Improvements in Drawing Squares.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 31st Mar., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Drawing Squares.
I, JOSEPH FOSTER, of 46 Eagle Wharf Road, New North Road, London, N.,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object sought for in this my invention, is the construction of drawing squares
in such a manner as to combine in one simple, durable and accurate instrument all
the advantages claimed for each of the kinds of square which have hitherto been in
general use for their various purposes.
Furthermore, I found in using the various squares as hitherto made that they.
each have defects inherent in their design and construction rendering them less
useful for their purpose, not easily repaired, liable to damage when carried about
or when not in immediate use, and not sufficiently accurate for many of the purposes
for which such instruments are required.
By this my invention hereafter described I have succeeded in producing an
instrument which has the advantages claimed above, these advantages being obtained
by constructing and designing the various parts of the instrument in the manner
now to be described, the letters and figures used in the description thereof having
reference to the drawings accompanying this, my Provisional Specification.
The stock A. Figs. 1 & 2 (Sheet 1 & 2) is constructed of two separate pieces of wood,
metal or other suitable materials as required, a. a. Between the two separate parts
forming the stock are inserted two distance pieces b. b. Figs. 1 & 5 Sheet 1, the insertion
of which leaves a space c. c. throughout the stock sides, excepting at the two points
where the distance pieces are placed, which points should be as far from the
working edge of the stock as possible, and as widely separated each from each as
convenience may dictate.
The essential features claimed in so designing the stock are, that there is now
obtained sufficient space within the two sides of the stock to enable the blade B
Fig. 4 (Sheet 1) to be placed within the said hollow stock in such a position that
its working edges d. d. are parallel to the stock A.
to
Again, the blade B is now enabled to be placed at any required angle up
90 degrees upon either and both sides of its normal and central position, that is, at
right angles to the working edges of the stock.
The space c. c. also allows the passage through it of set squares and such
other objects as may be desired and arranged for according to the purpose
designed for.
At points e. e. upon the stock A Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) and coinciding with each other
in relation to their respective positions upon each of the separate sides of the stock,
holes are made through each side of a conical form to allow the fitting thereto of a
conically formed bolt C Figs. 1 & 5 (Sheet 1) the said holes & bolt being placed &
fitted there to allow the blade B to move around, or be fixed in the position,
indicated at e. e.
The blade B Fig. 2 (Sheet 1) has a hole of a conical form pierced through it at
a point in its length f. Fig. 2 (Sheet 1), the taper of which is the same as that of
the holes e. e. in the stock A and of the cone bolt C Figs. 1 & 5 Sheet 1, the
position of the said conical hole f. being such that a sufficient length of the blade is
left beyond it to allow of a sector, dividing plate, rack, or ratchet to be fitted
thereto as may be required according to the degree of accuracy demanded by the
purpose for which each or any particular square may be designed.
To secure one of the essential advantages of my invention that is the rapid and
accurate adjustment of the blade in any required position with respect to its stock I

page_text: make use of, in conjunction with the cone bolt C Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) (which forms the
central point of vibration of the blade), the further use of a means of fixing or
liberating the blade as required.
g
At a point or points, h. (Fig. 3 Sheet 2) (according to the particular purpose
intended) upon the stock A and at a suitable distance from the cone bolt CI fit a
screw or screws g. (Fig. 3 Sheet 1) having a conical point or a screw or screws
Fig. 8 (Sheet 2), having a hollow cup like end, or a pinion i gearing into a rack j
may be added to and used in conjunction with the other claims (Fig. 1 Sheet 2).
Also a worm k. and a suitable worm wheel Fig. 5 (Sheet 2). Also a ratchet gear
with a suitable pawl and spring Fig. 4 (Sheet 2) as may be most suited to the
particular requirements of the square. The effect of any of these methods
being, the providing of a means of accurately fixing or moving the blade, first
with regard to a point upon the sector and the centre line of the stock, which
determines the particular position sought for, and secondly the accurate bringing
together of the two sides of the stock with the centre line of the blade at their
point of junction which is finally secured by the action of the cone bolt C.
When finer adjustments are required of great accuracy I make use of the
combination of the cup shaped screw 9 1 which fits into and coincides with a
series of circular recesses o Fig. 2 & 3 (Sheet 2) cut upon and partly into the
surface or end of the sector or dividing plate above mentioned, which circular
recesses can be made to intersect each other as shewn on Figs. 2 and 3. Sheet 2.
By thus fitting any of the mechanical devices above mentioned, the eye of the
person using the instrument is relieved of accurately observing the lines and
pointer P delineated on Figs. 2 & 3 Sheets 1 & 2 as they need only to be put
within certain limits near to the true position required, when the conically shaped
screws and suitably formed recesses will instantly adjust themselves into the true
position required.
To secure greater portability, and less danger of accident, as well as facility in
carrying the instrument personally by the user perforate through the blade B
at any point most suitable, preferably at the centre of its length and width, a hole
sufficiently large to allow of the cone bolt C passing.
The blade can then be passed within the hollow stock as shewn on Fig. 4 Sheets 1.
thus mutually protecting each other from risk of breakage and enabling the whole
instrument to be much more readily carried than can be the case by squares as
previously constructed.
Dated this 28th day of June 1890.
JOSEPH FOSTER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Drawing Squares.
I JOSEPH FOSTER of 106 Portway, West Ham, formerly of 46 Eagle Wharf
Road, New North Road London N. in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this 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 this invention is the construction of a drawing square, in such a manner
as to combine in one simple durable and accurate instrument all the advantages
claimed for each of the kinds of squares which have been in use for the various
purposes avoiding the defects inherent in their design and construction and which
render them less useful for their purpose, not easily repaired liable to damage when
carried about and not sufficiently accurate for many of the purposes for which such
instruments are required.
The letters and figures herinafter used to describe the various parts of this
invention have reference to the drawings sent in with my Provisional Specification
and which I adopt for this my Complete Specification.

