Abstract: A rolling ruler comprises a blade member configured to facilitate taking a measurement. The blade member is coupled to a handle that is configured to be gripped by a user, wherein the handle acts as a housing for storing a plurality of electronic components, the plurality of electronic components providing predefined functionalities to the rolling ruler. Further at least one roller with a rolling surface that is partially exposed through a backside of the handle for contacting a surface to be measured is in operable contact with a portion of the plurality of electronic components to facilitate measuring distance based on rotations of the at least one roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surface marking along an outside corner. In one embodiment, a marking tool includes a base portion and a marker retention portion. The base portion includes a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis of the tool. The base portion includes a base surface along the longitudinal axis. The base surface is configured to movingly engage a first surface. The marker retention portion extends from the first end of the base portion. The marker retention portion is configured to retain a marking device and to position a marking face of the marking device to engage a second surface that intersects the first surface at an outside corner.

Abstract: A rolling ruler comprises a blade member configured to facilitate taking a measurement. The blade member is coupled to a handle that is configured to be gripped by a user, wherein the handle acts as a housing for storing a plurality of electronic components, the plurality of electronic components providing predefined functionalities to the rolling ruler. Further at least one roller with a rolling surface that is partially exposed through a backside of the handle for contacting a surface to be measured is in operable contact with a portion of the plurality of electronic components to facilitate measuring distance based on rotations of the at least one roller.

Abstract: A ruler system for measuring workpieces includes a multi-surfaced ruler with rules inscribed along the edges of several surfaces. The ruler contains grooves and T-slots in its surfaces that run along the length of the ruler. In addition, apertures are located in the end surfaces of the ruler. The T-slots and apertures allow several accessories to be attached to the ruler for additional functionality. The accessories include a wheel attachment for drawing parallel lines, storyboard indicators for repeated measurements, a hook rule for measuring from the end of a workpiece, and trammel points for drawing arcs and circles. Connectors may be placed in the grooves of the ruler to link together multiple rulers.

Abstract: A combination speed and framing square includes first and second legs joined to form a right angle. The first and second legs are substantially longer than those found on a typical framing square allowing higher pitch roof rafters to be sequentially marked in increments of two feet. A third leg is attached to the first and second legs forming the hypotenuse of a right triangle with the first and second legs. The third leg has an elongated marking aperture with hip and valley and common rafter marking indicia on opposing sides thereof as well as incremental angular indicia adjacent its outer edge as with a typical speed square. Level indicators such as bubble levels are disposed on the first and second legs. At each end of the first leg and at a distal end of the second leg is an integral elongated slot each dimensioned to removably receive a rolling measuring device with a digital distance indication means on the exterior thereof.

Abstract: A self-contained drafting instrument adapted for rapid measurement of diagrams or drawings on a surface. The instrument utilizes an internal movement detection mechanism, an electronics processing system, and a display screen capable of graphical representation. The movement detection mechanism measures both orthogonal components of movement and the display screen provides a scale that electronically scrolls as the instrument moves or by manually pressing a key on a keyboard. The drafting instrument can be constructed in a number of orientations including a ruler, drafting triangle, protractor, or T-square.

Abstract: A mini-drafting machine that is structured so that it can be guided horizontally and vertically along a flat surface, such as a piece of paper. Horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines, as well as different sized arcs and circles, can be drawn upon the flat surface. Different sized geometric shapes can also be made upon the flat surface with built-in templates. The lengths of the vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines can be measured, while the angle of the diagonal lines can be determined.

Abstract: The present rolling ruler includes a ruler body having a through hole, a shall having two ends and sleeving thereon the ruler body, and two rollers respectively mounted on the two ends for translating the ruler body. One characteristic of present invention is that different scales are provided on edges of a ruler body.

Abstract: A rolling rule that is effective and/or diversified and/or capable of being easily positioned at a desired position and/or capable of being or easily manipulated/controlled is provided. The rolling rule includes a role body, a roller rotatably mounted in the rule body for enabling the rule body to be translated easily in a parallel fashion, a braking device mounted on one side of the rule body, which is to be exerted by a force generally along a direction parallel to a surface of a work piece for permitting the braking device to easily and conveniently brake the roller when a braking occasion is desired, and an outer surface layer having a relatively high frictional coefficient and surrounding the roller for enabling the roller to be positively controlled in motion or at a stop.

