . ..
v,5
forth below, and such description includes the improvements of the present
invention
where applicable.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a representative embodiment of a tool 10
formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
measuring
tool 10 includes a sheet 11 of transparent material having a planar front
surface 12 and
an opposing planar back surface 14. The sheet 11 may be formed from any
suitable
transparent material such as acrylic plastic. As shown, the tool 10 is
rectangular, having
a preferred length of twenty-four (24) inches and a width of six (6) inches.
However, it
is to be understood that the tool 10 may be formed in other shapes and in
different
dimensions. A transparent sheet of flexible material 17 is adhered to the
sheet 11, as
will be described in more detail herein below.
A pattern of composite lines is formed on the front surface 12 of the
rigid sheet 11, the pattern including a plurality of vertical lines 16 running
across the
width of the sheet and a plurality of horizontal lines 18 running across the
length of the
sheet. The vertical lines 16 and the horizontal lines 18 are positioned
substantially at
right angles with respect to one another to thereby create a grid pattern
formed of
squares 20. In addition to the horizontal and vertical lines, there are angled
lines 22
placed on the grid to form angles of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees,
with either
the vertical or horizontal lines. Angled lines 22 enable a user of the
measuring device
to orient the device at the indicated angles, so that the material can be
measured,
marked, or cut at an angle to a given line.
As is more clearly shown in Figure 2, selected horizontal and vertical
lines are composite lines formed of a first line 24 and a second line 26. The
first line 24
is of a first color (or hue)- and the second line 26 is of a second color (or
hue) that is
different from the first color. Preferably, the first line 24 is superimposed
upon the
second line 26, and the first line 24 is of a lesser breadth than that of the
second line 26,
such that the second line 26 is visible on each side of the first line 24 when
viewed from
the front surface 12. However, the first line 24 and the second line 26 may
also be
placed in adjacent or partially overlapping relationship, so long as the two
different
colors are visible from the front surface 12. The first and second colors are
of a
contrasting nature, such as yellow and dark green, white and black, dark
orange and
6
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. _"...._
CA 02489185 2004-12-09
WO 2004/008065 PCT/US2002/018456
light blue, black and yellow, or other combinations such that either one of
the colors
will be visible against backgrounds of various colors or against a
multicolored
background.
For purposes of illustration, Figure 2 shows lines 24 and 26 formed on
the front surface 12 of the measuring device 10. However, it will be
understood that the
lines could equally well be formed on the back surface 14 of the rigid sheet
11, and that
such back surface lines would have the advantage of reducing parallax errors.
Combinations of front and back surface lines may also be used. The lines 24
and 26
may be formed by any suitable printing process, such as by a silk screen,
lithograph
press, or photographic process, by an engraving process such as laser
engraving, or by
combinations of the above techniques.
In the illustrated embodiment, each composite horizontal and vertical
line 16, 18 is consecutively numbered by numbers 28 placed at each line. The
numbers
28, preferably of the first color, are formed to be positioned within an
enlarged circle
30, preferably of the second color. As illustrated herein, the numbers 28
correspond to
the distance of each line from an edge of the grid, preferably in inches,
although other
units may be used. In addition, the angled lines 22 have markings representing
the
angle in degrees that each angled line 22 makes with the vertical lines 16 as
measured at
angles 0. Preferably, the squares 20 are further subdivided by vertical
subdivision lines
31 and horizontal subdivision lines 33 placed between the vertical lines 16
and the
horizontal lines 18. In addition, subdivision marks 35 are shown placed along
the
length of the measuring device 10 and on the edges thereof.
Turning next to the flexible sheet 17, this sheet 17 has opposing first and
second sides 19,21. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible sheet 17 is formed
of 8 mil
thickness plastic, although a thickness in the range of 5 mil to 10 mil can be
used.
While a thickness outside this preferred range is possible, optimum results
may not be
achieved.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first side 19 of the flexible
sheet 17 is adhered by surface tension alone to the back surface 14 of the
rigid sheet 11.
However, the second side 21 of the flexible sheet may be used instead to
adhere to the
front surface 12 of the rigid sheet 11 without a difference in performance.
Moreover,
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either one of the first and second sides 19,21 of the flexible sheet 17 may be
adhered to
the front surface 12 of the rigid sheet 11 instead of the back surface 14, as
desired.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rigid sheet 11 is
configured to have the composite two-color lines formed thereon. Ideally, the
method
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,819,422 is used to apply the composite lines to
the front
or back surfaces 12,14 of the rigid sheet 11. The description of this method
is repeated
below.
