An Improved Parallel Ruler.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 31st May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Parallel Ruler.
I HERMANN BRUNN of Munich, Bavaria, in the Empire of Germany, Doctor, do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows
The object of this invention is to manufacture parallel rulers in an improved
manner so that the operator may have less trouble in keeping the ruler
parallel.
In carrying out my invention I combine a roller made of any suitable material and
diameter with a flat ruler, at the ends of which the roller is centred.
This roller may be made smooth or roughened and of a variety of sections.
To obtain an even or uniform motion of the ruler there is arranged at one end of the
roller and upon its periphery, a row of divisions by means of which and an index
finger fixed to the bearing, the ruler can be easily moved the required distance.
In drawing perpendicular lines I make use of an index finger having at one end a
point or a receptacle for a pencil. The other end of this index finger slides in a slot
in the ruler and may be clamped in any position. To draw a line perpendicularly
the operator first sets the index finger and either presses the point and moves
the ruler the required distance and presses again and then draws a line between such
points or he places his pencil in the receptacle and moves the ruler when a line will be
drawn the required distance.
The roller may be formed with flat depressions or the onds of the roller may be fitted
with devices for allowing the roller to revolve only a certain distance, at a time so
that the lines may be equidistant.
In some cases two rulers may be used, one on each side of the roller
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Parallel Ruler.
I, HERMANN BRUNN of Munich Bavaria, in the Empire of Germany Doctor, do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of my invention is to manufacture an improved drawing instrument, by
the use of which parallel and perpendicular lines may be delineated at measured
distances from each other with accuracy and facility.
My invention consists of a combined flat rule and roller, united by means of brackets,
and other attachments. The roller may be cylindrical and smooth, or roughened,
grooved, corrugated, or polygonal.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1. is a plan view of the instrument. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of Fig. 1
Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing a polygonal roller, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal
vertical section, of one end of the roller and bearing, in a modified form.
a is the flat rule, the edge a' being chamfered, and marked with any useful divisions.
6 is the roller, of a cylindrical, pclygonal, ribbed, corrugated, or other suitable
sectional form to ensure its rotation in contact with the paper. d d are two brackets,
riveted to the rule a. cc are slots formed in the brackets to receive the pinse at the

page_text: ends of the roller b. is an index pointer, fixed to one of the brackets to indicate
the travel and revolution of the roller by means of the cylindrical index o. g is a
slot formed in the rule a to receive the guide and screw i, carrying the pointer or
carrier h.
The manipulation of the instrument is very simple. One hand is placed centrally
upon the rule, to hold it in position while ruling, or to move it forward or
backward, as required. Parallel lines are drawn along the edge of the rule by means
of a pen or pencil, and distances are measured in horizontal and vertical directions by
means of the pointer and index o. The pointer is bent downwards at its outer
end, for the purpose of pricking off distances in either direction. The pointer may
be constructed as a carrier to carry a pen or pencil, which may be used to draw vertical
lines, at right angles to the horizontal lines.
h
For school children the instrument may be constructed in the following manner:
The roller is made polygonal, as shown in Fig. 3, the chord of each division of the
roller thus forms a convenient measure, and substitute for the scale, o, shown in Fig. 1;
by means of which a series of parallel lines may be easily and accurately drawn at
equal distances apart.
The end face of
Another method of effecting the same object is shown in Fig. 4.
the roller has a circle of notches kk formed therein, or in a metal disc attached
thereto at equal distances apart. A spring is fitted to the bracket d, having a semi-
circular projection at its outer end, which enters one of the notches k, when in
position, and thus checks the movement of the roller. This provides a ready
method of guaging the distances of parallel lines. The spring 1 may be constructed
so as to snap into the notches, and render the same capable of being heard, as well
as seen.
The rule a may be doubled, so as to extend on both sides of the roller, the latter
working in a slot.
The advantages of this instrument are, that, while of very simple construction, it
permits the rapid, easy and accurate drawing of parallel and perpendicular lines, and
may be used for hatching, shading, or drawing sectional lines, and for other analogous
purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved instrument for ruling parallel and perpendicular lines, consisting
of the combination of a roller b, mounted in brackets dd, a single or double rule a
and pointer or carrier h, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawings.
2. In combination with the improved instrument as aforesaid, the application and
use of an index o and pointer, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. In combination with the improved instrument as aforesaid, the application and
use of the disc or its equivalent having notches kk and a spring 1, severally
operating substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. The general construction, combination and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together forming my invention of an improved parallel ruler, substan
tially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 19th April 1
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.