Patent Publication Number: US-4920895-A

Title: Drafting device for the convenient containment of eraser shavings

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a drafting device. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to a drafting device for the convenient containment of eraser shavings. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     During the course of drafting, the draftsperson would usually have need to use an eraser. Numerous erasers are available in the art. 
     When an eraser, either manual or electric type, is used, friction causes shavings to peel off the eraser and deposit on the drawing. 
     The shavings are numerous and inconvenient to dispose of. Usually the shavings would be brushed off the drafting board and on to the floor to be swept up during the normal cleaning of the area. 
     The shavings on the floor and also possibly on the draftsperson&#39;s clothes can become quite unsightly. 
     Numerous innovations for drafting devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drafting device which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drafting device that is readily attachable to a side of a drafting board, and it is constructed of durable plastic with steel angles. The steel being used for attachment of the drafting device to the drafting board. 
     The &#34;Draft - N - Clean&#34; device serves a dual purpose. First, it helps in the cleaning of eraser shavings from the surface of the drafting board. The draftsperson brushes the shavings toward the &#34;Draft -N - Clean&#34; device causing the shavings to fall into a removable trough. The trough requires periodic cleaning whose frequency depends upon the amount of use. 
     Secondly, the upper portion of the &#34;Draft - N -Clean&#34; device provides a sectional tray for storing drafting tools and supplies, such as scales, pencils, etc. 
     In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a drafting device connectable to a side of a drafting board having a top surface, a housing having a top, a pair of sides, a length, and an interior; a storage tray for drafting tools which is affixed to the top of the housing; a removable trough slidably mounted in the interior of the housing and having a retracted position, an extended position, and a pair of lips; wherein cleaning means are contained on either of the pair of sides of the housing. 
     When the Draft - N - Clean is designed in accordance with the present invention, eraser shavings can be brushed from the drafting board through the cleaning means and into the trough for easy disposal while keeping the drafting board clean. 
     In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the cleaning means include a slot with a bottom edge substantially extending the length of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that it further comprises fastening means. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is that the fastening means include a plurality of angle brackets so that the drafting device can be connected to either side of the drafting board in such a position where the bottom edge of the slot substantially meets the top surface of the drafting board and the pair of lips of the trough so that a smooth communication between the top surface of the drafting board and the pair of lips of the trough is provided. 
     Still another feature of the present invention is that the plurality of angle brackets are three angle brackets. 
     Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the storage tray contains a plurality of compartments defined by a plurality of partitions. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the plurality of compartments is five compartments. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the plurality of partitions is four partitions. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is that the trough has a free end, a closed end and a substantially &#34;U&#34; - shape configuration with two vertical members each having a free end and one horizontal member. 
     Still another feature of the present invention is that each of the pair of lips is disposed on each of the free ends of the vertical members. 
     Yet still another feature of the present invention is that each of the pair of sides of the housing contain an internal recess extending substantially the length of the housing for slidably receiving the pair of lips of the trough so that when the trough requires emptying the trough is pulled out to the extended position and removed from the housing for emptying the shavings. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the trough has a front plate with a back side affixed to the free end of the trough. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the front plate has a handle so that the trough can achieve the retracted position and the extended position more easily. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is that is further comprises means to keep the trough in the retracted position inside the housing. 
     Still another feature of the present invention is that the closing means has a hidden catch with a first part and a second part. 
     Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the first part of the catch is disposed inside the housing and the second part of the catch is disposed on the back side of the front plate of the trough. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the housing, the storage tray, and the trough are made from durable plastic. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the plurality of angle brackets are made from steel. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the &#34;Draft - N -Clean&#34; device of the present invention being used; 
     FIG. 2 is perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with parts removed; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the &#34;Draft - N - Clean&#34; device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the trough in the extended position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the catch of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the catch of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     10 -Draft - N - Clean device 
     11 - side of the conventional drafting board 12 
     12 - conventional drafting board 
     13 - side of the conventional drafting board 12 
     14 - conventional drafting board straight edge 
     15 - top of the conventional drafting board 12 
     16 - conventional track wire for use with the conventional drafting board straight edge. 
     18 - conventional drafting light 
     20 - brush 
     22 - eraser shavings 
     24 - arrows 
     26 - upper surface of the conventional drafting board 12 
     28 - lower surface of the conventional drafting board 12 
     30 - rear angle 
     32 - intermediate angle 
     34 - front angle 
     38 - hollow housing 
     40 - top of the hollow housing 38 
     41 - free end of the trough 44 
     42 - storage tray 
     43 - back of the hollow housing 38 
     44 - trough 
     45 - bottom of the hollow housing 38 
     46 - first compartment of the storage tray 42 
     48 - second compartment of the storage tray 42 
     50 - third compartment of the storage tray 42 
     52 - fourth compartment of the storage tray 42 
     54 - fifth compartment of the storage tray 42 
     56 - drafting tools 
     57 - bottom of the slot 58 
     58 - slot 
     60 - closed bottom of the trough 44 
     61 - closed back of the trough 44 
     62 - first side of the trough 44 
     64 - second side of the trough 44 
     66 - open top of the trough 44 
     68 - lip on the trough 44 
     70 - lip on the trough 44 
     72 - recess in the first side 62 
     74 - recess in the second side 62 
     76 - trough front 44 
     78 - pull handle on the trough front 44 
     80 - arrow indicating direction of the trough 44 during retraction 
     82 - arrow indicating direction of the trough 44 during extension 
     84 - catch part 
     86 - catch part 
     88 - first side of the storage tray 42 
     90 - second side of the storage tray 42 
     91 - first partition defining the first compartment 46 of the storage tray 42 
     92 - bottom side of the storage tray 42 
     94 - back side of the storage tray 42 
     98 - front side of the storage tray 42 
     100 - second partition defining the second compartment 48 of the storage tray 42 
     102 - third partition defining the third compartment 50 of the storage tray 42 
     104 - fourth partition defining the fourth compartment 52 of the storage tray 42 
     106 - pair of rollers of the catch part 84 
     108 - extension of the catch part 86&#39; 
     110 - pair of resilient legs of the catch part 84&#39; 
     84&#39; - alternate embodiment of the catch part 84 
     86&#39; - alternate embodiment of the catch part 86 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the draft - N - clean device of the present invention is shown generally at 10. The &#34;Draft - N - Clean&#34; device 10 is connectable to a side 11 or a side 13 of a conventional drafting board 12, depending upon if the user is right handed or left handed. The conventional drafting board 12 has a top 15, an upper surface 26, and a lower surface 28. 
