Abstract:
This invention provides a series of evenly spaced marks disposed on an art implement handle which allow an artist to accurately compare the relative sizes of different portions of their subjects so that they may depict them to scale.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of this invention relate to art implements such as paintbrushes, pencils, other marking instruments, and chisels. 
         [0002]    When artists create works of art based on observations of models or natural scenes, they are often interested in comparing the relative sizes of different portions of their subjects so that they might depict their subjects in proper proportion. One technique employed by many artists to gauge sizes is holding the handle of an art implement against their subject, observing the length of the subject relative to the handle, and translating the approximate length of the subject to their canvas, sculpture, or other medium by holding the handle against the medium. 
         [0003]    This technique of measure is convenient, because it allows the artist to use the art implement they are already holding to measure scale, but it is also imprecise and requires repeated measurements since the measurement location on the art implement is lost after scaling. The artist “eyeballs” the relative length and only approximately translates this length to the work of art. Any slip of the finger or slight error in judgment can yield disproportion among various objects the artist is attempting to depict. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  depicts a paintbrush with handle comprising an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  depicts a pencil with handle comprising an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the invention wherein marks are deposited on a handle through the use of a transparent medium. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  depicts an overhead view of a handle marking device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a handle marking device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  depicts a front view of a handle marking device and an alternative embodiment of a handle marking device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the invention comprising a slide. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following is a description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be present, therefore this description is not intended to be exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict art implements according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a paintbrush  10  with a brush head  11  and a handle  1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a pencil  20  with a writing point  21  and a handle  1 . In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the handle  1  may have a rear end  3  which is disposed opposite the brush head  11  and the writing point  21  respectively. Each handle  1  also may have a series of marks  2  disposed between the rear end  3  and the brush head  11  or the writing point  21  at regular intervals. It is noted that while  FIG. 1  presents a paintbrush  10  and  FIG. 2  presents a pencil  20 , other art implements which have handles  1  may also be used in alternate embodiments of the invention. Examples of such art implements may include a maul, a chisel, a pencil lengthener, or other art implement. It is further noted that while  FIGS. 3 and 7  illustrate a paintbrush  10 , the features of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 7  may be found in alternate embodiments of the invention using a pencil  20  or other art implements which have handles  1 . 
         [0013]    The marks  2  on the handle  1  may allow a user of an art implement to measure the length of a subject and translate that length to a medium such as a canvas or paper. In some embodiments of the invention, the marks  2  may also serve a secondary function by improving the grip of the handle  1  or providing an aesthetic appeal. In some embodiments of the invention, numbers  31  may be disposed adjacent to some or all of the marks  2 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention, the handle  1  may taper towards the rear end  3 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, such as that depicted in  FIG. 2 , the handle may maintain a constant width along its entire length. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention, the marks  2  may extend 270 degrees around the circumference of the handle  1  or some other distance less than the total circumference of the handle  1 . This may allow a manufacturer of an art implement to display a trademark or other symbol without the marks  2  obscuring the design. Alternatively, the marks  2  may extend around the entire 360 degree circumference of the handle  1 , or some of the marks  2  may extend the entire circumference of the handle  1  and other marks  2  may extend less than the circumference of the handle  1 . 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 7 , a slide  71  may be disposed on they handle  1 . One or more contrast marks  72  may be disposed on the slide  71 . The slide  71  may be adjustable by a user. The slide  71  may allow a user to more easily use the marks  2  to measure the length of a subject. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 3 , the marks  2  may be deposited on the handle  1  by first being created on a transparent medium  30 , which may be affixed to the handle  1  by adhesive means. