Abstract: The present invention is a straightedge guide which is to accommodate a carpenter in performing accurate linear cuts. The present invention has a straightedge and a carriage, which rides along the rails of the straightedge. During operation, a cutting tool such as a circular saw is attached to plate of the carriage. Subsequently, the carriage and the attached circular saw are transported along the rails of the straightedge while the circular saw is cutting through the material beneath both the circular saw and the straightedge. The present invention is also useful in performing vertical straight cuts as the present invention has a vertical holder, which helps stabilize the straightedge upon a vertical flat surface. Attached to each rail of the straightedge is a ruler, which provides accurate measurements in woodcutting. Along with straight cuts, the present invention is also useful in performing circular cuts as the present invention is rotatable.

Abstract: A measuring device includes a bracket, a sliding ruler, a securing assembly, and a driving assembly. The bracket includes a first set of scale lines. The sliding ruler is slidably attached to the bracket and includes a second set of scale lines. The securing assembly includes a securing member and a resilient member mounted to the securing member. The driving assembly is rotatably attached to the bracket and includes a handle and a gear secured to the handle. The gear is rotatable to slide the sliding ruler relative to the bracket; the securing member is secured to the bracket, and the resilient member is secured between the sliding ruler and the bracket, to prevent the sliding ruler from sliding relative to the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is a straightedge guide which is to accommodate a carpenter in performing accurate linear cuts. The present invention has a straightedge and a carriage, which rides along the rails of the straightedge. During operation, a cutting tool such as a circular saw is attached to plate of the carriage. Subsequently, the carriage and the attached circular saw are transported along the rails of the straightedge while the circular saw is cutting through the material beneath both the circular saw and the straightedge. The present invention is also useful in performing vertical straight cuts as the present invention has a vertical holder, which helps stabilize the straightedge upon a vertical flat surface. Attached to each rail of the straightedge is a ruler, which provides accurate measurements in woodcutting. Along with straight cuts, the present invention is also useful in performing circular cuts as the present invention is rotatable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drafting head for a drafting machine, with a gring member (4) having several actuating elements (6, 8, 10) arranged on the gripping member (4) and capable of being actuated by a hand of the user that is resting on the gripping member (4) for the purpose of executing various switching statuses, as for example, disengaging, free- (unrestricted) switching, secured braking (locking) of the normal side, respectively for releasing the locking of the normal side of the drafting head (1). Provided here is at least one actuating element (6, 8) for disengaging and/or free-switching of the normal side of the drafting head (1), and one actuating element (10) for locking the normal side of the drafting head (1). Actuating element (10) for locking is arranged on the gripping member (4) such that it rests against the inner surface of the ball of the thumb of the user hand resting on the gripping member (4).

Abstract: A head of a universal parallel ruler having a base 2 supported so as to be movable in parallel on a drafting board comprises a scale mounting plate 16 having an upper portion supported so as to be rotatable on the upper face side of the base 2 and a handle member 34 provided above the scale mounting plate 16, so that an operator can hold the handle member 34 by hand to directly rotate the scale mounting plate 16 for carrying out a plotting operation.

Abstract: In a scale balancing device, a rotating moment balancing a moment developed by the dead load of the scale is exerted by the tension member having tensile elasticity upon the rotatable member adapted to be rotated concentrically and integrally with the scale rotating shaft while the tensile elasticity of the tension member is applied through the biasing mechanism to the same rotatable member and thereby to balance the tensile elasticity of the tension member to that the unbalanced load developing in the scale rotating shaft as a result of balancing of the scale may be balanced or reduced. Furthermore, by position-adjustment of the engaging member in the direction of the radius of the rotatable member with respect to its rotational center, a scale balancing force is easily adjusted to accommodate the inclination of the drawing board from the horizontal to the vertical or to accommodate an exchange of the scales having different weights.

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 numerically or manually controlled moving carriage drafting machine with digital X-Y position and angle indication, input keyboard, ruler holder and lowering mechanism for tubular pens or similar writing instruments at the drawing head is particularly characterized in that the drawing head contains an X.sub.1 -Y.sub.1 writer with high dynamic range and small working range only for lettering and small sized symbols whose path instructions are superimposed by the same computer alternately also to the X-Y drives of the moving carriages, and that all movements of the drawing head originate as selected from a movement sensor which is guided manually by the hand of an operator as well as from a path computer, with all operating and path driving programs at least capable of being recalled from the keyboard at the drawing head.

