Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Background of the Invention
This invention, entitled "pencil/ruler" is a new and useful type of measuring
and writing
instrument that may be used to accomplish a plurality of functions using a
singular tool. These
functions include, but are not limited to use as a ruler, writing instrument,
and a measuring tool.
This invention relates generally to drafting instruments and more specifically
to multifunctional
drafting instruments. This invention comprises a single writing tool that has
integrally attached
to its body a measuring device.
The present invention has applications in the drafting industry, as well as
the education,
construction, carpentry, fine arts, graphic arts, and crafts industries, where
there is a need for a
handy tool for quick and easy measuring of surfaces and visibly marking.
Hence, when a construction worker, carpenter, dramatic set and fashion
designer, draftsperson,
craftsperson, or the like, needs to make an inscription or measurement the
task would require the
use of a plurality of instruments or would be a multi-step process can now be
done with the use
of one tool, the pencil/ruler. It was desirable to provide a system which does
not require the
acquisition and manipulation of a variety of different tools. It is therefore
an object of this
invention to provide a complete system that affords the user the ability to
write, underline, and
measure with one single tool.
In prior art, the combination of protractors, compasses, and ruler function in
current drafting
tools are cumbersome to use. They almost always require an attachment to a
hard flat surface
with the help of a suction cup or other means, and an additional writing tool
such as pen or
pencil that may be placed within the holder. The current design incorporates
the ruler function
and the writing utensil in one tool. The prior art provided complicated,
inflexible, multi-
component instruments that are expensive to manufacture and difficult to use.
None of the prior
art has a writing utensil with a ruler integrated to its body. Thus, providing
for a simple, yet
effective, inexpensive stationery tool that is easy-to-use, and easy to fit in
a shirt pocket.
Limited combinations of various drafting tools are shown in the prior art. For
example, US
2003/0154608 Al discloses a multi-functional drafting instrument that
functions as a protractor,
compass, and ruler. However, it is suited only for flat surfaces and requires
the input of a writing
device.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,508,372 discloses the combination of a pencil with a flexible
ruler lodged within
the barrel of the pencil. However, this tool does not allow for the
simultaneous use of the ruler
and the pencil. Our design incorporates the ruler as part of the shell
(barrel).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,558 discloses a drafting instrument that functions as a
protractor, compass,
T-square and ruler. It uses a suction cup to hold on to the writing surfaces,
which limits its use to
only hard surfaces such as dry erase boards, chalkboards and tables. The
instrument also cannot
hold the writing tool for carrying purpose as well as drawing parallel lines
requires help with
additional instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,927 discloses a drafting implement which can draw parallel
lines on the
blackboard and strike arcs about a center located near the edge of a
blackboard. However, the
device disclosed requires thread construction and requires the input of a
writing device. Further,
the device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,927 is manufactured with at least ten
different parts.
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,807 discloses an all-in-one drawing apparatus has a
protractor integrated
with horizontal and vertical rulers, but its use is limited to drawing board
only and requires a
writing instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,179 B1 discloses a measuring and drafting tool that
functions as a ruler,
straight edge, T-square, square or squaring tool, center gage, an edge
transcribing and
duplicating tool, and as a tool for striking circles and circle arcs. However,
this tool is
necessitates the input of a writing device and is large and bulky.
Such devices have drawbacks; inability to use the pencil and the ruler
simultaneously,
susceptibility toward breaking after repeated bending, or the incapacity to
stow a device when
not in use.
Thus, there is a need for a simple, yet effective, inexpensive drafting
instrument that combines
the functions of a writing instrument and ruler in one simple easy-to-use
instrument.
Summary of the Invention
Our invention comprises a combination between: a writing tool; named as
primary tool, and a
ruler; referred as secondary tool. Said ruler is embedded to the writing
tool's surface by using
magnets that attach it to the writing tool, allowing an integration of both
tools in one instrument,
but yet permitting the ruler being detached from the writing tool. The purpose
of the magnet is to
hold the ruler in place whilst not being used simultaneously with the writing
tool.
