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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to drawing instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to a geometrical drafting instrument capable of drawing circles and straight lines at exact intervals and precise angles.
The present invention was originally developed to solve a longstanding problem among quilters, specifically the drafting of the framework for a Mariner's Compass star pattern. The drafting of a Mariner's Compass pattern using currently known methods is a laborious, time-consuming project. The results are often difficult to replicate unless the person drafting the pattern is highly skilled at technical drawing. Among quilters this desirable pattern is generally considered to be difficult to draft as there are many steps and several tools involved in creating the final pattern. The process requires absolute precision and a very high level of skill using a compass.
Typical problems encountered while using a compass, such as slippage, are compounded by the other steps necessary to successfully draw the framework. The person drafting this pattern must draft two perfect circles of different diameters, one exactly centered within the other. They then must draw lines converging at specific angles in the center of these circles. This can make the pattern frustrating to draft even for the most careful artist.
The traditional method for drafting the simplest version of a Mariner's Compass star, with rays formed in multiples of four, is to draft an absolutely perfect square and then find the perfect center by intersecting diagonal, horizontal and vertical lines. The star is then drafted by placing a compass point precisely at the intersection of these lines and drawing two or more perfect, concentric circles. Subsequent lines may then be drawn from this foundational framework to create stars of varying sizes and with varying numbers of points. Even the slightest error at any stage of drafting the framework creates an inferior and often unusable pattern. It is not uncommon for quilters drafting this framework to make many attempts at this time-consuming process before producing a usable pattern. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an improved method for easily drawing the framework for a Mariner's Compass star pattern.
Few practical options exist for quilters to produce star patterns by any other means. Paper patterns and rigid plastic templates exist; however, these limit the drafter to tracing the predetermined size and scope of the preprinted stars or templates. The template sets are for specific sized Mariner's Compass star patterns and require many pieces of different sizes and shapes to create even one star. Therefore, these patterns and templates do not solve the problem of freely drafting stars of any size and shape.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for providing a tool that simplifies the process of drafting the Mariner's Compass star framework pattern, guarantees precision, and offers flexibility in sizing and patterning options.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, an apparatus and a method for drafting a framework for a pattern is presented.
In one embodiment an apparatus for drafting a framework for a pattern is presented. The apparatus includes a generally rigid planer structure, means for enabling scribing a center point of the framework and rotating the rigid planer structure about the center point, means for enabling scribing marks for forming a basis for lines in the framework and means for enabling scribing a circle for the framework where the circle is scribed by rotation of the rigid planer structure about the center point. Another embodiment further includes means for pivotally securing the apparatus for rotating about the center point. Yet another embodiment further includes means for enabling determination of dimensions of scribed lines for the framework. Still another embodiment further includes means for adjustably lengthening the means for enabling scribing a circle. Yet another embodiment further includes means for joining the means for adjustably lengthening to the apparatus. Still another embodiment further includes additional means for enabling scribing a circle for the framework.
In another embodiment an apparatus for drafting a framework for a pattern is presented. The apparatus includes a generally rigid planer structure. A pivot point includes a pivot point aperture extending through the rigid planer structure for enabling scribing a center point of the framework and rotating the rigid planer structure about the center point. A plurality of lines pass through the pivot point. Each of the plurality of lines includes a plurality of apertures for enabling scribing marks for forming a basis for lines in the framework. At least one line of generally equally spaced longitudinal apertures, wherein each of the longitudinal apertures is at a first fixed radial distance from the pivot point, enables scribing a circle for the framework, where the circle is scribed by rotation of the rigid planer structure about the pivot point. Another embodiment further includes means for pivotally securing the apparatus for rotating about the pivot point. Yet another embodiment further includes indicia for enabling determination of dimensions of scribed lines for the framework. Still another embodiment further includes a length adjustable apparatus for adjustably lengthening the line of longitudinal apertures. Yet another embodiment further includes a flexible connection for joining the length adjustable apparatus to the apparatus. Still another embodiment further includes an additional line of generally equally spaced additional longitudinal apertures, wherein each of the additional longitudinal apertures is at a second fixed radial distance from the pivot point, for enabling scribing a circle for the framework, where the circle is scribed by rotation of the rigid planer structure about the pivot point. In yet another embodiment the rigid structure includes an acrylic, polymer or metal material. In still another embodiment the rigid structure is sufficiently transparent for viewing scribed lines.
