An Improved Measuring Attachment for Scissors, Shears and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Measuring Attachment for Scissors, Shears and the like.
I, ALICE JONE CAMPBELL, residing at No. 240 East Forty-fifth Street, in the
City of Chicago, Count of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America,
Inventor, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in
which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a pair of button-hole scissors with my
improved attachment;
Figure 2 is a top or plan view; and
Figure 3 is a back view.
My invention relates to measuring devices adapted to be used on scissors,
shears, etc.
The object of my invention is to provide a measuring device which may be
attached to button-hole scissors for measuring the spaces between button-holes when
entting them, so as to insure such button-holes being at equal distances apart.
accomplish this object as hereinafter specified and as illustrated in the drawings.
That which regard as new will be pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings,
A, indicates a pair of button-hole scissors of ordinary construction.
B, indicates a bar which is adapted to be secured to the scissors in such manner
that it will extend horizontally and at right angles to them. As shown, this bar is
round in cross section, but it may be of any desired shape in cross section. This
bar B may also be of any desired length, although in view of the fact that button-
holes are usually set at short distances from each other, it will not be necessary to
provide a very long bar.
The bar B is provided with a sliding indicator C, which is provided with an
opening of a size and shape to adapt the indicator C to be passed over the bar B,
so that the indicator may move lengthwise of the bar..
The bar is shown as provided with a scale, which may indicate inches and
fractions of inches, so that by sliding the indicator C along the bar the distance of
the indicator from the scissors can be easily ascertained by examining the surface
of the bar B.
The indicator C is provided at one side of the bar B with a pointer c, which, as
shown, is curved downwards and is adapted to rest in the cut or button-hole last.
made, in order to more definitely and accurately bring the scissors opposite the
point where the next cut or button-hole is to be made, and also to steady the
scissors in cutting. As shown, the pointer is quite thin on its lower edge, so that
it will readily enter a cut or button-hole made in the cloth without distening such
cut or button-hole.
indicates a set-screw suitably mounted on the indicator, and by means of which
the indicator may be secured at any desired point upon the bar.
The bar B is provided at its forward end with a hook D, preferably formed by
bending the end of the bar B into the shape of a hook, as best shown in Figure 3.
This hook D is adapted to fit upon one of the blades of the scissors, and is provided
with a set-screw d, which is adapted to firmly secure the bar B to the blade of the
scissors, as shown.
When the bar B is adjusted in position upon one of the blades of the scissors, it
is firmly secured in place by means of the set-screw d, so that it will move up and
down with the movement of the scissors blade to which it is attached.
It is evident that the bar B may be so adjusted upon the scissors as to project

page_text: upon either side, so that distance may be measured in either direction; and it is
also evident that the measuring device may be used upon various styles of scissors
and other instruments of like character.
When it is desired to use the measuring device, as for instance in cutting a row
of button-holes upon a dress or other garment, the measuring device is first securely
fastened upon one of the blades of the scissors, in about the position shown in
Figure 1. The indicator C is then moved from the scissors to a point upon the
bar Bequal to the distance which it is desired to leave between successive button-
holes, and is to be firmly secured at that point by the set-screw. After the
first button-hole has been cut, the end of the pointer is placed in such button-hole
and the edge of the scissors will thereby be moved to the point where the next
button-hole is to be cut. This renders the matter of cutting button-holes very
simple, as the measurements are rendered very accurate and no time is wasted in
measuring to find the proper points at which the button-holes should be placed.
My invention is also specially adapted for use in cutting strips of greater or less
width, to be used for making pleats, folds, or other trimmings, and for cutting bias
strips. In such cases, it has heretofore been necessary to use a strip of paper cut
to the desired width, or some such means, for indicating the line of cutting, and the
operation has been rendered quite difficult and inaccurate. By the use of my
invention, however, by adjusting the indicator to the desired with, the cutting
edge of the scissors may be placed in such position that the pointer on the indicator
will move along the edge of the cloth, whereby the strip cut will be of uniform
width.
Having now particularly described 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 combination with a bar B adapted to be secured at one end upon a pair
of button-hole scissors, of an indicator C adapted to slide upon said bar, and a
pointer carried by said indicator, said pointer being adapted to fit into a button-hole,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The combination with a bar B, having a hook D and set-screw d, whereby
it may be secured upon a scissors-blade, of an indicator C adapted to slide upon
said bar, set-screw c', and a pointer c, the end of said pointer being bent downwards
in such manner that it will be adapted to rest in a button-hole, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with a bar adapted to be secured upon a pair of button-hole
scissors, of an indicator adapted to slide upon said bar, and a pointer carried by said
indicator and projecting from said bar, the end of the pointer being adapted to fit
into a button-hole, substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of November 1891, at Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
1
ALICE IONE CAMPBELL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.