Abstract:
Groove-type paper scoring apparatus according to the invention comprises a platform providing a planar rectangular work surface. On the platform are a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels extending longitudinally from one end of the platform to the other. Shallow boundary walls extend along the side edges and the distal end of the platform. The distal end wall of the platform is provided with spaced vertical notches each mating with an associated one of the series of score channels. A scale or ruler extends along each of the walls.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention herein described relates generally to groove-type apparatus for scoring paper (typically cardstock) so as to provide fold lines or creases. Such apparatus is used, for example, for facilitating the home manufacture of greeting cards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Paper-scoring apparatus for home and small-business use falls into two quite different categories. One category is the ridge-type scoring device, which has spaced parallel sharp raised linear ridges on a working platform. This type requires the use of a scoring tool having a distal fork mating with the cross-sectional shape of the ridge. The other type is the groove type, having parallel linear grooves or channels on a working platform. This type requires the use of a scoring tool having a distal point that can force the paper sheet part way into the groove, creating a fold line or crease. The present invention lies in the latter category. 
         [0003]    The paper scoring art is well developed and has undergone evolution over approximately a century; by way of example, see Plante U.S. Pat. No. 1,153,951 issued on 21 Sep. 1915. This patent discloses and illustrates a classic ridge-type scoring device and a scoring tool for use therewith having a forked distal portion for engaging the sharp linear scoring ridges of the device. 
         [0004]    All prior paper scoring devices suffer from various disadvantages associated with structural limitations, inadequate versatility, user unfriendliness, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In this specification and the appended claims, “paper” means sheet material to which one or more fold creases are to be imparted. The selected sheet material will typically be cardstock, which is used herein as a typical example, but often light cardboard or double-sided decorator paper is used. 
         [0006]    Paper scoring apparatus according to the invention is of the groove type rather than the sharp-ridge type. Such apparatus comprises 
         [0007]    a. a platform providing a substantially planar rectangular work surface; 
         [0008]    b. a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels (grooves) of substantially uniform breadth and depth extending longitudinally from the distal end of the work surface to the proximal end of the work surface; and 
         [0009]    c. shallow boundary walls extending upwardly from and along the side edges and the distal end of the platform. 
         [0010]    “Distal” and “proximal” are with respect to the user. When the apparatus is in use, the distal end of the platform is more remote from the user; the proximal end closer to the user. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the distal end boundary wall of the platform is provided with a series of spaced generally vertical notches each mating with an associated one of the series of score channels. The notches extend upward from the distal ends of corresponding score channels. This design feature facilitates score tool penetration of the paper at the distal end of the selected score channel. 
         [0012]    The score channels or grooves are dimensioned for ease of use, having due regard to the expected thickness of the cardstock (say) with which the device will be used. The point of the complementary scoring tool is dimensioned for compatiblity with the score channels and cardstock expected to be used. The point of the scoring tool is typically not a true point, but a rounded point so that the paper is not pricked by the point of the tool. It is partly for this reason that the notches are provided so that the working edge of the rounded point is able to reach the distal end of each groove. It is convenient for some purposes to have the score channels wide enough that they can be used for reverse-embossing the cardstock for ornamental purposes. 
         [0013]    The platform of the inventive paper scoring apparatus is of a suitable length and width selected for use with rectangular paper of a known dimension. In America, cardstock is typically 8.5″×11″. Accordingly, a suitable platform may conveniently be 12″×12″, permitting placing cardstock onto and removal of cardstock from the platform with ease, for both portrait and landscape orientations of the cardstock on the platform, for both left-handed and right-handed users. 
         [0014]    Paper scoring apparatus of the aforementioned general type may be provided with a scale along one or more walls. Optimally, at least the distal end wall of the inventive apparatus is provided with a scale, and each sidewall may also be provided with a scale. The scale displays length in selected units of length, which in America is typically inches. 
         [0015]    For convenience of use, including reading of scales, the boundary walls for the platform are of substantially uniform height, the tops of the boundary walls are generally parallel to the platform, and the scales are located on or in the vicinity of the tops of the boundary walls. 
         [0016]    Conveniently, at least some of the score channels are spaced from one another in multiples or fractions of the selected unit of length. For example, most of the score channels could be placed one-half inch apart, and would be aligned with half-inch markings on the distal end wall scale.  
