BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an overhead plan view of the graphing template.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the template shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first step in a process for using the template.
FIG. 4 is an overhead view showing the template in use.
FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of the template showing one of the straight edges being used to provide assistance drawing a straight line between two points.
FIG. 6 shows a completed line graph with a series of plotted points that are connected to form a straight line.
FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the invention that comprises a plurality of only a series of rows and columns and without an opening that creates an origin a graphing template.
FIG. 8 includes an embodiment of the invention that includes an elongated series of columns that exceeds the number of rows of the graphing template.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the template 1 and showing the various features. The template 1 comprises template material 30 and includes at least a pair of straight edges 3, 5. The straight edge 3 includes graduated marks 7 that represent metric units of measure. In the present embodiment, the graduated marks 7 are represented in centimeters and millimeters. The straight edge 5 includes graduated marks that represent English units of measure 9 which are represented by inches and fractions thereof.
Two elongated openings 2, 4 intersect in a perpendicular fashion to create origin 6 which corresponds to an origin on a line graph that is produced by the instant template 1. The elongated openings 2, 4 extend from near one edge of the template 1 to an opposite end, as shown. These elongated openings are sufficiently wide to accept an end of a writing device such that axis lines for a line graph may be produced by inserting the end of the writing device 50 into the elongated openings and sliding the writing device from one end of an elongated opening to an opposite end to trace a straight line onto a paper 20 onto which the template 1 is placed. Typically, the template 1 comprises a plastic, wood or other material that is rigid in nature.
The elongated openings 2, 4 divide the template 1 into four quadrants 11, 12, 13, 14. The elongated openings intersect at right angles to one another to produce an origin 6. Each quadrant includes a plurality of openings 15, 16, 17, 18 provided in line and columnar form. The distance between each opening 10 is preferably uniform in each quadrant. In quadrant 11, the distance between each opening is equal. However, in quadrant 12, the distance between each opening may be different that that of quadrant 11, whilst the distance between holes in quadrant 12 may be uniform. For example, the distance between holes in quadrant 11 may be 2 cm; whilst the distance between holes in quadrant 12 may be 0.5 inches. By varying the distance between the holes of the various quadrants, the template may be used to produce graphs of various sizes. However, the distance between holes in each quadrant is uniform within the quadrant. The size of all the circular holes 10 are the same.
FIGS. 3 through 5 show how the template 1 is used to produce a line graph 100, as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the template 1 is deposited onto a sheet of paper 20. A tip 51 of a writing instrument 50 extends through elongated openings 2, 4 and an “x” axis 70 and a “y” axis 71 is traced onto the paper 20.
Next, the user plots points 80 onto the paper 20 at desired locations. In this example, the holes 10 in quadrant 11 are selected as the preferred distances for plotting the points 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the straight edge 5 is aligned along the plotted points 80 and a line 90 is drawn and which connects the plotted points 80 together.
As shown in FIG. 6, a line graph 95 that comprises “x” axis 70 and “y” axis 71 and having a plotted set of points that comprise line 90 is created through use of the template 1.
FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein only a plurality of circular through holes are arranged in the template material. In this embodiment, the number of rows of holes and the number of columns of holes are odd number integers. A central vertical line 201 is displayed on both upper and lower ends of the template material to indicate a plurality of holes that divide the template into separate quadrants. Likewise, a central horizontal line 202 is included on opposite sides of the template material as shown and separate the upper and lower hemispheres. In this manner, both of these central lines extend through the origin of graphing template.
FIG. 8 is an elongated version of the present invention wherein the total number of rows of holes are less than the columns of holes formed in the template material. Central marks 201, 202 are provided on left to right and top to bottom sides of the template material as shown.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20080078094