Abstract: On an electronic carriage brake for a drawing machine, the power stage (18) associated with a brake magnet (12) for a considered co-ordinate direction is triggered directly via the output signal from a comparator (24), to which the measured position signal (20) and the nominal-value signal (26) are applied, as well as additionally via a monostable trigger circuit (30) which is triggered by the output signal from the mentioned comparator (24).

Abstract: The invention concerns a drawing or engraving device which has a first trlling carriage system with a first and second guide rail each supporting a moving travelling carriage. The second guide rail is attached to the travelling carriage on the first guide rail. A second travelling carriage system is joined to the first travelling carriage system and has two travelling carriages driven by motors. One of these travelling carriages supports a working head which can be manually guided. The coordinates of the actual pattern executed by the working head are determined by means of a distance measuring device. Computing means compare these actual coordinates with coordinates of a selected pattern through which the working head should travel to draw an element or line segment selected by the user. A control device is activated by the computer which calculates any deviation of the actual pattern coordinates from the selected pattern coordinates.

Abstract: A scale balancing device for use in a universal parallel ruler device having a head, a spindle rotatably supported on a non-rotating part of the head, a scale mounting plate fixed to the lower spindle, a handle fixed to the upper spindle, and scales mounted on the scale mounting plate, the device has a first gear coaxially mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith, the weight of the scales exerting a torque on the first gear, a second gear rotatably mounted on a non-rotating part of the head and having a spring connected thereto for applying a torque to the second gear to rotate the second gear in a predetermined rotating direction, and a two-stage intermediate gear having a small gear and a large gear integrally connected and rotatably supported on a non-rotating part of the head, the second gear being in mesh with the small gear and the large gear being in mesh with the first gear, the ratio of the diameter of the first gear to the diameter of the large gear being substantially the same as the ratio of

Abstract: A scale balancing device for balancing the weight of the scales of a universal parallel ruler, the device having a head structure having the scales rotatably mounted thereon, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the head structure separate from the scales, the rotating member and the rotatable scales being rotatably interlocked, and a spring having one end rotatably connected to a point on the rotating member eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof and the other end rotatably connected to a non-rotatable part of the head structure, the spring, when the scales are rotated to a position vertically in line with the axis of rotation thereof, having substantially no tension therein and when the scales are rotated ninety degrees from such position, having tension for exerting a maximum force on the eccentric connection point on the rotating member and sufficient in magnitude and having a direction which substantially cancels out the torque on the rotating member from the weight of the scales.

Abstract: A scale balancing device for balancing the weight of a scale of a universal parallel ruler, having a head structure having a rotating scale support rotatably mounted thereon on which the scales are carried, the scale support and scales having a center of gravity when the scale is horizontal spaced horizontally from the axis of rotation of the scale support, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the head structure separate from the rotating support, the rotating member and the scale support being rotatably interlocked, an eccentric member on the rotating member, a spring member having one end connected to the eccentric member and the other end connected to the head structure and tensioned for providing a torque on the rotating member in a direction which substantially cancels out the torque on the rotating member from the weight of the scales, the point of interlocking of the rotating member and the scale support being on the side of the scale support toward the center of gravity when the scale is in the hori

Abstract: A scale balancing device for balancing the weight of the scales of a universal parallel ruler, the device having a head structure having a rotating scale support rotatably mounted thereon on which the scales are carried, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the head structure offset from the rotating support, the rotating member and the scale support being rotatably interlocked, an eccentric member movably mounted on the rotating member for movement radially of the rotating member, and a spring member having one end connected to the eccentric member and the other end connected to the head structure and tensioned for providing a torque on the rotating member in a direction which substantially cancels out the torque on the rotating member from the weight of the scales.

Abstract: A scale balancing device for balancing the weight of the scales of a universal parallel ruler, the device having a head structure having a rotating scale support rotatably mounted thereon on which the scales are carried, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the head structure offset from the rotating support, the rotating member and the scale support being rotatably interlocked, an eccentric member on the rotating member and having a portion projecting axially of the rotating member beyond the axial end surface of the rotating member, and a spring member having one end connected to the projecting portion and the other end connected to the head structure and tensioned for providing a torque on the rotating member in a direction which substantially cancels out the torque on the rotating member from the weight of the scales, whereby during rotation of the rotating member through 360 degrees, the one end of the spring member can continuously engage the projecting portion of the eccentric member and the spring m

Abstract: A drafting machine has fixed parallel top and bottom rails (R-1,R-2) and a center rail (R-3) which is movable perpendicularly along the fixed rails and has a carriage (4) carrying a protractor head (6) which in turn carries a straight edge assembly (2) including two mounting bars (30,40) perpendicular to one another and each having a reference scale (52) and an adjustable scale (54). The mounting bar (40) is movable along the mounting bar (30) and has an X-axis straight edge (64). A Y-axis straight edge (62) is movable along the mounting bar (40). Fine adjustment mechanisms (80) are provided on the center rail (R-3), the carriage (4), the mounting bar (40), and the Y-axis straight edge (62), which operate with racks (144,145) along the top and bottom rails (R-1,R-2), a rack (152) on the center rail (R-3), and racks (84) on the mounting bars (30,40). The fine adjustment mechanisms (80) may be readily disengaged.