         [0017]    Additional score channels maybe provided for special purposes, such as folding a sheet of cardstock into thirds. Preferably marks are provided along the distal end boundary wall of the platform in the vicinity of the distal ends of such additional score channels, for identifying those score channels that are suitable for use in making predetermined preferred scoring. 
         [0018]    The preferred method of manufacture of paper scoring apparatus according to the invention is not part of the invention. Conventional molding and forming techniques may be applied to suitable plastics material which in use is relatively strong and rigid. The inventive device maybe an integral plastics device manufactured in a single mold. To facilitate extrication of the device from the mold, selected surfaces may be slightly inclined rather than strictly perpendicular to adjacent surfaces. Terms such as “generally vertical” should be read with the foregoing in mind, and on the premise that in normal use, the platform will be horizontal or nearly so. To facilitate a light weight of the apparatus while maintaining adequate strength, spaced reinforcing ribs may be provided on the underside of the platform, each rib underlying an associated groove, for strengthening the platform in the vicinity of the associated groove. Additional oblique ribs may also be provided on the underside of the platform for strengthening the platform while maintaining overall light weight of the scoring device. 
     
    
     
       SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the paper scoring device according to the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a section elevation view of the device of  FIG. 1 , taken along the section line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  accompanied by a scoring tool suitable for use therewith. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the underside of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  viewed from its underside. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  comprises (i) a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in section, of the distal portion of a scoring device resembling that of  FIG. 1 , except that no notches are present in the distal end wall of the scoring device; and (ii) a side elevation view of a working scoring tool poised to begin the scoring of cardstock or the like, the cardstock also being shown in fragmentary section view. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  comprises (i) a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in section, of the distal portion of the scoring device of  FIG. 1 ; and (ii) a side elevation view of a working scoring tool poised to begin the scoring of cardstock or the like, the cardstock also being shown in fragmentary section view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    This description is of a preferred embodiment of the paper scoring device according to the invention, and as such includes mention of desirable design features in addition to those that relate to the invention per se. 
         [0027]    This embodiment generally indicated as  10  is preferably formed from sturdy plastics material. It comprises a platform  12  bounded at its distal end  13  by an end wall  14  formed in a deck  16  and along its sides by sidewalls  18 ,  20 . (The term “fence” is sometimes used in the industry in preference to “sidewall”.) The upper surfaces of the sidewalls  18 ,  20  are preferably coplanar with the upper surface of the deck  16 . The sidewalls  18 ,  20  are preferably narrow but their upper surfaces are preferably wide enough to present linear scales  22 ,  24  demarcated in inches or centimetres. 
         [0028]    (The terms “distal” and “proximal” in this description, when referring to the device  10  or the platform  12  or portions thereof, are used with respect to the body of the user of the device. The deck  16  and end wall  14  are remote from the user, and therefore are distally located, whilst the end  28  of the platform  12  is close to the user, and is therefore proximally located.) 
         [0029]    The platform  12  may be integral with the sidewalls  18 ,  20  and may be suspended above any suitable supporting surface (not shown) such as a table top by having the outermost portions of each of the sidewalls  18 ,  20  extend downward below the undersurface  26  of the platform  12 . The lower edges  19 ,  21  of the sidewalls  18 ,  20  are coplanar and may be parallel to the platform  12  as illustrated or, if desired, could be given a slight inclination so that the distal end  13  of the platform  12  rests at a higher level than its proximal end  28 . Pedestals  30  at the corners of the paper scoring device  10  may be of rubber or the like to provide non-scratching frictional engagement between the device  10  and the supporting surface on which it rests. 
         [0030]    Between the proximal edge of the deck  16  and the end wall  14 ; i.e. distally of the distal edge of the platform  12 , is a transverse bevelled surface  34  on which a linear scale  36  is displayed, demarcated in inches or centimetres, the zero point on the scale coinciding with the left edge of the platform  12 , i.e. coincident with the distal end of the inner surface of the left sidewall  18 . The bevelling of the scale  36  facilitates visual alignment of a scoring tool with a selected groove  32 . 