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the transparent medium  30  may be a heat-sensitive medium which may be placed around the handle  1  and may be affixed by applying heat to the transparent medium  30  to shrink it around the handle  1 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the marks  2  may be drawn on the handle  1 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the marks  2  may be etched on the handle  1 . An embodiment of a handle marking device  40  which can etch the marks  2  onto the handle  1  is described below. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  depict an embodiment of a handle marking device  40 .  FIG. 4  provides an overhead view of the handle marking device  40 .  FIG. 5  provides a side view of the handle marking device  40 . An embodiment of the handle marking device  40  may include a base  47  onto which other elements of the handle marking device  40  may be mounted. In an embodiment of the invention, an etching base  58  may be mounted to the base  47 . The etching base  58  may be mounted in such a way as to be height and level adjustable in an embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments the etching base  58  may be mounted in a fixed state. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment of the invention the etching base  58  may be provided with elements to allow for centering of an art implement  10 . A centering recess bracket  55  may be disposed on the etching base  58 . A centering recess  50  may be disposed on the centering recess bracket  55 . The centering recess  50  may accept the rear end  3  of an art implement  10 . In an embodiment of the invention, the centering recess  50  may be adjustable by means of an adjustment slot  54 . In an embodiment of the invention, a bearing may be disposed in the centering recess  50  to allow the handle  1  to rotate more easily. This adjustment allows art implements  10  of varying lengths to be accommodated. In an embodiment of the invention, the adjustment slot may be adjusted through the use of a set screw  51 . In an embodiment of the invention, the art implement  10  may also be secured on its opposite end. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  a brush head  11  is depicted, but in other embodiments this may be a writing point  21  or other marking end. A centering chuck  45  may be disposed on the handle marking device  40  to accept the brush head  11 . In an embodiment of the invention, a stop  44  may be disposed on the handle marking device  40  near the centering chuck  45  to stop rotation of the art implement  10 . In an embodiment of the invention, a protective cap  52  may also be disposed to cover the brush head  11 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention, etching wire  48  may be provided to etch marks into the art implement handle  1 . The etching wire  48  may be attached to the etching base  58  by a tension wire anchor  43 . In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the etching wire  48  is then disposed along one or more tension wire support rods  46  in such a way as to result in an evenly spaced series of etching wires  48  passing over an art implement handle  1 . The one or more tension wire support rods  46  may be disposed on the etching base  58  through the use of one or more stand-offs  42 . In an embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6   a , one or more pins  61  may be disposed at intervals on the etching base  58  and the tension wire support rods  46  may be omitted. In this embodiment the pins  61  may support the etching wire  48  in such a way as to result in an evenly spaced series of etching wires  48  passing over an art implement handle  1 . In an embodiment of the invention the tension of the etching wire  48  may be adjusted using a tension adjustment  41 . In an embodiment of the invention, the etching wires  48  may be covered in a dye to create the marks  2  on the art implement handle  1 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 5 and 6   b  depict an embodiment of the invention wherein the etching base  58  may be attached to the base  47  in an adjustable fashion. An adjustable attachment may allow a user to adjust the etching base  58  to accommodate irregularly shaped implement handles  1 . In an embodiment of the invention, one or more leveling adjustment pins  56  attach the etching base  58  to the base  47 . A spring  60  and a washer  57  may be disposed on each leveling adjustment pin  56  to provide tension. The level of the etching base  58  may be adjusted through the use of one or more leveling adjustment screws  53  disposed on each of the one or more leveling adjustment pins  56 . 
         [0022]    In the embodiments previously described, an art implement handle  1  may be etched with marks  2 . One non-limiting example of this operation is as follows. A user may place an art implement  10  into the handle marking device  40  as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , with the rear end  3  in the centering recess  50  and the brush head  11  in the centering chuck  45 . Leveling adjustment pins  56  may be adjusted and the tension adjustment  41  may be adjusted to ensure contact between the etching wire  48  and the handle  1 . When the centering chuck  45  is turned, the handle  1  turns and the etching wire  48  etches marks  2  into the handle  1 . 
         [0023]    Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various changes may be made while remaining within the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments. 
         [0024]    The figures presented above are presented as examples only. The present invention is capable of being utilized in ways other than those shown in the figures. 
         [0025]    The abstract of the disclosure is intended only to enable the public and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine the nature of the invention from a cursory inspection. The abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention.