IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO COMPASSES
Year: 1885

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
RELATING TO COMPASSES" (A communication from Carl Werner Stuart of New
York, United States of America and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-—
The following is a description of these improved compasses and the manner of
using the sainc. It is obvious that the same may be modified in many different
ways without departing in any essential part or feature from the spirit of this
invention.
In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification―
Figure 1 represents a side view of the device showing the same upon a pencil
and ready for use;
Figure 2 is a similar view of the device showing it folded with the pencil
reversed;
Figures 3 and 4 represent respectively a back view and a front view of the
device;
Figure 5 is a cross section through line x-x in Figure 2; and
Figure 6 is a similar view taken through the.line y―y.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
This invention has relation to compasses or instruments for describing circles &
adapted to be carried in the pocket and to be used in combination with a lead
pencil stylograph fountain pen or other similar marking device; and it consists in
the compass attachment which will be hereinafter more fully described.
In the accompanying drawing the letter A denotes a tube or sleeve made of
metal or any other suitable material and having a slit B running longitudinally
from one end to the other. This tube is by preference about two and a half inches
long and is marked on one side of the longitudinal slit B with a millemeter
scale C and on the other side with an ordinary inch scale D, or any other scales may
of course be substituted for these two scales if desired. The tube or sleeve A is open

page_text: at both ends and is of such a diameter that it will fit closely upon an ordinary lead
pencil shown at E upon which it will be held in position by the spring of the
material of which the sleeve is made.
The tube opposite to that side on which the slit is made has a projecting
bracket F which may be constructed in any suitable manner either in one piece
with or forming a part of the tube itself; or.it may be made in a separate piece
and fastened to the tube by soldering riveting or in any other suitable manner.
As a matter of simplicity and convenience it is preferred to construct this bracket
by cutting two tongues or wings f out of the material of the tube on opposite sides
thereof and then bend these outwardly and backwardly against each other so as to
form the rearwardly projecting bracket F. But as above stated this bracket may
be made in many different ways.
•
Inserted through the bracket F is a screw G which forms a hinge for the arm
or leg H. The latter is constructed with a tube or sleeve I extending from the
hinge down to the extreme lower end which is flush or even with the lower end of
the tube A. Into this sleeve is inserted an adjustable needle J which may be slid
forward and back within the sleeve in which it may be fixed in its adjusted
position by means of the binding screw K at the lower end of arm H. The upper
part of this arm above the binding screw K forms a slot for the knife blade L
which is hinged upon the same hinge G on which arm H is hinged projecting
slightly above the arm so that it may readily be opened when desired for use.
Figure 1 of the drawing the knife blade is shown closed or folded; but in Figure 2
it is shown extended ready for use as an eraser pencil sharpener or for any other
desired purpose.
In
From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawing the
manner of using this device will be readily understood. As the tube or sleeve A
is open at both ends the pencil E may be adjusted forward and back in the tube
so as to make its lower projecting part of the proper length; and by loosening the
binding screw K the needle J may be extended down from the sleeve in which it
is inserted to a corresponding length. By making this needle of soft metal its
lower point may be bent up close against the point of the pencil so that very small
circles may be made with perfect accuracy. The hinge screw G is provided with a
small thumb nut g so that the hinged may be tightened after the arm H has been
adjusted at the proper angle for marking a circle of a given radius; and by
loosening this nut the arm with its attachments may be folded flat up against the
sleeve when by loosening the binding screw K the needle may be pushed all the
way back into its sleeve or recess I so that it shall be entirely out of the way.
When the device is carried in the pocket, arm H should be held in its folded
position by tightening the nut g and the pencil should be reversed with its pointed
end inserted into the sleeve or tube A which in this position forms a protector for
the point preventing it from breaking.
If desired the sleeve A. may be constructed with a reversible cap provided with
a rubber eraser; and if desired the tube may be made without the slit B in a solid
piece although it is preferable to use the construction herein shown and described.
This device, by turning up the arm H at an angle of one hundred and eighty
degrees will also form a convenient handle where a short pencil is used; and by
making it of sheet metal, by suitable machinery, it may be manufactured at a
small cost. Where cost is an object, however the construction of the device may
be simplified by omitting the knife blade attachment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. The combination in a, compass attachment for pencils or similar marking
implements, of the tube or sleeve adapted to be fitted upon the pencil; the hinge
at its upper end and means for tightening the same; the hinged arm having a
sleeve or recess adapted to receive the needle; the adjustable sliding needle

page_text: inserted into the said recess; and the binding screw for holding the needle in its
adjusted position; substantially as and for the purpose shown and set forth.
2. The combination of the slitted tube or sleeve A open at both ends; hinge F. G.
having tightening nut g arm H, having sleeve I, extensible needle J; and means
for properly securing the same in the arm; substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. The combination of the slitted tube or sleeve A, open at both ends, hinge F. G.
baving tightening nut g, arm H hinged knife blade L; extensible needle J, and
means for properly securing the same in arm H, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. The herein before described compass attachment for pencils or similar marking
implements, consisting of a slitted spring tube or sleeve, having suitable scales
marked on opposite sides of the slit or slot, and provided on one side with a
projecting bracket having a hinged arm and knife blade, and a thumb nut for
fixing said arm and knife blade in their adjusted position relative to the sleeve,
said hinged arm being provided with an extensible needle and with means for
fixing said needle in position when properly adjusted; substantially as and for the.
purpose set forth.