Referring to Figure 3, shown therein is a first image 30 consisting of a
pattern of horizontal and vertical graduations 32 with short subdivisions 48
extending
therefrom at substantially right angles. Each graduation 32 and subdivision 48
is
formed from a pair of lines 34 and 36 that outline an uncolored gap 38.
Ideally, the lines 34 and 36 have a width in the range of 1 one-
thousandth of an inch to 20 one-thousandths of an inch, although the width
could be
greater depending on the application. The preferable width for quilting
applications is
in the range of 15 one-thousandths to 20 one-thousandths. The uncolored gap 38
is
centered between the pair of lines 34 and 36, and has a preferred width of 2
one-
thousandths of an inch, although again this could be smaller or larger,
depending on the
application and the capabilities of the image creation equipment. This
provides the
manufacturer and operator with greater tolerances within which to transfer the
images
and yet maintain precise alignment.
Preferably, the uncolored gaps 38 are bounded on substantially all sides
by the pair of lines 34 and 36, and they are disposed centrally therein. The
longitudinal
ends 39 and 41 of the gaps 38 are not bounded, and there may be applications
where
there are segments that are unbounded along the length of the composite lines.
There
may also be applications where it is preferred that the gaps 38 not be
centered between
the pair of lines 34 and 36. Hence, variations are contemplated in the present
invention.
The first image 30 includes large darkened circles 40 that have uncolored
number spaces 42 formed therein. In addition, the first image 30 includes
solid vertical
lines 44, and angled lines 46 that are of the same color as the graduations
32, although
they do not form a part of the multicolor graduations 32. The large blank area
50 is
used for the Omnigrid trademark, which is discussed more fully below.
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In Figure 4 is shown a second image 52 comprising solid horizontal lines
57 and vertical lines 58 forming a grid pattern 54 of squares 56. This second
image 52,
as well as the first image 30, is shown in the form it would appear on camera-
ready
film. Each of these lines 57 and 58 has subdivision lines 60 that further
divide the lines
58 into smaller units of measurement. In addition, each of the lines 57 and 58
has
corresponding numbers 62 along the outside rows and columns of squares 56. In
the
embodiment depicted herein, these numbers 62 correspond to inches, although
other
units of measurement may be used, such as metric units. The Omnigrid trademark
64
and other legends and indicia 66 appear inside the squares 56.
Preferably, the lines 57 and 58 have a width that is 2 one-thousandths of
an inch wider than the width of the uncolored gap 38 formed by the graduations
32. In
other words, if the uncolored gap 3 8 is 12 one-thousandths of an inch wide,
the lines 57
and 58 would be 14 one-thousandths of an inch wide. In addition, the numbers
62 are
preferably 2 one-thousandths of an inch larger than the corresponding
uncolored
numbers spaces 42 formed in the circles 40 on the first image 30. The
intersection of
the horizontal and vertical lines 57 and 58 is left blank to provide an
unobstructed
viewing space that enables a user to precisely align the measuring device.
When the first and second images 30 and 52 are combined, they form a
composite image, as will be described more fully below in conjunction with
Figure 10.
Briefly, the first image 30 is applied to the back surface of a transparent
sheet, and the
second image 52 is aligned and applied on top of the first image 30. When the
images
and 52 are so combined, the contrasting colored second image 52 fills in the
gaps 38
and number spaces 42 on the first image 30, creating a composite set of lines.
The process for making the transparent measuring device of the present
25 invention can be done by a variety of methods. Although the use of ink to
create the
images is described herein, other materials or processes may be used,
including
pigment, toner, photographic deposit, and photosensitive emulsion.
The preferred method is the screen printing process because it permits
the application of a heavy deposit of ink. By way of general description, in
the process
30 of the present invention the images described above are first created and
then
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transferred to a screen. The screen is a commercially-available material that
has a
thread count in the range of 150 to 400 threads per inch.
Ideally, the images 30 and 52 are created as electronic images on a
computer using a commercially-available graphics program that is capable of
large
magnification and line generation down to and even below 1 one-thousandth of
an inch.
Each electronic image is then generated on to camera-ready film, such as is
shown in
Figures 3 and 4, after which it is transferred to a screen through a photo
emulsion
process, which is well-known in the industry.