Abstract: A multi-purpose drawing ruler comprising a ruler body, a direction wheel shaft assembly, two brake assemblies, two reset shafts and two retainers, in which the ruler body is in the form of a straight ruler with markings of length along an edge, a plurality of holes at appropriate positions along the markings for passing through of a drawing pen, a pivot at the right end of the markings and another pivot at the left end of the markings, a rail at the front end for attachment of two retainers, a slot in the middle of the ruler body for installation of the direction wheel shaft assembly, a pair of rail at each end of the slot for installation of a brake assembly, an elliptical hole at each end of the slot and a reset indicator on its top so that after placing of the direction wheel shaft assembly in the slot, each reset shaft is fixed to a screw hole at the direction wheel shaft after passing through the elliptical hole and the hole at the brake assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved multi-functional ruler is disclosed comprising a body of a ruler including an axial seat and an axial rod having convex blocks at each of its two ends attached with rollers. The convex blocks are separately connected to the interior of axial nuts. The axial nuts and the axial seats are tightly fixed together, with an axial block located at a central part of the internal lateral side of the body of the ruler. When the axial rod of the forementioned structure is set in motion, it will not cause a tremendous area of friction with the body of the ruler. It will slide smoothly without causing any position shifting of the axial rod so as to enable lines to be accurately drawn. The axial block can function as a center from which circles of different diameters can be drawn.

Abstract: A non-marring drawing instrument includes a rolling member for supporting the body of the instrument on a drawing surface in spaced apart relation thereto. The rolling member is mounted on the body for movement between respective rolling and locked positions of the member projecting from the body. A resilient member constrains the rolling member in its rolling position, for rolling movement of the instrument on the drawing surface, and yields for movement of the rolling member into its locked position. Frictional braking structure, which may include the resilient member, engages the rolling member in its locked position, for immobilizing the instrument. Braking is accomplished by pressing the instrument body towards the drawing surface.

Abstract: A parallel rule which includes a gripper body cover and a rule body, with a gripper body base positioned between them. A plurality of float-contact rollers are installed through respective openings in the rule body and gripper body base. The parallel rule is movable across the paper with only the float-contact rollers contacting the paper, thus minimizing any smearing of drawing ink and the leaving of traces upon the drawing paper. The gripper body cover and an associated end body covers are easily attached and removed from the gripper body base, thus allowing for ease of maintenance.

Abstract: A drafting device includes a body and a roller assembly rotatably mounted on the body for allowing movement of the drafting device across a support surface. The drafting device also includes a spring disposed between the body and roller assembly for producing friction on the roller assembly to resist unintended rolling of the roller assembly.

Abstract: A multipurpose ruler to permit a user to precisely draw geometric shapes as well as to store information including a housing having a rotatable roller with multiple information areas and an alignment mark to permit the user precisely align the ruler for accurately drawing geometric figures. A retractable pivot pin permits the user to draw circles about the pivot pin and a transparent housing permits a user to readily view information stored on the ruler.

Abstract: There is disclosed a guiding device for use with a computer mouse, the device comprising a body, a friction strip provided on an edge member of the body for securing the mouse to the body while allowing the mouse to operate on a working surface, a bearing fixed to the body, a roller including a horizontal shaft having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the shaft being rotatable in the bearing, the bearing being axially translatable on the shaft, the roller further including working surface engaging wheels fixed to each end of the two ends, the roller substantially supporting the body, and a sight connected to the body for guiding the device to trace an image on the working surface, the device being able to be moved on the working surface in a direction of the axis by a translation of the bearing on the shaft and in a direction perpendicular to the axis by a rolling of the wheels on the working surface.

Abstract: Drawing boards and drawing instruments for use therewith. The surface of the board (1) has a set of parallel-running, evenly spaced magnetic poles (2) across it. Each drawing instrument has a cylinder (10) with similar parallel magnetic poles running essentially axially along it. The cylinder is freely rotatably mounted (12) and preferably held a little bit away from the board surface. The cylinder (10) preferentially orientates with its magnetic poles aligned with those (2) on the board surface. This orientation can be accurately maintained across the entire surface of the board without the use of cumbersome mechanical arrangements to ensure alignment of drawing instruments. When not required for use, the drawing instrument may simply be removed from the surface of the board. A ruler/protractor device (3) and a carriage bearing a pair of rules set at right angles are described.

Abstract: A parallel rule including a rule body, a gripping attachment and two rolling devices which are installed at each end of the rule body. The rolling device has a cylindrical roller and a pair of anchorage portions extending from its end so that the roller is retractable. An opening is provided at each end of the rule body for the roller of the rolling device to project from. By use of the rolling device, the parallel rule is movable.