         [0031]    Parallel shallow scoring grooves, two exemplary ones of which are designated by reference numeral  32 , extend longitudinally from the distal end  13  to the proximal end  28  of the platform  12 . Conveniently, many of the neighboring grooves are spaced apart by a standard unit of measurement, e.g. by 0.5 in. or by 1.0 cm, and are correspondingly aligned with divisions of the scale  36 . Others of the grooves may be placed for specific folding purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls  18 ,  20  are  12  in. apart. Assuming a standard letter-size cardstock of 8.5 in.×11 in., grooves  38 ,  40  are located at transverse distances of 3⅔ in. and 7⅓ in. respectively from the left end (zero point) of the scale  36  so that when such standard sheet is placed in landscape orientation, i.e. with its longer edge against the end wall  14  and its shorter edge against the sidewall  18 , the grooves  38 ,  40  divide the sheet into three equal portions lengthwise—i.e., the 11-inch length of the cardstock is divided into thirds when a scoring tool is run along the cardstock at the grooves  38  and  40  . Grooves  38 ,  40  are aligned with triangular marks  42 ,  44  on the scale  36  for ease of recognition by the user. Similarly, grooves  46 ,  48  are respectively aligned with dots  50 ,  52  at 2.125 in. and 6.375 in. along the scale  36 , for the purpose of forming a standard gate fold in a sheet of standard cardstock positioned in portrait orientation with the short edge of the cardstock placed against end wall  14  and the long edge against the inner surface of the sidewall  18 . Other special-purpose marks and corresponding grooves could be provided at the designer&#39;s discretion. 
         [0032]    To combine light weight with strength, the platform  12  is formed as a relatively thin sheet with reinforcing longitudinally extending ribs  54  underlying the grooves  32 , and with spaced oblique supporting ribs  56  whose lower edges are aligned with the lower edges  19 ,  21  of sidewalls  18 ,  20  providing additional support for the platform  12  when it rests on an underlying supporting surface. 
         [0033]    A suitably formed scoring tool  60  whose distal working end  62  is formed as a rounded “point”, is dimensioned so that the working end  62  of the tool  60  forces cardstock into a groove  32  when the tool is pressed down against the cardstock and run longitudinally along the cardstock in alignment with the underlying groove  32 . A receptacle in the nature of a shallow cavity  64  is located on the right side of the deck  16 . The walls of the cavity  64  mate with the edges of the tool  60 . Resilient clips  66  retain the tool  60  in the cavity  64  when the tool  60  is not in use. A spring-loaded flip mechanism  68 , when triggered by finger depression, forces the tool  60  upwards out of engagement with the retaining clips  66 . The provision of a retaining receptacle for the tool  60  is not part of the present invention, nor are the details of the flip mechanism. 
         [0034]    To facilitate the initial positioning of the working end  62  of the scoring tool  60  at the distal end of a given groove  32 , so that the most distal working edge of the tool  60  may reach the distal limit of any of the grooves  32 , the end wall  14  is provided with a series of spaced notches or indentations  70 , each aligned with an associated groove  32 . This design feature permits the user to know where each groove  32  begins, even when the groove is covered by cardstock, and to position the tip  62  of the scoring tool  60  at or very close to the distal limit of the groove  32 . The notches  70  also facilitate the commencement of scoring the cardstock at that distal limit. 
         [0035]    Expanding on the feature discussed in the foregoing paragraph, the “point” of a scoring tool is typically not a sharp point but is rounded. There are at least three good reasons for this, viz (i) a sharp point is more likely to pierce the cardstock (say), which normally is not desired; (ii) a rounded point enables an effective contact between the scoring tool and the cardstock over the range of angles of tool to platform that may be expected in use; and (iii) a sharp point is more likely to break off than a rounded point. The scoring tool  60  illustrated in the drawings has a rounded “point”. 
         [0036]    However, because the “point” of a scoring tool is rounded, it is virtually impossible for its distal end to make contact with the cardstock. Rather, the most distal portion of the underside of the tool point that makes contact with the cardstock is spaced by a short distance from the distal end of the point. This fact is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which shows a fragment of the distal end of a representative scoring apparatus in section, and a tool poised above the platform for use in scoring a sheet of cardstock, also illustrated. For convenience, the scoring apparatus selected for illustration in  FIG. 6  closely resembles that of  FIG. 1  save that the apparatus of  FIG. 6  has no notches in the distal end of the apparatus. Specifically, such scoring apparatus  110  is provided with a platform  112  whose distal edge terminates in an end wall  114  formed in a deck portion  116  of the apparatus  110 . Cardstock  78  is placed on the platform  112  with its distal edge  80  in contact with end wall  114 . The point  62  of scoring tool  60  abuts the end wall  114  at the beginning of a scoring run along the cardstock  78 . Because of the rounded configuration of the point  62 , the leading point of contact  76  of the point  62  with the cardstock  78  is spaced a short distance from the end wall  114 , leaving a distal portion  82  of the cardstock  78  unscored when the tool  60  is moved from its distal limit in contact with end wall  114  proximally toward the user. 