Abstract: A holding and guiding device for lettering and drafting instruments adapted to be mounted on a traveling-carriage drafting machine. An additional slide rail is disposed in parallel to the vertical slide rail, with the additional slide rail carrying a slidable carriage. A flat instrument holder is provided with a pivotally mounted head, with the flat instrument holder being disposed below the additional slide rail and extending under the vertical slide rail.

Abstract: A guide rail for a drawing machine carriage has a single part or multipart rack configuration for guiding a carriage with a longitudinally extending slot through which projects the supporting arm of the carriage. In order to achieve simple and reliable dust protection, the slot is provided with a covering element which extends over the slot without impeding the mounting arm. The covering element may be a dustproof sealing lip or a continuous band which is attached to the carriage.

Abstract: A drawing head for a drawing machine has a base plate with a central bore. he base plate is nonrotatably attached to the drawing machine. A rotatable straightedge support under the base plate has a central pin extending through the central bore. A nonrotatable cover plate is mounted on the pin with a gripping knob above the base plate. A spacing ring is rotatably positioned between the base plate and the cover plate. Locking devices are provided for releasably retaining the straightedge support with respect to the spacing ring and for releasably retaining the spacing ring with respect to the base plate. It is thereby possible to reduce the overall height of the drawing head while maintaining the bearing precision, and to thus achieve lower costs for production and assembly of the drawing head. Bearing means are provided whereby the central pin which engages the bore of the base plate is axially supported and rotatably positioned therein to firmly support the spacing ring.

Abstract: A drawing head has a base plate which has a central bore and which is rotbly mounted on a drawing machine. A straightedge support assembly includes a straightedge support mounted on a rotatable pin in the central bore. A cover plate is nonrotatably mounted on the pin and supports a gripping knob. A spacing ring is rotatably mounted about the central axis between the base plate and the cover plate. Normal side locking means serve to releasably retain the straightedge support assembly with respect to the spacing ring, and base side locking means serve to releasably retain the spacing ring with respect to the base plate. Each of the locking means has a locking pawl which is pivotally positioned about an axis parallel to the central axis of rotation without play by means of a pivot jaw assembly and which engages and disengages a spring-loaded locking tooth against a locking disc secured with respect to the spacing ring.

Abstract: This control device consists of a slider disposed within the portion of the hollow head which rotates with the rules; this slide is provided with a guide T-shaped and member is pivotally interconnected to a thumb-piece accessible from outside the head. The pivotal connection between the slider and the thumb-piece is constantly maintained through a coil compression spring prestressed between the inner wall of the head and a stud rigid with the slider opposite the pivotal connection. The thumb-piece comprises on its bottom a projection engageable in a cavity formed in the head base. The relative positions of the pivotal connecting means and the projection are so calculated that the spring generates a self-locking torque preventing any uncontrolled released of the mechanism.

Abstract: A drawing machine carriage has a horizontal carriage which is driven on a rizontal guide rail. A vertical guide rail is positioned on this carriage, and a vertical carriage which supports a drawing head is driven on the vertical guide rail. Brakes for the horizontal carriage are activated by an operational element through a transmission. The operational element is located on the vertical carriage. To achieve ease of operation of the operational element and of the vertical carriage by the application or non-application of the brakes of the horizontal carriage and without the continuous stress of wear by the force of the braking mechanism, the operational element, by means of the transmission, shifts the brakes out of the unbraking neutral position and into a releasably retained braking position, whereby the tension on the operational element and the transmission are released in the neutral position and the braking position.