Alternatively, present methods do permit the direct transfer of an
electronic or computer image to a print screen, bypassing the step of using an
ortho
film, although this is much more expensive. In addition, a lithograph press,
an
engraving process, thermal (hot) stamping of foil, or a photographic process
may also
be used, as well as any combination of graphics and manufacturing. Finally,
high-speed
laser printers that print the computerized image directly to a plastic sheet
are also
available. Virtually any pigment transfer method may be used to generate the
images of
the present invention on the transparent sheet. Another method takes advantage
of
precision cutting equipment to cut out pre-printed adhesive plastic that can
be applied
as a layered substrate to the transparent sheet.
Continuing with the method of the present invention, once the screen is
formed for the first image 30, it is mounted in accordance with conventional
screen
printing methods. A sheet of transparent material, preferably acrylic, such as
the sheet
12 described above, is placed below the screen in a jig that holds the plastic
sheet in
place, as will be described in more detail below. The ink is then applied with
a
squeegee as is well-known in the art. It is important that the sheet of
plastic be cleaned
prior to the application of ink. A quick method is to use a roller on the
sheet, which
picks up dirt and other material off the sheet.
In the method of the present invention, the image 30 of Figure 3 is first
applied to the back surface 14 of the sheet 11. It is preferable that the
first image be of
a lighter color or hue, such as yellow. However, a darker or contrasting color
or hue can
be used for the first image, such as black or dark-shade green. When so
applied to the
sheet 11, the graduations 32 outline the uncolored gap 38 with uncolored
subdivisions
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48. In addition, the circles 40 have uncolored numbers 42 formed therein. The
image
32 is then inspected and, if acceptable, set aside to dry.
After the ink from the first image has dried, the screen having the second
image 52 thereon is mounted and aligned with the first image 30. Alignment is
much
quicker and easier, because the lines 58 and numbers 62 will cover the
corresponding
uncolored areas with a slight overlap. This overlap allows a small error in
the
alignment without resulting in misalignment of the lines 58 and numbers 62 in
the
corresponding uncolored gaps 38 and number spaces 42 created by the first
image. The
second image is then printed on the sheet using a contrasting darker color or
hue. When
viewed from the front surface 12 of the sheet 11, the darker lines 58 and
numbers 62
will register perfectly within the gap 58 and number spaces 42 in the wider
lighter line,
even though the second image 52 may be slightly misaligned.
This application of the second image 52 is not an overlay of ink over the
first image. Rather, it is the application of ink in the blank, un-inked areas
or gaps 38
left by the first image 30, and only a slight overlap exists. As such, this
method not
only results in precise registration of the smaller darker line within the
larger lighter
line, it also reduces bleeding of one color into the other as can occur with
an overlay. If
the color of the first image 30 is totally opaque, then the second image 52
can have a
width of two one-thousandths less than the width of the first image 30.
It has been noted that confusion as to which side of the sheet is the top
side may result from having the contrasting colors visible from both sides of
the sheet
of transparent material. One method for overcoming this confusion is to apply
an
overlay of one color on the first two images, thus making only the overlay
visible from
the back side of the transparent sheet.
In this regard, Figure 5 illustrates a third image 68 that consists of a grid
pattern of thick, solid vertical lines 70 and horizontal lines 71 that are
wider than the
solid lines 57 and 58 of the second image 52 and slightly smaller than the
graduations
32 and other lines 44 and 48, and circles 40 in the first image 32. Additional
vertical
lines 72 and angled lines 74 are used, which are also of a smaller width than
the
corresponding vertical lines 44 and angled lines 46 shown in Figure 3.
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Ideally, the lines 70 are 1 to 2 one-thousandths of an inch smaller than
the corresponding lines in the first image 30. This third image 68 can be
applied over
the second image 52 as an overlay. This overlay encapsulates the first two
images 30
and 52, improving the appearance and protecting the images, thus increasing
the useful
life of the tool 10. It also aids users in determining which side of the tool
10 is the front
surface 12 because the overlay only permits the viewing of the composite
multicolor
lines from the front surface 12. The third image 68 ideally is of a color or
hue that
matches the first image 30, in this case a lighter color, such as yellow.
As a result of adding the overlay, another step is added to the process.
Because the third image 68 is slightly smaller, minor misalignment will not be
detected.
Even though a third step is added in this embodiment, the overall efficiency
and speed
is still improved over the prior method. In addition, fewer rejections will
result and a
high-quality product will be produced virtually each run. However, the third
image
may not be necessary, such as in the lithographic process, where the second
image
(black in this case) is of a width to cover the entire or almost the entire
first image
(yellow in this case).