         [0037]    In contrast, because scoring apparatus  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with notches  70  in end wall  14 , the point  62  of scoring tool  60  is able to move distally relative to the end wall  14  so that the leading point of contact  76  of the point  62  is coincident with the distal edge  80  of the cardstock  78 . Accordingly, the scoring tool  60  is enabled to score the cardstock  78  completely, from its distal edge  80  proximally to the opposite edge (not illustrated) of the cardstock  78 . The foregoing is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0038]    Desirably, the dimensions and configuration of the point  62  of the scoring tool  60  are designed to complement the dimensions of the notches  70  so that the point  62  may penetrate a given notch  70  sufficiently that the leading point of contact  76  of the underside of the point  62  is able to reach the distal edge  80  of the cardstock  78  when that edge  80  is in contact with the end wall  14 . 
         [0039]    The scoring device  10  and scoring tool  60  may be manufactured of strong rigid plastics material, using conventional molding and forming techniques. The propeller-shaped flow leader  74 , shaped as a flat rise on the underside of the platform  12 , is an artifact of the molding process; it corresponds in shape and dimensions to a counterpart shallow cavity in the mold (not illustrated), which latter facilitates flow of molten plastic to the underside portion of the platform  12  from the mold gate. The shape and dimensions of the flow leader, and the preferred position of the mold gate, are preferably determined with the assistance of a mold flow analysis, which will vary from one specific design to another. For the preferred embodiment of the inventive scoring device illustrated, a mold flow analysis indicated that the mold gate should be located off-centre relative to the horizontal dimensions of the device  10 . In the molded product, the mold gate position corresponds to a generally circular rise  72  in the underside of the platform  12 . 
         [0040]    In use, the scoring device  10  is placed on a flat surface with the proximal end  28  nearest the user. A sheet of cardstock is placed on the platform  12 . For cardmaking, the sheet is normally placed with its short edge abutting the distal end wall  14  and its long edge abutting the left sidewall  18 . For boxmaking, the sheet is normally placed with its long edge abutting the distal end wall  14  and its short edge abutting the left sidewall  18 . 
         [0041]    The left side of the deck  16  serves as a flat surface against which the user&#39;s left hand may exert modest pressure on the scoring device  10  to stabilize it while it is being used. As the notches  70  are coincident with grooves  32  coinciding with scale divisions of the scale  36  or with special marks  42 ,  50  etc., the user can easily select the groove  32  to be used for scoring the cardstock (say). The working end  62  of the tool  60  is then used to score the cardstock, preferably beginning at an associated notch  70  and continuing proximally until the sheet of cardstock is scored across its entire width (or length) or to a desired distance from the end wall  14 . The sidewall scales  22 ,  24  facilitate accurate termination of the score line if the scoring is to stop short of the proximal edge of the cardstock. Two or more score lines may be made for particular purposes while the cardstock is in place against the end wall  14  and the sidewall  18 . Decorative embossing (“deco-embossing”) may be accomplished by repeatedly scoring the underside of the presentation surface of the cardstock along oblique lines. 
         [0042]    Preferably the width between the sidewalls  18 ,  20  is slightly longer than the maximum length or width of cardstock to be scored. This choice of width permits a left-handed user to place the right edge of the cardstock against the sidewall  20 , which may make scoring the cardstock easier for such user. When selecting the preferred dimensions of the scoring device  10 , there is a trade-off to be made between accommodation of cardstock of large dimensions, on the one hand, and cost of manufacture and ease of use for conventionally sized cardstock, on the other hand. Note that the height of sidewalls  18 ,  20  is preferably quite short so that if oversize cardstock is to be scored, part of the cardstock may overlie either sidewall with very little temporary deformation. 
         [0043]    For diagonal scoring, opposed corners of the cardstock are aligned with one and the same groove  32 . 
         [0044]    It will be apparent that a device that imitates some but not all of the desirable design features of the scoring device herein described and illustrated may well be a useful scoring device within the scope of the invention. For example, a competitor might provide interruptions in the sidewalls  18 ,  20  without losing the benefit gained by having walls along both sides of the platform  12 . The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment herein described and illustrated, but is defined in scope by the appended claims.