Abstract:
Apparatus for the transfer of an outline to a surface including a flexible tape strip having an adhesive surface and a second opposite surface, and ink-bearing means positioned on the second surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to transferring designs or other outlines from one surface to another. 
     Many situations require the transfer of a design or an outline from one surface to another. For example, a carpenter often must duplicate a slot in a board in one or more other boards. This involves first measuring and then drawing the slot, processes which are time-consuming and potentially inaccurate, particularly where curves or non-right angles are involved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     My invention allows the transfer of any outline to a surface accurately, easily, and inexpensively, and has application in many industries including the building, clothing design, and publishing industries, and is useful in the home as well. 
     The invention features a flexible tape strip having an adhesive and a non-adhesive surface, and ink-bearing means positioned on the non-adhesive surface. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the ink-bearing means is a strip attached to the non-adhesive surface and is protected prior to use by means of an overlying strip of protective material. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     We turn now to the description of the preferred embodiment, after briefly describing the drawings. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation, partially broken away, of said embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of said embodiment taken along 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of said embodiment in operation. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of said embodiment in operation taken along 5--5 of FIG. 4. 
    
    
     STRUCTURE 
     FIGS. 1-3 illustrate outline transfer apparatus 5. Clear, flexible cellophane protective strip 30 has an adhesive surface 25 which, during storage, adheres it to inked felt strip 10, and to the non-adhesive surface 20 of clear, flexible cellophane strip 40. Felt strip 10 is also attached to surface 20 of strip 40, which strip has on its opposite side a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface 50. Strips 40 and 30 preferably have parallel longitudinal edges and are about 1.5 cm wide, while felt strip 10 is preferably square in cross-section and about 1 mm thick and 1 mm wide. 
     The apparatus is rolled prior to use for convenient storage. 
     OPERATION 
     The transfer apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 is shown, in FIGS. 4 and 5, transferring the shape of triangular slot 60 (FIG. 4) in board 70 to surface 80 of board 90 (FIG. 5). Tape strip 40 is applied from a roll (not shown) to board 70 by cutting three pieces of tape from the roll, one for each side of triangular slot 60, and applying them to the board so that felt strip 10 follows the outline of slot 60 (FIG. 4). Each piece of tape is cut at a slant so that the ends mate to form the triangle. Protective strip 30 (not shown) is then removed, and the two boards are pressed together (FIG. 5) so that inked felt strip 10 transfers the slot outline to surface 80 of board 90. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     Other embodiments are within the following claims. For example, although strips 40 and 30 are preferably ordinary cellophane, any clear, flexible material can be used.