In another embodiment a method for drafting a framework for a pattern using the apparatus of claim 7 is presented. The method includes steps for placing the apparatus on a desired drafting surface, steps for scribing the center point and scribing marks for a basis for lines in the framework, steps for choosing longitudinal apertures, steps for scribing a plurality of circles for the framework, steps for removing the apparatus from the drafting surface, steps for scribing diametric lines, of an outermost circle of the plurality of circles and steps for using the framework to scribe the pattern. Yet another embodiment further includes steps for of securing the apparatus to the drafting surface. Still another embodiment further includes steps for adjustably lengthening the line of longitudinal apertures.
In another embodiment a method for drafting a framework for a pattern using the apparatus of claim 7 is presented. The method includes the steps of placing the apparatus on a desired drafting surface for the apparatus to freely rotate about the pivot point. Scribing the drafting surface through the pivot point and apertures of the plurality of lines for forming the center point and scribing marks for a basis for lines in the framework. Choosing longitudinal apertures. Scribing a plurality of circles for the framework by using the chosen longitudinal apertures and rotating the apparatus relative to the drafting surface about the pivot point. Removing the apparatus from the drafting surface. Scribing diametric lines, of an outermost circle of the plurality of circles, along the scribing marks, for lines in the framework. Using the framework to scribe the pattern. Yet another embodiment further includes the step of securing the apparatus to the drafting surface for rotating about the pivot point. Still another embodiment further includes the step of joining a length adjustable apparatus to the apparatus for adjustably lengthening the line of longitudinal apertures.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide instruments that enable a person to quickly and accurately draw the geometric shapes and lines that are necessary to form a Mariner's Compass star framework in a reliable and repeatable way. Preferred embodiments enable users to create patterns that are personalized as to size, shape and number of components. Preferred embodiments also enable users to create the patterns with the use of only one tool. Furthermore, preferred embodiments enable users to create predetermined angles for the straight lines of the framework, which generally removes the “human error” component that frequently ruins these patterns.
In the present embodiment, a longitudinal line of apertures 105 extends from a pivot point 110 to the top and bottom edges of tool 100. A horizontal line of apertures 115 extends from pivot point 110 to the right and left sides of tool 100. A multiplicity of angular apertures 120 radiate from pivot point 110 to indicate the necessary lines for creating the framework for a Mariner's Compass star, as shown by way of example in
Referring to
In typical use of a preferred embodiment of the present invention a scribing instrument with a fine tip, such as, but not limited to, a mechanical pencil, pencil, pen, felt marker, fabric pen, metal scriber, etc., is used to mark the paper or drafting surface through all of the apertures around the pivot point of the tool, as shown by way of example in
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing drawing tools for creating frameworks for difficult to draw designs according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the apertures may vary depending upon the particular type of framework being created. The frameworks described in the foregoing were directed to Mariner's Compass star implementations; however, similar techniques are to provide drawing tools with apertures configured to create frameworks for other types of designs such as, but not limited to, sunbursts, bulls eyes, flowers, etc. Implementations of the present invention that create frameworks for designs other than Mariner's Compass stars are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claim elements and steps herein have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. As such, the numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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560237 | Aug 2007 | NZ | national |
The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/085,393 31 Jul. 2008 Mariner's Compass Star Drafting Tool under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The present Utility patent application also claims priority benefit of the New Zealand patent application number 560237 filed on Aug. 1, 2007 under 35 U.S.C. 119(a). The contents of this related provisional application and foreign patent application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
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