For Supporting Above Work Surface Patents (Class 33/489)
  • Patent number: 10955232
    Abstract: Smart Scale Ruler is an electronic architect's scale having a triangular shaped ruler body. The Smart Scale Ruler has a changeable electronic display for displaying a custom or the desired scale of any unit of length, for a document or plan. A set of depressible buttons function as the inputs for the value of the reference point a user wishes to base the custom scale off of, as well as different settings for the device, in order to display the correct scale on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Joanne Swisterski
  • Patent number: 9435130
    Abstract: A layout tool may have a length and several marking areas or sections by which the headers, footers, and studs of a wall can be marked and subsequently assembled. The layout tool has a bend at about a right angle along the length of the layout tool allowing it to lay over multiple pieces of building material at once. Once marked, the building materials can be assembled quickly and with limited or no human error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: JB Builders LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Briganti
  • Patent number: 7178249
    Abstract: A tool for measuring, marking, and cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a transparent flexible sheet of pressure-sensitive material removably adhered thereon to cover one side of the rigid sheet and provide a removable, non-slip surface. One or the other of the rigid and flexible sheets has a plurality of lines formed thereon, preferably two-color lines, to aid in measuring and marking material. The pressure-sensitive material is formed of a non-static cling vinyl film having plasticizers that continually migrate to the surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventors: Margaret D. Schafer, legal representative, Randal D. Schafer, deceased
  • Patent number: 7168178
    Abstract: A measuring device having a longitudinally extending polymer portion and a longitudinally extending metal portion secured to the polymer portion. The polymer portion may be molded over one longitudinal edge of the metal portion to thereby permanently secure the portions together. The measuring device may have a longitudinal balance axis disposed between a free edge of the metal portion and a free edge of the polymer portion. The balance axis can be disposed so that when the measuring device is placed on a page the metal portion free edge will contact the page and the polymer portion free edge will be raised. Alternatively, the balance axis can be disposed so that when the measuring device is placed on a page the metal portion free edge and the polymer portion free edge are raised above the page. Pressure on the metal portion will cause the metal portion free edge to contact the page while pressure on the polymer portion free edge will raise the metal portion free edge further off the page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: Javier Verdura, Erik J. Moses, Daniel P. Sterling, Jonathan A. Lee, Stuart D. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 7055257
    Abstract: A lighted fish measurement device. The apparatus comprises a connection to an outside power source, a backlight source, and circuitry to connect the outside power source to the backlight source. A generally clear rule face including graduations in American Standard and Metric measurements. A semi-transparent colored overlay, variable in length, is mountable over the backlit rule face highlighting user specific graduation lengths. A rugged waterproof enclosure, with a positive stop at the beginning of the rule and a means to secure the lighted fish measurement device to a fishing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Darren Edward Pieczynski
  • Patent number: 6925724
    Abstract: A quilting ruler is square or rectangular in shape and has first, second, third and fourth edges with a first set of equally spaced rulings running parallel to the first and third edges of the ruler and at right angles to a second set of equally spaced rulings running parallel to the second and fourth edges of the ruler. The first line of the first set of rulings is spaced from the first edge of the ruler by a different interval from the interval by which the last line of that set of rulings is spaced from the third edge of the ruler, and the distance of each line of the first set of rulings from the first edge and of each line of the second set of rulings from the second edge is marked so as to be visible when the first and second edges of the ruler are in use and the distance of each line of the first set of rulings from the third edge and of each line of the second set of rulings from the fourth edge is marked so as to be visible when the third and fourth edges of the ruler are in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Creative Grids (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Rachel Claire Tandy
  • Patent number: 6901674
    Abstract: A lighted fish measurement device. The apparatus comprises a connection to an outside power source, a backlight source, and circuitry to connect the outside power source to the backlight source. A generally clear rule face including graduations in American Standard and Metric measurements. A semi-transparent colored overlay, variable in length, is mountable over the backlit rule face highlighting user specific graduation lengths. A rugged waterproof enclosure, and a means to secure the lighted fish measurement device to a fishing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Darren Edward Pieczynski
  • Patent number: 6854189
    Abstract: A tool for measuring, marking, and cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a transparent flexible sheet of pressure-sensitive material removably adhered thereon to cover one side of the rigid sheet and provide a removable, non-slip surface. One or the other of the rigid and flexible sheets has a plurality of lines formed thereon, preferably two-color lines, to aid in measuring and marking material. The pressure-sensitive material is formed of a non-static cling vinyl film having plasticizers that continually migrate to the surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Randal D. Schafer
  • Patent number: 6510878
    Abstract: An attachable baseplate for a highspeed router which can be used with router in an upright handheld position, or in an inverted position with router suspended by same baseplate in a router table. Front edge of baseplate has cutout portion for sliding engagement and containment of a right and a left incrementally marked alignment indicator. When secured to baseplate in a predetermined position indicators show actual diameter margins of the installed cutting tool. This simplifies and makes precise the alignment of the cutting tool to the layout line of the workpiece and allowing measuring capabilities when enlarging the existing cut without the necessity of changing cutting tool. Alignment and measuring capabilities perform equally in the handheld or suspended router table mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Frank J. Cavit
  • Patent number: 5964041
    Abstract: A guide tool for performing a work function step such as cutting or drawing a line along a workpiece including a guide plate having planar opposite sides, a longitudinal slot, a first straight guide edge substantially parallel with the slot, guide flanges along opposite sides of the slot defining a guide channel on a first side of the guide plate, and two clamps adapted for assembly with guide plate, the clamps having a first jaw including a guide member slidable along the guide plate channel and a second jaw extendable through the guide plate slot and a pressure plate for securing the clamps to a workpiece along opposite sides of the workpiece, and clamp handles formed integral with the jaws and spring biased apart to urge the jaws together for clamping the guide plate to the workpiece, and the clamp handles being positioned in spaced relation from the first side of the guide plate for ready access by a user from the first side of the guide plate when the clamps are assembled with the guide plate and the gui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Jerry R. Daniel
