Abstract: In a co-ordinate measuring machine a guideway base is formed from tubular components 10-14 of a lightweight material. An electrically heated strip 16 is located centrally of the tubular elements and fans 18 are also provided within the base. The strip 16 and the fans 18 can maintain the temperature of the base structure at a constant level at or above the ambient temperature so that changes in the latter do not result in any thermal expansion of the material of the base structure.

Abstract: A portable, lighted drafting station comprises a shallow tray the size of a briefcase having a cover made from a sheet of translucent material sliding into slots in the rim of the tray. A T-square and two triangles are held by a set of brackets against the undersurface of the cover. A fluorescent light inside the tray resting over a sheet of reflective material leaves enough storage to accommodate pencils and other drafting implements. A simple, spring-biased bolt locks the cover into the tray by engaging a notch into the stored T-square.

Abstract: Drawing apparatus for the preparation of technical drawings has a support for a drawing board on which paper may be attached. The support defines a frame surrounding the board which frame includes an upstanding lip for engagement by drawing instruments. Front, rear and side walls depend downwardly from the frame, and flare outwardly somewhat so that a series of apparatuses may be stacked for storage, with one nested partially within another. The lower edge of each side wall defines shoulders arranged so that the drawing surface may be disposed at one of three different angles to the horizontal when placed on a support surface, with that surface engaging different parts of the side walls. The frame may include an open-topped recess for holding drawing instruments, which recess will be closed by the next apparatus up, in a stack of such apparatus.

Abstract: A tracing instrument for producing symmetrical sketches includes a transparent or translucent base plate, an illuminating source for projecting light through the base plate, and a transparent top plate disposed on an opposite side of the base plate from the illuminating source, and being spaced apart from the base plate such that a narrow space is formed therebetween, and wherein the top plate forms a surface to support a tracing paper or the like for tracing thereon. Further, a mounting piece is provided which has at least a window therein and is insertable in the narrow space between the base plate and the top plate, wherein a seed drawing is positioned at the window such that light from the illuminating source passes through the window and seed drawing to form an image on the tracing paper for tracing. Also, a shifter is provided for shifting the mounting piece with respect to the tracing paper such that the image is projected onto different portions of the paper.

Abstract: A draughting apparatus 10 comprising a plurality of substantially planar symbols elements 30 having raised outlines 50 for depicting predetermined symbols 32, a support panel means 12, 16, for supporting the symbols elements 30 in a generally planar layout, said symbols elements 30 being provided with symbol element locating means 34, 16, and symbol transfer means comprising a self-duplicating set of sheets 36 of draughting material having at least two sheets 36, and a pressure transfer means 24, said at least two sheets 36, being disposable between said raised outlines 50 of said symbols elements 30 and said pressure transfer means 24 so that pressure applied by said pressure transfer means 24 causes the outline of said symbols 32 to be transferred to at least one of said two sheets 36 to create an image of said symbols outlines thereon.

Abstract: A production planning system for use in providing color-separated films to a litho platemaker. The system utilizes a programmed computer for gathering and storing information relative to various images of a particular production job. A computer/digital table/rotating arm structure allows for calculation of scaling and angling factors of the original image transparency relative to the size and orientation of the image within the final layout.

Abstract: A device for facilitating patent drafting comprises a base sheet, and a second sheet to which the drafting medium is affixed, the sheets having magnetic properties to maintain the base and second sheets in an alignable relationship with each other, the second sheet being transparent in some areas. Guidelines on the base and second sheets permit ready alignment of patent drafting requirements and to commonly used drafting angles. In one embodiment, the magnetic means are positioned to cause the sheets to maintain alignment at commonly used drafting angles.

Abstract: Artwork often involves the placement of lettering along the arc of a circle. Practice is to use a compass to lay out the arc and then place the lettering along the arc. The arc is then erased. The present invention provides a lightbox whose platen is fitted with a vertical centerline and a pivot. Basemarks are positioned along the centerline, each at a distance from the pivot equal to the radius of a desired arc. The art sheet is placed on the platen so that the center of the desired arc falls over the pivot. The sheet is rotated about the pivot as successive letters are applied. The desired basemark is used as a position indicator for the base of each letter. The letter is oriented so that the centerline bisects it vertically. In one embodiment the pivot is adapted for use in punching a hole in the art paper.

Abstract: An alignment structure provides means to locate a self-inking stamp in a plurality of positions over articles, which vary in size, to make repeated impressions for quantities of the same article, at a desired location. An adjustable nesting bar holds the self-inking stamp in an elevated position across a stationary and an adjustable gauge bar in parallel position to one another, gauging the article on two sides. Adjustable depth gauges mounted on the gauge bars provide gauging on a third side of the article.

Abstract: In a projection table of an optical projection form grinding machine, with a transparent carrier for a form pattern drawing, which bears insertion marks, and with a transparent cover, which can be moved between an open position, in which the carrier is accessible for insertion of the form pattern drawing, and a closed position, in which the cover lies flush on the form pattern drawing and fixes it in position on the carrier, in order on the one hand to eliminate disturbing reflections, and on the other hand to obtain good visibility of the insertion marks during insertion, it is proposed that the cover be made nonreflecting or reflection-reducing, but displaying transparent regions, not made nonreflecting or reflection-reducing, above the insertion marks of the form pattern drawing.

Abstract: Wooden structures are assembled from a plurality of wooden elements with interposed metallic connectors, by assembling the wooden elements on a work table provided with a rectangular grid. The image of the structure to be assembled, with a superposed grid corresponding to the grid on the table, is projected on the table until the respective grids register with each other. Then the wooden elements are assembled on the picture; and as the corners of the grid on the table are tapped holes, retainers can be used to hold the assembled elements in place. The table with thus-assembled wooden elements is then run through an endless belt press having superposed convergent runs, whereby the metallic connectors are sunk into the wooden elements to complete assembly of the structure, after which the completed structures are removed from the tables onto rollers with interspersed lifting arms that swing vertically about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the tables.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing table for use in the fields of drafting, architecture, computer graphics, and graphic arts and the like wherein the drawing table includes means allowing projection of an optical image from below onto the working surface of the table at a plurality of angles of impingement allowing the image to be traced and/or overlaid with another image at the working surface without interference with the optical image from the body or instruments of a worker positioned over the working surface and allowing the optical image to be distorted to other perspectives as desired and allowing scale variations by movement of the components of the table substantially along the horizontal or at inclines from the horizontal, and permitting the working surface of the table to be disposed at inclines from the horizontal without loss of the other advantages.

Abstract: A signmaker's jig assembly incorporates a signblank-supporting worktable, a setting bar movable over the signblank for guiding the alignment of a line of letters to be installed on the signblank, a letter staging zone incorporating a letter aligning staging bar, a centering guide, and a manually movable adhesive transfer bar co-acting with the staging bar for seizing the staged line of letters en bloc, transferring them to the signblank, and installing them thereon. Different embodiments incorporate different features facilitating stripping each line of letters from the staging zone.

Abstract: Mechanism modeling kit in which flat simulations of machine elements may be assembled into demonstration working units, some elements being pivotable relative to others on loosely tightened grommets.