Abstract: A head supporting device for moving a universal parallel ruler containing a head assembly and a scale in a vertical direction in planes substantially parallel to that of a drawing board which comprises a cursor-side link member, a head supporting link member for supporting said head assembly and scale, a support lever disposed between said cursor-side link member and said head supporting link member, one end portion of said support lever being pivotally attached to said cursor-side link member and the other end portion thereof being pivotally attached to said head supporting link member, thereby permitting vertical movement of the head supporting link member relative to said cursor-side link member and a spring member attached to said cursor-side link member and said head supporting link member for raising the head supporting link member relative to the cursor-side link member, said spring member acting upon the support lever to raise the head supporting link member when the pivot point of the support lever o

Abstract: A drafting machine includes a pair of perpendicular straight edges slidably mounted with respect to reference scales integrally mounted within the drafting machine. A fine adjustment mechanism includes a worm and spur gear combination for moving the straight edges with respect to the scales. An override mechanism allows the straight edges to move freely with respect to the scales. The drafting machine preferably includes a second adjustable scales adjacent each reference scales for ease and accuracy in measuring.

Abstract: A rail type universal parallel ruler device comprising a drawing board, a horizontal rail mounted on the drawing board, a horizontal cursor mounted shiftably on the horizontal rail, a vertical rail connected to the horizontal cursor, a vertical cursor mounted shiftably on the vertical rail, and a head connected to the vertical cursor, the improved rail type universal ruler device wherein a magnetic member is disposed on each of the cursors and rails for guiding the cursors and/or on a tail portion of the vertical rail and the side of drawing board for guiding the tail portion of the vertical rail, and magnetic force is caused to work between the magnetic members in a direction where the cursor is floated relative to the surface of rail and/or a direction where the tail portion of the vertical rail is floated relative to the surface of the drawing board side.

Abstract: A plotting device is disclosed containing a traveling carriage drawing apparatus and distance measuring devices in the traveling carriages which emit a number of electrical pulses which are proportional to the displacement of the traveling carriages and which are weighted with an adjustable scale factor, to be measured as coordinate values (x, y) of a basic Cartesian basic coordinate system. The measured coordinate values are transmissible to and recordable by indicator units located within the area of a traveling carriage. The basic coordinate system possesses a selectable, stationary zero point and fixed axis directions in the traveling direction of the traveling carriages.

Abstract: Drafting apparatus comprises a drafting head having X and Y scribing edges. The drafting head is mounted for movement along a beam in the Y direction and its position is detected by an encoder. The beam is mounted for movement in the Y direction relative to the drawing surface and its position is detected by another encoder. The encoders control a numerical display device indicating instantaneous X and Y displacements of the scribing edges from a datum set by a zeroing control. A scaling device is arranged operatively between the encoders and the numerical display device whereby the numerical display device will indicate the real values represented by proportional X and Y displacements. The drafting head is rotatably mounted from a carriage and a third encoder detects the angular position of the drafting head and controls the numerical display device to indicate the instantaneous angular position of the drafting head.

Abstract: A drafting machine head in accordance with this invention is provided with a rotatable drawing ruler carrier whose angular position on a graduated circle is incrementally detected by means of scanning elements and is converted into displayable angular valves by an up/down counter, and with one or several electronic data stores, characterized in that it contains an electrically actuable locking unit (10, 11) for the rotary movement of the drawing ruler carrier (13), which unit is active in any angular position and is connected through an electronic comparator (25) to the data store or stores (23) in such a way that the valves detected on the graduated circle (12) and the valves contained in the data store (23) trigger the locking if they are in coincidence.By this means a drafting machine head is provided which can be set to a higher degree of accuracy and is less subject to wear than is known from the prior art.

Abstract: An attachment for a drafting machine having a protractor head has a scale which is securable to the head. By operation of the head, the scale is movable on the drawing board between a first position and a second position disposed at a predetermined acute angle to the first position. On the ruling edge of the scale, there is an index point which is usable when the scale is in the first position to mark the location for the placement of a required symbol. A template is mounted below the scale for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the drawing board and this template is provided with a plurality of outlines which serve as stencils for applying symbols to a drawing. An indicator on the structure supporting the template enables a particular symbol outline to be selected and placed in a position which will coincide with the marked location when the scale is moved to the second position.

Abstract: On the head of a conventional drawing apparatus, locking means consist of a toothed circular plate 1 integral with the support C, a toothed circular plate 2 integral with the turning handle and rule carrier, the plates 1,2 being concentric and rotating in a same plane, and a third toothed plate 3, forced towards the plates 1 and 2 by springs 4 so as to mesh with the plates 1 and 2 making them integral with each other. This plate 3 is movable axially along a hub E, while maintained perpendicular to the axis of said hub; it may be disengaged from the plates 1 and 2 by exerting a pressure on a pusher 5 which actuates a lever 6 which lifts a small plate 7 connected to the plate 3 by columns 8.

