INDICIA BEARING GEOMETRIC INSTRUMENT

Abstract: A geometric instrument, for example, a rule, is formed of a first transparent layer (10) having geometric indicia (12) along at least one edge thereof, a second transparent (20) layer and a developed, photographic transparency (24) having information thereon laminated between the first and second transparent layers.

Description: DESCRIPTION INDICIA BEARING GEOMETRIC INSTRUMENT Technical Field The present invention relates generally to geo- metric instruments, for example rulers, and more particu¬ larly to a geometric instrument including other information thereon. Background Art It is well known to provide decoration or information on rulers. Typical examples of decorative opaque rulers are shown by U. S. Design Patents 15,251 and 31,390. Generally, the information provided on the ruler is limited by the process used to put the sophisticated advertising or display of information requiring fine detail. As an advertising gimmick, cards containing the advertising material have been placed in a recess of a T-square and sealed therein as illustrated in U. S. Patent 2,796,667. The advertisement is printed on a paper card which is enclosed by a substantially heavy plastic material. The relative cost and expense of the material has restricted widespread use of the device of the aforementioned patent and the advertisement is restricted to that which may be produced by the printing process. Printing is expensive unlessyou want large quantities. This limits information bearing devices to the large user. Since printing is relatively expensive in multiple colors and of fine detail, the printing would be restricted to generally business cards. Thus, there exists a need for a method of inexpensively making a geometric instrument, for example, a ruler, which includes information of finer detail than previously available at a reasonable price. Disclosure of Invention The present invention is a .lamination of a developed photographic•transparency layer bearing information between two additional transparent layers wherein one of the additional transparent layers has geometric indicia on at least one edge thereof. Photographic transparencies are inexpensive to make and reproduce and provide the fine detail which is missing from prior art devices. The overall shape of the layers may be generally rectangular with linear indicia thereon to produce a ruler. Similarly, the ruler may provide indicia along opposing edges (one in inches and the other in metric) . The photographic transparency layer has essentially the dimensions of the additional two transparency layers and may include two or more frames. An object of the present invention is to provide a geometric instrument including information displayed in fine detail. Another object of the present invention is to provide a geometric instrument including fine detailed information at a reasonable price. An even further object of the present invention is to provide a geometric instrument containing an advertisement which is far more attractive than previous advertising devices. A still further object is to provide a method of making a geometric instrument bearing personalized information which can be economically produced in small quantities. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. O Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a.view showing the assembling of the layers to be laminated according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of a completed laminated geometric instrument incorporating the principles of the present invention. Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the geometric instrument of the present invention includes a first transparent layer 10 having geometric indicia 12 along one edge 14 thereof and a second type of geometric indicia 16 along the second edge 18 opposite edge 14. The geometric indicia 12 and 16 may be linear and may repre¬ sent inches and centimeters, respectively. Alignment - marks 19 for a photographic transparency are also provided on the first transparency 10. Joined to transparent layer 10 at edge 14 is a second transparent layer 20. Although the second transparent layer 20 is shown joined to the first transparent layer 10, they may be separately formed and not initially interconnected. The joining of the two transparencies forms a pouch and prevents relative movement of the two transparencies during lamination. The third and intermediate layer of the three layer composite laminate structure of the geometric instrument of the present invention is a developed photographic transparency layer 24 which includes a plurality of frames 26. The photographic transparency layer 24 has the infor- mation to be displayed recorded in the frames 26. By using a photographic transparency, the detail and fineness of the presentation of the information far exceeds that previously produced by printed techniques onto paper or other material. Similarly, the reproduction is more precise and could be significantly less expensive than other techniques. Also, the use of a photographic transparency instead of printing allows low cost produc¬ tion of personalized information in quantities as small as one. The definition of the information recorded on the transparent photographic layer 24 is sufficient to be viewed by the naked eye without magnification. The information is viewed by light traversing the three layers, for example entering through the rear layer 20 traversing the frames 26 of the photographic transparency and egressing from the front transparency 10. Although the information on the photographic transparency may be advertising, it should be noted that other type of information may be included, for example, a conversion table from farenheit to centigrade or other types of technical information which may be useful to specific trades or professions. Similarly, the indicia 12 and 16 on the edge of the instrument may be monograms or other representations. The information bearing geometric instrument as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a six inch ruler being generally rectangular in shape. It should be noted that the photographic transparency includes four frames, has the general geometric dimensions of the transparent layers 10 and 20 and extends over a substantial portion thereof. The use of 35mm film provides a sufficient definition to be view unmagnified. It is obvious that other geometric instruments that may be formed using the princi¬ ples of the present invention. For example, a protractor could have information bearing photographic transparency lamination between two layers. This is but an example of another type of geometric instruments which may be formed using the principals of the present invention. The process for making the present invention includes recording the information on the photographic transparency, developing the photographic transparency and placing it between a first transparency having geometric indicia thereon and a second transparency which may be blank or include additional geometric indicia. The indicia on the first transparency may be printed thereon by, for example, silk screening. The photographic transparency is aligned between the. alignment marks 19 so that it will not obstruct the single geometric instrument. It should be noted that because of the relative rigidity of thinner and less rigid structure, at least rigid enough for use as a ruler. A typical example for transparent layers 10 and 20 is vinyl, having a thickness of apprσxi- mately 10 mils. This is but an example of one type of material and thickness which may be used. Although positive photographic transparencies have been illustrated in the present invention, negative photographic trans¬ parencies may also be used. As previously stated, by the use of photographic techniques, the variety of colors, definition and type of information which may be recorded and displayed with the geometric instrument is greatly increased over the prior art. From the preceding description of the preferred embodiment, it is evident that the objects of the invention are attained in that an information bearing geometric instrument having information in fine detail is provided. Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of this invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An .information bearing geometric instrument comprising: _& first transparent layer having edge of said layer; a second transparent layer; and a developed photographic transparency layer bearing information laminated between said first and second transparent layers so that the information may be viewed when light traverses the three layers. 2. The information bearing geometric instrument according to claim 1 wherein said layers are rectangular and said indicia is linear to produce a ruler. 3. The information bearing geometric instrument according to claim 2 including linear indicia along opposing edges of said first layer to produce a two scale ruler. 4. The information bearing geometric instrument according to claim 3 wherein the indicia on one edge is in inches and on the opposing edge is in centimeters, 5. The information bearing geometric instrument according to claim 1 wherein said photographic transparency layer extends substantially the width and length of the first and second layers. 6. The information bearing geometric instrument of claim 1 wherein said developed photographic layer includes two or more frames. 7. The information bearing geometric instrument according to claim 1 wherein the information on said photographic transparency is of sufficient definition and size to be viewed without magnification. 8. A method of providing selected information on a geometric instrument comprising; forming geometric indicia on an edge of a first transparent layer; recording selected information on a photographic O . Y. ' transparency; and laminating said photographic transparency Between said first transparent layer and a second transparent layer. 9, The method according to claim 8 wherein the information is recorded on said photographic layer with sufficient definition and size to be viewed without magni cation, 10.. The method according to claifl 8 including forming alignment markings- on said first t a arency and $l£gn^ ing said photographic transparency with, said alignment ma k ngs before lamination, 11. The method according to claim 8 wherein said second transparency in joined to sa d first transparency at one edge before said laminating step.

Inventors: FEINGOLD I, FEINGOLD S
Applicants: FEINGOLD I, FEINGOLD S
Application year: 1980
Main classification: B43L7
IPC codes: G01B3