  • Patent number: 5768796
    Abstract: A roller measurement fixture is comprised of a series of small in-line rollers mounted in one or more rows, forming a receiving cradle device. An extruded part to be measured is cradled in a semi-circular arrangement of the rollers and straightens as it settles under its own weight. The cradle device will accommodate many different cross-sections of extruded seal. The rollers are free to rotate as the part is placed into the fixture and properly located. Friction front these rollers is negligible, therefore the part remains in, or attains, its free state, without internal stresses, throughout the loading and measurement process. Thus, the extruded part is limp within the cradle, being loaded so as to contact a head or alignment stop at one end of the cradle. A floating stop riding on the rollers engages the other end of the part and cooperates with a scale on the cradle as a means of acquiring the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Richard Malik
  • Patent number: 5615485
    Abstract: A device for forming circles on a drawing surface that includes, in part, a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member. The first rotatable member is substantially flat and includes an opening formed therein. The second rotatable member is resiliently disposed within the opening. A first means elevates the first rotatable member above the drawing surface to prevent smearing of lines on the surface. A second means elevates the second rotatable member above the drawing surface to prevent smearing of lines on the surface and to engage the surface for stabilizing the rotatable member over the surface. The second mechanism elevates the second rotatable member to approximately the same level as the first rotatable member. A plurality of holes are disposed in the first and second rotatable members. The holes accommodate a marking instrument used for forming the circles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Safe-T Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Stoneberg
  • Patent number: 5105551
    Abstract: A template buffer element with cutouts which are larger than the interior cutouts of a template, attached to the template so that ink deposited on the drawing surface is separated from the working edge of the template by the buffer element, and the cutout edges of the buffer element are separated from the place of ink deposition by the difference between the dimensions of the buffer cutouts and the template cutouts. The buffer element may be a sheet of plastic or may be an array of strips made of elastomeric or nappy material which trap an air cushion under the template so as to facilitate template movement over the drawing and provide anchorage of the template to the drawing surface when the draftsperson presses down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventors: Wilmot R. McCutchen, Wilmot H. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 5101569
    Abstract: An adjustable wheel measuring gauge is capable of use in making multiple wheel measurements for identifying wheels. The gauge includes an elongated ruler with a first mating lug and a slider with a second mating lug. The ruler is generally rectangular in cross-section and has a pair of opposite top and bottom faces. Multiple measuring scales in millimeters and inches are provided on the top face. The first mating lug is fixedly attached at one end of the ruler and projects from the bottom face of the ruler. The first lug is adapted for self-centered mating with a desired location on a wheel to be measured. The slider defines a channel open at its opposite ends for receiving the ruler and mounting the slider in a sliding relation on the ruler. The slider has base and window portions bounding opposite sides of the channel and disposed along the opposite faces of the ruler. The window portion overlies the scales on the top face of the ruler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Michael O. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5038487
    Abstract: An attachment for a framer's square which permits the framer's square to be self supporting on a flat, horizontal surface. The attachment has an elongated support bar with two clips which may be inserted over a blade of a framer's square. This attachment, when inserted on the inner edge of the framer's square, facilitates the scribing of a right-angle line to a rounded edge and when placed on an outer edge, permits the square to be free standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Roy E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4926564
    Abstract: The drafting instrument of the invention generally comprises a triangular integrally formed substantially planar construction having three perimeter legs, interconnected end to end to form the triangular configuration and define an open space in the interior of the body, and one interior leg extending across the open space to form interior complementary angles to the angles formed at the respective intersections of the perimeter legs. The instrument is provided in two primary embodiments, the first adapted as a 30/60 degree triangular instrument and the second as a 45 degree triangular instrument. The instrument includes a plurality of glide points extending outwardly from one or both faces of the instrument to support the instrument slightly above the surface upon which it is used, and further includes a handle assembly disposed near the intersection of two of the perimeter legs of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Mayline Company, Inc.
    Inventor: C. J. Loggins
  • Patent number: 4821424
    Abstract: The drafting instrument of the invention generally comprises an L-shaped integrally formed substantially planar construction having one long leg and one short leg disposed perpendicular to each other. The end of each of the legs of the instrument is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the outer edge of each leg, and the lengths of the legs of the instrument are proportioned such that complimentary 60 degree and 30 degree angles are formed between the edge of the short leg and the edge of the long leg, respectively, and a straight line intersecting the end point of each leg. The instrument includes a plurality of glide points extending outwardly from each face of the instrument to support the instrument slightly above the surface upon which it is used, and further includes a handle disposed near the intersection of the two legs of the instrument to aid in reversing the instrument from face to face during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Mayline Company, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Jim Loggins
  • Patent number: 4483081
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Asahi Seimitsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Komine
  • Patent number: 4349966
    Abstract: A cutting guide includes an elongated wide flat base plate having ruled markings along one edge and a raised flange along the opposite edge. The raised edge serves as a linear guide for a cutting tool, such as a utility knife, while providing a protective barrier to prevent the sharp knife blade from slipping over the edge and causing injury to the user. A plurality of beveled feet along the lower surface of the base provide structural support and an improved gripping surface to prevent undesired movement during use. The wide base also facilitates holding the guide down firmly against the material being cut to permit steady and efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventors: Michael J. Marino, Michael R. Marino