Abstract: An adjustable straight edged device for use with a drafting board includes a straight edged blade which is adjustable to different angular orientations on the drafting board and is positively and precisely aligned in a horizontal orientation across the board. The device includes a platform slidably mounted for movement along one side of the drafting board on which the blade is mounted. The platform includes a pivot pin and preferably guide pins which are disposed to respectively, engage an elongated slot and pins about an end angle provided on the straight edged blade to slidably and pivotally attach the blade to the platform. In an alternative embodiment a single guide pin is used which engages a notch in the straight edged blade. This arrangement allows the straight edged blade to be repeatedly and accurately aligned in its horizontal orientation. A clamping knob is provided on the pivot pin for locking the blade in place on the platform.

Abstract: A head supporting device for a universal parallel ruler is disclosed. The head supporting device connects the operating head of the ruler, having the scales attached thereto, to the cursor of the ruler, which is movable along a longitudinal rail. When the operating head and the scales are in contact with the drawing board surface, and are forced in an upward direction, the mechanism in the head supporting device locks the operating head in a raised position above the drawing board surface. The drawing may then be removed from the drawing board surface, or the surface may be cleaned. In order to unlock the mechanism in the head supporting device, a slight external downward force should be exerted onto the top of the operating head. Once the downward force exceeds a certain amount, the operating head, with the scales attached thereto, snaps back into contact with the drawing board surface.

Abstract: The present drafting apparatus comprises a drafting board (1) having secured to one longitudinal edge thereof a metal rail (4). A runner (3) and a rail (2) are displaceable along the metal rail (4). The runner (3) is pulled against the metal rail (4) by magnets. A carriage (6) supporting a ruler (5) having about a square shape, is displaced along the rail (2) and held in place by magnets (43) cooperating with the rail (2) at least the edges of which are made of ferromagnetic material. In order to adjust the rail (2) through relatively small horizontal or vertical angles, the rail (2) is tiltably secured to the runner (3) for adjustment through angles of about 10.degree. to 20.degree., preferably 15.degree. in either direction from the perpendicular position relative to the runner. The tilting movement is transmitted to the rail with the aid of a rod (19) spaced from the journal stud (12) and with the aid of a slide (21) which may be arrested relative to the rail (2).

Abstract: A rail type universal parallel ruler device wherein a balance weight is provided which is connected to the head by means of a cord or the like and shifts along a vertical rail in a direction opposite to the shifting of the head. A fixed magnet is disposed along almost the entire length of the path of travel of the balance weight, and a magnet is provided on the balance weight opposed to the fixed magnet, and the balance weight is repulsed so as to be suspended as it moves along the path of travel by the magnetic force between the magnets.

Abstract: A universal parallel ruler is disclosed. A desired angle of rotation of a preset member relative to a base line is selected. This angle of rotation is introduced into the ruler via an input station mounted on the ruler. The desired angle of rotation of the preset member is displayed on a display and an input signal representative of this desired angle of rotation is input to a comparator. The preset member is rotated. A detector detects the actual angular position of the preset member relative to the base line and it introduces another input signal to the comparator representative of the actual position of the preset member relative to the base line.

Abstract: A universal digital converter for drafting machines operable to sense and instantly display numerically on one of the machine scales incremental linear or angular movements thereof. A sensor mounted on the scale has a wheel in rolling contact with the drafting surface and generates signals proportional to the net distance moved in a selected direction and these signals are processed electronically to represent the distance travelled in any desired preselected scale ratio. The sensor is quickly positionable to measure movements of either the horizontal or vertical scales, as well as angular movements of the protractor ring of a standard drafting machine.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus provided with calculative function of a calculation portion. A universal parallel ruler in which operating keys and a calculation result display portion for operating the calculative function are disposed on the surface of a member, the base of which is connected with an operating grip of a head portion to project sideways of the member, the head portion being disposed to be moved and set to any position on a drawing board by guide rail members or jointed arm members and supporting a vertical scale and a horizontal scale to be set to any angle.

Abstract: A universal parallel ruler is disclosed. The ruler includes two digital read-out displays for displaying the displacement of the ruler in the x and y directions. In displaying the position of the ruler along the directions, the ruler compensates for the displacement of the movable rail relative to the stationary rail. It further compensates for the displacement of the head relative to the movable rail and for the x and y scales relative to the head. A reset is provided by which the position of the x and y reference axes may be changed. In addition, the ruler may be set to operate in a reduced or multiplied scale, and the digital display will, in either case, display the actual reduced/increased dimensional information.