The ruler features a curved shape that contours the writing tool's surface,
and the writing tool is
designed in a way that it allows the perfect integration of both tools in one
whole instrument.
The ruler and the writing tool can be detached as mentioned but yet they
cannot be fully
separated in two pieces as the writing tool possesses a tension cord mechanism
which keeps the
ruler and the mentioned tool always linked.
The tension cord connects one end of the ruler to the rest of the body of the
writing tool. The
tension cord mechanism can be located anywhere along the body of the writing
tool, in most
cases it will be located between the two layers of plastic that form the body
of said writing tool
as described in FIGURE 6.
The main feature of the described instrument is to be able to draw straight
lines using the ruler
and writing tool simultaneously. This can be done by simply detaching the
ruler from the
primary tool and easily reattach it by using the aforementioned mechanisms.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a general tri-dimensional view of the device.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the device
FIG. 3 is a bottom view, where figure labelled as "A" is the measuring tool.
FIG. 4 is the side view of the device, where figure labelled as "A"
corresponds to the measuring
tool.
FIG.5
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Fig. 5A is the front view;
Fig. 5B is the back view.
FIG.6 is a length cross section showing the mechanism of how the second layer
of plastic
narrows to allow the tension cord to coil around it, labelled "Section C-C".
FIG.7
Fig. 7A is a radial cross section;
Fig. 7B is the side view
FIG.8
Fig. 8A is the bottom view of the device with the measuring tool completely
removed.
Fig. 8B is the side view of the device with the measuring tool completely
removed.
Fig. 8C is a view of the measuring tool standing on its own.
FIG.9
Fig. 9A is the bottom interior view of the measuring tool.
Fig. 9B is the exterior view of the measuring tool.
Fig. 9C is a front/back view of the measuring tool.
Fig. 9D is a side view of the measuring tool.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to FIGURE 1, 2, and 5, the primary writing tool will be described.
The embodiment is
of a simple push-enabled writing instrument with integrated measuring tool
labelled A in
FIGURE 3 and 4. The design could be easily transferred to any other writing
device of non-push
mechanism. The clip can be considered ornamental and is not essential in the
design of the tool.
Referring to FIGURE 3 and 4, the secondary measuring tool, highlighted A, will
be described.
The measuring tool is placed closer to the butt end of the writing tool so
that the writing tool can
still be used comfortably whilst the measuring tool is semi-detached from the
writing tool. The
measuring tool can be seen in its complete embodiment in FIGURE 8C and 9. The
curvature of
the measuring device conforms to the outer most shell of the writing tool. The
outer shell of the
primary writing tool and the measuring tool are more practical as a
transparent plastic; however,
other durable and rigid materials could be used (such as: metals, metal
alloys, and ceramics).
The measuring markers would be placed along the length of the measuring
device, where each
individual measurement mark would follow the radial curvature of the measuring
device.
Referring to FIGURE 6, the permanent connecting device between the two tools
will be
described. A tension cord, that is permanently attached coiled around the axis
of the primary
writing tool, is connected to the inner surface of the measuring tool as seen
in FIGURE 8B and
8C. The cord can be released from the axis when force is pulling the measuring
tool away from
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the writing tool. Once the force is released, the cord will re-coil itself
around the axis of the
writing tool. To further keep the measuring tool in place, when not in use, a
secondary
mechanism (such as a magnet) keeps the measuring tool in contact with the
outer shell of the
writing tool. The secondary mechanism could be replaced with Velcro, clips, or
other devices
with similar purposes. To make for easier removal of the measuring tool from
the writing tool,
the two could be made from slightly different materials; with one having a
higher coefficient of
friction.
Referring to FIGURE 7, the different shells of the device will be described.
There should be at
least two shells throughout the whole device. Additional shells can be
incorporated to refine the
design. A section of the outer most shell is semi-removable as mentioned in
the aforementioned
paragraph, which is in itself the measuring tool.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made
to the illustrated
embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the Claim