Figure 6 illustrates a screen printing apparatus for carrying out the
method of the present invention. In particular, shown therein is a plastic
sheet 76
placed in a jig 78 that holds the sheet 76 in place. The screen 82 is mounted
in
correlators or registration clamps 84. The jig clamps 80 may be adjusted to
position the
plastic sheet 76 precisely in position under the screen 82. The correlators 84
also
include similar adjustment mechanisms (not shown) for making minor adjustments
in
the position of the screen 82.
The screen 82 is rotated into position over the plastic sheet 76 where ink
is applied and a squeegee pushes the screen 82 down on the plastic sheet 76,
as is well
known in the art. The sheet 76 with the image printed thereon is then removed.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention results
in a higher production rate using less-skilled labor that achieves the same or
better
quality product. It is also to be appreciated that changes made be made
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the steps
described
above may be reversed, with the third image 68 applied to the sheet first,
then the
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CA 02489185 2004-12-09
WO 2004/008065 PCT/US2002/018456
second image 52, and finally the first image 30. Alternatively, the third
image can be
eliminated and the first two images used. If the reverse steps are done, the
images must
be applied to the front side of the sheet so the second and first images will
be visible.
The drawback to this method is the possibility of parallax errors in viewing
the lines on
the top of a thick sheet of transparent material.
While a thick piece of material is preferred in order to act as a cutting
guide for rotary cutters, scissors, razors, and other cutting tools, as well
as a measuring
and marking device, the present invention can be applied to sheets of thinner
material
that are then laminated together. For example, rolled sheets of 5 mil plastic
can be
printed by one of several methods described above, then cut and removably
adhered to
thin or thick transparent plastic sheets. A single color may be applied to any
combination of the two sheets and then aligned prior to adhering of the
sheets.
Figures 7-10 illustrate another embodiment and further improvement in
accordance with the present invention. For ease of illustration, the same
reference
numbers will be used for the common subject matter illustrated in Figures 3-5
and 7-10.
Shown in Figure 7 is a first image 86 wherein the solid vertical lines 44 in
each square
88 are broken at their vertical midpoint to leave an open gap 90. Each angled
line 46 is
also broken at their junction with a vertical line 44 to leave the gap 90
open. In all other
respects the first image 86 is identical to the first image 30 illustrated in
Figure 3. It is
to be understood that the vertical lines may have more than one gap 90 formed
therein.
The gaps 90 may appear at regular or irregular intervals depending on the
application,
the scale, and the overall design.
Figure 8 illustrates a second image 92 having squares 56 that include a
plurality of dots 94. The dots 94 are positioned in each square 56 such that
when the
second image 92 is applied over the first image 86, the dots 94 will be
located in the
gaps 90 created in the vertical lines 44. Ideally, the dots 94 are of a larger
size than the
gaps 90 and of a contrasting color from the solid vertical lines 44 so they
will be more
readily visible to the user. These dots 94 will aid in aligning and measuring
subdivisions on the transparent measuring device. It is to be understood that
the dots 94
may be the same size or smaller than the gaps 90 if desired.
13
CA 02489185 2004-12-10
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i.,,, ,...,.. .,õ ~,., S~ .i),.
i' .
An optional third image 96 is shown in Figure 9, which corresponds to
the third image 68 illustrated in Figure 5. The final composite image 98
consisting of
the combination of the first image 86, the second image 92, and the third
image 96, is
shown in Figure 10, where the dots 94 are visible between the broken solid
vertical
lines 44 and the angled lines 46. The process described above can be reversed
if the
composite image is to be applied to the opposite side of the transparent
sheet.
Turning next to the flexible sheet 17 of the present invention, as shown
in Figure 2, the transparent flexible sheet 17 is preferably formed of a vinyl
material
having plasticizers therein that hold the sheet 17 to the rigid sheet of
material 11 by
surface tension alone. No adhesives are used and there is no use of attraction
based on
static electricity. Ideally, the flexible sheet of material 17 is formed froin
cling vinyl
material, identified as CV-800-TC-245 100 DW available from FLEXcon in
Spencer,
Massachusetts. This material is a pressure-sensitive film, and more
particularly is a
topcoated highly plasticized cling vinyl film having plasticizers that
continually migrate
to the surface. It may be applied wet or dry, and in a preferred method of use
it is
applied dry, although it may be dampened as desired for larger applications.
In one embodiment, the flexible sheet of material 17 is sized and shaped
to completely cover only the surface of the rigid sheet of material 11 to
which it is
applied. This may be a single sheet or formed from a plurality of flexible
sheet
segments separately adhered to the rigid sheet of material 11. In another
embodiment,
the lines may be formed on the flexible sheet of material 17 as shown in
Figure 11 and
as described below, which is then applied to a blank piece of plastic of the
same size.
