US2724184A - Collapsible t-square - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1955 B. s. SPEAR, JR 2,724,184

COLLAPSIBLE T-SQUARE Filed Feb. 11, 1953 28%29 5 l3 #9 INVENTOR.

COLLAP SIBLE T-SQUARE Byron G. Spear, Jr., Sioux City, Iowa Application February 11, 1953, Serial No. 336,224

7 Claims. (Cl. 33-112) My invention relates to a T-square construction.

An object of my invention is to provide a T-square which can be collapsed to a minimum sizewhereas such T-square can be conveniently carried in such reduced size either in a small compartment, briefcase, or otherwise.

A further object of my invention is to provide a T- square construction with collapsible characteristics and yet which maintains a true edge, and also includes certain features to maintain the necessary rigidity of the T-square.

A further object of my invention is to provide a T- square construction having collapsible characteristics, which. is simple in construction.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists of the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in myclaims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a preferred type of the T- square of my invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail,

Figure 4 is a detail,

Figure 5 is a detail,

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified form,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a detail,

Figure 9 is a detail, and

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the modified form in its collapsed condition.

My invention contemplates the provision of a T-square which can be conveniently collapsed either by detaching sections thereof or by folding the same to a minimum space, so that unduly long T-squares can thereby be rendered as compact as possible, so that they can be transported conveniently. My invention also contemplates the provision of providing rigidifying members in conjunction with the collapsible features.

I have used the character 10 to designate the upper portion of the head of the T-square, and I have used the character 11 to indicate the lower portion which rests against the drawing board edge, having the edge 12 for this purpose. I have further used the character 13 to designate the centrally positioned flat T-square edge member which includes the portion 14a having the same contour as the members 10 and 11 and being attached therebetween.

The member 13 includes a recessed centrally positioned cavity 14, and received within the cavity 14 is the tongue 15 which is an extension of the further member 16. The member 16 also includes a similar cavity 14 in which is snugly received the further tongue 15 which is an extension of the further section 16. The sections 13 and 16 include the drawing or guide edges 17, these edges being in exact alignment for the necessary purposes. Attached to the various sections 13 and 16 are the small bosses 18, and received through these bosses is the lengthened bracing rod made up of a plurality of sections 19, these sec- United States Patent 0 "ice.

2,724,184 Patented. Nov. 22, 1955 2 tions including the threaded cavities 20 and studs 21, this arrangement permitting. the sections 19 to be screwed together, or unscrewedas desired.

Terminating the end section 19 is. a knurled expanded turning member 22. The inner section 19 terminates at the threaded portion 23 which is threadbl y engaged at 24 within the head portion 10. The end section rod 19 also includes a small hole 25.

It will now be observed from the foregoing construction in the condition shown in Figure 1, the T-square is rigid, since the closely fitting tongues and cavities will be firmly engaged, and since the member 22 is firmly turned against the end boss 18 until the threaded engage.- ments at 23 and 24 firmly secure all of the sections together. The T-square can thus be used in an entirely natural manner without interference. However, when it is desired to collapse the arrangement, any small pointed tool or rod is inserted in the hole 25, and the jointed sections 19 are rotated until the threaded engagement at 23 and 24 is slightly loosened. The member 22 is then grasped and rotated still further which will draw the member 19 out of the threaded opening thus permitting complete removal of the section members 19*, after which the sections 16 can be pulled apart, so that they can lie adjacently to the head and section 13. The sections 19 can then be unscrewed and these sections can also be placed adjacently to the other sections, thus providing a completely collapsed condition, fulfilling the advantages above mentioned. The threads on the stud 21 are right hand threads as are the threads on the member 23, so that they will tighten in the same direction. The use of the opening 25, however, will loosen the arrangement before the tightly engaged threads between the sections, thus providing the result above mentioned.

Figures 6 to 10 illustrate a modified form of my invention wherein I employ similar characters for similar parts. The section rods 19 are the same as well as the threaded engagement with the member 10 except that the bosses 18 will only be required in approximately the position shown. In this construction, I use the pairs of hinges 26 and 27. It will be noted that the hinges 26 are closely adjacent to the sections whereas the hinges 27 are spaced a fairly substantial distance above the sections. The hinges 27 include the extending portions 28 and 29 for attachment to the sections, the lower hinges 26 having the attaching portions 30.

In this latter construction the rods 19 can be disassembled in the same manner, after which the various sections are then folded until they occupy the position shown in Figure 10, the lengthened hinge 27 allowing the end section to fold in place due to the space thus provided.

It will now be noted that I have provided the advantages mentioned in the objects of my invention with fur ther advantages being apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiifening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections.

2. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square' and to said sections, said sections having engaging tongues and cavities.

3. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections, said sections having engaging tongues and cavities, said rod having a plurality of complementary joined sections.

4. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections, said sections having engaging tongues and cavities, said rod having a plurality of complementary joined sections, and being joined by means of inner engaging threaded studs and threaded cavities formed on said sections.

5. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections, said sections being hinged to each other whereby said sections can be folded to a collapsed position.

6. A collapsible T-square having a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections, said sections being hinged to each other whereby said sections can be folded to a collapsed position, the hinges between said sections being progressively longer toward the head of said T-square to provide increased folding room space between the sections.

7. A collapsible T-square having. a transverse head and a lengthened portion joining said head, said lengthened portion having a plurality of joined sections, means for collapsing said sections to occupy a minimum space, means for stiffening said sections when in operative position, said stiffening means being positioned adjacent to said sections, said stiffening means including a rod, said rod being secured to the head of said T-square and to said sections, said sections having engaging tongues and cavities, said rod having a plurality of complementary joined sections, said rod being threadably engaged with said head, the end section of said rod having an opening for loosening said threaded engagement, a knurled turning head attached to said rod, bosses extending from said sections receiving said rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 398,501 Duflin Feb. 26, 1889 741,861 White Oct. 20, 1903

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