Patent Application
20060005411
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a template set for drawing the contour of a three-dimensional shape.
2. Description of the Related Art
Templates for drawing two-dimensional shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles, letters, and symbols are well known. Templates for drawing three-dimensional shapes are also known, and generally consist of a single template which is used to generate the contour of the shape as well as its visible edges by manipulating the template to a variety of positions on the drafting sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,130, for example, discloses a chevron-shaped drafting template for preparing axonometric drawings, e.g. trimetric, dimetric, and isometric projections of a cube. This is accomplished by drawing a base line, rotating the template through a variety of angles to align indicia on the face of the template with lines which have already been drawn, and drawing additional lines to complete the figure. While straightforward enough for a skilled draftsman, the use of this template would not be self-evident to an untrained user. Further, it does not permit drawing a large variety of shapes and does not readily permit rendering the hidden edges of those shapes. A template set for drawing three-dimensional shapes which is simple to use and can serve as a teaching tool for young people is needed.
A template set according to the invention includes a first template having a plurality of apertures of varying shapes, each aperture having a periphery which corresponds to the contour of a three-dimensional shape as seen in two dimensions. The template set also includes a second template having a plurality of sets of linear apertures which fall within the areas circumscribed by respective apertures in the first template. Each set of linear apertures includes at least one substantially continuous linear aperture corresponding to a visible edge of the three-dimensional shape to be drawn, and at least one intermittent linear aperture corresponding to a hidden edge of the shape to be drawn. Each intermittent linear aperture comprises a series of relatively short apertures separated by bridges in the second template.
A view of a three-dimensional shape can be drawn by using an aperture in the first template to draw the contour of the shape, aligning the corresponding set of linear apertures of the second template within the contour, and using the continuous linear apertures to draw the solid lines representing the visible edges of the shape. Where it is also desired to render the hidden edges, this can be done using the intermittent linear apertures to draw dashed lines representing the hidden edges.
Since the dashed lines frequently intersect the solid lines, it is necessary for the continuous linear apertures to pass through the intermediate linear apertures at the bridges. The bridges thereby support the areas of the second template which are circumscribed by linear apertures.
The template set according to the invention may be designed to render any of a variety of two-dimensional pictorial projections of three-dimensional shapes, including but not limited to oblique projections, perspective projections, and axonometric projections. For definitions of the various projections, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,130.
The second template may be provided with printed outlines surrounding the respective sets of linear apertures, wherein the outlines correspond to the peripheries of the apertures in the first template and therefore to the contours drawn using these apertures. Where the second template is made of a transparent or translucent plastic, this outline may be aligned with the contour already drawn. It also serves as an aid for visualizing the completed drawing.
At least one set of linear apertures includes two or more continuous linear apertures 42 having an intersection 43 which defines a visible corner of the three-dimensional shape, e.g. the shapes 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, and 18. At least one set of linear apertures includes two or more intermittent linear apertures 44 having an intersection 46 which defines a hidden corner of the three-dimensional shape, e.g. the shapes 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, and 18. Where a continuous linear aperture 42 intersects an intermittent aperture 44, it passes through a bridge 45, whereby the bridges 45 provide support for areas of the second template 40 which are circumscribed by the continuous linear apertures 42 and the intermittent linear apertures 44.
For the event that it is desired to draw an axis in a three-dimensional shape having an axis, the corresponding set of linear apertures in the second template 40, 50 is provided with an axis hole 47 for marking a point on the axis. A straight edge may then be used to add an axis to the finished drawing.
To use the templates, the contour of a three-dimensional shape is drawn using a selected aperture 32 of the first template 30. The corresponding set of linear apertures of the second template is then aligned within the contour, and solid lines representing the visible edges of the three-dimensional shape are drawn using the continuous linear apertures 42. Where it is desired to draw dashed lines representing hidden edges of the three-dimensional shape, this is done using the intermittent linear apertures 44.
While the use of the first template 30 followed by the second template 40 has been described, it is also possible to use the second template 40 to draw the edges of the three dimensional shape prior to using the first template 30 to draw its contour. The first template 30 and the second template 40 may be hinged together along one edge to facilitate alignment. This may be accomplished with a strip of tape joining adjacent edges, or by using rings through the holes 31, 41 depicted in the drawings. It would also be possible to provide a uniformly spaced line of smaller holes to receive a spiral type binder.
