Crafting and graphics instruments

Abstract

Crafting and graphics instrument including a base plate, a movable rod, a control mechanism for controlling movement of the rod relative to the base plate such that movement of the rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of the rod in an opposite direction is prevented, and an actuating arm assembly movable to different angular positions relative to the base plate. The actuating arm assembly includes at least one shaped surface enabling formation of a line or cut by drawing a writing implement or a cutting implement along it. As the rod moves, the actuating arm assembly also moves so that the shaped surface is laterally displaced across a substrate on which the instrument is placed. This enables the formation of a series of parallel lines or cuts in or on the substrate. A table-mounted version is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a crafting and graphics instrument in accordance with the invention, shown without a template thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an actuating arm unit of the instrument shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another template for use in the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an actuating arm unit in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutting blade assembly for use with the crafting and graphics instruments in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a crafting and graphics instrument in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of platen of the instrument shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the instrument shown in FIG. 7 without the platen.

Claims

1. A crafting and graphics instrument, comprising: a base plate;a movable rod;control means for controlling movement of said rod relative to said base plate such that movement of said rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of said rod in an opposite direction is prevented; andan actuating arm assembly movable to different angular positions relative to said base plate, said actuating arm assembly including at least one surface enabling formation of a line or cut by drawing a writing implement or a cutting implement along said at least one surface.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said actuating arm assembly includes an actuating arm connected to said rod, a template including or defining the at least one surface and attachment means for removably attaching said template to said actuating arm.

3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of projections formed on an upper surface of said actuating arm.

4. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprise a pair of projections spaced apart a distance substantially equal to a distance between a pair of apertures formed on the template.

5. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said actuating arm includes a base attached to said rod at an intermediate position between ends of said rod and a ruler pivotally connected at one end region to said base such that said ruler is movable to a plurality of angular positions relative to said base and thus said rod, said attachment means being formed on an upper surface of said ruler.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein said base includes a coupling portion attached to said rod and a substantially circular portion alongside said coupling portion, said ruler being pivotally connected to a centerpoint of said circular portion, said circular portion including an arcuate slot, further comprising a locking member passing through said slot to lock said ruler in an angular position relative to said circular portion.

7. The instrument of claim 2, the at least one surface included in or defined by said template is an arcuate surface or an undulating surface.

8. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said template includes a slot, the at least one surface included in or defined by said template being a pair of opposed, arcuate surfaces defining said slot.

9. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said template includes a slot, the at least one surface included in or defined by said template being a pair of opposed, undulating surfaces defining said slot.

10. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said template includes a first planar portion arranged to rest on said actuating arm and a second planar portion having a lower surface vertically spaced from a lower surface of said first planar portion such that a step is present between said first and second planar portions.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said actuating arm assembly includes a base attached to said rod at an intermediate position between ends of said rod, and a template including or defining the at least one surface, said template being pivotally connected at one end region to said base such that said template is movable to a plurality of angular positions relative to said base and thus said rod.

12. The instrument of claim 11, wherein said base includes a coupling portion attached to said rod and a substantially circular portion alongside said coupling portion, said template being pivotally connected to a centerpoint of said circular portion, said circular portion including an arcuate slot, further comprising a locking member passing through said slot to lock said template in an angular position relative to said circular portion.

13. A crafting and graphics instrument, comprising: a table;a rod mounted in connection with and movable relative to said table;control means for controlling movement of said rod relative to said table such that movement of said rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of said rod in an opposite direction is prevented;a platen movable relative to said table upon movement of said rod, said platen being arranged to support a substrate thereon; andan implement connected to said table and including an operative tool positionable in engagement with the substrate supported on said platen.

14. The instrument of claim 13, further comprising a plate connected to said rod, said plate having a projection, said platen including at least one aperture each dimensioned to accommodate said projection such that when said projection is accommodated in one of said at least one aperture, said platen moves upon movement of said rod.

15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein said platen is rectangular and includes a first aperture arranged along one edge and a second aperture arranged along a perpendicular edge.

16. The instrument of claim 13, wherein said table defines a channel, said platen being movable in said channel, said implement being mounted over said channel.

17. The instrument of claim 13, wherein said implement includes a slot along which said tool is movable and an adjustable locking mechanism arranged partially in said slot for limiting movement of said cutting tool along said slot.

18. The instrument of claim 13, further comprising movement limiting means for limiting movement of said rod.

19. The instrument of claim 18, wherein said control means comprise a lever coupled to said rod and manually movable from an initial position in a slot formed on said table and a spring biased to return said lever to the initial position, said movement limiting means comprising an elongate plate arranged on said table and movable to vary the dimension of said slot.

20. The instrument of claim 19, wherein said movement limiting means further comprising locking means for locking said plate in a fixed position relative to said table.