page_text: The stock A, Fig. 1 & 2, Sheet 1 & 2 is constructed of two separate pieces of
wood, metal or other suitable materials, as required, a. a.
Between the two separate parts forming the stock are inserted two distance pieces
b. b. Fig. 1 & 5 Sheet 1 the insertion of which leaves a space c. c throughout the
sides of the stock except at the two points where the distance pieces are placed
which points should be as far from the working edge of the stock as possible and
as widely separated from each other as convenience may dictate.
The essential feature claimed for so designing the stock is that there is now
obtained sufficient space within the two sides of the stock to enable the blade B,
Fig. 4, Sheet 1 to be placed within the hollow stock in such a position that its.
working edges d. d. are parallel to the stock A.
Again the blade B. is now enabled to be placed at any required angle up to
90 degrees upon either side of its normal and central position that is, at right angles
to the working edge of the stock.
The space c. c also allows the passage through it of set squares and such other
objects as may be required.
At points e. e Fig. 1. Sheet 1 upon the stock A, and coinciding with each other in
relation to their respective positions on the separate sides of the stock, holes are
made forming with a corresponding hole in the blade a conical hole through
which is passed a conically formed bolt C Fig. 1 & 5 Sheet 1. The blade B. can
therefore move around or be fixed in any required position by means of this conical
bolt.
The blade B. has a corresponding conical hole pierced through at a point f so placed
that a sufficient length of the blade is left beyond it to allow of a sector dividing
plate rack or ratchet to be fitted thereto as may be required according to the degree
of accuracy demand by the purpose for which each or any square may be designed.
To secure one of the essential advantages of my invention that is the rapid and
accurate adjustment of the blade in any required position, with regard to the
stock I make use of a second means of fixing or liberating the blade in conjunction
with the conical bolt.
At a point h. Fig. 3, Sheet 2 upon the stock A. and at a suitable distance from the
conical bolt C. 1 fit a screw or screws g. Fig. 3, Sheet 1 having a conical point or a
screw or screws g 1 Fig. 8 Plate 2 having a hollow cup like end, or a pinion i.
geared into a rack j Fig. 1 Sheet 2 may be added and used with the other
arrangements, or a worm k & a suitable worm wheel 1. Fig. 5 Sheet 2 or a ratchet
gear Fig. 4 Sheet as may be suited to the particular requirements of the
square.
The effect of any of these methods, being the providing a means of accurately
fixing or moving the blade to any required angle with the stock and secondly the
accurate bringing together the two sides of the stock with the centre line of the
blade at their point of junction which is finally secured by the conical bolt C.
When finer adjustments are required of great accuracy, I make use of the cup
shaped screw g 1 which fits into & coincides with a series of circular recesses o
Fig. 2, Sheet 2 cut upon and partly into the surface or end of the sector or dividing
plate above mentioned which circular recesses can be made to intersect each other
as shown on Fig. 2, 3, Sheet 2.
By thus fitting any of the mechanical devices above mentioned the eye of the
person using the instrument is relieved from accurately observing the lines and
pointer delineated on Fig. 2 & 3 Sheet 1 & 2 they need only to be put within certain
limits near to the true position required when the conically shaped screw
and suitably formed recesses will instantly adjust themselves into the true position
required.
To secure greater portability and less danger of accident in carrying the
instrument by the user I perforate through the blade B. at a point about the
centre of its length and width a hole suitable for the cone bolt C to pass.
The blade can then be passed within the hollow stock as shown in Fig. 4 Sheet I,

page_text: the two thus mutually protecting each other from risk of breakage and enabling the
square to be more easily packed for transit and, with absolute safety.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The construction of the stock in two parts with a space between them kept
by distance pieces and fastened together as set out.
2. The position of the two distance pieces with regard to the working edges of
the stock and the cone bolt on which the blade swings so that the blade can be
freely moved on either side of its central position and also be separated from and
afterwards enclosed within the stock for protection and portability.
3. The use in a drawing square of the conically shaped bolt in combination with
its position on the stock so that the blade can lie parallel to the stock or at any
angle required.
4. The use in drawing squares of the conically ended screw, or cup shape ended
screw on the rack & pinion gear or the worm & wheel gear or the ratchet & pawl
gear, for moving the blade & fixing it in any desired position, also in combination
with the construction set out in Claims one & two.
In witness whereof I Joseph Foster have hereunto set my hand and seal this
Thirty-first day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety-one.
JOSEPH FOSTER.