     The Draft - N - Clean device 10 is made from durable plastic, but is not limited to it. Located on the conventional drafting board 12 is a conventional drafting straight edge 14 guided by a conventional track wire 16. 
     A conventional drafting light 18 is attachable to the top 15 of the conventional drafting board 12. 
     A brush 20 is provided to remove accumulated eraser shavings 22 by brushing the shavings 22 in the direction of arrows 24 towards the Draft - N -Clean device 10. 
     As shown in FIG. 2 the Draft - N - Clean device 10 is connectable to the conventional drafting board 12 by a rear angle 30, an intermediate angle 32, and a front angle 34. The angles 30, 32, and 34 may be made from steel, but are not limited to it. 
     The Draft - N - Clean device 10 includes a hollow housing 38 having a back 43, a bottom 45, and a top 40 which is mounted to a storage tray 42. Internal to the housing 38 is a trough 44. 
     The storage tray 42 contains a first compartment 46, a second compartment 48, a third compartment 50, a fourth compartment 52, and a fifth compartment 54. The compartments 46 through 54 are used for convenient placement of drafting tools 56. 
     A slot 58 extends substantially the length of the housing 38 and is located between the upper surface 26 of the conventional drafting board 12 and the storage tray 42. The slot 58 can be on either side of the housing 38 depending upon whether the user is right or left handed. 
     The trough 44 is substantially a &#34;U&#34; - shaped member, with a free end 41, a closed bottom 60, a closed back 61, a first side 62, a second side 64, and an open top 66. 
     Furthermore, the trough 44 contains lip 68 and lip 70 which slide on a recess 72 and a recess 74 in the first side 62 and the second side 64, respectfully, of the housing 38. 
     The trough front 76 is affixed to the free end 41 of the trough 44. The trough front 76 contains a pull handle 78. The pull handle 78 assists in the extending and retracting of the trough 44 in the directions of arrows 80 and 82. 
     The lips 68 and 70 of the trough 44 ride in the recesses 72 and 74 of the housing 38 as the trough 44 extends and retracts. When the trough 44 retracts completely, catch part 84 mates with catch part 86 and keeps the trough 44 closed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, which depicts the storage tray 42. The storage tray 42 has a first side 88, a second side 90, a bottom 92, a back 94, and a front 98. 
     To define the first compartment 46, a first partition 91 is provided. To define the second compartment 48, a second partition 100 is provided. To define the third compartment 50, a third partition 102 is provided. To define the fourth compartment 52, a fourth partition 104 is provided. 
     In operation, the Draft - N - Clean device 10 is attached to the side 11 or the side 13 of the drafting board 12 depending upon whether the user is right handed or left handed. The Draft - N - Clean device 10 is attached to the drafting board 12 by the use of the rear angle 30, the intermediate angle 32, and the front angle 34. The bottom of the slot 58 lines up with the top surface 26 of the conventional drawing board 12. 
     When the user begins, the trough 44 is extended from the housing 38 and checked for any eraser shavings 22 that have previously been brushed by the brush 20, through the slot 58, and into the trough 44. 
     If the shavings 22 are present, the trough 44 is slid out and removed from the Draft - N - Clean device 10 and has its contents discarded. 
     The trough 44 is then returned to the housing 38 so that the lips 68 and 70 of the trough 44 mate with the recesses 72 and 74 in the housing 38. The trough 44 is slid closed and is ready for use. 
     The trough 44 remains closed due to the action of the catch part 84 mating with the catch part 86. 
     There are three kinds of catches commonly used; magnetic, roller, and spring or friction. 
     A magnetic catch has some definite advantages over the other two types. One is that if the door warps, the magnetic catch will still be strong enough to close it; no matter where the other part of the catch is, the magnet is almost bound to grip it, because most magnets are of the floating kind and are self-adjusting. In other words, only part of the magnet needs to contact the catch on the door. 
     The roller catch consists of two rollers set closed together; a part on the door interlocks with them. 
     One other type of catch is the spring (friction) type, good for when all hardware is not to show. This catch is simple to operate: The latch is pushed closed and pushed again to open. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the catch part 84 contains a pair of rollers 106 and the catch part 86 contains an extension 108 which in the closed position, enters between the pair of rollers 106 and is held fast due to the action of a spring. 
     Another type of excepted catch is shown in FIG. 8. The catch part 84&#39; contains a pair of resilient legs 110 while the catch part 86&#39; contains an extension 108 which in the closed position, enters between the pair of resilient legs 110 and is held fast due to the resilient action of the pair of resilient legs 10. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a Draft - N - Clean device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt is for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.