An Improved Rule adapted for Measuring and for Indicating Vertical, Horizontal and Inclined Directions.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1898
Complețe Specification Left, 15th May, 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
An Improved Rule adapted for Measuring and for Indicating Vertical,
Horizontal and Inclined Directions.
I, FRIEDRICH GEBHARDT, of 30, Plöckstrasse, Heidelberg, Germany, Painter, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved rule adapted for measuring distances,
and for indicating vertical, horizontal and inclined directions, and measuring
angles on a vertical plane, dispensing with the use of the line.
The improved rule is made of a flat formation and may be foldable and is pro-
vided with a dial-plate divided into 360 degrees, and having at its centre a pivot-
ally mounted needle the arms of which are of unequal weight; the arrangement
operating (when the rule is applied flat against a wall, as, for example, when
setting out advertisement matter to be painted) in indicating the position of the
rule and whether it is horizontal, vertical or inclined, and enables it to be set
in any required position.
The rule is also provided with metrical or other divisions. along its edges for
measuring distances.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Rule adapted for Measuring and for Indicating Vertical,
Horizontal and Inclined Directions.
I, FRIEDRICH GEBHARDT, of 30, Plückstrasse, Heidelberg, Germany, Painter, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to an improved rule adapted in a manner permitting
of the measurement of angles and of distances and capable of replacing the spirit
level and the plumb line.
The accompanying drawings, given by way of example, illustrate one way of

page_text: The device comprises a flat rule, a, provided along its edge with metrical or
other divisions suitable for measuring distances, and, at a convenient part of its
length, formed with a circular aperture, in which is set a ring, b, having an
inturned flange or rim, and within which is arranged a disc, c, having two rims
or flanges one of which fits in the inturned rim of the ring, and the other, d, of
which extends to flush with the back face of the rule (Fig. 3.). The face of the
disc is graduated or divided as a dial into 360 degrees or divisions, each quadrant
of the disc boing divided from 0 to 90, and the two zeros being at the ends of a
diameter perpendicular to the parallel edges of the rule, and the two numbers 90
being situated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rule. A cross
piece, e, integral with or fitted to the disc flange, d, and the disc, support a pin
or axle, f, carrying a needle or hand having two branches or arms, of which the
one, h, acts as an index to the dial and is made fast to the end of the axle, whilst
the other arm, g, which may constitute a prolongation of the arm, h, and be
secured on the axle preferably under the disc, is heavier than the arm, h, and
may consist of a plate, as represented. A plate, k, secured by screws or otherwise
in any suitable manner to the back face of the rule, and supposed to be removed
in Fig. 2, covers on this face the said aperture containing said devices, and a
glass, 7, like that of a watch, and mounted in the ring, b, protects the needle and
the dial.
The whole device operates as follows: when an edge of the rule is placed on a
horizontal surface, the pointer, h, governed by the gravitation of the heavier
arm, g, will indicate zero on the dial; if placed on an inclined surface, the
pointer will indicate on the dial the inclination of the rule: and, if placed against
a vertical surface, the pointer will indicate 90° on the dial.
The edge of the device being marked with divisions, the device thus serves for
measuring distances, and angles in vertical planes, and also for indicating the
vertical and the horizontal with exactness.
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. A rule adapted for measuring angles and distances and capable of replacing
the spirit-level and the plumb line, characterized by having metrical or other
divisions along one of its edges, by a weighted needle secured on an axle which
can turn in a hole through the centre of a disc forming a dial on one of its faces
and in a hole in a diametrically arranged cross piece integral with or connected
to the disk, the dial marked on the disc being divided into 360 divisions marked
from 0 to 90 in each quadrant thereof, one of the arms of the needle constituting
a pointer, and the other arm constituting a weight serving to cause the pointer
to indicate on the dial any inclination given to the rule and to indicate zero
when the rule is horizontal and 90° when it is in a vertical position.
2. In a rule covered by Claim, 1, the arrangement in combination of a flat
rule, a, having metrical or other divisions along one of its edges and made with a
circular aperture at a suitable part of its length, and in which aperture is set
a ring, b, inwardly flanged at its face part; a disc, d, having two rims the one
engaging in the flange of the ring, and the other being flush with the back face
of the rule and marked on the face with a dial divided into 360 degrees or divi-
sions, each quadrant being graduated from 0 to 90; a diametrical cross piece, e,
integral with or fitted to the lower rim of the, disc: an axle, f, supported in
holes in the centres of the disc and of the cross piece, e; a needle indicating
arm, h, made fast to the end of the axle, f, and adapted to indicate the numbers
on the dial, a second arm, g, heavier than the arm, h, which may constitute the
prolongation of the latter and is placed preferably under the disc, c, or may be
secured to the axle, f, and acts on the arm, h, in such manner as to make it
indicate on the dial the inclination given to the rule: a glass like that of a
watch, placed in the ring, b, and protecting the arm, h, and the dial; and a

page_text: plate, k, secured to the back face of the rule and covering the aperture in which
are arranged the devices set forth.
Dated this 15th day of May 1899
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.