AN IMPROVED RULER
Year: 1885

page_text: I CHARLES FOX HILL Machine Factor and Machinist 4 Barrs St Bristol do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED RULER, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of an improved ruler for drawing straight, parallel, or
other lines with the pen; or other suitable instrument, and has for its object the
prevention of the defects common to the rulers in general use.
In order to make clear its construction, and action, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 Shews a front elevation of the ruler.
Fig. 2 An end view shewing method of fastening bearings.
Fig. 3 A section on line a. b Fig. 1 shewing the shell tilted to enable the ruler
to be moved along the paper.
Fig. 4 A section on line a, b, Fig. 1, shewing the position of ruler when a line is
being drawn.
As is well known the defects common to rulers in general use are amongst
others that,
1st The fingers of the user frequently get in the way of the pen.
2nd The fingers become ink'd in rolling the ruler.
3rd A fresh grip has to be taken after ruling every few lines, inducing a cramp'd
position of the hand.
4th The paper is frequently blotted by ink that has adhered to the ruler, which
has constantly to be wiped.
5th The ruler only receiving pressure at its middle part, frequently slips, or
twists, making the ruling of parallel lines a difficult matter.
6th Tendency to roll off a desk.
My Improvement overcomes, and obviates all these defects, and saves much time
to the user.
It consists of a shell A Fig. 1, 3, 4 made of wood papier maché, or
any suitable substance. In the fore part of shell A, a cylindrical space is formed
in which revolves a solid roller B, the ends of this roller, being turned down to
form two journals C C (see dotted lines Fig. 1 & 2) which revolve in two
bearings D D, these bearings being formed of wood, metal, or other suitable'
substance, are securely fastened by glueing, pins, or screwing, or in other suitable

page_text: manner to the ends of shell A. The base of the shell is flat as at F, (Figs. 2 and 3)
and so formed as to be slightly lower than the roller B; while the back of shell is
hollowed out, and brought up to the apex E, where it meets the curved front.
This apex enables a firm pressure to be exerted upon the base; or flat, when in
the act of ruling, so rendering slippage, or movement impossible. To enable a
better grip of the paper to be taken; the base may be serrated, or roughened,
as see F Fig. 4. To enable the ruler to roll truly as when ruling parallel or other
lines pressure is exerted upon the apex in a forward direction, as shewn by the
arrow (Fig. 3) so causing the shell to tilt and the roller B to touch the paper. Since
this roller moves with perfect freedom in its bearings, but has a rigid hold upon the
paper, perfectly, parallel lines can be ruled; and as will be seen the writing, or
other pen, only coming in contact with the shell; without touching the roller,
blotting cannot take place. The ruling edge is also sufficiently removed from the
point of the pen, to be beyond reach of ink."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I would wish it
understood that I do not necessarily confine myself to the exact details shewn, and
described, since they may be varied without departing from its essential features;
what I believe to be novel and declare that I claim is
1st The combination in a ruler of a shell A, having apex E, containing a solid
roller B, having journals C C formed at either end, by reducing its substance, such
journals being so mounted in suitably fixed bearings D, as that the roller B shall
be slightly suspended, when the shell A is standing upon its base or flat E, sub-
stantially as, and for the purposes described.
2nd The combination in a ruler of a shell A and solid roller B, mounted in
bearings D, so as to revolve freely therein for the purpose of ruling straight, parallel,
or other lines in the way and manner described.
3. The combination in a ruler of a shell, having a flat, serrated, or roughened
base, a suspended roller, revolving (on journals formed by reducing its substance at
both ends) inside such shell; said journals being mounted in hearings which are
fastened by glueing, pining, screwing, or in some other suitable manner, to both
ends of said shell. The general construction being such as to avoid the defects of
rulers in common use and for the purpose of ruling parallel, and other lines, in the
way, and manner, set forth and described.
Deted this 98th dot of October 1885