In accordance with a method of the present invention, a large piece of
the flexible sheet 17 is placed on a work surface 100, such as a cutting mat,
as shown in
Figure 12. The rigid sheet 11 is placed thereon with the side to be covered,
in this case
the back surface 14, in contact with the flexible sheet 17. A cutting tool
102, in this
case a rotary cutter, is then used, guided by the rigid material, to cut the
flexible
material into a single sheet of flexible material 17. The sides 104 of the
rigid sheet 11
are used as a guide for the blade 106 of the cutting tool 104 to ensure the
flexible sheet
17 is cut to the same size as the back surface 14 of the rigid sheet 11.
14
CA 02489185 2004-12-10
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In applications where the rigid sheet 11 is much larger than the flexible
sheet 17, the flexible sheet 17 may be cut into segments that are then adhered
to
completely cover the back surface 14 of the rigid sheet 11.
In another embodiment shown in Figure 12, a tool 120 is shown formed
of a blank sheet 11 of transparent, rigid material having front and back sides
12, 14,
respectively, that is used in conjunction with a flexible sheet 17 having a
grid 126 of
measuring lines formed thereon. The grid 126 may be formed on the front or
back sides
19,21 in the manner described above with respect to Figures 3-6 and 7-10.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the lines 126 may be formed to
accommodate a particular quilting or sewing pattern. For example, a quilt
having a log
cabin pattern of a selected size will require lines 126 spaced a predetermined
distance
apart, such as three inches, to facilitate forming three-inch strips of
material. In
....~=
addition, a square of four and one-half inches would be formed by the lines
126, as well
as an angle of 30 , and if desired, an angle of 45 . It is to be understood
that the above-
stated dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and may vary according to
the
dimensional requirements of a particular project.
As an aid in aligning the flexible sheet 17 with the rigid sheet 11, crop
marks may be formed along the edges of the flexible sheet 17. Alternatively,
or in
combination with the crop rriarks, elbow marks may be formed in one or more
corners
of the flexible sheet 17 to facilitate registration of the flexible sheet 17
with the rigid
sheet 11. These elbow marks may be in the form of a 90 corner mark formed in
one or
more corners of the flexible sheet 17.
In yet another embodiment, lines formed by markers having removable
ink (e.g., water-based markers) can be placed on the rigid sheet 11 to
cooperate with
lines already formed thereon. The temporary lines are then protected by the
application
of the flexible sheet 17 over the temporarily-marked surface of the rigid
sheet 11.
These temporary lines can be drawn to accommodate the pattern for a particular
project.
They may also be used to highlight a single color line to form the composite
lines of
contrasting colors described above. Thus, the composite lines may be formed in
one
embodiment by a temporary opaque line of contrasting color marked over an
existing
opaque line of a single color. Alternatively, removable or permanent ink
marker may be
,:,t
CA 02489185 2004-12-09
WO 2004/008065 PCT/US2002/018456
used to form lines on the flexible sheet 17, which is then applied to the
rigid sheet 11.
Preferably the side of the flexible sheet 17 bearing the lines is applied to
the rigid sheet
11 to protect the lines and the material.
In use, the flexible sheet is placed on the rigid sheet 11, and the
combination is placed on the material to be cut with the flexible sheet 17
bearing
against the material to be cut or against a cutting mat with firm pressure to
prevent
slipping of the tool during measuring, marking, and cutting operations.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of
illustration,
various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope
of the
invention. For example, the flexible sheet can be used under a cutting mat to
hold it in
place, and could be especially useful with a transparent cutting mat. Although
the use
of adhesive is not preferred because it is expensive, inconvenient, and can
collect dirt
and debris, it is recognized that adhesive may be necessary with certain
materials or
with smaller sizes of the flexible sheet material. Conventional adhesive
suitable for use
with the non-static pressure sensitive film is readily commercially available
in various
degrees of tack and will not be described in detail herein. It is also
recognized that the
flexible sheet may be formed into smaller segments and placed on the back of
the ruler
in discrete locations such that complete coverage of the ruler back is not
achieved.
While this is not preferred because it lessens the non-slip characteristics of
the tool and
because smaller segments of the flexible sheet material do not cling as well
to the back
of the ruler, this is one alternative available to users who may need to
conserve the
flexible sheet material. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as
by the
appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
16