Abstract: A drafting device (10) is provided for drawing parallel lines as well as true perspective lines, comprising carriage means (11) movable over a drafting surface (12) on wheel assembly means (20) and (21). A ruler (124) is located on carriage means (11) and has an unobstructed drafting edge (125) constantly co-linear with a true radial line to a chosen vanishing point. Selectively variable ratio transmission means (31), between wheel assembly means (20) and (21), permit ruler (124) to move over drafting surface (12) in a parallel or an arcuate manner about a preset vanishing point on or outside drafting surface (12). Magnet means are included for maintaining wheel assemblies (20) and (21) in frictional contact with drafting surface (12) and brake means are included to lock carriage (11) on drafting surface (12) in selected positions. Presetable stop means are provided to preset a plurality of vanishing points.

Abstract: Perspective drawing apparatus comprises a straightedge assembly having a blade for guiding a tool and at least one flexible member on a tensioned spool, a free end of the flexible member being connected to an anchor device for location at a vanishing point. The assembly is provided with reference points for determining when the blade is aligned with a ray portion of the flexible member intersecting the vanishing point. Preferably at least two of the flexible members are provided for selectively referencing a plurality of vanishing points of the drawing. The apparatus includes an anchor device incorporating an adjustable arm for locating the vanishing point within or without the drawing surface, the arm being selectively located along an edge of the drawing surface by a clamp having a threaded member conveniently located above the drawing surface. The clamp includes a movable spacer member for accommodating variant thickness of the drawing surface.

Abstract: A drawing machine having a frame for translatory movement upon a drawing surface. The frame defines an elongated, transverse interior opening. A plurality of template means are removably receivable within the interior opening. Each includes an aperture defining a shape which may be traced upon the drawing surface by the user. The template means may be repositioned along the transverse length of the elongated interior opening. Translatory movement of the drawing machine upon the drawing surface and guided movement of the template means along the interior opening permit the user to create varied patterns and pictures.

Abstract: A drafting apparatus having a linear edge with first and second wheel means associated with the edge to rotatably move the linear edge across a planar drafting surface and wherein the wheels are of differing diameter so as to have the linear edge move across an arc defined within a circle toward which the linear edge is always pointed. The center of that circle is the vanishing point as conventionally utilized with perspective drawing techniques.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a combination of a windowed indexed calibrated T-square and a precision-lined drafting board for use therewith for providing scaled drawings on drafting paper transparent to the drafting board's precision lines, the window being positioned in the helve head such that the index line positioned along a lower edge of the window is alignable with and positioned over the drafting board's precision lines when flat roller surfaces of spaced-apart x-axis aligning rollers on the helve head are pressed flushly against upright flat linearly-extending edge of the drafting board with the edge extending along the x-axis of the drafting board, with the roller surfaces being of broad width affording non-wobbling stable positioning of the blade of the T-square relative to an upper face of the drafting board when the T-square has the roller surfaces pressed flushly against the flat surfaces of the upright flat linearly-extending edge of the drafting board.

Abstract: A drafting apparatus for use with a drawing board having a side edge portion and a planar drawing surface in which a guide track extends in spaced relation to the side edge of the board and is mounted from the board for adjustment into several different positions in relation to the board. A T-square having a head body member provided with wheels for rolling engagement with the guide track and carrying a strip of material serving as an armature for coaction with a pair of spaced magnets carried by the head member of the T-square. The magnets are carried on a bar member provided with pivotal movement about a longitudinal horizontal pivot axis parallel to the side edge of the board, the magnet carrying bar member having an actuator portion for releasing the magnets from the armature strip. A slidable lock element is carried by the actuator portion to lock the magnet carrying bar member in release position if desired.

Abstract: A plotting device for use on a nautical or air chart for course finding in which there is a body portion which has graduations which are in scale with the chart with which the device will be used. There will also be a straight edge on this device and a roller with its axis parallel to the straight edge as a means for rolling the straight edge from a desired course position to a compass rose on the chart for determining the direction of the course. Upon this roller there will also be an indication of the speed of the boat or plane which is to be plotted and from that speed designation will be indications cooperating with the graduations on the body to determine the time which it will take for a boat or a plane moving at the selected speed to travel certain distances along the body of the device as shown by the graduations.

Abstract: A drafting device (10) is provided for drawing parallel lines as well as true perspective lines, comprising carriage means (11) movable over a drafting surface (12) on wheel assembly means (20) and (21). A ruler (124) is located on carriage means (11) and has an unobstructed drafting edge (125) constantly co-linear with a true radial line to a chosen vanishing point. Selectively variable ratio transmission means (31), between wheel assembly means (20) and (21), permit ruler (124) to move over drafting surface (12) in a parallel or an arcuate manner about a preset vanishing point on or outside drafting surface (12). Magnet means are included for maintaining wheel assemblies (20) and (21) in frictional contact with drafting surface (12) and brake means are included to lock carriage (11) on drafting surface (12) in selected positions. Presetable stop means are provided to preset a plurality of vanishing points.